20 Years of Blessings

This past week, Matt and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary.  That's right!  20 years!!!!!  Throughout our 20 years, we have experienced many changes.  This anniversary proved to be no different bringing with it a MOVE.  You read correctly, we are moving AGAIN!
This year has flown by here in CT since Matt was promoted and we left TN.  Now he's been promoted again and we are off to Indiana where the corporate office is located.  We found out just a few weeks ago.  While we were both surprised, we wasted no time getting our thoughts together and making plans.  We reminded ourselves that God has a plan and He knows best.  Again, we are so very blessed by Matt's job.  He is very excited about his new position and we are so proud of him.
We knew that with school starting in about 5 weeks we had to move quickly.  We didn't want Lily Grace to have to start school twice.  We put our house up for sale on a Monday and on Tue. at lunch, we had an offer.  Our house sold in 24 hours.  God is good and again His timing is always perfect.  
Last week, we made our first trip to Indiana to look for a school and a house.  The school hunt went very well.  We found an amazing school for Lily Grace where I know she will grow in her faith and academically.  Lily Grace loved the school and the people.  
The house hunt was a little different story.  There isn't a lot of inventory in the area we wanted.  We found a house I loved but it wasn't in the area I loved.  By our third day, Matt and I were getting a little stressed and worried that we wouldn't find the right house.  Let's just say that tears were shed and it was Lily Grace that reminded us not to worry that Jesus would take care of it.  God never seems to surprise us at how He gets the message to you when you most need it sometimes. Lily and I woke early the next morning and the picture above was the view from our hotel room.  It was beautiful and peaceful.  
Needless to say, Jesus took care of everything and we found the perfect house.  We are looking forward to the move.  Indiana reminds me a lot of the south and the area we are moving to is very family oriented.  The people are so nice.  
I certainly didn't expect to be spending my 20th anniversary in Indiana, much less moving there.  Again, God has a plan for all of us.  He certainly did 20 years ago when he sent me my best friend.  Matt and I have been though a lot of change in 20 years, both good and bad.  Through it all, I always know that he's there. He knows absolutely everything about me and it's comforting to know that I can just be me.  
Marriage takes work, commitment, honesty, and above all faith.  Faith in one another and most importantly faith in God.  I can't imagine not having Christ at the center of our marriage.  God has blessed us as best friends, husband and wife, parents and in numerous other ways as well.  
The secret to 20 years....I don't have it.  I only have experiences that I've shared in with Matt and we've tried to learn from them along the way. We love being married and it's a huge priority to us.  We truly value one another.  We also share a deep love for Christ and know that He is most definitely a big part of the recipe.  He has seen us through so much.  
Matt and I have been together since our first day of college.  We've basically grown up together and continue to do so daily.  Matt thank you so much for being my best friend, my other half, a wonderful father and a true blessing for 20 years.  I adore you and love you very much.  
And of course...Thanks be to God!

Silly Sock Day

It's Vacation Bible School week and today is Silly Sock Day.  According to Gracie, silly socks are fun but you should at least match colors with your outfit.  HA!  Too cute!

Birthday Weekend!

A card made by Gracie is always the BEST gift!

Strawberry Tart

We have spent a lot of birthdays together.

On the Green before a birthday lunch with Daddy

Today is Matt's birthday.  We started celebrating on Friday when he got home from work.  Lily Grace surprised him with a card she made.  We also showered him with a few gifts, cooked several of his favorite foods and whipped up a yummy Strawberry Tart.  
Lily Grace and I love planning for and doting on Matt.  He does so much for us.  We are so very blessed.  
Happy Birthday Matt!  We love you so very much. We couldn't come close to making you feel as special as you truly are, but I hope we made you feel a little extra special nonetheless.  You are an amazing husband and father.  

A Trip Down South

Could she have possibly strapped on anything else to carry?

At least we didn't have to sit still for 8 hours.  However, it takes a lot of creativity to bring along half the house.  Poor Matt!

Lily Grace and Honey enjoying lunch after church

Tanner, Jessica and Lily Grace at Putt-Putt.  It wasn't until I  was transferring the pictures to my computer that I noticed Lily Grace's face.  Too funny!  

Excitement can be a little tiring.  

Sweet Molly...happy to be home herself 

Ahhhhh!....HOME

We made our first trip back south last week a year after becoming residents of the Northeast.  
It was the first time we had to fly, rent a car and fit all we could into suitcases for a trip to visit family. Before now, we would have just driven the eight hour trip with the car packed down.  
We flew into Alabama and Lily Grace had one thing on her mind.  Bingo!  That's right, Bingo- the game.  My grandmother, Honey (Yes, that is what all the grandchildren call her and honestly, most people probably don't even know her real name, Clara.) lives in a retirement complex and there are always activities going on.  Honey is in charge of Bingo and Lily Grace was so excited to visit and play along with Honey and her friends.  We did just that.  We had a great time  and it was fun to watch Lily Grace interact with everyone. She can definitely bring out a smile.  
Her second big request on our trip to Alabama was Putt-Putt.  This came out of the blue, but Cousin Jessica and her boyfriend Tanner were happy to oblige.  Actually, they were quite patient (Gracie lugged Molly Baby on this trip and yes, that meant to Putt-Putt as well. We all took turns holding her while Lily Grace putted or conveniently forgot to keep up with her. Even Tanner, who we had just met that evening took a turn holding her while Lily Grace putted.) and made her feel so big and special.  
Jessica also pulled out her old American Girl doll, Samantha and she and Lily Grace got busy dressing and styling.  Lily Grace was in heaven.  
Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Pam were kind enough to serve us a big delicious meal each night and we all enjoyed some game time.  
Leaving Alabama, we headed to Florida to visit with Gran, Grandma and Grandpa.  We had a good time visiting and filled up on boiled peanuts.  
Our trip back south was fun (and hot!!!!) and we had a great time visiting with family and spending time together, but we were all so happy to get back home to our own beds and to see Molly.  There's just no better place on earth.  
Thanks so much to our family for hosting us, feeding us and putting up with us.  We had a great time!

Last Day of 1st Grade!

Lily Grace: Second Grader

Lily Grace celebrated the last day of first grade last Thursday.  She only had a short two hours at school and walked out a second grader.  

A trip to the pool was a great way to end such a big day!

Happy Father's Day

Blessings!

Spring Recital

Spring Recital

School Talent Show

Two silly girls with their prizes after the talent show

Lily Grace had her Spring Violin recital and did a beautiful job.  She is really growing as a violinist and has started reading her own music too.  

For her recital, she played Long, Long Ago and Perpetual Motion.  She did a GREAT job!  

She also entered the school talent show the last week of school.  I have to say, Lily Grace is one of the bravest girls I know.  The girl is fearless.  Dressed in her favorite dress (Can you tell?), she played Long, Long Ago accompanied by her school music teacher, Ms. Stone.  

Lily Grace, daddy and I are so proud of you!

Festival of Cultures

Lily Grace had her 1st Grade Field Trip towards the end of school. There was actually a little warm front coming through which made for a pretty warm day in an open field.  The class attended the Culture of Festivals.  The event was much like a little mini trip to different parts of the world with each tent visited.  

This trip also meant Lily Grace's first ride on a school bus (and mine since I quit teaching) and let me just say, I don't think I'll be leaving car- line anytime.  (not that I would have it any other way)  In true daddy form, she was very concerned that there were no seat belts.  That's my girl Gracie.  

Nonetheless, we had fun and got to spend the day together with friends.  

A Very Special Week

Breakfast in bed is one of her favorite birthday traditions.  This year: scrambled eggs, fresh strawberries and salmon 

A little birthday love from Molly

Excited to get some new outfits and in particular a new pink tutu skirt

Mama and Daddy surprised her with her big wish: Lego Friends Olivia's House

Home from school with cards from her class.  Each card was  a message with why they liked her.  So sweet!

Dressed for the Daddy-Daughter Dance

Out to dinner before the dance

Both of them, so proud of the other: Cute!!

This past Thursday, Lily Grace celebrated her 7th birthday.  I still can't believe that she is 7.  She is growing into such a sweet, funny and caring girl.  Matt and I are so proud of her and love her more than words can express.  She is a blessing that we cherish.  She is truly the best part of us.  God is so good!
She woke to breakfast in bed, gifts and an all around special day. The night before her birthday, she told  us she didn't want to turn 7 and grow up.  She liked being a little girl.  I was thinking 7, are you kidding me?  This year, your daddy and I will turn 32 ok 37 well it doesn't really matter but anyway, 7 have mercy.  I assured her that she was still very much a little girl and would always  be my baby. (The morning after  her birthday, she woke to tell us that she would like to have yesterday back and do it all over again.  Ha! I'm positive I haven't said those words in the last several years.) 
Her classmates all made her birthday cards and her birthday was announced over morning announcements.  She was so excited about this. I also packed her special treats for snack and lunch. Matt and I both took her to school Thursday morning.    
After school, Matt and I picked her up and we were off to swim class and then back home.  For her special dinner, she requested prosciutto cups with strawberries and a milkshake for dessert. (Lily Grace could eat breakfast for dinner every night of the week I do believe.)  Afterwards, she slipped into some new birthday pajamas and enjoyed an extra 45 minutes added to her bedtime.  
Her exciting week continued on Friday when she and Matt attended the Father- Daughter dance at school.  She looked adorable and was most excited about her new glitter ballet flats.  I was invited to join them for dinner by the water before the dance.
Matt sent me video and text throughout the evening and she appeared to be having a wonderful time.  She and daddy even won a dance prize and she enjoyed participating in the hula hoop contest where she won some beads.  
Matt, you were a wonderful date, daddy and example of how she should expect to be treated.  You are also a real trooper when it comes to Gracie, caring not about how you look in front of others but that your daughter see you in the moment.  She will cherish that about you always.  I know that I do.
What a special week!  Quite fitting for a very special little girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rhode Island

Cliff Views

Reminds me of some Hunting and Fishing Magazine ad.  Molly is just  happy to be along for the ride. 

We all navigated down these large rocks to see the waterfall.

The girl is funny

Along with Forsythia, Daffodils cover new England in yellow beauty.

The Atlantic Ocean and  a little girl who could care less how cool it is

Over Spring Break, we took a short hour and a half trip to Newport, Rhode Island.  The wind was a little cool but otherwise beautiful.  
We visited the 40 Steps Cliff Walk as well as the beach.  The scenery was charming and easing going.  The quaint town is filled with shop lined streets and a beautiful marine.
Despite the cool breeze, Lily Grace had a wonderful time playing in the sand at the beach and even managed a sand castle with help from daddy.