Normal

So....

what is normal!?!

Who determines what is normal???

To me, I guess I would say that it is what we feel comfortable with, what we do daily that provides structure for us, that fills most of our days. Normal doesnt make us 'stressed' as much...normal doesnt 'change'...normal is 'safe.'

I have to say, these days defining the word normal, in our world, is just hard to do!

The best advice I can say, though, is.....whether a situation is 'normal' or not, to give it your best shot, roll with the punches, and give it to God that he will help see it through with you.

That is exactly what we are doing these days!

We have not been to Church {in the sense of the building} since March. It is May.

Today we got back to 'normal.'

Sitting in the pews made me realize that, yes, I do love our Church, I do love how getting 'back to normal' is something that everyone is wanting...but what is actually so wrong with our 'new normal?'

When we are able to go back to everything being 'normal,' I am ready to put everything into perspective and decide what 'normal' I want to go back to!

The world these days is just a sad...sad...sad...time!


Between the virus, and ALL the affects that it is causing and the fact that we still do not have a handle on it to now all the riots with the sad instance of George Floyd's death is just heartbreaking. All the 'Black Lives Matter' riots and violence is just mind blowing as well that I just dont know what is happening in the world. We are in very scary and uncertain times and hate is just so big right now that is just makes me so sad!

Now, dont get me wrong, what happened to George Floyd is just wrong......BUT....I truly believe it had nothing to do with the fact that he was black. My opinion, that cop would have done what he did no matter if it were a white person or a yellow person. He is just a mean and horrible cop/person. It is proven as you research other instances that he has been involved with throughout his career. Does he deserve a murder charge. 100%. Does Floyd's death justify allllll the looting and vandalism and hate that is happening literally all over the USA......NO! NO! NO!

It is just sad...sad times we are living in right now!

We need God more than ever right now!....

So, that is why we went to Church and sat in our 'usual' spot today and it did my body good! Now, I have to say....doing Church online has had it's perks. We have truly enjoyed being at home as a family and watching it together without the pressure of having to get ready and rush out. We can watch it as a family and pause it when needed to answer questions that the girls ask, etc. But, today, I felt...we needed to have the comfort and the warmth of our Church and it was just what my heart needed! Today was the first Sunday that the doors are now able to be open now that the restrictions are lowering concerning COVID-19.

It was a good day!


Not only has the week {end of May} been filled with violence, hate, pain, etc...it has also been filled with hope, happiness and love!

Love is always greater than hate and I choose to see that instead!

This week SpaceX launched into space! It is the first time since 2011 that the US has launched and it was successful and sooooo wonderful to see! We have been keeping up with it and cant wait to see their final landing which will be in about 6 weeks!


Also...............LOVE!

We got a surprise call from Meg and Chase last night and THEY ARE engaged!

WHOOO HOOO!!

We are sooo excited for them and welcome Chase into the family with open arms!

There is always..always...something to be thankful for...and goodness, love and happiness is it!

Allll the hate. All the violence....it is just horrible. People are angry..people are sad...it is understandable. BUT...what is happening is not making a point, it is dishonoring George's name and not helping to make a stand for what happened to him.

100% justice for Floyd. However, 99% of the people protesting are not doing it to make the world better for what happened to him, it is truly a sad time.
Not all cops are bad. Not all blacks are bad. Not all white people are racists. There is good if you choose to see it.

No words.

SO exciting! HOPE in the world right now. We all need it. All thirsting for it! THIS is it! Prayers that it is successful and they make it back home!
There is a meme floating around on Facebook and I cant say I disagree with it. It says...these guys decided to leave Earth. Good choice right now. With everything going on....leaving Earth is not a bad thing!
I cant say I disagree!

AND.....LOOK! Look how happy our Meg is! LOVE!

This is what the world should be like! Hope...faith...love! The greatest of them all!

Today was the day! Since March we have not entered this building. It was much needed and good for the soul!
This is a horrrriiibbblllee picture! Wrong angle....bad lighting and I was not ready as Tyler literally snapped one picture and was done. BUT.....to mark today....the picture stays! :)

The pews werent full like 'normal'......and we had special instructions and new protocols....where to sit, etc....but, Church was exactly the SAME as we remembered! :)

We had another first of eating at Jeffersons! We havent been but to a couple of restaurants as we still have been low-key and eating at home. We were surprised with the lack of tables {to help with social distancing} and ALL the dollars are gone now! We used to love coming and the girls going and seeing their dollars they wrote on and hung up from years ago. Always something we would do. Well...new normal, dollars are gone but same good food and atmosphere!
And..this is a better picture! :)

The other side of the table! We loooooved their fried dill pickles as we have not had them in moooonnnttthhss! OH YUM! Just what our bellies needed and loved! Ha!
A perfection on a Sunday!
Here's to the last day in May too! May has gone by pretty fast..but I have to say...Im ready to keep trucking on and things keep/start getting more and more 'normal' in whatever that means anymore!

Celebrating!

It has been months since we have seen Meg and Mal and even longer than that since we have been to Bham!

We love both so we were super excited to have a change in scenery and get to celebrate today!

We cant wait to meet Miss Reese and it will be time before we know it!

Look how adorable she is! And...those sandals she was rocking and she only has one month left of pregnancy! I told her...'you go girl!' :)

Love this chick! She just graduated from grad school! We are so proud of her!

Us gals!

The fam jam celebrating on a beautiful Saturday! We enjoyed a fun lunch before heading back and soaking up the rest of the day with Daddy grilling out! Perfection!

Our week in Summer!

We are still loving that Summer is HERE!

My favorite....my sooo favorite!....my all time favorite is Summer! ha!

I am working and managing the house at the same time and I have to say...I am proud of myself because I have gotten in my groove and dont feel overwhelmed right now. Let's hope that my opinion doesnt change! ha!

The 'biker gang' still is alive and strong....and growing now!

Girls everywhere! Our neighborhood is full of little girls! Girls dominate for SURE more than boys in the neighborhood and you can see groups of them riding through almost every single day!

My girls have become pros at bike riding and just love doing it!

Sooo.....my days, lately, have been spent doing work and keeping an eye on allll the girls! I do just love how one girl will pull up on her bike....they will be jumping...one will leave...two more comes and they swing....then another one pops over...then they are all gone {including mine} to ride and then they are back.....then they ask for a popsicle....then they are gone again....then they are back and jumping...and ask for a pack of gummies...

and repeat!....

that is how it goes around here! :) :)

Typical fashion....older ones doing dances...
younger ones eating popsicles! :)

This is my view! I will go over and check on them......here and there.....give them some water...ya know...make sure everyone is okay and then I go back to my good ole office in the dining room! ha! It is working out pretty good I would say!

Wordless Wednesday!

Good food for thought!

3 things!

It has been awhile since I have done a 3 things post...and MY GRACIOUS...have things changed since the last one!

I mean....I did one in November!

Never would I have thought that the next '3 things' post would be written in a manner explaining that literally the world has been turned upside down since!

But...it has...

and we are managing...

and slowly things are going back to 'normal' with whatever the word normal means anymore!

So..this post is a little extra special because there will {hopefully} never be another '3 things' post amidst a pandemic!

So....'3 things'.....COVID-19 style!

Alexis!

 1. She is growing faster than a WEED! Like way too fast that I cant even wrap my head around it! While we were at the beach, Lana had me stand right beside Alexis...and she compared us and said that we were pretty much the exact same on all levels. Alexis ATE this UP! Me....well, I have to say...pushing 40 and being compared to 'almost the same' to an almost 12 year old...helped my self esteem a little....but also HURT my heart as it is true! She is as tall as me. Her foot is bigger than mine too! She is just turning into a lady....so fast! She loves it! Me...on the other hand...just wants time to slow down a little but I look forward to watching her grow!...even if it is bigger than me! :)

2. This picture pretty much sums her up right now! She is constantly flipping and singing and dancing or doing some sort of cheer all.the.time.
It is probably because that is all she literally is able to do right now. She loves doing her virtual cheer lessons with her fellow cheerleaders and is working hard in the yard with me to keep her tumbling skills up. And...because she is with Carli, WK, SK and Sydney {allll the time} bike riding, they are up to date on alllll the 'cool' new dances! You can see them all in the backyard doing the moves and it cracks me up!

3. She is about to be in HIGH SCHOOL and she just cant think about anything else! She is pumped! She just cant wait to 'grow up!' I remember thinking the same as her! It was all an exciting time!



Lily!

1. This girl in this picture! She will crack you up with her words...her mannerisms...just it all! There is never a dull moment with her and if you are having a bad day....just see Lily! Now....she has her grumpy and stubborn moments....let me state...but for the most part..she is just so happy go lucky! Her laugh is contagious and her creativity is so fun! It has helped so much for her to be like this especially during this pandemic we are in and are 'trapped' at home with nothing to do!

2. She has become such a picky eater! Now...she hasnt always been the best but it has gotten to a whole new level...it seems...lately! Dont ask her where to go eat! EVERY place is 'nasty' and she 'doesnt like it!' Never fails! NEVER fails! But..when we get to said place....she'll say..'Oh YUM..this is so good!' or something along those lines every.single.time. The craziest thing..though...is she will eat 'weird' things such as potato chips on her grilled cheese {though she says her grilled cheese is 'nasty' but she loves grilled cheese and eats them at one place...but the next place..she wont} or ketchup on her mac n cheese! So strange! ha!

3. She has brought out some new talents in this pandemic we are in such as she is a HULA HOOP Queen! Yep....that girl can keep a hula hoop up for hours! She just does it sooooo effortlessly!  She makes it look soooo easy! Meanwhile...Alexis and I {both} will try and top her....and fail every time! ha! She is good! REAL good! She can even do it on her arm...or around her ankle. She can do it all with 2 at at time...or 3. She is REAL good!
She also has developed speaking in different languages! What I mean by this is.....whenever Aubie..and especially Soccer come around her....she starts talking in her 'different language' as we call it!
She'll say 'Come here 'jabuddy'' to Soccer! I cant even type how she sounds and how she says it but it is soooo funny! OH...it cracks all of us up!

3 Things for Daddy:
Well...turkey season is over...he got a BIG number 4 this season and was super pumped about that!
He is still working even during this pandemic. It hasnt slowed him down much!
He has been soaking up family time in between it all too!

3 Things for me!:
 Well..Im still working from home and trying to juggle it all! I feel I am surviving!:)
I am soaking up being outside with the girls and I even have a little tan to prove it!
Loving that it is Summer as it is my favorite, favorite...favorite!! :)

Alllll the red, white and blue!

I felt very festive this weekend!

We wore our red, white and blue!

We worked in the yard and put pretty flowers in!

We got an American flag and let it fly!

We grilled out!

We had friends over!

We did not social distance either! {Well, we did...we were outside the whole time...but ya know, we are starting to rebel with the whole thing!} :)

We did everything 'American' and soaked it up to be thankful we live in a country where we do have our rights and our freedom!

We gave thanks to those who sacrificed it all for us to have the blessings we do today!

I just LOVE our backyard! I do! It is just so cozy and warm feeling! We sat out and enjoyed the beautiful day! The kids watched a movie on the deck, jumped, played on the swings, played soccer, played corn hole and just soaked up the afternoon!

LOVE! We did the pots in the back to! The gardenia...smells amazing!

Lex and I made this! Now....we cheated and didnt make the cake. We have our secrets...but it was soooo yummy...AND...festive!

The Ray's came over and we grilled out and spent the afternoon catching up since we havent seen them face to face in months due to the virus. It was good for the soul! This time last year..we were with them in Auburn at Grand National. We were supposed to go back this year...but since we arent able...spending the afternoon chatting, kids playing and grilling out worked perfectly!

Our looong weekend!

It's Memorial day weekend!

Usually we are traveling somewhere...doing a fun little getaway on the first 'official'....well...'unofficial'...weekend starting Summer!

Last year we had a great trip with the Messers and Rays to Auburn! The year before that we were at the beach with La La!

This year...we are staying home...staying 'low-key' and just soaking up the beautiful weather!

We always love to do a picnic at the park when we first get out of school! We do it every year as it is sort of a tradition!

Well...this time..on our 1st picnic...Daddy came with us!

And...

we changed things up and rode our bikes to the park and ate and then continued riding to Turtle lake before riding back home!

It was so.much.fun.

We capped off today with the best grill out EVER! We played outside....grilled out fish and corn and make our famous...and yummy...homemade guacamole and then had a hula hoop challenge!  The best!

Im pretty proud of myself! I took this picture while riding my bike! Ha! We LOVE riding the trail!

Stopped for our picnic lunch! So fun and such sweet memories made!

Checking out alllll the turtles! We love to see how many are out and counting them! There were alot out today just relaxing on the stumps and limbs!

OH YUM! Tyler has mastered the art of the grill! Grilled corn....and fish....the BEST!

Ended the night with smores bigger than her head! :)

Ahh...a nice long ride!

Yesterday we had a nice long boat ride at Gran and Ben's before a small storm happened!

We havent been riding in a while so it was nice to get out and enjoy the day!

Ben smoked the best ribs ever....per Tyler...and we enjoyed dinner before heading home!

I was a great day!

The Captain for the day! Miss Lily Grace Law!.............with her sidekick...her Daddy! :)

Grey loved riding!

Grey's first time on the tube! The girls looooove riding!

They are little daredevils!

Showing off!

Ahhh......such a nice view! The long ride was just what I needed!

Messy hair...dont care! :)

Cheers to Summer and a missing tooth!

Soo......we are SUPER excited school is out and SUMMER is here!

Oh...we LOVE Summer!

So, what have we been up to, to celebrate the end of school....and a nice long holiday weekend coming up!?!?

Sit back...and see!

So...this happened!
First it started out that the pump was messed up on the dishwasher. I had washed a load of dishes and when I went to unload...the bottom was full of nasty water!.................

Which led to this!.........................yeah...downhill slide! That led into a HUGE water leak that flooded most of the kitchen which meant we had to clean up all the water...dry out everything too! Which then led to us having to get a new sink faucet!
It has been the craziest of things while we have been in this pandemic for 'things messing up!'
Let me just list them!
1. Laundry dryer. Tyler thought he could fix it. Tried really really hard. Took 2 days trying. Realized, we needed a new one. Big $$$$
2. Freezer in fridge. Tyler didnt know what was going on with it. Tried to fix. Called a friend and he suggested some things to do. Tyler fixed! Thankfully no $$$
3. Ice maker in fridge. Related to the freezer. Tyler worked wonders...fixed. Thankfully no $$$
4. Air conditioner unit.  Wouldnt cool. So hot in the house. Tyler couldnt fix. Friend came and fixed hole in the coil. Semi big $$$
5. Garbage disposal. Hole in it some crazy way. Water leaking everywhere. Could not fix. $$$$
6. Dishwasher pump. Tyler pulled it out and got it fixed! Thankfully no $$$
7. Sink faucet. Broken and could not fix it. $$$$
8. Trees. Trees. Trees. We have soooo many trees! When the storm hit several weeks ago, we determined we needed trees cut. Guy is here today, actually, about to start. $$$$$$
So, needless to say, we have not gone anywhere or done really anything...thinking we have been saving money during this time as everything has been closed down,etc, but...actually we have spent a chunk here lately...just trying to fix everything! There is always..always..always..something to be thankful for, so....to that...at least we have been home and not as busy to get it all done and see all the water too! ha!

CHEERS! This was yesterday! We celebrated it being
1. Friday!
2.A looonnggg holiday weekend!
3. The fact that I found out yesterday afternoon that I am going to continue working from home the month of June and then a good bit in July! I cant wait to soak this time up and cherish the opportunity because it may never come again! Even in times of sadness and  uncertainty, there is good. You may have to look a little closer to find the good....but it is there! So, cheers!

And....this one lost her 5th tooth! She was super pumped that the Tooth Fairy was coming! She woke me up at good ole 5:45am....on this beautiful Saturday morning.....to tell me the Tooth Fairy came! Oh happy day! :)

20 years ago!

It is so hard to believe that 20 years ago today I was a high school graduate!

I remember graduation night and even the next day...like it was yesterday!

Graduation night, my parents had a graduation party for me at our house. My parents had just finished the big deck around the pool so I thought it was the coolest thing to have a 'party' with all my family! We had a ton of food and I opened my graduation gifts! Then Riley, Alex, Zach, Misty and Kelly all came over and after they ate, we all 'went out!'

I felt so grown!

I felt like there was not a care in the world!

The next morning....I was still living on the high of being 'grown!' Just soooo excited about starting college in Auburn...

just everything!

Couldnt wait for my future!

To look back and remember that, makes me smile and makes my heart full as WOW...time has flown and look at me now!

I had hoped and prayed for a life like I have now and to see it happening and seeing all I have done and been through and lived through and just the experiences I have had. True blessing!

I am thankful!

To think that these graduates, 20 years later than me, are graduating in a pandemic and didnt get to have their Senior year and Senior memories, like I did, breaks my heart for them as I cherish those memories, such as Powder Puff football challenge, our Senior show, Senior skip days and more! Great.....great memories that I will forever hold in my heart!

This guy!
Did I think I was going to marry him?!
No
Were we friends in high school. Sure. We didnt 'hang out' with each other as we both had different friend groups
Can I believe I married a high school guy?
No
I had no idea me going off to Auburn would lead my heart to a guy that I graduated with...but Im thankful it did!
This guy has my heart and always has!

This girl!
Wow to say I have grown and changed in 20 years! I am not the same girl that is in this picture though I get told 'You havent changed a bit since high school' to me all the time. This girl was determined to live life to the fullest, to achieve my hopes and dreams and to strive to be my best. Still working every day on being the best version of me but Im liking who I have become!

Found this little gem! Throwback to my Senior days! Allllll these once 'kids'...now we are all old and getting grey! ha! :)

End of the school year celebration-drive thru!

Tonight marked Lily's special night that she got to say goodbye to her teacher and get her report card!

She has loved 2nd grade and Mrs. Nelson is just the best!

We loved her when Alexis had her!

Lily has worked so hard and has just shined this year but she is SO ready to be a 3rd grader that she read the school supplies list 3 times to me on the way home! That girl! :)

Goodbye 2nd grade year! It has been a great year though the ending is nothing like we thought it would EVER be!

My now 3rd grader! :) :)

Love Mrs. Nelson!
We went down the line way bye to all the teachers! Oh the days we are in!....just crazy!

SO pumped to see alllll those As on there!

So proud of this little one! Love her big!

Her 6th grade year!

Her 6th grade year has come and gone!

Just like that, she is heading off to High school in the Fall and to say she is pumped is a huge understatement!

If feels like in a blink of my eye she went from a tiny Pre-K little girl to a girl that is literally bigger than me {legs, shoe size, NOT height (like she thinks! :)} that is done with Elementary school!

She has had great years at Kitty Stone and it will be sad that she wont be there next year! She has grown so much as a girl and has had such wonderful teachers, each year, that have loved her, pushed her and helped her be the best version of herself and have helped develop who she is today!

She has met sooooo many sweet friends and I have loved seeing her little friend group form! She has had some sad times, as well, but through those times, she has grown and overcome! She has had her fair share of 'think about it's' and 'Alexis needs to not talk as much' moments thrown in there too! :)

She has been Eagle of the Month! She has had so many 'Soar cards' to count of good deads she has done! She has met her AR goals, she has excelled in her STAR tests and more during her time at Kitty Stone! She has had boy crushes and a boyfriend or two also! She has lost teeth at school by her sweet teachers pulling them. She went through a time {in 1st grade} of not wanting to brush her teeth...and thanks to wonderful teachers, they helped me get her back on track! :) She had the best time at her Daddy/Daughter dances with her Daddy.....and her friends! She has enjoyed sooo much school musicals and performances! She had a blast with her friends at the 6th grade 80's dance! There has just been sooo many sweet memories to cherish and hold on to!

I cant wait to watch her continue to shine and see allll the awesome memories yet to come for her at JHS!

We are ready!

But first...Summer! :) :)

Saying goodbye to Kitty Stone!

So many sweet memories during her years here!

Hello JHS!

She is sooo excited that she made cheer!

Here comes the sun! She is full of sunshine!

Class of 2026! Just WOW! It will be here before I know it! Just crazy!