Ella is 18 months!

Ella is 18 months and lovin' every bit of it...So is Mommy and Daddy!

Her favorite past time is riding the four wheeler with Daddy(and sometimes Mommy). She sees the boys behind us on theirs and she runs for our four wheeler! She likes it even more when we are at the farm checking "Moo Cows!"

This past Saturday we went to Camryn's Birthday party. We had such a great time!!! All of the kids played so well together and they all had a fantastic time on the playground. Of course Ella's favorite thing is the slide and by the time we left she was sliding on her belly, face first! She is such a little dare devil!

Here is Samantha Jane and Ella on the slide. SJ is only 11 days older than Ella! Her Mommy and I were friends in High School and have reunited through our blogs. The greatest joy is watching these two beautiful girls grow up and we were so glad they were able to meet. I hope we can play again! BTW, don't you just love Samantha Jane's sun hat! What a cutie :)
On the way home from the park Ella was fascinated by the Elmo seek & find Camryn gave her for coming to her party! By the time we got home she was conked out!
We also got the chance to play with our cousin's Saturday evening! Those kids had the best time... They are soooo sweet to Ella and it is so wonderful to have so many loving cousins!
Yesterday afternoon, Ella thought it would be funny to crawl on top of the coffee table. She knows this is a "No, No" but when we looked into the living room, we got so tickled at her and had to snap a picture!
This is my proof that we had a great weekend! I was testing the waters when I decided to put Ella on our bed to watch some TV while I showered. I just knew in minutes she would be off the bed running around like her normal self. When I got out of the shower, there she was fast asleep. So sweet...

18 months has been great so far. Ella is really comprehending so many things these days. She loves to "help" Mommy, so I use those words to my benefit. She is about to cut her first incisor tooth and is kinda gloomy this week, but still going, going, going! She talks some but not a lot. I'm okay with that! She will get there, but she loves her animals and the sounds they make! I am so excited to spend my days with her and teach her and love on her every chance I can get!

Baby Showers

This is my first "Show us Your Life" post! When I read Kelly's Korner Blog this morning, I knew I had to be a part of this blog roll.

I had the best baby baby showers an expecting Mom could ask for. Between the 5 girls in my family and our 10 beautiful children, we have become Master Shower Throwers! When I was pregnant with Ella, my sister/SILs decided to split into two's and give me 2 showers. One in the town I am from and one in the town in which I currently live. They were both so beautiful and the thought that they put into these showers, every little detail was perfect.

This was the first shower they threw me and Ella. It was in my home town and all of my closest friends were there. It was held at my sister's home.

The best part of this shower were from these little cards. These are cards prayer cards! On each card there is a prayer for my little one. Ranging from my child's development up to her marriage. Of course I was sobbing! Each prayer held such a great significance in mine and my child's life. The prayers were passed through out the room and read aloud by my closest family and friends... Talk about powerful!

My sister always accents with beautiful flowers! I love that :)

Chocolate covered strawberries were delicious and also a great compliment to the decor! What you may not notice is that the light color is a pink. So delightful.

I have to say that these ladies have mastered the food! I mean what is better than shower food spread across a beautiful table for all to admire, maybe we should do some catering??

Here they are! My beautiful sisters! (and me)

And last but not least, Presents!

My next baby shower was just as wonderful! It was held in my current town so all of my new friends and my husbands friends were able to come. The food was amazing and I definitely had my share ;)

My SIL made this beautiful banner that says "Sweet Ella." I loved this and I even used it at Ella's First Birthday! Maybe I will use it forever more...

The cake was so delicious and it matched my invitations!

Every guest took home some of these beautiful cookies that had Ella's monogram on it!
I must learn how to make these.

This was such an enjoyable time in my life and I was so lucky to have so much Love and Support! Since I am in some crazy baby mode this week,it is fun to look back at all of the blessings a little one can bring!

To view more of these great baby showers take a trip to Kelly's Korner!

Now for the Big News...

I am so happy to say that my life is fixing to change DRAMATICALLY!!! At the end of this month I will no longer be a full-time "working" Mom, instead I will become a full-time Mom! Ah, I just can't believe it. It is so surreal and it hasn't even hit me yet! After many conversations with the Hubby, we decided to do this and oh my gosh, I just can't say enough about what he(the Hubs) has done for us to be able to accomplish this goal. I have finally shared this with my work and I have gotten some incredible support. So the big secret is out and I just feel like I could scream it from the roof tops. What a blessing this is for us and will be for us. My life is going to change, a lot, but I'm ready for the journey! Thank you every body who has given us support, either verbally or through prayer...You know who you are! We could not have done this without you and we will still need the encouragement, maybe now more than ever!

So today is happy day and I just thought I would share a big ole' smile with everyone :)

Let the Good Times Roll...

I have so much to say but I'm not sure where to start...

We have had a wonderful time lately. Every body is healthy and happy! We have some exciting news to share, but it's just not time to share it with everyone...(No, I am NOT pregnant) Speaking of pregnancy, Heather is having another little girl!!! Poor Matt but of how it blesses Aunt Bethy :) No really, Matt couldn't be happier! So I have been cleaning out my attic all weekend. All of the things Heather has given to me, talk about being blessed, I am giving it back to her. 18 gallon totes were on sale at Wal-Mart this week for $3.50, so I bought FOUR! I gave 3 back to Heather this weekend and she gave me one too, bigger clothes from Reagan to Ella. I am so thankful for hand-me-downs! Can't you tell I'm really excited about another baby... ;)

Ella has had some really great days at daycare. The past two weeks have been so much fun for her. They've had bubble day, water day, side walk chalk day, tie die day... Below is a picture of Ella in her tie die that she made, it was really cute! She would not pose for me, so this is the best I could get...

Ella is 17 months now and talking up a storm, well sorta...she certainly knows what she is saying, Jeramy and I on the other hand have been playing a lot of the guessing game, ha! The funniest thing she says is "Oh Man!" Of course we Ag it on because it is so funny and cute. Yesterday I was napping and over heard her on the monitor (she was suppose to be napping too). She was just talking to herself and then she said "Oh Man!" over and over and over. It gave me a good chuckle. She has also become just a tad more cuddly. If you know Ella, you know she is not a cuddler, so as you can imagine I am eating this time up!

So Sara Beth is married! Oh how beautiful she looked... From the moment I saw her I just cried. I love her to pieces and I'm so proud she married such a loving man! Her marriage and her relationship with her newlywed reminds me of mine and Jeramy's and it makes me so thankful for Jeramy and the way he loves me!

The Bride and Groom dancing their first dance.

Sara Beth changed into this beautiful little party dress and came out in it to accompany Ala in his "Shark" dance... It is an Ala Dean original and it always shows up at weddings! I love the fact that SB is now an official Shark and adds some spice to his moves...

Ella has a new ride! Carson and Campbell gave Ella their Gator. They knew she was a country girl and you know country girls gotta have a gator! She doesn't understand how to push the gas yet but she knows how to work the horn. She loves this thing! Thank you so much for sharing this with us.

Wasn't it a gorgeous weekend? We woke up early and went to the farm to ride four wheelers and check on the cows. Danner came along and had a time with a couple of the "Momma" cows, they were not welcoming to him ;) But Danner had a blast, as always!

I usually let Jeramy drive Ella. I mean I can handle a four wheeler and all but I just feel safer with him holding onto her. However, she joined me when we discovered we had a bull calf missing. So off Daddy went to find the missing pup. (I call baby calves, pup. Just my nickname for them)

After cruising the farm a couple of times Ella and headed back to play. My little monkey climbed all over the trailer and then we took a little walk.

Here is Jeramy counting cows. Still missing one, so he jumped back on the four wheeler to go back and look. Thank goodness he found him! Ella slept most of the way home and after we ate she went back to sleep and so did we! After our naps we headed out for a jeep ride and then we did some grilling... What a wonderful weekend we have had!

Rylee is 5 and Sara Beth is Gettin' Married!

June has been non-stop for us, but it is all good! Rylee Hope turned 5 years old, these kiddos are growing up so fast! She had the coolest little party at the Pottery Place. Each child picked a piece of ceramic to paint and I have to say this was the QUIETEST 5 year old party I have been to! Each child was so into decorating, that barely a word was said ;) ha!

The Birthday Girl!

Rachael and Ella
Rachael and Emily(our younger sisters) came to visit Tennessee for the week and were able to join us for Rylee's Birthday! It was a nice treat for all of us.

Emily Painting her cup!

Ella working on her Mater Piece! I was really proud of her :)

Cole!

Rylee and Keely

Carson and Reagan

Campbell and his Piggy Bank! They must be teaching him right!

Rylee getting ready for her Birthday song!

This is always the best part!


This past weekend, I was able to spend the weekend with some wonderful life long friends! Sara Beth and I have known each other for many many years, since we were infants... We grew up together, played sports together and now we are going through some more beautiful moments together. 28 years later we are celebrating her wedding in July! She was there for me and I will always be there for her. We headed to Nashville for a girl's night out on the town. We stayed at the Union Station Hotel and made our way around our beautiful city.

From left to right:
Kaci, Gena, Jessica, Sara Beth, Nicole and Myself

Here is our stunning Bride-To-Be!

Sites from our weekend!

This past weekend, we were able to snag some last minute passes to the one and only BONNAROO! Since my weekend plans changed, I was able to go on Saturday with Jeramy. We had a great time, but I just wasn't into the bands this year. Jimmy Buffett was a surprise gig on Saturday afternoon and I was so glad to see him, what a fun concert! After that we walked around CenteRoo, shopped, visited with friends and then headed over to hang out at the shower camp our friends were running as we waited for the next round of shows. We ended the night with a little Ben Harper at 1am... Needless to say we were exhausted!

Which Stage (Jimmy Buffett)

Roo Graffiti

Enjoying some down time...

Me & Katy

Brad, Jake & Jeramy

What Stage (Main Stage)

Waiting for "The Boss" (Bruce Springsteen)

First time I've seen this at the Roo? (hot air balloon)

Jeramy & Heath looking at the balloon in total amazement, it was too funny!

Me, Lana & Holly in CenteRoo

Showing some ~Roo Love~

Ben Harper at 1am! Check out the new neon sign.

Sunday afternoon, last minute we decided to go back and take our little beanie, one day she will die when she looks back at pictures! I can hear her now "Look at my Hippie parents!" By that time we will be so 'uncool' that maybe we can earn some points breaking out those photos. Ha! She enjoyed it for a bit, but it was soon time to go to bed and we headed home. Of course Ella had to wear her tie dye dress her Aunt Kimmie gave her, it's a Bonnaroo original from '08! She was super cute and totally stole the show ;)

As soon as Ella heard music, she started bouncing on Daddy's shoulders!

Eating & Dancing...great combo!

More Dancin'

More Eatin'

Checking out the Bobble Heads

Posing with her hippie Mom! hehe :)