Oh how I have been longing to write a blog post. I have had countless things I have wanted to jot down on this thing but here I am... 4 days after Mother's Day ... and finally getting a moment.

The picture above describes my Mother's Weekend so perfectly. On Friday, I had planned to take John out for some golfing and lunch for his birthday (it's not til May 26 but we literally won't have time to celebrate til...July? if I didn't plan something early..) ANYWAY - I got a babysitter for Gracie (Thank you Marsha!) and had the day planned. Sadly, that particular Friday happened to be one of the rainiest of the year to date. So -- we went with plan B. Except I didn't have a plan B.    :)

We ended up at The Mad Potter which is a pottery place where you pick your pottery and paint it. We were the only ones there and they lady working let us pick our own pandora station. Without hesitation we chose Christy Nockels and got to painting. We spent upwards of 4 hours painting -- chatting -- painting -- singing Christy -- painting. We had a blast. In fact, I highly recommend for a date day. Super fun. 

I have been battling allergies and sinus this year more than ever. I feel like I am sick every other week. I was starting to really feel the itchy throat and the stuffy nose come on about Friday afternoon. We went home and made dinner and John told me to go take a Nyquil and he would deal with Gracie the next morning. The thing is, even DAYQUIL puts me to sleep -- so you can imagine what Nyquil does. I am OUT. In fact, this is the first time since we have had Gracie that I have ever dared to take Nyquil. I cautioned John that he really had to be on duty the next morning because I would be of no assistance. The night fell and I had some GLORIOUS sleep. I really don't even remember crawling into bed. The next thing I know, John is hovering over our bed saying "Paigey, we are in trouble! You've got to take Gracie because I am not feeling well!" He throws Gracie to me (while I am half asleep) and runs out to the bathroom. Come to find out, he had a stomach bug. I woke up -- 7:30 -- and it took every ounce of energy that I had. John ended up going to bed to try to feel better and all I could think about was that picture above. ha. oh well. We only get one vacation day a year but technically we still have to work :)

We spent the day in our PJs just trying to recover. By Sunday John was fine ... I am still trying to get over my junk. Bleh.

But it was a blessed mom's day indeed. My sweethearts have me a gorgeous chunky pearl necklace, adorable earrings and a sassy gold ring. We had La Madeleine for lunch (my fav) and spent the day soaking up the sun at the pool.

Gracie LOVES the pool. She loves to kick her legs in the water and really doesn't mind water in her face. She is our little fishy.

It has been a crazy week prepping for our 2 family weddings in the next two weeks and also pastors conference. John is gone for the weekend planning Celebration so the Bolin girls are flyin' solo. I HATE --- HATE --- HATE being alone. I am really trying to be a big girl about it, but if I am being honest, I have already had a meltdown, a bowl of ice cream, and I plan to go put myself to sleep with a chick flick. 

These are the times that I wish my family was close. I am yearning to be with them!

Well.. I suppose "The Notebook" is calling my name.

Hope all of you Mothers had a wonderful "day off" :)

oh..and did I mention that my one year old can walk now? Yeah.. she does. And we have already had our go to the grocery store and let walk mistake. The shelf got cleared QUICK. oops.

its a whole new world!

Until next time... !

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRACIE KATE!!!

Our sweet Gracie Kate is officially 1!!!

Weighing a whopping 22 pounds!

She loves Minnie Mouse!

And being barefoot!

She eats almost anything that mommy and daddy will give her... except watermelon!

And has two full grown bottom teeth!

(Top two should be popping through any day now)

She loves to walk along the furniture...

but not sure she wants to walk on her own yet. 

Crawling is much safer :)

She loves to belly laugh and giggle

Mommy and Daddy gave Gracie her very own Bible purse and a Minnie Mouse puzzle

And also her very own polka dot chair!

oh.... and a trip to DISNEYLAND! :)

(okay..John had a board meeting for CBU that was conveniently the week of Gracie's birthday.. so it worked perfect :) Pops and Lollie, Auntie Shea, Uncle Trey and (almost) Auntie Jordan got to come too!

Holding hands while walking into the park..

My love! <3

Pops!

"The Kids" on Toy Story Mania

Cooling off inside with the birthday girl!

There is no tired like Disney tired...

Shea and I with our future sister!

Matching sunglasses

Auntie Shea and Gracie at Minnie's house!

Gracie and Mickey!

Kayla got to join in on the fun!

Winnie the Pooh ride!

Sitting on Mickey's birthday cake!

We love Lollie lovin!!!

It was such a blessing to celebrate our little gift. Especially being able to celebrate it with family. We had a wonderful time playing with Mickey and Minnie and eating lots of ice cream. I cannot believe an entire year has gone by and I can't wait for so much more. Gracie is such a delight to our family and gets more and more fun every day. 

We love you Gracie Kate! We are so proud to be your parents!

BFF Week

There really is nothing in the world like having a BFF.

And I mean a REAL bff. Best Friend Forever.

Bethany and I met at our first jobs as sales partners for Brighton Collectibles.

We did not attend the same school or church but had some mutual friends that had always told us that they thought we would make such great friends.

I remember my first night at Brighton like it was yesterday and I remember Bethany showing me the ropes. We were instant friends and I have been for almost 10 years since.

Bethany is the kind of person that TRULY sees the blessing in absolutely everything and ALWAYS points me to the heart of Christ. She really does have the spiritual gift of encouragement and fashion. Okay, the fashion was a joke. But IF there was such a thing -- BETHANY would have it! :)

Since our early days at Brighton we have had such a sweet friendship. She was already liking Kenny by that time and I had a different crush at every shift. ha. Poor thing had to hear ALL about those silly boys.

We have had more Texas Roadhouse salads and Rubios chicken tacos than is probably recommended. We tend to spend more money in a few hours of shopping together than we could spend on our own in months. 

I remember having a sleepover (we were like 19, lol) and Bethany telling me how her and Kenny were going to get engaged within the next 6 months or so. I remember not even being able to fathom her engaged! And now here we are, years later and both married to the most wonderful men.

Kenny and Bethany's beautiful wedding day

This picture was the first time we ever cut my hair short! I wouldn't trust just anyone! :)

We have been friends through blonde and brunette days.

Well Houston was lucky this week because Bethany came for a visit! We had a BLAST! Stayed up way too late every night, ate way too many sweets, spent way too much money shopping, and totally gave my hair AND my house a lift! 

Here are some pics from our week.

Bethany and Gracie shopping. Gracie loved her by the end of the week! :)

Couldn't come to Texas without the best Tex Mex!

Makeover #1 : MY HAIR

I LOOVE it!

Makeover #2 : DINING ROOM

This is before....

and a little paint, reupholstering and new rug later....

AFTER... :) 

John had some barstools from his bachelor days that I just hated...

some fabric and stapling... and voila! 

LOVE them!

Another view of my china cabinet!

An easy DIY empty frame and chicken wire project!

Redesigned our bookshelf

Gracie received her first birthday present for his 1st birthday!!!

Thank you Bethany!

Gracie was thanking miss Bethany. She kissed her but I didn't get the moment on camera!

 boo. oh well.

We snuck away for lunch at the Nord and some Galleria shopping

and pedicures!

 Pic in the newly lifted room :)

What a sweet, sweet time.