{My Sweet Friend}

Leesha & Emma Grace 

Both as sweet as Sugar. 

{Little Jumper}

We are playing ball! 

Carson is. And he is having so much fun! Can I just say "extra curricular activities"

are sooooo much easier and enjoyable when your kids are older.  I have heard

pastors, parent coaches, even older parents talk about waiting until your kids

get older to sign them up for dance, sports, or what-not.  Can I just say. . . so true.

The poor kids don't know what they are doing when they are itty-bitty (for heavens sake).

Us parents are yelling from the stands like mad people trying to get them to perform.

Just my  opinion. . . Save your time. Save your sanity. Wait.

 Clayton stuck to his guns and continues to say he doesn't want to play.

He is able to help with Carson, so all is well.

 At Bible Study Tuesday Rae realized that Miranda got a trampoline. . . 

 so as you can see. . . Rae is a little jumper.

(Rae & I)

When I looked at this picture I couldn't help but notice my hand on Rae's shoulder.

Is is significant to me because Rae has allowed me to put much on her

shoulders at times.  I appear to almost have a grip on her (lol!), and

hey, maybe I do. . . she is my mentor. She has taught me so many

things over the years, and continues to call me out when necessary. . . .and

it is necessary. . . often.

{I love & adore about you}

Sweet Baby Ethan is snuggled up at home now.  I stopped by today for a visit.

HE IS ADORABLE! Thick black hair.  Tiny feet. Tiny toes. Tiny hands. Tiny nose!

OOOoooo, I love love babies.  I haven't held such a tiny baby since sweet little

E. Lowe, and he was already months old. Mom is doing well, and 

the girls were so excited to see him for the first time.  

I ventured out today to find an Easter outfit. . . I bought a simple t-shirt.

Although I am certain that doesn't surprise any of you. 

I treated Sis to some Cherry Berry. I don't think I have ever mentioned this before, but

this girl NEVER ask for anything.  She might say she would like to have something, but never

ask.  She is the most content little girl ever.  If she mentions she likes something that is

pricey she will just pass it up and say, "That's a little too expensive." 

She is a tad contrary at times, but not rotten in anyway.

Lily, that is one of the MANY things I love & adore about you.

{The Baby}

The Baby has his first loose tooth. 

Boo-hoo-hoo.

{I just might.}

I received an unexpected phone call last week from my Sweet Friend

in North Carolina, Elaine. Pitter Patter.  Her and her husband are road-tripping

and today 

we had lunch. It was so good to see her. So good. I miss her like

crazy.  She is a warm cozy blanket friend. She brought me tulips and

I gave her "The Smell of Spring". 

After lunch we came back to my house. . . and chatted while

we folded the mound of laundry on my couch.

(Slightly mortifying. . . but she knows me. . . and loves me anyway) 

I wanted to share with you my "Beach Bowl". 

It is a lovely addition to my kitchen counter, I think. 

Call me crazy, but before long I might sit it on the floor 

and dig my toes down in it.

I just might.

{An Idea Passed Along}

Tomorrow my Sweet Friend Melissa will deliver  

a sweet baby boy named

Ethan Alexander Wilson.

I have worked in the nursery with Melissa for years and

she is such a precious person. 

It is super exciting because she has two older girls

so adding a boy to the mix will be an exciting new

adventure. 

I had some cookies made for her to hand out to

guest at the hospital or that come to her home to see sweet Ethan.

I was in the market for a basket but decided to go with

a cookie jar.  My Sweetie Friend Sherry helped me

monogram. . . and. . . wow! . . a super cute baby gift!

Thought I would pass along the idea!

Talk Soon! Tonia

{The Goodness of God}

We all talk about things that are "good". . .

Good Movies. Good Food.  Good Work-out.  Good Talk.  Good Friend.  Good Times.

Good Day.  Good. . . Good. . . Good, but nothing compares to the Goodness of God.

Seeking to be more like Him is Good.

His Fruit is Good.

His Word is Good.

His Plans are Good. 

His Timinig is Good.

Being Used by God & Seeing Him work in other people lives is one of my most

favorite things.

Today by 11:41 I have experienced God's Goodness. . .

#1 My friend Phyllis brought me a cake.  I was able to throw my arms around her neck!  That was the goodness of it all!  Her heart is full of nothing but Gods Pure Goodness. God's love oozes from her.  It is very evident to me (even if she didn't bring me cake).

#2 I received an encouraging e-mail from our Children's Minister which I will copy & paste to share with you too.

Just a word of encouragement for you today:

God has designed powerful, productive lives for His people. Our lives are to be God’s expressions of His magnificent creativity. He will lead us to engage in activities that honor Him, that help others, & that deepen understanding of His will and Word. Each believer is a living stone (1 Peter 2:5) Each believer is a shrine, w/in whom God the owner walks, anticipating the day of completion!! Amen

Jacque Gordon
FBC Children’s Minister

Acts 17:28 By His power we live and move and exist….for we are His children

God is so Good. All the Time.

Love-Tonia

{Random}

Random books to read your kiddos about the beach. . .

A Sweet Sunday Boy. . .

And a Lorax App that made many of my photos crazy. . .

All very random things.

{Bathing Boredom; SERVE more than you SOAK}

Happy Saturday Evening! Are you home? Doing nothing? So funny, but I

have felt so bored tonight, so I took a long bath.   I always feel convicted about "The Two B's"!

Boredom.

&

Business.

Because there is always someone whom needs a phone call or a visit. 

In my bathing, bored state I resorted to facebook and that doesn't help matters either!

You start feeling like you are the

only person on the planet that is home. . . alone. . . taking care of children.

Others seem to be on planes, trains, boats, and just having nine-kinds-of-fun.

BUT. . . we all know  that is Satan being his sneaky, ugly demon self.

Because

 #1 I am not alone.

#2 I am just where I need and want to be.

 I decided to take this alone time to read (I finished up James)

and pray for my friends and family.  I have been especially praying for The Mr.

His friend Ric told me he has no idea what he signed up for. . . but this

is Ric's 3rd year, so that is somewhat comforting.

 

My birthday was peaceful and fun. I headed out to town early with the kiddos.

I treated myself to some photo framing.

I treated myself to some new shampoo.

I treated myself to some Olive Garden.

I came home to sweet gifts, cards, and dinner from my "College Students" (which are sweet friends).

AND I looked back AND realized I spent my last birthday with these great kiddos

AND The Mr. was . . . . MIA. . . 

Today we spent time tidying up the house.  Do you make your kids do chores?

What kind of chores?

My kiddos do many. A little bit of everything. Dusting. Laundry. Cooking.

(See that can of dusting polish? It was full. . . it is now empty. . . we had a little lesson on amount needed to get the job done). Bless his heart.

I put out my little Spring Easter Chicks. Can you believe Easter is almost

here? I love Easter. It is a tad complicated when you work/serve at

your church but teaching my kids to SERVE more than they SOAK is

the most excellent choice in my opinion. 

I picked up this book at the Solid Rock yesterday.  It does appear to be a tad

juvenile. But I am looking for simple.  Regardless of the age appropriateness of the whole thing

it will still lead to learning.  Do you ever say, "Do you have homework?" AND they say, "No."

and you say, "Good deal!(and think Hallelujah)". BUT I have trained my

kids to never say "no" because we can always study and read.  I am also going to start including "Quiet Time" in that equation also.  They have Quiet Times but not real constantly, and I haven't really known how and when the best time was.  I think right now evening at "homework time" will work best. 

Oh, how I wish I would've been encouraged to spend time with God everyday when I was little.  I was in church and all, but the real relationship has come much later than I wish it would've.  I want it to be part of their everyday lives and not a constant challenge to make time like it still can be for me. 

I want it to be like. . . Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner. Read Bible. Ya' know?

Starting young.  Staying consistent. 

 Hopefully that will help them. 

During my bath I enjoyed my sweet tea as you can see.

And my new shampoo smells lovely.

I thought you should know those things.

Talk Soon!

{In Honor}

The Bataan Memorial Death March is a challenging march through the high desert terrain of White Sands Missile Range, conducted in honor of the heroic service members who defended the Philippine Islands during World War II, sacrificing their freedom, health and, in many cases, their very lives.

The Mr. is HERE.

{Birthdays}

A few Saturdays ago Buddy was invited to a Lego City Party!

It was so cute! I want to share the invite and party bags later.

It was neat! 

Speaking of birthdays. . . I am 35. . . today!

Wowie-Wow-Wow!

{Hooker Nails}

At my last leg (lookin' good, huh?) check up I spied a recent issue of Coastal Living,

(I have obvisouly let my subscription run out.  I need to get on that) 

as I was browsing the pages I came upon Erika!

Her sister!

I love her and adore her blog.  I felt like it was one of my friends in a magazine

. . . and that, my friend, is why I love blogging.  I have

traveled with their family back home to see Big Daddy (the kids Pop) for years. 

The White Watch.  I thought long and hard about buying one of these

a couple summers ago.  I never caved. I see they are still popping up

tempting me here and there.  A precious lady I work with has one. Perhaps she

will let me wear hers for an hour or so??  Then I will know for sure if

I just cant survive without one.  They are high on my list of "likes". BUT, here's

 the deal, so is the Fossil tortoise looking one. . .we'll see.  Oh yes, so is any sort

of orange and gold watch.  And. . . that is why I havent purchased anything. 

When I was still cooped up in bed I painted my nails.  Okay. Weird and Strange

in everyway, but I feel like a straight up hooker with my nails painted.  I do not like

color on my nails.  I tried it. . . for about 5 hours.  Then a freshly soaked cotton ball

took off all those dirty feelings colored nails made me have.

Tomboy? Perhaps. . . . 

And last but not least. . . this last photo is just simply me 

dreaming of me being that lady. in front of that house.

on that day.  in that space.  with my kids. minus hers.

(notice my naked short nail. . . and me anxiety free. Whew!)

Happy Spring Break & Rainy Day #3!