My Surprise 40th Birthday Party!

I truly have the most wonderful friends and family!

They surprised be with a party for my 40th birthday! The dreaded birthday!

I've been waiting to post this because I've been waiting to get the rest of the pictures from this day, but I thought I'd go ahead and post it without them. I didn't have my camera until late into the evening and so I don't have all the pics.

The day started out by getting my hair done as it was time for a change!

Then I was surprised with a makeover. My friend Susan took me to Nordstrom's to have our make up done and then for coffee. FUN!

Here's my aunt Jeannette, her daughter Emily and me.

Josh, me and Amanda!

Cindy



Amanda and Josh! Too cute!

Dan sharing a story about me. A laugh at my expense. :)

Friends!

My hubby and Ronald singing. Yikes!

Bonnie...a friend from work

Sheri and I

Me and my mommy!

Mom, me, Dad

My aunt Kathy and her boyfriend Ed.

Dave, his aunt Jan and Uncle Don, and me.

I was so touched to see them there.

Lordy Lordy look who's 40!

Kurt and Sheri.

We love to spend time with them and their children.

This summer we will go to a family camp with them again, for a whole week!

My mom and Clinton singing.

A great bunch of friends that are all near and dear to my heart.

Bud - a great guy with a big heart - a great realtor!

Me and my best friend, Cindy

My hubby gave me beautiful earrings and a $50 bill? Ok!

Scrapbooking stuff! I love it!

Keely had Bachman's send me a bouquet of flowers shaped like a birthday cake.

Cindy and Wendy

My sister Dede, my mom and I

Sisters!

Dave decided to grace me with a photo of himself!

Dede and Michelle singing to Pat Benetar

Wendy and Dan...they are hilarious!

Jerry and Laura...new friends!

Larry and Susan...who had the party for me!

They are family to me!

The real surprise in this party was the sight of some people that I never would've even guessed would be at my party. It was so touching that Dave's dad and his wife drove 2 1/2 hours to this party. And that some of the men from Midwest Challenge were there. And that Don and Jan came. And that my aunts and uncles were there. And that my cousin was there. And that new friends were there. And that Dave's co-workers were there. And that my co-workers were there. And that my daughter was there. And that my friends and family were there. It was just so overwhelming to walk in and see all those faces. I'm anxiously awaiting those pictures!

Friends are to be cherished and kept near to the heart.

I do cherish them. I'm so blessed to have people in my life that I can trust and count on. I'm so blessed to be able to share the ups and downs of life with wonderful friends and family. They encourage me, they lift me up. This was a hard birthday for me. But it was also one that was amazing because of those I have in my life. And although some of my friends and family couldn't make it, they sent me wonderful wishes and love! They are amazing! I'm blessed! Really blessed!

Thank you Lord for all you have given me!

FFF - Friends

This weeks Favorite Friday Foto theme is "Friends". The worst part of doing this post is that I don't have pictures of all my friends. :( To view more FFF pictures, go to Kiss the Frog 4 Me.

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If you haven't had a chance to read about "Redeeming Halloween" yet, scroll down to Thursday, October 9 or click here to get started. There are a total of 4 posts. It's great info on ways to celebrate Halloween as a Christian. Don't forget to leave your comments and ideas!!!

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Now back to "FRIENDS".

Friends are for "hanging out with" at school.

Friends are for "being silly" together.

Friends are for enjoying a piece of cake together!

Friends are fun to go boating with, even if it's in the sand.

Best friends are loyal forever!

Good friends collect rocks with you and then share them!

Friends are fun to share a swing with (unless you don't want to share it!)
Friends are most certainly for making smores!

Friends are for celebrating Birthdays!



Friends are for sharing a boat ride.


PowerLife friends are the best to "serve" with.

Great friends go into the weeds to get your fish unstuck!


Friends are for celebrating great accomplishments with!

The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and insense. Proverbs 27:9

Friends light up the room when they walk in the door!

Friends help when you're in need. Thanks Cin, for all your help over the years!

I love you!

Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble. Proverbs 17:17

Friends pray for each other.

Friends are for worshipping with. :)

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. Proverbs 27:17


Old friends and good times are beautiful memories.

Reliable friends who do what they say are like cool drinks in sweltering heat—refreshing! Proverbs 25:13 (The Message)

Susan, thank you so much for all you did to help with the graduation. (Larry too!) And for everything you've done to support us, love us, guide us and be there for us at EVERY turn in our lives. We are blessed!

Of all these, Dave is most certainly my best friend!

His legs are like marble pillars set in sockets of finest gold. His posture is stately, like the noble cedars of Lebanon. His mouth is sweetness itself; he is desirable in every way. Such, O women of Jerusalem, is my lover, my friend. Song of Solomon 5:15-16

I can say that, can't I??? I mean after all it is from the Bible. :)

You didn't think I would forget you, did you? :)

I love my friends. They are precious to me.

Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family. Proverbs 18:24 (The Message)

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And I didn't forget the most special friend to have. The one that will never leave or forsake me, my Jesus! If you do not know Him, then I invite you to seek Him. Ask Him to show Himself to you. I promise, He will. Jesus longs to be your best friend.

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For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:8 (NLT)

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I thank God for my friends, each and every one of you (whether you're pictured here or not). Those far and near, you hold a special place in my heart. For those far, I miss you! For those near, I miss you too! Because the truth is, there just are not enough hours in day to get everything in. Although this is one area of my life, I'm trying really hard to be more intentional about. :)

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Love ya all!

Christine