Happy Father's Day!

Daddy,

You have always been someone I could look up to. Two major things you have taught me: First, the value of hard work. My whole life you have been an example of hard work. There were times that it drove me nuts, but today I am glad that you instilled that in me. My work ethic has given me many opportunities that I would not have had if I did not value doing my job to the best of my ability. Second, you've always been 100% supportive of me and my goals and dreams--even when they weren't exactly what you wanted me to be doing! I cannot express in words how much I appreciate the support you and mom have given me over the years as I've tried to follow God's plan for my life. I wouldn't be able to do things like go to Thailand or live in Texas for 3 years without y'all behind me cheering me on and praying for me. I hope that when its my turn to support my own children I can do as great a job as you have done. I love you more and more as I get to know you better now that I'm older. I treasure our conversations and your advice on things. Thanks for being the best (and most handsome) Daddy a girl could ask for!

Love you,

LB

Happy Birthday Mama!

Happy Birthday Mama! I love you!

Top Ten Memories with Mom (in no particular order):

10. Even though I hated it at the time, curling my hair on Sunday mornings as a child. My 1st grade Sunday School teacher used to tell me she knew who won the battle each Sunday based on whether my hair was curled or not. Now I don't consider myself "dressed up" unless my hair is curled (which is still not often).

9. I have vague memories of this, but throwing my in the swimming pool and forcing me to learn how to swim. I'm so thankful that I am as comfortable in the water as I am on land.

8. All the car rides to visit your family in Hazlehurst and the conversations we had on those trips.

7. Your face when I walked out of the gym after cheerleading tryouts in 6th grade to tell you that I needed the check book because I made it. I never knew you didn't think I was gonna make it!!

6. When I was in preschool, you would drive really fast through the park on the way to school every morning after getting do-nuts to "get our stomachs". Every morning until they put in the stupid speed bump.

5. Shopping trips to Birmingham for clothes--just me and you.

4. The year you volunteered to plan my end of the year school party. I had lots of fun and was so proud that my mom helped plan it.

3. Going with Whitney, Stefanie, and me to Chicago--and dealing with my freak-outs when I thought we were going to be lost and never found again.

2. Planning the wedding. That was fun!

1. Our nightly coversations growing up. (yes this is definitely number 1 even though the others could come in any order). People talk all the time about how parents need an open line of communication with their children. I never ONCE during my growing up years doubted whether I could talk to you about something. I may have known it might not go well for me, but I knew I could always talk to you and you would tell me the truth. I know for a lot of those years you didn't think I was listening, but I was--and you were right. But you know that already!

Love you bunches and am thankful to have you for a mama!

Barlow Girls Visit Fort Worth

My mom and four of her sisters came to visit this past weekend. They take 2 trips together each year. One is every November to the Mistletoe Festival in Jackson, MS, and the other is to a destination of their choice. They've been to the beach, Memphis, New Orleans, and this year--Fort Worth. So I got to be their tour guide! Friday we visited the Money Factory where they are making the new 100 Dollar bills. Then I took them to Sam Moon, and we had lunch at La Madelaine. We finished the day with a scalding tour of the Stockyards and dinner at Babe's. (We weren't aware that when you order fried chicken they bring you half a fried chicken--in pieces of course. So 5 people ordered fried chicken--so we got a total of 2.5 fried chickens at our table plus the chicken strips Michael and I ordered. Needless to say, we have tons of fried chicken in our freezer!) Saturday we went to the Botanic Gardens and wandered around. We celebrated my Aunt Charlotte's 65th birthday on Saturday as well. Then we finished the weekend with dinner at Pappadeaux's Seafood. Lots of good food this weekend. Below are some pics from the weekend. You can see more on Facebook. They like to show their behinds in pictures, but I only included one of those. I try to keep this blog clean.

We are off to New Orleans tomorrow morning and then to the beach on Tuesday. Pray for good weather and no oil!! I need a good vacation!

Kevin's Wedding

Last weekend, we went home for Kevin's wedding. We had a really good time visiting with friends from college. I can't wait til we can see these people on a more regular basis. The wedding was beautiful. Below are some pics of the groomsmen and Kevin dancing at the reception. Yes Michael participated! He's clearly visible in the second row of pics, second picture.