14 Years

14 years ago today I married my honey. What a crazy day that was but one of the best days of my life. It's been a wild ride these last 14 years and looking forward to many more wild rides!! I love you babe!! Happy Anniversary!!

Pics from my birthday

The two flowers together!


Kevin, the boys and our friends Bob and Dee went to Azteca Mexican Restaurant today and had the good old birthday song sung to me. Three of my friends brought me the balloon bouquet along with the flowers. They were very sneaky!! Thanks Shawna, Mandi and Kim!!

Lordy, Lordy, I'm 40

These are the beautiful flowers my sister sent me!



Tomorrow I hit the BIG 4-0. I admit, when I turned 39 last year, I began to think about turning 40 this year. As time got closer I was just hating every minute of it. I told Kev no party, no surprise, no nothing!! Turning 40 was, well, just that, turning 40. No longer was I in my 30's which made me sound young, but I was turning 40. I remember very clearly when my mom turned 40 and I thought wow! that's old. Well, here I am now. Turning 40. I don't feel old. Yes, my body has aches and pains but that just comes with aging. As someone told me a few weeks ago, it's just another number. Up until that time I wasn't feeling that way. It was a BIG number that I wasn't necessarily liking. Then I realized it is just another number. I'm still here. With my husband and children. I can enjoy another 40 years with them. 40 is not something to cringe about but something to smile about. 40 years that God has given me on this earth. 20 of those 40 years I have had a close, personal relationship with the one who gave me my very breath of life ~ Jesus. 40? Yes, it's a milestone birthday and I'm going to enjoy it all year long!!

Couples Retreat

Kev and I just got back today from the Amana's where Berean had their annual couple's retreat. There was about 29 couples there and WOW! what a crazy bunch!! We had a time of sharing on Friday night, getting to know other couples. It was great to hear other couples stories on how they got together and stories about their life. Lots of food, fellowship and game time! I love connecting with other couples, especially those we don't know very well. Today the husbands and wives split off and us wives learned to be the wife God has us to be. To not bring our husbands down by our comments or try to make them do things our way. That only chips away at their hearts. It really got me thinking of those things I say to Kev that really doesn't lift him up but tears him down. I'm making it a challenge for myself to control my tongue and to lift him up. I encourage you, if your church has a couples retreat, to step out of your comfort zone and go. Maybe your not comfortable in meeting new people. Maybe you feel awkward around people or don't like big groups. Trust me. I've been there and done that! It will encourage you and you'll be blessed!!

First Tooth

Zayvn lost his first tooth last night. In the Umphress household, for the loose tooth's that the boys pull themselves, they get a "Bravery Buck". Zayvn got to church last night and one of his teachers asked if she could pull it and he said yes. Unfortunately the Bravery Buck doesn't go to Zayvn this time around. Maybe we should give it to the teacher who pulled it out!!

BGMC

I just had to share what an amazing group of kids Kev and I are blessed to be a part of. Yesterday was our BGMC (Boys and Girls Missionary Challenge) Day in Filling Station. We give the kids a yellow Buddy Barrel which they take home and fill up. They bring it back the 1st Sunday of each month. Kevin challenged the kids to think of what they could do to raise money for Haiti. One of the girls told Kevin the money she put in her barrel she got for Christmas but wanted to give it to BGMC. How cool is that?? After counting all the change in the barrels the kids brought in just over $1000. Incredible huh? I'm so proud of them!! God is doing great things amongst our kids.

Winnings

Pair of tickets to the theater production of Runt of the Litter and a gift certificate to Johnny's Hall of Fame from KXNO Sports Radio. Oh YEAH!!

Bucs Game

Zayvn, Kyle and Renn

My friend Kim and I

We went to a Bucs game tonight with some friends of ours, Kim and Kyle. We had a great time and I was especially happy since this is the first hockey game I've been too in a while. Bucs lost but it was just great to be able to see the sport I love. While at the game we ran into another friend of ours, Keaton. He and his friend ended up sitting by us so we got to visit with him for a bit. What a great night!!

Haircut

Zayvn decided he wanted a haircut. Kev took him to get it done. I didn't realize it was going to be so short! No more running my fingers through his hair! :(