Mother's Day 2012

Because of baseball and basketball tournaments next weekend, we celebrated Mother's Day early this year.  The whole weekend was exactly what I needed.  It started out with a beautiful horseback ride Saturday morning, and then I got to come home and catch up on things at home.

I've been so behind in my writing birthday cards.  (I like to give handwritten cards with notes about special things from their life at this moment.)  April hit pretty fast and furious and I never got a chance to sit down and really think about what I wanted to write in Abby, Chase, and Garrett's cards.  Saturday I had time to do it!  I also wrote out Mom's Mother's Day card and a little to Dr. Kopp (my principal).  Can you tell that words of affirmation/encouragement is one of my love languages?  :)

 I got my dish ready to take mom's, too.

 Finally, I mowed the yard.  While the weather may not always cooperate, I really like to get this done on the weekend.

For Mother's Day this year I wanted to take a picture with each mom and her kids.

Here's my beautiful momma and sisters!

 Funny story...while we were trying to take the picture, Chloe climbed up.

We moved her out, but...

 she weaseled her way back in under my mom's legs.  Can we say persistent?

 Tonya, Jacob, Abby

 Tina, Chase, Garrett, Ethan

Grana, Mom

(We still miss Debbie.)

 Grandma, Dad, GayeAnn

(We still miss Carole, too.)

GayeAnn, Hannah

 Hannah, Kenley

 Brenda, Matt

It was a great day of sharing and catching up!

I'm so thankful for my precious mom.  She is such a selfless woman, always doing for others and putting her family first.  She's my biggest encourager and prayer warrior.  She's the first one I call with news to celebrate or cry about.  When I'm feeling lonely, discouraged, or impatient she always reminds me that God has a plan for me and that His timing is perfect.

I love you, Mom, and am so thankful for you!



12 in '12 ~ Reflection #2

opportunity

February 2012 brought the opportunity to experience a brand new first for me...a blind date.  

A sweet friend at school told me about this mystery man and asked if she could give him my number.  Wanting to be open to these new opportunities, I nervously said yes.  The call came quite a few months later, and to say that his call was a shock would have been an understatement.  But, I continued to be open.  We talked on the phone several different times before we our schedules let us meet.  Thankfully, conversation was easy, but nothing prepares you for the moment of meeting face to face.  That moment when you're insecurities scream at you and you're trying not to get your hopes up and you're working hard not to worry about everything.  (I tend to over-think things and try to have a plan for nearly every possible situation.)

The evening went well.  We met and just talked from 6:30 until close to 10:00.  While I didn't feel there was a future here, I left with such a peace.  I've been praying for quite some time that God would be able to use the journey I'd been on to encourage someone else.  That evening, He did just that.  I was able to share with someone who was hurting from a similar situation and offer hope about the future.  When I drove away, I couldn't believe how far I'd come.  That evening showed me that I'm ready for what is ahead.  I'm healed and whole and able to leave the past in the past.  And while it seems it has taken me forever to get to this place, I wouldn't have it any other way.  

Sometimes it seems like there is no hope for me, that there's no possibility for a future husband and kids.  It seems as if all the opportunities have vanished.  I'm so thankful that Jesus loves me enough to consistently remind me that He is in control and that He has good plans for my life.  Just before church on the Wednesday after this blind date, I was in my bedroom getting ready for church.  My heart was heavy with disappointment and fear, but God reminded me that He sent His one and only Son to die for me.  If He'd do that, wouldn't He also take care of the desires of my heart?  After all, the Bible says He's the one who put them there.   Then, as if this reminder wasn't precious enough, before we took communion that night, the pastor said exactly the same thing!!  I couldn't help but smile and say, "Yes, Lord.  I hear you!"

So folks, I'm looking forward to the opportunities that lie ahead because of the promises God has made me!

A New Blogspot

Lately I've been loving the color gray.  In January I decided to redo one of the spare bedrooms in my house.  I use this room to pay bills, do Bible study, and blog.  Here are some of the before pictures:

 I couldn't be more happy with how it turned out!!

I love, love, love the curtains!  They were the first ones I saw, but of course, I had to bring home several others just to make sure. 

 That filing cabinet was a dark hunter green.  Spray paint is amazing!

 Love that I moved my bookshelf in here.

  This is one of my favorite rooms now!

 

Celebrating Tonya

Tonight we got together to celebrate Tonya!

For her birthday dinner she requested roast, cheesy potatoes, oriental slaw, homemade roles, creamed corn, and five-in-one salad.  It was amazing!!

Later, Tina and the boys joined us for homemade hot fudge with brownies and ice cream.  Then, we all watched the Mizzou/KU game.  (Grandma really got into the game, too!)

 Of course, Chase and Garrett were cheering for opposing teams, which made for a spirited evening!

Throw in some arm wrestling, measuring each others heights, competition involving anything and everything and you have a typical family gathering!

Happy Birthday, T-bell!!

February Photo a Day - #3 Hands

 

It's no wonder he's able to dunk a basketball!

February Photo a Day - #2 Words

No picture but I can still show the words I would have chosen for today:

Happy Birthday, Tonya!

February Photo a Day - #1 My View Today

 

It has become a rare occasion that just the three of us get to eat lunch together.  Today was one of these special treats!  It was so nice to let the guard down, laugh, and talk about anything but school for a few minutes.  Lunch with these two is a bright spot in my day!