Thank You

To all of the servicemen and women who keep us safe each and every day.  This weekend we pay tribute to those who put their lives on the line for our freedom. 

Thank you! 

We are forever grateful. 

As a mother, I think about the parents of the servicemen;

As a wife, I think about the spouses;

As a daughter, I think about the children of those serving who have not seen their parents in months.

I cannot imagine the amount of faith you must have. 

God Bless You and God Bless America!

I am PROUD to be an AMERICAN!

Jesus Calling

I LOVE the daily devotional Jesus Calling. It is always applicable in my life. I wanted to share today's message. This was speaking directly to me. Oh, and there's an APP for that! I just read it on my iPad each day. 

Here is the icon since several folks have e-mailed me asking which one (apparently there are more than one).  It isn't free but it is well worth the money!

May 25
THE WORLD IS TOO MUCH WITH YOU, My child. Your mind leaps from problem to problem to problem, tangling your thoughts in anxious knots. When you think like that, you leave Me out of your world-view and your mind becomes darkened. Though I yearn to help, I will not violate your freedom. I stand silently in the background of your mind, waiting for you to remember that I am with you.

When you turn from your problems to My Presence, your load is immediately lighter. Circumstances may not have changed, but we carry your burdens together. Your compulsion to “fix” everything gives way to deep, satisfying connection with Me. Together we can handle whatever this day brings.

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
ISAIAH 41 : 10

"The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."
ZEPHANIAH 3 : 17

"A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all."
PSALM 34 : 19

Goody Goody Raindrops!?

Daddy is home!

Which is what Ann Charlotte says instead of "Goody, Goody Gumdrops" (I say this a lot apparently-gumdrops that is).

Trey has been in Spain for work and we were so ready for him to get home! 

Welcome home Daddy! 

We missed you!

Ha, Ha, Ha

There are moments when you wish someone else was with you just to laugh.  Today was one of them.  Ann Charlotte and I went to the Zoo after school.  We stopped to look at the ostriches and their eggs.  Are they real? Who knows? I guess they are but that is strange.  Do they dispose of them or do they eat them?Will they hatch?  Sorry, I digress.

So, it went something like this...

Mommy:  "Ann Charlotte, look-it is an ostrich-a giant bird."

Ann Charlotte:  "Mommy, I have one of those in my mouth?" (sounding very confused)

Mommy:   "What?"

Ann Charlotte:  "I have an ostrich in my mouth (pointing).  It hurts!"

Mommy:  "Oh no, Ann Charlotte you have an ulcer in your mouth."

Me laughing so loud and wishing someone else was there to chuckle with me!

Pink is My Favorite Color

Ann Charlotte's favorite color depends on the sun and the moon.  How is that possible?  Well, if you ask her during the daytime what her favorite color is "pink" comes out instantly! However, she sings a different tune at night. 

Here is the scene at our house almost every night: 
Bath taken, teeth brushed, two books read in bed, prayers said...

Ann Charlotte:  Whimpering begins, tears start, "Mommy, don't leave"

Mommy: "Ann Charlotte I have to leave, it is bedtime"

Ann Charlotte: More tears, more crying, "But Mommy PLEASE stay"

Mommy: "Ann Charlotte, what is the problem"

Ann Charlotte:  More tears, holding onto my arm or whatever she can grab-sometimes my neck if I have leaned in for a kiss, "Mommy, I don't like my room."

Mommy: "What?"

Ann Charlotte: Tears streaming, "I don't like my bed Mommy" whimper, whimper

Mommy: "Ann Charlotte, we have talked about this-it is bedtime and you are a big girl."

Ann Charlotte: Sad face, tears coming down,  "Mommy, I don't like pink"

Why, you ask?  Why doesn't she like pink after 8:00pm? 

Well, because her sheets are pink!

The First Weekend of the Year...

at the cabin.  

Ann Charlotte LOVES the outdoors

Skipping (throwing) rocks...

 looking for lizards...

bubbles...

and planning a lady bug party!

 Yup, you read right-Acey and Ann Charlotte planned and held a lady bug party in their PJ's

(first thing in the morning).

The Ballet Performance That Wasn't

You read right.  We were so excited about Ann Charlotte's ballet performance (let me rephrase that-"I" was so excited!) 

All of the grandparents were in town, Laura-one of my best college friends was in town, the flowers were ready to present, the video camera was charged and we were waiting anxiously!   Ann Charlotte had practiced, practiced and practiced her ballet.  She was ready!  

Tendu, Releve', Plie', Eleve', Arabesque...

Until....she realized that over 100 eyes were on her. She turned around...looked at us...her lip started quivering...

and that was the performance.  She jumped in my lap and didn't do one more move with her class.  At first I was disappointed but then I realized-she is only 2 years old.  I don't blame her.  Goodness, what pressure for a 2 year old!  

We realized afterward that she just wanted to do a solo performance.  So, we saw her moves after the official recital.   She was too cute!  

Here she is with her teacher Miss Janice-

Why Easter?

Ann Charlotte: "Because Jesus died on the cross for our sins" (so proud of her!)

Alleluia! Praise the Lord!

The Hunt is On

With one week to go we are getting our Easter egg hunting perfected!  

We had a "girls only" hunt on Friday that was all pink and the perfect kick-off to the hunting season.   Thank you to Eugenia and Kate for hosting such an "Eggcellent Party!"

On Saturday, Collier and Anna Prescott had us over for an Easter egg hunt and birthday party.  It was so much fun!  We always love going to Oxford to visit our "bestest" friends and it is even better when there is a  reason to celebrate.  Happy Birthday Anna Prescott and Collier!

 I think we have this egg hunting down pat.  I have high expectations for our other hunts this week.  Maybe we will bring home the golden egg!   

Seven Years Ago Tonight...

We said "I Do".

 And it keeps getting better and better! 

Happy Anniversary Trey!

"The Best is Yet to Come"

Fun with Friends

Awesome morning at the new park at Shelby Farms.  Way to go Memphis!  We love it!  And it's free!

It Won't Be Like This For Long

Ann Charlotte says "I love you, Mommy" and "I love you, Daddy" countless times a day and wants to hug and love on us.  My heart melts every time!   I know that this phase will not last long but we are "lovin' it.".  As Darius Rucker says from one of my favorite songs:
It won’t be like this for long
One day soon that little girl is gonna be
All grown up and gone
Yeah, this phase is gonna fly by
So, he's tryin’ to hold on
Cause it won’t be like this for long

"Innocence" is Bliss

Me looking in the rear view mirror driving today:

Mommy: Ann Charlotte please stop picking your nose.
Ann Charlotte: But why Mommy? I love picking my nose!

"Innocence" is bliss! (the other is too!)

Spring Break Then and Now

Then:                     Now:
Beach                                           Indoor Pool
Best Friends                               Amazing Family
Late Nights                                  Early Mornings
Parties                                          Playgrounds
Baby Oil                                       Sunscreen
Bikini                                            Swim dress and cover up


I wouldn't trade it for anything!

We didn't have any travel plans and a blank calendar for the week so Ann Charlotte and I met Acey in Florence, Alabama for some R and R.  Random, I know!  But, we wanted a hotel with an indoor pool and didn't want a long drive.

It was bliss!

Run, Run, as Fast as You Can...

One of our favorite books is The Gingerbread Man.   Anytime Ann Charlotte is running or wants to play chase she says..."Run, run as fast as you can you can't catch me I'm the gingerbread man." 

So about a week ago I told her that we would make a gingerbread man the next day that it rained (we had all of the supplies left over from Christmas and they were about to expire).  She woke up this morning and as soon as she looked outside she asked when we were making the "snowman."  She was a little confused but I knew what she was asking for.
So that is what we did first thing in the morning.   Meet Ginny the Gingerbread Woman....

Then just like the sneaky, sly fox we gobbled it up!  Yummy!

We Get By...

With a little help from our friends...

Ann Charlotte and her buddy William Warmath

What is that Mommy?

I could not help but laugh...

Ann Charlotte:  Mommy, what is that?

Mommy:  What is what bug? (bug is one of her many nicknames)

Ann Charlotte:  That thing with a red and a blue eye?

Mommy:  What? (confused and wondering if she was seeing things in my bedroom like an imaginary friend, etc.)

Ann Charlotte:  That thing...

Obviously, I don't use it often enough!