Birthday Pictures.

Here are some of the photos from Branyn's birthday and my birthday :)

Branyn's birthday napkin hat. Made by Braden's mom, Cheryl.

Branyn and Braden. Branyn is ready to make a wish :)

On my birthday, I had to go to biology lab. When I got there, my friend Ariana ran up to me with a wrapped gift and this cute, homemade birthday girl pin! I loved it! And the teachers and class even sang :)

I could choose whatever place I wanted to have lunch with my family. I chose Boudin. I absolutely love their food and fresh San Fransisco sour dough bread. My favorite.

The day was full of surprises. I had no idea what we were doing for the day. After lunch, we headed to Debra's Cottage, one of our favorite home stores, and spent time in there window shopping. My sister was so sweet to get me these really neat old children's story books. They were only $2.50 each! They are in my room for now, but my plan is to add them to my nursery when I am married and have a baby :)

After, we went to Paris to the Moon. It's a little home shop as well, and really one-of-a-kind! Sadly, it's closing it's doors after about 15 years of fun. The only good thing about that is the fact that everything was on sale. I was fortunate to get 3 vintage looking, handmade pillow cases for all $1.00 a piece. I was super excited! But I'll miss Paris to the Moon...

Once we were done there, my sister and mom took me to Anthropologie for a little shopping fun! I just love that store and this was a real treat to go! We had a good time together.

I thought that was the end of all the fun and we would all go home for dinner and my birthday pumpkin cheesecake. But I was wrong! They had yet another surprise for me to discover!

My sister said that Braden and her were going to church, and wouldn't be back till' later. So my mom and I went back home after she was picked-up by Braden. My mom thought that Alta Coffee Shop in Newport Beach would be fun since she had never been before. I couldn't pass up that offer, so my dad, mom, and I headed to Alta for some chai lattes. When we arrived, I wanted to check the back patio because it is such a pleasant area to sit in. When I peeked over the side of the building, I spotted this huge balloon!

I was so surprised! And I looked over the fence only to find Branyn, Braden, Kristyn (Braden's sister) and her two kids Rider and Cade. It was so sweet!

Here we are! With my sweet sixteen balloon.

Also, our church friends Robby and Debby came and I opened the rest of my gifts while we talked and enjoyed each other's company with our Alta goodies.

It was such a great birthday week! I couldn't have asked for a better day of celebration. Branyn had an awesome golden birthday and I'm so happy we all got to be a part of it :)

So Long, Summer!

Today is the last day of Summer and I just had to blog about it! As much as I love summer and the free time, I just can't wait for Fall! It's just the best. Yesterday, I was in Target and they have all their fun and festive Autumn decorations out. I seem to find myself drawn to the yummy, seasonal candy! Which is no surprise If you know how much I love sweet things. I had to grab the candy corn dots that I loved so much last year. Another thing I want to try is the caramel apple Hershey kisses! Don't those sound good?! I think so. And I'll do a review when I get to try them :)

So I'm ready for Autumn. The sweaters, the scarves, the coats, the boots, the fluffy socks, the pretty pumpkins, and the honey crisp apples!

Happy Birthday, Sweet Sister.

Today was my sister's birthday! She is now 20 years old and I can't believe it. We have so many great memories together, and I just love her so much! She has always been my buddy and the one I could run to with joy or tears. She has such an amazing sense of humor like no other, and that's just one of the many things that makes her unique. She is spunky, fun, energetic, loving, sensitive, giving, cheerful, and is always ready to have a good time with family and friends. It is so amazing to think that she is on her way to be married to a wonderful man of God and start her own sweet family one day.

Branyn, I am so thankful to have you as my sister and my friend. I'm looking forward to seeing what the Lord has in store for you in this coming year!

P.S. Birthday pictures on the way! (Of course..)

Remembering.

It's hard to believe that it has already been 9 years.

This morning I felt really compelled to watch some of the footage captured on September 11th. I guess I just really wanted to make sure I never forget the significance of this day, or how many lives were lost. What really got me was a tape of a woman who was a flight attendant named Betty Ong on flight 11. I can't even imagine what it must have been like to actually be in the midst of it all and trapped in a plane. It was even harder though to think that she didn't survive, and the pain that her family must have gone through.
Tonight, my family and I will be attending an amazing event at Calvary Chapel of Chino Hills. They are calling it a "9/11 Memorial" to remember this day and honor our service men for continuing to fight for our freedom. Brigitte Gabriel will be speaking also. She is a New York times best selling author of the book Because They Hate: A Survivor of Islamic Terror Warns America. I think it will be fascinating to hear about her experiences and her views.

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Hopefully you also are not forgetting to remember today. It's too important to forget.

September Welcome.

I really can not believe that we are already into September. I'm really excited!! The best part about this month is the arrival of Autumn, my favorite season. I love it so much. I just wish I got more of a Fall-y feel here in California. Oh well.

Lately, my mom and I have been talking a lot about my future plans for after I get out of high school. I am so thrilled because my mom has such a wonderful idea...I don't know why I didn't think of it first. Let's just say that I'm going to start saving my money as soon as I get a job. I think I can raise enough in 3 years. That time is going to FLY by so fast.

When the time is right, I'll tell you the plans I have in mind... ;)