A Beautiful Life

Last week we celebrated the life of my Nana, Vermell. I true cajun, the lady was smart, witty, thoughtful and always greeted you with a hug. She was a nurse, going back to school after raising her 6 kids, one who loved to take care of others. She was  catholic through and through - never missing mass. She baked us some of the best birthday cakes I've ever had - including a little lamb for my first birthday, just like Annalee. She held awesome Easter egg hunts on Easter Sunday and loved cajun cooking. She was an amazing lady, who gave me an amazing mama, and for that I will always be grateful! 

We love you Nana! I can almost hear your laugh, just looking at this photo. I hope your singing with the choirs of angels above!! 

Is it really almost October??  I'll be back soon with an update on life - including our September bucket list. 

Hope everyone is enjoying the first week of fall! 

Family life on the Coast.

Well, I'm back from a long week trip to the coast to visit Family. I wish I could say it was a relaxing fun filled visit full of love and laughter... but, besides the love that was certainly present all week, I can't say there was much more. Right now is just a hard time for my family.

My grandmother, who is 85 is on her final victory lap. She's a fighter I tell ya, but she's ready. I think the family is at peace knowing her time is near and after a very long visit with her on Friday, I know she will soon be free of pain, free of worry, and in a much better place. It was a hard visit, but also a wonderful visit. I got one more big smile from that beautiful face! 

My mom also had surgery last week on her month to remove two teeth. She has a deterioration of the bone, which is hereditary and so very painful. She's being a trooper and I was so happy to be there with her when she had to have it done. It was nice for once to be able to cook for her {milkshakes and mashed potatoes, ha}, clean, do laundry, and dishes and little chores around the house. 

Last, but certainly not least - back in August my Dad was diagnosed with cancer. After a great annual check-up and feeling like a chipper 47 year old, he had a seizure two weeks later. They found cancer in the brain, lung and liver. I won't go into too many details - but this past month has been filled with more doctors appointments, treatments and trips to the hospital than my parents have ever had to endure.  Dad started treatment the week before Labor Day and we are hopeful. Praying for his strength to fight and thanking god for our blessings every day. 

I'm thankful for a wonderful husband who has been home taking care of our littlest one, while I took care of my folks. It's a crazy time in life. Certainly one I was not prepared for, thus is life. I know that god won't give us more than we can handle, and for that I am grateful. 

Thanks to all our friends and family for the prayers. We'll take them all at the moment! 

Shein for Momma.

Many thanks to my gal Kara, who introduced me to Shein, this momma did some online shopping last week. They have such cute trendy finds for waayyy cheap. My closet needs a little boost for the fall, and Shein was the perfect answer, without hitting the pocket book too hard. I thought I would share a couple of my picks.

Blue Ruffle Hem Blouse 

White Lace insert Hollow Out Overlay Blouse 

Pink Ruffle Sleeve Blouse 

Blue Bell Sleeve Off the Shoulder Chambray

Vertical Striped Sleeveless Peplum Top

Also, new customers get an extra 40% 'most items' with code WS40. 

Happy shopping, ladies!

The 13 days that flew by in September

Hey friends! Man, it's been a quick month thus far. We have been soaking up the cool moorings and hot summer afternoons - and keeping busy on that September bucket list. I also crushed one of my biggest events at work last weekend, just saying', it was awesome!

I thought I would pop-in for a quick update on the September bucket list and others...

{one} We visited somewhere we have never been in VA, crossing off one item from our Sept. bucket list, Lake Moomaw. It's a beautiful state park in Bath County, about an hour and a half from Lex. We spent Sunday afternoon 'at the beach' enjoying a picnic lunch, while chasing Miss Annalee around the rocky beach. It was such a beautiful drive, Bath County is a just an amazing place.

{two} Miss Annalee got a new carseat! Yes, it was quite a hit to the pocket book {man I miss those baby showers. haha jk... only a little bit though}, but it very much needed for our BIG little girl, and Annalee loves it! This is the one we picked.

{three} My child ate an entire apple for an afternoon snack last week. How old are you, 10?

...and another half of a cantaloupe yesterday.

{four} It's football season! We had a big opening weekend at the house, and Annalee got to wear her cute Auburn dress that's been in the closet for over a year. War Eagle!!

{five} My child is terrified of the swing. She actually hates it. It's he only thing we have found that makes her cry... I feel so bad, But it's sorta hilarious.

Please take note of her Sunday outfit...  this one's for Dad. 

Last, but certainly not least. I'm asking for some prayers for my family. I am headed to the coast for the week to visit with my folks. I need to do a long update, but for now - I just ask that all my blogger friends keep my dad (and mom) in your thoughts and prayers. It's been a tough month. Also, some prayers for me as this is my first long trip away from my sweet lil one... and the hubs who will be solo at home for 5 days. Maybe he needs the most prayers.

Cheers to a great week friends! Looking forward to hugging my momma and daddy very soon.

Happy September

Today is the start of a new month! A new season, new wardrobe, new things to do, and a fresh new start! The hubs and I put together a list of September goals - or a 'to-do' list of sorts that I thought I would share today.

Our September Goals

Watch College Football... as much as possible - done, done, and done. 
Spend an afternoon at a vineyard
Take to a trip to somewhere in Virginia we've never been... open to suggestions!
Spend a weekend in Charleston {sept. 22-25} or at home, celebrating Nana.
Buy Annalee a new car seat
Schedule Fall pictures
Get back to 'meal planning' on Sundays
Get a workout in 5 days a week - still aiming for this. We are averaging 3 at the moment. 
Enjoy the Beer and Wine Festival {sept 10}
Install new blinds in our bedroom
Plan a fun date night/day
Go apple picking
Make a new fall wreath
Buy new pillows for the bed

Maybe the list will grow... but for now we thought this was a good start.

Happy September friends!

Annalee Estelle | 14 & 15 Months

Annalee,
Our sweet pea! You're little personality is so curious, sweet and full of sugar. You have a set of lungs on you girl, and we ALWAYS know when you are in the room. You are trying so hard to talk - and instead just squealing when you want something. You have learned a few new words and are getting better at pointing instead of just screaming. Well, sometimes.  You love being outside, climbing, eating and playing with your dolls. Every day you grow so much and are just a sponge, soaking up everything we do and mimicking. We took our first family beach vacation and you loved the beach, pool and being in the water. You were a trooper on our 14 hour trek from the coast and back. We also had a fun visit with your Gramma and by the time we left you had warmed up to her enough to take a bottle. We put away lots of baby stuff this month.... including bottles and the drying rack, baby toys, rattles and tons of 12 month clothes. Next is a new car seat. You are wearing 18 month clothes, size 4 diapers and size 5-6 in shoes. You have seven teeth all in the front!

Funny things you've done...
Taking the keys to the door knob and trying to open it.
Putting things (anything) in the trash can.
Walking to the tub when it's time for a bath and putting your arms up for me to take your clothes off.
Playing hide-n-seek around the sofa and kitchen island.
Mimicking eating with your mouth when your doll house kitchen says, 'It's time to eat!'
Rocking your baby doll to 'Rock-a-bye Baby'.

14 month highlights:

-You love your Melissa & Doug board puzzles and are getting pretty good at putting the pieces back into place. You're favorite is the zebra. We often find you with it in your hand.

-By 7am you are ready for breakfast. You walk right over to your chair and pull it out to get in. ha!

-You've learned to crawl up into the chair by yourself and are so proud when you do. You sit with a big smile and 'rock, rock'.

-You're babling is so cute. 'boop, be domp, be do'

-You love to play with mom's old set of Snow White and the 7 dwarfs. Sneezy is your favorite  - you will look down the line until you spot him - then you laugh and scoop him up to tote around the house with you.

-Love milk! Now taking 4-5 bottles a day, 4 oz at a time, every 4 hours.

-You have learned how to climb. O boy!

-Bedtime is 7/8pm and you are up around 6am. Such a good sleeper.

- Boy do you have a set of lungs on you. You are certainly a squealer!

15 month highlights: 

- The bottles are all packed away! We moved you to a sippy cup of milk on August 20 and so far, you are still loving your milk. You get 3-4 cups a day, at breakfast, after lunch, sometimes an afternoon snack and before bed.

- You love the water, especially bath time.

- Lots of new words this month, including ma-ma, hot, ice, up, hey, hi, helllooo... talking to your play phone and you also said Mimi.

- You love to eat; some of your favorites include avocado, cheese, chicken, cucumbers, strawberries, bananas, pulled pork, grapes, apple sauce, green beans, pops and yogurt. You love feeding yourself with your spoon and are getting better with the aim. We let you use some little cocktail forks and you like that - usually you take the food off the fork before it makes it to your mouth, but you love holding it.

- You love to brush your teeth at bedtime. Still working on after the bottle, but for now, after dinner is a good start. We do put you down in your bed awake and you just curl up with your baby doll and go to bed.

- Bedtime is 7pm and you usually wake up around 7/7:30am.

- Toy favorites include your little people doll house, books - especially those with flaps to pull down, puzzles, dolls, stacking cups, magnetic blocks, water toys, balls, v-tech walker, picnic set and tea pot.

- You have become a little doll thief! haha You started stealing your friends dolls, so we bought you a set of twins, Abbey and Emma, so you can have your own and share too.

- You can go up and down a couple steps no problem. Sometimes sitting on your bottom and other times just stepping up or down on your own.

- You love to dance and start moving anytime the music plays now.

We love you baby girl!!

Five for Friday: HBD Papa Sam

It's Fri-YAY! And we have another weekend at home on the horizon, which makes me so very happy. Don't get me wrong - I loved all of our summer trips - but the thought of no packing {which is good, considering my suitcase is still in need of unpacking from two weekends ago} and not having to strap little miss in a car seat for umpteen hours - is good for the soul.

Thought I would join in a Five on Friday.

One. Wishing a super-duper Happy Birthday to my Pops!! Sending you lots of love from Virginia. Wish we could be there to celebrate with you today, but we're toasting with you in spirit. We love you SO!!

Two. Cortibalm has been a savior for my lips these days. If you're looking for a good lip balm. This is it! My pharmacist ordered it since they didn't carry it in store, but you can also get it online pretty cheap.

Three. Last week I added this lovely to my Ulta order {to get to my $50 for free shipping} and it was a great little find! It smells so good - takes me back to the islands - and adds great lift to my long locks. Will be a repeat for sure.

Four. Has anyone tried TredUp for selling clothes? I cleaned out my closet once already this summer. And I just feel like it's time once again. This time, dress clothes and dresses, which are still in style and cute, but I'm just tired of them. So I ordered a sell bag from ThredUp and thought I would send them off to be sold or donated. We'll see if I have any luck. They say they only buy 40% of what they receive.

Five. Tomorrow is our local Community Festival in downtown Lex. I was the chair of the festival in 2013 and this year my hubs is the chair. We have over 200 craft and art vendors that line the streets of downtown... music runs throughout the day and everything from kettle corn to funnel cakes fill the air. It's such a fun little small town fest - where you see all the usual suspects. Certainly looking forward to it!

Cheers to a great weekend friends!