Remember my blenvy post? I’m so green right now I’m a freakin‘ lepreachaun. {{sigh}} Isn’t this sweetie so adorable!

Head on over to Tip Junkie and check out the Blogtique that’s going on right now, featuring products created by bloggers. Be sure to keep these products in mind for upcoming birthdays, weddings, and other events!

Boy, I’ve got a lot of catching up to do on my blog. Summer has been so busy it’s cutting into my blogging time. Geez!

Sunday, I received a new calling (assignment) at church. It’s bitter/sweet for me. Bitter because I was really looking forward to the challenge and creativity of being on the Enrichment board. However, I wasn’t utilized as much as I would have liked and therefore ready for a change.

Sweet for me, because I’m back in my element of teaching the kiddos in Primary. I’m teaching the 3 and 4 year olds and am really looking foward to snacks, bubbles, and lots of games each Sunday.

Since the 3 year olds have the same lesson plans as the 2 year olds, I’m set! I went completely OTT when I was in charge of the 2 year olds (nursery leader) and filed all my lesson plans, hand outs, and games in these two file folders.

Sunday the lesson was on Taste and Feel. I brought some sour skittles along with some other goodies for the lesson. We had our lesson, took a walk, made masks, colored, read tasting and seeing books, and played with fake food.

That’s my kind of Sunday!

Last week I received some good mail! Tabetha sent me this beautiful necklace in appreciation for all my referrals. I don’t feel like I’ve done a thing – her products speak for themselves!

So head on over and order gifts for all your favorite ladies in your life! They’ll love them.

I also got some good mail from the IRS. Lucky me. I guess this means Karma’s mad at me again. If only I could figure out what’s ticking her off. These battles between us are kicking my @ss.

Be sure to check out Lisa’s blog and read all about our antics last week. Click on her music and listen to the first track before you read the post – it makes it funnier!

(btw: Lisa took off her music auto-play after the Q&A at Jill’s Blog Party Sat. night.)

Here’s something to look forward to: Tomorrow Lisa will be posting some great video footage. Seriously, Lisa and I really do lack self-control, pride, and shame. {{giggle}} So enjoy!

In preparation for Blogapalooza I’ve been crazy busy making some fun things. Amongst them are Beaded Bookmarks for my door prize and Blogapalooza Directories for each guest at at the party.

Blogapalooza Directories

Beaded Bookmarks

While I was waiting for Lisa at baggage claim in the Utah airport, I ran into Diane who’s going to the Blogapalooza! She is crazy fun! We were so busy chatting that I didn’t even see Lisa – who was waiting for her OTT welcome from me. Sorry Sis!

Considering our last visit, we couldn’t disappoint Melissa upon our arrival. So we changed into Neo and Trinity costumes from the Matrix. However, this time, no one knew who we were – dagum Utah. I guess that’s what I get for picking a rated R movie.

Don’t laugh {too hard} but I had no idea what this was. Do you?

Here’s a random tip from Melissa, for those of you who have a jet bath tub. You’re supposed to clean out the jets once a year. Use a product like this “Swirl Away”.

There’s been a lot of fuss about Cafe Rio in blog land. So Melissa, Lisa, and I decided to give it a try.

Over rated! I guess we’re just too used to yummy Tex-Mex.

“You wanna mess with us!?!” Here we are having a little fun in Target getting some last minute things for the Par-Tay.

As we were leaving Target it SNOWED! You can’t see the snow – but yes Ladies – it snowed TWICE while I was there. I sure miss my 80 degree Texas weather. {sigh}}

To be continued…

To My Family: I’ll miss you and know that I love you so much.

To My New Friends Traveling to Utah: Are you ready?

My bags are packed and I’ll see you all soon. If you need to reach me, you can e-mail Jason (jason at turkfamily dot com) and he’ll send you my cell number.

xoxo

My friend Melissa and her hubby came to visit over the weekend. We’ve been friends for years and I really appreciate and enjoy our friendship. We have tons in common. We also both have 3 boys.

She was blessed to have had a daughter 9 months ago and little Rachel is so beautiful and an easy going baby. It was a delight to see her!

Drake loves getting his picture taken. Here we are trying on sunglasses. Yes, these are pimp girl ones – but doesn’t he look great in them!

We all decided to get new sunglasses. Doesn’t Lisa look great!

We had a blast shopping and eating and laughing together.

We even bonded over pedi’s!

I’m so excited to because I’ll get to stay with her in a month when I’m in Utah.

Big Tip! Be sure to check out Melissa’s Northgate Mansion for weddings, family reunions, scrapbook retreats, and blog parties! I’ve been in inside and it’s amazing!! It sleeps 50 and has an indoor play ground.

My brother Scott (pictured above) and Lisa left on Thursday. We had such a fun week reminiscing, playing with the boys, laughing, and playing cards. What an amazing week with great company!

Their recent visit got me thinking about our childhood and some crazy times we had growing up. One memory kept coming to me -when I got to play stylist and they got to play dress up! It was actually more fun for me. {{evil laugh}}

Because I wanted girly sister so badly I would, on occasion, convince Scott and Lisa to let me dress them up as girls. Yes, I know that technically Lisa is a girl and a beautiful one at that. However, growing up she was convinced that she was a boy.

Here’s what Lisa looked like on a daily basis as a “boy”. Notice the piece of grass in her mouth. ha!

Here is my favorite picture of Lisa as a girl, during our photo session. Yes I said session. I have many more of these jewels! I think she’s even wearing shoulder pads.

Here’s what Scott usually looked like. Doesn’t Dylan look just like him? 😉

This is what Scott looked as a girl. Totally sassy for sure and he loved it!

This tradition started when Scott was a baby. Here he is in a wig and tutu. What a sport! Thanks for playing guys.

I realize the obvious question is, “Have I dressed up any of my boys as girls?” No, I haven’t. Jason wouldn’t like it and they wouldn’t go along with it anyway. {{big sigh}} Party poopers.

**Update! I just found these pictures where I dressed up Lisa as a boy and Scott as a girl. Notice the coordinating outfits. I crack myself up!!

After a miserable 4 days of Drake and I being sick, and my man out of town, I finally left the house last night. Yes, Ladies, I had not left my house (other than to pick up the kids from school) since Monday. I’ve been in my jammie’s, sick as a dog all week.

After all I’ve been through this week, I was not going to let the misery continue and miss the princess party that I was invited to. When I got the invitation I realized that I haven’t ever dressed up as a princess. I had grand plans of buying the perfect baby blue gown and blinging it out as my first Cinderella gown. My bad luck, the flu took over and I was in no condition to drive, let alone shop. So I wore a dress that I bought for a cruise a couple years ago.

I have my fake long ponytail on and every princess needs a tiara! Back story: I bought those during a real identity crisis when I turned 30 and had my 3rd boy. The realization that I wouldn’t have a daughter was too hard to bear and so I turned it into a fun shopping trip with a friend.

I asked my boys if I looked like a princess and Davis said, “Well sort of. You’re wearing black.” {{dissappointment}} I said that I was a princess dressed up to go to a black tie event.” Davis said, “Huh?” {{never mind}}

My camera is broken so this is the only picture I have to document the amazing night. Needless to say, I got home a little after 1:00am and I promptly turned back into recovering Laurie in her jammies.

This morning, I’m filled with gratitude for friends I can laugh with, talk to, and who don’t judge, or compete. I’m grateful for over-the-top evenings that make life a whole lot brighter. I’m grateful for being a girly girl who finally had the chance to dress up as a princess. It was the perfect end to a week that was almost too hard to bear.

Tuesday, I got a little break from Spring Break with the kiddos and had a double date lunch at Pei Wei with my man and another couple. It was spontaneous and such a delight to have adult conversation in the middle of the day.

That night I helped celebrate LeAnne’s birthday. She’s not only my hair dresser but a dear friend. She has the most contagious laugh and always has a good story to tell.

I was exhausted from the day entertaining the kids but was able to enjoy the evening and simply be grateful for good frienships. It got me thinking…

*What do you appreciate most in a friend?