Happy 1st Birthday Crash/Jacob

To celebrate the 4th of July along with Jacob and Isabelle's birthdays, the Williams family headed up to the Smokey Mountains for a little BBQ and cake. It was a lot of fun even though we ended up getting SOAKED in some sort of freak, tropical down-pour. But until then, we did have fun. We're hoping to go back another weekend when it will be safe to play in the river. As you can see, Jacob LOVED his cake. I cannot believe its been a year!! For those of you who haven't had the pleasure of meeting little Jacob, he is such an utter JOY to be around. He charms everyone who looks at those beautiful blue eyes and BIG crooked, open-mouthed grin. He is so good natured and not much bothers him. In fact, he puts up with quite a bit without much complaint...ahem...Isabelle. (She really has been better lately about how she treats him...thank heavens) He LOVES music and LOVES to dance. He is super patient and entertains himself. He tries very hard for a 1 year old to behave and not get into too much stuff around the house...although he is extremely STRONG and a bit of a monkey. He can climb things too well. He has the typical 2 front bottom teeth, but got his front top 4 teeth at almost the exact same time...and never complained. His back molars are coming through right now. He has been walking since May and has discovered that he can reach things that are on tables, couches, etc. This habit of reaching to find things may have been what caused the sad accident that happened back on June 27th...but I will leave that for another day since it is midnight and I'm about to fall asleep. Don't be worried, I will tell all and show pics soon.
Until then, just know that he is doing absolutely fine.

Beach Baby, Beach Baby, there on the sand...

Well...this was an unexpected little vacation. It started out as a family road-trip to the ocean for 1 day and possibly 1 night, but turned into a 5 day, 4 night stay. Isabelle and Jacob (via their grandparents) decided to use their birthday money for a longer stay in Florida. We found a seriously GREAT DEAL (better than a motel!) at this cute little Pineapple Beach Resort. As you can see, it was right on the ocean front with awesome views, plus it was small and had a private beach so it was WAY less crowded. The weather was great.


Here's Jakey and his poor, wrapped-up pinky, looking down at everyone else having fun in the pool. We eventually let him in the pool and one of us just kept a hold of his left hand to keep it from getting submerged. Of course, the kids spent most of their time in the pool because, you know, that's really why you drive 10 hours...not for the beach. :~) Actually, they did enjoy the beach and it was Isabelle and Jacob's first time to the ocean. The water was warm...yet cool enough to cool you down from the heat. Perfect! Unfortunately, by the 2nd day, there was a lot of seaweed. Big bunches that would wash up on the beach. Apparently, some storms farther out to see kicked up the ocean floor...which usually doesn't happen until August. It was still beautiful though. For the first week home, I actually found myself missing that salty sea smell that permeated the humid air down there. ***sigh*** :~) Farewell until another time, dear ocean.

New Age...New Room

Well, my little girl...oops...I mean Brooklynn is growing up. So down came the pink princess decorations and the search began for a new room theme (on a tight budget) for my super-cool, super-mature 8 year old. :~) Brooklynn likes lots of things but some things she loves are music (rock-and-roll, mostly) art (drawing, painting, sketching, and even writing & illustrating her own short stories) performing her own dance recitals and play-acting. Can we say "Drama Queen"? Anyway, this room seemed to fit her cool, funky style plus gives the girls a neat place to display their art work (without using TAPE on my walls!). We drilled a few eye-hooks into the wall then strung wire that is used to hang picture frames though the eye hooks and twisted the ends until it was tight. Then and added mini-wooden-clothes-pins from the craft store, that I painted the different colors from her bed spread. They are perfect for hanging up their projects.

A Beary Fun Day!

AWESOME!! That would be one word to describe this party. Broolynn and Isabelle along with a few close friends (and mom's) went to Build-A-Bear at the West Town Mall in Knoxville. We had a small party scheduled which came with our own "guide" who was so sweet and enthusiastic and made the girls feel extra special.


They each got a new furry friend and cool outfit then we headed to the food court for lunch. Okay Moms...here's the deal. I figured the cost if I had a "friend" party at our house (lunch, cake, ice cream, decorations, games and prizes...not to mention the precious TIME to clean up before and after...remember, I also had a baptism and gathering to plan) and then I looked at the cost for this and this option was great!!! I scheduled a small party online for B.A.B. which gave several discounts, then I brought my own cooler-on-wheels with the ice cream (on sale) party-table-ware (on sale) grocery store cupcakes (good deal) soda pop (great sale) and I had a coupon for a chicken nugget party tray from Chick-Fil-A in the Food Court. While we were picking up the chicken tray, the other moms (thanks gals) spread out the table-ware and got drinks for the kiddos. The tray came with an assortment of dips and it was just the right amount of food along with cupcakes and ice cream. And finally, when it was time to go, we folded up the plastic table covering with all the dirty plates, etc, and stuffed it in the trash! Can I get an "Oooooh yeah"!!!! The best part for me...easy-peasy, no stress, so I could enjoy the day and have a blast with my kids. Loved it!!!

It's GREAT to be 8!

Wow! What a huge milestone in Brooklyn's life and in mine! I've been thinking about this day for 8 years now and it was on my mind a lot the past 6 months...but it really feels like I blinked...and the day was here. We've talked to Brooklynn several times in earnest about this important step and tried out best to prepare her and hope it was enough. Honestly...the day before and this morning were a little stressful for me...there were several things that totally slipped my mind like speakers, music...you know, little stuff :~) As I watched from the side of the baptismal font as my precious little girl went underneath the water and then rose out of it in a symbol of her faith in Jesus Christ and what He does for us..I said a little prayer that Brooklynn's little 8 year-old heart would somehow be able to understand what a wonderful thing it was that she was doing. As she walked out of the water and I wrapped her in a towel and hugged her, I noticed she was shivering...and smiling. She wasn't cold but she was shivering from excitement! She bounced up and down saying, "I did it! I did it! I can't believe I did it! I'm so happy! I'm a member of Jesus' church!" And that right there, ladies and gentlemen, was all a I needed to ease my heart and soul. For that moment in time, I think my heart felt as blissed-out as Brooklynn's seemed to be. It was perfect.


The party afterwards was a lot of fun. Especially watching all the kids trying to be pro-hoola-hoopers!

2nd Grade Graduation

Brooklynn was on the High Honor Roll and earned straight A's. Way to go Brooky!!



Here is Brooklynn with her best friend, Kayla. They are soooo cute together! They think each other is the funniest person on earth and they really seem to bring out the best in each other. I am so glad Brooky has such a good friend.