Saturday night, we planned a dinner and party for our class reunion finale.  Our hometown depot served as a great venue, and everyone made themselves at home...with memories of junior high dances in the same location!  Ha!

Katy, Mark, and Lauren

We had dinner catered, and it was very yummy!  Catfish, chicken, grits squares, lemon squares, brownies, slaw, and more!  Once again, Mary Elizabeth and crew did a great job with preparations. Several others chipped in decorating that afternoon and making sure everything made its way to the correct spot.  Special thanks to my mom for running to Kroger to pick up two yellow mums after the centerpiece was left at someone's home.  Moms come to the rescue no matter the age!

Sarah Elizabeth, Lynley, Katy, me, Prentiss, Mary Elizabeth, Season, and Lauren

We enjoyed the evening visiting old friends and getting to know their significant others even better.  Thankfully, Russ loves to socialize.  I don't think we ever laid eyes on each other once we arrived.  Ha!  In fact, it was like that all weekend I think.

Wesley and Russ solving the world's problems.

By the time we all finished our dinner and posed for several photo opportunities, it was time to party!  Prentiss and Andy worked on our playlist to resemble songs of our past...dating back to junior high and high school!  Perfection! 

The rest of the night included dancing, singing, laughing, and simple FUN!  I mean the pictures are pretty incriminating...you can tell who has the moves.  And who doesn't.  Ha!  It doesn't matter how you move as long as we had a great time!  And we did!

A few classmates couldn't stay the whole night, but we managed to grab somewhat of a group picture.  These are some of our classmates...spouses not included.  We should've gotten an entire group shot!

CHS Class of 2002

All in all, our 10 year reunion was a great success thanks to all who took time out of their schedules to join us.  And thanks to all who helped pull off such a fun weekend!  Let's do it again in 10 years!

Reunion Family Day

I have taken so many pictures lately, and I am always tempted to go ahead and post them immediately.  However, I am determined to finish these reunion posts since this blog does serve as a journal for me and my family.  So....as Millie Janalee coos and babbles in the background, I will quickly post about my ten year reunion.

Saturday afternoon was Family Day for our little class of 2002.  We really weren't sure how many we would have show up, but the turnout was surprisingly great!  Many of our classmates have young children now.  Some have older children, and we even had many come who didn't have children yet.  I was so glad to see them all!

Lynley, me, and Season

Bowlin checking in on Millie Janalee

Kissing cousins (7th cousins I think...Ha!)

Millie Janalee snoozed through most of the Family Day...not surprisingly.  But once she woke up she had lots of kiddos to meet!  We have a long list of boyfriends already, and we added to our list Saturday.  Ha!  Where are all the little girls!?

Griffin loved patting Millie Janalee

Me, Millie Janalee, Miranda, and Griffin

As we visited and met all the little ones, we realized that most all the kids were too young to play on the playground.  Ha!  Our next reunion will look so very different!  We enjoyed a perfectly beautiful day at the park catching up in a relaxed setting, meeting spouses and children, and watching the few bigger kids play.

Me, Millie Janalee, Sarah Elizabeth (in labor now), Grey, and Katy

Miranda, Grant, Griffin, Jennifer, Marquita, me, Millie Janalee, Sarah Elizabeth, and Grey

Millie Janalee got hungry toward the end of the afternoon.  Which meant Russ and I were the last ones there!  Left feeding the little one!  Ha!  Jennifer and her family stayed to play while we finished, and I got lots of advice on shopping for little girls.  As if I needed more help with that!  Russ just shakes his head.

Such a delightful afternoon for our families! 

Reunion Shower

"Martha Stewart meets Betty Crocker"

That is the way I described my high school friend, Mary Elizabeth, in our wedding program.  Mary Elizabeth is Super Mom and friend in so many ways.  She not only carried an enormous load for our ten year reunion, but she also planned a teacher appreciation luncheon at her child's school, planned to feed Junior Auxiliary, and hosted a sweet baby shower for me and Sarah Elizabeth.  Sarah Elizabeth is due in a couple of weeks.  It was so fun to celebrate with our original group from elementary and high school.  One thing about small towns...your friends rarely change.  We always come back to the original 8.

Mary Elizabeth planned a lovely low-key morning complete with adorable fall baby decor and beyond delicious food!  Who else would have thought about a fall arrangement in a lace adorned baby carriage?!  Perfection!

Most of all, it was wonderful to spend a couple of uninterrupted hours with these sweet friends.  Laughter is never something we lack.  Good stories from Lynley always entertain.  And filters are all removed!  Anything goes!

One "hot" Mama

Me, Sarah Elizabeth, and Millie Janalee

This was also the first time a few of our friends met Millie Janalee.  She was on her best behavior...not that good behavior is a requirement for this group!  Quite the opposite, in fact.  Ha!

Katy Boo Boo, as we nicknamed her, came from Atlanta for the reunion weekend.  Millie Janalee was so excited to meet one of her many second cousins!  Katy is a pro...from all her experience with her nieces and nephews.

Katy and Millie Janalee

Lynley had so much fun baby shopping for the newest little ones in our group.  There is no doubt she would be a fun babysitter.  If you are around Lyn for any amount of time, you will agree.  Never a dull moment!

Millie Janalee and Lynley

I am so thankful for our sweet friends and their generosity!  I almost feel guilty for being so spoiled by those who love us.  Sarah Elizabeth has not found out whether her baby will be wearing pink or blue...but my vote is PINK!  Millie Janalee needs a playmate.  Of course, if it's a boy...he can just be her boyfriend.  Ha!

Precious romper from Mary Elizabeth!

Millie Janalee's very own "Peggy" from Lynley!

Ten years may have changed many things...marriage, jobs, babies, and life changes.  But friendships remain!  I'm so thankful for the "original 8" and what they mean to me.  I'm thankful that these girls have seen me at my worst and best through the years, and they still accept me and love me for who I am.  That's almost 25 years of ups and downs and all arounds.

The Original 8 (minus Lauren and Prentiss)

Thank you girls for such a special day!  And thank you most of all for your friendships!

Class Reunion Tailgate

10 years ago, I graduated from high school.  Is it really possible that I've been out of high school for that long?!  Some days I still feel like a teenager wanting to do all the fun things I used to do.  And sometimes...I still do them!  Especially with a younger brother and sister.  I can "pretend."  Then, some days I look at my life and realize just how much things have changed.  Not better or worse.  Just a different phase.  And I'm loving this phase SO MUCH!

Friday night, we started our 10 year reunion weekend with a tailgate before and during our high school football game.  It was a big game since both teams were undefeated, and I was excited to enjoy a high school football game!  In case you haven't already figured this out...I love football.  My parents have always had season tickets to our high school football games, and we rarely missed a game.  In fact, I would come home from college and watch games some too.

Lauren, me, and Season

We were very happy with the turnout Friday night.  We graduated with a small class of 90+ students.  Everyone knows everyone.  And there were certainly cliques.  It was nice to come back and see how much everyone had grown up.  Everyone  mingled, caught up on what's going on in others' lives, and we were genuinely happy to see everyone. 

For many of our classmates, this was the first time any of us had met some spouses.  It is always fun to see how marriage...and kids...can change a person.  And it's funny to see how some things never changed!  I love it!

Andy, Alan, Huey Don, Bo, Baxter, and Kalin

I think back to where we all envisioned ourselves 10 years out of high school.  Many of us are nowhere near where we thought we would be.  But we are exactly where we are supposed to be!  Jobs have changed.  Majors changed.  Life changed.  I always enjoy listening to high school seniors tell their future plans.  It makes me smile (and giggle a little).  Because I remember what my "future plans" were.  And I know what my plans turned into.  God certainly had his own ideas...and they are WAY better than mine!

Me, Mary Elizabeth, Season, Lynley, Miranda, and Prentiss

The temperature was wonderful, but he humidity was fierce.  Just take a look at my hair and you can see!  We tailgated up on the hill throughout the game as we watched on.  Our Warriors didn't win, but it was still a fun night.  Many of us continued the party at Mike's Cafe after the game before heading home to kids, families, and our pillows!  We are older, after all!  Ha!

Me, Mary Elizabeth, Prentiss, and Season

Millie Janalee was well taken care of while Russ and I were away.  "Aunt Elle" and Will kept her at Russ's parents' house.  Elle and Will LOVE Millie Janalee, and I'm sure Millie Janalee feels the same about them.  I knew she would not lack for attention with those two around.

Will, Millie Janalee, and Elle (cousins)

Grace stayed for the night too.  She loves her baby cousin too!  I remember when Grace was born, and I was totally obsessed with that little blonde haired fair skinned girl.  Now, I watch Grace take such good care of my brunette fair skinned baby girl, and it blows my mind!  Time needs to just slow down!

Cousins Grace and Millie Janalee

Granmomma was overjoyed that Millie Janalee was able to stay with them without her overprotective parents around!  Ha!  From what I heard, Granmomma and Millie Janalee made lots of faces at each other and stuck their tongues out a lot.

Millie Janalee and Granmomma

I am so thankful that Elle braved the bathing situation!  I'm guessing Grace wanted to be up close and personal...hence her being in the actual bathtub. Ha!  Millie Janalee was sweet smelling and ready for bed by the time we made it home.

Grace and Elle bathing Millie Janalee

"I feel so fresh and clean!"

Night night, sweet angel!

So far, my 10 year reunion weekend started off just wonderfully!

Eleven Weeks

Well, today marks eleven sweet weeks of life for Millie Janalee!  Look how big she's getting!  I can't get over it.  We are having SO much fun these days.  She is still such a content baby girl, and she is sleeping SO GREAT at night.  For now.  I've heard not to get used to any stage.  So I'm celebrating each day as it comes.  Ha!

Millie Janalee still eats five ounces every five hours.  Since we started her on the new formula, her spit up has dramatically improved, and she is fuller longer.  She doesn't really cry for a bottle...I just notice her squirmy fusses.  I think this is one reason her nighttime sleep has been so great lately.

We are wearing three month clothes.  You'll notice this three month onesie is a little loose, and I'm thankful we have a little more time before jumping to the big six month sizes!  She has long legs, so some of her three month pants are borderline short.  But it's okay if babies wear high waters!  I've timed it out for her to be in six month clothes around Christmas.  I hope I'm right...or else her holiday themed clothes will be a bit baggy!  Ha!  Her little smocked dresses and bubbles will still work in newborn sizes.  Yay!  I get so sad when I see her outgrow each size!

Millie Janalee is wearing size 1 diapers, and I'm confident we will be there for a little while.  Speaking of diapers, I have still not had to buy a single package of diapers during these eleven weeks!  I'm so thankful for generous family and friends who knew what we would need during these first few weeks and months!  My dad asked what we wanted for Christmas, and I told him Millie Janalee wanted diapers.  My, how things change!  Ha!

Some of our favorite things right now are still the activity mat, strolling, traveling, SMILING, squealing, and just last night she finally actually enjoyed tummy time for a little while.  She hasn't been a big fan until then.  I love talking to Millie Janalee...especially in the mornings.  She enjoys talking back, cooing, and squealing at me!  I say, "Mama loves you!" and she smiles so big.  Then I say, "Do you love Mama?" and she smiles big again.  I'm convinced she knows what I'm saying.

No matter what you say! 

I love how Millie Janalee is grabbing things!  I'm pretty sure we may have a security blanket in the form of a burp cloth after all the time spent wiping spit up and protecting clothes.  She loves to grab it and hold it next to her face.  She also falls asleep with a tight grip on her paci.  She likes to take her paci out, hold it, and wave it around.  I've been trying to introduce some of her toys to her this week for her to grab.  She did such a good job last night playing with her owl.  She wasn't really into playing with her rattle today.  There are PLENTY more to introduce.

It is such an absolute JOY watching my precious girl grow and change!  Yes, I hate to see her getting bigger, but it is so much fun!  I love each new stage, take LOTS of pictures in case it's the last, and try to video important things too.  Oh, I may have a little Facebook shopping addiction too!  The first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem, right?

Happy Eleven Weeks, Millie Janalee!  We love you SO SO much!