Praying for Zoe

This is a precious little girl named Zoe. She was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in February of this year. She is from my hometown. She is a beautiful sweet girl! Please pray for her! Zoe and her family would very much appreciate your wonderful prayers! I went to eat lunch with my mom and some of Mama's friends today and I was so blessed to have met Zoe today. She was doing well. But I just stressed to her that we are all praying for her! She looked at me with those big blue eyes and smiled! To show our love and support for Zoe, many of us from Camden are wearing bracelets. Some are green and blue because she loves the ocean. And some are rainbow colored because she loves rainbows. I got a rainbow one yesterday and on one side it says, "Zoe". On the other, it says, "I will hope continually. Psalm 71:14." I will wear it every day and think of Zoe.

Verse of the day:
But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. Psalm 71:14

Love ya'll!
Meredith

"Mrs. Kim"

This week I have been spending time in Camden, my hometown. I am spending time with my Mama, and special friends also. Speaking of special friends, let me just tell all of you readers out there about one very special person. Her name is Kim Crump. She and her family lived across the street from us for a while, then they built a house and moved across town. When she did live across the street, I loved visiting her so much. Sometimes I felt like I went over to their house way too much...ha! I even babysat Dr. Crump and Kim's kids (who are really growing up now), Nicholas and Emily. Nicholas is in college now and Emily is growing up in high school! They are also sweet! :) I have always called her "Mrs. Kim." I was blessed to be around them soo much when we were all on the same street. There are MANY memories of us spending time together. Kim is just the sweetest person. I can't say that enough. She truly does think of others, is a wonderful Christian woman, and blesses others so very much. I consider myself blessed just to know her, but yet, she was my neighbor too! So I guess our family was "doubly blessed!"















Mama and I went to her house today for lunch and a visit. We had yummy spaghetti, salad, and chocolate cake for dessert. That is my definition of a perfect time: visits with friends, and chocolate-HA! Her home is beautiful. If you look at my previous post below, does the house look the same? That's because it is! She let us come over to take wedding pictures when Russell and I were engaged. So sweet.




















And here is a picture of 2 sweet women: Kim and my MAMA! We really enjoyed our visit. Thank you Kim!

**Okay! I am going to start having a verse of the day every day! And I also plan to blog at least every day.....okay?!!

**About today's verse: I really thought this verse was very appropriate for today but not only today, but every day! :)
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24

Meredith

Show Us Your Wedding Dress

I remember the day I chose my wedding dress. The dress was the 2nd dress I tried on. I remember dreaming of this since I was a little girl. I was so excited to be engaged and so excited to plan Russell and my wedding day.















I wore my mother's veil. My sister, Kelly also wore it when she got married in 1994. My parents got married in 1969. My Mama wanted me to have a little something special from her dress in my dress so she sewed a small patch of her dress inside my new wedding dress. I thought that was very special.




















Here we are after we said, "I Do!"

My dress was 3 quarter length sleeves with beading and a chapel length train.

"I Am Fearfully and Wonderfully Made" Leighann Grace

This morning, Russell and I met Amy, Tony, Ron, and Debbie at the hospital early this morning--5:30 a.m! But we were so glad to be with our family. Here is a picture of the view from the hospital room. Can you see Amy in the glare of the window??!
















Here are Amy and Tony waiting this morning.















Here is a verse that was in the hallway at the hospital. Amy had a c-section this morning.

















This was a cool contraption in the waiting room! This is a wall that changes colors when you touch it. Russell tried to make Leighann's monogram on it! :)
















AWWW! The moment we first saw Leighann in the nursery was a happy one! Here are the new grandparents: "Grandpa and Nana".



Leighann Grace was born at 7:54 this morning.











Here is a sweet family!



















Isn't this a precious picture??!
















And this was when I got to hold Leighann for the first time. I absolutely LOVE babies. They are so precious. Leighann is just beautiful!

Leighann has pretty eyes!

Well, I will have more pictures to come! We are still at the hospital!

Baby Cakes and Crocodiles

Well Amy and Tony's baby girl, Leighann will be here tomorrow! Last night we just had to celebrate. Russell and I went over to their house to visit with Amy, Tony, and Amy's mom and Dad (also Russell's Aunt Debbie and Uncle Ron!). We had a good time! I decided that I should pamper Amy and Debbie, so I gave them spa pedicures and they tried satin hands and satin lips. I wanted them to be relaxed because Leighann will be here soon!



















Amy decided to make a Tapioca cake. She was so excited to make it, plus I think she had a burst of energy too! She thought it would be great to add Leighann's monogram to the cake with blueberries. Isn't it cute?














We thought it needed a little something extra. We got so excited, we may have gone overboard, but we still like this next picture:














So we call this "The Baby Cake"! It was so yummy too. We are totally ready for Baby Leighann! A C section is scheduled for tomorrow morning. Russell and I will be at the hospital with bells on! Please pray that everything is smooth for tomorrow and everything will be great.

Yes, July has been JAM PACKED busy, but that is okay! This week I am helping with our church's Bible school. The theme for this year is "Crocodile Dock". I am a crew leader and I am really enjoying helping with it. I really enjoyed helping the kids this morning. However tomorrow, I won't be there! I'll be waiting for Leighann to enter the world! OKAY! Yes, I am excited! I will be "Aunt Meredith" to Leighann so yes, I admit I am excited! I hope my excitement is contagious for ya'll! Have a great day!

Celebrating America: Fireworks, Betsy Ross, and Steak!

Happy 4th of July! God Bless America! Last night we went to see fireworks with Amy and Tony. It was fun!













Just a fun fact: I once played Betsy Ross in a school play when I was younger! I even had a hat similar to the one pictured! HA!

Belle also says: "Happy 4th of July!" She is 9 months old now! WOW! She is still a puppy though.

Russell wanted to make a dinner to celebrate the 4th. So he grilled steaks for us. Have ya'll ever had the blue cheese crust on your steak from Ruth's Chris Steakhouse? It is my favorite! We found the recipe for it on google! Russell also made YUMMY sweet potato fries with garlic mayonnaise-which was SO GOOD too!

Hope yall have a great rest of the weekend!

Summer Perks

Okay ya'll! You asked, and I share! Here is a quick and easy recipe for banana pudding.





















Banana Pudding

5 or 6 bananas, sliced
1 box Nilla Wafer Cookies
2 pkgs. vanilla instant pudding mix
1 can Eagle Brand
1 8 oz. Cool Whip

Follow directions on instant pudding box. Fold in Eagle Brand. Layer cookies, bananas and pudding. Top with Cool Whip and crushed Nilla Wafers. Note: I always put Nilla Wafers around the top of the pudding to make it look even better! :)





















Who wants to see this movie? I do! I hope we can go see this movie soon. I read the book by Jodi Picoult about 2 years ago and just cried and cried. I think it will be a good movie but sad too.
Well ya'll, it's JULY! WOW! This year has literally flown by so far!