July 26, 2010 @ 6:17 am | Filed under: Family,It's a Girl Thing,Pure Sunshine

My heart is full.

I am fresh off of our girls-only weekend and it was all I had hoped for, and more!

We met on Thursday afternoon, drove to San Marcos, and spent the next twelve or so hours shopping the outlet malls. Of course – we also made time for an awesome dinner, breakfast with Jordan and Elizabeth, and lots of bonding time in the hotel room.

Then “Phase II: San Antonio!”  We loaded all our luggage and our San Marcos purchases and headed further south…to San Antonio, where we checked into the Hyatt on the Riverwalk. The littles swam “on the roof”, while we talked and laughed and – honestly – just enjoyed the fact that we’re family.

And what a great family…what a great group of ladies.

Shawn:

Shawn is the eldest of the six grandchildren – but only by three months. She was always my partner in crime during our growing up years and I have nothing but fond memories. Even though we spent a LOT of time in trouble! Shawn is also the one who stood with me in front of the mulberry bush in Mama & Dad’s yard on Dudley St. and belted out Delta Dawn as only two  ten year olds can.

Shawn is married to David, and they have two beautifulful daughters – Brittani and Ashleigh. Brittani joined us for the first time on this trip and it was amazing for me to get to know her as a young adult. She is almost twenty and will be married in December. Getting to know her, and seeing her vibrant personality and the deep care she has for her family, made it evident what an awesome mom Shawn is.

Sharlyn:

Sharlyn is married to Chad and they have three amazing daughters. Twins – Brooklyn & Kennedy, and Macy.

What I admire most about Sharlyn is her ability to drink in life, but in the most calm, most serene way imaginable. When you are around her, you feel nothing but tranquility, and this quality shines through her daughters.

This was Kennedy’s turn to join the group for the annual girls weekend and I had a blast getting to know this little beauty a lot better! She is a jewel and a little mini-me of her beautiful mom.

Stefanie:

I have several stunning pictures of Stefanie and her family and I started to use one of those.

But the truth is that this picture of  Stefanie’s family is a brilliant representation of the essence of Stefanie.

She is the heart of the party. I love this girl to pieces.  She loves life and watching her enjoy it just makes you want to dive in and do the same!

Stefanie is married to Brian. They have three gorgeous children: Shaggy, Daphne, and Scooby. Oh wait…! Make that Braxton, Makynah, and Brayden!

These women shared my childhood in ways that will be known to only us. We made countless memories together, and those memories will forever be a part of the landscape of my life.

But this weekend – and each one like it that we spend together as adults – we make new memories.

And now…

These memories are the ones that will also be a part of our children’s lives.

I like that.

And I love them!

Tags: Family, grandchildren, summertime memories