The Rays of Sunshine

This past weekend, Ricky, Derek and I decided to visit Magnolia, AR. There isn't much to do in Magnolia, but it holds a very special place in our hearts. Magnolia is where life became real for me. It was the first time I lived on my own, and in a short amount of time, was forced to make some "big girl" decisions. Magnolia, AR helped form me into who I am today. Also this is where Ricky and I realized we needed each other in our lives, where we became engaged, and spent our first year of marriage. Look how silly we were back then. This is also where we received our college degrees, meet life long friends and some AWESOME professors, that helped teach, and shape us into successful adults. We wanted to enter back into the building, sit in the same classroom, and relive a part of the past, but all we got what this: The door was locked, and we were super disappointed. We were able to get a few pictures in front of the fountain, and we spend a little bit of time remi...

Let me just say, it is taking me so much longer to read 5 chapters than I thought. Here are a few reasons why: I have a 3 year old. I have a full time job.  I am a full time mommy and wife. Did I mention I have a 3 year old? Not to mention, the chapters are really long. I am so glad I am doing this, as I feel like I am really getting to know characters better than I knew them before. So lets get to the book, shall we: Here are a few of the big differences. The plan to get Ashley to marry her, and not Mellie is huge, and well thought out. Of course the plot is the same, but the detail and thought Scarlet  puts into getting him back is massive. One of the main focuses of the next few chapters is Rhet Butler with his background story, as well as the introduction of Atlanta, and how it rose up during the war.  Just like the movie, Scarlet does marry Charles, but has a baby with him, that is not mentioned in the movie. She isn't to happy about being a seventeen...

On Saturday we celebrated Derek's 3rd Birthday. This year we decided to have a swim/ bounce house party, at our grandpa's house. It was a lot of fun but I was super worried about the heat, and almost moved it a few times.  I must say this was the funnest party, and most interesting party I have planned so far. After a month of crafting and prepping, the party was finally here. I could not wait to see it all put together.  Fruit Rockets, and the Popcorn Chicken were a hit. We wanted to make sure everyone stayed hydrated, so we wanted to make sure we had plenty of Rocket Fuel.  Every year we order the birthday cake from the same place, tell them what we are wanting and they never disappoint.  For the ones that didn't want to swim, we rented this awesome bounce house, and everyone had a blast. Here is a pictures of Derek pushing one of his friends in the swing. Doesn't he look so cool?  Now it was...

Wow, in the first five chapters of the book, I have learned so much more about each character, characters that are not in the movie, and read so many more conversations. Oh the conversations.... In five chapters, compared to the first 10 minutes of the movie, already so many conversations have been "mortified" for screen time. I think the part I have enjoyed the most is the back story given about Mr. And Mrs. O'Hara. The book tells their history, how they meet, and explains the reason their relationship/marriage is more "business". Most of the storyline is still the same, but you have a few characters in the book, that didn't make it to the movie, but at this point, they don't have a major role in the book. The biggest difference is the Tarelton family. In the movie we only see the twin boys in the very first scene talking to Scarlet, but in the book, there are 8 children, each who take place in a scene, along with the mother, that never made it to t...

We have had a great weekend. Nothing big or major happened, just us hanging out as a family all weekend. Thursday of last week I decided to take Derek to the local splash pad, knowing he would have a blast, because he loves to play with the water hose in the back yard. Once we get to the splash pad, where there was a ton of people, Derek didn't want any part of it. He did like to play in the mud puddle created from the splash pad...only my kid. We left the splash pad and headed for the swings. Derek was in his element, and I enjoyed our one on one time. As we are talking and swinging, Derek looked at me, and says "mommy, I make you happy?" In the moment, my heart stopped. Derek has no idea how happy he makes me. The rest of the weekend consisted of Derek being the star of the show. He was in a great mood, and willing to listen, learn, and play. Saturday we watched TV, played in the water,  played cars, and my day was made.  At one point we were in the car listen...

If there is one thing to know about me, its that I am a big fan of Gone With the Wind. Every Holiday season, I try to sit down and watch it, or have it playing in the background.  When I was younger, about 19, I decided I was going to read the sequal to Gone With the Wind. I pick up the book, and in the very first chapter there were characters, children of Scarlett,  that were not in the movie, and I could not get into it because of  that one fact. I have always wondered, and wanted to read it, but it bothered me that she had numerous children. Then recently Ricky and I had a conversation about Books VS. Movies, and how usually the books are better than the movie, and we got on this topic, and what if Book 1 has those children in there as well, and the movie cut those kids out??? That got me to thinking... what else is different in the book?? Well we are going to find out. Thanks to technology, I have downloaded this 1050 page book, and I will begin reading it,...

The other night, as I was getting the house settled and things ready for bed. I went into Derek's room where Derek and Ricky were playing, and I noticed them coloring. After all the coloring was done, Ricky showed me this, and my heart grew 2 sizes. Not only do I have a loving husband, but I have a Man that LOVES being a dad, and who has some artistic abilities. We are so lucky to have him, and Derek adores his Daddy. Way to go DAD!