July Birthdays Club!

Okay, stupid court hearings interrupting my valuable morning writing time. lol
Back to it now...

After a memorable Friday night celebrating Miss Kyndal Faith, Saturday was Chet's party in Tulsa!!  Here's the group pic I finally insisted on before the Fosters left, but for the record... the Richards fam, Young fam, Moss fam, Teresa, Steve, the Weatherford fam, Michael Wilson fam, Huffman fam, Darnell fam, and I think lots more neighbors were also there to celebrate. lol  Kudos to Chet and Karli for their extraordinarily generous hospitality - it's a lot of work, but what a gift to this friend group (and the Country Crossing neighborhood)!!

I should really know at this point to just keep a swimsuit in my car in case of need, but it was a rainy morning in Moore/OKC, and Chet had mentioned that it would probably be a stormy day, so I figured it would be a chill indoor party and didn't bring it with me.  Fortunately for Chet and co, I was very wrong and it was a happy day full of outdoor fun!  And in more happy news, Parker Elizabeth was uninterested in the afternoon swim, so I got some extra time with this preshface!! ❤

Tate showing me his new helmet (made by Bill - impressive), and Parker stacking multiple puzzles on her own - also impressive!  Teresa and I chatted a bit whilst the kids kept us busy and entertained. =)

This = the "Emerald Tsunami" water slide, a rental that took up most of the Wilsons' backyard.  Some of the kids were afraid to try it, but most of the adults seemed to enjoy it! lol

JEM and Ellie Faye + Sarah and Katherine Claire!

Jeffrey leading us off in the birthday song + random Chet and Sarah pic that made me laugh!

Four out of our five dessert options... two white mini-cakes and a berry trifle by Karli, a chocolate bundt cake by Melissa, and a coconut cream pie by Sarah Young!!

Out of order, but these pool pics of Sarah playing with Hope and Kate are precious!

Water slide fun!  I got some slow-motion videos that were entertaining. =)

Karli was kind enough to make an extra cake so that Chet and Sarah could both celebrate their birthdays with friends!!

Pic with Chet and JEM outside - they're the best!

Kate, Parker, and Ellie all had the same cute pink mermaid swimsuit - never all at the same time, then Parker refused to pose for a pic, so here's a random candid shot.  To the right of that pic is Chet's Bellagio hotel card from our 2010 Vegas trip (something I grabbed to look at closer as Tate was showing me his wallet and "credit cards").  Then a sweet card from Nora to Mr. Chet.  Then Mr. Chet closing a business deal during the party (gotta pay for that water slide). lol

After everyone else left, the Wilsons, Sarah, Rachel, and I sat in the front living room and chatted for a bit... I read them some texts from the night before, we discussed Sarah's latest church thoughts, and the kids popped in and out as they didn't wanna be on their own to watch a movie. lol

Parker Elizabeth ended up sitting with me and looking through all my photos and videos from the day, then playing with my necklace again.  I just love her! ❤

I'm ridiculously tired, but very grateful for good conversations and kind friends.  After talking a bit more with Sarah (driveway) and Chet (drive home), and after turning down my inner critic and turning up the self-compassion and truth, I feel a lot more peace.  So now I just need a full day off from everrrrything else to catch up on sleep. ;-)  There is homework and work-work and counseling clients and a wonderful Colorado trip in my near future, but I'll be able to focus better now that I've appropriately documented things here! lol

Sunday morning, I woke up to lovely birthday messages from friends at Restore. lol  So I got to very temporarily join the July Birthdays Club - huzzah!! =)

Third post is a charm - that's finally all for today.
I love you and believe in you,
and God is with you and for you!
❤❤❤

A Merry Birthday Party!

My favorite niece turns 11 this summer (actually on the very first day of their new school year), so she celebrated that with a "Christmas in July" party this weekend!! ❤

It was a perfect theme for a day where they got to swim and play outside in the sun all afternoon then enjoy cozy Christmas vibes + cake and presents at night!

Rach rented the fun slumber party tents again (they light up at night and it's super cute!)

The crowd was Stella, Hadley, Dylan, Kyndal, Rachel, Olivia, Jace, and Aden.  These pics are from a scavenger hunt they did in Mom and Dad's neighborhood!

Me and the Miss K in the photo booth Rach set up (she even gathered all her courage and made the balloon garlands herself - turned out really cute)!

Cake time!!  It's possible that Jace aggressively blew out the last candle... not his most thoughtful big-brother moment. lol

Paintball + water-balloon fight, selfie with K, Rachael's front door, and the fun chalkboard she made for this party!

They wore their PJ pants and sunglasses to dinner at Cheddar's... they're at a fun age, and these pics make me happy!

I nearly titled this "A Bloody Merry Birthday,” but figured an alcohol pun on a kid’s party was in poor taste, and I'm never sure how scandalous that word is in the UK. lol  The party was mostly good times, but it included a couple of unfortunate dramatic episodes. lol  Rachael picked the very smallest scab that was apparently connected to an artery, as blood started spraying (with pressure) and was very hard to stop - soaked through multiple towels.  Sorry for the gross photos - I'd never seen anything like this outside of movies before - hopefully she'll go to the doctor soon!  Kyndal's immediate annoyance with Rach here also definitely made me laugh... "MOM, on my birthday!?" lol

So once Mom and Rach finished cleaning up the kitchen crime scene and Rach got her ankle in a proper tourniquet, it was present time! lol  Christmas memorieees!

A few more cute pics... the gigantic "Birthday Girl" cup made me laugh - she's the cutest!!

The end. ❤

Unshakeable

"I have set the Lord continually before me.
Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken."
~Psalm 16:8

Kristin and I caught the new Twisters movie last night, and I couldn't resist taking a selfie in the theater's wind tunnel setup.  (I enjoyed the movie!  The action was predictably intense, and I've been a fan of Glen Powell since Top Gun: Maverick!)

The lead characters are storm chasers, and there's a scene where they're discussing a traumatic loss she is struggling to move on from.  He says, "You know, EF-1 or EF-5 -- it's not the size of the tornado or the speed that determines that.  The power we ascribe to it is based on damage, and we only know the full extent of it after the fact.  I'm really sorry for what happened, but how much more are you gonna let this thing take from you?"

This all resonated with me, as some old anxious-attachment patterns resurfaced recently.  It happened fast, and it took time for me to understand what triggered it.  Past wounds, shame, and fear all came swirling up with it, and feeling hypervigilant and guarded really drained my energy and focus.  I want to get better at catching that early, and I'm going to talk with Emily about it.  I know grief doesn't just evaporate, and the fear of losing people we love can be intense.  The EF-5 tornadoes in the movie felt like such a good match for the emotional intensity I'd been feeling.

I'm very grateful to be in healthier relationships that feel more stable and supportive now -- to have solid friends who notice when something is wrong and care enough to make a genuine effort to understand, communicate, and reassure me.  Even so, none of us can control death, and it was that fear that set things off for me this time.  I won't get into that more here, but it was a difficult week on the emotional scale.

As usual, John Eldredge had a well-timed word about the strengthening presence of God... so I am reminding myself that no matter what life brings, God will be with me, and I will never be abandoned.  I may not be articulating this well - I have lots of unfinished thoughts.  I'm a work in progress, and that's okay.  I am relational to the core, and I have truly exceptional friends and family, but my main source of security still cannot be rooted in their presence, and I needed the reminder this week.  To hold the gifts of God with a very open hand, and to point my highest hope, faith, and love toward Him and the coming kingdom!

I have set the Lord continually before me.
Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. ❤

Thankful Thursday #197!

"Yet the strength of those who wait with hope in the LORD will be renewed. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and won't become weary. They will walk and won't grow tired."  ~Isaiah 40:31

Today, I am thankful for:

1.  This awesome pic of Tate and Teresa!!  And being excited to try this place in Sapulpa when I visit the Christmas Chute, if not before. =)

2.  Mel Robbins and the Launch course, and all the joy and hope she puts into the world!  She has two sweet Aussie dogs named "Yolo" and "Homie," which I freaking love and find hilarious... and this one looks so much like Reagan! ❤

3.  Diesel Eugene, one of my favorite boys, who turns 10 years old today!!  Hope he's having the best birthday and that he has a fantastic year ahead!

4.  Jessica, Tiffany, and Meredith (former CHA classmates) -- it's nice to see them celebrating friendship and living confidently!

5.  My rose petal potpourri. lol  I bought 24 roses for $10 ,then quickly realized why they were so cheap.  It was fun peeling them, though!

6.  Carter Lee, who is competing in a national rodeo in Wyoming this week!  I'm just gonna need him to close one more button. lol  Happy he's competing and doing well, though!

7.  Chettles, who shines brightly in a world that needs more light, and who celebrates his 36th birthday today!! 🎉

That's really all now, friends and fam.  I love you and believe in you, and I hope you have a lovely weekend ahead! ❤

Birthday Card/Tribute!

"May you be made strong with all the strength which comes from His glorious power, so that you may be able to endure everything with patience.  May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father, who has made you fit to share in the inheritance that belongs to His people in the kingdom of light!"  ~Colossians 1:11-12

Chet Lee, 

Happy 36th Birthday!!

"Encourager, loyal, strong, and true."  You used these words to describe me back in 2015, and they are fitting for you today.  My whole family loves the Wilson fam, and I value the way the Wilsons and Weatherfords have loved, accepted, and included me.  It's a gift to have this extended Tulsa "framily," and I look forward to the Disney 'Christmas trip' with you all!

Over the past 15+ years, your friendship has shaped the course of my life in countless ways, and I will always be deeply grateful!  I appreciate your loyalty, insight, and willingness to have the important-but-hard conversations.  I have enjoyed watching you grow in Christ, and I hope you feel proud of the life you've built!  You have a remarkable ability to uplift others with timely words of affirmation, encouragement, humor, and wisdom.  You care for people well, and your faith and integrity set a powerful example.  I love and believe in you, and I am here to support you and your family in any way possible!

Thanking God today for your inspiring life, your delightful family, your steadfast friendship, and your positive impact on the world… which I'm confident is just getting started!  May God continue to strengthen you and bring to completion every good thing He has begun in you.

Gratefully,

❤ Lindsey Claire

P.S.  Here's a fun slideshow to a classic gem from OneRepublic! =)

Happy Thursday, friends and fam! ❤

Untangling + Phoning It In #24

I had my third therapy session with Emily this afternoon.  Perfect timing, honestly - yay, God!  My biggest takeaway was to have grace and patience as I gradually untangle myself from shame and negative messages (which goes right along with Hebrews 12:1).  I found three illustrations that resonate with this idea: working with others who truly care, processing jumbled thoughts and emotions as I talk openly, and freeing my heart from stuck places!  I particularly like the top one because it could represent the Trinity or working with a therapist and close friend who listen well and care enough to help me untangle myself from toxic messages and lies I've believed + gain clarity and peace.  This visual also inspires me to gently help others (family, friends, and clients) in the same way!! ❤

And now, 500,000 pictures so I can feel caught up! lol

Here's me and Kristin on Saturday! ❤

Saturday was Diesel's 10th Birthday party!  Fun times and a really great turnout at the Whitaker household! =)

The boys were fun and energetic, and Miss Amelia and Clara were cute, and I got a couple lovely cousin pics... but the thing I'll probably remember most is getting a text from Mom about Trump being shot at a rally she was watching live.  I called her during and after the party to get more details.  Without making this about political opinions or conspiracy theories, I'll just say I am grateful for God's protection and praying for more of God's peace, both personally and nationally.  

Shifting gears, Sunday morning I was up at 5:30 to meet Mom and T-man.  She scheduled this "discovery flight" for Triston to learn more about becoming a pilot (and to determine whether he gets motion sick in small planes - he does not - I would've been in very rough shape).

Proud of his courage for trying this - he really enjoyed it and plans to move forward with ground school classes, so that's exciting!

A Monday Meme courtesy of Chettles and Texas Roadhouse (the best rolls + cinnamon butter!!)

"eeEEee is for how Extreeemely normal I find it..."

Jaceman and Kyndal are working out with a trainer 3x a week at Shape this summer!  Proud of them for their hard work, also!

Ruth and Charlotte - I haven't seen them in a while, but their friendship makes me happy!

Nap time for J&K several years back (a FB memory Dad posted).  Kyndal looks so much like toddler-Rachael here, and her open eyes and irritated glare made me laugh!

Another iceberg illustration... and a reminder for you that what's happening beneath the surface matters!

A powerful word from Priscilla Shirer!

Yes to this - and while I'm at it, thank God for Donald Miller and the many, many ways he has changed my life!!

Whilst getting my oil changed at Lexus this weekend and finishing one audiobook then starting another, I realized I was casually sitting with my legs crossed (something naturally thin people probably take for granted), and that made me happy!  Another non-scale victory is my doctor saying I can start tapering down from my blood pressure medication (while monitoring it carefully, obvi).  YAY!  Month 1 was rough times, and the "Week-3 stall" lingered a while for me, but I'm feeling more balanced physically and emotionally lately.  I've been working out regularly and making healthier choices, breaking through the long plateau and just feeling VERY grateful for these gradual, positive changes!! ❤  Love this journey for me. ;-)

Built this happy new desk chair just before finishing my Diagnostic Worksheet homework yesterday!  So happy about transforming this room!

The Bullard fam... well, the Troop Bullard fam, to be more specific.  Lots of love and respect for them!

A July 2015 throwback from Free Tea Day at McAlister's... fun!

Saw this on Mom and Dad's TV and immediately thought of the Cabaret song (which I only know from Schitt's Creek)... "Willkommen! Bienvenue! Welcome!" =)

Weird to end on a welcome note, but here we are!  I sincerely hope you're having a fantastic day.  And in case no one else mentions it, I want to say that I love you and believe in you, and I believe in your ability to untangle from any lies you've believed and stand firm in grace and truth!! ❤