Mother's Day and More

Hello and happy Mother's Day to all my family and friends who are moms.  I am especially grateful to have two very special women in my life whom I can honor on this day...my mother, Betty, and my sister, Shelia, who has been like a second mother to me throughout my life. You can look no further than these two to blame for the fact that I turned out rather spoiled. ;)

Momma

The past couple weeks have been busy ones around my house and I will be sooo glad when the next couple weeks are finished, as well.  I know we're told not to wish our lives away but I will be glad when the next couple weeks are history.

Ren was in a pageant this weekend.  She was there to crown in the 13-15 year age group, which she won last year, and to compete in the upper division.  I'm a very biased mom, I know, but I thought she looked beautiful.  I love coral on her and her hair was probably the best it's looked at one of these type events. 

She placed in the top ten and I have to put the blame fully on myself for her not advancing any higher.  She did an awesome job in casual and, initially, in the formal part of the competition.  Then when the girls were brought back out in groups of five I noticed she failed to stand like she normally does - she wasn't popping her pose, so to speak. 

A little later on when they announced the top ten and brought the girls out to narrow it down to a final six I knew I had slipped up.  You see, it was now about 8 o'clock in the evening and Ren, who happens to have anemia, hadn't eaten since that morning.  She always eats a little between having her hair and make-up done but, this time, I forgot to remind her to eat something.  So, when they were standing on stage in the top ten group (for what seemed like an eternity) I knew she wasn't going any further.  She managed to keep a rather glazed smile on her face but her arms just sort of hung there and her right shoulder slumped downward.  When I saw her contestant number card begin to shake in her hand I became worried she might be about to topple of the edge of the stage.  Luckily, that didn't happen. 

Top left: Out like a light just minutes after arriving home.  Lower left:  Ren in her casual outfit with Megan. Middle: During the 13-15 competition as the reigning queen.  Right:  In her gown for the 16-19 year age group.

Last weekend was also a busy one.  My favorite niece, Megan, is now an RN, having graduated from Cumberland University with her BSN.  So, that whole weekend belonged to her (and considering what a difficult degree a BSN is to obtain she deserved it!).  Friday night, we sat through a very nice (and very long) pinning ceremony, followed by a beautiful graduation on the lawn of historic Cumberland on Saturday, and topped it off on Sunday with a celebratory meal with extended family.  I could not be more proud of my niece and know she will be an awesome nurse, which is something I don't ever think I could do.

Megan, BSN 

Time to celebrate!

You know I couldn't post without telling something about John-Heath...well, my little boy has found a love of fishing.  He caught his first while fishing in the pond below our house with his Aunt Paula, Uncle Mark, and Cousin Makayla.  According to him, he's a good catfisher.

Barefoot and shirtless on the bank of the pond.

Have a great week!