2014 Revisited... (Part Two)

Good Wednesday evening!

Let's see.

Before I share new and exciting ideas and recipes, I kinda need to finish what I started...

2014 Revisited... (Part Two).

Today, we begin with July!


MamMa and Bev.

I was able to host the 4th of July get-together at my house again last year. It was kinda up in the air for awhile because Mikie had surgery the week before, but he healed nicely, and we have found it is much easier to host adult or adult-like people than a lot of little kiddos.

"Easier" meaning he was able to rest, eat and rest some more.


He was feeling much better when family and friends accompanied him on a business trip to the beach two weeks later.

Mike, Josh and Austin.


Melia and Austin.


Roxie and Hunter.


We took a day off our beach trip to get home in time for Melia and Austin's FIRST OFFICIAL WEDDING SHOWER.

It was worth it!


Roxie and Mike.

Then we decided to get right back in the car and go to the lake for a few days.

As you can probably tell, the lake trip was planned before we knew about the beach trip.

But since we're a very flexible, go-with-the-flow family, it was not a problem.


Josh.


Roxie and Hunter.


Austin and Roxie.


Ally, Roxie, Savannah, Alyssa and Ragan.


Melia and Austin.


As if I had not taken enough pics the month of July, Roxie had her Senior Portrait appointment set for the end of the month.

Let's just say, July was definitely well-documented.


Roxie and ME.

I turned 53 in 2014, but that was okay because someone told me I didn't look a day over 52.

And I chose to believe them.


Brad and Grandmother.

As is our tradition, we celebrated Grandparents' Day at Grandmother's Church.


Grandpa, Roxie and Grandma.

Roxie turned 18 and we celebrated at Slice...


And then Airwalk.


And then my nephew, Brad, married my new niece, Stephanie.


Roxie's team won playing Powder Puff Football during Homecoming Week.


Roxie was on the Homecoming Court and Seth, her escort, was crowned Mr. Homecoming at the morning Pep Rally...


And they rode together in the parade.


Hunter and Roxie.

Later that evening, Roxie was crowned Homecoming Queen.

Speechless.

That's what we were.

Speechless.


Courtney and Josh.

Josh turned 21. That is why Courtney is holding the big sign.


Lauren turned 3.


Austin and Melia got married.

WOW!


Melia turned 23 and we celebrated at Another Broken Egg.


We celebrated Thanksgiving.

Roxie, MamMa and Katie.


Roxie was accepted to Auburn, and we made a beeline to the campus looking for housing.


Mackenzie and Lauren.

And we celebrated Christmas with both sides of the family.

Of course, I haven't posted pictures of the ugly stuff, but in a nutshell...

1. I only went to the Emergency Room with panic attacks two times in 2014.

2. Mikie had surgery on his neck, and it was very successful.

3. Roxie and Josh are both planning on leaving this fall (school and job, respectively), but I didn't think about that much in 2014.

I decided to save all of that angst for 2015.

Because you never know when a calendar year will not contain enough angst.

4. I still have family members battling cancer.

5. I still have terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days from time to time...

Just like everyone else!

But I'm also very, very thankful for the good!

I am so here and there right now, but please know I'm trying to get back on schedule! I have at least four new recipes to share, as well as a new party idea and MORE!

Take care, and I'll talk to you soon.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda