Lily's birthday day!

 I would say she had a great birthday day judging by the smile she left with!

She got to celebrate her birthday multiple times and today was the actual day of celebration!

She had the lunch birthday with Gran and Ben last weekend which included Alexis and then yesterday had birthday lunch with Nan, Pawpaw and Brandi, which included Alexis too! 

Today Tyler and I got to spend special time with her and, of course, she picked Panera Bread as her  birthday lunch spot so we enjoyed there before heading to...........

get her ears pierced for the 2nd holes!

Yeah, I have put her off for over a year and well, today..............was the day.........and to say she is thrilled is an understatement!

She flinched some on the 1st hole and said the 2nd hole hurt more but there were no tears and all smiles!

She got the full run down of how to take care of them (for 6 months which was surprising to me) and all the things..............so she's good to go!

She is obsessed with 'cat cookies' so............that was her birthday cake! :) 

My girl. Wow, 15!

With her Daddy!

Go time! Getting prepped. 

Got the first one done! She went on for the 2nd! ha!

And there she is. My 15 year old with her 2nd hole done! Happy birthday Lily!

She is 15!

15 years ago, this beautiful baby made her grand entrance. Our life has not been the same. Her spirit brings all of us such happiness and I am so thankful that I get a front seat view of watching her grown and seeing her bright future unfold. Lily is the best mix of it all. Her determination, loyalty, understanding, compassion, curiosity, strength, love, sassy humor, and I could just go on and on...........just shows how special she is.

On this day, 15 years ago, I got to be a Momma to one of the best people on this planet.

Happy birthday Lily.

Sweet newborn Lily!

She is 15! Just crazy!

Go JAX State!

 Alexis said she had a great first college football game with all the football fun thrown in. I did not get the full scoop on what all that consisted of other than the game did have a weather delay to which everyone left and had fun. 

So, glad she had a great 1st big college experience!

Celebrating Lily and Labor day!

 Lily came with me after the meet. Tyler and Alexis had the JAX State 1st home football game.

We enjoyed grilling out and a nice boat ride.

And, we threw in celebrating Lily turning 15........THIS week! Just so crazy to think!

I love these two and their bond they have. They could entertain each other for hours and their shared love for making bracelets together is so special.

Happy birthday was sung!

This girl. 15. My heart.

Alexis met us and we had church and then Gran and Ben enjoyed taking Lily to Olive Garden since she said thats her favorite to celebrate her some more. It was a good weekend.

Oxford XC meet!

 Whew, the heat needs to settle down. It has been SO hot around here for the past month or so and it is just really unbearable. I am for sure ready for some cooler weather! Lily did not have her best run but she made it through and whew, she said it was tough with the heat (and it was a morning run!) just crazy!

These two! I love them.

I just love this part of them all starting out and full of energy and speed and ready to conquer!

Coming around the pack. I love to see that!

I think one of my new favorite pictures of her running!

She made it! FINISH!

She loves to see that finish line! She ran a little over 27 so hopefully this coming meet will be nicer to her!

Friday night lights are back-home edition!

 Lily was so excited that Friday night was the 1st home football game! She dressed in her Friday dress up gear of 'Gold Out' and enjoyed the game with her friends!

She was so excited to show me the picture of her with Jack the mascot.....because it was Rua underneath! She loves him and loves running with him on the XC team! I just cant believe that the costume fit him because he is SO tall! ha!

Eagles had a big win against Lincoln! 

Alexis and her new experiences

 Alexis is experiencing all the things right now. She is one busy girl. I pray she focuses on her schoolwork and mixes in her social life because I know she is loving that life pretty good right now. 

I am happy to see her meeting so many new friends and makes my heart happy when I speak to her all of these new names that she mentions.

She had her initiation into Phi Mu the other night and then yesterday she had her new member pictures. She is loving Phi Mu and happy to see her enjoying it.

Her sweet group of friends!

Living her best life!

Lily's best friend is 15!

 CRAZY to think Lily and her friends are turning 15!

Just wild to me.

Reese had her birthday party and these best friends spent the afternoon together celebrating.

So crazy that Lily will be 15 in a couple of weeks!

This little girl

 This little girl has grown up so much. She was a sassy and spunky little one. She was so proud, this day, to show me that she received a Soar card from school!

She is soaring in college, now, and her future is so bright.

Fresh Market

 With the college girl doing all the college things, it is nice to have her break free for a bit and got to spend so good quality time with her.

Fresh Market was adorable and it was full of all fresh jam, spices, etc. It was a fun little get together.

Pounding the Pleasant Valley hill!

 Whew, today was a tough one for Lily. She ran the Pleasant Valley meet today for the 1st time. Since she has started Cross Country, they have not ran this meet because of how hard and not conducive to good running but this season, they decided to.

I personally didnt like it because of how the course was so full of hills and so tight for them to run and we could not see them except for at the end.

It was hot and well, she survived it at least!

Time was a little over 28 minutes. 

On to next week and let's put this meet in the past!

She was ready with a FULL head of glitter and shine. My goodness it is the most I have ever seen on a head! ha!

Tight start but off they went!

Love this picture!

This picture was ..............way across the way.........and the only view we got. We saw them trucking up that huge hill....not just once...........but TWICE! Whew! If you look way back at the picture, I do believe that is Lily climbing it! ha!

Then once around the track and then over to the left........FINISH! Yeah, maybe they wont do this meet in the future. Fingers crossed.

But...this team loves being together, so today was worth it!

And, these girls placed 2nd!

Got the plaque to prove it too!

XC is in full swing!

 The time is here! Lily's XC season and it kicked off this morning in White Plains. Lily doesnt like this course but it is one of the popular ones and for her first run of the season she did a 26.27.

She'll pick up her pace and rock this season and it will be exciting to watch her shine!

Stretching, warming up, and giving her teammates some support. Made me smile to see her doing that!

One of  my favorite parts of XC is seeing them all take off!

There she is!

Jville girls came in 3rd overall! Great start to their season!

First Friday night lights!

 It was so strange to go to the first JHS football game and not see Alexis out there cheering. I was a very odd feeling. It was a beautiful evening and night and JHS dominated over Piedmont the whole game.

It was a great first game to kick off Lily's Freshman year! I think this team is going to go far this season!

So, this was the view of the game.  Lily lived her best life walking around (back and forth...and back and forth) with friends. Not sure if she even actually watched any of the game but go all the socializing in!

Lost count of what round this was to see her walking with friends!

And then, yep, spotted her again!

And when you decide to come and support on the 1st game as a Freshman in College and bring two new friends that are your sorority sisters with you. One went to Piedmont so she got to see alot of old friends, etc and the other is a local girl so she knew people so they enjoyed the game together and catching up with old high school friends.

FDOC things!

 Alexis marked her 1st day of College yesterday and today!

Her Monday, Wednesday, Friday classes were started on Wednesday and then her Tuesday, Thursday classes were today.

She told me she was good. She called me thinking she couldnt find her 2nd class on Wednesday, but she made it! Proof in the picture, she looks like she survived getting there and has a smile on her face!

Today she said she enjoyed her classes. Please say a big prayer about her getting through her math class. SHE CAN DO IT! Prayers please!

Here's to wrapping up the first part of her classes as a college student! Next week will be a full week so praying she has the rest she needs, the focus she needs, the study habits she needs, the responsibility level she needs and that she knows that if she needs help...........to pray about it and ask for help and seek it. Amen.

Of course Phi Mu FDOC pictures were a must...................and a free drink too!

This is from her Speech and Language class that is for her minor since she is wanting to be a Speech Therapist. She said she thinks she is going to love this class. I am excited for her!

And, from the JAX State Convocation. All the Freshman students do a huge 'J' on the field. She is out there somewhere! Here's to a great Freshman Fall!

All the Fall things starting up!

 Yeah....both on the same night.

Go figure.

But Tyler and I divided and conquered. I took Lily and he was with Alexis. 

Tonight was Meet the Eagles and JAX State Convocation for the incoming Freshman class.

Excited for the Fall season to kick off for both of them because there is so many fun and sweet memories to come for them!

The 2026 XC team!

Our XC girl. Excited to see her run this season!

There she is!

It was so strange to not see Alexis out there cheering too! It tugged at my heart.

Go Eagles!

We were late...but made it to Alexis' Convocation. I didnt think I would make it at all but Meet the Eagles ended quicker than we thought. BUT, Lily was hot and didnt want to stay so didnt get to stay long before I took her home.

Tried to look over to see the crowd and try and spot Alexis and Tyler but........yeah, that didnt work well!

Excited to see her college life unfold!