Parents weekend!

 We are in the midst of Parents Weekend for Phi Mu!

Last night we had a parent's event with a live band and a taco bar. It was really nice....especially when the sun went down and took the heat with it since it was at an outdoor event area.

Then, this morning, Phi Mu hosted the Moms and (sorority) sisters to a brunch in their chapter room. I wanted to see it so I was glad it was there to get to see where the Phi Mu's do their thing!

Tonight we have the Family Tailgate night before the game. Tyler has to work it and Alexis, of course, is going so Lily and I will enjoy watching Auburn play instead! :)

Group picture!

This morning was nice. And, loved seeing the big greek signs!

This was the aftermath. A big turnout and not much food left!

Love doing special things with my girls and today marks one! No picture, this morning, with Alexis......she was not 'picture ready!' soo....I took this instead!

Lily's learning to drive!

 When your Dad stops in the middle of the road, gets out as he is saying, youre driving...that is, well, how you start learning to drive! ha! That is what Lily told me! :) She said she was nervous but that she did good and then Tyler telling me that she did good and was nervous about looking behind her to reverse is something she needs to work on. I, for one, will let Tyler take the reigns on teaching Lily (though I will let her) but my PTSD with Alexis....yeah, it is just hard to want to start that again with teaching! ha! It is so nerve wracking! :)

I still cant believe that it is time for her to be learning!

Learning how to shift her hands when she turns is something on the list. :) Crazy how there are so many 'rules' and things to learn. :)

And, sidenote, look how grown she looks!

All the Phi Mu memories-Carnation Ball

 She is racking up the Phi Mu memories. I am here to document it so one day she can look back and remember her time!

Our multiple sport talented girl! :)

Her first big Phi Mu event. The Carnation Ball!

Lovely in white! They all had to wear whit for it!

I love that she loves her suitemates!

Her other suitemate, Allie!

And all her sweet friends she is growing close too!

Love a comparison of them!

 I mean, it does just feel like yesterday for Alexis and now its Lily's turn for her learner's permit 'sign' picture!

Alexis when she got her permit!

And now LILY with hers!

We have another driver!

 Lily DID it!

She got her learner's permit today and I am SO proud of her!

Cant believe it is time for to be driving, but here we are!

Of course, had to get the official picture!

Lily's Freshman HOCO date ask!

 Will You Run with Me to HOCO?

Awe, the sweetest! Yesterday Lily was SO excited to be in the TOP 3 candidates for Homecoming that is next week! She has such a large class that the news of that was SO exciting! I am so happy for her! She will not know if she will be rep until next week, but just that she got top 3 is very awesome!

Then TODAY.............I get THIS!

Sweet Bennett!

I mean, it was just like yesterday that he was her Homecoming date back when they were in little league football with her first year (and last) of cheer! :)

And now look at them..............their Freshman year!

I love it!

All the College things

 Alexis is so enjoying meeting new friends and bonding with all the things from pool parties, mixers, birthday parties, football games/hangouts, etc.

I am glad to see her meeting so many new faces!

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!