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.

Celebrating babies!

Wednesday night, our Bible study crew threw a little shower for the two families in the group who are the closest to having new baby girls. Now there are two more families expecting, both girls, but we have a little more time till they arrive. So for now, we just spent some time anticipating Evelyn and Josie's arrivals, playing games, laughing hysterically, sharing our own baby delivery stories, and of course EATING...a party just wouldn't be complete without the food!

And once again, Jeremy and I walk away from a night spent with terrific friends thinking, Whoa...is God good and gracious and faithful, or what? These folks are fantastic. Some we have gotten to know better than others but we are excited to get to know everyone even more, to learn each of their stories, and to let God use our pasts, presents, and futures together for his Kingdom! Each and every Momma, Daddy and baby...we already love and look forward to growing more closely together. Thanks for letting us spend time with you.

The guys race to see who drinks most efficiently from a bottle.


And the winner is...Brian Edwards!


Meanwhile, Jeremy practices the art of being a baby...eyes closed and all.


Lia blindly inspecting a rattle.


Jennie's safest item, by far--Tic Tac's.


All my beautiful friends--Lia, Julie, Kristin, Jennie, Erin, Rebecca, Rebecca, Heidi, and Aron.

Little River Beach Bums

I've always loved the beach. Although I have a terrible memory and typically struggle to remember most details of my childhood days, there are a few memories that I can recall quite vividly. And several of those involve the beach. We would go nearly every summer with another family, the Blackmons, who had three kids the same age as Brook, Whitney and me. I remember getting matching bathing suits with my friend Alice, building drizzle castles, lazily floating out in the waves on our boogie boards, going to the water parks and daring the tallest, curviest, swirliest slides; but most of all, and I know this is a little weird, I remember the smells--our Mom's Hawaiian Tropic suntan lotion, the salty air blowing through as we played underneath the pillars of the rented beachhouse, the smell of cotton candy and pretzels and the musty haunted house at the Myrtle Beach Pavilion. Man, I feel like I'm eight years old again--I wish!

And so all these things I want for Olivia to remember. Of course not my childhood, but her own. I want her to have fun, exciting memories--and if she has a poor memory like her mom, I hope that she--much like I do--has an overall sense of fun, enjoyment, happiness from her summer days. Melting ice cream, sand between each and every finger and toe, splishing and splashing away that hot sticky sun.

This past weekend was one for the memory bank. Even pictures can't do justice to the fun and joy we had at being with friends, building stronger relationships, seeing Olivia's smile and energy and eventual exhaustion after long days with her own best buds! We are so grateful for a place (thanks to my Mom and Dad) to be able GET away that is not so FAR away...but just far enough to let our worries and hectic lives and busy-ness go for the weekend.

Here are some shots from the trip!



The whole crew--The Severance, Edwards, and Emert families.




Olivia gets a lesson in bubble blowing from Mrs. Jennie.


Jeremy, Olivia, Stacey, and Abby enjoying the ocean before our long discussion later than night about sharks! Thanks Brian!


There's that joy I was talking about!


Beautiful mommies and babies!


The guys getting some frisbee time.



Thank goodness for big buckets, plenty of shovels, and endless amounts of sand.



Carlisle with a beachy smile!



Moms and Dads entertain the kids with a puppet show.



Who's hungry?

Abby goes exploring.

Good times at the beach! What a great weekend. Hopefully only the first of many, many more!