Haven't been bloggin' much...

So, the other night I was at a scrapbooking event. My dear friend's 8 year old son was there. He walked up to me and asked, "So, what's been going on?" I replied, "Not too much." His response? "Then why haven't you blogged recently?" HA! It totally cracked me up! He's one of my most faithful blog readers both here and on our ministry blog. Good to know someone reads what I write! :)

So, Zach, this one's for you! ;)

I had the privilege to be part of a ladies' retreat this past weekend. Alliance Women Ministries is a huge support ministry of our church, the Christian and Missionary Alliance. These ladies faithfully pray for us, send notes of encouragement, generously support us financially, "adopt" our kids and send them amazing Christmas and birthday gifts, and just generally show great interest in what God is doing the world over. I feel so loved and cared for by these women, many of whom I don't know personally.

What an amazing weekend! First of all, I got to hang with my mother-in-law! I so enjoy talking with her and hearing her perspective on things. She is a godly woman, and I am so thankful to have her in my life! Many of my friends from my church were able to come, and my sister and bff from waaaaay back were both there too! I was blessed!

When I say it was a privilege to be part of this group, I mean it sincerely. I love to talk--no secret! So, it's just fun to be able to speak to a crowd! But to be able to speak about something so precious to me~~the Palestinian people and all that God's doing over there~~well, that's just over-the-top amazing! This weekend is definitely a highlight of my ministry year!

Add to that the blessing of hearing from my sisters who are working all over the world, and I walked away feeling like my cup was overflowing! Amy, working with Dorcas House in Burkina Faso. Her stories touched my heart and challenged me. Kandi and Chrissy, working in Cambodia. Their stories of God's faithfulness were soul-altering.

It is good to be with godly women. It is good to hear what God is doing throughout the world, to be reminded that He is still in control. It is good to laugh and have a good time and to reconnect with friends, new and old. I'm blessed. No doubt about it.

The magic of Sponge Rollers

It's picture day at school and Maggie wanted curlers in her hair for the big day! So, last night, I filled her head with sponge rollers. Georgia Kate decided she wanted curlers too, so I did the same with her. I had no idea that their fine, silky hair would take to curl to well! GK wasn't too happy. She kept trying to brush the curls away. She got used to them! :) We transformed this:


















With this:




















To this:

Crazy Hair Day!

Today was Crazy Hair Day at school. We dyed the kids' hair green and orange. This week has been full of fun stuff in honor of Dr. Suess' birthday! They even got to eat Green Eggs and Ham yesterday! FUN!

So, here are Scoty, Maggie, and Thomas, with crrraaaaaazzzzzzyyyyy hair! :)

Saying goodbye...

I'm so thankful we got to travel to Texas when we did. Uncle Tommy passed away peacefully yesterday morning. He was surrounded by his family and he never had to enter the hospital, which was his wish. It's so hard to believe he is gone....

Rest in peace, Uncle Tommy. :(

Back home...

I arrived home on Monday evening. The trip to Texas was a good one for so many reasons. First of all, though it was sad and painful to see Uncle Tommy so sick, it was also good to be able to say goodbye. He was up and walking and interacting some, though we don't know how much he recognized us or understood what was going on. He smiled at us a lot, responding to gentle touches and kisses, and didn't mind all the commotion we brought with us. It was good to see him.

Secondly, my Na-na got to come along and say goodbye to her son. I watched her tuck his blankets in and try to make him more comfortable. He tolerated her fussing and that made her happy. I still get choked up when I think of the pain a mother goes through when saying goodbye to a child. It isn't the normal order of life and I know it must break her heart. This is the child she nursed and cared for, and when he was small, she was able to kiss away all of his hurts. It was an incredibly moving experience to be able to observe Na-na and her son.

Finally, how good it was to be with family. We didn't see them all that much during a normal year, but when we are together, it's as if no time has passed. We laugh lots and enjoy each others' company. It was my hope that our visit would bring some joy and some distraction for my Aunt Ellen and cousins during what has been a very difficult time for them. There was laughter and tears. It was bittersweet.

Saying goodbye is never easy. But it is good. And, as always, God is faithful.

Unexpected trip to Texas

I just booked a flight to Texas for Friday, joining my parents and grandmother. My Uncle Tommy, Mom's brother, has been battling lung cancer and kidney failure. The prognosis is not good and it doesn't seem he'll make it much longer. Saying goodbye is important to me. Being there for my Aunt and cousins is also important. Prayers are appreciated during this sad and difficult time....

A Spring Day

Well, at least it felt like it! It was 60 degrees today! Georgia Kate, Stitch and I headed out for a little walk. I couldn't resist getting out of the house! We walked around town, talking about everything we saw. We stopped at a local ice cream parlor for a bite to eat and a Wet Walnut Sundae! YUM! I've really been enjoying my time with just Georgia Kate.

I also got a hair cut today. I decided to try something different. Now, for all of you blog readers who are adventurous with your hair, you'll probably laugh at me. But for me, this was a big deal. I trust my hairdresser, so I showed her a picture and asked if she thought I could pull off the look. She said absolutely and set to cutting. So, it's just a swoopy bang in the front, nothing drastic, but enough to freshen up my look and make me smile. I love my infrequent trips to the hairdresser! I always walk out of there feeling like a million bucks! I thought I'd snap a few pictures for a nice layout for my Book of Me. And because I hardly even turned up in pictures from MY birthday! :) I'm usually behind the camera.

I set to snapping the self-portraits. I sent one to Scot after I told him I cut my hair. I think I scared him. :)

It was a nice day. Too bad the weather won't last. At least it gave me hope that spring will eventually arrive!

Birthday Fun

Well, my birthday is over. I don't feel any older, so I guess that's a good thing! :) My in-laws brought pizza, my mom brought an ice cream cake from a favorite local ice cream shop, and they all brought gifts.

And Scot got to be there...virtually! :) He was free and skype/webcammed his way into the par-tay. He even got to be there to sing Happy Birthday and see the candles getting blown out! The kids loved having him there almost as much as I did! I really do miss him, and it was fun to have him there, live! I really love modern technology!

I also need to mention that Scot and the kids gifted me before he left. I got the Indiana Jones movies on dvd and an Indiana Jones dvd game. Oh...and a hysterical card with an Office quote!

My in-laws and my parents gave me lots of nice, new clothes! I love not having to do my own shopping! I loved everything I got, including the many Birthday wishes on Scrapshare and my Facebook page. Birthdays are FUN!

But I still really miss Scot. :(

Happy Birthday to ME! :)

It's my birthday! I love my birthday! Yep, shamelessly love celebrating my birthday! Of course, I enjoy celebrating other people's birthdays also! But I do love mine!

I woke up to hushed whispers. You know how kids are when they think they're being so sneaky? I knew they were up to something and decided to stay in bed a little longer to let them do their thing. Yeah...that's why I decided to stay in bed! ;) I made lots of noise when I woke up and made sure they heard me coming.

Maggie and Thomas were busy with something in the living room. Rather than entering the kitchen, I sat down at my computer to give them more time. They entered the kitchen with more whispers. About 5 minutes later they appeared at my side with 3 mini-bagels and cream cheese, a tiny cupcake from Walmart, and a half-full glass of milk! They were so proud of themselves for making me breakfast since Daddy wasn't home to help them out. I loved it!

They had no idea that my mom was taking me out for breakfast a little later this morning! So, I ate the semi-toasted mini-bagels and drank my milk. They drew me lovely birthday pictures and were beaming at my joy. Kids are great for some good birthday love! :)

Mom took me to breakfast with Georgia. We stopped by my Na-na and Papa Joe's house where she gave me a card and a big hug. And now it's nearly time to pick the kids up from school and move onto the next party: my in-laws and mom are coming back for pizza and a birthday cake!

Of course Scot called first thing this morning. I miss him.

But it's been a good birthday so far! I know it'll only get better!

He's gone...

For two weeks. Scot's gone. Waaaah. I don't like it one bit. He's speaking at several churches in Florida. He'll be awesome. But I miss him. It's a major bummer and the reason I'm sitting here typing this at 11:40pm instead of sleeping. At least the kids went to bed okay without Daddy to tell the story. Though Maggie was out of sorts all day. Georgia Kate asked me about a hundred times, "Where's Daddy?"

2 weeks isn't such a long time. But I know it's going to move at a snail's pace. I won't feel like myself until Scot gets back. Okay...enough wallowing. Off to bed with me!