...how our trip to Mississippi began

Fast forward from Monday's post about a month and a half...On Friday, the 5th of July, the two boys and I flew down to Mississippi. To say that I was looking forward to this visit would be the understatement of the year. It had been waaaayyy too long since our last stay (well, at least one that was over 24 or 48 hrs). At 4:00am (morning of the 5th) I finally crawled into bed having each of our 5 bags perfectly packed and ready to go for our almost two week stay. I spent more time packing and organizing our luggage this time for several reasons: 1. to make sure I did not leave anything important for the wedding or wedding events  2. to make sure we had enough clothes for all of the days and events of the trip and 3. to be sure I was packing so that I would have one empty check bag on the way home to be able to load up with Mississippi "stuff" :)

That Friday we found a terrific spot by our gate for observing the airport activity. This part of the travel always entertains my boys...watching the guys load the food and the bags onto the airplane, seeing the Captain walk around his plane to make sure everything is safe and good to go, turning their little heads to follow the direction of the moving cargo carts...this stuff is all part of the traveling adventure for my two. And, if you ask me, it is a great learning opportunity.

Both boys did amazing before and during the flight. They made it quite easy on their mama. Neither slept, but they kept themselves busy with the contents of their travel bag and snacks!

Have I mentioned that snacks (healthy ones that is!) are fabulous things to have on hand for children during flight?

One of our favorite books: Planes by Byron Barton. This one usually finds its way into our travel bag.

And here we goooooooo.....

Rassie was waiting excitedly for us in Memphis when we landed. Yea!!! Hello SOUTH! We have arrived!

Shortly before leaving for Mississippi, I had scheduled a couple of out of town trips to see family and friends before the wedding festivities started. The day after arriving, we hopped in mom's car and the boys and I drove over to Oxford to visit with my grandparents. On that Friday, we also got in a short visit with Terra and her precious boys, Jack and Witt. (Now I am wishing I had taken pictures of our quick playdate but truly it was quick...too quick for a good visit.) Thank you for letting us come over for a bit Terra. Next time, our playdate won't be so close to lunch and naptime...and it will have to last longer!!

And several miles down the road from Terra's and a few minutes later...Parker enjoyed exploring my old climbing tree in Mama Sam and Shorty's front yard. I used to climb up to the branch just above Parker's head and read for an hour or two at a time. Happily reading Caddie Woodlawn or another one of my favorite reads in this lazy and shady tree was a beloved pastime of mine when visiting this Oxford home throughout my youth.

Though scorching hot, both boys wanted to take a walk with Shorty down to the garden and shed area. (Parker remembered, of course, where Shorty keeps the 4-wheelers and lawn mowers! ha! It was not long before both boys were pleading for Shorty to hoist them each up onto one of the large motorized toys.)

Let's just say that both boys came back from their little walk covered in sweat and dirt. Love it.

It was so great to actually sit down in their chairs, relax, visit and play. Mama Sam and Shorty are so great to go with the flow and keep up with the busyness of our boys. They love all the activity and my boys love the attention and the "treasures" of a new place. Thank you Mama Sam and Shorty for lunch and for our visit. We loved every minute of it!!!

We caught the first glimpse of the Nolen's that Friday too. Have I mentioned that one of Clay's granddads lives next door to my mom? That's another fun story in itself that goes back to mine and Clay's dating days. Seeing the family whenever they're in town is quite convenient and easy when you're right next door! We said our hello's and gave hugs to everyone before hitting the bed that night.

Saturday morning: Cooper climbing into Uncle Taylor's boots. Never a dull moment around this place!

Parker loved playing at Rassie's on Saturday morning. He was quite the serious little thing with his game and such. (It makes me so happy when his imagination is in full force!)

My brother and his wife drove into town from Alabama late Friday night to spend Saturday with us. I felt so blessed to be able to see them because Taylor, as of that week, had just been assigned another position for his job down in Florida and was relocating there immediately (so for several months now he will be commuting back and forth between Alabama and Florida) and Fair had just started her new job in Alabama after graduating pharmacy school in Mississippi. So, Taylor was driving in from one vehicle in one direction and Fair was driving in in another vehicle from another direction and then they were leaving on Sunday to return to two different states. (I am not making this up.)

Taylor and Fair, thank you soooooo much for coming to see us. We love y'all so much and are unbelievably proud of both of you. Fair, I am sorry that we missed your graduation this May. We would have given anything to have been able to be there to see you walk. YOU'RE DONE!!!! Whooohooo! And congratulations for passing all of the state boards...you're official!!! Now go do your pharmacy stuff and be proud! :)

(photo taken from Fair's facebook)

I made sure we took a quick family picture that Saturday since we weren't sure when we would all be together again. That's a great excuse isn't it?! ;)

Sunday morning we had to say a rushed goodbye to Taylor and Fair before heading to church. That afternoon after lunch, my girlfriend Ashley, and her precious little Sarah Starnes, came by for a visit. I had not met Sarah Starnes yet, so I was anxious to get my hands on her cute little self! Is she not adorable?! And let me tell you, she is the spitting image of her mama when she was a baby!

Thank you for coming over Ashley!!! I enjoyed getting to see you and precious Sarah Starnes!! You are doing an amazing job balancing your work and being a new mom!!! I missed getting to see and spend time with many of my "Grenada Girls" this trip, so I hope that the next trip down will allow for more visiting time with each of them!

Cooper got snuggly with Rassie during naptime Sunday afternoon...

Aunt Val decided to put Parker up to silly mischief late that evening.

While in Mississippi, prior to the wedding, my mom's sisters came into town for a visit. Aunt Cindy was there Saturday through Tuesday and Aunt Val was in town Monday through Thursday. I am so glad I got to see them and thrilled that they got to see the boys again. Having all three of the sisters together does not happen often since they are spread out around the South, so on Monday I immediately jumped on the opportunity to get them outside for an impromptu photo shoot. I don't know who had more fun...me being behind the camera laughing at their sillyness or them laughing at each other. They are a mess when you get them all together, let me tell ya. I love them so much!!!

Tuesday was our day in Jackson. We enjoyed a visit with Granddaddy and Marilyn. Thank you so much for the delicious lunch and visit, Granddaddy and Marilyn!! I also really appreciated y'all watching the boys and letting them play in your pool!! Those two and Clay were sweet to watch and play with the boys a little bit that afternoon while I went to see some girlfriends from college and highschool that I have not seen in a couple of years. But before I left....

...I had to snap a few photos.

Then, it was on to see my girlfriends...
One of my girlfriends, Maya, had twins this past year...she did amazing as she was put on strict bedrest for most of her pregnancy...her girls, Kaitlyn and Ava, were miracles and we were praying for them daily! Maya had to attend therapy for weeks after her delivery to regain her muscles to walk, lift...basically do anything. It was a joy to be able to see them briefly and get in a chat with their sweet mama!

I was happy when I contacted Meredith and Grace, and both girls were available for a late afternoon visit. Meredith's living room consisted of 5 wild kiddos, all under the age of five, for a good hour.  Parker (4 1/2), Silas and Avery (21 month old twins of Meredith's), Cooper (20 mos) and Eleanor (10 mos). I had not met sweet Eleanor yet, so it was great getting to see this little doll in person! I had only met Silas and Avery once, just shortly after their debut, so viewing the dynamic duo in action was another treat! They are one fun group, let me tell ya!

I love these two girls so much. From tots in Sunday School at church, to grown ups living in different states with kids of our own, we are lifelong friends. I wish I got to see both of them more, but life keeps us each quite busy. :) It is fun to watch Miss Tennessee be able to switch roles so quickly and become Mrs. Grace Sturdivant, mom-extraordinare. Meredith is such an inspiration to me as she has battled cancer with such spiritual strength and grace, works full time, takes care of two rambunctious twins, and continues to faithfully serve her Lord through music in church. ...beautiful girls, inside and out!!!

At the last minute we decided to go out to eat, so husbands and all met up at Newk's for dinner outside on the patio. It was great! The parents got to eat and kids got to run around in a fenced-in safe zone. ;)

I also got to see two other friends while in Jackson, Mrs. Karen and Ava. It had been a little over two years since seeing both of them. Since then, Ava has also had her first little boy, Brookie. I was lucky enough to see how busy he keeps his mama each day of the week...he is the spitting image of my little boys at that age! All of my visits were waaaay to short to count but I am thankful for the hugs and brief chat time that I got. I'll take it!! Precious friends...one of God's best gifts!

Wednesday, all of the girls in the family went to Starkville to get our nails done for the wedding. Odd n' end wedding jobs popped up and so forth. Thursday...let the wedding festivities begin! Random jobs throughout the day, followed by dinner at 333 with a large crew who had arrived in town for the wedding.

Hubby and Me!

...and one spray tan later (for those of you wondering why I look several shades darker! This was my first spray tan, and I have to say I was quite pleased with the results. I prayed I would not turn orange two days before the wedding. I used to be able to sport this kind of a tan almost year round when I lived in Mississippi, then I moved up North and alas, tan no more! ha ha! It's probably healthier for me anyway :))

And that is how our trip to Mississippi began!
I could not possibly feel more blessed than I do when surrounded by family and friends!