Fun with Forever Friends

Labor Day Weekend Fun with some of our Dearest Friends

Abby and Lauragale have been friends since they were 18 months old!

We met at our beloved Asbury.

These two beauties have gone from outgoing lil' toddlers to teenage Beauties!!

They both look so much like their Daddies! 

(Abby's built like Momma, but her face screams Ruley genes!)

 The Dudes

 The Chicka's

The Love Birds

 Since the Ralstons have moved to Fort Smith, we don't get the chance to do this very often...spending time with these peeps is priceless! A beautiful August night, fajitas, and scrumptious chocolate ganache cake made for a treasured time. If only we could do this every weekend... 

HS Besties turn 40!

Heading off for our High School Bestie's 40th Birthday Party...

Ashleigh & Dan have been a HUGE part of our lives, and we are so grateful for them!

I met Ashleigh in 4th grade when I played on her Eliot softball team...we then reunited at Bishop Kelley in 9th grade. Before we knew it, we were double dating our future husbands. Then, the next transition came when Greg and Ash went to KU and Dan and I went to OU. By sophomore year, the Jayhawks joined the Sooners. :-) Soon after college, we were both married...and it's been HAPPILY EVER AFTER for both of us!!!

Here's to two of our most favorite people in the world! 

Happy Happy 40th!!!

Yum is all I can think of when looking at these pics...it was 5 courses of absolute deliciousness!!

Girls of Grace VII

Girls of Grace, VII

This is the 7th year for our beloved group of Godly Girls called "Girls of Grace" to convene together once a month. We dine on a delicious dinner, fellowship, and then have a meaningful discussion on something related to us growing in Grace. Our time together is based on the following scriptures:

"Each one should use whatever gift she has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's Grace to its various forms. I Peter 4:10

"But grow in the Grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen." 2 Peter 3:18

"May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His Grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word." 2 Thes 2:16-17

"Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the Grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed." I Peter 1:13

I adore each one of these girls so very much. They all hold a part of my heart as I get to live out life with them by my side. So grateful for God gifting me with their friendships.

(*Romey was included in our group last night...she's our newest member!) ;-))

Branson Getaway

The 8-Pack arrive at the Wyndham in Branson for our Couples Getaway Weekend

(shout out to J's stepdad for hooking us up!)

Our condo suitemates and friends of 15 years ~ M and C

Big G and I are ready to move in for the weekend

 Dude chill time

Friday, May 31st

Cantina Laredo on the Landing

- yummy Mexican...fajitas of course for the G man

Beautiful waterfront view

Saturday, June 1st

Shopping at Branson Landing and later at outlets

while our boys golf not just one round...but two

(Happy B'day Randy!) ;-)

lucky to have 'em

Dressed and ready for our last night out

Love these girls!

(somehow I missed the note to wear a dress)

Finale Dinner ~ Sho Gun

We ended with Part II of our Couples Game Night back at the Condo's...never laughed so hard.

Brownies, popcorn, wine and fun...lots and lots of FUN.

Momma's Day 2013

Early mornin' Momma's Day Breakfast in Bed...someone wasn't quite "up" yet ;-)

(see bottom left corner of pic - hee, hee)

Will loves him some Romey cuddle...and apparently some Abby cuddle too

(thankfully these two have always gotten along super)

(My FB prayer)

Dear Lord, thank You for entrusting me with these four precious souls...may I make You proud, and may I cherish every moment. 

p.s. Please make time slow down...it's going WAY.TOO.FAST

(sorry for the 3 different shots...the sun was so bright we kept trying different angles)

My Girlies

One Word for the Mom of these 2 Boys: LUCKY

Abs and her Romey girl

Oh how I love this lil' guy! His passion 4 life makes my heart go pitter patter...

Ella's homemade chocolate concoction made just for me :-)

BEST CARDS EVER this year - all were so unique to each of my loves

Helping Daddy prepare for my special dinner

Greg prepared dinner for me tonight...the entire dinner! (this.is.HUGE!) He even looked up a marinade recipe and grilled one of my fave's ~ kabobs! We also dined on a delicious spinach and strawberry salad and almond rice pilaf...YUMMY! For dessert ~ an ice cream sundae bar thanks to Ella "Cherry and Sprinkle Lover" Ruley. ;-)

My invitation for some M's Day Performances

"Oh How He Loves Us" by Ella Bella

Romes had to join in on the fun

"Stuck Like Glue" by Abby Lou

"You are Beautiful" by Will

“Motherhood is a choice you make everyday, to put someone else's happiness and well-being ahead of your own, to teach the hard lessons, to do the right thing even when you're not sure what the right thing is...and to forgive yourself, over and over again, for doing everything wrong.”― Donna Ball

Looking Fine at 39

*Happy 39th Birthday to my Handsome Hubby!*

We celebrated with a few close friends and some of Greggor's favorite things: pizza, drinks & his requested "better than s@x" cake. ;-)

Had big plans to have Round II of my famous Win, Lose or Draw game (Round I occurred at his last b'day party a couple years back - it was full of immense laughter and fun!) However, we never quite made it there this time. That's okay...we're gettin' old and sleep is savored these days. 

I love this Birthday Boy more than words can express. He is my Numero Uno Love. 

Wishing him God's Best beyond Best in the coming year!! 

xoxoxo

Lucky Ladies

Friday night we were invited to join our besties from high school (Bishop Kelley) for a most special dinner celebrating their 15th Anniversary.

Dan and Ashleigh were blessed to be HS Sweethearts just like my Honey and I. We have more memories than this blog has room for...numerous Jr Phil dances, BK homecoming dances, two proms, Spring Break trips...the list goes on and on.

Ash & Greg then headed up to KU for college. Well...that didn't last long, by sophomore year, they both joined Dan and I at OU for the remainder of our college days. :-))

*Distance makes the heart grow fonder.*

 Having been with our loves for 22 years now is something we treasure.

So a Celebration was in order when their Wedding Bells rang 15 years...and a celebration it was! 

The chef from Southern Hills Country Club fed us one of the most scrumptious meals I have ever put in my mouth! I wish I had the culinary expertise to describe it...let's just say in my words: DELISH!

More than the food served, the laughs and fun were priceless. Looking back at yearbooks and wedding albums, recalling the Goodness that God has poured over our lives. Between our amazing husbands, 7 beautiful children, and full to the brim lives...we are are two very lucky ladies!!