It turned into a birthday weekend...

Dad, Kaden and Me

My birth'day' turned into a birth'weekend'. I was born on my dad's birthday (the 24th) and Kaden was born in February, too. Kaden, my nephew, is one of the delights of my mushy heart. It was necessary to have a seperate birthday party this year with him because of blended family issues. As a matter of fact, it was a feat to have both my mom and my dad at my birthday party because of divorce drama. It's not my fault! It's not Kaden's fault! And yet we are affected. I could rant, but it won't help. Been there, done that and bought the whole outfit.

So here I am on the birth'week' and now I can exhale. I exhale because no one said anything too terribly hurtful and everyone got along. I exhale because Kaden knows how much he is loved...due in part from the screams of support launched during the b-ball game, the birthday gifts to die for, the quality time in the swimming pool at the hotel, snuggles in wee hours of the morning and the effort to go to church as a family. We're blessed!

I cannot believe it!!! They got ME!

Well, this is one for the record books!!! My husband threw a surprise birthday supper for me and I was absolutely clueless. I had gone to Seymour for paint and upon arriving home Kent energetically agreed to go start painting with me. (that should have been my first tip-off) I said, "We better make a sandwich to take with us for later so that we don't have to stop working to eat." He tried to talk me out of it, (that should have been my second tip-off) but then gave in for added suspense, I guess.

On the way, we made a detour and as we drove up to the Memorial Building there was a crowd. (third) I saw Jason Blake and thought...hmmmm...what's the fire department having tonight??? I didn't know they had building rented. Kent said, "He needed to stop for a sec." He urged me to come on in....I wasn't dressed to come on in! I was ready to paint in my grubbies with sandwiches in tow.

Low in behold, it was all for me!!! Shocked & Awed, to say the least. He planned the whole thing and my frienz, Caroline & Randy, aided and abedded. I had 'Hannah Montana' napkins, 'Cars' plates, beads, a pinata and fru-fru flowers on my cake. I felt like a princess. (sometimes it's hard to be on the receiving end of so much love, why is that?) Little Victor asked me what was my favorite birthday ever...and I had to say...THIS ONE!

There's no place like home~

My fellow Wizard of Oz fan, there are three of us in Knox County ya know, gave me a book, "God Has A Dream For Your Life" by Sheila Walsh. Thanks James for the book, I'm halfway and loving every word.

There are times in my everyday life that I wear shame like a coat just as I wear these extra pounds that stare back at me from the mirror. My point, shame is very real for me. I want to share some statements that need to 'soak into' my brain and heart so that I have the courage to "still dream in color".

page 83..."When God looks at us, he says that we are beautifully, fearfully and wonderfully made. And no matter how things seem, God is in control, and we are his daughters. I think it is time to start living like it!"

Where is our happily ever after that little girls are led to believe actually exists? I know the answer is in Jesus, my Prince Charming. He even has the white horse, Rev. 19:11. And yet even as God's daughter, I still feel flawed and fickle so the next quote I wanna soak in is this:

page 77..."As God's daughter, our Prince is not flawed or fickle. He has loved you from before you were born. He paid the ultimate price to buy you back and let his life blood seal the deal. There is nothing yesterday, today or tomorrow that you can do to change his mind. God's love for you is not based on your behavior; it is based on his heart."

"Dream a bigger dream!" (page 80)

McKenna's broken leg...

Happy Day After V-day You All

V-day just happens to be my anniversary! And my hubby out did himself this year. A trip to Albany where we stayed at the Nail House B&B which had a heart shaped jacussi tub. We had dinner at the famous Bee Hive. And a vase with eleven red roses, representing the eleventh year of marriage, was on the nightstand. This morning we headed back home after a gourmet breakfast to die for. Thanks honey bunny, sweet muffin pie!

A bunch more reasons I want Goree Glorious!

Clutter War~

Well, war was declared on the childrens ministry's office! Big difference! Today's lesson @ FWFriends was also about making a difference (salt/light). If Miss Christy said it once during Surprise Station she said it a bunch..."Kids you make a difference in everything you do and say. It's either a good difference or a bad difference! Which is it?"

Stuff that made us stop...

Yesterday, we lolly gagged through the country on the way home from an ice convention in Houston. The slide has pics taken on our trip. We noticed a theme from the trip...things that made us stop. Life lesson~be patient or life will drive you there.