Happy Birthday Anne & Weightloss Club!

My great friend Anne celebrated her birthday on August 2nd and both myself and our other friend Ashlie were out of town so we surprised Anne for an early birthday girls night the week before her birthday. Nate helped us trick her into thinking that they were going out and instead we swooped in and had a fun night at Local Taco & Sweet CeCes. The night got short due to tornadoes in Nashville, but we still had a great time! I don't know what I'd do without Anne...HAPPY BIRTHDAY my sweet friend!!

We also started Weightloss club this night. Basically, we decided that we would do our own little weightwatchers group where we would hold each other accountable, weigh in together on Monday nights, and track our success until we all reached our goal. The idea was to pay $5 each time unless you were the biggest loser (by percentage of weight loss) and then at the end, once we all met our goals, we would take the money and do something fun together! So great, huh?! Well - the reason I say "the idea" is that wouldn't you know it's only been one month and we've already all gotten off track. Oh well - here's to starting back up again soon & second chances!!

Swimming Graduation

Well...after 12 weeks of what is normally a 6 week program, Madison Claire has FINALLY graduated from swimming lessons! PRAISE the LORD! I am so proud of her for fighting through and am really thankful that they are done. It is saving me a lot of money & gas!!! She had a big fan club for her graduation - her Nana & Papa McSwain came (Gary stood in the far corner and Cheryl got a few tears throughout the graduation), of course Nanny Annie was there, and our friends from swimming lessons Lindsey, Helen, Sadie & Isaac came and brought Madison Claire some balloons as a congratulations gift! She LOVED the balloons!!

Here is a picture before she got started & a video of her graduation...there is a lot of crying, but it's really amazing so make sure you watch the whole thing!

Pillow Peek-a-boo

Wonderfully Made

My good friend, Audra, has started a business making BEAUTIFUL kids clothes! Audra's 2 girls are always dressed SO stinking cute and Audra has had fun making clothes for them. All of her friends (me included) loved them and wanted some!! This is the dress she made for Madison Claire...I mean seriously...how precious is this? She's a phenomenal mom and friend and I wish I had 1/4 of her creativity! I've now made it my mission to get her clothes in some of the cute boutique stores around Nashville. She has just opened an online store on etsy...so check her out and make a purchase!!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/wonderfullymade139

And a cute little video...that shows off the dress & my cutie-pie:

Brunch Club!

We had a fun morning with our old small group gang! We missed Andy & Ashley but had fun eating a TON of food and catching up!!

Good to be home!

I had to spend a week in Chicago in mid July to conduct some training for work. I missed my Ryan and Madison Claire Bear SO MUCH!! Annie sent me these 2 pictures when I was in Chicago...doesn't she look like such a big girl?!?!

I was thrilled to get on an earlier flight on Friday evening and when I got to the airport, this is what was waiting for me:

I mean...seriously...how fantastic is this!!! Ryan was there with a Route 44 Diet Coke, a dozen beautiful hot pink roses, and Madison Claire with the biggest smile you've ever seen! It is *so* good to be home!

Potty Training

Or...NOT! Madison Claire ALWAYS wants to come into the bathroom with me so we bought her a little potty just to put in there so she could sit on it and get used to it in the bathroom. Well...this is what Madison Claire thinks about Potty Training at the moment...she likes wearing the toilet seat as a purse! She tried to drink out of the bowl earlier today :) Needless to say it will be a while...