Flower Girls, Junior Bridesmaids and a Fun Day with My Girls

Last Saturday all of us Goode Girls...all 9 of us...spent the day in wedding prep mode. The goal of the day was to find dresses for the two flower girls, the junior bridesmaid and the mother of the groom.

Here are a few pictures from our adventure:

The beautiful Bride-to-be with one of her flower girls at brunch.

Brooke (Jr. Bridesmaid), Delayne and Ellie (Flower Girls).

My favorite photo of the day.

My three beautiful daughters, our soon to be daughter-in-love and

the four granddaughters enjoying brunch at The Cheesecake Factory

Not my best photo ever...but I sure love this girl!

I left home at 8 in the morning.  Returned home at 7:30 in the evening.  Secured one flower girl dress, with a plan to find another in stock at another bridal shop.  Nothing on the Junior Bridesmaid.  A possibility for Mother of the Groom. And the Bride-to-be found her Rehearsal Dinner dress.

We were whooped...but had a great time with lots of laughs, a few tears and only two minor breakdowns (Bailey and Delayne, not the grown-ups).

It's times like these that I want to remember and cherish.  I told the girls that I would like for us to make room in our calendars for these types of days when there are no weddings to prepare for...even if it's once a quarter.

Wedding day is getting closer!

Good Day On The Creek

Maddux, Jim, Weston and our 6 sand trout.

They made a delicious dinner for Jim, Brian, Deborah and I Sunday night!

On Saturday, Kelli needed some time alone at home to finish up some projects so that they could list their house with their Realtor and take pictures.  She had asked me earlier in the week to watch all four kids for her while Matt was at work.  However, due to a forgotten sleepover with Mommo for the girls, we ended up just picking up the boys.  Since we were already in Sugar Land, Jim and I decided to drive on down to Sargent to check on some work that had been done on the heater earlier that week.  (Good thing we went because it was not fixed! Wrong part.) 

Since we met Kelli at the Buc-ee's, I picked up picnic supplies because...well, you know boys and their appetites.  When we arrived, I went straight in to clean up mode.  I hadn't been down there since October and the last ones there were all men.  (Enough said.)  No, the true story is that on the repairman's first trip down there he had left the main breaker off and everything in our refrigerator had spoiled.  Jim began the process of cleaning it all up when he was down there the weekend before, but there was more deep cleaning that needed to happen. 

The boys followed me up and turned on the television, settling in to watch Teen Titans while eating their donuts and drinking their YooHoos.  (Yes, we are that kind of grandparents!)  Jim wrestled up some fishing poles and threw out a line while doing some work on his boat.  He caught a nice sized sand trout and brought it up in hopes of getting the boys outside for awhile.  They didn't bite...but I did.  So, I put aside the cleaning and grabbed my pole. 

It didn't take long before both boys were down at the water's edge and reeling in our catches.  We sat on that dock for HOURS and they had a blast.  Weston reeled in for me and Maddux reeled in Pappaw's fish.  The fish quit biting just before dark so we headed up to enjoy our picnic dinner, packed up and headed home.

It was an unexpected day of fun with the grandsons.  A memory that Jim and I will cherish for years to come.  Poor Weston crashed as soon as the truck started rolling and slept most of the way home.  After I went upstairs to finish working on the refrigerator, Maddux looked at Jim and said, "Pappaw, I thought this was going to be boring...but it was actually really fun!"  I wholeheartedly agree. 

Throwback Thursday #4

This Throwback Thursday goes all the way back to March...MARCH OF 2015, that is.  Kelli called me one day and said, 'Mom, Brooke wants to have a girl's day with you and she wants to make some crafts.'  I thought, okay, this would be a good time to go out to a pottery place or to do Painting with a Twist or something like those.  As it turned out, Brooke had some projects she wanted to do for her room at home.  She found her ideas in the American Girl magazine which Kelli had subscribed for her. So, today's Throwback Thursday is:

Craft Day with Brooke

March 27, 2015

Our 'Selfie' at the Craft Table
Our girl is getting so big!

I had carried over all of the swag from my trip to
Mardi Gras and Miss Ellie loved the headband!
Isn't she precious?

After Craft Day was done, Kelli and I loaded up all the kids
 and headed to an indoor playground for lunch.
This was as still as I could capture Mr. Weston --
until about 15 minutes when he walked up to Kelli and puked all over her lap.
 Yep!  We loaded up and headed home in a FLASH!

 And here are Brooke's projects from the day:

Her 'tag board' for her room.
I was honored to be the first one to sign it!

Her bedside 'fringe' lamp.
It turned out so stinking cute!



I love these little unplanned surprise days where memories are made.  I wish we could do it more often.  But maybe that is what makes them so special.

Girl Time

I know it has been a while.  Seven months, actually.  Maybe we will talk about that in the future. 

For now, I am blowing the dust off of my keyboard long enough to share this bit of preciousness with y'all.  This photo was taken on the morning that we were leaving Hot Springs to head back to Texas after a wonderful New Year's holiday with the Goodes.

Ellie, Delayne and Tossie helping Nonna/Aunt Fonda get ready for the day.

You are welcome!!!

Jenkins Girls' Retreat: 2015

We've talked about it for years.

This year, we finally did something about it.

We reserved a lodge in Branson, MO that would sleep 30 and most of us Jenkins Girls met up for a weekend of sweet fellowship and laughter.

From Left to Right: Dana, Aubree, Jana, Kathy, Brianne, Peyton, Addison,
Kristy, Camille, Kelli, Elliot, Brooke, Debbie, Delayne, Meagan, Janelle and Fonda

There were seventeen of us in all.  Three aunts. Five first cousins & cousin-in-laws.  Five first cousins once removed.  Three first cousins twice removed.

From the very first moments of our stay, the little girls were running and playing, laughing and giggling.  And it wasn't much different for us 'not so little' girls. 

I'll be sharing some of my favorite pictures this week...and maybe a few stories.

Until then, a huge 'thank you' shout out to these lovely ladies who have helped shape me into the woman I am today.  Love you all!

Living Proof...That Is What We Are

Last spring my cousin, Rita, called and invited me to join her, her daughter and other ladies from her church for Living Proof Live in Bossier City, LA. She and I have both taken and led Bible studies by Beth Moore...but this was Rita's first time to see her live.

Well, it turned into a family affair. Steeping in the Word is a great way to spend a weekend with those you love the most. Especially with such a gifted teacher and a heart healing topic like escaping the traps of the Enemy.


Back in June, we decided to invite her mom and mine to join us for the weekend. Then just the Sunday before, Derrick decided to send Meagan along for a girls getaway weekend.


Both mom and my Aunt Fran had three generations attending the event. It was a sweet time of fellowship and a memory I will cherish for years to come. Thanks for the invite, Rita. Sorry we took over your weekend! LOL!

Mom, Lauren (a friend of Brittany's), Aunt Fran, Rita, Brittany and Meagan
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Bossier City, LA

Taking Someone Else's Vacation

Way back in August...about the time I quit posting completely...we were honored by a last minute 'mini-vacation' visit from my cousin and her family.  Brandi and Joey decided to take a few days before Tiffany and Sarah started back to school and come down to Texas for a long weekend.

It was such a special time to me.  First of all, I really enjoy visiting with my family.  But even more, it took me back to the days when my children were young and Aunt Fran would come down to Texas for a week of day trip sight seeing or an overnight stay someplace new.

Brandi and Meagan are just a year apart, so many of their childhood 'adventure' memories are the same. This time around, they were able to revisit some of those memories with their children in tow.

Thursday we went to Galveston Island to enjoy a little Beach Time:

Beach Babe Delayne enjoying the waves

Family lunch at Tortuga

The we checked into Hilton's Galveston Island Resort for the night:

Friday morning we spent a little more time in the pool until check out..then we headed to Space Center Houston:

And finally, dinner on the way home...Aunt Fran's choice:

We had a great visit...Bri, Meagan and I teasing them about us enjoying their vacation.  Aunt Fran and I reminisced about watching our children playing in the surf and gazing at all the displays at Space Center while watching our grandchildren enjoying those same sights now.  It was a wonderful weekend.  We just wish that Kelli and the kids had been able to join us too.

I will close with this picture of our entire group from NASA:

Brianne, Joey, Brandi, Aunt Fran, Tiffany, Sarah, Delayne, Davin, me and Meagan

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Of Superheroes And Swimming Pools

Last Saturday, the family gathered at Teri and Duane's swimming pool to celebrate the Sixth Birthday of Ironman (aka Davin Rodgers).

In Goode family tradition, there was way too much food awaiting the guests.  Though Elliot and Uncle Brian did make a dent in the watermelon!

Next it was time to head to the basketball court for some water balloon games.  I think the kids were able to play one game before chaos ensued...and no one was safe from the flying water balloons!

(BTW, Derrick Rodgers, you still have it coming.  Be afraid.  Be very afraid!)

Finally! Time to open presents!

I don't know who enjoyed the present opening more, Davin or the cousins?

Where has the time gone?  He is growing up so fast!

And now, the cake!!!

Happy 6th Birthday, Davin!

...I mean, Ironman!

You will always be 'Super' in Nonna's book.

These last two pics are here just because I love them so.

My incredible hunk masquerading as the Incredible Hulk.

Technically, this picture was taken the weekend before the party.  But our little diva slept through most of the party so I didn't get a picture of her during the soiree.  I posted this to Facebook when I took it, but I wanted to post it here as well.

Egg Hunt 2012

Our family gathered to celebrate Easter a day early this year.  For the FIRST time since Christmas, every single family member was present and accounted for along with every spouse and every child. (Note: the exception being Josh, who will receive his official Goode certification in 12 days and counting!) 

After our delicious meal, Jim and I headed down to our other property to hide the eggs while the boys cleaned up the kitchen.  Twenty minutes later, the rest of the family joined us.

Hope you enjoy the pictures!

Brooke, Nonna, Maddux, Pappaw & Davin
I wanted a picture of the two of us with the grandchildren before the Egg Hunt madness began.  Maddux was sitting on my other knee until just before the pictures began to snap.  He looked up to say 'cheese' and noticed Jim beside us, so he quickly jumped ship and moved to sit on Pappaw's knee instead!

Time to hunt Easter Eggs!

Davin raced to the front of the group, yellow pail at the ready.

Maddux was a little more laid back, walking alongside his mom.

Once we all made it to the Easter Egg Patch...it was time to HUNT!

Davin was on a mission.

Brooke headed straight for the edge of the woods.

Maddux decided to take the ones strewn about the grass.

You may have noticed that all the kids have on their rain boots.  We have found that rain boots and crocs are the shoes of choice for country life...you don't have to worry about keeping them out of mud puddles or dirt.  There is one small draw back though, as evidenced above.

Brooke found the 'Pappaw Egg'!

Davin found the 'Nonna Egg'!

And Maddux found LOTS of eggs!

That is a picture of Maddux trying to save his eggs from his mother as she tried to count them.  He didn't like that at all!

Brooke with her spoils of the day.

I did things a little differently this year.  Instead of putting candy in the eggs, there were either prizes or pieces of paper with larger prizes written on them.  Texas is too hot for candy.  I don't care how quickly you hunt the eggs or what kind of candy you use...it melts and is not worth eating by the time you find the eggs.  I think the kids enjoyed the new format.

Davin is ready to get to the prizes.  He had his eye on the fishing game.

Brooke getting Uncle Derrick with a confetti egg. 
She later tried to get Davin with one only to find out that it was actually a hard boiled egg instead.

What a great time we had! 

I know the Real reason for Easter and try to honor it with all my heart.  But at the same time, it is great fun to enjoy the awe and wonder of the season through the eyes of little ones.

How We Spend Our Saturdays

The last two Saturdays have turned into unexpected pleasures for Jim and I.  Saturday before last I received a mid morning telephone call from Matt asking me if I could come over to their house and sit with Brooke while he and Kelli took Maddux to the Urgent Care.  It seems that Maddux had uncovered a brick in their back yard and somehow or another the brick ended up hitting him in the back of the head! 

Thankfully, I was at Robin's when all this activity began...so, I could get to them before anyone else.  Maddux is fine.  They were able to put him back together again just like Humpty Dumpty with a little glue and a lollipop!

But while they were gone, I got to play Barbies again for the first time in YEARS!  The last time I played was with my girls. 

This time I got to play with our Brookie Bear!  We had a blast redecorating Barbies Dream House and getting everyone dressed up for a party.

Isn't she precious?! 

Then this past Saturday we had a last minute overnight guest when Meagan and Derrick decided to take us up on the offer to keep Davin so that they could go out for Meagan's birthday (which was Friday).

As the evening wore on and the energy levels began to plummet, I looked over to find Davin and Pappaw snuggled up in the Lazy Boy watching The Zookeeper!

Jim does looking dashing in zebra, does he not?  The next morning, as I was making pancakes, I overheard the following conversation:

Davin: "Pappaw, why do you always sit in this chair?"

Jim: "Because it is my chair.  It's my Lazy Boy."

Davin: "I need a Lazy Boy too!"

Boys!  They do start early with that whole recliner thing, don't they?

Even though neither event was planned in advance, I was thankful for the one on one time with each of them.  And it fits right in with my desire to do that more often in 2012.  Next up?  Maddux and I are going to see Elmo next Sunday for his birthday -- just the two of us!

Family Vacation Countdown

We are in family vacation countdown mode.  It became official when Will climbed in my truck smiling this morning and said, "A week and a half!" 

Yay!!!  A week and a half until it is LAKE TIME!

Time to gather our WHOLE clan under one roof, spend days on the water, evenings around the pool table and lots of mealtimes around one table.

So, I am in list making frenzy.  Trying to remember everything that I need to pack and take with us, plan activities to keep the grand children occupied (that don't make huge messes) and making my meal plan for the week.

Any ideas you would like to share? 
What is your favorite summertime recipe? 
What do you like to do on family vacation?
What is the one thing you can't travel without?

Come on, throw me some ideas!  I would love to hear from you!

Some Days Just Don't Go As You Had Planned

Case in point: I mentioned back in March that I had some pictures to share with you from our "Family Crawfish-Turned-Shrimp Boil". It was a beautiful Saturday that we had been planning for two weeks. We had juggled Meagan/Derrick's, Kelli/Matt's and Bri/Josh's schedules to get everyone together at once (alas, Matt wasn't able to make it after all). Once we agreed upon a day and time that everyone was available, I texted Brian to put in on his calendar TWO WEEKS EARLY. (Plenty of time for a college student.) Jim and I gathered all the supplies on Friday afternoon, ready for the whole Hey-Hira delegation to arrive.

Saturday morning, I sent Bri and Brian to the office to pick up more chairs while I went to pick up the crawfish. It was just family and we only needed one bag. No need to order early, right? WRONG! It is the first time in nearly ten years that we were unable to get crawfish in the springtime. Don't know what was going on, but you couldn't even find anyone selling them on the side of the road. And just the day before, both Brianne and Josh had driven through South Louisiana! I am sure they could have picked them up anywhere!!!

On to Plan B: Shrimp Boil instead. The food was still delicious and we had a great afternoon. I have so many pictures that it will take a few days to share them. Here are a few of the family.

William chilling around the boiling pot.

Brian...keeping his dad company while waiting for the pot to boil.

Derrick kept up the vigilance as well.

My Hero: our master chef.

Josh held down the fort with the rest of the guys.

This was the only picture I have of Meagan and Kelli from the day. Bri took most of the pictures so there is not a single one I can share of her. (Well, there is one, but she is making a face and she would kill me if I posted it!)

This Brian after we ate. I rarely get pictures of him, so I am posting both of them just because I can!

Josh had to try out the bulldozer that Jim had out there to work on the pond.

Brooke with a mouth full of homemade Rice Krispy Treats.

I had forgotten how much the kids love those things.

Two dishes totally wiped out!

Davin licking his fingers from melted marshmallow.

And just in case you thought they were just for the little ones...

here is my 'not so little' one with a mouth full too!

The temperatures began to drop as the sun set. Maddux curled up in his Pappaw's lap wrapped in his favorite blanket. It wasn't long before we were all heading inside.

Like I said, it was a beautiful day...with or without the crawfish!