My Ideal Day

Okay, so if you have read any of my blog entries you know how much I adore my family - both mine and Keith's - so it should come as no shock how I wanted to be surrounded by them for my birthday!  As you can already tell, my family made my 30th birthday the best ever!  One of the most special parts of this birthday was that my mother flew into Indy to share my actual birthday with me.  I cannot even remember the last time I got this honor. 

It was also cool because Tia left Sunday and within half an hour I picked up Mom at the airport too - never before have I been at the airport to both drop and pick someone up.  I loved it!!  I'd have company in non-stop if I could.  ;)

Mom was here from Sunday until Wednesday, when we flew to NC to see Dad, Tara and her family.  While here, we enjoyed lunches out, shopping trips, lots of play-time with Samantha, and just mother-daughter bonding.  Keith, Samantha and Mom went out of their way to make me feel SO special on that day.  Plus, the  birthday wishes, sweet cards and gifts, and the love that poured in from family and friends just reminded me how blessed I am and just how many wonderful people I have in my life.  Thank you God!

 Birthday lunch at Olive Garden and a girls day out!

Dinner at a Japanese Steakhouse.  We were worried - we were the only ones there forever (surprisingly the woman seating us scolded us for being early -- I guess she was worried where to seat us.  ;) ).  Luckily, the food was pretty good and heck, we can entertain ourselves anywhere - even if it was mostly in giggles about the oriental waitress that kept cleaning our child or the other odd people in the restaurant.  Oh well - another adventure.  :)  As you can see, Samantha thoroughly enjoyed herself.

She eats like her mommy - just shovels that food right in!

Sported this killer set of heals and cute top from my dear friend Kris, who set me up with an amazing Mommy-wardrobe.  I think she is worried that I typical wear PJ pants and no-makeup...oh wait, I do do that.  Thanks, Kris for hooking me up!! Love ya! :)

Picking flowers (or as Keith sees it, spreading the weeds.  ;) )

Boot-scooting EVERYWHERE!  Man, they get quick fast!

She definitely wanted to lead - she would go up to everyone's garage door and say "knock, knock" ;)

I blame Nana for this hairstyle. ;)

Yes, sadly I asked for a new whisk for one of my birthday gifts from Keith - don't judge, this happens when you get 30!  

And yes, a new toaster -- don't judge Keith, this is what I wanted.  Okay, okay - enough with the snickering.  And this explains more why my dear, single friend Kris got me the "cool-Mom" heels and wardrobe -- I think it is obvious the frumpy path I am headed down. :)

First Date Night

My Mom came in the day before my birthday to spend my 30th with me and a few days here in Indy before we flew back to NC to celebrate with everyone.

As an extra-special treat, my mother watched Samantha for Keith and I's first - yes first- date night in 15 months!  We got to have a date to my favorite Italian restaurant here called Maggiano's and to a movie.  It was just wonderful to have an intimate dinner - I think that is the most we have really talked in well...15 months! ;)  It was so special.  Plus, I got to get all dollied up and doned my "fierce" 4 inch platforms (wobbly though, since I am not use to heels anymore).

A Birthday Visit From My Sis

I was SO blessed to have my sister, Tia, and my sweet neice, Reagan, fly down to spend the weekend prior to my 30th birthday with me.  It was so special to celebrate with them!  Thank you so much for making my 30th so special and for all the great memories made!

We enjoyed girls-outings with shopping trips, days swinging at the park, delicious meals and lots of great talks and laughter.  Plus, know girl-time with my sister is even more memorable, because we swap stories, advice and just lend an ear to the joys (and challenges) of motherhood.  What would I do without my sisters?!

Thank you Tia and Reagan for coming, you made my 30th birthday SO INCREDIBLY SPECIAL.  I LOVE YOU!!!

Day Out at the Movies

The other day we went to see a free viewing of "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" at our church, Northview, with Maria and her kids Merrel and Max.  We had a great time!

Samantha is a hoot in the theaters, because she loves the movies!  She has only been to a few, but she will sit through almost the whole movie.  My trick - an idea created by my mother - is to put her portable high chair in the seat, snacks and a sippy cup in front of her.  It is truly hysterical watching her get into the movie - she will often giggle, repeat parts and even laugh.  Too cute!

Granted we did spend some of the movie doing walking laps in the back, now that she is an expert walking and is a baby on the move! :)

Here are some pics of her settled in...

Best Easter Ever

We had a wonderful Easter Sunday!  We got all dressed up for a great service at church, then came back to see what the Easter bunny had left, went to The Mansion for a delicious buffet, and ended our day with an Easter Egg Hunt, a walk, and playtime.  Samantha seriously took a total of 30 min. of naps all day long - I think she was just so excited! 

Samantha loved all of her Easter gifts!  Thank you Nana & Papa Silverthorne and Grandma & Papaw Newbrough!   

She was also so cute on the easter egg hunt we set up for her in our backyard.  Sadie even joined to help Samantha, esp. once she broke open one egg to find teddy grahams inside.  :) 

We just could not have dreamed up a better Easter.  While we missed family, it was wonderful to have a holiday at our home, to begin some new traditions.  We have decided to make Easter our family holiday, where we celebrate it at our house and set all those important traditions into motion for years to come. 

Digital scrapbooking design created with Smilebox

Grandma and Papaw Newbrough

Ken and Karen came down for the week, after the Marshalls left, to see Samantha.  Even since Feburary, they saw lots of changes in Miss Sami - esp. in the walking category.  What a great visit she had with Grandma and Papaw Newbrough.

Thank you so much for coming!

Oh no - Samantha can now climb up onto this couch herself!

So proud of herself after that climb!

Now, she can romp with the dogs!

"No, Papa - come this way!"

Walking around the house, like it is nothing!

Loving the chair that her mama made her - my inspiration to finish painting it!

Loving on her Peter Cottontail that Grandma and Papaw gave her.

Spring Portraits

Samantha recently got her 15 month old Spring portraits done at JCPennys.  What beautiful pictures!  We didn't get them in time for Easter cards due to being sick - sorry.  But, she is sporting her adorable Easter dress. :)

Check out more of them at:
http://www.smilesbywire.com/

Username:  Dana Newbrough
Access code:  LTPP0567107889JCP

Baptism

When the Marshalls were here, we took them with us to our new church, Northview, for Sunday service.  It was a wonderful service that was incredibly moving. 

At the end of the service, Pastor Steve Poe did an all-call out to the congregation asking for whoever wanted to be baptized to come on down. 

Now, let me regress...two weekends prior there were scheduled baptisms at Northview.  But after the scheduled baptisms, the pastor challenged anyone that had been hesitating or had wanted a new life in Christ to just come on down.  Hundreds of people got up out of their seat, and went down to be baptized.  It was the most moving thing I have ever seen!  I cannot explain the feeling that swept over me - more than just emotion watching people, but God truly telling me to get up out of my seat and GO!  It truly took force to stay in my seat - why I did, I can't explain - except for thinking that since I had been baptized as a child, that perhaps the pastor wasn't referring to me.  However, when I left that Sunday after church, I truly felt like I had disobeyed God.  The feeling stayed with me for days!

When he did an all-call this weekend, I was in tears and again (I know human stubborness) struggled with the decision.  You see I was baptized (immersed) at the age of around 7 - but truly I cannot tell you much about that moment, other than the white gown and going under - I can't tell you about the emotion or making the decision because I truly wanted change.  But, being baptized as an adult I think means even more - I am consciously understanding the decision, the emotion and the hard work that change means in God.  So, when Vicki proclaimed she was going, that was the push God gave me.  Nothing could have stopped me - I was so excited!  To make it even better, Keith, Logan and Haley joined us.  We went behind the stage, changed in the clothes provided and walked out together.  It was one of the most moving and best decisions I have made in my life!

I wish my family and friends could have been there.  But, here are some videos of the moment.  Thank you Vicki for having the courage I didn't and for being the push that made me do something that I have wanted to do for SO long!  To my Crosspoint family, I wish I hadn't of put it off when I was there - it would have meant so much to have you by my side.  I think God knew my hesitation and knew it had be in the moment, not scheduled - for me to just go!

Amazingly, in two weekends at our church - 565 people were baptized.  Now, that is a blessing!

What a great way to start this new chapter of my life, right before I turn 30! :)

Visit with the Marshalls

Vicki, Randy, Logan and Haley visited us for the weekend.  I was initially nervous to have them come that Saturday, because Keith and I had just gotten over a nasty bout of the stomach flu that week.  But, luckily the weekend was wonderful (despite the icky weather that always seems to occur here when people visit) and his family did not get sick. 

We had a nice weekend, filled with a lot of laughter and enjoying Samantha's antics.  And, let me tell you - she was loving all the attention!  Just a couple of weeks before she was walking 3-5 feet solo at most, but with company here she decided she was ready to put on a show!  She walked all over this house - falling quite a bit, and collapsing into the final destination, but walking nonetheless.  Now, she is a great walker and can do laps around the house.  It is scary and amazing to watch her.  I will be posting videos soon. 
Here are some great pictures from out weekend together.  Thanks Marshalls for visiting - we always love our time together! 

One of the rare moments of slowing down enough for a photo.  Thanks for playing with me, Haley! :)

Samantha joined in on the guys' Call of Duty game night.  Should a 15 mth old really be watching this?!

Ironic isn't - wearing her beloved crown and picking her nose on command - perfect.  ;)

Her Mick Jagger impression.  Thanks Randy for the sculpted hairdo.  :)

Giving Mickey a ride in her birthday suite (well almost). :)

Telling Haley all about her day - the child will talk your ear off, granted none of us have any idea what she is saying.  Though, she can clearly say:  Good Girl, Big Girl, Baby, Mama, Daddy, and "oh man, oh man, oh man. "  haha - I think we need to start being careful what we say around her.

And this clearly shows her love affair with Mickey.  :)

Sami's "Monster Face"  If you ask her to make the face, she will contort her face like this.  Hysterical.  If you ask her to make a monster sound, she growls.  I know, I know - she is a ham!  This I do credit the Silverthorne genes for.  :)

Logan giving Sadie attention - poor baby gets left out. 

One of the rare Vicki shots - next time I am taking more pics of you, despite your protests. :)