30 Days ...Day 6

Day 6: A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for the day.

I decided there are two people I would like to trade places with for the day -- I have one famous one and one "regular" one. (Although, I wouldn't consider her regular). So, the famous one is ...surprise, surprise... Kate Middleton!! Who wouldn't want to be princess for a day. I would pick a very specific day though; like her wedding day. She got to seriously wear a tiara!! (are you debating if I am under the age of 10 right now??? lol) Here are some pictures of her from that day...

...ummmm, did I say tiara????

The second would be my BESTEST FRIEND Abby-Dabby-Do. Abby is the program director at Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center, a Presbyterian Church Camp just outside of Little Rock. Abby and I have many wonderful memories of Ferncliff and Church events, and I think it would be really cool to get to be a part of something that brings joy to so many people's lives.



I didn't have any digital pictures of me and Abby from when we were at ferncliff, but I stole a picture of Abby from her facebook page!! Abby is a wonderful person, and I am thankful everyday that she is a part of my life!  I couldn't imagine who I would be without her!

I LOVE YOU ABBY-DABBY-DO!!! 

--Amanda

Today...

Fair warning... the first part of this blog is going to be depressing!! If you don't want to read it feel free to skip to the bottom!!!

If you have been reading my blog, you know this past year has been difficult. We have lost one of Alan's great-grandmothers, Alan's uncle, my Grandaddy, one of my great-grandmothers, and after this week another one of my great-grandmothers.

This week my Nanny passed away. She was so sweet and such a strong person. She loved deeply, and she told you how much she loved you. Although I am so sad to know that she is gone, she was 97 years old. I have learned there are things worse than dying, and I feel like she had seen her fair share! Her mother died when she was young, her first child died when he was 2, her father died shortly after her son, her husband died in 1996, and since then two more of her children have died. I couldn't imagine, but she stayed strong and happy through all of it. So, while I am very sad to see her go, I know there are a lot of people in heaven she is very happy to see!!!! 

This week has been really hard...

The first is that she was my last great-grandparent. I was very blessed to get to know six of my great-grandparents, and the thought that they are all gone is very difficult for me to comprehend. I am so sad to see this chapter of my life closed!! When Ella was born, she had 5 generations in 4 different directions. Now, she only has one great-great-grandparent left! She was blessed to have that many, and I am glad they were able to spend this short amount of time together. I know she was a blessing to each of them, and I am sad that she won't remember them.

The second is that this was my last relative in Morrilton, AR. My grandparents are from there, and it was always a fun trip to go visit in Morrilton. I realized today as I was driving down there that this would be the last time we would need to go to Morrilton to see any family. It was sad leaving today!!!

The third is that this was my Grandaddy's mother. There is a large empty space in our lives that I don't believe can ever be repaired from losing Grandaddy in January. I miss him more than words can express, and it still doesn't seem real that he is gone. Also, I come from a family of very stong women (I know that is hard to see because I am so quiet and reserved... lol). To see three of the strongest women I know feel so depressed and sad is one of the hardest things I have ever done. I think my mother said it best when she said "He was the rock that held this family together" -- I think there may have been some words said about how well he handled being in the middle of so many strong-willed women!!! Ha ha, he handled us well, that is for sure!!! He held us together, and he loved deeply just like his mother. Going through today was like losing him all over again.

The fourth is all of the devestation from the weather! I was able to go help in Joplin last Thursday, and to actually see the impact of the storm was amazing. There are so many people who lost so much. It was difficult to see, but I was so thankful to get to help people when they needed it. My prayers are with all of those who have been impacted by the terrible storms this year! I was so happy to get home and just hold Ella and Alan!!

So, I think that is all of the depressing stuff -- at least for now! To the fun stuff! I am really excited about summer! I love being outside, and I am ready for the warm weather. Ella is growing up so fast! She is becoming more and more like a little adult everyday, and it is hilarious! She carries on conversations, not only with us, but with dogs, dolls, bath toys, anything she can make sit still long enough to listen to her! She is also getting very good at going potty in the potty!! It is wonderful to not have to change diapers so much!

Today she made me laugh, as I said she has gotten very good at communicating... unfortunately she has learned "shut-up". Until today, she had just yelled it at the dogs, and I figured she had picked it up from Alan. Until I heard Alan's dad get onto their dog and tell her to shut-up!! lol Well, she appropriately used it today when Mimi (my mom) was singing in the car. While this doesn't seem that funny, neither my mom or I can sing well, and the fact she told her to be quiet while she was singing made Mimi mad!! I thought it was funny! When we got home, after she and Abby had spent most of the day together, I guess Ella was ready for alone time. She looked at Abby and said "Abby, go home". I about died! At least we know she will tell people what she wants!

Here is to hoping my next blog post will be happier!!! Have a great memorial day weekend!

--Amanda

30 Days... Day 5

Ok, so I had a little skip in the "30 Days" series... we have been busy lately!! Day 5 is a picture of your favorite memory. Well... I have LOTS of pictures of this. On April 25, 2009 my brother got married, and it was a wonderful weekend. I was 37 weeks pregnant with Ella (yes, I was a little uncomfortable!!), and I was getting a wonderful new sister-in-law and niece. It was a wonderful time in our lives!

The first picture I posted solely for the purpose of seeing the shoes. I picked these shoes when I was 5 months pregnant -- I weighed alot less, and I was not swollen.... look how things change. (No Ms. Piggy comments Matt!!!) I did manage to wear them though!!

Here are pictures of us getting ready at the church. I thought this was a beautiful picture of Crystal.

 

I really liked this picture of Abby and Crystal!! Abby was having so much fun dressing up like a princess.

Like I said, LOTS of pictures!! Here are a couple of everyone.

 

The Happy Couple



Family Pictures ...


Me and Dustin


Me and Daddy
 

Ok I have to brag on my Mom -- I thought this was a really good picture of her, but look at some of the recent pictures of her from Ella's Birthday Party!! I am so proud of her and how much weight she has lost!!! She looks beautiful!!

More of the happy couple!!


What a good looking group of boys!!!


Look at my swollen feet!!!


Dustin and Crystal's Escorts!!


...and the best part of a wedding... the cake!!


And of course the toast!! --That is Jenn, Crystal's sister hidden behind the tent pole. She was a great Maid of Honor, and I really enjoyed getting to hang out with her!


The first dance.


My cousins Taylor and Kristen, aren't they beautiful??


Me and My Mommy!!!

...and then the hard liquor came out!!!

...Alan might have enjoyed some too...

At some point my brother ended up getting thrown in the pool!! I love this picture because I think he looks Daniel Craig-ish!!!

Random Pictures... 

This was also a very bittersweet time for our family. We had just recently found out that my Grandaddy had esophageal cancer. He had surgery the Tuesday after the wedding, and he fought very hard for the next two years!! Unfortunately, he lost his battle in January of 2011. This was the last family event we had that he really felt well, and that is why this is one of my favorite memories.


Grandaddy, Uncle Tony, and Daddy


Mammy and Grandaddy


Grandaddy, Aunt Terri, Taylor, and Kristen

Grandaddy loved to dance, and we all loved watching Mammy and Grandaddy dance!! He had alot of fun dancing tht night!!

 

I love you, Grandaddy!!

--Amanda

Ella's Birthday Party!!!

On May 9th, 2011, our baby turned two!! It seems impossible that she is two already. So much has happened in the last two years! We had her birthday party on Saturday, May 7 at Gymnastic Joe's in Fayetteville, and it was a blast! I am not sure who had more fun, the kids or the grownups!!!


Grandpa, Ella, and Abby in the foam pit!

Nonnie and Ella on the trampoline.

Mimi joined everyone in the foam pit (...it was not by choice... haha!!!)

Mimi deicded she would be Minnie Mouse when Ella didn't want to!!

Cake Time!!!

Ella and Mama

Ella was very excited to have cake AND soda!!! ...hello sugar rush!

See... the sugar is starting to kick in!

Here are some random crowd pictures...

 

 

 

 

Ella's new bike ... look at all of the help she had riding it!!

 

Opening presents ...Ella had a lot of help doing this too. (and I was thankful for the help!!!)

We had a wonderful time!!! Thank you to everyone to came to hang out; Ella had a fantastic birthday!! We are so blessed to have such wonderful friends and family!!!

Happy Birthday Ella!!!! Mommy and Daddy Love You!!!!

--Amanda