Mer's Like Totally Awesome 80's Surprise Birthday Party

So on August 30, I turned 30!!!

It has been a great few weeks in my thirties thus far and looking forward to more fun and adventures for sure! I was looking forward to by birthday weekend because anytime spent with Russell and Jackson is time well spent. Our plans were to maybe go eat somewhere, family time, and go to church. I was very surprised on August 29th, when Russell and friends helped throw an 80's surprise birthday party for me!

Here's how it went down:

Russell told me earlier that week that one of my best friends, Mandy, was coming to babysit Jackson so we could go on a date night. First I thought that was extremely sweet of her, and I just went along with Russell's plan. "I'm just here to babysit," Mandy said. :) We had a date with just the two of us at Abuelo's Mexican restaurant. It was SOO good!!



I walked in our front door, and I was so surprised to see balloons, 80's decorations, and Mandy's daughter, Eden right by the door. :) When I walked around the corner, there were my amazing friends! OH my word, it was so fun to see them and such a surprise!

I got such a huge kick out of the cake! It's a cassette tape with an 80's mix. 

I thought this was "totally cool!"

Then, minutes later, my sister, Kelly, and my nephew and niece walked in the door!! OH MY WORD!!!! I was brought to tears for sure. I cannot say enough how much I love them.

Oh, how I sometimes wish Logan and Lauren could be little again, like Jackson. ;) 

Me and my boys! Love love love.

My whole heart! 

Helping me blow out the candles. Precious moments.

Mandy actually decorated and everything while we were on the date. So sneaky and sweet. :)

A fun and totally 80's group pic!

Mandy, Kelly and me

Meredith, Kelsey, and Kari with her sweet girl, Rylie

Lauren even fixed her hair the 80's style. 

Chad and Logan chatting

*Disclaimer: The big white box is actually a cheap babyproof from the fireplace. EEK!

Carolyn, Etta and me! 

Russell and I are so beyond blessed by Mandy, Chad, and their kids. They mean the world to us!

More decorations

So funny! Mandy attached pictures to VHS tapes!

This pic makes me wanna sing, "I think we're alone now" by Tiffany! Too funny!

Family picture!

 

It truly was a wonderful night with family and friends. I love them so very much!

 

I will praise you forever, O God, for what you have done. I will trust in your good name in the presence of your faithful people Psalm 52:9

Bentonville Film Festival 2015

Earlier this month, our little town of Bentonville held a film festival. It brought thousands of people to this area to see what it was all about. Our family had to find out too!

 BFF! Jackson had a great time!

 There were many places in NWA that showed independent movies and familiar movies as well. VUDU lounge was one of them. Popcorn, Coke, or M&M's, anyone?

 Jackson kept holding on to that bottle of Coke. Too funny.

 We also had fun photo booth pictures made. So fun!

 The next day, I decided to take Jackson to the festival and it was just he and I hanging out together. Our first stop was the Coca-Cola vendor booth. I was so excited to get our names on coke cans. :) It's the little things, y'all. It was great to see Jonathan Martinez and Laine Baker from our local news station while I stood in line. :)

 Jackson and I even met Laine and she asked to get a picture with Jackson. Jonathan even took the picture and he kept commenting on Jackson's "little locks." It was great meeting them!

 What's a film festival without the Oscar Mayer weinermobile? Just fun to see.

I even ran into Amy Duggar! It was so crazy I met so many well known people in a short amount of time. Haha! Amy was very sweet and so friendly! So awesome meeting her.

I think there will be a festival every year, so that's pretty exciting!

I hope that next year, we can participate in more events at the festival. I just love this place!

 

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to savesinners-of whom I am the worst. 1 Timothy 1:15

Happy Birthday, Kelly Lauren!

Today is a big day! It's my beautiful sister, Kelly's birthday!

 I know this picture has been used almost every year, but I cannot help it-I love it. As a little girl, I of course loved celebrating my own birthday, but it was so much fun to watch my big sister celebrate her day. I still do!

 Everyone knows how much I love Kelly and I would do anything for her!

She is also a wonderful aunt to Jackson, who loves her very much!

Kelly, I hope you have a very special day. You are amazing and beautiful. Never forget it! Thank you for being you!

Love, Mer

 

For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Philippians 2:13

Date Night, Farmer's Market, the Duggar's, and a New Princess

Of course I am catching up on the blog, but better late than never, right? So here's an update from two weekends ago. It was pretty memorable, so I had to document it.

 Friday night was date night for us! We were so pumped for a date night. We try to make it a priority to have one date night a month. Russell took me to one of our favorites for dinner, Venesian Inn!

 We also went to Crystal Bridges and saw the Van Gogh to Rothko exhibit. What fun!

This was a cool extra at the exhibit.  

 The next thing we did was stop by the buckyball.

 It lights up at night in every color and it's almost therapeutic to watch. Pretty neat!

 Saturday morning, we woke up early and headed to our local farmer's market! Jackson looked very handsome and like a big boy in his hat!

 Me and my baby boy.

 Gorgeous snapdragons.

 Beep, beep! Jackson in Sam Walton's red truck. :)

 So fun.

 When we got home, I watched on CNN and livestream the royal baby footage! I was pretty giddy, to say the least!!! I am so excited about the new addition.

 To celebrate, we even got Jackson the movie, Paddington. :) It came with a plush teddy.

On Sunday night, our church had about 20 special guests come, The Duggars!

They had special music and shared their testimony. It was so good. 

We even got to meet Michelle, Jim Bob, and many others. They truly were so kind and happy to be at our church. 

Anna and Josh were so sweet, too.

Jana and Joy Anna were precious. 

We also met Jessa and Ben, who got married at our church. All of them were incredibly genuine, authentic, sweet people who live for Christ. So inspiring. It was wonderful!  

That Monday, I was thrilled to find out the royal baby's name! Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana of Cambridge. I may have teared up a little bit, to be honest. HA!

Needless to say, it was a wonderful few days!

 

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. and be thankful. Colossians 3:15