Happy Birthday Momma!

With mom's birthday being on a Wednesday Dad figured we would celebrate her birthday over the weekend, so he made reservations 5 weeks ago for them to celebrate Mom's 60th at Restaurant Iris (I know because he needed my email for the conformation!). Well Ray has been in Nashville this week, so mom has told me every night I needed to go with them...as to not spoil the surprise (and to go to the most sought after restaurant in Memphis with them) I happily called to see if their 2 could become 3! Fabulous dinner with my fabulous parents...Kelly English makes everyone feel special and full.















Next to us was a lady who was celebrating her 86th birthday and it was an extra joy to get to ease drop on their conversations. Oh how I long to still be living it up on my 86th! Happy Birthday to the most loving, caring an supportive women I know...my momma!

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Leadership Retreat

For the 2014-2015 year, I'm thrilled to be serving as Assistant to the President in JL. This weekend was our Board of Directors Leadership retreat (which I planned)! The retreat was held at The River Inn and everything went fantastic! The rooms were nice, staff was over friendly and the many added ammonites made the weekend extra special. We kicked it off with dinner in the wine cellar at McEwens with transportation provided by Omar the Cablimo driver (both are favorites of mine) followed by a Memphis/JL trivia game and dessert bar back at The River Inn. Breakfast was provided by Paulette's and let me tell you they have the best grits I've ever eaten (I will be going back)!
Carolyn did a fantastic job setting the ground work for what lies ahead and we had a dynamic speaker to round out the day. I'm so excited to be working with these 18 amazing women. I look forward to making lifelong friends and to doing great things for Memphis.






President and President elect with our retreat mascot, Junior!


Such an inspiring discussion with Vicky Clark!


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Mullen's baby dedication

Today was such a beautiful, blessed day. Mullen was dedicated back to The Lord during church this morning. The sermon was all about him (and all of God's other children) and he did great! After church we enjoyed some delicious food and just hung out at Molly and Logan's house. Great day all around!















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Happy Birthday Daddy!

We love you!





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Saturday Snow day

We woke up to a bit of snow and I couldn't resist a snow angel!
The snow was pretty and all the kids were out playing as soon as the sun came up...even trying to sled down the hill when the snow was pretty much gone!!


Thankfully our cookie decorating class didn't get canceled! Molly and I have been wanting to learn this skill and I think we might have the technique down...at least we did when the teachers were watching over us!


Oh and they taste even better than they look!


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Enough snow to last me...

Till next year. Had a work trip to Chicago, but our direct flight got canceled and we were routed through Detroit...After three attempts at the runway we finally landed in the blizzard! We sat on the runway for awhile due to planes stuck in the snow...I tried to get a good picture, but really all you see is white!

Detroit was extremely prepared, so after the white out passed, they got the huge plows running, lifted the ground hold and we headed for Chicago!


Chicago had 12 inches of fresh snow by the time we got there, so it was a snowy afternoon of store visits which made for cold, wet feet!


I did get to visit with Arden after my work dinner and we had the best time catching up!
After a very productive vendor meeting, we headed to the airport. Thankfully we had an uneventful flight home. Talk about an exhausting 36 hours. Glad to be home and super excited to catch the Olympics!

Go Broncos Go!!

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Wing night

Is extra special when a Birthday Party is involved! Happy 26th (man I feel old) Andrew!






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Monday night

After a long Monday, I had so much fun making valentines with one of my favorite people followed by a great, late night dinner with some my favorite JL GROW friends. Friends and laughter can really turn your day around!

Love these kids...

And their Mommas and Daddies and their Nonna and Poppa (and their Uncle Ray) so much...





























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Friday night fun...

Lily and Layne are spending this long weekend with Nonna and Poppa so I went and spent my Friday night playing trains and Tetris with them. Can't wait for Molly and Mullen to get here tomorrow.

Low key

We've had a pretty low key weekend full of the basics...church (where we sang one of my favorite hymns...Here I am Lord), grocery, laundry, exercise, hair cut, cleaners, etc.  Ray put new breaks on my car so no more squeaking for me.  He had a great 'business' trip to Telluride and has been catching up on his sleep this weekend!   He keeps talking about how we have to go back soon! I'm ready!
I did get a quick play date with some of my favorites!
Layne is into trains...





Lily's last picture with all of her teeth! She lost a top one a few hours later!


Lily and Nonna finally got around to making the rice Krispy gingerbread house!  She so enjoyed it even if it was January 11th!


Now, I'm making a new recipe for dinner and hoping it turns out good so it will work for a dinner meeting I'm hosting on Tuesday night.

Last weekend wrap up..

So much fun was had last weekend.  Aunt Sherry, Shannon and Amanda (Shannon's friend) came to town on Thursday, so once I got off work on Friday it was all fun and family!  They stayed at our house and Molly and Mullen and Emily, Lily and Layne stayed at mom and dads, so it was a party everywhere we went!  It is always great when they come, but there was something extra special about it being at Christmas.  I'll let the pics tell the story, but since I can't get the pics from my phone to load...to recap in words:  wing night, Peabody, Panchos (per their request, but it was delicious), Botanic Gardens for Snowy Nights, Build A Bear, Graceland, Hibachi, tried to go to Starry Nights, Sleepover with Lily, LeftRightCenter and we ended with a huge family dinner at our house (I think we had 33 people) and it went great!  I'm guessing it has been since 1999 that that many people on the Mullen side were together.  

Cheers to 2014...

Since we have both been under the weather, we enjoyed a low key night at home. Made homemade pizzas and watched the guitar drop on Beale street! Today we took Christmas down, went to see Wolf of Wall Street and enjoyed a lucky dinner.

Here's to a wonderful 2014...where I plan to enjoy my ride through life, stay positive, always be thankful, live with energy, enthusiasm and empathy, give of myself, but not so much that I loose my purpose and treat every person as they are the most important person...Happy 2014!