• Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
    • Collaborate
  • Blog
  • Parties
    • Children’s Parties Ideas
    • Holiday Parties
    • Adult Party Ideas
  • Holiday Ideas
    • Christmas
    • Easter
    • Fourth of July
    • Spring
    • Thanksgiving
    • Valentine’s Day
  • Seasons
    • Winter
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Autumn
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beverages
    • Desserts
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
  • Project Gallery
    • Crafts
    • Decorating
    • DIY
    • Good Ideas
    • Tutorials
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Bloglovin
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

  • Book
  • Speaking
  • Meet Vanessa
    • Featured

February 22, 2012

It’s Somebody’s Birthday…Happy Birthday Vanessa!

MP900313827
From then….
 
To now…
We’ve come a long way together!
Here’s to many more years being sisters!

Happy 36th…er um 20th Birthday Sweet Sister!

I’ve loved you longest, I love you more than you’ll ever know, I’ll love you always….
signature_thumb[5]
Be sure to come back this afternoon to join us for a FABULOUS GIVEAWAY!!!

Email Updates
Facebook Page
Pinterest

33 Comments Filed Under: Celebrations, Family, Good Thoughts

Subscribe

Get the latest goodness straight to your inbox!

Previous Post: « Work Lights Turned Gallery Lighting
Next Post: $50 Kirkland’s Giveaway! »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Karen says

    February 22, 2012 at 2:12 PM

    Sisters are so very special!!! One of mine is also Vanessa! Happy Birthday Vanessa! Hope it’s a wonderful one.

    Reply
  2. Miriam@BeBookBound says

    February 22, 2012 at 2:22 PM

    Oh HAPPY BIRTHDAY Vanessa! I hope it’s a beautiful day 🙂

    Reply
  3. Ange says

    February 22, 2012 at 2:35 PM

    Happy Birthday Vanessa! I hope your day is as beautiful as you! Wishing you a year of blessings! Thanks for being so sweet, funny and wonderful. So glad to call you a friend and can’t wait to meet you at Haven!!!

    Reply
  4. marty (A Stroll Thru Life) says

    February 22, 2012 at 2:38 PM

    Oh Happy Happy Birthday!!!!! Hope this is your best day ever. Hugs, Marty

    Reply
  5. Ann-Kay says

    February 22, 2012 at 2:43 PM

    Happy Birthday Vanessa!! Hope you have an amazing day!

    Reply
  6. Eclectically Vintage says

    February 22, 2012 at 2:48 PM

    Hope you have a fabulous b-day Vanessa!!
    Here’s to growing old with your sister (just don’t get 40 cats and you’ll be good)!
    Kelly

    Reply
  7. Judy says

    February 22, 2012 at 2:48 PM

    Happy Birthday Vanessa! Hope you have the most wonderful day! So glad to have you and your sister as friends.

    Reply
  8. FABBY'S LIVING says

    February 22, 2012 at 2:49 PM

    Happy Birthday Vanessa!! Have a very special birthday in the company of your loving family and sister! Hugs,
    FABBY

    Reply
  9. Karen says

    February 22, 2012 at 2:55 PM

    Happy Birthday, Vanessa! Hope your day is special. Hugs, Karen

    Reply
  10. reFresh reStyle says

    February 22, 2012 at 3:18 PM

    Happy Birthday Vanessa! I hope you have a wonderful day of celebration, cake eating and whatever your heart desires! Y’all are the sweetest sisters!
    Hugs,
    Debbie

    Reply
  11. ℳartina @ Northern Nesting says

    February 22, 2012 at 3:45 PM

    Happy Birthday my sweet friend! Enjoy your day!!

    Reply
  12. Deserae says

    February 22, 2012 at 4:17 PM

    Happy Birthday Vanessa…..hope it is a special & wonderful day :o)
    ~Des

    Reply
  13. Lakeshore Cottage Living says

    February 22, 2012 at 5:10 PM

    Happy Birthday to YOU, Happy Birthday to YOUUUUUU, Happy Birthday SWEET Vanessa…Happy Birthday to YOU. I hope you have a fabulous day!!! You deserve it.

    Reply
  14. Kristin says

    February 22, 2012 at 5:10 PM

    Aww, what a sweet sentiment for your sister, Heather! Happy birthday Vanessa!!

    Reply
  15. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    February 22, 2012 at 5:43 PM

    Happy birthday, Vanessa!! Your birthday is on our anniversary and I feel really old now because I have been married a year longer that you have lived. My oh my.

    Reply
  16. Suzy says

    February 22, 2012 at 7:02 PM

    Happy birthday, Vanessa!!! Your sweet sister sure must love you a lot – such a sweet birthday wish. I hope you have a wonderful day!

    Reply
  17. michelle says

    February 22, 2012 at 7:29 PM

    Happy Birthday my friend!! I hope you have a wonderful day!!!
    xoxoxo

    Reply
  18. Thoughts for the day says

    February 22, 2012 at 8:31 PM

    Very cute … hope the day is wonderful.

    Reply
  19. Sandy says

    February 22, 2012 at 8:36 PM

    God bless you on your birthday & every day Vanessa!!!
    Thank you to you & your sis for bringing us this wonderful blog!
    xoxo

    Reply
  20. Carol says

    February 22, 2012 at 9:05 PM

    Happy, happy birthday to a beautiful baby girl born at 2:54 p.m. on a beautiful day in Ohio 36 years ago. Your sweet little sister, Heather, was so excited to have a new baby sister to play with and soon spent endless hours and years playing together.

    We love you so much Vanessa – now as a woman, wife, mother, sister and daughter.

    Mom and Dad

    Reply
  21. Susan (My Place to Yours) says

    February 22, 2012 at 9:24 PM

    Aw, I just dropped in to say a quick Happy Birthday and to tell you that I tried your delicious tomato soup recipe the other day … and then I saw your Mom’s comment. Sheesh! As the mother of two little (now grown) daughters myself, I have to go find a Kleenex. From this Nonna to that one: Aren’t we lucky ladies?

    Reply
  22. Anna says

    February 22, 2012 at 9:44 PM

    Happy birthday Vanessa!!!

    Anna
    http://www.askannamoseley.com

    Reply
  23. Cristina @ RemodelandolaCasa.com says

    February 22, 2012 at 9:45 PM

    Oh how cute your Mom’s message! Have a Wonderful day Vanessa! Happy Birthday!

    Reply
  24. Marianne says

    February 22, 2012 at 11:46 PM

    What a sweet post! Happy Birthday Vanessa..hope you have an awesome day. Don’t forget to do something special for yourself.
    Marianne 🙂

    Reply
  25. Tammy Henderson says

    February 22, 2012 at 11:54 PM

    Happy Birthday Vanessa! Have a wonderful day and enjoy!

    Reply
  26. Cindy says

    February 23, 2012 at 12:09 AM

    Happy Birthday!!! You are lucky to be close sisters! I have three and none of them live close to me and I miss them all soooooo much! Sisters are the friends you can argue and fight with and tell secrets to and know that they will always love you!
    XO Cindy

    Reply
  27. Full Circle Creations says

    February 23, 2012 at 1:22 AM

    Happy Birthday! Enjoy your day! Mine is Friday!

    Holly

    Reply
  28. Linda Young says

    February 23, 2012 at 2:27 AM

    Happy Birthday! You two are the sweetest sisters! Love, Linda

    Reply
  29. Decorating Ideas says

    February 23, 2012 at 3:00 AM

    You two are adorable!

    Reply
  30. Reannah @ {Shaped by Grace} says

    February 23, 2012 at 3:23 AM

    Happy Birthday Vanessa!! I agree – you two are adorable! Hope you have a wonderful day!! xo, Reannah

    Reply
  31. Gina says

    February 23, 2012 at 9:18 PM

    Happy Birthday Vanessa!

    Reply
  32. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    February 23, 2012 at 9:47 PM

    Happy Birthday Vanessa…I have three sisters…sisters are great…So glad Heather posted this so we can wish you the best of the best of birthdays!…

    Reply
  33. Debbiedoo's says

    February 24, 2012 at 12:26 AM

    Happy Birthday sweet Vanessa!

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Anna Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Search This Blog

Get the book!

Invite Vanessa to speak at your event!

Stay updated!

Must Reads

Recent Posts

  • Why We’ve Chosen Vacations Over Projects April 26, 2022
  • A New Look for the Family Room March 1, 2022
  • Christmas Kitchen and Family Room December 19, 2021
  • Christmas Home Tour Part One December 10, 2021
  • Easy Hot Cocoa Station November 21, 2021

Footer

Stay Connected!

Instagram

We had two back to back days of sunshine (the most We had two back to back days of sunshine (the most we’ve had in a LONG time) and now we are back to pouring rain. This has officially confirmed what I’ve know to be true for awhile now.

I’m a MUCH better version of myself when the sun is shining! 🤪 So I’ll just be over here today plotting and planning how my husband and I can be snowbirds someday when the kids are out of the house.

If you could spend your winters (and apparently most of spring too!) in any part of the country, where would it be?
Happy weekend sweet friends!! We’ve had a LOT of Happy weekend sweet friends!! We’ve had a LOT of rain lately (which is saying something when you live in Oregon) and I’ll admit that it’s affecting my moods a bit. I feel like I’m dragging and struggling to find the energy to get stuff done. So don’t mind me if I’m over here looking at photos of my garden in the summertime and finding that it keeps me hopeful about those days to come. They will come, right?! 🤪. 

What are your favorite plants that you look forward to seeing in the summer?
We’re going to be giving our laundry room a make We’re going to be giving our laundry room a makeover soon. It’s LONG overdue! In fact, the folks from the counter company were just here taking measurements. While we have made some simple, inexpensive updates over the years, it still has many of the original elements from when the house was built in 1992.

Two of our bathrooms are also in need of major makeovers. And we’ve saved up enough money over the years to tackle those projects. But, for the most part, we made the decision to use the bulk of that money in another way. While we knew that it was financially wise to invest in our house, we also knew that the greatest investment we could make was in our children. 

I’ll admit, there are times where I see other people doing massive overhauls of their entire home in a matter of months and I feel a prick of envy. But, we decided that if our choice was between waiting a bit longer to enjoy a renovated bathroom or going on adventures as a family, we would choose adventures every time. And we don’t regret that decision for a single second. It’s not that we haven’t tackled home projects (we’ve done a lot!). It’s just that it’s been a slow and steady process. 

Most recently, we let our son pick where we would travel for spring break since this is his senior year of high school and we are trying to make up for lost time. With so much of life ‘paused’ for two years, we have appreciated these moments more than ever. And, since he’ll be heading to college in the fall, we are very aware of how important it is to spend this time together while we still have a modicum of control over everyone’s schedules.

We have many years left to remodel our home but only so much time left to make memories with our children.

And, while I’m always happy to look around my home and see rooms that are updated and more reflecting of our style, it doesn’t compare to the joy I feel when I look around my home and see the people I love the most who have been shaped by the many adventures we’ve experienced together.
Happy Saturday!! After endless days of rain (and h Happy Saturday!! After endless days of rain (and hail and snow) we are finally getting some sunshine and warmer temperatures. I’ll be honest, it’s really affected my spirits having one gloomy day after the next. So this is a much needed reprieve. Our cherry trees are showing off outside my kitchen window and we plan to get outside and make the most of these days while we have them.

What’s the weather like where you are?
“The devil, darkness, and death may swagger and “The devil, darkness, and death may swagger and boast, the pangs of life will sting for a while longer, but don’t worry; the forces of evil are breathing their last. Not to worry…HE’S RISEN!” (Charles R. Swindoll).

Happy Easter! He is risen indeed!
Who has believed our message? And to whom has the Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

For he grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of parched ground; he has no stately form or majesty that we should look upon him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to him.

He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and like one from whom men hide their face, he was despised, and we did not esteem him. Surely our griefs he himself bore, and our sorrows he carried; yet we ourselves esteemed him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 

But he was pierced through for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon him, and by his scourging we are healed.

All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on him. (Isaiah 53)
I try to always remember to put a water bottle in I try to always remember to put a water bottle in my car before I go to pick up my daughter from school. She didn't ask me to do this, but a few months ago I began to notice that she was often thirsty when she would get in the car. Her water bottle filled up at the beginning of the day was empty by the time school got out and she would ask if she could have some water from my hydroflask. So I make sure to have one waiting for her. It's just a simple thing, really. But, I want her to know that I'm paying attention, that I see her.

Isn't it amazing how small gestures can make us feel less invisible? Knowing that someone is thinking of us and takes the time to meet a need that we might not have even realized we had? These little acts can have big impacts. What is something that someone has done for you recently that made you feel valued and seen?

What have you done for someone else to remind them that you are paying attention to their needs?

“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.”
― Charles Dickens
“The next day the large crowd that had come to t “The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!’ – John 12:9-19
#palmsunday
When the Lord blesses you with a glimpse of the pa When the Lord blesses you with a glimpse of the payoff of your investment in your children, it is truly one of the greatest gifts. We had that experience twice this week with our 18 year old son and were overwhelmed by this opportunity we had to watch as he handled two very different situations (one personal and one professional) with grace, maturity, integrity and courage. Those of you mamas of little ones, don't ever minimize the job you are doing in raising this next generation. 

Every story read at bedtime
Every correction made to strengthen character
Every outdoor exploration
Every nose wiped
Every bandaid applied
Every time you say no when the world says yes
Every night of helping with homework
Every difficult conversation
Every prayer uttered

The final pieces of the puzzle of his childhood are falling into place and the picture revealed is one that is more wonderful than we could have imagined. And we know that it is only by God's grace on us as we sought His wisdom and guidance that we have come to this point. We have been FAR from perfect parents, but one of my most sincere prayers for the past 18 years was that the Lord would stand in the gaps that were surely to be revealed by our imperfections. And He has answered those prayers again and again. He's taken my humble petitions and most sincere intentions and knocked our socks off with the young man we are so privileged to call our son. And we can’t wait to watch as his future unfolds!
Happy Saturday!! I haven’t posted all week (exce Happy Saturday!! I haven’t posted all week (except for in stories) because I was soaking up the sunshine and time with my family in San Antonio for spring break. One of our favorite activities was a bike tour of the missions and I found myself obsessed with all of the beautiful architecture, especially the doors. What is it about doors that is so fascinating? Is it knowing that these were so lovingly hand carved? Is it thinking about how many people have crossed through them? Whatever it is, I couldn’t get enough of them and had to stop and admire each one. 

I hope you are having a wonderful kickoff to spring too dear friends! 🌸
Load More... Follow
Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2022 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2022 At The Picket Fence