I Guess You Heard

We've moved!

We have been so busy packing up and unpacking and getting settled. Pictures to come, I promise!

For now, enjoy a scene from our Mother's Day Extravaganza last weekend!

New House love and all of mine!

You Know What He Did?

I love that part. "You know what he did...?"

Warning: Unless you want a conversation with Little Ears about privates parts, you might want to watch with Little Ears out of the room.

Ok, so that was a terrible attention grabber to transition to deep thought, but I love that part, "You know what he did...?"

Enter transition.

Mama and I despise Winter.

Well, see the problem with Winter is that it lasts for so long. Take last year, it started early in October and hung around well into March. Much too long if you ask me. Also, Lola has already begged and pleaded with me to move South, she hates Winter even more than I do! Snow plows, hail storms, 14-point bucks... The Big Guy must know this about us, and He must know that I have been struggling with many parts of my job and I didn't need to worry about commuting all Winter 40 miles in snow and ice one way for 5 months.

"You know what He did?"

He held off Winter ALL THE WAY UNTIL JANUARY! And warmer weather is in sight! I know this is a rare mild Winter and I couldn't be more thankful that it fell this year.

Go ahead, watch that clip one more time. That little boy is too cute not to.

Warm weather love and all of mine!

Lot's Wife

Do you remember Lot's wife? She was too preoccupied with what she was leaving behind to look forward and have trust. And well as you know, that story doesn't have a happy ending.

This morning I woke up and God has placed this story of Lot's wife on my exhausted mind. I had read Mama's blog about Gramma and this picture had struck me:

Mama, HayBee, Gramma and Darbey Rhea

At the time of this picture, we thought Gramma's life was pretty much over. We were looking back because it was so hard to look forward. Little did we know, we still had many, many memories to share.

Yesterday, after leaving the hospital, I looked back at this picture and thought that I wish we could go back to this time. Yesterday, Gramma was not doing well. Doctors were taking her treatment hour-by-hour, and threats of ventilators and life support were looming in the distance. I should have been looking forward.

God blessed us with another great memory and milestone today as Gramma "earned" Most Improved Patient in the CCU this morning. Traces of Gramma were back today: she was sitting up, talking and making progress on her breathing, so I was encouraged to look forward.

These Heavenly words encouraged me, let them encourage you too!

Psalms 121
¹ I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
² My help comes from the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth.

³ He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
⁴ Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

⁵ The LORD is your keeper;
The LORD is your shade at your right hand.
⁶ The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.

⁷ The LORD shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
⁸ The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.

Looking forward love and all of mine!

Hard Candy Christmas

This is one the Girls' favorites.

Hard Candy Christmas.

And come on, it's Dolly -- you can really belt this one out and no one can say otherwise. Not even a grumpy Gardener Guy -- bah hum bug.



Christmas Caroling love y'all, and all of mine!

You better not pout, I'm telling you why!

What is your earliest memory of Christmas time?

I have lots of faux-memories thanks to watching many, many hours of home videos.

But, one of earliest real memories was when we lived at 1901. Mama slept in my room with me and Baby Haley Beth, while Daddy and Z slept in his room on Christmas Eve.

I woke up early and went out to the family room, (apparently our tradition of waiting for the fam wasn't ingrained yet). I scanned the room of Santa's deliveries and went back to my room to pout to Mama. I thought that Z and Daddy were camping out to watch for Santa, but really Santa had brought Z a pop tent.

I made the Nice list-- and got a pink Fisher Price vanity. I sure do hope that's still in the basement somewhere. Then again, Mama might have sold it with Z's first bike in a garage sale.

That hurts, doesn't it Mama?

Merry Christmas to all, and all my love!

Imagination.

I'm not a Mama.

But when I am, I am going to be cheap and make my kids use their imaginations.

And why would you not want to use your imagination with these precious before and after on Design Sponge?


This reminds me of playing kitchen at Auntie J's house. She had the best little nook in her basement with a wooden kitchen set.

Surely Daddy has one of these in a rental house somewhere.
Maybe he does but don't call me Shirley.

Makeover love and all of mine!

Bermuda, Bahama, Come on Pretty Mama

It's been a busy week. Busy, and stressful: right Mama?

Just think, we will be cruising in March and I can't wait!

Of course, I wouldn't turn down a tropical getaway anytime sooner though!

HayBee talks of tropical vows although no time soon... so I play Wedding while she is far, far away. Unlucky for me, our tastes are ... well ... polar opposites. Oh well. If I were planning tropical nuptials (or re-nuptials) it would look something like this: bright, fun and oh-so laid back.


Love and Surf. Via Snippet and Ink.


Thank you J.Crew.

This would be a pretty simple gown for HayBee but it's so classic and elegant & she could dress that gown up with some gorg accessories from Etsy.
Maids in green, moms in blue, and red hot toes.
Put those boys in green ties and throw on some yellow leis for the night. Love it.

How adorable are these Save the Dates? They're luggage tags for cryin' out loud!

... ooh baby why don't we go down to Cocomo?

What do you you do when...?

... you come to the end of a To-Do list pad? Stop making lists?

This is my conundrum on my 1st DAY OFF OF WORK! Get in or get out I got a horse to saddle!

I took my 1st sick day for an eye appointment today and my eyes are dilated so forgive me for any spelling faux pauxs. (Guarantee that is one right there.)

Here is my to-do list.
1. eye appointment -- check dilated eyes -- check
2. blog -- check
3. dishes
4. laundry
5. vacuum --- I HATE to vacuum but this is the only way I can torture our dog because she hates it more than I do.
6. Get stuff: paint, painter's tape, ply wood
7. Paint accent wall
8. Pick up BC. No Chic kids yet.
9. Cook -- we may be camping tonight so that might entail putting hot dogs and buns in the cooler. Go me.
10. Get Mama's present

Tomorrow is Mama's 40th - ish birthday! :)

Last year, "she was learning to scuba dive" and I was "playing Mama to HayBee with a very broken finger".

This year we're going to do it up big -- Kansas style. Prayers for Mama because this will be one of very few years up until now that her parents will not be around to help celebrate. Gramma is in Texas "on vacation" at a different Bed & Breakfast, Lake House, Bank Trip, Condo each night -- you name it, she is "vacationing" there.

I am reminded this morning how THANKFUL I am to have Mama and Daddy around whenever I need them for support, especially with the struggles I am having at work. They are such an encouragement and blessing to both Gardener Guy and Chic Chick.



So, "Happy Happy Birthday from your blog friends to you -- we wish it was our birthday so we could party too, hey!"

Mama love and all of mine!

PS. Today is Gardener Guy's last day at his job! Hooray! He will be gradually taking over Boss Daddy D's business. He'll be Window Guy after tonight --- eh, I still love my Gardener Guy!

On a scale of 1 to 10.

Mama plays these sick mind games, like: "On a scale of 1 to 10, how are you feeling?" We grunt and groan, and play along.

Thursday, I was low like a 3.4 or so. Friday, I handled the personnel conflict I had been avoiding all week so I was sailing at a 7.35. I don't totally regret taking my job because I have finally realized that God has a plan and I was meant to learn from this opportunity so when something better comes along, I can appreciate it for all its worth.

Other realizations of the week:
-Avoiding conflict makes it worse. Handle it professionally and move on.
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. Proverbs 15:1.

- I am learning to literally take one day at a time because that's all I can do.
Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. Matthew 6:34

Teaching love and all of mine!

Just Married!

Daddy and Mama were just married.. 26 years ago.. today!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

If you want to hear it the way it would be said at Gramma and GranDaddy's house, try this:
"Happy Anna-versry!" Haley Beth and I have been practicing putting the emphasis on the 1st syllable so that we fit in with the family )and we can stand under their UMB-erella.)

Love this photo from Sonita's Rehearsal dinner. Daddy had the honor of marrying his niece Sonita Maria to Law Guy.

Anna-versary love and all of mine!

1 Peter 5:10

Count your blessings.

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

My GranDaddy F passed away this weekend.
My Sister in Law JoJo sent me these Heavenly Words, which are more calming than she knows.

Prayers for Gramma, Mama and Daddy are appreciated.

All my love.

In the trenches

Mama and I are working in the trenches today.

We have planted, mulched, dug, watered, laid bricks and entertained the dog.

This afternoon we are running to Hob Lob, Home Depot and taking my ring to get sized!

Speaking of rings... Mama D and her girls are treating me to a spa day on Friday! I relax with a Get-A-Glow facial and then a mani-pedi. I think Married Lacey will be jealous of Bride Lacey.

10 Day weather forecast has changed everyday. What can ya do? We're praying for sunshine and blue skies, but a few clouds wouldn't hurt.

Pictures to come on our 2 church bridal showers! :)

Gardening love and all of mine!

Father of the Bride

Gardener Guy and I will be loading up his Daddy's truck and trailer tonight and heading back home!

Tomorrow morning we will head clear up into Kansas City to meet with our photographer (I am so looking forward to this!) and then swing by the courthouse to pick up our marriage license.

Then, Mama and I will drive up for my 2nd dress fitting, which hopefully will be my last fitting!

Tomorrow evening, George, Nina and Annie will be sitting down around the kitchen table recording RSVPs that have been sent back!

Now tell me, you have seen this clip right? Let's just say, we don't bring up the budget around George or else he might go hot dog shopping. Lucky for Annie, Nina isn't adding everyone in the tri-county area and their dog.

Love to you Mama!

Enjoy!

Father of the Bride love and all of mine!

Powder Room Pretties

After getting showered with kitchen goodies, I think that our powder room -- oh, who am I kidding, Gardener Guy will refuse to even let me pretend that I have a powder room -- will need to be spruced up!

Daddy has laid the flooring and installed the sink and vanity and faucet. I love the white beadboard, but Gardener Guy is a little bit oblivious to home decor. Mama picked out a lovely brushed nickel light to hang above the sink. The medicine cabinet is still installed, but I will say that it will provide a little extra storage room! I am looking for wall hooks to hang our robes on but I think that above our toilet (there's just no pretty way to describe it, although toilet has to be better than 'stool' as it is affectionately known at our house!) will need some artwork.

I am trying to keep the petite powder room light, fresh and spa like with creams, tans and pinches of chocolate brown. These prints would fit in perfectly!

Here are my top contenders from The Love Shop:
All you need is love.

Keep calm and have faith. Probably my favorite as I am slightly obsessed with "Keep Calm" prints.


There's no place like home. I mean, I do live in Oz-land, and a liiitttllee to close to my 'real' home.

Powder room love and all of mine!

Forecast of Bridal Showers!

Two thoughts about the weather:

1. Yesterday (May 1st) I checked the Farmer's Almanac 2 month forecast and it read that June 6th-June 12th would be sunny and cool. Ideal weather for Gardener Guy to enjoy the outdoor wedding! That is "the good", "the bad" is that June 13-June 20 holds a prediction that thunderstorms will move in followed by sunshine. O boy, what if these T-storms move in early? Have I told you that I am coming to terms with Plan B?

2. I had a wonderful "shower". Ok bad weather transition but you get the idea!

Check out those aprons -- those are Chic Chicks!

I want to give a huge THANK YOU to Auntie J, Sonita Maria, and Cowgirl in Pearls for the wonderful, fabulous, generous, thoughtful, personal shower at Sonita Maria's new home! You should see their new home, it feels like home from the moment you walk in, and they have only lived there a week!

They thought of everything! The food, the theme, the decor, the games, the guest list, the seating, the refreshments, even the thank you cards!

I am waiting for Mama to post pictures and then I will upload them to this post to share! Speaking of Mama, did I tell you that she is wonderful as well? She has been working since February to compile recipes and aprons from just about everyone that I know. I was so surprised (except that George Banks almost blew her hard work, luckily, I was oblivious to the magnitude of her work!) Unfortunately, now Gardener Guy will have some expectations that I will have to start working in the kitchen. I think I know what I will make him for our first married meal in our new home. I sure that will be a post in itself!

If you are lucky, Mama might share an (embellished) story about how Baby Lisa almost was left at home for the shower.

Bridal Shower love and all of mine!

5 Year Plan

Gardener Guy and I have a 5 year plan.
I feel that everyday of this 5 year plan could be negotiable though.
Except that we'll still be married.

I want this to remember our first 5 years.

Sometimes when I am helping Mama clean out our basements, I find my old diaries and have a good laugh. One time Mama "found" (See: Snooped around my room until she found it) my journal as a 14 year old. She had a good cry. Daddy laughed at her for snooping around her kid's room and then getting her feelings hurt when she read something she didn't like.

I will never snoop on my children. Their Gramma will do it for me. I promise, in this journal I will have good things to say about my Mama.

Dear Diary love and all of mine!

Let Some Bunny Love You

I had the most wonderful birthday and Easter weekend! It was full of family, fun and "foo foo la la diddly dee", which is to say wedding stuff.

It started getting home on Thursday evening. I got to see all of the progress on Northview. It is shaping up to be a great starter house!

Friday, Mama and I went to my first dress fitting. It was so fun to play dress up again and I can't wait to try the dress on again next month! After the fitting, okay-ed the invitations, bought stamps, and got rejected from the Court House to pick up our marriage license because I was 3 minutes late. Seriously, when does a court house close at 3:30?

Friday evening Gardener Guy's parents picked me up, we visited a young couple who had twins (on April Fool's Day!). We visited the babies in the NIC Unit and I had a rough go. I got overheated and lost my breath and had to leave. GG says that I should not think about having babies any time soon. He must be "outside his mind." We met his sister and bro-outlaw for dinner and then went to a live theater for his parents' 30th wedding anniversary! They treated us to Cheesecake Factory afterwards!


On Saturday morning, Mama and I picked up the invitations and then had an invitation party. We also bought bubbles at Wal-Mart. I hadn't planned on throwing anything after the ceremony but maybe a picture with bubbles would be pretty adorable. We found a quote and tied cards to the bubbles that read, "After the ceremony, please blow bubbles of good wishes for the new Mr. & Mrs." Cute huh?

Saturday evening, The Fam and Gardener Guy's family had dinner for my birthday and we toured Northview. We also played a couple rounds of Bocce ball in our yard. It made got me anxiously excited for the Backyard Chic wedding and reception! Also, GG's family got me a spa giftcard! :) The ladies are planning a spa day a few weeks before the wedding. I'm thinking about a manicure and a Get a Glow facial.
Mama D and JoJo. Check out that Birthday Dinner spread!
Bocce Ball!
Stratty loved Mama's Easter Bunny

22 candles!

Sunday morning was my birthday and Easter Sunday! We went to church and Daddy had an rejuvenating sermon about promises and prophecies. I met Gardener Guy's family for Easter lunch and more bocce ball. We laughed and laughed and I was voted out of the family for not letting Daddy D win. I think that they will reconsider. GG's Mama and sisters were patient in listening to my wedding drama and gave advice that helped to clear the air.

Sunday afternoon, we had our family Easter Egg Hunt and Gramma and GranDaddy's house. I had such a good time that I didn't leave home until 8pm and didn't return to my apartment until after 10:30pm. I only have 4 roundtrips left until I graduate and I cannot wait to settle in on Sunday afternoon without dreading a 2 hour drive.

Fun filled weekends and all of mine!

Foo Foo La La Diddley Dee

Mama and I picked up the printed invitations this morning! Yay! We waited to have them printed in April to hit a "special", and with using our own cardstock paper, the cost came out to be very reasonable. Too bad our stamps were not too reasonable considering that we had to buy regular stamps and post card stamps. We had to go to the Post Office to get the stamps because the UPS store does not carry the "foo foo la la diddley dee" stamps. Auntie J does this surprise you?

I had made tentative plans to have Gardener Guy's Mama and sister over to help cut, sort, stack, stick and bundle the invitation suites. They made it over and helped so much! Thank you to them!
Grandma S, HayBee, Baby Lisa (with an ear infection), Chic Chick and GG's sis JoJo.
GG's Mama came and helped color trees.

Even Gardener Guy eventually made it over to help stick labels and stamps. When we worked outside, he was the boss. Since we were working inside, I was the boss.

Our To-Do list remains:
-assemble approximately 75 more invitations
-run envelopes through the printer for mailing addresses
-stamp envelopes
-send through the mail!


Oh yeah. The map madness. Gardener Guy sketched up a map, but it was far too technical. I decided to try my hand at designing. I'm not crazy about it but I think that it will serve its purpose. After all, Grandma S said that it is hard to find our drive way. Oh boy, I hope someone will drive her here.

PS. Tomorrow is my 22nd birthday, I am an Easter baby this year! GG's family came over tonight to help celebrate with my family. Stratty helped me blow out candles on my red velvet cake!
Don't laugh at HayBee's Sunken Cake. She's says its the best way a cake can bake.

More Easter and Birthday pictures to come tomorrow!

Invitation love and all of mine!

Painting by Numbers

I spent approximately 4 hours on Thursday evening and another hour this evening trying to make a map to include with the invitations.

Considering my laptop "only has so many times that I can use Microsoft Word -Cousin Rusty", not to mention it is an old version of Office, and I do not have any type of Publisher or Paint program, my map is pathetic. I am too embarrassed to post it.

I am almost too embarrassed to send it out. People can WebQuest right?

I gave up on it and started blogging.
And then, I stumbled upon this map from Southern Weddings.

Now we're in business.

I love the contrasting green of the earth and the blue of the inlet of water. Basically, this map would make my map cry like a little girl.

I am going to try to convince My Guy to whip something up like this using his design skills and maybe Auntie J could paint a rose over our home location, similar to the lovely magnolia on the map. Did I tell you that Mama is trying to learn to paint roses to keep her mind sharp?

Keep drinking that Crazy Juice and you will be just fine sweetheart.

Stationary love and all of mine!

A Wise 8 Year Old

A wise 8 year old in my 2nd grade class told me something today. You should know that I have two favorites in my class, (I didn't birth them so it is ok to have favorites). Plus, everybody knows that I am Mama and Daddy's favorite.

One reminds me of a young Me in 2nd grade, so of course I love a Teacher's Pet. The other student reminds me of those munchkins down the road that I miss so much while I'm at college! This boy would be Bee Effs with my cousins because they share creativity, imagination, the fix-it spirit and a sense of humor! Plus, they share an ornery hair, but boys will be boys and they're good for comic relief. Ok I love all my students but these two are who I am blogging about.

Back to teaching today:
Our class discussion started with farms: do you live on a farm, what do farmers do, what animals live on farms? This boy, "Sam" replied, "My Grandma and Grandpa have cows on a farm but they don't live there, my uncle takes care of them, the cows." I said, "Me too!"
To which he calmly replied, "My grandpa has a brain disease and he is entering the 6th stage. He won't know who I am or what my name is but he will still love me."

To which I replied to myself, "Me too."

My Gramma S has a "brain disease" and soon she won't know who I am or my name, but she will still love me." This is a cruel disease, Alzheimer's, as it progresses quickly, but some days seems that you have had the same conversation, uh 473 times. Right Mama? On the other hand, you only need to know one good joke.

My parents are amazing role models that take care of my 4 grandparents and have tricked me into watching so that I will know how to take care of them. One day, I too will have my children help care for and respect their grandparents.

After getting a phone call from Mama this week that Gramma did a load of laundry of one sock, I had to stop and think, "If I have this disease, what if one day I will I not know My Guy or what his name is? I don't know. But, I will love him. And he will love me." And then I will wash his other sock.

Backyard Chic connection:
In lieu of favors, the Bride and Groom are making a donation in the name of their guests to the Heart of America Alzheimer's Association & the Heartland American Cancer Society. Along with the Alzheimer's Association, we also wanted to contribute to the American Cancer Society as both My Guy and I have GranDaddies that have suffered from cancer and GranDaddy J lost his battle last Fall.

Please say a prayer for my Mama as her 6 o'clock phone call has not yet come tonight.

True love's love and all of mine!