A trip to my parents...

Alex was out of town last week, so Amelia and I decided to go stay with my parents for a few days. We hit the road on Wednesday and headed towards Osceola! We made it to town in time to go to church with them. They have such a sweet church family.



Upon arrival, we put our things in the guest room and my Momma had these pretty flowers on the bedside table. They were flower stems from an arrangement that me and my siblings had sent for my Grandmother's funeral service. She had little arrangements all over the house. I love having fresh flowers sprinkled around my home.



Amelia loved the accommodations.



While there, my Momma baked this yummy banana bread cobbler! She's going to share the recipe on her blog. It was delicious. I won't share how many pieces I consumed.



Each morning, Momma would ask me what I wanted for breakfast. She made me chocolate gravy & biscuits one morning...yum! Another delicious breakfast was this french toast. She made it from homemade bread that she had made before I arrived. She sent a loaf of the bread home to Alex...he LOVES homemade bread. :)



The next morning we headed to Cary & Sara's. This was my first time to see their new church and home. Amelia had a good nap on the way. Most of her naps while at my parents, took place in the car seat. We were on the go and she was a good, little traveler.



We made it to New Madrid, met Cary & Sara at their home, and headed out to lunch.



We drove to Sikeston to have lunch at Lambert's!



Jackson checking out the menu. :)



Millie Beth on one end of the table...



Amelia Joy on the other!



As you may know, Lambert's is home of the throwed roll. This is Jackson's face while watching them throw rolls all over the restaurant. LOL



They would push this little cart around and when you raised your hands that you wanted a roll...



They would throw you one across the restaurant! So much fun!



Jackson would raise his hands and say "HOT ROLL...HOT ROLL!" haha!!



They also walked around with yummy things, like fried okra and fried potatoes...constantly asking if we wanted more! I ordered the broiled chicken breast and it was the largest piece of chicken I've ever seen in my life. You could have fed 4 people off of this one piece of chicken!



Amelia thought it was loads of fun!



My sweet Daddy & Momma.



After lunch, we went to the outlet mall. I hit up the Carter's outlet. Heaven help! I found some summer outfits for Amelia. The girl is growing like a weed. Some of the outfits she's wearing are 12 month! We borrowed Sara's double stroller, since I didn't think to bring mine. Amelia loved being in the front. She just kicked back and enjoyed the ride.



After our shopping trip, we headed back to New Madrid and I took a tour of my brother's new church (where he's pastor).



I'm so proud of my little brother. I have no doubt that God has great things in store for NMBC!



They are living in the church parsonage, but as always, Sara has put her personal touch on everything and it's just adorable! There are still things that she wants to change (like the fireplace and there is a lot of wood in the dining room/kitchen area that isn't her style) but I think it's already looking so good.



Sara & Millie in the dining room.



I also received a tour of Jackson's bedroom! He is so cute and couldn't be more proud of his new room. Love this kid.



The next day, we headed to downtown Blytheville. There isn't a whole lot in this little town, but there are a couple of places that I always want to visit when I'm there. I love to eat at Sharecroppers.



I made a healthy choice of grilled chicken salad for lunch, so that I could have a piece of fresh strawberry pie for dessert. :)



After lunch, we visited Sisters...love this little store.



We had a great time with my parents. Alex has been out of town a lot on business, over the past few months. It's always nice to have help while he's away. There is nothing like your Momma cooking for you and helping you with your baby. Momma let me get a little more sleep, by getting up with Amelia in the mornings. Daddy would entertain her, so that I could get a shower and get ready. Momma cooked delicious meals for me, just like when I was little. May sound silly, but it's just nice to feel taken care of by your parents. To feel like you're the child again. Home is wherever they reside. I love them so much.



Love to all,

Amelia on the lake...

I've been meaning to post these pics from Amelia's first time on the lake. There are A LOT of them, so get ready! :)



My Uncle & Aunt invited us to their lake house and we gladly took them up on it!



Alex needed a day of doing absolutely nothing. He has been working so hard and was looking forward to getting away. He got up before everyone else and went fishing. The man loves to fish!



My Grandma Mc joined us and made my favorite breakfast...



Chocolate gravy & biscuits!!



Seriously, the best thing on earth.



Breakfast out on the deck.



Amelia hanging w/Uncle Kev.



After breakfast we put on our swimsuits and headed down to the lake.



We first went out for a ride on the pontoon.



Didn't take long for the baby girl to go to sleep! :)



After awhile it started raining, so we headed back to the house and hung out on the porch...trying to decide what we wanted for lunch.



My Uncle and Aunt are so sweet with Amelia. She's so blessed to have them in her life!



We decided on baked potato pizza for lunch...yum!



Amelia had a teething biscuit for the first time.



Since it was still raining after lunch, we headed upstairs and took a good nap. When we woke up, the rain had stopped, so we headed back down to the lake!



Since we had so much stuff to carry down, this was our ride down to the boat. Amelia would hang on for dear life everytime we would take off!



Amelia helping Uncle Kev drive. Look at that belly! :)



Amelia and Daddy.



I didn't make Amelia wear a life jacket on the pontoon, but once we got on the ski boat, she had to wear it. Here she is with it on for the first time. As you can see, she loved it. (LOL)



Alex & Aunt Sandi.



This was Uncle Kev's first time to ski this season...it was fun to watch him on the water!



After Uncle Kev finished skiing, we decided to let Amelia get in the water.



We weren't sure how she would react...



It was a little cold at first...



But then she gave us a smile!



Her Daddy was so happy that she didn't cry and that she liked it. He wants her to love the water, just like him!



I could just eat her up!



Sitting on the boat with Uncle Kev.



She was so good the entire time. Just when I thought she was going to fuss, she would go to sleep instead!



I love this picture of her sleeping.



We had a great time and we look forward to many more weekends, just like this one. Thank you, Uncle Kev & Aunt Sandi...we love you guys!



Love to all,

See you soon...

Yesterday, Amelia and I drove to my hometown. My Grandma Weaver was taken to the hospital right before Memorial Day. I had plans to go Tuesday, but something happened that didn't allow me to go, so I trusted that I was supposed to go Wednesday instead. While in the hospital, she had moments where she was doing better and then on Wednesday morning, the doctors told my Daddy, there was nothing more they could do. They moved her out of ICU into a regular room, to spend what time she had left with her family. Upon arriving, my Daddy took Amelia down to the cafeteria and I had some time alone with my Grandma. Her eyes were closed and she couldn't respond to what I was saying. Though when I asked her to squeeze my hand if she could hear me, she was able to do that. At one point, tears started coming out of her eyes while closed. I honestly can't remember a time when it has ever just been me and my Grandma...there were always lots of people around when I would visit with her. My Daddy's family is very large. To have this time, just the two of us, was very special for me.

As I held her hand in that hospital, I thought about my Grandma's life. You can tell a lot by someones hands. These weren't the hands of a woman who received a manicure every two weeks. Or probably ever.

These were the hands that picked cotton in the fields.
The hands of someone who worked in a sewing factory.
The hands that worked in a nursing home to care for others.
The hands that worked in the garden.
The hands that canned thousands of jars of food in her lifetime.
The hands that prepared the best meals in the world for her family.



The hands that loved and cared for 8 children.



The hands that held countless grandchildren & great-grandchildren.



These were the hands of a woman who worked hard her entire life.



She loved and prayed for her children. When my Daddy shares his testimony, my Grandma is always mentioned, because she played such a huge part in his coming to know the Lord.

I left the hospital yesterday evening and upon arriving home, I received the call that Grandma had passed. She no longer has the pain of broken bones from osteoporosis. She no longer has congestive heart failure. She no longer has leukemia. She has a new body. A healthy body!

"But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body." Philippians 3:20-21

She once again, walks hand-in-hand with my Grandpa.



She has seen the face of Jesus and in all honesty, I'm a little jealous.

"We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord." 2 Corinthians 5:8

My last words to my Grandma were, "I love you...I'll see you soon."

Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.” John 14:1-4

I'm so thankful that as a Christians, we never have to say goodbye.

It's just, see you soon.