{Antiquing with my little guy}

Please tell me what I am going to do when my little guy starts school?

Oh, how sad I will be. . .I sure enjoy him being my little shadow.

{Today I slathered lotion}

on my feet. Put socks on. Curled up under my covers, like a cacoon, and listened
to this song.  Absolutely the most precious song I have heard about my sweet Jesus
in a long time. 


P.S. The Bike in the video is precious too.

{Pizza Barn}

Lunch with my little man is such a nice date.

{Picked and Placed. . .}

on my table.

{God is Good. All the time.}

{Around the corner. . .}

from this store in this town kind-of tucked away is. . .

Bliss Cupcake Cafe. 

 And Bliss it is, as you can see.

What a fun little place! 

It brought smiles.

{I have always wanted to go.}

 and my sweet friend Mandi took me.I almost stopped breathing at first, it was just the smell of candles and antiques. . . do you know that smell? I.love.that.smell. And not just any store has it.

 The more I looked, I was able to calm down.  While everything was very pleasing to the eye,

 I struggled to figure out what in the world I could possible buy and make it look

 like something in my house?? 

 Although, I could have managed to place this lamp.

 Overall, a really good sight to see, but what was around the

corner was even better. I will share that later. . .  

This bike out front was kinda' like a "cherry on top" to me.

{BTW}

This is Noahs Mom, if you know her, you adore her.

{My sons}

obviously had an absolute ball last night!

They were both invited to their sweet friend Noah's 10th Birthday. . .but not just any party. . .

a secret agent party.

Oh.My.Word.

Cute.Cute.Cute.

Noah's mom is a professional photographer, so that rocks too!

{More on this "Bliss" later. . .}

I have a full morning. . .and afternoon, for that matter!

Talk Later.

(Just trying this LARGE picture option??)

{Have ya'll ever. . .}

tried to install a blinker light yourself?

Sounds absolutely ridiculous, I know.

But, if you have, you will know exactly what I am talking about.

BTW, I have missed you guys!

We'll talk more later.

{Miss PattyCake}

 My kids really enjoyed Miss PattyCake.

 I think Lily and The Mr. enjoyed it the most. (Really, I do.)

 She has the sweetest little jingles about Gods Love for Children.

 I do believe this is more like a choke hold instead of a hug. . .

Sweet.

{Non-Stop}

right now! Hope to talk soon!

{Student of the Month - Control Freak}

 Here we are at the Student of the Month Breakfast.

 We are so proud of Lily this year. . .

She hasn't stolen anything (she really like Mrs. Barkers counting blocks last year)

Her handwriting is beautiful.

&

She has managed to be able to sit by Caylee (one of her bestest friends) all year long.

 The pinning.

 The nametag.

 Signing in with Dad. (all of the above three are in perfectly incorrect order)

 We are looking a little unhappy? But basically just. . .

Sleepy.

Why is mom making me take my picture beside this?



Here is where the control freak part comes in. . .

I let my kids pick out their own clothes on this particular day. . .

Hot Pink Socks + Green Pants + Teal Shirt = Lily

Shorts + T-shirts + 36 degree weather = Clayton

But, I am practicing "picking my battles".

I know its pretty easy right now.

I know it is going to grow more difficult as they get older.

So. . . I am practicing.

Big Gulp.Big Lump in Throat.

But as you can see in the pictures. . . I did not say a word.

They sported just what they wanted to.

All is well. Good student trumps matching clothes any ole' day in my book.

{Isnt this a lovely photo}

{A Tuesday Cutie}

Buddy heading to Preschool.

{Chirst-Following Women are not Powerless}

Just a snippet for you from my last Bible Study. . .

We're not powerless.  In fact, we have the tremendous opportunity to choose between using our strong influence for good or for evil.  Christ-following women have already received God's grace and enabling to wield often unseen but significant influence in our nation's homes, communities, work places, and most importantly, before God's throne.

How are we using the power, or the influence, we already have?

By God's grace. . .

• we have the power to share the gospel with a needy world.
• we have the power to forgive those who have wronged us and to give grace to those who don't deserve it.
• we have the power to offer deep joy to our families.
• we have the power to love others who are different from us.
• we have the power to care to for bereaved, single parents and their children, the sick, the dying, those who cannot give back, and those who have left to follow Christ.
• we have the power to protect others' reputations by holding our tongues.
• we have the power to bless others with what we say.
• we have the power to help others change through loving guidance and, when necessary, even confrontation.
• we have the power to use our gifts to God's glory.
• we have the power to help develop children into well-adjusted human beings (whether they're our own or others')
• we have the power to speak boldly on behalf of the persecuted church.
• we have the power to change society through vote and voice.
• we have the power to be gentle, kind, and humble.
• we have the power to give away power so others can develop their potential.
• we have the power to pray and thus call upon our loving Father, who places all the power in the universe at our disposal if we pray within His will.

I was left with this question. . .
How am I using the power I have?

The hightlited ones are some that really "hit home" and sometimes I struggle with or have opportunities to do everyday. . .

{Pick it up up up}

I will Never say Never!

 I will fight till forever!

The kid. . . is just adorable.

{Around my Town}

 A Good Sunday Afternoon Truck.



{This song makes me want to move and groove}

It will be on the ipod today.