you have a party ... in a barn

Just in case you want to have your birthday party in a barn like husband did, this is what you'll need:

One big red barn.

Lots of family and friends.

Kids are welcome {encouraged}.

One sexy tractor.

A golf cart + a few scooters.

An air hockey table.

One snow cone machine (this is why you need the kids ... they make the best snow cones. But bring change, they will ask for money).

Lots of food.

Several coolers.

Nine dogs.

And a sunset like no other.

she thinks my tractor's sexy

A cute boy. A polo. And a tractor.
It just doesn't get much sexier than that.
Actually it does ... if that cute boy in the polo on the tractor is your husband.

Dan didn't go to Vegas for his birthday.
He didn't ride in a limousine or stay at a fancy hotel.
He didn't even get a birthday card from his wife (sorry Dan).
What did Dan do for his birthday? Dan rode a tractor.

We spent the weekend in Odessa, MO (I provided a link just in case you want to look it up and see all the exciting things this city has to offer). Don't everybody get up and move at once now.

Honestly though, we had a blast out in the country with the family.
Dan was happy because he got to ride a tractor.

And I was happy because I got to hang out with my dog.
Plus eight other dogs. That would be nine dogs total. Nine!
Needless to say, Sherman has been snoring for the last 16 hours.

A fun weekend was had by all.
So fun that I'll show you some more pictures tomorrow. But you have to give me a day to sort through them all. I accidentally took 200. How someone manages to take 200 pictures of a barn, a tractor and some dogs is beyond me.
I blame Mr. Bud Light. And beautiful sunsets.

reasons to celebrate

the in-laws at our wedding reception ... how cute are they?

So, you all know that husband's birthday was Wednesday.

Several of you asked if I ended up getting him a card. I did. But then I forgot to sign the card, which then caused me to forget to give him the card. So I'm saving it for next year. I'm not kidding. He never even noticed.

So anyways, Dan was born on July 25th.

His sister (my amazing sister-in-law) was born on July 26th.

Their parents (my amazing in-laws) also got married on July 26th.

And on July 27th my amazing sister-in-law and her husband got married.

Phew.

Oh and these events happened during different years ...

just in case you were sitting there scratching your head.

When did Dan and I get married?

November 30th.

Rebels.

Long story short, we've got some major celebrating to do this weekend.

So, while I'm off celebrating (8am is never too early) my friend Megan from

Happy the Home will be sharing some special moments from her big day of celebration. So sit back, relax, and get ready to go "awwww" ...

Before our wedding day, a friend of mine gave me some great advice that stuck with me throughout our wedding day...and it was such great advice that I have since passed it on to other brides to be.

Her advice: "stop at every top of the hour...and just take it all in. take some time to take in the sights, the sounds, and the love filling the air. "

Best advice ever. I was reminded of those words throughout the hustle and bustle of all the craziness. Granted, the day flew by. But, not without me savoring some incredible sacred moments. Today, I would love to share some of our wedding day moments that will forever be etched on my heart.

My groom wearing his beloved converse.

My sweet friend Elaina putting on my "something borrowed" necklace.

The church's cross chandelier that hung in the center of the beautiful wood paneled ceiling.

Sitting at the edge of my seat as I watched my bridesmaids get ready.

The details of my dress. Only the 3rd dress, I tried on. Perfectly me.

A gift from my groom. A brand new Bible with my new name on it.

Along with a beautifully written letter from my sweet man.

My beautiful bridesmaids praying over me.

Their sweet prayers and words touched my heart and encouraged my soul.

I kept unintentionally covering up our kisses with my bouqet.

(which made for some pretty cute pictures)

My grandfather's sweet words of encouragement before my dad gave me away.

I remember smiling so much.

I had a lot to smile about.

I remember being pronounced husband and wife

and walking out of the church hand in hand with my sweet man.

Our first dance together as a married couple.

Listening to the words of "God Blessed the Broken Road" by Rascal Flatts...

as I held my new husband close and thanking God for bringing him into my life.

Those words of advice are still with me 3 1/2 years later.

Those moments are etched on my heart.

The day I married my best friend.

The day that changed my life forever.

So many memories.

"Wherever you are - be all there."  - Jim Elliot

Savor every moment.

I am so glad I did.

Talk about one amazing bride. Not to mention, Megan here makes the cutest vlogs ever. I am so very jealous. Megan, call me. I need help. Ok, fine. I'll call you. Go HERE to check out her vlog. She might just kill me for saying that, but hey ... it's Friday!

Speaking of Friday ...

Winner of last Friday's giveaway was ... Amanda {Eloquent English}

Congrats Amanda! I will be emailing you.

you can blame wednesday for this short post (and flying shrimp)

attempting to catch flying shrimp

Fun family, fun food, fun drinks, fun fire.

It was pretty much the 4th of July all over again.

And on another Wednesday?

I'm off to hang out by my brewbot.

happy birthday to my lover

Dear Dan,

I know you don't read my blog. I know you don't believe in blogs. I know you don't even know what my blog is called (usually he tells people "the coffee cup" or "the coffee shop"). So, that means that today I can write whatever I want to in this little birthday letter. Because I know you will never read it. Or maybe you will some day, when you get really old and boring. Speaking of old ...

You turn another year older today. That means today marks the eighth birthday that I've spent with you. EIGHT! Every year you tell me not to get you anything. And every year I fail to get you anything (you know I'm not big on buying gifts for others). Honestly though, we make a pretty damn good team. And this year will be no different. I will buy you a 99¢ card and a case of cheap beer on the way home from work. We will go out to dinner with the family and tonight we will sit together on our half-eaten couch and watch a little HGTV ... Sherman by our side, licking peanut butter from his Kong.

And you know what?

I wouldn't have it any other way.

I am so proud to call you my husband. I am so proud of everything you stand for and everything you've stood by me through. I love you more than words can describe. And so, I will quit trying to describe it and just say Happy Birthday to you, old man.

I love ya.

-the coffee cup girl


P.S. I am totally that girl who forgot to tell her husband
happy birthday this morning.

my thoughts on skydiving

Keep smiling. Whatever you do, just keep smiling.

If she can do it ... I can do it.
(the lady with the arrow above her head just recently had her 70th birthday)

Speaking of old.

Stay strong little plane. Stay strong.

Now I am going to pretend like I'm scared for a good picture.

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven. Hmmm.

Why are there seven boys in this plane? Where are all the girls?

Just keep smiling.

Hello God. Nice to see you today.

Goggles on. Large man hooked to my back.

I'm ready.

14,000 feet huh? 

I can't even tell.

(they tell you to cross your arms like that ... I promise)

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh.

It was a good day.

A good day indeed.

And I only swallowed 97 bugs.

{photos by Brian Gayley with Skydive Kansas City}