Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Perfect


No one else will ever know the strength of my LOVE for you.
After all, you're the only one that knows what my heart sounds like from the inside!


I stumbled upon this quote on my new obsession- Pinterest. It makes the perfect caption for this perfect pic of these two perfect people!


Happy Tuesday!


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Monday, June 27, 2011

One Special Saturday

Saturday was a very special day.  We started the morning off with breakfast at Fatz CafĂ© to support our local high school’s football team.  After a delicious breakfast of pancakes, fruit and sausage we headed to the Grand Opening of Toys ‘R Us/Babies ‘R Us.  We arrived just in time to meet Barbie:

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After a little shopping we headed home to get ready for an afternoon by the pool at Jahpa’s.  Our cousins from “Cincinanny” were meeting us there for lunch and swimming.

DSC_0634DSC_0636Cousin weekend

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It was so nice to be able to spend the afternoon with our family.  We are hoping to make a tradition each summer.  Next summer (unless someone else gets married) we are hoping to meet up somewhere between SC and Ohio for a Cousin’s Weekend.  Sounds like a fun tradition to start, don’t ya think?

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Saturday, June 25, 2011

The Newlyweds

Last night some of our closest family and friends gathered together for my cousin Grant’s wedding.  The bride was beautiful.  The groom was handsome.  The ceremony was meaningful.  Love was in abundance.

I forgot my camera at home, but thank goodness my nephew had his and let me borrow it so I could snap a few shots of this special occasion: 

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Of course, a Stallard wedding would not be complete without a splash of orange here and there!  I just loved the ‘Heather & Grant’ banner and the mason jar centerpieces on the tables.

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Everyone was asked to write down a wedding wish for the couple in their guest book.  This kind of thing stresses me out because I want to be creative, but also share what’s on my heart.  After a little help from my sister and mom I ended up writing an acrostic with the word LOVE.

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See the cake?  It was beautiful and delicious.  However, I quickly learned that cutting and serving cake is not my gift!  That’s all I’m going to say about that! :)

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The happy couple!

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Mom and Dad

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Mom and Dad with Mackaylan and Cousin Vanessa from “Cincananny!” Or at least that is what Mackaylan says…

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Boyce and Eli

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Eli, Boyce, Diego, Miguel, and Andre

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I had to post this picture of me and Mick because my mom snapped it.  Trust me, that is a big accomplishment for her!  LOL!

Congratulations to Heather and Grant!  We are so happy for you and wish you many years of love and happiness! XOXOXO

Friday, June 24, 2011

Friday Feature Photo


What do you call a 6 year old who sleeps with an eye mask and insists on being called Sleeping Beauty as she is tucked in?

..........Give up?............

Mackaylan (or as we say it around here.... Princess Mackaylan!)

And tonight she decided that Lydia could be a princess too. After a few minutes of contemplating an appropraite name she decided Princess Drools-a-Lot would suit her best.

Priceless!

Happy Friday!!
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Thursday, June 23, 2011

A Thirty-One Kind of Day

If you have been following my blog for a while then you know that I am a consultant for Thirty-One Gifts.  I embarked on this journey in January because I just didn’t have enough on my plate! Ha!  Over the course of the past few months, I have discovered that It is a great business opportunity and I love being able to get together with groups of women and do what I love to do most- SHOP! 

For the past few weeks I have really been intentional about using my products.  I try to carry something with me everywhere I go.  This idea is two-fold.  First, it is a great way to increase sales because if someone asks about a product I can introduce them to Thirty-One and pass along my business card.  Second, by actually using the products in my day-to-day life it allows me to be able to share with my customers a variety of ways they too can use items that appeal to them. 

So… without further ado, here is how I used some of my Thirty-One products today:

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The Totally Awesome Beach Tote is probably my favorite bag right now.  I carry it with me everyday to class.  It easily holds everything I need for the morning (with plenty of room to spare!)

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I am giving myself lots of points for my use of the next bag: the Mini Metro Retro.  I am currently using it to tote my Medela Symphony Breast Pump, and needed supplies, back and forth to class each day.  Everything fits perfectly!

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Today I used the XXL Everyday Tote to hold all of my  non-refrigerated items at the grocery store.  Note:  XXL means XXL! 

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Lydia has had several diaper bags in her short little life, but we both just love the Metro Retro.  All of the essentials fit inside and the two outside pockets are perfect for bottles, pacifiers (which she doesn’t really like), and my keys and cell phone.

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As I mentioned previously, the girls and I went grocery shopping this afternoon.  This is the first time in almost 3 weeks!  That just goes to show how much cooking has been going on around here. Ha!  Anyway, the Fold-n-Go Organizer is perfect for your grocery list, coupons, pens and/or pencils, etc. 

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Since I am now the mom of a newborn, I don’t use an actual purse.  I just slip the Wristlet Wallet down into the diaper bag and out the door we go.  It is a perfect fit for my cards, money and the outside pocket holds my cell phone beautifully.

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Of course this post wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the Large Utility Tote.  This is the #1 selling product and I use mine all of the time.  Today I carried it with me to the grocery store and put all of the refrigerated items in it.  I walked out of Food Lion with $115 worth of groceries in 2 totes!  What does that mean?  Only one trip and all of the groceries are in the house. Awesome!!

And just so you know…. during the month of June you can purchase a Large Utility for only $9 with every $31 you spend.  Everyone is going crazy over this special- myself included!  You can take advantage of this great deal by clicking on over to my website to place your order:

http://www.mythirtyone.com/lanaoshields/ 

What are you waiting for?

PS  If you live nearby just shoot me an email or leave a comment if you are interested in placing an order and I can add your order onto one of the catalog shows that I currently have going on and it will save you on shipping! :)

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Fun in the Sun with Pop-O

This summer Mackaylan is eager to learn how to dive.  Thanks to Pop-O she will probably master this skill in just a few more weeks. Here are a few shots from her first “lesson:”

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After all of that hard work and concentrating it was time for a little fun!

---CANNONBALL---

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Who says teachers can’t have a little fun too?

---OFF THE DIVING BOARD---

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I. Love. Summer.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Father’s Day Shout Out!

See this man?

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  This is the man who brought home ALL of the Barbie and Rockers for his little girl just because.  This is the man who taught me to drive on the back roads of Landrum on early Sunday morning drives.  This is the man who looked me in the eyes and said, “Nobody loves you like I do” as he walked me down the aisle.  And the list could go on.  To some he is “Huggy.” To others he is “Sach.” To others , he is “Larry.”  To me, however, he is “Dad-”  the man who taught me what love is! 

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See this man?

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This is the man who still makes my heart skip a beat when he enters the room.  This is the man who brought me flowers and a pack of Rolos just because.  This is the man who asked for my hand in marriage one beautiful July day.  This is the man who was by my side through back surgery and held my hand during the birth of our two beautiful daughters.  And the list could go on.  To some he is “Big Red.” To some he is “Mickey.” To me, however, he is “Mick-“ the man of my dreams and the best husband/father these girls could ask for!

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See this man?

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This is the man who once saved Christmas for his family.  This is the man who always sees the good in a situation.  This is the man who can make killer BBQ! This is man who gives up his Saturday and Sunday afternoons to be the head pit crew member for #425 Racing!  To some he is “Coach O.” To others he is “Mike.”  To me, however, he is “Pop-O-“ the man who taught Mickey what it means to be a husband and daddy, and to put his family first at all times!

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Happy (Belated) Father’s Day! 

You are all loved!

Friday, June 17, 2011

Don’t Miss This….

Mackaylan & Lydia’s Father’s Day 2011 Video

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This afternoon Mackaylan, Lydia and I had a fun time creating a Father’s Day video for Mickey.  Mackaylan wrote the script herself.  I definitely think some type of acting, broadcasting, theater is in her future.  What do you think?

Words cannot express what a wonderful daddy Mickey is to his two little girls.  He takes time each day to spend with them and let them know how much he loves them.  It makes my heart melt to see him “in action” as a daddy!

Even though Mackaylan and Lydia are still young, his influence over them will last a lifetime.  He teaches them about love, respect, honor, and trust through his actions each and everyday! 

Mickey, please know that you are loved.  We have to be the 3 luckiest girls alive!

We hope this Father’s Day (2011) is your best one yet! 

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Look Who’s 2 Months!

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I can’t believe that Lydia is already 2 months old!  Where does the time go?  It’s amazing how much she is growing and changing each and everyday.  She is such a sweet little “punky” who brings us all so much joy!  Here are a few facts about Lydia Avanelle and her 2nd month of life…

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  • She is so alert.  It is amazing to think of how much she is learning as she observes and interacts with the environment around her on a daily basis. Her dendrites are growing like crazy!

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  • She has lots of head control for a 9 week old.  She always wants to sit up and check out what’s going on around her. She has affectionally been called “Nosey Nora” multiple times over the past few weeks. :)
  • She wears size 1 diapers and 3 months clothes.  I love deciding what she is going to wear each day, and shopping for her never gets old!
  • She is smiling more and more! 

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  • She loves to be outside and will just sit for a long time looking at the trees, flowers, clouds, etc.  I guess she takes after her daddy and sister on this one!
  • She loves to gurgle and grunt.  I love to sit and talk to her because she will make noises just as if she is talking back to me in her own little way.

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  • Despite how content she looks in the next picture, she does not like to be in the car for an extended period of time, and if she is the least bit hungry or tired she will be sure to let you know by her full-body-I’m-turning-red-from-my-head-to-my-toes cry!  It just tears my nerves up!

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  • She loves to spend her free time in the swing, her bouncy seat, on her playmat, or on her beanbag.  She doesn’t get put down too often, but you can bet she will be in one of those four spots when she is!

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  • Her best friend at 2 months of age is the ceiling fan.  Mackaylan and I have named the fan in the living room Fannie.  Lydia spends a lot of time watching “Fannie” spin around and around.  She will just look up at the ceiling and smile and gurgle.  It is precious!

Here’s to another wonderful month and to many more!  We love you, Lydia!