Happy Birthday Allison!

Happy 30Th Birthday Allison!   Oh the best is yet to be.. Allison we are so bless to have you in our family. I remember when Bryan told me that the Lord had showed him that he would soon ask you out. I ask him what was he waiting for, he let me know that God had not release him to do that yet, besides that you had a boyfriend! A few months later you had your first date, and he let me know you were the one for him.  Thank-you for loving our Bryan..being a wonderful wife and mother. Thank-you for sharing sweet little Millie Jean with us, and allowing us to be apart of her life. I love to watch how much Bryan loves you and Millie, and can't wait to see you hold your sweet little Owen. Bill and I are praying for you to have this most wonderful birthday, and that this year will be a year of blessings. I can't wait to see how the Lord works through you, around you and in you and your family. Happy Birthday, Allison Much love, G and Kaki

sweet Allison

Happy Birthday my sweet friend! You have been such a bright part of my life. I think your family moved to Branderwood when I was 4. I can remember being so excited to have another family in the neighborhood  with so many kids. Plus, I was in luck because there was one my age! There was an instant connection and from that day on we were best friends. We rode bikes pretending we were college girls driving cars around. We spent many days exploring the area, dressing our younger brothers up, and running from Buck ( your wild dog) :). I have so many fond memories of us growing up

and into adulthood. You were the friend that I never got sick of. We could spend all day every day together and be completely happy. Some of my fondest memories were out at the softball fields with you playing 1st base and me playing pitcher and of course me throwing the ball way over your head and you having to chase after it. 

When we got to Whittier I was so excited because I finally got to go to school with my best friend! We were locker mates and tried to get our classes together. Even though we did so many different activities we maintained our special bond. You came to most of my basketball and soccer games and cheered me on. You were always so supportive of me. 

I know in our crazy lives with kids and husbands it's hard to see you as much as I would like. But I always feel at home with you like we never skip a beat and can talk about anything. It's never awkward. I have derived so much strength from you. You are such a wonderful Christian and you inspire me more than you know. You helped me through a difficult time last summer with my etopic pregnancy. I knew you knew my pain and you helped me feel at peace.

I truely love you and your family. I have spent so much time with Rosses in my life. I just pray that my children have a special family they can be close friends with like I had growing up. God Bless!

Anne

Happy Birthday Allison!

Well Allison, I guess we've been friends for a third of your life!
10 years of stories and memories, some of my favorites include:
Big Boy Movers moving you, Tracy, and Brooke into your apartment, the vanilla candle survey on your living room wall, my vanilla potpourri christmas light jar birthday present(this is a favorite), worshiping on the Trails golf course, YL Leadership, Junior High Young Life skits, Blue Jeans Coffee and Denim Hut, French toast with the Rays, your honesty in your story telling, your sweet, and timely notes, verses and words for my wife and family, your generosity, your loving college students, you being just the right wife for Bryan, and just the right mom for Millie and Owen, celebrating pregnancies together (and it really feeling like a celebration), your discipline in the word, and your commitment to the Lord.

I'm so thankful for all the memories we've shared and look forward to the many in the coming years. Know that you are loved deeply in the Grigor house, and your friendship is one of our cherished possessions.

-Gerod

Happy Birthday Allison!

Planning Showers!

Planning Parties!

The Girls!

Happy Birthday Al!  I don't know that my words will accurately express how thankful I am for our friendship.  It's amazing that we have been friends for about 15 years, but God wanted our friendship to blossom during this season of life!  Over the last 6 years God has done some amazing things in our lives to bring us together.  As I reflected on getting married, finding a church community and having children you have been a major part in all these things.

  I am thankful for the ways you speak truth into my life regularly.  You are a good listener and always encourage me.  You have a heart for prayer and pursuing Jesus that will leave a lasting influence on your friends and family.  You love Greek students wholeheartedly, always wanting more for them!  You are SO creative and talented, I love that you are always challenging me!  You are an amazing mother to Millie and soon to Owen.  You love Bryan with all your heart and are constantly trying to improve your marriage.  You are a woman that runs fast for things that are pleasing to the Lord, you don't settle!  Your love for God's word and encouraging others through scripture is amazing.  

I was thinking through all the ways you have influenced me and my family over the years, here are just a few:  Brian now makes crepes?!? I am growing herbs in my backyard, I desire to learn to knit but might need a special class...I wasn't great the first time you taught me, CoOkIeS (Pumpkin cookies, sugar cookies, gingersnaps), I always tell Brian "this is Allison's recipe", how I order coffee, Ella has pink furniture in her room thanks to Alli (you were prepared for her to be a girl!), Ella had clothes for her first few months of life thanks to Millie and Alli, blogging, feeling the love of a sister, and so many more!

I love you with all my heart.  I am thankful for the role that you play not only in my life, but in the lives of my kids.  (Port- "Alli looks cute today!")  You are a blessing to each of us!  I pray that this next year would be filled with extravagant JOY from the Lord.  That you would continue to experience His presence in new and more intimate ways.  That you would fall more deeply in love with the Father because of His overwhelming affection for you!  I believe that this will be the beginning of a new season in your life, that God has great things planned for you and your family.  I believe that you will lead them with complete faith in the Him, He will never fail you!  I love you Al!!!

30 things I love about you (my wife)....

Allison, I thought it would be fun to list the top 30 things I love about you. I mean, afterall, it is your 30th birthday and all. I rarely share private info like this with others, but I think its appropriate given the situation :) These are in no particular order. 

30. Your laugh: You have such a contagious laugh and it always makes me feel good. It lights up a room and makes me think I'm funnier than I really am. Thats perhaps why we are a good match :) I especially love it when you laugh so hard that you open your mouth really wide and can't even utter a sound (you know what I mean). 

29. Your feet!: This might seem weird, but I really do love your small, narrow feet. Not that I have a fettish or anything, but I love rubbing your little feet and especially your 'pads' upon request. I think they are just as cute as can be. 

28. Your dancing skills: One of my fondest high school memories of you was breaking it down at Young Life. I always thought I was a good dancer, but I could never master the classic Allison Ross dance. Not many people know that you won the freestyle competition at pom camp (oops...cat's out of the bag now!). I love that you still do old pom routines when no one else is looking. 

27. Your cooking skills: Since we've been married, you have really become quite the chef and baker. You are really good at just eyeing ingredients and throwing in spices as needed. As you know, I'm a "follow the directions" kind of guy. As we have discussed, there was only one bad meal since we've been together. That was partly to blame on the fact that there was nothing to really eat in your mom's kitchen, so you ended up making pasta with an assortment of nuts in it. 1 out of thousands is really awesome! You're always are good at surprising me, Millie, or other friends and family with homecooked meals that warm the soul.

26. Your phrases: You use words like "Big Ol" to describe a large sized item at a restaurant. For example you'll say, "Give me a 'Big Ol' Coke." I ask, "What size?" You say, "You know, Big Ol." You also use funny sayings (probably from your dad) like "are you serial?" "I want some screammage" and abbreviating everything (Sons, Buens, etc.) There are seriously too many to count!

25. Bubble baths: I love that you love taking bubble baths. I love even more that you will not get in unless there are bubbles in the bath and candles lit! (this has rubbed off on me as well). 

24. Slow-to-warm-up: I love that you are quiet and reserved when first meeting people or around a big crowd, but once you are comfortable you come out of your shell. You'll start dancing, cracking jokes, and maybe sing a few lines of a song that pops in your head. Most people give me credit for being the funny guy, but you are 10 times funnier!

23. Your creativity: You are very creative in several aspects whether its painting a picture, designing a room, coming up with ideas, cooking something out of the "nothing" I find in the kitchen, giving gifts, etc. You make things look easy. God has truly blessed you with creativity. 

22. Your love of treats: (see one of the first posts:) I love that you always want a "treat." Almost 5 out of 7 days in a week, you eat a light dinner just so you can have a "treat." Your sweet tooth has rubbed off on me and our daughter (Yummer 2). This reminds me of my Me Me, which is a great thing. You will sometimes get worn out when we run errands and what not and I'll ask if you are ready to go home. You typically respond by saying, "no, I think i just need a treat!" Love it.

21. The way you sleep: Don't get freaked out by this, but I sometimes watch you sleep. Its like a little china doll taking a nap. You put you little fist under your chin and are curled up into a little ball. It seems so peaceful and beautiful. It reminds me of Millie, but adult version. 

20. Your thoughtfulness: You are always so thoughtful to others, including me. Whether its sending them a text, email, card, or writing them a note, you have the ability to show people you genuinely care about them and its makes them feel special. I can honestly say that I have never met anyone who thinks and cares for others the way you do. There is nothing better than waking up to find a little love note written and stuck to the mirror in the bathroom or a note left by the back door for me to read when I get home from work. I know hundreds of others would say how much they appreciate your thoughtfulness. 

19. Organization: I love that you are organized and detail-oriented. This is the opposite of me, but I love that you love organization, your love containers that help you organize, you love thinking about organizing, etc. It certainly has taught me a lot over the years and I appreciate that you are organized! 

18. Being a MOM: You are such a wonderful mother to Millie. You have such deep compassion for her, teach her what she needs to know, make her laugh, take care of her, pray for her, influence her, etc. She will love spending time with you when she gets over. I know Owen will absolutely love you as his mom. One great thing recently is that Millie has started reading her Bible in the mornings because she sees you reading your Bible. I know Mills and Owen will say, "we have the best mom ever!"

17. Patience: You are truly patient with myself and others. You are always understanding when I make mistakes or when things don't go as planned. I've also seen you be patient for the things God is teaching you and with issues He has led you through. 

16. Your sense of humor: You are really funny! Sometimes people think you are quiet and that I am the funny one in the couple, but to be honest, you are much funnier than I am. I have said this from day one. I have to try to be funny when you are actually funny! You always have a way of making me laugh, Millie laugh out loud, and others laugh. I love that your humor is so subtle and under the radar. I always think "I wish others got to see this!" Of course, I am blessed to get to see those moments and have them to myself. Despite all of the tough times we've been through, we've always been able to laugh about things and for that I am grateful. 

15. Loving your family: You always care about your family and have their best interest in mind. You pray for, think about, or contact certain family members just to make sure they know someone cares or that you are there for them. I've never seen a family and specifically siblings likes yours who are best friends who are there for each other. 

14. Brushing your teeth: I love that you brush your teeth as fast as humanly possible. It is like a little hummingbird brushing its teeth. Its so fast I cannot even mimick it just to be funny! 

13. Street Smarts: It seems like you always know a quick solution to problems or situations as I'm still reading something on the internet about how to solve the problem or fix the situation. I appreciate your "just make it happen" mentality to many things in our life. You are very wise about things and always good advice to give to others as well. I always want to know your opinion about something because I know its coming from a very thoughtful, kind, and wise place. 

12. Kissing: Most people would not post something this personal on a public blog, but lets face it, I'm not "most people." I love kissing you. I always have. I always will. I will never forget our first kiss at Mike Powers' house when you were babysitting. (Thanks Mike for leaving for the evening and hiring my wife that night!) Also, thanks to Mandy Moore for making a terrible movie (A Walk to Remember) which encouraged you and I to kiss! I thought to myself at that moment, "I just kissed Allison Ross. I've wanted to do that since 6th grade!" Praise God! It happened. I still am baffled by your comments a few weeks later about our first kiss in which you described it as "different." 

11. Nurturing: You know how to take care of Millie and I. I can still remember moving to Denver and being really sick. You took care of me and it was kind of passing of the torch from my mom to you (no offense mom!). You have always taken care of me whether I'm sick, tired, sad, etc. You know how to lift my spirits and help bring restoration to my body. You do this with many others as well.

10. Authenticity: You are the real deal. What you see is what you get. There is no Al that is shown in public and then the real one comes out in private. You are the genuine article. You are caring, compassionate, thoughtful, sensitive, loving, kind, etc. in private as well as public. I didn't think anyone was always like that, but you are. You have a very real quality about you that I have and will always be attracted to.  I wish everyone got to see how much you care for them, pray for them, and think about them. You are always thinking of ways to bless other people. 

9. Your addictive personality!: By this, I mean, once you are into something you are all the way in. For example, you love to blog right now. You blog all the time and look forward to it. Before this, you liked to scrapbook. I remember buying a puzzle in Denver and you would come home from work everyday to finish the puzzle until it was complete. 

8. Your health: You are very healthy naturally and it is good to be around. You always take care of yourself by eating healthy, exercising, taking vitamins, taking care of your skin, etc. and you always show concern for the health of others. This is a huge encouragement and gets me excited to spend the rest of my days with you....in health!

7. Honesty: Even the meaning of your name implies that you are a truthful warrior (or is it truthful one). Anyways, you are always honest with others. You will say exactly how you feel. Bless your heart, you cannot hide when you don't like something. You always wear a certain expression on your face or have typical body language when you don't like something. You then will say, "I have to be honest...." Thats when the truth comes out. Sometimes this can be funny and blunt. For instance, when you say "Don't wear that" or "You're going to shave aren't you?" I love it.

6. Accents: I love when you try to do different accents. Most notably, the pirate accent. Grigors, you can testify to this. I think its the cutest, funniest thing I've ever heard. I love when you impersonate me or others and think its absolutely hilarious. Also see: British, Australian, Country, etc. 

5. Small Stature: I love that you are short, small woman. Its fun when I make you stand on a chair or the fireplace just to look you in the eye or give you a hug. Or, that your neck is at a 90 degree angle when you hug me normally! I love that you think that you can be as physical as you want with me because I'm much bigger than you. For example, you will slug me on the arm as hard as you can to prove a point that I bumped you too hard. Babe, it really does hurt! Just because I'm big doesn't mean I don't feel pain. Something about you just feels right. 

4. Your Beauty: You have never been more beautiful than you are today! You have always been a cute little thing even when I met you back at Whittier Middle School when I was in 6th grade (you in 7th). Not to mention, winning "Best Looking" or something like that your Senior Year. As time has gone on, you have only become more breath taking and gorgeous. I still think you look amazing everytime we go somewhere, when we hang out at our house, or when you first wake up! I would take the Allison that just woke up, who rolls over to look at me in the morning over anyone on earth. What a beautiful woman you are. I cannot wait to see you 50 years from now. I will always think you are beautiful. 

3. Compassion: Perhaps the thing I am most attracted to is your compassion on those who are in need or hurting. While this relates also to #2, I love how you truly feel what others are feeling and hurt with those who are hurting. You feel it with every inch of your being and you would give anything to alleviate their pain or make everything alright. I had always prayed for a wife that was compassionate and who had a big heart. You have a HUGE heart. I pray that now for our daughter Millie and I am beginning to see that in her as well. You are so tender-hearted and sensitive to others. 

2. Your love for Jesus!: I love the way you love the Lord. I love that you are constantly seeking Him, that you wake up before anyone else and crave time alone with Him. I love the way you pursue truth in your life and try to apply it. I love the way you worship our Father. I love the yield to the Holy Spirit in order to receive all that God has for you. I have loved this about you for a LONG time, but I specifically remember talking about Jesus on our first date. I could tell that you weren't just someone who went to church or knew the terms, but you actually were in love with Jesus. This is so contagious for others. It has been really encouraging to me over the years. You are truly becoming a leader to those around you and you are always being filled with the Holy Spirit. Mills has started reading her Bible in the morning because she sees her mother reading hers'. It is precious! I know that God has shaped you in such a way that this next decade of your life will be the most fruitful, life-giving, blessed years you could ever imagine. I feel like he has been pruning some things in your life that perhaps have been heavy or held you back from experiencing all that he has for you, but now is the time that the weight is lifted and you can truly bear fruit! This is such an exciting time in your life and I'm glad I get to be a part of it. 

1. Forever: I love that I get to spend the rest of my life with you. It has been the greatest blessing to be married to you and I cannot wait to be married forever. I love entering into this next phase of life with you and fall more deeply in love with you each day. I am amazed that I am still finding out things about you and how I love those things God has put in you. You are so encouraging, thoughtful, funny, beautiful and all of the other things listed above. I could come up with thousands! 

I'll never forget when we were in college and you were dating someone else. I remember telling someone, "I'm not dating anyone else until I date Allison Ross." They replied, "You know she has a boyfriend, right?" I said, "I know. I will wait for her." Al, I would do it all again. You were worth the wait! 

Happy 30th birthday! May God bless you this year like He never has. 

Love you much,

Bry

And the list goes on and on...

and the list goes on and on....   Trip to Memphis, getting lost on the way back, our apartment, making everyone who entered dress up and take a picture, sharing a room, sharing clothes, not sharing Tracy's socks, birthday waffles, hair-cuts, praising Jesus to the point that Tracy was annoyed and left the apartment, hiding from each other, Simon & Murphy, pretending to be you on the phone so the church would pay you for that painting job, truth or dare the last night in the apartment, playing "what kind of man will I marry", Allison turning down every guy who ever liked her =), Cadbury mini eggs, not allowing people to come in unless they had mini eggs to offer, taking a poll of who thinks vanilla candles stink, Padre!, hotel where we stayed 20ft. from the cemetery, spending all my money on a nose ring and not being able to eat for the rest of the trip, hooking me up with the guy from Blockbuster, shoe polishing my car!!!, hiding my car from me, laughing til we thought we might cry or puke... or possibly both simultaneously, Young Life, " I'm dating Bryan Ray", "Bryan and I are engaged", "You know Mike Husserell " (with hand motions).   I love you my friend.  I hope you have an awesome Birthday and I appreciate all of the memories!!!!  I look forward to making lots more =)   Love, Brooke Tigtig

Happy Birthday Allison!

Allison, 

I have loved getting to know you over the last few years.  The first memory I have of you is going to get drinks and sitting in the gazebo at the park talking and getting to know each other.  I remember really admiring your openness and honesty and thinking how that must really draw people to you.  I think the most significant thing I remember about our friendship is when we both picked each other's names at cluster and the Lord used you to really speak truth in my life and really encourage me in my giftings.  I remember the Lord clearly telling me how pleased he was with you and Bryan and the way that you trust the Lord.  I really felt like the Lord was saying that he will bless you over and over as you continue to trust him with your lives.  It seemed so significant at the time...that the Lord was bringing Millie to you as a gift from the Lord and a sign of his faithfulness and a way to show his pleasure over you and Bryan.  Allison, I am confident that the Lord is going to use you in huge ways to impact the Kingdom, and I am really excited about the idea of walking some of those things out with you.  I feel like the adventure is beginning and the Lord has things for us that are beyond our wildest imaginations if we just continue to run after him.  Thanks for having such an open and encouraging heart.  I am excited to learn from you and with you.  I feel blessed to get to celebrate your 30th birthday and celebrate the things the Lord has done and the things he will do in the next season.  Many many blessings to you and your family in this next season.  

Much love, 

Kristin

Sweet Allison

Sweet Allison,

You are a treasure to me!  I am so happy to be near you in this season of life.  I feel like you have really walked into a whole new level of passion for Jesus this past year, and it is super encouraging to see.  Being in dgroup with you a while back was so life giving and sweet, but to even just see how much more you love the Lord now is really awesome. When I came to OU, I was pleasantly surprised that the Lord was still putting new people in my life to be life-long friends.  I know that sounds silly, typical 18 year old thinking I guess, that your life couldn't possibly change that much after your 20! :)  So all of that to say, I think I am still slightly shocked (in a good way) when the Lord puts new people in my life that I know I will remain close to for years and years, and I am glad to be friends with you!  And even though it is a fairly new friendship, I know it is one that is special.  You are very dear to me, and I love doing life with you and your family.  As I think about you, the Word I have for you is that your creativity is noteworthy to the Lord.  You have a creativity about you Allison that I know really honors Him.  I really love that you makes things and events look and feel special, and I really see that as a significant gifting of yours.  I just want you to know that not everyone can do what you do!  And it is part of what makes you such a great friend, mother, and wife.

You are someone to be admired Allison Ray…

Much Love,
Brooke

Happy B-Day

Alison, I can't believe you're joining "the club". Welcome! You are a precious person and you are as beautiful on the inside as you are on the outside. Your beauty and grace will follow you well into old age. I love your heart for God! Jesus began his ministry in his thirties, so I imagine God has something very special for you in this decade, so look forward to your thirties! 
Bless you Ali on your special day. 
Love Kimm F.

Happy Birthday Allison!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALLISON!!! You are amazing! And I am so thankful to have you in my life! Thank you for all your prayers, love, encouraging words, all the time you give, and your sweet spirit! I hope your day is special and is filled with much peace, love, joy, excitement, laughter, and many great memories! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH! 

~Kelli

Happy Birthday Allison!

Alli Jean,   Too bad your birthday  is not on Thursday this year!!! I mean not til Thursday!!! If we could only find all of the old YL videos of us, I think I would watch them all day long. Sister, not only are you one of the most fun girls, I know, you are also one of the most tender hearted women of GOd I know. You know that the summer of 98 was such a momentous time in my spiritual walk with the Lord, and God used you in an incredible way to point me towards his truth and goodness. I am so thankful for the years in college that we lived together, and we were able to serve the Lord through Junior High ministry together. You have a very special place in my heart Al! I love you so much and I am so thankful to call you my friend. Have stinkin 30th Birthday, I can't beieve it is actually here. I only wish I could celebrate with you. You have such a sweet family that loves you so much, and I glad Chris and I were apart of the early days of Bryan and Al. I can wait to share sotries with Millie and Owen when they get older about the sweet way Bryan pursued their mommy! Have a blessed day, and remember I love you dearly and I am so thankful that God blessed me with a friend like you!   His Love,   Tracy Carlson   "I thank God every time i remember you!" Philippians 1:3

Wishing you a Big Ol Happy Birthday

Oh Allison.

I didn't think we would be friends you know. You are super cool, have great style, are totally gorgeous, etc. So, yeah...I was kinda intimidated when we were first Greek Clusterers together. And yet here I am, getting to celebrate your birthday as a friend! You have made me feel more loved and secure than I feel in many of my friendships with much longer histories.

(I knew I didn't need to be intimidated after the incredibly heartfelt letter you wrote me when I got my job)

My favorite thing about you, Al, is that you are full of perseverance. You are disciplined and determined to look more and more like Jesus every day. It is seriously encouraging to me. It's easy to take a challenge from you because I always know the heart of prayer and love behind your words. I value your wisdom so much.

You are a woman I look up to. You are a great mother, wife, daughter and friend. It has been really affirming to see you interact with all people in your life. You honor and love well.

Other random things I love about you:

(I had the brief thought of typing out 30, for your 30th, but thought better of it when I realized that it might come off a bit stalker-ish)

1. "Big Ol" and the shortening of various words and phrases.

2. Your preggo indecisiveness.

3. That you are a girl through and through.

4. That you photograph everything.

5. Getting random and non-random texts just checking in.

6. Your sweet dance moves.

We are all so fortunate to have you in our lives.

I hope that you have a great birthday. Can't wait to celebrate more of them with you.

Love,

Amanda

Yeah, Allison is 30 (and I finally figured this thing out!!)

Al, Ross Daddy, RD...well, I have lots of memories of you over the years I've known you, I think we met when we were like 12 and we're going to be 30 already?!! Crazy. I remember having so much fun with you going to young LIFE (said in deep voice trinny) and playing "who am i" during pom practice. We would literally drive as fast as we could after football games and run to the door so we wouldn't miss YL. And we also were always getting in trouble at pom for talking/laughing in the back : ) Will try to post some old pics from high school if I can find them later! You've always been someone who makes me laugh the hardest. Now that we're all grown up (or at least a little more mature) you still are someone I just love being around. Not only because you can still make me laugh like no other, but you're also someone who encourages me to keep seeking Jesus. I love your joy for life and I love how you love the Lord. Thanks for being such a dear friend to me all these years and for being such a great example of a faithful servant. Love you friend!!! Kalee (el...MO)

hApPy BiRtHdAy aLLiSoN jEaN!!

Sweet Allison,

Happy 30th!!! I hope you have the best birthday this year!!! I can still remember when I first met you at OC....a LONG time ago!!! I remember being so drawn to you and just knowing that there was something different and special about you!! Your love for the Lord is amazing and so inspiring to everyone around you!! I remember being in the dorms with you, tomi jo, nicole, and april praying for our sweet husbands...and now I think we have the two sweetest husbands ever!!! God is so good!! I love seeing you with little Millie! You are such a good mommy and I can't wait to meet Owen!! What lucky little babes to have you as a mommy!

I love you so much sweet friend!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

love, Laura Jarvis

Sweet Friend

Sweet Allison,

You are such a blessing in my life! I have loved getting to know you more this past year...the Lord has blessed my life with you and your sweet family! You are a caring and compassionate mommy to your precious Millie Jean and soon to be Owen. You are a kind and thoughtful wife...a sweet sister...and a selfless, joyful friend to all!

My first memory of you is during worship when we met at McKinnley elementary school...I thought "She seems so sweet, so kind...I wish I knew her, I would love to get to know her." Just a few years later, the Lord has blessed me with your friendship and to be on the journey of motherhood with you! I am more than grateful!

John 13:34, Jesus says to love one another...I can't think of someone who loves others so well, than you! I pray you have a lovely 30th birthday with your family and friends! We are celebrating you! We are so blessed to know you and to call you friend! Love you Sweet Allison!

With love, Megan

Happy Birthday Allison!

Yeah Allison! Another year to celebrate with you and your family! I hope that we get to share life for the rest of our birthdays to come. I have enjoyed walking through so many seasons with you and Bryan. From getting married a week apart to soon raising our little ones, I appreciate and value your friendship. Here's a few of my favorite memories with you from the 1st 30 years of your life. I pray for countless more.
•Laughing at and with our husbands
•Shaking our heads as our husbands take their jokes a little too far
•Playing rumicube at 1714
•Cheering together at football games in college
•Doing YL together
•Planning and creating our Cingular costumes that won!
•Painting Millie's room while Gerod played guitar
•Watching lil' Mills come into the world and grow and watching you and Bryan love her so well
•Being in Keith street cluster together
•Walking to the snowcone stand
•Working out before Millie arrived and hearing of the hilarious side affects of pregnancy
•Playing scattergories with the Hartsocks at World Mandate
•Coming to your house for French toast :)
•Watching you grow and develop into a spiritual mother in Greek cluster
•Celebrating what God is doing together and walking through the pruning process


There are so many more. I appreciate your friendship and honesty.
You are a blessing to us Allison! I love you and can't wait to have our little girls play together soon!

Happy 30th Birthday, Allison!

For the last several years I have been dreading being in my 30's. I just knew that on my 30th Birthday I would officially feel old and depressed, but the Lord truly surprised me in a way I never would have expected. I woke up on my 30th Birthday last November and felt excitement, hope, passion, zeal, and expectancy. I realized that during the time span from 20 to 30 I had grown so much, been blessed beyond comprehension, and was more in love with Jesus than ever. This made me excited to see what would happen between 30 and 40.
I pray today that the Lord would show you how far He has already brought you and the new places He wants to take you. I pray He will bless you above and beyond what you could ever ask, think, or imagine. I pray He will give you a new excitement and fresh hope today as you join the "30 club".
Today as I was looking on the Internet for ideas for Jude and Owen's hospital banners, I couldn't help but remember the time when John and I came to Denver and you taught me how to paint. I have such a passion for art and painting that I never would of had without you teaching me and giving me the confidence. You are so talented, and I am thankful that you rubbed some of that off on me! Can you believe we are about to have babies a month apart...AGAIN!!!!!? Wow! What a blessing...I know they will be the best of friends and cousins.
Allison, I am so blessed to have you as my sister-in-law and friend. Thank you for being so wonderful and thoughtful all the time! You are the best when it comes to remembering Birthdays and holidays and making them special, so I hope yours is extra special in return. I love you! Love, Katrina

Happy 30th Al!!

I can't believe it's actually here! We've been talking/joking about you turning 30 for at least the past 5 years! I know it will be a wonderful new chapter in your life filled with many precious blessings. You already have 2: new home, new son on the way!!! On this special day, know that I truly treasure our friendship and feel blessed to have you in my life.
I love thinking about Denver, as it was such a great season in our friendship, bringing to mind so many wonderful memories. I love that Michael and I spent our first 4th of July together with you guys in Estes Park, the fireworks over the mountains were amazing (not to mention the styrofoam cooler). I love that we spent our first Thanksgiving together at your house (having enough food for 20 people and only 4 of us)! We played lots of cards, had lots of coffee and desserts (especially dip cones) and shared many great conversations. Having great friends close by made it so much easier to be far from home!! It’s also comforting to know that I’m not the only one who will eat a small dinner just so I can have dessert (we all have our priorities right?!)
Thank you for your continual encouragement, love, and sincerity. We hope you have a very memorable 30th birthday in your new home!! We love you!
Mike and Amy Hobson

Happy Birthday sweet friend!

Allison,
Welcome to the thirty something club. :) HAPPY BIG 30! You are such a beautiful and special lady. You have a heart made of gold and I feel blessed to know you. I hope you have a memorable year. You are such a talented woman and an incredible mother, sister, and friend to so many. Thank you for always being an encouragement to me.
Enjoy your special day!
Oh, and btw, you have a precious husband. He's so clever to do this for you. You two are match made in heaven.
Love you friend,
Brittany Stover

we love you sparky!!!

clearly i am seeing a pattern here. aunt alli thanks for sharing your love of treats to my sweet daughter lainey. these were yummy ice cream sandwiches the girls made together. yummmmy!

alli, millie is so beautiful...just like you. she is gorgeous. you are an amazing lover of Jesus and that makes you one of the most incredible mothers and wife i know. thank you for seeking Him first and showing that to millie and owen and for showing that to me and my kids like they were your own. i am super, super grateful for you. your creativity is unlike anyone i know. you can look at something and inspire. someone told me once that the Holy Spirit is creativity....you, my sister are clearly filled with his fullness.

i have so many, many wonderful memories with you al. from actually remembering being in the hospital when you were born. i was only 4 but i actually have a vague memory. in 1979 they didn't let kids go into the rooms to see the mommies and i remember them holding you up to the window and then we had to leave and there being this big door dad walked through and i just wanted to bust it open and go find mom. interesting what you remember.

so many fun memories of growing up with sparky. t-ball, slip and slides, forts in the backyard, babysitting, playing school and house all the time, snowball fights with the lees, kickball with the remy's, VBS, jackson, shepards fold, taco, YL camp, beach trip, yellowstone camping trip. it seems like yesterday that you and mike were doing the cheerleader skits on the old YL stage. you guys were so funny. it makes me laugh just thinking about you guys. taking kids to camp...you were an amazing yL leader...leading so many little ones to the foot of the cross...watching them encounter Jesus for the first time...anything sweeter. watching you, who am i kidding totally rejoicing with excitement as you and bryan starting dating, your engagement, wedding....so many fun memories. as awesome as all of those are

i have to say that some of my all-time favorite memories are now surrounded in 2007. being pregnant together, delivering our babies within 36hours of each other, nursing and caring for them in those early days....it makes me teary thinking about it. and now we just continue to make such amazing memories with both of them. they are incredible. millie is a little you. i adore you al, you are an incredible sister and best friend.

thanks for always cutting my kids hair. in the beginning a couple of years ago it just seemed easy. but now lainey just won't let anyone cut her hair but aunt alli. and beau well he has already had almost 4 haircuts and he is only 21 months. and annie...she's already got some precious hair and may need a cut before her older sister did. you might need to start a business on the side?again, thanks for loving and caring for my precious kids like they were your own.

Happy 30th Birthday Alli Jean!

words can't express how grateful i am to the Lord that i get to be your sister. you encourage and challenge me in ways that no one else in my life can...you are unique and incredibly special. God has deposited into you your unique giftings unlike anyone else and i am so thankful to be blessed by them and learn from them. even especially in the last 2 months since my precious annie was born...you have stood by us, encouraged us, interceeded for us, served us in ways that words can't begin to describe. today i sensed the Lord saying, "I am so pleased with my darling allison. she is my favorite and love her more than she has ability to understand at this moment. my affections run deeper than eternity for my precious allison. as i was praying for you and asking the Lord what i should share with you, what was on His heart for you as you turned the big 3-0. this is what He said to me. In your first 30 years you have experienced much JOY. but in your 30's, this next decade God wants to take you into greater depths of His JOY. You will experience greater JOY in this next year and in your 30's than you've ever experienced. His JOY will be greater in your life than you ever dreamed imaginable. He gave me this verse out of Isaiah. personally, i thought it was super cool because I see how sweet it is with how He has been drawing your giftings out in new ways even in this last season with intercession and the prophetic. its amazing to me how there is always LIFE in His voice...

"All these I will bring to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on My alter; for My house will be called a house of prayer for all people." Isaiah 56:7

this was also really sweet to me because Jesus speaks about this again in Mark. the verse Mark 11:17 is one of the foundational verses of our community, NCC. its fun to see how God is using you and Bryan within our community to draw the lost of this city unto Himself. You all are vital in building His House of Prayer! I believe in this next decade of your life you will bear much Good, Good Fruit in the Kingdom. God is transforming this city and the world through You. His Life, His Character, His Love is most evident in you, my sweet sister, best friend and amazing lover of Jesus!

I love you with all my heart.

The Wife of Bryan

Al,
As I started to watch all of my friends get married years ago, I always kept a particular eye on who Bryan (your husband) would end up with. Not a literal eye, like a stalker, but more a protective eye on him. I had seen some of my friends, most who you do not know, enter into marriages that probably were not very healthy or that should not have been entered into at all.

Then Bryan married you, and it just made sense. It has been such a pleasure getting to know you over the years as well as to get to watch your marriage with Bryan. You are perfect for him in every way, and until you came along, I had a hard time envisioning the type of person it would take to deal with him (you know exactly what I mean). You are a fantastic mother and husband and so incredibly patient when he and I are in the same room.

I am so excited to continue sharing in your life with you and Bryan and to see you turn into a mother of billions of little Ray's. I know my future wife will certainly enjoy your company as well as we will hang out frequently. Thanks for being so loving and caring to one of my best friends. I wish you the best on your 30th birthday. By the way, you are old.

Love You 1/2 pint!

Al-

I can't even begin to tell you how much you mean to me. I am so very thankful for you! You have been such an encouragement to me and have played a huge part in helping me become who I am today. I know that I can always come to you for advice whether its about relationships, school, or what outfit to wear. It has been so fun watching you with Millie. You are an awesome Mom and I have learned a ton about how I want to raise my kids by being around you. I love being able to spend time with you when I am at home--it is honestly one of my favorite things to do (it always has been!--remember hello kitty stories and sleeping in your twin bed??). Thank you for being who you are. I love you so much and I'm praying health and protection over you and little "Owie". I can't wait to meet him! Happy 30th!! 

Philippians 1:3 

love, 

Sweeping Beauty :)

Love you sister!!!

Al! Happy 30th!!! You are such a blessing to us even though we are so far away!! I know I can always call and talk to you and you will always feel like you are so close no matter how far apart we are. I have loved being your sister and always have the most fun when I am with you! I had such a fun time when you came to visit Boston! We got to see and do so many fun things and of course the most fun was just all hanging out with each other! There were, of course, lots of treats involved!! I think my favorite treat was the Ben & Jerry's when all 4 of us just passed it back and forth until it was gone!!! So fun :) Although I am always partial to the ice cream truck!! It was such a special trip and I know we will remember it forever! You are such an amazing sister, friend, and mom and I love that you had precious Owen in your tummy while you were here! One day he will love to see those pics! We are praying for him and cannot wait until he is born! We love you so very much! Love, Mag P.S. a couple quick quotes!! 1. IIII weeeaaaar eyyyyeeelina 2. I got news, your gonna lose 3. why you such a runt 4. carmel machiatoooooooo 5. pillow talk...youuuu arrrre my inspirrraaaaation....allison 6. triancool

O Yummers!

One thing I love about you Al is that you love getting treats! Sometimes at dinner you won't eat much and I begin to think something is weird or that you must not feel well, but then right after dinner you say, "I feel like a treat!" Your face lights up with excitement and 99 times out of 100, we get one! Our daughter is turning into a treat-lover herself because of you. This is just one of the many things I love about you. 

The picture shown is from a place in Boston. That is a waffle cone that was rolled in marshmallow cream and cocoa crispies, I believe. Then, throw in some ice cream on top. What's not to like? You know its a good treat when you say, "Hey, grab the camera. I want to take a picture with this!!!"

- Bry

Its true! My wife is almost 30 years old!

This blog has been created for the sole reason of blessing my beautiful wife Allison. I think a blog is appropriate in this season of our lives because Al loves to blog. She's always on the computer blogging it up and likes to read other people's blogs. Feel free to write an encourage note, post a video, post your favorite picture of you two, etc. On her 30th birthday, I'll show it to her!

Shhh! Its a secret.