Spaghetti Faces

I think every mom takes pictures of her child's classic "spaghetti face!"

Wordless Wednesday

This is a picture of my mom -- the girls' Maw -- circa. 1950 pushing her baby stroller!

Two Peas in a Pod

Right before their afternoon nap, the girls wind down by watching a show on TV. Lydia doesn't quite watch the show yet, but on this day she curled up in Lana's lap. Lana has her comfort item (most of you have seen "Blackie") which she only gets for her naptime. Lydia doesn't have a chosen comfort item yet, but I don't think it's going to be a blush brush like big sister's!

To me, this picture is......love.........comfort..........security.......sisters..........perfection

Women of Faith: A Grand New Day

Yesterday I went to the Women of Faith event at the AAC. It was an incredible way to spend the day -- listening to 6 different speakers speak from their hearts of their personal experiences and love of Christ and hearing the Word through the music of the praise team and contemporary Christian singer, Mandisa.

On the left, Sheila Walsh -- Lana has a book written by her, God's Little Princess. It was so neat to be able to hear her speak after we've been reading her devotional book. On the right, Mandisa -- she has an amazing, amazing voice! She was in the finals for one of the seasons of American Idol. She was incredible and also spoke of her personal struggles and her relationship with God.

Lisa Welchel, Blair from the Facts of Life. She is just a normal, down to earth, mom who spoke of her struggles and inspiration through Him.

The praise singers sang in awesome harmony and rocked the house!

I loved every minute of this event and look forward to going back next year and attending both Friday and Saturday. It was so engaging between the music and the speakers that when Tim and the girls picked me up after it was over, I realized I was exhausted! I was not merely a spectator in the crowd of 16,000, but an active participant in the praise of the Lord through voice and mind!

Nothing but a Shout-Out

I have nothing to post tonight, but a shout-out to Heather Dooley who wants to be able to see more frequent blog entries from me!! Sorry girl, sometimes it's slow around here! But, I'm so glad you love to keep up with our little life! :)

Do You See It Too?

Lydia is most definitely in the stage that her favorite thing to do is bring you book after book after book to read. If Tim or I are sitting on the floor, she'll bring us a book, turn around backwards and sit right down in our lap just like a chair. After reading a book of nursery rhymes over and over, each time she'd pop up and go get this one particular framed picture of Lana when she was around 3 months old. I thought, "ok, why are you getting this picture every time???" I finally figured it out today. It is this page-- she is associating Lana's picture with the illustration. What do you think? Do you see it too?

I do!

Kara's Visit

It was a fun-filled weekend because in addition to the two birthday parties, Aunt Kara was here for a visit too! She went with us to both parties and church yesterday. And today, she surprised the girls with the most beautiful, unique dresses. In case you did not know, Kara took the most amazing vacation with her family this summer - she toured Italy, Greece, Turkey and Egypt by way of a Mediterranean cruise. She gave the girls their dress from Mykonos, Greece this morning.

They are so blessed to have such a wonderful Auntie!

Our visits together are not complete without a special meal together, just us. We went to brunch this morning and enjoyed way, way too much food and great conversation. Already looking forward to the next visit! I love you girlie!

Tommy's Birthday Party

Yesterday we went to Tommy's birthday party! He had a firefighter theme complete with a fire truck bounce house! We all gave it a try and had a blast!

Happy 4th Birthday Tommy! We love you and had so much fun at your party! You are the best honorary 4 year old fireman!!

Abby's Birthday Party

Yesterday, we also went to Abby's 3rd birthday party! It was at ASI, which was the perfect spot for all the kids to run, jump, swing, tumble and climb while celebrating with her!

Lydia wanted to do what the big kids were doing! She kept me on my toes!

Happy Birthday Abby! We were so glad we could celebrate with you and see you have so much fun with your friends! We love you!

Indoor Play

We enjoyed the indoor playground at our church this morning with the McKinney's!

My First Teaching Team

Today Chris and Sandy came over for our yearly summer lunch. My first teaching job out of college was with these two fine ladies on the 2nd grade team at LHE. Looking back, I know I was young, inexperienced and clueless! Chris officially took me under her wing and served as my mentor (and also a bridesmaid in my wedding!) with Sandy as a brilliant teaching example also. It has been 11 years since I had my first classroom. I am thankful that they believed in me and helped me become a better teacher. I am grateful we still keep in touch and get together in the summer to catch up!

(The girls had a great time with them too! They don't look too happy on this picture because they didn't want to stop and pose while they were playing outside. When will I learn?!)

Two-word Tuesday: Monochrome Setting

Beginning in 1987

1987, Two seventh graders became friends. Their names were Erica and Tara.

They were the closest of friends. They did not go to the same junior high, but met through church and saw each other every Sunday morning singing in the choir, The Joyful Noise, and then every Sunday evening for choir practice, dinner and Jr. High fellowship. Summers were memorable -- going to Wet n' Wild during the day, having sleepovers at night. High school followed with busier schedules and less time spent together. College came next, different choices and different paths, their distance grew. There was no real reason why they lost touch. Just new friends, time and distance.

2009, A reunion of sorts. Lunch today for Erica and Tara. Talked for 2 hours and could have all afternoon. There was so much to catch up on. They will be meeting again for lunch to continue catching up on 10 or more years worth of events.

(Not sure when this picture was taken -- 1990 or 1991, 10th grade? Could that have really been almost 20 years ago? Erica, let me know if you remember. Anyway, it was at the Olive Garden for lunch after church one Sunday. I posed with a flower in my mouth and looked so serious. I just love adolescence weirdness!)

Yesterday and today..........

August Prayer

Praying Hands

Lydia has learned how to do praying hands when we bless our meal when we say to her, "do your praying hands." But today, while I was writing our daily scripture on the white board in the kitchen, she surprised me! I had just written,

The Lord knows what I need before I ask. Matthew 6:8,

and then I read it out loud to Lana and said Amen. As soon as Lydia heard "Amen" she dropped the book she was holding and did praying hands on her own! It was so sweet that she knows the word Amen and praying go together and that she is already absorbing the word of God!

Maw and Paw Paw

My parents came to spend the afternoon and go to church with us this evening.

Lana and Maw enjoyed two lengthy rounds of Chutes and Ladders!

Ready to take the girls to their classes at church.

In truth a family is what you make it. It is made strong, not by number of heads counted at the dinner table, but by the rituals you help family members create, by the memories you share, by the commitment of time, caring, and love you show to one another, and by the hopes for the future you have as individuals and as a unit.

~Marge Kennedy