The Bright Eyed Brunette

 Last week we made our annual trek down to the gulf! The only thing standing in our way was an eight hour road trip. I'm not the best rider. I'm more of a passenger princess. We were packed to the max!  I guess Trey was cold, lol! We always stop at Whataburger in Richland, MS for lunch. Welcome to Gulf Shores!! Our home away from home. We finally made it, just in time to eat dinner. Bahama Bob's was right next to our condo, so we walked over. Delicious! The boys were ready to eat! One of my favorite sights...last name on our chairs for the week! Ready to enjoy our day! Trey and this hat! He will kill me for this one! Hammy Sammy, Cheetos, and Strawberry and Cream Bloom for lunch! That's what I'm talking about :) Another day beach day! Carl stepped on this little guy. If you look closely, you can see his feet. And yes, we did put him back. Trey thought it would be funny to wear Wrenley's glasses from my swim bag! The only reason I wanted to come home was to see m...

As I stated earlier, Makena wanted a Little House on the Prairie themed birthday party this year.  So we did our best to make it happen for her! I didn't get any pictures of my own. We did have decorations that weren't shown. And although we didn't wear bonnets and long dresses, we celebrated our own Little House style. She is a beach loving girl like her mama! Makena helped me decorate, because she knew exactly what she wanted! Carl smoked ribs, Nanny made the white beans, Carlie made the cornbread. It was a perfect meal! We were happy for our cousins to be able to be here this year. Sometimes they are with their dad. We still missed Noah though! Wrenley loves to help people open presents and blow out candles!! Nanny also made Makena a peanut butter cake (per her request). It was delicious! No birthday would be complete without a photo shoot! My barefoot beauty :) Happy 24th Birthday, sweet girl! You make me proud of you daily, and I love you to pieces! Much Love, Beth 

 The Fourth of July feels a little different this year, doesn't it? This year we're celebrating 250 years since America declared its independence-- a milestone that reminds us just how much history has been written by ordinary people doing extraordinary things. We were in the middle of trying to decide what the weather was going to do Once in started thundering we just went home! For 250 years, this country has experienced incredible triumphs, heartbreaking losses, moments of unity, and seasons of division. Through it all, generations have worked, sacrificed, dreamed, and hoped for something better for their children and grandchildren. Trey stopped by before going to cook fish at my parents house. Flags and dog in the back :) Carl's mom and stepdad finally got to meet Wesley. We had a good time visiting with them. Me with my sister and brother-in-law. We were decorating cookies. Little Miss was ready to get in the pool! She also wanted a picture with BeBe and Uncle Trey Bab...

 July has always been one of my favorite months. For one, my favorite holiday is in July (Independence Day). It is also the month that we have been taking our summer beach vacation in, AND it is also a busy birthday month (Makena, me, and Grammy). I am super excited for all of these again this year!  This is also an exciting month for Makena. Her "Rooted on the Grand Prairie" exhibit opened today! The exhibit looks great! She has worked pretty hard on this for a while. We are proud of you, Makena! Makena is wanting to go to the Little House on the Prairie Museum in Kansas for her birthday. You know that girl loves her a good museum, and we have been watching the old show recently. She said    she isn't interested in the new one because it isn't historically accurate. Leave it to our resident historian  to keep us accurate. It does sound like a fun trip. We are going to do our best to make it happen. Her birthday is on Monday (she is off on Mondays) but we leave ...

 I think I'm officially taking the day off! Do you ever have those days where you just don't feel like doing anything? That was me today. Not sick or overwhelmed, not even particularly busy. I just woke up with zero motivation, and honestly, I've decided to quit fighting it.  The laundry is still sitting there. The dishes are giving me the side-eye from the sink. There are blog posts I could write, closests I could organize, and about a hundred other things that would probably make me feel like a "productive adult".  Instead? I'm moving at the speed of a sleepy turtle. Maybe I'll read a little. Maybe I'll watch a show I've already seen three times because I don't have the energy to pay attention to a new one. Maybe I'll scroll Pinterest and convince myself I'm gathering inspiration when we all know I'm just looking at pretty kitchens I'll never have.  And today, I'm okay with that. I think somewhere along the way we started ...

 Every once in a while, I hit that point where I just want to curl up with a good book. You know the kind-- the one that pulls you into the story without making you skip over awkward scenes or cringe at unnecessary language.                                                                                                                             Finding clean fiction isn't always easy these days, but thankfully there are still plenty of authors writing stories that are wholesome, uplifting, and full of heart. Whether you're relaxing on the porch with a glass of sweet tea or sneaking in a few chapters before bed, here are a few favorites worth adding to your reading list....

 Have you ever found yourself rehearsing conversations in your head? You know the ones. The arguments you wish had won. The hurtful words you wish you could take back. The situations you desperately want to fix, control, or defend. I think most of us have. When we feel wronged, misunderstood, or threatened, our natural response is to fight back. We want to explain ourselves, prove our point, and make sure everyone knows our side of the story. But sometimes God calls us to do something much harder. He calls us to be still.                                                                                                                                      ...