tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48913157979618788612023-11-16T05:45:42.416-05:00JENNJennifer Simpsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07131526629503192204noreply@blogger.comBlogger184125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4891315797961878861.post-64848515207749475892012-09-06T22:58:00.002-04:002012-09-06T22:58:46.265-04:00Labor Day with my favorite troops<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This weekend was so very special. I guess I said that the last post too, didn't I? I suppose that means I'm lucky to make such special memories with the people I love as often as I do. </div>
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After Saturday entertaining friends for the ballgame at Jeff's (War Eagle anyway!), Jeff and I met up with mom, dad, Mimi, and PawPaw at the National Infantry Museum at Ft. Benning. If you haven't been, it's brand new, and amazing! If you have a family member who was in the military, it's definitely worth the road trip. <br />
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I say I spent Labor Day with my favorite troops and I did. Did you know Jeff was in the Navy? He was a submariner, and a Veteran of the Gulf War. My dad served in the Army National Guard for 25 years, and retired a Major when I was in high school.<br />
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But PawPaw was the star of the show on Monday. Dad had concocted a plan months ago, and brought them to the museum this weekend to surprise them with it!<br />
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The National Infantry Museum has a Walk of Honor, and you can have a paver dedicated to your loved one here, for it to forever to laid in their honor.<br />
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Not until we pulled PawPaw away from exhibits and sat him in a front row seat, did Mimi grab a program and say "Honey, your name's in here!" The light came, and a sweet grin crossed his face. Over 100 pavers were dedicated, and the speaker chose to highlight a few of the stories he'd seen of families who'd written of the servicemen the pavers were dedicated to. Of those 3 stories of the 100 dedicated, my grandfather's story was told to the crowd. Of how Albert Nicometo was the son of Italian immigrants, who grew up in New York. Of how, like his big brothers, he wanted to join the military to serve the country who saved his family. Of how this man fought in the Korean War, and came home and married his wife of 60 years. Of how he's a husband, a father, a grandfather, a patriot, a soldier, a friend, and an American. </div>
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This picture makes me smile so. PawPaw is so proud, he would barely look at my camera, for looking at his name in the marble, amoungst all the others who have served our country. <br />
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Mimi....on the other hand....had a hard time getting over to the grass because she refused to step on the names! She said it seemed like a grave and it creeped her out! I reminded her PawPaw was living and breathing right beside her, but to no avail, so she wobbled right over it!<br />
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Touching his name....<br />
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It was another amazing memory for the records books, friends. A very special day. Jennifer Simpsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07131526629503192204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4891315797961878861.post-27977230741685919542012-09-04T13:27:00.000-04:002012-09-04T14:15:26.418-04:0060 Years Together!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Last weekend was so special! We celebrated my grandparents' 60th wedding anniversary!</div>
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At their request, all they wanted was for all the family to pile up at their house in Montgomery, the same place, the same time. With our busy schedules, this seems to be nearly impossible sometimes, but with the promise of her Italian homemade sauce.....we came running!!<br />
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We came from all over Georgia, Alabama, and Florida for this special day! And if my sister and I are involved, as with the rest of the Nick's, things are always normal....<br />
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But we clean up well when we want to! ;)</div>
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Just look how precious they are! Both 82 years old, together after 60 years, in amazing health! They work those boats in Bolixi like professionals! And you couldn't compete with their garden, Mimi's canning skills, and PawPaw can spend a whole day on our hunting property on 4-wheelers and hold his own!<br />
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What can I say about these two? PawPaw, son of Italian immigrants (youngest of TWELVE), born and raised in Oakfield, NY, joined the Army and made his way south. Mimi, youngest of NINE, borned and raised in Sweetwater, AL, stayed close to home. Their paths crossed, and at 22, Mimi took a bus to New OR-leans, and PawPaw HITCH-HICKED to meet her, where they wed the next day at a local lawyers office! The rest as they say, is history. Sweet, precious history.<br />
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Mimi and PawPaw and their offspring, each so special to me in their own way (especially my sweet mama!)</div>
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Here are us grandkids, minus Sarah and Josh who were tied up with college activities. And I know my angel cousins Levin and Nathan had their arms around us all the way from Heaven. <br />
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Along with our feast of BBQ and pasta (it goes perfect together, trust me) there was this beautiful wedding cake....along with four other cakes that left us worthless for the afternoon!<br />
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And where there's a wedding/anniversary celebration....you know we gotta do this!<br />
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Outside fun in the afternoon led to some quick shots with Jeffrey by my photog sister--so grateful for them, they turned out pretty good! And at least now I know what to wear when I go running in the dark of night....can we say highlighter <em>NEON</em>!<br />
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A final group shot of all us, surrounding our Mimi and PawPaw, filled by 60 years of love, ended the day perfectly. It's been a rough few years for this family. But if I know anything about a Nicometo, it's that we're tough as tails, we <em>walk it and talk it</em>, and love with all the passion that Celano, Italy and Sweetwater, Alabama passed from my grandparents on to me. And I proudly will pass it on.<br />
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So with that, my sweet grandparents, congratulations on 60 amazing years, I'll see yall later, and Ciao! XOXO</div>
Jennifer Simpsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07131526629503192204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4891315797961878861.post-17081907339605266402012-08-31T10:51:00.001-04:002012-08-31T10:51:31.355-04:00We've got Water Dogs on our Hands!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
There's no question I'm a water dog growing up with grandparents having cabins on Lake Martin and Fort Walton, it's in my blood I suppose. My dream would certainly be to have a home on a lake one day with the constant sound of a screen door slamming with friends and family as they come and go.</div>
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But for now.....</div>
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A few weekends ago, we enjoyed some time on the lake at the invitation of dear friends, and watching the clowns as they battle it out on the tube. </div>
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Sweet Christian and his mommy</div>
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Chrissie took Tori on her first ride on the big tube, and she was so excited to be just like Emmy and Kyle!</div>
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But apparently Mr. Jeff was driving too slow for her liking....I cracked up as I looked back to find her little chin propped up on her hand, like she was <em>so over this</em>....Piece o' cake, right Tori!<br />
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With the tube deflated, it was time to get down to business. We had dropped Rich off at his house to get things set up for (what ended up being a delicious) fish fry that night, Chrissie was rocking Christian to sleep with the boat, Jeff began instructions to the clowns on their first ever attempt to kneeboard! Tori and I became spotters (and photogs, of course).<br />
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Kyle and Emmy both got up after just a few tries, and I was so proud of them for not getting frustrated and quitting! I didn't even try! Their grins said it all, and I knew they were having a ball.</div>
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It was another good day all around (<em>if you know what I'm saying</em>) full of fresh water, pontoons, teenagers, toddlers, best friends, my love, cold beer, fried fish, potato chips, sunshine, laughing, and loving. <br />
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Have mercy, who knew you could love something so much.</div>
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The fried fish, of course.</div>
Jennifer Simpsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07131526629503192204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4891315797961878861.post-75154149232275369682012-08-30T12:50:00.002-04:002012-08-30T12:50:37.203-04:00OOC - The Outtakes....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Let me just keep it real. We're not all smiles and poses. But we all do have a camera (or phone) in hand at all times. You gotta capture everything (see <a href="http://www.jenniferleighsimpson.blogspot.com/2011/03/ooc-outtakes.html">OOC Outtakes 2011</a>).....</div>
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I'm not sure if this is 61's "bring on the 1st triemester puking" pose....or a "I'm gonna be sick just thinking about this, as I just left a toddler and 5-month old at home myself!" But you gotta love her honesty!</div>
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And there's no faking THAT look of shock!</div>
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And again!</div>
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Team 3 and their Game faces. I think they broke their cup.</div>
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AK and TT...thunderstorm wrestling. Neither stayed dried. And neither got a trophy.</div>
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Handstands are normal 'round these parts. Though<em> someone</em> needs to work on toe-points.</div>
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I learned "instagramming" is too addictive. </div>
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Here, Oakes is posting a pic, Jess is "hearting" it, and TT is commenting on it. </div>
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In other news, Jess is posting a pic, TT is "hearting" it, and Oakes is commenting on it.</div>
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I kid, I kid.</div>
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AK: Blazer, does that cat have fleas, I'm itching? (But seriously, your bicep is REDIC.)<br />
61: Are you metering, Jenn? I'm ready.<br />
Jess: This sucks. Hurry up.<br />
Oakes: Jess, quit pinching me, it's not that bad. <br />
Ginny: Should I wear this belt or not, yalllll?<br />
TT: Seriously, I could've heat-pressed 25 shirts by now.<br />
Rigsby: I'm really pregnant.<br />
Blazer: This house will never be the same.<br />
(While in the background I'm trying to figure out how my fat butt will squeeze in that tiny space....)<br />
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Jennifer Simpsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07131526629503192204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4891315797961878861.post-79861558428563094472012-08-29T13:54:00.002-04:002012-08-29T13:54:52.643-04:00OOC Weekend 2012!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It's my favorite time a year again! </div>
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.....Okay--no, I'm not busting out my Christmas decorations...second favorite time of year! OOC Weekend, baby!! With these lovely ladies!</div>
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A few weeks ago, I packed it up and headed to Florence, AL to meet my 8 college roomies for our annual weekend, one I will cherish each year, because no matter what is going on in our lives, and as busy as we are, things seem to fall right back into place as if we're all pulling up at the McKee House after a long day of class....ready to tap a keg!</div>
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Blazer hosted this year at her parent's AH-mazing house on the Tennessee River, where we managed to soak in some sun (and a little summer rain), adult beverages, and all the quality time we could in what always seems to be too short a time.</div>
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And what's OOC weekend without a little surprise, right Rigsby?? Looks like the twins will have to share their toys come February! <br />
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Oh, but in true Oakes fashion.....she had a little surprisin' to do of her own....with a NOT EVEN 2 year old baby girl, and a FIVE MONTH old baby boy! HELLO!!! We're about to put you and Charlie on seperate floors after this munchkin comes along!<br />
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And there's something else that always gives us butterflies around here, and it's the unveiling of our OOC t-shirt that our rocking entrepenuer TT makes us! Oh yes, we're those people with matching tees! It's like our after-college date party t-shirts you just gotta have! Heck, we'll be 70, still saying "OOC, baby!" on our girls weekend, sitting at Cracker Barrell in our matching tshirts! </div>
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<em>And you're gonna be jealous, you know you are!</em></div>
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We left our accomodations poolside only twice, for a boatride. And I mean, a BOATRIDE.<br />
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Midafternoon things got sneaky.... TT and Anna Kate disappeared. And came back like this. </div>
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I suppose it was only appropriate on Olympics weekend, right?</div>
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We proceeded to have the the most intense game of the "OOOOC Olympics" (note the shirt, love it TT!) of college trivia my memory-challenged brain could handle. And it was hilarious! I love that we leave our working, mothering, nurturing, business, budgeting brains at home--and can cut up and have such a silly time together! And good grief, the questions these girls came up with!! </div>
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And as required, there were winners. (Though Jess and I demand a RECOUNT!)<br />
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Congrats, 61 and Blazer. Your memory is astounding.<br />
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We did actually shower over the weekend, put make up on, and get girly. Only because Turtle Point Yacht Club required us too, though. We took a beautiful sunset cruise to dinner, and squeezed in all the last minute gossiping we possibly could before the end of an amzing weekend!<br />
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Ladies, I love yall. What more is there to say. I love our weekends, our "circle of friends," our inside jokes, I love that distance and time are just words with us. I love that 14 years ago I walked into a crowded chapter room on bid day panicking, and walked out with yall. </div>
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It must of been that Chimney Rock story that sold you on my normalcy. ;) XOXO</div>
Jennifer Simpsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07131526629503192204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4891315797961878861.post-21747464518094586222012-08-16T15:08:00.000-04:002012-08-16T15:08:39.707-04:00Niece Reunion 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: small;">My sister hosted our beloved "Niece Reunion" in Fairhope this year, and as required, chose a theme for us crazy ladies to celebrate all weekend. None better could be selected for Mobile than Mardi Gras of course!! She rented the cutest cabin on the bay, and decorated it with all the feathers, beads, and confetti she could get her hands on!</span><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1RB4oDyNFGpafzN6ZHt8c6t4R_POEKakopw-BQE7qh6U2c2uycgvd4EHobmhbuTvw8fRScXQVhK9NCEHHh0QBZ0PZEFfh-JUqVuVF1O3AHpP-mWcOEHm4LIG9g8ZvY4tGnY92YPil6Tbh/s640/DSC_0621.JPG" width="425" /></div>
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Friday night as we all arrived, we ate a traditional meal of red beans and rice, cooked by my very dear friend Rich Warner, who a) just happens to be cajun and b) happens to own a catering company and c) can seriously cook anything from the bayou your heart desires! And in mass quantity! So if you're looking to feed your family, or throw a party, or even a huge tailgate, he travels (with this big ol' cooking trailer!) And of course we devoured king cake for dessert, looking for that baby.<br />
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No baby... :(</div>
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Saturday morning we were up bright and early. Jessie and I cooked another cajun-Frenchy inspired breakfast of quiche for our favorite cousins and aunts. Then we hit the road to the Mobile Carnival Museum to learn the history behind Mardi Gras. <br />
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The whole crew....</div>
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My sweet family on a Mardi Gras float</div>
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After soaking in all Mardi Gras had to offer, we went to visit our sweet Aunt Mae. This whole "niece reunion" business is due to my grandmother's (Mimi's) big sister Aunt Vivian's request that all her nieces come to see her at the same time once a year for a big 'ol time. Well, she's passed away now, but we still do this, just for her. The only siblings left out of Mimi, and Aunt Vivian, and the other 7 brothers and sisters, is Mimi and Aunt Mae. Quite the spry 81 year old lady. And a spittin' image of my Mimi.</div>
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Aunt Mae and Mimi are a year apart, and never left each other's side, living and working together in Mobile, until Mimi got married. While here, the whole gang sat with Aunt Mae and listened to her stories....even a few on my mean ol' Mimi! kidding!!<br />
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After dinner and a beautiful sunset at Tacky Jacks on the bay, we headed back to the cabin where you could likely hear the giggles across the state line. It was that really good laugh too. The kind where you're not sure if it will result in wetting your pants or crying. Especially my family, you really don't even need to know the inside joke--our laughs are just that infectious.<br />
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And just like that, another reunion, in memory of sweet Aunt Vivian, who loved all her insane nieces to pieces (haha) was over way too quickly. </div>
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See, like I said....insane.....</div>
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We did our usual group shots, hugs, kisses, and goodbyes....until next year when Rachael hosts us all in Destin!</div>
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First Generation...</div>
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2nd Generation....</div>
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Third Generation.....</div>
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Normal.</div>
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Jennifer Simpsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07131526629503192204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4891315797961878861.post-9259436824246517592012-07-26T13:05:00.001-04:002012-07-26T13:05:25.470-04:00She does NOT do themes!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
That's what the eye-roll clearly indicated when Jeff pestered his not-so-baby-girl Emmy about her upcoming birthday, over and over. <em>How dare he even ask?</em> God love him, he's so stuck in the middle of an over-the-top girlfriend who ties ribbons around the napkins at every family get-together and has every serving piece on the market, and a daughter who is so simple and easy going, and blushes when all attention is on her. Boy, have I got work to do!</div>
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Emmy's 14th birthday was Saturday, and I was so excited to be there for every minute of her special day! Big brother picked her up that morning from spending the night at a girlfriends (ok, to be honest around noon....because apparently teenagers can actually sleep that long??) and J and I had this waiting in her room.....</div>
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Her old vanity had to go in a major way, and this one was just perfect. I bedazzled the top just enough, and am crossing my fingers it stays this clean (YEAH right!). She walked in, and to our delight, loved it! Score! She spent the next little while arranging her jewelry, makeup, etc. and then proudly showed us her new set up. </div>
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On to the rest of the day.....I spent every minute of the day, cooking, decorating, and straightening up for our family birthday party that evening. And it tickled me to no end that I had a teenager by my side the whole time. <em><strong>New.territory.yall.</strong></em> And on her birthday. She helped me chop, and stir, and mix, and bake. She helped me tie balloons, and hang lanterns, and set tables. She even just sat at the bar and talked, and I listened...or I'd talk, and she'd listen. Every day together, with the four of us, is really good now, but Emmy and I have had major walls up, which I completely understand. It warms my heart to feel her taking those down, and letting me in her precious world.<br />
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When party time hits, it hits like a storm every time! (And I totally snap out of "bonding mode!" HA!) It's game time! Suddenly there are kids jumping on the trampoline, swimming in the pool, climbing up the slide, men on the grill, ladies in the kitchen, shoes, towels, bags, food everywhere.....dogs barking, cows mooing, horses running wild.....ok you get my point..... And good gravy I wouldn't want it any other way! In between Jeffrey and Adam manning our sliders on the grill (could they look any more like twins??) I catch a few winks as he passes through the kitchen, and I know I've done good. <br />
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Kids are laughing and playing, appetizers are going down fast, and the birthday girl is on cloud 9.<br />
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I keep staring at these pictures of Emily. I have so many over the past few years. It's no lie that she would barely look at the camera, and then, hardly smile. Now I can get her to give me a big teeth-y grin (which is something no one in the family would do). Jeff will "smile with your teeth" now too, and they both have the most beautiful smiles. And her eyes, oh my, like her daddy's, are incredible. </div>
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And I dont have to say these things, I'm not her mama, or her daddy, so I only have to compliment when I want to. I don't even have to blog about this if I'm being honest. But she is beautiful. Even if from the sidelines, I am loving watching her blossom into a young lady. </div>
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For dinner Emmy requested burgers. Of course I tried to kick up it up a notch as best as you can dress up burgers, so we had a bite-size sliders bar, with all the fixins'. :) I tried a Pioneer Woman baked bean recipe in my dutch oven Mimi gave me for Christmas, that I'm constantly looking for reasons to cook in, and it was a hit!<br />
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Again, <em>could she be</em> any cuter?? And Abigail certainly is crazy about her cousin.<br />
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For dessert we had a chocolate fondue bar, with fruits and pretzels and cookies and marshmellows....and Nana's poundcake for dippers! Definitely the hit of the culinary evening (for kiddos and adults!) We did have to take it outside though, in order to bribe the kids out of the pool....<br />
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After her fill of marshmellow....covered in fondue...dipped in sprinkles..... she decided on a little cake with chocolate and sprinkles. DUH! This was about the time we started singing Happy Birthday, and her shy mode kicked in.<br />
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By the end of the night, the guests had gone home, everything was cleaned (sorta), we were all exhausted, and stretched out on deck. My guys, his clowns, his girl, full bellies, and all smiles. We make a great team, I have to admit, as crazy and awkward and slow it may seem at times. I'm grateful for this four-man team we're becoming, because I can feel it becoming more silly and comfortable and normal....and real.</div>
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Happy Birthday to Miss Emily Lauren Robinson. I am so proud of who you are becoming, and everything you stand for. I love that you are a daddy's girl, the feeling is mutual, and I hope you never grow out of it (so does he). I never did, and I can tell you he will move mountains for that beautiful teeth-showing smile I love. I can't wait for our next hangout session, quality time with you is precious. Even if I like themed parties. ;)</div>
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Now GO PUT A TOWEL ON! You look like a women, for pete's sake!!</div>Jennifer Simpsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07131526629503192204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4891315797961878861.post-54912590230494299342012-07-23T14:47:00.000-04:002012-07-23T14:47:03.386-04:00Starfish in ATL<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Everyone once in a while Jeff will up and decide at the last minute to run away for the weekend. All pre-planned, organized vacations are courtesy of me, <strong>for sure</strong>, but his spur-of-the moment trips (though they may leave me flustered and running to The Blue Door for a must-have new dinner dress <em>or two</em>) are simply wonderful. And sometimes just what we need.</div>
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Last Thursday, as we sat at our usual spot at the bar at Bonefish over a bowl of mussels recapping our exhausting weeks (we are such creatures of habits, our orders are placed as we walk in....so sad)....Jeff informs me we will be going to Atlanta for the weekend, and to plan flip flops by day and heels by night. </div>
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I do love that kind of plan!</div>
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Friday afternoon we snuck out of work, and dashed up to Atlanta where we checked into the best 5 Star hotel around (at least it gets my vote now!).... the Four Seasons! I cannot say enough about this place, it was simply beautiful. And the service was impecible--they waited on us hand and foot! The executive chef even gave us a private tour of the kitchen and their very own veggie & herb garden and bee hives, after we raved over the brunch Saturday morning!</div>
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Jeff had made reservations for each night at places I'd never heard of, but was so excited to try. I think he picked good ones, though I'm no fine dining expert, but both evenings were incredibly delicious!! On Friday night, we ate at a wonderful Italian resturant called Veni Vidi Vici. </div>
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I loved that when we walked out each night to either catch a cab or get our car from valet, the employee outside would check us out, ask where we were headed, and say "How about we take the hotel car?" So we sported around town everywhere in a 5 week old Jaguar! Apparently, we were looking fly!</div>
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**Side note: Jeff vowed never again to bring his Nissan Titan with big boy tires to the Four Seasons, because between there and the restaurants ALL we saw were BMWs, Mercedes, a Maserati, Porsches, a Ferrari, and even a FISKER (I say that like I knew what it was before J told me....)!</div>
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Saturday was all about flip flops and boat shoes. And the only day I took pictures with my real camera, and not my phone. </div>
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Neither of us had been to the Georgia Aquarium, and with hopes the "initial newness" had worn off some, we ordered tickets online, and headed over. WRONG. It was packed, so we were quite thankful we thought ahead, slipped through the will call line, and eased inside amongst the crowd.</div>
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It was so nice to walk around the whole place, on no schedule, holding hands with my guy, not worrying about a single to-do list for once. <em>I just enjoyed the moment</em>. We walked around each exhibit like kids, with our noses to the glass, having so much fun. </div>
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I love starfish, I think they are beautiful. One of the things I have always found most fascinating is that they can regenerate an arm if broken off. They can heal themselves. I think that's what this trip was, I wasn't broken, but it just felt healing in a way. Jeff and I can go to the ring with the best of them, and there's never been a time we didn't make up, but it's by far our biggest weakness---our stubbornness. Neither of us like to admit the other could be right, or just "right-er" sometimes, and lose control of a conversation. I know all of my friends are totally nodding their heads about my personality! Well you throw this Italian drama queen in with a Southern-raised man 'o the house, and if you stick around long enough.... you'll see a good show! </div>
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But if you do hang around, you'll also see more love than I ever thought possible in my life. You'll see him look at me across the room as if no one else is there, and make me blush. You'll see him reach out his hand as I walk by his chair passing through rooms, just to have our hands graze one another. You'll see him in the kitchen with me, every single time, to wash each dish as it lands in the sink. You'll see him steal a kiss, and then hug his not-so-baby "baby gurl" and throw a wink my way knowing he can love us both, and in the same room together, both his girls, <strong>happy</strong>, love him back. </div>
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The best part is that for all those things that can be seen, so many more can only be felt. As always, there is room to grow, and I know our relationship is getting better each year. There are moments when all I can think of is a calendar, or my ovaries, or my family, or home renovations, to be honest. :) But then I have days or weekends like this, when I am reminded just how simple and nice it is to feel loved. </div>
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This is prior to "our driver" taking us to Bones for dinner.</div>
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Anyway, I suppose I wasn't expecting to say all that, but yall know me, and it's my blog. And my point is, I guess this weekend was like a starfish kind of weekend. We regenerated, at least I did. Though I do like a high-heel date night, Jeff certainly knows this is not what is ever needed to make me happy, and it's not something we do often either. We could've gone to the butterfly garden at Callaway--it was this alone time, holding hands, regenerating....rejuvenating.....that reminds me in the midst of my scheduling, and planning, and toe-tapping, I am just plain ol' in love. Always have been. <br />
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We came home on Sunday and in the fields of Jeff's farm are blooming acres of these sunflowers. It was such a peaceful and welcome homecoming. <br />
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It was an amazing weekend, to be spoiled rotten by my guy. I won't lie for a minute about that! But <em>I know I'm high cotton</em> when I can go from the Four Seasons in a Jaguar sipping martinis to riding a Kubota through a sunflower field with a cooler of beer on the back.....and still be told I'm beautiful. Just like that starfish.<br />
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</div>Jennifer Simpsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07131526629503192204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4891315797961878861.post-86971246296342421472012-07-22T21:14:00.000-04:002012-07-23T09:41:27.478-04:00July Lake Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The 4th of July week was spent skipping out on work and spending lazy days on the lake as much as possible! </div>
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My sweet friend Lauren and I packed up one afternoon, willing the sun to come out, and headed out to Lake Harding, to spend the evening watching the fireworks with the Warners.<br />
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Chrissie, Lauren, and I being escorted by her husband the captain toward the fireworks!</div>
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The Warner munchkins were there too, which I can never get enough of, and kept us entertained the whole time....clearly.... :)<br />
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That weekend I headed to the Atlanta airport to pick my sister up who was flying in from California. She's such a world traveler, and had been visiting a friend for two weeks, ahhh...what a life! We had such fun having a little girl talk on the way to Oxford to spend the weekend with the 'rents, I can't get enough of this chick.</div>
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Saturday was spend motorboatin' with Capt'n Daddy and Mama on the pontoon on Logan Martin, having an absolutely lazy and perfect day.</div>
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I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate America than with my family, friends, good food, drinks, and this amazing sunset all week!<br />
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<br /></div>Jennifer Simpsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07131526629503192204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4891315797961878861.post-65279616376274667782012-07-20T13:41:00.000-04:002012-07-20T13:41:40.217-04:00June Showers - Part 2!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The last weekend in June I had the honor of helping to celebrate one of my best friends Casey, who is about to have a sweet baby boy Charlie in September!! Casey has prayed for this blessing, and other than being the dad-gum cutest mother on earth, she will no doubt be one of the best too! I cannot wait to meet this little man (that we FINALLY named!!). :)</div>
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We had the shower at Leah's super cute home in Homewood, the best food from Ashley Mac's catered, and some yummy beverages (for the preggers, and non-preggers in the crowd :). <br />
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Casey's friends and family filled the house, until I didn't think we could get one more in there, showing her just how much she, Blake, and little Charlie are loved to pieces! And I couldn't agree more!<br />
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Casey, I cannot wait to meet your little man (LL, hehe) and for you to become a little mama! Charlie has no idea how blessed he is already! Love you, friend!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju30MzD9233I5UimmYsWlhEWxEFDUEsCB2rqZazNOBHQbxPzIdoheCNVK98MhhaK-zP6D9zvQ9qh82kQwWVuCWIUkaHObvzUZyBma1MvdMvunvGZob0K-sPlOtBKml7GMr80a6w4UfA-U3/s1600/DSC_0636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju30MzD9233I5UimmYsWlhEWxEFDUEsCB2rqZazNOBHQbxPzIdoheCNVK98MhhaK-zP6D9zvQ9qh82kQwWVuCWIUkaHObvzUZyBma1MvdMvunvGZob0K-sPlOtBKml7GMr80a6w4UfA-U3/s640/DSC_0636.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Jennifer Simpsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07131526629503192204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4891315797961878861.post-91141864563560933842012-07-16T13:50:00.000-04:002012-07-16T13:50:07.517-04:00June Showers - Part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
One of my dearest friends in Columbus, Brandi, is having a baby girl in September. This has been a long road for her and her husband Capp, and I cannot think of two more deserving people for Baby Parker to be blessed with as parents. </div>
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Along with a handful of other friends here, they have seen me through the lowest points of my adult life, and have made me smile and given me such encouragement. Along with Lisa and Aimee, Capp and Brandi rushed to my side to even help me finish painting my old house so I could have it in tip top shape in order to sell it, when I needed to close an old chapter. They have made me laugh and given me some of the funniest, and most memorable moments here as well, and I cherish so many fun times with them. <br />
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So when the Lord finally decided, in His own time (doesn't it always work that way?), that these wonderful people will be parents again, I was so honored to host a couples shower with some wonderful friends to celebrate Baby Parker and her super cool parents! Big brother Cale has been spoiled on his own long enough, time to make room for the Hetts-Party of Four!<br />
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We hosted the party on a Saturday evening at Amy Norris' family farm in the most beautiful cabin, lakeside. The weather, food, drinks, and friends could not have been more perfect.</div>
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Oh, the dreaded pom-poms....but we made them work!!<br />
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I love all these onesies Hadley made for Parker! I wonder how many she'll go through in a day!?<br />
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This signature drink was definitely a party hit!</div>
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I'd say we were all smiles to be surrounded by this glowing mother-to-be, and so honored to be her friend. I know I'm definitely a better person for it. Brandi, I am so happy for you, and cannot wait to meet this sweet baby in a few short weeks!! Love you, friend!<br />
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<br /></div>Jennifer Simpsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07131526629503192204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4891315797961878861.post-78759533201810447242012-07-16T10:00:00.002-04:002012-07-16T10:00:29.080-04:00Tori's Wish!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Some wish kids just melt your heart. Well that's not true, they all do. But some just have these big smiles, and give such innocent hugs, and have amazing families, that truly become a part of your own lives. And you just know you will be friends with them long after your "Make-A-Wish" duties are done. The Svensons are one of those families.</div>
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Tori is a diva, there's no question about that. She's got all the sass and hip-popping and eye-batting for the making of a true beauty queen. In fact, she was, and is still, in all the beauty pageants across Georgia she can enter (sans the crazy pageant mom). Actually, she was in a pageant raising money for her friend Maddie who had a brain tumor.....the very day her doctor called her parents and diagnosed her with medullablastoma, a very rare brain tumor she ironically had herself. That was a year ago in April. She's had surgery, radiation, and now 10 months of chemotherapy. </div>
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All while still popping that hip, and giving her best smile. :)</div>
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When I met Tori, she was positively sure what her wish was. While watching her favorite Disney show, a new commercial had come on, describing this amazing Disney Resort called Aulani in Hawaii. And she just had to go! She wanted to see the lazy river, and the dolphins, and the palm trees, and maybe even catch a glimpse of Mickey!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSKDRUJaF7GYkJP6B_zf-SgbBWUL-foiRLdF-GUCF88WPnBc6SFk_hW92c-oo5OHjiezttMBd_bxBGKZ8_38yZworcKzhlpqnLtR0BBJV1-lcQFJO4mxVFp9B0H-LIQzwF39ZOjhEF0EHV/s1600/DSC_0673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSKDRUJaF7GYkJP6B_zf-SgbBWUL-foiRLdF-GUCF88WPnBc6SFk_hW92c-oo5OHjiezttMBd_bxBGKZ8_38yZworcKzhlpqnLtR0BBJV1-lcQFJO4mxVFp9B0H-LIQzwF39ZOjhEF0EHV/s640/DSC_0673.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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So we scheduled a luau in her honor to send her off in style, and to announce to this sweet baby girl that her wish had been granted!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyACo0IRgzpweVgdT4jZtKqtNRlA18PMZcew1a1dWxkC8vH0rdFZFYIHLz2DYBSyf4AVZ0ZB39MXZbw0Bjtk7Rr0CHIx3jJrAXSlnjbq2Q46Ou-XpY9ztcNBjiITLoKJ4BowTH2W0Vwuic/s1600/DSC_0675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyACo0IRgzpweVgdT4jZtKqtNRlA18PMZcew1a1dWxkC8vH0rdFZFYIHLz2DYBSyf4AVZ0ZB39MXZbw0Bjtk7Rr0CHIx3jJrAXSlnjbq2Q46Ou-XpY9ztcNBjiITLoKJ4BowTH2W0Vwuic/s640/DSC_0675.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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Jeff's house made the perfect location for a poolside luau, he's even got palm trees by the pool! (We kind of disregarded the farmlife just over the fence :) Actually, when Tori and her big brother Hunter discovered the Kubota, they took off in the field for an hour to torture the cows! HA!</div>
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Jeff and Tori's dad Todd manned the grill, and our amazing Hawaiin-style feast (and hotdogs), while us girls enjoys our sun and margaritas.</div>
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Tori left the following weekend on her adventure, and I was so thankful for the pictures Tori's mom posted along their way! Here's Tori on her way to the ATL airport! Could she be any cuter??</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Jc7fQ__JYgl1prD2Ld48Rwz2WeqrKXeeW-Q5tRvK5Pghaip06YmocQC2KZLJvZUvRS0-mjHznLEjgZLGJ_GXCKWJP6sbLnnv-G3Vcf9ixn92CTJ8KQdtXSYhJTZX8d4fOH3oas6hyphenhyphenolE/s1600/tori3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Jc7fQ__JYgl1prD2Ld48Rwz2WeqrKXeeW-Q5tRvK5Pghaip06YmocQC2KZLJvZUvRS0-mjHznLEjgZLGJ_GXCKWJP6sbLnnv-G3Vcf9ixn92CTJ8KQdtXSYhJTZX8d4fOH3oas6hyphenhyphenolE/s640/tori3.jpg" width="382" /></a></div>
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Whoops! After their first full day on the island....looks like the Hawaii sun got the best of them! Penny promised it wasnt as bad as it looked....I dont know about that?!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-Qn05PrlZ44MkohFCp4S5HsSFoOq4Tgnj42r6T4kE6Eeiy81HYRQRa966lNzIUgwtCNlvPDEVftdK3DPBHqJURX-50Y4yoUU2DPW_F_-z_N5GJO5yqh3Ckf7T_n6IJLHxifZEDg_v5Kl/s1600/tori4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-Qn05PrlZ44MkohFCp4S5HsSFoOq4Tgnj42r6T4kE6Eeiy81HYRQRa966lNzIUgwtCNlvPDEVftdK3DPBHqJURX-50Y4yoUU2DPW_F_-z_N5GJO5yqh3Ckf7T_n6IJLHxifZEDg_v5Kl/s640/tori4.jpg" width="640" /></a>And in true Disney wish-granting fashion, this sweet angel did get a dance with her Mickey Mouse, as well as some loving from other characters too!</div>
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When they returned home from their amazing trip, Tori and Penny had to hang back in Atlanta for the next week at Egleston for what was a very grueling LAST round of chemo ever. When we they returned to Columbus, we wanted to make sure everyone in town knew it too! Around the hospital, she had adopted the phrase "No Mo' Chemo, Tori!" and so friends and family made a couple of banners for her yard to welcome her..... Of course Jeff being in the contruction business (and not so much in the painting poster business) decided on this instead. :) I don't think they could miss it considering it's 20ft by 30ft...you should've seen it at night, NO ONE was sleeping with this thing light up! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2o8UJVf73Esteh03Xf-CHhDYntzUDd_015xPoZpoubWcr_xIV6Thv8FnvqEgCkj7P5RUeRPCo4bQw16gUu9c7Sq5mUCk32mqNgNGvEs6V2cLN1WdNqLGtedTWsAd7jcWZGyNSRgNM4mRF/s1600/tori5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2o8UJVf73Esteh03Xf-CHhDYntzUDd_015xPoZpoubWcr_xIV6Thv8FnvqEgCkj7P5RUeRPCo4bQw16gUu9c7Sq5mUCk32mqNgNGvEs6V2cLN1WdNqLGtedTWsAd7jcWZGyNSRgNM4mRF/s640/tori5.jpg" width="382" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>Jennifer Simpsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07131526629503192204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4891315797961878861.post-34397620753766893402012-07-06T15:10:00.003-04:002012-07-06T15:10:32.799-04:00Inaugural Run for WISHES 5K!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Now this post has been a long time coming! But it takes so much of my heart to sit and right about something I love so much, and to be honest I've just been so drained lately. But this is way overdue, and I am so proud of this event, you just gotta know all about it.</div>
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First, my AMAZING friend <a href="http://mcclendonpartyoffive.blogspot.com/">Tara</a>, designed our logo, which I proud displayed all over town on flyers, Facebook, banners, and our t-shirts. Your efforts in making my mushed-up thoughts come to life and energy with such inspiration mean so much to me, my friend!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_gpNJ-YOdiOi93XbtLtyex2fD7aMg4lGBiHvjfud_NiCluIf8FpTyMd5CL_lW9nQB1FEgRf-YbNkScApeenvG_DQ5NpD70U3Tm_beccpqWdLhkfh1gyyKmcOFGzA7KqJuv1y11OCdmfu5/s1600/557076_391212140902913_16035056_n%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" sca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_gpNJ-YOdiOi93XbtLtyex2fD7aMg4lGBiHvjfud_NiCluIf8FpTyMd5CL_lW9nQB1FEgRf-YbNkScApeenvG_DQ5NpD70U3Tm_beccpqWdLhkfh1gyyKmcOFGzA7KqJuv1y11OCdmfu5/s640/557076_391212140902913_16035056_n%5B1%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Next, I have the most amazing group of board members who help put this 5K together who all love Make-A-Wish with the same passion I do. This was our first go round with a 5k, and most were completely clueless, but their enthusiam is contagious. I only wish I had them all in this picture, but here is a sweet handful of helping hands.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjolJTN2TS7h57ae7NVZPhvVffqSae8JG7llL8AaYP0VYIO4sfAmgCzGgrooZaFH-Dmqhq4Z5dzwofBFvN6CvMQRFOiDuMUspcorR9Bq__h6WptBtgHAKJM9dLLIlyK0yHfmZB87Q21UMxc/s1600/525559_3993220270269_1585174998_n%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" sca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjolJTN2TS7h57ae7NVZPhvVffqSae8JG7llL8AaYP0VYIO4sfAmgCzGgrooZaFH-Dmqhq4Z5dzwofBFvN6CvMQRFOiDuMUspcorR9Bq__h6WptBtgHAKJM9dLLIlyK0yHfmZB87Q21UMxc/s640/525559_3993220270269_1585174998_n%5B1%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Our event was held in "Uptown Columbus" (which is technically downtown) on a perfect April Saturday morning, and our local running company "Big Dog Running" assisted (I use this term lightly--they practically ran the whole show) in putting this together. Columbus is such a big running town, so I've quickly learned that engaging Big Dog is a guarenteed way to get runners there on a Saturday morning. We are so appreciative of their help, and to know how eager they were to support such a worthy cause.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3nkc-lyleuzsN3r9feTt6S5aUBrC7kX_lMl1werLvCDHxZdSZU2TVlxXSZ5jpcXjEmQBWzsfnmjEO9K4RGdKgjPnBj-G9xBGCoZsjt3pctQFfYbe8DQSv4Q5sdt7pyoXulUKmc8iCHt2a/s1600/577661_3993257831208_2134355102_n%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" sca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3nkc-lyleuzsN3r9feTt6S5aUBrC7kX_lMl1werLvCDHxZdSZU2TVlxXSZ5jpcXjEmQBWzsfnmjEO9K4RGdKgjPnBj-G9xBGCoZsjt3pctQFfYbe8DQSv4Q5sdt7pyoXulUKmc8iCHt2a/s640/577661_3993257831208_2134355102_n%5B1%5D.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Our course was along the beautiful Riverwalk, and the the revitalized streets of downtown Columbus, and was a beautiful, but quick! run! Before I knew it, the runners was back again!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Gh26r7r1r_xlpNtKneHkLw190oFUe98ExRObfowMkRU6XYgBkxk9PENPva6qKAMLLLslJF5NKmh6b8URWXr15XvW04k-khurqjK_eiNC2ulacgbhzHuNkWIhWYpsFXgTMyfPNSGh4D-C/s1600/36541_3993298312220_1590101792_n%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" sca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Gh26r7r1r_xlpNtKneHkLw190oFUe98ExRObfowMkRU6XYgBkxk9PENPva6qKAMLLLslJF5NKmh6b8URWXr15XvW04k-khurqjK_eiNC2ulacgbhzHuNkWIhWYpsFXgTMyfPNSGh4D-C/s320/36541_3993298312220_1590101792_n%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXHr2m2LSppLrhhBBGNX-1L6Q6hZUfw9sbC3PrIN7dDuyyDRhX9kh_T8C_f5jTwrl16jEKHEy_iDrZmxYPi_gnG7JTVtV-QH_KzcfIaAz2t8t6nd3V4p0elTBKCW-at9Flkw4-OOiVcIX9/s1600/398218_3993327712955_568099710_n%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" sca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXHr2m2LSppLrhhBBGNX-1L6Q6hZUfw9sbC3PrIN7dDuyyDRhX9kh_T8C_f5jTwrl16jEKHEy_iDrZmxYPi_gnG7JTVtV-QH_KzcfIaAz2t8t6nd3V4p0elTBKCW-at9Flkw4-OOiVcIX9/s320/398218_3993327712955_568099710_n%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
One of the most inspiring things at each MAW event we hold, is the willingness of other MAW families to give back. Daniel, you've heard me talk about, is in remission for ALL (leukemia) and served as my official "race starter" and soon over came his fear of the blow horn and started the race like a champ!! And he was the perfect helper at handing out trophies at the end of the race!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUUbWWnGp5CKiF5_ZJcpROsa1ZE7QmsPzZ6FnjOrSRTTie15ah0sj-Rj9r3JQA3WmK2_QlCzvbTfQgVIKPrYpXymbIur02DadBUNz9R_zwSYdX1b3yGttgo0cDpwv0FdGbgl8zvcrjvtDB/s1600/405157_3985889927015_1261158880_n%5B2%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" sca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUUbWWnGp5CKiF5_ZJcpROsa1ZE7QmsPzZ6FnjOrSRTTie15ah0sj-Rj9r3JQA3WmK2_QlCzvbTfQgVIKPrYpXymbIur02DadBUNz9R_zwSYdX1b3yGttgo0cDpwv0FdGbgl8zvcrjvtDB/s640/405157_3985889927015_1261158880_n%5B2%5D.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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While his mom, Kim, helped volunteer (she worked a street corner, haha) his dad, who's never run a day in his life, ran that race. In honor of his son. And for all the wishes out there that still need granting. GO DANNY!!</div>
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Xavier's wish was just granted this year, and is a very special boy. He is surrounded with love, and his family is a walking example of the MAW motto...."hope, strength, and joy."</div>
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Xavier's entire family are runners, to include his 5 year old sister! While dad pushed Xavier, and mom pushed baby brother, and 5 year old sis ran (THE WHOLE 3 MILES!) alongside them, they crossed the finish line as a family of 5 for Xavier, and for more wishes to come!<br />
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I love my friends dearly who came out to support my favorite cause, because they love me. Especially Rich and Chrissie, on their anniversary for pete's sake! This was Chrissie's first ever 5k, and trained for months. I am so incredibly proud of her. Moments after this race was over, their precious family jumped in their car and headed on their delayed-for-my-race beach vacation. I call that support!!<br />
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It was an incredible event, with nothing but happy endings, and wishes granted. We set a goal of raising $2,500 for fear of raising nothing.....to be perfectly honest. We had no idea what we were getting into. We raised nearly $5,000, and doubled our original goal!! I am so proud to be a part of such an amazing team, who never cease to amaze me!<br />
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<br /></div>Jennifer Simpsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07131526629503192204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4891315797961878861.post-79885987711839807202012-06-24T21:56:00.001-04:002012-06-24T21:56:21.676-04:00My Dad's Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'm supposed to say my dad is the greatest because he's my father, and he spoiled me rotten, and I'm his Punkin Head, and he protected me from all bad things in the world. But seriously folks, as an adult, I see him in a whole different light. I still see him as an amazing father, one I still call for advice, a shoulder to cry on, and someone to protect me and guide me. But as an adult, I see him as such an amazing man. As a community leader. As a man children look up to. As a best friend to others. As a wonderful husband to my mother. As a faithful Christian servant. As a loyal son. I don't know another man as special as he is, I believe the Good Lord broke the mold here! I am so blessed to be his daughter, and so thankful to celebrate Father's Day with him!</div>
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I also got to love on my sweet PawPaw, who always keeps me smiling! He's nearly 82 years young, and spent the weekend on the farm on daddy's new Gator enjoying dirt roads and big boy drinks! I'm told what happens in Highland Home stays in Highland Home..... This man has the key to my heart.</div>
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And since the camera never made it out on Mother's Day, here's my beautiful mother, Happy belated Mother's Day, mama!! You are my comic relief at the end of the day, and your phone calls always make me smile! Your attitude in infectious, and spirit is inspiring. I love you so much, and so proud to be your daughter!<br />
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<br />Jennifer Simpsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07131526629503192204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4891315797961878861.post-9424485064436225902012-06-20T23:36:00.001-04:002012-06-20T23:37:30.059-04:00Kindergarten Graduation!Is clearly a BIG deal! I'm learning a lot! And Miss Abigail did just that recently, and the whole Robinson clan filled the front row at Calvary Christian as her biggest fans! There was not a bigger smile as she accepted her diploma and walked across the stage!<br />
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Every one of us couldn't wait to get our picture taken with the star of the night!</div>
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After graduation, Abigail picked her favorite dinner spot. El Carrizzo. There was a bit of a wait, but with a little hot rod car parked at the front door, there was plenty of entertainment. Apparently while his owner stopped for a margarita on the rocks, he left his passenger to guard his mid-life-crisis out front. Garrett could hardly contain his excitement!<br />
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Miss Abigail, I'm so very proud of you! Thank you for letting me be a part of such a special day in your precious life, sweet girl! You are such a fiesty little tomboy, who reminds me so much of myself at your age, but can be such an angel in those sweet smocked dresses your mama makes for you to twirl in. I love that you and me and your Uncle Jeff are the Auburn Tigers in the family, and I think we hold our own pretty well! Your hugs every time you say goodbye are the sweetest thing. I love watching you grow! <br />
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<br /></div>Jennifer Simpsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07131526629503192204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4891315797961878861.post-84035932654217326742012-06-19T15:48:00.000-04:002012-06-19T15:48:23.729-04:00Spring in a camera phone<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here's a snapshot (literally) of what's been going on this spring through a poor quality little Droid lense. It's been fast and slow, up and down, here and there, town and country. But at the end of the day, I'm right where I wanna be.</div>
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Jeffrey and I had a super fun date night at the River Center to see Ron White, and laughed until our bellies ached. My date was by far the most handsome there, and it had nothing to do with the fact some people actually dare show up in shorts, Big Johnson t-shirts, and dip hanging from their mouth. I guess Ron is right.....You can't fix stupid.....</div>
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We headed up to Anniston for a quick overnight trip to my parents, and double dated to my childhood friend, Jenny Bowen's wedding in Bham. How did I miss a picture with the bride?? I did snag a picture with my handsome father before we found the dessert bar.... then it was every man for himself! What a wedding, and what a celebration for such special people!<br />
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I won't lie....we've done a lot of this..... We even played hookie from work once. There's just something about that <em>sunshine</em>, right love. ;)<br />
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Oh, this might be one of the best weekends I had in a while! And there was absolutely nothing scheduled, which is so rare. We pigged out at Bonefish one night, baked by the pool all day (can't you tell??) and then dined at Buckhead the next night with friends. The night ended downtown at the Loft listening to live music outside.<br />
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See, I do have a real job other than working with Make-A-Wish! I climb on roofs! Here, I was doing an inspection of a hangar roof at our airfield at Ft. Benning. If you require stats: our airfield is huge, we land C-130's, as well as Air Force One. Inside that hangar are Blackhawks (of which I've ridden in). It was approximately 72 degrees at 9am in this picture. My top and jeans <em>of course</em> are from The Blue Door. And I was pretty as I peach as I walked out of the house that morning, but by 9:30 up there, it's amazing what a metal roof, rayon, and that sunshine will do to a girl 100 feet in the air. Hot.Mess. Whew.<br />
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Jeff is one with the cows. What more can I say. Do you think it's strange too that they just walk up and ask for a little scratch behind the ears?? Well, if you ask Frank, he'd say no, because we're BFF, but the bovine are a bit different with me. If they only knew what Jeff could do to a ribeye.<br />
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Lots and lots of this goes on. Our afternoon ritual after work nearly every day. Roscoe is never ashamed to be the third wheel. <br />
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There's been lots of laziness and lots of travels, but one of the most important things I could say happened in the last few weeks was that I joined the Bone Marrow Registry. I can't believe I'm not on there already frankly, giving blood as often as I do, but I am now. And I hope one day they call me and tell me I'm a match for someone. It's free. For now its just spit. Later, it could be platelets, or bone marrow (like a spinal tap but in your hip bone). It doesnt feel pleasant, you'll be back to work in less than a week, and it's not deadly. <strong><em>But leukemia is. </em></strong>My buddy Noah is a wish kid I granted a wish for in 2009, and his leukemia has returned with a vengence. He's stuck in Egleston on chemo treatments, and the docs say his real hope will be a bone marrow donor. So, I quickly swabbed myself, in hopes of helping Noah, but if not, with the hope of one day helping someone like him. And if God forbid, something like this ever happened to me or someone I loved, somebody out there thought of sharing their swab of spit in hopes of matching me as well. If you want more info, you can go to <a href="http://www.bethematch.org/">http://www.bethematch.org/</a> They will actually send you kits through the mail to swab yourself.<br />
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Anyhoo, I believe the phone dump is complete. More to come! Peace out bloggies!Jennifer Simpsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07131526629503192204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4891315797961878861.post-60545874645919054362012-06-11T14:52:00.000-04:002012-06-11T14:52:17.472-04:00I'm still alive!Tap, tap, tap. Anyone still checking in here? I clearly am not. The poor old blog has definitely gotten the shaft, huh. I feel like Facebook's mobile uploads are really cornering the market with keeping up with our whereabouts, but come to think of it....sometimes a one-liner and an unfocused snapshot just isn't enough, huh? And yall know me, there's a story behind everything, right. I'm a talker, it's hard to just say I went here, or did that, or look at us!, without giving you all the juicy details. And<em> I know how much</em> you've been missing my juicy details. So, it appears I've got some catching up to do, on the ins and outs on life on the farm, wish kids, and other happenings. Hold you horses, friends, you know I love some story time.<br />
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I'll work backwards, and start with this weekend. Hopefully I'll not lose focus, and keep posting back through April's happenings. 'Cause I just gotta tell you about my first 5K in April. Close your mouth, my friends. I didn't run! I was the <em>event coordinator (you like that, right?)</em>. You know a love a good party. Even if everyone is sweating around me. Anyway, I digress--let's start with the present and work back to that.....<br />
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The Warner's annual Crawfish Boil. They call it the Bugfest. One of my favorite events of the year. Here's Chrissie looking like a rockstar hostess, and me fighting a losing battle with humidity. Whoa Nelly--can I get a banana clip for that 'fro! <br />
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Jeff's mini-me Kyle joined us for his first official crawfish boil, and from the grin on his face the whole day, I'd say he had a good time! He and his sister are rarely apart, but I think he had a blast being "one of the guys" pinching tails with the men, <em>and I don't even think dad's girlfriend cramped their style too much!</em> (I try to be cool, really I do! Who knew I'd have to worry about that one day?? Ahh!)</div>
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Oh course my love right here, with that devilish, but so-darn-cute grin on his face, was basically a 42 year old teenager Saturday. Let me go ahead and put that out there. As were the rest of the guys around that boiling pot of crawfish. And for the most part, what happens at Bugfest stays at Bugfest. (Or on my camera phone). But I'll give you a snippet because I'm evil like that.<br />
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"Here, cuz, let me show you. No big deal." I can only imagine the stories Kyle-man will be sharing with his friends after this weekend.<br />
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Thank goodness my guys DO have more sense than dear ol' Kenny here. Let's just say after I could breathe again from nearly falling off the pier laughing, we were on a wild goose chase for peroxide once we realized Kenny was bleeding like a stuck pig! Funny enough....he didn't feel a thing..... ;)<br />
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The Crawfish Boil might have been the best yet. Despite my hair being a hot mess, I loved the overcast weather, the great friends, and amazing food! Rich and Chrissie--as always, you throw a great party! Thank you for having us, putting up with my crazy guys, and being such sweet friends! We look forward to lots of fun times on the lake this summer!Jennifer Simpsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07131526629503192204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4891315797961878861.post-8441638656591832202012-04-17T11:29:00.000-04:002012-04-17T11:29:54.341-04:00Party Central <span style="font-size: large;">This weekend was so much fun! And so busy. And loud, and bouncy, and sandy, and fattening, and funny, and ..... well, maybe I should start from the beginning. </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd7NcFz0700K1NRNWxgNB7u7k71A7KDkY74f42_t0i5zs6ldMZ1T4gSGKPE7S714bZEymUonruVXZmotfkUU1u4IR3LLoeTip9ABklZw6aaGJj5dUnkK2fWE3xwULKifZSQ6NMX7ixrFRq/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd7NcFz0700K1NRNWxgNB7u7k71A7KDkY74f42_t0i5zs6ldMZ1T4gSGKPE7S714bZEymUonruVXZmotfkUU1u4IR3LLoeTip9ABklZw6aaGJj5dUnkK2fWE3xwULKifZSQ6NMX7ixrFRq/s640/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: large;">It started with a mad dash to Birmingham Saturday, to meet up with the Lassiters, load the car FULL of balloons, and head over to my dear friend Leah's, where she had cooked up one amazing Mickey Mouse spread!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIpNX509iec0bxNnk2U_BdXlJS_VJPqsYJhkla6EgC3KGwp6QmCD3JgTUmbhpodIsDiACfun3eQvyImFS-kG43V0QBOF9y-QM7_7jOr70pK7rQ8K9F5muMSRJZW8ycKE5HjdPG8ByYC7u1/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIpNX509iec0bxNnk2U_BdXlJS_VJPqsYJhkla6EgC3KGwp6QmCD3JgTUmbhpodIsDiACfun3eQvyImFS-kG43V0QBOF9y-QM7_7jOr70pK7rQ8K9F5muMSRJZW8ycKE5HjdPG8ByYC7u1/s640/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">Casey and I helped finish setting up, and tried to catch up as much as possible, man I hate being so far away from these girls! And then the party got started for the sweetest twinsies I know, Mary Miller and Hayes turns TWO!! And gimme a break, check out these cute pants pops Mama Leah made....Mickey himself couldnt have done better!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTvmhkA07-VbNeFDEXtRcjf4XHW-uKa4BmBZAQpfMASvae4l-IAjwLDcq1P3XBZRPdHnP1ni9MdaDJds2AGEiS9R7bnHrBboT68TmSZ2jka9LMbolFXw1JMz0RARjq-9tJoOnPmq5ri4re/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTvmhkA07-VbNeFDEXtRcjf4XHW-uKa4BmBZAQpfMASvae4l-IAjwLDcq1P3XBZRPdHnP1ni9MdaDJds2AGEiS9R7bnHrBboT68TmSZ2jka9LMbolFXw1JMz0RARjq-9tJoOnPmq5ri4re/s640/3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">Oh, Mary, she steals my heart every time with her big blue eyes!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgtwN1tvUtlThbI7N-5Ja-u4bZ01GPzXz4VjPa92TEnvr6FXAw8vorwjrd6oGX6yhzCmycnMT6PEWxrIAMMPkYeWz3IZhXr7PBw8s0-yBIwrkw6fQWH5sFvf9UmybIFRs7t0ra41F5bxVG/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgtwN1tvUtlThbI7N-5Ja-u4bZ01GPzXz4VjPa92TEnvr6FXAw8vorwjrd6oGX6yhzCmycnMT6PEWxrIAMMPkYeWz3IZhXr7PBw8s0-yBIwrkw6fQWH5sFvf9UmybIFRs7t0ra41F5bxVG/s640/4.jpg" width="426" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">And yes, Hayes is just as sweet, but he does NOT like our cameras. :)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQL_CSTRmnFCvWypLHkgq7YHc07HZ8QtomhxDUAsmOuk1mf24V4IPXhR9sVhSFyetVoDXQ-WxLkfRBN2_h4ZdxZlnY2juvszI4_oOSZpBg2IGPJA9QO6xLnz2fP2ZKokfDSJ2u6ZkxuAT/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQL_CSTRmnFCvWypLHkgq7YHc07HZ8QtomhxDUAsmOuk1mf24V4IPXhR9sVhSFyetVoDXQ-WxLkfRBN2_h4ZdxZlnY2juvszI4_oOSZpBg2IGPJA9QO6xLnz2fP2ZKokfDSJ2u6ZkxuAT/s640/5.jpg" width="426" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">Leah and Brian rented the biggest bouncy thing I'd ever seen. And I've never seen kids have more fun!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHXu3MvzK_Kll2ktrB55X2p-Cm7DuNT7Eu6LH0_2JIUXD9xen394jJEAWstUfv9frc9o-MricOvCGn7KOZ8vJTKHJhURf4g7rnIcUzsh5oPbr7oL9mUg6mtAu5tR8yX-mO5CL2-fGflyqa/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHXu3MvzK_Kll2ktrB55X2p-Cm7DuNT7Eu6LH0_2JIUXD9xen394jJEAWstUfv9frc9o-MricOvCGn7KOZ8vJTKHJhURf4g7rnIcUzsh5oPbr7oL9mUg6mtAu5tR8yX-mO5CL2-fGflyqa/s640/6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">Like little Mary on the slide....</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisBeiitXgrCzYl2IpGBCtNen9rDtvuVcHoSDmPynznpSWkx8crQJ0lZwA7h1JhZI2y4kR3RW3s2bDj32g-Xr6EJ_U1InwDlXRwoaFw6UTv6l67hskzvV9fWam4YkubyrHG5UyVVxVT_80H/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisBeiitXgrCzYl2IpGBCtNen9rDtvuVcHoSDmPynznpSWkx8crQJ0lZwA7h1JhZI2y4kR3RW3s2bDj32g-Xr6EJ_U1InwDlXRwoaFw6UTv6l67hskzvV9fWam4YkubyrHG5UyVVxVT_80H/s640/7.jpg" width="426" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">And her Mama too! Oh yes, you better believe by the end of the day, adults were all over it!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3Dbx4WIBw8ujphSH9kijG9qI58CJFWC3WsID7OfJ_EOVbHgIdqVJRvqzq850tQiWzJbpGZaWTh6DJH-asTQ4qrUyc9s9Xsj6HDX7CH0MPe07RNWPA5Hm0S19ZD6uFAukdwV4wlksRgvE/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3Dbx4WIBw8ujphSH9kijG9qI58CJFWC3WsID7OfJ_EOVbHgIdqVJRvqzq850tQiWzJbpGZaWTh6DJH-asTQ4qrUyc9s9Xsj6HDX7CH0MPe07RNWPA5Hm0S19ZD6uFAukdwV4wlksRgvE/s640/8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">Ooo, another highlight of my quick trip was loving on these sweet cheeks. While sister and brother were tearing into presents, Miss Caroline was getting more attention than she knew what to do with!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1gSg4SVpAfehiuoW8pxi-jilVD2pIGJ1eOS1dZAsSZ7Yw0e5rzXjtk-d779d13Dtt1bQA47Uy0Fn_Scpf3JrV6NSuDQ5NJDO3Npe-sW-ADg1t-mTGDCdwXOIls6jockbYRxfRn0XiJP2u/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1gSg4SVpAfehiuoW8pxi-jilVD2pIGJ1eOS1dZAsSZ7Yw0e5rzXjtk-d779d13Dtt1bQA47Uy0Fn_Scpf3JrV6NSuDQ5NJDO3Npe-sW-ADg1t-mTGDCdwXOIls6jockbYRxfRn0XiJP2u/s640/9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">And there was plenty to keep them busy, believe me!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk5sPmmw6juVBzfPcHDl6VKTJC28n57AJhRxRK-okss-IWALFB1TjYkLwgPx_AUNeHh7bCHIahovwe9mp8RN-ZNDpekMBH8pwZr-sMvKEhOc_3xS7KoZnA-dlX_NfdsssOyCm2mLbIngjW/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk5sPmmw6juVBzfPcHDl6VKTJC28n57AJhRxRK-okss-IWALFB1TjYkLwgPx_AUNeHh7bCHIahovwe9mp8RN-ZNDpekMBH8pwZr-sMvKEhOc_3xS7KoZnA-dlX_NfdsssOyCm2mLbIngjW/s640/10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">Until MM opened her very own chair, at least. Now Mama just says she's got to teach her to sit like a lady. She cant wear a diaper cover forever.... ;)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3O-L43Cw5y1E0JfnE2nlyY-yibWJJskmVVHA6h7PLiMx9KHmmXfpoi22nm5hOLtSRfuMCJK4Pd-Ss7Zy4s744GuMwGSqHoeA8LPlRhEkPDLS-sJmLw4SCUGSBSmjbnnudG3Ym5hQ1AnoR/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3O-L43Cw5y1E0JfnE2nlyY-yibWJJskmVVHA6h7PLiMx9KHmmXfpoi22nm5hOLtSRfuMCJK4Pd-Ss7Zy4s744GuMwGSqHoeA8LPlRhEkPDLS-sJmLw4SCUGSBSmjbnnudG3Ym5hQ1AnoR/s640/11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">Oh, how I loved spending time with you ladies, and wish as always, it was much much longer! Happy Birthday to the sweetest babies I know! I cannot wait to watch your sweet selves grow into little people as amazing and special as your parents are to me! Love you both!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmXtEe87WvPDi6k0wnWG_TsVupotLoZ_2T1cHYjBYkmcggXeIrJsAoHRLBNuQDNO0J1wTXIOOBHcULUx-6-H6DjwNj8f9tWAEymteGkAFUz1rqCb7G6l-bTaqthlUz_U-r3quUkfWRL3Iq/s1600/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmXtEe87WvPDi6k0wnWG_TsVupotLoZ_2T1cHYjBYkmcggXeIrJsAoHRLBNuQDNO0J1wTXIOOBHcULUx-6-H6DjwNj8f9tWAEymteGkAFUz1rqCb7G6l-bTaqthlUz_U-r3quUkfWRL3Iq/s640/12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">NOW....Sunday morning I woke up at Casey's WIDE AWAKE at 7am, and was ready to roll. Thanks to the EST I'm living on, there's no stopping me once I'm awake. So I hit the ground running, said my farewells, and was headed east for round two of party central. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQF_8zEK-VKxciEH2TYRJUwdEIoSZO0rtiwpWgrRFB7xfQNfElrSLsHmHTWybx0m28zjM9BUieV4Hkkh766yOXF45-NJ6CDKZQ7oXCHjEP16J6nS1UliJy8fd0t_fTqbqTDLwxAiFIAsu/s1600/13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQF_8zEK-VKxciEH2TYRJUwdEIoSZO0rtiwpWgrRFB7xfQNfElrSLsHmHTWybx0m28zjM9BUieV4Hkkh766yOXF45-NJ6CDKZQ7oXCHjEP16J6nS1UliJy8fd0t_fTqbqTDLwxAiFIAsu/s640/13.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">Jennifer and Adam's son Garrett turned 3 and since he's all about Thomas these days, they thought they would put Thomas....and Garrett....in the spotlight on Sunday. You can see just about how well that one worked out.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJYVqWB_odcNi8rrDhVR7Mr7oupJD3FKO6YnA4BikZdK2U7uwYweq89vcKaO5P7E8PG43GUsjOpa5jKkssPWb3tzjLur-dlbzVHYmbQBMdWxHT4r1rbklqtep_sfCq5DiH2phevCXVdH_s/s1600/14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJYVqWB_odcNi8rrDhVR7Mr7oupJD3FKO6YnA4BikZdK2U7uwYweq89vcKaO5P7E8PG43GUsjOpa5jKkssPWb3tzjLur-dlbzVHYmbQBMdWxHT4r1rbklqtep_sfCq5DiH2phevCXVdH_s/s640/14.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">Finally with a little coaxing from Daddy and Mommy, Garrett blew out the candles, and the party could start! And I made it just in time to snap pictures of it all! I would have died had I missed that pouting behind! :)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp8_Qt94C83l9R9HHtHrbR41nTfRghrzmmojsDgzxww9tTBeHaczTxKG7Xe9DNTTycVG98AgzFJG1ItjQnNa2WLxUgrfAlQZdwEvIap8qICOorVG5kRjTbStnNcyrRv5CI1Z1E5_HYRm01/s1600/15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp8_Qt94C83l9R9HHtHrbR41nTfRghrzmmojsDgzxww9tTBeHaczTxKG7Xe9DNTTycVG98AgzFJG1ItjQnNa2WLxUgrfAlQZdwEvIap8qICOorVG5kRjTbStnNcyrRv5CI1Z1E5_HYRm01/s640/15.jpg" width="426" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">Presents were going well, though the spotlight still scared him, until he opened his $2.00 pistol and holster. After that it was downhill. He could have cared less about another box or bag. Go figure. This singing card held his attention for about 3 seconds before he turned and asked his daddy, "Where ah da bubbles for my pistol?"</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxWMBaxfSTD0E3DkxrEHVFKgghsM0jNsOsKOZZdioiOTBGR5wl6eGR0nX4oaFeDeQ9aqF5yDJk4qxpqcSQvCr0KK8qwJHdHprn9xwGJT1Vadcvh5ByHn4YdhDXRGwYLiDj8fDcJzHU_gO/s1600/16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxWMBaxfSTD0E3DkxrEHVFKgghsM0jNsOsKOZZdioiOTBGR5wl6eGR0nX4oaFeDeQ9aqF5yDJk4qxpqcSQvCr0KK8qwJHdHprn9xwGJT1Vadcvh5ByHn4YdhDXRGwYLiDj8fDcJzHU_gO/s640/16.jpg" width="426" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">When he realized he got a sandpail and shovels, we managed to find the one <strike>dirt</strike> sandy spot in the yard (that'll teach Adam to procrastinate in putting that sod down!) to play in!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFZt2c0OxkQtHHxrbQwiW2VQlFIhjAlwUnzNzPlb6S6ZCBMElPR9w0JLErllSWLGnO3y3ewmBkDCdTye7sgV2tmgWTydHaoaifjMQUKEebCzlKLQAFe3pBsvuDqvK5_YcDvsMxgMymqJjk/s1600/17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFZt2c0OxkQtHHxrbQwiW2VQlFIhjAlwUnzNzPlb6S6ZCBMElPR9w0JLErllSWLGnO3y3ewmBkDCdTye7sgV2tmgWTydHaoaifjMQUKEebCzlKLQAFe3pBsvuDqvK5_YcDvsMxgMymqJjk/s640/17.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">After adding a little water to <strike>dirt </strike>sand</span> <span style="font-size: large;">to create that "beachy" <strike>MUD</strike> effect, I showed the munchkins how to make a sand castle and they loved it!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM2zWNm5zdiU_22JnS4ud7Twn29LBDDqYhaB-X6-mdxQkhalrUIXlAMiQ0N80AxYE7ndVf8y84yStUqHKP8IpyKQQ1mqYz3Qpo9p1cn8odM53MiNmBB-s0yxg9TSU_L7Ok5lIaEsQaHRG_/s1600/18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM2zWNm5zdiU_22JnS4ud7Twn29LBDDqYhaB-X6-mdxQkhalrUIXlAMiQ0N80AxYE7ndVf8y84yStUqHKP8IpyKQQ1mqYz3Qpo9p1cn8odM53MiNmBB-s0yxg9TSU_L7Ok5lIaEsQaHRG_/s640/18.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">While the crowd of little clowns multiplied making mud pies.....</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7BhyphenhyphenbqlXQi9zklVgmY6bm1W1kP0fnXL_dd96Jp6sB8cOCZsHjH8GGrExeM6szO2j0CUNLRelMXP0RQr-gH5fxp2aTWLyI-2OhWAkTxQHde_I6CjnAz5yYaGQyh70Y3781_ocLLA48Hc_s/s1600/20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7BhyphenhyphenbqlXQi9zklVgmY6bm1W1kP0fnXL_dd96Jp6sB8cOCZsHjH8GGrExeM6szO2j0CUNLRelMXP0RQr-gH5fxp2aTWLyI-2OhWAkTxQHde_I6CjnAz5yYaGQyh70Y3781_ocLLA48Hc_s/s640/20.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">My big clowns chilled out in the shade and tolerated me snapping their pictures, and even smiled! Wow, things....they are a changing! :)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ_jRhD_Dv68DUGwrG_Hc9YzljpkeehWI_brvuOIoEyHHJhfQVV4Vdq39P47LohWveW5nrFMDPNHN0L7es90AE9Rc3iaNP889uC_xTUxNL7FqRd_2rh9W_mhqPBwyq-mvqEFd0AWNd2OhA/s1600/19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ_jRhD_Dv68DUGwrG_Hc9YzljpkeehWI_brvuOIoEyHHJhfQVV4Vdq39P47LohWveW5nrFMDPNHN0L7es90AE9Rc3iaNP889uC_xTUxNL7FqRd_2rh9W_mhqPBwyq-mvqEFd0AWNd2OhA/s640/19.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">Like I did more times that I could count as a kid, we lined those babies up, stripped 'em down, and hosed 'em off before letting them step foot in a house or car than evening. And it was one more great birthday down, for a precious kiddo in my world. Happy Birthday Little Man, I'm so grateful this is the second birthday I've celebrated with you now! I love to watch you grow, and share these sweet moments with you and your family.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih1A3n2VyjgubZN_RNrCgP5dOANwRGZ85iyEk22cpnMVnKSVuKah4fwR6exGTSJ_BowzDdZIOqStZqN_3pInpIUFhvdOYEmiMeaWQWHc6gw94yi-3-Vo4J9caF52QIbuOG7su2oE0OHVq9/s1600/21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="402" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih1A3n2VyjgubZN_RNrCgP5dOANwRGZ85iyEk22cpnMVnKSVuKah4fwR6exGTSJ_BowzDdZIOqStZqN_3pInpIUFhvdOYEmiMeaWQWHc6gw94yi-3-Vo4J9caF52QIbuOG7su2oE0OHVq9/s640/21.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">And Garrett pretty much sums up the weekend right here. Exhausting, but so perfect, with everyone you love around you.</span>Jennifer Simpsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07131526629503192204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4891315797961878861.post-89978421972272627392012-04-13T22:12:00.000-04:002012-04-13T22:12:25.128-04:00Easter Fun<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Easter was a busy, but special one this year! We were thrown a curve ball from the start, when a little change of plans had us hosting the family at Jeff's house on Sunday afternoon, instead of his grandmama's. Which meant a weekend of cooking, and cleaning, and yard work to have everything just right. Which is funny, since they all live two acres away, and are in and out all the time, but Jeff has learned by now "it's all about presentation" and he appreciates it just as much as I do!</span></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Saturday, Adam came over with a prowler full of little ones to visit for a while. I believe that's code for "my wife kicked me out with the kids so she could iron Easter clothes in peace!" ha! I would guess that's totally necessary too! When it was time to head back home, Rani just wasnt budging, so I recruited her to help me with some shortbread cookies for Sunday. As you can see, she's quite the little diva.....</span></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXgRBSmbTS4tgLIZyOTcB_5TWmsXWAfJrTdItPB5gNGd6exO16n0j8L6G-smuO9Vn4lQvk25ZZijmsa7LPnnUZtDW24ogffPejDr7-4aGW6QiPhHJgXkzmPlNgwROZAT2aOm_FFQPwFI2/s1600/DSC_0676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXgRBSmbTS4tgLIZyOTcB_5TWmsXWAfJrTdItPB5gNGd6exO16n0j8L6G-smuO9Vn4lQvk25ZZijmsa7LPnnUZtDW24ogffPejDr7-4aGW6QiPhHJgXkzmPlNgwROZAT2aOm_FFQPwFI2/s640/DSC_0676.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3x97ttINEqIlQkS_7M8rPWIMo_FsBD95yzPeGTuN-3cBN4rWnND-N2x2GW0OBvMj781IaRE6uOJR6Y9x_Gp9TYshEJJ2njrFBCGYAopRY4XZYvkduf_Dm1w8Y83JnsiXGzx4hv9RuU4Le/s1600/DSC_0680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3x97ttINEqIlQkS_7M8rPWIMo_FsBD95yzPeGTuN-3cBN4rWnND-N2x2GW0OBvMj781IaRE6uOJR6Y9x_Gp9TYshEJJ2njrFBCGYAopRY4XZYvkduf_Dm1w8Y83JnsiXGzx4hv9RuU4Le/s640/DSC_0680.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This little bunny was a big help to me in the kitchen too! Well, when it came to sweets at least.</span> <span style="font-size: large;">Sunday morning we baked a chocolate sheet cake (courtesy of the Pioneer Woman) and being Easter and all, we just felt like chocolate icing wasn't enough. And Emmy, being the cake-decorating queen that she is, took the challenge with pride!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXXOAhfgh3fqhhkkM-Yho3SedHiILWRQ9ePwW4l6zWR2YzS1BQaVQbD_l-YJWBs064ZGzyEkfS9PqqUixfpVWz03jaj1_7uw_vNmIKpcZjx2EvczZClhzfW0T2eRQoQsamhM8DU5DFHB2N/s1600/easter1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXXOAhfgh3fqhhkkM-Yho3SedHiILWRQ9ePwW4l6zWR2YzS1BQaVQbD_l-YJWBs064ZGzyEkfS9PqqUixfpVWz03jaj1_7uw_vNmIKpcZjx2EvczZClhzfW0T2eRQoQsamhM8DU5DFHB2N/s640/easter1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">Let me tell you on Sunday morning I realized my camera battery was dead. A little piece of me died at that moment too. It's Easter, for pete's sake! And cars (and 4-wheelers :) were pulling up that moment. Ugh! So I made do from here on out with my camera phone. So you'll have to excuse quality. I will admit the teens in the house weren't terribly disappointed. Go figure! But it made for less, and quick, photo opps.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDUlLc4uQXS9GHd3OAjh_Oprxbzq4Ngq-rwBHDRmmT1FETp3LVDH6Q3zk0UrD7F1Xg3NRweFM9HRwVGYgzcE5GiuSgzWsYtE3aMZWHkgz-95MO-wwOn6KuYK_2wcgmp-w4-66gDiG0NIe7/s1600/easter2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDUlLc4uQXS9GHd3OAjh_Oprxbzq4Ngq-rwBHDRmmT1FETp3LVDH6Q3zk0UrD7F1Xg3NRweFM9HRwVGYgzcE5GiuSgzWsYtE3aMZWHkgz-95MO-wwOn6KuYK_2wcgmp-w4-66gDiG0NIe7/s640/easter2.jpg" width="382" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">Jeff's parents, his two brothers, and their family's join us for lunch, and as always we over cook in fear of never having enough, and over eat in fear of our plates disappearing! After all that food, the couchs, rocking chairs, and porch swings seemed to fill up faster than I could count to ten!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJkBuCzf0vTQX50TOEPsD-8MmiY-_2bmJXOz5WTkuZGN6tzLHo1f77ow7NDo5POpTw0aQkOcGcRUd97mEynYSZvOJZYmdI5tLwWF8xZa6WPJDHeQnnKTNTg-vMy1jsNiqss7l09P3eyMrp/s1600/easter3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJkBuCzf0vTQX50TOEPsD-8MmiY-_2bmJXOz5WTkuZGN6tzLHo1f77ow7NDo5POpTw0aQkOcGcRUd97mEynYSZvOJZYmdI5tLwWF8xZa6WPJDHeQnnKTNTg-vMy1jsNiqss7l09P3eyMrp/s640/easter3.jpg" width="382" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">But it wasn't long after than, the kiddos were getting antsy and there were eggs to be hunted! The clowns range in age from 16 to 3, so it was only fair we split them up. So we decided to kick it up a notch for our teenagers this year (aka: be really mean) and host a blindfolded Easter Egg Hunt. We convinced them to do this by telling them there was $1000 hidden in their eggs. So Jeff took Kyle, 16, Emmy, 13, and Jake, 12, and darkened their world while the ladies prepped the scene.....</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt5s2NlVU7eUYiin53j-Szg5CdtduLrEdR1m4jEg8JET8hFhAFcEwLO5uDjM_z-x12zqUqk3uG2ECh1wlAQG1diFNfKSg-DFcIUgx2OoDMxfgnaJFMrtXvb7oe0BRKDDHngnMlNmZzRmrj/s1600/easter4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt5s2NlVU7eUYiin53j-Szg5CdtduLrEdR1m4jEg8JET8hFhAFcEwLO5uDjM_z-x12zqUqk3uG2ECh1wlAQG1diFNfKSg-DFcIUgx2OoDMxfgnaJFMrtXvb7oe0BRKDDHngnMlNmZzRmrj/s640/easter4.jpg" width="382" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">This cracks me up. Jeff is off to the left giving instructions, which pretty much consisted of "go find the eggs. Stay in the yard. Don't touch your blindfold. Oh, don't crawl into the highway." I have a feeling Kyle is praying none of his friends drive by and see what he's doing. Emmy is looking (well, facing) her dad as if to say "are you kidding me???" Jake, the math genious in the family, is just trying to come up with a plan. And little Abigail has that hand on her hip,as if to set Emmy straight any minute.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBG84gbQxwJD0Rj0TKY_-77hEyUZ9TdaDaP8s2Xx8dbq7CoWMfQChzv2ymjNQjbhm1VVtTZ_HfaK_AACXfKUEnCQ5zWdInRRGTaNF9ChRBkpnVJvLkkHnHSDI8QyLmO5xjXGdZLP-vDLaL/s1600/easter5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBG84gbQxwJD0Rj0TKY_-77hEyUZ9TdaDaP8s2Xx8dbq7CoWMfQChzv2ymjNQjbhm1VVtTZ_HfaK_AACXfKUEnCQ5zWdInRRGTaNF9ChRBkpnVJvLkkHnHSDI8QyLmO5xjXGdZLP-vDLaL/s640/easter5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">What ensued was total chaos. And the funniest thing I've ever seen in my life. We all sort of flocked to a child, and began to direct them toward eggs. More than once I had to say, your other left Kyle! </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDh_eJlycHdJnD3mjw60bgU9RyqVUKXBBUFo5j2qNeHw90O7Z2yGWvK-yW3D_hxggQSXjqdkh5Jey_FKJtmgzQLNmkC8u53fJaCkCqcCLHPxVn4WEFbEe5c-EqDDVVXMkpECWqV7mhWcZ7/s1600/easter6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDh_eJlycHdJnD3mjw60bgU9RyqVUKXBBUFo5j2qNeHw90O7Z2yGWvK-yW3D_hxggQSXjqdkh5Jey_FKJtmgzQLNmkC8u53fJaCkCqcCLHPxVn4WEFbEe5c-EqDDVVXMkpECWqV7mhWcZ7/s640/easter6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">Uncle Stan thought it would be just too funny to put a rubber snake in front of Emmy's path. Emmy however, did not. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzMBwgmPKCsqPzbn7-WCRp2a7l6gYhh7UIw-_7-ni6xx4oplTgtDSROe58e-3nFQBd6aDA8ONwPJuIw9AQ-XDDXfMHeyPG-2G-vde7YRWdcAz7MboY8qvYWBj9INn0Pxt8gUBg5Z8RXZ4e/s1600/easter7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzMBwgmPKCsqPzbn7-WCRp2a7l6gYhh7UIw-_7-ni6xx4oplTgtDSROe58e-3nFQBd6aDA8ONwPJuIw9AQ-XDDXfMHeyPG-2G-vde7YRWdcAz7MboY8qvYWBj9INn0Pxt8gUBg5Z8RXZ4e/s640/easter7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">They eggs were FINALLY all found, blindfolds off, and they soon realized they were shorted about $950. But it was all in fun, they had to admit, and I'd venture to say, this might now be an annual race. It was the most I laughed all day!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Next up the little ones hunted the back yard, and they're way too fast and serious to even think about getting on camera! They know how to hunt an egg, yall!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3dd-w2Mz6h1zCxf4e9AKFvCetC225YLCOX4rcxirSVownZShgBeG7Q-HVfSwMCdr5Fo9IRN16h0q5qOP7iZw5sLxrXcKTpKTP_diiTSq_ptM-cp2lPicsf2QP9-8GE6a4TiwHcgyZDYK8/s1600/easter8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3dd-w2Mz6h1zCxf4e9AKFvCetC225YLCOX4rcxirSVownZShgBeG7Q-HVfSwMCdr5Fo9IRN16h0q5qOP7iZw5sLxrXcKTpKTP_diiTSq_ptM-cp2lPicsf2QP9-8GE6a4TiwHcgyZDYK8/s640/easter8.jpg" width="382" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhojlQuqes0sa3mfaQ_Ad_ngTP1gnliEzm1wPPenxja5c9ZJyuiS2cKi0Jcvihhdh7MeHPPIKOC21Lrsrqb14i6OPAbfYOnyytbyJCf7D-wSq3xpDHGqeivPbqJYPAAzT1grd8Rq9TLJtTV/s1600/easter9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhojlQuqes0sa3mfaQ_Ad_ngTP1gnliEzm1wPPenxja5c9ZJyuiS2cKi0Jcvihhdh7MeHPPIKOC21Lrsrqb14i6OPAbfYOnyytbyJCf7D-wSq3xpDHGqeivPbqJYPAAzT1grd8Rq9TLJtTV/s640/easter9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXpln4A3WYN3H47YHXfS8JD11qvHvSNqRncMQqkCWPfPOSVuAQ9pJTUNHaekh_JnWp30kxbm-2A_FSduCyEeqhL_Ij5GeqshlfcOdmuumH6tZgPcnFqI_ojfHqtpw3YolemEcOM0vBcmw/s1600/easter10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXpln4A3WYN3H47YHXfS8JD11qvHvSNqRncMQqkCWPfPOSVuAQ9pJTUNHaekh_JnWp30kxbm-2A_FSduCyEeqhL_Ij5GeqshlfcOdmuumH6tZgPcnFqI_ojfHqtpw3YolemEcOM0vBcmw/s640/easter10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">Well, except Garrett. Garrett takes his time, accessing the egg, making sure he wants it, and drops it in his basket. It definitely didn't help that the little man had a yuck cold, and all he wanted to do was snuggle! Hopefully some of that loot he collected will perk him up soon!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsZl7u7QNY2SokIxEczBEunCPlHxM5hSlA8QhE9b03sS9wn72iJvpKOFm_XqnV60sktvf70l_-qzlpJGiUsT0hS9Rvtq7RA0JRdAEtbdkrgmqzZjv0H5XcD4_Syj6hyyUUM_be8TxYC0K/s1600/easter11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsZl7u7QNY2SokIxEczBEunCPlHxM5hSlA8QhE9b03sS9wn72iJvpKOFm_XqnV60sktvf70l_-qzlpJGiUsT0hS9Rvtq7RA0JRdAEtbdkrgmqzZjv0H5XcD4_Syj6hyyUUM_be8TxYC0K/s640/easter11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">After counting more money and more candy, we spent the rest of the afternoon cooling off by the pool. All and all, it was a great weekend, celebrating our Risen Lord!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf1ZvELWm0DR_IEBYezCP0v2GuGYxCEoxgozD11Tv363RsNI0b9LQxfXGKXhH9wtpbzT4QdTvUmfwpmfHabft_e2PMqPN-iePb2yV1MUvs1NO4VpQtxedyjrz7NEBW7Mc0ynw4lp6i6Afy/s1600/easter12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf1ZvELWm0DR_IEBYezCP0v2GuGYxCEoxgozD11Tv363RsNI0b9LQxfXGKXhH9wtpbzT4QdTvUmfwpmfHabft_e2PMqPN-iePb2yV1MUvs1NO4VpQtxedyjrz7NEBW7Mc0ynw4lp6i6Afy/s640/easter12.jpg" width="382" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers." </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>-- <strong>1 John 3:16 </strong>Jennifer Simpsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07131526629503192204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4891315797961878861.post-30175251757679241442012-03-27T11:23:00.000-04:002012-03-27T11:23:56.725-04:00Project Prom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The first of the month I was so excited about participating in this project! The Junior League, for the second year, successfully pulled off Project Prom in our area, for our 5 surrounding high schools. Basically, we send out invitations for any junior or senior girls in need of a prom dress to come shop our stock, free of charge. (And in the mean time, we are collecting donations of gently used, or brand new formal dresses like crazy!!)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvCBLU2yU603Urxh38MDcuBW8cOgRZnk_xGT7e0GWQ4zNsW2ZYu2YmvYpx7EL87LaqrIMpIsFcfgwQYPbWfU29CXjsxx88DWjDUXSpKfagIATss5wZwSQCgq6mZ7QXFny1Ungw5GWcjtlJ/s1600/prom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvCBLU2yU603Urxh38MDcuBW8cOgRZnk_xGT7e0GWQ4zNsW2ZYu2YmvYpx7EL87LaqrIMpIsFcfgwQYPbWfU29CXjsxx88DWjDUXSpKfagIATss5wZwSQCgq6mZ7QXFny1Ungw5GWcjtlJ/s640/prom.jpg" width="508" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">We are also loaded to the gills with shoes, purses, wraps, jewelry, etc. So when these girls left, they were ready for the runways!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6fvMq8okkVI5rT7_XBuYsDMxZ3XKkH6zDJNwlflZjHAdPma-tv9oFxvxQ5XmgqynhE_EMfkHA7XRP3acPdAU9TrticwamG5fHERUb2_kgMeWu2A8q6nbWWtZ4ABC0KlpkFnnb75VWSrZ/s1600/prom1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6fvMq8okkVI5rT7_XBuYsDMxZ3XKkH6zDJNwlflZjHAdPma-tv9oFxvxQ5XmgqynhE_EMfkHA7XRP3acPdAU9TrticwamG5fHERUb2_kgMeWu2A8q6nbWWtZ4ABC0KlpkFnnb75VWSrZ/s640/prom1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_RuQHgH3Ya-4ddUtVljDuKEJFygdKMXgAWMN7pVUTKDXOWzJKZM-Nu3uYd9Cwx_7BWkdGmn3NIpEva3EBlin9tmYBqo5peAY57z_it-XmnJvFA5BtLzJP7ascClZQiFI4jg0Pp84YXr0v/s1600/prom2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_RuQHgH3Ya-4ddUtVljDuKEJFygdKMXgAWMN7pVUTKDXOWzJKZM-Nu3uYd9Cwx_7BWkdGmn3NIpEva3EBlin9tmYBqo5peAY57z_it-XmnJvFA5BtLzJP7ascClZQiFI4jg0Pp84YXr0v/s640/prom2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">It was such a humbling experience to see these sweet girls (with the help of a lot of mamas) try on dress after dress, in search of just the right one, twirl around in front of the mirrors, and watch that big grin grow on their faces!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAuGvN6E9CkYJv78c-y81RH8vHZswCgof6LSi86DESWOH3wu3NMlfO0N8JwIUdKtFgIV_f4hjTPC15m-zyeSwnXada5xiY2EVsb8m2ytNl4Tmqy21y2bp5RaStLRMXX_4_btT9XqGipvWX/s1600/prom3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAuGvN6E9CkYJv78c-y81RH8vHZswCgof6LSi86DESWOH3wu3NMlfO0N8JwIUdKtFgIV_f4hjTPC15m-zyeSwnXada5xiY2EVsb8m2ytNl4Tmqy21y2bp5RaStLRMXX_4_btT9XqGipvWX/s640/prom3.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhulfq1WRRh-gXsMbQ-OXse1U7OKvrXB1iStAh4QIyhz8dassVg-ywvWjvWksBtIuGGGVrIsJh3JXSeA2GQhcbGc_WdMDEsFQwsMnbXtXwNvW0HSdTqOIMqzOKXQ-FDRBePz3bHOX2s5IF-/s1600/prom4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhulfq1WRRh-gXsMbQ-OXse1U7OKvrXB1iStAh4QIyhz8dassVg-ywvWjvWksBtIuGGGVrIsJh3JXSeA2GQhcbGc_WdMDEsFQwsMnbXtXwNvW0HSdTqOIMqzOKXQ-FDRBePz3bHOX2s5IF-/s640/prom4.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVkBbw264fS6YbmKALnN-EJvW3uUHRBOUJSfR6ORQarNvQI8mQ_Gv4mC4RhTb7Ts54YOIYWbZkrL2XwKGlM7_WMXDv9K9l0_lsPqD1_f0_8gJfIUwOy1HViSbh6_LEDf73YKoFF2U9zh5S/s1600/prom5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVkBbw264fS6YbmKALnN-EJvW3uUHRBOUJSfR6ORQarNvQI8mQ_Gv4mC4RhTb7Ts54YOIYWbZkrL2XwKGlM7_WMXDv9K9l0_lsPqD1_f0_8gJfIUwOy1HViSbh6_LEDf73YKoFF2U9zh5S/s640/prom5.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">As much as I know this was a good thing I was doing, it was just plain selfish as well (which I'm reminded often I still need to work on a lot!). I have to admit I was living a bit of high school nostalgia through these sweet girls and those good ol' prom memories with each sequin and rhinestone studded gown I zipped up, and would shout "Now come out and twirl for us!" </span></div>Jennifer Simpsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07131526629503192204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4891315797961878861.post-34555770723651811282012-03-19T17:14:00.000-04:002012-03-19T17:14:59.166-04:00Get-Away<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jeff and I ran away at the end of Febraury to my favorite place on earth: the salty, breezy, sunny Gulf of Mexico. Specifically, Destin, of course. </span></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">And if you know me well at all, you've probably been with me to my precious family restaurant, Nick's, for some crab claws and fresh oysters. Straight outta the bay that this little dive sits on. The wood paneling my great-Uncle Frank hung, and brown tile floors my grandfather, PawPaw laid, fifty years ago, make it what it is today. It's the "Cheers" of Hwy 20, I suppose. So if you're going to take the Mid-Bay bridge you should stop just shy at Nick's on the Bay, and ask Trey for a cold one. (But no moonshine, please....no moonshine.....)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5WC__tTQWKpxSvngdNQYElYbP_2CAZl2EwAJvfAzIbOBL0M9auujEyPyKAEQ62RzlRyRoNXhbwXgOK3uuFP7mZZdfhU0fxP-Ne8qo1epcm295OJoUd7soiIZ_ZJPshpA3997jKDxuNNRf/s1600/beach1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5WC__tTQWKpxSvngdNQYElYbP_2CAZl2EwAJvfAzIbOBL0M9auujEyPyKAEQ62RzlRyRoNXhbwXgOK3uuFP7mZZdfhU0fxP-Ne8qo1epcm295OJoUd7soiIZ_ZJPshpA3997jKDxuNNRf/s640/beach1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxxP12AdFnTVfF0VaQGNCPGoH4mLqUb3kQwF5kXQAvt3P863GP3lkvoGVOwElhYqm1goBZ4g0QcWV83jZJD2oNOS3bashxcCbNLxz7xiErABShUtbVdbReI9podXg-qgf0b-jkF4MlY8wS/s1600/beach2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxxP12AdFnTVfF0VaQGNCPGoH4mLqUb3kQwF5kXQAvt3P863GP3lkvoGVOwElhYqm1goBZ4g0QcWV83jZJD2oNOS3bashxcCbNLxz7xiErABShUtbVdbReI9podXg-qgf0b-jkF4MlY8wS/s640/beach2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_8I4ZYUWsH0eX7JwpqX58H1vrMcHNopRfN088xrKOLhhEsZ6yw4zVkL-myeJXcjPqM9d5NFWiCd2etYj7wMndDdVKNavIegGhkfUd5LoK7m_HMHo84xkbCRBkKBEANn1KnyEn4RGo9Ryi/s1600/beach3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_8I4ZYUWsH0eX7JwpqX58H1vrMcHNopRfN088xrKOLhhEsZ6yw4zVkL-myeJXcjPqM9d5NFWiCd2etYj7wMndDdVKNavIegGhkfUd5LoK7m_HMHo84xkbCRBkKBEANn1KnyEn4RGo9Ryi/s640/beach3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">Jeff and I had 2 dozen oysters, 2 pounds of crab claws, 1 pound of jumbo shrimp (heads-on), and 17 hushpuppies. And lots of fun talking smack with Trey and the locals. After that, the Hilton Resort was calling our names. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The next morning, we met my beautiful cousin Sarah (another Nick--we're all over Fort Walton, people) and one of her girl frannnds for brunch at Another Broken Egg Cafe. Whoa. I didnt need to eat for 48 hours after that one. But I could have skipped my meal all together, and just listened to her talk all morning. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am so proud of this young lady. For those (two readers) who dont know, Sarah lost her brother, my cousin, in November. He's a year older than her, and actually would be 20 tomorrow. I am blow away by her strength. I know this is not how she imagined her Senior year start and end, but I cannot imagine a better, stronger guardian angel than her brother. And Sarah, you rock on, sister. I loved spending time with you!!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_gJSqgoxgfQnbwS0Pu81CQHPG8zeK-1cG3dYIOGGksdneM0AkbNI11hcLjsK_WBzL0c8CGubFPozLMJnOi611fmEyY0Q6vpe-F13VrNWXzjEiJP4_oAaiWDWsSuPMMwfB5BLP27GZ9nq/s1600/beach4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_gJSqgoxgfQnbwS0Pu81CQHPG8zeK-1cG3dYIOGGksdneM0AkbNI11hcLjsK_WBzL0c8CGubFPozLMJnOi611fmEyY0Q6vpe-F13VrNWXzjEiJP4_oAaiWDWsSuPMMwfB5BLP27GZ9nq/s640/beach4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">(btw, Sarah's shirt says "I got my crabs at Nick's" .....nice, right? That's the restaurant, Nicks. She works at the other Nicks, Nick's on the Beach, for Frankie, Trey's dad. If you'd like a family tree or t-shirt mailed to you, let me know ;) ha! )</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We hit the outlets all day long, and burned off that lobster omelet I ate for breakfast. We also burned J's credit card.... whoops. Time for date night! And when I dress up, which is rare, of course, I bust out the tripod. Thank goodness I have a patient boyfriend. See.....</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_SJ_YZlEX4nKLmZobszYP_zGMmjbq8kSDsKdM2qcaefJPIMuv3KUn2WqGYFL3o_YcEs-BdKJVd7yiwga0Kx2nXWuKo5u3QXFQXpUitaENm_XtPQZYhTMBetoewHgtMaDsXYeR7fru1Rk9/s1600/beach5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_SJ_YZlEX4nKLmZobszYP_zGMmjbq8kSDsKdM2qcaefJPIMuv3KUn2WqGYFL3o_YcEs-BdKJVd7yiwga0Kx2nXWuKo5u3QXFQXpUitaENm_XtPQZYhTMBetoewHgtMaDsXYeR7fru1Rk9/s640/beach5.jpg" width="426" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">We did actually clean up well, and even running in heels along a wooden deck, I managed to get in the picture before J said "last call! load up!"</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYGJ4wX92Z1OupmreSfa2A-AVhuio5C8aOmgxJ1JF0rZw8hyi9B3W54qW86qGKe6Pgy4htrkFIVtgtJUZYygPbYKc_-M56OgIjrHEvIIQtu57QMfBRq7XDiLP3O7V9_7DPUgtk2iJWJJ5N/s1600/beach6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYGJ4wX92Z1OupmreSfa2A-AVhuio5C8aOmgxJ1JF0rZw8hyi9B3W54qW86qGKe6Pgy4htrkFIVtgtJUZYygPbYKc_-M56OgIjrHEvIIQtu57QMfBRq7XDiLP3O7V9_7DPUgtk2iJWJJ5N/s640/beach6.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtyDT4psZEv1h9uI4Ile_Wkg-uW7t37Yn6UOODs9Za6YpykzkMwJ3lrEVeRYoUfP-L1xgas2vH3QDKydYmMjK_6F2mbBjk33HOc9zkbZtPg8MM1iXTRHceJkDtFSh9q4exDVLZcn79cHjc/s1600/beach7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtyDT4psZEv1h9uI4Ile_Wkg-uW7t37Yn6UOODs9Za6YpykzkMwJ3lrEVeRYoUfP-L1xgas2vH3QDKydYmMjK_6F2mbBjk33HOc9zkbZtPg8MM1iXTRHceJkDtFSh9q4exDVLZcn79cHjc/s640/beach7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">Now date night consisted of seeing a play. In DeFuniak Springs. Oh yeah, baby! And I couldnt think of a place I'd rather be in Walton County! My cousin Rachael (yes, another Nick) graduated last year from UF in theater, and had her directorial debute at the theater there and she directed Steel Magnolias!! Well, you better know I wouldn't have missed that one for the world! I'm so proud of you, Rach, and Mama Connie was one fine assistant too!!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmROLMzZNyLZFFQWIJ4IHKJoBqNFCID84nXSykqVEHvzCAFfHyIKj4jwMtPMnlUcTTH9mFrba9g43VX7gcbhMqFrPpJdQNjIYGl7V5AQSHHtgn08h65LHoOaWJ692dvToaVF669vj2uIy1/s1600/beach8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmROLMzZNyLZFFQWIJ4IHKJoBqNFCID84nXSykqVEHvzCAFfHyIKj4jwMtPMnlUcTTH9mFrba9g43VX7gcbhMqFrPpJdQNjIYGl7V5AQSHHtgn08h65LHoOaWJ692dvToaVF669vj2uIy1/s640/beach8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">Sunday, we made one last trip back over "the long bridge" to Nick's, for one last round of crab claws. (I'm afraid we had as much shrimp in the cooler on the way home as clothes from the outlets!) My XO college girlfriend <a href="http://blog.urbangrace.com/">Erika</a> and family came across to bay to join us, apparently they're old Nick's fans too-small world! My sister came over from Mobile too, and headed to see Rach's play after lunch. Lunch was so much fun, while us girls played with Sloane and her worms, and the boys....well, I dont know what they did....talked guy stuff by the bait house, cleaning fish or something. Who knows. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My sister rocks my world.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVrl770APQUwO0VD-zVI7tXYKtSOzK9PJWE-lt3iI2fwRMT-dhD98cBPR_0wn1CHl1AbN1wnSi25qkRma0kwZ-T_W3TEXqOmrcwK9e0K1jMFMh1EAZogqlRN_qztt7gtsEccNfzAI4R3TR/s1600/beach10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVrl770APQUwO0VD-zVI7tXYKtSOzK9PJWE-lt3iI2fwRMT-dhD98cBPR_0wn1CHl1AbN1wnSi25qkRma0kwZ-T_W3TEXqOmrcwK9e0K1jMFMh1EAZogqlRN_qztt7gtsEccNfzAI4R3TR/s640/beach10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">Sloane hiding. EZ-so glad yall came to join us! If you need someone to sweep in and completely blow your mind away with her mad interior design skillzzzz, she's your woman. But get on the waiting list, she's the bomb diggity. :)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSXYcjDQMcNKjmGF6-8_sOLaW7878mJ5Gk8gU0D6R8X_mA1Nwv1dz2gt3cIkTRx-GhiMJR3EvP6JXBgRzoIbRXEEmC5q1p2QpKNbH0bM4qMPPryLf6MvIovzTb13DZKFCs0b5wFnfQlPK/s1600/beach11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSXYcjDQMcNKjmGF6-8_sOLaW7878mJ5Gk8gU0D6R8X_mA1Nwv1dz2gt3cIkTRx-GhiMJR3EvP6JXBgRzoIbRXEEmC5q1p2QpKNbH0bM4qMPPryLf6MvIovzTb13DZKFCs0b5wFnfQlPK/s640/beach11.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Great weekend. Much needed. Wish I could hit replay. Love my family. Love my friends. Love the beach. Oh, and love those crab claws.</span>Jennifer Simpsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07131526629503192204noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4891315797961878861.post-53992507767408902852012-03-02T11:06:00.000-05:002012-03-02T11:06:13.577-05:00Happy Endings - Take 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">So, you want another one? They give you goosebumps, right? I know! Me too! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">So this is Lauren. She was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma early in 2008. I had the honor of representing Make-A-Wish and meeting her during her treatments that September, when she was a Senior in high school.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtEqvsxBXA2X3UxMoaEP-lldxwKGVY3qIrvUWfxrlp0IM4ciZ3Lhkcr1CM3HSxyFej3UwWvBDRNAEeKWg25l3GHun-VW1jQrpQVbv5hSg0ENIrt5RfKEjAWj0_vJEh_60S-hM2Vp45ahIa/s1600/L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtEqvsxBXA2X3UxMoaEP-lldxwKGVY3qIrvUWfxrlp0IM4ciZ3Lhkcr1CM3HSxyFej3UwWvBDRNAEeKWg25l3GHun-VW1jQrpQVbv5hSg0ENIrt5RfKEjAWj0_vJEh_60S-hM2Vp45ahIa/s640/L.jpg" uda="true" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We asked Lauren what her biggest wish in the world was. If she could <em>go anywhere</em>, if she could <em>meet anyone</em>, if she could <em>have anything</em>, if she could <em>be anything </em>just what might it be!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">After a lot of debating, Lauren decided she would love to visit Hawaii, to swim with the dolphins, go to a luau, and have a Hawaiian spa day!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVHZ7N8pzPULIqb37xzMfPWcSHDcd_GxFvmYKfVQ5hfptPqEWA-tjqPzadk_P2cV7uspN6_WwEmfrATRSfh8QxVTZbqdUyJiY570Z8HE8DygdoM05bKdCa-6L1v96Me-tWKHz7oA2XACX6/s1600/L5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVHZ7N8pzPULIqb37xzMfPWcSHDcd_GxFvmYKfVQ5hfptPqEWA-tjqPzadk_P2cV7uspN6_WwEmfrATRSfh8QxVTZbqdUyJiY570Z8HE8DygdoM05bKdCa-6L1v96Me-tWKHz7oA2XACX6/s640/L5.jpg" uda="true" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">And when we got the "go," we officially sent her off on her wish to Hawaii with a real (Columbus-style) luau! We even managed to find a Hawaiian hula instructor to teach her a few moves!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZVyFxJgzrvxiMcPK1WpBgKbvfvDClsqAq3uVsPyWOdje1BTi_GWBnu8g_wxKeq8BpEVxDtG1UunwccQLe9kR9qkh2cWHWbRYomzgi6YuNuyoNSI9VoPm2uDYmu_BhkbX03MWR8ih1tb_L/s1600/L4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZVyFxJgzrvxiMcPK1WpBgKbvfvDClsqAq3uVsPyWOdje1BTi_GWBnu8g_wxKeq8BpEVxDtG1UunwccQLe9kR9qkh2cWHWbRYomzgi6YuNuyoNSI9VoPm2uDYmu_BhkbX03MWR8ih1tb_L/s640/L4.jpg" uda="true" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lauren and her family came home from the trip of a lifetime, invited us back into their home for a Hawaiian style meal, and told us about the whole trip from beginning to end! From that point on, we've become fast friends. Lauren, as well as her family, have stayed active with Make-A-Wish, our events and fundraisers, and have become a ever-present reminder to all of us why we do what we do!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">See -- at this year's Christmas party she begged me to not let her be a "wish kid" anymore, but to let her start helping with the parties. I gladly slapped on her nametag and told her to start blowing up balloons. ;) </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOibuQexuXXbq2ZFm6qrZ88wETKnEjG5qPfHan93aulvPOWNnMQ4plB_OmVWcbvpqaGoMZFbsHvWAoGurpJx4CkuNJ8XrGSsUnQ_yny3zf-h8SVXb4FkRSS_TDbGuSoaDsV3GQFXhvU9My/s1600/L1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOibuQexuXXbq2ZFm6qrZ88wETKnEjG5qPfHan93aulvPOWNnMQ4plB_OmVWcbvpqaGoMZFbsHvWAoGurpJx4CkuNJ8XrGSsUnQ_yny3zf-h8SVXb4FkRSS_TDbGuSoaDsV3GQFXhvU9My/s320/L1.jpg" uda="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Last year at our first annual Evening of Wishes silent auction, Lauren was our guest speaker. And she rocked the house, I might add. And she rocked that house, and that speech, <strong>on crutches</strong>, as she recooperated from what amounted to a near hip replacement due to what the chemo did to her precious young body. <em>Tell me she's not tough.</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf4pWyk5xi6IIXbhPwzJ8UpjTQTVV3m6n_17Jbco-MeKAhpFVtCp5dVhZHPcD0r88xISdgPeYs8OG8yk68TwTZAI1sTiOVd7YQclD_bWe1YaQFMPtDIW5cII3sWUmI9ouRZkZy2m7L9yXj/s1600/BG%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf4pWyk5xi6IIXbhPwzJ8UpjTQTVV3m6n_17Jbco-MeKAhpFVtCp5dVhZHPcD0r88xISdgPeYs8OG8yk68TwTZAI1sTiOVd7YQclD_bWe1YaQFMPtDIW5cII3sWUmI9ouRZkZy2m7L9yXj/s640/BG%5B1%5D.jpg" uda="true" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">And at this year's Evening of Wishes, I told her to sit back and enjoy as a guest of honor, while her dad worked the room as a board member. Because yes, her dad now sits on our Board. Because he loves what we've done for his family, and having him there truly keeps it real for us all. And how can you not have fun with those two, seriously??!!</span></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lauren has had a rough few years, but I couldn't be prouder of any young lady. She's in college now. She's also in Nursing School. She wants to be an Oncology Nurse. How about that? Told you she was amazing. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lauren and I are dear friends now, and have a standing dinner date every few weeks. Over nachos and margaritas we catch up on boys, and school, and work, and parents, and it never ceases to amaze me how ten years of age difference seem to disappear over the bond we've created. Maybe you find real friends when you awkwardly hula dance with them, or lose your hair, or work with other sick children hand-in-hand, or give boyfriend advice, or just double-dip in her cheese dip. ;) </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Either way, Lauren is one of those friends I am so humbled and proud to have in my life. I am afraid she is sorely confused in calling me her mentor; she simply has no idea how much I want to be just like her when I grow up. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lauren, I love you sis! And I wa so happy to toast with you last week! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> CHEERS to three years in remission!!! You go girl!!</span></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPNDKybMZZtSN0eGQeRWTWbP49FUX1A33wjUhl1oByFCwIrHXOjjqPM-Y2Y8yGYc0jYi_gmLZ24dYxhrXtDFF8xicowqow7XW2QN7WVZv4SSqHcYW1U53JPtDsKCKx1Ij38o61YA-gAqnC/s1600/lauren.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPNDKybMZZtSN0eGQeRWTWbP49FUX1A33wjUhl1oByFCwIrHXOjjqPM-Y2Y8yGYc0jYi_gmLZ24dYxhrXtDFF8xicowqow7XW2QN7WVZv4SSqHcYW1U53JPtDsKCKx1Ij38o61YA-gAqnC/s640/lauren.jpg" uda="true" width="384" /></a></div>Jennifer Simpsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07131526629503192204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4891315797961878861.post-45266766265317565532012-02-29T13:03:00.000-05:002012-02-29T13:03:40.330-05:00Happy Endings<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is my wish kid, Daniel. I met him in January of 2009. Just two months prior he was diagnosed with Leukemia (ALL), at 3 years old. In January, I asked him what his biggest wish in the whole wide world was, which is quite a tall order for a little guy!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWwX2DMQL3tsrEM3xpQhzJmynJ6p3d3NTuwGCkB0GxPVZa6DapmBW-hoaEWStePDEietnzzKwVB6FIO-cPqNQreneXBspilQa1hQYmJubOooktU27r9_gg8_kZmHcGdVOl0HpwCWG_ZAeW/s1600/dan2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWwX2DMQL3tsrEM3xpQhzJmynJ6p3d3NTuwGCkB0GxPVZa6DapmBW-hoaEWStePDEietnzzKwVB6FIO-cPqNQreneXBspilQa1hQYmJubOooktU27r9_gg8_kZmHcGdVOl0HpwCWG_ZAeW/s1600/dan2.jpg" uda="true" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">That September, we came back to Daniel's, to tell him his wish was our command! What was it? "To meet Mickey Mouse and Winnie the Pooh and fly in a plane like my daddy." So naturally, we had a Disney-themed send-off party for my little man prior to his weeklong Disney trip, and of course he earned his wings as he traveled by air, just like daddy does!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGBMCLA9OqcBhyphenhyphenTIul44JyisIHQjRjs71Pp8UsakLBxi6W8bIoc6bx08nFjECiOSCES6H4wPahnG1Dp-isTJhPGywO1przAnShgyH4VnXyfrO1Dmie653E7x-7qgOhc-HW6dHvNCDh-iwr/s1600/dan3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGBMCLA9OqcBhyphenhyphenTIul44JyisIHQjRjs71Pp8UsakLBxi6W8bIoc6bx08nFjECiOSCES6H4wPahnG1Dp-isTJhPGywO1przAnShgyH4VnXyfrO1Dmie653E7x-7qgOhc-HW6dHvNCDh-iwr/s640/dan3.jpg" uda="true" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">Daniel and his family have been amazing, a true extension of my own. Their love of Make-A-Wish didn't end when their son's wish was granted, but have become avid supporters of our foundation to help other wishes like Daniel's. Here, the summer of '10, he's helping me sell $1.00 stars at a Chick-fil-A fundraiser.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr693pkwFkGcSO29HO34BhjW35Nf_eRFPUZZ5Dqgg-7BZfdFLQTeEwGO2KpCaYBfZqusv_z8wC2hwbRNr9Kzrr_WC8vn0uZ9DFfsOeTWswAHTh1SMvftqM85LDmcScro6vk0zF0Ah834-P/s1600/dan4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr693pkwFkGcSO29HO34BhjW35Nf_eRFPUZZ5Dqgg-7BZfdFLQTeEwGO2KpCaYBfZqusv_z8wC2hwbRNr9Kzrr_WC8vn0uZ9DFfsOeTWswAHTh1SMvftqM85LDmcScro6vk0zF0Ah834-P/s640/dan4.jpg" uda="true" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">And this past fall, October '11, he was the star of the show at our Evening of Wishes, as he called out every single door prize to be given away <em>on a real microphone</em>, as his family were guests of honor at our silent aution fundraiser.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxwkMqdF92ZixYQrc-IjyXjraVnDaQiMhr2ai5siZDap4nub8tQ29u1GpGwRsjT7E1kv1QG0fxF_ZFQesjZ-N0_uIPWn-FIetjTOH0k4S-4gCmnkGObdMeyMMsHbNnkpcXAwtGTPLAY27/s1600/dan5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxwkMqdF92ZixYQrc-IjyXjraVnDaQiMhr2ai5siZDap4nub8tQ29u1GpGwRsjT7E1kv1QG0fxF_ZFQesjZ-N0_uIPWn-FIetjTOH0k4S-4gCmnkGObdMeyMMsHbNnkpcXAwtGTPLAY27/s640/dan5.jpg" uda="true" width="640" /></a></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Daniel was a regular kid. <em>With cancer.</em> He could do anything you can do. <em>But he could do it with a chemo port, because he's so tough like that.</em></span> </span>For the past three years he's gone to school, church, movies.... rode his bike, played t-ball, swam.... laughed, cried, sang, prayed, danced, kissed and hugged..... been a son, a friend, an inspiration, a little boy, and a FIGHTER. </span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size: large;">...</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size: large;">...</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size: large;">...</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size: large;">...</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size: large;">...</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size: large;">...</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size: large;">And guess what?</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size: large;">...</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size: large;">...</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size: large;">...</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size: large;">...</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size: large;">...</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size: large;">...</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size: large;">Today, he's a SURVIVOR.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfKzOMvaumVOKIAn-moAcJYWauKSe_gB1HN1VDEVeoV4mOrmpIQHXof5sb99KCQEvnIo1oM6QITFUtlZkMuEzoTdhZGcUznKsGBNw4G46OPqhfqaYUI7zEmWxGqBn9Y0JGoWjWtOVgFSpS/s1600/daniel1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfKzOMvaumVOKIAn-moAcJYWauKSe_gB1HN1VDEVeoV4mOrmpIQHXof5sb99KCQEvnIo1oM6QITFUtlZkMuEzoTdhZGcUznKsGBNw4G46OPqhfqaYUI7zEmWxGqBn9Y0JGoWjWtOVgFSpS/s640/daniel1.jpg" uda="true" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">In January that chemo port <strong>was removed</strong>! And Daniel's doctor declared him <strong>"in remission!"</strong> Our God is so GOOD! </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX3FOXlJK-WjokButNghwgGJq_c8ddSlnjkAn6Fb70dZ4PCHf65RFqNfRg4hx2ujaV-9RG237EgXCxg_L8hvNi4HOiluLA4t9FYZsfgulr179ixgAM6QO_kGZuVysRIapX5ufUyC0sPHui/s1600/daniel2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX3FOXlJK-WjokButNghwgGJq_c8ddSlnjkAn6Fb70dZ4PCHf65RFqNfRg4hx2ujaV-9RG237EgXCxg_L8hvNi4HOiluLA4t9FYZsfgulr179ixgAM6QO_kGZuVysRIapX5ufUyC0sPHui/s640/daniel2.jpg" uda="true" width="640" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And these sweet people, who by the way are younger than me (can you imagine going through all of this before your 30th birthday??!), Danny and Kimberly, can breathe, just really breathe, and enjoy life with their now, six, year old son, and count every precious moment as a blessing.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5rVZqqH8D_iXvvbeb9fnt364qNdpd2VV3x91T_v_VvGRmnMyQkjlq2Lqxv5D9NQ2tkpuDwUTB7IWzb9NByWofivgBmxrziIIeCiI4xcPjcUYTSkbuBwGEje6DkpihQFSJrBFiXM-nl0Ln/s1600/daniel3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5rVZqqH8D_iXvvbeb9fnt364qNdpd2VV3x91T_v_VvGRmnMyQkjlq2Lqxv5D9NQ2tkpuDwUTB7IWzb9NByWofivgBmxrziIIeCiI4xcPjcUYTSkbuBwGEje6DkpihQFSJrBFiXM-nl0Ln/s640/daniel3.jpg" uda="true" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">To celebrate the fact that Daniel KICKED CANCER's BUTT!, the Moseley's hosted a <strong>Cancer-Free Celebration Party!</strong> at a favorite spot in town, Monkey Joe's!! They rented the place out, ordered enough pizza for all of Muscogee County, and I believe the last head count was around 150! That's one heck of a celebration!!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSgXp33frQnkkgD152-nLSrOZaW4ORucuN0hSQxSEUbhhstdfYukh0pfAzRlhKf4qySRgRSOopUO2yXG5nYpeSd8iG5fPr0iPMfZCe6FdSoTTWN8GZyX9BxmAqIcnZ_lI0LP5H4Bp5h-xE/s1600/daniel4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSgXp33frQnkkgD152-nLSrOZaW4ORucuN0hSQxSEUbhhstdfYukh0pfAzRlhKf4qySRgRSOopUO2yXG5nYpeSd8iG5fPr0iPMfZCe6FdSoTTWN8GZyX9BxmAqIcnZ_lI0LP5H4Bp5h-xE/s640/daniel4.jpg" uda="true" width="426" /></a></div><div align="left"> <span style="font-size: large;">Daniel, I am so honored to be your friend, and I am so PROUD of you for KICKING CANCER's hiney!! ;) I hope now and forever, all your wishes come true! I am grateful for being a small part of one of them. Love you bunches, my little tiger.</span></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXHsDSobTUZEv5KQNCcmo3WkPowrz1OhU8Si1AXYuX9xlqVZIz4qG_JfNGQRE_KfD3zH1H8kqQIgK3sKSX4C-7zWHhqBBdKaRzo81bQKoGx3c9WNkM_BSzbekvPtQb3QEi7G-CNfJXF7Me/s1600/Daniel!.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXHsDSobTUZEv5KQNCcmo3WkPowrz1OhU8Si1AXYuX9xlqVZIz4qG_JfNGQRE_KfD3zH1H8kqQIgK3sKSX4C-7zWHhqBBdKaRzo81bQKoGx3c9WNkM_BSzbekvPtQb3QEi7G-CNfJXF7Me/s640/Daniel!.jpg" uda="true" width="640" /></a></div><div align="left"><br />
</div>Jennifer Simpsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07131526629503192204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4891315797961878861.post-67673861293773016282012-02-27T10:29:00.000-05:002012-02-27T10:29:21.923-05:00I'm Too Old to Fill a Vase.<span style="font-size: large;">That's what the florist told Jeff this year, at least. For the last three years, he's sent me the number of roses as to my age.... But this year the florist called him and said she's "She's maxing out at 32! Next year I'll have to break them up and double-fist vases to bring her 33!" HA!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is not a terrible problem to have, and let me say, 32 roses in one monstrous vase, looks like a wedding arrangement! I could not even move it on my desk! It was breath-taking! And they were the most gorgeous yellow, with orangey-red tips.... At times, Jeff surprises me how well he knows me, and remembers things I will say only once. I have NEVER gotten flowers with baby's breath (ugh) and NEVER received red roses, they have always been some unique color, because I am not ordinary (his words, not mine). </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji_f5J-_AbGsGLtNMncDYmL25-YQuS7fVP2FC4jlcOPGO6rTW6tbjEGS2MvckXPIIOQBL00chxxOvgTEwRXqRXUb9C9hLcCLBTxsZ_8mW_EmR4WVy-RD3bbu1aLkmGTgWIXNRjCncH7uWE/s1600/IMAG0389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji_f5J-_AbGsGLtNMncDYmL25-YQuS7fVP2FC4jlcOPGO6rTW6tbjEGS2MvckXPIIOQBL00chxxOvgTEwRXqRXUb9C9hLcCLBTxsZ_8mW_EmR4WVy-RD3bbu1aLkmGTgWIXNRjCncH7uWE/s640/IMAG0389.jpg" width="382" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, for the record, my birthday started out extremely well, though believe it or not, I was trying to ignore it this year....I know, I know, I'm not looking for a "birthday week" anymore. Actually, I never have been, yall have always just loved me so much and given me one.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So worked draaaaaaaggggggeeeeeddddd on, and when I finally got home, Jeff opened the door, with his arms full of these. I think he's found his personal shoppers in town now. Pursona and The Blue Door Boutique have just made his life (and mine!) so much easier! </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6pOYgF7c2IKZBf4HDuoI0H3FWiU2TuTK5p19a6dBDuP-CrczrkbH6Wl1Z981opKYjxk3QW4THBxGz14ggAw0htpHOTcqytynakeMvyfOtNvjknkwPLgIuuQ5MSS_1CV6nVeEPiEwYW_qh/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6pOYgF7c2IKZBf4HDuoI0H3FWiU2TuTK5p19a6dBDuP-CrczrkbH6Wl1Z981opKYjxk3QW4THBxGz14ggAw0htpHOTcqytynakeMvyfOtNvjknkwPLgIuuQ5MSS_1CV6nVeEPiEwYW_qh/s640/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">I even got a little Bday shout out from the girls at TBD, and if you out-of-towners are wondering (Virginia!), how nice they are in-person....here's your answer.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJcHZH_qATEyjwFjTlQ6GcOtGKpsauzEL3YP7wp0ctn03ab_QqoDQpTNYTxrknqEshIsHP4BkO6vHQKG1FXnoWO2vlzFqBktB1joUWYll19XQ2JXI7oaCFYx2k8MFz2ZVZpbdLzV4cOULT/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJcHZH_qATEyjwFjTlQ6GcOtGKpsauzEL3YP7wp0ctn03ab_QqoDQpTNYTxrknqEshIsHP4BkO6vHQKG1FXnoWO2vlzFqBktB1joUWYll19XQ2JXI7oaCFYx2k8MFz2ZVZpbdLzV4cOULT/s640/4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: large;">So next up, Jeffrey and I got cleaned up for dinner, which ended up being a bit of an adventure, I'll spare you the details... </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBR8L3L_P-XunJkdjMs0IveD_SOONn2yKuObLouRv3_6rvb93z8eZ70gzuSYpTJaFH0sNrkwRyzaAXXJt66MsPLyayqjL8Pt0qrsK2w40dq2lcNNm0y7bGU4RuS9TV40spk1PBSGv9Lx8B/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBR8L3L_P-XunJkdjMs0IveD_SOONn2yKuObLouRv3_6rvb93z8eZ70gzuSYpTJaFH0sNrkwRyzaAXXJt66MsPLyayqjL8Pt0qrsK2w40dq2lcNNm0y7bGU4RuS9TV40spk1PBSGv9Lx8B/s640/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: large;">But J put every effort into it, I know, as he always does. And regardless of any and everything that could possbly go wrong (like the location, menu, atmosphere, hehe) .... my date always makes me feel like I'm the only one in the room. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNcZy_jhoZ7dwZH5idHTnvt8oRySMokZMm5AxyHbefp578dpUZAilA1JL7ujMjiGGqttqJOcUaJH3aBwCXpsuUna-POC5Dx5Oxy_ZegnltwerTsFXZbaBD-lGQIVjx3Cvy8pFh_0Y6VJKj/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNcZy_jhoZ7dwZH5idHTnvt8oRySMokZMm5AxyHbefp578dpUZAilA1JL7ujMjiGGqttqJOcUaJH3aBwCXpsuUna-POC5Dx5Oxy_ZegnltwerTsFXZbaBD-lGQIVjx3Cvy8pFh_0Y6VJKj/s640/6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Saturday night Jeff cooked for me, and this, so you know, is my kind of date night. Jeff, had salmon on the grill, and king crab legs in a huge pot boiling, and my only job was to sit and keep him company! </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsP7ELiuUe-goCy9dJ3JP-jFD8yXY6Ca7vAmt6ZSwXzqOGUHVPoN8261sTUZlGejsD_oOpnMX_J0zH_7AcvKg4rTHi3TTaTTnURBI0bzlauSUTwsU7Sm-PmBHNthIXS1ckdA0i_3wdy-5T/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsP7ELiuUe-goCy9dJ3JP-jFD8yXY6Ca7vAmt6ZSwXzqOGUHVPoN8261sTUZlGejsD_oOpnMX_J0zH_7AcvKg4rTHi3TTaTTnURBI0bzlauSUTwsU7Sm-PmBHNthIXS1ckdA0i_3wdy-5T/s640/5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: large;">After a very relaxing weekend, the celebration didnt quite stop yet either! My two precious friends Brandi and Lisa took me to a wonderful dinner at The Black Cow, where I would have used any excuse, be it a bday, or promotion, GNO, or just 'cause it's Wednesday!, reason to eat dinner with these two! They are my go-to for everything! And in true Brandi-Lisa fashion, they suprise me with prizes (OWL prizes of course!) and these yummy cupcakes to end the night with! </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIh_JEi8FcWv0gjRoYk-9HOZSWZ3cL9F3fw_oqKgpFUMpiOK_OFdzZnOwRjYU3d5sJISGAtkX1lbmaq250peRseBAyP_kWFJ03ttX3JbOJr9OWvo58TsT7mH6Xp3QI3t_vwY5Nl6t3Ydj/s1600/IMAG0415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIh_JEi8FcWv0gjRoYk-9HOZSWZ3cL9F3fw_oqKgpFUMpiOK_OFdzZnOwRjYU3d5sJISGAtkX1lbmaq250peRseBAyP_kWFJ03ttX3JbOJr9OWvo58TsT7mH6Xp3QI3t_vwY5Nl6t3Ydj/s640/IMAG0415.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Now, I happen to be a near-Valentine's baby...only four days shy. This sucks for Jeff, because I'm a sucker for holidays. He gets Easter baskets, and Valentines gifts, and cards for every season of the year. And to-date, he plays along very nicely with this. Don't get me wrong, he may know I hate baby's breath, but he completely forgets when we have a trip scheduled, or something much more significant. Again: Jeff = guy. I don't even expect things for Valentines considering the proximity to my bday, though cards (with his words, not Hallmarks) make me swoon (which too, is rare). So when THESE were delivered, I was totally floored!</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXZx-x_y2hDSnoU3WE-IrrcxkOCg32tAu2daGV1l5d4evisWj0tjicttP_81nYxbbZxMn1aww-B_a-opwyBD625bm20XM8pBqPvTTQOAm5gjqQ9Y3dCiG67dPGQlePc0w67Wq8lRrIEB4/s1600/IMAG0412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXZx-x_y2hDSnoU3WE-IrrcxkOCg32tAu2daGV1l5d4evisWj0tjicttP_81nYxbbZxMn1aww-B_a-opwyBD625bm20XM8pBqPvTTQOAm5gjqQ9Y3dCiG67dPGQlePc0w67Wq8lRrIEB4/s640/IMAG0412.jpg" width="382" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I just knew he could be a good boyfriend when he wants to! And that's what a call a birthday week!</span>Jennifer Simpsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07131526629503192204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4891315797961878861.post-20671257086484071902012-02-05T20:58:00.000-05:002012-02-05T20:58:05.442-05:00February Begins!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This weekend started in Atlanta with my OOC girls as we sprinkled 61 and Baby Carter and had some much needed, and oh so fun, girl time! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9maEIDwa3Xo5bTnhIZjqF8vQ2HSnbuCq6gr4CxyUISltO1PCmC4CSRm4aKBhQBRxMFIX7STWhgxLV2FHl-ALMu5gHkGW7MRi04FHdnNgWCJsRLI6mfMytB01TS5pARitCp78zkcayBpiq/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9maEIDwa3Xo5bTnhIZjqF8vQ2HSnbuCq6gr4CxyUISltO1PCmC4CSRm4aKBhQBRxMFIX7STWhgxLV2FHl-ALMu5gHkGW7MRi04FHdnNgWCJsRLI6mfMytB01TS5pARitCp78zkcayBpiq/s640/1.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This next 6 weeks cannot go by fast enough (I'm sure 61 feels the same way!!) until baby Carter arrives and I can love on her sweet cheeks!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOAIkTAbODypF_AtbJgoAq6b1qo-7eMcZkTQQ3Ut8sjUamiOjkqQ_fmnwPdWz8vZXBZSEiIhdn3_3yzx9L_7FcTSX08ERFO4rhTQCF-q5kNfgqXqs_ZpNOBpoFGWxuAgOq5zuqX02YvXmS/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOAIkTAbODypF_AtbJgoAq6b1qo-7eMcZkTQQ3Ut8sjUamiOjkqQ_fmnwPdWz8vZXBZSEiIhdn3_3yzx9L_7FcTSX08ERFO4rhTQCF-q5kNfgqXqs_ZpNOBpoFGWxuAgOq5zuqX02YvXmS/s640/2.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvbyFiL_M_zM73KgBcUoO4UYUn0sV1tvu1pYbAfsJ65_Abc9w2ieCijKiZyjzRwDbNSe-7wWylVQIaClMD6nvd1Exue6a584NW_d5SEplsav9jurdcqw4kbiI8Bb2H_Y-xeFRW7eJgNV9/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvbyFiL_M_zM73KgBcUoO4UYUn0sV1tvu1pYbAfsJ65_Abc9w2ieCijKiZyjzRwDbNSe-7wWylVQIaClMD6nvd1Exue6a584NW_d5SEplsav9jurdcqw4kbiI8Bb2H_Y-xeFRW7eJgNV9/s400/3.JPG" width="266" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjSi7L2d8jU9KlQC5K5GBiULOJ7_Ee240R17q1Q5AfkArNfbauFWPoQ1mmdl1SIGYMZbdHLQUxNS_M-HEUt2JDfKQbdJqkcQnj5qAEssn0UiNuOjKTeP_tGVn3nwJi-oDFjgbAdPYJfpBI/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjSi7L2d8jU9KlQC5K5GBiULOJ7_Ee240R17q1Q5AfkArNfbauFWPoQ1mmdl1SIGYMZbdHLQUxNS_M-HEUt2JDfKQbdJqkcQnj5qAEssn0UiNuOjKTeP_tGVn3nwJi-oDFjgbAdPYJfpBI/s320/4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We also went to an early birthday dinner for Rigsby, and got to spend time with her precious twin boys Woodson and Rigsby, who I havent seen since they were tiny! Now they are certainly on the move!! I'm bummed to report I never got the camera out when I got to met baby Libby, Anna Kate's newest addition, who is simply delicious!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8godgumagMbxKRfn_n57SljTqNc1CIN8eTQ4tUBrVjR9CDiWnC28H2J6Q7eT509gAxW0Spsf5XSaHSewoR2BbKxNfISSejFPZweRebQiJLb6QkJ8Y7hMH2hnllcIKr_DBCFRuHt5oq5jB/s1600/5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8godgumagMbxKRfn_n57SljTqNc1CIN8eTQ4tUBrVjR9CDiWnC28H2J6Q7eT509gAxW0Spsf5XSaHSewoR2BbKxNfISSejFPZweRebQiJLb6QkJ8Y7hMH2hnllcIKr_DBCFRuHt5oq5jB/s320/5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVm-yCbBPLl2phdTrTPi8DZCgdjpi3VN_SZN8H000Q3ousGa1r-BWonzTOUHMVtAxbU3wSvT67JgyKH2OJGLRIuW3BaotmBcHSXiaWFgnCbdbTLwyDKLrjSunhHXFCoLVdwkQQbvP29wF/s1600/6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVm-yCbBPLl2phdTrTPi8DZCgdjpi3VN_SZN8H000Q3ousGa1r-BWonzTOUHMVtAxbU3wSvT67JgyKH2OJGLRIuW3BaotmBcHSXiaWFgnCbdbTLwyDKLrjSunhHXFCoLVdwkQQbvP29wF/s320/6.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">When I got home, Jeff told me wings were for dinner and he had a house full of hungry clowns, if I was interested in joining them. And even wings and teenagers don't scare me.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">After dinner, we convinced daddy to build a fort for the evening's sleeping quarters for Emmy and her cousin, Amy.....and that's pretty much where we spent the rest of the evening. Well, except Kyle, who's 16 now, and a little too cool for our fort (hence the peace sign).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdSxsupI0vrVE9-RaPW9AiksHXsf2vxy4RSbS71GIpPk7azOZIB-F34zY04bGsUSZlJnYn2aE2up4V37eo5lYBM-9a-NBU32wL6hsD93t7oyMwu8clro5-m5HKcLCNXrRH0IQrxMO2F0Au/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdSxsupI0vrVE9-RaPW9AiksHXsf2vxy4RSbS71GIpPk7azOZIB-F34zY04bGsUSZlJnYn2aE2up4V37eo5lYBM-9a-NBU32wL6hsD93t7oyMwu8clro5-m5HKcLCNXrRH0IQrxMO2F0Au/s640/8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">Jeff, who's fighting a major cold, lasted .5 seconds in the fort before passing out. That left the girls and me only only one option to do to daddies who fall asleep in their forts....(I convinced them to lay off the bowl of cold water, they did have to sleep there after all.)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig9N09qnOVdWt6EaMycUfuthzTep8uRER7pUQO292V3-o51Dvmx9MuTC27SOS2GXrd9IZjqk2v2q4HnsbGKwAHpgZQHdmbVJFW5F7BeegXKOP2J1ZEZPmwC2SGoRb_uK5yI21iCiESF-Ui/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig9N09qnOVdWt6EaMycUfuthzTep8uRER7pUQO292V3-o51Dvmx9MuTC27SOS2GXrd9IZjqk2v2q4HnsbGKwAHpgZQHdmbVJFW5F7BeegXKOP2J1ZEZPmwC2SGoRb_uK5yI21iCiESF-Ui/s640/9.jpg" width="382" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">So we pulled out the markers and opened Robinson Ink.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIemlK-zKBr3NfAY5r-uQ_xLseG3Fu2aNUOL7to8mYNFCkcyJxw3zG8tWB84vL8kVEIYBj0QLrcdPvwpMVz5plgUz70p2bRE6RhomyngEkJUDKTDq7FVxaMKxo87JRJreNwIj7iCSCjIM2/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIemlK-zKBr3NfAY5r-uQ_xLseG3Fu2aNUOL7to8mYNFCkcyJxw3zG8tWB84vL8kVEIYBj0QLrcdPvwpMVz5plgUz70p2bRE6RhomyngEkJUDKTDq7FVxaMKxo87JRJreNwIj7iCSCjIM2/s640/10.jpg" width="382" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I believe the smerk from Jeff was after he cracked an eye and realized what had happened....at that point, there was no turning back. Emmy is t.r.o.u.b.l.e and I was loving it!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0gE3CZ1ZHwmkI9IW6JD4SfaBfBvdfbzEYzv68-k-JerCD21wkzl_lJMjWQGQG0A3d2GOe-amHNnT6PUBvUs6lXL6c-j_rM791Gx38J6uFQsEhJGe8HVdUlXI0IIMBHeeU10PPZ2dVR3er/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0gE3CZ1ZHwmkI9IW6JD4SfaBfBvdfbzEYzv68-k-JerCD21wkzl_lJMjWQGQG0A3d2GOe-amHNnT6PUBvUs6lXL6c-j_rM791Gx38J6uFQsEhJGe8HVdUlXI0IIMBHeeU10PPZ2dVR3er/s640/11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">When Jeff sufficiently looked like a walking box of Crayola, we ventured into the kitchen and started a late night cooking project. They were wide awake, I had convinced them to NOT to dye my hair blue (at least for now), and that making frozen popsicle muffins was a much more normal idea. There were no popsicles for snacking (or popsickle tins for that matter), so we improvised, mixed our own flavors, and wa-laah! </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA5xuZyBfRmVgDQ-b-jZXys_cjeuYUQDgwpXJk26cGwTfET4VpQbd5iwdiVDrfAiPQHk4COfdYa2RpcTj5H00j0sD3UJcmQ9EfLDMPg6RIgtvsKVrT813jeBVvO59wLmElucMJ-wLjw9Nu/s1600/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA5xuZyBfRmVgDQ-b-jZXys_cjeuYUQDgwpXJk26cGwTfET4VpQbd5iwdiVDrfAiPQHk4COfdYa2RpcTj5H00j0sD3UJcmQ9EfLDMPg6RIgtvsKVrT813jeBVvO59wLmElucMJ-wLjw9Nu/s640/12.jpg" width="382" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was a great weekend, with old friends and babies, forts and wings, Jeffrey and the clowns. What a way to kick of February!</span></div>Jennifer Simpsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07131526629503192204noreply@blogger.com2