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The past few times I have attempted to blog, I quit mid-post because the amount of time it takes to upload sends me over the edge. However, I am trying again….

First and foremost, I would like to introduce the newest addition to our family, Miss Lilah Belle DuBose.

My brother in law, Jep and his wife, my sis in law, Valerie, recently welcomed little Lilah into the world. Fortunately (due to a scheduled induction), John, Ollie and myself were able to make the trip to Birmingham to be there for the birth. I will not go into much detail, you can catch up on Jep, Val and Lilah here, but I will say that Val is my hero! ;)

Lilah Belle is the most beautiful little thing I have ever seen! She’s perfect and I cannot wait to visit and love on her again!

This past 4^th of July, we spent the weekend at the Gantt Lake. Our wonderful friends, Hal, Laura and their little one joined in on the fun. Unfortunately, I did not capture any pictures with the Lairds (Hal & Laura) but I did manage this picture of baby Murphy. I love this kid to pieces!!

Our days at the lake were spent swimming. The water has been super clear (for Gantt anyway). Lately Ollie has been swimming up a storm while wearing her swimmies! We do, however, have to keep a close eye on her because those skinny little arms can easily slip right out of her swimmies.

She has become a "river rat" and even tried out the slide (with daddy of course)

and rode the Polaris with me (John took this picture...terrible!)

Here are a few more from the holiday weekend...

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Floating with ShuShu.

Eating boiled peanuts with LeeLee.

Last I leave you with a few pictures taken by Leigh Ann O'Neal who owns Nanabell Art Photography.

Much love to all!

Kicking CF Booty

This past Sunday, Ollie’s Army participated in Great Strides. Great Strides is the CF Foundation’s biggest fundraiser and takes place all over the country. The mission of the CF Foundation is to assure the development of the means to cure and control cystic fibrosis and to improve the quality of life for those with the disease.

This year’s Great Strides was super special because Ollie was able to participate. As most of you know, Ollie was hospitalized in 2009 for 2 weeks and was unable to attend the walk. The 2009 Great Strides took place in Crestview and our team raised close to $15,000. The large amount of money we raised was mostly from our first Gantt Lake Poker Run and although Ollie’s Army did not walk in 2010, we were able to make a considerable donation that year as well.

As I said before, this year was very special. The walk took place at the Montgomery Zoo and even though it was uber hot, we had a really good time. Although we walked ALOT, it was not an actually walk. We did a scavenger hunt with clues that lead us to different animals. At each stop, we got a sticker which was right up Ollie's ally. That girl loves some stickers!

I am so proud of my little Ollie. She is so smart and so good. She loved the animals and could tell you just about what each one was. We were able to walk out on an overlook and feed the giraffes. She wasn't really much about getting too close. A baby giraffe came up and ate some of the grass we were provided. He was so cute and so tall....even as a baby.

Even though we had an amazing day, I was constantly reminded of the severity of this disease. Everyone with Cystic Fibrosis was given a rose pin to wear showing others who was who. Although CF is not contagious it is extremely important for those with the disease to not come in contact with each other. This, to me, is very sad. This disease is very rare and only about 5-6 CF’ers were present yesterday. The bonding that helps people cope in other diseases is impossible with CF. Even if they are healthy and no infections or bacteria are present, it is dangerous to be in close contact for the risk of having something in which they are unaware of is high. At this age, Ollie is not aware she has CF let alone know to avoid those that do. I find it very neat that one of my nieces is “best friends” with a girl that has CF. She was able to attend the event yesterday and is the cutest and sweetest thing I’ve ever seen. I could tell that she was somewhat nervous about being around others with CF but as the day progressed I think she was grateful to see all the others that understand and experience the day to day life of a CF’er.  She spoke to Ollie (from a distance) and I hope that they can become friends via e-mail one day.

We are so blessed to have such a wonderful support group and with their help Ollie's Army raised over $4,500.00. This was an amazing achievement! Thank you to everyone that came and participated in this year's Great Strides and a big thank you to everyone that donated. I realize with our economy, money is hard to spare so I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support! Overall the Foundation raised over $20,000.00 at this event. Yay!!

I am even more confident today, that a cure will be found. Thank you all!!

Much Love,

Lynsey & Family

Whew!

Now that I have a little down time, he's a post of what we've been up to.

Ollie Pearl turns 2!

On Wednesday May 4, Ollie turned 2 years old. We had a small gathering with family at our house and grilled burgers and enjoyed birthday cake. My mom made the cake, which was delicious, and I decorated it.

Ollie received some awesome gifts (not too many!). From her Shu Shu and Pop Pop, she got a new flat screen TV for her bedroom. (My mom, aka Shu Shu, was terrified her old HUGE TV was going to fall on her.)

With a new TV, I rearranged O's room and it looks so grown-up! She now has a "big girl" bed and the baby bed has been stored away. I have to take a moment and brag. I picked up her new toddler bed at an antique/flea market for a whopping $5. I little pink paint and it's brand new!

From her Poppa Jim and Momma Jackie she received a dress up trunk full of cutesy princess outfits. She has been sporting these for the last few days. So cute!

Her Sissy, Mitch (whom she worships), and Row, Ollie got a pink t-ball set. She hasn't quite figured out how to swing the bat to hit the ball but she love placing the ball on the tee, over and over.

Unfortunately all of our family couldn't visit with us on O's b-day but being short notice and in the middle of the week, it's very understandable. She is super loved by everyone and they all called to tell her hello! She even got a Yo Gabba Gabba radio in the mail from Uncle Jep and Aunt Val. She loves it!

*Note to Jep & Val- I can't wait to buy Lilah noisy toys! ;)

The weekend after Ollie's birthday was the Andalusia Junior Woman's Club's 2nd Annual Three Notch Market. I was chair of publicity was the event and also had a booth. Although I do not have any pictures from the day, it turned out to be a great time and my "Sassy DuBows" booth did very well. With my profits, I treated myself to a new Kindle but that's a whole other story.

Last week I had Anatomy 202 finals. I ended up with an 87.9 in the class! I am so happy it's over and am dreading summer term which starts next Wednesday. Micro-Biology-YUCK!

This past weekend, and the wrap-up of all the craziness my life has been these past few weeks, was the wedding of one of my Oldest and dearest friends. Jennifer Lee and Philip McClung finally tied the knot! The wedding was beautiful and the reception was amazing!

 

Now, I'm off to enjoy the easy going, nothing to do day with my girl!

 

EGGS

Today we participated in our church's annual Easter Egg hunt. This year was so much fun and several little ones attended and searched for eggs. We went last year (picture below) but Ollie, being just shy of 1 year old, was not walking. She enjoyed last year's hunt from her wagon and her daddy managed to find her a few eggs for her basket.

This year, because she has never hunted for eggs before, we had a few practice rounds last night. She caught on really quick and LOVED finding eggs. The best part is that as she is running around searching, I just dip into the basket and toss eggs here and there. With every turn she is so excited to see more eggs and the hunt goes on and on. The church hunt was no different. She was ready to go!

I was a little worried that she wouldn't be able to get many eggs with the bigger kids hunting too but it turns out that our little pratice paid off. She is an egg hunting queen and came home with a whopping 46 eggs.

The weather could not have been better and the Springdale Estate makes a beautiful backdrop for pictures.

Here are a few from our morning.

Ollie and William checking out "baby sharks".
We asked them to hold hands and Ollie said "NO!". Her daddy was proud. ;)

Sissy and Row. He was too precious in his sailboat romper.

Ocean got quite a bucketful of eggs. He was very handsome in searsucker pants, a polo and a yellow belt. That kid's got style!

Asher demonstrating how to find and carry lots of easter eggs at one time.

FUMC's beautiful children. (Thats lil Row in the front- What a sweetheart!)

And last, me and my sweetie!

Happy Easter!!

L.O.L.

LOL x 2 = Laugh out loud and Lots of Love!

This past week, being Spring Break (for my school teacher sister), we decided it was a must to hit the beach for a few days. At one time, with this particular group, it was known as a girl trip and although it mostly was (me, Ollie, Lesley, Mom, Leanne) we've added a new member to the bunch; Row Man!

He fit in pretty well but if he's anything like his daddy, I doubt we will be enjoying his company in a few years. He will have turkeys to hunt!

Anyway, we loaded down Lesley's 4-Runner with 2 babies and 4 adults along with beach chairs, coolers, toys, etc. Needless to say the ride was somewhat of a discomfort, we made it to the condo in Cinco Bayou safe and sound. It just so happens that our story and picture made the Florida panhandle's Daily News! CrAzY!

(not this picture)

After a little shopping and some yummy dinner we ventured in for the night to rest up  for a big day at the beach.....boy was it!

It was really fun to hang with the sisters and mom and the 2 little ones. We had a blast!

Ollie proved to her "ShuShu" that she is a definite beach babe and played in the water and sand the entire time. She absolutely, 100% LOVES the beach.

She even let us bury her in the sand...I couldn't believe it!

Once our day at the beach turned a little too hot, we headed back to the condo for a dip in the pool and to enjoy the bay for a bit.

The bay is perfect for Ollie and Row cause there are no waves (unless a big boat comes by) and the water temperature is a little warmer.

I am really proud of my Ollie. She is so sweet to Row (unless he grabs her toys) and gives him hugs and kisses all the time. Although she can be quite the brat sometimes, her sweetness is oh so precious!

For instance:

Is this not the cutest picture ever!!!

So stinking precious!!

I just wish I could get her to smile in a picture with me....

To wrap it up, we had an amazing time and O has yet to quit talking about the beech. Thank you Mom for being such a sweet and wonderful mother and for taking care of us and our little ones! You are the BEST mom a girl could ask for!

I love you!!!