Summer So Far

What a busy summer we've had! And today is only the first day of summer! Granted, we have to fit everything in before Avery starts school on August 4...yes, I said August 4. So sad! So here's some of what we've been doing...

Memorial Day weekend my mom came up to visit. Friday morning Meme, Avery, and I headed to Nashville. On our way we stopped at Marcy Jo's Mealhouse and had a delicious breakfast!

While we were eating Rory and Indy came in! I was totally starstruck. I tried to get Avery to go say hey to Indiana, but she was shy like her mama. I bought a cd as we were leaving and Marcy Jo asked me if I wanted Rory to sign it. Um, yes please! He brought it to me, and I got to shake his hand! Totally made my life!!

 

We made our way to Nashville and stopped off at the Opry Mills Mall. We had to go to the Disney Store, of course (because my kids don't have enough from there), and a quick trip on the carousel. Meme took one for the team since they make me sick.

 

Then it was off to the big event of the day...a tour of the Grand Ole Opry! It was very interesting and neat seeing the whole place. I've never been, but I need to go to a concert there!!

 

What a fun experience! We tooled around Nashville a bit longer, then headed home. The next day we went swimming at Aunt B's, but the water was too cold for me!

 

This little fish didn't care how cold it was! I am so proud of her swimming skills. She remembers everything from last year, and has some new moves (more on that later).

 

Meme took Avery home with her, and this happened...

 

Better late than never, right? I've been putting the potty training off because I stink at it, and I just didn't want to do it. He is a hot mess, and it makes me so sad that I can't potty train a child. This morning I gave it to God, so He will pull us through. I realized today (4 weeks in) that Colt thinks if your underwear are dry, then you don't need to go. Pray for us...

 

One Saturday we finally found us a place to go fishing. Don't tell Daniel, but I don't like to fish. I have to make myself grin and bear it because Daniel does stuff he doesn't want to all the time. He was bound and determined for each kid to catch a fish. Luckily, it didn't take too long.

 

It's so hard for kids to sit still and wait. They did good though, and it paid off...

 

Colt was the first to catch one. He was so proud, as was I!!

 

Avery was getting impatient, but her turn soon came. Daniel tried to get her to hold the fish...c'mon man! I'd say it was a successful day at the lake.

 

We've spent a lot of time in the water this summer. We love filling up the pool and just enjoying being home and outside.

 

He loves going down the slide!!

 

And this is Avery's new thing. Last summer she would swim but not get her face wet at all. We haven't even had swim lessons this year, and she's already swimming under water! So proud of my girl!

 

One Saturday morning, we got up early and went to Marcy Jo's for breakfast. Again, it didn't disappoint! Everything is so yummy...their angel biscuits are to die for! Speaking of...they ask you if you want a homemade cinnamon roll as an appetizer. I'm scared I won't eat my breakfast if I do, but Daniel got one to go. I can't even explain how good it was. Neither can Daniel, but that's because I didn't share. A definite must for Marcy Jo's.

 

Colt ate his and Avery's eggs!

 

Your eyes are not deceiving you...that is Colt swimming alone in a pool with a float. We were in Birmingham and decided to swim at our old neighborhood in Helena. Colt was being himself, not wanting to put on his swimsuit, not wanting to get in the water, you know, typical Colt stuff. We got him in and my mom slipped that float on him without him noticing, and he (and I) was free!!! That boy swam all over that pool and had the best time!

 

My big girl swimming at Aunt B's!

 

Last week was Vacation Bible School at our church. It was also my first time volunteering. We had a good week learning about things that Jesus gives us (hope, courage, direction, love, and his power) using a cave theme. The kids had a blast!

 

 

I loved watching Avery learn the songs and sing with all her heart.

 

Friday night there was a family fun night to wrap things up. They had a water slide and a bouncy slide. Colt thought he wanted to go down the water slide...that is, until he got to the top. Again, Colt being Colt. Gotta love him.

 

 

Avery had fun going down the water slide.

 

They played on this one until it was time to show everyone the songs they learned all week.

 

What a fun way to end a great week of worship and fellowship.

 

Yesterday was Father's Day. We are so blessed to have Daniel who works so hard to support us, and who also loves us and makes life fun.

 

 

Whew, I'm tired just recapping all our summer fun so far. We still have our garden, which should be ready to harvest soon, Spring Valley Beach, and at least a couple more trips to Marcy Jo's. We can't wait to see what else summer has in store for us. Until then...

 

Simply Extraordinary...Part 2

Two Septembers ago I blogged about my grandmother's 90th birthday party. I had so much fun writing about that special time. She had been doing well in assisted living, but in January she got really sick and had to have surgery. She was such a fighter and came out of a really difficult sickness and went back to Ridgeview for rehab. Even though she was very weak and had trouble even sitting up she was still herself, making sure everyone had what they needed and thinking about everyone but herself.
On the afternoon of May 30, 2016 my sweet Memaw went to be with Jesus. In my heart I just think she was ready. My mom called and told me the news. I had the reaction of shock and utter sadness. Memaw can't be gone. She was supposed to outlive us all. As the afternoon wore on, and I thought about her more and more, my heart was filled with peace and a kind of joy. That lady who lay in that bed helpless and tired was not the Memaw I know. My Memaw was vivacious, always on the go, helping out everywhere she possibly could. My Memaw went shopping and out to eat and stood in that kitchen for hours on end cooking the most delicious meals you can imagine. So though I was sad and just wanted to be with her again, I was so happy for her. She was finally new and whole. I pictured her running to her beloved Harry. I pictured her with Jesus. But what really made me smile was this picture I had (and still have) in my head of Memaw and Grandaddy holding our sweet Susannah. There is such a comfort knowing that Susannah will be in good company until I can be with her.

Daniel and I headed to Memaw's hometown, Greenville, Mississippi, the day before her funeral. I love Greenville. I don't care how run down it is, I still love it. I have so many good memories in that town. We lived five hours from there when I was growing up, but my mom did such a good job of taking us to visit our grandparents often. It was always a fun time when we got to go to Memaw and Grandaddy's. I feel so blessed to have so many memories with them.

So many sweet family and friends came to celebrate Memaw's life. Every single one of them said how much they loved Memaw. And I know that each one meant it with his whole heart. We got to visit with family we don't often see. Memaw's only living sibling, Alice, was able to come from Memphis, and it was like looking at Memaw.

Although the preacher was a different one from when Memaw attended First Presbyterian, they had corresponded through letters a few times. My mom had written the nicest things about my grandmother (not that there was a single bad thing you could say about her). Proverbs 31 was quoted. My grandmother was the epitome of a Proverbs 31 woman. It was perfect.

We said our goodbyes at the cemetery where she was laid beside her sweet husband. They have both been waiting patiently for 19 years to see each other again. Now they can spend eternity catching up and rekindling their sweet, perfect, unconditional love for one another.

Memaw was an ever-present fixture in our family, the matriarch, the model we should all strive to follow. We will miss her every day, but we can rest assured that we will see her again one day, perfect and whole.

I couldn't post about Memaw without sharing some pictures I found.

This one cracks me up for two reasons. First, that's not me, that's Colt with brown hair! And second, I don't remember Memaw with big, brown hair! Her hair will always be white to me. I think this was when we lived in Natchez.

 

The sweetest people you will ever meet.

 

This was my sister's high school graduation in 1995.

 

This was in 2004 after Jack was born. She doesn't even look like a great-grandmother!

 

This was at my wedding in June 2008. She had broken her hip the first time earlier that year. She walked down the aisle perfectly. This is also the dress she is buried in.

 

This is exactly 3 years later. She had a stroke a little over a year earlier and was living at home in Greenville with a caregiver. My mom was about to go with me to Avery's very first doctor's appointment when she got the call that Memaw fell. That's when she moved to Birmingham for good. She lived with the effects of her stroke for over 6 years, and she was so strong and brave and never wanted to be (or was) a burden on anyone. A trooper if I ever saw one.

 

The pallbearers...it meant the world to my mom to have the men closest to Memaw be by her side. That's Billy, Daniel, Jack, ER, Harry, and Wade.

 

Her obituary in the Delta Democrat Times. Like my mom said, it's really weird to see her name in this section. She can't be gone.

 

A week after her funeral my mom and aunt planned an activity at Memaw's assisted living to honor and celebrate her life. They wanted to do something Memaw loved instead of having a memorial service. Jack read the words the preacher spoke about Memaw, and the ladies just loved us being their and told us how much they loved Memaw.

 

I love Memaw, and I will miss her everyday, but I have hope. I have hope in something real and everlasting. Not everyone can say that, even though that hope is open to everyone. If I learned anything from Memaw it's that the greatest thing in this world is love. I hope I can love like Memaw did and leave that much love on the earth when my time comes.

 

I can't wait to meet you on the other side, Memaw.



First Family Vacation

We were finally able to plan a trip to the beach this year, and we were so excited. This was both kids' first time at the beach. I know everyone likes to take their babies to the beach, but not us. Let me tell you, it was totally worth it to wait and see and hear the sheer delight of seeing the beach and ocean for the first time. That's something I'll never forget.

Avery immediately ran into the water, and it was hard to get her out the whole week. I couldn't have been more proud of her! She swam like a big girl all by herself. It helped that the water was completely clear and there were absolutely no fish.

 

She even found a friend our first day there. They had a blast playing.

 

I mean, stop it. So sweet.

 

The weather was perfect, and we spent most of our days playing in the sand and water. We didn't even go to the pool because we were having so much fun at the beach.

 

Colt had fun building sand castles with his Olaf he got at the Disney outlet. And then I thought it was funny that we fulfilled Olaf's wish...summer!!

 

Daniel had the stomach bug for the first few days, and after a couple nights eating in, I was ready for some seafood! The kids and I walked next door to Pineapple Willy's and had us a delicious meal right on the beach.

 

One day we rode over to Destin to the outlet malls then hit up the Track. We spent wasted $5 in the arcade. I hate them, but the kids had fun. Then we did the wooden go cart track. It was fun, but it was a big spiral that just went round and round. Even Colt looked green after the second go round. That was a fun day.

 

We stopped at our favorite spot, the Back Porch, to snap a picture in the big chair. Then back to PCB to get ready for dinner.

 

We went to the Back Porch in Panama City then strolled through Pier Park. Can't go anywhere without "pets".

 

We walked out on the pier. I guess that was a different night...Colt has a different pet.

 

One morning we found this delicious hole in the wall called the Pickle Patch. It was delicious!! One review I found on Google said, "Only one waitress, but she was jam up." He was absolutely correct!!

 

One of Daniel's cousins just moved to PCB, and she brought her two kids to the beach to play one afternoon.

 

One night we ate at Margaritaville. They had pirates on stilts making balloons. Avery got a princess crown and Colt got a sword. "Fins" came on and I taught Colt how to do fins up...we got us a little Parrothead. Couldn't be more proud.

 

Colt liked to run away from the waves as they came on the shore. His laugh and squeal are my favorite.

 

More beach pics.

 

This is a fourth of the excitement she had the first time she went in the water.

 

These pictures don't come close to describing the amazing time we had. We feel so blessed to have been able to go for a week and spend time as a family. We would have rather been awing over baby Susannah as a  newborn, but we made the best of where we were in this season of life. God is good all the time....all the time God is good.