Church Basketball

 Where friendships are enjoyed...

 Cute socks are worn...

 And parents turn into screaming fools and raving lunatics.

It's so much fun!

The "Gifts" of a Winter Holiday

For a  Winter Weekend Getaway.

For the generous gift of friends to enjoy their beautiful mountain home.

And for the delight that a fresh box of crayons and a plain piece of paper brings.

For crispy, cold hiking on a mountain that goes straight up... all the huffing and puffing and the "worth it" feeling at the top!

For the time for laughter and giggles and silliness.

And for the JOY that little ones bring to the memory making!

For the scrumptious "eat-in" meals... and the way they love to serve.

For the late night "swim" in the freezing temps.

And the relaxing...

...oh the relaxing!

And for the treat of a Wii... when you don't have one at home!

And for the S.N.O.W....

...the piles and piles of snow that fell!  So fun!

(Hot tubbin' in the snow..oh yeah!)

And for time to sew while it falls!

For discoveries on a mountaintop...

... and time to ponder.

For traditions, and waiting, and  a table for eleven!

And for birthdays and teenagers.

 And for the gift of making memories with friends.

(Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Thames!!!)

LOVE

My momma always said Valentine's Day is a "Hallmark" day.  (A money maker.)  

And that true love is daily.

 

I, myself, am not a fan of $5 cards that someone else wrote.  I cherish my hubby's handwritten thoughts on notebook paper a great deal more. 

 But for the creative soul, this designated "Day of Love" is tremendously fun! 

I am so grateful for a Valentine "I Dig", 

and his soul is sweeter to me with every passing day.  

(I am looking forward to my annual Valentine treat... a clean shaven face!)

 

In this week of happy love and good wishes...

...my tiniest Valentine spent three days on a field trip to the Barrier Islands.

 

 Last night she returned, and I have never been so happy to have her in my arms again.

My oldest Valentine and I had some fun afternoon excursions while lil' sis was gone...

 

...which included a daily trip to Starbucks for their BOGO deals this week!  Fun!

 

I had my annual Valentine Tea Party in third grade.... lovin' on some grandparents and special friends.  (It's one of my favorite holiday traditions.)

 

And today we were invited to celebrate with friends...

 where we played some "Minute to Win it" Valentine games...

 ...and enjoyed the gift of friendship!

 It was a glorious, fun-filled time!

A JOY-MAKING day, indeed.

 

"And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."  Ephesians 3:18-19

 

Insta-JAM

 

 

My Concert Buddy!

 Floor seats!  Great friends!  Very Loud Music!  Tons of Energy!

Winter JAM did not disappoint!  It was an evening filled with memories... 

my girls' FIRST concert! 

(Thanks, Sweet Sarah, for "orchestrating" such a happy time!)

On This Cold and Rainy February Day...

 ...I bought my sweetheart a treat.

And I bought myself one too!

 And I tied up some Valentines.

And I got the news of a baby who went home with a mommy who did not grow him in her tummy...

 

 ...but in her heart.  A baby whose name means gratitude... praise and thanks.  

And I cried.

God is really so good.