Wordless Wednesday.

Back to life, back to reality.

Where have I been? Some days I don't even know... 

Just kidding. It just seems that I got caught up in the whirlwind of traveling and then everything that ensues when you arrive back home... laundry, a pile of mail, vacuuming, laundry, putting things back where they go, laundry and so on. 

We are staying busy here. 

Ivy is growing and growing inside of me. Scarlett is changing before our very eyes. Sweet as pie and sassy (or spirited as Mitch likes to say) as ever. I only wish that I could write down EVERY word she says. She makes me laugh all the time AND brings tears to my eyes with the things she conceives in her little mind and then tells me. For example, yesterday at church we went to a different service than we normally do so SJ stayed with us in the "big church" training room. It was near the end of our almost 2 hour service that a woman was singing a solo up on stage. An interesting rendition. Well, Scarlett was just sitting and listening and then turns her little head toward me and without whispering says, "Mommy, is that a boy or a girl?" I could not keep a straight face. I will have to interject the sweet moments in another post because I have go to get our day started... Anyhow....

Mitch was honored to attend a Marine Corps graduation on Friday along with his fellow LT's. Don't they look so handsome in their summer whites? Thanks to my sweet friend Andrea for these pics... Scarlett and I were supposed to attend with Mitch but we had a little "scare" the night before and decided it would be best if us girls laid low at home (details on that later, but everything is alright thank you Lord). Mitch has really enjoyed getting to know these men and women and so have I. We will miss these faces when we move this summer (I don't know if I have ever even mentioned that we are moving...details on that breaking story at 11!) 

On Saturday morning we went to the beach here in SC for the first time (and we've lived here going on 9 months) We went with friends in the morning so we could make it back home for Scarlett's nap. It was so fun to just bask in the sand and sunshine for a couple hours. A little reprieve.  It was so beautiful and tropical... totally not what I was expecting. 

Well, I gotta go get my washer started on this Monday morning and get things in order for another full week. The sound of little pitter-pats on my floor will begin here in just a few minutes :)  Thanks so much for reading! 

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider other better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to you own interests, but also to the interests of others.  Philippians 21-4

Bye-bye beach.

So long to late-night dance parties, warm Krispie Kreme donuts, beach boutique shopping, pool time, sand castles, seashell hunting, stunning sunsets and most of all, being within walking distance of those we love most on this earth... See you next time :) 

Go Dog Go dreams....

Since the very first time we read Go Dog Go, Scarlett has wanted to ride a ferris wheel. Nonni remembered that there was one not too far from us while we were at the beach... Scarlett loved it (and so did we - the big kids!) 

Sooo tall....

Uncle Chaz and Aunt Rinnie giving us a wave as they passed by...

Loving it :) 

Our view. 

Up, up, up we go!

Nons and Boo :) 

The Beach Boys.

Party time!

The last two years we have celebrated Scarlett's birthday while at the beach. It's a really fun tradition that I hope we can keep going for years to come. Since her birthday was late in the week this year, we decided to celebrate a couple days early so that she could enjoy playing with her gifts all week long and plus it's fun to keep celebrating all week long :) 

We had a princess party theme. I love the things that Jennifer at the Sweetheart Party Shop makes... I got SJ's banner, cupcake toppers and centerpieces from her. 

She woke up from her nap and was so excited to see the patio decorated for her party! A little pre-party cupcake... she is, after all, the birthday girl :) 

Here is Cinderella ready for her ball. 

Oh my precious, precious girl. You are our little princess forever!

We had a Mexican fiesta themed dinner and a princess party... 

The girls wore tiaras....

(Aunt Rinnie and Nonni) 

And the boys were frog princes...

(Uncle Chaz and Boo)

Scarlett your life is such a gift to each of us... 

An new outfit for Bitty Baby!

A new Fancy Nancy book...

Thank you Lolli and Pop for Belle!! 

New boots!!!

Thank you to our family for making Scarlett's birthday very special!!! We love you Scarlett.