4th of July trip to Destin

As most of you know there was a terrible oil spill in the Gulf this summer.  One of the least important things this horrible disaster affected was every one's beach trip plans.  We decided to go anyway after hearing that Destin beaches at that point had not been affected.  This was a family vacation but "Uncle Jeffy" tagged along.  Jeff is Patrick's best friend and just part of the family.  Alese is also at an age where she would not enjoy herself for 5 days on the beach with a 3 year old and a 1 year old so we agreed that she could bring a friend along.  She invited our cousin Amy!!  It was sweet relief that Alese and Patrick both had someone to "play" with. ha ha.  I must admit that it thrilled my soul to see life coming circle, remembering how Amy's dad, Perry (my first cousin) use to spent tons of time on the farm growing up.  He use to be the ring leader of all the torture that "the boys" put me through.  Okay so maybe torture is a very strong word but he did start the phrase "Julie butter" that has STUCK for all these years.  That story is for another blog :).  Amy was such a pleasure to have on vacation with us and her and Alese had a great time, I can't wait until we can take her with us again somewhere!!  We had beautiful weather and I broke away one day and drove to Pensacola with Arden for a baby shower for one of my best friends, Bridgett who actually now lives in Nashville.  It was so great to see her and her beautiful belly and her mama there!!  I miss them dearly. 





Bridgett with the little jacket we got for baby Faith

This is the only picture I managed to get in Arden and Cash in their matching outfits!

I love this picture! I hope they always love each other this much

sweet sugar

This would be Cash "relieving" himself! ha

This was the ice cream beach man! ha

This would be Cash relieving himself again at the waterpark.  The fence he is using is facing the major highway in Destin.  I will work on indescent exposure with him soon! :)



Sew Sweet.......

I have wanted to learn to sew for as long as I can remember but have never thought I could learn or had the time really to do it.  When I quit my job last summer to be a stay at home mother I knew it was now or never!!!  I was determined to learn to make Arden some cute little clothes.  Mama and Daddy bought me a sewing machine for Christmas last year from a great little sew shop here in Hattiesburg called "Kelley's Pins and Needles".  After Christmas I took my machine into the shop and Kelley showed me how to use the machine.  I got a really good laugh at myself when she began to tell me about the bobbin!  The what???  What in the heck is a bobbin?? She tells me it is the "under thread".  Really, I had no idea there was an under thread or that it was called the bobbin!  At this point I am beginning to wonder if sewing will really be my thing! Will I actually be able to sew if I didn't even realize that TWO threads were needed to make a complete stitch!!  Kelley assured me I would be okay.  So I have taken a few classes and I must admit although I have miles of improvement ahead of me I really feel like I am in my element when I am sewing.  It is challenging for sure but I love it!!  I took a class and made an outfit for Arden, then I made her an Easter basket to match it.  I made the Easter Basket by myself and was so proud that i made one for Cash too.  They weren't perfect but I was pleased.  I then took a class to learn how to sew a Rag quilt which I discovered was very time consuming but not difficult and have since made two more at home!  I made Arden an outfit this summer complete with an appliqued shirt, the applique was HARD, much harder than I had envisioned! ha!  And even though the little owl had imperfect wings she looks adorable in her outfit!  I am currently working on some more outfits for Arden and a few other things I am trying my hand out at.  I have clothes hanging in Arden's closet that my Granny made for me when I was little and I can't wait to put them on her!! My mama sewed lots of dresses and even made dolls for me growing up.  I can still remember watching her sew as a child and I am really excited to be learning this art! 

This is a rag quilt I made for Cash's preschool teacher, Mrs. Jenn Slade at the end of the school year.

Arden's outfit is so big she may wear it next year to! Ha

This is the outfit I made for her this summer!



This is a rag quilt I made for my dear friend Bridgett's baby Faith Elizabeth



A Little Farm Fun....Mother's Day

So it is really hitting me as I look back at old pictures just how far behind I am! Wow, Mother's Day!!  We spent Mothers day worship at Providence with my family, then for a visit with MawMaw and back to the farm for some country living fun!!!  I can't get enough of it honestly and neither can my children!  MawMaw was very happy to see all her "greats" and I was happy to snap a few pictures of some beautiful faces!




Malaine, Arden, Mallory, Mama, MawMaw and Madilyn Mother's Day 2010



Mama, Julie, Malaine and Arden



This would be me and Malaine being silly!

More silliness, Arden is not sure about it! :)

Me and Mallory Brooke goofing around

My sweet Malaine!

I love this picture of Papa and Arden out by the pond

Such a cute picture of Arden cheking out the baby fish Master P caught

Arden says she is not sure she is gonna touch that fish

Uncle Jason is always dishing out some fun! Giving a rdie to Ella, Madi, Cash and Mallory

Pretty girls Ella and Madilyn

i love the expression on Arden's face here!

Wow Mama!! Big catch, you gonna fry that one up for supper!?

Madi tried her hardest to catch that duck!

Master P thought he would lay down for a minute but Mallory and Arden had other ideas

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The innocence of being a child! Ella and Mallory playing!!



Even a herd of cows doesn't make Mama flinch! She is serious about her fishing!