Happy Birthday Mandy!!!

Yes, this post may seem a little late for those of you who actually know Mandy. Her birthday WAS yesterday, but with the busy schedule we kept, there was no way possible I had time to update my blog! :) Plus, I wanted to have some pictures to post along with it! :)

It really does seem like I was just doing a blog post for her last year. I guess the time does go by quickly, so I'll try not so say the same things as before, although all of it definitely still applies! ;) Click here to see last year's post! ;)
The last year has definitely been a constant trial almost I'd say, but the Lord has been so faithful to bring Mandy through it all and grow her in ways no one could believe. One major thing that Mandy has learned is to be independent. Now that will sound odd to most people, but I'm not talking independent in her life, but in her beliefs. For the first time this year, she believes what she does because SHE studied it, SHE had the desire to learn why she believed the way she did. No longer was her faith, something that came from my Mom and David, it was her own! She stood on it now. :) I really admire Mandy for doing that!

Mandy is adventurous, outgoing, fun loving, HILARIOUS, hard worker, sort of okay driver, and my best friend! I appreciate the things she does for me so much and I can't imagine having to go through life without her. I'm so thankful that God gave me a sister like her! I love you Mandy!


For Mandy's birthday, we had such a full day. My Dad wanted to go to an early lunch at Red Lobster, by 11:30 we were sitting down for lunch there. Dave and Kim, let me borrow their camera for the weekend, so I got a lot of pictures from her day! :) It was quite funny, at Red Lobster I don't think they typically do things for someone's birthday, but we told our waitress anyway, and so, she gathered up some other waiters and waitresses and had them sing to Mandy! :D It was SO off key, but who cares, right?? It was fun!!!

After Red Lobster, Mandy and I went our own way. I had planned to do a photoshoot with Mandy. She had been wanting her pictures done, so I thought it'd be the perfect opportunity. Unfortunately there was no one to come with us, so we couldn't use a reflector at all, and it was majorly sunny yesterday! (that's why all the shadows are on her) :( We had a lot of fun getting the pictures though. We went to Old St. Charles and down to the river, and then to St. Peters City Hall. It was really neat! I think she enjoyed it, and I for sure did!
We still had a lot of time to waste, so we ended up seeing a movie. :) So after the movie it was finally time to meet David, Papa Jim, and Tara at Texas Roadhouse. This restaurant is like the "birthday spot" Most people dread going their on their birthdays cause they do the most embarrassing thing to you, but...Mandy actually picked it! :) She said she didn't get embarrassed anymore, I'm not so sure she believes that anymore though! ;) We had a nice time though with them all, so all in all it was a great day! I know I had fun, and I hope Mandy did! I wanted to make the day special for her, I think we all did!

Love you lots Mandy!

(The picture of Mandy with the trash can is to show how funny she is! While we were taking pictures she says, "Hey, how bout I get my picture with the trash can, that'd be nice!" :D Of course I laughed and then did it!!! And then the other funny face one she was just being silly!!) Oh, the picture of me, Mandy took. :)