Shining bright 2019

Prior to our fabulous trip to the Bahamas, we were busy prepping for A Night To Shine; a prom for individuals ages 14 and up sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation. 
I can't say enough good things about this organization; showing God's love for individuals with special needs.
You might recall I was involved in this last year, and there was no way I wasn't going to be involved this year. We actually started our committee meetings way back in June!

I was again the fundraising chair, but I help wherever we need it....and we always need it. It's such a huge production to put on...kind of like planning a wedding. Except this affair happens in a beautiful church/event center and not at the Elks Lodge. :( But hey, it's the marriage that counts, not the venue!)

We host 170 VIP guests. And each of those guests is paired up with a 'buddy' for the night. Kind of like a date, but it's not a date. :) Meanwhile, the parents/caregivers are treated to a night away in a separate event room from their child/person and have a nice dinner, entertainment/dancing/prizes too.

My girl Kelly drove over to assist this year....she loved every minute of it as well. I was in charge of the limo loading this year and I had several of my peeps there helping. It was awesome. We were able to visit with most of the guests prior to the prom and they were so darn excited!!

 All the dresses/suits/accessories are donated, as well as a hair/make up team. Our guests are treated to a limo ride, dinner, dancing...they're treated like the kings and queens that they are.

 We have a red carpet set up when they arrive at the prom along with a JROTC team who stand proudly as they enter....then, the paparazzi are there cheering and taking photos as they enter. It's a big deal!

 The dancing is my favorite part...they're all so happy. Even the peeps in wheelchairs get in on the festivities. No one is left out.

 This young man arrived and said that he'd always wanted to dance with a princess in a white dress. Well, we just so happened to have a buddy there who came in a white dress; he was in heaven! Yes, there were happy tears all around from the volunteers as we knew this was his wish for the night.

It was such a wonderful night. With all the darkness and despair that we see on a daily basis, this renews my faith in the world.

XOXO

Bermuda, Bahama, C'mon petty mama

Or, the one where we had a beautiful week in the Abacos islands, Elbow Cay, Hope Town
We were so excited to spend another fun filled week with our friends and Songwriters in Paradise.
This has become such a fun group for us....kind, generous, talented, humble and loads of fun people. That's our kind of people.

I invested in a wine suitcase for this (and upcoming trips) Lindsay thought I was crazy, but she also helped me 'pack'. That's a good girl right there. I'm a bit of a snob with my wine and in the Bahamas, you can't always get just what you want wine-wise.

I wasn't the only one who packed their own wine.
We hang out with a bunch of wine snobs. Or you could say wine-o's!

And before anyone calls Betty Ford, we still had wine leftover at the end of the week. *Phewww*

 The coach had cups custom made for our whole group.

This island is so beautiful. It's really small and most people get around via golf cart or on foot. We had a house with 13 people in it and a few other friends were staying in other places on the island.

The water is JUST GORGEOUS!!

 We enjoyed great music each night as the songwriters played in a different venue around the island.
Wyatt Durrette is one of our favorites...but then again, we really love them all.

 We enjoyed lots of time around the pool, walking the beach (and picking up trash) great meals in the house and at the restaraunts. The people on this Island are SO DARN NICE!

Mike Mills of R.E.M just so happened to be visiting on his boat and joined in for a few songs alongside Mark Bryan of Hootie and the Blowfish, with Ira Dean of Trick Pony fame. They're all so different musically, but we enjoyed everyone of them through the week. 

 This time we even visited and climbed the Hope Town Lighthouse. The lighthouse is one of the last manual lighthouses in the world.  The lamp burns pressurized Kerosene oil with a wick and mantle. 

Such a beautiful week with fabulous friends; we're so fortunate to be able to travel and spend time with good people.

XOXO