My 50th Party

On Thursday Linda, Karla, Danelle and I met Bobbie and Nanci on Santana Row at the Left Bank Restaurant. After a good meal we strolled around and “shopped” for about 5 hours. We then stopped in at Ben and Jerry’s for the ending to a perfect day.

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Friday rolled around and we just relaxed. My uncle called and said that he was in town to see me. 🙂 Linda, Karla and I met him and Gloria and Valere for a quick bite at Foster’s Freeze. Then at 7:00 p.m. we went to the church for a PARTY! All I can say is my family and church family know how to put on a party. They did a superb job. The flowers and balloons were absolutely beautiful. The cake was so pretty and good. The food tables were outstanding. My church family gave me a Nikon D40 for my birthday. WOW! It is awesome! However, the really fun part was being with all the people that make my life a joy. Below you will see a glimpse of my 50th and how precious it was to me. Enjoy! 🙂

More Pics at my Flickr account. Just go to the link at the right, “More Pics to Enjoy.

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Surprise!

Last Wednesday Night after church I was talking to Brenda in our church about a great thing that has happened on her job. She is very soft spoken so I was intently listening to her and not letting anything around me distract. When all of a sudden I kind of looked beyond her with a flicker of my eye and caught a glimpse of my two sisters, Linda and Karla standing right behind her. OH MY!!! I started jumping and laughing and kind of whooping all at the same time. They came out to surprise me for my 50th Birthday. I’ll have more on that later. We have had so much fun this week-end.

Here’s a few pics of the Wednesday Night Surprise. 🙂

Thanks Tena for having your camera!

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Happy Birthday Mom

Today was my mother’s-in-law birthday. I’m thankful that she is here with us so we can celebrate with her. At dinner tonight she asked us all to tell a story about us and her, and oh my, did we have fun with that one. Looking back over the years was very colorful indeed. From the youngest grandchild to the oldest sibling everyone had a story to tell. I am delighted to have my mother-in-law living here now. I am still gleaning tid bits of wisdom from her. She just has a way of saying things that you would have to know her to understand. Happy Birthday Mom! I love you BUNCHES!

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Happy Birthday, Karla

Happy Birthday to my baby sister! It’s hard to believe that just last year I was flying to Texas to “surprise” you for your birthday. I wish I could be with you again this year too. Even though you are 9 years younger than me we have become best of friends and I’m thankful. I have always been super proud you are my sister even though you took the baby of the family place away from me. 🙂 You were always such a joy to our family. Oh the laughs! I wish we had written down all your cute sayings. Mother and Daddy were kept young for many years because of you and were so proud of you. I could go on and on but just let me say that I love you more than I could ever say and am proud of the woman you have become. Happy Birthday to my baby sister!

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Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to my incredible man! I hope and pray your day is blessed beyond measure. Nathan, I Love You BUNCHES!

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Happy 75th, Dad

We just celebrated my father’s-in-law 75th birthday.  He loves Red Lobster so we all went and had great time.  If you know my father-in-law at all you know that he is man you could set your clock by.  Here is just one thing about him that is so consistent.  He eats lunch every day at 12:00, straight up noon.  His lunch has not changed in many years.  It is always a bologna sandwich, chips and ice tea.  On Sunday’s a lot of times when all of us want to go to a resturant Dad will say, “Ohhh, let’s just go home and eat a Bologna sandwich.”  So, the kitchen staff and waiters at Red Lobster worked with Scott and Teresa to bring Dad a bologna sandwich and chips when all the dinners were served.  It was quite hilarious the look on his face when he was expecting a nice Red Lobster dinner to be set in front of him.

   Scott and Teresa having fun with Dad about the Bologna Sandwich.

After we had a good laugh they did bring out the dinner he ordered.  I think the staff had as much fun as we did.  lol 

click photo to enlarge.

Nathan, Matt, Danelle, Dad, Me, Mom, Patricia and Gary

go here for more photos

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A Man that Has Friends…

When I was at my uncle’s 70th birthday, I kept thinking about this phrase from Proverbs:  “A man that has friends must show himself friendly…”   People just kept coming and C.W. was overwhelmed.  They came from far and near to honor him and it is no “surprise” why.  C.W. has been a friend to so many people.  I have watched him all of my life give of himself unselfishly to his family and friends.  What was so funny about watching him be surprised is because he has surprised all of us all his life.  C.W. you are a great person and I love you more than I could say here.  Thanks for being such a great uncle and friend. 

Linda and Karla, I also really enjoyed being with you too.  “I’m smiling because you’re my sisters and laughing because you can’t do anything about it.” 

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Happy Birthday, Sunshine!

Twenty Three Years ago today (June 25th),  Danelle Layne Hurst made her entrance into the world.  I will never forget the moment she was born and was ecstatic that I had a little girl.  Her Dad has always called her his little “golden” girl.  When Danelle was young her hair was almost white (especially in the summer) and then it would turn golden and her skin would glow and still does today.  Danelle has always been a delight and a lot of fun.  No one can make us laugh like Danelle.  She just see’s life differently and hears and says words differently.  And I won’t go into all of that, but it can be pretty hilarious sometimes.  I have watched and been by Danelle’s side (along with her husband and our church family) this past year as she has gone through some sickness and some very bad days. I have seen her not hardly be able to put one foot in front of the other and yet she kept pressing on.  She kept holding on.  Thank God for people of prayer who continually prayed for Danelle and now we are seeing our “golden” girl begin to emerge again.  I know brighter days are ahead.  Danelle, I am proud of the way you have kept on going and now you are seeing the light at the end of the dark tunnel.  Keep walkin’ girl!  You are a winner! I’m proud to say that you are one of my dearest friends! 

When my children were little I always asked them what they wanted me to fix for their birthday dinners.  However, as they got older I ask them if they want me to cook them a birthday meal or they can choose the resturant they want to go to.  Danelle loves Benihana’s, so we took her to Benihana’s in Monterey after church Sunday.  We had a great time of fellowship and yes, laughing.  Picture is of us at Benihana.

Left to Right:  Matt, Danelle, Me, Nathan, Nathaniel, Patricia and Gary. 

Happy Birthday Danelle!  I love you and am very proud to say you are my daughter!

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Princess Birthday, May 14th

Linda, I know I always tell the story of how I thought you were a princess when we were growing up but it’s so true. I always admired your poise and gracefulness. When you walked into a room you always turned heads. I know it was not only your physical beauty but also your spirit.

I use to love to hear you, Keith and Mother sing. You could go so low and I thought that was so cool. My favorite song was, “The Next Step”.

I watched as you wrapped Wendell around your finger and I laughed. Some things never change. LOL I’m so proud that you have a great man that has loved you for so many years and treated you like the princess you are. I have also watched as you have come through some dark valleys and seen you only grow in more grace. You are a great wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, pastor’s wife and SISTER.

I pray that your birthday is blessed beyond measure.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! To my big sis!

I will go to Foster’s Freeze and eat a Hot Fudge Sundae for you on your birthday.

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Another Birthday, Yeah!

A “few” years ago on this date of April 3 I entered the world by way of Loma Linda, California!  I have enjoyed the journey thus far and God has been so good to me. 

   

That’s me sitting on Mother’s lap, and yes the curls are natural.

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