Summer Wind Down

Well, as I sit here typing the minutes of my summer vacation are tick tick ticking away.  Yes, it's that time of year again....... School starts tomorrow morning at 7:30am.  I won't see my old babies or meet my new ones for a few days, but school is starting nonetheless!

I know I have said it before, but I just have to say that this has been one of the busiest, if not the busiest, summer that I can ever remember.  We took some fabulous trips and celebrated some really special milestones!

Our cruise was something I will remember for the rest of my life.  I got to be with Beckham for his 2nd birthday and that is something that I treasure.  I can truly say that being a grandmother is probably one of the greatest things that has ever happened to me.  I love being his Yaya!  Hearing him call my name makes me smile right down to my soul!

We got to take another road trip this summer and it was much needed and long overdue!  I have a friend who was my life-saver at one point in my life.  As we all know, life happens and we kinda lost touch with one another.  Flash forward to 14 years. We found each other on Facebook and were able to resume our friendship, albeit via the internet. 



She nudged me into taking my own health seriously and even though I might not have felt it or said it at the time, I truly appreciate her for helping me get my health back.  She was an editor and IT person while I finished up my graduate studies and she is probably one of the most unselfish people I have ever known.

Dianna



She had a baby a few months ago and I have been dying to get to her and to get my hands on that baby since the day she was born.  Thankfully Johnnie and I were able to travel to Austin for a long overdue visit.  Just as I expected, she was the ultimate hostess.  It's hard to believe she is from Michigan because she simply OOZES southern hospitality.  Johnnie and I just fell in love with her husband.  He is perfect for her and that makes me really happy.  He is a bit of a computer nerd and that's right up Johnnie's alley!

Now, I get to talk about the best part!  I LOVE ME SOME JOVI LYNNE SAYLES!!!  They have the sweetest little baby-girl I have been around in a long time.  She is absolutely precious! 



No the beers are not Jovi's!


I have gone and done and gained so much this summer.  We have traveled all over North America! We saw sights and had experiences that I will remember for the rest of my life.  We made some plans for our future and are putting them into action.  I started my summer as Yaya of one little boy who is precious to my soul and ended it by welcoming a sweet baby girl who just stole my heart.  I so look forward to seeing what great things God has planned for their lives!

Photobomb!


Grump LOVES Texas Bar B Q!!



Yaya loves the Disney Store!

Yaya is a Disney Princess!

So is Jovi!!!


Jovi has the best daddy ever!

POOF!

I've been telling myself that I needed to sit down and blog for weeks, but things have just been non stop around here!  I know I've said it a million times, but this has truly been the busiest summer I can remember in the history of all my summers!!!  It's been really fun, but the calendar has surely been full, which makes the time fly.  There are only a couple of weeks left in the holiday and then it's back to work!

Lots of special dates passed this past month.  There were birthdays and holidays being celebrated almost on a weekly basis.  I also got to go to Lafayette to participate in a very intensive program geared at showing teachers how to integrate the arts throughout the entire curriculum.  There was lots going on almost start to finish!

Johnnie and I missed the fourth of July fireworks here at home because we were celebrating, fellowshipping and praying with one of my cousins who has thrown his hat into the political ring.  No it's not one of the bearded cousins, but it is that side of my family.  It was great to get to see everyone and to see the support that my cousin Zach and his family has as they enter into this very public arena.  I'm so proud of him for being able to stand up for what he knows is right.  He is BOLD and at least on the outside appears unafraid.  Unfortunately my parish narrowly missed being in his district, however I will support him and promote him 100%!  We need Christians in Washington.  We need people there who are willing to put the needs of this country ahead of their own, or else we need this country to go ahead and fail so that we can pick up the pieces and start over.  Whatever is going on right now is NOT WORKING!  So if you live in district 5 in Louisiana I tell you go vote for Zach Dasher for Congress!  He is a man of integrity!!! 

 

 

My birthday was the 12th and I can say that I didn't feel to terribly anxious about stepping into my 45th year.  My life seems to be falling into place nicely and I'm proud of who I am today!   Katie and Beckham came over to spend the weekend with me (a week early) and that made me really happy.  She brought gifts and a handmade card from my sweet boy and even a home made strawberry pound cake.  Don't get me wrong, I love gifts, but there is no better gift than getting to spend time with my best girl and that sweet little blonde haired boy! 

Beckham also turned 2 years old on the 16th.  I can't believe he's already 2.  The time surely has flown!  It seems like he just gets smarter and smarter each time I see him.  He is also so independent.  His Grami tells me that's the way his daddy was and I know that's the way his mama was so he's gotten a double dose of the "I do it myself".  Boy are we in for a wild ride! 

Even though he wants to do everything himself, he is still so sweet to his little friends who are smaller than he is.  He shares his toys and is gentle and attentive to the little ones.  It is something else to watch the way that he interacts with others.  He could very well be a holy terror because without a doubt he is spoiled rotten! (I will own my part in that!)  Don't get me wrong, he has definitely entered the "terrible two's" stage, with the "no's) all the time,  but as far as I can tell it's not been that terrible! (I am sure his mama might disagree, but what does she know.) 

His 2nd birthday party was really nice.  The weather was super mild.  The water in the little pools that were set out was actually a little cool, but it didn't stop the little ones from playing.  His mommy and daddy got him this really cool play house  club house and his Grami got him a really cool water slide.  He also got a toddler sized trampoline.  Grump and I got him some pretend yard tools and social pretend play stuff and a Thomas the Tank Engine booster seat.  His yard looked like an amusement park!

As quick as I got home from the celebration, it was time for me to hit the road again!  I got to participate in a training at ULL and it was a really great training!  I love everything about south Louisiana so of course I would jump at the chance to get to go.  As great as the training was, I really missed my husband.  Six days was a really really long time to be apart.  We had never spent that much time away from each other.  I kind of surprised myself that I did get so homesick, but I did!  We made the decision that when I have to go back next year for the 3 day he's coming with me and we will just camp at Cajun Palms and then I will drive in to school each day.  I think that's a decision we will both be happier with!

So now, July is done and the new school year is right around the corner!  My travels are not quite over with, as Grump and I will be going to Round Rock, Texas this time next week to go visit a little princess who needs to meet her Yaya face to face!