Charley’s Last Day of Preschool and Program

I am currently in a phase where I am not really doing a good job at anything, and I am actually doing good if I get the job done.  Not living up to your own standards can be disappointing.  I’m not sure if its still the adjustment to two kids, having way too much on my plate or traveling so much with work, but I plan to make some changes this summer…hopefully!?!?

With all of that being said, it shouldn’t be surprising that I missed Charley’s last day of school.  Pretty sad…but I did!  Luckily, they had a few make up days thrown in the mix, so I grabbed the camera, stuck her in a cute outfit, scribbled “Last Day” on the chalk board and snapped some pictures.  So our “last day” was unofficial…but I captured the moment, at least.

Charley’s Preschool Program had a farmer theme.  For the weeks leading up to the program, I was only privileged to hear little clips of her songs.  It wasn’t until a few days before that she started singing, performing and practicing all the time.  She even gave a small concert on Mother’s Day, allowing everyone to watch and listen, except for Daddy…he had to cover his ears and close his eyes.  I bought overalls to go with her cowgirl boots and a red bandana.  When we were getting ready, she tried them on and said, “you can take these back to the store, because they are just not cute!  Oh, and I know farmers don’t wear lipstick, but this farmer does!”  So my little Fashionesta Farmer wore her cut-off, blue jean shorts with her Mac lipstick in her pocket!

After mastering the wardrobe, we still weren’t sure if she would actually do the performance!  Last years episode of, “I wanted to sing, but my mouth just didn’t work” has sort of turned into a theme for how Charley feels about public performances.  So, we went into the church building with high hopes, low expectations and a long list of bribes.  Fortunately we were able to “keep the cat locked up” per Charley’s request.  We sure wouldn’t have wanted that old cat to get her tongue and waste all of her practice and hard work!  She did a great job!  We couldn’t have been more proud of her…and she looked super cute, too!!!  If only I had better pictures of the performance, but the memory card disappeared from the camera…I can't imagine how that happened! 

Strawberry Patch with the Springer's

There are some people that come into your life when you least expect it and ultimately have an impact that bless you beyond measure.  God sure does work in the most amazing ways.  I have no doubt in my mind He set his plan in motion Fall 2008 when Craig and I were just out driving around and stumbled upon Bradford Park in Providence.  The location of our first home, just outside of Nashville in MT Juliet.  Life happened and it wasn't long before we outgrew our 1485 square foot house.  After lots of looking, comparing and praying, we ended up moving right outside of Providence to Wright Farms to a home that we are growing into and love.

Bradford Park

Wright Farms

The "fruitfulness" of that drive never ceases to amaze me.  Fast forward to meeting Billy and Marilyn Springer.  Words cannot do justice to what that relationship means to me and my family.  They are first class neighbors and friends that go out of their way for us all the time.  Most of the time, I feel like they are doing something for us...babysitting, watching over our house while we are gone, or picking me up at the airport....and on and on and on.  So, spending the day with them was such a treat!!!

A yummy treat...literally...of picking strawberries at Bottom View Farms.  We made a day of it and had the most fun!  The long ride to Portland went by so fast.  Charley had the best time playing, other than getting flogged by a mean ole' rooster.  Billy almost got into a fight with the mean ole' rooster.  Carter stayed in the bjorn and just went with the flow, typical Carter.  We picked and ate strawberries and took cute pictures.  We lunched at the Chocolate Covered Strawberry.  Billy survived my "Mommy-driving," barely.  And the cherry on top for Charley was ending the day with ice cream for being such a good girl!

I could not have taken the girls out for that fun day by myself...and why in the world would I have wanted to...the Strawberry Patch with the Springer's couldn't have been sweeter!

Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day was extra special this year, because we got to celebrate Carter at Blessings of Our Babies at church.  Carter was introduced and given a Bible along with about ten other babies born in the last year.  Then an elder prayed over all the families with new babies.  Granny Martha, Granddaddy Charlie, Amma, Granddad and Uncle Justin went to church with us to watch Carter’s special introduction.  Then we went back to our house for Mother’s Day lunch.  We are never in Tennessee for a holiday, so it was such an honor to prepare the meal for everyone, especially for my Mom and Grandmother.  Craig grilled chicken and pork chops.  I made broccoli salad, strawberry pretzel salad, roasted potatoes, baked beans, corn casserole and rolls.  I was pretty baked out from the Anniversary Party the weekend before (I made a cake and 200 cookies), so I let Granny bring her chocolate chip pudding cake.  After presents and cards, I took a Mother’s Day nap and we finished the day with a family walk. The day was perfect!

These fellas just don't know how lucky they have it to be surrounded by such fabulous ladies...Craig and Justin, included!

Tender Moment with Charley

Smart.  Sassy.  Creative.  Affectionate.  Funny.  Energetic.  Spirited.  Head-strong….all words that could describe Charley at any given moment.  Tender or thoughtful are ones that I pray will make the list soon.   From time to time, she surprises me with a tender moment that shows me that we are hopefully on the right track.  The other night driving from Granny Martha and Granddaddy Charlie’s house out to Amma and Granddad’s house, our conversation went like this:

Me: Oh look Charley, I just saw a cat…I don’t like cats!!

Charley:  Why?  Because they have claws?  They have whiskers, too.

Me: How’d you know that?

Charley: Sawyer and Jace were talking about cats at school, and they told me.  I don’t like cats either Mommy!  I do like dogs, though!

Me:  I guess that makes us dog girls!

Charley:  Yeah, we’re dog girls!

For the next five minutes I went on to tell Charley about my favorite dogs over the years.  Starting with Dierks, my dog from college that lived in Kentucky with Amma and Granddad.  I told her about all of the tricks he could do and about taking him to puppy school and how he would always run to my car when I came to visit.  I told her that he got sick and died when she was one month old.  I told her about Jake, our yellow lab that was so smart and how he loved to ride in the back of Granddad Mike’s truck or in the front seat of the Jeep with me.  She particularly loved the part where I would take him to Belew’s to get an ice cream cone.  And about Harley, the chocolate lab that was so silly.  She laughed so hard when I told her about the time we came home and the door to the house was open and we walked into the living room to find that crazy dog lying on the couch with all four legs in the air.  And that we had another yellow lab that was always into things and we had to change his name to Trouble!  Charley was so tickled by all of my dogs and the stories about them.  Then as we pulled onto Frizzell Drive, she got quiet and took me by surprise with:

Charley:  Mommy…when you get to heaven, you will get to see Dierks again. 

Me:  (Fighting back the tears) Oh Baby, you are exactly right.  You are so sweet to remind Mommy of that. 

Charley:  Mommy…I’m crying…

Me: I cannot wait to get out of this car and hug you for being so sweet and thoughtful.

Bless that sweet child’s heart.  She has never experienced loss, but knew that Mommy had lost something precious, and she comforted me in the most precious way.  So much that her little tender heart was touched and it brought her to tears, too.

Dierks

Dierks and "Charley" in Momma's tummy

Jake

 Harley

Trouble

65th Anniversary Party

Granny Martha and Granddaddy Charlie had their 65^th Wedding Anniversary on May 13^th.  To celebrate and honor such an occasion, we had family pictures taken at Gwen’s and hosted a reception for them at the Main Street Event Center on the square in Benton.  The picture turned out better than we could have ever hoped for, and the party was absolutely perfect!  Over 140 people came to congratulate and admire Granny and Granddad for hitting such a rare milestone!  I couldn’t be more thankful and proud to be their Granddaughter and to have their marriage as an example.  Charley are Carter will forever be blessed by this marriage in countless ways.