Catch up!!!

So I've seriously been meaning to blog for a month and a half now. Here's a quick catch-up. We went to the lake for a couple of weekends but I never even got my camera out. You're just going to have to trust me that Rylee had a super fun time with all of her cousins. We've also been enjoying time in the pool but I don't ever seem to remember to take pics. Whitney always has her camera with her and so I let her take them and then she NEVER sends them to me! (hint, hint!)

Here she is enjoying a homemade popsicle. I remember my mom making them for me as a little girl and I couldn't resist. They beat the store bought kind any day!!!

Doing another favorite activity....watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. FOCUSED!!!


My parents celebrated 50 years of marriage this past week and the weekend before we threw an intimate family dinner for them. We presented them with a trip for 4 to Branson (they don't need anything and Branson is a pretty close drive). You can tell by the look on their faces that Mom was excited and my dad not so much. He never likes to be away from home. We'll see if they actually go!!!


Rylee enjoying spending time with Uncle Jeff.

Here's the funny cake story- I went to order the cake and told them I didn't want it too cutesy. I also told them I didn't want it completely covered with flowers either- maybe just a few "blooms". Obviously the girl thought that I meant "balloons" not "blooms". I guess she didn't know that although I have slipped back into my real Southern accent somewhat, I'm an SLP and would never shorten a two syllable word into one syllable!!!

Random funny picture..... She's such a ham!

We're still reeling from the loss of Morgan. I miss her and think about her everyday multiple times a day. I caught Rylee last night before church doing this. I was in the kitchen and the camera happened to be on the bar. I keep Morgan's latest school picture in a frame on this side table and every once in a while she will just randomly run over there and pick it up and kiss it. She doesn't kiss any of the other pictures. I knew when she headed that way what she was doing and although it kills me to see her do this I also want to keep Morgan's memory alive so she will always know her cousin in some way. She definitely misses her a ton also! We can't wait to see her again one day!Here she is kissing it. Breaks my heart!!! Please continue to pray for my entire family!

Memorial Day and More

Rylee's crib (or should I say Whitney's crib from 20 years ago!) recently started to have a problem spot and I was scared it was about to break so I decided to get her a toddler bed. She loves it during the day but then gets a little scared at night. The past three nights have been an adventure to say the least but she is doing much better in it! I can't believe how fast she is growing up!!!

Big girl

"Ry-Ry's bed" (She calls herself Ry-Ry and Peyton is Pey-Pey)

We all gathered at my grandparents' house for Memorial Day since we were rained out from our yearly camping weekend. It was very bittersweet. It seems that we as a family have been "yearning" to spend more time together however it is so hard because it is so evident that a piece of our hearts is absent (at least absent from here on earth with us- we know where she is!).

Rylee riding the 4 wheeler with Gingy.

Dancing with Kim
Tired out- and loving on Nana.

Watching TV at home sporting the pigtail/dogear look

She brought me the camera and said "cheese" so I obliged!

Thought I should update......

Even though I don't really feel like doing much of anything productive these days! Oh well- at least I've remembered to take a few pictures here and there!

I just liked the look on her face (the I want something so I'm being sweet look) and her eyes in this picture.

Cole had just left Nana's and had been blowing bubbles with his gum so this is Rylee's attempt at telling Nana she wanted a piece of gum. It took us a minute to figure out what she was doing. She kept going to the shelf where the gum is kept and when we figured it out we just busted out laughing.

"Talking" to Aunt Sandy on the phone while lying on the bed with Gingy.

It looks like she is missing a sombrero in this pic. The dress was only $6 at Walmart so I got it for summer- I just didn't realize how it looked like it belongs in Mexico. Oh well, I still like it.

She's been very interested in the potty lately- and not doing too bad of a job- but this is what she was most interested in doing the other day. Silly girl!

And finally- I told her I wanted a picture of her new outfit that Aunt Sandy got her so she proceeded to climb on top of her truck and pose while never taking her eyes off of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

Please still be praying for my family. Mother's Day was very hard and we are all still reeling from our loss. Thanks!

I got nothing!

That is exactly how I feel- "I got nothing". Nothing to say or do that can make anything better. Just have to keep going praying that God's peace will envelop all of us effected by the past week's events. Thank you to all who have been praying for us. Please continue to pray for the upcoming days, weeks, months, years.

For those who don't know- my 13 year old niece Morgan was tragically killed last Friday evening when her dirtbike struck an SUV. (see the post below) Please also continue to pray for the driver and passenger in the SUV as they are not doing well at all.

Here are some random pics taken over the last couple of weeks to hopefully brighten the mood of this post.

Forever Loved

Sara "Morgan" McRae

February 26, 1996- April 24,2009

We miss you so much already. Thank you for all the wonderful memories! We love you and can't wait to see you again someday!!!

Miss Me -- But Let Me Go
Unknown
When I come to the end of the road And the sun has set for me I want no rites in a gloom-filled room. Why cry for a soul set free?
Miss me a little--but not too long And not with your head bowed low. Remember the love that we once shared, Miss me--but let me go.
For this is a journey that we all must take And each must go alone. It's all a part of the Master's plan, A step on the road to home.
When you are lonely and sick of heart Go to the friends we know And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds. Miss Me--But Let me Go!

Easter 2009

We had a good weekend- despite the rain today. We were bummed that we couldn't hide eggs and then take pictures outside but oh well....

She always has such a serious look of concentration!

Peyton is getting so big!

The girls. Peyton gives her this look frequently :)

Finally- the good stuff

Can we just go to Bible Class already???

We went to my parents' house on Saturday. All of my immediate family was there (except for one SIL- we missed you Sharon!) and we had such a great day. The weather was wonderful, we dyed eggs, and of course ate a great lunch.

My niece Morgan is so good to play outside with Rylee. Funny how she never wants to ride in a stroller when we're shopping but she will ride for an hour with Morgan pushing her.

Rylee also enjoyed playing ball with Morgan and my other niece Macy.
DeQueen, where my parents live, got hit by the storms Thursday. My brother took me to look at some of the damage. It was awful and it doesn't even compare to what happened up the road in Mena. My parents and grandparents got hit but thankfully not much damage was done.
This is my parents' neighbors' shed. One of my parents' trees and two of their trees fell on it. And look at that tree that is broken in two. These are not small trees either!

This tree is right outside my parents' bedroom window. Half of it snapped off but thankfully the wind was blowing the other way and it didn't land on their roof.

Hope everyone had a blessed Easter weekend!

"ME"

"God made the big round sun. God made the tall tall trees. God made the birds that fly, and God made........................ME" Rylee loves this song and always begs for "more". In fact on our Spring Break trip she went around babbling/humming for a few seconds and then would yell "ME" loudly. It's so funny because she never lets you get to the actual end before she starts yelling "me" repeatedly. So cute. Love her!

This is the "me" part. Most of the time she uses both hands though.

Orange Beach/Gulf Shores in Pictures

We've had a great week. We leave tomorrow and start the long trip home......