{lots to celebrate}

  This past weekend we celebrated Josh's birthday and first Father's Day! I couldn't think of a place he would rather be than the beach...so to the beach we went! I'm so blessed to call Josh not only my husband, but my best friend! I can't think of anyone else I would rather parent with than him. We think he is simply the best! Ella and I are very lucky girls!

  

Celebrating her daddy!

Eating at Stingaree's with Josh's parents!

The birthday boy!

Ella, mommy and Gram getting ready for our golf cart ride {Ella's favorite}!

Ella celebrating Father's Day with daddy and Double!

Thank you Lord for our precious Father's! Josh and I feel so very blessed to have the world's best! 

{happy 9 months}

 Ella,

Happy 9 months precious baby girl! This past months has been a big one for you! You officially started crawling and cut 3 top teeth {a total of 5 teeth and currently working on #6} all during mommy's first few weeks of summer! Yes, we are very busy! You are now eating more finger foods. You're favorites are puffs. You tried macaroni for the first time, but weren't too sure of it...more of it ended up in your hair than in your mouth! You are imitating more and more when we sing to you. You still LOVE music! You turn your head to the TV everytime you hear music. You and I {mommy} started going to Kindermusik this month. I love seeing you around other babies and getting to do things with other friends your age. You are pulling up on everything and trying so hard to stand up! You are very strong, coordinated and flexible...hello gymnastics! You can switch objects from hand to hand and can pick up anything {heavy or light}! You still love MICKEY and can't get enough of the "Hot Dog" song. You got to swim for the first time this month at Gram and Double's beach house! You are so much fun! Daddy and I still can't believe you are our very own! You bring the biggest smile to our faces {we didn't even know they could get that big}! We are so proud of you and can't wait to see ALL you will do over the next month {how about saying "mama"}!?

We love you to the moon and back, baby girl!

 

One of our favorite things about you is all your many facial expressions! Here are some of the ones we were able to capture!



{with hope}

Many of you have followed the story of sweet baby Thatcher Caleb, some may know, others may not, but he is now resting in the arms of his Heavenly Father. Thatcher went to his real home on Friday evening. Today would have been his 3 month birthday...can you imagine the party they are having in heaven!? He is no longer suffering or in pain and for that we are grateful. Would you please join me in continuing to pray for his mommy and daddy as well as all of his extended family as this is an extremely difficult time. Their faith and hope have been an inspiration to many. You can read their latest posts here.

  

With Hope

Steven Curtis Chapman

This is not at all how
We thought it was supposed to be
We had so many plans for you
We had so many dreams
And now you've gone away
And left us with the memories of your smile
And nothing we can say
And nothing we can do
Can take away the pain
The pain of losing you, but ...

We can cry with hope
We can say goodbye with hope
'Cause we know our goodbye is not the end, oh no
And we can grieve with hope
'Cause we believe with hope
(There's a place by God's grace)
There's a place where we'll see your face again
We'll see your face again

And never have I known
Anything so hard to understand
And never have I questioned more
The wisdom of God's plan
But through the cloud of tears
I see the Father's smile and say well done
And I imagine you
Where you wanted most to be
Seeing all your dreams come true
'Cause now you're home
And now you're free, and ...

We have this hope as an anchor
'Cause we believe that everything
God promised us is true, so ...

So we can cry with hope
And say goodbye with hope

We wait with hope
And we ache with hope
We hold on with hope
We let go with hope

{busy body}

  I think Ella must have read my blog post about her "technically" not crawling! I don't know what switch she turned on, but ever since Sunday afternoon, my little miss is crawling ALL over the place and into everything! If that wasn't enough, she has started pulling up, trying to stand, and cut another tooth {her first top tooth}! Whoa, baby girl....slow down! I think she just didn't want mommy to be "bored" over the summer! ;) All that to say...I wouldn't trade a single moment! She sure does bring so much joy to our family!

Fun memories in the making! Time to get back to my little busy body before she starts something new! Happy hump day! 

{weekend recap}

This was officially my first weekend of the summer! I don't think it has set in yet...give it a couple more Mondays! Saturday morning, Ella and I enjoyed a nice long walk together! I'm so excited about getting to use our jogging stroller more frequently now {and trying to use it when it is a little cooler outside...Houston weather, you're already killing me}!

Saturday night, Josh and I enjoyed a date night at the Jimmy Buffett concert! My fifth concert since I've known my parrothead husband! ;) Thanks to Leslie and her hubby {primarily her F-I-L}, we had awesome seats this year! Such a fun night! Jimmy never disappoints, but of all his shows, I think this was my favorite yet!

Sunday, we celebrated my momma's birthday! I can't think of a more gentle, humble, selfless woman than her! Wishing her the best yet and many many more! I could get use to having Gigi's cupcakes after each Sunday lunch! ;)

Oh happy day, sweet friends!
   

{saturday funny}

I saw this on a friends page the other day and couldn't help but laugh! Thought I would share that laugh with you! Happy Saturday, my friends!

 

{friday fashion} summertime nails

Happy Friday, Happy June and HAPPY SUMMER to me {in just 8 short hours}! Let the summer fun begin! First stop Jimmy Buffett tomorrow night with my hubby!

 

Who doesn't enjoy a mani/pedi {especially during sandal weather}?! Here are some of my summertime favorite colors! Enjoy!