Random thoughts

I have been so busy this year that my blog has truly taken a backseat. I have vowed to get up to date in the next few weeks. This post is a compilation of all of my random thoughts that I would like to preserve for posterity. For those of you who don't know, this blog has really become our family record. I have one hardbound copy in my possession of the early years in Sarah's life, and I am committed to doing the same for Leah. Wouldn't you love to know what your Mom was thinking and feeling during your early years? I hope they cherish this as much as I will.

This has been Leah's bed for the past four months. It is called a sleep and play. It was a desperation purchase at Baby's R Us by a couple of sleep deprived Coleman's that really paid off. This wonderful invention saw us through Leah's reflux problem and for that I am forever grateful. I had to sneak in and snap one sleeping baby photo before she gave it up completely. Believe it or not, Leah has begun sleeping in her crib! I had to buy a two inch thick temperpedic mattress topper, but it was well worth the $40 bucks! She is still not sleeping through the night (this is a whole other story), but at least it is a start.

Sarah has spent the better part of 2010 playing dress up. She was recently asked to be the flower girl in our next door neighbor's wedding. Here she is practicing with some pretend flower petals (which were colored and cut out by miss Coleman herself). I found this dress at a yard sale and it made a perfect flower girl dress for the rehearsal.

Leah seems to grow and change on a daily basis these days. But one thing never changes...Leah has a LOT of hair. It is becoming curlier as the humidity and heat of summer descend on us in full force. I love it! Maybe she will be my little bohemian child who likes to wear long flowing dresses and listen to coffee house music. Only time will tell.

My two blessings from God.

They truly love each other so much. I never understood the sisterly bond until I had them. They truly light up each time they see one another in the morning. So sweet!
Leah has become quite the Daddy's girl since he returned from Argentina. She usually screams when I leave her sight, but now it's Daddy's turn. She wails uncontrollably when he leaves her side.

We are a blessed family beyond measure.

Preschool Graduation 2010

Sarah was so prepared for graduation 2010. This is the fourth time she has been on stage for a program. The first time, she stood in the corner and cried for me until I had to come up and sit behind the crew to make her wails stop (embarrassing). The second time, she showed signs of nerves but got through. This year has been totally different. Four year old Sarah is more confident and ready for her close up. And yes, she chose to dress in what I have dubbed her "uniform for spring 2010. Even though it was warm enough for short sleeves and sandals, my girl insisted on wearing a sweater and leggings (do you think she is a bit stubborn like her mama?).

Sarah and one of her absolute favorite teachers of all time, Mrs. Brenda. She looooves music class so much. Thanks Mrs. Brenda for all you do! By the way, this is an all volunteer preschool, but I think it has as much to offer as any other preschool!

Sarah is one of three four year olds who will not be attending kindergarten next year, due to the timing of her birthday. Most of her class will be in graduation attire, but Sarah will be back for one more year at preschool.

This is Jacob, one of Sarah's "boyfriends". She has one at church (Caden), one at building blocks, (Jacob), and one at Providence (Caleb). I think she means this to be her best friends who are boys, but sometimes I can't be sure. Caden has been known to carry Sarah's Bible for her when leaving class, Jacob supposedly knocks folks down to sit next to her at lunch, and Caleb and Sarah have been seen holding hands walking down the hallway. Do I have a player on my hands or what?

Here is sweet Emma, another one of the graduates.

Mrs. Linda and Sarah. I honestly worried at the beginning of the year about how Sarah would take the change from Mrs. Lacy and Mrs. Christy's class because she was so attached, but she fell in love with Mrs. Linda and Mrs. Jane as well. What a blessing to have such loving women volunteering to help train up my youngster!

The graduating class.

Sarah and her friends are called up to join the graduates, since she was in class with them this year.

Notice the safari hat. The graduation had a safari theme. It was so cute!

Here is the threesome that have been together from the beginning. Landon is 6 weeks older than Sarah, and Avery is two months younger. They are the four year olds who will be back next year. The have known each other forever literally and are pretty close.

Sarah is getting down with the music. Priceless!

Sarah and her best buddy, Avery. These two are inseparable. The teachers have to separate them with assigned seats in class. I wonder why? LOL

Receiving completion certificates.

We are so proud of our big girl.

Hillbilly Days, dressing up, and fun with grandparents

Since 1976 Pikeville has held a festival known as Hillbilly Days. People from other areas don't understand why we Hillbillies would create a festival to celebrate this, but those of us from Pikeville know that it is to raise money for Shriner's Children's causes and to just let loose and have fun. At Hillbilly Days, you will find food, crafts, bluegrass and country music, and yes, you will find a few hillbillies. We decided to head on down to let Sarah ride rides and Leah experience her very first Hillbilly festival. Come on, she needs to learn her roots early, right?


Our precious girl, she is getting so big! I was interested to see how she would do with the heat and noise. She did great!

Sarah was loving life when I offered to buy her a bugle. I figured, if you can't beat the other kids, join them.

As usual, it was packed. This is only one street of the festival. It truly closes the entire city down for three days. It is much larger than any other Kentucky festival I have experienced.

Here is Chris putting on his best face for the camera. He was less than thrilled about our visit. Festivals are not his thing. He said he would go with me once every four or five years. I guess this is it for a while.

Mom found a real "Hillbilly" and asked for a photo. Yee Haw!

Sarah was wild about all the rides, as usual. She could take or leave the rest of the festival. All she cared about were rides, rides, rides!

It was Leah's nap time, so we decided to drive around and let her sleep. We ended up at the Pikeville overlook. It was created to look over the city and also see the cut through project that rerouted the river (thereby lessening flooding risks in Pikeville as well as increasing land area for development. You can see the view in the photos that follow.

Sarah enjoyed her visit. She has never been so "high in the sky" as she put it.

Another vantage point.

What a poser! When will the pink phase end? I have a feeling, not for a looooong time.

During our visit, we also stopped by at my cousin Melody's to allow her to meet the newest Coleman.

Melody is such a wonderful cousin. She loves my girls like they are her own. Leah will be no exception.

Aunt Nancy and Sarah's cousin Gabe were also there for a visit. Sarah had a good time seeing them again.

Nancy Mamaw and Leah

Papaw and his newest girl.

This ends our trip home to the mountains. But the grandparents visited shortly after, so I decided to include it in the post as well.

We interrupt this post to update you on Sarah's dress up obsession: we now have two pink and green dresses which have pretty much become a uniform while at home. If I would let her wear them out, she would happily do so as well. Unfortunately, all this wear and tear is making the dresses look kind of sketchy... The following photos are taken on various days, but you will see the same dresses over and over and OVER again. I just wanted to warn you...lol!

My precious girls. So beautiful. What a blessing from God.

Leah became ill and we had to visit the doctor...Sarah dressed her best for the visit!

Mamaw and Papaw came up to visit shortly after our visit home. Notice the SAME pink and green dress. At least she likes to dress up and not down!

My lovely family.

Mamaw and her little Leah

In all seriousness. I cannot thank God enough for these two blessings. They have truly changed my life forever (in a good way).

Who knew you could feel so much unconditional love for another? (I know now how God feels about each one of us).

Until next time.