Happy birthday sweet Josey...

{Prissy and Joey on her 1st b-day}
Today you are 9 {that sweet girl brings tears to my eyes even saying it out loud}.  1/2 of your childhood is over & I pray that the other 1/2 goes MUCH slower...  I remember the doctor handing you to me & you sing-crying to me.  It was so sweet & calming, almost like you were sent to relax me and somehow make me better.  You do!


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You love- singing, dancing, & performing.  I love to watch you in ballet class {you are so graceful & beautiful}.  You look at things with a careful eye & know just what to add to turn something ordinary into something extraordinary!  You are generous.  You have the sweetest spirit of anyone I know.  You are kind.  You are smart.  You are funny {although you sorta get your joke telling from me- we need to work on that}.  You are patient {especially with your brother & we all love you for it}.  You are sweet {did I mention that already?}.  You are!


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{you and me on your 4th b-day}
  You love- make-up, fancy jewelry, fixing your hair, nail polish and ALL things girly!!  And I {adore} that about you...  This year you decided you wanted a day out with me instead of a party with your friends {cue the crying by me again}.  We had the perfect day together.  We got up early went out to breakfast. Then we braced ourselves for a day of shopping that may go down in history!  I sat & watched you try on about a million different outfits {you love to model things in the 3 way mirror}.  We laughed & sang the entire way everywhere we went.  You were SO appreciative for EVERYTHING.  So... we just kept going.  My favorite part of the day was just being with you and holding your hand {I miss that, usually I am holding brother's hand}.  Then we finished up the day with a spa appointment- I {heart} my 9 yr old & her very VERY girly ways!!!!!!!

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I suggested that we maybe have a tiny get together with 2 of her besties this week too {NOT a party, just a get together- ha ha}.  **You are- the best gift acceptor that I know.  Daddy & I always laugh & look at each other when you open gifts {even gifts that you get that you have 10 of already or that your brother re-gifts}.  We love that about you** 

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Joey was confused when I started making favor boxes and putting party supplies in the pool bag.  I didn't buy a thing {after all this was NOT a party, just a get together}.  The girls had a blast!!!

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Lyla Mae got a super sweet necklace from Bella & this little seat {made for 18 inch dolls at Wal-Mart for $5.00}.  Lyla, Lucy, Lizzie, & Lannie share it & one of them is always a the dinner table!!!  I {heart} how 9 yr olds still love AGDs!!!

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Please slow down growing up my sweet girl!  I want to keep you little for as long as I can... Although I am very much looking forward to another Momma/Daughter day with you very soon!!! My cup runneth over with love for you.....

keep calm & carry on....

Is anyone else as beside themselves as we are about the Olympics?  I have always LOVED to watch them- even in high school I remember not going out during the gymnastics {I was a bit of a nerd}.  I cry during almost every medal ceremony {and if the USA is represented I bust out the National Anthem right along with them}!  I am SO incredibly proud of our country & I love to watch the best of the best compete- it's amazing!!! 

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This year I'll be watching & remembering our trip last year- I {adore} London.  The people, the castles, the churches, the FOOD, the shopping....  and the sweet boy that took me there!!!

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Prissy is representing the USA in fashion.  She is sure to take home the gold...

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and possibly the silver in accessories- ha ha

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A-man is favored to sweep ALL of the Lego events!!!!

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GO

    USA!!!

summer-breakers

We could be professional Summer Breakers!!  I don't want to brag, but we are really good at it- ha ha!!  I have though, missed sharing life with y'all.....  but our summer is almost over {one more week} & we gotta make every minute count!  We have been swimming every day {at least once.. sometimes more}, purging {I took 6 bags & 2 huge boxes to Goodwill this week... my closet looks so much skinnier}, eating up the garden treats {we now FINALLY have enough tomatoes to share- we pick everyday!}  And- we got a golf cart {Cooner & I cleaned her up, touched up her paint, & reupholstered her seats!  She's perfect- {for us anyway- the kiddos & I feel like we are on a stay-cation!}.  I took a couple of weekends off too {we managed to go out on the lake with friends & fit in some treasure hunting- I can't wait to show you some fun finds}!  

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I love these little boot wearin' babes... 

MORE than any Momma ought to be allowed!!!!!  

Gotta run- time for a Momma/Daughter "Just Dance" dance-off!!!!!!!!!! 

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O-ya and the kiddos went to Golf Camp & LOVED it!!!!


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Mr. Phil said that "Prissy was a natural".
I asked my A-man what his favorite part was? "Snacks!" was his earnest reply...
I love that little sweaty headed boy!!!!   

Happy Anniversary...

to the best friend that a gal could have!  Today we are celebrating 11 years together- it is going SO fast....  You are so different than me, I think we compliment each other very well.  You bring out the best in me & you love me even when I am unloveable!  You precious Joey are VERY generous, kind, compassionate, funny, & darling ALL wrapped up in a nice neat package {just the way I like things- ha ha}.  I would marry you all over again in a second & I'm lovin' growing old with you!!!

I adore you!

XXOX,

better than ever....

Cooner is back to her old self again!  Her dressings are off, her burns are healed, she is starting to venture out of the house {she even went to water aerobics last night}, & she can cook again- YEAH!!!!!!!  **Although we don't just love her for her cooking.... we do very much appreciate it!!!**  She made these wonderful little fruit tarts..... they are even better than they look!!

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Then she made this cheese danish with leftover pie crust- YUMMY!

  {It didn't last an hour!}

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The A-man loves most everything she makes!  

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  Then she & Prissy decided to start a little bracelet company.  

Prissy got SO many compliments on her ankle bracelets at the Pool on the 4th.... 

she made a few more..

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... with Cooner's help.

  **check out Cooner's new skin- doesn't it look fantastic!!**

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And I made her this tiny sign {what can I say- I'm competing with Cooner- ha ha}.

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Today we are purging the attic- heaven help me!!!

Happy 4th of July!

So far we have... ran in the 1 mile family fun run {the kiddos both medaled- YEAH!!!}, swam, went to the parade, bounced in the bouncy house, swam, then we made some ankle bracelets {or 20}, napped, & now we are headed back to the pool where I'm gonna lead the games- YIKES!!!  Hope y'all are having a wonderful 4th!!!


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Happy
Birthday
Corbin-Doodle-Dandy
We love you!!!

and

I have a new little sweet baby niece
{by bestie Kristy went and had her little baby girl on her Aunt Ashly's b-day.
As if I couldn't love that child any more....  YEAH!!!!}


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**Cooner update- she walked outside today for the 1st time, then she needed a nap- ha ha.  She is doing VERY well- she jokes that her skin looks 20 yrs younger.  I {heart} how she takes things in stride.  THANK YOU for ALL of you well wishes!!!***