A Few of My Favorite Things........

We just returned from our very first family vacation to Port Aransas (took 283 pictures) and had a BLAST!  I  will post more later but thought I would start with my top ten list.

10.  Hearing Madie giggle in the backseat when we left at 2:46am.  She knew something was up and it was bound to be good

 9.  Madie's awe of the aquarium

 8.  Big brown eyes the first time she saw the ocean

 7.  Seeing just how fast my little girl can run

 6.  Calling the birds (thanks Daddy for teaching us that little trick)

 5.  Picking up seashells and then studying each one

 4.  Running with Grandaddy

 3.  Hanging with our sweet Cooper

 2.  Dolphin watching with MiMi

 1. Having a WONDERFUL first family vacation!

In My Daughter's Eyes

Sometimes God shows up in big, magnificent, knock you off your feet ways.  But sometimes, he shows up in subtle, "just when you need him", fatherly love kind of ways.  Today was one of those days.  I will go on record as saying today was less than perfect.  I have a real hard time saying I have had a bad day when my day to day work revolves around helping people who don't have roofs over their heads, food to feed their babies, or hope for a better tomorrow.  I digress - in His just right time a wonderful song came across the radio - In My Daughter's Eyes by Martina McBride.  He brought it all back into perspective to me, once again.  Thank you Jesus for MY daughter's eyes. 

 



In my daughter's eyes I am a hero

I am strong and wise and I know no fear

But the truth is plain to see

She was sent to rescue me

I see who I wanna be

In my daughter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes everyone is equal

Darkness turns to light and the

world is at peace

This miracle God gave to me gives me

strength when I am weak

I find reason to believe

In my daughter's eyes

And when she wraps her hand

around my finger

Oh it puts a smile in my heart

Everything becomes a little clearer

I realize what life is all about

It's hangin' on when your heart

has had enough

It's giving more when you feel like giving up

I've seen the light

It's in my daughter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes I can see the future

A reflection of who I am and what will be

Though she'll grow and someday leave

Maybe raise a family

When I'm gone I hope you see how happy

she made me

For I'll be there

In my daughter's eyes

How Did We Get So Lucky?

We are quite smitten with this little backyardigan! 

13 Months! and ROAD TRIP!

Ms. Priss turned 13 months this weekend!  I cannot believe we are already 1+. Mike went on his annual guy's fishing trip so Madie and I packed up and headed to Abilene for some fun with MiMi, Grandaddy and Case.  Madie is SO much fun these days and such a little busy body.  I quite enjoy showing her off. 


Here is Madie with Grandaddy on the back porch glider.  I am a little sentimental about this pic, it is SO sweet.  And it is the same glider that was at my Nana and Granddaddy's house in Monahans.  Things like that are just so priceless. 

 While this may seem like such a sweet bonding moment between Grandaddy and granddaughter.  There is something you should know.  My daddy is a little LOT mischievous and soon enough Madie was trying her first lime.  OK, OK maybe I gave it to her, but I come by it naturally.  Here is her response........

 Watering the flowers with MiMi and Reb

 Saturday we went to the Abilene Zoo.  This zoo is just perfect for Madie right now.  It is just big enough and you can get really close to all the animals.  She LOVED it. 

 We even got Case to come with us!

 This is my ABSOLUTE favorite part of the Abilene Zoo.  You can feed the giraffes.  Madie gave it her cheerios.  (we should have noticed that they were selling special giraffe food but Madie had her own treats to share!)

 All was great until that tongue!  Ha!  Madie scooted away so fast.

 Saturday night MiMi and Grandaddy had a wedding to attend and Case went to his 115th concert that week so Madie and I had some Mommy and me time.  I just love this little girl so much!  She is SO sweet (when she wants to be) and so independent.  Her favorite things to do right now are dance, dance, dance, and give kisses. She even got to try her first Happy Meal and kept saying "mmmmm" about the fries.  Yep, she's mine. 

What a great way to spend a weekend.  Oh, and Mike caught a lot of fish, ate a lot of fish and got really sunburned so I would say he had a pretty great time too.  :)

Mother's Day

This was Madie and I's second Mother's Day!  Wow, did she treat me well this year!

 Here we are this time last year, my how things change!

 I woke up to a fabulous breakfast prepared by Madie and Daddy. What are we going to do today Madie?  I don't know!

 Madie got me a trip to the spa which I could not be more excited about!

 My friend Lynn got Madie this book for mother's day.  I highly recommend it to any working mom. It is great!

 After breakfast and a nap, we decided to head out to Mayfest.  We were so lucky to have MiMi and Granddaddy meet us there!

Here is Madie trying to talk Granddaddy into riding the ponies!  Oh she is a fine negotiator. She almost had him, if the sign hadn't said 3 and up she would have been on that pony!

 

Here is Madie in the petting zoo with MiMi.  She is super fortunate to have a MiMi willing to grab every animal and show it to her! Ha!

MiMi, Momma and Madie.  My favorite girls! 

 Daddy found Madie a great spot under a big tree close to the band.  Perfect to spread out our blanket and enjoy the festival.

 This picture doesn't do it justice, but Madie did A LOT of dancing.  Her new favorite pastime.

 MiMi shared her corn with Madie.  She kept saying "mmmmmmm"!  Sorry MiMi - you just thought that was your lunch!

 Dancing with Granddaddy

 It was pretty hot so Madie and MiMi hit the water area.  You could walk around on this grate and it would squirt water.  All was going well until this photo! Ha!  Priceless.

Thanks for coming and sharing Mother's Day with us MiMi and Granddaddy!  Not a single day goes by that I don't thank God that I am Madie's momma.  Mother's day has a whole new meaning to me now.  An unwavering admiration for my sweet momma and an unwavering love and hope for my sweet Madie. I can think of no better way to spend the day than with the two of them.  I am truly blessed.

Fun in the Sun

Finding a way to get soaking wet with its 90+ outside is always a good idea.........

 I think Madie agrees!

 Bubbles!

 Sharing cupcake frozen yogurt with Mom.  Mmmmmmm!

Have a great weekend!