The next 8 days are filled with several birthday celebrations for friends. It seems like feast or famine regarding birthdays around here.

Party #1

I had the opportunity to party with my 2 different groups of amazing ladies on the same night! Lucky me!!! Seriously, it couldn’t have come on a better week.

First up, at 6:30, I celebrated Jennifer’s birthday. She’s a fellow blogger but it’s private. {{bummer}} She’s an amazingly talented and driven woman, whom I feel so blessed to know.

Her boys are my boys ages and they are such wonderful examples and fun play mates to have around. Jennifer’s little girl Ella is a complete delight and brightens up my home when she’s here. Secretly I want to kidnap her – OK maybe it’s not really a secret. She’s just so verbal and giggly I can’t help but love the time I have with her.

Party #2

Then I celebrated Lisa’s birthday at 9:00, at the same restaurant. Yep! Party #1 ended at 8:30 so it was perfect timing. You’ll recognize a couple faces in this group, Rochelle and Chanda.

I think that my friend Lisa is the perfect blend of my sister Lisa and me. She has my sister’s athleticism, sarcasm, and wit combined with my body type, personal style (we have the same favorite clothing store), obsession with hair, and craftiness. I’m a bit jealous, personally. I’d love to be more like my sister!

Julie is never one to disappoint when it comes to getting a crazy picture. I LOVE this about her!

Happy Birthday Lisa!! (on the left)

Isn’t Chanda’s little girl adorable!! She’s another one that I would risk jail time to steal for a day. {{kidding, sort of}}

Speaking of birthday parties, I need some more unique celebration ideas. Be sure to share!!

Dance War: Are you glad that Team Bruno won? Personally, I liked the people better on Team Carrie Ann’s team but I thought Team Bruno had more talent.

Prison Break: What do you think about Michael’s vengence? I know they need a new story line but going after Susan? hmm.

We all know she’s a puppet and is going to get hers in the end one way or the other. I do feel for poor Fernando. Poor guy – he’s got some bad juju!

Last night was the Anual Valentines Dance at church. It’s the only time that we get to forget we’re adults and kick it old school.

We got down to YMCA…

got our groove on…

and sweat to the Cotton Eye Joe!

There wasn’t however, any rule about keeping your distance or your lips to yourself 😉 Way to go, RO!

Lisa was in town so I talked her into being my date and we had a great time letting our hair down! We got there late and missed the Thriller dance off between a friend of mine and an unsuspecting guy on the dance floor. It’s was like being 14 all over again, complete with old folks glaring at us for being rowdy.

I was amazed at how many songs there were to line dance to. Lisa and I are anti line dancing. Lisa because if she can’t look the best she doesn’t participate and me because I don’t conform.

What about you…line dancer or non-conformist??

I was saddened last night when I heard the news of the President Hinckley’s death. He was the president of my church and such an amazing and loving leader. I was constantly impressed by his witty personality as well as his ability to connect with the members of the church throughout the world. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

For some reason, I can’t help but think about the celebration and reunions that are happening in heaven at this very moment. His wife passed away almost 2 years ago and what an amazing relationship they had! I’m not sure how it all works out – but being a prophet – he’s probably being reunited with some pretty amazing historical leaders right now.

I know, I’m weird. But that’s been my perspective about death since I was a young child. I guess having a sister who died of SIDS has helped me keep focused on the positive. Also, after reading “Embraced by the Light” so recently, I tend to dwell on Heaven and what a wonderful place it will be.

I’m coming out of the closet, sort of. D-dawg is doing something fun over on her blog. She’s collecting pictures of every one’s closet “as is”. Here’s the info:

“If you would like to share closet woes, please send me a picture of yourself in your closet “AS IS!” I MEAN, AS YOUR CLOSET LOOKS THE VERY MOMENT THAT YOU TAKE THE PICTURE!

No cleaning it up at all. Take the picture and send it to me. I want you in the picture too. I’ll post them later this week. It will be funny. If you’re a clean person, send me a picture and impress everyone!”

I gave my closet a make-over when I first started blogging so it’s pretty clean the majority of the time. I’ve got a good and easy system to keep up.

Anyway, join D-dawg’s challenge it’s should be fun!!

I’ve got to give a huge shout out to my sister, Lisa, who watched my kiddos for 4 days, over the weekend! Lisa you’re the BEST! I not only came home to a clean house, laundry done, and happy boys, but Drake has learned a few new tricks as well.

When he’s hungry, he climbs into his high chair! Who knew he could do that! 😉 I gave up on the high chair quite a while ago, but it’s so nice to have him strapped down and stationary while eating again.

Lisa also taught him to “punch it” after giving a high five – seriously it is sooo cute. You can tell he feels like such a big boy.

I couldn’t let another day go by with out bragging on her a little. I truly feel so blessed that we’ve worked on our relationship and now have an amazing one. I rely on her a lot! She’s one of the most generous people I know.

If you haven’t already, you’ll have to check out her blog posts about babysitting my kiddos. Poor Lisa! I just hope she’s blessed with sleepy children, she’s earned it!

Katri had us over for a movie night over the weekend and we watched ‘Jane Eyre’. I will admit that I didn’t go for the movie choice but to fulfill my love language of quality time with some pretty great women.

I was not feeling it, until I saw blood and it was announced that someone got bit! I knew the odds of a vampire or werewolf being in this movie was slim to none – but I teased myself with the idea anyway. It worked and I ended up enjoying it. Thanks ladies!

Jane Eyre gave me the bug, and I’ve been watching vampire movies in my media room ever since. {{giggle}}

On another, completely unrelated, note: Drake discovered he could unscrew my lipstick and painted it on his face. Normally this would not be blog worthy. However, that was 2 DAYS AGO! Yep, it’s still there.

Hows that for a MAC commercial: It won’t even rub off your baby’s face after 2 days of scrubbing, long warm baths, and several soap products. 😉

I have many red heads in my life, all beautiful and crazy talented. Here’s one more with such a delicate and beautiful voice. Thanks to Mandy for the link!