Friendship.

Tonight I am so very thankful that God placed so many strong beautiful women in my life; friends, family, daughter, mother, aunts, grandmothers, cousins! I'm showered with the love and friendship of so many wonderful ladies. Today I got to spend time with a few of my most favorite people whom I have missed so very much and I'm just overwhelmed with joy in my smiling heart. It sounds cheesy but unless you have someone in your life who accepts you, accepts your flaws, laughs with you, cries with you, experiences life with you, and is happy just sitting next to you then you just wouldn't understand.

My life is 1000% different than where I imagined it would be and sometimes (A lot of times) I am hard on myself but tonight I'm just thankful. I'm happy to be me. I'm happy that because I have such strong beautiful women in my life they are also in my daughters life. I hope that when Layla and her cousins are grown up they will take little bits from all of us and learn from each other and stay friends. There's just something about a day with your best friends that lightens your heart and fills it to the brim at the same time.

 I can hardly stand living so far away from some of my absolute favorite people watching the girls wave at me from the front porch while I was leaving Rae's house had me in tears not only because I would miss them but because I am so thankful they are still in our life. Maybe we don't see each other as often as we like but thats the great thing about friends you can be away from each other for days, months, even years in certain cases and then you spend a day together and its like you haven't missed a beat.

I'm so thankful for true friendship today.
My life wouldn't be the same without it.

**I wrote this blog on my phone last week after a wonderful day with our friends and family in Columbus I thought it posted but it was saved as a draft.. on a day when I really needed it, it was there for me to read and it's brightened my day once again.

Grandparent's Day And Layla's First Book Fair

My Momma and I were more than excited when we found out that we were invited to join Layla and her class for Grandparent's Day. I was curious to know what goes on behind those doors when we are seperated during the day. Her whole life has been spent with family and this is the first time she has been anywhere on her own. My Mom and I were both happy and brought to tears a few times throughout the day because of how well she is doing, she carries her own lunch, gets her own fork, spoon, and napkin, sings songs with the rest of her class, sits criss cross applesauce like a big girl, and uses her listening ears all day long. Miss. Rebecca had nothing but nice things to say about her and says she is a pleasure to have in class and she always is eager to learn and help. I was definitely excited and thankful that my little crazy daughter who is always causing us drama at home was a little lady at school and respectful of her teacher and her friends.

After lunch we got to go to the Book Fair with Layla and I was probably more excited than anyone. The Book Fair was my absolutely favorite part of Elementary School even though one year I left with a bloody nose! I got so excited because just going into the big room filled with books reminded me that hey Layla is going to be able to read one day! Then I cried a bit and then I got excited.

She eventually chose a Fancy Nancy book and a Barbie Best Friend's Forever book as well as a fancy doggie pen.

We had the best time ever visiting her school and learning a little about what they do everyday. When I saw her picking up her little napkin and straw at lunch I just thought wow my little baby is a person. She is going to school, she is growing up, she is getting along in the world without me. It's a blessing to know that despite everything my girl has been through she is healthy, happy, and well rounded. That she gets along with everyone and participates and listens and follows directions (even though she doesn't always at home.) I was so worried that with her speech delay she would be behind when it came to starting school but she is right in there with the rest of the class and happy as a clam everyday when its time for school. I look forward to the future and everything that she will learn and knowing that I am going to be the one she comes home to with her homework and with her stories of what happened throughout the day.

She's a four leaf clover!

Doing the alligator dance!

Carrying her big tray with one of those extra secial cookies!

Layla and her Mammie!

She was practicing being a tight rope walker.

Her teacher Miss Rebecca consoling her after a little collision with a classmate.

During calm down time they all get to cuddle a little stuffed animal, she chose a puppet dog of course.

Me and my girl at lunch.

Meet Millie Faye My Beautiful Niece

We welcomed a beautiful baby girl to the family Friday morning after almost 24 hours at the hospital! My brother Jeremiah and his girlfriend Charlotte were blessed with a healthy little 7 lbs 3 oz bundle of cute! I never anticipated actually being in the room when Millie was born but I must say it was kind of awesome being able to experience that with Charlotte and Jeremiah. Of course Charlotte did all of the work and with this being her first child it was a lot of work and a lot of worry but she was amazing and of course Millie Faye Beatrice is just absolutely gorgeous. I now have a niece and I am extremely happy. I can't wait to spoil her and have sleepovers with her and bake cupcakes with her and just love her to bits. In a few hours we are going to go visit her for the first time since the hospital and big cousin Layla is more than excited to finally get to hold her she is already planning to give her a ride in her jeep next summer! 

I absolutely love a perfect little baby burrito!

xoxo-a

Sunflower Seed Picnic

The weather lately has been absolutely lovely. 

After a summer of days where the humidity made it sometimes hard to breathe it is very much welcomed. Layla and I found the perfect picnic blanket a few months ago on 50% off day at the thrift store and she has been worth every penny of the $1.50 we spent on her. We have had her at the beach, in the state park, and under our favorite shady tree. I used to think a picnic required food but sometimes all a picnic requires is a nice blanket and good company. 

Today we enjoyed laying in the sun eating sunflower seeds talking about what kind of bird we would be and where we would fly to if we had that amazing ability. We picked out our favorite clouds in the sky, picked flowers, and checked the carrots we had left out for the bunnies in the field to see if they had been eaten (they had.) I love that our life together now is filled with adventures and laughter. Even an afternoon alone in our own backyard is exciting when spent together. I'm lucky to have the best picnic partner around.

"If I were a bird I'd fly all the way to that tree mountain and build a nest on the highest tree and poop an egg in it" Ohhh Layla my sweet girl... 

This last pic is probably my favorite she is clearly envisioning being a bird flying high above that highest tree. 

Just Another Wednesday

Today when I picked Layla up from school I was very pleased to get a huge hug and a smile when I walked in the door. Previous days she has been happy to see me but not happy about leaving class. She continues to do very well in class and yet when I ask her about her day she really only remembers her lunch.

 Today though something exciting happened that even Layla remembered! The kids got to use markers for their pictures! Layla drew a picture of me, herself, and her father. I haven't seen it but she says I am very big in the picture because I am the Mama. I love that everything she makes is just for me.. I know one day I'll have to share her artwork when she realizes that is an option but for now I will enjoy it!

The weather was so beautiful today that we just had to stop by the ice cream shop again this time someone fell asleep sitting up enjoying her cone. It was a bit hilarious and seriously cute.

xoxo-a



A Week Into Head Start

Last week Layla started head start. It was a very difficult thing for me while seemingly the most awesome thing that has ever happened to her. For some reason her turning 4 and starting head start has probably been one of the most difficult times for me as a mother. I just couldn't keep myself from crying. Scrolling through Instagram and Facebook seeing all these kids smiling and anxious for their first day of school had me sniffling like a little baby. I was very nervous for Layla to be outside of the home with a complete stranger for the first time in her entire life. I worried kids would be mean to her or the teacher wouldn't be able to understand her and that somehow they would lose her and I would never see her again. All very reasonable fears and yet somehow maybe I was overreacting.

We made a special trip to tour the classroom so that we could rid ourselves of a little anxiety. When the big day came I was the only one left with jitters. We woke up extra early a little before 6 a.m. and started our first morning of our new little adventure. Layla was a bit nervous but when the bus arrived she literally threw her apple on the table half eaten and darted out the front door. She smiled the whole way and enjoyed every minute of her first day and also her first week. After two days of class she was convinced she knew how to read and has been trying since. She got to make a special collage and on Thursday had a big cookie "The hugest huge cookie ever Mama!" They get to go to the park everyday and she performed Twinkle Twinkle Little Star for the entire class on her very first day.

She is just my most favorite little gal. I know this is going to be such a wonderful experience for her and it's going to help both of us once Kindergarten starts next year! Hopefully since we made it through the first week and our on to our second I will stop the cryfest and just enjoy having a little extra time to get things done.. we will see.

xoxo

Ice Cream and Fall.

My very favorite time of year is fall.

 I love the colors. I love the weather.

 I love the clothes!! Scarves, tights, skirts, boots! 

Most of all I love that this year Layla will finally be old enough to appreciate it.

We started out today by exploring our own back yard for colors in nature after school.

(Well after a quick stop for ice cream.)

We had to stop by Emma's for a quick cone.

Except nothing is quick at Emma's. Completely delicious but sluggishly slow.

She has an infatuation with horses. This was the most perfect gift. Thanks Ariel Strawberry!

She lava lava loves her new jeep.

We especially enjoyed the red leaves and honeysuckle.

Crazy hair and stripes.. obviously my daughter.

Always the sweetie she saved everything to show Mammie.

I was kind of excited we found all of this right at home.

xoxo - a

Heart Girl is 4!

After two weeks of planning and crying because my daughter is now in Head Start and is 4 years old it was time to celebrate her birthday with all of our friends and family. Of course the theme was Heart Girl her altar ego and was basically a pain to plan.. how do you plan a party around something that is a complete product of your child's imagination? A lot of Pinterest and a lot of guessing. After a lot of last minute shopping and hand stitching a cape it was finally time to party and we had a wonderful time. Our guest list was long and full of very special friends and family members. A few handmade gifts like a coloring book from Autumn that was inspired by Heart Girl and the delicious cake which was made by one of our favorite friends Sissa. We had bubble blowing and swingset playing and superhero masks and a pinata. Everyone left with a goody bag and Layla had the most amazing day sharing her birthday with her friends.

Heart Girl and her cake.

Uncle Jeremiah was in charge of the pinata.

Brenna taking a swing!

Little Larissa the cutest of cuties.

A special gift from our favorite Strawberry Ariel and Mammaw Debbie

Layla's Aunt Dessy is her best friend and favorite person.. she bought her this awesome princess jeep as a birthday gift. Layla was more than surprised and extremely thankful! Now she wants a driver's license!

Cruising with Brenna her bff.

            Always overwhelmed with her gifts she was in love with the Alice DVD from Papaw and Melissa.

Another peek at the delicious cake and cupcakes. I don't know what Melissa does but it's like magic!

A peek at her cape.

The yellow was a vintage floral sheet and the heart was made of a fabric from JoAnn's in lipstick red. It was handstitched and made in just a few hours but very special to Heart Girl because no superhero is complete without a cape. The slippers were ballet slippers purchased at the thrift store for 99 cents and the heart buttons were from JoAnn's.

All in all it was a wonderful day. I never get to talk to everyone like I want to and my games never get played.. the kids make up their own. I would love to be able to spend more one on one time with each of Layla's little friends. I guess that means its about time to start sleep overs! Eeeppp.

With a little help from Pawpaw Layla made sure her kids were strapped in.
After a year of wishing for her very own Jessie doll Mammie made sure that Layla's birthday was complete. She was so very excited and slept with her all night!

Thank you to everyone who came to the party. Layla is one very lucky girl.

The Fabulous Life Of Layla Marley And Me

A little about us.

The Mama Strawberry:

Amanda

Single mama.

 Lover of all things patterened.

 Reading, crafting, and exploring are a few of my favorite things. 

The Mini Strawberry:

Layla Marley

Favorite color: Red

Loves: Apples, dogs, rainbows, and horses

AKA: Heart Girl

We love to have fun, we love to smile. Most of our days are spent thrifting, crafting, and enjoying time with friends. A lot of changes have happened for us in the last year and we are learning each day how to make our life work and what is best for us.