A Long Time Coming- Summer Update Part 1

It has been a very packed summer so far! In some ways we are on the go what seems like ALL the time, in other ways, we are getting to spend a lot of quiet family time together at home, just the 3 of us! Here is just a glimpse at the fun summer activities so far!

May
Coca-Cola 125 Years Celebration in Centennial Park, Atlanta

Enjoying her first taste of frozen strawberry lemonade!

Mother's Day
This was my first Mother's Day with Amelia out-of-utero! It was such a fun day celebrating being a mommy to this precious little girl. Our outfits even matched!





Officer Training School Graduation in Montgomery, Alabama
One of our good friends, Michael, graduated from the Air Force Officer Training School. We went down for the weekend to celebrate his commissioning and graduation.




June
June brought on some major life changes for members of both of our families. Hannah graduated from high school. And we celebrated the start of medical school for Sharon. Also, Amelia really perfected her crawling and now scoots along with determination and speed!

Hannah's High School Graduation Party





Father's Day
Their outfits also matched! We didn't get a picture on the actual day, so we took this one the next day when Neal got home from work. Unfortunately, Amelia just wanted her dinner and was not having a pleasant experience during her photo session with dad!



Swimming with Friends, Lake Allatoona, Georgia
My sweet friend, Kenzie, whom I worked with at the Korean Consulate way back when, has a family lake house on Allatoona. Mom, Amelia and I went over one day to swim with her, her kids, and her mom! Amelia wasn't too fond of the water at first, but she eventually warmed up to it and actually ended up falling asleep while I was holding her in the water!










Sharon's Farewell Party
We celebrated Sharon's achievement of being accepted into Medical school! It is bitter-sweet, because although we are terribly excited for her to be taking this next step in pursing her passion, she will be doing it 8 hours away in West Virginia. We will miss her terribly, but hope to see her in her new home in the not so distant future!





Well, that's all I have time for now. Amelia Jane just woke up from her nap and she is quite vocal about getting out and eating her lunch! July updates will be coming soon, and there might even be a video involved! Oh, yeah, that's the hook for ya!

Homegoods Shopping Spree Gift Card Giveaway!

Rhoda over at Southern Hospitality is hosting a HomeGoods $100 gift card giveaway given by BlogHer! Check it out here!

3 Special Gifts

These coordinating pleated purses are going to 3 very special sisters overseas!









They were all made out of fat quarters, one for the outside and one for the inside and strap. I downloaded the free Buttercup Purse pattern from Made by Rae, and it was pretty easy to follow. I made a few alterations, like attaching interfacing to the entire outside fabric so that it is sturdier. I also made the strap a little bit longer than suggested so that it will fit nice and snug on their shoulders. The inside of each purse is the same fabric as the top and strap. There is also a pocket on the inside made out of the outside fabric. Coordination all around!

Made by Rae also has a tutorial on how to make this pleated purse a little bit bigger, so it will be perfect for an adult size!

Newest Family Member

Damon August Singletary Parker

Born at home to David and Caroline on Wednesday, March 23, 2011. He was 8 pounds exactly!

He and Amelia are exactly 5 months apart, and I can't wait to watch them grow up and play together!

If you want to read Caroline's fantastic birth story, it is on her blog, which you can get to by clicking here.

The Completed Nursery...FINALLY!

Well, Amelia is nearing 5 months, so I figured it was a good time to put the finishing touches on the nursery and call it complete! It was a process trying to figure out what to do in there. Originally, since we didn't know her gender before she was born, we were going to do everything in neutrals. Well, once she was here, I couldn't help but want to put some feminine touches in her room. So, the base of the room is still neutral, but most of the accents have that touch of pink, which could easily be swapped out for a more masculine look in the future if needed!

This is the 9-months-to-refinish crib that Amelia's daddy put so much love, time and energy into! It turned out fantastic!

The frames above the crib have coordinating scrapbook paper and silk flowers that we used in decor at our wedding! Ah, sentiments!

This butterfly mobile cost me less than $5 and 30 minutes to make! I catch Amelia reaching up and trying to catch the butterfly's sometimes!

This was my splurge item in the room! The comfy chair is a definite must for the nursery!

We opted to buy a dresser instead of a more typical changing table. This way, once we no longer need the changing table, she will already have a dresser, we won't have to buy another piece of furniture, and I won't have to worry about storing a cumbersome changing table!

Above the dresser are frames that hold a birth announcement, scripture verses, and a box of roses that "the aunts" brought to the hospital when she was born.


This was a super simple way to add a personalized touch. Scrap burlap and left-over felt!

And to hold her growing collection of hair accessories, a frame from hunny's grandmother, and wrapping paper from Amelia's first Christmas gift from her Aunt, Uncle and Cousin!