March Randoms

Sarah's kindergarten class took a field trip to the Interactive Kids Museum (INK) in Gainesville, GA.  Hannah and I were excited to be able to "tag-along" with them for the FUN!!!  Mark and I enjoyed a Saturday afternoon at INK last month with the girls, so it was fun to take them back so they could experience the stations they especially enjoyed the first time.  Above photo: Hannah playing veterinarian.  Below photo: Sarah doing some grocery shopping!

The next several photos are from our play-date with the Nash girls at Fort Yargo State Park.  We went to enjoy some fun at the park and to take in some experience from the Colonial Times.  Mrs. Andrea is reading a book about a little girl who lived during the Colonial times while we enjoyed  a picnic lunch.

Here we are inside a log cabin at Fort Yargo State Park that is used during the Colonial Days which are held here once a year.  The lady here is wearing all of the garb in which a proper lady of the pioneer days would have worn.  There were many other people acting out the real life roles in which pioneer people actually experienced.  These people literally sleep in tents over night here in the park, just like they did in this era, they cooked muffins, washed dishes over handmade fires, made corn-husk dolls, made real pottery right in front of us using a spinning wheel and a mound of mud, made handmade wooden furniture out of logs, and much more.  It was extremely educational and worth the experience for the girls.  Wow - praise the Lord - He did not bring me into this world during pioneer days.  I am thankful for sooooo many things these days!!!  I grew up watching "Little House on the Prairie" - so this was wonderful seeing how Laura Ingalls lived back then.

Sarah had her BFF spend the night with us, and they played "spa."

This was one of the first warm days of the season, so of course, the girls insisted on pulling out the hose!!!  And it starts - the days of wet clothes, wet bathing suits, and wet towels!  Love it!

I was thrilled to celebrate with my BFF as she -finally- married her prince after waiting for him for 33 years!  She and I have prayed for many years that she would find the "right" man, and she did!  So, we celebrated her marriage on March 24 in Augusta at First Baptist Church. 

Yes, I am the pale one on the right - above.  These are the GCSU girls in the wedding party!

Leslie looked beautiful in her "bling-bling" wedding dress!  Leslie and I met in 9th grade, and we have been steadfast friends ever since.  We had a great experience going to college together as well.  I am so happy for her and Joey and look forward to being "Mrs. Aunt Amy" to their many kids!!!!  Hee-Hee!!!!

Sarah's Birthday & Easter

Here we go onto our 2nd celebration for Sarah's birthday!  We were spending the weekend with Baba and Papa celebrating Easter a little early and birthday in one jam-packed weekend.

Trey, Morgan, Hannah, and Sarah were eagerly anticipating the Hunt of the Over-sized Easter Eggs!!!

Look at our 2 little sweet peas!!!

Hannah was enjoying Papa's cute little "Snowball" bunny!

Baba made chocolate cupcakes for Sarah to celebrate her 6 years!  We had a great time celebrating with the McGregor side of the family!

Happy Birthday Sarah - We love you!!! 

Adventure Day

Aunt Shari and I loaded up the girls to start our adventure - journey to visit Grandpa at the hospital while Grammy was in surgery.  We knew she was having surgery at Emory, but soon found out which Emory!

I am so thankful Aunt Shari drove us today, b/c our adventure would have been much longer had I been driving!!!  We went to Emory Hospital in downtown Atlanta, b/c I heard Emory, so I immediately thought, the main Emory.  I didn't even remember what my sweet husband had told me the morning of our journey until after we had already arrived at this location.  We finally found a parking space on the top of the parking deck, unloaded the girls, walked a L-O-N-G way to the front desk, only to find out we were at the WRONG location!!!!  AAAHHHH!!!!  I am so thankful Aunt Shari was with me, b/c at this point we were laughing about it, if it had just been me, I would have been quite irritated.  I politely asked the receptionist, is the other Emory within walking distance????  LOL!!!!  We soon found out just how far the CORRECT Emory really was.  Definitely NOT within walking distance!  So, we giggled our way back to the van, loaded everyone up, and then made our way to the CORRECT Emory Orthopedic and Spine Hospital.  All the while, remembering what my sweet husband had told me earlier!!!  We finally made it to Grandpa while he was waiting on Grammy during surgery.  We told Grandpa about our adventure, and he just laughed!!!  Honestly, I know we weren't the only ones who had that particular adventure.

Speaking of adventures - we had our own little adventure, while Grammy was having a not so pleasant one herself.  She made it through surgery with grace.  The Lord is continuing to bless her with strength and determination as she recovers from this horrible accident.  She is a bold, brave, determined, courageous, strong woman of grace.  The Lord is getting glory for each and every step she is making!    In the above photo, she was able to -finally- stroll outside to see the beautiful azaleas blooming, smell the fragrant spring air, hear the birds chirping, and listen to the little water fountain at her rehab center.  It was a sweet day, and I am so blessed to have been able to experience it with her.
She is on her own adventure right now - wanted - definitely NOT - nonetheless - she is rolling right along making new strides each and every day and will soon be back home in her gold easy chair watching the grandchildren playing all around.  We ALL love you Grammy, and we ALL are praying for you to continue to be strong, determined, and full of grace as you journey through this adventure!

Daddy's Running -ANOTHER- Marathon

Here we are on Sunday, March 18, waiting on Daddy to complete yet ANOTHER marathon!  He and his friend, Sam, decided to run it together, but not together if that makes sense.  So, Christianne (Sam's wife) and I loaded up the kids and headed down to Piedmont Park in Atlanta to cheer for the men as they crossed the finish line.  The girls had fun snacking as they waited patiently on the curb.

HERE HE COMES!!!!!  Come on Mark!!!!

And there he goes almost to the finish line!!!!

As he crossed the line, the announcer cheered him on by name saying, "Here comes Mark Farley from Bethlehem crossing the finish line!"  Pretty neat to be personalized in such a large race!

We finally met up with him in the park after over 4 hours!!!!  The girls were glad to be with him.

Sam and Mark - another marathon medal to hang on their wall!!!  Good job Men!!!!  The best part was meeting our friends at The Varsity afterward for some post marathon grub!!!!

Celebrating Sarah's Birthday - American Girl Doll Style

  Happy 6th Birthday to our sweet-pea Sarah Grace!  We started the day with a birthday waffle made especially by Daddy with a pink candle. 

Sarah had a dream of one day owning a REAL American Girl Doll.  She found out from another friend about the REAL AGD as opposed to the more affordable ones from Target and Walmart.  So, this set her mind to thinking.  After her 5th birthday, she started saving her coins .  Mark and I told her she would have to save her money and buy it herself if she wanted to own a REAL AGD.  So, she saved and saved and saved and saved, until..................  now.  She had finally saved up $124 which will buy a doll and one outfit.  We are so proud of her sticking to her goal, saving her own money, and purchasing what she truly wanted. 

The cashier was so sweet to her.  She helped her count the money out and praised her up and down for saving her own money to buy her very own AGD.

Of course, we "had" to purchase a few other accessories for "Kit," our new addition to the family.  "Kit" needed pj's to match her "mommy," her own little puppy dog (named Grace), and a special hairbrush.  Mark did what any proud Daddy would do, he made his little girl's face beam with delight as he gave Sarah the rest of her birthday present from Mommy and Daddy.  We couldn't leave Hannah out, so we purchased her Target doll, "Mary," some reading glasses as well.

Here's the birthday girl with her very own REAL AGD named, "Kit."  She was elated!!!!

 

Hannah was very happy about her little purchase for "Mary."  She enjoyed having her very own little bitty shopping bag.
We ate a birthday lunch at our favorite restaurant Chick-fil-a.

 

We celebrated Sarah's birthday dinner with pizza at home after a long day at AGD.  Of course, "Kit" joined us at the table for dinner.

 

Sarah helped me make her birthday cake this year.  I enjoyed having her assistance.  She always likes to decorate the cake.  Sarah and "Kit" got ready for bed in their matching pj's.  Mark and I were beaming with delight and a happy heart!

Hannah obviously enjoyed the birthday cake!

This is the end of the day for Sarah's 6th birthday!  I cannot believe she is already SIX years old!!!  I used to teach 6 year olds - WOW!!!!  I have a first grader!!!!  Mark and I look forward to many more years of being Mommy and Daddy to Sarah and Hannah.  I know soon it will be Mom and Dad, instead of the innocent Mommy and Daddy, but I am sure going to enjoy this while I can! 

Baba's Visit to Bethlehem

The girls and I enjoyed having Baba visit us in Bethlehem for several days.  As always I put her to work while she was here.  Bless her heart; her hands were steady working the whole time.  She had a major task to undertake.  Her main goal was to "take-up" my bridesmaid dress, as well as make Easter dresses for the girls. Before I "let" her leave, I made sure all tasks were complete! ;)

Here they are - the finished product!  They look adorable - so do you Baba!!!  Proud Grandmother and proud granddaughters!!!  Thank you so much for your tireless effort!!!!

In the above photo - Sarah went to school as a veterinarian for "Job Day".  She LOVES animals!!!!

The photos above are of Baba reading to Sarah's kindergarten class one day while she was visiting.  The children loved it, and Sarah was beaming the whole time.  I can't even tell Baba has been removed from the classroom for 3 years - just comes naturally!    

The girls enjoyed some outdoor fun while Baba was visiting.  Sarah learned how to ride her bike without training wheels!!!!!  Hannah is riding her bike like a little big girl!!!

I was so excited to join Sarah for a morning of "Muffins with Mom" in her class.  As you can tell, Hannah had a great time as well!!!!