Conspiracy Theory

Granna introduced these 2 weeks ago when the two little ones went to spend some time in Victoria. I had never heard of these and when I asked her about them she airily said that this is the way her mother curled their hair when they were children. Apparently it's "old school". Here's the funny part of all this...those pink sponge rollers that left bruises on your scalp where you laid on them all night, well, that's what I remember as a child, not these comfy, soft, laying on a pillow feeling sock rollers. I don't think of myself as a conspirorist, but somehow I have a sneaky suspicion that my mother took out her frustrations in a very passive aggressive manner. Because really, those pink rollers could be considered a form of torture. They were for me.

Suprise!

Mandy and I may talk once every 2 months. We are both distracted by kids, football, life in general and are both committed to whatever God is calling us to at the moment. For whatever random reason, and I'm not sure who called who, but we happened to talk the weekend before she is going to give a talk to a ladies group in her church. Mandy giving talks, lectures, lessons, whatever is not unusual. When we were both in Abilene and since she moved, she has been very active in Bible Study Fellowship, taking on a leadership role and frequently filling in for the main leader. So when she mentioned this particular talk the thing that really stuck out was that she was so nervous. I really couldn't figure out why, out of all the times she has stood before women's groups, was this one going to be so difficult. God was telling her to lay down her outline and speak from the heart...to tell her story (we all have one). But Mandy is the ultimate "got it together" girl and showing off our battle scars is not always easy. But when it is God who has healed them, and continues to heal them, He is the one who must get the credit for it. Mandy has a story to tell and through it all she has managed to cling to that "peace that passes understanding" and in the face of hardship she is still able to say, "My God has sustained me, and He is doing a work in my life, and He will not stop until His good work is done". I thank God everytime I think of you Mandy, you are the Mary to my Elizabeth.

Before I forget let me add that it worked out perfectly that I was able to make the 3 hour drive to Rockwall and was waiting to greet my friend when she walked into the room. Mike was in on the suprise and managed to keep it hush-hush for 2 days. I even got some shed tears out of the deal and we all know how much I love it when there's crying! WooHoo! Score!

Rub-a-dub-dub

The abominable snowman? Cupcakes with whipped cream frosting? Baby monkeys frollicking in the snow? Pumpkins covered in cow slobber? Don't be silly, just my babies getting into the Christmas spirit with their best Santa impersonations.

My child's reality

In honor of Mother's day:"I love my mom because...she doesn't yell" What!? I asked Tatum about this. "You don't think I yell?", because honestly, I feel like I yell all the time. Tatum's response? "Only when you are very angry". I guess I'm not a tyrant after all, especially if I only yell when I'm angry as opposed to yelling when I'm tired, frustrated, irritated, overwhelmed, busy, etc., etc., etc. But of course his vocabulary isn't that big yet.

Blushing Bride

I'm so used to seeing Bianca in gym shorts with her hair pulled back and no makeup. Well, I saw her in a different light today. She was so beautiful. As I looked through my lense, I couldn't get over how radiant she was. Her big eyes, smooth skin, and happy smile was wonderful to see. She is going to be a stunning bride and I can't wait to see Michael's expression the first time he sees her walk down the aisle.

You've got the look

Every year, Rhonda Farney, the girls basketball coach, puts on a youth basketball camp. As a courtesy to other coaches, their kids get to participate for free. This was Tatum's 2nd year and first thing each morning he would ask "Do we have to go to basketball camp again". Emma's comment was "I don't like that coach, she yells at us". Well, maybe my kids don't quite have the competitive spirit of their father. More likely, they inherited the social gene from their mother. Sorry coach.

It doesn't really matter if you have skills as long as you can look cool in front of the camara. These kids have got it down.

Terrific Two

My baby is two and he definately lives up to the definition

Instead of enjoying the cupcake, he decides he will eat his....

CANDLE FIRST! Typical...