From Strawberries to Lemons!

Remember strawberries and this cute chick???

 Well, she's having a baby!  And we celebrated again!

Bebe hosted the happy occasion...

...and I made lemon cupcakes!

There is such JOY in the giving.

I'm sure this little girl will grow up to love Mr. Darcy.

How cute is that lamp...and that baby bump!

And there were some other little squishy munchkins there.

See....squishy!

Can't wait til Baby Baylis arrives!  
Thanks, Mary Beth!  Always a treat to "shower" you!

Lessons from the Soccer Field

So, last night I missed Caroline's soccer game.  (I had to teach my Bible Study.)  Just before I left, we had a little discussion about the pending game.

Me:  Are you excited about the game?

C:  Yes.  But I wish Coach Rob would let me play up.  I get so bored playing full back.  I should just take my book-bag out there and "cop a squat"  and do my homework.  (In her opinion, there is not much action at full back.)

Me:  Why don't you ask Coach Rob if you can play up. 

C:  I did.  He said he needs me in that spot for now.

Me:  Well, maybe you need to just pray and ask God to help you be happy in that spot.

C:  Yeah. (sigh.)

Me:  You know, God has put me in a "spot" that I am not so happy in right now.  But He is teaching me to be content here.  I know He has plans for me in this spot. 

I kissed her goodbye, wished her "luck", and was on my merry way.

When I got home from Bible Study, I was (for once) happy to find that she was still up and anxious to hear about her game. 

Me:  How'd it go?

C:  Well, at first I was not having a good attitude, but then I prayed and after half-time I was actually feeling joyful in my spot.  And guess what!

Me:  What? 

C:  I was having a hard time not using my hands when the ball comes so I just had to make myself keep them behind my back. 

Me:  Yeah.  Sometimes it is so stinkin' hard to keep your hands off the situation....but that's another lesson for another day!

Tonight was her team's first win! But the victory truly is the Lord's because, on the field of a soccer game, her faith in Him grew...

...and so did her momma's.

Dress Shopping

It was a day of fun for these chicks!  We went dress shopping with Gracie for Homecoming.  Look at these sweet duds we found at Ross!!!

 

Needless to say, there was lots of sweet laughter.

 

Dresses are quite short these days.

 

She could fit two of herself in there.

 

 Is this a dress or a nightgown???

Uhhhh...

 

Mary E and I discovered it is helpful to have friends along for persuasiveness!

 And then there was some shoe drama.

And then we took a little break for lunch.  Ahhhh..... Chipotle.

 After lunch, the Maxx had the number we needed.  Score!

And the little sisters had a tea party with Melody.

It was a day full of JOY!

September Saturday

 September Saturdays bring afternoons of "Girl Time" 'cause Daddy is usually hunting for something to eat...literally. 

 

Caroline taught me how to put a zipper in.  At one point I did not follow her directions and had to use the seam ripper.  She said, "I tried to tell ya."  And we had a good laugh.

She created her own little pillow from scraps and I thought it was rather cute. 

 

 

Rebecca made a little drawstring sack.  It was a mess of scraps and strings and what not in the breakfast room.  I love all the "sewingness" strewn about.

We laughed alot.  

And then they sang and laughed hysterically.  

(Confession:  It really got on my nerves.)

Rebecca made some kind of yummy Giada recipe for dinner... 

Chickpea/Couscous stuffed peppers.  Delish.  

Then we watched Pioneer Woman while we ate dinner and she made these incredible homemade granola bars, so we went to the store and bought the ingredients and came home and made them.  Yum-mo.

Almost done!

I'm STILL working on my hexagon quilt.  (Quilting is a process I love.)  

 

We bought ribbon today for Mitochondrial Awareness Week.

And we're shining our green light for Samuel.

It was a happy day.

Red Shoes

We insisted she buy these shoes for him.... 

knowing that he would find them just delightful.  And he did.  

They stayed nice and tidy, bright red, without scuffs or dirt.  

He was never able to run and play in them and wear them out 

like most boys at the age of seven.  

But he was content.

Your feet are beautiful, Samuel.  You brought good tidings and proclaimed peace and salvation.  And your rich and meaningful life was a reminder to us all that 

Our God Reigns!

My faith is richer and deeper because of you. 

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!"  Isaiah 52:7

This week...

 I made a little birthday bag for Rebecca's friend who turned 14 yesterday!

Fell in love with Deuteronomy....ahhhh the beauty of the wilderness.

 

Shed many tears as I followed this family's journey to get 

the littlest addition to their family. 

 

Finished my hexagons!

 

Tagged some clothes for consignment and made a little cash!

 

Found these happy soup cans.

And discovered that candy corn is now chocolate covered.  

My life will never be the same.