The Bright Eyed Brunette

Carl and Trey worked hard on Saturday doing yard work. The girls and I went shopping😚 We celebrated Grammy's 82nd birthday with grilled burgers, chicken, chips and dip, and of course, cake! The weather was pretty awesome all weekend, so we had a bonfire in the backyard! Pictured here are Miss Kitty, Carlie, and Makena Faith. Carl and Trey roasting marshmallows...yummy! We might have also shot some bottle rockets and lit up some sparklers, you know, just because we could😁😁 Much Love, Beth

It's always relaxing to go to the river in the evenings, but this trip was like a breath of fresh air because we hadn't been on the boat in a good two weeks. Carl had to work a lot last weekend and I had some digestive issues (I'm blaming my age!), so taking the boat out just wasn't a priority. This evening was especially fun because we found a small sandbar to relax at and there were only two other boats on the water. Harvest is coming and we are going to miss these week night outings, so we are soaking them up while we can. Much Love, Beth

Well it is here...the last year in my 30's! How that is possible I don't know! I mean, I remember when 30 was old!! Now I just think that most 30 year olds have no idea what life is really about😉 I had a very laid back birthday. Carlie woke me up with a long john with a candle in it and a diet coke and Makena gave me a present from her as soon as she got up! She got me a pig picture to go in my dining area and I love it! Carlie and Trey had already given me their present last week because Carlie just couldn't wait. I got a smartwatch from them. It may be smarter than I am! After lunch we went over to my parents house so my niece and nephews could give me the gifts they picked out. Ellie Kate and Eli got me a Pioneer Woman cookie jar and Noah got me an insulated can holder for my diet cokes😊 I think they were probably most proud to give me the card...it had a poop emoji with a pull string so it talks and sings all kinds of potty phrases! Why do kids love potty talk so mu

Well Summer has hit!! It has been warm since May BUT the past week has been miserable. The heat index rises with each day to the point that you feel like your skin is melting if you stay out for more than 5 minutes. The dog days of summer are definitely here. It is this time of year that I feel bad for Carl and whoever else has to work out in it! Needless to say, we have stocked up on water bottles and Powerades. We have had a pretty good week around here. Makena turned 15, Carlie got her honor roll certificate in the mail, we got all of our school books and dvd's in, and Trey got his new school desk. How cute are these cupcakes?! Thank you, Sam's Club!! I cannot begin to tell you how proud I am of this girl! She is one of the most driven and dedicated people I know. She sets goals and crushes them one by one (in order of course because she is a little OCD). Right now her goal is to graduate from Abeka Academy in Pensacola with full honors, attend college (the locat

Happy Birthday to my sweet Makena Faith! Fifteen years....you're old😉 More like I'm  old! It seems like just yesterday we were bringing you home from the hospital. You are currently in to watching Netflix, basketball, football, and baseball. You are still playing your musical instruments, but probably play your ukelele and guitar the most. You are a great big sister to Trey, and you try hard to be a great little sister to Carlie...😅😅 You are a blessing from above and we are so thankful for you. Even though we didn't get to spend your birthday at the beach this year, I think you still had a great one. Carlie and Trey got donuts for breakfast and brought you a balloon. We just couldn't wait for your party to give you your presents, so you got them at breakfast. We went into town and ate at Subway (your favorite) with Daddy for lunch and then came home to open more presents at Nanny's. After work, Daddy grilled hamburgers and then we went back to Nanny and Pop'

Trey and Noah are really having a good time together this summer. Eli, Noah, Trey, and Ellie Kate having a snack. The big girls were there too, they were just avoiding my pictures like usual. Got my planner in the mail at the end of last week. I can't wait to start filling it up with lesson plans and fun fieldtrips! That probably sounds a little nerdy🤓🤓 We finally took the kids tubing at the river on Sunday afternoon. Carlie chose not to ride, but Trey and Makena had a blast. This is Makena😀 And this is T-Man Who wouldn't love this view?! Summer is flying by!! It is hard to believe it is already the second full week of July. We have been hanging out with the cousins and going to the river as much as time allows. The kids have really enjoyed being able to have a nice boat ride (almost) every evening. Thankful for our summer blessings!! Much Love, Beth

On our way to the family reunion in Cherry Valley I'm not sure who was telling the bigger tale...Trey or Uncle John! Carl, talking to some of his people (don't ask me their names). Me, Carl, and Riley Gotta wonder what I was thinking.... Makena Faith I sure hope someone else got a better picture ofour group! I think we were only missing Papaw TR. I am not much of a family reunion person. I go to as few as I can get by with.  This one was for Carl's mom's family. They have one every year so we don't attend every one of them. Yearly just seems excessive to me. Anywho, we went, ate some good food, visited with people we haven't seen in a while, and then left.  Much Love,  Beth

Love my farmer! Trey, doing his flop again. He likes to do it because it throws tons of water, really far!! Our annual picture by the flag at Nanny & Pop's Backflippin' Carl Carl cooked the burgers because my Dad is still disabled and Papa has never been a griller. Ellie Kate Elijah Noah D They were having a good time doing fire works Makena Faith with her sparklers Carlie Erin with hers Sisters in the hood...it was sprinkling Makena and Carl That's all folks! We had such a good day celebrating the birth of our country. I know that I am so thankful for the men who fought to give us this freedom and I am thankful to God that we still have the religious freedoms that we have! "God Bless America, land that I love. Stand beside her and guide with the strength from the light up above. From the mountains and the valleys and the oceans white with foam. God Bless America, my home sweet home.&quo