The Dinkins Women Sisters, Aunts, and Cousins Night Out...

Saturday, October 12, 2008
(Pictured in top photo are Jennifer, Paulette, Aunt Ronella, Addison, Joeli, Aunt Jane, Aunt Teresa, Valencia, mom (Lana), Aunt Pinochio, and Tiawanna.)
In honor of Aunt Ronella who'd just had knee surgery and doing great and in honor of Grandma Tessie's Birthday this month we had a night out to Sumo's Japanese Steakhouse and then some went on to the movies to see "Nights in Rodanthe" (Richard Gere--how perfect for a girls' night out!) We look forward to the next Dinkins' girls night out!

Happiness is...

There has been so much going on lately and it seems like time is passing faster with each moment. I have a lot of catching up to do at some time for today and now I am just grateful and very happy. It has been a wonderfully perfect last few days spending time with the ones I love the most. General Conference was this past weekend and the messages given by our General Authorities left me with so much hope for a bright future and the desire to be a little better each day than the one before. I had the opportunity of spending the weekend with all our family, including a trip to Florence with Erika and Addison to surprise Ethan at RedBone Alley where he was working and was he so surprised! It was so fun! (and delicious!) Then tonight after work I got to spend some one-on-one time with just Erika and she treated me to a wonderful dinner at Sumo's - our absolute favorite! My heart if full - I have so much happiness in my heart. I love my family so much. Joey is just awesome to me and our family -- from the flowers he brings me to the clothes he folds and the hot breakfasts he cooks for our family -- he is a jewel and I love him so. My children are my rock and I love them with all my being and I am so grateful for my blessings...

Lots of things in life can make us smile and bring moments of happiness but our families and the love we share with them and living right is what brings us true and lasting happiness and joy.

My Birthday -- 39 + something!

Today is my birthday and it's been a fabulous one. We've been celebrating since Sunday night when my sweetheart came home after working 12 hours, got ready and swept me off to Charlotte for the night and a full day of shopping and browsing all day Monday at Concord Mills. We stayed Sunday night at the Courtyard by Marriott (highly recommend--it was so nice!!!) and had a great time all day Monday. He is such a great buddy to shop with and is so complimentary about everything! I really feel like such a princess to have a such a wonderful husband who is also my best buddy. He was too funny, though, because Derek called him just before we checked out of the hotel and he told Derek about our plans and that we were headed to the Bass Pro Shop. Of course they were lining up a hunting trip for next weekend and Joey said, "I know, Derek, I told my sweetheart I'd get her anything she wanted for her birthday as long as it came from the Bass Pro Shop!" laughing the whole time. He is so much fun! We talked and laughed the entire day and he bought me some new beautiful silver earrings for my birthday. (not from Bass Pro Shop -- ha!)

We got home around 10 PM last night and had fun catching up with Addison and Chloe when we came in. Then I had the day off today and Joey had the morning off before beginning night shift tonight so we enjoyed another wonderful day together. We went up to the hunting club so Joey could check and bait his stands and it felt so good riding the 4-wheeler in the crisp air in the woods. It definitely felt like autumn this morning and I just love it! We later enjoyed a fun lunch date before Joey got a nap and Addison and I escaped to the store for some groceries. She and I had enjoyed our time together shopping and making some menu choices for the next week or so. She was especially interested in the pork knuckles and gizzards in the meat section at the commissary!!! Ha! Just kidding! (We were both a little grossed out even when a patron was telling us how she'd prepare them and all -- ewwwww, yuck!!!)

Tonight some of the family met us at San Jose' for dinner which seems to be the traditional birthday place and it was great. Mom made a homemade caramel cake for my birthday and it was enjoyed by all present!!! Thanks, Mom, you're the best.

I truly have been so blessed by such a wonderful family. My parents are healthy and happy and enjoy our family so much. My sister is a jewel and is so good to so many and is such an example for me. My nieces and nephews are awesome - Ginger and Jenny are so precious and Brandon, well, he's my oldest and funnest nephew and I feel like I sorta grew up with Brandon and Ginger even though I'm much older in years than them they are so important in my life. I guess you could say they are more like my little sister and brother than niece and nephew...I love them so. Now with Ginger and Shaun having 3 little boys it is so fun and those boys keep us all young! They are so fun to be around. My children are so dear to me and I am so proud of them and their accomplishments. Erika and Jack gave me the best gift of all just over a week ago when they announced they are expecting a baby in May and I just about fainted. I'm still in shock I think and so VERY EXCITED and happy!!! Joey and I are going to be grandparents!!! (Wow, Joey says he did pretty good to get married and then a month later find out he's going to be a grandpa!) I love my sweet husband and our family more than words can ever express and I am so thankful for their love and support and what they mean to me.

I'm truly 39+ and holding tight -- actually in all honesty I'm 42 today, but it's only a number and I'm very proud of the accomplishments I've seen in my life of only 42 years. I hope next 50 are just as good. Thanks to all for the phone calls and the sweet cards - it's been a beautiful 3 days!

I'm going to be a GRANDMOTHER!!!

What a surprise! Erika called me at around 6 AM last Friday (9/12) to tell me she couldn't wait another week and a half for my birthday to give me the news - it'd be an early birthday present and she and Jack are having a baby! Looks like the due date will be mid-May! She asked me not to say anything until they came for the weekend and she and Jack wanted to tell my parents in person so it was hard to keep it to myself. However, I did have to go to Walmart and buy a little something and actually picked up 2 boy things and 2 girl things. Aren't the July 4th outfits cute for next year?!?! Joey and I are so excited!

Happy Birthday Weekend, Ginger!

I can't believe my dear sweet niece is 29!!! Sorry, Ginger, but to me (Mic-Mic) you'll always be my sweet little GG. You are such a beautiful and talented young woman and such a wonderful mother to your three precious little boys and a dear wife to Shaun. You have so many talents and you touch the lives of so many every day with the things you do and say. I am so grateful to be your aunt and so thankful to be your friend. Hope this year will the best yet! We had fun celebrating with you at Grandmother's yesterday and the boys were too cute about the cake! Love you bunches!!!

Photo catch up...

"Seniors" (first day of school - 2008) Addi, Wesley, and I went to Shoney's
Addison & Chloe (the baby!)
Joey helps Alex with homework...
Dinkins Family Reunion 8/23/08
Daddy and little brother showing off their muscles -- You better watch it, Uncle Mickey!
Hilary's Wedding - Hilary looks like a princess! with my handsome son
My sharp-dressed man!
Joey and Abigail - she' s growing up so fast and in the 9th grade this year! Wow, High School!
First day of Addison's Senior Year - Our Shoney's tradition for the first day of school...

Rafting at Youth Conference - July 2008 (Mercy!)
The LoveBirds!
Mommy + Erika Lindsay = SILLY! :)
The Twilight craze -- How fun!!!
This man is the love of my life and is my prince charming,
my knight in shining armor, my best friend, my soulmate.
Sweethearts we will forever be...

Happy Birthday, Tiawanna!

My dear sister celebrated her "thirty-nine and holding tight" birthday last week on the 21st. We celebrated with her at the House of Pizza and Mom made Tiawanna's favorite birthday cake - a caramel cake that was so good!!! Thanks, Mom! She is not only my sister but my dearest girlfriend. She has been there for me through all my ups and downs in my "39+" years of life. In every step and milestone of entire existence she has been by my side and I can never repay her for all she's done for me. She is amazing and I love her so much. Hope this will be your best year yet, Tiawanna, I love you!
Some of our favorite memories of us together include our trips we've taken together to Cancun and then the trip to Costa Rica. It's great we can laugh about me not knowing where our travel documents were and not knowing if we could exit the country when we were in Costa Rica -- sorry I've been the scatter-brain one! Ha! We've had some really fun times and I'm so thankful for you, even when you "mother" me. Ha! Ha! I remember, too, being so proud to tell people you were my sister when we worked the Parade of Homes at Lake Carolina that year - you always looked so beautiful at work! I am thankful for all the lessons you taught me and for the patience you've always had with me when I'd forget something or make big mistakes...your heart is always in the right place. You inherited our parents' greatest traits - you are such a giving person. Have a fantastic year and may all your wishes come true!