Sisters

Mom's Day Out started on Friday, September 7th. The girls were so ready to go back to "school"! Shelby took the day off because we were headed to Mimi & Granby's house afterwards. Here they are that morning right before we headed out...

 And here are Momma & Daddy right before WE headed out...

I don't know who was happier that school was starting again! We didn't really get to do anything fun...grocery shopping, paying bills, packing, picking up the house, etc. but it was nice to get a few things done that had been neglected.  After school we headed to Mimi & Granby's for the weekend. Aunt Heather had her first solo art show so we went to support her. And no, I didn't get one stinkin' picture! What was I thinking?! She is one talented gal, I tell ya!

Georgia Claire & Ivy Jane have become so close...it's such a sweet thing to see & hear them playing with each other. They DO get upset time & again but those times are really few & far between! I love these pictures of them just hanging out together.

Fruit snacks & blankets...

Getting her baby "all situated" as Georgia Claire likes to say! She had a whole set-up going for her baby with blankets, a potty, food, bottles, toys, etc! Ivy Jane sat down & just watched!

 Cooking tomatoes & cookies...

I love this picture...it was early one morning & they were just sitting there talking about their day! Georgia was saying that they needed to get gas. Ivy Jane agreed & said they needed to go to the store, too, to buy milk & juice!

LOVE THEM!!!!

Fifty Years

On September 1, 1962, James Vance and Mary Ellen became husband and wife...and started a legacy! Look at these two--Dad was 19 and mom was 18...

In that 50 years, Mom helped put Dad through school while he received three degrees, he was hired as an Entomologist with Texas A&M, they had three girls, they started a Christmas tree, blueberry, & peach business that's still booming over 30 years later, they put three girls through college, they paid for three weddings, they gained 3 son-in-laws, they built a home, they welcomed seven grandchildren into the world, they have gone through open heart surgery, as well as other major milestones.

To say that I am blessed would be a MAJOR understatement! I feel like the luckiest girl in the world to call these two my parents. They have served the Lord throughout the years & have been the perfect example of a Godly marriage for my sisters & me, as well as many other young couples throughout the years in their church. 

We were all able to be with Mom & Dad for the weekend, and it was perfect! Instead of having a big reception or party with a lot of people, we did things as a family. On Saturday, we had family pictures taken, my sister Kathy made a DVD of pictures throughout the 50 years set to music (which was PRICELESS!), watched Dad get down on one knee and sing the song he sang to mom in their wedding (we were all crying!), we ate fish for supper at their favorite restaurant, & had a mini wedding cake that night for dessert! This picture makes me laugh. Ivy Jane was being such a good girl waiting for her turn to eat cake!

 Cutting their cake...

 Feeding each other...

On Sunday we all attended church together & bought the altar flowers for the services that day. I think they turned out so pretty! 

 And we bought Mom & Dad a corsage & boutonniere for the morning!

I love these two dearly! What a great example they have been to me! I LOVE YOU, MOM & DAD!

We're Still Here

We've been busy...but we're still here! My parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this past weekend & we had such a GREAT weekend! I'll be blogging about that later...hopefully sooner than later...but for now here are a few pics from the last few days/weeks!

Georgia took this picture of Ivy Jane and me...

Georgia in her gown going to look at the cows...

 Ivy Jane, "Uh-oh Momma, they got on my hands! My m&ms got on my hands!"

Taking an early morning tractor ride with Paw Paw around the neighborhood!

Georgia loves to play with the Little People at Grandma's house. She was busy busy for a good 30 minutes going back & forth setting up all of the little chairs, etc.

 Sweet girl with her sassy new hair cut!

And then there's Ivy Jane with her "rat's nest" that she has every single morning. Seriously--HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN?! I can remember many tears growing up while mom tried to comb all of the tangles out of my hair!

We're still here, although there are days that we have rat's nests in our hair and food on our clothes. I'm still overwhelmed by the love the Lord has given me through these two little girls!