Wedding. . .

My good friend, Allison Muise became Allison Carman today. I am so happy for her. She has truly met her other half, Robert.

This is only the picture I got before my accident. . . keep reading to see what happened.



I was privileged enough to do Allison's hair as well as her sister and mother. They are all the sweetest people. I am sad that they have all moved away from Spartanburg (Allison to Raleigh, her family to Ohio). This is the back veiw of Allison's hair.



The wedding was held at Christ Church Episcopal. This church is absolutely amazing. It is very old but beautiful. I had never been to a wedding like this before, but it was very nice.

The reception followed afterwards at the church. It was beautiful. We had to leave early. . . before the cake was even cut :( Being the clumsy person I am, I knocked my drink over into my lap! I was soaked. I had drink down the front of me, on my arm, down my leg into my shoe, and on the back of my dress (the chairs sloped down in the back causing the water to build up). I was very upset because 1) I really wanted to be apart of the wedding 2) I was having some much needed time to myself without kids.

This is a center piece at the reception.

Life as a Single Mom : Day 8

My Hubby comes home today!!!!!!

I have a busy day. Work at 9, pool at 10:30-11, back to work at 1:30, wedding at 6.

Some point I have to shower. Some point I have to get a gift for the wedding. Thank goodness April is watching the girls while I work and my Grandma is watching the girls for me tonight!

I would like to thank everyone for the prayers and words of encouragement. Also, thanks to everyone who has helped me this past week with the girls. I could not have made it through the week without all the support. THANK YOU!!

Life as a Single Mom : Day 7

Brynn went to work with me this morning. She was not in the best of moods when she woke up, so I didn't want my grandma to have to deal with her. I only had a few clients this morning, 1 was 1 of my friends, Allison. She is getting married tomorrow and came this morning to practice what she wanted done with her hair for the wedding. I was pleasantly surprised that she had brought me a gift.

I was very excited because 1) I love going on picnics 2) I love bread. I haven't tasted the bread yet but it smells delicious!. Thank you Allie for the gift and for being such a great friend.

I had a little break from work today, so I decided I would do something nice for Brandon. . . a little surprise. . .


I cut the grass in the back yard and let me just tell you (as if you did not already know) it is HOT!!! beyond belief. I wanted to get this done for Brandon so he would not have to worry with it on Sunday. His mom is supposed to cut the front yard with the riding mower tomorrow.

Brynn was riding her pony as a cow girl before I went back to work. she is saying "Yee Haw". Her hair looks a little crazy. While we were at the shop she wanted octopus hair.


After work, I met Summer and Rhonda at the church so we could finish and organize the crafts for VBS. While we were there we had 1 craft we needed to make sure was going to work. . . a paper weight. I needed to go to my car to get the sand. I had Brynn go with me to hold the door (it locks when you go out). Well. . .Brynn stops holding the door to come tell me she has to go to the bathroom. Which means. . . WE ARE LOCKED OUT!!!!! And as I mentioned before it is HOT!!! I banged and pounded on the door. Of course no one could hear me, they were all down the hall in a room with 6 kids with a movie going. I eventually gave up on this and went around to the back of the church and tried throwing mulch at the window. The kids saw me and do they tell Summer or Rhonda. . . NO! After several failed attempts, I gave up. As I walk back around the church I see the front door is propped open. My friends finally wonder what is taking me so long. They are panicked because Brynn told them I was gone, but were relieved when I came walking in.

Rhonda and Summer working hard on the turtles.

Me working hard on the turtles.


We are very glad to be complete (almost) with our crafts. We have everything cut out, separated, and organized into boxes. Thank goodness! It only took us a mere 5 hours!

Our Boxes

Our (my) favorite craft. . . the art caddies



I am staying alone tonight. April is staying with Brent because we worked so long on VBS stuff. She is coming in the morning to watch the girls while I go to work

Montana Update:

They are coming home tomorrow!!! Brandon said they just about finished everything on the church. Him, Drew, and the 2 others they have been riding with decided to drive some tonight heading back to SLC. Their flight leaves tomorrow with a lay over in Dallas. They are expected to be in Charlotte around 9:30 PM. Please pray for safe travel for everyone tomorrow.

Life as a Single Mom : Day 6

Nothing too interesting today . . .

Brynn finished her last day of camp. I forgot to mention yesterday she saw a "donkey" which I later found out was not a donkey at all but a goat! Today she saw a horse.

Busy, busy, busy day at work. I can't wait for the week to be over!! I did have some of my favorite clients today, which helped pass the day. In my spare time, I (with a little. . . well, a lot of help from my co-workers) cut out most of the ribbon strips needed for VBS. This is another task down only 500 more to do!

April and I finished the diaper cake for her co-worker. We are pleased with the results:

This isn't the best picture, but you get the jest.

Pictures of the girls after bath time:

They both have crazy hair. Addie has a mohawk . . . kind of and I have no idea what Brynn's hair is doing.


Montana Update:

No new news. I missed Brandon's calls earlier in the day. He did call before the girls went to bed but only could talk to them for a minute. Hopefully, they are almost done and will not have to work long tomorrow.

Life as a Single Mom : Day 5

Today started out good. . . no crying and in a good mood!!! Brynn was a tiny bit (10 min) late to camp this morning. This is what she did at camp:

I was able to have the morning off, so I spent some time playing with Addie. I did manage to find some time to cut out a few of my 44 butterflies for VBS, which starts on Sunday.

I don't think I have mentioned this. I am helping with the preschool crafts for VBS. Who would have thought that would be that hard? It is! Have you ever tried to choose crafts for 100 3-4 year olds that are easy to make, cute, not something that will just be thrown away, and on a budget? We have attempted to do this. It has been challenging but fun. This week we have been preparing all the crafts. . . which means we have been doing and will continue to do lots of cutting and organizing.

Brynn had fun with the puppies again today. This is a picture of her with one of the puppies. . .the cow, as it has been nicknamed. I tried to get a picture with all the puppies but right when I was taking it, the mom came walking by so all the puppies ran for milk.

At work today, I finished cutting out the remainder of the butterflies! I was very excited to have this done. I also got some good news. We are getting a new neighbor. My good friend, Stacie J's aunt is moving in the house across the street!

Tonight was pizza night at our house, so I picked up the food on the way home. Brent was nice enough to bring the girls home for me (since he was coming to see April . . . again). It was fun to have him over. He played Guitar Hero with Brynn -she loved it.

While they played Guitar Hero, I helped April make a diaper cake for a lady she works with. We ran out of diapers so we have to finish it tomorrow. I think it is coming along good though.

Montana Update:

I talked to Brandon this afternoon. He said it was raining this morning. They held off building for an hour or so to see if it would stop. No luck. They were told they could use today as their sight seeing day if they wanted to. Brandon, Drew, and 2 other people decided they would do that and went to Yellowstone National Park. He couldn't talk long but said it was beautiful. Please pray that the weather is better tomorrow so they can continue building.

Life as a Single Mom : Day 4

Today was my 1st day back to work since Brandon has been gone. It was also Brynn's 1st day of preschool camp at our church. She will be going Tues, Wed, and Thurs this week. She has been so excited about seeing her friends from school.

Normally, Brynn is late to school just about everyday. I know, I know. I should be a better mom and have her there on time, but I tell myself "It's just preschool." With that said, I would like to note that Brynn was on time today for her camp. This would be the 2nd time this week we have been on time (1st - church, 2nd - camp) but who's counting!

The theme for camp this week is Farmer Week. Today, Brynn searched for animals in hay. She found 2 horses. She read a book about the farm. She also made a chicken. I thought it was rather cute.


After camp, I took Brynn to her Mimi's (Tammy) to join Addie. Brynn was excited to play with the puppies. She played with them ALL day. I dropped her off fast so I could meet some friends (Rhonda, Summer, Natalie) for lunch at Ice Cream and Coffee Beans. It was delicious. . . I ate entirely too much. It was nice to spend time with them, we should do it more often.

Tammy invited us to dinner, spaghetti. I, of course, was excited. . .I didn't have to cook! After dinner, I rushed home to meet Brandon's brother, Brent, who was at our house waiting for April. It is funny how he never seems to come over but since April is staying with us he can't wait to get there! I guess we'll take him however we can get him. The girls do enjoy having him over (even if he does pester the tar out of them!)


This is for Brandon. I know it is sideways, just lean your head to the left. I didn't think about it when April was doing it. Hope you enjoy :)


Montana Update:
Brandon called this morning and told me it was 37 degrees outside and only 30 with the wind chill. He told me later that it warmed up as the day went on and they were able to work without coats of long sleeves. The church is progressing well. Continue to pray for safety and good weather.

Life as a Single Mom : Day 3

We slept in today. It was much needed.

Around 10:30, we met some of our friends (Harrisons, Martins, and Waddells) at the pool. Before Brandon left, we bought Addie a new float for the pool. I tried it out today. Addie was a little scared at 1st, I think because the water was a little chilly. After she got use to it, I put her in her float. She LOVED it. She kept laughing and splashing around. The kids had a great time and the adults even ventured into the pool from time to time to cool off. Hopefully, no one got sunburned!

I finally cooked dinner tonight, brown rice and corn on the cob. I know the 2 don't really go together, but it was delicious. Brynn really enjoyed the corn.


April came over tonight after she got off work. She is going to be staying with us the rest of the week so we won't be alone at night. Brynn has been looking forward to this since Brandon left.

Montana Update:

Brandon called last night and said they had church service at the ranch. DJ preached and Sarah Beth Snook sang (she had no notice). She did a great job according to Brandon. After church, they had lunch and a meeting about the work week ahead. Brandon and some others went sight seeing the rest of the day. He said the scenery is beautiful. He mentioned somethig about moving there some day. . . don't think that is going to happen. I need my family and friends around!

They were suppose to start there work day at 7 am, that means they have to be at the site at 7. They will be working until 6-7pm. Please pray Brandon gets up each morning (he is not much of a morining person). Also, continue to pray for their safety as they work.