socks

I love shoes, Karlie loves makeup and clothes, Jolie loves playdough,  Zach loves guitars, Karl loves boats..but Shek? He loves socks.

Everytime we go to the store, Shek checks out the socks. He gets a new pair, calls or texts Gam to tell her about it, takes photos of them ....He loves his socks. He has all these fancy athletic socks. He loves getting a deal on them at Marshalls or TJ Maxx.

Shek and Zach take an afternoon walk...but first, Shek finds his awesome socks.

These are his latest socks. I love the neon color... These are the current favorite.

Headed to tennis sporting some awesome socks.

Just Married

 Just Married....24 years ago....

It's hard to believe that it has been 24 years since these two kids got married.

Even though it seems like yesterday...

there's been a lot of memories over the years

BLESSED.

Back Road Adventures...

 Friday, we took a road trip to Nashville to move Zach home from college. There was rain on and off on our travels, but it held off while we loaded up.

 Lake Nick a Jack is always a pretty scene.

 The trailer was loaded up in no time, we grabbed a quick lunch and headed back home. We hauled the trailer and Zach and Shek followed behind in his car. On our way back home the traffic came to a screeching halt, and Karl's Waze app said take the next exit to get around the traffic. 

So we did. The detour said it would take about 5 miles. We were soon on the back roads....those switch back roads. The scenery was awesome. It was a nice detour.  

 In our distraction to follow the detour, I was taking photos, with Karlie's phone because mine had died; we totally missed the text from Shek that said he needed a bathroom break....

 Finally, we realized he needed a rest stop, in the middle of no where...so we started to look, the traffic was getting thick on the backroads as well. We thought we found  a wooded area, only to realize after we stopped, that it was a wooded drive way and THERE was a big dog coming to greet us. SO back on the way we went. Just around the bend in the  road was a small town and a gas station. The DOT was directing traffic there and told us that there had been a wreck on the interstate some three hours before, involving 3 tractor trailers. The road workers were pulled from road work to direct traffic. 

I was thankful for the diversion, and the fact that the app had us turn off for a scenic tour and we were not stuck on the road with no way out. 

 Our detour lead us to the base of Nick a Jack lake. We saw it up close and it was lovely. I especially loved this little white church nestled at the foot of this mountain by the lake, very picturesque.

 Seeing the lake made us all miss our boat that much more, and the fish were jumping and in some areas we smelled fish. 

 I've been reading Ann Voscamp's 1000 gifts, the message is  to be thankful in all things. I am thankful, for the scenic detour. It has always been there, but has been tucked away from our regular interstate route.

 Happy travelers. At one time, she woke up from a nap and said she wanted to take some more naps. 

 Karlie

 Friday was a long traveling day....

 We arrived back to the ATL at 730 we thought rush hour would have been over....but the roads were thick with traffic...and the HOV land was practically at a standstill..

Soon we rolled on through the big city and were stopped at the redlight at our exit...

HOME

the next adventure 

awaits.

American Girl Adventure

For the past little while Jolie has been planning on going to the American Girl store to get an American Girl doll. In fact that's all we've heard about for the past few months. She requested birthday cash from the grandparents so that she could get her doll. She had a plan.

We were surprised  that she wanted a doll because she usually requests play dough, make up and new clothes when given the option for something special. 

 So a week after her birthday, with birthday money in her hand we girls,Gam, Karlie, and me headed to American Girl. We were headed to have our own special girls day.

 Our speech teacher, Mrs. Jennifer,  told us to make reservations at the Bistro. She said it was soooo worth having a meal there, because the doll gets to sit with you in a booster seat and is served doll food. Mrs. Jennifer said the whole experience is such a sweet memory maker and she was right.

 Jolie wanted to purchase Ivy, the only Asian American girl doll. We recently found out that Ivy is being archived, so we are glad we were able to get her while she's still available. Jolie also wanted the Chinese silks outfit too. So those were our purchases.

 Posing in front of the doll display where Ivy was located.

 After the purchase, a doll helper, got Ivy ready for lunch.

 Jolie received a birthday sticker for her birthday and a star sticker because it was her first visit.

 Ivy was given a birthday sticker too.

 Here we are with our purchases.

 Gam and her girl grands....we had sooo much fun.

 American Girl is a great place for a photo op.

 The bistro was very pretty...very girlie for sure. We loved the decorations.. Karlie, now  a senior in high school says she always wanted to go to American Girl, but when she was little  there was not an American Girl store nearby. So back in the day, she had her doll, Kit, ordered online. She didn't bring her Kit for the lunch, though, she remained on the shelf. LOL

 All the pink decor was cute.

 Karlie checks her phone while we wait.

 Jolie thought eating with her doll was pretty awesome.

 Pink flowers...

 Pink bar stools

 On the menu, we could each choose one appetizer and one main entree. The girls chose the pretzel bites with cheese and honey mustard dips. The pretzels were served on a skewer.

 Gam had the yogurt in a flower pot and fruit skewers and muffins.

 I think we loved the appetizers the best. We loved how the Bistro made everything look so cute...and it was very good food too.

 I had the spinach artichoke dip and pita bread...it was awesome.

 A sweet little light fixture. I love cool lighting.

 A few more poses before we left for home.

 Notice her expression in this photo, I thought maybe she was sad to leave....

 I had her pose one last time by the door, and this is where she asked us: 

"So how long can I keep her? Just for the day right?"

I was caught off guard, and I answered, "Huh?

She repeated the question...

I said, "That doll is yours, for the rest of your life." 

I wondered where she came up with such. I wondered if she had some past experience in China where she didn't get to keep a special toy. I also remember back to our forever family day, where adoptive parents are given custody of their children for 24 hours with the option to change their mind. Yes, Crazy thought I know.

Who knows why she had a worry that she couldn't keep her, maybe I am just an over analyzer? On the way home she asked her sister if this was all a dream. So I guess the American Girl Doll getting day was  for sure a special memory.

 A few poses at Gam's house, where she changed her into her Chinese silks.

 This was my favorite photo of the day.

 Jolie, our sweet American girl, you are loved and chosen by God.