Happy Birthday, Mel Mel

Happy Birthday to my favorite cousin and my oldest friend!!!!

Yes, Ladies, today is Melanie's birthday. I won't say how young she is b/c my birthday is soon approaching and I wouldn't want her to return the favor, but today is her special day!!! Melanie is my absolute oldest friend....probably because she's my cousin and I've known her since....well since I was born.

Most of my fondest childhood memories involve Mel Mel. When I went to her house as a kid, we'd always pretend like we were long lost sisters that just stumbled upon one another and then became the best of friends. And she had the first huge slumber party that I ever attended, where we played "Girl Talk" all night long....yeah, you gals remember what I'm talking about, right!!!

Melanie was there for me on that dreaded "First Day of High School" where she sought me out at lunch time to make sure that I didn't have to eat alone. She drug me along with her older friends... and we both had our first and only experience with the "Athens night life" together...though she was of age, I was not and we both tasted beer for the first time and agreed - it SUCKS!!!!! We'll stick to Mountain Dew!!!!!

Melanie has been present for all of my major life events. My wedding day, the birth of my children, and she was right beside me day that I accepted Jesus Christ into my life! How can you go through so much with someone and really find the words to express how much they mean to you???? I dont' think you can, so I'll just have to say:

I love you, Melanie Kate Gravitt. God definitely must have "spent a little more time on you"! You're one of my best friends, and I love you so much. I hope that you have a wonderful birthday (even though it's almost over), and I can't wait for us to have a Mommy n' Me Birthday Celebration!!!!

Love you, Girl!!!!

We Interrupt This Regularly Scheduled Blog...

...to bring you a break from our long vacation post.....

Yeah, it took me so long to do the first few days...I just stopped. I will finish...for the sake of my online memory log, but I wanted to post some pics I've taken recently.

A few weeks ago I took the kiddos to the mall for a leisurely stroll. The kids did so great. The boys were in the stroller and the girls held hands and we window shopped at the hippest stores...Claire's, American Girl, Disney Store, and of course we played on the indoor play ground. Afterwards, we hit the food court for a quick snack...French Fries!!!! North Point Mall has these cool new tables for the kiddos. Aren't they so cute!!!!! (Who says 4 kids are too much to handle???)

After we returned from Vacation, we didn't really do anything exciting for the 4th of July. But we did go shopping to hit some sales with Daddy. And of course, the kids had to ride the carousel. (And no, we're not mall rats...it's just one of the only places I actually think to take out my camera.)

A couple of weeks ago, Jennica and I had dinner with one of our dearest friends. MANDY!!! We hadn't seen her in a year, (since Zachary was born, who was actually born on Mandy's birthday!!), so it was nice to see her and catch up. The three of us can always pick up right where we left off...even if it's been months since we talked. It's so amazing how true friendship can withstand time! I love you, Mandy, and we can't wait to see you soon. Good luck this week at your new school. We're thinking about you!!!!

Today we had a great day at church. Ms. April, our Children's Director, threw a Birthday Party for all of the children in the Children's Ministry. Complete with Ice cream, face painting, tattoos, a bounce house, and tons of fun music. I had my class (2 1/2 through 3) and they all loved it. Olivia was moving and grooving to the Camp Rock songs!!!

Here are Olivia and Zachary enjoying apples on the front porch. They are such sweethearts, and really have started playing so well...but we do have our share of fights. Today, Zachary kept hitting Olivia, and he had to have his first time out(s). Olivia must have been amused that her little brother was finally experiencing this Toddler Torture, so she kept tattle-tailing all afternoon. Finally, in my most loving (read: frustrated) mommy voice, I told her that I didn't want to hear any more tattle-tailing. She proceeded to march right over to her brother and say, "See Zachary, no more tattle-tailing or Mommy's going to put you back in time out!!!" I guess I'll have to sit her down and explain what tattle-tailing is.....

And my baby...who's not a baby any more. He's just growing up so fast. He's saying MaMa, DaDa, No, Night Night, That, More, and Bye-Bye. Night-Night is my absolute favorite thing to hear him say. He's just so precious when he's getting ready for bed!!!

Josh was out of town this whole weekend, so my good friend, Amy, came to keep us company yesterday. She and I had a great time catching up and playing with the kids. Olivia just loved Amy. She woke up yesterday and said, "When is Amy coming to play at my house???" Then last night, she said God Bless Amy before she even blessed me!!! And....she wanted Amy to help her get her Smiley Faces last night....I told Amy, that somehow she had really won Olivia over, because NO ONE does Smiley Faces for Olivia other than Mommy!!! We love you, Amy, and had a GREAT time yesterday. Can't wait to get together again!!!!!

Lastly, my neice and nephey start Kindergarden tommorrow!! Oh, I can't believe they are already going to school. It seems like just yesterday that we welcomed them into the world. And, their little bro is starting Pre-K....so it'll be a busy morning in the Gravitt household tomorrow. Good Luck, Hailee and Dakota!!! We know you'll love "Big School" and can't wait to hear all about it!!!!

To everyone out there tuning in to our blog, we pray God's Blessings on each of you!!!! Have a great week!!!!!