Prayers

I just can't stop thinking about the devastation that has happened in Alabama. It just breaks my heart to hear about houses being destroyed and people who have died. Such a tragedy, and I praise God that all of my  close family and friends are OK. My hometown, Lake Martin, needs prayers. Parts of the lake got hit pretty bad. Thank goodness my parent's and in-law's houses weren't touched by the tornado, but I know people that have had their houses {or cabins} destroyed and unfortunately 2 deaths. Such a heart breaking experience.

My Dad got on his boat Thursday to see all the damage from the water. These pictures will literally take your breath away. And they don't even do it justice.

This is the Blount House. Where Nolen and his brothers stayed a month ago for Thomas's bachelor weekend. Speechless.

 A lot of my friends from home go to Alabama, and I'm so glad that they are safe. Looking at the pictures just makes me sick to my stomach. I can't imagine what was going through their minds. What a terrible thing to have to go through. 

Please pray for all the places that were hit by this terrible tornado. I've been reading about so many blessings since this has happened. People donating, giving money, giving their helping hand. It's so neat to see everyone come together and help out.

Have a great weekend! I hope you can spend it with some family and friends. I am in Nashville with my whole family {except Nolen... he fortunately started a new job this week and unfortunately couldn't get off to come with us. He has been at the lake helping clean up. So proud of him!}

Happy Monday

Cutting it close with this post, but Happy Monday! Mondays are climbing the chart to one of my favorite days of the week. {I know weird! I don't know how to explain it.} I guess I just feel rejuvenated and ready to tackle the week.

While I was at the grocery today, I picked up some fresh flowers. They really do put me in a good mood.

Speaking of flowers, my zinnias are growing! I can't wait till they bloom into big beautiful flowers.

Today we played with colored bubbles and let me tell you, they are messy! I saw a commercial for them and thought that sounded so cool and fun. So, the Easter bunny got some. My hand and Libby's feet were purple by the time it was over.

And this is how our Monday ended... Nolen has bath duty now that he is back to work. This is what I saw when I went to check on them. I thought this was too funny not to take a picture!

Hope your Monday was great too!

Easter Happenings

We have been getting in Easter mode around here. We kicked the festivities off on Wednesday. Libby had her Easter party at school. All the parents met in the Chapel for a sweet 15 minute service. I wasn't able to get any good pictures... bad lighting and moving kids. I love that they focus on the real meaning of Easter instead of talking about just the Easter bunny and egg hunts. {Although we do the Easter bunny and egg hunts.}After Chapel all the kids went to all the different rotations in different classrooms. They started off decorating cookies.

Then they made palm branches.

They waved their palm branches around the classroom like the people did when Jesus came to Jerusalem. 

They sang and danced to some Easter music.

The last thing they did was make a cross, and matched the "jelly beans" to the symbols on the cross. Libby was so excited to have her Daddy at school to help her. 

Thursday we got started on dying Easter eggs. Libby loved it! And we didn't have many egg breaking incidents. We used the PAAS color cups this year. Super easy to clean up!

I hope everyone has a great Easter weekend! And to remember the real meaning of Easter.

Spring Cleaning

I've been a little behind on my spring cleaning this year. Today I finally got my act together and started with Libby's playroom. This child is no where near deprived of toys! She has so many! This afternoon {while she was not looking} I got a big trash bag and started tossing things that she hasn't touched in the last year. It felt great to reorganize and get rid of unused old toys. I took a bag to Goodwill and trashed the other bag of toys that weren't worth giving.

Now I'm much happier when I walk in my front door. Nice and clean playroom!

I then went through all of Libby's drawers in her room, and packed up what didn't fit anymore. You couldn't pay me enough money to give away Libby's clothes. I don't know why, but I feel like these clothes will be used again some day.

Then I tackled my closet. Finished packing up all my winter clothes and getting my spring/summer clothes out. {My favorite!}

Now that I've been reminded of how good it feels to have everything organized and cleaned out, maybe I can tackle my whole house!

Thomas and Amber's Wedding Weekend

We are back from Thomas and Amber's wedding weekend! It was a fun and very special final wedding for the Lamberth's. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. {I didn't do a very good job taking pictures once all the wedding events started.}

Friday night we braved the storms and went bowling. Thomas won of course.

Saturday we went to the Bridesmaid luncheon at The Club. This is Libby in Ann's beautiful garden with her pretty dress that Sasa and Gran smocked for her.

Saturday afternoon we got a mani and pedi with Katie. She loved every minute of it!

Saturday night Libby played with Anderson and Allene while Nolen and I went to the Rehersal Dinner at the Summit Club.

Sunday was the big day! The only picture I got was of Libby looking at Amber and her bridesmaids. Thought it was so cute! I am so proud of Libby. She did a perfect job at being the flower girl. She loved it!

We could not be happier for them, and feel so blessed to have been a part of their special weekend. I've never seen both of them happier! 

Embrace the Camera and More

I'm cutting it close, but here is my "embrace the camera" picture. Libby obviously wasn't feeling like embracing the camera. She was way too busy to slow down.

The days have been so pretty lately that we have been spending a lot of time outside. Except when I've been in the library studying. Yuck!

Yesterday I had a parent/teacher conference with Libby's preschool teacher. I'm always a little nervous about these meetings because I mean... they're really honest about how your child is doing. And nobody wants to hear bad things about their child. But all was good when I saw this...

Here little "report". She has done so good this year, and improved in so many areas it's crazy! Her teacher was just praising my sweet Libby the whole time. I was a proud mama walking out of that meeting.

And this is has nothing to do with any of the above. I was looking through one of my J.Crew magazines that came in the mail the other day, and came across something really disturbing. This picture...

See anything wrong with it? If you can't tell, that's a BOY having his toes painted NEON PINK!!!! What the world?? Seriously!?! I was speechless when I saw this. Speech.less. Poor little guy.

Anyway,

I hope everyone has a great weekend! We have a pretty exciting one coming up. Nolen's older brother Thomas' is getting married this weekend to sweet Amber. We are so excited for them, and can't wait to spend the weekend celebrating {partying as Libby would say!} with them. And Libby can't wait to be the a flower girl princess!

Weekend {Yard Sale, Rodeo and more}

This weekend turned into to be a busy, entertaining and hot one. Saturday we had a yard sale at Richland Elementary for Relay for Life. I've been trying  to be in spring cleaning mode, so this was part of my "spring cleaning" plan to sell some of our stuff and make a little extra cash. We did that, but we STILL have a lot of stuff. It's never ending. This is our little 10x10 spot almost set up.

This was my first experience with a yard sale and I learned one thing. Some people are so CHEAP! I've never in my life. This lady came up and told me I was an "expensive yard sale lady". I'm sorry, but I'd like to make more than 50 cents on some things. This lady then basically stole some of my mother-in-law's lamps she gave me for the sale, and then threw me 5 dollars while she walked off with the lamps. I should have gotten Nolen to chase her down. 

Saturday afternoon I went to the Rodeo. Yes, the famous annual rodeo in Auburn. My friends Hayes and Caroline were down for the weekend to go to the Rodeo, so they talked me into going with them. I'm glad I did because let me tell you it was a sight and entertaining to say the least. Dressing up as a redneck is pretty fun I must say. Blake Shelton played and it was so fun! Didn't take my camera so no pictures. Only this one of Hayes and her 'Where's My Daddy' baby.

Sunday we played outside and watered the plants. One of Libby's favorite things.

Hope your weekend was a fun one too. 

Outside fun

Libby has found a new love for her old riding toys. Riding them down our driveway {not sure you would even call it a driveway}. It's steep enough that it's fun, but it's not too steep to where it would scare her.

And this big kid is always scaring me with hitting the tennis balls against our garage. We really don't need a broken window {or even worse a neighbors broken window}. He assures me he has control over that ball though. Please ignore all of our "stuff" in the garage. Hoping it won't be there next week! Going in on a garage sale at Richland Elementary this Saturday. Please come all you locals!

That's all I got right now. Gotta go vote for Paul on American Idol. And I think you should too. Goodnight!

4 of 4 {School party and BHAM}

On Thursday we celebrated Libby's birthday at AEEC in Ms. Laura's class. All the kids helped make cupcakes that morning. When I got there they were working on their art projects. They painted a fish and a boat. Then they had snack time. Libby got to sit at the front of the table and everyone sang to her. {We have really grown to love the birthday song!} Yay! Everyone loved the cupcakes and icing.

After snack time they had circle time and sang the "Goodbye" song. It was so fun seeing what Libby does at school. They are so cute!

Thursday afternoon we left for Birmingham to go celebrate Anderson's 30th birthday! Libby stayed with Lindsey and Jane while all the adults went to a nice dinner at Hot n Hot. It was so delicious and great being with my family!

Friday morning Libby got open her big gift from Nolen and me. 

A Barbie jeep!!!

She was so excited! A big thanks to Aunt Katie for picking it up in Nashville.

She still hasn't gotten fully comfortable with it, but I know that she will be riding it everywhere soon!

Libby had such a great birthday week! I still can't believe she's four! Until next year...

*To look at more birthday pictures from Ms. Laura's class click here for their class blog.