Dancing Girl

Does it get any sweeter than this?

Every night, the last thing I do before I go to bed is to sneak in to Neely's room to make sure that she is okay. I always feel her back or chest and then pray for her. And every day, I think I love her more than the day before. I know that I show her that I love her, but I don't think she will ever realize how much I do.

These feelings have really made me start thinking about my relationship with God. As God's child, he feels the same way about me as I do about Neely. He loves me more every day & I should be doing more in return. Just like I want to have a deep, loving relationship with Neely and it would hurt me if she rejected time with me, God wants the same from me. Honestly, there are days where it is easy for me to make excuses not to read my bible or do my quiet time, but thinking about that potential relationship that I am hurting motivates me to push away the excuses and do the things that I need to do.

First Day of School and Frisco Fest

On Wednesday, Neely started her first day of Mother's Day Out at our church. She went to MDO last year, but went somewhere else. So, on the way I explained to Neely that we were going to church, but that was where she would be going to school too. As soon as she saw the church, she started yelling "SCHOOL, SCHOOL!" She was so excited! I was afraid that she might be nervous because she has a new teacher, but when we got in the building, she ran to her classroom and immediately climbed up on the chair and started doing a puzzle. No goodbye for me at all. I am really thankful that I have such an independent little girl, but sometimes it makes me sad that she adapts so easily and isn't very sad when I leave her. Is that crazy? Here is Neely before school: Last night, we went to Frisco Fest in Downtown Rogers. We have never been before & I have to say that it was very interesting. Not what I expected AT ALL. That said, it was a great people watching experience and we had a good time. Here is Neely at the Mobile Aquarium:

Here is Neely watching the confetti shoot. She was very concerned. After everyone sprayed their confetti, Neely looked at me and said "trash" like she knew they shouldn't be putting paper everywhere. haha.

There was also a band & Neely LOVES to dance. The picture below is of her "shaking it". She has always loved to dance and since I have absolutely no rhythm, I have always encouraged it. She starts out just bouncing with her knees & then if you remind her, she will "shake it", which means that she starts moving her arms. A few months ago, I told her to "drop it like it's hot" (I know, it must be the Blytheville coming out in me) and she squatted down to the ground and danced. She makes me laugh so hard. I also realized that I didn't need to joke around about that or she would be doing that at Sunday School. haha. Luckily she didn't "drop it" at Frisco Fest.

End of Summer

We wrapped up July with a trip to Washington DC. Brad had a business trip planned, so I left Neely with my parents and went with him. We had the best time! While Brad worked during the day, I slept in & then met old friends that live in DC for lunch. It was so relaxing. I have been to DC several times before, so I felt no need to do a lot of touristy things. I did go to the Newseum (SOOO interesting), the National Portrait Gallery (blah), and did a nighttime double decker bus tour (in the rain).

Below is the only picture that we took while we were there. After we had finished dinner one night with Brad's co-workers, we were looking for something to do. Last time I was in DC, I had been to this bar/patio at the top of the Washington Hotel that looked over the city & it was so pretty and fun, so I recommended it to the group. Well, we got there and the hotel had been converted to a W hotel. We went up to the rooftop & now instead of a laidback patio, it is a SWANK nightclub. I can't tell you how old I felt. I am so not hip. So anyway, this is a picture looking out over the city, but you can't tell at all because my camera stinks.
Once we got back from our trip, we met Neely's BFF Maddox for a playdate at the Botanical Garden. I know that I have written this before, but the Botanical Garden is awesome. Here are Maddox and Neely in the tree stump.

Lions, Tigers and Bears. Oh my!

We took our first trip to the Gentry Drive-Thru Zoo a few weeks ago. To be honest, I had very low expectations, but it was great! Neely loved all the animals! I thought that the drive-thru part was a little long--especially for a girl who got a large Dr. Pepper from Sonic on the way. Neely loved how the animals would come right up to the windows! She wasn't too sure about the hogs. They were pretty ugly and smelly.
She did LOVE the bunnies!

I would estimate that there were approximately 1000 ostriches there.

Telling us all about the birds...

Destin Beach Trip 2009

Last week, Neely and I went to Destin with my friend, Marlana, and her family. This was a last minute trip for us, but we were happy to go. The 10 hour trip went great--not one minute of crying either way! Neely loved the beach and the ocean--It was so crazy to me how fearless she was in the waves. I am just going to post a bunch of pictures, because there is not much to say. We spent our days eating, playing on the beach, and taking naps!

Marlana and I couldn't believe how the years had changed us. We used to go to Destin and would lay on the beach and just read. Oh, how I would love to do that now!

Neely could have spent hours filling the buckets with sand...


Neely & Marlana's oldest child, Hanya

Marlana and Me

For some reason, Neely decided to be an awful eater last week. I think she had crackers and ketchup for dinner every night.

Where we've been, what we've been doing...

Tonight will be the first night in 12 days that I will be sleeping in my own bed, and I am SO HAPPY. Neely and I have had a fun 2 weeks, but I am glad to be home. Let me just say once again how BLESSED I am to have such a good toddler (it hurts my soul not to write baby anymore). This girl rode 26+ hours in the car and never once fussed. I am dividing my post into two, because otherwise there would be picture overload!

So, for the first part of our trip...

On Tuesday, Neely and I headed to Little Rock to stay with my aunt and uncle (can't believe I didn't get a picture of them) because we had Dora Explorer Live tickets for Wednesday morning. We met my friends Lea and Leah from Blytheville & their 2 girls Emerson and Anna Claire. Here we are waiting for Dora to begin. I was really unsure if Neely would enjoy it for 2 reasons--1. because she is so young and 2. because she rarely watches tv and has only seen Dora a couple of times. But, she seemed to love it. She sat on my lap and watched it for the entire show. AMAZING. I am positive that I have never seen her sit still for that long ever before! Here is Neely and Anna Claire. Anna Claire is the SWEETEST little girl.
Here is what Neely thinks about getting to the show early and having to wait!

After naptime, Neely and I decided to go explore at the Old Mill in North Little Rock. This was right around the corner from where my family lived and was the perfect place for Neely to run out her energy!
She loved climbing up all the stairs and over all the bridges.

And it was absolutely beautiful. While we were there, a girl was getting her bridal pictures taken there.

On Thursday, we met my friend, Angela, from high school and her two boys at WonderPlace. Neely loved it. I so wish that we had something like this in NWA.

Neely shopping in the pretend grocery store.

Neely at the water table. I had to remind her over and over again that she couldn't dump the water on her head.

Still playing in the water table.

Making some art--that I forgot to pick up before we left. haha.

Here are Neely and Blake. He is SOOOO sweet.

After WonderPlace, we went to the Purple Cow for lunch. The kids loved their purple milkshakes and I enjoyed getting to catch up with Angela. Here are all 3 kids--Blake, Neely, and Tucker. Aren't they adorable?

Then on Friday we left for Destin...hopefully, I will post about that tomorrow!