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!