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I'm not leaving today...but very, very soon! It's finally official and ticketed, I'm going to New York! If there is one perk to Scott traveling so much, it is frequent flier miles. Truthfully, I'd rather have him home than have free trips... But for now, this is our life. So, I'm off! In a little less than 3 weeks I will fly to NYC to spend 5 days with my bosom friend, my best, my Jonathan (see 1 Samuel 18). I plan to just hang out with Teresa, and not do the touristy thing (maybe buy a couple of purses for my friend Jenny). I think this will be like my 8th or 9th trip to the City, so I won't feel as though I missing out. I just so look forward to spending one on one time with my friend. We've been best friends since 10th grade (um, that's like 26 years!) and now that my sweet children have come along, our girlfriend time has been greatly neglected.

My precious husband is going to man the fort while I'm gone, and is blessing me greatly with this much needed trip! Thank you, baby, for taking care of the kids so I can get away for a few days.

Ian's Room Elements

My precious hubby just emailed me these pictures he'd taken of Ian's room this weekend. He didn't have time to offload the camera before he left on his trip. Thanks honey for sending them!

So we did a little work in Ian's room this weekend. It feels so good to get his room done. Sam's is next!

Ian is a huge "Cars" fan. Our sweet friend, Lori C., gave Ian these prints back when he was in her class. They are finally framed and on his wall!

My mom, "Mimi", found these pottery barn frames for a steal at a thrift shop. New with tags, for less than a buck (I think). She then took some fabric she already had and put it in the frames. Very cute! We kind of have a stars/red, white and blue them going.


These are the old Pottery Barn letters from when Ian was a baby. (Pausing to reflect, okay.) He wanted his name up on the wall again, so there ya go. A small bulletin board made by Mimi, and a trusty t-rex. How can you go wrong?


This little locker is just precious and has a sweet story. Please read on...when we went to Sam's birthmom's parents house for Christmas, they heard me talking about trying to get some decorating done in our bedroom. They later called me to their garage which was stocked full of Home Interiors boxes (that's where Meemaw works). They previously talked and decided to bless us with loads of accessories! We are so, so thankful. We got some nesting tables, a Thomas Kinkade print, and this sweet locker among other things. You can't tell, but it has stars all around the edges. Sam was very sweet to let his brother have it since it matched his room best. Ian likes to put some of his puppies in it at night for sleeping. So sweet!


So there ya go! We also hung some cute curtains that my mom had made from red/blue ticking for Sam's room a long while back. Combined with some navy blue curtains, his window looks great. And it didn't cost us a dime! Wahoo! Thank You Jesus!

Now, off to Sam's room...that's going to take a while!

The Mother Lode!!!

Today was a wonderful sitter day for me...which means I had a day to play. No appointments, no lunch meetings, nada...so I drove to downtown Grapevine in search of one more thing to finish off Ian's room. Scott and I worked on his room all weekend and it is finished other than flooring and one more thing to put above his closet door. I didn't find that one thing, and think I will end up making it this weekend. But I did find a GREAT deal on Croc's! 12 bucks a pair for me, Ian and Emma. Scott and Sam are already supplied.

After running another couple of errands, I decided to check out Children's Place in Highland Village, and that's where I hit the jackpot, the mother lode, the deal of all deals. :-) My children don't need clothes for now, so I shopped for next winter. They were having a 50% off clearance. And the manager coaxed me into another 25% off my entire bill if I would get a credit card. We don't do credit (except for emergencies, which we've had plenty of last fall) so I at first was hesitant. But then he threw in the extra 25% off, and I had to say yes! He even let me pay cash for my purchases! So, I got well over $500 worth of clothes for a little less than $100! And some of it was even spring stuff for Emma.

Man, it feels good to get a deal! I'd lay all my purchases out and take a picture (like Jenny did once), but our camera is in Mexico with my husband. I hope they both come home soon! :-)

Best Thing I've Read Today...

"Without question, nobody's got it completely together and those who think they do are on the brink of dropping it." - Beth Moore

My Heart's Cry...

I heard this song tonight for the first time. It's by Shane & Shane, called "Vision of You." The lyrics are so where my heart is right now. My hearts cry. If you have a moment, turn up the volume and listen...

Come meet us, King Jesus.
Oh wind of change blow through this temple.
Sweet spirit of God, come and mend our hearts.
For all we have are songs. Unless you come.

Awaken what's inside of me.
Tune my heart to all You are in me.
Even though you're here, God come.
May the vision of You be the death of me.
and even though You've given everything.
Jesus come!

Come free us, King Jesus.
Its the only way that freedom is given.
From you and you alone in the work You've already done.
All we have are songs, unless You come.

Awaken what's inside of me.
Tune my heart to all You are in me.
Even though you're here, God come.
May the vision of You be the death of me.
and even though You've given everything.
Jesus come!

Here we are, Lord, in this place.
Crying out for Your embrace.
To hear Your voice more than songs.

Awaken what's inside of me.
Tune my heart to all You are in me.
Even though you're here, God come.
May the vision of You be the death of me.
and even though You've given everything.
Jesus come!

Good Read/Life Stuff

Last night I finally finished reading Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas' memoir: My Grandfather's Son. I ended my previous nights reading a little early, so I could enjoy the last chapter of the book in one sitting. It left me in tears. This book chronicled Justice Thomas' life from birth in the Deep South living in horrific poverty - all the way to supreme court. I barely remember his confirmation hearings being televised, and that entirely awful Anita Hill thing. But now that I've read his story, his mind, his heart...I am so moved. To hear of racism and prejudice from a true victim's point of view...it has completely changed my view of blacks in America. I've never been one to show prejudice based on color. I even went out with a black man once. But I must admit I've never really understood why they felt so victimized. Now I do. I see how the master/slave mentality has been a difficult one to overcome. I see how the government, in an effort to help, has actually made the problem worse by free handouts. But I also see how change can happen - when given a chance, and shown how to work hard. Lots to think about as I process this great book. I encourage you to read it!

Now for a totally different subject: in Bible Study today we spent a good 20 minutes in prayer. Normally, that would have been our small group time, but our leader felt strongly that we should all pray. We were given a list of names/characteristics of Christ, and asked to choose one and pray it aloud. It was a deeply moving time of worship. So many of the women in there are just broken, wounded, hurting, going through incredibly difficult trials. It makes me wonder about the people around me...who is really okay, and who is pretending, or who is deeply hurting but doesn't feel safe sharing?

I want to be the kind of friend who is a soft place to fall. A safe place to be vulnerable. A place to rest. I want Jesus to love through me, however He wants to.

Those are the thoughts of my heart today. :-)

10 Things That Make Me Happy!

Because of Amy's tag, I am listing (in no particular order and probably leaving off some very important things) ten things that make me happy...

1. Snuggling with a tiny baby who is resting on your chest...and then falling asleep together. Nothing like it in the world.
2. Harry Connick Jr., on a stage, tapping around, on, in, under a piano. Absolutely breathtaking. Aw yeah.
3. The sound of my children laughing as they play together peacefully. I hope this happens more often as they get older!
4. A really well written and filmed Jane Austen adaptation. See previous blogs. Makes me absolutely giddy.
   
5. A sweet bargain.
6. Being known, loved, remembered, understood by a friend.
7. Traveling with my family.
8. A GREAT haircut.
9. Napping on the couch while my husband watches a NASCAR race. Just being together.
10. A moving performance on stage...theater, musical, symphony, opera. Yep, I'm a culture snob. :-)

Things that almost made the list: fall, the sound of crunching leaves underfoot while walking in a beautiful setting with my husband and children, seeing my mom love my children, knowing that my birthdaughter is okay, when my children succeed at something and feel good about themselves, gut wrenching laughter with a best friend. Good times. :-)