Our Precious Mawmaw

Where do I start? I guess at the beginning. We woke up on Thursday morning like normal. Nothing out of the ordinary until Shane's phone rang about 6:45. We all just looked around because it is so unusual for the phone to ring at that time. Shane jumped up and grabbed it. It was his Dad saying that Mawmaw had been rushed from work to the hospital in an ambulance and that was all he knew. Through the next few minutes there was the freak out of what is going on, do we all go, how does Marvin get to Huntsville, how severe is this? Plus the oh this must be no big deal, settle down, we have to settle down and figure out what to do next. Shane headed out by himself only to get a call from Pawpaw before he got out of the neighborhood saying he had spoken with the ER and it was not good. He quickly turned around and picked up me and HC along with a bag of clothes and some bare necessities. The drive from Birmingham to Huntsville (during morning rush hour) takes forever when you have no idea what is going on and you just need to be there. Thankfully Tyler picked up Pawpaw and drove him to the hospital. When we finally arrived we still didn't know much. Over the next few hours we finally started getting some information. The doctors suspected she had had a stroke. The answers were slow to come because of many different reasons but we finally got results from the MRI on Friday evening and they did not paint a promising picture. We prayed and prayed and prayed and prayed some more. We were just not ready for this situation. We needed the Lord and He was there in a mighty way giving us strength to face each day as it came.

As much as we wanted our Mawmaw back just the way she was, that was not in God's plan. He had bigger and better plans for her. He took her home on Saturday, April 23rd. While it is so difficult for us hear, we are trusting that she is celebrating her eternity with our heavenly father. She got to spend Easter Sunday with Jesus himself! What a welcome party that must have been! We are left with facing each day as it comes and learning to live a new life that does not hear that sweet voice "just checking on you". I pray that we can keep Mawmaw's memory fresh in Hannah Claire's mind and tell Wyatt all about the amazing woman that his Mawmaw was. She will be missed each and every day that we spend here waiting for our time to join our heavenly father. Please, please, please if you do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ then find one. I'm not talking about religion but a real meaningful relationship. That is the only way to guarantee an eternity with Him and so many of our loved ones. Life will disappear in an instant and it will be too late at that point. Please don't delay!

Spending Time at Nana's

Hannah Claire recently spent some unexpected time at Nana's. We are so thankful for family that will swoop in and help whenever. Of course they got into lots of things. Since HC was there at the end of tax season she got to participate in the end of season, start of summer pedicure outing for Nana and Janice. I wish I knew how to load phone pictures because I got a picture sent to me of a little diva getting her toes painted while she sat in a pink pedicure chair. I was shocked she stayed so still but she loved it! Nana said once they walked out HC told her "that was fun, let's do it again". She will have to get unused to that. They also made many shopping trips around town. This kid has learned how to milk the system to her maximum benefit. One of their outings resulted in the super cool princess puzzle!

The girls did some baking too. They cooked up some Easter cookies. They took some to Granny Sue & Papa John's house but little did they know that Granny Sue had made them some cookies. Sadly Hannah Claire does not eat cookies so I don't think she got to enjoy any of them.

I'm not real sure how Nana made this happen but hopefully it will translate to our house!

Of course they went out to feed the animals with Pappy one morning. HC loves to see the dogs, horses and mules (don't forget the mules because she will remind you). I think she is ready to go for a ride. I'm not so sure Pappy is ready for that though. Plus Shane & I want to be there to see it first hand. I'm not sure which horse this is but I'm guessing this could be Yellowhammer. Yellowhammer is Nana's horse that HC has decided is now her horse. Kudzu was the horse Pappy was intending to be HC's but she thinks Kudzu fits Nana better.

Since we did not make it to see the Easter bunny, Nana & Pappy took HC. She was quick to tell you that she likes the Easter bunny but she would not sit in his lap. She said all along she would sit beside him (thanks Santa!). Somehow HC & Nana were able to get Pappy up by the Easter bunny with HC. I was shocked to see this! Only HC has this kind of power.

I found this picture on the camera. It looks like there might have been a little bribery before the visit to the bunny. HA!

Ansley's Birthday Party

We kicked off the spring birthday parties with Ansley's party at the park. Before we headed over HC had to have some lunch. She opted for her new favorite, PB&J, on the back porch for a picnic. I did catch some pictures of her singing her blessings, "God Our Father".

Hannah Claire is very opinionated about how she wants things. Baby had to join her for the picnic but she somehow deserved a chair. She also had picked out her dress and notice the yellow high heels beside her. Everything has to be in its specific space for her to precede with eating. Can we say high maintenance?

After the picnic we headed to the park to celebrate Miss Ansley. Hannah Claire had a blast.

Poor Ansley tried her best to run away but HC followed her everywhere she went. She was not letting her out of her sight. She even tried to help Ansley open her presents.

Good news is that they were still buddies at the end of the party. Sweet girls!

Welcome Lillian

My best friend, Melissa and her husband Tony, welcomed their sweet baby girl Lillian into the world on April 7th. She is so precious! Shane, Hannah Claire and I went for a visit at the hospital. It's a good thing I am pregnant because I left with baby fever. I never really understood people saying that but I get it now. I was also interested to see how HC would respond to us holding another baby. She was fine with it. I was very thankful but then when I loaded these pictures she informed she didn't want me holding that baby. I guess we may have a few issues once Wyatt arrives. Melissa looks great and we are so excited for their family!

A Warm March Day

We got a nice warm day and a little bit of extra time one beautiful March day to head to the park and get in some play. Hannah Claire was loving it and so were Mommy & Daddy.

Judging by this picture you would think that HC had overcome her fear of swinging. You would be wrong! We get about one swing and then out she jumps. She just does not like to swing.

She ran straight to the rock climbing wall and headed up it. Last summer her legs were too short so she had to have help getting up the wall.

Not this year! She was very proud of herself when she made it to the top.

Hannah Claire also gave the monkey bars a try. She was a little unsure at first but her determination kicked in and off she went.

How can you not just love this face?

Daddy got some smooches in before we had to leave. I love these two!

The Morris Boys

We got to see our friends from Texas a couple of weekends ago. Sadly it had been almost a year since we had seen them. Watching our kids interact was so much fun. They had a blast once they got warmed up. They pretty much ignored one another until dinner. I guess forced eating at the same table will break down any barriers that you have. After dinner it was fun zone! HC was loving the big wheel. Evan loved his fishing game (which I stepped on before leaving crushing a poor fish).

Watching two brothers is pretty funny. They are rough and tumble.

I'm not sure what was happening here but I think Evan may be policeman in the future. Watch out criminals, this man is sneaky and good with a gun!

We tried to get a picture of all of the kids. Well, that was next to impossible. Mrs. Sheila tried to help. This was the best we got!

When we got ready to leave Hannah Claire handed out some hugs, even if they were not interested. Matt at least gave her a courtesy hug.

Evan broke free as quick as possible. Thankfully she didn't take it personally.

Showering Melissa & Baby Lillian

I can't even begin to explain how excited I am that my best friend from college is having her first baby! We found out she was expecting on our anniversary & what a great gift it was! Sweet baby Lillian Grace will be arriving sometime in mid-April. I love the fact that we are going to have kids that are so close in age and will get to grow up knowing each other. I got the honor of helping host a shower for Melissa & Lillian. The food was super yummy!

We love Tony, Melissa's husband, but he has his flaws. He is a UGA fan. This was one of the cutest gifts I have ever seen. The bib says "I'm confused". Love it! It also had a burp cloth that was Bama on one side and UGA on the other side. How adorable!

There is nothing like a shower to catch up with friends you don't get to see often. It was great to see Rebecca.

From roomies for two years in college to pregnant mommies! Wow, how times have changed.