{Enjoy}

Most people know that I'm an anxious person by nature...about trying new things, meeting new people, going someplace I've never been... ...but Friday I decided to take a risk and host a Willow House party.  It sounds fun right?  Getting to have your friends over and oohing and aahing over pretty home decor!  I'm not one to host parties unless it's for our family for the kids' birthdays...and even then I get those nervous butterflies in my stomach about the planning and having people over.  So the Willow House consultant and I set a date and I planned the party...but turns out...everyone else had other plans...or let's be honest...alot of people don't really want to sit and look at...um...let's be honest... kinda expensive home decor {and if we're really being honest..I am one of those people too!  But let's be honest some more...hosting your own party means free stuff...you can't lose there!}  Anyway...no one came to the party except the consultant... and Dan and the kids...ha!  But we still had fun!  I got to order some pretty things {my birthday is coming up!} and I {enjoyed} the time to sit and chat and get to know a new friend!  And if anything...hosting a party means the house is clean {for a short time} and I have an excuse to make some yummy food!  {Dan appreciates that aspect of party planning!}

{I didn't get a pic of the whole spread...but we have some delicious left-overs!}

...these are so good...and so dangerous...I can eat all of them!

{...if you like pumpkin pie...then you'd love the orange Pumpkin Spice Hershey's kisses...yumm-y!  they really taste just like pumpkin pie!}

Anyway...I had so many different things I wanted to express in this post, but I can't really put them into words...

I learned of two families this weekend who are going through some very scary, devastating and uncertain health circumstances right now...one who has been battling cancer for several months...and one who underwent a very unexpected surprising heart surgery.  I sometimes take for granted how quickly things can change in a flash...and when you hear of these things happening to those who are close to you...it really helps you appreciate what you have...right now!  Because you might not have it tomorrow!

So I just want to remember and be thankful and {enjoy} all the moments that I can spend with my family.

I mean...I like pretty things and surrounding myself with pretty home decor...but the important things are those that you can't buy...like the laughter {and sometimes tears} you get to share with your kids...

...getting to hug them any time you want...getting through those sleepless nights, because really they will pass way. too. quickly...

...and getting the chance to savor the moments when they are asleep...

...getting excited when the Tooth Fairy visits...{for the seventh time!}

...enjoying the sunshine on your face...

...{or fur}...

...roasting marshmallows and hot dogs around a campfire...

...taking a hike through our favorite park...{again!}...

I sometimes...{unfortunately too often}... have to stop and remind myself about what's important.  Not if the floors are always clean and the toys are picked up...or if I get a shower today...

It's important to give...{and recieve}... hugs and kisses...tell your friends and family that you love them...say your prayers...encourage your kids and tell them what a great job they did today {even if they got another yellow for talking in class...ahem...}...remember to be silly...

...and stop to admire God's work everywhere...

I really dislike that it sometimes takes someone else's heartache or tragedy to remind myself to appreciate what I have.  We had a wonderful weekend enjoying this beautiful weather and spending time together...and every time I looked at my family...I just couldn't imagine anything happening to any one of them or myself. 

{Enjoy} every second!  Be anxious for nothing!  Thank God for all your blessings...and even for your hardships to help bring us closer to Him and know that through  Him we can endure all things!  {Hugs!}

*Wordless Wednesday - {Have a Nice Hair Day!}

*If you know Emily at all...then you definitely know that she is sassy, independent, and flaunts her own style!
So...with that said...I love any opportunity I ever get to fix her hair!  I may not be a hair stylist {obviously!} ...but I think it's almost every mom's dream to fix her little girl's hair and dress it up with ribbons and bows!  Thank you Emily for this day!  I love you no matter how you look...but I do love your braids!

*{Wordless?  c'mon...if you know me at all...you know that almost never happens!  ha!}

*{ps...it was an extra-special nice day...because Emily lost tooth #6 at school too and got a visit from the Tooth Fairy...love that smile!}

Destin {The Sand & Sky...and it's Time to Wrap this Vacation Up!}

As much as I am loving all the pictures and memories of our Destin vacation...I guess it's time I wrap this up {wah!} and share the rest of the photos...so sit tight and grab some coffee...Diet Coke...sweet tea...or all the above!  ha!  I will...and pout over the photos wishing we were there!

One of the things we enjoyed was the beautiful sand!  {well...I didn't really love it when it was stuck to me for a whole week...in the bed...in the shower...in my suitcase...in my hair...but still beautiful!}

We loved taking walks in the evening...and we had fun seeing all the sculptures that families created during the day!

{a whale}

{a turtle} 

{a dragon/lizard} 

{an octopus} 

{a pyramid} 

and the beautiful skies...

Alex and Emily couldn't get enough of the sand...

...and we had a good laugh one night when Alex stuck his hands so deep in the wet sand...thinking he found a sand dollar...and pulling out a live crab, with legs wiggling!  Aaaaah!  Both of our eyes were huge...and he dropped it so fast...and then we laughed so hard!

And it's not a true vacation memory without the torture fun of a few family photo ops!

{hang in there...I couldn't get enough of Emily!} 

We didn't spend all of our time on the beach, though...

 The kids...and Dan...had a blast at The Track riding go-carts...

...bumper cars...

...and bumper boats!

{I'm not sure who's having more fun...Dan or the kids!}

And little Emily is still a couple inches too small for a few rides...but not too big for the little rides...yet!

Well...I think I've f-i-n-a-l-l-y given you a good idea of how much fun we had in Destin!  And believe it...or not...there are many more photos...but I think I've captured the ones that I absolutely love and will love looking at over...and over...and over again!

...and Emily decided to lose a tooth somewhere in Alabama on the ride home!

{No. 5}

{...and her top tooth is finally making an appearance...after almost a year!} 

{my travel buddy...}

{the Tooth Fairy has missed visiting our house...and was very generous in leaving Emily $5...and she made sure to leave a note asking if she can keep her tooth this time!} 

We have some wonderful memories...and despite some of the groaning I might have heard from trying to take so many photos...I know we'll all enjoy looking back at them...and we can't wait to go back again!

The End

{not to be continued...sniff...}