My Niece Lucy!!!!!!

It is official-my brother and sister-in-law got their picture and referral for their daughter, Lucy Liya Justis! Little does that sweet girl know, but her life just changed on March 25. She is getting a set of incredible parents, not to mention an aunt that is already nuts over her. It's wonderful how overwhelming happiness can sneak up on you. I thought that I was as happy as could be to just know that Dexter and Melanie would become parents. When they called to tell me they got the referral, it was just amazing. I will never forget it-just a feeling of sheer joy-and longing to be there to hug their necks.

Now, I just have to be patient and wait for her to get here:) Keep them in your thoughts as they prepare to welcome sweet Lucy. Oh, and if you want to see her precious face, just click on their blog! I promise it will make you smile. Yay for Dexter, Melanie and Lucy!

School Play and Simmons Egg Hunt

We've had a great weekend so far celebrating certain Springtime rites of passage. Bonnie was in a Springtime Easter Pageant at school. She was a flower-so cute. Then, our favorite team is in the Elite 8, which is awesome. And today we went over to the Simmons' Easter Egg Hunt. It's been a great weekend!
Here's a picture of Bonnie in her 'stume Friday night.

She and Sam decided to sit out the hunt, and had other friends bring them some of their eggs.

Super-cute-Sam

Ansley was sweet enough to share her eggs. She did a great job finding some good ones!

Post-egg hunt. Some of the kiddos had an after-party in Sam's room. Bonnie's already had a wardrobe change into PJs because she had water all over her dress.

Bonnie and Ansley are hanging out at Sam's table. Have you ever seen a more precious piece of children's furniture? Our very talented friend Charlotte painted it.

The dudes are hanging out while all the wild women run around playing.

Bonnie's bunny ears actually stayed on for awhile, surprisingly. But, then they were history. She did appease us long enough to get a picture with Daddy.



OK, I am having trouble uploading the video from the pageant. I'm not sure if it's because it's too long or what. I will look into it!

Well, life on the farm is kind of laid back...

...there ain't much an ol' country girl like Bonnie can't hack!

Hello out there! It has been awhile since I've blogged. Can't believe March is two-thirds over already. Don't you just love Springtime? Or at least this last little part of winter is here, but Spring is so close that you are just giddy anyway. The first few daffodils are out, the sun has made an appearance, and the temperature has surpassed 60 degrees-an even bigger blessing this year!

We have been on Spring Break this week, and Bonnie and I have had a big time with Grandma and Pappaw visiting Pap in North Carolina. I have always loved going to visit our family in North Carolina. I have so many great memories of playing with all my cousins growing up. We were always up to something. I love getting field peas with lunch, a treat from Sherry's Bakery, and still playing kickball every year with my cousins. Plus, I love spending time with my Pap. He's just a cool guy. I loved him as a child, but really enjoy his company as an adult. He's so funny! And, I am really proud of him. He had surgery recently, and he has worked so hard in therapy to regain his strength and mobility. It was a great thing to see, especially since he wasn't doing all that great last time I saw him at Thanksgiving. He is doing so much better, and we are all so grateful.

I think Bonnie also enjoys the Greater Benson/Newton Grove area as well, and will probably grow to love it just as much as me. Here are some photos from her adventure this trip:

Eating breakfast at Triangle Waffle-Pap's a regular for breakfast, so everyone already knew she was coming. They all had a fit over her!

Going for a golf cart ride

Watching her pup run around like a crazy dog-having a ball. She knows EVERY mudhole in Meadow, I'm convinced. She is pretty good about washing off in the pond anyway. Besides, she hardly ever wants to come in while we're there. She lays under the carport and waits for someone to drive up to throw her ball for her.

Bonnie and Pappaw feeding the fish

She's demonstrating how to use Pap's walker in this one.

Checking on the goats-yep, they're still in there!

Birthday Dinner at Nana and Da's House

Here are some photos of Bonnie's birthday dinner. She is feeling much better now, and we hope that the ear infections are behind her. But, she still managed to have a great birthday despite being under the weather. These pictures were from the day after her birthday.

What a face!

I love this picture because she looks like she has those fake "Bubba" teeth in her mouth. She is too cute!

Her cake and mini-cake.

Nana and Dad presenting her cake during "Happy Birthday". She looks perplexed by this....

....but it didn't take her long to appreciate it!

Touchdown!!

Cool purse from Uncle Ryan and Aidan!

She got a doll from Nana and Da. She loves it!

Happy Birthday, Teeny!

On her actual birthday-in pajamas and on the couch, but with a smile for us. That's our girl!

Playing with her birthday balloon with Daddy the morning after her party

Playing with best friend Ansley at her party...more pictures forthcoming!

Well, our Teeny Little Super Girl is one today! Wow! What a year it has been. It is so hard to think about that little teeny tiny baby when I see my big girl. We have certainly been blessed. Bonnie is such a joy to us and everyone!

We had a great party on Saturday with our friends and family. The weather was perfect-so nice to see the sun again. We were able to be outside for a lot of it, which was great. It was so nice to celebrate this incredible year with the people who have just given us so much support and love. We wish we could have invited about 30 more people, but with 1200 square feet in February you just can't count on everyone having a good time being packed in like sardines.

We were supposed to go over to Nana and Da's house tonight for Bonnie's birthday supper, but yep, the daycare called at 1:30 to say that she had a 102 fever, so Bonnie and Daddy spent the afternoon going to the doctor and snuggling on the couch. Double ear infection-go figure. Oh well, we'll celebrate tomorrow night. It's like her Aunt Mel told her: it's better to stretch out your birthday as long as you can!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Bonnie's class at daycare exchanged Valentines yesterday, and Bonnie had her first taste of candy. If this is any test for how much she will like her birthday cake, then we are in for a real treat. I think she may have a little bit of a sweet tooth. She is her mama's daughter, after all.

I hope that everyone has a wonderful Valentine's Day. Brandon and I celebrated last night. We had a delicious dinner at Cafe Nonna, and then we went for drinks at Patterson House. We felt kind of old and lame because we had decided that if there was no parking around Patterson House, then we would just come home and go to bed. However, there was a spot. So we went in and paid $11 a drink with all of the trendy Nashvillians. All in all, a great, fun evening. Great food and fantastic company, a perfect Valentine's celebration!
She's thinking, "Oh, thank you Daddy, for this most wonderful treat!"

And in this one she's thinking, "Best day ever!"

I've tried for 12 hours to upload the video of her opening Valentines, and I'm frustrated with that....but enjoy the pictures! Happy Valentines Day!

Sleepy Lunchtime

Miss Bonnie was having a grilled cheese on this glorious snowday. She got verrry sleeeepy, and couldn't make it through the green beans. Warning: I would not watch this video if you are at work and feel a little tired. This will only make you want to curl up and take a nap!