Gentry Farms

Charley has been so excited for weeks to go to Gentry Farms to the pumpkin patch.  We decided it would be a fun day for the three of us, especially before baby sister gets here.  We started the day with Big Sister class at the hospital.  Miss Priss didn’t really participate, but she left with a new t-shirt!  She learned about babies, how to change a diaper and got to see the hospital rooms.  Needless to say, she didn’t like the diaper lesson, because she had brought Bitty Baby’s diaper from home and the “real” diapers that the hospital provided were not going to work for her.  One thing is for sure...when Charley makes up her mind about something, she usually doesn’t change it!

We had a great lunch and then spent a few hours at Gentry Farms playing on the swing set, going down slides, running through the maze with Daddy and picking out a stroller full of pumpkins.  This was the first year she got to try the tire swing, and she loved it.  Her favorite thing was playing in the playground that looked like a big tractor.  We finished the day with Sweet CeCe’s, shopping and we got home in time to paint one pumpkin before bed.  Not to worry, we've painted pumpkins for three days!!!  Charley painted ten pumpkins, and our front porch looks pretty spectacular.  She can’t wait to pose with her pumpkins on Halloween in her Elsa costume!  

Sprinkle Shower for Baby Carter

It’s hard to believe that in less than three weeks we will be meeting Baby Carter.  Over the weekend we had the sweetest “Sprinkle” at the Chocolate Covered Strawberry hosted by Ray Ray.  Everything was perfect and yummy.  It was so nice to just enjoy time with friends and family and open gifts for our new addition.  Carter is already loved and anticipated by so many people, and I just cannot wait for her to get here!  (Actually, I can wait another two weeks since I need every second to make the final preparations for her arrival!!!)  Kari made these invites and they have to be the cutest ones I’ve ever seen...if only her room were this put together right now.

Gwen is due a week after me, just like Charley was born one week before Collette...we met in birthing class.

I had lots of great help opening presents!  

Seriously adorable kiddos! 

Jessica 36 weeks pregnant...Jason ???

Miss Priss got some great presents, too.   

Momma is 30!!!

Thanks to the most amazing friends and family, turning 30 was SPECTACULAR!!!  Craig and Amma somehow managed to surprise me with a party at Patty’s, and I had absolutely NO clue.  It was on Amma’s birthday...I made the reservation for 8...I wore an outfit that was “old”...and I’m the planner!  How they pulled it off without me knowing is beyond me....I cried when I saw everyone and I’m pretty sure all I said was, “oh my gosh!” over and over!  Charley cried too, but only because she doesn’t love loud crowds, especially when she didn’t know what was going on.

And if the party wasn’t enough, my super, sweet husband surprised/shocked me with a Louis Vuitton dream bag that I’ve had my eye on forever.  He had been secretly saving for months...which makes it even more special!  

As I walked around the room, I was completely overwhelmed with all of the faces that I saw from Kentucky and Tennessee.  I am still in shock just thinking about it.  

Saying I had a great time would be an understatement.  I loved every minute of everything.  Even though I opened my presents at the party, I re-read every single card when we got back to Amma and Granddad’s house.  I laughed and cried while reading them.  I could not have had a more perfect celebration given by the most amazing people.  I feel so loved and am beyond thankful, and I can’t thank Amma enough for sharing her actual birthday to have my party.  

I guess now would be the best time to update my 30 Before 30 list that so many things revolved around over the past 18 months.  I did not complete it, but it was so much fun to work towards all the goals I set for myself.  I only hope Charley and Carter are goal oriented and make life fun...even when they get old!!!

I did read the Bible cover to cover....as many Bible classes as I’ve been in, I was fascinated reading it in chronological order.  

I did pay off my student loans....and cried.

Amma and I started Priss and Grits.

I read 30 books.

I went on a family vacation to Disney, a girl’s trip to Florida and a getaway with Craig and the Artley’s and while on that trip I hit my goal of going to 30 states.

I did lots of decorating and organizing at our new house...a job that will never be done.

I got zumba certified.

I wore red lipstick for a week...Amma hated it...I actually liked it!

We are adding to our family at the end of this month....I cannot wait to meet Baby Carter!

I went to the Farmer’s Market...but why buy something when Granddaddy Charlie has the best garden around...I’ve cooked with his produce!

I played 18 holes of real golf with Craig and actually enjoyed myself.  I scored a 148, which is terrible!

I didn’t kill a deer...I killed 2!  (3 shots, 1 black eye, 1 doe and 1 buck...I call that a success)

I sort of changed a tire...pregnancy got in the way, but I am confident that I can if need be.

I experienced Nashville by trying out the Loveless Cafe and a Pred’s game.

Craig bought me something fabulous...Louis Vuitton bag.

The things that I still want to do are sing karaoke, finish giving my 30 random acts of kindness (which I’ve loved doing), go to Vegas, make biscuits from scratch, and hit personal career goal in one year.  I cannot wait to see what God has in store for me and my family in my next 30 years...hopefully no more black eyes!  Woohoo for being 30!!!!!