Last Week

I’m having fun with this title. {{giggle}} These days, I’m all about keeping my hair out of my face but I also want a little lift. So here I used 3 bobby pins to pull it up a bit.

Now

Wednesday, LeAnne hooked me up with a new hairdo for summer. She lightened it up a bit so I’m a little blonder, cut some long bangs, and layered it around my face.

I love to change my hair often. What’s your summer hair style?

I’m just going to be flat out honest, and admit that I would be a complete wreck if I didn’t have these women in my life. My love language is quality time and it’s very important to me. I love being around women who have qualities that I’m striving to have and who’s talents inspire me.

My home life is very loud, chaotic, and stressful. Most of the time, I feel completely overwhelmed with pressing issues and challenges. Therefore I feel blessed to be able to kick back and enjoy time with these amazing ladies.

Friday night it was Katrina’s birthday. She is so talented and has such impeccable taste. I got her the white flower ring and a gift card to a boutique. Rochelle and Katri put together a basket with all kinds of fun things for Katrina’s formal dining room. Chanda made her these and she loved them. It was such a fun girl evening full of great company and conversation.

Wednesday it was Tricia’s birthday. She’s having her 4th child on Tuesday, so it was perfect timing to get together and celebrate. We all chipped in at got Trish a gift card for home decor.

With summer, swim team, and constant mothering it’s such a wonderful break to get together and eat a real meal. Thanks Ladies!

Today is my sister Lisa’s birthday and how better to wish her a happy birthday than to go down memory lane and celebrate all that is my amazing sister.

I got my first camera (Polaroid) for Christmas one year and look who was in my first picture! I’m quite sure this is the only time Lisa has ever played with dolls. I’m glad I got it on film. teehee

Right before we moved from California to Texas, my parents took us to Disney World. It was huge deal and so we got all dressed up. My mom made Lisa wear bows in her hair only for church and special occasions. Take a look at her shoes – I’m sure she didn’t tie the laces just to spite my mom. {{rebel}}

On rare occasions I could bribe Lisa to let me do her hair. She looks so cute!

These next priceless beauties are from a photo session where I dressed Lisa up like a girl and made her do girlly poses. At this point in her life, she wanted to be a boy so she dressed like a tomboy.

This is the Lisa we know and love – full of fire! I wonder what the occasion was, since she has another bow in her hair.

Here’s Lisa in the teal participating in a school program.

My dad made us a “Self Esteem Journal” when James and I became teenagers. For family home evenings or family feuds we would get out our journals and everyone in the family would have to write something nice in it.

This is what Lisa wrote in my journal. “Laurie you are a good sister to me most of the time. Cool oooo yeah.” See Lisa you didn’t hate me as much as you remember. {{wink}}

Lisa was one of my brides maids when I got married. I’m sure she did it reluctantly, but now I’m even more pleased I made sure to include her. Especially considering now she’s my best friend.

Lisa has always loved my boys! Even when they were at their most difficult.

I died Lisa’s hair maroon in 2002. {{oops}} Although I think it really suited her. She looks great as a blondie or brunette.

Since we have a 6 year age gap we were never into the same things at the same time. By the time she realized she wasn’t ever going to be a boy, I was married. However, when Lisa came to live with me for a while in 2002 that’s when we became really close.

Lisa is the favorite Aunt of all the grandchildren. She’s also all of the siblings favorite sibling. Lisa has claimed for years to be both our parents favorite child and she’s probably right.

She’s funny, giving, forgiving, gives of her time and talents to each of her siblings, and is a confidant to all. She gives more than anyone I know and I’m honored to be her big sister.

To let you all know, I have stopped venting to Lisa about my kids, so she’ll start having some. She’s going to make an incredible mother one day. She’s already mastered: wife, daughter, sister, and friend.

Love you Sis!

I’ve been on the look out for a new summer hair style. I like to change things up often.

I’ll admit when I first saw LC (from The Hills) sporting the braid – I thought it was ghetto. Alas it has really grown on me and I decided to try it.

Here I am, “LT”. Not bad for my first attempt, considering I haven’t braided my hair since the 80’s. 😉

I’ll have to “keep this in the running for Laurie’s Next Top Summer Hairdo”. {{giggle}}

Drake decided he wanted to get in the action and do his hair. He laid down on the counter and stuck his head in the sink!

I dried him off and helped him a bit. Here’s an after shot.

Let’s talk hair! What are you considering for your summer look?

Laurie M, Wendy, and I took a girls trip to Fredericksburg over the weekend. We’ve been trying to plan this for a couple months and it finally came together kinda last minute. I was so bummed to miss Katri’s amazing book club. I was really looking forward to it.

It was so nice to have 2 full consecutive nights of sleep. In Fredericksburg, we were like kids in a candy store!

We shopped…

Had some crazy moments…

Ate yummy food and treats…

Saw a chick flick…

Saw some crazy products…

Enjoyed our girl time, told stories, and laughed.

It’s such a blessing to have wonderful friends and some time away from family. Now I’m motivated to finish planning summer and geer up for the full-time mothering it requires.

Oops, we did it again! (Does that saying ever get old? I think not.)

Julianne, Katrina, Me, and RO (pictures blog-jacked from RO’s blog)

My man dishing up his plate

Saturday, Rochelle out did herself and hosted a party that did not disappoint. She cooked most (if not all) the food herself and it was yummy! The decor was festive and fab! And the she invited all my favorite people. I was in heaven.

Lisa sporting my fav line of clothes with a plate full of goodies.

Here’s Greg (I think) dominating at badminton. Rochelle kicked my but earlier that evening.

Katri and Me

We got crazy at karaokee! Katri’s got a great voice and isn’t afraid to use it. “You go girl!”

Talk about a great evening. To top it off, I got to see Aurora (who is fantastic) and meet Aubri. I love bumping into bloggers – it makes conversation flow easier and makes it more fun.

I can’t express to you how much these girls mean to me. They are so dear to my heart. Sure it looks like we’re all fun and games but there’s a lot more. We make being together a priority, we lift each other up, and we make sure that there’s “me” time not only “mom” time. I look forward to our outings and adventures together. We work hard and we party hard. 😉

Thanks so much RO! I really needed the adult time. It was a night to remember.

Saturday I slept in and then met for lunch at Melissa’s Mansion. Afterwards we went over to see Martha’s new house. I’ve been watching the progression of it on her blog and couldn’t wait to see it. It’s even more beautiful in person! She did an amazing job picking everything out and showing off her personal style.

I didn’t want to leave, we were having such great conversation. Not to mention everywhere I looked I kept seeing new things in the house I loved. The living room ceiling is really incredible!!

We spent the late afternoon having some retail therapy. This headband could be yours for only $78. {{say what?!?}}


Love the hat Melissa!

Lisa looks great in any hat! If she ever gets around to posting it, we have some great video. {{giggle}}

Saturday night it was time to Par-Tay blogger style with Jill and her posse. I really love how honest and open Jill is on her blog. She does ‘Sunday Thoughts’ posts and shares her testimony and what she has been inspired to do on a weekly basis.

I find so much strength in those posts. During church I’m usually with one of my boys so Sunday isn’t usually the spiritual boost that I need to help me endure the week. Jill’s posts have filled in that gap and make me think. So thanks Jill not only for the fun party and all your preparations but also for being YOU!

The table centerpieces were keyboards wrapped in ribbons on top of cute gingham fabric.

James, Cecilia, Me, and Lisa

It turned out to be a family affair since my brother James DJ’d the party and his wife Cecilia is a blogger too (thanks to my Christmas card).

All the food was really good. But take a look at these cupcakes, aren’t they so beautiful! The ribbon is actually hot glued on.

You know I appreciate all things OTT. I had to find out who brought these cupcakes and give her the credit she deserved! Thanks to Jill’s comment – I found out this is Erin from Blackfoot, Idaho. Your neck of the woods RO. Erin is so adorable and I loved her energy. I’m really glad I took the time to seek her out.

We each brought a door prize and Kristi pulled our names out of a bowl and then we introduced ourselves and opened up the gift. I got a great black and iron frame. Yeah!

Jill had us write down questions we had about blogging and she put them in a bowl. Around the end of the evening, after great food and conversation, we gathered in a circle and read the blog questions.

Kristi asked me to record the questions and answers and post them on Tip Junkie. I was happy to do it, you’ll find them here and here. Hopefully, you’ve had the same questions and find it helpful.

I was so giddy to meet Kristi! {{can you tell on my face – I’m a dork!}} I’ve been reading her blog since I first started blogging. She’s been a staple in my life for almost a year and it was such a treat to finally meet her in person.

I didn’t get a chance to tell her this, but she’s one of the reason’s I started the Tip Junkie blog. Every time I read her blog I wanted to talk about her latest project or idea she inspired me to do. She also plugs giveaways and women’s businesses. I wanted to do that too! I found that I needed to have a completely separate blog to showcase those ideas. So thanks Kristi for your inspiration and your passion for life.

Side Note: Kristi has 3 girls (thus her blog name is Everything Pink) and I have 3 boys (thus my blog name is Create Your Own Experience). Teehee I thought that was really funny.

Thanks for the fun night Ladies! It was a pleasure meeting you. I think I finally got to bed after 1:00am. {{You know I LOVE a silly pic!}}

Katri, Rochelle, and Me

Look who finally made it to book club. Me! We have it on Saturday afternoons which is probably the most difficult day/time for me to attend. However this month, I got our favorite babysitter to come and I was off for some much needed girl time.

We read ‘The Hidden Diary of Marie Antoinette’ and Katrina out did herself! The food was delicious and the decor was so incredibly beautiful! I was amazed at all the details and love she put into the afternoon.

There was silver tulle and vibrant flowers everywhere!

Even on the chandelier, there were fresh roses and pink tulle. Breath taking!

She brought out her china and tons of tea lights for the special occasion. Those napkin rings are to die for.

Here’s a peek at Katrina’s mirrored buffet – so elegant.

Did I mention how yummy the food was? Scrumptious.

Cheryl (middle) even did her hair for the event! Be sure to go to Katrina’s (left) blog. She has more details on decorating and the food.

Here’s Chanda and Caroline.

It was such a beautiful afternoon. I can’t thank Katrina enough for all her efforts. It really made my day so much brighter!

That evening we met several couples at the Town Square where they were having a little festival of sorts. It was such a nice and relaxing evening full of great conversation and yummy food!

Thank goodness for close friends – you are very dear to me.

I finally got some pictures to share with you of two fabulous birthday parties I was honored to attend. First Monica’s Princess Party:

We all dressed up as princesses and it was a crazy fun time. Here’s Monica in the white and beautiful as ever as princess for a day!

She went ALL OUT! She spray painted pumpkins, a castle, and a frog silver for amazing place settings around every corner. She even added white lights to the columns in her house and wrapped it in pink tulle.

Here’s Katri and Calli (the next birthday girl) showing off pink glittered cupcakes. Yummy!

She even had a throne!! Awesome!

We each went home with these white roses. Each rose had a different poem about friendship on them. They were also scattered in all the center pieces around the house which added to the incredible decor.

Next was Calli’s birthday party. For the game, we each brought a book to swap. We played it like the ‘white elephant’ game. It was such a fun party game idea!

Calli invited her friends from several different circles and it was so much fun meet them. That girl knows some amazing women! I was seriously impressed and had a great time getting to know everyone.

Calli and Katri made each one of us these amazing purses with a magazine inside as a parting gift. WOW!! I don’t even want to think the time it took to make all those bags.

I hope you’ve been inspired to throw an Over The Top birthday bash for your BFF! As a guest I felt so loved and grateful for my friendships. Just think of how the birthday girl felt!