Shop Deep South Pout and help bring Max home!

There are some pretty special people in my life. And I love when those special people team up for a special cause.


My favorite store EVER and former employer, Deep South Pout, not only has the cutest and most affordable clothes around, but they are also the most generous. Seriously, the owners, my dear friends Shannon and Nicole, have hearts of gold. They are constantly helping out local charities, the school district, and individuals in the area. They are amazing.

Well, now they have teamed up with my friend, Meagan and her husband. Meagan and Wes are adopting a sweet boy from Ethiopia, Max, and Deep South Pout is committed to help bring precious Max home to Mississippi.

You can read more about the Gordon's journey here: http://thewesgordonfamily.blogspot.com/
(Seriously...how cute is this family? All they need is their sweet Max!)

DSP will be donating a portion of their sales the ENTIRE week of April 23 - 28 to help bring this little boy home. Amazing.

Don't worry, you don't have to live in Starkville or Columbus to help out. They ship literally all over the country for a flat fee of $7. Seriously, I die of cuteness.

Birthday fun

We had fun celebrating Jones' big day!

On his birthday, he woke up to balloons and blew out birthday candles in a banana. How can it be more fun than that?!

Then Trey and I took cupcakes to his class. We were there when Jones woke up from his nap and I think it confused him. He cried for the first ten minutes of his class party! He never cries. He got over it when he saw we came bearing cupcakes. We took off the rest of the afternoon and just played together - the three of us. So fun!

That night we celebrated three birthdays at our house: Jones (April 17), Uncle Bobby (19th) and my daddy (20th). So much fun!


We ended the birthday celebration today at the Doctors for his 2 year check-up. No shots today - Just reporting in what we thought: he is huge. 95% for height (37 inches) and 90% for weight (32 lbs.).

My big boy.

New York, New York

Will you be in NYC on April 28?

Let me tell you why I ask.

Check out my dear friend's blog: http://luckysoandso.com/

I wish I could be there and I think if you are around the city at that time, you should definitely be there.

Side note: she is the same dear family friend that wrote this priceless number in memory of my Nana.

Wish there were more Jessi's in this world. What a colorful world that would be!

our daily bread.

Life's blessings come in such surprising and unpredictable ways. Needs are met by the grace of God, support of family and love of friends.

One day I will write more on this. A lot more. And I pray one day I will be able to pay it forward in more ways than one. And one day - hopefully every day - my life will glorify God through everything.

February Recipe Club - Mardi Gras party!

One of my oldest and dearest friend (and one of my most favorite people in the whole world) moved back to Starkville around the same time that I did this past fall. We both grew up here and after graduation moved off. Crazy circumstances brought us back to Starkville at the same time. Amazing how God works, isn't it?

We decided to form a recipe club for other girls that are somewhat new (or new again) to Starkville. Some of these girls have been here for a year or more but it is fun to get together once a month and form friendships with other locals! Friendships are more important than ever to me and I am excited about getting to know these girls.

A few weeks ago, 9 of us had our first recipe club dinner. I am already looking forward to next month. It was so much fun - and the food was great! Several girls couldn't make it in February (one had a baby that day!) so it will be fun in March to meet more girls. We will be turning all of our recipes into a book at the end of the year.

I find it is harder than ever to be spontaneous (maybe impossible!) so having a set time to enjoy the company of friends - new and old - is so important and refreshing! I love my boys, but I do love time with girls. How do you enjoy girl time? I would love to hear ideas!

more party pictures

He refused to touch the cake. I tried all I could think of! So much for a smash cake.

Jones' Frog Prince First Birthday Party

We had a wonderful celebration of Jones' first year on April 2nd. We were so blessed to be surrounded by our families and incredible friends.. I have prayed and prayed for friends since moving to the coast and the Lord has certaintly provided me with a group of wonderful stay at home moms that love my child like their own.

We had the party at our fabulous neighborhood park and could not have asked for a better day. It was beautiful weather all day.

Here are a few pictures. I had the best time planning his party.

This is one very loved little boy. I can't believe he will be one on the 17th!

My little family.

Kiss me, I'm Irish!

My friend, Hope, and I took our boys to Ocean Springs for their first St. Patty's Day parade last Thursday. The two daddy's were still at work, so we ventured over to my favorite Mississippi coast town alone with Jones and Hayes. It was a really cute, but small, parade. Like really small: I think there were four different groups in the entire parade. But it was festive. Great crowd, a high school band, horses,a fire truck and beads. What more could you want? And the boys laughed and smiled throughout the entire thing. Except when they were eating the beads. Cute boys.

The Clydesdales were the main attraction. They were beautiful!

this girl is good

A few weeks ago Jones and I headed over with some friends to Mobile to have Jones' 9 month pictures taken by the fabulous Tricia at Betty Donne Photography. Outdoor picture, mind you. On a not so glorious February day.

Freezing temps? Absolutely.

Sleeting? Most definitely.

But all for the sake of cute pictures, we forced ourselves out into the chill. I felt like a bad mama, taking my sweet man out in the cold, taking his hat on and off at each shot location. I did, however, stop myself from changing his wardrobe multiple times out in the cold. I do have some sense.

We have never been able to get a smile from the little man while taking his picture...until now! We were so pleased. He just laughed and clapped. Thought the 20 degree biting chill was hilarious.

Get a load of these. Is she not the best?

Love. Love. Love.

My how he has grown.

Check out his 6 month pictures

And 3 month

And newborn

And in the belly

Oh. And check out pictures my totally adorable and hilarious nephew

I can't believe we only have his one year pictures left and then his Grow With Me package is over. No fear, Tricia will be taking multiple photo shoots of Jones each and every year. How blessed I am to have such talented friends...and that live so close!

Such precious, priceless pictures.