It's Random. That's What It Is!

I just pretty much don't have a lot to write about these days. It's not like we're bored around here or anything, but we just seem to pretty much sum up our days by playing, cleaning, eating ice cream, playing some more, and cleaning some more...lots of time in the sun....lots of time with people we love. It has pretty much been what summer should be.

I (Amy) did take on a new venture. I began as a consultant for Southern Living at Home. I really have always loved their products and business, and after some time, decided it was TIME for me to have a little outlet of my own. I told the girls it was a job, but really, it doesn't feel like one. It's a whole lotta fun, with a cherry on top! I love interacting with people, so I think the party aspect of SLAH is going to be my favorite. So, if you are ever interested in having a party, I will come...I will travel to you (well, you know...within reason ! :0) ). It will be fun for all!

We are gearing up at LifeSong for a huge...and I DO MEAN HUGE...fireworks show for our community to celebrate the 4th. We actually have it on the 3rd just so it is more available to people that may have other plans on the 4th. We checked today and there is no other fireworks show like this until you get to Charlotte, so if you are in the area, come by. We will start gathering on the lawn (bring your lawn chair) around 8pm. There will be concessions, music, fellowship (my favorite part!) and fireworks are promised! A company comes from Charleston and last year was AWESOME! It's FREE!

The girls are doing great! They are little tanned things, soaking up every ray of sun they can! Hopefully, I can nab some new pictures of them soon...if they would stay inside long enough for me to get some.

Take a Little Break , Why Don't Ya?

I'm literally taking a break on our vacation break and checking in on the blog world. Seems I'm having a little issue with sunburn, so I'm staying indoors for a bit. I am sure all ten of my readers already know where I am, but I thought I'd drop in and say "Hey, Y'all" anyway.
I'm enjoying our time on vacation immensely. I always find it's a good medicine for me as I go back to reality and try and remember what it's like to chill out at home, too. Here's a peek into our time away...

Aaaaah!!!

Let's all let out a collective happy sigh.....Vacation is on the horizon. It's time! I could not have waited a second longer, really. Once you know you're going, it can't get here fast enough. No matter what time of year, vacations should be mandatory. It is a great source of refueling for us and we come back feeling refreshed and ready to go tackle whatever. I always grew up taking the best vacations. No matter how busy our lives were, my parents could travel! They always made the time to take us to some neat places. I've been to Disney, the beach(es), almost every State in the Western US, and many, many more places. Now, Jeff and I want to take the girls to places that they will remember always and spend time with them, making memories. Cheesy, huh? It's true, though. We have always had the most fun on our trips, and even though we come back a little worn out, there's still that feeling of completely feeling relaxed and ready to go when we come home. So, I can't wait to come back and share lots of pics of our time away. We're doing the beach thing this year. It's where we love the most! So, here's to tans, walks on the beach, eating out and much, much more!

Here's some pics of June so far....

Lazy Days of May Heading into June

It can no longer be said...well, not much longer anyway...that these are lazy days because school is letting out soon and I'm "skeered." I normally have a very well-planned out time for my girls. Mind you, my planning is not for their cultural well-being. There are no trips to museums, latin lessons, or gourmet cooking classes to attend. There is however, usually, every opportunity for a "kid to be a kid." Along the way, they are cultured, and being bilingual myself, I might speak to them in Spanish, just so they feel like I'm smart, and that they have been enlightened. We, instead, take trips to whomever will loan us a pool, eat Mexican food (hello, opportunity to speak Spanish) and we grill out (no gourmet, but my girls do love to help their Mama in the kitchen...errr, outdoor kitchen). So, I'm taking the approach of bring it on SUMMER! Show us whatcha got! We're ready to be thrilled, surprised and just plain carefree!

OK, OK, this may last a full week for me. I am, after all, a gal who loves a plan!

So, here we go, taking the leap to summer. We do have plans to go on vacation here, grill every meal outdoors that we possibly can, visit the grandparents (hello, grandparents, get our rooms ready!), go to church here, and whatever else may surprise us. Until then, here's a little glimpse of what May has been like for us.Duh, of course you know this!
McKenna finished Soccer up
I had a makeover party with some girlfriends. :-)I'm the only one you get to see be a guinea pig...well, at least in public anyway! ;)the end result of the hair color changeA little plantingThis is a permanent site at our home during the summerQuinn is fascinated by the caterpillarLymanfestThis is just cute!

Me With You Winner!

I completely did not want the responsibility of choosing a winner to fall on me, so I pleaded with my author cousin, Kristy, to read all of your comments and choose a winner. Apparently, indecisiveness runs in our family, because she couldn't choose a winner either, so in good 'ole school random fashion, she opted for the draw a name out method. I will post what she had to say about each of your comments and you'll see at the end how she made her selection. Very creative, if I do say so! Here's what Kristy had to say....

I absolutely couldn't pick a winner. Each time I thought, "Oh, yes, this one" and then I'd read the next one and be hooked again.


I wanted to pick Vanessa because of the many, many memories I have of homemade strawberry ice cream with my Papa.

I wanted to pick Autumn because I think it's adorable that she called her grandpa Grandkad, and it reminds me of our cousin Allen calling our grandma Nannoo and then that is what all the cousins ended up calling her too.

I wanted to pick Lynna because of the loving sacrifice she made in caring for a grandmother whose mind has gone and because when she reads ME WITH YOU she may see herself more as the adult in the story.

I wanted to pick Tricia because I too remember running my fingers over the veins in my Nannoo's and Grandma's hands. Why did we find those veins so interesting? :)

And I wanted to pick Donna because she honed in on what I think is so true about grandparents: "She knew how to make everything in life special." I know the time I spent with my grandparents was like that, and I think it's one of the key themes in ME WITH YOU.

I wanted to pick "The Pettigrew's" because their story reminded me, once again, of my own Nannoo. She was loved by so many and a stranger to no one. Her name lived on because of the love so many had for her.

So, all that to say, I couldn't pick and I just wrote all the names down on a piece of paper, folded them all up, threw them all up in the air, and when they landed on the floor, the dog picked up one of them and brought it to me,


TRICIA!!!!!

So, congratulations, TRICIA! Another reason I (Amy) just could choose a winner is that all of you are such sweet friends to me that I want you ALL to win, which leads me to say, "Tricia, you so deserve this! I can see you now reading to Ashley, Nathan and Daniel." I wish I could send a copy of this book to all of you, but I do hope you will make this book your favorite gift to give, favorite story to read to your children and lasting memory to hold on your bookshelf!
Tricia, I'll get your copy in the mail to you soon! :)

It's a GIVEAWAY FRIDAY!

Comments are now CLOSED for this post...Stay tuned for a winner by tomorrow, the 20th!

Update...You have until 8am Tuesday morning to post your comment. All comments should go through without having to be moderated by me, so no more worries that your comment won't get posted. I will disable comments 8am Tuesday morning and reveal a winner by Weds., the 20th....Happy Posting!

OK, I'm trying my hand at this again. I have lots of cute gifts up my sleeve, so if we have some good success at this giveaway, it might just be a frequent thing around here at The Hickman Happenings!

So, have you heard, Me With You by Kristy Dempsey is in stores now? What, you say? You did not know! Then you must not be reading my blog! I just happen to know the author. She's my cousin! We even sort of look alike! We smile the same, have a bold deep belly laugh and spent many a day cavorting around together...you know, back in the day! We have shared so many memories in our lives, from me wanting to be just like her growing up (she was a gymnast, and well...I just wanted to be one) to her coming to Venezuela to live with us the year we welcomed my little sister, Katie, into our lives, to later having Kristy be a part of my special day - my wedding. She and I have a relationship that, irregardless of the fact she currently lives in Brazil, when we talk, FACEBOOK, or actually see each other from time to time, we just catch right up where we left off...usually, that means laughing our tails off. So, you see, relationship is important stuff to us, and it just so happens to be the subject of Me With You. What began as a love letter to her husband, took the shape of a children's book that embraces the relationship of a grandparent with a grandchild. Some of our (Kristy and my) memories are shared together primarily because of the relationship all of us grandkids had with our Nanoo. It was at her home that we played, bonded, made memories. So, this book, you see, is really just the right thing to do! I'm so happy Kris envisioned this, and even more happy that here we are once again making memories together. I get the honor of promoting and bragging on her!

So, if you haven't viewed the trailer (make sure you pause my playlist), watch it now...it's the following post. Once you view it, come back and tell me the most significant memory you share with your grandparent, or the person that impacted your life like a grandparent would. We'll pick the one we like the best and you will receive a signed (did I mention I KNOW the author?) copy of Me With You. You will also receive an all expense paid vacation to Brazil to meet the author! NOT REALLY! Got your attention, though, right? Nope, you can meet the author if you live in my area on August 11th at LifeSong Church. She will join us for a community wide book signing, along with craft time. It's the perfect BACK to SCHOOL event for all of your kids!

So, hop to it! Let's hear those stories about your grandparents! Tell your friends, and have them tell their friends about this giveaway. This will be a book that you will treasure for the rest of your life!

Me With You...Officially Released Today

You might be sick of reading about me telling you to go buy my cousin's book, but it'll be alright...
"Me With You" is the story of a grandparent's love. It is the perfect book/gift for that preschooler that you hold dear, and with all the kindergarten graduations occurring right now, it is the perfect gift for the little graduate. I would buy this book for each of your children to have has a keepsake, for sure! My cousin has always been extra special to me, and more of a friend to me than just a family member. She is so talented and her personality and love draw you in the moment you meet her, and from the very first moment you read that first page of "Me With You."



Let me know how you like it when you buy it. I am so proud of my cousin, Kristy!