current favs

2 of my current favorite things:

most every night we walk outside to say good night to the moon and stars. London knows the routine but I love how she does it:
L: "Good night, moon. Good night, stars. Good nite, udder stars."

Whenever she is playing and is 'leaving you' (meaning walking out of sight), she'll say 'Bye Bye. See ya later. Have fun!!"

Cute thing!

Another Rhea on the Road

I sit here looking at this white screen and I'm speechless. Am I excited? Yes!! I am so proud and excited for her! Am I scared? Even more so! Birmingham isn't like learning to drive in Columbus. It's busy..... really busy. The roads run 4 lanes wide. No one uses their blinker. Do I feel called to just pray constantly over her. You bet. Lord Jesus, please keep her safe. Please keep her eyes on the road. Please let her be mindful of what is happening around her. Please let her drive the exact opposite of me. Please please please protect her.

My sweet baby girl niece got her driver's permit today. She is thrilled. I have mixed emotions. Isn't she still just a baby? How did she grow up so fast? Where is my little toddler that couldn't say her 'R's'? Oh, the bittersweet feeling of watching these little one's grow up....

Instead of worrying over her, I will be thankful that she is a well rounded, sweet heart of a child that has showered us with blessings these past 15 years. She is my heart and good Lord, I am thankful for her!

I've posted on here before that my mom gave me a daily flip calendar. Today's entry: 

"Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile."

                                                    Mother Teresa

Thinking on that today. Thinking of printing it and framing it in my baby girls room. Thank you, Momma, for these beautiful reminders to be a loving person. 

Love you all!

The Greatest Show on Earth!

I keep thinking back on the circus. Keep thinking, "i'll never forget that night.' I watched flesh of my flesh filled with wonder and excitement. I observed her experience something entirely new. An unknown world made known. I would have been fine if I never saw a second of the actual circus. My life was made full by watching her sweet face... the aww... the excitement... the squeals... the dancing. And boy was there ever dancing. For 2.5 hours straight, my baby girl danced. And not too and fro dancing but full body, with everything she had dancing! A million thank you's couldn't adequately thank our precious neighbors. They made a life long memory for us. As I think back, I can't help to thank God for his goodness. He continues to shower us with relationships that are life giving and selfless. The people we've met here have blown us away. This city is full of good folk.

Now back to the circus...

There was curiosity...

and lots of a baby girl that's all grown up :(

even more dancing...

anticipation.... 

wonder...

and astonishment!

There was love as we watching this amazing being that we created...

there was PRODUCTION!!! 

And ladies who have clearly lost their minds...

and ANIMALS!!! oh the amazing animals!

Our favorite parts were the elephants and lions. I think elephants scored #1 though, because she's still talking about them! I am so thankful for this night! What fun! What memories! It was wonderful!

Sloths

Okay, okay, pictures from the Circus are coming... I PROMISE!! I'm actually downloading pictures now. In the meantime, you have to watch this video...

This is an actress, Kristen Bell, who is darling. She has such a cute sense of humor and seems so down to earth! I love all her movies! She is engaged to Dax Shepherd, an actor who is HILARIOUS!! Background, she loves sloths.. the animal... as in an unnatural adoration for them. Here's her interview with Ellen last week. I was crying laughing through this!!



Isn't she adorable? You love her too now, right? I KNOW!!!

One of my favorite things ever! {Videos}

Hey guys! i have an exciting post coming up!! Our sweet neighbor gave us tickets to the circus for London's birthday and last night was the big night. Most exciting day of her life. She had an absolute blast and is still all giddy today that she saw real live elephants, lions, and doves (??) In the meantime, here's a video of her doing one of my favorite things: singing the Veggie Tales theme song.

You may have to turn the volume up a little. Here's the line you should be listening for: "If you like to waltz with potatoes up and down the produce aisle....'


Here's London singing it. Adorable! "If you like walk with 'tato up and down the todu MIIIIIILLLLLLEEEE!'


And a few pictures from our week. Here's my new favorite picture ever. I love that sweet smile!

 Amazed at an airplane flying by...

 One of our favorite places to eat in Birmingham. The taco truck that parks in a Texaco parking lot. Authentic mexican that will stuff you full for $5. Yes please!

 Our backyard. Not at all what it really looked like. It was lovely, but I put all of these filters on this picture and came out with this AMAZING sunset! Totally a lie, but beautiful none the less!

 London had pajama day at school last week! Here she is in her candy canes all ready for school! I was so jealous of her!

I'll update more later and will tell you all about the circus! She was so excited yesterday (i assume giddy about going to the circus) and absolutely wore me slap out. I said that in the battle of energy of a 2 year old vs. energy it takes to parent a 2 year old, London annihilated me yesterday. I was PLUM WORN OUT by 3:00 in the afternoon! She was great, not throwing fits, just AMPED UP all day long! I was exhausted!! This parenting stuff is serious business!

Love you all! Happy Monday!

The photo perks of a new phone

So I got the new iphone through work. I have really been trying not to be prideful about it. I keep telling myself that I had a phone that only texted and talked for 2 years. I don't need this supped up new toy. HOWEVER. It is completely awesome. I don't think Im being prideful in saying that, am I? I would still be fine without it, but I do love it. It is like it can read your mind. It's so intuitive. My fav part? The PICTURES of course!! What good stalker doesn't like a million apps that make your pictures look cool??

Here are my first batch with free apps. I think Im going to bite the bullet and buy an awesome app soon though! I love these pictures!! :)

London (and her rocking side pony) playing with my best friend Jill's kid-o's

 Eva Claire: isn't she beautiful? She smiled the whole time we were there! Darling child!!

 Testing the new apps...

 Ms. Gail and Renny at Renny's bday lunch

 I've mentioned our incredible neighbor on the blog before. He is awesome. He and his family are so generous.  He has stolen London's whole heart. She adores him! He dropped by the other day with this: tickets to the circus for London's birthday. Plus a whole sack of presents that we haven't opened yet. The presents are circus themed so we're going to open them next Sunday before we go to the show!! How much fun?!? I can't wait! London is going to love it!

Bumped our head but these poor little faces were too cute not to snap...

 They moved London up to a big girl bed at school but they have to have nap mats and pillows. I went shopping for one the other day and those suckers are like FORTY DOLLARS!!! So I found this precious one at Walmart for $15. She loves it. Win.Win. 

 Guess who won the spelling bee competition at school?? Yup! Renny Cakes. She won THE WHOLE COMPETITION!! She had already placed 2nd in her grade and the top 2 went on to the school competition. She won!! Out of all the grades!! She goes on to the regional competition in the middle of next month. So very proud of her! I called and gave her this super cheesy 'you can do anything you set your mind to' talk this week! She was so goobed out! I asked how it felt and she said 'Good.' So enthusiastic, right?!?! I asked for some further explanation and she said 'you know, kinda... Good.' So there you have it! Being a super big deal feels... good. :)

Bath Tub Fun

Check out this adorable outfit from Nanna and Poppi. So cute, right?? We wore it to church the other Sunday and she looked like a little doll in it! Please disregard the hair... I promise it looks darling for the first 5 minutes after we fix it! :)

 We babysat the twins a few weeks ago and I stuck them all in the tub together... because it's their favorite thing ever! The 3 of them are so much fun together! London LOVES being around them. She copies every little thing they do which is so funny to observe!

 Movie night!!

A tribute to our MOST redneck friend, David Coleman.