According to my dad he doesn’t want anything for his birthday, although secretly there is probably a long list of things he wants for the kitchen, the yard, camping or his shop. I figure I would honor him via my blog for all 5 readers of it.
Tomorrow (August 20) is my dads 61st birthday. Last year we celebrated with a giant party in my familys amazing backyard, this year I am sure it will be a quiet one. If I guess correctly dinner will consist of steak or a prime rib, some yummy veggies and for desset chocolate cake with white icing. I will be making him a belated huckleberry cheesecake when I go home in September.
My dad is one of my all time favorite men in my life. He is a constent always there always loving. We have always had a unique bond my dad and I. I believe that is goes back to my first year on this earth. My mom had a job she really liked and my dad didn’t like his so much, so he stayed home with me. I was daddy’s little girl from that moment on. I have lots of great memories of my dad just to name a few:
my first baseball game was at yankee stadium with my dad.
Summers spent camping on the Oregon Coast and Priest Lake
The 1998 Rose Bowl between Washington State and Mich.
The bed I sleep in every night, he made it all by hand and it has no nails in it at all.
Freshman, Sophmore and Junior years Dad’s weekends at WSU.
The songs he sang to me as a little girl when I couldn’t fall asleep.
My first car that he bought for me, a 1971 electric blue VW bug
The 3,000 mile drive from Spokane to Dallas to move me here 7 years ago.
The family vacation to Italy lots of good memories.
Those are just a few I could go on and on. But all I want to say is Dad, Happy Birthday! I am so proud to be your daughter and I love you!

one is silver, the other’s gold. Just thinking about that songs brings me back to my days as a girl scout. We used to sing that song everyday at camp. Over the years the words occasionally pop back into my head, however tonight they hit close to the heart for me.
I am rather comfortable in my life and am often scared to go out and make new friends. Yet at the same time I am always wishing I had more friends from my church that I could hang out with. However I rarely step out of my comfort zone and open myself up to new relationships.
Tonight I was invited to a party, a small party consisting of Leslie, Lauri and I, but I am going to call it a party. Leslie and I have been friends for 10 years now. We met through TIME Ministries and her family is like a second family to me. I even lived with them for a few months while I was between roommates. I spend holidays with her and if you are ever trying to find me when Lost is on, I am with her. Leslie is a great friend and I am thankful for her friendship.

This is Leslie

I met Lauri through Leslie, they go to church together. I admired Lauri from a distance, often telling Les over the past few years I want to be her friend. I was sort of jealous that Leslie and others were friends with this really great gal. Lauri has this great way about her, it is unasuming and she just cares for people. She also makes me laugh. I am blessed that I am able to get to know her and look forward to many more fun times.

This is Lauri

As we ate dinner and then played a great game, I couldn’t help to be sit back and think… I am grateful for all my old friends and I am excited to go out and make new friends because when I take the chance, I might end up with a great new friend. Life is good.

Birthdays are rough for me, well at least my own birthday is. I seem to have more bad memories of birthdays than good memories. A friend once told me that I put too much stock in my birthday and I am always let down because of my high expectations. It is probably true, so this year I decided I would plan my own party, my ideal party. The end of August is a busy time, school is starting, other peoples birthdays, anniversarys, and lots of other things always going. I get that because my schedule it seems is constantly busy. I have missed a few parties in my life.
That being said I figured I would attempt to make this birthday one to remember, after all I am going to be 30 (and I am scared of turning 30). I planned a date and a time, a big party that would bring together almost all my world; church, work and friends. It would be fun with lots of laughter and music in the background. I began preparing the menu (yes I know people think I shouldn’t have to make food for my own party, but it is something I love). Oh the menu was good, caprese skewers with a balsamic dressing, mini cheesecakes dipped in chocolate, fresh fruit, and that is just the beginning.
However, life isn’t smooth for me. I found out tonight that someone else is having a party that same night and many of the same people will be most likely attending that party. So rather than have conflicting party and have no one show up, I have cancelled mine. I wish it was as easy as changing dates but sadly my work schedule is already set and my weekend nights arn’t really ever mine unless I ask for it off months in advance.
I will be okay, I mean it is just another day right? Who cares whether anybody turns a year older or not. But today I am sad because I managed to messed up own birthday which may make me the biggest loser of all time. I mean come on who manages to have to cancel her own birthday party. So instead of having a party I am staying 29 this year. I figure nobody really has to know that I was going to be 30.