last month, part 1

My third Mama's Day was, overall, really good. Kevan had to work all day, so I was home with Merit who was in rare form. At first I was kind of bummed, but then I thought it was pretty fitting...I spent Mother's Day doing a LOT of mothering. 

This picture sums up my morning and afternoon.

But there were good times, too! Roses from my parents and lilies from Kevan and Merit helped brighten things up a bit.

And that cute card is my first homemade (well, bible class-made) Mother's Day card from Merit. Oh, how I love that card and the cute dimpled hands that colored on it.

That evening we went to Jackson to have dinner with Kevan's parents and grandparents.

Merit with her Grammie and Great-Grandma

The next day Kevan took Merit and I to meet my parents in Texarkana so that we could go back to Texas with them for a bit. Thank you Kevan, PaPa, and Nina for all the driving you did. That night we stopped in Arlington at our dear friends, the Strugesses' house to break up the trip to Abilene, and Kasey came to see me! And I finally got to meet THE Nathan. (For the record, I approve!)

I have so many memories at this house. Growing up we would come stay with the Sturgesses on our Six Flags trips, Ranger games trips, school clothes and prom dress shopping trips, even my wedding dress shopping trip. Sharon (the lovely lady whom I was named after) and Gaylord are some of the most kind and giving people you'll ever meet, and I am so thankful that Merit got to spend a little time at their house.

For a little girl, it is Paradise.

By that afternoon, we were finally in Abilene, where cousins, popsicles, and non-stop fun abound.

Macy, Merit, and Nina at bible class at Burkett...attendance was up that day! :)

One of the most important events of the trip. My strawberries and cream Cajun Cone. I won't get to go back until October when the stand has closed for the season, so I enjoyed every last bite of this baby.

Before we headed back to Tennessee, we had a little photo shoot in my parents' backyard. 

I really like this one.

This one's blurry, but I like it...Merit was giving me a flower and baby sister got in the pic! 

Taking these pictures reminded me of when I did the same thing last May when we were in Abilene. Although it's hard to recognize this little baby girl from last time...

Sigh.