And Then We Were Three

About this time nine years ago I was in a tizzy. My water had broken, contractions had started and I was on my way to the hospital to give birth to my first child. I was so excited and so overwhelmed and really in no way prepared for what was ahead. Because you really can't prepare for it no matter how hard you try. It was a trying 14 hours of labor that didn't go at all how I had planned. Yes, I was naive enough to think I could plan how it would go. But in the end at 12:42 p.m. on June 30, 2000, there she was. Our baby girl! A girl! Oh, we were so excited! It was all such a surprise. We hadn't found out the sex of the baby and I was convinced I was having a boy. But she was a girl! And she had beautiful red hair and a perfect round little face. She was perfection and I was her mom! As much as I had anticipated her arrival, I just could not anticipate how that precious girl would change my life. I had no idea how God would use that tiny baby to change me for the better in every way. It has been such a privilege to watch her grow and do my best to guide her in life. She is an amazing, thoughtful and caring young girl. She loves reading and science and singing but most of all she loves Jesus. I am so glad she is in my life. So Happy 9th Birthday dear Sister! We love you so much!

45 Years And Counting

On June 27, 1964 a sweet 16-year-old girl married a handsome 22-year-old guy. They worked hard, raised two daughters and have been blessed to be able to enjoy their grandkids. They are my parents and today they celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary. I am so appreciative of all the sacrifices they've made, the patience and kindness they've shown to one another and their willingness to find the humor and joy in the life they've built together. I am grateful that I have parents that helped me understand that marriage is more than just saying 'I do', it's living out 'I do'. Happy 45th Anniversary Mom and Dad!


"Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion." Ecclesiastes 4:9,10

WW: This is Baby Girl

This picture just makes me laugh. Baby Girl is always making silly faces and this one is very familiar around here. This is my sweet, silly Baby Girl.

For more Wordless Wednesday stop by 5MinutesForMom.

Africa

Okay, I'm sure I'm dating myself here but I always loved the song Africa by Toto. Well, I think I like this a cappella version by Perpetuum Jazzille even better! As much as I love music made with instruments, this just shows that our hands, voices and bodies are beautiful instruments in and of themselves. Watch this very cool video.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Kimba at A Soft Place To Land is hosting a garden party. I have enjoyed looking at all the wonderful gardens and outdoor projects her readers have shared and thought this would be a great opportunity to give an update on my container garden . We have had a ton of rain lately and the plants are becoming so lush. I'm still eagerly anticipating my first "harvest".

My container garden when it was first planted.

My container garden now.


Not included in the first picture is this bean plant. Sister brought it home from school and we didn't think it was going to survive. We were wrong.

Bell pepper plant with a promise of fruit.


Look, a tomato!


I've also been working on my flower beds this year. This is a hanging basket I added near the front steps.

I also added Black Eyed Susans to my front bed this year and they are just starting to bloom.

WW: Mom's Flowers

I had to take some pictures of my mom's flowers while we were visiting. Stop by 5 Minutes For Mom for more Wordless Wednesday.

Finding Our Summer Break Groove

School's been out for just over a week and we're still trying to find our groove. I'm not a fan of schedules but find I really need them for things to run smoothly. The last week of school was somewhat insane. In addition to all the funtabulous end of school activities we dealt with our dryers descent into a slow and painful death that lasted almost 2 weeks(thankfully), a far too complicated headlight repair on The Man's car and me and a deer having a much to close for comfort encounter while I was on the way to Field Day at the girls school on the last day of school after dropping the kids off at school, running back home so I could get something I forgot, DH hitting a neighbor's dog or rather the dog running into us(thankfully the dog is okay) while driving my car while we were driving back home to get what I forgot, taking The Man to work and then hightailing it back so I wouldn't be more than 45 minutes late for Baby Girls first Field Day. Whew! We somehow survived that day and the very next day the girls and I headed south to Alabama to spend a few days with my family. It was the perfect way to kick off summer break. The trip down was wonderful. There's just something so awesome about belting out pop songs with your kids while driving down the highway on a sunny Saturday afternoon. It really doesn't get any better than that. At my parents' there were wonderful meals, afternoons in the pool with lots of laughter as the cousins played, picnics, helping Papo in the garden, bonfires and s'more eating, time spent watching the hummigbirds zip and dart around and a lot of time just enjoying being with family. As always, I have pictures from our trip.

The kids chillin' in the pool.
Telling Auntie bye

Helping Papo pick beans
G.G. and the kids

My parents and the kids

A rare photo of me and my girlies.

S'mores

Crazy hummingbirds

Since returning home we've managed to go swimming twice. We've had a lot of rain so there's just not been many opportunities to enjoy the pool. We did enjoy seeing UP! this past weekend. That's a movie I'm sure we'll watch many times over in the future. Next week is VBS. After that I'm hoping everything settles down, the days get hot and we can relax and enjoy the rest of our summer.

Wordless Wednesday: G.G.

We spent the weekend with my family. I love this shot of my oldest and my grandmother, G.G.

Stop by 5 Minutes for Mom for more Wordless Wednesday.

Literally

Lately my friends have been sharing these literal videos on Facebook and an online parenting forum I frequent. They totally crack me up. I think this literal video of Journey's Separate Ways is my favorite. In case you've not seen this yet and could use a chuckle, check it out.



Happy Saturday!

Stacey And Clinton, I Need Help!

I watch What Not To Wear regularly. I cling to The Rules. I go to the stores. I get overwhelmed. I leave with nothing. Or I leave with something really safe, thinking that next time I'll go back and get something a little more stylish to pair with that really safe item I bought. And then I go to the stores, get overwhelmed, leave with nothing or something really safe. Wash, rinse, repeat. And so I have a limited wardrobe that's rather, er, boring and most certainly not very stylish. I don't really care to be a fashion icon but I've realized my wardrobe is looking rather, ahem, matronly. And really, I'm only 38. I'm not ready for matronly.

By following The Rules, I have managed to add a few nice basic pieces to my wardrobe in the last couple of years but that's about it. So how do I break through this block I seem to have when it comes to shopping for myself? I know the kinds of clothes I want to be wearing. It's just shopping for them that gives me trouble. I've often said I wish they'd make Garanimals for adults. I'd be all over that line of clothing.

To give you a little idea of what I'm talking about, this is how a recent shopping trip went. I was looking for a black skirt, khaki shorts and a top.

Here is what I bought:

The shoes are open toe. Hard to tell in the picture.

Do you notice a trend here? Nice pieces but very, very safe. I put it all together with an avacado green cami I have and it makes a nice outfit. And I can mix and match the pieces with some other things in my closet so that's nice. But safe.

So who wants to be my Clinton and Stacey? How do I stop being such a fashion weenie? I have absolutely zero shorts to wear this summer. The city shorts are too long for my legs. Most other shorts I find are too short, to wide in the legs, etc. I have one skirt that I wear to church every Sunday and just switch out the tops. Before the addition of the new capris I had 2 pair of (too big) capris and a pair of jeans that I rotated throughout the week. I've not worn a dress in years because I have such a hard time finding one that's fits well. My wardrobe is sad. Even The Man thinks it needs help. So help me, dear readers. How do you go to stores and pull together a great looking outfit? And if you ever run across that Garanimals for adults line, let me know.

I Have Not Forgotten

I know my posting has been erratic lately but I have not forgotten about this blog. This is just such a busy time with school wrapping up. I have things floating around in my head that I want to blog about but by the time I get a chance at night to sit down and type them out my brain is toast. I miss sharing with you all and I promise to be around more soon. Maybe tonight.....if the brain cells hold out.

And while I have you here I have to share that it's only 54 degrees outside today. It's June! That is just so wrong, dontcha' think?!