First "Find" for Abby's New Big Girl Room...

With one more "kiddo" flying the coupe in the fall, the rest left at home will be shuffling bedrooms.

Daniel will move into Holly's old room where he will have his own bathroom.  That leaves Daniel's old room to Abby - and she and Lilli will share the jack-n-jill bathroom. We can not simply "transfer" Abby's twin bed to her new room, because - Holly still needs a place to "live" when she is home!  So... Holly will take over Abby's room when she is home for the weekend, holidays and summer (doubt that she will EVER return home for the summer... too many places to travel for her!) ... and Abby will "move back" in with Lilli - who will keep the matching twin beds that have served our family so well for over 10 years now!!!  : )  (seems like I had them made - in Jakarta - just yesterday... seriously!)

Anyway... back to the "FIND"...

Abby's idea for decor was simply "St@r W@rs".  I am taking that with a "grain of salt" of moving forward with a warm and cozy purple, gray, creme, black (and maybe even a hint of chartreuse) bedroom.  We have found an artist in Georgia, that is working on a few prints with D@rth V@der, Yod@, An@kin, etc ... but in a very cute style that will fit in with what is to become Abby's new abode.

Today, we made the trek out to an antique store south of town.  I have been watching a few local websites by a  few local "moms" that find old furniture and refinish it.  The other day, I saw a depression era bed - full size - that was recently redone.  It was solid wood - as all the beds were back in the day- and it was finished in a bit of a shabby black color.  I fell hard for the picture.  But seriously... it was not the first time that I had fallen for the picture, only to find that the actual furniture made me want to get up .... and run!!!  : )

Today was different... the bed was perfect!  It was just what we have been hoping for.  Abby likes the style  where the footboard wraps around the mattress a bit.  We saw a bed like that a while back in a furniture store and it was by far her favorite.... but too "pristine" for my taste.

So...Here it is:

LOVE IT!!!!!

 Here are a few of our inspiration photos... believe me, I will never achieve anything as grand and beautiful as these "looks"... but they are so beautiful to look at!

... and while I am sharing inspiration pictures... when all else is done in our home, I would love to spruce up the master bedroom a bit... I LOVE these two rooms...

Two of Those Moments....

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away"

We had a few of those moments this past week....

Holly worked very hard for her graduation "decorations"!  

When I grow up, I most want to be .... just like Holly!  My daughter is the most amazing young woman...
I love you  (and like you a whole bunch too!)  my Holly girl... your self confidence and humor and focus and pure joy of life brings happiness to me each and every day!  You are a true blessing!  

Class Size - 580!  Yikes!!!

BAMA Bound!!!  

Ready for the next adventure!  

For a second year, I have one graduating from High School and one graduating from Kindergarden!
Way to go Lilli!   

I like the way they celebrate after Kindergarden graduation!  

... And The Family Grows

Holly Polly

We are so proud of Holly and the hard work that she has put into every second of her education thus far!  Holly was never happy with an A... that only made her work harder to get an A+.  And I think even more telling of her personality is that she rejoices in others' success just as much as she does in her own!  

Way to go Holly Polly.... your dad and I are so very proud of your accomplishments and know that you will do amazing things with your talents!  

Holly earned both a Presidential Scholarship and an Engineering Scholarship to
The University of Alabama... Roll Tide!!

Holly and her best friend, Jamie, showing off 12 years of hard work!  

A girl can change her mind at the last minute... right??? ; )

Happy Mother's Day

I love the picture below - it is my mother a few years back : ) .... so elegant!  I hope you have a grand day today mom!   

 And the picture above.... my mother's mother - Vernie.  A Lady that makes me smile every time I think of her....   she was truly the "Matriarch" of the family... and a wonderful role model for so many that were lucky enough to know her!

Meet Tucker

In Australia, they call good food - tucker... it is so good you want to eat it all up.... well, our "Tucker" is so cute, you would want to eat him up!  And he just loves to tuck his little head in when he is being held and go to sleep....  And... finally, I am completely "tuckered out" taking care of a new puppy!  So, although he was named Murphy when he first came home... we could not resist a little change to better match his personality!

He was my birthday/mother's day present from Joe and the kids... what a perfect gift for us all!  Thank you so much guys!

This is when we first met him... he was less than 2 lbs.  Yikes.... 

He came home the next week... at 2.3 lbs.  

He likes to snuggle with Holly while she is reading...

He is getting bigger... and his face is quickly turning silver.  

He now owns a basketball hoodie... seriously???  He will outgrow it soon... and we will not replace it!  hahaha... clothes for dogs???  Who would do such a thing???  

He still loves reading with Holly!  

I like to play in the clippings when the bushed are being trimmed!

Now 3 months old....

... Let Them Celebrate

The plans had been made long ago....  but in light of the recent storms... every thing was up in the air until the school announced Thursday that Prom was "a go".   The kids were all thrilled.  Stores from all over the US shipped dresses to the High School for the girls that had lost theirs in the recent storms.   Girls from nearby high schools that had already had their proms donated their dresses as well.   Tuxes arrived last minute... but they arrived.  Flowers - those were hard to come by as so many florists lost their supplies and have not been able to get fresh flowers in.  Dinner Reservations had to shift as some places have yet to open. But... to the kids.... these were minor details... they were simply ready to celebrate ... to dance the night away... at their Senior Prom.

Holly has been ready to dance for months now.  Her partner in crime... Dennis.... who likes to dance even more than Holly ( both in their c@nverse tennis shoes??? ) , if that is possible!  ... can you tell from the photos below that these two are the life of the party??? : )

Joey was all too happy to return to his alma mater to escort his best friend, Sarah.  They looked just as amazing as they did last year!