MOTHERHOOD ROCKS!!

Have I told y'all lately, how much I adore my daughter?
She's my greatest accomplishment in life... EVER!!!
She's such a good girl and is so smart! (too smart)
... and FUNNY!! Our silly girl keeps us giggling.

WHAT A HAM!!

Hope everyone has an awesome Tuesday!!! ((HUGS))

A day at the beach with our "almost cousins"...

Nana, Papa, Lilli and I spent the afternoon at the Topsail Island a little over a week ago with our "almost cousins"... I say this because they aren't truly our cousins. My siblings and I have always referred to my Mom's college roommate as our Aunt; therefore by default, her children, as well as her grandchildren are our cousins.

Aunt Charlotte helping Lilli with her "catch"

Lilli followed Riley around all day long!

Aunt Charlotte & my Mom

Sweet Wyatt

Emory snorkling & Wyatt taking a boat ride

It was so good to see everyone. We had the best time catching up and visiting with one another. Lilli has started to affectionately call cousin Susie's sons "my boys".  I have their photo on our refrigerator and she'll pull the picture down and bring it to me saying, "Mommy, look at my boys. I just love my boys." So sweet.  I am so glad she had the opportunity to spend time with her "almost cousins" while they were visiting North Carolina.
Sorry for the "haze" on the photos... my camera got a little wet! :o(

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. ((HUGS))

An Evening with Good Friends

About a week ago, Lilli & I met my good college friend, Julie and her daughter, in a neighboring city to celebrate Anna Parker’s 3rd belated birthday. Anna Parker was one of Lilli’s first friends… greeting us in the airport when we came home from China with Lilli.

We try to meet up whenever we can, so the girls can play together. They have such a great time too! We went to Chick-fil-A & after dinner, let the girls play for about an hour in the play area. While the girls played with a new friend "Alanah", Julie and I had a nice visit! You know, old friends are the BEST… No matter how much time is spent away from one another; you can always pick right up where you left off. Julie & I will be friends until we are both using walkers… may even share a room at the nursing home one day. I have strong feeling our daughters will be life-long friends too!

Hope everyone has a fabulous Friday and blessed weekend!

PRAYER REQUEST: The youth group, from the church we have been attending, is leaving for a mission trip to Jamaica this evening. Please keep the youth in your prayers, as well as their advisors. It’s going to be a life-changing experience for all of them. God bless them on their journey!

Annie at North Carolina Theatre

Lilli and I had a "girl's day" on Saturday! Daddy had to work, so as a total surprise, I bought tickets for the two of us to attend North Carolina Theater's production of Annie at the Progress Energy Performing Arts Center in Raleigh. She had NO IDEA where we were going until we walked in the building. I kept on referring to it as "Lilli's super surprise day with Mommy" the whole way there. Once we walked in the door, there was no way I could hide the surprise from her. Annie memorabilia was everywhere... & Mommy's such a sucker, she bought her 1/2 of what they were selling. Lilli got a t-shirt, stuffed Sandy dog and the broadway soundtrack. She's my only baby, so I try to spoil her when I can. :o)
The performance was AWESOME and starred Broadway's original Annie - Andrea McArdle as Miss Hannigan and Robert Newman (aka Josh Newman from Guiding Light) as Daddy Warbucks. The young lady that played Annie, English Bernhardt, was spectacular... WOW, what talent!!!! She is a student at NC Theater's Conservatory.

(PAUSE THE MUSIC AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SCREEN)

Funny story... as soon the orchestra struck up, Lilli began singing. Anyone surprised?? I told her that she didn't need to sing until the show ended, but promised her she could sing 'as loud as she wanted' when we were out of the auditorium. After a few brief seconds of "the pout", she settled down. Following the show, we needed to make a bathroom pitstop because traffic would be bad. Y'all... Lilli sang "Tomorrow" at the top of her lungs while we were in the stall (might I add, to the whole score of folks waiting patiently in line) She was soooooo LOUD! Everyone seemed to enjoy her performance! All gave her big smiles and thumbs up when she came out of the stall. She was so dramatic too, using her hands in the air, pretending to be Annie on stage. The singing didn't end there... it continued thru the lobby... out the door... walking to the parking garage... all the way home.... and still continues today! What can I say? My girl loves a muscial just like her Mama!
Hope everyone has a blessed Tuesday! ((HUGS))

Thankful Thursday - Poppi's BIG Day!!

Today, I am thankful for my Dad! He turned 76 years 'young' on Sunday. We celebrated his big day by having hot Blueberry-Crunch Cobbler topped with vanilla ice cream at our home. What a wonderful celebration... Dad is such a great man!! I feel blessed that I have him in my life. To know my Daddy, is to love my Daddy!

Lilli loves you bunches, Poppi!

Good Man

Dad,

Every year, your birthday reminds me

how grateful I am that you are my father.

With all that’s going on in the world today,

I’m thankful I get to watch you,

to look up to you, being an example of a good man.

What a privilege it is to observe your strength,

your competence, and your kindness.

I am so blessed to be under your wing,

your protection, your care,

learning important life lessons from you.

If all fathers were like you,

the world would be a very different

and much better place.

Happy Birthday, Dad,

from your admiring daughter.

by Joanna Fuchs

Have a wonderful Thursday y'all... What are you thankful for today??

Wordless Wednesday - Cousins

Lilli with cousins Lainey & Caroline

Hope everyone has a wonderful Wednesday!

PLAY BALL!!!

There’s nothing like spending quality time with good friends! We spent Monday evening with the Norris family at a baseball game. We had such a great time!! We are already planning a second trip before baseball season is over. Special thanks to my company for allowing us to use their box seats. We were really 'spoiled' sitting up close... right behind the Indian's dug-out!

We are so lucky to have a minor league baseball team in our little town… The Kinston Indians – affectionately called the “K-Tribe”! http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/index.jsp?sid=t485  Monday night was “Buck Night” and believe me, we had more than our share of $1 hotdogs, french fries & soda… and of course, what's a baseball game without popcorn & peanuts?!?!

The K-Tribe lost the game to the Winston-Salem Dash 7-3, but we still had a blast!!

Can’t wait to spend time with Catherine, Travis, Elizabeth and Rachel again… and we hope really soon!
Hope everyone has a terrific Tuesday! ((HUGS))