Like a Fish to Water

Please keep in mind as you watch this, that this is the same child who would not even put her face in the water two months ago. Once she got over the face-in-water-fear, she took to swimming, well, like a fish to water. She did her first canonball today...check her out!

P.S. Liam is saying "get my spideyman kickboard!"

Geez!

Geez, it has been a long time since I've blogged! We have been so busy this summer, I have barely had time to breathe (at least it seems that way). So, here is the last month in review...

We went to the beach (we, being 4 moms and 7 kids...all 5 and younger). Took tons of pictures, but in the interest of keeping this from being unbearably long, I am just posting my favorite. Annah and Liam are growing up so darn fast. I took a picture of them on this same boat last year and I can't believe the difference a year has made!

We started potty-training with Liam. He is doing great as long as he is naked, he hasn't had a single accident in a month. Unfortunately, if he has any clothes on, it is all over. Trying to figure out how to make the connection to potty-training when dressed (I am pretty sure his teachers will appreciate that once school starts)

Then to the lake for the 4th of July. The cousins were all there and we had so much fun! Lots of boat rides and fireworks (much to Belle's disapproval).

We came home from the lake ready to rest for a few days. In the meantime, Annah teaches Liam how to play dress-up. I am pretty sure Will is going to hate that I put this picture on here, but I am also pretty sure Liam will hate it more (once he realizes how funny it is). I will say though, he makes a pretty cute girl!

Out of nowhere, Liam starts running a fever (like really high--105/106). We go to the doctor, who suspects he has mono, but sends us home. The next day, Liam had not had anything to eat or drink in 24 hours b/c his throat was so sore (his fever was so high it blistered the inside of his throat). He wasn't making tears and hadn't had a wet diaper in more than a day. I took him to the pediatric after hours place and they took one look at him and put him right in the hospital. Let me say this, it was awful, but it could have been so much worse. They kept him overnight to get some fluids in him and manage his pain. If this next picture doesn't break your heart, I just don't know what will...

Then, we head back to the beach. This time, Will comes along as well as our good friends Suzanne and Drew and their little girl, Jillian. Annah and Liam loved being the "big kids" and we enjoyed some quiet time (not sure Suzanne and Drew thought it was so quiet...Liam is the total opposite of Jillian--she is chill, he is chaos--she is peaceful, he is loud--you get the idea). At any rate, they were both so sweet with her and "helped" a lot!

The End

(or The Beginning, depending on how you look at it)

The Real Question is...

...will the Olympics and the Masters conflict with each other?

Not sure I could choose which of my star athletes to go see :) 

Holy Smokes

There is a great little hole-in-the-wall bar-b-que restaurant in Blythewood we have been going to recently. It is called Smokes and they have live music, a place for the kids to play, and a place for the adults to sit down, hang out, and have a beer (or several). We have really enjoyed it and hope to have more friends join in the fun!

I love this group of pictures (even though I am having trouble getting them in the order I want). They look like such big girls here!

Just the Six of Us

We can make it if we try, just the six of us...

Some say (myself included) that the true test of friendship is the ability to not see each other for weeks, months, even years, but still pick up where you left off and never miss a beat. I have said it before, and I will say it again, I am so very blessed to have the friends that I do. While some of these girls, I talk to every day, others I speak to weekly, and still others I might go years without seeing. That said, I love them all dearly and I know that we will always remain close.

 

This is the last time I had a picture of all of us.

The Carolina Cup circa 1999

and now today

Caroline's wedding June 2010

I Hope You Dance

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder

You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger

May you never take one single breath for granted

God forbid love ever leave you empty handed

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean

Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens

Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the chance to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance...I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in your distance

Never settle for the path of least resistance

Livin' might mean takin' chances but they're worth takin'

Lovin' might be a mistake but it's worth makin'

Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter

When you come close to sellin' out reconsider

Give the heavens above more than just a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance...I hope you dance

I hope you dance...I hope you dance

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean

Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens

Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

Dance...I hope you dance

I hope you dance...I hope you dance

I hope you dance...I hope you dance

May I Present, Mr and Mrs James Billings

So I realized after I titled this post that I managed not to upload a single picture of Mr and Mrs Billings...Let me just say that I have heard the expression before that if you are lucky enough to have one good friend, you are truly lucky. Well, maybe I should start buying lottery tickets because I may be the luckiest person in the world. I feel so blessed to have such an exceptional group of friends, and even more impressive is that most of my dearest friends have been friends since before we could even drive! One of these life-long friends tied the knot this weekend and I could not be happier for Carolyne and James. There are not two nicer people in this world and they deserve every bit of happiness that I know is coming there way. Here are a few pictures of the big day, and Carolyne and James, here's to you!