Parade 2013

One of the first of many fun events associated with Bella's dance class is participation in the Fair Parade.  I signed her up to ride on the float and then asked her if she wanted to.  Kind of backwards huh.  Luckily she squealed yes.  A parent had to ride with her since she was under 5 years old so Mommy got the privilege of accompanying her.  The day of the parade it was supposed to rain.  We were told if it was raining when we got up, we wouldn't ride.  Good enough for me.  I'd be lying if I told you there wasn't a small part of me hoping it would be raining.  But it wasn't.  Bella even at one time told me she just wanted to stay home.  I considered it for a brief minute but decided we committed to riding, bought the shirts and I knew deep down she would love it. 

We had to meet by Wal-Mart by 8:15 a.m.  We got there and walked over to meet up with everyone else.  We were in good spirits and very excited.  I mean, just look at this smile!

 

Everyone loaded up on the float and we moved out to the street...and waited.  Passed the time with pictures and looking at the other floats lining up.  Trips to Whataburger for potty break, etc.

 

 

And we waited some more.  For two hours we sat waiting for 10:00 to arrive.  Bella starting melting about 30 minutes before we for go for launch.  She was hot, I was hot, the breezes would come and go.  Finally we started moving but my girl had had enough.  Boredom had set in.  She was so over this whole ride a float in the parade thing....

Thank goodness our dear friend Heather who owns a flower shop in town was just up the street.  I had texted her when we were getting close so she could step out to wave.  I kept telling Bella that everyone was here to see her in the parade so she better perk up and wave.  She wouldn't have it.  The above pose continued until she saw Heather.  Finally a smile!  After that she was the waving princess!

 

 

The last leg of the parade was brutal as the sun was beating right down on us and it got hot all over again but after all that my girl told me she had so much fun and couldn't wait to do it again.  I was happy.  The rain hit town just as we got back home so we both snuggled up and took a good little nap.  Being in the sun wears us out but we had a good time together, meltdowns and all. :)

 

 

October 15, 2002

October 15, 2002 was the day my second son arrived. 

Jace Andrew arrived at 12:03 p.m., just in time for lunch.  Today would have been his 11th birthday.  This year I am struggling.  I miss my son so much it hurts.  It hurts like nothing you've ever known.  But I have decided that in order to help myself through my grief this year, I am going to honor my son by doing one of things he has taught me. I am going to take time for the little things.  Hug my children a little tighter and a little longer.  Tell them and others how much I love them.  Toss out the schedule for a day and just have some fun.  Life every day is a privilege.  No one is guaranteed tomorrow.  You never know when you may get a phone call that will change your life forever so live it up today.  Don't wait for that perfect moment...you may end up waiting forever or lose that chance.  Do it now. 

And now I'm asking you to do the same. In honor of my son's 11th birthday...take time today to do something special that you normally wouldn't do.  Treat yourself and your family to pizza tonight instead of cooking.  Watch a movie together.  Play a game. Anything.  Just toss out the schedule for one night and have some fun.

I miss my son every single day.  But today is his day.  Today I am going to celebrate and honor him.  I hope you will do the same.  Y'all have a good one.

Happy Birthday Jace Andrew!!  Mommy loves you.... 

FALLelujah!

Saw this on a blog and totally agreed!!  This is so me!! 
Y'all have a GREAT Friday!!

 

 

And here's one I found a few weeks ago...

 

20 Things That Make Me Smile

I was thinking the other morning about Bella singing in the car and found myself smiling from ear to ear.  Its the cutest thing ever.  That lead me to think about other things that make me smile so I decided to jot them down here to share my list with you.  Here are 20 things that make me smile in no particular order...

1.  I LOVE listening to Bella sing.   Belting out lyrics like she owns the place and has a crowd of 50,000 cheering her on.  In reality, its only me and her brother...her two biggest fans.

2.  Watching my children do their thing. 

3.  Pictures of my children.

4.  Sonic Dr. Pepper.  It could also be a Bucee's Dr. Pepper or a corner store Dr. Pepper so long as its a fountain drink in a Styrofoam cup with just the right amount of the "good" ice in it.  Key points here.

5.  Cool weather.  Thunderstorms. Snow.

6.  Scarves.  I get obsessed more and more every year.  You can never have enough in my book.

7.  Pumpkins, Fall colors, cool crisp air, picking pecans, football, crunchy leaves, Halloween, Thanksgiving...just about anything Fall.  Its my favorite time of year. 

8.  Home cooked meal.

9.  Drinking coffee on the patio. 

10.  Soups.  Nothing like a good bowl of soup to make you feel better.

11.  Nice people.

12.  Sweet "nothing to gain" compliments.

13.  MilkDuds.

14.  Christmas music.

15.  A good book.

16.  Flowers.  Whether its a field of them, the ones growing in my yard, garden or flowerbed or an arrangement of sorts, flowers always make me smile.

17.  Accomplishments.  Big or small. 

18.  George Strait, Tom Hanks, John Travolta, John Stamos, Robert Redford, Sam Elliott, Gary Sinise, Matthew McConaughey, Mark Harmon, Patrick Dempsey to name a few. Basically sexy men.  :)

19.  Girlfriend time.  Its great therapy. 

20.  Hugs and snuggles from my children. 

I realize this list could technically be more than 20 things but who's really counting?  What makes you smile?