Nashville 2011

June brought our much anticipated trip to Nashville.  We went with Jim, Crystal (Tori’s sister), & Jonathan because they had tickets to the CMA Fest & we were going to go down to watch Jonathan while they went to the concerts.  Nashville is BEAUTIFUL.  Brandon & I spent the whole trip thinking of a way for us to move down there.  We would probably do it if he had a good job set up.

Wednesday was spent traveling.  5 ½ hours in a car with a 2 year old & 2month old really wasn’t bad.  I’m so thankful my kids love their car seats, they should because they’re always in it since we’re on the go a lot.  You throw in a Minnie movie or two & we’re set for hours.

Thursday we went downtown to Nashville to sight-see & check out the CMA Fest activities.  It had to be well over 100 degrees out there, but we made do.  I got so aggravated by this mean lady explaining to me that I needed to take Jameson inside, pretty much telling me how I’m not a good mother.  That RUINED my day.  What gives people the right to tell you how to be a parent.  Jameson was in fact the  only one very comfortable since he stayed cool & in the shade.  I can usually deal with the usual old ladies thinking they know it all, but this lady was by far the worst I’ve ever encountered.  But the day went on.  We stopped for some ice cream then made our way to Shoney’s for lunch & back to the hotel for a nap.

That afternoon we went to the Grand Ole Opry for a tour.  That was great seeing such a historical place, & seeing how they restored it after the devastating flood last year.  Brandon & I are definitely going to go back when we have a weekend off & see a show.  It’s not nearly as big as you think it is, so it seems quite intimate.  We saw all around backstage & stood on the stage where all the big stars stand.  Very, very cool!

Friday, the Bevins family decided to create their own tour of Johnny Cash.  So I researched a little about him & found some addresses for his house, etc.  Of course the GPS & mapquest had not made some changes due to construction, so those are the moments we wished we would have had an educated tour guide. haha!  So after a few circles, we got to where we were going.  We saw where his house was (his actual house caught on fire in 2007, but you can see where it was & the area & such).  That was cool.  Next we found Johnny & June’s grave.  Now let me tell ya, I had the address to the cemetery, but I didn’t have specific directions to the grave.  It was just a regular ole cemetery with no signs directing you to his, so finding a tombstone felt like finding a needle out of a haystack.  We looked pretty crazy, but we finally found it (there was more people there than us so we didn’t look too creepy, haha).  Livi has a fond reminder of Dear Mr. Cash, a nice boo-boo on her leg where she fell on his grave. haha!  Oh my!!  So after paying our respect, we went to find his work office up the road (which had been turned into something else, but still showed the building).  So anyway, it was very adventurous & fun to find it all on our own, no matter how many people in Hendersonville now thinks we’re creepers in the neighborhood.

That afternoon we went to the Country Music Hall of Fame Museum.  That was great.  It was a downer for me that they had so much from the older people (people I had never heard of since I’m more of a recent country fan), but that was Brandon’s dream.  I didn’t think we were ever going to get him out of there, there was just so much to see.  Finally we made it to the more modern stuff which I loved.

We came back to the hotel to get ready.  Crystal & Jim gave us their tickets to the concert tonight & bravely volunteered to watch our 2 wild kiddos.  We saw Chris Young, Josh Turner who brought out Scotty McCreary (MY FAV), Little Big Town, Clint Black, Thompson Squared, Trace Adkins, Big & Rich, Martina McBride who brought our Lauren Alaina, & Rascal Flatts (& probably a few more that I can’t even remember).  Brandon were just so thrilled to see Scotty (since we spent many nights watching him on tv lately) we could have left happy after him.

Sunday we started out with the plan to shop, but we forgot the malls open later on Sunday.  So we took the kids to a park to let them run out some of that energy they had been storing for days.  We ate lunch at the Cheesecake Factory, then headed back to the hotel for a nap & to pack up.  We were dragging from all the fun we had been having, so we needed a good night in just to rewind before the long ride home.

And now we’re home, back to the real world.  What a wake-up call.  Usually by the 3^rd or 4^th day, I’m the one getting homesick, but I probably could have stayed a few more days, I loved it that much.  And yes, I came home with my dear ole’ hubby, Brandon.. not my loverboy, Brad (Paisley).  Maybe next time.  :)

Livi & Jesus

I love hearing Livi talk about Jesus.  I feel like my only job in this world is to teach our children about the Lord & how to accept him in their life.  So hearing her talk about Jesus, Heaven, and saying her prayers at night makes my heart fill with such joy.  Like for once, I got this parenting thing right.

Sometimes when I give her lunch, I’ll set it down & walk back to the kitchen.  When I look back, she’s not touched it & just looks at me.  It quickly reminds me what I forgot, to bless the food.  I quickly thank God for this little reminder in life he sent me to never let the day get so busy to thank him for all of our blessings.. big & small.

It wasn’t too long ago that we actually started these little conversations about the Lord with her.  I was a bit timid about it at first since how do you explain concepts that a lot of adults have a hard time believing.  But that’s just it.  I forget how much kids are like sponges, they take in everything.  They’re not skeptical like adults, they truly don’t have to see to believe.  And seeing her learn about God just puts the fire back under me to learn more about our Heavenly Father.  Its amazing when we try to teach her something, she is actually teaching us.

VA-KY Fair 2011

There are 3 things in abundance at the fair every year… carnies, rain, & germs.  But with Wise County the small little town it is, this week is look forward to by most.  It seems each year I get older, my views change about the fair.  When I was a kid, unlimited rides on Wednesday’s kids day was equivalent to walking on a golden street in Heaven.  As a teenager, it was a week to hang out with friends without having to enter the smoke-filled bowling alley.  But as an adult, it’s nothing more than a place to take my kids as I balance the work of yelling “don’t touch” all while stuffing a funnel cake in my mouth (oh, the life of a mom).

We didn’t go last year, so this was the first year Olivia actually experienced the fair, carnies, germs, funnel cake & all.  Jameson stayed at home with Mamaw & was more than happy to miss out on all the fun.

Watching her cousin, Sierra, sing on stage.

Uncle Scott & Livi

Livi's favorite part of the fair





She enjoyed just running around more than anything.

Mom's favorite part of the fair.. :)

Livi is the definition of a Daddy's girl

Wednesday Livi went back with my parents where her “connections” (aka Mamaw) got her a unlimited ride stamp.  She had a blast.  (Mom & Jameson took advantage of the down time & stayed home to pack for Nashville).



Mamaw & Livi on the teacups.



Jonathan eating funnel cake



Livi & funnel cake

I’m so blessed to have parents that want to be a big part in their grandchildren’s lives.  I know how much fun I had with my own grandmothers growing up (especially when my parents weren’t around & grandparents rules were much more fun to follow), & I want my children to have that special bond & fond memories.  And so far, there’s been no shortage of spoiling. haha!  :)

So fair week.. you were a success this year for the Bevins household.  We wish you good riddance & I’m sure we’ll see you next year.

memorial day weekend

The babies & I took a last minute trip to visit my parents at the camper  (Dad was stuck working).
Saturday night we ate at Calhoun's (my new fav).  Sunday was spent in 96 degree weather at Dollywood (still had a blast, & probably lost a good 3 pounds in sweat).  & back home to the real world on Monday.  Fun little get-away.  :)





She looks like such a big girl in this picture.



In the stroller with Andrew at Dollywood

Livi on Veggie Tales Roller Coaster for the first time



It looks so uncomfortable, but he sleeps so good like that. haha

  

Very moving message...

I will admit hearing this man on the news, he sounds a little "cooky," but kuddos to him for spending $1200 to promote a huge belief.  And my prayers are with him mourning the loss of his child.  I hope his heart is in the right place that he'll one day be able to meet his precious baby in Heaven.

Best Friends

How can two people possibly think so much alike?  I wonder this sometimes as I sit with my best friend & we talk about.. well, everything.  Literally without saying a word, we know exactly what each other is thinking.  This is something my dear husband cannot do (we'd probably have a lot less fights if he could tell what I was thinking.  well,maybe more fights actually. lol*).  I think this is why God sent her in my life so many years ago was because he knew exactly what I needed.

Danielle & I have been practically inseparable since our 8th grade year.  11 years of friendship & still never have a dull moment.  You know that awkward "well what should I talk about" moments that you sometimes have with people, nope not us.  Usually we never have enough time to finish talking is more like it.

A few days ago during some reflection time, it really hit me hard that I just felt as if something was missing from my life.  I thought about if it was more time with my husband, or was it maybe I needed fullfillment from a career.  This morning, I got a message from Danielle & we discussed plans to get together.  After she left tonight, I realized that feeling that had been lingering with me was gone.  That was it.  I just needed some BFF time.  Its amazing what a little girl talk can do for the soul.  Once again, God hits it on the nail.

As we've traveled through life from crazy teenagers to mommies&wives, things have changed all around us.  But some things, like a great friendship, will never change.



The oldest throwback picture I could find




Pregnant BFF's (don't miss those days, haha)

 

First Smile

Oh, the things that melts a momma's heart.

Yesterday Jameson had started being a little fussy.  Nothing unbearable, but I think he's hitting a growth spurt & just needing extra food & mommy time.  I was holding him as we were talking & playing.  I gave him some mommy kisses & guess what, a little smile came across his face.  Now I always heard the ole wives tale "babies don't smile until their 3 months, before then its just gas... blah, blah, blah."  So I kissed him again, another gummy grin splashed across his face (and no gas).  We did this about five times, and I got the same five bursts of expression every time.

He was showing mommy he liked her kisses & my heart was overflowing.  Such a sweet moment between a mother & her son.

But I can't help but to wonder will mommy's kisses still make him smile in about 10 to 15 years?  :)

I unfortunately didn't get a picture of this "first," except for the picture imprinted in my memory.. that will never fade away.