Another Beach Recap!

Just realized with everything going on and tomorrow, it's back to school I haven't posted more beach pics for our Gulf Shores Trip. Plus Houston will be 6 this week! I can't believe how fast they really do grow up. I was a little delayed in the process of planning his party, but plan to try to get some things together this afternoon.
Some highlights of our beach trip.......I know, I know, we are total beach bums. But hey, who doesn't love a good trip to the beach? On to the highlights.............

being buried in the sand

catching saltwater catfish
laying out and having family time

Dolphin cruising

Wouldn't this be fun to be a shrimper and feed them?

Spending time with friends on the cruise

playing with the "big kids"

more fun in the sun

getting ready to hunt for shells

pool time

shopping at super cool gift shops

relaxing with "pup lovey"

getting ready to go out

having fun

meeting new friends on the shuttle

I want to post some of the restaurants we went to when I have time.

So sad summer break is coming to an end. Well, it's back to school tomorrow for this teacher!

Five on Friday

1. We have definitely had our ups and downs this week. Thank you so much for all the sweet emails, texts and phone calls about my previous post. Please continue to pray for our family. I am still not able to discuss the matter, but I would appreciate your prayers and I truly felt them on Wednesday.

2. I worked in my classroom one day this week and got it set up and organized the way I want it. Houston helped and he was a jewel. I shopped at Knowledge Tree and Hobby Lobby yesterday and ended up spending $200 in supplies and crafty things for my room. Pictures will come later when it is complete. I have been crafting all morning and am so excited about the outcome.

3. Today was my last morning Zumba class for a while since school has starts back next week, but I look forward to going on school breaks and holidays. I have meet some sweet people and enjoyed learning new moves.

4. I worked early registration on Wednesday and got to meet some of my parents and see my Kindergarten class roll. I look forward to another exciting year! I also got to see my coworkers too!

5. I went out last night with a girlfriend to have Mexican and Margaritas. I so needed that to get my mind off things. (But I paid for it this morning, zumba kicked my butt working off all those chips/dip) haha

I have an urgent unspoken prayer request. Please everyone say a prayer for me right now!
With deep appreciation and love,
Mandy

Gulf Shores and a Tonsil Issue

Last week, we headed outta TN and headed to Gulf Shores to stay here at Kiva Dunes. Tim's cousin Jack set it all up and reserved a 4 story house and a guest house for us to go. There were 18 to 22 people depending on which day you came and we made some serious memories.

We were about 13 miles off the main road and our house was on a Peninsula towards Fort Morgan. It was private and gated, so we saw very few beach goers each day. We had so much fun though!

Houston and Jack, the 1st night at the beach

Tim and Jack in the backyard of the house. We were on a golf course with alligators!

Nights were spent having drinks or sitting around the fire pit at night with friends

Houston was in heaven as you can see

There were 3 sixteen year olds, a 15 year old, 3 thirteen year olds, a 10 year old and a 5 year old.

This was the afternoon we drove down. it was so nice only driving 6 hours compared to the usual 8 hour drive to Destin. It took the other 3 car loads of people over 12 hours and they left at 5am. It was awful, they took another highway to pick up another car load and got turned around and stuck in traffic, but finally made it that night.

They were so excited, they all jumped in with clothes on!

Then went back to the house to rest

Houston adores "uncle Jack"

I will try to post a few pictures each day.

I am getting ready to return to school next week, so my days are few. BOOO! But I am ready to get back in the swing of things and for things to calm down a little.

On another note, I went to the doctor today and found out my tonsils HAVE to come out ASAP. I am going to try and hold off until Christmas break, but the ENT really wants to do it now. He said, I would be out at least one week, if not two. UGH, why could I have not been diagnosed with a HUGE ENORMOUS right tonsil last month? Have any of you had your tonsils out as an adult? They say, it is 10x harder on you :(

Quick view

I know I said I would be MIA, but you just have to see the house we are staying in at Gulf Shores. Tropical Holiday and Reflections (guest house)are Absolutely AMAZING! This is actually 4 story with an elevator. It has 6 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms. All floors have balconies. Two story private guest house with everything and 2 screened in balconies as well. So far, there are 15 of us, but a few more are coming down on Tuesday.

Houston playing ladder ball and aview of the back of the house

Pool, there are 2 more within walking distance

Here is Tropical Holiday and Reflections

We are actually in a gated resort, so we have our own private beach. It is so weird being on the beach with little people and noise. I think I can get use to this :)

I will be MIA this next week. I am off for another trip back to the beach. This time, we are renting a house in Gulf Shores. There are 18 of us going and I am so excited! I have not been to Gulf Shores since I was a child, so I can't wait to see how much it has changed. Does anybody have any good recommendations of what to do in Gulf Shores, Alabama? If I can't find anything to do, I know we will enjoy relaxing at the beach! Ahhh, leaving in a few hours~ Have a great weekend and I hope everyone is enjoying your summer!

I ran across a blog tonight with a link to another blogger and her sad story. You can find out about it HERE. Please lift this precious baby boy up in your prayers friends. This is so sad, it literally brought tears to my eyes. God has a plan for this family.
Dear God, please heal little James as his parents have given up on doctors and taken this sick little baby home. Amen.

Bargain of the Week~ Can we say TARGET?

I have been reading all of these teacher blogs where they have been posting about their fabulous finds at the Dollar Bins at Target this month. Well, after a movie date with a friend and 2 little cute 4 and 5 year olds, we (both teachers) took advantage and hit the jackpot with great finds. Oh my goodness, I spent almost $20 and I think Beth spent at least that and we racked up! Look at all this adorable Dr. Seuss stuff I got to put up for Read Across America Week. I was like a kid in a candy shop. It was really that exciting.
I got :
a few math and reading games for my stations/learning centers
Dr. Seuss sticker packs
Dr. Seuss pencils
letter stickers for stations
cute Dr. Seuss note pads
Dr. Seuss post it pads
mini dry erase boards with tablet lines
Dr. Seuss box to hold writing tools
mini dry erase markers to put at a station
blends flash cards for station
Alphabet bingo
and Hou Boo got some goodies to put in his playroom art center


If you have not been to Target lately and you are a teacher, GO THERE NOW!!!! You will definitely not be disappointed.

Praise the Lord!

My grandma came home from the hospital last night! The doctor said the infection in her foot was actually from when she lived in Arizona and had been there a while, that is why it was already in the bone and he feared amputation. Praise God, she is able to walk (wobble) around but still has an IV and lots of meds she has to take and be on. She was supposed to come home Tuesday night, but the paperwork did not get cleared and she was heartbroken. The doc had already told her she was being discharged that day and then after mom sitting at the hospital for 5 hours, they said it had to be 24 hours after the paperwork was submitted and the nurse didn't submit it until 10am :( Mom said it broke her heart to leave grandma at the hospital as she was boo hooing to go home. But she patiently waited and finally got to come home last night around 6:30 pm. Praise the Lord! God is so good!
Thank you everyone for the sweet emails and for everyone that prayed for her.

Happy Thursday!

The Big One!

Today is my good friend's 40th Birthday! Happy Birthday Gayla! We went out to celebrate at Russo's New York Style Pizzeria last weekend and will be having another night out tomorrow.

I hope you had a wonderful birthday!

Staying Cool

Can you guess what we have been doing this summer to stay cool in this 102 degree temperature?

Yep, having staying cool in the pool with friends. This Memphis humidiy has got to go!

WILW

I accidentally posted my pics to the right. Whoops! You get the point of What I'm Loving this week, right? Link up with Jamie to tell what you are loving this week.