Tellus Museum in Cartersville, GA

Last week I took the girls and some friends to the Tellus Museum in Cartersville. We had a great time. It was an extremely nice museum with lots to do and see. The most fun was panning for stones that the kids we able to bag and keep. We ate a picnic lunch and went back inside for more.

Shelby's First Day of 3rd Grade

Emma's 4th Birthday

 

 

 

 

Emma's 4th Birthday

We celebrated Emma turning four last Saturday with her Princess friends. We started the party with a special gift presentation from our new neighbors, Mr. Bob and Mrs. Cathy. They just love Emma and Emma just loves to examine Mrs. Cathy's jewelry each time she sees her. So they gave Emma her first locket. Mr. Bob presented her gift dressed in his tuxedo. It was the sweetest gift presentation I have seen. She was certainly the center of attention and loved the necklace. We then moved to Princess centers. The kids stamped cards, had their faces painted, nails painted, and made Princess Wands. After we ate some "P" Princess Food off of the "Puffett", we had cake. I branched out once again and made a castle cake for Emma. Last year I made her a ladybug cake but, unfortunately, never got a piture of it from a friend who took pics for me. So, I made sure I had my camera charged and I took several. After all of that hard work, you want a picture to remember it by. I learned my lesson. We then went on a gift scavenger hunt. We went in search of Cinderella's glass slipper and found gifts scattered throughout the house. Emma loved it but wondered where the slipper was since we never found it. I guess Cinderella left with it after all. We played some games and the little Princesses all left with a pink carnation in hand and the placemat I hand painted with each girl's name. It was a bunch of work, but it made for a great party with sweet memories. The best thing is, I don't have to ask anyone for the next 9 months for a picture of my daughter's birthday cake. If you are reading this and happen to feel compelled, just send that picture through e-mail. Just had to try one last time!!!! :)

The girls love the pool and want to swim all day. I love the fact that Emma did not hesitate this summer and got right into the water. She swims from one end of the pool to the other with her floaty of course. What a difference from last year! Shelby is our little fish. She jumps in, does hand stands, swims underwater, and loves her goggles. Thank goodness for the pool both at Grandma's in Jax and here in our neighborhood!

My Sweet Amanda, 1985-2009

After 17 months of battling 2 types of cancer, Amanda went home to be with Jesus on May 30th and was put to rest Thursday, June 4, 2009. I attended her funeral and witnessed what no mother would ever want to experience. Her mom, Kim, was beyond devastation. How do you say good-bye? Even when you know that the body you can still see is no longer your child, your heart tears in two. I could see the pain ripping through her soul. I wanted to take it all away for her entire family. I watched as they all cried and grieved. I had Shelby and Emma with me so I tried to keep it together the best I could. I suppose that was a blessing to have them there. I had planned for them to stay with my mom but it did not work out. Had I been alone I think the tears would have flooded my face. I have so many memories of babysitting these kids. When I look at pictures of these precious girls and their brother, Chad, I remember so many fun times. I was with the 3 of them every Saturday night of high school, had them on weekends when their parents would go away and at times for vacations. I watched them over the summer and spent so many birthdays celebrating their lives. I guess I was a "nanny" before it was the thing to be. Amanda was precious to me and always had a smile filled with sunshine. Her eyes would make those little upside down smiles and her giggle would make you laugh. God had a plan for her life that we could never have predicted. I am thankful for God allowing me to see Amanda in April as part of His plan before she left us. He knew when she would take her last breath. I had no idea when I hugged her bye after we shopped and ate lunch that it would be the last time. But, I am SO incredibly glad I had that time. As I looked at her in her casket, I mourned her loss but was comforted by the fact that she will no longer be in pain, will no longer have swelling beyond recognition, will no longer be poked with needles, and will no longer have to fight to stay alive. She was tired. Rest now Manda girl. You are safe from harm forever more. I love you and will see you again some day.

It is over! After preparing for days, we had the garage sale. We actually made a lot of money. All of the hard work was nicely rewarded. So I am really wiped out tonight. The girls have had their baths and are ready for bed. Although they are not one bit tired. I could close my eyes and be asleep instantly. But, instead, I decided to check my email, which made me check blogs, which made me want to post. When I looked at the most recent pictures I have, I saw my beautiful girls having so much fun on their new driveway. I want to share this moment because it represents for me how I feel about our new house. Shelby and Emma can go outside and ride up and down the driveway onto the cul-de-sac all afternoon without me worrying one of them may loose control going down our old driveway. Shelby can play basketball without the ball rolling down the hill into the ditch across the busy road. We do not have much traffic at all, just a curious passer-by once in a while. I love that they can actually play outside safely and happily.They are enjoying that the most. We have met friends to play with not to mention our new neighbor across the way who loves my girls, Cathy. When I think about all of the things I love about living here, I think about so much. God has blessed us and I am so thankful. We are settled in and unpacked. I have made it past the garage sale and am happy to say I have no more "big" projects on my calendar. Now I can focus on putting the icing on the cake so to speak in our new home and finally getting into a set routine again. Hope you enjoy our girls playing. I sure do!