Shorter Mini Reunion

Since most of my friends from college live in Rome or close to it we try to meet up at least once during the summer and sometimes around Christmas.  I wish we could do it more often, but it's difficult for me to get up there often...it just makes for a long day making that drive round trip in one day.

This trip I drove up and met Amanda, Coo, and Robin.  Amanda and Coo were my roommates and Robin lived next door to me for two years and shared a suite with Robin one year.  We ate at Duffy's Deli...they have the best chicken salad and ambrosia ever!!!  When we were there we ran in to my other roommate Hope.  It was great to see her again (she was on lunch break since she's making the big bucks now as an assistant principal)!  After lunch it was back to our old stomping grounds...Shorter College University for pictures!

First stop was the fountain in front of the front circle.  Drew (Robin's son) testing out the water.

 Raleigh's turn

 And Emma Kate's

 Two silly girls!

 I think this should be on a "Welcome To Shorter" brochure.  :)

 A look at the front circle (looks so different) and Sheffield Thompson building

 Emma Kate and Drew taking a break in the shade

 We moved to the courtyard between Van Hoose and Cooper dorms to another fountain.  We couldn't believe that it was actually clean and working!  Emma Kate had to have a feel and looked like she was going to fall in while Amanda and I snapped away...

 we had no fear because Coo is always to the rescue!

 It was so hot so the girls got to put their feet in!

 Love these two!  Definitely made my days at Shorter so memorable!

 Attempt at a group shot.  The saddest part...I didn't get a picture of Drew's gorgeous blue eyes!

14 weeks strong

I went back for another ultrasound to check on the baby and make sure everything was ok with the hemorrhage.  The baby looked wonderful with a heart rate of 152 bpm.  I never get tired of hearing the heartbeat!  This ultrasound was special...it was the first time that Raleigh was able to see the baby.  She kept saying, "she's so cute!"  I can't wait to watch her be a big sister!

Same Game, Different Generation

Since Derek and Kim moved back to Georgia we decided to plan a night of homemade ice cream and allow all the cousins to play.  Other than after Nore's funeral, this is the first time this has happened in a LONG time!  It was so much fun to watch all the kids playing.  Just a "few" years ago it was Todd, Scott, Derek, Greg, Kyle, and myself out playing and now it's our kids (or at least Derek, Greg, and mine).  I love family times like this!

 Football observers...Derek, Kim, Pam, Raleigh, Maria

 The players...Grant, Eddie, Greg, Lance, Andy

 More observers and now the grandparents watching (except for Tisha and Jason)...Mama, Junior, Cathy, Tisha, Jason

 Emma Grace and Caleb enjoyed some time on the swing

 My dad and Rob (Maria's husband) joined them as well

 Hope enjoyed riding her bike

 After a short time things got serious...the kids put on their helmets and Derek joined the game!

 Raleigh found a new job...cheerleader.  When I was younger this was mostly what I ended up doing since I was the only girl.

 And Andy's down

 Hope and Raleigh...cousins born 3 weeks apart

Interesting and Scary Saturday

I found out that the Duggar family was going to be in Atlanta signing their newest book.  I am amazed at this family and especially Michelle, the mom.  I'm not sure how in the world she does it and I've said that if I could meet anyone I would love to meet her and pick her brain.  I would love to hear how she did it especially when she had  five kids five and under!  Well, Jason being the wonderful husband that he is said he'd take me. Him and Raleigh hung out reading in the kids section while I waited in line.  To begin with the family sang a song...I snuck out of line to snap a picture.

Little did I know this would be the only picture I would get of them.  After standing in line for two hours I felt something and I knew right away that it wasn't good.  I called Jason to get in line for me and I went to the bathroom.  Much to my horror I found too much blood...not good when you're pregnant!  I immediately called Jason again and told him we were going to the ER.  After having to wait too long there they finally got me in for an ultrasound and we were able to see our baby.  Praise the Lord the baby was fine and had a good heart rate! Ended up I had a subchorionic hematoma and it's fairly common.  I went on Monday to see my doctor and they said the same thing and told me to take it easy.  So I've taken it easy and done as little as possible!  I go again for another ultrasound next week.  So thankful that my baby is safe and healthy, but sad I missed getting to meet the Duggars.

Ultrasound from my doctors visit

Proud Mama

To some it may not seem like much, but to this mama it was a proud day...Raleigh wrote her name (minus the g and h) on her own!!  I was so proud!  She has a ways to go, but she at least tried.

Proof!

Here's proof of our wonderful vacation

On our last day we stayed out all day and didn't make Raleigh take a nap.  Well, while I was taking a shower she fell asleep on the couch!  She definitely had a good day!

Beach Pictures!

I wanted to take some pictures on the beach, but I wanted a beautiful sunset to go with them.  We tried twice and the second try was the best, but still not great.  It would look like it was going to be a good night and then the clouds would roll in before the sunset.  Oh well...some of them turned out ok.

The first night we went...no sun at all!

 My girl and me!

 The second night we went

 I really wanted to try to take some silhouette pictures.  The sun just wasn't bright enough.

 For the first set we were on Sanibel, but for this set we crossed the bridge and were on Captiva.  Loved being able to use the rocks!

 Raleigh loves to tease Papa and he loves to tease her too!

 I love the way Raleigh is posing...such a prissy girl!

 LOVE!!!