Joe's 50th birthday was last week, and instead of doing the blog post then, I'm doing it now, with pics from his suprise party. Before we get to those, though, I just want to share why Joe's 50th has been such a big deal.
Joe's Dad, the one who raised him, not the biological we found out about 3 years ago, was 50 years old when he passed away from a heart attack with no warning. Joe was 30 and devastated. For the past 20 years, we have heard songs, seen tv shows, and had momentous occasions in life when Joe (or any son) would usually reach out and call his Dad, and those times have brought my husband to tears with memories and what-ifs and if-onlys. He has missed his Dad terribly and he always will. They had reached that stage in life where they could be friends...and we were finally back on U.S. soil so they could see each other more often. As it was, Joe saw his Dad when Wayne flew over to Korea for Chloe's birth (for 3 weeks), then spent a week with us the following April when we had purchased a home in Texas. We had not been able to spend much in-person time with him during our first 6 years of marriage, and then he passed away so suddenly it left a gaping hole in all of our hearts, but especially in Joe's.
So, suffice to say, 50 is a big deal for Joe, and this entire year will be a big deal of celebrations, travels, and, hopefully, living a life that is peaceful and pleasing to the Lord.
I started planning this thing years ago, in my head, and several months ago I started putting it together...a surprise party where people pop in and say hi. I had the event catered with BBQ so we could all just chill, and the kids and other family and friends actually managed to keep Mr. Investigator from figuring things out. You'll see pics of Joe laughing so hard, smiling so big, and so so so surprised throughout the entire day!
God did us a huge favor and let it sprinkle that morning to punch all of the pollen down, and it was a beautiful, perfect day after that.
Chloe and her boyfriend put together a beautiful birthday video, but it is too large to upload. The overwhelming theme in every card, text, video, and in-person chat was something we all know to be true...Joe is a kind and generous man, and he is well-loved! We are all so blessed to have Joe in our lives, me most of all!
Here are some pics of the big day...
This smile still melts my heart!
A prized possession.
Doug got Joe a Vols football signed by Peyton Manning.
The Mabry family came and stayed the entire week, helping us with too many projects to list, and serving Joe (and me) so well. They are truly bucket-fillers!
Corn-hole on the lawn. There were also horseshoes.
Father and son competing. I should mention, in between pictures where no one really reads, that Josh beat Joe in arm-wrestling for the first time. It was an emotional moment, but Joe is so proud. Josh is the only person to have beaten Joe. :)
In the back, Tyler and Josh...up front, Noah, Chloe, Judah (her boyfriend), and Collin.
Judah may not appreciate this, but he accidentally introduced himself as Chloe's "girlfriend." We have had a lot of fun with that one!
Walter, the bringer of the music-jams.
For those of you who don't know, this is Josh and Tyler, Josh's best buddy, and Collin, Tyler's brother. I imagine they're saying, "Fire, Fire, Fire," while laughing...or maybe Tyler is asking Josh to make the fire bigger while Collin brings them sticks. Who knows? All I know is that they finally managed to do fire-things together without someone getting their hair singed. 😁
Do you see this lady on the left? That's Jill. She is Joe's personality twin. Seriously, we call them brother and sister because God made them from the same mold, except one was decidedly male and the other was most emphatically female. This lady has nursed me back to health after surgeries, cleaned my home, kept my children, and has been a moral support in really trying times, and yet she's a rare unicorn. People don't know she exists because she's not in pictures. She works quietly in the back without wanting any attention (she actually abhors attention). She's an amazing wife, mother, and friend and Joe and I are so blessed she chooses us to be a part of her family.
That's Collin telling Joe and Erik something epic, and Collin is full of epicness. 😂
I don't think we got any pics of Joe crying (although he did), but this face is so full of emotion. He feels so loved.
Cousins and FIRE and PUPPIES.
We love it when our home is full of friends and family, in spite of my emails telling them they can only come in to go potty. 🤦 (Not my intention, but it was funny!)
Candied bacon? Yes, please!
Erik is known for giving Joe the best pics...
And then there's TJ, Joe's other work buddy and good friend.
So many surprises, so many hugs! This is Kim, our surrogate mom/grandma.
And this is Tom, our surrogate Dad/grandpa.
Friends came from FL & GA...
Ken & Kim, forever military friends...
Military men saying military things.
Joe's high school friends came...
More military friends..Jim & Michelle.
I love how my niece is perched on the counter in the back. Reminds me of a story involving her sister and a crazy dog that only she and a handful of others will remember...
TJ, Erik, Teka, Joe, and A.B.
Joe and me with my brother and his wife. We enjoy standing on certain parts of the lawn because we can be taller than our hubbies. 😁
Joe & his mom
Then some of Joe's college friends came from FL...
College buddies, Mark, Sheri, Kaley & Russell
and Joe was able to show off his creek to everyone.
Joe's chosen brother and long-time family friend came from GA with his wife and 3 beautiful daughters.
Hannah, Tori, Joe, Michael & Raychel (my married niece)
Hysterical that Judah caught me pretend-licking the carrot cake I made for Joe. It isn't pretty, but it's his favorite!
Anna celebrating with me...
The puppies wanted to be in all of the pictures!
Long-distance "framily," Kevin, Shulonda, and their girls.
High School Friends
Joe D., Angie, Joe, and Nancy
Ingrams plus Herings with Risalvatos
So many laughs!!! The Briggins family with our family
Did I mention that we had lots of dogs around? This is my favorite picture from the entire weekend. Caylea's German Shepherd, Rusal, decided to "shake it off" on us. The Mabry's golden retriever puppy, Sam, is in the background. Shiloh, Sam's brother, is somewhere, and Buddy, my "grumpy old man" dog is nowhere to be found because he, like me, is an introvert. 😂
I will probably add more pics to this blog as they roll in from everyone, but I wanted to get this out for those of you who couldn't make it (and we understand!). We love you all and we are so thankful for our very large, extended FRAMILY. :)
Comments