There's no place like home . . .

Although I loved every minute of our vacation,



I must say there truly is no place like home.




But by home, I mean more than just our house . . . I mean our community, our friends, the familiarity of seeing the people and places that you know . . .



I think that is what makes vacations so special . . . time to get away from the hectic, day-to-day stuff and enjoy the simple things in life while being able to return home and realize what a blessing life is and how special the people in your life are. While being with my family for a week was awesome, it was so wonderful to come home today and hang out with a few of my best buds . . . creating those moments not just for me, but for my kiddos as well . . . to fill their lives with people who love them.

I heard this song "One Life to Love" for the first time today . . . what a powerful reminder of what life is truly about. The lyrics are below but the song is online . . . take time to listen . . . it's awesome.

*******************
One Life to Love
by 33 miles


He never thought he cared so much about the minute hand,
Until he started playing for a second chance,
If he could only do it all again,
He'd trade the long nights that he spent behind his desk,
For all he missed,
He tells his wife,
I wish that this moment in this room, was not me dying,
But just spending a little time with you


You only get just one time around,
You only get one shot at this,
One chance,
To find out,
The one thing that you don't wanna miss,
One day when its all said and done
I hope you see that it was enough,
This one ride,
One try,
One life,
To love.


She never thought she cared so much about those little hands,
That held on tight the day she left,
Til she was scared to death,
Sitting all alone on a hotel bed,
The end of the road,
The sun has set on her big plans,
To feel young again,
She picks up the phone,
Dials the number,
Hears that little voice,
That's haunted every single mile,
Since she made that choice,


You only get just one time around,
You only get one shot at this,
One chance,
To find out,
The one thing that you don't wanna miss,
One day when its all said and done
I hope you see that it was enough,
This one ride,
One try,
One life,
To love.


You only get just one time around,
You only get one shot at this,
One chance,
To find out the one thing
That you don't wanna miss,
One day when its all said and done
I hope you see that it was enough,
This one ride,
One try,
One life,
One ride,


One try,
One life,
To love,
To love
***************
This week, I challenge you to fully embrace "this one life, this one ride" and live and love as much as you can without taking a single second of it for granted.


A few more pics from "this one 'vacationed' life".




On the dolphin tour ride.

Ahh . . . brotherly love . . . for a minute anyway!

My 3 sunshines!

Beyond my wildest dreams . . .

Nearly 8 years ago, I found a love beyond my wildest dreams . . . my world was blessed with my sweet Peyt-ee Brooke.


Fast forward to today and as you all know, we've been on vacation in/near Hilton Head Island this week. The reason behind this vacation spot? Peyton begged to compete in Nationals for gymnastics held in Savannah, GA. When we finally agreed, we in no way expected what happened today. . .


My sweet baby girl is now a National Champion!!! Peyton won 1st on floor and bars, 2nd on vault, and 3rd on beam as well as winning 1st All-Around . . . simply amazing and most definitely beyond my wildest dreams!



This is a picture of the picture collage I bought today . . . who could resist?



Lauren, Peyton, and Abby waiting for awards to start.



Peyton saluting as the national champ!!!



The dinner of champions . . .






She is such an amazing gift . . . I have truly been blessed . . . beyond my wildest dreams!

The best ending to this extraordinary day is that as we walked out of the competition area a little while after the awards it was raining . . . what is so great about that you wonder? My momma loved the rain and there hasn't been a day, an hour, a moment in the nearly six years since she died that it hasn't rained when I have needed her or wanted to share something with her . . . the rain is my reminder that she is truly forever with us . . . that I will always be her sunshine . . . that is indeed beyond my wildest dreams!

In progress . . .

. . . . vacation, that is!

Yippee!!! Vacation has officially been in progress for 2 days! While we had lots of fun in Chattanooga yesterday and today, I think it's fair to say we are ALL so GLAD to be at our final destination, especially Peyton. Her mood changed drastically once we finally got here. I must say that's probably a good thing because she and I were about to go 'round and 'round! :)

Yesterday, we visited the Tennessee Aquarium . . . Parker was in heaven . . . Preston on the other hand wasn't as thrilled. All he wanted to do was ride the escalators up and down. Now, that might not be a bad thing if he were any more talented at getting on and off of those then he is.

Today, we rode the Incline Railroad at Lookout Mountain. It was pretty cool . . . not quite as exciting as I'd thought it would be, though. Of course, while we were standing up at the top looking at the view, Preston decided to kick his flip flop off so we had to go ask the office to let us in the gate to get it or retrieve it for us . . ."Flip-flop duty" is what they called it. I tried to use that to reassure myself that my 3 yr old isn't the only one that's ever done that. Right? Surely?

We rolled into our hotel around 9 tonight . . . very ready to be done driving for a while. Tomorrow, I think we're gonna hit the beach and do a boat ride where you can see some dolphins. Promises to be a fun day!

I leave you with some pics of Day 1 . . . Day 2 pics will come tomorrow.

Toodles!

P.S. Happy Father's Day, Jer! You are such a blessing to our family and we love you!

! The mountains outside Chattanooga

My crew at the Riverfont outside the Aquarium. Check out how Parker is standing . . . He is my cool dude!

Peyt and I couldn't resist this . . .

Preston walking away during one of his MANY MANY fits while at the aquarium.

Vacation Bound!

In about 5 hours, we finally leave for vacation!!! We are all super excited around here! Our first stop will be Chattanooga, TN where we will visit the aquarium (Parker will be loving this) and Lookout Mountain. Sunday, we will head to Hilton Head and spend a few lazy days trying hard not to wear Peyton out. She competes on Wednesday morning so everyone say some prayers and keep your fingers crossed for her! She's been working SOOOOO hard the last month getting ready for Nationals. I think we are going to try to eat at The Lady and Sons (Paula Deen's restaurant-Jerr will be loving this) while we are in Savannah on Wed. If that doesn't work out, we'll drive back to Savannah later in the week. Thursday and Friday will be just fun vacation days like Mon and Tues, doing whatever sounds fun . . . like laying around at the beach! :) We will head home on Saturday sometime so we can make it back for the Pinderski girls' birthday bash on Sunday! We wouldn't miss it for the world!

I will be taking the beloved laptop with me so I"ll update often on the blog and on facebook!

Don't forget to say some prayers for Peyton! Thanks bunches!!

Toodles!

Off to a running start . . .

We got this week off to a running start with Preston's surgery for his tubes bright and early at 7:30 this morning. Now typically, 7:30 isn't so early around here. However, you do have to remember it's summer . . . time of freedom . . . time of living the good life here in our little world . . . time of NOT being up and about by 7:30.


Other than telling us repeatedly that he did not want to lay down, Preston was wonderful before his surgery. The lovely nurse who took him back was just that, lovely. She pretended his bed was a fire truck, complete with sirens! I heard a nurse at the nurse's station comment that Preston said he wanted his mommy but the nurse (I think her name was Amy?) said "But your mommy can't come on the firetruck". Apparently that was enough to keep him happy and not wanting momma too badly! :)


He came back from surgery dry eyed and ready for his apple juice! He drank the whole cup in record time, I think. Poor fella wasn't happy about getting out of bed so early and not even getting a cup of his most beloved chocolate milk this morning.


He is now home in mommy's bed fast asleep . . . I remember when I was a kid and sick,, no place was better than my momma's bed . . .



Yeah, I let the poor kid wear his jammies this morning. I was feeling sorry for him having to get up so early.



Preston's trying hard to focus on Handy Manny and not worry about what's going on!



Since I was taking pics of him, he thought it was only fair that he got to take a pic of me. Sarah K, you better watch out . . . you might have some competition . . . I was sure he'd cut my head off or something.



Preston is on his way to surgery . . . not feeling too sure about this hat!



My entertainment during the surgery!




Preston snuggling with momma and drinking his apple juice!




Home in momma's bed . . . sweet dreams, my baby boy.

Summer Love

One of our summer "loves" is Bluff Falls! We finally made it a few times this week. The kids would stay there all day long if I let them . . . and since I am such a cool mom, I do let them . . . it's not at all because I love having fun in the sun as much as they do! :)

Here are a few pics from one of our days at the WP as I like to call it!



Is he cute or what?




Some days I think all Preston does is eat!

Peyton and her friend Mariah.

My friend Lauren (Mariah's mom) and I.

Me and my sweet Park-man! Not sure that he was very happy to have to slow down and get a pic taken with mom!

Stay tuned for more of our "Summer Loves"!

Toodles!

Top 5 Reasons . . .

. . . why I love Cape Girardeau.

5.

Love this store . . . smells so yummy!!! Although my "signature"scent from here is Magnolia Blossom, I picked up a few others . . . including Honeysuckle which takes me back to sweet summers growing up.

4.

What's not to love about this place?

3.

Nothing beats a Smoked Turkey on Country with a couple -ok, so maybe like a dozen if I'm telling the truth-Cinnamon Crunch bagels for dessert. Jerry hates it when I come home with the big box. Ha Ha I think I'm addicted!

2.

Love, Love, Love this place. Got some cute stuff last week, like this new swim suit (for me) . . .

and this cute (and comfy) outfit for Peyton.

She got a new suit too but I forgot to snap a pic of it.

1.

Can't go to Cape without a trip to Target . . . Check out this cool stuff I found!

Love these flip flops . . .

. . . but not as much as I love the new beach tote I bought! It'll be perfect for our trip to Hilton Head Island next week!

And there you have it . . . the top 5 reasons I love Cape Girardeau! (There are of course many other places where I love to shop and eat . . . I just had proof of these places! Ha ha)

Tripped up by Technology

So, I have spent the last 2 hours trying to get this really cool blog post just how I want it . . . to no avail. So, instead my dear friends, you get to witness a teeny bit of my perfectionism and instead of seeing my cool post, you get this boring one instead. Please accept my most sincere apologies . . . :)

In the meantime, Sarah K, I need your help!! Pronto!!

Good Morning Sunshine

When I was a kid, the first thing my momma would say to me when I came down for breakfast was "Good Morning Sunshine". How I miss those good mornings . . . but what better way to start a morning then with a few pics (from Easter) of my very own sunshines. :)

Welcome to my little World!

This is officially my first blog post EVER!!! Who knows what you'll find here . . . lots of amusing stories from and about my 3 amazing kiddos (the reasons why my pockets are full of sunshine!) I'm sure!

Those of you who know me well will know that it takes me a little while to get things looking "just so" so don't be surprised if you see lots of changes to this blog in the coming weeks as I learn what I'm actually doing here.

Ok, I'm going to post this and play with the design now.

Toodles!!