A couple weeks ago, Millie Janalee and I made a little day trip to celebrate another big occasion.  Uncie "Buck" graduated from PTA school!  Dustin has previously graduated from Mississippi State with a Kinesiology degree, and he went back to complete PTA school.  We are very proud, and I know he is even prouder to be out of the classroom.  Ha!

Millie Janalee can knock her first graduation off her bucket list now.  I came prepared with lots of snacks, a few books, a lovey, her paci, juice, and more.  Of course there was also her Susu, Pawpaw, and She She to keep her company too.  We arrived about an hour or more before the ceremony to ensure we had good seats.  If you know my family, you don't even have to think about it to predict who saved our seats first.  Ha!  Mama has that gift.

Once the ceremony began, Millie Janalee was arching her neck and reaching over Pawpaw so she could see who was talking and all the graduates coming in.  She watched them all march in...like such a big girl.

We eventually spotted "Buck", and followed him around the floor to his seat.  Once all the graduates were seated, we listened to the key note speaker, and then the diplomas were presented.  The key note speech is when I broke out the Cheez-its!  Ha!  Millie Janalee is really such a good sport!

Dustin walking to his seat

Dustin walking on stage to receive his diploma

We are so proud of Dustin for his perseverance and dedication.  And graduating with honors is just the icing on the cake!  Now the job search begins.  His PTA class is very close since it is a small class.  He is one of three boys, which I thought was fun.  They have done so many fun things the past two years, and the stories he comes home with will make you roll on the floor laughing most times.

Dustin's class

During their last rotation, one of his classmates has been living with him.  We have all gotten to know Jordan over time.  He visits our tailgates at State a good bit, and I've almost gotten him trained to actually wear the school colors on gameday!  Ha!  We have enjoyed getting to know him, and I'm pretty sure these guys have many more shenanigans to come!

Ummm...no diplomas

Great friends

We finally managed to coax him into some family photos after all his friends gathered, laughed, and took a few group pictures.

Sheila and Dustin

Daddy, Mama, and Dustin

Me, Millie Janalee, and Uncie "Buck"

In case you don't know what it's like to be the oldest of three, let me give you a glimpse.  Dustin was in sixth grade (I think) when I left for college.  I cried the day I called home and he answered with a lower voice - his voice had changed while I was away.  He was just a kid when I left home.  So to me...he's always my "baby brother."

Now as a mother, I look at people in a different way.  I look at them to see how their life will affect Millie Janalee's.  And I've gotta say that I couldn't be prouder of the man he's grown up to be.  I'm proud to have someone so incredibly fun, affectionate, compassionate, deep-thinking, honest, and loyal for her to look up to.  I think she will always find that Uncie "Buck" is way more fun that I am.

But isn't that the way it's supposed to be??

She's looking up to Uncie "Buck".  Lord help us!  Ha!

We ended our day with supper at Mount Fuji hibachi grill.  They even brought out the cake with a candle and the gong to help us celebrate!

Congratulations Dustin!  We love you and are so proud!

Mother's Day 2014

Mother's Day was a day I longed to call my own for so long.  Last year was the most special Mother's Day, because it was my first Mother's Day as Millie Janalee's mother.  I certainly do not take for granted the joy that fills my heart as Millie Janalee's mama.  This year, we celebrated extra for another special mother as my sister and her husband dedicated Hughes.  We all gathered at Kristin and Lee's after church for a family cookout and to spend time loving on all the mamas and sweet Hughes. 

Susu showed up with a special surprise for Millie Janalee to help her feel special too. (Remember, we were in the adjustment phase.  Thank goodness we seem to be getting through that!)  Millie Janalee was so happy about her very first tricycle from Susu and Pawpaw!

Millie Janalee and Susu with her very first tricycle

I think this would be an appropriate time to talk about my mama...since she's the main one who taught me how to be a mama myself.  We are so different in many ways, but pretty much the same person in many other ways.  Ha!  Like mother, like daughter?  I'm okay with that!  I am thankful for the example she has been and continues to be as I work through this new mommy thing.  Does the "new" ever wear off?  Ha!

It was painfully obvious that Kristin put in many hours and lots of effort to make everything just perfect for her sweet new baby.  And, because I know what all has been going on since Hughes's birth, I can say with certainty that she did it all BEFORE he was born.  Thinking ahead!  That's what party planners do.  She created the door hanger, table runner, and the centerpiece for the food table by hand.  I'm assuming Lee helped her create the huge cross on the table.  He's pretty good with a hammer, saw, and nails!
 

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Philippeans 4:6-7

Kristin and Lee dedicated Hughes Lee in front of our church family and presented his life verse.  He was on his best behavior and didn't make a peep during the dedication.  Since he was only a couple weeks old, Kristin and Lee took him home after the dedication part of the service, but he was still in his handmade dedication gown by the time we all arrived.  Isn't he sweet??  And so tiny!  It seems like yesterday, Russ and I were dedicating Millie Janalee to the Lord in front of our precious church family.

Happy Mother's Day to us!

My family (minus Dustin who was out of town)

As always, it means so much that our family travels the miles and hours to celebrate with one another.  My Uncle Howard, Aunt Patsy, Clancy, Jack, and Selah Grace made the trek from Jackson to be with Hughes on such a special day.  Many members of Lee's extended family also gathered with us for the celebration.  That's what life is about.  Being there for one another...in the good times and bad.  I am so thankful for my family and the way we were raised to "be a family."

Clancy's first Mother's Day also!

Since Millie Janalee was a bit clingy, we decided to swing together out in the back yard while Lee's family took some family pictures and everyone began eating lunch.  This seemed to be her happy place.

After I took her inside to change out of her Sunday dress, we tried out the new tricycle.  Uncie Lee came over to check out her new ride too.  She wanted to show it off to him too.  It was a very warm day, but it was divine in the shade!  The breeze felt so good on a nice, summer Sunday afternoon!

We all gathered in the kitchen to watch Kristin open Hughes's sweet dedication gifts.  He received so many sweet things.  We gave him a pewter baby cup with his name and life verse engraved.  Among the other special gifts were frames, a Bible, stuffed animals, lovies, a smocked church bubble, and more.  Such sweet reminders of this day.

Clancy and Millie Janalee watching

MawMaw spending some quality time with her only grandson

When the crowd died down, I took Millie Janalee back outside to play some more.  Susu and Pawpaw also brought her some garden tools.  She loves to "Dig dig dig"!  This was the first time Millie Janalee had worn any of the clothes I've been making her, and I'm pretty proud of it.  She looked adorable!  I wish you could see the pink ribbon casing on the bloomers.  So sweet!  And of course, her new bonnet.

This may or may not be how she really felt when I first put it on her...

In all seriousness, she doesn't mind it at all once it's on.  It is the perfect shade for a sunny day! 

We spent the rest of the afternoon loving on Hughes and spending time together as a family before Russ and I headed back to his parents' house for the night.  It was their turn. (It didn't take long in our marriage to realize we needed a "take turn" system for our visits.  Ha!  Any couple whose parents live in the same town will appreciate that a million times over.)

Millie Janalee finally acknowledging Hughes's presence that day.  Ha!

Some of the fun we enjoyed at Russ's parents' home was learning how to slide down the stairs.  I know I've probably mentioned on here that Millie Janalee would just run off the top step if I'd let her and think she could just fly to the bottom.  I FINALLY got her to cooperate with an appropriate way to go downstairs.  Hallelujah!

My second Mother's Day was a joyful one!  It was the first one I shared with my sister.  It was the second one I shared with Millie Janalee.  And it was just as it should be.  Full of smiles, joy, and love!

To all of you waiting for your Mother's Day - it's coming!  And I promise it will be worth the wait!!

Lil Baby Yaya Birthday

Mother's Day weekend brought another round of festivities for my little family.  Saturday afternoon, one of our 'Lil Baby Yayas had her first birthday party!  Rayne was the second 'Lil Baby Yaya to be initiated into the Yaya Sisterhood.  Yaya TT (that's what Millie Janalee calls her) is Rayne's grandmother.  It's quite an honor to be initiated into the secret society.  Ha!

Yaya TT, Rayne, and Millie Janalee

Marci planned an adorable county fair themed party for Rayne.  It was held on a piece of land with a little country house, hay, beautiful flowers, and precious detailed touches.  Marci set up several "kid friendly zones" around to keep the little ones busy.  The most popular was this cute bucket filled with water and little rubber duckies.  Millie Janalee was one of the older ones around this cute setup and supervised.  I'm not sure she ever actually got wet...unless it was from the other children splashing.  She was being a little shy when we first arrived.  I was very surprised she wasn't all in the water bucket!

Rayne, Martha, and Millie Janalee

The ring toss was very creative out in the field too.  Millie Janalee mainly enjoyed playing with the rings.

The guests enjoyed sweet tea, water, and other beverages with their hotdog or hamburger.  And homemade fried apple pies!  Just what you would expect at a county fair.  I hate I didn't get better pictures of the setup, because I know many of your reading would love to see it and snag a few ideas yourself.

I'm so used to chasing Millie Janalee around and making her hold my hand against her will or trying to hold her while she is wiggling to get down and "wall", so it was so nice to be able to just let her run free on this isolated grassy area.  The only thing I needed to keep an eye on was making sure she didn't take anyone else's food or sippy cup.

To be completely honest...I can't even lie...I shamelessly took Millie Janalee on a walk behind the house to the beautiful field of yellow flowers for a photo shoot.  When we finished, I asked my mom if she thought anyone saw us.  We laughed.  Because I was actually a little embarrassed.  But I couldn't help myself!  You'll see why...

I hope Marci and Landon got some pics of Rayne out there, because it was perfect!  We watched them open a few gifts while Millie Janalee ate her Cheerios off the ground.  Yep.  I'm that mom that lets her child eat off the ground.  Sometimes you just choose your battles and help them build their immunity.  Millie Janalee left with two fun party favors that she picked out herself.  We actually ended up having to hide the bubbles, because she begs to blow bubbles every time she sees them!  And she and Farley have a grand time with her new ball.  I think it's safe to say she had a great time!

Happy First Birthday 'Lil Baby Yaya Rayne!

Hometown 10K Weekend

Our hometown hosts a large 10K every year the first weekend of May.  It basically shuts down the roads around town, and everyone sits out in their driveways or downtown in lawn chairs cheering on the runners.  Russ and I usually visit that weekend too, because most of his side of the family runs competitively.  We like to cheer them on.  This year, Russ wasn't able to go,  Guess why!  Work, of course.  At the last minute, I loaded up Millie Janalee for a weekend full of festivities with friends.

A few times through the summer, the Main Street Association puts on a family movie night at the depot downtown.  It's called Films on Fillmore.  On Friday night before the race, they were showing Frozen - the sing-a-long version.  We decided to take Millie Janalee and her little friend, Caroline.  We enjoyed dinner before the movie with Caroline's parents and another friend and her baby.  Then, we unloaded the quilts and jackets (it was quite cold that evening) and snacks for a movie night.

The girls had a blast!

When the movie started, it was too cute to handle!  I wish I had it on video.  The girls were squealing and dancing and singing and giggling with excitement.  Who knew these 21 month olds knew the words to these songs so well?!  They never took their eyes off the movie.

The next morning, we woke up early to watch the start of the race near the starting line.  Millie Janalee and Caroline enjoyed their breakfast as we waited on the race officials to give the starting shot.

While we were waiting, we saw some of our favorite runners!  Many of our family members run part of the race course BEFORE the race.  Yes, it is the kind of crazy thing serious runners do apparently.  So, we saw a few of our nieces, aunts, and friends on their way back in to the starting line.

"Wonder Woman Aunt Jenny" ready to run.

When the race starts, there is a stampede of runners passing by you.  I snapped over a dozen pictures just hoping to catch some of our family.  Thankfully, Roan and Leah were waving and yelling so I knew exactly when to snap this picture.  Roan ran with Sam this year.  I think this was his first 10K, so she helped him stay on pace I'm sure.  All the Johnson runners finished with amazing times as always.

Once the last walker passed us to start the race, we finally saw who was singing all those Elvis songs.  It was Elvis himself.  He came over to serenade the girls a little bit.  They weren't real sure what to think.  Ha!

We strolled over to a local coffee shop for some breakfast for the mamas and a caffeine.  Then we watched most of the Johnsons finish the race, before we strolled over to Green Market.  Green Market is a market held the first Saturday of each month in our hometown where vendors bring their handmade items to sell.  We enjoyed seeing several friends we knew and looking at all the handmade goods.

We decided the girls needed some time to run around, so we let them out at the courthouse to play before eating lunch at Borroum's, an old drug store.  They had the best time running around, playing "Ring Around the Rosie", and just being free from the stroller.

After a yummy lunch, we ran into some more family and friends.  We played and changed diapers back at the courthouse before parting ways for the day.  Millie Janalee and I visited Russ's parents' house where all the runners were congregating for lunch and snacks.

Millie Janalee was worn out, so we headed back to my parents' for a long nap.  It was a wonderful way to spent an early summer weekend!