Birthday surprise for Erin!

Erin's birthday was Saturday. She thought that she had planned a small trip to IHOP for her family to celebrate with her before she went to work. Little did she know that she was playing right into a plan that had been hatched nearly a month earlier.

After much consulting with Erin's mom and AJ, it was decided that the party would be at IHOP. Erin's a breakfast girl, which is great because that was about the only time she had to celebrate in her jam-packed weekend. A secret Facebook group was organized, and guests were invited. When Cheyrl came to town, we picked out party hats and a sash for the birthday girl. Tracy came the night before to help make cupcakes and wrap presents.

Then the big day: We had party hats, presents and pancakes! Erin arrived a little earlier than planned, but everything worked out. The people at IHOP were great, especially our waiter Ryan. He got Erin some birthday ice cream while we were waiting for our food to come out...and you know what that means! The IHOP crew crowded around to chant a happy birthday cheer for her.

Erin got a few small presents, including a kitty sticker book and Care Bear disks for her new Viewmaster viewfinder.


Check out the great people and the great food. I'm just so glad that we could get together to celebrate. I'm blessed to have such great friends.


Happy birthday, Erin!

Moving the Merritts...and truck damage

I have new neighbors! Well, they're actually several blocks away, but they're on the same side of town as me, and I helped them move last weekend.

I'm not sure exactly how much help I was. Aaron and Carolina had packed up and moved a lot of stuff. Plus, Laura was there, and she had been helping all day. I helped unpack a few things, but mostly I just played with Mariana. I think Flat Jason might have helped more than me. I had no idea he was such a great baby-sitter. Mariana had fun pointing out Flat Jason's eyes and nose and mouth. I got a picture of her giving him some kisses.

She really cracked me up when we were playing. She started opening and closing her hands around his chest and arm pits. "Tickle, tickle," she said. And when she got a little cranky, Flat Jason was the only one that could get her to lay down to rest until Mommy and Daddy came home.

Unfortunately, when I returned to my home, I found that someone had hit Jason's truck. It was parked on the side of the road across from our house and had damage to a mirror and the bumper. A Columbia police officer left his card for me to get in touch with him. I assumed it was to get information about the damage or tell me that he'd found out who hit the truck and left. Nope. It's been more than a week, and Officer Michael Hestir has yet to return any of the attempts I've made to contact him. Just another great thing to have to deal with while Jason's gone.

Crossover at the Lake

The "married but single" girls went to Crossover Christian Music Festival in Camdenton a week or so ago. It had been raining all day, and I was afraid that it would continue into the evening. It cleared off, though, and ended up being a gorgeous evening. We saw Building 429, Barlow Girl and Skillet. Oh! And I tasted some delicious chocolate milk from Heartland Creamery. If you want to order some, just call 1-877-HUG A COW.

Having a ball in Olean

It was Testicle Festival time in Olean, Mo., on June 7. Mom, Lauren and I took Flat Jason to see the 15th annual event.

The first person we met was Brock Olivo, who is running for U.S. Congress in the 9th District. I believe he wants to take Kenny Hulshof's seat, which Hulshof is vacating as he tosses his hat in the ring for governorship of Missouri. Olivo is super-nice and has a great resume. Check him out and see if you agree with where he stands on the issues.

Our next stop was the ball-battering tent. Eldon FFA members were working hard to keep up with the demand for turkey fries. It's become a tradition for the FFA members to help out the Olean Jaycees.

Some members were relaxing and enjoying the fruits of their labor. They were more than happy to share their turkey fries with me and Flat Jason. Mmm...

We picked up a few other things while we were at the festival: a t-shirt, some spices for dip and a dress. I know what you're thinking: A dress from the Testicle Festival?!?! Yes. This neat lady named Jessie made some clothes herself. The one-of-a-kind pieces reminded me of the clothes I found in Camden Market in London. I ended up finding a black and white gingham halter dress with a black leather waistband. It has a little pink skull on the left side, and Jessie let me pick out some pink hair pieces to wear with it. I'm not sure if I'm hard core enough to wear the hair pieces, but the dress is cute. Her brand is BlackLess and can't be found online yet, but watch for it to come.

Clover Connections for Flat Jason

When I was in 4-H, State 4-H Congress was always the highlight of the 4-H year and why not? Members from all across the state - different backgrounds, different personalities - came together to meet each other, share ideas and learn. I know I met some very cool kids from extension programs at both the University if Missouri and Lincoln University. And this year, even though I'm not a 4-H member, was no different. Awesome, talented young people doing fun, new, creative things.

I decided that Flat Jason should see some of the coolness. After all, I'd taken him to the Missouri FFA Convention, and I couldn't let him think they cornered the market on youth organizations. Flat Jason joined us for the last day, just in time to hear speaker Grant Baldwin talk to the group about being a difference-maker. I'm not going to detail it with my notes (yes, I took notes!) because I think you should invite him to speak to your group or organization. He's pretty good, even if he didn't balance a ladder on his chin like the guy last year did. LOL

And, of course, Congress wouldn't be complete without the election of the new council. After the results were announced and photos taken, FJ accompanied me to the Key Award reception where he said hello to Derek Brucker, the new president of the Missouri State 4-H Council. And then we ate some cake...