Joy-Making Days: July 2012

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Singing Dancing Lambs

We've been singing and dancing through summer and I can't believe that there is just one more real week left for me. (Why does it have to end?)

I am looking forward to a new little crew of third graders, but for now, I'm just gonna soak up these last few lazy summer days with family.

Makes me want to break out into song...

Thursday, July 19, 2012

One boy, One girl

Having a party is one of my favorite things to do.

These two are greeting their new little bundles in just a few weeks...

...so we decided to celebrate!

One is having a girly-girl and one is having a boy.

They are my sewing buddies, so I made them each a keepsake quilt. So fun!

Out of the 15 present... 10 are expecting! (One had already scooted out!)

And this little munchkin just recently arrived!

As Andy Lamb says...."Life is lived between parties."

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Mid Week Gratitude

#1320 The joy of prepping for a party!

#1321 Date night with my hubby.... to the Uptown Lounge. (Who knew?)

#1322 This morning's reminder that I can't DO anything to make Him happy with me....He just IS.

#1323 Hopping off with the girls on Saturday to the "once a month" fabric sale in Williamston...and the old man with the popsicles....and our hysterical laughter over the country preacher on the radio.

#1324 How Caroline recognized that He was teaching false doctrine.....wow.

#1325 Megan's wedding and catching up with Freda and missing seeing her everyday and missing laughing with her.

#1326 The things my girls teach me about life.

#1327 Homegrown tomatoes from the Wickisers chopped with a really ripe avacado for lunch. Delish.

#1327 Sharing this ahhhh-mazing lunch with Caroline.... and how we both really wanted it all to ourselves because it really wasn't enough for two and WE BOTH LOVED IT!!!

#1328 How Caroline is always so gracious and puts others before herself and wouldn't dare have eaten it all herself even when I insisted!

#1329 The chevron wrapping paper Rebecca and I found at Target for a little gift I need to wrap and how Rebecca recognized how cute the paper would be for Christmas and how we couldn't get back to Target fast enough to buy the rest that they had!

#1330 Spending an unexpected afternoon with Mary Elisabeth and Micah because of their car mishap and how much fun it was and how it reminded me that God's plans for each day are always better than my own.

#1331 Having a little reunion:)

#1332 Making quilted cupcake toppers on pink lemonade cupcakes with Caroline.... letting her "do it" even though it's hard:)

#1333 Mrs. Roh.... and how God answers our prayers in the sweetest of ways sometimes, and grows our faith.

Friday, July 13, 2012

Cow Day

So, this year the big girls decided to be Hippie Cows. They crack me up! Cow Day is such a fun tradition in our house. The first year we participated (many years back) the girl wore "udders" made of blown up latex gloves.

They won't have any part of that anymore.

We saw lots of "cow" friends...

And enjoyed a free meal!

They gave out free cookies too. Have you had one??? (My life is now complete.)

Thank you, Chick Fil A, for making life GRAND!

This "Joy-Making Day" was "UDDER"-LY amazing!

Thursday, July 12, 2012

The Relatives Came

The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant

So, this is one of my favorite books! I love how there is "lots and lots of hugging" and how they "sleep here, there, and everywhere" and how they have to leave in the wee hours of the morning to drive back to Virginia where their crops have ripened and are ready for the picking. The illustrations are just phenomenal... especially where everyone sleeps!

Well, our relatives came this past week and it was just delightful! Our house is ~~small~~ quaint and cozy and we do not have many places for extras to sleep, but we all squeezed in this humble abode and had a jolly good time.

Uncle Tim is our resident "know everything about technology" family member, so it was a treat to get his help with Andy's business website. Tim managed to talk him into joining Facebook. (Let the trumpets sound!)

I also got a little help with my blog...yippee!

Although there was swimming, and shopping, and eating, and trips for ice cream, we spent most of the time just hanging out.... with family.

And this little munchkin finally got a long overdue birthday present!

And then, of course, there was some sprinkler fun!

In a couple of weeks we will be heading their way for this annual event...

...and another dose of "cousin love."

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Slow

I have "known" Him all my life. Somewhere around 13, He woke me up to that little part of scripture that says, "All have sinned and fallen short..." and it was the "All" part that had an impact then. That included me.

It was not until college that I realized "Savior" was combined with "Lord" and I began learning how to take my hands off the steering wheel and let Him drive. Although, in reality, He was already driving. I just "clued in" so to speak.

Now that I'm a grown-up, I feel more like a child than ever. What a privilege it is to call Him my Father. I am still learning how to rest in His strong arms and let Him take care of me. I'm glad His care is not dependent on whether I "let Him" or not.