Full Time Captain... Since 2013

Everyone deserves to be celebrated.  And my sweet daddy was LONG overdue!!  After 31 years in the "make people happy when bad things happen to them" business, he finally retired on January 31st!   

 No one likes insurance.  No one wants to buy and pay for insurance.  No one wants to think about having a wreck, or your home burning to the ground.  So there lies the rub.  You need it.  And are SO thankful you had it, but it's not normally a joyous occasion in the aftermath.  Imagine working in that day in and day out for 31 years.  But, (and I think his policy holders would all agree) the silver lining was getting my dad on the other end of the phone.  Knowing he truly cared and would bend over backwards to make your "tragedy" a little easier to swallow.

He was amazing, as evidenced by all the cards, emails, and phone calls he's now receiving thanking him for his service and claiming they don't know what they'll do without him.

As a small token, we wanted to honor him with a retirement party.  Andy, Kadi, mom and I had been planning it for weeks (maybe months) as a surprise. Until I get the call one day saying, "I CAN'T DO THIS!!!  In 42 years I've never lied to your father and I can't start now!"  Wow, what do you say to that?  So... we told him.  And he protested.  Until we explained we weren't asking permission, we were merely letting him in on our plans.  So, he shut up (which isn't his strong suit ;) and went with it. I think he's glad he did.

I think it turned out to be a really great night.  Andy and I figured, after educating us both (and not forever indebting us with student loans, God bless him) and giving us both the weddings of our dreams, this was the least we could do for him.
(Actually, I'm a little ahead of Andy in that race, I did birth him his first 2 grandchildren!   Just kidding brother! ) 
 (No, I'm really not.  It hurt.)

A few boxes of wine, some kegs, a little Rib and Loin bar-b-que and we got ourselves a PAR-TAY!
Kadi and her amazing mom were the ultimate party planners and served all night as the refillers and kitchen helpers that kept the party in full swing while we mixed and mingled.  This party wouldn't have happened without those two!

And not only did my amazing in-laws get us the Racquet Club for the venue, but they kept my kiddos all day and night while we set up and cleaned up.  On their way to the party with the kids, Trace started running a fever, so Jimmy went home and swapped with them so they could bring Keatyn and come for a little bit.  They were (as always) a life saver!

  It was full of friends and family, some of which we hardly ever get to see.  Dads boating, golfing and high school buddies were all there.  Hopefully with all of his new free time, he'll be seeing them a lot more! (And not at 5438 Hixson Pike, coming in to pay their car insurance. :)

 His first commission check for .25 cents.  You've come a long way baby!!  Mom laughed and said there is an accountant somewhere in Columbus, Ohio that's lost sleep over that check never being cashed. :)

Andy was going to say something at the party and I'm sure I would have squalled like a baby (I always do when it comes to my dad) because I honestly feel like the luckiest daughter in the world.  And I know Andy feels the same way.  With all the in and out of party goers, there was never a really good time to "toast" him.  He never told me what he planned on saying but I would imagine it was something like this...

Dad, thank you for teaching us the value of hard work.  Thank you for getting up everyday of our childhood and building something from nothing.  Thank you for loving our mom with your whole, unselfish heart. You all were like a force.  I've always admired how you always made a point of crediting her for your success.  It was always "our" business, not just yours because your name happened to be on the door.  You guys have been a team since you were teenagers and it's been evident our entire life.  You recognized the hard work and hours she put into building your agency, whether it was her in the office trying to calm screaming policy holders, or shuttling us back and forth from ball practice and dance so you could stay and work late.  Thank you for working all day and then coming to coach our ball games and watch countless hours of Karen Horton's "Another Wonderful Year" 4 hour dance recitals and actually act like there was no where else you'd rather be.

This is a celebration of you both.  You made our childhood magical.  You taught us what a loving, Christian home should look like.  You taught us how to pick ourselves up and keep walking when you get knocked down.  And you taught us the value of making your kids feel like the most special and adored people in the world.

Now it's your time.  My prayer is that you and mom have DECADES full of health and fun ahead of you.  That you get to see the world in a new way... from your boat, from the golf course, from your recliner in your bathrobe, from the sandy beaches of wherever you chose.  No one deserves it more.  Job well done dad!

We love you so, so much!!

Let the games begin...

So the IOC decided last week to "do away" with Olympic wrestling... but leave ping pong and badminton???  Huh?  After last week, I think my children's birthdays could qualify as an Olympic sport, not for athleticism, but endurance. Should I write the IOC?

Since January 31st, between Trace and Keatyn's birthdays and my dad's birthday and retirement party (another post all in itself) I have devoured more cookie cake, cupcakes, pound cake, and Star Wars cake than is humanly safe.  My first week of February rivals in calories, the entire Thanksgiving-Christmas holiday stretch.   That's what you get for having 2 kids, 3 days apart.  These precious birthday celebrations just seem to go on...and on...and on.

I just ended (2/14/13) what I've affectionately dubbed as my "party planning 2013 trifecta"

the kid's birthday parties

my dad's retirement party

Trace's class Valentine party

First, Trace's party.  (2/2/13) Ever tried to find pool noodles in the dead of winter??  Don't, if you can avoid it.  But if you ever find yourself in need, the Dollar Tree has a stash in their stock room they are HAPPY to get rid of.  These beauties were cut in half, wrapped in electrical tape to create a handle and used as light sabers. 

If you look past the pool, through the windows at the Y, you will see snow.  Yes, totally beautiful, yet totally unpredicted snow.  Not what an anxious mother needs to wake up to on the morning of her boy's birthday party.  It came out of nowhere and melted as quickly as it fell but sent me into a full blown hissy.  Should I cancel? Should I postpone? Should I risk peoples safety just because I have an unfreezable Star Wars cake that could feed a small 3rd world country?

(And what we finally concluded...) Should I wait 3 hours and then make a decision?  Patience...NOT one of my virtues!  Texts were flying, calls to the YMCA where made, emails to Trace's class were sent (because at that point all but 3 of his classmates were coming.)
This sweet boy was beside himself with excitement between the snow and his party.

Finally, we decided to do it.  A few of his buddies that lived on the mountains couldn't get there but there were still plenty to make a party and by the end of the 2 hours, you wouldn't have even known it had snowed. CRAZY!  I am so glad we decided to do it.  Rescheduling would have been a nightmare.  And then, well... what would I have done with the ginormous cake? 

Watching the "swim test."  Most of this bunch just opted for life vests after watching the few that tried swimming across the huge lap pool...and the few that had to be rescued. (Nothing like watching your friend being pulled to safety by a pool noodle to say, "Yeah, just give me the life jacket.") 

Trace did it and passed!!  My little water bug, I was so proud of him for even trying!

The light sabers were a success!  I gave all the extras to kids to take home to their brothers and sisters so they would have some way of defending themselves.  One sibling with a light saber doesn't hardly sound fair.

Next, Keatyn's party (2/4/13)
We decided to Keep It Simple Stupid and just go with the family to Chuck E. Cheese on Keatyn's b-day.

She's 2. 
She'll never remember. 
And I will have many more things to feel guilty about in her lifetime, so we'll just add this to it. :) 

She and Chuckie still haven't made up from last year...

Death grip around Papaw's neck...

Cheese...

Since Papaws b-day is the day before hers, we combined parties and cakes.  I hope Papaw doesn't mind having a princess or Dora the Explore from here on out.  I don't think a $7.99 BiLo cookie cake is gonna cut it much longer.

I'm ashamed to admit, the only pictures I have of Sisty and Granddaddy OR Jimmy from the party are these right here.  I did a HORRIBLE job of photographing this night.  My kids were running crazy, the food took 45 minutes to come out, and I had CEC overload.  But yes, all grands were in attendance and even my sweet Nanny was there!  I can't believe I don't have a "real" picture of any of them :(  I see now why people hire photographers for their kids b-day parties.

I couldn't believe she got in there, but she kicked off her boots and climbed up in that tunnel that runs across the ceiling.  She absolutely loved it, but I warned my brother that there was a strong chance he too, would find himself up in that tunnel retrieving her!  Andy and dad managed to coax her across and down the slide before having to begin the climb themselves.  She slept like a rock that night, it absolutely wore her out!

Please ignore the obnoxious animations of the mom in these pictures.  You never realize just how stupid you look till you see it in print.

BUT I got her to blow out her candles on her own... somethings are worth it!

Big brother was very proud!

Sheila, Sylvia's sister bought her this beautiful bracelet that says "Jesus Loves Me".  I love it and can't wait to have her picture made with it!  Sisty got her an "add a pearl" necklace.  All the girls in their family have one.  Each year you add a little pearl to it.  Several had their senior picture or wedding pictures made wearing them . It is so special!  I love family traditions like that!!

Trace's birthday at school (2/7/13)
I took a Spiderman cookie cake to school for Trace's birthday. 

Singing "Happy Birthday"...

Silly faces...

When we went to pick up Keatyn from my parents, Nana had made T a b-day hat of balloons.

And had him a police costume set...

which he then wore bowling. 

Jimmy and I asked Trace what he wanted to do on his actual b-day and he said bowling and getting a Frosty at Wendys.  Easy enough! We walked in and there was a tournament starting in 15 minutes, so he had time to bowl one quick game and we were out of there.  Mama didn't have to cook OR bowl in nasty shoes!! Rounding Wendy's for some burgers and Frosty's finished up his birthday perfectly.

Yes, little sister got jipped, but other than reading this blog one day, will she ever really know???

I can't believe my "babies" are 2 and 6!!  This time is flying by and I'm trying to soak up every minute. 

You two are the loves of my life and my biggest dreams come true!  The Lord has truly blessed your daddy and I with more than we could ever have hoped for!   YOU ARE INCREDIBLY LOVED!!!