Brooke states in her post that Beauty inspires her to say “yes” to God and this week I’ve seen many lives say “Yes” to the Lord through baptism. This past Sunday was an amazing Sunday at church. We baptized 9 people and through each baptism I teared up. To see these lives changed forever gives me chills each and every time.

God asks us to say “yes” to him and be changed. The creator of the universe wants us.

Now that to me is beauty.

My husband and I got engaged at Myrtle Beach and my kids, now 9 and 7, still enjoy our yearly trek to the coast.  After nearly 30 years I’ve got Myrtle Beach down to a science and Iím just about to share with you the best attractions.  Letís say you want to spend 5 days in Myrtle Beach this summer with your kids.  What are the must-see attractions?

Day 1 – Broadway at the Beach

You canít not go to Broadway at the Beach. And yes, this could be a full day’s adventure.  A few of our favorite things at Broadway:

• Build a Bear.  For the past few years this has been our designated let’s build a bear time.  It’s one of their favorite activities the whole week.
• Ripleyís Aquarium.  If you have a rainy afternoon to spend somewhere, hit up the aquarium.  While it’s not the most impressive one anywhere, it’s nice and will keep your kids entertained and dare I say, educated for the afternoon.
• Shopping.  While I’d admit the shopping isnít fantastic here, there are two shops I like to hit up there and that is Body Central where I usually can score jewelry for 3 for $10 and Bijuju that has great accessories.
• Broadway at the Beach also hosts The Hard Rock Cafe and if you’re a child of the 90ís, youíll appreciate adding their T-shirt to your collection.  However, if it were me, Iíd scoot across the street to the Mellow Mushroom and have myself a pizza!

Day 2 – The Sea Screamer

We enjoyed this one years ago and only did it once but it is still one of my favorite things.  The Sea Screamer is a speed boat leaves out from a water way and takes you down the coast. You can see celebrity houses on the way out and youíre guaranteed a dolphin sighting going down the coast.

Day 3 – Tanger Outlets

If you love shopping like I do, you need to take a day to spend at the Tanger Outlets.  There are two locations but either will satisfy your shopping sweet tooth.  Be sure to grab the coupon booklet and save even more.  Another hint, if your husband or kids just canít stand the idea of this one, send them over to the NASCAR Speedpark for the day!

Day 4 – Pirates Voyage

So I’m going to be transparent here and say that this item was supposed to be labeled Dixie Stampede.  One of my favorite things weíve ever done in Myrtle Beach is go to the Dixie Stampede dinner show.  You got to eat a meal all by hand and watch an equestrian show.  I just went to the site and saw it’s been remade into the Pirates Voyage last year.  See how much I know!  Well.  It’s all still owned by a Dolly Parton company and I’m very sure it’s similar in quality and not to be missed.  The intro video hooked me. I think weíre going to have to put this on our to-do list pronto since itís a whole new show!

Day 5 – Alligator Adventure

We’ve visited the Alligator Adventure a time or two and itís worth seeing if you have kids in tow.  Be sure to watch the alligator feeding.   Amazing creatures!  My hint is go in the morning when itís not so hot as it’s all outside.

Myrtle Beach offers many more great attractions.  Barefoot Landing, Ripley’s Believe it or Not,  Myrtle Waves, Carolina Opry, Medieval Times, Legends in Concert, Dick’s, crabbing, fishing, and jet skiing.  You can see why Iíve gone for 30 years and still am not bored, although itís easy to go broke!  Be sure to enjoy the sand, waves and hot Carolina sun on my very favorite (and free!) part about Myrtle Beach!

Amy Bennett is a recovering perfectionist and lover of God. She is wife to her police officer husband, Scott and mommy to two beautiful girls, Emma and Lexi and hopefully one handsome boy soon. They reside in South Carolina, in a suburb of Charlotte, North Carolina with their two dogs Mattie and Tucker and a picket fence to hold them all in. Amy spends her day writing code for a bank and her evenings writing blog posts at Permission to Peruse.

It was this week that I couldn’t find the boys. I could hear them laughing but couldn’t figure out where they were playing. I looked outside {we live on 15 acres, so I figured they were out in the woods close by} and looked up in the playroom. No where to be found.

Low and behold, my 6 year old and 3 year old were out in our garage inside a cardboard box from Amazon. They had taken everything out, and climbed in to make a fort.

The little giggles.

The creative imaginations.

The mess from the packing paper inside the box now on the ground.

It all was One Beautiful Thing.

• Dolly will be making several surprise appearances throughout the park on Friday, May 11th and Saturday, May 12th.  Who wouldn’t LOVE running in to Dolly – one of the most amazing country singers out there.
• Weather permitting, each day at 4pm, she will be riding through the park in her antique car for a tour of the park.
• On Friday evening at 6 p.m., she’ll serve as the grand marshal of the annual Dolly Parade on the Pigeon Forge Parkway.

So, whether you live in the area, or are needing a weekend getaway, head out to Dollywood this weekend and run into everyone’s favorite hometown girl, Dolly.

For more info on Dolly’s Homecoming, click here.

There are so many adorable things to choose from. I’m not one usually to buy clothing online. I’d rather try the actual item on in the store to see if it fits me or not. However, I’ve tried shopping with Fresh Produce and have been so impressed with how the clothing fits so well. This is definitely one of the only online clothing stores I shop with.

Check out the adorable collections such as the Summer Fashion line. Woah, makes me want to go through my closet and clean out and start fresh {maybe I will!}. The clothes are adorable and comfortable for women of any age and size.

I find myself skimming through the Fresh Produce site multiple times a week. Why? Because I feel like I’ve been flown to the Caribbean for vacation. Even though I’m sitting in my home in front of the computer screen, their clothing makes you feel like you’re miles away on a tropical beach.

I LOVE my What It Seams Skirt from Fresh Produce. It’s part of the Fun Skirts collection.

Simply stylish with a modern shorter-in-front hemline, the versatile What It Seams Skirt is an exceptionally flattering piece. 92% rayon, 8% lycra, smooth, flat waistband, pieced seam details with cover stitching, asymmetrical hem, mid-calf length in front, raw edge hem, made in USA

This skirt allows me to dress it up or down. It’s perfect for a date night out with the hubby, or running errands around town with a fitted tee, or I can also dress it up for more formal occasions. Being a mom of 3, it’s important for me to have clothing that is versatile yet adorable at the same time. This skirt could also be used as a beach/bathing suit cover up.

Fresh Produce clothing is pretty true to size. If anything, it may run a little big. I love that Fresh Produce offers all sizes from 0 and X-small up to Plus Size.

{Keep in mind, this picture was taken 2 weeks after having my third child. I have some pounds I’d like to lose in the next couple of months}. I paired this skirt with a sleeveless elastic waisted top and a black cardigan. This is a great outfit for church, or a night out.

To get the complete look of the outfit on the model from Fresh Produce, simply purchase the Tie Dyed Scarf, the Soft Sheen Layering Tank, the Long Sleeve Monterey Shirt, and of course the What It Seams Skirt.

I’m excited to share with you a special discount code from Fresh Produce. They have a Mothers Day special going on right now – Buy One Get One 50% Off All Dresses! Use coupon code LOVEMOM to take advantage of this great deal. I know I’ll be using this coupon code.

What am I going to purchase?

The Effortless Dress and the Convertible Dress in Augustine.

What are you going to buy?

Connect with Fresh Produce on Twitter & Facebook.

Though I’m not a professional photographer {or anywhere near}, I still enjoy capturing moments in my life and my family and friends. It allows me to enjoy these moments and for time to “stand still” so to speak.

I’ve been searching for a way to document them more in depth than just the average photo book and frame on the wall. One Beautiful Thing will allow me to capture at least one moment each week and blog about it. I’m really excited.

I’ve found some beauty lately, especially the past couple of weeks. Meet Emerson. He’s our newest beauty and we’re all in love.

I pray you found beauty today…

“I prayed for this child and the Lord has granted me what I ask of him.” 1st Samuel 1:27

Emerson was born on April 13th at 9:34pm. He came about a week before my scheduled c-section due to high blood pressure on my end and it couldn’t have worked out better. He weighed 9.2 lbs and was 19 inches long. Short and very chubby = adorable!

The boys thought so too – even if he was a little loud when they first met. {this picture makes me laugh every time I see it}

So, while I’ve taken a few weeks off of blogging, and I’m so excited to be back.

We are finished with our Kindergarten year and it was a huge success! But now, we’re ready to celebrate summer!

We’ve made our Summer Bucket List {have you?} and now we’re ready to tackle it.

But first…

I’m excited to bring you a summer series from some of my favorite bloggers. Throughout May, June, and July, I’ll have guest bloggers over here on Monday’s to give tips and advice for keeping the summer blues away from your children. Are you wanting some fresh ideas, activities, recipes, and travel tips for your family for the next 3 months? Make sure to tune in {and chime in too!} That’s right, I want to hear your ideas too!

I’d love {more than anything} for you to link-up to this post with your Summer Bucket List posts, or posts about ideas you have to keep summer fresh, fun, and vibrant for your kids and family. Have some special travel tips you’d like to share with others about vacationing with kids? Link it up here. You can link up as many posts as you’d like here BUT….

• It has to be on the series topic: Summer Fun
• You have to link it with the direct URL {those who use their blog url will be deleted}.
• You must visit around as many other blogs as you can from the link-up and comment letting them know you’re stopping by.

Most importantly, have fun and get some fun ideas stirring about the upcoming several months. The first blogger will have her post ready for you on Monday, May 14th.

I’m so excited about this and hope you join in the Summer Fun.

Easter Baskets…

Eggs…

Flowers…

Sunshine…

Chocolate…

Cute Outfits…

Spring…

But more importantly….

The Cross…

A Man…

Jesus…

Dieing for us…

Good Friday…

3 Days Later…

He ROSE…

He gave us life…

And he gave me…

An amazing best friend & husband…

These sweet boys…

That’s what EASTER really is to me.

*linking this post up with Collage Friday, Camera Phone Friday, and Insta Friday.

photo: Michael_Spencer

• Do some traveling – to the beach, camping, Dollywood, and to our cabin in North Carolina
• Read “Flat Stanley” and make it
• Camp in the backyard
• Catch fireflies
• Play tennis
• Go to the pool
• Play with water balloons
• Go to the farmers market weekly
• Visit at least 2-3 zoo’s
• Plant flowers
• Dig in the dirt
• Have breakfast for dinner
• Eat a popsicle often
• Make homemade sidewalk chalk
• Fireworks
• Make homemade bubbles and blow them
• Play in the sprinkler
• Go to a drive-in movie
• Go Putt-Putting
• Collect seashells
• Plant an herb garden
• Become a pen-pal
• Take a picture a day during summer and make a photo book at the end of summer break to keep your memories

For more ideas on how to make your bucket list pretty or more fun, check out some ideas I found on Pinterest!

Be watching for a big announcement regarding summer in just a few days! I cannot wait to share it with you! 

photo: MaxLeMans

However, just because it’s summer break doesn’t mean we’re going to be shutting down all means of learning. What are we going to do this summer to keep “in check”?

• Field Trips are planned: We have several field trips planned besides the normal trips to the Zoo {which we’ll be taking lots of those as well}. I’m excited to take our kids to visit the Tennessee Aquarium, Discovery Center Childrens Museum in Chattanooga, Dollywood {they have amazing educational exhibits and resources there!}, Gulf Shores, and more!
• Review Workbooks are ready: We’ve already begun reviewing concepts I’d love him to know a little more about already. We’ll continue these short workbooks throughout the summer – we’ve just completed  a TIME workbook and are about to head into a MONEY book.
• READ, READ, and more READING! Yes, we’ll be reading all long. I have a bookwork of a son and I love it! Lots of trips to the library to check out books as well as us reading to him are in the plan.
• Ideas off of Pinterest. Yes, I have lots of ideas pinned in Summer Fun, Fun Things For Kids, Kids Crafts, as well as my Homeschool boards on Pinterest. Check them out!

What do you have planned for your kids this summer? How will you continue the learning?

What homeschool curriculum did we use this year and last?  {will be ordering next years curriculum soon…cannot believe my guy will be in 1st grade!}