"The Q and U Wedding"

Maci on her wedding day!

Maci with Chance and Walker coming down the aisle!


Maci the bride!

Mommy with her little bride.

Granny and Maci at the reception.

The bride very happy!

Maci enjoying her wedding cake!

Now she is really happy!

Madi C. and Maci doing the Cha' Cha' (how low can you go?)

A few weeks ago Maci had a Q and U wedding at her school. Well, the reason is they are learning all about letters and in words there are many words with Q and U together, like the word quiet or queen. They learned these letters always stick together. To rewind a little bit Maci was mortified when this whole idea came about of having a wedding where she had to marry the letter U. Well, Maci's class has only 3-4 girls but has many more boys. So, this was what Maci was so upset over that she had to marry 2 boys. She told us she didn't want to go to school that day of the wedding. We are not sure what happened but after I pulled out a dress that we had from a wedding and showed her the pretty white dress she could wear if she did this (not so sure if that is really why she got a better attitude about it or not) but she changed her mind and would marry the two boys (Walker Dressel and Chance Smoak). But only under one condition, she is only going to hug them quickly at the end. As the pictures show, she had a good time. After the wedding, they had a wedding reception. Maci was so excited to dance at the wedding. They did the cha, cha dance and more. It was so funny and at the same time so cute! What a day to remember. Enjoy the pictures!

Mother's Day

Opening my cards from the girls!
Ready to go to Church!
At my Mom's house trying hard to get pictures in the sun!
My family~~
Ok, this was Maci's idea but, we were all squinting from the sun!
Madison, Rylee and Maci (check out Rylee's tongue, how funny!)
Sweet girls!
What a special day! A time to remember my mom and mother-in-law and also a time to be thankful for two precious girls. God has blessed my with a husband that makes sure that the day is special. Over the last few years, Ryan has started planning a special Mother's Day gift to me on the Saturday night before Mother's Day. We are so busy on Mother's Day spending time with our Moms so he thought of this a few years ago and has been fun! Usually, we go out of town but this year we didn't make it due to a fundraiser Madison had all day Sat. So, we did go to dinner at Don Jose and we went to the movies and saw Las Vegas (very funny movie). Then, Ryan wanted to make sure the girls were at home Sunday morning so we picked them up from Ryan's Mom after the movie.
I woke up Sunday morning with Madi and Maci so excited to give me their special gifts. Madison wrote a letter (which I will try to scan and post). It was so sweet, I will keep it forever. Maci made a poem with art at school. Then, the girls picked out a card with Ryan. This card was adorable. They recorded a message into the card that played back as I opened the card. What a treasured gift that I can play back and keep for memories as they grow up. Then Ryan gave me a cute card and inside he drew a money chart and on it was 25% colored in with $100 cash, to go towards my spray tan machine. Thanks to my bud Courtney she has got a few of us hooked on her spray tan machine. My friend Tracy got one for Mother's Day. But, I will be getting one soon, I just need to save a little more money. Thanks Ryan for getting me started (by the way if you need a spray tan, I will be doing them at my house). Great way to look tan without the damage.
Off we went to meet Ryan's family for breakfast at Sebring Diner. Then, my niece-Rylee Spencer was dedicated at church and we went to witness this special time. Both of our girls were re-dedicated at our Church (Grace Bible) when we first began visting.
After church, we went by to visit my Mom. She had come down with a virus so we had to change our lunch plans with her until this Thursday. We are taking her to Olive Garden (Yum!). I am glad we at least got to visit with her. Since, our lunch plans were cancelled we were able to go to Aunt Becky's house and visit with more of Ryan's family.
Then, we headed home to a Blockbuster night of movies and popcorn!
Thanks Ryan, Madi, Maci and Grandma Becky for the nice gifts!

Blessings

I wanted to write down some of my blessings I have in my life. It is important to reflect and remember what we are here for to love people and love God.

1. God (still learning so much, but he should always be #1)
2. My Husband-I have to brag. He is the greatest (im my opinion). He truly does the laundry, mows the yard, cooks dinner, grocery shops and packs the girls lunches. These are just a few of the many things he does for our family. I couldn't ask for more, thanks Ryan. I love you!
3. My Children-I have two very precious girls. Madi and Maci keep us busy and we love them both very much.
4. My Church-I am blessed to say that I have a wonderful Church (Grace Bible) that is grounded in biblical beliefs not on religion or certain denominations. We feel free to read God's word and focus on applying the word to our lives. I love the fact that we have a body of Christ focused on the word not about meetings, color of the carpet or political beliefs, as Andrew always says and wants us to keep focused on him (God) not things. Andrew Kastanis is our pastor and has a true gift. What an amazing person that knows the word and is able through his talents to help us to grasp the word so we can apply it in our lives. Thanks to Heidi, Andrew's wife who graciously supports the church and is a great christian woman.
5. My Extended Family-Ryan and I couldn't be any luckier to have both sets of parents that live in Sebring. My mother-in-law is always with her grandchildren. Maci and Madi love to go to Grandma Becky's house. My Mom and Dad are always their for us and the girls. They support Madi and Maci in everything they do. Grandad Robert is always playing crazy games with the girls until he is wore out. Madison was also very happy to see him at everyone of her competitions. Thanks GRANDPARENTS!! We are both blessed to have many people in our lives, many Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, and brother and sister-n-laws.

A Florida Lemonade Stand- "Sweet Tea and Treats"

Taylor showing off our signs!
Maci saying Thanks to the Golfers!
The girls having fun stunting with Maci!
Being Silly!
Our Florida "Sweet Tea" Stand!
On Saturday, my friend Yvonne and I got together to help our girls raise money for the Edge All-Star Competition team. We had a stand set up on one of the Sun' N Lake golf course holes and the girls passed out "Sweet Tea and Treats" (of course for a donation). It was fun watching the girls show the golfers their tricks. Madi and Taylor with their running back handsprings and Maci with her handstand to back bend. It was fun but really hot~ The girls raised $165.00. We are very blessed of the out pouring of support from the golfers. I will be involved with many more fundraisers since Maci will be joining the "Mini-AllStar" team.

Oh, What a night! (Bye SNLE!!)

Last night there were about 15 people or more that celebrated our new adventures next year especially leaving SNLE. We met at Paul's Harbourside Tiki Hut and had a great time. Even our favorite principal of all Mr. Pipon joined us. We love him!

Donna McGlinchey who has been the principal's secretary for at least 11 years has found a new job in Transportation and today is her last day. She is completely thrilled to have a new job awaiting her. Also, there are at least 7 teachers moving on to teach at Memorial Elementary (Go Patriots!). I am one of them and I am so excitied! I will miss several friends on the SNLE staff but I know we are only an e-mail away. I have met so many close friends but I know we will all keep in touch and Darla-you said you will be planning our "Chicago Trip "(can't wait)!

I love you guys!

Sisters Enjoying a la Fiesta!!!

To Celbrate Cinco de Mayo a group of my best buds from our Bible group decided to celebrate it on Wed., not Mon. Just joking, we just love Don Jose so we met, ate and had their tasty Margaritas (sorry Barbie and Courtney-just to let you know they were delicious). You have to keep those babies safe. Enjoy a few pictures. I am starting to get sad about Tracy and her family moving after school lets out. But, I know we will continue to remain best of friends even though she will be living in South Carolina (she has promised us it will only be 2-3 years then they will be back). We can be best of friends no matter where life leads you. We love you Tracy!

Congrats on your Engagement!

My little bro' got engaged a few weeks ago. He is engaged to a very nice girl, her name is Joy! Eddie took her to Don' Cesars (sp?) Restaurant in St. Pete. They had a lovely dinner. During dinner Eddie told Joy he had to go to the restroom, but really wasn't. The story will tell the reason. After dinner, Eddie had a beach bag with a blanket, etc. He asked Joy if they could go sit out on the beach and watch the sunset! So, they laid down there blanket and enjoyed the sunset. While sitting on the blanket, there was a bottle with a cork sticking out of the sand. I am not sure who noticed it first but they pulled the bottle out of the sand and inside, Eddie had a poem with the last words saying-Will You Marry Me! Very cute and romantic (Eddie you did a good job, and your lil' sister too, HA!). They are planning on getting married in the spring of 09'. I am looking forward to being in the wedding and apart of their lives. We love you guys!

A little bit about them both: Joy just graduated from Stetson Law School. She will be practicing law in Greenville, South Carolina. Eddie will be a firefighter in Greenville. Looking forward to a place to visit!!

Blog Spot Rewind...Enjoy Belated Easter Photos!

Daddy with his girls!
Sisters and Best Buds!

Ready for Church!

Maci not so sure she has all her eggs.

What a great picture-all the girls!

Madison posing while hunting eggs.

At Grandma's house for the egg hunt~

Peyton, Maci, and Madi at Grace Bible's Egg Hunt!

I began blogging too late to post my Easter Pictures. My goal of blogging is to write about my family, friends and any memories I want to treasure. So, my plan is to blog and print out the pages so that I can put them in a binder to remember all the fun times we have together. So, sorry I am late but here are some Easter pictures from The Leaphart Family.

My Cheerleader!

Madison has been on the competiton cheer team at The Edge Cheer Center for two years. She has loved the competitons and performing. This year she competed in various competions in Tampa, Lakeland, Orlando and Daytona Beach. She had a great year especially progressing in her tumbling skills. She reached the bronze level with her round off back handspring. In her routine she had to do 3 round off back handsprings. Very exciting, for a second grader! Looking forward to private lessons for Maci and Madi this summer. Maci will join her sister next year but she will be on the Mini Team. Madi is on the Youth Team. It should be fun, especially seeing Maci perform. She has a strong desire to learn tumbling and man she gets mad if she can't get do something. Good Luck-Madi and Maci! Go Edge!!

Sunday's Best!

The last day of the weekend but the best! We did attend Church on Sat. evening so Maci and I slept in AGAIN today!! But, daddy had to go to all the services because he had deacon duty. He is so dedicated and loves to serve.
As for me and Maci, we woke up to waffles and coffee. Then, it was playtime. Maci made me lunch (pretend food out of her fake kitchen). The BEST food in town. She came up with the creative menu of pizza and drumsticks~
After playing Kitchen Cafe, Maci did one of her favorite things-play dress up. She made me close my eyes as she appeared as a character. We had a Snowwhite, TinkerBell and a Ballerina. I treasure these times because as my girls get older, they won't be dressing up for Mom. Just the expensive way, at the Orlando Mall-HA!! Enjoy (once again) some of Maci's dress ups. I love you Maci~~
Last but not least, Maci joined me in one of my lastest excercise DVD's. It is the 8 minute core exercise DVD (a great one-8 minutes each of the core areas-abs,arms,legs, etc. We had a hard workout~