Meet Ella Grace!

It was July 2009. We had all planned to come to Mississippi throw a surprise birthday party for our sweet Papaw who was turning 80. I was the last one to arrive to the Puckett Plantation that night. I was so excited to see Ashlee because I hadn't seen her in 7 months. So it was late, I had just got home from making my drive in from Nashville and was rather cranky (give me a break...I had worked all week and then I drove to Mississippi that night). Never-the-less, I was still trying to muster up some excitement because I was so glad to get to see Ashlee. Well, Ashlee can get there crazy ideas sometimes and they can be a little cheesy. Me and her both love sparkling grape juice like something crazy.

So she had some of that and some glasses and said in a very hyper voice, "Hey everyone! Let's make toasts and tell something we are excited about or thankful for."

Me being the grump of the night, I was like, "No way. I'm tired and ready to to go bed. We can toast our hearts out tomorrow."

Ashlee insisted we all toast that night so I tried to play along with her childish games she wanted to play so late that night. So we all go around and say something to toast about and then Ashlee in a silly giggling voice says, "To Auntie Em and Aunt Laura: Y'all are going to be great aunts."

It was rather humorous because me and Laura just kind of looked at each other like, "Uhh...yeah, anyways. So be for real." It was silent and Ashlee just kept looking at me and said, "I am for real" and she laughed again. I said, "No you're not. Be for real. I'm tired and ready for bed." Ashlee was like, "I AM FOR REAL! WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A BABY!" When I finally realized she wasn't kidding, I screamed with excitement! I couldn't believe it! Ashlee and Billy have been married for 6 years and we've always joked that Ashlee has to raise the kid she married before they have any real kids! So I was totally excited about it.

*************Fast Forward to February 23, 2010****************

Ella Grace Cash finally graced us with her presence that afternoon! I was so excited. I flew out to meet her on February 26th and we have been having the best time. I'm going to be so sad to leave on Saturday, but I guess I have to get back to the real world. . I wonder what she's thinking. I wonder if she's wishing that EmEm will hurry up and go back to Nashville so that she will stop having to wear sunglasses that are too big for her, but are so cute; or that she will stop having to get her clothes changed so much, or woken up so much just because EmEm wants to hold her and kiss her and squeeze her. Oh well. Ella Grace has been quite a trooper and been such a good sport with EmEm loving on her to pieces. Here are a few pics of my precious niece Ella Grace. She is so fun to watch.

Mommy and Sweet Ella Grace

We even celebrated Ashlee's 28th birthday!

Ella Grace all clean and bundled up after her hair washed by EmEm and Mommy.

Squeeky clean after another bath!

This is the picture of our first moments of meeting. I could kiss her all day long!

She is the prettiest baby!

Yet another picture after another bath time...hey, so I like clean babies, sue me!

Needless to say, we've had the best time together. It's been fun to be here so I can help Ashlee get adjusted to motherhood. Even if it's just coming upstairs every morning when Ashlee texts me to get her so that she can go back to sleep! Such fun times! I'm going to hate to have to leave.

She's finally here!

Today is a very special day. Today my first niece was born, Eizabeth Grace Cash. We are going to call her Ella Grace. This day is so special to me because my sister and best friend is now a mother! For those of you who may not know my sister Ashlee you are really missing out and should go to Mesa, Arizona and meet her immediately! (See a blog post from a while back for a longer description). She is a fun-loving, outgoing, hard-working, selfless, kind hearted, godly woman that is a sister, daughter, granddaughter, niece, wife and now, Mommy! It's just one of those things that I don't even think has officially sunk in with me yet. It just doesn't seem real. It seems like just yesterday we were riding our bikes down Forrest Street and working on the doll house with Beth and baking 1,2,3,4 cookies. It seems like just yesterday I was standing beside her as her made of honor in her wedding. But today, wow! She's a mom. I can already tell you that she is going to be such a wonderful mother. Sweet Ella Grace doesn't even know how blessed she is to have Ashlee as a mom and Billy as a dad.

Sweet Ella Grace, I am so excited that you are finally here! I don't think I've even been as unproductive at work as I have been today. I've been praying all day and anxiously awaiting for your arrival and I can't wait to meet you and talk to you and love on you. I can't wait to watch you grow and become a young lady and I pray that you will learn to love the Lord like your parents do and both your families do. I can't wait to meet you for the first time in only a few more days!

1.4.3.
EmEm

**pics to come as soon as I get there...promise!**

One of THOSE days

Today had been one of THOSE days. You know...those days that you just want to scream and pull your hair out???? Today has apparently been 'headache day' at the office because several of us gals have had headaches all day that will not go away. We will just hope for a better day tomorrow...which I can't wait because I'm going to Florida to see Davey, Wendy and Abby!

I just wanted to share this with you.

Have a great day!

Sips N Strokes

My best friend, Jessica, came down for a much needed and way overdue visit. I was so excited to see her. We made reservations to go to this place I heard about called Sips N Strokes. As many of your know I absolutely LOVE to paint and so I was thrilled with the idea to go. My friend, Melissa also joined us on the adventure as well (we sure missed you Tatum--next time!). We had a blast! The instructors do a great job at demonstrating each step so that people who have never painted at all are able to do it as well. Check out these pics of our artwork! I totally recommend you try it out. You may even see me there next time too. Here is the link to the website and you can look at the calendar to see what painting they will be doing. https://www.sipsnstrokes.com/home.aspx All you have to bring is yourself & a beverage of your choice to Sip (you can never go wrong with ice water or diet coke!)

Christmas Time is Here!

I know, I know. I've been behind on my blogging; however, since December 1st to now I have had 11 parties. Each of them have been so much fun, but I am partied out! I'm so thankful that the Lord has blessed me with such an abundance of friends that I can surround myself with! Honestly, I feel like my life is one big continuous party because I just enjoy each day to the fullest and have so much fun doing it!

My first Christmas party was at Mrs. Barbara's house. The "Golden Girls" (see a few blog posts below) were all in attendance at this party along with several other of Mrs. B's friends.
Barbs, Me and Francie

These are a few of my J.A.M. (Judson Arts Ministry) kiddos before their Christmas program. They worked so hard and did a fabulous job! I'm sure that many of you are thinking, "Emilee? Working with children?" I must admit that this is completely out of my 'comfort zone', but I have really enjoyed working with this rambunctious group and I think that they have taught me more than I have possibly taught them. It's amazing how God works like that!

For one of the sounds, Mrs. Susan taught some of the kids to play the hand chimes. You may also notice the beautiful banners in the background--my kids worked very hard to make these for the Christmas program (thanks Mrs. Susan for your leading role in the banners! They looked great!

Next I had another party at Mrs. Barbara's with our Life Group (Sunday School). We had so much fun as usual. Finally a pic of all 4 "Golden Girls"! Our Life Group Leader, Jenny--such an amazing woman with so many talents!

Then, day while I was at work I was pleasantly surprised to have a little visitor stop by! My boss brought his son with him for a little bit. So The Bear came and sat with me at my desk for a little while to play. Unfortunately I don't keep a toy stash at work so the pink scarf was entertaining for a little bit. The Bear is such a cutie and I can't believe how fast he is growing!





Since it is 1:45 a.m. and I am starting to close my eyes, I am going to call it a night and will continue with more fun pics from this month's various fiascos soon!

Scrooges...

...yeah I live with two of them!

I got home last night and decided that I wanted to starting setting out my snow village. I made a deal with my roommates that I wouldn't set out my actual Christmas decorations until this coming up weekend (they are scrooges and the Christmas spirit doesn't hit them basically until Christmas day and for that day only). Anyways, so I decided that I was just going to set out my snow villages. I don't consider that as 'Christmas decor'--it's more of just winter time decorations. Anyway, Amy was totally against it and decided to latch herself onto my bistro table so that I couldn't move it over to the 'snow village area'. Jessica was peacefully asleep in her room until she was woken up to Amy screaming "JESSICA--HELP! WE CAN'T LET THIS HAPPEN YET!"Bah-humbug to them both! I won though...the snow village is up, but not completed yet. I will post pics of it later, but Jessica couldn't pass up the opportunity of getting a pic of me trying to pry Amy off the table first!

Halloween at The Flat

This year, me and the roomies hosted a Halloween party at The Flat (our apt). We thought long and hard about what our costume was going to be this year (we were trying to top last year's costume (the Spice Girls--which was a big hit!); however, this year it was only the 3 of us for a group costume. So we thought and thought and what else would be better than 'saving the world before bedtime'?!--you got it--The Power Puff Girls! Bubbles (Jess), Blossom (Amy) & Buttercup (Yours Truly).

Bubbles, Blossom and Buttercup

Bubbles "The Cute One"
Blossom "The Smart One"
Buttercup "The Tough One"

"Saving the world before bedtime" (by beating up the Jon the Pirate)
We had such a great time with a great group and can't wait until next year!

The 4th Golden Girl

The Golden Girls is one of those shows that I rarely watch, but when I do catch it on television, I always get a great laugh watching what those four ladies always get themselves into. My favorite thing about the show is the theme song: "Thank you for bein' a friend. Traveled down the road and back again Your heart is true your a pal and a confidant. And if you through a party Invited everyone you ever knew You would see the biggest gift would be from me And the card attached would say thank you for being a friend."

My Life Group (Sunday school class) gets together once a month to go out and eat, talk, catch up and get to know each other better. I really love my group of ladies I am with. Last night we met at Chili's and it was just a small group last night, but we had a blast. I am the youngest in my class, but I think it is so much fun because the broad age range in our class brings out such variety and different perspectives to life and different stories we have. We had the best time sitting around the table laughing and talking about funny experiences that we have encountered in our lives.

I'm so thankful that God has provided me with such godly women that I can laugh and talk with, but more importantly look up to as a Christian example and listen to how they have handled problems/dilemmas in their own lives. God is so amazing!

While I was sitting beside Mrs. Frances last night, I leaned over and told her that she and Mrs. Barbara and their other friend, Mrs. Ruby are definitely today's Golden Girls, but I wasn't sure who the frouth one was...I think I've decided I'm going to be the 4th Golden Girl!

Thank you Lord, for blessing me with my 'Golden Girl' friends!

Celebrating 30...80's Style!

My good friends Ben and Tatum turned 30 last week. So they had a birthday party, but this was not your typical 30th birthday party by any means. They rented out the skating rink and everyone was to come in their best 80's garb they could find! We skated to the best 80's music and has such a great time! Ben and Tatum are such sweet people. There were probably at least 50 friends and family there to celebrate with them. Here are a few pics of the Judson gang sporting their awesome outfits!

Eric, Robbie, Curtis and Chris

Sarah, Cara, Christine, Laine and Sara

Cara, Me, Tatum, Emily and Sarah

Me and Laine

We had such a great time celebrating Ben and Tatum's 30th Birthday. They are such sweet people to me. Happy Birthday Ben and Tatum!! I love y'all!

It's been a while...

Well, I must say that I have been quite the slacker with my blog over the past 5 months. Things have been so crazy I just haven't even had time to keep it updated. Plus, I was in my best friend, Jessica's wedding back in June and I accidentally left my camera there (in Michigan). Somehow between it getting from Detroit to Nashville, someone realized a camera was in that box and thought they needed it more than me. So I've also been without a camera this whole time and haven't been able to capture what's been going on in my crazy life. So I've got a camera on my wishlist for Christmas this year (**Hint hint!)

To sum up the last few months I was going back and forth to Mississippi alot in June and July because Mom had surgery. Once again, God never ceases to amaze me. The doctors were so amazed at how well Mom did with the surgery and even the recovery. Plus, there was a bonus--she even got to stop taking her blood pressure medicine--and she has been taking BP meds as long as I can remember.

I was able to squeeze a Florida trip in as well to meet precious Abigail "Abby" Grace. My best friend Wendy had her bundle of joy in January. I was a few months late getting down there, but we had such a great time visiting and playing with sweet Abby.

I went out to Arizona for a week this summer to visit my sister and brother-in law Ashlee and Billy. Which BY THE WAY...I am going to be an Aunt! I can't wait to meet sweet little Elizabeth "Ella" Grace! Ashlee and Billy are going to be great parents (even though it's still a little frightening to think of Billy being a dad!--haha. just kidding Billy!).

Well, that's enough updates for now. I will have more updates in the next blog soon!