"Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10a

As I recently noted on a girlfriend's blog site...I ALWAYS have a "list". Lists help me stay organized! I am sure that for most of us (Moms or women in particular) that like to keep our ships running smoothly....there is always an "agenda"! A house to be cleaned, a new recipe to try, a project to be done(helping with a book report or even ABC's, sorting SOMETHING, reorganizing SOMETHING...ha!), cartrips(to the dentist, the doctor, the grocery, music lessons, and/or the library),oh! and WHAT about the new exercise program????????(We want to stay healthy and fit, right?)I recently browsed through a book that I want to purchase...."Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World" by Joanna Weaver. I feel the need to just "be still" and focus on God! Can anyone relate?(Please don't take this wrong! I LOVE my role in life...it is a privilege and a blessing! I just want God to be the center of my life and to keep a healthy balance in the midst of my daily responsibilities!)

I'm dreaming...

The smell of beautiful spring flowers, the sounds of birds chattering to one another, the taste of homebaked cookies and tall glasses of fresh-brewed iced tea(shared with a friend)... while sitting on the front porch , watching my kids playing on the playground or riding their bikes(no one sick, of course), feeling the warm breeze while taking a walk in the park(with my sweetheart)...Oh! Guess it's still beautiful "winter" in snowy Indiana! Must have been dreaming! (smile) Is anyone else ready for Spring?????????

"For I have learned to be content, whatever the circumstances". (Phil. 4:11, NIV)

February...The month of love!

I always think of February as the month of "love"! Romantic love shines around this time. Heart-shaped boxes of candy, flowers, fancy restaurant dates, the colors of pink and red...all the above accentuate Valentine's Day. (I love sharing "romance" with my wonderful husband!) My three children enjoy this month from a childlike view...they take great care in picking out their Valentine cards! We have made a tradition of having a family Valentine's party complete with decorations and candlelight. This particular month...Corey was required to memorize "1 Corinthians 13" for school...As I was reading this chapter in the NIV, verses 4-5 stood out to me..."(4)Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. (5)It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered. It keeps no record of wrongs." Wow! If we could all just portray "God's" love...wouldn't the world be a better place? Happy Valentine's Day to all my blogging friends!

From tea parties to leopard geckos....

I think my close friends know that I am very "feminine" at heart, but when God blessed me with my firstborn son..."Corey"...He opened my heart up to a whole new world! Corey has loved creepy, crawly things since he was about two, I believe! He is a walking encyclopedia of information regarding insects, reptiles, and even birds. Let's see...He has had fire-belly frogs, hermit crabs, lizards, various insects and the list goes on! He is currently the proud owner of "Leia", the leopard gecko(who eats live insects for dinner!). He so wanted me to share this with my blogging friends! He would love to own a snake, but I have to draw the line somewhere! ha! I DO love tea parties, but I wouldn't trade my boys and all they enjoy for anything...I still scream when I see a spider, though!(smile)I also added some pictures of our beautiful golden..."Buckeye". Hope that all you girls enjoy this post(as you sip from your china teacups)...

pets

Dedication of Alyson Dawn...

I can't think of anything more breathtaking than a baby dressed all in white..pure,sweet and vulnerable...a blessing from the Lord! Thanks, Shelly and Greg, for inviting us to share in this beautiful day with you! "Aly" looked like an angel in her gorgeous white dress...I think we all shed tears as Anita sang "You are a Masterpiece"! God is truly so good! After the dedication...family and friends shared a delicious,beautiful meal together. We love you, Aly! Thought that I would share my pictures...

Alyson's dedication

Girls and Tea Parties...

Guess I am still a little girl at heart...I love tea parties! I enjoy collecting teapots...I have one that was my Mamaw Kennedy's that I will always treasure! I recently was given a teacup and saucer set that was Danny's Grandmothers. My 6 year old "Cassie" has inherited my love of tea parties...It is not uncommon for us to have a tea party in the middle of the afternoon on any given day. She loves planning the menu and usually Cade is invited to come, too! She and I have special memories of the day we had the priviledge of taking tea at the American Girl's Tea House in Chicago...The food was beautiful and each American doll even had a place to sit at the table! On her fourth birthday, we had a "girl's day out" to a tea house with her good friend(and mine,too). On her fifth birthday, we had a real tea party for all of her girlfriends. Everyone came dressed in tea party finery...They looked adorable! The menu included butterfly and flower shaped sandwhiches, fruit kabobs, fancy crackers with cheese, soft party mints, cookies, and "pink" tea! We had so much fun! Our ladies from church have gone to different tea houses. We once had a very fancy, catered tea party by candlelight...all the ladies wore hats! I would love to go to a "high tea" in London! Would anyone like to go with me? (ISN'T IT FUN TO BE A GIRL?)

Teaparties

Happy New Year...2008

Happy New Year to all my fellow bloggers...Trust you all had a wonderful Christmas and that your 2008 will be blessed! Thought that I would share a few of our Christmas and New Year festivities with you...We so enjoyed being with family and friends! Just can't believe that it is over and we are on to a brand new year! I am trusting God for a wonderful year...I want to "slow down" and enjoy each precious day! Playing in the snow with my kids, snuggling with my husband, reading a good book in front of the fireplace, enjoying a cup of hot chocolate topped with marshmallows...(and yes...I would love to lose a few pounds!--smile)

Christmas 07..New Years 08