Family, Fun, And Home Sweet Home

Hello, my friends! How I've missed being here and visiting with you all! I am Home Sweet Home, filled with happy memories of all my people spending eight days together on a beautiful cruise ship. I am so thankful everyone could join us and that they all had so much fun together. A few things I want to remember forever are...

Selfies on the way to prove who was in the coolest car ~ Starbucks every single day ~ Celebrating Rhett's, Nicolas', and Peyton's birthdays ~ Afternoon naps before dressing for dinner ~ The kids having so much fun together ~ Swimming in crystal clear water ~ Slathering on sunscreen ~ Making new friends from all around the world ~ Buying my son his first legal drink ~ Trivia with Flynn ~ Strawberry Daiquiris in the shade ~ Calm ocean water ~ And not so calm water too ~ Looking around the table seeing the beautiful family Steve and I created ~ And then, being home ~

Have a lovely day, my friends!

I look forward to a hot cup of coffee and visiting with you all!

Billie Jo

 

Celebrating My Son

Twenty-one years ago. Someone should warn you when you snuggle your newborn baby that time passes in the blink of an eye. Oh, wait. Many people did. And I heard them, but in the moment, I could not imagine the sweet-smelling little bundle being anything other than a brand new addition to our little family. This time wrapped up in blue.

This is his first birthday party. He and Peyton celebrated together as she turned three a few days later. I remember this day so clearly! I remember it was a Bear in the Big Blue House party, and Peyton liked to plop the plastic Bear into different places on the cake. I remember also it was that night that I truly realized we had a little boy in our family! He always played with the baby toys we had. But he received lots of bright yellow Tonka trucks, Old Navy baseball hats, and Dump Truck Dave videos for his birthday, which now fit into our family room right next to the Barbie houses and dolls.

Rhett turns twenty-one today, and I could not be happier that my one and only little boy grew to be the fantastic young man he is today. Rhett is funny, sensitive, hardworking, caring, a wonderful son, and the best brother ever. Rhett organizes family movie nights, calls to thank me for his lunch, takes Flynn to Taco Bell, and brings joy to all our days. He works very hard. He makes us all laugh. He likes professional basketball, selling cars, good food, and spending time with his family and friends. He also has the most lovely, kind, fun girlfriend, Kyrstin, whom our whole family loves. 

Rhett has grown from that adorable little guy who looked to me for guidance, help, comfort, and love to a wonderful young man whom I turn to for those very same things. I couldn't have known that day twenty-one years ago when my doctor surprised us all by saying, " Oh! It is a boy!" that my little baby boy would become one of my very best friends. Who just so happens to look so very much like my dear father.

We are leaving today on vacation to celebrate Rhett, so I will be absent from blogland this week, but I will be back next week to catch up with you all! Have a wonderful week, my friends. Enjoy!

Billie Jo

 

Monday Morning Coffee

Good Monday morning, my friends! As in years and years past, I find myself at the beach this week of September. And as in years past, I am blessed to be joined with my entire family at different points of the week. I made my pumpkin spiced coffee and took it down to the beach this morning, and as always, found peace in the unchanging rhythm of the waves rolling into the shore and back out again. 

 

A first this year. We brought the pups! And so far, all is well! They adjusted to the new atmosphere and the new trek to go the bathroom. For the record, it is out the door, down the hall, into the elevator, out the door, across the parking lot, and into the grass. No problem.

Have a lovely Monday, my friends!

I will be tidying the condo, doing laundry, and reading while my people do beach things. Because that is who I am, and that makes me happy! I hope you find time to do something that makes you happy today!

Billie Jo

How We Are Doing The Beach This Year

 

Beach 2019!

Vegas Vacation!

We Are Off

On a quick end of summer trip!

Can you guess where?

Here's a little hint!

Have a great Wednesday, my friends!

Disney World At Christmastime

This was our first visit to the Most Magical Place on Earth at Christmas. Imagine combining two of your favorite, festive, happy things and Disney World all decked out for the holidays is the amazing result. Here are way too many photos of our recent family trip to see that very special mouse.

Relaxing In Vegas!

Yep! You read that correctly. We relaxed in Vegas. Steve and I, along with his sister and her husband, spent a few days in one of our favorite cities...Las Vegas. In my humble opinion, Vegas gets a bad rap. Yes, certain undesirable people and activities are available to those who are so inclined. Yet, Las Vegas also offers beautiful and affordable accommodations complete with amazing pools and spas, fun and exciting shows, and the most delicious array of food choices. Which of course is of utmost importance to me. Here are a few pictures of our little getaway in Vegas...

Friends, Fun, Food, And Sun

And naps. Lots of naps. We returned from our family time spent together aboard our favorite cruise ship ever, The Carnival Pride, rested and full of memories to last a lifetime. The amazing thing about cruising is that you are all together for an entire week with nothing to do but spend quality together. And of course, make new friends.

Here are way too many photos of the week we spent cruising together...

On our way...

It Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time

Flashback to late November, and my Madison was returning to Denmark after being home for Thanksgiving. Our firstborn would be spending her first Christmas away from home, and despite our brave faces, she and I were both extremely sad and apprehensive. Enter Steve, the most amazing husband and father, who strives to ensure his family is as happy as is humanly possible. Before Madison and Nicolas left for the airport, Steve surprised us by telling us we were all going on a cruise in March! (FYI...a cruise in March is almost half the price of one in June.) And so, we were happy that even though our Christmas wouldn't be the same, we all had something to look forward to come March.

Great idea, right?

Not Really Random Photos On A Friday...Beach 2017

We spent this past week at our favorite fall getaway spot...Ocean City, Maryland. And we had fun! Our group was smaller this year...My Mom and Madison were unable to join us, and were missed...but we still had a wonderful, relaxing time.

Girl selfie before we left...

So happy Marian joined us again this year!

Selfie to send to Madison...

And after hours of driving...

We arrived.

And the ocean was waiting for us, just as we left her last year.

That is what I love about the ocean.

It is a constant in a world of change.

Our condo was super pretty...

And really clean...

And I brought along our favorite Pumpkin Spice Candle to make it cozy.

We even turned on the fireplace while we relaxed after a day at the beach.

There were early morning walks on the beach...

And playing in the water in pajamas.

Because. You are only young once.

There was mini golf...

Frozen yogurt...

Hours spent on the beach playing with beach toys that my Madison once used...

The best donuts.

Ever...

Dinners out...

And lunches too.

So many wonderful moments to tuck inside and save forever.

Oh. And one more thing.

One day this week happened to be my birthday!

That's right, dear friends...I am now 48!

I had a wonderful day!

It started with beautiful flowers delivered to me on vacation from a very special friend.

Marian surprised me with a new mug...perfect...and some delicious tea...

And because she knows me better than I know myself...

She got me the SOFTEST, MOST BEAUTIFUL blanket ever, as well some of the best fall candles that we started to burn immediately. Also, she got me the cutest navy blue ball cap, which I would show you, but am currently wearing as I type. : )

My sweet son Rhett remembered that I love Starbuck's Black Tea Lemonade, and went out and bought me one!

After I had a nice, long afternoon nap, we got ready and took our annual pictures in the lobby...

And then headed to dinner!

We enjoyed a delicious dinner at our favorite hibachi restaurant, and it was amazing.

After dinner, we returned to the beach, took some photos...

And took a nice long walk.

48 years...30 with this guy by my side.

How blessed am I?

Tomorrow we pack up and head home, to our country house in the mountains.

We will be filled with love and laughter and memories to hold onto forever.

Have a wonderful weekend, my friends!!