BU cheer day

One of the best things about living in Waco is all the fun that Baylor brings to the community and our kids!    AnnMarie participated in "cheer day" back in January and got to perform at halftime of one of the men's games.  

When she met for the clinic/practice that morning, she did not seem that into it, and I was a little worried at how the performance would go!  yikes!

The parents got to come at the end of the clinic and watch---still not that into it.  :/

Brother bear had to come too!  (It was hard to explain to him that he couldn't be a cheerleader that day.)  :)

Sweet Caroline!

Well, friends, we did a 180 at the game. Hallelujah!  

Oh yeah, shakin it, singin it, dancin it.  I guess she needed the live audience to come alive! :)

Sic em Bears!

Um hmm

Smiling with a real live cheerleader.  What a fun day!

High School besties mini shower weekend

*First of all: thank you to Caryn for these pics!  I have been a little lagging in the photog area this pregnancy!

We got together for a quick one-nighter weekend which was graciously arranged and planned by these sweet one of a kind friends.  Ann and I were SO appreciative of them taking the time to drive from their cities, work out childcare, and just clear the calendar to celebrate our babies coming!
(Shannon M, Lauren, Ann, Shannon B, Caryn, Wendi in spirit from Doha! :(   )

We started the night at 135 Prime which was DELICIOUS of course and just got some good chat time in. 

How cute is this cake?  Lauren made it!  And even the layers inside were pink/blue/pink/blue.  By now you've figured out Ann is having a boy.  :)
And look at those beauties in the background???  That's right, they gave us these gorgeous diaper bags that I for one cannot wait to start using!!  Thank you so much, girls!

After dinner we came home and had our cake, checked out the new diaper bags, and continued our talking well into the night.  (Haven't done that in a while!)  The next morning we got to Skype with Wendi which of course is not enough time with her, but we'll take it!  Then we quickly said our goodbyes and headed out in all different directions.
I love you girls so much, and you are all at the top of my list of "things I'm thankful for".  Much love to you!!!!  Thanks for everything---little Mary Claire is so blessed to have such sweet adopted "aunties" in her life. 
p.s. Ann---I am so excited to have a baby with you this go round!  (Our older two are slightly staggered in age so to have two in the same grade is just too fun!)

Celebrating Mary Claire

Today some very special friends came together to celebrate little Mary Claire's arrival... (can't believe I'm 34 weeks already!) wOw.

How pretty is this table?  I am kicking myself for not getting a picture with all of these sweet friends, but Angie, Caryn, Erica, Heather, Kacey, and Lauren, you are the most thoughtful friends!!  We get together every Wednesday for a little playgroup, and of course they did not need to do this, but they DID!!!  

Check out these cuties :)

It was so fun to see her name in print!

Swallowing my pride a little here in my puffy state :), but I did manage to get a shot with Kace!

So fun experiencing all things pInK again!

My little helper was there. :)

When I got home, I couldn't help myself---I had to spread it all out and enjoy!

It's been so long since we've had teeny tiny girly frocks around here!  

I feel so blessed by you sweet girls.  Thank you for making this time SO special for us!  Can't WAIT to dress our new baby doll! :)

One of those moments...

That makes your heart melt.

I'm just glad they didn't hear me come around the corner with my camera.  :)

Love that little boy for his sweet and gentle spirit.  And love that little girl for her kindness and love toward her brother.  

Sometimes you just have to let some of your thankfulness out or you'll burst!

Granny

Seems about the last word you would use to describe her in this picture.  :)  I love it though---my grandmother, Dorothy Mae.  I just saw it for the first time recently when my aunt posted it.
Granny went to heaven early this month, and we all got to go to her service in Alabama.  Thankfully, I was able to fly and bring my whole family to visit relatives we don't get to see that often.  It's so good to go back to your roots when you can.

Granny was the sWeEtEsT grandmother and always made you feel so at home when you came to her house.  I have dear and cherished memories of her scooping me up and giving me the biggest hugs as a child as she flew open the door and greeted us when we arrived.  There was never a limit on how many honey buns or Mellow Yellows you could drink when you were there---or how much outdoor fun you could have while running around with your (for a long time---all 5 BOY) cousins around her house. :)

When I was at Auburn, I would spend just about every Sunday night at her house eating fresh fresh vegetables from the garden and getting to relax before returning to the hustle and bustle of college.  She lived just down the road.  I remember having no idea how to tell someone else how to get to her house----you just had to know where you were going out in the real COUNTRY.

She leaves behind a strong legacy of love, laughter, care for others, and a love and service for her God and church community.  I pray that all of us left to represent her here will honor her by continuing to live our lives this way.

I miss her, but will always hold in my heart the fond memories I have of her.  So thankful for the blessing of a wonderful grandmother!!