Lily is Eleven!

Lily Lou, you are wonderful, amazing, and baked with absolute goodness. I have waited all month to do this blog for you because your birthday celebration didn't happen until this past weekend and girlie it was hard to wait.  You are so worth celebrating and you are 11!  

Lily, I am amazed by you.  Your maturity, spiritual insight, nuanced thinking, and deeply kind and empathetic heart has all grown by leaps and bounds this year.  You are loved by all and show up.  You know I always say that "People rely on reliable people," and you dear girl are reliable.  You teachers, your principal, and your peers know it.  You are a leader, and a bold, beautiful, and brave one at that.

Watching you fall in love with Jesus and learn to be a fruit bearer has been humbling and deeply inspiring.  You want to know Jesus Lily and that relationship will make you a force.  That light inside you?  It shines so very bright.

You are quickly defining what brings you joy and what doesn't.  This year you discovered synchronized swimming and you LOVE IT.  You have also discovered volleyball and want to keep it in the rotation. Daddy is thrilled, me too.  Volleyball is fun!

For your birthday this year you wanted a day with your best friend, Emma.  We had breakfast at First Watch, followed by pedicures and manicures.  You then went to the mall to shop for all the accessories and had a blast.

The final part of your day was to go out to a movie and eat all the candy.  We had a wonderful time seeing Encanto and you walked out with a stomach ache.  Mission accomplished.

I am so proud of you Lily Grace.  You are so smart, and you seek to make the world a better place.  Keep your eyes focused on Jesus doll, because life is going to be full of challenges.  I know you will rise to them and probably lead the charge through them.  Be a problem solver, but take care of your heart too.  You can't pour from an empty vessel, so make sure you set boundaries.  Chase big dreams, and remember failure is only a lesson to learn.  

Let your light shine baby girl, and stay salty!

I love you

Mom

 

Dad Camp 2021

Bob, Lily, and Evie went to Dad Camp with our church, and I'm pretty sure they had the most amazing time.  I remember last year when they weren't able to go because of our schedule  we have all looked forward to this year!

This camping trip was especially exciting for the girls because they were going to go with their best friends Emma and Cora!  Given our COVID debacle a month ago, poor Lily had to miss her 5th and 6th grade camping trip so this trip was a MUST.  Oh she was so excited.  Well, everyone was excited.

They crew left on Friday after very successfully packing a LOT of stuff into our buddies SUV.  There were so many cookies, games, and joy all packed away.  They were going to have a great time.

They stayed for the weekend at Prescott Pines which is an amazing place full of fun, cabins, ziplines, food, games, smores, and campfires!  All Dads and all kids.  

There are few things in life more special then the relationship between Dad's and their daughters. I am grateful I married a man who is truly into the role.  Its a gift.

The weekend was all about the impact of Fathers and all three of them came back tired but with enormous smiles.

And back at home Ellie and I spent some quality time together, I went out with some girlfriends, and enjoyed a weekend of photography.  It was all a win win.

Scotland: A Lass must go home.

Alas it was time to go home.  Now, just like heading into Scotland, we had to take a pre departure COVID test before entering the USA.  We found ourselves a free testing site in Inverness and were all verified and checked out before we got to the airport.......at least thats what we thought.

We said goodbye to Edinburgh, and drove into the airport.  We successfully turned in our rental and headed to the check in line.  Even though the airport is small, I had us arrive 2.5 hours before our flight....Thank the good Lord.

We got to the front and handed the agent our test results only to be told, "I'm sorry, but the US does not accept test results from our National Health System.  You have to have a lateral flow rapid test."  Um what now?  I honestly was quite calm and my exact word to her were, "Okay, our flight leaves in 2.15 hours how do I solve this problem?"  She pointed out the door to the airport facility's rapid testing center and sent us on our merry way.

We rushed to the site to find out we had to pre register through a involved and lengthy process, get an email confirmation, then head in for a test.  Bob and I put our phones to brilliant use and worked hard for 20 minutes to get through the forms.  We even helped some other very anxious and upset travellers  get their work done.  We finally both had our confirmations.

5 minutes later we got the test.  How long??  "Usually 40 minutes."  We raced back to the check in counter to ask the agent when the last moment we could check in  was (you see we had to check bags because of gifts).  She told us 10:40......It was 9:57. OY.  So we waited.

We ran through all scenarios including dumping all of our liquid gifts and high tailing it through security with all of our bags.....to having to change flights to the next day......and honestly we both were just ready to go home.

The time crept forward.

10:37.......emails arrived and we both were negative!  We checked in and made it to our gate with 30 min to spare.  Whew!  

Our flights back home were perfect and a lovely way to close out the trip.    Unfortunately Bob ended up with a massive migraine, but between an amazing onboard pharmacy and a flight attendant who doubles as a light and color therapist (its a thing) we kept him from vomitting, and he arrived in one piece and only slightly traumatized.

I had 2 glasses of champagne because I could, and we enjoyed our flight home in our business class seats.  The layout headed home was a bit different and not as private as our outgoing plane but luxury none the less!

Scotland was epic.  It was an adventure to write home about and both Bob and I came home ready and excited to plan our next trip.  So many things to do and places to see!

And if you ever have needed a sign to go and do big things, this is your sign.  Do the thing you have wanted to do, press the button on the tickets.  Do IT!  Life is long, but time is short!

and jet lag was only a minor set back........

 

Scotland: St. Andrews

Our final Bed and Breakfast location was such an experience.  It was marketed as a a chic boutique hotel.  Each room was named after a famous Scots man or woman.  Our room was the Flora MacDonald room, There were many furry pillows and sparkles.  It was a trip.

Breakfast was full and amazing and we got back on the road to visit the Mecca of Golf, St. Andrews!

I kept telling Bob that I was really hoping he would be able to stand on the famous bridge on the 18th hole. He was very doubtful.  Understandably, its the Open course, but without knowing it, we went on a Sunday, and on Sunday's the Old Course is closed for play, and open for walking!!! HE WAS SO EXCITED!

So we stood right on the bridge and took all the photos.

We also took the next couple of hours and walked all 18 holes.  It was such an experience and one that Bob will never forget.

The bunkers here are no joke.  I mean, I had to get into so many of them just for perspective.  WOW.  The old course is honestly pretty boring, except for the uneven surface and these insane bunkers.

It was a great morning walking the course and I am so glad that fortune smiled on us and we were able to have this experience without a tee time and for FREE!

I had to do a handstand on the 18th hole, and honestly I am so excited to watch the open with Bob this year and see this spot!

We went to the pro shop, of course, and had a fantastic time.

Our last major stop on the way took us to Falkland.  Y'all I literally only stopped here for one thing only...........

These pictures right here below. If you are an Outlander fan, then you know!

It was such a cute little town.  It was raining and we found ourselves looking around for anything inside to do and came across the Falkland Castle.  

I so wish I could have taken photos inside this castle because it was fully restored and gorgeous with so much history, so many amazing paintings, and an exquisite chapel.  Truly lovely.

Both Bob and I were very ready to head to our final resting place before getting on our plane the next day.  The trip had been amazing.......absolutely  amazing, but it was time to go home.