Happy 85!!

This sweet lady celebrated her 85th birthday today. We were blessed to be able to spend it with her.

 I think she had a good time -- Granny's like a kid when it comes to her birthday. :)

So thankful that my girls have this sweet lady in their lives...and they love her!

She's got quite a bunch!

 Happy Birthday, Granny! We love you very much!

Think Pink

The girls and I, along with Emily and her girls, headed to downtown Opelika this morning for the "Think Pink" walk. We had a great time supporting breast cancer awareness, despite the muggy temperatures! The girls did great -- the little ones rode in the stroller and the big girls rode in the wagon.

They loved the pink water in the fountain.

Pictures with the babies were pretty futile.

Even Aubie was there -- Lila wouldn't have a thing to do with him, and did not budge from the wagon. Leah gave him a big ol' hug though!

15 Months Old

Look how big my baby is!! She's looking like such a little girl these days! Clare Anne is 15 months old today, and it just amazes me that this much time has passed. She has such a fun and fiesty personality, and she keeps us smiling. She's definitely a little girl that knows what she wants. She's a good eater. She loves her lovey. We finally dropped that nighttime bottle, and there were a few nights of adjustment, but she's back to sleeping like her old self (knock on wood). She loves to brush her teeth. She's started getting excited about Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and loves the Hot Dog song. She likes for you to say she's pretty -- she pats her belly and grins. She shops great in a stroller, but don't get me started on a shopping cart. She's still a climber ... QUITE the climber. She HATES getting in her carseat, and I don't love putting her in it. She loves to push a baby around in a stroller. She has such a sweet, sweet smile. Happy 15 months, sweet girl!

Here's one of big sister ... she's just too sweet not to include!

The Girls at School

I've gotten a few phone pictures this week of the girls at school. They have been having a great year at Sissy's this year and love their little friends so much. They bring home lots of art and schoolwork and are quite excited to show me their folders every afternoon.

The line -- Aubrey, Clare, Hayes, Wyatt, Lila and Emory

Clare and Aubrey on a nature walk.

Lila and Emory putting a puzzle together.

Another cute group shot

 

A Visit Home

We finally were able to make a trip home to Madison this weekend. I was quite ready for a visit, and was very glad to see my family. We had a great Saturday -- Mama, Casey and I took the girls to see the Disney on Ice show. Lila was super excited, but was a bit more apprehensive when we got inside. Clare did really well this first half, but got pretty antsy during the second half. My poor camera was not charged, so we relied on the good ol' phone.

Lila likes to talk it up before hand and will talk about it once it's over, but during it, she looks like this. I think she's just very into it, but she doesn't have much expression.

Clare is a mess -- I kept her still for quite a while eating snacks out of the $15 Tinkerbell cup we snatched up.

Sunday morning before church.

Sunday afternoon..

Glad to hang out with our cousin, Will, who is always the good sport. :)

We had a great weekend ... minus the car ride home. Poor Clare Anne just wasn't having it. Sweet thing hit the hay early tonight!! 

Clare Reads

Lila has been learning her sight words at Sissy's house, and today Melinda noticed that Clare was trying to read the words too. We practiced when we got home. The video is kind of poor, but you get the gist. Clare is hilarious!

Blessed

I spent my afternoon with these two sweet girls at the partk. It's been an absolutely beautful day and some mommy and girls time was a good dose of medicine for this funk I've been in the last couple of days. School has worn me out, and I've really missed all the summer time I spent with the girls. Nights have seemed so busy ... so much so that it feels like it's time for bed and we've only been home a minute. Plus, I feel like Josh and I are on totally different schedules, and that makes it hard to keep up with the other.

There's a girl in town...more an aquaintance...who lost her battle with cancer today. She was 33 and had two children and a husband. Nothing like that news to put my whininess into perspective. My time today with the girls made me feel very thankful to be their mommy, for their sweet personalities--even with ALL the things that Clare seems to be getting into lately, for Lila's prayers, and Josh's hard work. And despite my tiredness and missing the girls, I am thankful for my job and my 16 "kiddos" that I take care of everyday. That job provides many blessings, but I usually don't take the time to count them.

So, I'm putting my grumpiness and sighing aside, and I'm going to try to make the most of this wonderful life that the Lord has blessed me with.
Hope you all have a great week. :)

While Mommies and Daddies watched football...

these little girls played and made messes and had the best time. So glad you came to hang out, Pedens!! We all really enjoyed the night!!

Happy Birthday, Grammy!!

Happy Birthday to my Mama! You are the absolute best and we love, love, love you so much!!

We hope you had a fabulous day!!

War Eagle!

War Eagle!! We're ready for football!!