Birthday Celebrations underway

Beverly’s birthday started really early this year. When hurricane Helene hit, her best friend was roller blading and we were all pretty bummed out about the hurricane, so we decided to give her one of her birthday presents early– roller blades. It was a good decision. It kept her occupied the whole week we were out of power and we got a roller blading show each evening. Then this week we celebrated her birthday with a party. Her friends were going to be out of town this upcoming Saturday for the Thanksgiving holiday, so we decided to do it a week early. It was a lot of work, but I think everyone had a really good time.

Beverly invited a couple of friends from school, one from dance, a few from our neighborhood, and a few from church. It was a full house!

We started the party off with a brunch, then did foot baths with homemade bath bombs while doing face masks, then Andy painted toes while I painted faces and those who were waiting got to paint a magnet. We finished off with cake and ice cream and sent them on their way! None of the girls wanted to leave…. but I was ready to have it just be my kids and Afton (her mom was out of town for the weekend). Afton, Beverly, and Harvey waited very patiently for everyone to leave before I painted their faces because I was running behind and wanted to have a chance to paint everyone’s faces before the party ended.

We celebrated Veteran’s day at the zoo. I’m sure it was more fun for our kids than our actual veteran, but we all had a good time. I love that my kids still get excited about going to the zoo. Max and I spent a lot of time going to the Houston zoo, but it is harder to get to the zoo now, partially because of distance, and partially because I have to be home by a certain time due to school schedules, but we still enjoy it when we can make it.

I am obviously super grateful for all the veterans who sacrificed their lives, time from their homes and families, and so much more. Andy has been on a push to get his health in order as he is coming up on his separation from the military after nearly 20 years. He walked away from a primary care appointment with about five referrals. All of these referrals were due to his service in the military. Most of it is stuff that he can’t fix, but can at least get some help with so it isn’t quite so debilitating. Andy pushes through a lot of pain each day and I know that though his sacrifice was great, there are others who lost far more. It is so sad to me when people bash our nation when I know that there are others who have given so much to keep it as wonderful as it is. Truly, we are so entitled to think this nation is anything but blessed. We have more rights than most nations of the world, we have more protections and freedoms than so many. We have so many occupational opportunities that would be hard to find elsewhere. It isn’t perfect, but it is worth protecting and worth appreciating. America needs our patriotism.

I got Andy Kansas tickets. He said to me, “I never thought I’d get to go to a Kansas concert!” I didn’t know many of their songs, but you better believe I sang with all of my heart with “Carry on My Wayward Son.” I was awed by their musical talents and the lyrics seemed to have a bit of a religious undertone, which you don’t see too much today, especially in mainstream rock. Though most of the band members have been replaced through time, their guitarist still stood strong at 74 years old and played his riffs without any issue. I was beyond impressed. The violinist went through several violin bows as he shredded through the strings, but you could tell he was quite the master on that instrument. He also played the guitar and sang a bit. I walked away a little on the deaf side and said as much and Andy’s reply was, “My hearing doesn’t feel any different.” So I guess I got to step in his world a minute and understand why he can never hear me. Love you, Andy!