I Found My Thrill...On BBQ Hill!

We ventured to Lynchburg, TN to the Jack Daniels distillery on Saturday for something that Dennis had heard about on the radio called "BBQ Hill". We had NO information whatsoever about what we were getting ourselves into. We went into it completely blind, which for someone like me who is totally Type "A" and has to plan everything, it was a big step! But so much fun! I called and made reservations for us on Thursday and off we went on Saturday morning. We had to get both kids up early to leave and Sadie was so excited about our "road trip", which I know that she had no idea what that was. They do this BBQ Hill on the Saturdays of Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day. We weren't sure if there were going to be a couple of thousand people there, or just fifty. We knew that it was family friendly and we knew there wouldn't be any alcohol and that was all that mattered to us. Oh, and of course we knew that the food was going to be DELICIOUS!!!!! We pulled up to the visitors center in Lynchburg (above is the picture of the kids while we were waiting for the bus), checked-in, grabbed our tickets, and hopped on a little tour bus which took us up to BBQ Hill. It was GORGEOUS!!!!! We were informed that there was only going to be a hundred people there and we could basically do whatever we wanted for the next couple of hours. It was possibly the most relaxing day we have had as a family...ever! There were rocking chairs set up overlooking the valley over all of the trees. There was a massive pavilion where the food was served, which had tons of picnic tables, an old man country band set up, a huge stone fireplace, drink station for homemade lemonade and sweet tea, etc. Then, there were more picnic tables set up outside of the pavilion, along with some horseshoe games, shuffleboard, etc. There was tons of green grassy areas, so we set up a big blanket and just camped out there most of the time. Here is a short video of what it all looked like for those of you who might be thinking about going sometime.

Everyone was so friendly. The staff was incredible. And, oh yes, the food did NOT disappoint. Wow! It was more delicious than I had imagined.

We just ate and layed around on the blanket and let the kids do whatever they wanted. Sawyer just crawled around a little and Sadie basically played with a tree the whole time. It doesn't take much to entertain that child. She was having the time of her life. When it was time to go, we loaded up and headed back down the hill. We walked around the visitors center for a little while and then drove through the very small town of Lynchburg and then headed back home. Sadie never, never, never sleeps in the car. She hasn't fallen asleep in the car in well over a year, but she did on the way home. Bless her heart. She was worn out!! The trip far exceeded our expectations. We will definitely go back. It was one of those days where you just pause, sit back, thank God for the time you have with your family, and praise Him for giving you these types of opportunities and blessings. It couldn't have been a more perfect day.

On a completely different note, we switched Sawyer over to his big boy carseat on Sunday morning.
What a monumental moment! So far, so good!!!

Mother's Day Weekend

Wow!!! What a wonderful, wonderful, and even more wonderful weekend. I am so incredibly blessed and have had the most amazing Mother's Day weekend. I'm not sure this one will ever be topped!
I woke up Friday morning to a sweet note on the counter from my precious husband, along with a gift certificate for a spa day on Saturday. Aaaaaaahhhhhhh. Spa Day. Doesn't it just sound good? I ended up only getting a massage because they were booked for everything else, but I didn't care. It was a hot stone massage and it was FABULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!! I went to the new "Village Day Spa" in Indian Lake and it was great. It is very, very nice, and I'm not sure I'll ever go anywhere else!
Anyways, Friday night, my dad took my sister and I shopping for Mother's Day and I got lots of clothes for the kids. THANK YOU DADDY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Saturday, I had my massage (aaaaaaahhhhhhh) and Dennis kept the kiddos. He informed me when I got home that Sadie had fed Sawyer his lunch, which I would've given anything to have seen!!!!
Saturday night, Dennis took the kids and went to his mom's for dinner. I went with my mom and sis to the Cheesecake Factory to celebrate my mom's Mother's Day. It was so much fun! It ended up being a gorgeous night and we got to sit out on the patio and it felt wonderful. It was a far cry from the horrible rainy weather we've had for what seems like YEARS! To make the night even more special, Jeffrey showed up at the end of our dinner w/ Chance and Emma and got down on one knee and proposed to Rachel right there at the restaurant. It was more than precious. I have cold chills again even as I type! It was like being in the movies. Everyone was clapping and stuff. It was awesome. He got down on one knee and said "I know we've been through a lot this past year, but would you please marry us (me, Chance, Emma) again"?????? Sniff, sniff. Be still my heart. What an answered prayer. Thank you God for bringing this family back together. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!!!! And, on a side note, her ring is a SHOW STOPPER! Wow!!! You go boy! Way to do it right this time!!!
Here are a few pictures from the start to finish...




Sunday was an even more special day. Not only was it Mother's Day, but we dedicated Sawyer at church. Dennis got me even more surprises with some precious cards for Mother's Day. He went way overboard like always. He even had the kids "sign" their card to me which was too sweet.




We took up about 3 rows at church because we had so much family there which means more to us than anything. There were 22 babies dedicated, so it was a little bit of madness, but still so special. My heart was definitely swollen while I stood up there with my sweet family. Oh, I am so, so blessed. My sweet little angel boy. He is growing up so fast. He now has his first 2 teeth coming in, he is sleeping SOOOOOOOOO good, and he is changing every day. Dear Lord, where does the time go? Please make it stop, or else, I'm going to have to have at least 10 more children!!!!
After church we went to eat with Dennis' family at the Chop House and it was so much fun. Sadie and Sawyer were amazing. Not a peep out of either of them. Perfect little angels for the whole hour and half that we had to be there. That was definitely a blessing considering it was getting way past naptime. I got some gifts for Mother's Day and some neat things for little Sawyer for his dedication. Thank ya'll so much!!!
They both came home and took great naps too, which topped off my Mother's Day in a wonderful way.
I love my life. Even though some days are extremely tough, challenging, exhausting, etc., I would not trade getting to spend every day with these 2 kids for anything in the world. I love them more than words can say and if it weren't for Sadie and Sawyer, I wouldn't get to celebrate Mother's Day because they are the ones that allow me to be a mommy!!!
And, I can't sign off without mentioning my own mom and my mother-in-law. Two of the best women that God ever made. Two of the best influences in my life and the two women who help me out more than anything. Ya'll make me want to be a better mother and ya'll are such inspirations to me. I love you both so much!!!!!
Oh, and my sweet husband reminded me that the "highlight" of my weekend was that I picked the winner of the golf tournament this weekend in Fantasy Golf! How bout that for a Mother's Day present???? ha ha Go Henrik Stenson!

Gigi's Cupcakes...oh my!

We finally got a Gigi's cupcakes on "this side of town"! Hallelujah!
I've been hearing my sis-in-law talk about how delicious they are and I was so excited when I saw that we were getting one in H'ville.
So, I decided to go and treat myself (and Sadie) for Mother's Day. I'm starting a diet on Monday, so this was my only chance to enjoy one of these delicious treats for the next few months.
I let Sadie pick hers out and she was so excited. I made her eat a few bites of a sandwich for lunch and then I let her chow down on the cupcake. I felt like it was her 1st birthday again or something. It was so much fun to watch her enjoy it! Here are some pictures from start to finish!




Then, I thought..."why not let Sawyer enjoy one too???" That's not fair for him to have to watch me and Sadie enjoy ours and him get nothing....

Just kidding! He got real excited, but I had to take it away. I don't think that would have felt real good on his little tummy. Although, I did let him stick his finger in and have a lick of the icing and he was less than impressed with the taste.
So, if you're looking for a yummy treat, GO TO GIGI's!!! Keep it in business, people! It's delicious!!!!!