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Just a little busy.

I wish I could say that I've been lounging around being lazy for the past 6 or 7 days but that wouldn't be true. It has been a busy week.
Today is my step-sister's baby shower and I've been busy preparing some things for that- it has been fun, really. I made cute centerpieces and some decorations, picked up some of the supplies for my mom and made some iced tea and fruit salad.
I am most geeked about the "party favor" that I thought of for everyone. I bought Honey Buns and made labels that say, "thank you for being a part of A's "bun-in-the-oven" celebration!" If I had more time and energy, I would have really liked to make homemade cinnamon buns but I thought that was pretty cool...and I didn't even find that online... my brain works sometimes. LOL
On Friday evening we went to my cousin's surprise-ish birthday party (where the mosquios had a feast and now my best friend is this tube of Cortizone-10).
Despite the back yard blood drive, we had a good time ... LOL! I didn't get many photos of my daughter- she was having a rough time waiting for the cake to be cut. :) Here is one close-up, though.











Well, time for me to get moving and get ready to head out. Happy Sunday!

Routine

We are home from up north. We have our daughter back in our possession and now it is time to get back to our daily routine. In some ways, I look forward to that- it is comforting and keeps me somewhat sane... well, except for "Sunday night laundry" that, I could probably do without. LOL

Mia had a great time up north. I knew that she would but boy was I happy to see her! We heard lots of stories, and lots of laughs which makes me happy, too.
On Saturday, the weather was beautiful and so we headed over to the lake. Good times were had, as you can see: (you can click to see a larger photo)

Time for me to finish watching Army Wives and then get some rest. :)

I want my baby back, baby back, baby back!

LOL. I couldn't resist! :)

We are leaving soon to pick up my girlie. Can't wait to see that little face!










Happy Weekend, Friends!!

Mmmmm.....

I am not sure why God has given me some of the most wonderful people in my life, but I am not asking questions! :)

During the school year, I made quick friends with the mom of Mia's BFF. We clicked and I so looked forward to picking Mia up each day so we could chat while we waited for the girls. She is awesome- she was like my daily devotional every day and I know that it was not a mistake that we met.

We all met for lunch last week and my goodness, her thoughtfulness amazed me again! She bought me 2 gallons of sweet tea AND gave me a big jar of homemade BBQ sauce which was AWESOME!

Sometimes we can get so carried away with the negative in life that we don't pay enough attention to the blessings... the puffs (Hi Deb!).

My heart is full of joy at the thought of my family and my friends. :)

P.S. I am still missing my baby girl and cannot wait to see her little face!

missing my girl

On the 4th we packed up my girl and met Grandpa and Grammie half way so she could spend the week with them. I was crying pretty hard core when we pulled away and my heart is still crying! I miss this kid!

It is SO quiet around here. I am not even joking when I say that she sings constantly- I would say at the very minimum 85% of her waking hours are spent singing... when she is on the computer, the phone, laying on the couch... yes, true story.

Then there is this little thing that she does when we are all going about our own business and she might be watching tv or something- she will yell out "mama, I neeeeed you" and I will say, "whhhhyyyy?" and she will reply, "I need you to love on me". Isn't that the most awesome? Yep, she does the same thing with Daddy. Only on occasion does she really want us to get her something to eat or drink! LOL

Anyway, this will be the longest we've ever been apart and I can already tell you that I am miserable without her so Friday can't come soon enough!

Proud to be an American

May God bless this Country always.
Happy Independence Day to you and yours. :)

(I just took this photo on Clinch Mountain in Tennessee!)

Home: Not always where the heart is.

We're home from vacation. We had an awesome time- lots of laughs, lots of family, too much food, a few margarita's for good measure and now, great memories. It is always incredibly hard to leave and this time was no exception. I cried on and off all day long- the morning was the worst. I can honestly say that leaving is one of the worst feelings I have experienced in my 30 years thus far. It is especially hard to say goodbye to my Dad. I was laughing (while crying) and telling Joe that I think it is what they say about childbirth- that you sorta forget the pain and that is why you do it again. LOL I am just going to be thankful that I am only 10 hours away and not 24 hours away. I'm going to find the puff in the situation... tee-hee, that is for my aunt Debby.

Speaking of my aunt Debby (who made me shed a few tears while I was visiting because she was WAY too kind and generous!) she is celebrating 25 years of marriage to my uncle Michael. I couldn't say it on here before but the main reason we went down south this past weekend was to be in on a surprise gathering that their daughter Rachel planned. She is a stinker... but a pretty one, eh? LOL

And here is my favorite photo of Michael and Debby... a reenactment, if you will:
We had a great time and it was worth the 10 hour drive just to see this! :)

There are so many more photos and memories but I will save those for later. Right now, I am going to go snuggle with my kiddo because she leaves for Grandpa and Grammies tomorrow...for a whole week! YIKES!

...almost vacation time....

I am more and more excited...and more and more exhausted! :) There is just so much to be done here before we leave. Laundry, dishes, packing, mowing the lawn, washing the car, getting tires balanced and rotated (just realized this tonight... yikes.) and the list goes on. But, I am NOT complaining... it is all worth it.

So I bid thee farewell and I will see you next week...

TGIF!

Seriously, so happy that it is Friday! It feels like this week has gone by so slow. I think it is because usually things slow down a lot at work in the summer and right now, I feel like we have many things going on.

Yesterday evening we went out for dinner and then to the park for a nice walk. It was very cool and we had a great time together. Here is Mia with her walking stick... (she and Daddy really think they are cool with walking sticks.) Good Times.





















Not sure what we are doing this weekend but somewhere in there will be relaxing, church, and making lists for vacation! :) Can't wait- just really, cannot wait!

I am off to do a little bit of that relaxing now with my newest Real Simple magazine.

Happy Friday!

mid-week musings...

Today  Yesterday would have been my cousin Shane's 27th birthday. He has crossed my mind many times today. Still seems so unreal that he isn't with us. :(

Only one week away from vacation and I can't wait! I can't believe that summer is in full swing. Although, it is pretty cool here so it doesn't quite feel like it yet. I don't complain though, I love beautiful days that are without extreme heat and sweat! LOL

I've been wanting to scrap this week but seems that laundry and cleaning have other plans for me. :) I do have a photo to share though. I don't know if I like my post processing on it- I used Hard Light and it might be a little too saturated but hey, trying something new is fun!

I love this girl. I took this last Sunday. She and I ran down to our General Store where they have hand-dipped ice cream. She chose cotton candy. She enjoyed it, can't you tell? LOL!

Today when I picked her up from daycare, she was in a great mood. She got in the car and started playing the air guitar like she was a true 80's girl. I was laughing SO hard.

Miss Jenn told me today that Mia said to the kids, "Hey guys, lets pretend that we are in the first stages of hypothermia". As if most 4-6 year olds just know what that would be. LOL! Hmmm... maybe a little too much of The Alaska Experiment?!

I don't know where she puts all that personality.

Well, better post this, I have about 3 minutes before it will say that it is the 19th of June... :) ETA: my computer clock must be wrong... darn it!