Busy busy...

We've been busy lately. We enjoyed a Dave Matthews concert a week ago and then got ready for Ro Ro to come to town. She came in on Tuesday and then Wednesday we took off for Mud Island - which is a park downtown Memphis along the Mississippi River. There is a 5 block long exact replica of the Mississippi River that you can play in. Since we haven't had much rain recently, the water was low, but the kids still had a great time. We took a picnic lunch and ate it at the mouth of the Gulf of Mexico (remember, I said replica...) and then we for a ride on a paddleboat in the Gulf. It was a lot of fun.

Ethan and Ro Ro played "airport" a lot this visit. His imagination is very vivid! Nina also loved having Ro Ro here, and by the end of the week both kids were quite spoiled. Friday evening Mark and I had a nice dinner out without the kids and came home and enjoyed watching the Opening Ceremonies for the Olympics. Ro Ro left Saturday morning and we had friends over Saturday evening. It was a busy week!View of the replica Mississippi River from the observation deckRiding the tram over to Mud Island - like in the movie The Firm It was HOT that day!!!This child LOVES to eat!! But who doesn't love chocolate chip cookies?!

Steering our paddleboat through the Gulf of MexicoEthan standing on the Memphis International Airport - all along the river, they have the cities that it goes through with all the street names, etc....it's really neat!
Crossing the I-40 bridge - and that long dark brown area is the Mud Island park where we were
Nina loved playing in the water
Before we even got out of the park, Nina was out! One of Nina's latest tricks...she thinks it's funny to stand up in her highchair - and can do this even while strapped in...it's rather annoying, but she's proud of herself.
We finally got a little rain (without a storm), so Ethan put his boots on and enjoyed running in the cul de sac for quite awhile through puddles.

Bye bye Ro Ro. Thanks for coming to visit! See you soon!

Ethan has been giving me fits lately with napping. So he didn't have a nap that day and was so tired, but still had to come downstairs after we put him in bed. Mark was in the shower and I was in the kitchen cleaning up. Mark came in the living room and found Ethan like this - we thought he was playing and was really awake....but he had fallen fast asleep! Challenging times!!!

I'm flying to Atlanta next week with the kids to spend some time with my Mom. My birthday is next week - and so is Allie's 5th! So we're looking forward to some celebrating! Mark is going to fly to Puerto Rico while we're gone - he has to do observation flights and this time he's going with a friend to San Juan. Doesn't sound like work to me! They'll have fun for sure! Oh, and Ethan starts preschool next Tuesday! He's so excited!!!

Can't watch it....but can't erase it....

I've always been an American Idol watcher, but I usually watch it faithfully at the beginning with all the crazy people and then I watch it faithfully at the end once it's narrowed down to the good people. Last season (when Jordan Sparks won), I watched it from start to finish and that was mainly because of my Daddy. I guess I went over to their house more during the week then - they had moved to their new house and he had gotten his big tv upstairs and wanted someone to watch it with him. Plus I was pregnant with Nina and Mark was in Memphis, so Ethan and I went over there a lot more. So I started that season and finished that season with Daddy. I had Nina on a Tuesday and that night we had it on in the hospital room but had like 25 people visiting (at the same time), so we couldn't watch it. But Wednesday night after church, Daddy came by (probably just to hold Nina) and we watched the results show. Then we were still at their house after we came home from the hospital, but before we left for Memphis, so we watched the finale together.

This past season, we both watched every episode and talked about it - either that night or the next day. We both loved it, but I mainly loved it because Daddy did. Sunday night the 18th, we sat on the front porch of their house and talked about watching the finale together that week. I had actually planned on staying at their house until Thursday, only because the finale was Wednesday night. That wasn't meant to be. Wednesday night after the visitation, we were all in the kitchen and Mark was on the computer and the results had been posted. I had to see. He would have been pleased with the winner! Later that week I was upstairs actually sitting in his chair and watching his tv and saw on his DVR that it was recorded on there....unwatched. I couldn't bring myself to watch it. Then once I got home, it had recorded on our DVR as well. Mark has asked me several times if I want to erase it or watch it. I still can't bring myself to watch it...but I can't erase it either...

The King...to The Queen

Wednesday evening my Mom and her good friend Cleo arrived from Dallas. Cleo flew to Dallas Wednesday morning just so my Mom would have someone to ride back to Georgia with her. She's a great friend! Yesterday, Mom kept the kids while Mark was in the kitchen making chicken parm, homemade alfredo and eclairs. Cleo and I took off and visited The King's house - Elvis, that is. We had a blast! She grew up following Elvis and had seen him on his first tour. Elvis week is coming up, so Graceland was already buzzing. We both really enjoyed our visit, especially listening to all the wonderful music. Then, after our incredible dinner prepared by Chef Mark, Mom, Cleo, Cathy and I went to see Mamma Mia. Mom had already seen it but wanted to go again. That's how good it is! We had so much fun and there was not one man in the audience. A great girl's night out movie! The play is great - but we think the movie might be better. You really want to get up and dance in the aisles, especially with Dancing Queen!! Go see it! Graceland
Nina before church last Sunday night in the dress my parents brought back from Budapest

Strawberry Cake

Last week was our good friend Cathy's birthday, and she requested a strawberry birthday cake made by Mark. After much searching, Mark and I found a recipe that is a keeper! It was sooooo yummy!!! Believe it or not, we could only find 2 recipes that didn't start with a cake mix. You know Mark..... there is NO cake mix in our house!! Has to be completely homemade! Happy Birthday Cathy - next year we'll celebrate in Paris!Look how gooey that icing was - cream cheese, butter, an entire box of powdered sugar and strawberries...it should be gooey!!!
Today I found them upstairs in his room with the door closed. When I opened it, they were in his toddler bed, which is still in his room, reading together. They play so well together - just wish it would last!Nina is enjoying being driven around by Ethan - although she looks pretty concerned here. He's so gentle while she's in the Jeep with him and so rough once she gets out.

June

First of all, I just want to thank everyone that has reached out to our family during this horrible time of loss we've experienced. We appreciate all the things that have been done for us - please continue to keep us all in your prayers. It still just doesn't seem real!

So, Mom ended up going on her trip to London and had as good of a time as she could have. I know she's glad she went. She got back Monday evening the 16th and we drove in that evening as well. Wednesday morning she drove us to the airport and took the kids back home to keep them while we were in Mexico for Carl and Jaime's wedding. Mark and I got to Ft. Lauderdale no problem and had lunch and got on the plane heading to Mexico and I thought I would call and check in on the kids one more time. Mom was hysterical - Courtney was in the hospital and they were talking about taking the baby possibly that night. This was happening as the door to the plane was literally closing....we got to Mexico and I called to see what was going on. Long story short - Courtney was rushed to Dallas Thursday morning and got to the hospital and they decided that in order to save her life and Hunter's life they needed to take him soon. Hunter Ruston Knight was born June 19th around 10pm. He was 3 lbs. 1 oz. but was breathing on his own. Check out Courtney's blog at www.newdaynewknight.blogspot.com My Mom left Friday to be with them and Chris and Melanie ended up with our kids - by the way, we owe you!!! Needless to say, our relaxing trip to Mexico wasn't relaxing at all (except for our hour long massages on the beach)!

The wedding was nice and Carl and Jaime seemed to have a great time. There were 53 people that went to celebrate with them. The resort was really nice and if you want to know how nice Mark and I thought it was, ask us about it.... We really enjoyed hanging out with Bill and Diana - Bill is Mark's longtime and childhood friend from Maryland. It was so nice to get back to our kids though!

We got back Tuesday the 24th and Mom got back from Texas on that Thursday. Friday we drove to Wedowee, Alabama and moved some of our things out of the lakehouse and closed on it that afternoon. It was harder than we thought it would be - Ethan and Nina LOVED the lake and I know that we would have had a wonderful time there this summer...but it wasn't meant to be. We retrieved all of Poppa's Coca-Cola items as well as some other personal things - packed everything in the trailer and the back of Mom's truck and our truck and headed out.

This week we're just getting some things done around here. Mark and I are looking forward to running the Peachtree on Friday. Mom is going to the parade with the kids and then we'll all eat at Partner's and go to the fireworks. I can't believe it's almost July!!!

Please continue to pray for baby Hunter. He's doing quite well, but is having a few setbacks. Nothing too major, but it still worries Courtney and Landon and my Mom. Mom will drive to Memphis with us Saturday and then on to Texas on Sunday to spend time with them. Enjoy these pictures from June. Thanks again for all your thoughts and prayers for our family!


The El Dorado Royale - view from the lobby Mark and Bill hanging out in the poolI spent my time at this pool and it was so nice! There were beds all around the pools, but it was really hot inside the beds, so I mostly stayed in these lounge chairs in the water
Mrs. Noble and Mrs. Chedester poolsideAt the rehearsal (minus Jaime)

Bill and Diana at the rehearsal dinner
The big day - Beth and Lindsey, Jaime's sisters, helping her into her dress
The wedding location
After the wedding
The photographer had us hang out here for our group shots after the wedding - this was only half the wedding party
Carl and Jaime at the reception
Mark and Mandy at the reception - yes, I know I had a little sunburn....I wore 30 SPF and this was literally after about 20 mins. exposed! I did not intend on that happening!

The reception
Mark quickly made friends with Tom - his wife was one of Jaime's bridesmaids. Tom is a pilot for the Air Force, so they had a lot to talk about instantly!
This was probably the most fun we had....Saturday, we went with Bill, Diana and Mrs. Chedester to Coba, a Mayan ruin. We climbed to the top of this pyramid and the views of the jungle beneath were incredible. I was so glad we did this!!!
Mark thinks this picture is just hysterical. Yes, this is me at lunch one day and yes, I did order the wrap and the pizza, but not the hot dog. What you're not seeing are the nachos that I had already eaten! It was all-inclusive you know?!?!

Bye Bye Mexico!Playing in the trailer before we started loading everything into itThe view of the lake from my parent's back porch
Mark trying to talk Ethan into jumping off the dock

Mark and Ethan jumping off the dock

Mark and Ethan coming up - and Ethan immediately wanting to go do it again and again...

This is how I enjoyed the lake! Nina loved it too - but was a little curious as to what kept nibbling at her legs. The fish loved her little legs and I kept watching them swarm around her. It didn't bother her though.
Poppa would be SO happy to know how much Ethan loved the lake!! Poppa loved the lake!!Nina's newest trick - she will find any pair of shoes and puts them on her hands and crawls around. Go figure!
One of our new normals...
Ethan has had so much fun playing in Poppa's trailer since we got back from the lake. So much fun that Mark hasn't put it up yet! We know Poppa would have done the same thing though!

May 19th....

There's two things I know for sure:
She was sent here from heaven and she's daddy's little girl.
As I drop to my knees by her bed at night
She talks to Jesus and I close my eyes and
I thank God for all the joy in my life
Oh, but most of all for butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer;
sticking little white flowers all up in her hair;
"Walk beside the pony, Daddy, it's my first ride."
"I know the cake looks funny, Daddy, but I sure tried."
In all that I've done wrong I know I must have done
something right to deserve a hug every morning and butterfly kisses at night.

Sweet 16 today
She's looking like her mama a little more everyday
One part woman, the other part girl.
To perfume and make-up from ribbons and curls
Trying her wings out in a great big world.
But I remember Butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer; sticking little white flowers all up in her hair.
"You know how much I love you, Daddy, But if you
don't mind I'm only gonna kiss you on the cheek this time.
"With all that I've done wrong I must have done
something right to deserve her love every morning and butterfly kisses at night.

All the precious time
Like the wind, the years go by.
Precious butterfly. Spread your wings and fly.

She'll change her name today.
She'll make a promise and I'll give her away.
Standing in the bride-room just staring at her.
She asked me what I'm thinking and I said "I'm not sure-I just feel like I'm losing my baby girl.
"She leaned over...gave me butterfly kisses with her mama there,
Sticking little white flowers all up in her hair
"Walk my down the aisle, Daddy-it's just about time."
"Does my wedding gown look pretty, Daddy? Daddy, don't cry!"
Oh, with all that I've done wrong I must have done something right.
To deserve your love every morning and butterfly kisses-

I couldn't ask God for more, man this is what love is.
I know I gotta let her go, but I'll always remember
every hug in the morning and butterfly kisses.


It all began one day, September 30th, 1977 to be exact…he saw me and he said, “She’s what I always wanted.” And I’m sure that I saw him and thought the same exact thing. From the earliest time I can remember, he was there, loving me, providing for me and just being the best Daddy a little girl could ask for.

I know that some of you might think that I’m a spoiled little girl, but my Daddy (and Mama) wanted me (and Courtney) to have anything and everything within reason. He was always there for us – always participated in every aspect of our lives. Sometimes he would check me out of school early to go shopping - he was a good shopper and it showed. He was always well groomed and well dressed, even cutting the grass. He always looked good. He taught me to always shop around and always look for a deal. Some of you might remember that little red Honda Civic that he bought me when I turned 16 – did you know he bought that little red Honda Civic not once, but twice? He bought it for me the first time and then 5 years later he bought it from me for my sister….what kind of deal was that? There are so many wonderful memories and things that we shared together and as a family – too many to list… Our home was a happy home. I always loved pulling up into the driveway at home. That feeling of knowing that Mama and Daddy were there and were excited that I was home, or that Courtney was home. And I knew that every time I pulled out of the driveway, Daddy watched me go and didn’t turn away until I was out of sight.

But some of my fondest memories of him are at the banks where he worked… my name was in lights when they got me in 77 at the bank. Then here in Georgia at Farmers & Merchants Bank in Senoia – I would go to work with him and play bank in the boardroom – I sat in the teller line with the girls. Then at Peachtree National Bank, BB &T, and Bank of Georgia, I always loved going there and just being his little girl that he showed off. Then there was First Coweta Bank…Poppa’s bank…this bank was special. This bank I showed extra special interest in because Daddy loved it so much. This bank was the bank that my little boy, Ethan got to play in. He, from the very beginning, knew how to push the handicap button to make the doors open, knew where Ms. Claudette’s goldfish was, knew how to operate the elevator and loved going upstairs to get fed by all the ladies there, knew big Heidi and little Heidi and that he could sucker both of them for suckers, knew he could play with all of Robin’s trinkets, and I’m sorry Mr. Barber, but several times we rigged your bubblegum machine so Ethan could put pennies in there instead of quarters….but most importantly he knew where Poppa’s office was and that he was waiting in there for him.

He loved his family so much and he loved the Lord and made sure that that was our focus. He was a wonderful Christian Son, Husband, Brother, Uncle, Daddy and Poppa – he was also a wonderful Christian friend to so many. And he was a wonderful father in law – he loved both Mark and Landon and was proud that his little girls had found incredible Christian men to take care of them and lead their households. He touched so many people’s lives and was a wonderful example for so many. He was honorable, respectful and was respected.

My Daddy was patient. My Daddy was kind. My Daddy did not envy, did not boast (except about his tv to his buddies), and was not proud. My Daddy was not rude, was not self-seeking, was not easily angered. My Daddy kept no record of wrongs. My Daddy did not delight in evil but rejoiced with the truth. My Daddy always trusted, always hoped and always persevered.

I’ve had to do things this week that I never thought I’d have to do, but they were all for him. I don’t know how I’m supposed to go on without him. I was Daddy’s little girl and I worshiped the ground he walked on. I don’t know how I’m supposed to make it without him, without hearing his voice, without holding his hand, without hugging his neck and without kissing him. I don’t want to forget anything about him, especially his laugh. I don’t want Ethan to forget riding his tractor and picking blueberries. I want to always make sure Nina knows how much she loved Poppa’s shoulder and how much he loved getting belly sugar from her. I know that with God’s help, and with the help of all of you here, we will all get through this. I don’t know how, but we will. Michael E. Justice was a fine man, the finest of men – there will never be another one like him. I will never forget him and I will love him with all my heart for the rest of my life. He’s home now.