Just what I needed

I love spending weekends in Columbia. I love waking up in our bed on Saturday, on my own time, no alarm, no set plans, no schedule, coffee brewing and reading the local news online. This weekend was just that. Friday evening, after a successful day working in Greenville in the morning and a wonderful afternoon with my besties seeing babies, Charlie and I ended the evening at one of our favorites, Basil. It was a late dinner since I was in Greenville until 6.

Saturday morning Charlie and I enjoyed a long walk around our neighborhood, Forest Acres. Every time we go for a walk we always find a new road to venture down, marveling at the houses and yards, I love this neighborhood. It's so quiet, and very little traffic. After our walk we made our way to the newest brunch spot in town, Eggs Up Grill. The food was delicious, despite a slow kitchen - as I think they are still trying to figure everything out. We look forward to going back!

Charlie made his way to Charleston on Saturday afternoon to visit a few of his close guy friends to watch the Clemson/FSU game. I enjoyed an afternoon of working in the yard and hosting a baby Happy Hour with Landrum, Mack and Ejoye. It was a perfect! After our baby happy hour, I watched the game with the Weathers!

Sunday, Charlie and I went to the Greek Festival and worked in our backyard! We are FINALLY getting our back yard under control. Since purchasing our house, almost two years ago, much of our time has been spent working in the front yard to get it "presentable."  Now that it's too our liking, we started working on the backyard! Stay tuned for pics!

Afternoon with Baby Mack Knight

Love loving on little babies

Eje's turn!

 

Mama with her little one

Happy Hour goodies

A little fall decor

Watching the game with the Joye's & Weathers

 

Ran into our friends, the Christenberry's at the Greek Festival

Sweet Friendship

Phew #juststarted

 

Lots of work, #muchmoretodo

 

 

 

 

 

Kickstart the Weekend

Yesterday, was a very special day for us besties. Lizzie, Lauren, Landrum, Ali D, Ali C, Kate and me all enjoyed an afternoon together with our precious little ones. When I say "our" no, I do not have any children, but these little babies are all ours because we are their aunts!

I met Caroline Lylte Bowe and Elaine Grace Barber for first time yesterday. Caroline was exactly 1 month old, and looks exactly like her daddy. She has Lizzie's beautiful eyes, and was so sweet to hold. Lainey, was exactly 6 days old, and I enjoyed an afternoon with her by myself for a few hours before the other girls got there. I learned so much about newborns in the first 2 hours I was there. I am so happy for the two new additions to the group! I am so thankful they are healthy and their mamas are doing great.

We also celebrated Kent's 30th birthday, as I know this is by far his best birthday! Happy Birthday Kent, and welcome to the world, Lainey!

Early afternoon snuggles

Happy 30th Kent

Lainey & Lainey

Close up

Girls with our girls... we are just missing sweet Baby Mack and Ejoye!

 

 

 

 

 

Elaine Grace Barber - September 13, 7:59pm

One of my dearest and most genuine friends had her first baby on Saturday evening. I loved waking up to her text on Saturday morning at 5:50am saying she was at the hospital.

I waited all day, with much anticipation, on her arrival. I literally had my phone with me ALL day! The text finally came through a little after 8pm, and the precious angel weighed 7lbs 11oz. Elaine Grace Barber is her name, but "Lainey," is what she will go by.

Lainey, we have prayed and enjoyed watching you grow over the last 9 months. You are an angel, and are so very blessed to be born into the family God has chosen for you. Your parents are Godly, humble, and so very caring. Charlie and I look forward to being apart of your life. We love you so much.

Anna Banana Turns 7

I can't believe Anna is turning 7 on September 26th! She is a very special little girl, and I knew it the moment I met her 5 years ago. She wasn't quite 2 when I met her, but she was running around in August of 2009 in her diaper, wearing a Santa Hat at her LaLa's, aka, Polly Mimms. (I will never forget this moment)

Anna is brilliant, patient, sensitive, loving and very competitive. She loves her family, and I think she loves her Uncle Charlie and Aunt Mel. :) She always wants to sit in between us at restaurants, and enjoys riding with us in our car wherever we are going. She engages in our adult conversations, so you must always pay attention to what you are saying!

I have enjoyed watching her grow into a little girl. She always make me smile when I see her, and she always welcomes me with a big hug.

Charlie, LaLa, and I "surprised" Anna this weekend with an early birthday visit on Friday evening. We left Cola town after work, and made it to Chapel Hill around 9pm.  Anna was so surprised to see us knocking at the door, and quickly changed her mood from being exhausted to being overly excited. We had a wonderful weekend celebrating the birthday girl, as I look forward to watching her continue to grow into a beautiful, caring young lady. We love you, Anna Banana.

Anna's Soccer Game on Saturday morning

Before dinner Saturday night

The Stoddards

Enjoying the Japanese Restaurant!

Toland loved the birthday cake

 

 

 

 

Where were you?

I remember 9/11 very well. I was a sophomore at Mooresville High School in Mooresville, N.C.  I was walking down the hallway to my 2nd period class, and I remember a classmate of mine, Timothy Wilson, telling me a plane had struck one of the Twin Towers in New York City. I immediately rushed to my 2nd period. My heart sank, as I was unsure of where my Aunt Kathy was. At the time, she was an agent with the Secret Service, and I remember my Dad telling me the week before that she was in NYC for work. I had no clue if she was there or back in DC. I soon found out she was back in DC, but learned that a 3rd plane had struck the pentagon.

To this day, I have read almost every article there is to read about 9/11. I have watched countless movies on 9/11 and recently, when in DC this past summer, I toured the Newseum observing the 9/11 exhibit.

Charlie and I have talked about going to NYC sometime next year, and first on my list is to witness the 9/11 memorial. What a horrific day, and on this 13th anniversary, the world continues to fight religion, governments, and terrorist.


This morning, I pray that God will continue to bless the USA, other countries and this world. The older I get, the more I see that family, friends and how we spend our time are all that matter. I hope this world never sees another world war, I hope my children can live in a world of peace, and I pray for every family affected by the terrible tragedy.

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Labor Day

I had the best time with my family over Labor Day Weekend. I was the "only child" for the weekend, well kinda. My brother was there, but Charlie didn't come with me because he spent the weekend in Athens and then went dove hunting. I always enjoy visiting my family and love when Charlie comes, but it was even extra special because I got all the attention from my parents! :) (sorry Charlie!)

I had made arrangements to have a lunch appointment in Charlotte on Friday, so after my lunch appointment I headed straight to my granny's for a little R&R. I love visiting with her and catching up. We both like to talk, so I often find myself over there for hours on end and because my Papaw makes the best baked goods. Cookies, homemade ice-cream, candies, chocolate no bake cookies, the list goes on and on....

After a fun visit with my grandparents, I met my parents at the lake for an afternoon boat ride. The weather was splendid, and just the 4 of us, (like old times) enjoyed an afternoon together. Barb and I always hold down the front, while Adam and Big Rick drive us Daisy's around the lake. Friday evening Mom, Dad, and I went to Tender's, Dad's favorite Fried Chicken Restaurant, followed by two scoops of Carolina Cones - a old favorite.

Saturday, I was up bright and early for a pedicure with Mom and a shopping trip to Ulta. Thanks Mom, for the goodies! For lunch, I met KK and CC at their house, and enjoyed an afternoon boat ride with the fam. Mom hosted the best Low Country Boil I have ever had, and after a fun evening of fellowship, we finally made it to bed at midnight. What an exhausting day of sun and family.

Sunday, after church, Granny hosted us at her house for lunch. Sunday afternoon the entire family spent 9 hours on the dock just swimming and catching up. I think we finally decided to eat dinner on Sunday evening around 9, which called for a good reason to order Brooklyn Boys Pizza!

Friday afternoon boatride

Dad and I at Carolina Cones, an old Favorite

Mom and I Saturday afternoon

Dad with Cheston (Cheston is 3, and Adam's close friends, son)

Josh, Cheston and Leslie

Had to get this photo of Adam holding Cheston

Leslie & Lauren

Saturday evening, Low Country Boil

Yum!

Selfie with the besties

Happy in Highlands

I always have an amazing time when I go to highlands with Ali & Joe. The Weathers and Charlie and I went the weekend of August 23rd. The weather in Columbia had even cooled off several days before we left, so I knew the weather would be perfect in the mountains.

Typically our trip to Highlands will always include a spa day at Old Edwards, but we decided as a group to do something a little different and enjoy the outdoors! Saturday morning after coffee and breakfast casserole, the 6 of us set out to accomplish a 4 mile hike. Charlie led the way with all 3 dogs in tow, and after 2 hours of enjoying the outdoors we made it to the top! What a splendid view!

Saturday afternoon, we enjoyed a late lunch at Wild Thyme in downtown Highlands, a group fave. I had a salad with crab cakes and enjoyed a glass of vino! After lunch we hit up the infamous Ugly Dog Pub, a must in Highlands. After our afternoon in downtown, we went back to the house to get ready for our dinner at Madison's, at Old Edwards. As always, I  have an amazing time in Highlands, must needed R&R, delicious food, and great bestie bonding.

We even had a special treat on Sunday.... a lunch date with the soon to be parents, Lauren & Kent at Liberty. I am counting down the months till we go back to Highlands for Girls Weekend in January.

Happy in Highlands is what I will always be!

4 mile hike

 

Old Edwards for Dinner

Whole Crew

My friend, Summer

Most of you who read this have not met my friend Summer. She is ten, and she and I met several years ago through Big Brothers Big Sisters. When she and I first met, she was six and so very shy. Summer barely spoke when I would ask her a question, and often shied away when I would smile at her. (Not the case today - as she is 100 miles an hour ALL the time!) After a year of being my friend, Summer and her Mom moved away. I was devastated, and quite frankly I was a little upset with myself for getting so attached. They moved to a rural town outside of Columbia about 45 minutes away, as I made the drive several times to visit, I could not commit to continue being her "big" because the drive there and back was just too far.  So we separated ways several years ago, but not a day goes by that I do not think of her.

Recently, on a Tuesday afternoon, I left my office for lunch to run errands (as I usually never have time for personal errands during lunch). As I was driving through downtown, I saw a precious little girl and her mother walking on the side of the road to catch the bus. Lo and behold I noticed it was Summer and her Mom. I could not stop the car fast enough to keep them from getting on the bus. When they realized it was crazy me flagging them down, I pulled over into a parking lot and literally almost cried.

They moved back to Columbia nearly a year ago and between our last visit together we both had changed cell phone numbers. Donna, Summer's Mother, told me she had tried several times to call me, and even contacted BBBS to get my number (no luck). Months of thinking and praying for them, I call it divine intervention that we "ran" into each other on the side of the road. 

After exchanging numbers, I called the next day to set up a time for us to get together. My Mama, as she is way too generous, helped get Summer ready for school! Pics below of our day together shopping and having fun! Thank you Barb girl for ALL the help!!

Summer & Mel Selfie

 

She's ready for school!!