Destin 2016

      Bright and early Saturday morning, we started the journey to Destin, Florida. For the first 5 hours, our trip went very smoothly. The kids behaved, the traffic was light, and everything was going as planned. Then we hit some shredded tire on the interstate and immediately the front passenger tire started losing air. We pulled off on the first exit we saw, and what do you know? A used tire store that was open on the saturday of a holiday weekend. That was definitely God watching out for us. They changed our tire and had us out of there in under 20 minutes, and all it cost was $30. I wouldn't have believed it if I wasn't there.

      The rest of trip went smoothly as well, and before we knew it we were standing on the beach!! The girls were so excited, and we were, too. There is nothing like the sound of the ocean and the smell of that salty air. We went to dinner at Mellow Mushroom with Nonna and Granddaddy. Then Payton started going downhill. She was warm to the touch and fell asleep in my lap. We got home and she was running a fever. I thought Oh great, our vacation is ruined. But I gave her some motrin and put her to bed, and she woke up cool as a cucumber and ready to play. I was so glad that her mystery illness did not stick around.

     We woke up early on Sunday and headed down to the beach. It was crowded because of the holiday, but the girls still had a blast and so did we. After we went in from the beach and had some lunch, the girls wanted to go to the pool a little bit before nap time, so we let them swim some more, then gave them a bath and let them get some rest while we got ready to go out that night.

    Sunday night we took the girls to Fudpucker's for dinner, then to the Track to ride rides. They had an absolute blast. It was Payton Joy's first time on a Go-cart and she loved it. She rode all the rides that she was big enough for and loved every minute. By the time we got back to the condo, both girls were worn out and ready for bed.

    Monday morning, the beach was less crowded and the girls were able to have even more fun. Rylee didn't like going very deep into the ocean, but she loved playing in the waves. Payton on the other hand liked to be carried out into the deeper water. The both loved playing in the sand and finding shells.

     Sunday evening, we got dressed up and went down to the beach with my tripod to get some family pictures. I think they turned out pretty good for being on a tripod with a timer.

    After our pictures, we headed to Harborwalk Village to eat dinner at Margaritaville. The girls had a blast watching the boats come into the harbor and dancing to the music.

    After dinner, we walked down the harbor and the girls got to go into bubbles and jump on bungee trampolines. This was Payt's first time for both of these activities and she had a blast. Rylee Love had been looking forward to this since we told her about the vacation. Harborwalk Village is her favorite part of Destin.

     Tuesday, we took a break from the sand and spent the entire morning at the pool. The pool was adjacent to the marina and had a gorgeous view of the boats on the water. The girls swam and swam and Rylee even made a little friend to play with for a while.

     Tuesday night, we ate dinner at Harry T's, then took the girls on a pirate cruise. It was so much fun. There were water gun fights, sword fights, face painting, lots of dancing, and a treasure hunt. Payton was really into and participated in most of the activities, but Rylee was more timid and didn't really want to be around the pirates. However, once we got off the boat she said it was the best night ever, so I guess she had fun in her own way. Haha.

     Wednesday was our last day, so we stayed at the beach all morning. We built sandcastles, hunted shells, and played in the waves until we were ready for lunch.

    After lunch, Ryan and Granddaddy headed to the Track to play minigolf and the girls and I headed to the pool. We swam and played until the girls just couldn't go anymore.

      Then they each passed out on lawn chairs as I soaked up a few more rays of that Florida sunshine. After we left the pool, we got cleaned up and changed and headed to Golden Corral for dinner. Payton ate her weight in food at the buffet, and we all got stuffed. After going and going all vacation long, Wednesday was a nice change of pace and that huge dinner was the perfect ending to our trip.

       Today we are home and the reality of laundry, grocery shopping, and neglected housework has set in. I had a blast spending the last 5 days in Florida with my little family and Ryan's parents. It was such a great time to make memories, relax, and kick off our summer break. But I am glad to be home. There is just something about sleeping in your own bed after coming home from vacation that makes the end of a great trip seem a little less sad.

Rylee Love, Kindergarten Graduate

     Watch out first grade, here comes Rylee Love! I cannot believe she is already a kindergarten graduate. Where does the time go?! This school year has flown by! It seems like we were just beginning our journey at MES, and now we already have 1 year under our belts.

     The graduation was absolutely adorable. The kids sang and danced, there was a picture slideshow, then they were given their diplomas.

    After the graduation there was a reception in her classroom. We were given a memory book and dvd of the slideshow and enjoyed cookies and juice as the kindergarten friends said goodbye for the summer.

     Ryan has been working 2nd shift this week, so he was able to come and bring Payton Joy to watch Rylee graduate. Payton was so proud of her big sister.

    We had a half day at school today, so after school was out I took Rylee to Applebee's to celebrate her graduation. Then we ran to Walmart to get the last few things we need for our beach trip in a few days.

   AND.. Kaden graduated Preschool on Tuesday night. I can't believe he is heading to kindergarten. I really wish time would slow down!! I know he is going to rock kindergarten. He is such a smarty pants already, he will be teaching the class before long! :)

Weekend Fun

      Yesterday was a fun day. We started by celebrating Eden's 3rd birthday. The kids had so much fun at her party.

     Then we headed to Dyersburg to see the new Angry Birds movie. Kaden and Rylee were absolutely thrilled. Payton enjoyed it, too once it got started.

     I think all of the kids' favorite part was the snacks. Popcorn, soda, and M&M's, oh my! Haha.

   After the movie we headed to Chikfila for dinner and some playtime before dropping Kaden off back at his house. It was a perfect day.

Rylee's 2nd Piano Recital

      Today was Rylee Love's second piano recital. She played Scotland Bells and did an absolutely amazing job. I am so impressed at how well she is doing in piano at only 5 years old.

     Granny, Paw Paw, Emmy, Liz, and KAden came to see her perform. Everyone thought she did an excellent job.

     She has the absolute best piano teacher. Ms. Rachel is so patient with Rylee and has taught her so much in 2 short years!

    We have had a very busy weekend. Yesterday we went to Knox's 3rd birthday party. The kids had a blast playing at the park and were so excited when the ice cream truck showed up at the end.

   Then after church this morning, then Rylee's piano recital, we changed clothes and headed to Munford to Makaylah's birthday party in Munford. We had a lot of fun skating. Rylee even convinced me to skate with her and all her friends.

Mother's Day Weekend

     Saturday morning Ryan took me and the girls out to brunch at iHop. I like this tradition on the Saturday before Mother's Day. Nothing makes me happier than delicious food! :)

    Saturday evening we had a cookout at Nonna and Granddaddy's house. The kids had a picnic. Mel and her babies were able to visit for the first time since she and Josh filed for divorce. They have been going through a lot lately, ad it's hard not be able to see her and those sweet babies during such a dark time in their lives. It was so good to spend time laughing and making good memories.

     They spent most of the night on the fourwheeler.

    The kids (and adults) never wanted to get off.

     They rode around and around.

   There was more laughter than I'd heard in a while. It was so much fun.

    Sunday morning we headed to church. There was no one in my Sunday School class except for my 2 girls, so I let them play on the playground at church until the worship service began.

   When we got home from church, Ryan wasn't feeling well so he took a nap and the girls and I had fun in the sun. It was a gorgeous day.

      Being their mother is my absolute favorite thing. Due to recent events in my family, I've had to cut my parents from my life to free myself from the constant negativity and hurt. So this was my first "motherless" Mother's Day. It was a very hard decision, but I know it was God who led me to the final decision and gave me peace about cutting ties for now. I can't imagine ever treating my girls the way my parents have treated me and my siblings, but I know better than to compare myself to them. I hope one day they will realize their mistakes and there can be sincere apologies and reconciliation, but only time will tell. All I can do is be the best mother I can be and make sure the cycle does not continue with me.