She makes my heart smile...

I have a ceramic message plate sitting in my kitchen. It was a Christmas gift from my sister a few years ago. At first I didn't think much about it, just thinking it was a pretty version of a whiteboard. However, I started writing verses on there, little reminders for me to hold on to while going about my day. Then the hubby would write me a little love "note" every once in a while that would make my day special. Then the kids started getting involved...

The latest word on the plate is a scripture written out by my daughter, the princess of my heart. She wrote one of her favorite verses and it makes my heart smile every time I look at it. I love how she signed it "Your Heavenly Father," as if He wrote it there himself, just for her. I love the idea that she too, has come to find scripture as tokens of love from the Heavenly Father, encouraging words to help her through her day.

As a 14 year old this is where she is right now. Looks mean everything in junior high. Girls are caddy and careless with their words even to their best friends. School has become a war zone of the heart of a young teenager finding their place in this world. I may never know what made my baby doll write that verse that day, but I am thankful she has already found wisdom and peace in the Word. I pray everyday that she continues to hold God's word close to her heart.

As for today, I write with a thankful heart. For you see, I was having a "feeling frumpy and fat, nothing fits or looks good, bad hair day," kind of day and as I was racing out the door my eyes made contact with a certain message written by a young girl with a big beautiful heart. Thank you, Lord. Maybe she didn't write the message for just herself after all. :)

Out of the mouths of babes...

Please say a little prayer for Kayla. She has had a rash caused by an allergic reaction to "we have no idea what." She is on medication, but it is taking it's sweet time to go away. If she is not better by the end of the week, we will have to go back to the doctor.

Have a beautiful week, friends!

"Barn Party"

Every year for Kevin's birthday, I throw a big birthday bash for our teenagers. It is kind of a celebration not only for his birthday, but the end of the school year and welcoming the new 7Th graders to the group. It is always a theme party. Two years ago I did the 80's, last years was a luau and this year we went western. We had a GREAT time. 70 plus kids showed up. We had brisket, cheese dip and cake. We had a little karaoke. We had a costume contest and we had a few small door prizes too. We even had a little weather watching as the storms blew through that night. Overall it was a GREAT night. Here are a few pictures...

Welcome sign.

The decorated corner of the room.

The cake. It was sooo... YUMMY!!!

Kevin in his overalls and "Bubba Gump" cap and one of our youth leaders in his crazy costume. It was too funny!

Jordan. Isn't he just the cutest?! He is growing up so very fast. He found Kevin's old boots for the night. He also had a bandanna, sheriff's badge and some toy guns and took home second place in the costume contest.

My sweet girl. Oh how I love her and her big heart. She enjoyed the karaoke.

A hug and smile for mom. Gotta take them as I can get them. They are so busy and growing so fast...oops! I already said that didn't I? Well, I just don't like it, can you tell?

Hope you have a great holiday weekend!

Out at the ballpark with Chicken Little...

Last Saturday we went and spent the day with my sister and her family. My youngest nephew Tate was playing in a baseball tournament. It was a fun day.

Batter up!



Cousin time and slush puppies.

Kev and Kayla

Sisters...


Kayla waiting for the next game.

Tate aka "Chicken Little" played great!!!

Craftiness or Yumminess?!!!

Yes, I know "yumminess" is probably not a word, but it should be. Friday was the hubby's birthday, so his mom wanted to cook him a birthday feast. She knows the way to her son's heart...cook his FAVORITE meal.

Crafty Crescent Lasagna.

The recipe is long, so I will not type it out tonight, but if you have not tried it and are interested, just Google "Crafty Crescent Lasagna." His mom has been making it for him since he was a kid. It is yummy. We substitute Turkey sausage for pork, since Kevin can't eat pork and it is still really good. This is what it looks like coming out of the oven...

And this is what the birthday boy looked like enjoying it...

We also had...

And MY FAVORITE...

Of course there is a hug for the cook...

And Papa...

It was a nice end to a good birthday for the hubby.

"41?!!!"

Tomorrow is my hubby's birthday. He will be 41. I would like to take a minute to wish this terrific guy God has blessed me with, a very happy day. He deserves it.

Happy Birthday, Kev!

Thanks for being a loving husband, great dad and wonderful friend!

Love you muchly! :)

Mich

p.s. Don't worry, I can only tease you about being OLD for five months. :)

Smiling Because it Happened...

"Don't cry because it is over...

Smile because it happened."

-Dr Seuss

Last night was high school graduation. My hubby and I watched our seniors accept their diplomas. It is always a bittersweet time. You hate letting go, yet can't wait to see what these incredible kids do with their lives. We hate that our youth group leaders will be gone, yet accept the challenge to build up new leaders in our youth group this next year. We had a great little group of seniors this year and they will be greatly missed. We are so very proud of them. To reward them for their dedication to their church and for standing strong in their faith throughout their high school experience, Kevin and their parents are giving them a cruise for their senior trip. Kevin and another leader from our church will be chaperoning the trip in a few weeks. Sometimes youth ministry can be so tough. Pray for Kevin as he has to tough this trip out. :)

Another bittersweet moment was the fact that my baby girl played her flute with the high school band. The 8Th grade band played with the high school, since senior band members would of course be missing during the night. It was a little hint of next year. Is my baby really going to be in high school next year? They grow so very fast. Pray for my mommy heart...

Change is never easy. I am thankful for the strength of the Lord, that comes when things do change and we have to let go and move forward.

Let's go ride a bike...

I know all of you rushed over here when you saw the title. Who wouldn't want to be the first to see Mich on a bike? That would be a sight to behold. (I haven't been on anything but an exercise bike in like decades. Of course I really can't claim the exercise bike either, although one takes up room in my house, waiting for the moment I decide that it is worthy of my time. :) )

Sorry to disappoint. Just me being a mom here, taking pictures of my kiddos again. They roll their eyes before smiling. They huff and puff before stopping for a snap of the camera. They think I am CRAZY taking pictures all the time of the CRAZIEST things, but I know one day they will look back and say "Thanks, Mom!" Who doesn't like to see crazy pictures of themselves when they were young and carefree and can finally have a good laugh themselves? So, since they know I will not leave them alone until they stop and smile, they tolerate me.

So here they are... my kiddos riding their bikes. If you are bored out of your gourd, have nothing else to do, you might stick around. The smiles on my kid's faces might just wear off on you. We are just happy to have a rain free, storm free, ride your bikes kind of day. (I am just enjoying the fact that my kids are "playing together." They do love each other, they really do!!! :) )

Hope you are having a BEAUTIFUL week, full of ordinary moments that make a camera crazy mom very happy.

Blessings...

Mother's Day...

My BLESSINGS!!!

I am SO thankful they call me "MOM."

They are my pride and joy. They make me a better me.

My little boy is growing up. He had his sport's physical yesterday and they measured him at five foot three. They same as me!!! I think he has grown a foot since Christmas.

He is a cutie. He spent the night with a friend, but came home before church. He brought me three roses. I LOVE my little man. He can be ALL boy at times, but then I love it that he still talks to me and we have our cuddle moments.




Kayla is and always will be my baby doll. We have such a special relationship. It has and still is a hard journey raising a young teenage girl and all the mood swings and frustrations of junior high that go with it. Every day brings new challenges and even some heartbreak. However, I am so proud of the strength I see in her. She is one talented, smart compassionate girl who sees the world in a special way. I know God has GREAT plans for her. I am honor that He saw fit to give her to me to raise.


She was the first one to call me "mama."


My hubby. My anchor in a crazy world. I thank God everyday for him. He is a GREAT father, hubby and man of God. Working everyday in the real world, I realize just how blessed I am. He is the best friend a gal could have.

I received roses, a card and I picked out a new pair of shoes for Mother's Day. We went to church, out to eat with my in-laws for lunch, I took a much needed THREE hour nap and I went to see a movie with my family.

It was a BEAUTIFUL day!

Wishing the Mothers in my life lots of love...

I am BLESSED.

I HAVE THE BEST MOM IN THE WORLD!!!

And I thank God for her everyday.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!!!

Hope you have a beautiful weekend!

Love you bunches!!!

*****

When I married my hubby, I became doubly blessed, for I have a wonderful mom-in-law too.

Happy Mother's Day, Grandma!

Love you!

Hope everyone has a BEAUTIFUL Mother's Day weekend!

Full Speed Ahead...

Did you think I dropped off the planet after Easter? I probably could have, for I had a FABULOUS Easter weekend, but after it rolled by LIFE HAPPENED.

It has rained off and on in Arkansas since BEFORE Easter. Flooding has been an issue in some parts. Thankfully, I personally haven't had a problem, but it is tough hearing about friends and family watching the waters rise.

The storms last week were CRAZY!!! Three days of constant weather watching, little sleep at night and worry. I HATE STORMS!!! I can go to sleep with a little thunder and lightening, but when the twisters start coming out to play I WORRY. AND PRAY A LOT. We had some close calls, but thankfully me and mine in all corners of the state are fine. The sad thing is, Arkansas was bad, but we only endured the warm up sessions. Who could ever imagine that the storms would do all the damage they did to our neighboring states. My heart and prayers go out to those in Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee and other states, who suffered such loss.

Anyhoo, because of the lightening and warnings the computer was OFF for a few days.

THEN...

I guess the storms blew in who knows what, because allergy QUEEN here, has been feeling YUCKY since last Wednesday. I feel like I could cough up a lung at any moment. I finally went to the doctor yesterday. Waited TWO hours before seeing the doctor, visited with him for only FIVE minutes and was rewarded with a SHOT. What an afternoon. I was a big girl, Mom, I did not make them chase me around the room. :) Hoping to feel better in a few days.

So, I haven't really felt like getting on the computer, pretty much went to work and then "CHILLED" on the couch until bedtime. FUN week!

Everything is about SENIORS this week. WE ARE BUSY! Being a student minister's wife, well May starts the beginning of the BUSIEST season for us. Truthfully, it doesn't really end until football season is over, but that is another story. Right now we are gearing up for the end of the school year stuff, and all the summer fun we try to pack in as youth ministers. Did I say it was CRAZY?!!! But it is a lot of fun.

Anyway, I hate that I have been out of pocket. Hopefully I can catch up soon. Just wanted you all to know that I am still alive and kicking.

Hope everyone is having a BEAUTIFUL week. I for one, am THANKFUL for the sunshine today.