Finally back to the park

It's been so stinking hot in Florence...our only outside activity lately has been trips to the pool. And it really isn't looking to cool down too much but Friday morning, we were up nice and early so we decided to make a trip to the park while it was just a little less than middle-of-the-day scalding hot. And it turned out okay. More importantly, we took some fun pics of Olivia having a blast in the sand. Not much to say about this, I just really wanted to show off Olivia.

Sugar and spice and everything nice...

Last weekend we took a quick 16-hour turnaround trip to Charlotte to visit three families who all got pregnant shortly before we moved...we went because all their daughters were born within a week of each other just about 6 weeks ago. So, we set out to meet these new beauties. And what a fun whirlwind of a day we had. Our first stop was the Abbott household where we met sweet Caroline and visit with Cameron (Jeremy's old boss), Kim, his wife and my friend, and Carley, the 2-year-old big sister. Caroline was so teeny but absolutely beautiful and we enjoyed holding her while she slept. Olivia and Carley got to each some lunch together, Mom's and Dad's caught up on all the news, and we all compared our Weight Watcher progress...way to go, Cam!! Keep up the good work.

Olivia loved baby Caroline and wanted to hold her "Hands, hands, hands," the whole time we were there. She cried when we had to put Caroline in her bassinett and is still saying "Caroline, bye, bye" a week after our visit.


The Abbott family.


Next, we ate lunch with baby Addison, the daughter of Heather and Shawn, our former Life! Group leaders. After filling up on pizza and salad at the Loop, we went back to their house, got to see all the improvements they've continued to make on their house over the last 9 months, and spent a little more time watching Addison as she peacefully slept.

Olivia was excited as well to meet Addison and very interested in pointing out all her facial features...here, we're taking notice of her beautiful eyes.


Addison sound asleep in her carseat.


Heather is proving to be a fantastic first-time mom.


Then we made our final stop at the Hockett home. Baby Grace was nursing when we first arrived so we had to wait patiently, but she was totally worth the wait. Olivia immediately went down for a nap after a crazy morning, so we got to meet Grace without Olivia trying to tackle/hug/kiss/cuddle her the entire time. And just as importantly, we got to spend some quality time with Danny and Erin, our friends from church. Then we all loaded up to do dinner at a little place I've forgotten the name of but just got more time to be together.

Lots of kisses for Grace.


Such a perfect blend of both her mommy and daddy.


Jeremy finally gets his chance to hold her.


What a beautiful family.


After all the babies were met, held, and assured of the Emert's love, we had to get back on the road to head home. It was a fun day. We were so glad that all the families configured their schedules to work with ours and that we had the pleasure to meet the babes we've been praying and waiting for! Thanks guys...now it's ya'lls turn to come to Florence...once babies are on schedule, yes, we know how that is!

3rd Annual Girls Weekend at the Beach

(I am such a goofball...for a month and a half, I thought I'd published this post when, in fact, I seemed to manage to have left it in the edit phase, somewhere along the way. So this post SHOULD be dated mid-July--sorry Causey girls!)


So, it's not just the "Girl's Weekend" anymore. I should alter my title, though for brevity's sake, I'll keep it as is. But we must note we've had to make an exception to our "no boys allowed" rule for little Matthew.

And the exception was well worth it. Just to recap for those who may not know, the Patterson family and the Causey family grew up in the same neighborhood. The Patterson's two youngest children, myself and my sister Whitney, were the same ages as the two Causey girls, Caron and Amy, and we were fast and forever friends. In fact, even after the Causeys moved to Roanoke during Caron and Courtney's tumultuous middle school years, Amy and Whitney ended up being college roommates at Wingate during their tumultuous basketball years. Our mothers are close friends and we've managed to maintain these significant relationships despite middle school drama, job changes, relocations, etc., etc.


So this year, last weekend in fact, we had our 3rd annual weekend together at the beach and had such a good time. Olivia and Matthew were really able to interact and play together and loved the attention shown by all moms, aunts, and grandmothers present...

Some lovin' from Aunt Amy...


(Future wife??) Olivia...


Sweet Mommy, Caron...


and Grandma Marcie!



Matthew had to endure some shopping with the girls at the outlets, but Aunt Amy and Aunt Whitney still managed to make it fun for the kiddos.



Olivia enjoyed hanging out and getting all gussied up with the girls. Amy bought her the sweetest outfit and she loved it (and so did Mommy). Thanks Aunt Amy!!








Mr. Matthew cleans up pretty well, himself.


Cool Aunt Whitney helped Olivia brush her own teeth and even let Olivia brush her aunts teeth, too!


Who knew laundry baskets made for an excellent form of transportation?


Olivia enjoying a Little River sunset.



We really just had a great time. Good conversation, opportunity to catch up on each other's lives, have fun and laugh playing games way past our bed times, and just enjoy being together. Thanks girls--and boy--for a great getaway. We love and cherish your friendships beyond words.

EDventure ADventure

How much fun is a girl allowed to have?? Apparently, there are no limits as we experienced Columbia's Edventure Children's Museum today with our friends Jessica, Parson, Lilah, Julie, Luke, Rebecca, Tallon, Jennie, and Carlisle. I mean, seriously, there were probably about 15 different rooms--maybe more--and each had a different theme like Africa, farm, construction site, gas station, backyard camping, bubbles, the body, soda shop, a dentist's office, a fire department, the moon...it was unbelievable. Olivia was overwhelmed and completely caught up in all the sites, sounds, and splendiforousness (probably not a word, but it is a good description of the day).


Luke and Tallon build tall towers with Rebecca's help.



Parson hanging out in the tent in the Backyard Room


Lilah and Tal playing the jimbye in Africa


Olivia's TV debut with the African dancers--she was so amazed to see herself she must have stood in that same position for about 10 minutes straight...future moviestar??


Planting some carrots and broccoli.


Selecting some can goods in the Grocery Store Room.


And doing some serious dental work...watch out Dr. Patterson. Your job just might be in jeopardy when Liv graduates from dental school in oh, let's say the year 2031


Julie and Luke getting an ice cream at the Soda Shop Room


Are Carlisle and Luke on a little date? Brian???


Olivia selecting only the very freshest of eggs on the farm.


Momma's--Jessica, Julie, and Jennie--taking a much needed break.


Carlisle and Olivia checking out the fire engine.


Cool boots, Carlisle.


Luke, Parson, and Tallon manage the construction site.


A seriously fun Mom you are, Mrs. Jennie.


Olivia and Mommy pause for a snapshot on the bike.


Olivia on safari.


Jennie, the official noodle collector/photographer for our two girls.



All the kids did so well as we stretched them to their limits by finishing off the excursion with lunch at California Dreamin'.

Carlisle has the ability to make an ordinary little bowl of ketchup super-extraordinarily delicious.


Tired moms, tired kids, good food.


I couldn't help but think while I was walking around this museum at how thankful I am that Olivia is able to participate in these kinds of experiences, how much her eyes are being opened to how many cool things there are to explore and figure out and how many opportunities she will hopefully have throughout her life to do and become and fulfill and pursue all her wildest dreams. I pray for her that God would even now be teaching and shaping her little self to be the child/girl/woman he wants her to be and become; that He would use her life and give her dreams and a purpose that is so grand that she knows that it is SO from Him and that she would one day chase after Him with all her heart and soul and strength. I know I've blogged this before, but I just can't get over how blessed I am to be able to do these things with her during my days. Not every day is such a grand adventure, but every day it is certainly super cool to be able to be with her and watch her continually grow and change. Thank you, thank you, thank you Lord. I am again aware, overwhelmed, and thankful for this gift of time with Olivia.

We finally made it home after a LOOOOOOONG morning out that spilled into and beyond naptime so after only a quick 10 minute cat nap on the trip back from Columbia, Olivia got a real nap and then we were off again to meet up with Rebecca and Tallon for a pizza/pool evening. Cool story about random acts of kindness...I had to go pick up the Little Caesar's pizza and had remembered my wallet but couldn't find my credit card once I got to the store to pick it up. Of course they had only recently discontinued accepting checks, so with Olivia on my hip, I apologized and walked out of the restaurant pizza-less. The lady who had been behind me in line stepped out the door as I was getting Olivia loaded back into her carseat to leave and motioned me back in...she was paying for my pizza. She stepped in before I could object so we walked back into Little Caesar's and when I began thanking the sweet woman, she said that actually she had tried to pay but that the cashier, instead, had said he'd take care of it...we'd get the pizza on the house. Now I know it was only a $5.40 pizza but to me that was beside the point. Olivia and I talked about it (okay I talked to Olivia), how we can do the same thing for other people, randomly/purposefully be kind, show them the love of Jesus. Once I got through, she just kept saying "Jesus, Jesus." It was a good night. A good day and a good night. Thank you Jesus. Give us opportunities to make other people's days a little better with your love.

Thanks to all the girls for such a wonderful time at Edventure. We missed all our friends who weren't able to make the trip...just means we'll have to do it again soon. Thanks for a wonderful trip there and for sharing your heart Jennie. I love Grace, too. Thanks Julie, Jessica, Rebecca and Jennie for eating goldfish that Olivia insistently wants to feed you from her own hands, for picking her up when she begs any mom to"Hold you, hold you," for picking up can after can after can as she chucks them out of her pretend shopping cart again, and again, and again. She is learning so much GOOD from being around each of you and your children. Thanks Rebecca for a fun easy night with tons of sliding, flying yogurt, and a little spit-up in the pool that's just between you and me...and Tal.