Sallie's First Birthday

Sallie turned one on June 28 and I wanted to do a little sewing so I made her a little-tiered skirt. Now I can sew, but I almost always use a pattern. I decided to do this one without and it turned out. (There's a couple of things I would do differently--but Delainey's birthday is right around the corner so I'll get to see what I've actually learned.)

(Sallie's skirt)

Sallie was SO cute--not sure about the presents or the cake to begin with, but happy and fun. She's been such a sweet addition to Devin and Sarah's family--and to all of our families as well. We can't imagine life with Sallie and I cannot wait for Darin to see her in another year!!

Now we're counting down the days until this little one turns 3!!

Where does the time go???

Lesson learned

Note to self: Breakfast in bed isn't nearly as much fun when you have cereal and milk and forget that milk can slosh right over the edge of the bowl and onto your shirt....

My Mother’s Day Card

This year I got a video mother’s day card from Delainey.  I watched it again the other day and decided I would share it with you as well.  I love that girl!! 

Busch Gardens

On Tuesday, June 14, I headed out to Busch Gardens (an amusement park) with my good friend, Tracy and her daughter Abigail and a friend, Alisa. It was my first time at this park even though it's only about 3 1/2 hours from here. Jamie, Jenna, Erik and Darin went more than a year ago and had a great time.

The park is set up like different countries. It's pretty cool. The rides are different, the music is different, even the food is a little different.

We go there before the "gates" opened so we could start off with a bang. And I really started off with a bang!! As we were walking in, the girls were running to get to the roller coaster. Tracy and I were walking fast. I was intrigued by the facade of the buildings and just looking around. I looked up and realized that Tracy was getting ahead of me and that I wasn't sure where the roller coaster was. I remember thinking--I need to walk faster! I was wearing tennis shoes and before you know it, I felt myself falling. Unluckily, there wasn't anything to grab on to (or luckily for those around me). The next thing I knew I was on the ground. Only some minor bumps and bruises. (Although my knees still hurt when I kneel and it's been two weeks.) Tracy hurried back and helped me up, but I was surprised that no one else even asked if I was okay. I was just like a rock in the stream and they all just flowed around me.

Being a rock in the stream has really got me to thinking over the past two weeks. How many times do I just flow around people in need (ok--I wasn't really in need--but you get what I mean) because I'm so busy with my own life and making sure I get where I need/want to be? My guess is that I do that more than I know. And sadly, sometimes I know I'm passing by someone that could use my help, but I'm too busy or I don't know them or I feel that they don't really want my help. I'm going to work harder to stop and help and listen as the spirit directs me to those in need.

A side note--my arms were so sore the next day--and not from the fall--from the roller coasters!! I hung on so tight to the restraints that I used muscles that I hadn't for a while. Now that's a fun workout!! :-)

Family Reunion

On Saturday, May 21, Donald, Jamie, Will, Jenna, Erik and I headed up to Vashti, North Carolina, for a Gilreath family reunion. Donald's dad, William Frank Gilreath, died in 1994 and we've only been to a couple of reunions since then. This was a good opportunity to go back and to also take our sons-in-law so that they could see where Frank grew up and meet some of the extended family.

We had a potluck lunch at the Vashti Fire Department. Look how welcoming they are:

Lunch was delicious and we enjoyed talking to extended family.

Here's a couple of pictures:From left:
Larry (Frank's youngest brother), Carolyn (Larry's wife),
Carol (Frank's youngest sister), Archie (Carol's husband),
Peg (Frank's oldest sister), JC (Peg's husband),
Loretta (wife of Frank's older brother, Jim)

the cousins who attended that day

After lunch we went to the home that Donald's grandparents built in the 1940's. This is the home that Donald would come to when visiting his grandparents. His Aunt Carol lives there now and generously gave us a tour.

What would a family reunion be without a visit to the cemetery?

The grave marker of Frank's parents

It was a long day, but a fun day. We're all glad we went.

Mother's Day Fun!

Just before Mother's Day, Devin and Donald took me here:We were on a quest to find some Salvadorean food and taste something similar to what Darin is eating. I especially wanted to try a "papusa". Darin lived on papusas in one of his first areas. So for Mother's Day, I got to head out with four of my favorite people in the world.

Delainey wasn't feeling great so she sat close to me and often had her hand on me. I loved every minute of it! (Well, I didn't love that she didn't feel good--I just loved that she wanted to be close to me.) Sallie was loving the food (as usual) and was happy as long as someone was feeding her!

(notice Sweet Delainey's hand on my arm....love it!)

Here is a papusa:
(on the left)(not sure if Darin gets to have the cabbage/sauce stuff on the right...)


I had the sampler platter. I don't remember everything that was on it. I do remember that it had a papusa, a tamale and fried plantains.

Devin had the tilapia

Donald had more 'Mexican" fare
Thanks for a fun Mother's Day outing!

Delainey's Dance Recital

We got back from the beach and that Saturday was Delainey's Dance Recital. I had been able to attend one of Delainey's dance classes and the teacher was amazing--so kind and patient with a whole gaggle of little girls that really just wanted to twirl and run around. Delainey's dance recital was held in Chapel Hill and Jenna, Jamie and Erik drove over with us.

The recital was SO cute!! I had forgotten how adorable little dancers are! My girls both took dance and both had recitals and I remember now how much fun it was (for me at least!) and how cute they were.

Here's some pictures from the recital. I can't get my video of the recital to load. Maybe later....