Daddy's Little Princess

Each year, a local women's group in our town hosts a Father/Daughter Ball to raise money for Le Bonheur Children's Hospital in Memphis, TN.  It is a major event!  :)

This year we decided that AnnaLauren was old enough to completely drive her dad insane go.  So, we began looking for just the right dress and accessories.  AnnaLauren specifically requested "glass slippers".  So after much looking and even more unhappiness with what we were finding, we went with a tried and true approach - our Mamaw Betty.  My grandmother, A's great-grandmother, made her a dress based completely off a picture from the internet that was my inspiration and my sad little instructions.  It is GORGEOUS! 

Tommy and AnnaLauren had a fantastic time and made some really special memories!  I am a lucky girl to have these two plus the teenager!

Tommy and AnnaLauren ready to go!

Love this little face!

Modeling on the stage with her feather boa and "parasol".

If I Could Save Time in a Bottle...

Another Rite of Passage took place at our house this month. 

Noah started high school.  Seriously. 

I distinctly remember his first day of Kindergarten.  I was so very nervous and a little teary.  But, he walked in like a champ with a huge grin.  All he felt was excitement, and I was so proud!  I remember thinking then that Noah had 13 years of school ahead of him which translated into 13 years at home - practically infinite.

We have had lots of other first days since then and as time has gone by, I stopped being nervous or sad and instead became almost indifferent to them.  The first days continued to come with no end in sight.  Every year was just another in a long line of years.

But this one was different. 

It was a stepping away of sorts.  It was a first day for me to appreciate (nervous and almost teary), but also a time for Noah to begin the process of standing on his own two feet.  For the first time, I looked at my son and saw the beginnings of the man he is growing to be.  I began to truly comprehend that he is taller than me, has hair on his face, talks in a deep voice, and makes girls turn their heads (it's those eyes I tell you!).   And I was so very proud.

I realized that college is just around the corner and my time with him home full time is very finite. So, I will strive to make every day count and to use every opportunity to steal a little time with him.  He may no longer be my baby to hold and shelter and pet on, but he is my child to encourage and teach and maybe still pet on a little.  So when that next first day comes and I send my son into college, I pray I will be sending a young man who feels nervous, but prepared and ready for his future.  And maybe, if I am lucky, he will still have a little bit of a Kindergartener's excitement.



My name is Nikki and sometimes my blessings overwhelm me.

I Blame You, Jim Cantore

Ok, I'm not dead, sick or injured - I'm just lazy. I promise a get a little more consistent - soon.

I think it may be the heat!  We have only had one day below 90 degrees since the first week of JUNE!  Seriously!  My brain definitely possibly has melted.

Coming really soon - posts about Noah's first day of high school, the fun we have at small group, the joy of playing in puddles and our new budget.  Don't die from the anticipation!
XOXO,



My name is Nikki and I might possibly melt your popsicle.

What's in a Name Part 1: When I was a Little Girl

Lately, I have had several friends to have new babies.  My first question is always, "What's the name?"  I have always liked names and the reasons behind them.  So, when something has been on my mind, what do I do?  Write a post about it, of course!  In fact, this is going to be a series of several posts about some of the names in my life.

Ok, to completely get this story, you have to know two things.  The first thing is that my given name is Krystal Nicole.  Yes, Krystal, like the little hamburgers!  Second, my mind works in the strangest of ways.

Now on to the story...

When I was a little girl I was enamored with two things - the tv show Dynasty and anything to do with the ocean. 

Random, I know. 

However, the patriarch on Dallas was silver-haired Blake Carrington who was married to the glamorous Krystle (like me!).  Yep, totally 80's!  I absolutely wanted to be Krystle Carrington, so every time I played house, Blake Carrington was my husband.  We had a mansion and a pool and went to all sorts of fabulous parties.  I always wore a fur coat.

I also watched a show called Danger Bay on the Disney Channel.  One day, as I watched the opening credits, I realized that my two favorite cast members had names that were water-related.  The son on the show was Jonah, but his real name was Christopher Crabb.  Jonah like with the whale and Crabb like, well crab.  The daughter on the show was Nicole (like me!), but her real name was Ocean Hellman.  Ocean!  It was like fate.  I had never heard such a beautiful name.  It then became a quest for me to think of the most beautiful water-related name I could.

So, let's put it all together now shall we...

Me - Krystal Carrington (I spelled it like mine)

My Husband - Blake Carrington

and

Our Only Daughter - Ocean Marine Carrington

Warned you, I was a strange little girl.  The sad thing is that my obsession with the name Ocean Marine lasted into middle school where thankfully, I moved on.

At least I'm good for a laugh on Friday.  And, if your name happens to be Ocean or Marine, let me know.  I am still looking for some validation!

Have a great weekend!

Just one more thing to make me feel old...

AnnaLauren is beginning to potty train.  Her success ratio is pretty low and her interest level isn't much higher.  But, that is for another post.  However, since my mind was on ways of helping her get more enthusiastic, I was wondering what all types of character underwear there is in a 3T (Dora, Disney Princesses, whatever).  And as my mind works in crazy ways, I then began to think about buying Noah little character underwear when he was 2.  I can't really recall all the ones we had, but I know Barney, Mickey Mouse and Spiderman were among them.  Then, my mind made a leap to the present...specifically Noah's latest pair of boxers.  

And I know I am getting old when my son's underwear has gone from...

Underoos

to

American Eagle

This fetching pair features bananas, but Noah's have little red firecrackers with the words "Pocket Rocket".  Awesome, I know! (Did you see the tongue in my cheek?)  These were added to his ever growing collection of novelty boxers.  Somehow, I totally missed the day he transitioned from sweet and fun cartoons to suggestive ones.  I may have to cry a little. 

And how in the world will I react when AnnaLauren swaps from Little Mermaid to Victoria's Secret?  No, I can't think about that, because it's only 10 am and I might need a drink.

Hope you have a fabulous day!

Photo of Underoos taken from amazon.com and Boxers from ae.com

How do 10 years go by so fast?

I am constantly amazed by how quickly my children grow up. It seems like just a year or two ago that Noah was starting Kindergarten and soon he will be starting High School.  I try to keep reminding myself to savor each moment because they are speeding by!

Happy New Year!  May you enjoy every moment!

Noah at 3 - almost too beautiful

Noah at 13 - still darn good looking