We Celebrate

Our Momma is 50 years old today.  As this is posting we are pulling into our childhood vacation spot, Seaside, Florida and getting ready to go to dinner at her favorite restaurant in the world, Cafe 30A.  To eat good food, drink good wine, and celebrate the Momma that we love and adore.

Sister and I created this list together.  It was such a memorable conversation as we remembered our childhood and how happy our lives were growing up and how happy are lives are now.  In large part due to the woman we call Momma.

These are just 50 of the reasons we celebrate her today.  

1. If Daddy is the soul of the family.....you are the heart. We love that about you.

2. You picked an awesome Daddy for us.

3. You keep our horrific clay sculptures out to this day....and at least pretend to love them :).

4. You taught us independence.

5. And that it is okay to be dependent on others at times too.

6. That you, with Daddy, insisted on dinner together every night.

7. You plan an awesome wedding!

8. Two years ago you showed us that home is not about the structure but about people in it.

9. You raised us to know money really isn't everything.

10. You gave us a love for travel and experiencing new places....

11. And to always appreciate coming home.

12. You showed us by example, how to be a good wife, but have your own ideas, beliefs, and be your own person.

13. When we came home from school. You were there. Always.

14. You showed up. To every dance recital, piano recital, band competition, and every other event in our lives.

15. You let us be who we are.

16. You made our home warm and inviting.

17. You are allowing us to spend our inheritance with you....on cool things....like trips to Italy.

18. You never expected perfection, only our best.

19. You encourage us to have a good relationship with each other.

20. You have THE BEST reaction when you catch a fish or open a present,...no matter how big or small.

21. You captured our childhood with pictures……

22. And made sure that we had memories that needed no pictures.

23. You allow us to have a wonderful relationship with our Awesome Aunt.

24. You still leave the light on when we come in after dark.

25. You not only show us you love us....you tell us....everyday.

26. You make sure we know....even today....that you don't care if we marry, or not, have children, or not, own a home or not, all you want is for us to be happy.

27. You love our pups.

28. You allowed both of us to move back home during our adult life....and even pretended to enjoy us being there most of the time!

29. You've always believed in us.

30. You taught us that life isn't always fair, all we are promised is this moment, and life really is what you make it.

31. Our home was/is always open to our friends.

32. You showed us how important and attractive it is to be a strong, confident woman.

33. You taught us.....Baseball is for girls too!

34. You encouraged Daddy/Daughter date nights.

35. You made some AWESOME Daddy Daughter Dance dresses!

36. You made sure we knew that we were both an equally important part of our family.

37. You give great advice.

38. You already love our children.

39. You make us feel special....in the coolest ways....like you and Daddy sending us flowers when we get certified as a case manager or just to remind us we are loved.

40. Even at 50, you still believe in the magic of Christmas.

41. You allowed us to miss school for fun days!

42. You taught us pride in giving 100%.

43. You let us learn from our own mistakes...and each other's.

44. You adore Daddy...most of the time ;).

45. You taught us that there is always another opinion, another view and to respect it.

46. You allow us to dream...BIG.

47. You keep us grounded.

48. You taught us to LOVE some color. In our home, in our clothes, in our lives.

49. We love that you gave us each other.

50. You love us.....fiercely.

Happy 50th Birthday Momma!  We Love you so much! ~Your Girls~

Wishing each of you a Happy Weekend Celebrating Someone You Love~

~M~

A CupCake

"When you look at a cupcake, you've got to smile."

~Anne Byrn~

Tonight, as I was going through pictures of my cousin's wonderful wedding weekend, I was reminded of what a fantastically fun weekend it was.  And I am sure in a future post, I will share more details about it.  But tonight I have a sweet tooth and when I came across this picture I knew I had to share with you.

First of all, you should know that I love cupcakes and have had many in my day.  But this cupcake, it was heaven.  The cake was a graham cracker cake, topped with a layer of chocolate, then, instead of icing, toasted marshmellow goodness (that stuck to the tip of your nose :)) topped it off.

OH MY!  SIMPLY AMAZING!

So tonight, I am grateful for yummy treats (and that there aren't any of these sitting around my house because they would all be eaten.....BY ME....and I am certain that would cause a tummy ache!).

Wishing you a yummy treat~

~M~

A Friday Favorite

Life is about the simple moments.

Momma, Daddy, Hannah, and I recently took a trip to New York City for an extended weekend.  It was a fantastic trip and I loved every minute.  The picture above is one of my favorite moments. 

Hannah and I were inside the fantastic smelling Magnolia Bakery picking out cupcakes for a snack (we chose the red velvet with cream cheese icing and chocolate with chocolate icing....YUMMY, EXCELLENT choices!!!).  We also ended up with highly recommended banana pudding that we immediately inhaled with Momma and Daddy. 

 

While in the really long line with tons of people, Momma and Daddy were snapping pictures of us.  This one is my favorite.  We look were so happy....Hannah and I were laughing at them taking the pictures, people were bumping into us,  and it was just a little, delightfully chaotic.

I don't know why I remeber that little moment so well, but I think it's because we were all together enjoying a spontaneous moment, doing what we do best in our family:  laughing, enjoying life and each other. 

So yes, seeing the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building are great....but don't forget to pay attention to the simple moments and joys on your next vacation today.

Wishing you a Delightfully Chaotic Moment with a Fabulous Family~

~M~

Happy Summer!!

Happy Summer!

I don't know about you but my kids sure are glad school is out and 2 months of freedom are ahead.  I haven't decided if I am excited about that or not.  I will let you know when I post about "Happy Fall."

My plans this summer:  Work, but not too hard.  Lay out by my parents' pool.  Visit dear friends.  Celebrate Father's Day, Momma's 48th birthday, the fourth, and every other day.   Attend lots of Cookouts.  Make some blueberry, strawberry, and peach preserves.  Bake a lot.  Take Faith Anne to Bark at the Park to see the Brave's game.  Go to our little farmers' market downtown and see a few "Flicks on the Bricks" on Friday evenings.

And somewhere in between all that, I will be trying to assure that my sweet angelic teenagers stay out of trouble!

What are your plans for the next few months?

Wishing you a SPLENDID SUMMER~

~M and Faith Anne~

Wednesday's Simple Joys

I was going through some pictures and I found this one of my PawPaw on Christmas Day.  It brought tears to my eyes.  Isn't he so joyful?  I just love this picture!  And my PawPaw!

Wishing you great picture of a very joyful PawPaw~

~M~

Monday Memories

Happy is Back!

I know. You are wondering, "What does that mean?! Did Happy ever leave?"

Well sort of. Happy is a bear that my sweet family gave me when I went to college.

(Remember my post on change....)

It was not just any bear though....

On the afternoon of August 24th, 2002 (God, I am getting old), the summer before I left for college, I came home to find a tiny box tied with a pretty yellow ribbon (yellow is my favorite color). Inside were three recorders, one with a message from my Daddy, one with a message from my Momma and one with a message from my baby sister.

I think I cried. Okay...I know I cried :)! And then, I think I looked a little puzzled.

My Momma explained that the tiny recorders were from Build a Bear and that we were all leaving that very minute to go "build a bear" together.

And that is just what we did. We picked out a bear and then we built it.

Can I tell you how wonderful it was? My sweet family each put a tiny heart in my bear in addition to their tiny recorders. They even made a wish, kissed the heart and as I recall, a little dance was involved. We stuffed the bear and fluffed the bear.

Then it was time to name it. I could think of no better name than "Happy." When I think of Home that is the first word that comes to mind "Happy." So that's what I named it. I even have a birth certificate for my sweet Happy.

Now, I know you are also wondering why "Happy is Back. Where did Happy ever go?"

Well, poor Happy. Happy survived four years of college. By my fourth year, I had pressed the recorders so much that they stopped working, all of them, completely. But I still loved my Happy; Coke stains, tears, trips home, trips back to college, and finally a move here, to the little red cottage, Happy had been through a lot with me. Somehow, Happy wound up on a top shelf in my closet and that's where Happy sat for about three years.

Until recently, I rediscovered my bear that had been through so much with me.

A bath, a few stitches, and a new pretty red ribbon later...and...

Happy is Back!

(If only we could convince sweet Faith Anne not to love Happy so much...:)!!)

Wishing you a Marvelous Monday Memory,

~M~

Wednesday's Simple Joys

Remember last Wednesday when I gave you a simple joy that did not cost you a dime?!? Remember how excited you were?!?

Well guess what people! I have another simple joy that will not cost you a dime!

Are you ready?!?

It is called the "Ha Game!!"

Now I know you are wondering what this is...don't worry I am going to explain it to you...

Here's what you do:

First of all you need at least two people...but I think it is best when you have at least four and the more the merrier....play with 100 if you want!

The first person lays on the ground. The second person lays their head on the first person's stomach. The third person lays their head on the second person's stomach and so on....

Then the first person goes "Ha." The second person goes "Ha. Ha." The third person goes "Ha. Ha. Ha." The fourth person goes "Ha. Ha. Ha. Ha." And so on...when you run out of people it goes back to the first person who continues the "Has." For example. In this case, we had four people. So after the fourth person went "Ha. Ha. Ha. Ha," The first person would then go "Ha. Ha. Ha. Ha. Ha." And then the second person would go. And so on.

Seems easy enough right? Well yes...BUT the object is to do it WITHOUT LAUGHING!!! And people...this may not sound like it would make you laugh...but I PROMISE YOU WILL!!! It is soooo damn funny.

Please play. Play with your family. Play with your friends, your co-workers, anyone really. (I have played with my family of four, a group of 9 friends, and even a group of 30 band members.) It breaks up the tension. Provides some joy. You will have so much fun...it will cause you to skip! And is there anything more joyful than experiencing not one...but TWO simple joys in one day that do not cost you a DIME!!!

And you know I never leave you without awesome pictures!!!

Playing with the fam probably around 2004
(obviously I was taking the picture)

I wish I had more pictures. We have played

it lots. I just couldn't find anymore pictures.

A series a shots of me and some of The Nine playing "Ha."

Blair took the pics.

Wishing you the simple joy of a game of "Ha"~

~M~

*Please comment after you play and tell me about your "Ha" experience! You can even e-mail me pictures! I would love to see them!!!*

Sister

On February 13, 1985, a short 17 months after I was born, my parents gave me the greatest gift I have ever received. My sister, Hannah. Of course, I don't remember her birthdate nor do I remember my life before she came into my life. And thank God for that.

Hannah is everything that I am not. Literally. She is tall with blond straight hair and I am short with brown curly hair. Growing up: She was very easygoing. I was very high stress. She was hilariously funny. I was very serious with no sense of humor. She was messy. I was neat. (We shared a room until I was in fifth grade I think. We nearly killed each other.) She was even keeled. I was hot tempered. She was popular. I was not. School came easy to her. It did not come easy to me. She had "boyfriends" beginning in like 4th grade. I did not. She was gutsy and brave. I was cautious and timid. She liked change. I did not. She moved at what became known to the family as "Hannah Speed" known to the rest of the world as extremely slow. I did not. She was a dancer. I took piano lessons. And I could go on and on and on and on.

But we share many of the same memories.

Every Christmas Eve for as long as I can remember (even after we had separate bedrooms) we have slept in the same room, both staying up into all hours of the night anticipating Christmas Day. And all the birthdays and other holidays we have celebrated with each other. (I think I have said before how big holidays and birthdays are in my family.) The vacations. The numerous piano recitals she sat through and the numerous dance recitals I sat through. The many movies that we have seen together. (My favorite part of seeing movies with Hannah are the impressions she does in the weeks and days after the movie.) All of our family dinners and game nights. And I could go on and on and on and on.

As we have grown older, a few things have changed. Hannah has become a little more high stress. (Grown up responsibilities tend to make even the most easy going person a little more stressed right?!) I have become a little more easy going. (I credit that to my career choice...I am forced to put thing in perspective daily) A lot has remained the same. Hannah still loves change. I still do not. She is still gutsy and brave. I am still cautious and timid. And I could go on and on and on and on. Most importantly though...

She was, from the moment she was born, is, and always will be the great love of my life.

Wishing you a great love in your life~

~M~

*To get my mother's perspective on our relationship click here.*

Monday Memories

I am aware that today is not Monday. However, my dear father has informed me that not having a Monday Memories was unacceptable. I thought the Doggy Daughters was sort of a Monday Memories but was informed that it is not. It MUST have Monday Memories as the title. So this is Monday Memories on Thursday.

Me, Hannah, Donald Duck, and Some Random Boy

Disney World

September 1991

Wishing you fun family vacations and even more fun family photos~

~M~

Wednesday's Simple Joys

Today's Simple Joy will not cost you a penny

and can done right where you are this very minute!

Fabulous...right?!!?

Want to know what it is??

It is....

SKIPPING!!!

I know you are wondering why skipping...

It is because for one brief millisecond skipping allows

you to be completely in the air.

No Worries.

No Stress.
Just You.

In the Air.

Thinking about Absolutely Nothing.

And try skipping without smiling/laughing.

If you succeed...leave a comment and let me know!

Nearly Impossible People!

And even better....

Skip with others...

This weekend, Momma, Daddy, Hannah,

Hope Eigh and Dazi Mae

were visiting me and Faith Anne for

"The Red Cottage Life Experience"

and we all skipped around

Faith Anne's Home Town.

And had SO MUCH FUN!!

And because I know my readers
(all 12 of them :))

we do have pictures of us

skipping through town

for your enjoyment!

I wouldn't leave you hangin!!!

I did not get any of Hannah for some reason...

But don't worry...I will!

So without further ado...

Doesn't it look like fun?!?!?!?

Now why are you still sitting here...

Off you go!

Skip away!!!

Wishing you the simple joy of a "hop and a skip"~

~M~

Doggy Daughters!

My Faith Anne turned three today!!! I cannot believe it!

Faith Anne

December 2006

Nana and Poppy's Home
(yes, Faith Anne does call my parents Nana and Poppy)

Isn't she soooo super cute!?!

I wish I could explain how much she has enriched my life...

but that would be impossible so you will just have to take my word for it!

Faith Anne

August 2009

Her Home

And because her sister-cousin (sister because they are supposedly litter mates and cousin because my sister is Hope Eigh's Mom), Hope Eigh, shares the same birthday and entered my life at the same time....here a before and now picture of her.

And just because she is just as cute as Hope Eigh and Faith Anne....

I give you Dazi Mae!

(Nana and Poppy's "Doggy Daughter" aka Hope Eigh and Faith Ann's Aunt)

Happy Birthday Faith Anne and Hope Eigh!!!

Thank You Dazi Mae for being such a wonderful Aunt!

Wishing you the joy of "doggy daughters"~

~M~

Monday Memories

I'm Back! My computer had some difficulties last week but we are up and running again!

Hannah and Me!

Early Spring 2006

My House!

The day I signed a contract....

See how much it has changed in three years!!

I will be posting before and after pictures in the coming weeks!

Wishing you the joy of making a house a home-

~M~

Monday Memories

Florence, Italy
Summer 2006

One of my most Favorite places in the world.

With some of my most favorite people in the world....

Daddy, Hannah, Me, and Momma

(And this just happens to be one of my favorite family photos too!)

I think I speak for everyone when I say this was the

BEST FAMILY VACAY EVER!!!

Wishing you a wonderful vacation with a wonderful family-

~M~

Wednesday's Simple Joys

I am not a change person. Never have been.

As a junior in high school, I informed my parents that I would not be going to college.

"Really?," they asked, probably much calmer than they felt.

"And what is your plan, then?"

To which I replied, "To be a high school student and live with you forever."

I was totally serious.

My whole life, I have been a homebody and we are a very tight knit family. I had great friends in high school and informed even my dear high school counselor, Ms. Waldrop, that I didn't need new ones. The thought of moving away from home completely overwhelmed me and frankly scared the shit out of me.

After realizing that my friends were not going to be in high school with me anymore; and that probably, living with my parents for the rest of my life was not very productive, and let's be honest, a little, well a lot, of counseling with Ms. Waldrop, I decided first, to go to a local university and then by the start of my senior year finally decided on a small private college 45 minutes from my home town.

In the months, weeks and days that led up to my moving to my new “home” for the next four years I dreaded the ending of my childhood. Dreaded leaving home. Dreaded the entire experience of college. And the tears. There are not words to describe the tears that were shed.

We are talking breakdowns:

In Bed Bath and Beyond. Yes, in the middle of the towel aisle while shopping for my dorm room, no less. My sister was probably mortified.

In the kitchen during “one of my last meals EVER at home” (because I would never be back…I was so dramatic),

And don’t even get me started with the day I moved to college when I begged my parents to “please not leave me there.” (because it was soooo terrible)

It was a tough time. And my poor family. There is a special place in heaven for them for putting up with me that year…

Somewhere in the middle of all that “emotional turmoil” my Sweet Aunt Jan gave me this little decorative plaque that she had for years. You will notice the scratches and marks on it. It has lived a good life. After all, it as survived four different dorm rooms and a move here to my little red cottage (it might as well be 80 years old).

And through all of that, the message stayed the same;

“You cannot discover new oceans—
unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.”

The plaque now hangs above Daddy’s old desk in my little red cottage, with letters from dear family and friends hanging above it. I look at it every morning. And when I do, I remember when Aunt Jan gave it to me. She gave me a hug and whispered “always remember this Meghan Baby.”

Aunt Jan (and Momma and Daddy and Hannah and yes, even Ms. Waldrop);

I do remember.

Wishing you the simple joy of a daily “life lesson reminder”-
~M~

Monday Memories

Hannah and I

Christmas Eve 2008

We always get PJ's on Christmas Eve.

(Thanks Momma and Daddy!)

These were my favoriteve EVER!!!

Wishing you fun, cozy pj's-

~M~

Monday Memories

Daddy, Momma, Hannah, and me

Probably Late 1986

I love these pictures...

Look how happy we look!

Plus...please notice my Daddy's glasses...classic....

Wishing you happy childhood memories~
M.

Family Fun Weekend!

The Kirkland Family (Kirkland is my mother's maiden name) has decided that every first weekend in August will be family fun weekend! This past weekend was the first one ever and boy was it fun!!

It all started Friday with baking a Paula Deen Gooey Butter Cake with my Momma...mmmmmm...YUMMY!!!

Yes, my mother does need wine when baking with me...after all, I can be difficult. And yes, that is ONE POUND of CONFECTIONARY SUGAR....don't even get me started with how much butter is in this thing!!!

Before and after it came out of the oven....it was FABULOUS....maybe I will make one to take to the office this week!

Baking is hard work and it can make a girl hungry! So, Momma, Daddy, Hannah and I met up with some more of the Kirkland clan for a FABULOUS seafood dinner at Butler's Mill. (I couldn't find a website...but click here for the white page listing.) If you are ever in Graham, AL...go here! AMAZING restaurant. Be sure to call ahead for their hours...

The only thing better than the food...was the company and have I mentioned how much my family likes to laugh!!! See below for pics of laughter and the beauty around Butler's Mill.

After a good night of rest we all met up at Tanner State Park and spent the day laughing, eating, and relaxing. According to my Aunt Jan, we do all of these really well, especially the relaxing part. I think I agree with her!

All the furry members of the family that made it..except Puff Mutts...he was inside.

L to R: Hamilton, Dazi Mae, Faith Anne, and Hope Eigh

Momma, Daddy, Hannah, the puppies, and I all decided to take a walk around the lake...

while the boys played mini golf...

L to R: Jeremy, Robert, Josh, Aaron, and Matthew

(It ended in Matthew's head being shaved)

And thanks to these cooks...

L to R: PawPaw, Ginny, and Daddy

We had some amazing food!!

I could have posted hundreds more pictures, but frankly this post is getting long! We all had a great time and below is a picture of the crew that made it to Family Fun Day!!!

(Mr. Mitchell, Ms. Paulette, and Ms. Doris also came but left before the group picture...we sure did enjoy them though!!)

BR L to R: Momma, Daddy, Uncle Micky, Uncle Richard, Aunt Jan, Uncle Dick

MR L to R: Cody, Ginny, Nanny, PawPaw, Aunt Beth

FR L to R: Me, Jeremy, Drew, Aaron, Matthew, Josh, Hannah, and Robert

Wishing you fun family times-

M.