What is a Birthday Without Pictures?!? September 17, 2009

After my (somewhat) serious post yesterday, I thought it would be fun to lighten things up, and show you some pictures from my birthday. Because if I am anything, I am all about LIGHTENING THINGS UP, PEOPLE!! I consider it my personal mission to add fun and frivolity to the world. You can thank me later…

Onward.

App State’s first home game was on Saturday at The Rock (side note: why is it called the rock? Seeing as we living in the mountains, and not in a quarry. Why couldn’t it be called The Summit?) And since we are always at The Rockevery home game, this Saturday would not be any exception. So we loaded up, what seemed like, every worldly possession we own, and headed to Kidd-Brewer.

First item of business: The Raising of the Flag.

 

Once that was done, we set up the tent, and waited for everyone to arrive. Yes, you heard me correctly. We waited on people to arrive. Why? Well, we thought we would get there just a little earlier than everyone else, so we arrived at 9:15 on the dot. “But, Molly, I thought kick-off was at 3:30?” And you would be correct by that assumption. Listen, when tailgating, one cannot rush the process. You rush the process, you kill the experience. It’s that simple.

Once everyone started to arrive we started to eat! That’s another thing we Petreys love…

 

Of course what fun is a birthday tailgate without dancing?

Yes, that is my little mom doing the “Cupid Shuffle”

After dancing, we had my favorite part of birthdays. The lighting of the cake. It is a magical moment when you are presented with a cake on fire, while people sing “Happy Birthday” and you sit there and try to looked deeply moved, when all you’re doing is praying your hair, eyelashes, and eyebrows do not catch on fire. Magical, indeed.

 

Only this year the candles wouldn’t stay lit. I was rejoicing!

 

After getting the children all “sugared up”, we took down the tents, and walked to the stadium. Now that was magical…there is nothing like walking into a football stadium. Words cannot describe it. It was also a monumental day in that it was a certain four year olds first game, ever!

Bringing 1950’s glamour back, one football game at a time.

Look who else came, too!

We believe in the indoctrinating them early. Basically, as soon as they were born, we said “You will like football, you will cheer for the Gamecocks and App State.” It’s a rite of passage.

My beloved team…well, I don’t know if I can say it…(deep breath), my beloved team, Lo…they,…..los….they…LOST. Yes, it hurt, and yes, I’m still getting over it, and yes, it will take me a while.

But, at least some of us had a good time:

And that is what it’s really all about.

Life With Evie January 19, 2009

This past weekend I had the great privilege of riding down the mountain with my oldest niece, Evie. As we were riding down 321 Evie looked out the window to my right and gasped. ” Oh, Mommy! Look at that sunset! Isn’t it beautiful?” I hadn’t really noticed the sunset, and as I looked out the window I thought “oh, well that’s nice, but I’ve seen better.”

Yes, I know, let’s all say it  together: “MOLLY! WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?”

I had a similar response immediately after I had that thought. I realized that I have become so jaded at the wonderful daily gifts God gives. I was immediately taken a back at just how much, I take for granted every day.

Things like: breathing, laughter, love, sunrises, sunsets, snow, flowers, family, sight, sound, taste, feeling. And the list could go on and on and on… it is only by God and his Grace that we enjoy these “everyday things.”

Evie taught me a very important lesson. Because to her un-jaded heart, each sunset, smile, laugh, sunrise, snowflake…is a gift that is to be celebrated. What’s more, she openly celebrates these gifts! I was challenged by Evie, (did I mention she’s three) I was challenged to celebrate God’s gifts everyday, with a heart that is grateful and worships.

Recently, I came across a new band call “Tenth Avenue North”. I love their new single that is out on the radio “By Your Side”.

As I was listening to it the other day, I was reminded that so many times I don’t acknowledge that God is right by my side, and I don’t except the good gifts that He has placed right in front of me. Evie taught me that, she taught me to be thankful for the gifts that God has placed all around me.

Ahh, life with Evie, and all my nieces and nephew for that matter, is so much more than I thought it would be. And I’m so thankful for it!

Just Wait and See January 11, 2009

Hello, I’m spending some quality time with my nieces and nephew tonight. Currently, Ruthie and Mary Fran are twirling around the room with pom-poms in hand, while Evie is playing the piano and begging them to stop. Mary Fran is chanting “Woo Hoo”, and Evie is yelling, “girls, please stop! Please stop!”

To say that there is a lot of action going on is a complete understatement…I love every minute of it!

As Evie was playing the piano, Fran was dancing with Ward. I made the comment that one day Ward was going to be dancing with his mom at his wedding. (Not that I’m trying to rush things, just making a general observation). When Evie reminded me that Ward was not getting married.

When I asked Evie if she was going to get married; she responded with “yes, when I get a little older.” I then asked her who she was going to marry. “My husband.” To which I then asked “well, do you know who you’re husband is?” and she responded:

“We’ll just have to wait and see.”

Have I ever mentioned that I LOVE being an aunt!

Oh, now their screaming and running around the house…

Miss Ruthie’s Hat November 25, 2008

 

What Does Love Look Like? September 30, 2008

 

 

 

 

It’s amazing how one so tiny can capture your heart in 1 second. That’s how it’s been when I met all of my nieces and nephews for the first time. There is an instant love that washes over you upon first glance. It is true “love at first sight.”

I met Ward last night, he was everything I thought he would be and more. His sisters loved him and each took turns holding, kissing, and hugging him. I have a feeling that this boy is not going to lack in sisterly love. Mary Fran was especially excited, and was hopping around the room like a “grasshopper”. Combine that excitement with an hour past bedtime and you get the picture.

We are all so thankful for the healthy, safe arrival of Ward and can’t wait to watch him grow! I’ll post some more pics later.

Oh, BOY! September 29, 2008

Well, looks like I’m in the waiting for another reason today. It just so happens that Ward, my nephew, is on his way! Funny thing is that Fran had a dream that she would have him on the 29th, and looks like her dream is coming true!!

Well, I’ve been an aunt to girls, I think I have that mastered pretty well. But now that we’re adding a boy, I’m going to have to learn how to do “boy activities” it shouldn’t be too hard as I grew up with 2 older brothers who gave me all manners of weaponry on my birthdays and Christmas. I’m looking forward to this challenge of being an aunt to a nephew!

Time to pull out my old work clothes. I’m probably going to be getting muddy