Redeeming Love

When I read a book that touches me spiritually I feel I just have to tell someone. Lyn recommended Redeeming Love saying she couldn't put it down and how wonderful it was. Lyn is one of the strongest dedicated Christians I know so I knew it had to be good. Oh it was wonderful! Don't get me wrong, at some points I was bawling and it made me so anguished that I had to call Lyn for reassurance but it was truly one of the most moving, riveting books I have ever read. Two words.... READ IT I think you will be glad you did.

Don't Let That Money Burn a Hole In Your Pocket!

This child is so....my child! I don't know if this is just a southern expression but growing up whenever I had any money I wanted to go immediately and spend it. I remember hearing the expression "You don't let that money burn a hole in your pocket" and it never did because it was gone as soon as I had it.
Last week Hallie and her Dad explored a variety shop here in town . The shop owner gave this little bank to Hallie before they left. Hallie came home and immediately gathered all the change she could find and notice what buckets she put it in.....

Spend & Give 

The poor Save bucket looks sad and pitiful. Oh Hallie Bug, this is one trait I hoped you wouldn't inherit! :-)

Kingdom Kidz Graduation

Our church children's ministry Kingdom Kidz had graduation until the Fall when they resume classes again. The program began with some of the students showcasing their talents.

Here they are performing "Amazing Grace" It was so sincere & wonderful. We really have a talented group of young people at our church.

 The little ones age group-2 to kindergarten-Aren't they precious!

Look at cutie pie Cooper's smile as he accepts his certificate

I heard Mia's precious little voice say "Thank You" when Toni handed her certificate :-)

Hallie's class ages 1st to 3rd grade

Ages 4th to 6th grade. This is the last class before you move up to Youth at our church.

Here are a few shots before and after the program
The 3 Musketeer's

Hallie with Tyler or as most of the little girls call him "Ty Ty"

Knock Before You Enter

Mother's Day weekend Hallie shut her door and posted this sign

 She was in there for hours and since Hallie hates being in her room by herself we knew she was up to serious business. Mother's day morning I found out what it was, she had made me 9 Mother's day cards-yes 9!

They were decorated inside & out

Since she was just a little bitty thing she has always written us cards to show her love and I have treasured every one of them.

The entire family also surprised me with this basket full of goodies they had picked out.

I have to laugh at the contents because I can immediately tell Hallie helped pick them. Anyone who knows her-knows what a little germ-a-phobe she is and look there are 3 antibacterial products from hand sanitizer to soap! You can also see they know me well because there is lots of chocolate!
I am also including a pic of Hunter right after he had gotten up and wanted to know what the deal was with the gifts and then grinning sheepishly when he found out it was Mother's day! This is him saying "Happy Mother's Day"

Come Fly With Me

Last week Hallie & Izzy came running in the house shouting "Come quick!" They had discovered baby birds in the birdhouse outside. I headed out with the camera to try and get a few pics but try as might they wouldn't peek their heads out for me.

Izzy kept begging "Don't blind them" (with the camera flash) and all I could think of was the Andy Griffith episode where Opie had to raise the baby bird!

The baby birds were chirping away and the mother bird was flying over protectively so we left them in peace. They stayed a few more days and then flew away.

I couldn't manage to get any good pics of the birds my camera (really me) just couldn't get close enough but I did take a lovely close up pic of the tree. Ha!

Come to the Carnival

I can remember as a little girl being so excited when the carnival came to town. I have to admit as an adult the excitement has dimmed :-) but Hallie loves it... so this week as I headed to work our local radio station was giving away unlimited ride bands and I thought why not? So I called & won!

First, Hallie slayed the dragon

 She is definitely not a daredevil and thought the dragon went too high so she moved on to tamer rides :-)

The absolute tamest was this train where she saw her friend Montana and they rode together. Hallie said it was so slow that Montana kept asking the "conductor" if she could get off because it was so boring :-)

She also tried her balance in the fun house with the spinning barrel

But her absolute favorite was the carousel (I think because it involved horses) she rode it AGAIN & AGAIN

 Oh my, do you remember the ducks? This was always my absolute favorite! Memories...

What child would not be tempted by all this?

And they are off! Who will win?

 Hallie wins!

Other tempting items funnel cakes, cotton candy, popcorn...

We were honored to be escorted by a rock star. Yes he did take some ribbing for toting the hot pick guitar!

 That concludes carnival time for this year but what carnival trip would be complete without cotton candy? (although I do miss the old fashion way they used to make it with a stick when I was a little girl)

New Again

Some of you may already know this song and video but I saw it the first time this weekend. The song is so beautiful and done to the scenes from Passion of the Christ-so powerful. I have watched it and truly listened to the words several times and it gets me every time. Dear God I thank you for making me new again and for giving the ultimate sacrifice-your Son.