What a Wonderful Day to Shop!

Today we are going shopping in the heart of my hometown. A small resort town in the mountains. My in-laws came in from Texas late yesterday afternoon. I have to say, I am very excited! Lauren was just so excited to see all of her grandparents!

We had made these plans a while ago. But we weren't completely sure if it was all going to workout the way we had planned. Luckily it did. Tonight, we are having a nice dinner at our cabin. The good news will finally be shared! Billy and I are so excited. Lauren has been really good about keeping our secret. She understands it, but she understands we have to keep a secret until tonight.

The guys will be working on the property. Billy has been building a work space for himself. And they are going to be working on it today. Although, rain is in the air. I wonder how far they are going to get. The girls, well we are going shopping. First, we are going to the Craft Fair. It should be fun! Then we are headed to all the little shops. Mom has been wanting to buy some new clothes. Honestly, I need some bigger clothes. Yes, I wear regular clothes during my pregnancy. I just buy larger ones. Mom tailors them for me. My mom-in-law is also excited. There is a cooking shop that she likes to shop at. She has been wanting to stock up on some of the fun kitchen accessories that they have!

Today is going to be so much fun! Hopefully the rain holds out until after our shopping spree. If not, a little water never hurt anyone. Lauren is super excited to go to the toy store. She got some money from her grandpas last night. She has been wanting this doll at the toy store. And all it's little accessories. I think the toy store will have to be our first stop!

~Manders

Wonderful News!

We got some pretty great news yesterday. But we are going to wait a bit to tell everyone on here. There are some very important people that need to know first! Lola knows, because she was there when we found out. Sorry about being so cryptic. We just need to talk to some important people in our lives first.

For now, we are headed to visit my parents. It should be a nice weekend. There is rain in the forecast, but not too much. Mom and I already have some plans to go shopping. I just hope the crowds aren't too bad. Because it is a holiday and my hometown is a bit of a resort town, it usually gets flooded with people over a holiday weekend.

In any case, we are excited about heading to the mountains. We only have a few short weeks before the snow begins. And when it starts snowing out this way, our trips become less frequent. Until then, we will make a couple of more trips. And love every single one!

~Manders

Friday Fill-ins

1. I feel anxious and excited.

2. Trips and friends are always fun.

3. Right now, I can hear these things: Billy in the kitchen and the TV.

4. It's September and I'm glad that the hot weather is almost behind us.

5. The last time I went to the doctor was 2 weeks ago.

6. We are going to my hometown this Labor day weekend.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to a dinner with friends, tomorrow my plans include traveling to the mountains and Sunday, I want to do a little shopping!



What a week we have had! But in a good way. Emmers and Paul are in town. A nice change of pace for everyone! We got the good news that they are moving back. That is really exciting! From what I hear, Vi and Scott will be here, or they might already be here. It is really a good time when all of our friends come to visit. I don't think the 4 of them have ever been here at the same time. We have having a good time though.

Today, we have a doctor's appointment. Just a check up. But I am excited to hear the baby's heartbeat. For me, that solidifies that there is a healthy baby growing in there. Billy is really excited too! We decided to make it a day in town. And Lola had offered to watch Lauren while we are in our appointment. She works at the hospital were my OB/GYN is located. They actually work together. I am just a little anxious this morning. Just ready to hear our baby's healthy heart beating away!

~Manders

A Loving Weekend

Lauren is fast asleep! The minute my parents left, she fell asleep on the couch. But it was a wonderful weekend!

My parents got in early yesterday morning. Billy made us all a wonderful breakfast. And before we knew it, Billy and Dad were gone. They had decided to do some riding. Mom, Lauren, and I decided to do some shopping. We made it to the last 30 minutes of the Farmers' Market. Mom bought a big bag of apples and 3 bags of Kettle Corn. Lauren got a Princess Wand. My Mom spoils her so much!

We then went to all the fun stores, Hobby Lobby, Target, Dollar Tree, Barnes and Noble, and Claire's. Mom was in complete shopping mode! We eventually made it to lunch at Applebee's. Billy and Dad met us there. And my Dad got a bunch of those dessert shooters. I think he gave Lauren 3 of them!

After lunch, Billy and Dad went to Home Depot and Lowe's. They had a whole list of things they needed to buy. Us girls, we went to Marshall's and Ross. Mom bought so much clothes for Lauren and the new baby. We won't know for months whether this new little one will be a boy or a girl, but mom felt the need to spoil her grandkids!

Saturday night, we all went to Cattleman's for dinner. This was a treat. Dad just LOVES the food. Lauren likes going there too! It reminds her of Texas. And her grandparents. On the ride back home, Lauren fell asleep. Poor baby had missed her nap! The rest of us spent the evening on the back porch enjoying the warm summer evening. Dad talked about the upcoming winter. He tells us that we are going to have a lot of snow. I'm excited about that!

This morning was like any typical Sunday for us. We all got up for church. I rushed around trying to get ready on time. But this week, Dad took us to brunch at Peppers after church. They have the most amazing brunch around here. I ate, and ate, and ate some more. To the point, that I really did feel like I would explode! Lauren was fascinated with the plants in the restaurant. This happens every time we go there. Billy was just into his food. My husband really likes to eat!

After brunch we walked around the shops for a while. Mom bought different things. Some stuff for Lauren. A book to send my brother. Matching bracelets for Mom, my sister, and myself. She shopped and shopped. Until Lauren spotted our guys. We found Billy and Dad eating ice cream. Apparently, they hadn't had enough at brunch! :)

We went back to our house early in the afternoon. Lauren had Billy and Dad playing house with her. She managed to get necklaces and hats on them! Mom and I worked on some Fall wreaths. Do you remember I bought some ribbons and decorations? My Mom is really the creative one. She helped me make 2 large wreaths for our front doors. We have double doors. And she made one to take home. We also made centerpieces. It was so much fun. And it reminded me of my childhood. Mom would buy all these supplies, and one day she would sit us all down to make decorations for the house. Our house was always filled with love and handmade decorations.

The weekend was wonderful! I would not have done anything differently if I could. Except make the weekend longer. Mom and Dad left late in the afternoon. They wanted to make it home before dark, so they skipped dinner. I packed them a small meal to eat on the road. And we saw them off! It was nice to spend time with my parents at home. I know that Billy enjoyed sharing so much with my Dad while they were here. Lauren just LOVED having them here. Even if it was just to have grandpa watch her ride her horse, or grandma help her get dressed. It was a weekend filled with loving memories.

~Manders

Heading Home

This morning Billy had an idea. We could go visit my parents. Most of our friends were going to visit their own families. And our dinner plans would have to wait for another day.

After mass and a quick breakfast, we headed to my parents house. It is roughly 2 hours from where we live. Lauren was quite excited! Billy had plans to work with my dad. They have been working on some project with the trees around my parents property. And Billy wants to get further along with it. My dad enjoys spending time and working with Billy. I think he is also very relieved to have the help.

When we got to my parents' house, they were very happy to see us. My sister and her fiance were on their way too! And Miss Lauren was very excited to play with grandma. She got a new baby doll from J earlier in the week. Lauren and my mom got right to work on a blankie for the new baby. My mom likes to sew little projects like that for her. Lauren just gets so excited about the things that grandma makes her and her baby dolls.

When my sister got there, it was a nice change. I hadn't seen her in almost 2 weeks. We all don't live that far from each other. But with our daily lives and schedules, sometimes visits become more spread out then we'd like. Dad promptly pulled his future son-in-law to help in their project. I don't think he had anticipated it. But he was willing to learn. I am sure Billy and dad had a good time picking on him!

My sis and I just caught up on each others' lives. She is elbow deep in wedding plans. Mom thinks it's all too funny! She carries around a little carrying case for all her files. I have to say, she is very organized about this. Every folder is labeled and well organized with her picks. Lauren and mom spent most of the afternoon playing baby dolls. Mom even made her a few outfits for her new baby doll.

Eventually the guys came back from their project. And we had dinner. Mom is such a good cook. And she never lets my sister and I help with Sunday dinner. We had a nice feast of pork chops, squash, baked potatoes, salad, and peach cobbler. Lauren was over the moon because she got ice cream and peach cobbler. My daughter makes me laugh!

Billy and I decided to head back home after dinner. We didn't want to travel in the dark. There was a serious accident around here last night. And a man died. So we wanted to play it safe. My mom packed up a big bag of snacks. As if we were traveling across the country, instead of the 2 hours home. I love her so much. And now we are on the road headed home.

It was a long day. But a fun one. I am glad that we decided to come and visit our family. Billy and dad are very proud of the progress they are making on their project. Lauren is happy with the things grandma made her. And I am just happy to have spent time with our family.

~Manders

Warm Summer Day

We made it to my parents' house early this morning. Lauren almost didn't want to leave because of her new play house. But we reminded her of her tree house that grandpa built her. She quickly got in the trucj with Lucky (her horse.) She slept most of the way. It was pretty early.

And when we got here, mom had a HUGE breakfast spread ready for us. I am so blessed to have such amazing parents. We ate. And ate some more. My mom is such a good cook. Billy and dad headed out to work. I tried to help mom clean up, but she just sent me and Lauren to play. Lauren quickly got lost in her world of make believe and I just watched her. It still amazes me how imaginative she is. She cleaned her little house. And sat in her rocking chair, rocking her baby to sleep.

My mom eventually came out with her blanket that she started for the baby. She is embroidering a blanket for the baby. With the cutest little animals all over it. I helped her with the thread, but that is about as talented as I am. I'm not a very crafty person. My mom does it so seamlessly.

As lunch time quickly approached, mom and I made lunch as Lauren picked flowers. Soon Billy and dad came to eat. And as quickly as they came, they were gone again. Lauren quickly fell asleep. And mom and me picked flowers around her garden. I thoroughly enjoy spending time with my mom. We made a few arrangements for the house. My even made me one to take home. I love to learn all these things from her.

Not long ago, Billy and dad came back. Dad went to shower. Mom throw me out of the house to relax, as she made dinner. Lauren is happily decorating her house with flowers. And Billy is sitting here with me. We are watching our baby girl. Who is not a baby any more. She is such a big girl. And we are listening to Alabama. Enjoying a warm summer day with loving family. Life really could not get much better than this!

~Manders

Excited for T-Lo

Lauren is so excited today! Her T-Lo is coming to visit. T-Lo is mine and Billy's friend, Lola. We don't get to see her much. She works as an intern at the hospital, and she travels a lot. But we are very proud of her. That makes a day like today even more special.

I do some freelance work from time-to-time. Not too much though. But when Lola asked me about doing the hair and makeup for one of her friend's wedding, I couldn't say no. I am really excited about it. It has been such a long time since I have done an event like this. It's a 2 day event. A bridal manicure and pedicure day, and the wedding day.

Billy, Lauren, and I will also be going to the wedding. Amelia was so nice to invite us. Tomorrow Lola is hosting the party for Amelia and her bridal party. I am going to do manicures and pedicures for all the ladies. Even the little flower girls. To be a very nice friend, Lola is coming over later tonight, so that I can do hers. Get a little head start.

Miss Lauren is so happy to see her T-Lo. She made her a necklace and a card yesterday. This morning she helped me frost some cookies that I baked. And right now, she is dancing around in her tutu that T-Lo made her. It is a very exciting day in our house. Even Billy is excited to see Lola!

~Manders