Happy Friday to everyone! I don't know where you are, but here it poured buckets of rain all day long yesterday. I'm sure my garden and flowers are much happier now! After many requests and much deliberation, I decided to give four weeks of swimming lessons this summer. I had decided not to give any, until an adorable little girl came up to me at the end of school and excitedly said, "Miss Hannah, my mommy said you are gong to give me swimming lessons!" Let's just say I'm a sucker for blonds with blue eyes. Today wraps up week one of lessons. Sadly, the rain cancelled all of the yesterday, but it was a blessing in disguise because I needed time to pack! Last weekend I began to gather clothes for our vacation-only yesterday did I actually start the packing process. Below are some of the things that I have gotten together. This is my first collage from Polyvore, so it's not very snazzy. I've got a feeling I'm going to have a lot of fun learning how to use that site! (I've deleted and imported and liked and everything else at least for 40 minutes and the picture below will not go back to being centered!)

I think I will go make myself a latte.

Then finish packing for our vacation!

Rainy Thursday

Though it is raining today....

I will be on the beach in three days!

4 Days To Go!!!

As of Friday night, Bryan and I will officially be on vacation! Friday and Saturday night we are going to stay with some good friends and see their newly built house. On Sunday we will all head to the beach! Not that I'm in need of much sun (by Friday I will have been in a pool 40 hours this week), but I cannot wait to bask in it! In anticipation of getting ready for the beach, I thought I would post some of my favorite suits from Anthropologie. Enjoy!

A Phone Call Away

If Alexander Graham Bell were to wake up for a day and see the technological advances that have come from his simple invention in 1876, he would be shockingly blown away. Do you remember when life was simple? You got in your car, shopped all day, then returned home to listen to the answering machine. There were no drivers that sat through a green light because of a phone call that caused them to zone out. Laws about texting while driving were nonexistent. A person ate a whole meal without looking at a text or email. I know that this is beginning to sound like a tirade about phones. But, it is completely the opposite. I am extremely thankful for telephones, in spite of all their faults. Nothing revives the heart more than a long conversation with a good friend. My friends are scattered all over and I am grateful that we can communicate via the phone. Skype is amazing technology that allows me to see my parents every day thanks to the phone/web! I love picking up the phone to call my husband at work just to see what he is doing. No matter the ups and downs of phones, they have opened up a whole new world for us. Just keep in mind that there is proper phone etiquette. Sometimes at our house we have a review of Phone 101. I hope everyone has a wonderful day--pick up the phone and call a friend!

Oh Happy Day!

Happy Birthday to my incredible Mother--CA! I have been so blessed to grow up with the most wonderful mother in the whole world. Long before I was even born she began to pray for me. In November of 1983 she became a mother. She still continues to pray for me daily, and is the most avid prayer warrior for the Lord that I have ever known. There is not a mean bone in her body, her heart is tender and compassionate, and all of her words are genuine. CA is an amazing example of a Godly wife--my father is a very lucky man! She has never met a stranger and always knows how to make everyone feel welcome. She is the greatest role model I have in my life. I am so fortunate to have CA as my mother! Love you Mom!

It's Thursday Again

In addition to diamonds being a girl's best friend, shoes are tied with handbags for a pretty close second. On this sunny pink and green Thursday, I give you some shoes to browse, starting with a look inside Barbie's closet!

Happy 90th!!!

Today is my Grandma's 90th birthday! Words cannot describe how wonderful this amazing woman is, and the impact that she has made on my life. She and my grandfather are the most tender-hearted, gracious, selfless, giving, loving people that I have ever known. At Grandma's spry age of 90, she still watches sports (and can tell you the daily recap of whatever games were on the night before), goes to church, Bible Study, and travels all over the United States. On this special day that we honor those who have served our country well, I am thankful for my Grandma, who was once a young army nurse and served our country and men of war. I hope everyone has a blessed Memorial Day!