A Functional Fashion Show

My girls and I went to a Mother-Daughter Tea Party today. We were asked to be a part of a "Functional Fashion Show", so I sported this snazzy "tea-length" dress:

...perfect for a tea party.
I had tea bags for anyone who needed another
"spot of tea"!

Caroline sported this fabulous "Bell-Bottom" attire.... ... such a cutie as she "jingled" down the runway!

Rebecca made us all laughed as she came out in only her "Bloomers'"...
...but, you know, "Bloomers" are essential for any young lady!
(Unfortunately, I do not have a photo of her "Bloom-filled" backside!)

It was a joyful time of celebration with lots of friends and family.

I Do!

When I asked Mary Beth how she felt about sharing her wedding weekend with the Royal couple, she replied, "Well, that is why Will and Kate had to get married on Friday, 'cause Saturday was already taken!"

I can't believe this sweet chick is getting married in just two days! She was Rebecca's age when I met her.... a beautiful young lady- inside and out!

And this cute dude has got her singin' this song:

"...being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you (both) will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6

C**P!

One of my New Year's Resolutions/Prayers for 2011 is that I would work on having "self-control" when life gets a little bit "out of control."

Well, today I failed miserably at that.

Yesterday, my allergies flared up and I was feeling rather puny and longing for the couch. After driving everyone everywhere all afternoon, picking up this and that here there and yonder, feeding my family and cleaning up the kitchen, I finally collapsed on the couch at 8:00.....watched, YET ANOTHER, special on Will and Kate, and hit the bed at 9:30ish.

Today, after teaching the "crickets" all day long, I came home and decided to tackle the laundry....

....and this is what I found when I entered the laundry room:I LOST IT!

I started ranting and raving. My girls came from the back of the house.

Rebecca: "Mom, calm down. Mom, you are a little bit out of control. Mom, I can't believe you just said crap."

Caroline: "Did you just say, 'Crap'?"

Rebecca: "Yes. She just said, 'Crap'."

Caroline: "Wow. I don't think I've ever heard you say 'Crap' before, Mom."

Me: "Well, I could have chosen another word. Is this what happens.... y'all go camping and Momma gets to wash all the 'crap'?"

(Daddy and the girls went camping Friday night, Easter happened, and then the allergies attacked on Monday, so this was my first visit to the laundry room since they returned home.)

The girls quickly started helping me sort clothes. We left, shortly after, for swim team practice and I got a nice long walk at the Y and a nice long talk with my Father. Then this song came piping through my headphones. I was reminded that "in spite of it all, His love always stays the same."

I'm so thankful Easter happened.

Hallelujah!

He Lives!

I serve a Risen Savior,
He's in the world today;
I know that He is living,
Whatever men may say...

The Easter Bunny never comes to our house until after church. Over the past several, oh say, months(!), Caroline has longed for a pillow pet...to which I have always said,

"No, we do not need another stuffed animal in this house.... And don't tell your daddy you want one because you know he will buy it."

Well, look what granddaddy-bunny showed up with on Easter Sunday....

We have enjoyed a wonderful Easter weekend full of camp-outs with dad and BBQ with grandparents and the good news from the pulpit that Jesus Lives.

He is the reason for our abundant JOY!

He Lives! He Lives!
Christ Jesus Lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me
Along life's narrow way.
He Lives! He Lives!
Salvation to impart.

You ask me how I know he lives:
He lives within my heart.

Happy Easter Everyone!

Playing Dress-Up

It's a GOOD way to spend Good Friday..... keeping this little chick. I am having fun playing dress-up with my girls' old dresses. Caroline wore this one on her first Easter. That was back in the day when I smocked and made matching dresses for my girls to wear for practically all occasions. I was a little out of control, over the top, and ridiculous about their attire. I remember I used to get excited each morning when they woke, because it was a new opportunity to "dress them up" for the day. God sure knew what he was doing when He gave me girls.

Yesterday, I took Rebecca shopping for a new Easter dress. At almost twelve, she has thoughts and opinions now about what she would like to wear. I, also, have thoughts and opinions about what I would like for her to wear. "We both have to agree" is the understood rule. There was some...

"Mom, absolutely not." "Are you kidding me?" and "I don't think so."

...but in the end, it was a pretty successful trip. We found a dress that we BOTH were happy with and had a few laughs in the process. Those days of having complete control of the wardrobe are over...

...but I like these days too.

Confessions of a "Tween" Mom

1. Justin Bieber is all over my work-out music.

2. I cried at the Hannah Montana Movie.

3. I know every word to "Introducing Me" by the Jonas Brothers.

4. "Good Luck Charlie" makes me laugh out loud.

5. I've bought scarves and jewelry for my girls just so I can wear them.

6. YoGo's is my new favorite "hang-out".

7. This is how we start our day on the way to school in the morning.... loud and complete with dance moves.

8. I've probably seen Confessions of a Shopaholic, Letters to Juliet, and Princess Diaries at least 18 times and never tire of them.

9. I am perfectly content to spend two hours in Old Navy.

10. I still think Andy Lamb is the cutest boy in town and when he smiles at me...my heart melts.

Celebrating His Perfect Plans

Palm Sunday.... we enter this Holy Week triumphantly, knowing that His perfect plans cannot be thwarted. He will bring them to pass JUST as He intends. Once again, He reminds me of His "intimate acquaintance with all our ways" (Psalm 139:3) through the life of this little girl. His perfect orchestration of His plans brought her into the lives of our dear friends...and so, also, into mine. How appropriate that we celebrate her adoption on this, Palm Sunday. Because of His triumphal entry, His death, His resurrection....

"Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, he gave the right to become children of God." (John 1:12)

"I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord God Almighty." (Gal. 3:26)

"..to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights as sons." (Gal. 4:5)

"Because you are sons, God sent the spirit of His son into our hearts." (Eph. 1:5)

"In love He predestined us to be ADOPTED as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will- to the praise of His glorious grace which He has freely given us in the One He loves." (Ephesians 1:5-6)

...we get to celebrate these wonderful promises!

Happy Easter Week!

He cares about the details

Well, there is a first time for everything and today was a first time for shaving....Rebecca shaving, that is. (Fear not, I have been shaving for years.) We all piled into the bathtub for the grand experience....Caroline included. As you see, we do not have one of those fancy whirlpool tubs, so it was a bit of a tight squeeze. We had a few words of instruction before she began and then she lathered up and went at it. Not one nick....amazing kid. Here is how the conversation went:

Me: Make sure you rinse your razor off after every stroke or two. You have to be careful around your ankles and this bone that runs up the front of your leg.

Rebecca: Ok... well, I am about to shave up the bone and I am nervous.

Me: Don't be nervous. Just pray and ask God to help.

Rebecca: Mom, that is a little weird...asking God to help with shaving.

Me: God cares about shaving. He cares about every detail of our lives.

Caroline: Rebecca, you are suppose to rinse your razor off after every two strokes! (Caroline cares about the details too.)

Another monumental moment in the Lamb household.

P.S. Although this post was blogworthy, my daughter will have a duck if you mention it to her!! Mums the word. Thanks!

Peep Treats

We made these cute little treats to celebrate the arrival of the weekend! Lest you mistake me for Martha Stewart, I got this "sweet" idea here!

Birthday Blessings

This is my dear friend, Bebe... and today, on her birthday, she watched her oldest win the long jump in the Special Olympics. I wish I could've been there.

Happy Birthday Sweet Friend!

Craving

Yesterday, as I was driving home from dropping the girls at swim practice, I got this unbelievable craving for one of those Robin's Egg malt ball thingys they have at Eastertime. I swung the car in the CVS. They had the mini ones in the "milk carton" box, but I had to hunt for the big ones. While hunting I discovered that they now have mini-Cadbury Eggs in a little egg carton. I promptly picked one of those up and reasoned that I could eat just one of those and that would be sufficient. Then I saw the "Spectacular" M&M eggs.... you know the speckly ones that are ginormous! I promptly grabbed one of those too. And just before I set my eyes on the bag of big Robin's Egg malt ball thingys, I spotted these new little treasures called Peepsters (orange "peeps" cream covered in dark chocolate). I reasoned that they must be sort of good for you, because dark chocolate is all the new rage! When I arrived at the checkout counter I put down my four bags of Easter candy....paid the $12 for them (oh my!) and left...ripping open the bag of Robin's Egg malt ball thingys. I scarfed down 5 of them and then broke into the Peepsters (which actually were quite nasty, so I do not recommend). Before I gave my head a chance to understand that my stomach had had enough, I broke into the mini-Cadbury eggs. It was tough to get into the packaging while driving, but I was determined, and so I succeeded. It was gone before I really had a chance to taste it. As I came into the house with my loot, I went straight to the fridge and grabbed the milk. My feast was over. I sat down at the counter to read the mail and my stomach said, "Why did you do that?" It was muffled, but clear.

Moral of the story.... "Sometimes you just need to have "Chocolate Dinner".

Hand Picked Bridal Shower

It's always a fun time planning parties with my dear friend, Bebe, and this one was a favorite for sure! We decided on a strawberry theme for our "Stock the Pantry" shower for the beautiful Bride to Be, Mary Beth. We served brunch, including fresh bread and homemade strawberry jam. We called our local berry farm and got a sneak peak into the patch for an early season pick! Everyone enjoyed fresh strawberries too! The strawberry cupcakes with a "basket weave" buttercream icing were divine courtesy of Mrs. Rona Kirby. Our hostess gift was a strawberry pot planted with fresh herbs. All of our guests went home with their own little jar of strawberry jam. I don't know who had more fun, the bride or the hostesses! Feel free to take this idea and run with it for your next bridal shower!

Mascara

They stand at the bathroom sink and watch me.

"Mom, why do you hold your mouth like that when you put on that stuff?"

It helps.

"Have you ever stuck yourself in the eye?"

Yes.

"Can I try it?"

No.... and can I have just two minutes to myself so I can get ready.

As they leave the bathroom, I think about how they watch me....all the time. They watch everything I do...learning to be like me. Do I like what they see?

Strawberry Picking

We were invited to "strawberry pick" this week, before the season really gets underway. It was a treat and we were excited.

As we were leaving the house...

Rebecca: "Mom, you're not really gonna wear that hat, are you?"

Me: "Yes."

Rebecca: "Mom, you look hilarious."

Me: "But it's the perfect hat for picking strawberries."

Rebecca: Hesitantly, "O.K."
Caroline recently told me she was glad I wasn't a normal mom.

Peace

I just returned home last night from a wonderful weekend girls trip to Birmingham. It was 4 days full of shopping, crafting, eating, laughing, and fun with two of my dearest of girlfriends. My favorite "find" was this charming little "a" mug which, I just discovered, holds the perfect cup of tea.

I arrived home to 2 very happy girls who had also enjoyed a fabulous "Daddy Weekend" where they got to wear whatever they wanted, eat whatever they wanted, and go to bed whenever they wanted. When I am away, daddy does things like take them for milkshakes at 5:00 in the afternoon... before they have had dinner. I often say, "Daddy is the fun parent and mommy is the 'Hall Monitor'". Somebody has to be.

I walked in the door last night at 10:00pm...just before the storms arrived. I knew they were coming and I was anxious. Andy and I tucked everyone in and called it a day ourselves. I had just drifted off to dream when the first "thunder boomer" jolted me out of sleep. As Andy peacefully snored, I rose from the bed and came into the den. Why is it that I think that if I am up, a tree will not fall on our house.... as if my "awakeness" is going to stop it. I looked out the big windows and watched the trees sway with the force of the wind. I curled up in Andy big leather chair and prayed for His peace and protection.

Nothing like a ferocious storm to remind us Who is in control. I've always had a hard time with storms. When I was little and the "thunder boomers" came, my momma would say, "Don't worry, Alisa. You can't control the storms, but you can trust the One who does." God, once again, reminded me that He was watching out for me and my family.... even if a tree fell on our house. I finally went back to bed and slept peacefully all night...

...and woke to the glorious sunshine. (Psalm 30:5)