first skate...

 I feel like everyone my age has numerous memories of skating as a kid.  The limbo, hokey pokey, the smells, the music, the parties, etc.  I'm not sure if things have changed, or I'm just out of the loop, but I don't think it's as popular with kids as it was for us.  I mean I feel like skating was a part of childhood.

This past weekend we took Marley to Skate World, a place near and dear in my childhood.  It was one of the few things on her summer bucket list that we hadn't checked off yet.  She was so....excited!  We went as soon as they opened, 1pm, in hopes it wouldn't be quite as crowded and maybe more young kids than older ones trying to show off.

Let me just say things haven't changed too much, yes there are more inline skates than roller skates, but there are still the roller rink groupies, the show-offs, the limbo, hokey pokey, etc.

They do have these great things called "Skate Mates" that are basically mini walkers on wheels, for kids to use to help them learn to skate.  Adam and I very quickly pointed out to Marley how lucky she was to have that!  I mean our parents just shoved us out there on that newly waxed floor and wished you the best!  She did great!  I skated with her a few times (Adam pointed out that his limbs were critical in his job and I could teach with broken limbs)...whatever.  So he stood and cheered us on.  She finally decided that she wanted to do it on her own.  After redirecting her to go with the "flow of traffic" around the rink she rocked it!  Pretty sure we'll be back again soon!

party take two...

 This past weekend we finally got to have a real birthday party for Marley.  Since COVID took over her real 7th birthday we couldn't really invite all her friends over so we finally got to make it up to her.

Adam rented a HUGE bounce house and waterslide, we grilled up some hot dogs and had a blast.  A few of her sweet friends were able to come and I think they were all equally excited to see each other!  I hope that in 10 years we are all still partying with these same sweet kiddos!

Even our sweet new neighbor, Bill, brought her a card and $20.  Grammy Carol and Pawpaw were able to come as well and help us party!

15th anniversary...

July 9, 2020 was our 15th wedding anniversary.  Unfortunately, due to Coronavirus we did not get to celebrate as we had planned.  But truly, we got to celebrate as we should, as a family with Marley.  We had hoped to go on a great European vacation, but instead we celebrated with dinner as a family of 3 right here in Waco.  A few weeks later we celebrated just the 2 of us as well with a nice dinner out.  (I even put on makeup for perhaps the first time in 3 months!)

Some days it feels like we've been married way longer than 15 years and others it feels like it was just yesterday!  We got out our wedding albums and went through them with Marley and it was so much fun!  Wow have we changed!  I cannot imagine the last 15 years without Adam by my side and I wouldn't change a thing.  We have grown, cried, laughed and matured into who we are today.  I cannot wait to see what the next 15 years brings!

may 24, 2020...

It took us a little longer to get Marley's 7th birthday pictures done, and her 7 year check up...thanks COVID 19, but here they are!

In the past year she has grown 2 inches and gained 2lbs.  She weighs 45lbs. and is in the 22%tile and is 3ft. and 11 3/4in. and in the 47%tile. We were so lucky that our favorite DFW photographer, Bobbi Van Reet came all the way to Waco to take her pictures this year and once again, knocked it out of the park!