Oh Happy Day!

One of my very dear friends came into the shop today, just to see it, my booth and to (of course) say "hi".  It was so nice getting to chat a minute with her.  We are in a Bible study group {have been for about 10 years}, and we break for summer and the month of December.  So we haven't gotten to chat as much as we would like over the last few months.  {Actually, several of my Bible study friends have come by...love these ladies!!!}
Plus...she bought my little squirrel tassel.  That made my day!  It makes me glad that my friends like my stuff.  'Cause these ladies have style, and then some!

Then, while she was here the bus dropped birdie off, that was a sweet visit as well.  Birdie loves my friend and vice versa, so they chatted a moment and my friend commented on birdie's outfit, and how cute she was.  Well, I have to make sure she goes off to middle school in style, don't ya know!  Plus, birdie was wearing MY shoes to school.  Oh how she is growing, will probably pass me very, very soon...in the shoe department.  She has already passed me in the height dept.  Oh well, everyone knew this day would come.

Our bathroom is almost done!  The tile is pretty much done, so now hubs needs to put in the vanity/sink, the new light, and the faucets.  I need to touch up the paint before he gets to that...so, can you guess what we will be doing this weekend?  It will be so wonderful to have our bathroom back, and usable.  Having to share one bathroom has been tricky and makes us grateful for 2 full baths, even indoor plumbing.  We take bathrooms and so many other things for granted, don't we?  It will then snowball into..."birdie's bath could use an udated look, the kitchen definitely needs to be updated, and so many other house projects".  You know how it goes.  One project leads to another, and so on...The other projects will have to wait their turn 'cause there are many more pressing items on the 'said' list.  Ah, the joys of home ownership.  Well, there will be pictures as soon as it is complete.  Look forward to it being pretty and new and the decorating.  So stay tuned...

Until then,
Serving Him,
Christina

 

Try Something New!

Hi Y'all,
Do you ever find yourselves in a rut?  I think I am in a big one, maybe even a raveen!  What I mean by this is I know there are certain things that must get done, need to be done and yet I still don't do them, or put them off as long as possible until it is an emergency.  Well almost.  Like the stinkin' dishes.  I hate doing our dishes.  Gimmie a minute to complain, if you don't mind.  We are, yes blessed, to have a working dish washer, but it is old and yucky.  Doesn't dry the dishes like it was originally intened to do, so I have to pretty much towel dry most of the items before I put them away.  {Don't you feel sorry for me?}  If I were less OCD I would just slap the dishes in the cabinet and be done.  But NO!  I am compulsive, so it has to be done just so.  So, basically I am my own problem here.

Also, while I'm complaining...my dear sweet birdie is always MESSIN' with my stuff.  It is a constant battle, (I'm sure 99.9% of you can relate).  I had a super tantrum last night over her leaving a highlighter - open - on the guest room bed.  Of course by the time I noticed it, it had bled through the comforter.  To her saving grace, it was a pink highlighter, which blends into the print on the comforter.  I tried to use the tide stick on it, which just made the area spread.  Grrr and many more unpleasantries!!!  I know it is just a thing, but I am constantly telling her to leave my things alone.  I had the highlighter out from using it on my Bible study, so she proceeds to pick it up and {mess} with it, leaving it open. 

Well, I keep thinking to myself, one day this will no longer happen...or will it?  You see, she will most likely always be with us or be very close by.  Hubs and I are recognizing this more and more as she gets older.  I always figured she would get easier to handle/deal with as she grew up.  You know, no more feeding, changing, carrying her, etc.  Yes, those things are easier, but, I still have to do many things for her, or at least be there to lend a hand, or things just don't/won't happen.  Like bathing.  Sounds simple enough, right?  Well, not so.  I need to do it because hubs is uncomfortable now and rightly so.  Plus, she is showing modestly - sort of.  And bath/shower is a chore.  She hates to do it but eventually gets in, and it is honestly easier for me to just do it.  She will say, on occasion, "I'll do it myself".  So, she shows some effort, but I need to still be there so I make sure the shampoo gets out all the way or to remind her to scrub this spot or that spot.  It justs seems to take forever, and now that she is gettting older and is in P.E. everyday, she needs one everyday.  Also, her hair is so thin and it looks greasy/stringy if is doesn't get washed.  Needless to say, there have to be lots of verbal reminders and even showing her these things that need to be done.

This is just a whiny day for me, so please forgive me.  But on occasion, I need to let it out.  I have been very bad about not exercising.  That would be a much better way to let out my frustrations, and I wouldn't be so sluggish and squishy.  I pray for energy and the drive to move, get active.    I have said it before, and I'll say it again.  I am in a funk!  I need to snap out of it and "Move to Lose".  That is a phrase Chris Freytag uses in her DVDs/books to motivate.  I need her to come to my house and do it with me, ya know, make me get off the couch/computer and workout.  Get it over with and I know I would feel so much better throughout my day.

Well, enough complaining for one day.  I need to go empty the darn dishwasher and man-up to my chores.  Once this house is put back together, (the bathroom being re-done, remember), I'll give this house a super-duper cleaning.  I need a magic wand to wave, and bbrrring...it's sparkly and done!  Now I'm just hallucinating...off to do my chores.

Oh, about the title, trying something new.  If you have any suggestions for me as to how to get past this slump/funk I'm in, please share.  I need to workout regularly and keep up on the chores better.  So send me some tips to cheer up and shape up!!

Pardon the down-ness of my post, just reality...What I really need to do is:  take it to the Lord in prayer.

"Is anything too hard for the Lord?"  Genesis 18:14

Until next time,
Serving Him,
Christina

From Birdies Nest...The BOOTH

Howdy y'all.  I've been MIA lately, since I was getting my booth ready.  It has already seen changes.  You may remember me saying I was getting it ready...well birdie let me use her vanity/desk as my booth, and I added cute 'found' shutters on top.  She kept saying you can "use" my desk, I'll "share".  What that really meant in birdie language was...you used it, now I want it back.  Yep, it was in the shop for about a week.  Birdie would come into the shop and say "I need my desk back, bring it home, dad can get it".  It was cute actually.  To her, she was sharing, letting me 'use' her desk.

Here is old (week old) booth:

We had a plumbing issue last week and water came through her wall from our bathroom, ruining her carpet.  We had to pull out her carpet and as it sits {for now} she has the yucky concrete floors and a pretty new rug on top.  In doing so, I moved her bed over to the wall and she had a nice space to play.  I thought the desk/vanity would look good back in her room in its old spot.  See, I cannot stay focused on any one thing, for any length of time...but her room looks cute {for now}.

Now, you must know my dear sweet, patient hubby made this booth for me.  He is a "rigger extraordinare".  He has the vision in wood, tools, man talk.  I have a different vision...pretty, not necessarily functional or practical, just pretty.  That is where it is hard for hubs and I to work too closely on projects like this.  I have my jobs and and he has his.  He calls me when he is ready for me or wants my help...then and only then.  "Go on, now git", that is usually what I hear.  Whatever works, right!  So, here is the grand booth he made from free scraps and a few purchases from a habitat restore.  He is so clever, I think I'll keep him...{wink}

So, this is the much anticipated "BOOTH" and its name sake...Birdie.  She loves her posing and of course having her desk back makes her happy too.  We are all happy.  Hubs, because this contraption is out of 'his' garage; Me, because we did it 'somewhat' together; and Birdie gets her good 'ol desk back in her room.  Thank you Lord for giving us this creativity.  Now Lord, could you please just make it a success...I'm not asking much, am I?

Like I said, start of school and lots of projects, always keeping busy.  Not too busy though.  I have started a new Bible study on Tuesday mornings and I think I'm gonna like it very much.  It has a little homework, but that keeps me in His Word.  I leave you with the verse I need to memorize:

"...but the righteous will live by faith-" Habakkuk 2:4


This is a study on having faith when life is not fair, right or just.

Until next time,
Serving Him,
Christina

Catching Up!

Hello,
I have trouble keeping my focus on one, two, no three areas.  Let me just admit it now, I am not good at multi-tasking.  I think I've mentioned that before, though.
I have birdie back in school so I have A Lot more time to "do" stuff, but there always seems to be too much stuff to do.  Thankfully I get the family laundry done and put away, and mostly keep the house picked up.  So, why do I still feel so out of it?  Maybe because I am at a loss without my baby bird in her nest...no, that can't be it.  I cherish my alone time, sad but true!  I so enjoy quiet, and when hubs is gone off to work and the bird is off at school, my house is totally quiet.  No TV, no music playing, just quiet.  Aahhhh!  Does anyone else crave quiet like I do?  (I know my dad does.)  There is so much noise in the world today with TV, computers, and music.  All great stuff, just so noisy.  I even try to steal away into my "woman cave" (my craft room), but you can only shut out the noise so much.  They need to do their "thing" when they get home, so I try to enjoy the quiet while they are away.  There, I've said it out loud for the world to know...I am a home body like my bird and crave quiet...boring, I know.  But that's me.

However, I have been busy, (in my attemp at multi-tasking) to get stuff ready for my booth.  I start it September 1st, so I have been making and creating.  Will definitely be posting pictures once I'm finished and the booth itself is ready.  Really excited and feel so crafty, just wish I didn't have "chores" to keep calling me away from the fun/crafty work I need/want to do.  Doesn't everyone feel that way about their hobbies/favorite past-times?  But life must goes on...

I am trying to get caught up on things I didn't do this summer because I said to myself, "I'll do this and that once birdie is back in school".  That time has arrived, now where do I begin.  Like working out!  I have been horrible at this task.  I know how much I need to do it, I have just had NO desire and therefore I haven't worked out regularly...at all.  Shame on me.  But with the cooler weather approaching, I'll do more.  At least that is what I'm telling myself.  I have not been motivated at all this summer to workout, or do much of anything productive.  I gotta snap out of my funk and get busy.

I leave you with a verse I just found:

"...it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight."  1 Peter 3:4

I have a long way to go to get to the gentle and quiet spirit that is pleasing to the Lord.  But I am a work in progress, but at least I'm trying.

For the next post, I will be writing about our recent trip to Glorieta for a family retreat.  It was a fabulous experience...so hang on to your seats in anticipation!

Until Next Time,
Serving Him,
Christina

First Day of School Parts I & II!

Well, it has happened, whether I wanted it to or not.  The dreaded first day of MIDDLE school!  And guess what?  We both survived...Birdie was eager to get out of bed this morning, which only happens when there is something special to look forward to.  In her book, today was one of those days.  Thank goodness for small miracles!  So getting ready earlier than years before - to ride the bus - was a piece of cake... today.  Tomorrow will be anybodies guess.  She was happy and giddy and pleasant, yay for mom.  We had already set out the weeks worth of clothes, so there wouldn't be any fighting, so no drama in the clothing department this morning, and breakfast and all the usual stuff of brushing hair and teeth went smoothly as well.  Shew!  Then on to pictures.  Well, you gotta have proof of the first day of school, K-12, and thus far, we are now at 7th grade.  Getting birdie to pose for the camera is always easy.  This is one of her favorite past-times.  Getting pictures taken and posing...see!  Then, we hear the rumble of the bus coming and she is jumping up and down in the drive way.  Not only that, but her fellow bus companions are standing up ready to greet her getting on the bus.  These kids are so sweet and really love each other.  Off they go down the street, and I start walking back to the house and it just hits me.  There goes my baby, and here come the tears...yes, even at 13 years old, my birdie leaving for big 'ol junior high makes me cry.

Is it all moms, at all stages, or is it just me?  Please tell me I'm not alone in this.  So, I sit down sobbing and praying, (thankful God can understand my gibberish) for the Lord to watch over her and protect her.  And HE did!  She did fine, as I knew would be the case, but we have such a hard time letting go, don't we?  We both survived the day.  I drove up the long route to pick birdie up on her first day; had told her yesterday I would and then we would celebrate with ice cream and she could tell me all about her day.  I spoke with her teacher and she said my bird had a good day, but was tired.  Its tough on a gal going through all the rigors of middle school.  Then we headed to town for that much deserved ice cream...mostly for momma!  I had a rough day, ya know.  She told me a few details but I'm sure by bedtime more stories will surface.  But we got through the infamous 1st day of Middle school.  Part I - the dread, the fears.   Part II - she did just fine and my baby bird is back home in her nest.  Maybe momma bird will sleep like a baby tonight...

God is so good, He cares for us and knows all our fears and silly worries, but wants us to bring them to Him anyway, and them leave them with Him.  That is the harder part for me.  Bringing them...easy.  Leaving them...still a work in progress.  Well, I am exhausted!

Until next time,
Serving Him,
Christina

What's Cooking!

Cookin' in my brain that is...I will be opening a booth (in the little store I work in), in September.  I am really excited and a tad intimidated.  Why?  Well, there are two other booths in the store that do awesome stuff.  Actually there are several booths in the store, all with great stuff.  But the two I'm referring to are great.  I'm not trying to compare myself or my stuff with theirs, our items will be different.  I just don't want to flop and fail miserably next to their booths.
 
**We are not to compare ourselves with others, we all have our gifts and talents**

These other two booths are great and so creative, I just need to let my style shine.  It is for the glory of the Lord, not me.  He is the one, afterall, that gave me these talents, right?  Well, like I've said before, I think I found my niche.  I get to work in a cute, quaint little store and be around people and that takes care of my need for socialization and craftiness.  Yay!  Thank you Lord for directing my path and that I finally was listening and paying attention...It took me a while to get to this point, but here I am!!  Slow learner I guess, or is it stubborn?

Plus, birdie has been able to be with me at the store and during this last week while we have been repainting and getting it ready to open under the new owner.  She has a ball there and thinks she is helping and has been the entertainment...in a matter of sorts.

I took birdie and her best bud to the city the other day to "hang out".  I drug  brought them along while I did a super duper shopping spree, buying stuff and junk to make for my booth.  Birdie's buddy kept asking, "are you done yet?".  They had a grand ol' time cruzing around Hobby Lobby and Goodwill, though.  Both of them have cell phones and I entered all appropriate phone numbers in all our phones before we went into the 1st store.  They took off to "wander" and let me get my crafting mojo going.  As you can imagine, my phone rang about 100 times.  "Hi mom!", "where are you?", "what are you doing?", "can we go yet?", but it was surprisingly a good time had by all 3 of us.  They had a great time back together since being off for summer.  Their teacher used to call them "Frick & Frack".  Said they fought like an old married couple...heehee.  Then I took them to their favorite place to eat...I tried so hard to persuade them to go elsewhere.  Can you guess where we ended up for lunch???  Yep, McDonald's!  Oh well, they were happy.  Then we went to the movies...we saw "The Smurfs" , and they had a great time laughing.  So, all in all, it was a great outing.  I got my shopping done, they were able to wander without me hovering, and they had lunch and a movie.  Good times!  Birdies phone is getting low on minutes, but she and her bud were texting...how cute!

So, that is what I've been doing this week, oh, and also had to register birdie at middle school.  We got caught in a rain storm, so that helped take away my apprehensions and need for tears.  We were SOAKED!  Got through it, now I have to get through the 1st day of school/1st week, however long it may take.  But, at least I have plenty of things to keep me occupied.  Working on my booth.  Lord help me...

Until next time,
Serving Him, Christina

 

The Little Store!

Well, I had been stressing over what job I would do once birdie went off to middle school.  I felt I should be doing more to help contribute to the family {financially}.  Why is it we women do this to ourselves?  We want to be "stay-at-home" moms (ya know...hands on), yet we feel we should contribute by way of money.  Well, I think it's our society and the devil.  Always telling us we need more, do more, be more.  I had been praying for God's guidance and wisdom, so I would do the right thing for our family, (as well as for my sanity).  A side note: I am not cut out to be a working-outside-the-home kind of gal.  So, now that I know this I can {sort-of} stop stressing, I can move on.  Remember, I was working at this little store and getting paid to make cards and be crafty.  Fun, creative, great hours and...birdie could be there with me all summer.  But, that voice {from the world/devil} kept getting louder.  I hate that voice!  It kept telling me what great money I could make and all the great things I could buy.  Can I get an Amen here? Yet, I felt the Lord telling me to stay put.  There may not be great money, but you are contributing some and able to be there for birdie and take care of our home.  Birdie is the most important part of our lives and God gave her to us to take care of, not push her off on someone else to raise/care for.  I had several of my friends and family praying for me about a possible job.  Guess what?  It fell through, or as I'd rather put it...God answered my prayers.  I was not meant to take on another position where I would have to put job before kid/family.  So, I will stay put!  The little store has a new owner and will be a little different, but same idea,  and the best part is, I can still have birdie there if she needs to be and she can even get off the school bus there at the store.  How great is that?  So, God knows what I need and made it possible.  Thank you Lord and thank you to all my wonderful friends and family who lifted me up in prayer over this subject.

Now school can start, plus I'm ready for cooler weather.

Here is a verse I go back to time and again:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall make your paths straight."  Proverbs 3:5-6

Until next time
Serving Him,
Christina

Just a Summer Day!

Howdy y'all
Well this summer has been different from past summers.  How?  Well, I can't really put my finger on it, its just been different.  Like, the forest fire and need to evacuate, and birdie's summer school schedule was different.  This year they were up at the Jr. High and only went 3 days a week but for 5 hours.  The kids got to do things in the community and some cool field trips.  Unfortunately, it was cut short a week due to the fire/evacuation.  But, birdie had a great time with her classmates and really enjoyed being at the jr. high, which I was really worried about.  She also rode the bus and didn't get car sick, YEAH!!  So this means she'll be fine once school starts, riding the bus to and from school.  I was concerned about that aspect and figured I'd have to drive her all the way up there and back, everyday.  That is a long drive, plus, there is a lot of road construction on that route, Yuck!, but, all is well in that department.

We haven't really been anywhere for a "summer vacation".  We did spend a weekend up the road a piece, in the "big city".  Enjoyed the hotel and pool, some shopping and eating out.  Woohoo, we are animals when it comes to traveling...just joshin'.  Boring is more like it.  But, birdie loves to stay in the hotel room.  She gets all set up and does "her thing".  "Her thing" consists of playing office with the room phone, the notepad (which she tends to use every page of) and pen, and now she has her own netbook/laptop (a "cheap" freebie I got-it doesn't even work-but she utilizes it in her own way).  Oh, let's not forget, the mirrors and the TV.  See, birdie has everything at her disposal, so why do we need to leave?  She gets bugged about going and doing, but, since she needs some down time, she is always happy to return to the room.  However, during our weekend get away, I got a terrible migraine.  So hubs took me and birdie back to the hotel so I could rest, while he went to the store to buy me some meds.  Even with such a nauseating, pounding headache, birdie was super quiet and played on the real laptop and her "other" office items with minimal light in the room, so mommy could rest.  Such a sweetheart.  Have I said enough what a good girl she is?  Well, its true!  I don't know if others recognize that about her, but she is so easy to care for, get along with and does not need much to entertain herself.  We are truely blessed to get to be her parents.  Thank you Lord!

We also made a special trip to get birdie's hair cut before jr. high starts.  You know, a teenager needs to look just right, so a new/easy 'do' was in order.  She was so giddy and excited.  Cute haircut...don't ya think?

Birdie also tried something out of the norm for her.  I had to really push and plead for her to try this, but she did it...fearfully.  She had such a great time, she wouldn't stop talking about it and wanted to do it again.  So, I said yes...I had to after pushing her to try it, and then she actually loved it.  Well, love to her was going at her speed.  We respect that as her parents, she tried it and we were proud of her...see!

makes mom and dad proud...she tried something she was afraid of.  But did it!

So, this is pretty much what we've been up to this summer, a whole lot of nothin'.  Oh well, that is what is great about summer.  The lazy days, aaahhhh!

Here is a verse to leave you with:

1)"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2)Honor your father and mother - which is the first commandment with a promise -3)that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."   Ephesains 6:1-3

Until next time,

Serving Him,

Christina

Crazy Busy...Now Relax!

May ?:
Hello all you blogger friends,
We have been so busy with the last month of school, I am finally able to sit down and relax, and enjoy summer.  I only have one kiddo and can't imagine how crazy others get with several kids and several of their activities...all I know, is that ours is over...for a few (10) weeks.
Birdie had so many things going on this last month of school.  They were all fun and I'm glad to have those memories, just glad to have gotten through them.  There was the 6th grade class trip, where they went up to the mountains and camped at a YMCA camp.  BUT, no modern facilities here, (except the kitchen - where hubs did "his thing").  So, due to her "issues" and how easily freaked out she can get, we chose to stay in a little town right down the road from the camp.  Much better, plus it had real beds, real windows, electricity, plumbing and heat.  Does that tell you what the camp did not have?  Yeah, talk about roughin' it...not my cup of tea either.  It is a cool experience for the kids, because they do a lot of team building and activities that require team effort.  Also a high ropes course.  Birdie did it...at least at her ability level. We were so proud of her as well as her teachers and classmates.  You go girl!

July 19:
Well, as you can see...I have totally let the ball drop on my blog since early May.  Just been enjoying summer with my bird!  We got through the end of year dance recital, 6th grade party and graduation.  Quite tearful, but good tears & good memories.  I will terribly miss her elementary school.  Such wonderful people there, but we must move forward...part of life...I guess!
Then she & I went to the great state of TX. to do some visitin'.  Good times, just hectic traveling with the bird in extreme heat...we are wimps, and it was only early June.  We are fortunate to live in the cool mountains, hardly any humidity.   Aaahhhhh!!
But, came home to smoke from nearby forest fires, and then we had our own.  Yikes!  So hubs stayed in our town to help/work...this is his thing, his type of work, while birdie and I headed north to the in-laws home.  It was crazy hectic there too, with 2 other families besides ours, so...thankfully they have a LARGE home, lots of room to spread out.  So, that was 13 people, 4 dogs, 2 cats and a hampster, and NO casualties.  Amazing!  Thanks R & C, it was a great time!

When we headed back home, birdie started her summer school program and a Pilates class.  She really enjoyed the summer school program alot, however, it was cut short a week due to the fire and mandatory evacuation.  Oh well, what are you gonna do?  She is still going to the Pilates class, so good for her, as well as swimming.  Boy, by the end of the day birdie is beat and sleeps so sound.  YAY!  There are 4 weeks left of summer vacation and it seems to go super fast...how can that be, the regular school year drags on and on, but summer zips along and then poof...school again.  Oh well, what can you do?  Its all part of life.

So below are some pictures of the bird in our crazy month of May...Enjoy!

Getting ready for field day, then off to 6th grd. Ropes

with dad, aka Camp cook

Climbing up, up ,up Shew!

In her beautiful "modern dance piece" costume...so pretty! 

and here's our graduate...TaDa

puppy sitting for Tex & Winnie...Aaawwww

So, this is what we've been up to.  Nothing earth shattering, just life.  A day in the life of birdie...actually a few months, but here it is.

Later,

Serving Him, Christina

Great Day!

Hi there,
I had my first full, (4 hour, that is) work day in the newly re-opened store.  It was great.  I love my new job.  I am getting paid to "make" cards, be creative.  Can you believe it?  Like I said...this is right up my alley, finally I am in my element.  'Yay me'!  I had no stress and it was quaint and quiet.  I must be getting old...or something.  But, I loved it.

God has placed me in the right atmosphere and in my comfort zone, whereas before...WAY out of my element.  I had done administrative work in the past and liked it, but that was pre-birdie.  When I worked at birdies school, I was in my element then too.  I just felt it was time to move on, mostly for her.  And like I said, she has done just fine!  Now I think we are all happy and feelin' groovy :)  Have I ever mentioned (probably not), that hubs had been on a job hunt (searching for another job-a better fit for him), for a few years.  That's right, years...He was so burned out in his last job (been doing it 8years), he had been searching high and low for another job.  Same workplace, just different line of work...So, that was a praiseworthy moment in our life when that new job came to be!  He started that position back at the start of the new year, along with me at the 'tax place'.  He really likes his job.  So hopefully, everything will stay as is, for all 3 of us!  Also, when birdie got off the bus yesterday, she was giddy and so happy to be coming home, and to see me.  THAT is a wonderful feeling!  THAT lets me know I'm doing the right thing for her and for our family.

Here is a verse to go along with our past year...it is good to look back once in a while.  It gives us a better perspective to see things that we were worried about and struggling with.  Once we get through a situation, rather, God gets us through, we can see how He was at work the whole time.  We just needed to wait on His timing, not ours.  So hard to do at the time...but well worth it in the end.

11)"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  12)Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  13)You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."   Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NIV)

So until next time... 
Serving Him,
Christina  

Hard Lesson for Momma!

Hi y'all
Well, my baby bird had her first school dance this Friday night.  It was called the "Six-Sevie Dance".  It includes all the 6th graders from the 5 different elementaries, plus all the current 7th graders.  This way they can interact with one another, (since our Middle school is 7th and 8th).  A flyer came home and we put it on the calender, because birdie loves dancing!  She was very excited and really looking forward to it.  She got all dolled up, well, as much as a 6th grader should.  She wore her blue sparkly dress that she also wore for her birthday party, her 'low' heels and momma did her hair and nails.  I was a nervous wreck.  You know how it goes, moms get all the nerves trying to get the daughter all 'done' up.  At least I did!-Plus it was her first encounter like this.  Yo gotta look just right...first impressions!

Anyway, on the flyer it said chapperones welcome/needed, especially dads.  Then another flyer was sent home, it seemed as if the old one didn't mention paying, plus a bit more info.  It DID NOT say you Must sign up to be a chapperone or you couldn't stay.  Well, me being the smarty pants momma...hubs asked if I called and asked if I could stay,  I said, "well, I'm gonna!"  And that was that!!  So, we drive up town and the parking lot is all a buzz at the dance location.  Birdie is so excited and ready to jump out of the car.  I spot another mom and ask where her daughter is and we talk a bit.  Then her girl shows up with several others from birdies school.  It was so sweet, they ran up to her and said how pretty she looked and loved her dress, and they all exchanged hugs! :)  Makes momma bear so proud...  Well, I give her some money and she gets in line with her friends, then a few moms take pictures.  Of course!  I stand back, but when it is her turn to pay the "bouncer"...that is so funny to me, anyway, she goes to pay and I tell him I'm staying and he said, "are you a chapperone?"  I lied..., "yes" I said sheepishly.  He said, "did you call ahead and put your name on the list?" (I stink at lying)  I looked down and said "no".   He said I had to call ahead, we just can't have everyone stay, plus I don't know who you are.  Duh, he didn't know birdie either...  So, I had planned to get the change from her and hang out on the side lines, right?  Well, that didn't quite happen.  She paid and went inside with her gal pals and didn't look back and seemed so grown up.  Momma however, was fighting back tears!  I was so surprised, the one mom told me she'll be fine, then another friend drove by and said she had dropped off her son.  I must have looked like I was gonna cry, 'cause they said, "she'll do fine".

I hung around the parking lot for about 15 minutes, then called daddy.  What is he going to say?  Is he going to tell me to go back in there and yank her out of there?  I was numb, stunned, and holding back tears, 'cause there were still other parents in the parking lot and I didn't want to look like an idiot!  So I call hubs, he said..."I wondered if you should have called someone.  So what are you going to do?  Birdie's gonna freak!"  So every imaginable thought ran through my head.  "What if she freaks out looking for me?  What if there are strobe lights and she has a seizure?"  So I run over to Starbucks and then the grocery store to grab a magazine to read while in the parking, distract my anxious thoughts.  I never let my phone out of my sight!  Several of her friends had phones, so if the problem arised they could call their parents, to call our house, then daddy could call me.  See what a mess I was!!  Well, I park as close to the door as I can, which is open and I can sort-of see in.  A little bit later, a mom comes out into the parking lot (apparently SHE was a chapperone), so I ran over to her (she was a mom I knew from birdie's school).  I asked her to please check on birdie and about the 'studid', yes, stupid mom I am that didn't sign up to be a chapperone.  She said she saw her and she was doing fine, just surprised she was alone.  (Usually she has an aide with her or a buddy at school.)  Wow, she probably thinks I'm nuts sending her off to her first dance alone...  I told her my situation and she said she would check on her.  So, I go back to my car to sit and wait, read the magazine, which I can't seem to focus on.  Come on, its just pictures, pay attention!  Anyway, that lady comes back out and says "lock 'er up, your comin' inside!"  I jumped out of that car so fast...look out!  So I go inside and the 'bouncer' said, "you should have said something".  Well, I'm not going to make a scene in front of these new kids plus, I was just stunned, remember!  So, I stood against a wall and just watched.  Birdie was fine and was hanging out with her chums.  Shew...I was relieved!  She spotted me after about 10 minutes, and came over to me and said " is it time to go?"  I said no, go dance.  She said she was ready to go home.  I made her go tell the lady who got me in.  Now I look like a boob.  Oh well.  She said she had fun and showed us a dance she did to the "Cupid Shuffle".  YEAH!!  So, she engaged and did it on her own, not from my intention, just from my stupidity!  So, all was well and she will do fine in Middle school...I hope momma can manage a little better.  I have all summer to work on this little problem I have...heehee

Have I said before that I'm having a hard time adjusting to her growing up?  Well, I am...no doubt about it.  I'm sure this is normal, to some extent, but I don't like it, nonetheless!

So there...I have told on myself again.  But, get used to it.  I bet there will be more silly momma stories to come.  Stupid things I do, crazy how I protect my birdie.  Then again, that is my job!!

So, God heard my frantic prayers last night, and calmed me down.  Or was it the starbucks?...Just kidding, God took care of both of us!  Thanks again Lord!!!

Until next time,
Serving Him,
Christina (a.k.a. Crazy Momma)

Snow, it's May for cryin' out loud!

Hi y'all!
Yes, that's right.  Snow...on the first day of May.  The weather was so nice just a few days ago, if you forget about all the wind.  But the weather reports kept saying, snow.  What, they got it wrong again...actually, this time they were right. Hee Hee  So, we had snow flurries in our little town and mostly cold, windy, wet flakes.  At least its moisture!!

I love the spring time, minus the wind, allergies, and occasional SNOW.  I love seeing the green come to life and my flowers pop out of the earth.  They are looking pretty good.  Summer time is when my flower beds look their best.  I need to plant things that bloom in the spring and still have color in the fall.  I ain't no green thumb, however.  I've done really good to keep what I do have thriving.  Actually, it is because they are perinnials.  I don't have much to do with the rest.  God is so good, gives us such beauty to look at.  He paints us a new picture every morning and another in the evening.  Wow!

So, birdie turned 13 and that meant a trip to the doctor for a well check up.  Annual visit, if you will.  I was a little nervous because she may need a shot to enter Middle School.  Shot, is a very bad word in our house.  We still spell it out.  And, sure enough, she needed a shot, the menengitus(sp?).  She was very upset and being the drama queen she is, made sure everyone in ear shot could hear and know she had just gotten a shot.  Well, we were planning on getting an allergy shot right after that appointment.  (I know, it's a shot, but she does that one once a week and takes it like a trooper, go figure!)  So, I told birdie we would go later in the week for that one.  Boy, was she relieved.  By the way, I signed her up for drama class as an elective in Middle school.  It seems so appropriate, she can learn how to direct that drama for good...at least I hope so!  If nothing else, the drama teacher will get a kick out of her acting!

We had a lovely Easter.  Hope y'all did as well.  It is my favorite holiday.  It celebrates the most important event in all of history.  Jesus' Resurection!  Amen

Below is a picture of our beautiful birdie, all dressed up in her Easter best.  After church we went to a fancy buffet at a nearby hotel/resort.  Fancy was the price too!  But, it was a special occasion, and who wants to cook and then do dishes on such a sacred day.  Not us, anyway.  These all you can eat buffets are probably great for the person who can pack it away.  But, for us, wow, that was a lot of food.  Of course, the dessert section was to die for.  I should have skipped everything else and gone straight to that beautiful display.  Yummy!  So, we left there super stuffed and in need of a nap.  Good day for it too.  I had to force hubs to pose with his girl for a picture, I kept saying "smile", and he would say, "I am".  I sure couldn't see it!  He is not very cooperative when it come to momma and my picture takin'.  What are you gonna do?

Now that I will be working a lot less, I plan on blogging a lot more.  My youngest brother-in-law has some ideas to help me along, I just need time to sit with him and focus on this.  Hard to catch him, though.  So, this summer I plan to "get 'er done", along with chillin' at the pool and going south to visit family and friends.  When I say south, I mean 100% humidity and heat-stroke-waiting-to-happen kind of weather.  Yuck!  Where we live, it is a dry heat, so much more tolerable...more like 80 degree temps, 10% humidity.  Birdie just melts, literally has meltdowns, but then again, so does momma, (I hate to be hot, sticky, wet).  I used to live there, but after being gone for 18+ years, you can't just get used to it overnight.  We have a pretty laid back lifestyle in the summer.  That is what summer is all about, right?  I love it!  Plus, while down south, we will get our "big" city shopping and eating out fix.  I miss all that about city life, just not the hustle & bustle that comes with it.  I am so thankful I don't have to work much.  Birdie can hang out with me at the shop, only 4 hours, 2 or so days a week.  So, we can ride our bikes there and work/play, then ride back home again.  That is the plan anyway.  Hope it comes to fruition.  Don't you hate it when you have a great plan, at least it's great in your head, but it never really plays out the way you invisioned?  We shall see...  So, look out summer we are getting ready for ya!

Here are some pics from Easter, enjoy...

 See, isn't birdie so sweet and growing up too quick?  Maybe I'm just a little biased...it is a momma's right!

Until next time,
Serving Him,
Christina

Crazy Time of Year!

Hi all, I have been so busy.  Life is like a roller coaster, especially this time if year.  I said I work at a CPA firm and man o man, I never realized the crazy "tax season", until now.  And...I don't want to experience that again!  I finally gave my 2 week notice, and the end of April will be my last day.  WOW, I survived, just barely!  This was so not the right fit for me.  However, I think it's me, not "the" job.  I am best at being a wife and mom.  I honestly feel that is what I am called to do.  God knows what I can handle and what I can't.  So, why did I go through this transition?  I really don't know, other than to realize this and be OK with it and not try to force myself to be a supermom and be the working mom I wasn't meant to be.  Needless to say, this has been a trying 8 months of my life.  But, I will continue to seek the Lord's way for me, even when I get off track, He gently gets me back on the path He intended for me.  I will be working at a consignment boutique/cupcake bakery.  Now, that is more up my alley.  Birdie is a little confused why I am not going to be working "up town" anymore.  I tell her I will be home more and not have to work so late, she loves that answer.  So, I think this will be a better fit for all of us.  She will be more excited when the shop opens early May, (actually, it is open now, just moving to a new/bigger location).  It will make more sense to her and, birdie will be able to hang out there, since it will have a kiddie play area.  She can be like the 'babysitter'...  I am really looking forward to working there and decorating cupcakes.  I have been watching YouTube videos of how to decorate cupcakes, using a pastry bag.  I tried it out on birdie's birthday cake, I still need lots of practice, but I'm afraid I'll eat all my mistakes...

Speaking of birthday's...birdie turned 13 last weekend and had the cutest "Teen Queen" party!  I am so glad we did something special for this birthday.  You only become a teenager once, so we did it up right, right up her alley, and she had a ball.  Did I mention, she was so beautiful?  She is looking so grown up, it is bittersweet.  I love seeing her act like a teen, minus the snippy stuff, but miss my little girl so much.  I think I'm seriously having issues with her growing up.  Is this normal?  I hope so, but I can't stop the progression.  Progress is wonderful, and she has made so much progress, it is wonderful.  We have just been through so much over her 12 years, that it is hard to not look back and wonder where the time went.  I know this is probably how all parents feel, but we are both reminded to never forget where we have been, and how far she has come!!!  It is all a gift from the Lord.

I was checking Facebook today and saw this post about an amazing video.  I'll share it now, and then the comment I made after viewing it.  So touching and heart wrenching.  I have such mixed emotions about this.  In one way I am so happy for the family to see such progress with their daughter.  Yet, in another way, sad that we may never see this kind of progress for birdie.  Then, I realize, God is not done with her and I am putting limitations on what she can or can't do.  That is not the right attitude for birdie, much less the right attitude God would want me to have.  So, snap out of it momma...move on, cheer up.  Who knows what may lie ahead for her, hang on and God will show us, just TRUST in His plan.  So, here it is...

http://carlysvoice.com/

Oh, how this touched me so! Oh, how I wish for my baby to come out of her "shell" and be able to tell us what is going on in her mind/her world. For the world around her to know her sweet, kind and loving spirit, and not look at her as if she doen't matter or cannot amount to anything. She is EVERYTHING to her mom and dad. God gave her to us as a gift, and we will treasure her with everything we are and have.

Maybe this is just because I'm emotional about my baby turning 13, her upcoming 6th grade graduation and then heading off to Middle school.  So many changes all at once.  Well, not really all at once, but too close to each other for momma to handle.  Like I said earlier, it is probably just "me".  I need some strong drugs to cope, or just a good walk and a long prayer/quiet time.  Don't worry, I'll pick the latter...

See, ain't she perty?  I can't believe how grown up birdie looks with all that makeup.

Actually, the picture makes her makeup look way darker than it really was.

Such a fun party, fun time birdie and her 3 friends had.

So, this has been a long, exhausting week and weekend.  Now that her party and tax season are over, I can relax.  Yeah right!  Next up, all the 6th grade activities.  Oh, and my new job...see its always something!

Have a Blessed EASTER, for HE is RISEN!!!

Until next time, Serving Him,

Christina

Update on Netbook...

Here is the update on the much anticipated "Netbook".  I had gone to a workshop in the 'big city' to learn more and help with my blogging, and they promise a free netbook to all who attend and stay to the end.  That should have been my first clue.  Anyway, I did not get home until that evening and hubs tried to work with it.  He said we'll try again in the morning.  Well, he then said let's get our friend to look at it.  So he did, and it was a complete loss.  It is not compatible with any windows application, therefore totally unusable.  I thought we could at least let birdie play with it, like her playhouse disney and type a lot of nonsense (she likes to type fast and then change the font size and font type and color certain words-but it is still gibberish).  Hubs said if you could get one of these netbooks out of a gumball machine...this is what you would get!  So, for the most part, it was a waste to spend all day in a class, but I got to have my one night away, all by myself.  So, I guess I got something out of that dumb class afterall!

So, that is the fabulous update on said Netbook.  Nada, Zip, Zilch...My, how do I get myself into these things?  Wishful thinking gets me in so much trouble.

Well, birdie & I are off doing errands for the day.  Need to buy a party dress for the "Teen Queen" party and we always get her a new pair of tennis shoes for her birthday.  That is not a surprise gift, just a necessity that we make fun in getting.  Aren't I cool?...

Until next time,
Serving Him,
Christina

Seeing Spots...

Hi y'all,
Sorry, its been a while since writing on my blog.  I have been busy checkin' out other blogs for tips, ideas and how to's.  Remember, I said this was a work in progress.  I at least hope I'm progressing...I have said this before, but I have a gazillion ideas and thoughts rolling around in my head.

Also, I am trying to "land" or "secure" another job.  Remember I said I was not a good fit for the current job I am at.  Well, not only is it 'Tax Season', but little did I know, this kind of work goes on for months and months.  Duh!  I figured, 'tax season', ya know, February thru April 15.  That is how my pea brain works.  Like I said, this job is not a good fit for me.  So, this "other" job I am checking into, is right up my alley.  It is a consignment boutique.  I just love that word...boutique!  It sounds so quaint and dainty.  That's me right there...just kidding.  Anyway, I am waiting on the owner to get back with me on the particulars of the job.  It is so close to my house I could walk, that is if I chose to walk...which I'm sure I won't.  Working out, (according to my pea brain) has to be done in the right clothes, the right footwear, and at the right time.  'Cause you can't be dainty and smell like a sweat sock!  Duh!  I am all about the shoes too, but that we'll have to save that topic for a whole other post.  Have I mentioned, "I Love Shoes"?  I even get birdie in on the shoe action.  That girl has about 20 pair of shoes.  Yep, not a type-o.  I haven't counted lately, but 20 is pretty accurate.  I know, I'm sick.  But, can you blame me?  I have a serious shoe fettish, so naturally it wears off on her, and girl shoes are so darn cute.  Actually, since I buy them, it really is mostly me.  But, she loves her shoes and plays in them and loves to dress up and wear all sorts of cute shoes.  Right now, she has discovered "high heels".  Birdie specifically asked for high heels for her 6th grade graduation.  So, thinkin' hubs is gonna kill me if she falls or breaks something, I told her, just be very, very careful.  She says, "OK momma", and off she runs in her new high heels.  Nothing broken...yet.  I can't believe she is wearing my shoe size now.  She is gonna pass me in a flash and then we can't even share the same shoes.  That should not be allowed, know what I'm sayin'?  The last 3 pair I bought her (see, we may already be up to 23), I tried them on and they fit me.  She is about to turn 13 next week.  So, can I really expect her to suddenly stop growing, just because we can finally wear the same shoe size?!  Oh well, such is life...never fair!

So, about those spots...One day I noticed a couple of spots on birdie's arm and neck.  I checked them carefully, but thought it is probably a bug bite.  Then I kept seeing more and more of these "spots" appear.  Mostly on her trunk.  Puzzled, (I always expect any spot or rash to be chicken pox), told hubs while on travel and he said, "take her in".  That is our language for "pay $20 bucks for piece of mind".  So he was due home Thursday night and she had already gone to bed.  He saw them the next morning, also puzzled.  So we proceed to take her in.  The 1st doctor to look at her says, " I'm guessing it is this*****.  But I'll be back, I want to get birdie's regular doctor to see this and make sure he agrees.  Sure enough, her regular doc see's them and immediately says the same *****.  Some long-name virus and its not contagious, it will go away on its own in 4-6 weeks.  Mind you, she is a "PICKER".  She will destroy her skin picking at a boo boo.  I thought, how am I going to keep her from picking at these?  But, lo and behold, they have not bothered her like an itchy rash or bug bite would.  She has scared herself over the years just picking at spots until they bleed, then say, "uh oh, I need a bandaid"  We say "why?", and she covers her face.  Yeah, that makes it all go away...  Birdie's quirks, I'm tellin' ya!  What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.  That should be our motto. Ha!

Well, that should cover it for a few days.  I need to really focus on this blog, but toward the end of school, there is so much goin' on.  Her b-day is next Friday and her party will be on Saturday ( a Teen Queen theme-will have to post pics).  Then we have Easter weekend, a doctor visit in the 'big city', and a "Special Saturday" event up town with her friends, then...(we are not done yet) if I get this job I want, the first week of May will be getting trained and up and running after the grand-opening , then the last "Edge" event for the 6th graders at church.  It will be an overnight trip back to the 'big city', then the 6th grade ROPES trip which is a "3 day/2 night stay" and lots of activities for the graduating 6th graders, then...Graduation.  She is so excited!  I am exhausted just typing it all out.  So, needless to say, the rest of April and May are going to be super busy, super crazy.  Hubs gets annoyed with all this "stuff" going on.  This too shall pass...Oh, and I cannot forget one of her biggest events.  Her dance recital in May, the day we return from the overnight trip...she is in 2 classes, jazz and modern.  So, 2 pieces to perform and, birdies favorite...2 costumes!  Will definitely be posting pics of those.  The proud momma bear!  :)  Then, best of all...SUMMER!!  Can't wait.

Here is a verse I'll end with,
Enjoy!

"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him"  James 1:12

So, I shall persevere!  Carry on...we have come this far with God right by our side, so what more can we do, but persevere this trial called life.
Serving Him,
Christina 

Lazy Day...

Well, hubs is on travel again, this time its just for a week.  So, birdie and I slept in.  I know we should have gone to church, but...I had a lovely "quiet time" while she was still sleeping.  My favorite thing is to have the house all to myself.  Absolutely quiet, no phone, no TV, no music, it is just...Aaahhh!  It is not that often that I get it either.  We are not a noisey family, but I love the quiet and solitude.  In our world today, there is so much noise.  Does anybody else feel that way?  So I treasure that quiet time all to myself, armed with my Bible, devotional (Journey by Lifeway...love it!), and my prayer journal.  I write my personal prayers in it, along with the praises and requests of my fellow bible study gals.  We meet every Tuesday evening and share requests that are on our hearts and minds, after we have discussed the chapter(s) in the current book or study we are doing.  This is a special time we share with LOTS of laughter, tears, and stories.  'Cause we all have to tell the story before we actually share the request, know what I'm sayin'?

So, I had a nice quiet time to myself, then I hear, "mom".  Guess who's awake?  That is when the noise begins.  How does that always happen, they are sound asleep, then wake up and start the day with a million questions or chatter about any and everything!  At least that is what birdie does...  I used to adore her little voice, her soft little chirping sound.  Now it is TV or her CD player, (sometimes both) and her fun chatter.  I am NOT complaining, just stating that I enjoy cherish the quiet.  I have to remind myself that she is able to talk, dance, sing and jump around like a monkey.  When she was about 3 months old, doctors said she may never do this and may never do that.  The worst thing new parents can hear!  What if we had held tightly to their words?  Boy, that would have been a tragic life for all 3 of us.  Instead, we chose to trust in the Lord and seek His plan for us.  Trust me, it was (and still is) hard, but I am so glad we went down that path versus listening to the negative, and gloom and doom that can come with having a child with special needs.  Remember, we did not realize the "special needs" that we faced.  It was new to us and it was something we had to learn each day and pray the Lord would guide us.  We had family to help us through, plus, our wonderful pediatrician and the service that the doctors told us about.  It is a program through the state which provided Occupational therapy, Physical therapy, and later Speech therapy.  She still recieves those services, but they are provided through the public school system, (still provided by the state).  Those people were a huge part of our life.  These therapist's would come into our home on a weekly basis.  So, needless to say, we had a good relationship.  I never would have been able to grasp all of this, had I been told, say in a birthing class, you may have a child with health issues or physical issues.  A pregnant woman is overwhelmed at all the new information anyway, along with all the changes happening to our body.  Could you imagine being told these possibilities too?  I for one could NOT have handled any of what I was "in" for.  Hubs either.  So, God is in control and gives us what we can handle only when we are ready for it...when He thinks we are ready for it, not when we decide we "might" be ready or not.

I am so thankful for the services provided by the state to help us, as well as our many doctor and nurse friends we have encountered along this journey.  Otherwise, we would be huddled in a corner sucking our thumb and rocking back and forth.  Thank you Dear Lord for carrying us down this unknown and scary path.  We can face tomorrow because we know without a doubt that You are there for us, even when we are fearful, scared, worried, anxious, and skeptical.  Thank you does not seem to be powerful enough to express our gratitude.  We are truly blessed beyond words.

So, I leave you tonight with a verse to think about, meditate on.
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"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.  Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."  1 Peter 5:6-7
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Until next time...
Serving Him,
Christina

Sweet Simplicity!

Hi there,
Have I mentioned before what a kind, caring, genlte and sweet spirit birdie is?  Well, she is.  She can have her moments, don't get me wrong.  She is a tween, afterall!  Anyway, she found a framed picture of hubs and I on our wedding day.  It has been in a hall cabinet for a few years, but it used to be out on "the" shelf, (you remember, the shrine).  Apparently she took notice of it again and pulled it out and was talking 'to' it, talking about it, pretending she was married.  You know, all those cute, innocent things little girls do?  Then she set this picture on her bedside table.  So, being the decorating mom I am...I decided to put it in a proper place.  I tried placing it on the shelf above her bed but the stand was too big.  So I put it back on her bedside table.  Then, this morning (my day off/YAY), I decided to hang it on her wall below her cross-stitched framed name from Nanny. {Boy,that was a mouth full}  She is the type of kid who notices everything.  So it will be fun to see her reaction to seeing this special picture (to her), now hanging in her very own room, just below her own name.  She will probably squeal with delight!  I LOVE IT!
And, I'm telling on myself here, she thinks it is so funny that mommy had 'dark' hair when we got married.  It is blonde now, {to match birdie, of course}.  I have been told I look like a natural blonde.  I do know that I act like one, so why not be one! Hee Hee :)

Another thing that birdie loves to do is "play" in the kitchen pretending to cook.  So a few days ago, dad had been watching the news and all the Japan news was on.  This disturbed her, so she was in the kitchen cooking.  We asked her what she was making, and she said without hesitation..."I'm making meatloaf for the peoples of Japan".  She had my {glass} pyrex loaf pan out, a cutting board and a fork.  She was cutting up a storm, then proceeding to put the cut ingredients into the pyrex dish.  She was very busy and had several pans going into the oven.  Next she had a tupperware container ready to fill with water, because..."they will need some water".  This touched our hearts so much.  Such a tender soul, wanting to help those in need!

By the way, hubs, the cook in the house, always has to check the oven after she has "been cooking".  He always finds her dishes, sometimes they are the plastic ones.  He learned that the hard way, of course.  But, to her credit, we asked her a few years ago if we could give away her play kitchen to a child who doesn't have these kinds of toys, and she agreed.  So now dad has to share "his" kitchen with her, because he told her she was big enough to use the "real" kitchen.  He started it!  So here are a few pictures of her "doin' her thang".  Dad is just supervising...

So there you have it.  Our sweet birdie cooking for others to enjoy.  This meal (enchiladas) was really good and she was so proud of herself, so were we.  This is just a taste of our girl, being domestic.  Notice the towel around her waste.  Dad did that, mom would have given her a cute apron, one of the many she has been given.  Oh well, that is not the point!

Here are a few verses for you all to savor:
"taking the very nature of a servant..." Philippians 2:7 and
"Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free."  Ephesians 6:7-8

So, here is another day in the life...of birdie.
Serving Him,
Christina

Making "Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas"




Using a REAL knife!

 

What a long day!

Hi there,
I have been away from my blog for a few days.  Been a busy week, but aren't they all?  I just got home from an Internet Workshop in the 'big city'.  We were supposed to go 'to town' as a family and hubs and birdie were gonna hang out for the day.  But, he was on call for work and did not want to risk being called out and have to scramble to get birdie to me at this workshop (which they stressed was for over 18 only!).  So, they stayed at home and I went alone :( and :).  Mixed feelings there.  Yay, that I got to actually sleep alone, all by myself with  no curfew and no rules!  I sound like a teenager.  But, when you never get away, this is such a treat.  However, that meant I was on my own in paying attention to the instructor and all this overwhelming information.  To my credit...I am a good note taker, just need to go back and refer to said notes.  Anyway, the bonus, or draw for this workshop, was a FREE Netbook.  Yes, that is right.  A free netbook to all attendees who stayed for the entire class. 8:30-5:00 was a very long day to sit in a hotel conference room and listen to "stuff" I'm not terribly "in to".  By the way...the workshop was offering you lots of goodies to buy into their company, all for only $6000.  Yep, that's right, not a type-o.  $6K  You get loads of stuff and 24/7 customer support, yada, yada!  So, you can only imagine how long this made my day.  Fully knowing I was NOT about to pay $6000 dollars for a business thingy.  I like my comfy little blog, thank you very much.  Also, the intent of their business is to sell whatever, and I do not have anything to sell.  They were sure willing to help me figure out what to sell...and I know you know what I'm talkin' about.  Needless to say, it is probably a good thing hubs was not there.  He would have got up and left.  And no, he would not have gotten a free netbook, 'cause he would have been there as my guest.  Once I got home, birdie was heading out the door to a pre-youth group function.  I can't believe my baby will be in the youth group at church in a few months.  Man, the time has flown bye.  She was fun to talk to on the phone today, during my breaks.  She is getting so grown up, yet still so much like a little girl.  Thank you Lord for these little blessings!

We all need to stop, or at least slow down long enough to recognize these little blessings in our lives.  They can be anything, just recognize it and be thankful to God, who offers them throughout life, and I believe He is pleased with us when we show Him that praise and gratitude.  Simply tell Him you are thankful and appreciative, talk to Jesus just as you would a close friend.  He loves to be a part of our daily lives, for us to include Him in our thoughts and decisions.  Too often we forget to acknowledge Him, much less thank Him.

Well, I'm pooped from a day of thinkin'!  Thinkin', how am I gettin' out of here today without paying $6K and still get my netbook?  After a while, I was comforted by the reminder that there was NO obligation.  Shew!  That was too close for comfort, but along with some prayers, plus I was texting a friend to pray for me as well, all turned out just fine!  Now hubs has to do all the tech-y stuff to get my new little netbook up to snuff.  That will be a Sunday afternoon project, while I go into work for a couple of hours to make up for leaving early on Friday.  SO...my weekend is packed and it will soon be Monday.  Yuck!  But it is my 2 day work week and I can play on my new netbook and write on my blog.  I love it!!

P.S.  I broke down and bought the Easter/paster M&M's, so I'll put them in my Peter Rabbit dish and take and post a picture.  I always forget what decorations I have until I start pulling everything out.  Oh how I love Spring!

Until then,
Serving Him,
Christina

Sunny Sunday afternoon

Good afternoon,
I am so happy to see the spring weather...EXCEPT for the allergies that come with it.  Apparently juniper is through the roof and spring isn't officially here yet.  Oh boy!  We are all sneezing our heads off, even the dog.  I had to give poor Tori a benadryl this morning.  In my book, that's pretty bad.  But, I love it when the sun is out and you can see signs of spring, green is starting to sprout.  If only we could stop the winds and the pollens and all that stuff.  Picky, aren't we?

I got home from church today, and changed the heart wreath on the door to my "Welcome Spring" sign.  I just love decorating at this time of the year.  I love the soft pastel colors and especially the pastel peanut m&m's.  The look so pretty in my crystal bowl.  I'll have to submit pictures, but I don't have the m&m's yet, its too early, I'd eat 'em up too fast.  They can be addicting, ya know!

Plus, Easter is fast approaching.  My favorite HOLIday.  Why, you ask?  Because, as the song says..."Up from the grave He arose, with a mighty triumph o'er His foes".  I love that song, along with many others, but that one stands out in my mind when I think of Easter songs.  Thank you Jesus, for being obedient to your Father's will.  Think how different "everything eternal" would be, had God not had His Son follow through with His plan, actually "taken that cup from Him"???  It was cruel and unjust, but that is how God the Father wanted it.  So, we too need to be more obedient, but boy that is so hard.  Especially when we want things to go our way, when we think we know what we need vs. what He knows we need.  He has the perfect plan for us, we just need to trust Him and "Let go and Let God".  Easier said than done, I know...

Now, I have to confess, or tattle on myself.  This morning in chruch, my sweet birdie sitting a seat down from me, just kept on talking and trying to get my attention, bugging me!  It is so hard to focus and pay attention with her in church.  To answer the question, no we do not have another program for kids her age to attend.  Our children's church is for those thur Kindergarten, she is in 6th.  So I get testy with her and super frustrated.  Of course, hubs sitting next to me is cluelss to all this going on.  How can that be?  It must be a mom/kid thing.  Arrggg!  I want her to be in church and to listen, but that ain't happenin'.  And, I have mentioned this to our Pastor and he says, she is listening and getting "IT" in her own way.  I'll admit, she does "GET IT" alot more than we give her credit for, it is just tough having her comment on every detail or this person or that song..."God, grant me patience".  But, I better be careful what I pray for, He may give me something to really be patient for...Yikes!

I need to take a rest, just curl up on my 'daybed/couch' in what hubs calls my "woman cave".  I love that room.  It used to be birdies playroom, then a guest room, (which we never have guests) and now it is my craft room/play room/guest room.  Don't y'all have one of those multi-purpose rooms in your house?  Anyway, it is cozy and very bright  (from natural light-faces south), and has things I love in that room.  An afghan my loving Mamma made me, lots of pictures and my crafty stuff.  What more could a gril/mommy want?  Silence, peace and quiet!  I guess I am asking alot...

Anyway, enough for today, I'm off to my "woman cave".  BTW, hubs has his "cave" too, so don't go feelin' sorry for him, his is a room with a TV and his wall of "ME".  You know, his awards and certificates, etc.  He is in there right now.  So, we each have our 'own' space.  So nice, and our house is not big at all, however, there are only 3 of us, well 4 if you count Tori, and yes, she too has her own space, several actually!  We are a tad spoiled :)  Blessed really!

Until next time,
Serving Him,
Christina