First Haircut

Friday night we hung out with our friends, the Hinson's. Deborah was a hair stylist before becoming a stay-at-home mom, so we'd been planning all along for her to cut Caroline's hair for the first time. I've been saying she needed a cut for about 6 months, but I always talked myself out of it. It had started to bother her and she was always pushing it out of her face, and since her daddy had affectionately nicknamed her "shaggy" I finally gave in.



This is the before shot. She had a bit of a mullet. Her hair is curly in the back, but it was actually pretty long. When it was wet, it was much longer than it looked like. So, it had become a bit mullet like.





She did not like having her hair cut, although she didn't cry. She just kept turning her head to get away from the scissors and she was very wiggly. Deborah would comb her hair down to cut it and she would push it back. We finally got it done though!



It looks basically the same, just evened up and not so shaggy. Her curls are still in tact, in fact, I think her hair it a bit curlier now. All in all, not the horrible, emotional experience I was expecting. I know it helped that Deborah was the one cutting it---we laughed and had a good time.

I guess it's too much to ask that her hair remain cute and baby like forever? She's growing up so fast!

At Play

Is this better Oma? More blogging for you! I've been reprimanded by my MIL that I need to blog more. I was in complete denial because she pointed out I had only blogged once in June and I was like, "No, I blogged more than that!" But, alas, she was right. I'm glad our family can get on here and read about our life---it's easier than having to send out mass emails! :) Plus, Oma prints out the blogs and shares them with Aaron's grandmother, who seems to really enjoy reading about us, so that's sweet!

On the way to Loudon for my cousin's wedding, we stopped at a McDonald's and ate outside so Caroline could run around and play in the play yard. She had never been on a restaurant playground before. I've always felt a little wary of them, but she had been in the car for a long time and needed to stretch her legs.


It's hard to tell, but she's been splashing in a small puddle. I think you can see the puddle in the first picture. Yes, this small puddle resulted in a change of clothes for her...she SOAKED herself!


Is she going to go in?



Yep! She had a blast playing out there!

Wedding Weekend

Last weekend we had to weddings to attend, in two different cities, neither of which we live in. Caroline and I were in my cousin Lisa's wedding on Friday night. I was the matron of honor and Caroline was the flower girl. I was concerned about her actually making it down the isle, but she did a great job for the most part. I think she would have gone the whole way down holding the ring bearers hand (she loved that sweet little boy!), but she decided to dump out all the flowers from her basket really early on in the walk. She let go of his hand to clean up her mess, and while she was picking up all the flowers, he went on down without her! Anyway, I was able to hold her hand and we walked down together. We made it about halfway and then she realized everyone was looking at her and wanted me to hold her, so I did. It was sweet though. Once we got to the front, she just sat with her daddy.

Caroline wore a pillowcase dress that I made for her. I felt soooo crafty doing this! It look me 2 hours, but I was really happy with the finished project! I'm planning to make more! :)

She loved playing on this vent. She liked the air---there were several comments made about her being a little Marilyn Monroe. I wasn't loving the comparison, but she did seem to enjoy the air blowing her skirt.

On Saturday we went to another wedding, although this time, none of us were in the wedding, which we were happy about. Aaron's cousin, Stephen got married Saturday evening. Caroline did pretty good, considering all the traveling and all the having to sit still a lot.

Here are Caroline and her cousin, Annalise...aren't they adorable? (Just a fun reminder, they were born on the same day!)

All in all, a fun, but tiring weekend. I'm glad we're home now and don't have any more trips planned for a while. I really enjoy traveling and spending time with family and friends, but it is so much harder with a little one! I always feel like I'm bringing the entire house with me!

Hope your families are keeping cool this summer and having a great one!

Ode to a Friend

We moved to our area four years ago. (Can y'all believe it's been that long??) I was lonely and sad a lot of the time. Luckily the women of the church took me under their wing and gave me more love and friendship than I ever could have imagined. I left a hometown of wonderful, loving friends, most of whom had been with me my entire life. I love those friends dearly, and they each hold a place in my heart no one else will ever fill. Today though, I would like to give a shout out to a friend who didn't have to be my friend, who didn't have to love me, but she did.

My good friend Vicki is celebrating her 40th birthday today. Vicki is a woman of amazing strength and faith. I look to her more than she knows as my example of a wife, mother, teacher, and friend.

When her husband looks at her, you can see his love radiating from his face. He knows he is blessed beyond measure to have her and it shows in every smile or wink he passes her way. Aaron and I have talked many times about how we hope others can see our love for one another in the way Tim and Vicki show their love for one another. We know we have a long way to go, but their example speaks to us each time we're with them and we hope it's rubbing off.

Vicki is raising two beautiful daughters. Bethany and Anna Rebecca are beautiful inside and out and I am so thankful Caroline has them to look up to. Vicki has been such an inspiration to me as we're raising our own daughter. Vicki has had struggles in her time as a mother...both her daughters were born with hearing loss. You would never know trials had come into the lives of this family, because all you see is joy. She is doing all she can to help her daughters, and in her eyes you see the love and strength she has for them reflected there. When I faced the trials of a birth defect with Caroline, Vicki was someone I called on a lot for just a ear to listen, and listen she did. I don't think I would have made it through without her love, support, and prayers.

Vicki has been a friend to me despite our age difference. She loves me and is there for me, and although the occasional joke is made, she never makes me feel insignificant or too young. She loves me for me. She has helped me see so many things in new lights, and has been there for me during personal struggles. She has read letters I was scared to send and encouraged me to send them. She has opened my world to new authors who have strengthened my faith.

I could go on and on. On this day, one of the "biggest" birthdays of her life, I implore you to take a moment and visit her blog so you can see for yourself what a wonderful woman she is. Oh, and while you're there, wish her a happy birthday!

I love you Vicki!