Five on Friday

Since my brain has turned to mush, I figured this would be a fun way to update on life!

~one~

I cannot believe that I am about to be 31 weeks pregnant. That seems like such a high number of weeks. I guess because I vividly remember being nine weeks pregnant and have 31 to go. Crazy. This maybe will inspire me to start some sort of "nesting" that I hear people talk about. I hope this makes you magically an organizer, because I am just not.

10 weeks, 20 weeks, 30 weeks. Woah.

~two~

This is related to number one, but I had a grand plan to clean out the junk in our house before Beau arrives. How is it possible to accumulate so much random junk in such a short period of time, and store it in such strange places? I need a life coach.

~three~

I just got a text from my best friend asking for an impromptu lunch date. I cannot describe how happy this makes me. Friday, you are good to me! I mean a Friday is always great, but a lunch date on Friday is like a tiny bit of weekend fun preview. Also, referring to the 31 weeks pregnant... I love lunch :).

Susie. I can't wait.

~four~

I think I am losing my mind. Yesterday, I ran some errands at lunch and came back out to my car... Only to realize that I HAD LEFT THE DOOR WIDE OPEN.  I checked for a killer or thief and none were present. So, that is good. Also, if we could keep this one a secret that would be great.  Bubba may start requiring I wear a leash as to not get lost in public. 

~five~

It has officially started. I have the itch for Fall. I woke up this morning and it was actually cool. Which for July in Mississippi is a miracle of epic proportion. But, it made my mind wonder to all of the fun things that are coming up. And well, I also really want a new pair of boots. I got to thinking about football, which lead to me picturing Beau in all sorts of LSU paraphernalia. Which means we will have a BABY!! Then its the fair, halloween, cool weather, scarves, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and all sorts of family together time and friend fun. I think I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. And fall may be on the way. Give or take a few months :).

Life Lately

Oh my goodness where is time going?? This summer is FLYING by which is both totally exciting and totally terrifying as we are 10 weeks away from baby Beau. Woah. We have been in and out of town the last few weeks. Celebrated the 4th of July (but failed to take pictures). And have been just getting ready for baby.  Bubba is one week away from his big test for the CFP, and I think we both can't wait until that is behind us. There has been a whole lot of studying going on and I for one am thankful its not me studying. Unless you count watching Psych on Netflix then I have been studying hard.

Some pictures from the last few weeks. First up: Our trip to Bubba's parent's house. We had a blast swimming and eating and hanging out with the family. Our youngest niece loves her Bubba. In fact, I saw her yesterday, and as soon as she saw me she said, "Bubba???" And I told her he was at work.  She then looked disappointed and asked, "Gunnar??" Well, I didn't have the dog either... Fail.

Pure Love

Trudy loves to go swimming.  She chilled on this raft and loved ever second of it!.

Next, Emily came in town and we got to have a fun Girl's Night dinner. Much needed visit time!

Sara, Em, Susan

This picture took an insane amount of takes. Me, Les, Whit.

Friends since 1st grade. Friends for life.

On to Baby Beau update! We have very slowly begun working on Beau's nursery! We got in the furniture, and haven't put the crib together yet, but have the dresser and chair in the room. So, here we are at like 10% progress haha.

Dresser/Changing table

Incredibly comfy chair!

Sweet baby clothes!

Gunnar and Gertie love my big belly and their little brother already.  Look at this sweet puppy.  She constantly rests her head on my belly and gives a funny look when she gets kicked.

Lastly, and most fun! Is Beau in 4D. Looking just like his Daddy. Also, for my remembering some stats. I was 28 weeks 4 days. Beau was in the 90+ percentile and weighed 3lbs 9oz at the time.  He is a big baby. Love the cheeks. It was so crazy to see him in 4D and it look so real. It was voodoo.

Sweet nose and lips.

Baby foot

Beau on top and his cousin on bottom.  Looking just alike haha

Well, those are all the big updates and what is going on. We are enjoying summer and having fun! Hope y'all are too.

Father's Day Weekend

Yesterday was Father's Day, and this weekend I got to see 2/3 of the best dad's there have ever been.

 My Daddy:

This guy is just the best ever. I am a daddy's girl through and through and was so happy that I got to see him Friday night, even if it was just for a quick dinner. I had had a pretty rough day at work on Friday, and my dad rolled through town and took me out to eat. You know that you have a good daddy when on a weekend to celebrate him, he takes YOU out to dinner. Love you Pops. PS your present is in the "mail."

My Father-in-Law:

This is quite possibly my most favorite wedding picture

This man will make you laugh till it hurts and is always prepared for anything. He is such a great man, and I am so blessed to have married in to this family. I know Bubba will be a great dad in large part to the example that his dad has set for him. Love you Mr. Andy!

My Baby Daddy:

Oh Bubba, it is crazy that this was your first Father's Day. It will be so fun to celebrate next year with Beau. I cannot wait to see you be a dad. If its anything like your relationship with Gunnar, I think we will be just fine! Love you. 

A night that may never be topped

Tonight was just such a fun memory. I think that it's very important to note that I am writing a summation of this epic night at 8:50 pm. Meemaw status secured.

My most favorite blogger ever, BooMama, just released her first book "A little Salty to cut the Sweet." When I tell you it's fantastic that is no lie. And I would know as I have read 10 whole books in my lifetime. But let me tell you it's truly great. If you have family, you can relate. But if you have a Southern family, you not only can relate but you will think to yourself oh thank goodness my family is normal. She has a delightful way of finding the Holy in the everyday. The blessings in the people around you.

Well, being from Mississippi, she did a book signing in Jackson and we went! Y'all. It was just delightful. Between my nervous talking and Whitney's high adrenaline, hot flashes, I am quite positive we were one crazy sentence away from security being called and a short trip for an evaluation at the mental institute. I totally kid. BooMama or Sophie Hudson her real name was absolutely delightful and I hope everyone I know reads her stories because I promise you your heart will be blessed. In fact, you can order it here. And you should.

After we thoroughly met and got books signed, it was time for the early bird special at Bravo because we are high rollers like that. We sat and talked and chatted and greatly enjoyed the company. Lifelong friends just can't be beat. They are the cheapest form of therapy there is. We had a ball and laughed till it hurt.

I think it's appropriate to end this post with my favorite quote from the book because it says so beautiful how I feel about a good fellowship with friends, family, friends who are family, and food.

"For the first half of my life, probably, I thought that the whole point of the table was the food....But now that I am older, I know better. And it's comforting, somehow, to recognize that while the food may be what brings us to the table, it's not the main course by a long shot. More than anything, I think, the food is an invitation to see what the Lord is doing, 'to taste and see that the Lord is good' (Psalm 34:8). Because when people gather round the table to break bread, the Lord gets to work. He knits together our hearts, strengthens our bonds, and connects our narratives. The table is where He links the generations, where he prompts us to join hands and now heads and remember and laugh and pass our stories back and forth to each other." A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet by Sophie Hudson.

I sure did appreciate the table tonight. And while the food was great, the company was better. The Lord used a couple hours with best friends to strengthen the heart and soul. And that my friends can't be beat. So thank you Sophie for reminding us of just that little nugget of truth!

Those Summer NIIIIGGGHHHHTTTS

I hope with all my person that anyone reading this read the title in the tune of the Grease song. Specifically, the magical ending of the song. Because that will make me happy. (I'm looking to you Mama).

Being a grown-up without an official "Summer" is truly the pits. I guess I keep thinking it will be easier to not have one, but who am I kidding. When it is roughly the temperature of the surface of the sun combined with a humidity so dense that the air is essentially a liquid, it is hard to stay motivated in the day to day grind. But such is my cross to bear (a similar cross to millions of people but please go with the drama! feelings! angst!)

Last night, however, it felt like the good ole times and truly like summer. Rebecca, Will, and the girls came over to swim. We braved swimming in possible thunderstorms, but the lightening looked off in the distance so risks were taken. Then we ate my favorite meal on earth: hot dogs, mac and cheese, beans, and corn. I swear should I ever have a "last meal" it will be hot dogs and mac and cheese. Please no fancy mac and cheese. I prefer velveeta from a box. No need to mess with perfection.

Then, we sat out in the drive way and chatted and laughed and played for hours. The weather was magnificent after the rain and rather being a steamy hot mess, the Lord gave us a cool night with no humidity. And if you don't consider that a true miracle, then you have never yet been to Mississippi in June. It was delightful. My most favorite activity is the inactivity of "porch sitting" when you talk and drink lemonade and visit with neighbors. Basically, I want to live in Mayberry. Is that so wrong? 

It gave me the Summer activity that I needed to feel the rest and slow pace that the season offers. Summer makes the hours and minutes seem longer as the light stretches deeper in the night, but rather than being monotonous, its magical. Even though it has lost some of its magic, as I don't get the season off to play, nights like last night will always remind me of why I love Summer.

Summer is for friends, family, food, fun, and sweating to death with those you love. And you just can't beat that.

Memorial Day 2013

After we wrapped up at the beach, we headed home for some Memorial Day festivities. Waiting on us at home were three MORE of my favorite people. My brother, Emily, and Baby Caroline! It was like I got to hit the family favorites jackpot! We hung out Saturday and ate some YUMMY Mexican food, which makes sense on an American holiday weekend. 

I wish I could see this sweet face every day. Love my C.

Sunday, we hung out in the morning and went to Strawberry Patch Park to play a little before our cook out that afternoon. C loved the walking trail and the bell. We saw a cute, yet mean, family of geese. But, in their defense, it was a Mama and Daddy protecting their babies. Which were adorable.

I mean. NO. WORDS. So precious.

Our parents were on the way home from ATL so they got to swing by too on Sunday. We grilled out and watched LSU beat Vandy to be SEC Baseball Champs.  GEAUX TIGERS!!! After we all ate, and I finished off almost a whole watermelon... Em and the Parents and C headed to Monroe.  John stayed the night Sunday night and we watched a patriotic movie... Star Trek Into Darkness. HA. It was good and scared me. But, we had a blast.

If only these two would move closer!!! It really was so great to see them and spend some quality time. Unfortunately, something that happens not often enough. We love our family, and we are so blessed to also be genuinely friends with them.

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!!

Santa Rosa Beach 2013: My favorite place on Earth

Last week, we had the best week ever. You may have thought you were having the best week ever, but sorry, I win. We went to Santa Rosa Beach with Bubba's parents, sister and her whole family, and his brother. It was such a perfect week! The weather was gorgeous, the food delicious (minus a small fight with food poisoning that I will declare Mr. Andy the victor of), and the company the very best. 

We played in the sand, went on walks, floated in the water which was a tiny two year old's favorite activity (MORE WATER!!!), shopped, ate way to much, talked, and laughed. I am telling you it was the best. We had some activity days where the boys played on paddle boards and kayaks. And Rebecca and I worked on our pregnant lopsided tans. Best. Week. Ever.

Last year (May 2012)

This year (May 2013)

I cannot wait until next year when the beach will be filled with two more little babies! Crazy life. Fun life.

Now, on to all the pictures! Just pure beauty. I, of course, am referring to myself :)

Perfect Creation.

These girls LOVE their daddy!

The guys (and girls) caught about 2 pounds of these HUGE crabs.

She doesn't get much cuter than this.

Wait. She just did.

My favorite at dinner.

Best nieces in the whole world. We giggled and giggled about this chair.

Speaking of nieces, they saw this night gown and thought of me. Glitter Disney 2012. I LOVE IT!!!

And I turned 22 weeks there. Hello Belly. Ignore the crazy face. Or don't. Whatever.

The week couldn't have been better! Thank you Mr. Andy and Mrs. Sue for the best week or relaxation and fun. Our family is the best :)