Bling It On!

This weekend I went to a ladies conference in another town several hours away. I went for two reasons: 1) as a get away 2) to be a support to my BFF who was a speaker for one of the sessions. (Hers was Romancing Your Husband...more on that later!) The theme was "Bling It On" - very girly. Everything was decorated so darling(thanks to my BFF's great ideas!) It was from 10-2. We went early and before I knew it -it was 2:00. I couldn't believe what a wonderfully, refreshing time it was-not to mention being with my BFF. Each person who spoke, whether to introduce someone or something or the keynote speaker, had spiritually and emotionally uplifting things to share. BFF, I had a great time. Thanks for the invite. These are some of the pics she took and I "borrowed" from her blog.

Everyone had a different colored napkin with their own "bling" on it. Cute.

This was a cupcake tower that held the desserts. Of course, the chocloate ones went first! However, I did sit by someone who didn't care for chocolate! I thought she was sick...but she meant it.

My husband calls this "chick food" because there is no meat or potatoes. I loved all the salads. Here's my confession...I went back for seconds!

And of course, our self-portrait. I'm always on her right because she has mastered the art of the self-portrait!

Now about her. She was awesome! Let me say that she ADORES her hubby and it shows. He knows it, their daughter knows it and anyone with ears or eyes knows it! She did a session on Romancing your husband. I didn't quite know what to expect and she shocked me. Knocked my socks off , really. I knew she had it in her, but it's been so long since I've witnessed it first hand!!! She was poised and eloquent. She was serious and funny. She talked about difficult things as well as fun things. She was human and spiritual. Above all, she WAS, before us, a godly example of someone who romances her husband. Let me just say that since I got home well,.....my husband is glad I went!!! I overheard many women commenting that their husbands wouldn't know what hit them when they got home. One woman said she thought her husband would think she'd been inhabited by aliens!! But she couldn't wait to get home!!! Thanks BFF for all the laughs and great reminders. Anyone wanting more details can comment and I'll email you some ideas.

A stolen quote from my missionary Sister-in-love

This was on her blog and I loved it...for many reasons. Please take the time to read it and be blessed by it.

"Sometimes the Lord just brings things down to my level so I can understand Him.
I have heard a song like that before, it goes:
"He came down to my level, when I couldn't get up to His-
With a strong arm, He lifted me up, to show me what livin' is."
With that stream of consciousness behind us - I want to talk about my husband. You might guess that we are still very much in love, even after being married 16 years. I followed him all the way to Africa, didn't I? Sometimes we even kiss and hug around our children, to their dismay. One of them will turn their head and say to the other, "Okay, let me know when it is over!" (Did you know that it is not acceptable for us to show affection here while out in public? We can't even hold hands.)

The other day I was talking mushy to him saying things like how he leaves a great smell in the bathroom after he showers – and sometimes I wonder that if he were to die suddenly – would I run in there and try to keep that smell somehow - maybe bottle it up! And what would I do with his dirty clothes? Probably never wash them and keep them in the hamper forever like nothing happened. So then I asked him what would he do if I died… maybe put my hair from my hairbrush in a baggie for preservation? He is not as big of a freak as I am and said no, but he consented that my pillow always smells like me and maybe he would donate my hair to Locks of Love out of admiration of my hair. I told him he could cremate me and give me out at my funeral in little sweetly wrapped packages with a ribbon bow that resemble how rice used to be given out to throw at weddings. You know, people could snort me up their nose or add me to their tea and I would always be a part of them forever! (Relax, by then I was just being funny!)

Why am I saying all this to you? As I was in the shower this morning, I started thinking about how the Lord loves us… so much that He actually counts the hairs on our heads! He has that sappy kind of love for his people that I have for my husband! God created us. Our worship to him is like that sweet fragrance- and I think He is sad when it fades away. Let other people say, "Let me know when it is over," because with Him it is never over! It is not 'til death do us part. The good book says, "I am my beloved and He is mine – his banner over me is love."

Maybe today you need to sense His love – well there you go. "

A long time coming...

I was scanning my archived blogs and realized I promised many pictures that never came.

Well, here's one. Notice the Princess with her daddy. Can you see her silly face? Like I said...born a drama queen. This was also pre-haircut. We had a great time in Upwards Soccer.

1st day of school for the Princess and Sesil

The Princess had a little giraffe, little giraffe, little giraffe... (sung to the tune of Mary had a Little Lamb) She was sad when we dropped brother off at school. She'd been his sidekick for the past few weeks and didn't want it to stop. She tackled her teacher! They already knew each other and were both excited about the year.
That's more like it. It's going to be a great year!

Great pics.

My dear friend kept the Princess while the Prince and I had our first day of school. The Princess had a great time. She get's totally pampered!
The Prince came home from school with a truckload of paperwork for us to fill out. While we were reading and signing permission slips the Prince who has NEVER been a nap taker...crashed on my bed. I was asking him a question and he never answered. Precious. The Princess covered him with her blanket. Even more precious.

1st day of school breakfast

"My mother is making me take this picture, but at least it isn't with my teacher!" 1st day of 7th grade. 2007
The Prince had his first day two days before the Princess because she still goes to private school. We started a tradition in our house. Being that mom is a teacher and realizes the importance of a good breakfast, but so as not to make her cook on her first day of school, when the Prince started PreSchool we would go out for breakfast as a family. We've been to McDonald's, Denny's, IHOP, Cracker Barrel, or wherever the Prince wanted to go until the Princess came along! This year we tried a new, local place and couldn't believe our good fortune! It's great food and lots of it at a great price. Anyway, I always take pictures with their teachers for their scrapbook (which I'm infinitely behind in) but decided it wouldn't be cool this year. My son thanked me profusely, but I had to get him with this note! He loved it. Usually, I'm in one of the pics because it's my first day, too. This year my camera died right after this picture!

Glorious Grace

My friend is a treasure. I've known her many years. When I met her she was a "teeny bopper" bouncy around with so much energy, she made me tired and I was still considering myself to be young. She babysat (kid sat as the prince would say) for me many times. Since that time I've been so blessed to watch God grow her into an amazing woman after his heart. She is counting down to her wedding and I find myself a little apprehensive. You see, while she is blissfully happy, I realize I don't know the young man to whom she pledges her love and life. Which transports me back in time and I feel my own mother's heart breaking when I joyfully announced I was getting married to someone she barely knew as well. So...What do I tell myself? I tell myself that I trust her prayer life. She would not make this decision without having marinated it in prayer. There is much going on in their lives right now (Glorious Grace)www,gloriousgrace.blogspot.com, but I know my God. He's good. He's faithful. He loves her more than I do. He'll see her through.

GG, when you read this, know I love you and I'm so proud of you!

Something I saw, liked, and stole.

Whose cat is this?

My MIL sent this to me and I laughed out loud! This looks like Pandamom's cat, Miao!...but it's not. It is hilarious to me. Thought you could use a laugh, too.

Remembrances

Teaching at a private christian school affords me many blessings I've never had before. I've never been allowed to speak about my faith in the classsroom. I'm made no apologies over the fact that I'm a christian, and my students have never reacted adversely...maybe because they know I truly love them. But the joy of teaching in a christian environment is unmatchable (is that a word?) These kids just pour out their hearts to God in prayer believing He is going to answer. They can't wait to share a praise...when God has answered their prayers! Learning history from the true and accurate standpoint of the Bible totally helps them understand about their God. They are taking the beliefs that their parents have carefully instilled in them and analyzing them with a critical mind then making them their own. It's a beautiful thing.

Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift...and blessings that come in turn.

Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Praise Him all creatures here below.

Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts.

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Just feeling overwhelmingly blessed today. I'm grateful for new mercies every morning and the joy that comes with that.

Diva. Giraffe Diva?

When my husband flew home from China this summer he was upgraded to "Business" class. Yes, he was impressed. Recliners. Extra room. Personal DVD players, etc. and this little bag of toiletries and stuff. Well, part of the "stuff" was this dark blue mask. When the princess discovered it...she wanted one. I told her it was Daddy's and he might share it, but I wasn't going to buy her one unless I knew she would use it to help her sleep and not use it to help keep her awake! She's the queen staller at bedtime!!! Anyway, she proved it to me alright and I bought her one with kittens and sequins (of course!) on it. Guess who uses it? Sesil (now short for Sesilia~since he's been changed to a he...no comments on that please!). The giraffe. Poor daddy. He got snookered. But now the princess and her lady-in-waiting can both sleep! By the way, this giraffe is totally LOVED. You should get a close gander at her. She's been toted to school and back and on every trip we've been on...in her own seatbelt, I might ad. Fun memories of a loving little girl.

Bye Bye Locks!

Don't you love that "just came down from a ponytail" look?
(My son, the photographer) I used to have very long hair when I was a younger lass! But as time and life moved on and children came along...I felt a strong need to simplify my life. So, I cut it...a little at a time at first and then some more drastic measures later. I've had many styles, some I liked some I didn't. Well, I'm not a spring chicken anymore and I thought I'd grow it out one more time (mostly for my hubby) before I'm too old for it. Anyway, I couldn't take it (and hubby, smart man that he is, said he loved me any way I wear my hair...yeah, I'm keeping him!). With school starting and life gearing back up, I decided an easy "do" was in order. I can't post the most recent pic of having it permed...well, I can, but it's sideways. :) So you'll have to wonder. It is much easier, maybe not the best cut, but it's hair...it'll grow. God knows how many are on my head no matter how often I change my style!!!

Let's see...what to share now?

Pics from earlier in the summer. D and his buddies (one from up the street and two from Arlington) decided to have an air soft gun battle. I insist on goggles of some sort or no game. Since we live in a wooded area the need for long pants and long sleeve shirts if great. Poison oak. Yikes. However, when these boys came to visit, they didn't bring "winter" clothes...so we improvised. They were HILARIOUS trying to cover up any part of skin with clothes that didn't fit them by a couple of sizes. Mind you, this is JULY!! and HOT! Check out the one second from the left...so much skin is covered he's breathing through a straw. Boys! I wouldn't let the princess play (mean mommy!) with the big boys on this one so she decided to become the "cool rag" girl. When they came in for more ammo she would dip a cloth in cold water and let them wipe their faces. So sweet of her to think it up! They had a grand time and played like this two days in a row before the out-of-towners had to go home. They were a bit sad, but made some good memories.

Worn out from rock climbing with Bepaw and Daddy

The Queen's Chair

Just an archived picture to share.

The Prince and Princess get along VERY well, when they're getting along. I walked through the newly rearranged room (hence no pictures on the wall) with an arm load of laundry and quickly dropped it all for my camera. This is the way I find them (quite often) playing together. (They love to play on a cushy mattress.) The Prince on the bottom getting ready to dethrone her. She doesn't suspect it, yet. Now, it's part of the game!! Check out how long her hair is as opposed to recent pics!

Forever friend

This is for my friend, Pandamom. We don't see each other very much these days living 4+ hours apart (don't you miss that 30 min. drive?) but we want to. So....every time we do see each other we take a self-portrait. Some good. Some not so good. These are a few. I happened across them the other day and since I am missing my buddy, thought I'd let her know in a visual way. I'm still aware that you and PP are the direct and sweet answer to a prayer prayed from a lonely MM's wife's heart. We got a double blessing that day 10 years ago that continues on over time and distance. Blessings on you today, my friend. LUVYAMEANIT!

Check her out at www.pandapalooza.blogspot.com and see her new do!

Where's Waldo?

New pics from my missionary family in Africa. Can you find them?
WZK has a gift! He can find them, name them, and basically tame them!
Gotta love BOYS!!!!
My brother with Mount Kilimanjaro in the background. He posts some of the most beautiful pictures and I know that the pictures NEVER do it justice!

The fam on a safari vacation. Please remember them in your prayers. Prayers for health, safety, and to learn the language! They're a good looking crew! Love you guys! Wish I was there!