My Mimi



I really dreaded the day she wouldn't be here anymore.  But I knew it was coming. 

I know she's happy.  I know she's where she wants to be, with who she wants to be.  But she's not with me.

I always talk about that list of people in my head/heart that are people I treasure.  Mimi might be number one.

I just miss her.  I can't believe that I can't call her and talk to her right now.  I can't believe that I can't hold her hand or hear her laugh or laugh at something she said.  I can't believe she's not here.  It's so weird.

But I also remember the night I told her goodbye.  It was heart wrenching.  It was terrible.  It was drenched in tears.  It was it.

That being said, as I type through tears with a tender heart, I think I had the best grandmother in the world.

  From my earliest memories of playing solitaire with a deck of cards, to sitting really close to her on the couch at night, to painting our fingernails together, to ordering Shirley Temples, to her pineapple kitchen, to her dog Tippy, to her house, that one house that stayed the same my whole life while my homes changed.  To beach trips, to words of wisdom, to one who was magnetic everywhere she went, to drawers and drawers full of lipstick, to her love of shoes, to grab bags at Christmas, to watching her love to dance with Gramps, to her years of stairstack grandchildren pictures stuck to the side of the fridge, to her love of turtles, to the pins she wore, to all of those funny "mimi-isms", to the magical healing properties of naps and (only her) sweet tea with lime, to the candy drawer, to her love of blue, to geraniums, to her being one of the only people I wanted to talk to during those lovely years when I didn't want to talk to anybody, to the love she and Gramps shared, to her stories of the maids she loved back in the old days, to her dear Memphis, to her love of jewelry and giving it to us granddaughters, to how much she loved to hear my teaching stores, to how she always told me to "go" and have fun and that's probably why I met Sean that night even though I really didn't want to "go", to how much she loved Sean, to how much she loved my babies. 

Oh my goodness I could go on and on...

I have SO many old pictures that I am SO thankful for.  And she said there was nothing up in that attic... :)



This dress was up in that attic.  Why didn't I take it home with me??



How thankful I am to the Lord for blessing me with such a wonderful grandmother.  One of the biggest blessings in my life.  Because of her, I can't WAIT to be a grandmother.  I hope AnnMarie remembers her too.  I can't WAIT to see her again.

Walker Elementary Ten Year Reunion

...well it was actually eleven.  minor detail.

When I think back to this six year time period (2000-2006) of my life, I have the warmest, fondest memories in my heart.  SUCH good times, dear friends, and special special moments.  Getting back together with these girls is like picking up right where we left off.  I LoVe them.  On my forever list of true friends.

We opened a school together.  Many of us were first year teachers.  Our principal was a first year principal.  We bonded.

This snapshot shows a good many of them.  This was at one of our many FUN nights playing Pokeno together.  They threw me a baby shower for AnnMarie.  So sweet!

Another shower for her at school.  My team that year.  Denise, Mandy, Shelly, Summer, and Manda.

That summer before my first year of teaching, I met this teeny blonde named Holly.  She turned out to be one of my best friends.  I was talkative, she quiet.  I introduced myself at a teacher workshop because I knew no one, and she looked my age.  :)
That October she invited me to go on a cruise.  Funny funny trip.  Here we are in the year 2001.  Had NO idea where our lives would take us...

We had many a girls night, we met our husbands, we loved teaching at Walker, we had babies, we moved back to our hometowns and said goodbye to Mckinney life.

...fast forward TEN years...

It felt like no one had aged.  Like we'd just all been at a staff meeting together last Wednesday.  I love these people.  They were my family when my family lived three days away.  They were there to tell when I went on my first date with my husband to be.  They were there to see me try on my wedding dress for the first time.  They were THERE.

And these two, I'm not gonna lie, are at the top of my list.  Precious, precious teaching sisters.  They're also two of the MANY  Debbies/Debs/Deborahs/Debras in my life. 
Debbie on the left---taught 4th and I taught 1st so we were always "buddy" classes.  I love being around her.  She is so full of life, smiles, encouragement, humor.  I love her.
Deb on the right---like another mother to me.  She hired me sight unseen (over the phone) and shepherded me through my (bless those first students' hearts) early years of teaching.  She offered a shoulder to cry on and gave me many words of wisdom.  I love her dearly.

I just love Deedy.  We shared TOO many laughs in those days!  And still!  We can crack each other up about some crazzzzzzzzzzzy students and parents.  Love this beautiful sweet woman.

Sweet Marea.  Really she embodies this word.  We were two of the first year teachers in 2000.  Didn't know what we were doing! :)  Both got married around the same time and had babies around the same time.  She is a Walker veteran and is STILL there!  wow

Holly and I now.  After many fun summers---days by the pool, shopping, going out to eat----that all changed, and then we were talking about getting married, moving to Craig Ranch subdivision, getting pregnant, having GIRLS!, dressing them, taking them to the mall playareas, going to church together, growing in our faith, and then....shedding tears together---when we both moved back "home". 
The neat thing about friendships like that is that it doesn't matter how far apart you live!  I love you, Holly Hannalee! :)

And finally, all but one of my original first grade team.  We missed Donna! 
Alli (again, first year teachers together, got married around the same time, had babies together), Emily, and Denise.

Now Miss Emily deserves her own paragraph (and old picture, but I couldn't find one! sheesh!) too.  Another one of those lifelong friends God put in my life at just the right time.  We are kindred spirits.  One of those people I could spend every day with!  Really wish she was my next door neighbor, but again, luckily it doesn't matter how far apart we live.  We share a love of all things old, vintage, old fashioned, wholesome, and "trash into treasure". Can't say enough about this lovely friend. I love you , Mrs. Martin! :)


It was a very quick trip and reunion, but SO worth the time that I got with these ladies. 

Here's to the next (hopefully soon) reunion!!

Turning Two

July 6, 2011: My baby turned two.  :(   No wait---  :)  I know I'm supposed to be happy and thankful (which I am!!), but I just feel like time is flying!

Mr. Clark started his birthday off with a blueberry muffin that he quickly devoured.  He has not mastered the candle blowing and is still a little unsure about them.

Since his party would be on a later date, we just had a small family celebration for dinner.  (Again, not sure how to blow out the candle...)

Cousins and cupcakes

Once they were full of sugar, they started a wrestling match with Josh.  (all Clark really wanted for his birthday!)

Then he opened up a tool set/bench from my parents.  BIG HIT.  He has not stopped "workin" ever since.



Do not be fooled by this shot.  Two year olds do not like to share toys.  :)  Had to work through that...



And then, drumroll............ we gave him his gift from Mommy and Daddy.  Yep, Lightning "McKeen" car.  He LOVED it.  He dRoVe...

And drove.... and drove....

And then opened Sissy's gift.  (A "Woody" bathtime book.)  :)  She was really proud.  Loved it as well. 

Things to remember about you:

*You are a vErY active toddler.  Into everything.  (as if I'll need help remembering that one...)

*You love milk and water, not so much juice.

*You love "workin", as you call it, and are always using your tools on something.

*You love to wrestle.

*You are a very affectionate child.  Sometimes you "put your weight into it" if you catch my drift.

*You are a fabulous napper.

*You still love your thumb.

*I think you watch a little too much T.V.  Oops, second born...

*You always want a "nack".  aka: eating all day

*You would go down for a morning nap still if I let you.

*You LOVE the water.  Any form, any fashion

*You are a little more shy than your sister.

*You love chicken. 

*You love when someone reads you a story.

*You really love "Woody" from Toy Story and "McKeen" from Cars.  You also request to watch Wiggles, Handy Manny, and Mickey Mouse.

*You can pick Ariel and Jasmine out in a crowd.

*You make THE cutest kissing sound on my cheek.  :)

*Your legs are the biggest I've ever seen on a two year old.  That being said, you're still a big ol boy for your age.  Check your baby book for stats.  (No, they're not written in, just tossed in between the pages---maybe I'll get to that someday!)

*You still love your sister to pieces.

*You are going to school two days this year.  Hallelujah and Amen!

Daddy and I love you so much that you will never know.  God blessed us so tenderly with you, darling boy.  We can't wait to watch you grow and change. 

Forever and ever,

Mommy xoxo

4th of July

We celebrated the fourth with a family and friends filled day!  It was just perfect for our foursome, and I loved the lowkey-ness of it.  Gotta love small town America!

Sissy got her bike all decorated and was ready to go!

Bubba too

We headed up to the Woodway meeting place and waited for the parade to start.

...And said the pledge and heard the national anthem.  It made me teary!  I love our country!



And then it was GO time. 



The best part of the parade this year was that J, J, & B live right on our parade route now!  yay!  We made a pit stop, and they joined us.

After the short little walk we gathered for snow cones and such.  It was so fun to have all of the family there!

That afternoon we went to a pool party with some friends.  I didn't take many pictures, but I did snap a few of these two bruisers who are about to have their party!  Griffin and Clark

Two little messes!

Sweet Home Alabama

When I heard my parents were making a trip down to AL in June, I just had to tag along!  The thought of not seeing the beach all summer was making me sad!  Also, I wanted to meet my new baby cousin, Tucker.  Sadly, Sean had to work so it was just me, the kids, and my parents.  East bound!

Of course we headed straight to the beach our first morning there.  AnnMarie wanted Papa to teach her how to boogie board.

She did.

We took a little pool down there for Bubba to play in since the surf was a little strong for him.  It helped!

AnnMarie became fast friends with this adorable little girl, Anna Margaret, from Memphis.  Every day they would find each other!

Clarky wanted to boogie board too so we did some "mock" boarding on the shore with him.  He liked it!

And after the kids were tired of the beach, we would head back to swim in the pool for awhile before lunch.  Clark started swimming by himself with his puddle-jumper on, and that made all the difference!



He's turned into a little fish!



And AnnMarie loves to jump in these days.

We dug lots of holes...

One day, for some reason, Clark did NOT want to wear his suit on the beach.  So, redneck baby in a diaper it was.

Our last night there we quickly ran up after supper and changed clothes to try and snap some pictures before the sun went down.

Somebody is growing UP.

See the clouds and notice the wind?  Yeah, a storm was coming.  We were hurrying!

Mommy, we're done.

Clark:  Mommy, I'm finished.

The reality of trying to take pictures of your kids.  This is WAY more authentic than the perfectly polished smiley ones.  :)

The morning we left we stopped at the front of the resort for AnnMarie to (what they were calling) "bungee jump".  She was begging!  There she goes!

GOODBYE, BEACH! :(

Next we headed back north for four hours to visit my Aunt Beverly and the rest of the crew just outside of Auburn.  Her farm is beeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaauuuuuuuutiful.  Also, it's in the 70s at night when the sun goes down.  VERY different than TX. :(
Clark loved pretending to drive the gator.

Clark thanking God for the gator.

We took the kids to see John and Bev's trucking company. 

The last weekend of our trip we went to Beverly's lake house on Lake Martin.  AnnMarie made a new best friend:  AVA.  She's the daughter of my aunt's best friend who also has a lake place there, and she and AnnMarie were inseperable the whole time!  Here they are swimming like crazy in the lake.

Clark sneaking up the rocks towards the beach area.

This picture gives a clue to how Clark's ear(s) were feeling.  :(  I could tell from his behavior that he had an ear infection, and our wonderful pediatrician ended up calling a prescription in for us! 

Bev and her sweet grandson, baby Tucker!!  He was THE cutest and best baby.  Never cried!

Because his ears were hurting, Clark would not let anyone hold him except for me.  sigh.  Except for Jace--my cousin.  He has always loved older guys/men, and it proved to be true in this case as well!



Boat captain



Again, wouldn't let anyone hold him---except when John let him help drive the boat.

So blessed!

We stopped at a shallow area to let the kids swim, and I couldn't believe how clear the water was!

Lake action wore.her.out.

Cousins :)

The morning we left AnnMarie got to ride Gulliver, Bev's pony.  She came to tears begging the day before, and John and Beverly were so sweet to make this happen for her.  This picture was taken at about 6:30 a.m. the morning of our 14 hr ride home!!  (She had also donned all of cousin McKenzie's cowgirl duds that she'd found upstairs in the closet.)

And so then Clark HAD to ride too.  PJ's and all.  :)

This picture cracks me up because he was SO proud of himself.  I guess my kids' true TX genes were coming through because neither of them were afraid at ALL!  I would have been too scared as a child for sure.

We had a great trip, and I'm so glad I decided to go.  The 12 hour trip seemed daunting, but it really wasn't that bad thanks to the DVD player. :)