Goodbyes

We took Miss Shayla out to lunch today.  We are all going to miss her.      

Then we spent the afternoon at a party to say goodbye to Clay's squadron.  The girls had a great time playing with the other kids and we all enjoyed some yummy food.

We finished the night with one last stop to Rita's.  

God Provides...

a car for...

Shayla!

Shayla is so excited about her first car! This car is definitely an answer to prayers. She will now be able to drive back and forth to college in the Fall. She is a bright young lady with an amazing future ahead of her. May God continue to bless her and guide her.

Happy 6th Birthday Madison!

It is hard to believe that Madison is 6 years old today!

Jocelyn couldn't wait to show Sissy her birthday banner. Madison loved the birthday hat that Nana and Pop brought for her.

We are so happy that we get to celebrate Madison's birthday together as a family this year. Daddy missed Madison's birthday last year when he was deployed.

Madison got to invite one friend to join us for her birthday celebration and she choose Miss Shayla. She has definitely become part of our family.

Madison got to plan her special day, so after eating a chocolate frosted doughnut from Krispy Kreme, we headed to Build-a-Bear. She got a gift card for there from Uncle Guy, Aunt Nelda, Mia and Blayke. Madison loved making her new lamb that she named Snuggly. Nana and Pop bought Snuggly a cute pair of pajamas.

Jocelyn used her birthday gift card to make this cute kitty cat that she named Lisa. Nana and Pop bought Lisa her cute little pink and purple fancy dress.

Shayla made a graduation bear to celebrate her recent high school graduation.

We had so much fun at Build-a-bear!

Madison chose Boston Market meatloaf, mac n cheese, and corn for her birthday lunch.

Then we headed to Love in a Cup for her birthday dessert. She got Mango yogurt with fresh strawberries on top. Our girl loves Mango!

Time to head to the rooftop pool at the Crown Plaza hotel.

We all had fun in the pool even though the water was a little cold.

We got cleaned up in Nana and Pop's hotel room and headed to Quaker Steak for dinner before going back to our house to open Madison's gifts.

Madison got a Target gift card from Mimi.

Her favorite gift was her American Girl doll from Nana and Pop. She got Julie the one that she has been circling in all of the catalogs. She loves that they look alike with their long blonde hair and brown eyes.

Jocelyn couldn't wait to give Madison her gift.

Madison loved the Barbie bell for her bike that Jocelyn got her.

Mommy and Daddy got Madison a Julie DS game and...

several matching outfits for Madison and Julie.

Celebration Saturday!

Today Clay's nurse hosted a going away party for him. We had a wonderful afternoon together enjoying good food, friends, and fellowship. Although they are sad to see Clay leave the Family Medicine group, we are all excited about him crossing over to Flight Medicine.

Nurse Meadows is very artistic and made this gorgeous gift for Clay. It says:

"If I go up to the heavens, You are there,

If I make my bed in the depths, You are there.

If I rise on the wings of the dawn.

If I settle on the far side of the sea even there Your hand will guide me

Your right hand will hold me fast."

Psalms 139:8-10

Nurse Meadows also made these cute rocks for all of the girls.

Madison can't wait to find a place in our garden for her special rock.

We are all going to miss getting to see Nurse Meadows when we visit Daddy at work.

We also got to visit the Osage Farm which is right down the street from Nurse Meadow's house.

The kids loved seeing all of the cool animals.

The kids enjoyed feeding them all.

They all loved getting to see the baby chickens.

Jocelyn got to pet it.

Before we left, we got to buy some honey that he had harvested this morning along with some tomatoes and fresh cut flowers. We are looking forward to going back soon.

Then we headed to Miss Shayla's graduation pool party. We are so proud of her. She graduated with Highest Honors last night from Kecoughtan High School.

The girls loved swimming in her uncle's saltwater pool.

Madison rode the pony everywhere.

The girls made a new friend named Tiffany Ann. She is the sweetest little dog and would have sat in their laps all day long.

Happy 18th Birthday Shayla!

We LOVE our Miss Shayla. We were sad that we missed celebrating her birthday with her on her actual birth date earlier in the week, but we were thrilled to get to celebrate it today.

We enjoyed having her over for lunch and then giving her her birthday gift. She really liked her new purse and couldn't wait to go shopping at Forever 21 with her gift card.

We finished our birthday celebration with some FUN on the slip 'n slide!

Easter 2011

We are so happy to have Daddy with us this Easter since he was deployed last year.

Mommy and her girls ready to go to church.

Happy to get to spend Easter morning with Clay, but sad that we had to drop him off at the airport right after church so that he could go to Texas for 2 more weeks of training. We miss him very much when he is away, but are so proud of how hard he works and how well he provides for our family.

After we dropped Daddy off at the airport we came home and got ready for a YUMMY Easter meal with Miss Shayla, her mom, her sister and her sister's boyfriend. We decorated the table with flowers we picked from our yard.

Then the girls and I took Miss Shayla and Miss Shanice and headed to The Cape Henry Inn in Virginia Beach for a few days. We were all so happy to get away and stay in our little beach cottage.

Time to check out...

the beautiful views.

The girls couldn't wait to check out the water.

The girls couldn't wait to get playing so we changed out of our pretty Easter dresses and...

got into our swimsuits.

Miss Shayla helped the girls make a sandcastle.

Then we walked down the beach to find seashells, but Jocelyn found a horseshoe crab or at least parts of one. ;)

Miss Shayla showed the girls how to do cartwheels while we watched the sunset.

What a wonderful Easter!