Josh and Becca Thrap and Family

Well, here it is again. The date that forces me to accept that I am getting older. Oh sure, we’re all getting older every day, but we don’t have to raise our descriptive age number every day. Today, I do. But rather than go on a long rant about fears, regret, and denial, I’d like to say “thank you.” Thank you to everyone who took part in my big birthday weekend o’ fun! Thank you for the cards and emails. Thank you for the gifts. Thank you for the phone calls. Thank you for thinking of me. Thank you for traveling to see me. Thank you for dinner. Thank you for playing games with me. Thank you for cleaning for me. Thank you for watching the kids for me. Thank you for spending time with me. Thank you for fitting me into your holiday weekend plans. Thank you for the nice thoughts and intentions. Thank you for going (and not going ) to bed on time without a fuss. Thank you for cooking. Thank you for coordinating with others to benefit me. Thank you for telling me I looked good. Thank you for letting me sleep in. Thank you for all for being part of my life and for appreciating me.
I really did have a lot of fun this weekend! And after the week I had last week, I really needed it! On Thursday, Elise did come over and help me clean. She went to town in my kitchen and bathroom! I don’t know if the kitchen had ever been quite so clean in so many ways all at once before! And what’s more, she claimed to enjoy doing it–which I personnally cannot understand at all, but do appreciate immensly. Friday Josh stayed home and kept Elena while I had to run some last minute errands and have lunch with a friend who was unable to join my party for dinner that night. Then Jeanna and Danaka came over from Muscatine, and Asia came early from work, and all together the Wheelers and Sarah and Jenny arrived just in time to head over to Cheddar’s to begin my Girl’s Nite Out! By the time we got there, Abbey and Melissa were waiting and had a table getting ready for us. Then Elise arrived and it was time to be seated. Melissa brought plastic Hawaiian party leis for each of us to wear–some more successfully than others I had a yummy meal and a fabu dessert and just enjoyed being out with my ladies. Nothing got me down. I hope you all enjoyed yourselves too. Laughs were had, food was shared, songs were sung–even our waitress seemed to be enjoying us. I couldn’t have asked for a better evening. (And see up behind me are some of my presents including my new purse that Kate got me!!! Elena had used my last purse for a coloring book and I’ve been needing to replace it for weeks now but hadn’t getten to it, and now I don’t have to!) After dinner, most of us headed over to Jenny’s place where we set up the Wheelers’ SingStar and basically sang karaoke till midnight! I’m sorry, I don’t have pictures of that–just a little video, but I still don’t know how to put that here on the blog. (So you’re safe for now, Jen! ) Upon returning home Kate and I agreed to run to the store to get some things the guys were needing for the next day so we didn’t crash on the floor downstairs until about 3 am.
Saturday morning Jeanna and Danaka had to take off first thing, so they were not even able to partake of the rhubarb coffee cake that Josh made for me using the rhubarb they brought from my mom the day before. It was good! They missed out. But, more for me! Josh and Chris prepped and cooked meat all through the night Friday and Saturday morning. Unfortunately the weather was not cooperating quite as we’d have liked and so not only could we not send the kids to play outside, but the fellas were having trouble keeping their heat consistant–made even worse when Josh opened the smoker and a grease fire flared up and burnt through his thermometer equipment causing Kate and I to make another run to the store to try to find a new meat thermometer in a hurry. But it all turned out well and I think the guys were just a couple minutes late to their first catering gig. Kate and I tidied up a bit and the guys made it home in enough time to begin preparing for the arrival of our next batch of company. Andy and Becky Anderson and their two children, and the Martins with their four children came over for a BBQ dinner and several fun rounds of “the water game!”
Sunday, Josh took all the kids to church so we could have a liitle quiet time. Chris read some homework and Kate and I watched a movie, and just before we finished it our next round of guests arrived! We had more BBQ with new side dishes and desserts brought by Jenny and Elise, and then we played SingStar–only this time we battled it out rather than just singing duets. Lots of fun! I think Elise wins the award for the evening for biggest acheivment by getting a winning singstar (highest rating on the game) to “Hit Me Baby One More Time” in a battle against Josh (who also singstarred the song!) while not only holding, but trying to nurse her baby Carter. It was another late night.
Monday, the Wheelers had planned to leave first thing in the morning and had basically gotten all packed up and ready to leave the night before, but for whatever reason, they stayed into the early afternoon and we had a …(what did you call it Chris?) Memorial Day card tournament, best two out of three. The ladies started it early with a sensational hand of Canasta, and Rook was back and forth until the guys finally took it and then kept it after an incredibly close and down to the wire game of Euchre. We had more rhubarb coffe cake and then taco salads for everyone around two. I think the Wheelers finally got on the road around 3pm. I went to return a rented movie and pick up a few more groceries for the week and then came home and watched SYTYCD with Josh and the kids before putting them to bed and then last week’s Deadliest Catch before putting Josh to bed. It really was a wonderful weekend, so thanks again to everyone involved in making my life special.