Old Friends Visit...

I lived in the Azores, 9 little islands off the coast of Portugal, for 4 years of my childhood. During that time I had a best friend named, Brandi. We met at 9years old in Mr. Isham's 3/4th grade split class. She asked me if I wanted to play at recess and the rest is history. We have kept up over the years and she has become one of the few people I call/text/email when I am needing advice, a shoulder to lean on, someone to lift my spirits, someone to tell my silly stories to, and most importantly someone to share my spiritual journeys with. She is more than a best friend..she is family.

She and her family came to Gainesville last week to spend a few days in the heat of Florida before they all go back to school. We had such a wonderful time. Presley was instantly in love with little Riley(6), Ryann(5) and Trevor(4). If we would have done nothing but play in our house all day it would have suited Presley just fine. She was just glad to have big kids to play with her and her toys!

I didn't think just hanging out at the house would be 'cool' with the older kids. So we went to the Florida Natural History Museum, to the Swamp-Florida's Football stadium (Presley 'Called the Hogs' while there!!), and to the Ichetucknee Springs. The Ichetucknee was so fun. When we got up that morning it was a nice Florida day. Which, in the summer usually turns in to a nice, rainy Florida afternoon! so, I was hoping we would make it down the river in time before the rain came. NOPE. As soon as the boys dropped Brandi and I with the kids at the head of the river it down poored. We were freezing! I still can't believe we went ahead and put the kids in the water, but we did. Presley wasn't sure about it at first but as soon as I started showing her all the birds and the wildlife she was happy. I just wish I would have had my camera because Shep ended up with 4 tubes tied to him and Dallas pulled Brandi, Presley, Ryann and I in one big tube while Riley and Trevor hung on to our tube while staying in their small tubes! Gosh, I wish I had a picture. Oh well!! What else did we do? Oh, we also spent a lot of time at home and just hanging out at the pool.

It was such a comfortable weekend. We didn't even go out to eat once. We just spent the whole time talking and watching the kids play. Once my friend Missy asked me, "What did we do for entertainment before we had kids?" I honestly don't know! It was so wonderful to just hang out and listen to their laughter and even their bickering. I loved it!!

We want them to come back!
here are some pictures of their trip. I am still upset that I forgot our camera at the ichetucknee. I have some after the tubing trip. heehee.

hanging out with the Shepherds at the house

Florida Natural History museum

florida swamp with shepherds

after ichetucknee with shepherds

15 months old...

I am so slow to posting. Sorry. We have had lots of visitors and so happy for it! I just am not good about blogging when we have company. Anyways, so I am now blogging about Presley turning 15 months old.

A few days ago we ran into the nurse that took care of me and Presley the night and day after she was born. When she saw me I asked if she remembered us and she said, "Ya know, I remembered your eyes but you look a lot different!!" I guess that is how crazy I was looking! Anyways, I told her how old Presley was and she said, "Has it really been that long?" I looked over at Presley with her long golden locks and bright blue eyes as she is waving a very enthusiastic "HI" to this lady she has no memory of meeting and thought sadly to myself....yes, it has been that long.

My little girl is growing so fast. Sometimes I want it to speed up, but most of the time I just want time to stand still.

Here is what Presley is doing now:
Talking, talking, talking, talking
words she says:
Hi Hello
Bye Bye Mommy
Dada Mama
Ben Abby
Stop Sit(which sometimes sounds like a 4 letter word)
eat drink
up more(which she says 10Xs in a row like a seagull)
cheese go
uh-oh NO
All Done here
Papa Mae
eye nose(just sounds like a long drawn out,naisly, NO)
baby uh huh(if anything sounds like a question this is her answer)
dog moo
woof shoes
Some days our words are clearer than others and she says them more often, but there is NO doubt our little lady is babbling something important ALL day

Follows direction fairly well
climbing on EVERYTHING
reading books(ok babbling at pictures...endulge me)
learning to jump
squeals with excitment
dances and worksout with mommy
goes on runs with daddy(in stroller) and pitches a fit if he forgets her
tries to put on her own clothes
loves to ride her jumpy zebra (thanks Missy)
swims everyday and LOVES it-especially when daddy throws her and does tricks with her
helps feed the dogs
uses her utensils when she eats
runs everywhere!!

One thing is for sure she is all play all the time. Our little lady has two gears-asleep or full speed ahead! The other day I picked her up and she laid her head on my shoulder and you would have thought we needed to call an ambulance. We had no clue if she was ok or not! She was just lovin on me! Wow!

Presley-
You are 15mo old now and I am already seeing that my greatest joy in life is going to be watching you live yours. You bring so much happiness to the world around you. You are funny, compassionate and bright. You don't mind getting dirty and love a little mystery. A challenge to you is no more than that. You are a dare devil and love trying new things. I love that you are crazy independent, but still depend on us in a pinch. You always know where base is and check in when needed. My days are full of your extatic squeals, loveable laughs, fake cries, babbles and yells for Ben and Abby and I can't close my eyes at night without one last visit to your bedside. I never knew what I was missing before you came into my life. Now I don't know how I will ever let you grow up. Your Mae told me a quote today and I get teary eyed just thinking of you when I hear it, "when they are little they dance on your toes, when they are older they dance on your heart!"
I promise you will dance on my heart often!
I love you my sweet baby girl!
-Mama