swap-a-roo

I linked up with Meredith and got involved with her 1st blog swap.... I would go into details, but I am convinced that anyone who reads this blog more than likely reads/follows hers too!

I was paired with Marie. We went to college together, were in club together and now we both live in Austin. I was really excited because even thought we live in the same town we rarely see one another { and i didn't have to pay for shipping :) } We had the privilege since we live in the same town of doing a lunch date + blog swap. So fun!

Here we are pre-swap... its my first time to try a fedora... from the looks of this picture probably my last.

Here are my swap items:

Something orange: Opi nail polish - totally forgot to write down the color.

Something funny: the little tissues say "HAHAHA" across the top and "BOOHOO" across the bottom and in the middle it says "I laughed until I cried"... funny/cheesy. I also got her a little cookie cutter that is in the shape of a squirrel {also the mascot of our social club: shout out to Ko Jo Kai}

Something that costs $1: I got clorox wipes... Marie has a precious little girl that you should read about on her blog! So I figured this was not only $1 but really practical/useful.

Something that I love: I gave her the resusable cup... I keep water on hand at my office everyday and love to take those cups in the car. So convenient! I also added the Beyonce cd... life is too short to not have a Beyonce dance party... my sisters know and understand this all too well.

Something sweet: per Meagan, Marie's favorite sweet treat is Cadbury eggs, well since this little swap was just a few months post Easter. Those were hard to come by... I got the next best thing! Godiva chocolates filled with caramel... so good! I showed some real restraint by not opening the bag before i gave it to her.

Here are the great swap gifts from Marie:

Something orange: peachy nail polish! I'm so excited! I have bright oranges like the one I gave her, but nothing in this hue... Manicure on saturday... I think so!

Something sweet: Sugar Blossom Candle. It's burning at my desk right now! I'm already obsessed!

Something funny: Seamless boyshorts from Target... similar looking in color to Spanx, but I can't wait to put these bad boys on my toosh! They look so comfy.

Something that costs $1: teal leopard print socks... who isn't always in the market for more socks?

Something that Marie loves: Body Butter by Yes to Carrots... never tried it but I am so excited. I loving trying products that other people love. Eye makeup remover pads from Almay... they are a staple in my evening routine.

Marie did an excellent job and I greatly enjoyed the swap!

cause I'm 60.

In April, my parents celebrated their 60th birthdays. My mom's is April 2nd, and my dad's is April 5th. She is quite the cradle robber :)

I know everyone thinks that their parents are the greatest so this may not come as any surprise, but my parents truly are the greatest! My precious dad has 3 sisters and a mother. THEN married my saint of a mother, had only 1 boy and THREE girls! His life has been surrounded by women. He is gift and talented at painting nails. I guarantee that if there were a contest for doing "the best ponytail" my dad would win. I think my love for cheerleading came from him, cause he has a mean toe touch. We had Saturday night dates after we were all bathed and ready for bed, my dad would roll our hair in sponge rollers.... do you get the drift? The man embodies the fruits of the spirit! (emphasis on PATIENCE & FAITHFULNESS).

My mom.... I'm tearing up just thinking about writing all the great things about her. She sees the positive in everything and everyone. She is so sensitive and loving. To know my mom is to love her. She is rooted in her faith and is not ashamed about telling people about the Lord. My mom doesn't know how to not do something 100%. In the best way, she over commits all the time because she loves to serve others. Right now, I love the stage that I'm in because she is such a close friend and I can talk to her and get an honest opinion. (That didn't happen overnight either).

Finally for the heart of the matter... we threw my parents a SURPRISE 60TH BIRTHDAY PARTY at Reata Steakhouse in Fort Worth. The restaurant used to be on the top floor the Bank 1 Tower until a tornado destroyed the building. The Reata finally reopened and made their basement into a tribute to their original location. The walls have a panoramic view of downtown Fort Worth. Because their birthdays are so close it was kind of a birthday/anniversary party. I scrounged up some excellent pictures of my parents from back in the day... it was hilarious! I felt like I was meeting my parents for the first time every time I found a new picture. I would post a few, but I think my mom would freak! We invited some of their close friends and shared in a sweet time of celebrating the way in which my parents have blessed us. I know my parents are great. After reading about my parents up there, I'm sure you know that they are great too. But to hear people share the way my parents have blessed them over the years was so special. They've blessed me continually for 25 years and I know it, but to hear it from their friends was moving. My parents have definitely set the bar very high. I will be happy if I can be half the parent that my mother is.

Pictured above from left to right: my brother Tra, myself and his youngest Avery Jayne, my dad's mom LaVerne my mom and my dad's sister Karen, My mom and dad enjoying their birthday dessert, the amazing tamales, my mom dad alyson and me, two very close friends of my mom, ryan and my dad, the menu for the evening, and of course in the middle: the guest of honor.

Pictured below is my precious family.

Mom & Dad - I loved celebrating 60 wonderful years of your life. I am so blessed to have you both as parents.

He might kill me, but...

Thats all, folks. Ya'll come back now, ya here? YEE HAW!

a formal apology.

So this weekend I spent time with my sweet girlfriends from Abilene. I've been convicted of my failure to blog and I would like to change my ways. I know that I have made this cry several times before, but I think it had to do with me not loving my blog layout and lack of exploring through blogger.

ladies & gentlemen, I have changed my ways. I have spent lots of time on Blogger this evening trying to educate myself to make my blog the cutest blog on the block! (Jessica informed me that you can schedule post --- how cool?)

So... this is me attempting to be better about blogging... over the next few weeks, you will be seeing more posts.

Please forgive me.
I've changed.
You'll see.

Since my last post...

A picture is worth 1,000 words so why not let them do the talking?




As promised... Here are some pictures of my house. Top left: eat in kitchen. Bottom left: dining room. Middle: living room. Right: fireplace (obviously!)




Our sweet college friends made a last minute trip to Austin at the end of January. It was wonderful. We had Casey & Justin, Caitlin & Brandon, and Megan & Jesse. I love these girls so much and no matter how long I may go without seeing them its always as normal as if it were yesterday. Oh and this was the weekend I ventured to Hey! Cupcake... I'm not sure if it was a good decision or bad... the jury is still out.

One thing I've loved about Austin is how close we live to the Girods! And I think I will love it even more once little Max gets here! We offered up our house as the location to celebrate Mr. Cody Girod's birthday. It was a wonderful evening!




We went to the opening of a brewery... I know, I know. Beer = gross! But it was so much fun! Jester King was expecting close to a 1,000 people to show up... there were over 3,000 people there. It was awesome! Pictured up there is Sarah who shares an office with Ryan and has become one of my closest friends here. Love her and the time we share (we are also coworkers too). Can I just brag on her for a second? Its not everyday that your husband has to share an office with an attractive single girl. Sarah completely reached out to me and invited me to afternoons at the dog park, movies and other outings and now we see each other almost every weekend. She took something that had the potential to be weird and turned it into a beautiful friendship.... awwww soo sweet!





Ryan's brother Reagan, his wife Lindsey, and new son Remi came to Austin to visit. We had so much fun! That same weekend I was in a flashmob (scroll to the bottom to see the video). Don't know what that is? You need to youtube it ASAP! I get chills when I watch videos. Most fun thing I've done in a very very long time. Oh and Berkley, love my sweet girl!




We made a quick trip to Abilene for Ryan to take care of some business stuff. We got to enjoy dinner at Perini's (my favorite) with some of our favorites, Tamara & Jamie Robinson. It was so great to spend time somewhere that wasn't new and with people that we know and love. I also got to spend some time with my precious cousin Emily. And Ryan is pictured below with some of his friends -- Seth was not all too thrilled to be taking a "family photo"




That same weekend we also drove to DFW to welcome the newest little girl to the Willbanks family. Avery Jayne Willbanks was born March 5, 2011. She weighed 9lbs. 14oz. 21 1/4 inches long. She is beautiful and I am one proud aunt. My brother and sister in law are amazing! I look up to them in so many ways. Watching my brother with Jack & Riley was one of the sweetest moments I've ever seen (top middle). And I am of course a daddy's girl so to watch him with Jack (who is his namesake) melts my heart every time. To know Jack is to love him. Any girls around the age of 5 reading this blog.... comment or email me. I bet we can arrange a date in the future (note: you will have to put up with his 4 sisters!) And Mallory Grace just wanted to love on Uncle "Wyan" NO WORDS DESCRIBE WATCHING MY ANGELS LOVE MY MAN!!!

The next weekend my sister Tara, brother in law Dwight and their 3 kids - Scout, Ryder & Liza came to Austin to march at the Capitol for the teachers of TX. We had the best time. The boys loved Berkley and actually tired her out. The pictures above are from the SXSW Gowalla party... SO FUN! SXSW was such an interesting week in Austin and this party was a great way to enjoy it in style! Matt + Kim played who were FANTASTIC!

Then last but not least... this past weekend we celebrated Blaine's birthday (middle picture - the only picture I got of him that night!). Top left: Shealynn & me are now coworkers and I love having a friend at work! Work is already fun, but having Shealynn there makes it even better. Top right: Laura & I. Laura Martin knows how to throw a party where people have a good time! I already told Ryan that he needs to take some tips from Mrs. Martin! Bottom right: Lauren Baker, me and Ryan. I love Lauren and I'm so glad I got to see her. Bottom left: Ryan Stephen, ladies & gentleman just rappin... enough said.


Things coming up....

• A blind date with Britt who is Meredith's sweet friend
  
• Bunco! I'm starting a group here in Austin
• Birthdays, Bachelorettes, and Easter - OH MY!
  
• Maybe slowing down to take time to blog?
  

Love!

Wheelin and dealin

Bad blogger award goes to me for sure!

Ryan and I are on our way to Gold Class Cinema for a mini-movie date or not so mini date at all. It's a movie theater with recliners, blankets and tons o popcorn choices! I think I'm in for a treat but.... Onto more important matters.

Yesterday Shealynn and I did a little shopping out at the Domain. I ventured into Ann Taylor Loft My friends, Julia and Tamara shop there but I haven't really taken notice until now... They are having a fabulous sale! An additional 60% off anything that is marked down. I snagged this wonderful black and lace skirt for a bank breaking $5.98! I also got a great long sleeved T and a LBD all for $22!!!





Friends, I'd say it's worth a looksie! Happy Friday! Stay warm!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

From Our Home To Yours...

We opted for a less traditional Christmas card this year since things have been hectic with the move and the holidays. Ry-guy wanted to do something that was all-encompassing of 2010 which has been a whirlwind. I'm pretty sure that everyone who reads my blog has probably already seen this, but here ya go! A YEAR WITH A DUNAGAN FAMILY. (patience is a virtue! it takes some time to load!)

And I promise that even though I don't have a job that I will post pictures of my new house very soon!!!

Giving back!

I stumbled across this blog the other night.... The Cheatham Family . Our families went to church together and my mom taught Halle Caroline's 3 year old Bible class. My mom requested that I help her. Some Sundays this task was easier than others, but there were the cutest little faces in that classroom and Halle Caroline was one of them! Every Sunday she had a huge bow in her head and loved to sit in my lap which I loved!!!! I had the privilege of babysitting her little sister Ellison a couple of times. Anyways.... sweet sweet family! God put it on their hearts to help a child in Ethiopia and they have been in the process of adopting a child for 11 months now. They have done so much and if you read their blog you can get a glimpse into how passionate they are about helping an unknown child's life. On their blog until December 19th, they are raffling off an iPad to earn money for their trip to Ethiopia to bring back the child that God selected for them!

Go take a gander... I know during the holidays lots of people look for ways to give back and for $10 you can do just that! (not to mention, you could win an iPad!)