Tomorrow! Tomorrow!

I love ya! Tomorrow! You're only a day away!

It's here! Anna Clare's school production of "Annie" begins tomorrow night and we are so excited! After weeks and weeks of rehearsals the first of six sold-out performances is Thursday night. The cast has worked incredibly hard, and it's going to be a great show! I am so very proud of Anna Clare (and all the girls...and guys). She is in the orphan chorus, and they have practiced every single Saturday since the end of January and several school nights (and all day yesterday) the last couple of weeks. She only missed one rehearsal (when she had the flu), and has missed four Saturday birthday parties. She has yet to complain at all, which tells me that she is truly loving it! Besides being a great experience and just plain fun, I think it has taught her about commitment as well. She is especially excited about wearing make-up! ("Mom...make sure you read the make-up sheet. It says girls DO wear mascara!") A HUGE thank-you to G.G. for making her orphan costume. We can't wait to see our little orphan perform!

Birthday Weekend

We had a birthday-celebratin' weekend around here. I turned 36 on Friday and we loaded up with some friends and headed to the Log Cabin.



It's just across the state line and we highly recommend it. Steve and I had not been in several years but we will definitely be going back. They have excellent seafood, steaks, burgers, and lots of other stuff. We were missing some friends, but it was opening night for baseball. It was a great night with great friends, and Steve and I were still laughing the next day!



And then...Anna Clare turned 8 today!!



We went to her favorite Mexican restaurant, and the girls gorged themselves on cheese dip as usual:)













Then we came home and sang to her again while she blew out the candles on the Butterfinger cake that my mom made her...









We celebrated her birthday last Friday night with a slumber/pool party at a local hotel. She and her friend Claire have birthdays just a few days apart so we did a combined party.





It really turned out to be a great party! They had the indoor pool and hot tub pretty much to themselves.



This little fish seemed to enjoy the pool as much as anyone.



She must have jumped in at least 50 times!



Then we had pizza and cake...



And it was back for more swimming.







This little girl wore herself out and went home with her Daddy for a good night's rest.



Then we went upstairs and hung out in the two suites we had. They thought staying in a hotel was super fun and we only had 1 noise complaint! (I just happened to overhear a nice couple telling the desk clerk that they had been trying to get to sleep since 8 and the room next door was extra noisy. I apologized to them and assured them we would quiet down right away :) They were asleep by 11:00 and slept till 7:00 or 7:30 the next morning, which I thought was not too shabby! Then they went downstairs and tore into the hotel breakfast!



For party favors, we gave the girls a noodle for the pool and these pillowcases. We ironed a group pool picture on them and they took turns signing each others. It was a really fun and easy party!



Happy 8th Birthday Anna Clare! I love you so much-y with all my heart-y (just a little something we like to say to each other:)

While I was out of town....

This little girl pulled her 9th tooth! Hoping the tooth fairy comes tonight!

Last Week

Thank you all so much for your prayers for our family. We are so thankful for them. We made a quick trip to the other side of the state for my granddaddy's funeral. Even though it was under sad circumstances, it was so good to see aunts, uncles, cousins, and especially my Mema.

Unfortunately my expectations were for a bit too high for a three-year-old when it comes to a funeral. Although I had crayons and a coloring book, Owen was quite disruptive pretty early into the service. I made the choice to take her outside, and the moment we walked out, the sadness was overwhelming. Sadness, not only for the loss of my grandaddy, but for missing his funeral which including hearing my Daddy speak. Owen and I sat on the curb of the mortuary having our own little pity party. She was crying because I was crying. Steve was a pallbearer so he wasn't sitting with us, and I should've asked someone ahead of time if they would take care of her should the need arise. Anyway, hindsight...



After the graveside service (during which my brother played "I'll Fly Away" on his guitar and we were all incredibly moved as we sang along), a group of sweet ladies fed all of the family a delicious lunch at my grandparents' church. We then spent some time with my grandmother and it was so good just to hug her and see her sweet smile. Mema and June-June's favorite song was Tennessee Waltz and at their 60th wedding anniversary, my brother played it on his guitar while they danced. During this trip, I learned that June-June took a radio over to Mema's room a few weeks ago, got her up and danced with her to their favorite song. Sweetness.



We went by my grandparents' house to look around at old "stuff" and visit with my parents, brothers, and sisters-in-law a little more before everyone started heading separate ways.



The girls had an absolute blast with their cousins. Anna Clare cried when we left, and we promised them all to get together more often. And I cried again on the way home. I guess being with family you don't see enough and then having to say good-bye does that to you, or it does to me anyway:)

On Saturday the four of us participated in the Juvenile Diabetes Walk in honor of our sweet friend Lydia, who is one brave little princess.



It was a great turnout despite the rain and all the kids were so precious in their "Team Lydia" t-shirts.



And since everyone in my house is fast asleep, I think I will join them! Night Night!