Our Little Cage Fighter

Yep, I said Cage Fighter. I was watching Today Show this morning and they had a piece about parents who are enrolling their children in cage fighting classes... you know, like you would ballet or soccer or uhm, piano. But no, some parents are actually selecting CAGE FIGHTING for their child's extracurricular activities!

While we haven't chosen cage fighting for Anne Bailey, she does look like she's been pushed around a little bit. After a little slip yesterday at school, AB is sporting her first black eye. I wish I had a digital photo of me with my first black eye, but it's very similar.

This pic doesn't really do it justice... isn't she sweet? Sweet but with a dark side - she'll take you out, man!

A Slow Easter

OK, I'm somewhat sad and embarassed, really, to report that these are the only three pictures taken on Easter with the Stone girls! It was so freaking cold that I just didn't putthem in their linen, sleeveless dresses. Perhaps we'll stage some Easter shots later, but our Easter was spent as a family, with our neighbors and just enjoying each other and the cold but clear sunshine. I think that's how it was probably meant to be and it was somewhat refreshing to go to church in our normal play clothes, not worried about if the bows matched or the shoes got scuffed, etc.

The Lord is Risen!

Ellabee "got" the whole Easter bunny idea this time around.

In normal AB form, she was just happy to be here.

And in true Fennigan form, he was just happy to rule the house and oversee his handlers.

And Then Anne Bailey Got in the Act

Of course, Anne Bailey wanted to get a turn at dying eggs, so Saturday before Easter, we pulled another dye kit out and let the girls dye another dozen. Anne Bailey had much more fun dropping them in the mason jars (and on that note - while the mason jars were a good sturdy container, the glass jars broke the egg shells and were a little difficult to get out. HOWEVER, look at these great pictures! What a memory.

Ellabee and Anne Bailey shared very well and even Fennigan got into the act.

yellow, red, blue, green green green... anyone heard the Spectrum Song before?

What are those eggs doing in there now?

Dying Easter Eggs... or perhaps ourselves

Something that has become quite the little tradition is dying Easter eggs with the Trimm's. Our friends Elle and Evelyn joined in for the fun and as we put Sarah to work, Laurie and I snapped pictures galore.

It was a bit sunny in the yard.

Evelyn checked in on Capp as he hung out in the wagon with his bumpo.

Anne Bailey wanted to get in on the action.

The big girls went to town on the egg dying. Luckily there was only one spill and I quickly found that Shout gel gets Easter Egg dye out of poplin.

And after the dying, there was a hunt... we didn't even stop to take our smock off!

The Month of March

March included Easter egg hunts in the FREEZING cold as well as a weekend away for mom to reenergize - PRAISE THE LORD! I didn't realize just how much I needed it. The weekend in Fairhope was divine and definately got me in the right frame of mind to come back and be a good mom for Ellabee and Anne Bailey.

While we were there, Emery took us to one of his newest work projects where he's building a private lake and working on a new development owned by the Grand Hotel. We went to the top and took some pictures. It was beautiful.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, The girls were hanging out with Daddy and lounging around the house.

Now that the weather has turned warmer (with the exception of Easter - HELLO 30 degrees), we're spending a lot of time in the front yard and in the back. Anne Bailey has definately fallen in love with the outdoors and fusses to go out even in the cold and rain. She's going to be our camper!

What a cutie! up for the good time but riding against the wind.

What's going on in the Stone Home

I've noticed just in the past month or so how grown Ellabee is becoming. It's kindof refreshing from the norm in our house to see her making some wise decisions and able to exercise a little more self-control. Now, if mommy could only exercise some self-control :) It is funny that the minute she hit 4, she turned into a little girl and really stopped acting like a toddler. I'm not sure I like it that much to be honest.

Things are trucking along with work and life. My job is starting to wind up and it's somewhat bittersweet to be honest. I'm going to miss the dear friends that I've made, but I have no doubt that God has opened this door for me at Restoration and slammed the door at McWane. We will still love McWane and will work to support its mission.

On the other side of the business front, Shrimp & Grits Boutique is running well. I've had about 10 orders and have been able to fulfil them without stressing out or having to stay up past my 9 pm bed time. And on that note - yep, I said 9 pm bedtime.

A New Adventure

Well, several changes since I last blogged. I've been toying with both these ideas for a while but couldn't really talk about one for obvious reasons and the other I was too chicken to try. When my husband asked me this past week when I was going to start my business, I said (much in the flippant way I normally do things) "Right now". And off the business went! I'm switching jobs and starting an at home business and doing it all at once - in true Molly form. Not sure what I'm getting myself into, but it should be fun!

First, my new job! I'm heading off to Restoration Academy at the start of May! SOOO excited about going back into ministry and working at a school where they are having an impact in the community. I am learning more and more about the school and more and more God is confirming to me that this is truly where he wants me. I just hope to remain open to His guidance and reliance on his provision!

On the other side of the coin (and kindof in that whole provision thing), I've started my own little sewing business and calling it Shrimp & Grits Boutique. We just love the water and love the Bay and I love this picture of Ellabee at the Bay a couple of years ago:

For some reason, it just screamed of "Shrimp and Grits" and that's how I chose the name. I'm excited to have the opportunity to share my love of sewing with others and hopefully make a little extra cash along the way... Check out the blog for Shrimp & Grits and let me know if you need anything! I guess I'm going to need to find an applique of a shrimp - not too sure what a "Grit" would look like - perhaps a dot.

More to report on the girls, etc but for right now - happy day light savings time everyone!