Girls Getaway to the Beach Plus One

Last weekend my mom, sister, aunt, nephew and I escaped to the beach for a mini vacation. We left on Thursday and came back on Monday for some much needed fun in the sun and white sand. We get together and take this trip annually. Thanks to the Collins Family for providing their condo for us a place to relax and get away.

I always LOVE having my mom around. I think everyone will agree that no one quite treats you as good as your Mom (although Hays does not fall far behind). She always scratches my back, rubs my feet and treats all of her children like gold. Things will be quite different next year with an infant in tow. I just pray that I can live up to being as good of a Mom as she is to me.

We had a blast at the beach and cannot wait to go back. We layed out, burried Kai in the sand, went out for dinner, ordered in pizza and watched a movie, and shopped. We were all very relaxed and didn't want to leave (I guess you always say "if we just had one more day").

Baby Collins 16 Week Update

Hays and I went to the doctor last Thursday. Everything looked perfect so far. The baby's heart rate was in the 140's (some would say that is for sure a little boy in there) and it is measuring just as it should. Our next appointment, which will be on September 17th, we will find out for sure if it is a BOY or GIRL! I will for sure post and let everyone know.

For now, the baby is the size of an avocado and can hear me and everyone around me talking. It is beyond me how God can create something so small yet so developed, special, and unique. Only our God could do something that marvelous and amazing.

Our Furry, Four-Legged Child

I had to post some pictures of our (for now) only child, Lilly. She is spoiled rotten and gets all of the attention in our household. I hope she's ready for a slight change in a few months. We are those crazy dog people (oh well).

Is Everybody That I Know Pregnant??

This weekend I hosted a baby shower for one of my really good friends. Kari and I went to college together and ran cross country together all four years. I am blessed to have her live right around the corner from me. She had a great turn out and received many wonderful gifts. She is due in October but does not know what she is having (glad for her but not something I could do). Little Sumrall will be here before we know it.


This is me and Holly. Holly has been one of my very best friends since like 7th grade. I love her dearly and am not sure what I would do without her friendship. We have been through A LOT together and I don't get to see her nearly as much as I would like. When we see eachother it's like we are apart of eachother's everyday lives. I pray that everyone has a friend like her. I'm not sure what I would do without her. (She is also pregnant and little Cole is due to arrive in October)

The Parrot Lover Turns 4!!

Kai is our four year old nephew. He is my sister's son who was born 10 weeks early so we all consider him a blessing. He is the only grandchild and is spoiled rotten! He absolutely loves parrots for a reason we are not sure of yet. He has books, puzzles, and many pet parrots that he constantly wants you to look at. He says "parrots are so beautiful". It is hilarious.

He had his fourth birthday two weekends ago and of course, had a parrot birthday party. He is so silly but so much fun at the same time. We love him dearly and cannot believe he just turned four! Happy Birthday little parrot lover!

A Weekend of Fun with Good Company

I have really awesome parents and family that are willing to spend several weekends a year visiting us from Memphis. I LOVE my family so much and I really hate that they don't live around the corner from us so we can see them as much as we please. When they come visit we always find something fun to do. My mom usually cooks dinner for us or we go eat somewhere. I cherish the time that I have with them and always hate to see them leave.

On this particular visit, my parents came and brought my Aunt Cindy, my sister and our nephew. We had such a good time. We went to the zoo all day Saturday and then broke out the Rock Band Saturday night for some good laughs. I didn't think my parents would really enjoy the whole Rock Band thing but they were actually really good and hilarious. I can't wait for the next time they come!

Our trip to North Carolina that we will NEVER forget....

Hays and I decided at the beginning of the year that we would plan an awesome trip for just the two of us to celebrate being married for 5 years. For those that don't know, we try to go on some type of camping trip every year. We both LOVE to be outdoors and I don't mind staying in a tent too much. We camped in the Blue Ridge Mountain Range in North Carolina for five days, went to the Great Smoky Mountains for two days, and then to the Biltmore Estate for two nights (to treat ourselves after all of the camping and to celebrate our anniversary).

Little did we know this would be a trip we would NEVER forget for two reasons. One, we ran into a mama bear and her cubs while on a 10 mile hike (Hays said that I attract the bears, everywhere we go we run into them). SCARY!!! (I made it without getting sick or crying unlike last time) AND two, while at The Biltmore Estate (before touring the winery) we found out we were expecting our first child. What a Joy!!

Our homestead for 7 nights. Not too bad, but not a five star hotel:)

We were dorks and played National Park Monopoly by the campfire two nights. Not a lot to do in the middle of no where.

Some pictures that my very talented husband took (see the link to his website on the sidebar)

We took lessons on how to fly fish. Something both of us have always wanted to do. Hays actually caught a fish, I did not.

We went to dinner at a very nice restaurant at the Biltmore Estate. Had a great time and a very yummy desert.

I guess I wanted to show proof that we are actually pregnant. Everything is sooo exciting the first time.

What a trip!! Stay tuned for many summer pictures coming soon including my parents visit.