spring. tea parties. birthday.

spring.

whenever spring rolls around i get this happy feeling inside.

it means new beginnings.

colorful clothes.

picnics.

AND MY BIRTHDAY!!

i had just about the coolest birthday of all time, yesterday.

i've honestly never felt so blessed and excited about the people in my life.

there are so many of them...and they're all just about the coolest.

i got phone calls.

a recorded song.

a really sweet message.

a birthday cake.

a cast singing for me.
i got to see so many dear friends.

happy birthday wishes all around.

and...a suprise TEA PARTY!!

i mean...best ever, right?!

i'm just...so very happy right now.

OH!

and you only have a few more days to enter the giveaway on my blog.

go here to enter.

seriously.

it's the coolest.

catch you later!

rebecca jane

painting leaves. pies. and surprises.

two weeks ago i got to be a part of planning a surprise birthday party for one of my dearest friends, maddy. at first it was to be a picnic...but then it rained...so it was changed into an indoor picnic/tea party. the night before the "big day" i remembered my promise of producing two pies for the event. so at 11pm as it was raining and everyone had gone to bed...i stayed up baking pies. it was kind of the most peaceful, happy moment of my life. next time it's late and it starts to rain...i'm totally baking some pies.

   the next day, after church, i drove maddy to my house and we painted leaves as her mother and sister rushed home to set up the party at *her* house. i'm just going to say...those were probably the most stressful hours of my life. i HATE keeping secrets...so it was hard not to burst as we were painting leaves and she was talking about still trying to figure out what to do for her birthday. she was...clueless.

after splashing in some mud-puddles, i drove her home. she wanted to go into the house through the garage...and i, knowing everyone was by the front door ready to yell "surprise" made up a silly excuse of not liking to go through other people's garages because it made me feel awkward. somehow she believed me...and we walked through the front door. everyone yelled. someone grabbed her from the side. she squealed. and i began to shake violently because it was over.

the party was a hit. she was surprised. and i was exhausted. but it was so worth it...!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY BEAUTIFUL, WHIMSICAL FRIEND!!

final thoughts.

now that i've shared some of my stories pictures of the joplin trip, here's a short video i made using my 8mm camera app.

i'm totally in love with the way it looks!

after radio interviews, television interviews, and even newspaper interviews...i'm pretty used to answering any questions about joplin pretty quickly.
however, this hasn't changed my attitude for joplin and the stained glass theatre!
i've still got such a heart for this place and these people.
i had NO idea this summer would bring so many new friends...in a completely new state!
what a blessing.
being able to do something i love (theatre) to help other people do something *they* love (theatre) is very exciting!
God has already set in motion things from this benefit...not only for JOY, but the stained glass theatre now has a temporary building!
through this benefit/trip i've also grown so much closer to my fellow actors/actresses.
i've seen all of their beautiful hearts in this project...and i'm proud to know each and every one of them.
this project has brought *me* closer to God, and i've become a stronger prayer warrior.
so many prayers...so many answered prayers.
it's a wonder to see God work so clearly right in front of my eyes.
i can't wait to see what God has in store next!!

xo,
rebecca jane

my birthday, surprises, and the like.

yesterday was my birthday. i turned a lovely 17. these past few days when people would ask me "what are you doing for your birthday?" my response would be "oh...just some small things with a few friends."

well.

i never ever in a kabillion zillion years...EVER thought i would have a surprise birthday party. ever. honestly, i thought i would never be fooled into going someplace and then see a bunch of people jumping up and saying SUPRISE! it just never occurred to me to even be suspicious.

well...that was silly.

yes. i said "aw shucks."

turns out they thought i had seen them so they weren't as loud and enthusiastic...but i was completely taken by shock. lol.

apparently the secret/lie/deception had been going on for quite some time! i can't believe that i had no suspicions! YOU GUYS...are awesome.

the food was just DELISH! fried chicken. cheese fries. sweet tea. YES! 

and the company was simply to die for... :)

posing with elvis was very lovely. he was so ever so kind.

apples-to-apples and catchphrase at the house was simply hilarious. even though i'm, sadly, dreadful at both games. haha!

i blew the candles out with one breath. oh my voice teacher should be SO PROUD of my lung capacity!!

and receiving german chocolate (mine had a hint of cinnamon!) was just the perfect touch to end the day off with.

i'd like to end this birthday post with a thank you to all of these wonderful people, along with my facebook friends, twitter friends, and JOY friends who have wished me a happy birthday! i love each and every one of you SO much. and it means quite a lot that each of you took time to either jump up from behind the bar at a restaurant or simply wish me well on a brand new year of life. 

i hope this next year is simply the BEST! 

17!! 

YAY!

SURPRISE!!

last night was the last performance of bcpe. we cleaned up the church that had asked us to perform. and headed over to another church to have the cast party. amongst bloopers, awards, and dancing the jitterbug...we had a swell time! i then proceeded to spend the night at the lovely hoover household. unbeknownst to me that there was a secret going on that whole day!

i got home this morning and my mom says she wants to discuss the upstairs sewing room...possible organization and decoration and so on. i say sure. we walk up the stairs. and i see this "R" with a giant pair of scissors hanging on the door:

and i says to myself...what is thiiiiiiis?! and i thinks to myself...GASP! and i opens the door...and SHAZAM! magic has occurred while i was away. and apparently two little elves have been at work (aka my two older sisters) making the upstairs sewing room beautiful! an early christmas present. 

i love my secretive, plotting, wonderful family!!!

check out the upstairs sewing room blog for more pictures and details! :)