Terry's Dad

Terry's dad passed away last Friday. We will miss him so much. I could never put into words what a good man he was. We love him so much. Madeline is trying to process all of it the best she knows how. We were honest with her about everything and she got to see him in the hospital and give him a kiss and tell him goodbye. We all got that chance to tell him everything we wanted him to know. God was so gracious to us during all of this. Terry and Natalie were with him until he died and he never suffered. Family and friends helped with so many things, and God's goodness showed all around us. 

We got to go through pictures and found some really good ones...Mr. Terry ALWAYS had the best hair! 

And look at him with Terry - the sweetest picture! 

I have to say that my sweet Terry has been through so much the past two years. His faith has never wavered. He has had so much on him the past couple of weeks, and he has handled it with such grace.  

Weekend Update: Birthday Surprise Edition

I surprised Terry with tickets to the Florida State game this weekend for his birthday. They played Texas State so it wasn't really a big game, but it was opening weekend so I figured it would still be fun. We had a blast!!!

We left around noon Saturday - Madeline could barely contain her excitement. ;) 

We stopped at my favorite gas station - my grandparents used to take us on a big trip each summer and they loved Love's. Sweet memories! 

We got to Tallahassee around 4pm but they're an hour later so it really wasn't a bad drive. 

The old capital building. I LOVE the mossy giant trees. 

We checked into our hotel and Madeline was pumped that we had a whirlpool tub....

and this awesome phone. It's so weird to me that she has never seen a phone like this except in hotels! haha She called Nana and Big Papi to tell them we were going to the game. 

Our view driving to the game - the capital building. 

Then we turned...uh-oh. 

We made it to the stadium pretty quick - we took a taxi because it was the same price as parking and we didn't want the hassle of finding public parking and walking. Madeline thought it was the best thing ever. 

This is how they were the whole time we were there - so cute! 

We made it to our seats and it was lightning so there was a 70 minute game delay.  Seventy minutes is like eternity when you're four. So we practiced cheers, selfies, and before we knew it, it was game time! We look a little rough but in our defense it POURED on us - no ponchos, no umbrellas, nada. We just sat there because we're hardcore! :) 

Somebody was beside herself with excitement! 

Our seats were a little high up but we had a really good view of the field. 

Warming up...

Half-time! 

There were a couple of baton girls who were struggling during the half-time show. One girl in particular dropped hers at least 5 times. I mean its the first game and I can't imagine how nervous they were, but then they lit them on FIRE and I was scared for their safety. haha 

Intense...

Madeline made it all the way through the game until about 2 minutes into the 4th quarter. She woke up for the fireworks show though and the ride home. 

We were right under the fireworks - it was seriously better than the 4th of July. It was impressive! 

My love - so thankful for him! 

We made it back to our room around 1:30am - the taxi idea was great for getting to the game but getting home, not so much. We waited forever for a cab. I think we were all asleep by 2:30. 

We checked out and headed home around 11. We stopped at Cracker Barrel to eat and played the Jelly Belly game on the way home. We do it every time we travel - it's like the unofficial version of Bean Boozled. I won! 

It was the best weekend - so thankful for my sweet Terry!

*Disclaimer*
I did not wear FSU gear and I got regular updates on the Bama game from my Dad. Roll Tide! :) 

Weekend Recap

We had a pretty low key weekend. 

My dad had his gall bladder out on Friday and did great. It was a huge answer to prayer given all the complications he had from his last surgery. God is good! 

Madeline and I went to the beach after school Friday. She really doesn't like getting up and going to school every day, especially on the days I take her. It kills her that I am home and she has to go to school without me. Honestly, it kills me too. She has already learned so much though and we're trying to get her excited about school. She likes it once she's there, but the getting up and going is tough for her.

The beach was so pretty and so calm, but there was this giant line of seaweed in the water. 

And these crazy things were swimming all in it. I have lived here most of my life and never seen anything like them. SO my curiosity got the best of me and I fished one out of the water. 

I think they're snails??? My extensive 10 second google image search revealed some sort of sea slug maybe. They were weird though and with all the flesh eating this and warm water death virus that, we stayed out of the water. Plus there were a lot of jelly fish. Total bummer. 

We practiced our letters in the sand though. 

Our city park is just before the bridge to the beach and there's a small splash pad there. We haven't been because it's pretty small and its crazy crowded in the summer. But there was nobody there so we stopped. I think Madeline hated it. ;) 

Our town only has one high school, and they put up these posters of all the football players in the median. I got all warm and fuzzy thinking about Friday Night Lights and the joy of a small town. We're gonna have to go to some football games this year! 

I promise I was stopped at a red light. 

Madeline also spent some quality time dressing up her puppy. She LOVES this dog, and she is always changing her clothes and accessories - see the tiara? 

She also loves to take selfies on my phone...I don't have the heart to delete them. 

Terry was feeling pretty crappy Saturday and today he's full blown, going to the dr tomorrow sick. So Madeline and I entertained ourselves in the pool. We talked all about antonyms and synonyms. She is SO smart....she really amazes me. She did so good with it.  Although, when I asked her the antonym of hard, she said, "not hard". haha 

She is dying to do gymnastics or ballet and is always doing something like this. Future cheerleader, maybe? 

It was a good weekend! 

Weekend Update

We had a good weekend! Friday we laid pretty low...I was feeling a lot better but not quite 100%.

Saturday we cleaned house - well, I cleaned inside and Terry worked outside. Terry really has done such a good job with the yard - he works as hard outside as I do inside. Then we loaded up went to lunch, the grocery store, and the car wash. Madeline helped Terry wash his car. 

We came home and made Jell-O Jigglers! Madeline is obsessed now - she thinks they're the coolest thing ever. They're minions. 

Saturday afternoon/night my best friend from high school and her family came over - y'all we go WAY back. I was her maid of honor, she was my matron of honor.  I am so thankful to be such good friends all these years later. We're the kind of friends that can go 6 months without talking and pick right back up. Now that we live close, we get to hang out a lot more. 

Her husband's birthday is today, so yesterday we HAD to get some party supplies. We grilled steaks and had cheesecake for dessert. We played lots of board games and laughed SO hard. It was the best night! 

I was trying to get my party hat in the picture...it was on top of my bun. #mybighead

We spent some good quality time as a family today. Terry and I played Jenga - I lost. Then he set up dominos for Madeline - she loved it. We played Candy Land and Minnie Mouse matching with Madeline. She may have tried to cheat once or twice. ;) 

Terry's dad and aunt came over this afternoon for dinner and swimming. Madeline decided she wanted to climb this tree. She would climb up about 3 feet and then jump out. Then she got a big scratch on her arm about the 5th time she did it and decided she was done. We tried to tell her barefoot in your bathing suit isn't exactly ideal for tree climbing! 

She's so proud of herself! 

Two of my favorite guys in the pool! 

FInally, Terry found this app where you can make yourself into any Disney character - it's hilarious. Of course, this is Madeline's favorite! 

It was a great weekend...looking forward to a great week! 

First Week

Madeline had a great first week! She is not a big fan of going to school every day but she does have a good time once she's there. Her teacher gave her this cute little gift today. Madeline told me it says, "First day of school. Somebody in Texas loves you." haha 

We're still working on those reading skills! 

This week wasn't pretty but we survived. I have been SO sick. I went back to work finally Thursday and they sent me home early and asked me not to come back until Monday. :) I felt kinda human today and am hoping for a good weekend! 

Happy Friday! 

First Day of Pre-K

Pre-K Interview 

1. What's your favorite color? Red and blue cause they make purple
2. Whats your favorite animal? Flamingo 
3. What's your favorite movie? Sleeping Beauty because I haven't seen it 
4. What's your favorite thing to do? Swimming 
5. What do you want to be when you grow up? A cat, a swimming pool, and an accountant (lofty goals :) )
6. What's your favorite food? chocolate 
7. What's your favorite song? Let It Go and Shut Up and Dance with Me 

Those are all the questions I could think of on the way to school! I love her answer to #5...

I tried to make this morning special...I made pancakes and hot chocolate - back to school tradition started. 

You were impressed :)  I just love your little face! 

I choked back the tears when you walked up to your class. I am so proud of you! 

Just like that, the first day of Pre-K is here. 

You are gonna do great!