Luau Time!!

We celebrated Chloe's friends bday today, luau style. The girls had a ball! I think Aubrey's mom gets the prize for the best themed party, every little detail was there, so cute. Chloe enjoyed spending time with some of her friends from school too.

Lauren was in awe when one of her former MDO teachers walked in. We didn't know she would be there. Lauren said "there's my Ms. Dawn". Dawn made such an impact on Lauren when she was only 2. She is a sweet Godly woman who loved my little gal when I was away. I had to take a picture for Lauren. :)

Go Kodee!

Tonight we watched my nephew play football for my former Jr. High School, talk about making me feel old (ha). Can't believe he is now in 8th grade - so hard to believe.

Go Kodee - we love you!

Back to school!

Well, Chloe is an official 2nd grader now. I can't believe how fast time is flying. Our little girl is growing up so fast. She is doing well and loves her teacher already. Lauren and I ate lunch with her today, then stayed for recess too (hence the red cheeks with the teacher). She loves for us to visit with her at school. Here are a few cute pictures I took today w/us, her teacher and one of her friends. Have a great day!

Summer Memories ~

I have been thinking about some sweet summer memories from when I was younger, around Chloe's age. It seemed like the days were much longer then. Days go by faster the older I get, something I was always told would happen by my elders as I was growing up. I was sharing my memories of blueberry picking with Grandma Teague in early morning before it got too hot, with the girls last week. They were ready to go find a blueberry patch. The girls and I ended up going and getting some fresh peaches at Vanzant's fruit stand and making our very first peach cobbler from scratch. I enjoyed those times as a kid but probably didn't see them as I do now. There are many little things about those days that I value. Sure there were some tough times back then, but so many more sweet times playing in the yard at home, being in the garden with Mom and Dad, breaking beans, shucking corn, Dad making apple butter, Mom making pies, swinging on the swings Dad constructed, picking apples off the tree, just a slower pace. Neat little memories running from Grandma Teague's to Aunt Jeans, crossing the little homemade bridge across the creek and running up to Aunt Jeans back door. Grandpa playing his harmonica, Grandma checking the chickens. A friend of mine shared a song with me by Wynonna Judd, "Flies on the butter". I just sat and cried as I let my mind go back in time. I pray my girls will have special memories. I am thankful they have grandparents that love them too. Grandma's and Grandpa's just know how to relax a bit more. To appreciate all that God has made a little more, just taking a day at a time. I find it good to look back at those memories for many reasons. It's always the love shown or the lesson imparted that stands out. It is a good reminder that the superficial things really don't matter, they make life a little easier but not better.

Erin's 4th Birthday!

My neice Erin, just turned 4 , HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ERIN!! We celebrated with her at Fun City. She is full of joyful energy and seemed to have a blast. Our girls loved playing in the balls. Chloe loved to peg us all with the balls, especially Amanda. Anytime we were away from the ball pit, Lauren would ask to go back to play in "those ball things". It is always nice to spend time with the fam. Mike and I are blessed to have lots of family.