Now, THAT is tired!
Sweet little HB, fell asleep drinking water
more Wordless Wednesdays here!
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
If Loving My Weekend Is Wrong, I Don't Wanna Be Right!
I will try to tell the story of my weekend without wailing. The threat of tears is imminent as I sit and contemplate the glorious, fun-filled two day GIRLS Weekend I just had the privilege to participate in.
First of all, I am going to publicly thank my husband for acknowledging the benefit to my mental well-being in allowing me this time away and for his financial contribution to make this little dream of mine come true. I also need to thank in a BIG, HUGE, ENORMOUS way, my parents and my in-laws who not only kept, feed, bathed, played with and comforted my sweet little girl while I went away and left her for the first time in her entire life, but also kept my house-training, biting, not socially trained at all - eight week old puppy!
Thank you all from the bottom of my refreshed and relaxed mommy heart!
The weekend started for me on Friday when I successfully dropped off both of my "kiddos" and headed down the road toward Helen, GA. If you have never been to Helen, GA, you need to find a time in your life to visit. I have been going there for one day jaunts, weekend trips and even a vacation week or two over the course of the last twenty-five years or so - maybe even longer. The town is modeled after a Bavarian village and everywhere you go, you hear German music, see cuckoo clocks and lots of pretty buildings. A fun, quaint, getaway in the North Georgia mountains. It is only about three hours from my home, so the drive is nice and ambles through some quaint old southern railroad towns. Truly enjoyable!
I arrived in Helen and at out rental cabin in late afternoon and my friend Molly was already there waiting on me. We hadn't seen each other since December (and that was just for about a hour or so!) and we hadn't spent time together for good ole fashioned chit chat in far too many years to even recall!
Once we unloaded and unpacked, we quickly settled in on the couches for lots of talking. I think we talked non-stop all weekend. It was AWESOME! As a mommy, the days of sitting and talking to anyone uninterrupted, much less a girlfriend, are just not in my reality. The idea that we could just sit and talk and not have to stop and think about something or someone else was intoxicating. We were having a delirious amount of fun. There was some texting back and forth with her family members and a mutual friend of ours from back home, but other than that - we were able to freely talk, FAR into the night! We went to bed late, but I actually got to sleep until 8:30 AM the next day. I haven't done that in so long - it was truly heavenly.
On Saturday, after taking our time waking up and getting going, we finally made it into the town of Helen and had a wonderful lunch, so much fun shopping for gifts to take back home and found even more time to sit and talk and share thoughts and secrets.
One of the most interesting aspects of our trip, for me, was seeing a place I have known and loved, through the eyes of someone else, who has also known and loved the same place. When I travel there, with my family, there are certain places and restaurants that we just always gravitate to and we seem to follow the same standing itinerary each time we visit. Going there with my friend, I found new restaurants and shops that I hadn't really been to and hopefully, I showed her some new places as well. It was a ton of fun.
Our Saturday night shaped up almost identically to our Friday night. Lots of chatter, some food and snacks, tons of laughter and a movie to top off the night. We tried really hard not to think of the fact that our weekend would be over in a matter of hours... it was just to painful to ponder.
On Sunday, we begrudged the sun as it brought with it the end of our time away, and slowly, ever so slowly, packed our belongings and cars and headed to the checkout. We were able to sneak in a few more shopping stops and a great lunch on the river, before we sadly said our goodbyes and headed home. I don't think there were two more sadder drivers on the roads yesterday.
Getting back home was fun for me - it was so nice that my hubby was glad to see me and then I went to pick up the daughter and the puppy. Needless to say, only the puppy was really happy to see me. I think he actually recognized me -cause he showered me with puppy kisses and he usually just bites me - so I am just going to claim that he knew me and missed me and was happy to see me. The daughter that I love so much, and missed (at least a little bit!!) while I was gone - couldn't have cared less that I had appeared after two days to take her home. I am trying to just assume that she had a marvelous time at her grandparents' and they spoiled her so well that she couldn't bear the thought of leaving them. Otherwise, I will be too sad that she didn't miss me, even a little.
So, my weekend away has ended. Life as I left it started right back up again this morning - loud and strong. Barking puppy, typical three year old daughter antics, hubby home from work and bills needing to be paid.
The weekend is now just a memory - although a very great one - and my friend Molly and I have already exchanged emails and started making plans for same time next year!
Living Happily Ever After,
Beverly
First of all, I am going to publicly thank my husband for acknowledging the benefit to my mental well-being in allowing me this time away and for his financial contribution to make this little dream of mine come true. I also need to thank in a BIG, HUGE, ENORMOUS way, my parents and my in-laws who not only kept, feed, bathed, played with and comforted my sweet little girl while I went away and left her for the first time in her entire life, but also kept my house-training, biting, not socially trained at all - eight week old puppy!
Thank you all from the bottom of my refreshed and relaxed mommy heart!
The weekend started for me on Friday when I successfully dropped off both of my "kiddos" and headed down the road toward Helen, GA. If you have never been to Helen, GA, you need to find a time in your life to visit. I have been going there for one day jaunts, weekend trips and even a vacation week or two over the course of the last twenty-five years or so - maybe even longer. The town is modeled after a Bavarian village and everywhere you go, you hear German music, see cuckoo clocks and lots of pretty buildings. A fun, quaint, getaway in the North Georgia mountains. It is only about three hours from my home, so the drive is nice and ambles through some quaint old southern railroad towns. Truly enjoyable!
I arrived in Helen and at out rental cabin in late afternoon and my friend Molly was already there waiting on me. We hadn't seen each other since December (and that was just for about a hour or so!) and we hadn't spent time together for good ole fashioned chit chat in far too many years to even recall!
Once we unloaded and unpacked, we quickly settled in on the couches for lots of talking. I think we talked non-stop all weekend. It was AWESOME! As a mommy, the days of sitting and talking to anyone uninterrupted, much less a girlfriend, are just not in my reality. The idea that we could just sit and talk and not have to stop and think about something or someone else was intoxicating. We were having a delirious amount of fun. There was some texting back and forth with her family members and a mutual friend of ours from back home, but other than that - we were able to freely talk, FAR into the night! We went to bed late, but I actually got to sleep until 8:30 AM the next day. I haven't done that in so long - it was truly heavenly.
On Saturday, after taking our time waking up and getting going, we finally made it into the town of Helen and had a wonderful lunch, so much fun shopping for gifts to take back home and found even more time to sit and talk and share thoughts and secrets.One of the most interesting aspects of our trip, for me, was seeing a place I have known and loved, through the eyes of someone else, who has also known and loved the same place. When I travel there, with my family, there are certain places and restaurants that we just always gravitate to and we seem to follow the same standing itinerary each time we visit. Going there with my friend, I found new restaurants and shops that I hadn't really been to and hopefully, I showed her some new places as well. It was a ton of fun.
Our Saturday night shaped up almost identically to our Friday night. Lots of chatter, some food and snacks, tons of laughter and a movie to top off the night. We tried really hard not to think of the fact that our weekend would be over in a matter of hours... it was just to painful to ponder.
On Sunday, we begrudged the sun as it brought with it the end of our time away, and slowly, ever so slowly, packed our belongings and cars and headed to the checkout. We were able to sneak in a few more shopping stops and a great lunch on the river, before we sadly said our goodbyes and headed home. I don't think there were two more sadder drivers on the roads yesterday.
Getting back home was fun for me - it was so nice that my hubby was glad to see me and then I went to pick up the daughter and the puppy. Needless to say, only the puppy was really happy to see me. I think he actually recognized me -cause he showered me with puppy kisses and he usually just bites me - so I am just going to claim that he knew me and missed me and was happy to see me. The daughter that I love so much, and missed (at least a little bit!!) while I was gone - couldn't have cared less that I had appeared after two days to take her home. I am trying to just assume that she had a marvelous time at her grandparents' and they spoiled her so well that she couldn't bear the thought of leaving them. Otherwise, I will be too sad that she didn't miss me, even a little.
So, my weekend away has ended. Life as I left it started right back up again this morning - loud and strong. Barking puppy, typical three year old daughter antics, hubby home from work and bills needing to be paid.
The weekend is now just a memory - although a very great one - and my friend Molly and I have already exchanged emails and started making plans for same time next year!
Living Happily Ever After,
Beverly
This is too funny!! Just what I needed this morning!
Home.
I am home. I am deeply saddened that it is already Monday and my life is just as I left it on Friday. The "weekend" was wonderful and next year should be extended to a FOUR day weekend -- with two travel days on either side of that.. it was an inexcusably short trip and I will be back in awhile to herald its treasures... right now I have to take an aspirin and try and ease back into my life...
Friday, June 20, 2008
The Rest of My Life
Today is the first day of the rest of my life.
Sounds ominous doesn't it? Well, that is how I feel today. I am setting off on a journey - one that has been three years and nine months in the making. I am leaving this afternoon for a weekend away, away from my child for the first time since we brought her home from the hospital. This will mark the beginning of the rest of my life, time spent away from my daughter as I leave her and eventually she leaves me. It is a line in the sand that can never be erased.
I have dreamed of this day. I have dreaded this day. But it is here and I actually think it is going to be okay.
There have been a couple of times, especially over the past year, when I thought the time was getting close that soon my "baby" would be able to survive a whole day and night without mommy. She has been without her daddy quite a bit because as a shift worker, he is not often home at night, but I am always here. I establish the routine, tuck her in, read her stories...but she is older now. She can ask for what she wants, (and isn't afraid to do it!!), potty on her own and even dress herself (at least part of the way). She brushes her own teeth (although I supervise) and in general - she is her own little person, independent and head strong. But she has never spent a night away from me... until tonight and tomorrow night when I will be off on a girl's weekend away and she will be with her grandparents.
I have a friend from high school (well, I have more than one, but this one is special!!). We have been through a lot together and yet, for the past sixteen years, she has lived in one part of the state and I in another. Thankfully, the internet came along during that time and she and I, who used to write scores of notes to each other in high school, now communicate through the wonderful world wide web. How I love getting an email from her, it is always rich and full - just like a letter - not a one or two line impersonal email - truly it is a letter from a friend.
We were able to wrangle a short visit over Christmas, when she and her family trudged down the highway that runs right by the exit I live off of and it was so great to see them all. But you know what? It wasn't nearly enough. We are women, we need lots of time to talk and catch up and moan and groan and laugh and be silly. Still high school girls at heart - we decided we needed a good old fashioned slumber party. But although we are high school at heart, in real life, we are moms and wives and have loads of responsibilities. How was it ever going to happen? I tell you how. We are women with a determined mind. We MADE it happen!! Never underestimate women - we can be pretty powerful when it comes right down to it. :-)
This weekend, in scenic Helen, GA, in a little cabin in the woods, we are having a slumber party - that will last almost three days! The excitement is about to kill me. No husbands, no children, no pets, no laundry, no cooking (well, we might use a microwave or toaster...maybe!) no deadlines, no alarm clocks, no real responsibilities except to call home maybe a couple of times to check on the world we are leaving behind... it sounds so heavenly -- the guilt is almost too much to bear!!
So, today the next phase of my life gets off the ground in a grand way. It will be accompanied by non-stop eighties music, tasty treats like Oreos and M&M's, and loads of fun and laughter. I am off on my new adventure.
I have a feeling though that this mommy is going to be missing her little girl - probably much more than the little girl will be missing her mommy. After all, she is off on a new adventure of her own, three days of uninterrupted grandparent time... I am quite sure it will be accompanied by late bedtimes, tons of tasty treats and so much fun and laughter she won't even miss me. Here's hoping!
Living Happily Ever After,
Beverly
Sounds ominous doesn't it? Well, that is how I feel today. I am setting off on a journey - one that has been three years and nine months in the making. I am leaving this afternoon for a weekend away, away from my child for the first time since we brought her home from the hospital. This will mark the beginning of the rest of my life, time spent away from my daughter as I leave her and eventually she leaves me. It is a line in the sand that can never be erased.
I have dreamed of this day. I have dreaded this day. But it is here and I actually think it is going to be okay.
There have been a couple of times, especially over the past year, when I thought the time was getting close that soon my "baby" would be able to survive a whole day and night without mommy. She has been without her daddy quite a bit because as a shift worker, he is not often home at night, but I am always here. I establish the routine, tuck her in, read her stories...but she is older now. She can ask for what she wants, (and isn't afraid to do it!!), potty on her own and even dress herself (at least part of the way). She brushes her own teeth (although I supervise) and in general - she is her own little person, independent and head strong. But she has never spent a night away from me... until tonight and tomorrow night when I will be off on a girl's weekend away and she will be with her grandparents.
I have a friend from high school (well, I have more than one, but this one is special!!). We have been through a lot together and yet, for the past sixteen years, she has lived in one part of the state and I in another. Thankfully, the internet came along during that time and she and I, who used to write scores of notes to each other in high school, now communicate through the wonderful world wide web. How I love getting an email from her, it is always rich and full - just like a letter - not a one or two line impersonal email - truly it is a letter from a friend.
We were able to wrangle a short visit over Christmas, when she and her family trudged down the highway that runs right by the exit I live off of and it was so great to see them all. But you know what? It wasn't nearly enough. We are women, we need lots of time to talk and catch up and moan and groan and laugh and be silly. Still high school girls at heart - we decided we needed a good old fashioned slumber party. But although we are high school at heart, in real life, we are moms and wives and have loads of responsibilities. How was it ever going to happen? I tell you how. We are women with a determined mind. We MADE it happen!! Never underestimate women - we can be pretty powerful when it comes right down to it. :-)
This weekend, in scenic Helen, GA, in a little cabin in the woods, we are having a slumber party - that will last almost three days! The excitement is about to kill me. No husbands, no children, no pets, no laundry, no cooking (well, we might use a microwave or toaster...maybe!) no deadlines, no alarm clocks, no real responsibilities except to call home maybe a couple of times to check on the world we are leaving behind... it sounds so heavenly -- the guilt is almost too much to bear!!
So, today the next phase of my life gets off the ground in a grand way. It will be accompanied by non-stop eighties music, tasty treats like Oreos and M&M's, and loads of fun and laughter. I am off on my new adventure.
I have a feeling though that this mommy is going to be missing her little girl - probably much more than the little girl will be missing her mommy. After all, she is off on a new adventure of her own, three days of uninterrupted grandparent time... I am quite sure it will be accompanied by late bedtimes, tons of tasty treats and so much fun and laughter she won't even miss me. Here's hoping!
Living Happily Ever After,
Beverly
Thursday, June 19, 2008
The Littlest Missionary
My child learned a ton at Vacation Bible School. I mean, I was actually under the impression that her daddy and I were on the road to teaching her a vast array of Biblical truths until last week. I suppose the format is palatable to a three, almost four year old. The way of teaching is very direct and it builds upon itself day to day over a five day period. She learned the basics of Christianity and the MOST important Biblical truths in that little bit of time. It has amazed us all.
Oh sure, to our credit, we have read her the stories, we've taught her to pray, we speak about Jesus and what we believe on an everyday basis, I think we have done a good job up to now. I am not ashamed of all we have done, but I am will be forever grateful to her teachers at VBS, the whole experience has given her a lifelong building block.
Everywhere we go, whether it is a restaurant, a store or to the park, my little munchkin speaks up and boldly tells everyone that Jesus died on a cross for our sins, that he rose again and that He is back up in heaven with God. Isn't that amazing. She isn't scared, shy, or intimidated by what other people might believe. She just knows the truth and isn't afraid to share.
Wow - that knocks this old mommy and daddy on their "you -know-whats!" If only we had that boldness - I wonder how our world would change?
Living Happily Ever After,
Beverly
Oh sure, to our credit, we have read her the stories, we've taught her to pray, we speak about Jesus and what we believe on an everyday basis, I think we have done a good job up to now. I am not ashamed of all we have done, but I am will be forever grateful to her teachers at VBS, the whole experience has given her a lifelong building block.
Everywhere we go, whether it is a restaurant, a store or to the park, my little munchkin speaks up and boldly tells everyone that Jesus died on a cross for our sins, that he rose again and that He is back up in heaven with God. Isn't that amazing. She isn't scared, shy, or intimidated by what other people might believe. She just knows the truth and isn't afraid to share.
Wow - that knocks this old mommy and daddy on their "you -know-whats!" If only we had that boldness - I wonder how our world would change?
Living Happily Ever After,
Beverly
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Wordless Wednesday. Back in Time!!
My FAVORITE picture of my parents.
Taken in New Orleans, LA, circa 1960.
Happy Wordless Wednesday
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At the Library!
This morning, my girlie girl and I met our neighbors at the library! It was a fun time. They have story time for the kiddos and although we have been meaning to go, today was the first time we actually made it there!
After a presentation on water safety ( hard to sit through for a three year old - but she did well!), we grazed the shelves for a book on pirates. Unfortunately we did not find one. Anyone know any books for toddlers about pirates? I am up for suggestions.
We did find a few good story books and a movie about Treasure Island and Alice in Wonderland.
All in all, it was a great trip. Hannah actually gets the idea of a library and she had fun picking out books! I adore the fact that she is gonna be a reader! It is upsetting to me that anyone doesn't like to read and it is one of the gifts I had so hoped to give her - the love of reading. So far, she has accepted it !!!
Living Happily Ever After,
Beverly
After a presentation on water safety ( hard to sit through for a three year old - but she did well!), we grazed the shelves for a book on pirates. Unfortunately we did not find one. Anyone know any books for toddlers about pirates? I am up for suggestions.
We did find a few good story books and a movie about Treasure Island and Alice in Wonderland.
All in all, it was a great trip. Hannah actually gets the idea of a library and she had fun picking out books! I adore the fact that she is gonna be a reader! It is upsetting to me that anyone doesn't like to read and it is one of the gifts I had so hoped to give her - the love of reading. So far, she has accepted it !!!
Living Happily Ever After,
Beverly
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Cinderella's Housekeeping Schedule
I am trying a new housekeeping schedule.... it is really nice to have a list to go by - makes me feel like I might actually accomplish something during the day besides clean up mess, organize toys, clean up mess, organize toys, again, and again!
Yesterday was clean kitchen day! I cleaned countertops, mopped floors, cleaned out fridge, and decluttered a certain area that seems to have some strange magnet that attracts papers, earrings, hair bows and lots of other stuff!!
I even, drum roll please, loaded the dishwasher and UNLOADED it on the same day!! Walking into my kitchen this morning didn't give me hives - which is normally what happens, I break out in hives, cry hysterically and stamp my foot wondering why the kitchen fairy didn't come during the night!! I kid! But usually I am met with a dirty dish or two or fifteen or some other crazy mess - this morning - it was just countertops and a clean floor!!
Today's agenda calls for tackling the bedrooms - sheets, dusting, vacuuming - ICK! We only have two bedrooms - but I think I will be busy all day!!
The other part of this neat cleaning guide is that it reminds me to vacuum the main living area and do a little laundry and decluttering a bit everyday as well.
Now, my house will never be really clean, or tidy - I have accepted the fact that a three year old is going to keep it messy for many years to come -- -and getting a new puppy isn't going to do anything but add to my list of chores - but I do think that on a somewhat regular schedule, we might just be happier living amongst it all!! And GOOD NEWS - Hannah is old enough to help with the cleaning!!!
I am wondering, do any of you have a similar cleaning routine? How long have you stuck to it? Is it working for you?
Living Happily Ever After,
Beverly
Yesterday was clean kitchen day! I cleaned countertops, mopped floors, cleaned out fridge, and decluttered a certain area that seems to have some strange magnet that attracts papers, earrings, hair bows and lots of other stuff!!
I even, drum roll please, loaded the dishwasher and UNLOADED it on the same day!! Walking into my kitchen this morning didn't give me hives - which is normally what happens, I break out in hives, cry hysterically and stamp my foot wondering why the kitchen fairy didn't come during the night!! I kid! But usually I am met with a dirty dish or two or fifteen or some other crazy mess - this morning - it was just countertops and a clean floor!!
Today's agenda calls for tackling the bedrooms - sheets, dusting, vacuuming - ICK! We only have two bedrooms - but I think I will be busy all day!!
The other part of this neat cleaning guide is that it reminds me to vacuum the main living area and do a little laundry and decluttering a bit everyday as well.
Now, my house will never be really clean, or tidy - I have accepted the fact that a three year old is going to keep it messy for many years to come -- -and getting a new puppy isn't going to do anything but add to my list of chores - but I do think that on a somewhat regular schedule, we might just be happier living amongst it all!! And GOOD NEWS - Hannah is old enough to help with the cleaning!!!
I am wondering, do any of you have a similar cleaning routine? How long have you stuck to it? Is it working for you?
Living Happily Ever After,
Beverly
Monday, June 16, 2008
Monday, Monday!
Okay - this day is filled with housework, puppy training and trying to keep the three year old occupied.
Hope everyone had a great Father's day -- ours was restful and quiet. We celebrated with our daddys on Saturday night. Sticky Fingers for supper and Brewsters for dessert! YUM!
Yesterday was filled with church and naps and little one heading to her daddy's parents for the afternoon. Hubby had to work so my night was quiet as well after little bit finally went to sleep.
Gotta get this day started... I found a new housekeeping schedule and I am implementing it this week... wish me luck!
Living Happily Ever After,
Beverly
Hope everyone had a great Father's day -- ours was restful and quiet. We celebrated with our daddys on Saturday night. Sticky Fingers for supper and Brewsters for dessert! YUM!
Yesterday was filled with church and naps and little one heading to her daddy's parents for the afternoon. Hubby had to work so my night was quiet as well after little bit finally went to sleep.
Gotta get this day started... I found a new housekeeping schedule and I am implementing it this week... wish me luck!
Living Happily Ever After,
Beverly
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Happy Father's Day
Happy Father's Day to three of the best dads I know!
My Daddy, My Father - in -Law (pictured here with Ms. Hannah!)
and
My Hubby (pictured with Ms. Hannah!)
Friday, June 13, 2008
Outrigger Island - Now It's A Memory!!
Outrigger Island was the place to be this past week at my church (and probably some churches near you too!!). It was the theme for our Vacation Bible School and I was privileged to work with the rising 1st graders this year. I was a group leader, which meant my fellow leader C and I walked with our group of twelve first graders from Bible Story to Rec to Crafts to Missions and onto Lunch and Closing Rally. We got them safely from point a to point b and helped them pay attention when their little legs, arms and mouths wanted to run wild!!
It was fun. Yes, you read that right - it was fun!
Truthfully on Sunday night of last week, I was not convinced it would be, I had nightmares of kids running wild, misbehavior all around and long hot mornings. We did have the hot mornings (a couple of days it was near 100 degrees!) but the behavior far exceeded my expectations and I was pleasantly surprised.
The theme of Outrigger Island was right up my alley as well, because it was centered on Hawaii - a place I spent three years of my childhood and one that lives in my sweet memories. I loved everything about the week - the decorations, the songs, the Hawaiian words thrown in among the Bible truths... it was heavenly to me. I met some women in the church whom I have not had the opportunity to spend time with before this week and made some really great connections and for the first time in awhile, felt really connected to my church family.
I know the kids learned things that hopefully will impact their lives. My daughter learned some really good basic truths as well as any four or five year old could. The most surprising thing about my week as a group leader in VBS is that I, the grown-up, probably learned more than the students ever could. It was fun, it was exciting to watch little brains pick up on biblical truths and grab on and to see tiny hearts open wide and learn to put into practice the principles I have claimed to live my life upon. I was able to receive a refreshing dose of simple, straightforward faith - childlike faith that can sometimes get clouded by all our adult analyzing and "concordancing" and cross-referencing! It was just nice to hear and sing and live out the basic truths. I feel like I have been a student once again in Vacation Bible School - and I liked it so much, I signed up for next year already!
The Last Day
Good Morning Bloggity friends!
Today is the last day of Vacation Bible School (everyone say...ah!!!)
I will be back this afternoon with pictures and tales from the Rising 1st Grade!!! I have truly enjoyed being their group leader this week... makes me think life as a Mom to a rising first grader in two years, might no be so bad!!
Till later,
Beverly
Today is the last day of Vacation Bible School (everyone say...ah!!!)
I will be back this afternoon with pictures and tales from the Rising 1st Grade!!! I have truly enjoyed being their group leader this week... makes me think life as a Mom to a rising first grader in two years, might no be so bad!!
Till later,
Beverly
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Listening Does Pay Off!!! CAUTION: Mommy Bragging Ahead
So, this morning in worship rally, the director of VBS asked all the kids what the Bible truth from yesterday was... immediately, and I mean immediately, my little Hannah popped up and in front of everyone shouted out "GOD IS REAL!" The director was so stunned and impressed, she had her come to the front and get on stage for everyone to see. Then she gave her the microphone and had her repeat it. Hannah never missed a beat - she quickly marched on stage and said it again. I was so proud. The director pointed out that Hannah had been brought to church from birth and that if she as a three and a half year old could remember to listen and apply the Bible truths of VBS, everyone else could certainly do it.
It was a great mommy moment - and thankfully I had paid attention to my still small voice this morning and popped my camera in my bag. I was able to take a picture and here she is folks... right on stage in front of about 150 people or more!
I was a proud mommy all morning as all the other moms told me how cute and precious she was.
I am so thankful for the way God brought her into our family, so thankful to be able to be her mother and so excited to see how God is going to use her and her uniqueness in our lifetime.
It was a great mommy moment - and thankfully I had paid attention to my still small voice this morning and popped my camera in my bag. I was able to take a picture and here she is folks... right on stage in front of about 150 people or more!
I was a proud mommy all morning as all the other moms told me how cute and precious she was.I am so thankful for the way God brought her into our family, so thankful to be able to be her mother and so excited to see how God is going to use her and her uniqueness in our lifetime.
She was given the first GOOD LISTENER award for this week at VBS, a beach ball! She was so proud.
Living Happily Ever After,
Beverly
Monday, June 9, 2008
O I, O I, Outrigger Island!
If my blog posts are a little late in coming this week, or they don't make sense in any form or fashion - please bear in mind that I am a group leader for our church in Vacation Bible School this week. It is a particularly wonderful theme this year, Outrigger Island, an island paradise of God's unshakeable Truth! The kids are learning to Know the Truth, Speak the Truth and Live the Truth and enjoying a taste of Hawaii as we go! It is fabulous fun, especially for this haoli wahine that spent three wonderful childhood years on the island of Oahu. I am being constantly reminded of my life on the island and how much I wish we could have stayed there! The language, the hula, the scenery - it is truly paradise.So, please be patient with me this week -- I promise to keep blogging, but I can't say it will be worth much. I am working with the rising first graders this year -- they are a great bunch of kids but it might be a long week!!!
On a sidenote, it is my Hannah's first time at VBS and she is loving it! She is in the class with the rising preschoolers (ages 4 & 5) and thinks she is a big kid now!!
Living Happily Ever After!
Beverly
Sunday, June 8, 2008
22 Years Ago Today- Password Protected
HEY! Did you come here to read my post from Sunday? Well, it is hidden away and here is a brief explanation.
Okay - I'll be honest here - it drives me crazy to visit a blog and find a password protected post.
So, why then, would I password protect one of mine?
My main reason is that it is a post that deals with some highly personal thoughts on my end and I am feeling a bit vulnerable today to having everyone in the world able to view all of my thoughts. The post poured out of me yesterday, and while I am really proud of it, I realize that it is and perhaps was written for me and only one other to read. That other person has read it, digested it and approved it, but I am still not convinced it is for the general www public.
Maybe I will re-think this decision, maybe not. Either way, I am most happy and proud to share it with anyone of you, my faithful readers, that perhaps missed it on Sunday. Just leave a comment asking for the post and I will forward it to you. Don't you love the thrill of technology?
I want my readers to read it, I might even publish it one day in some form or fashion, but for today I want some tiny bit of control in who reads and who doesn't!
Thanks for understanding!
Beverly
Okay - I'll be honest here - it drives me crazy to visit a blog and find a password protected post.
So, why then, would I password protect one of mine?
My main reason is that it is a post that deals with some highly personal thoughts on my end and I am feeling a bit vulnerable today to having everyone in the world able to view all of my thoughts. The post poured out of me yesterday, and while I am really proud of it, I realize that it is and perhaps was written for me and only one other to read. That other person has read it, digested it and approved it, but I am still not convinced it is for the general www public.
Maybe I will re-think this decision, maybe not. Either way, I am most happy and proud to share it with anyone of you, my faithful readers, that perhaps missed it on Sunday. Just leave a comment asking for the post and I will forward it to you. Don't you love the thrill of technology?
I want my readers to read it, I might even publish it one day in some form or fashion, but for today I want some tiny bit of control in who reads and who doesn't!
Thanks for understanding!
Beverly
22 Years Ago Today
As I sat and listened to the Sunday sermon this morning, a question was asked "Do you know where you were 20 years ago today?" That I could not answer, but the quick glance at the bulletin to see the date gave me a reminder of where I was 22 years ago today! Being a writer means you get inspiriation from lots of sources, and when the muse strikes, you must write! This tiny blog entry was scribbled on the back of the sermon notes, oh - and then I quickly got back to paying attention to the sermon ;-) !
June 8, 1986
22 years ago today
I woke up and thought I was happy
22 years ago today
I trusted he would always be mine
22 years ago today
He yearned to be free
22 years ago today
He wanted to go another way
so then,
22 years ago today
Became the last day he was mine.
1986 was a long, long time ago. 22 years to be exact. Yet, surprisingly enough, the impact of that one little day, the seismic aftershocks of a lost first love can still sometimes be felt in my memory and my heart, even 22 years later.
Oh, the pain is not there of course, the immediate sense of loss is long gone and the heartache and sadness that followed and became my constant companions have long since journeyed on and are today just tiny bits of memory. What lingers from that fateful day 22 years ago today, is a thankfulness for the way my life has turned out, despite that day and some lessons that have served me well throughout my life.
The depths of despair, taught me who I was, what I valued, where and with whom I wanted to live out my life. The loneliness of that time taught me to depend on the True Love of my life, to seek His guidance and trust His ways, which, oh, so often, are not our ways or even our wishes. The heartache and sadness I felt taught me how to have compassion for others who are hurting and to empathize and sympathize in ways I would have never known.
June 8, 1986, it was a good day gone bad. But it was just a day. Soon June 9th and then June 10th and even July rolled around and bit by bit, the day has dwindled down through the years to just a day on an out of date calendar. I would be lying if I said that every year, I didn't remember it, just a little. But when I do, I take the time to pray for that guy that broke my heart and hope he is happy and where God wants him to be in his life. I give myself a once a year indulgence to travel down that rocky road of memories and remember. These days, perhaps because of my overwhelmingly happy life, more often than not, it is the good memories that I have found remaining... time truly does heal it all.
22 years ago today I thought my world had ended, but 22 years ago today, it had only just begun. Without that bad day so long ago, the better days of December 3, 1990 and December 3, 1991 and May 16, 1992 and September 1, 2004 would themselves just be days on an out of date calendar. Instead those are the days I met my husband, got engaged, got married and became a mom. The best days of my life.
So, June 8, 1986 - here's to ya and thanks for being my own little reminder on this road of life that bad days come and go, but always, ALWAYS better days are just around the corner.
Finally Living Happily Ever After,
Beverly
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Cool!
This is a great post on a friend's blog. If you have ever suffered a miscarriage, or dealt with infertility there is a new movement about... check it out!
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
And Baby Makes Four!
I am proud to announce the newest addition to our family:
Harlan Boy
"HB"
Born: April 22, 2008
Welcomed Home: June 2, 2008
9 1/2 lbs of pure happiness!
After thirteen years with one beloved Labrador, it took us two, almost three years to open our hearts and our home again to a yellow dog. We were blessed beyond measure to find this adorably sweet-natured little boy yesterday evening. He is one of ten, with a black mother and a yellow daddy. We never imagined meeting another couple as crazy as we are about Labradors, but God got us to the right place at the right time last night.
We were able to have our pick of the litter, and we feel like we have chosen the very best one of the bunch. He is sweet, loving, cuddly, brave, and never cried a bit during the night. Of course, he was sleeping in the bed with me, but still - he was a very brave little fellow.
You may be wondering about his name. Yes, it does have meaning - especially to me. Not only do I think it is just a cool name for a (soon to be) big ole cuddly Labrador, and not only does it sound NOTHING like my first dog baby's name (a definite pre-requisite, this dog is not a replacement, so his name had to be original!) but it is the name of a favorite character from my years of watching Guiding Light. Harlan Billy "HB" Lewis, the character portrayed for many years by actor Larry Gates, was a cuddly, lovable old southern gentleman and everyone loved him. He was smart, could be sassy, always clever and eternally wise. Those he loved, he loved completely, and he was loyal to all he called his family. At the height of the character's career on the soap opera, I actually knew a man who looked and acted a lot like this character. He was someone else's granddaddy, but I loved him like he was my own. His name was Marvin, but I always thought of him as my "HB". So, when it came time to pick a name for this new love of my life, the thought of many days in his company and many nights to come with him curled at my feet, the name of the sweet old southern gentleman character easily crept into my mind.
I will say that in the interest of democracy, I attempted to dazzle my little family with a long list of many other names, no one name really stuck, and finally I was given the okay to grant him the moniker of my choice. They can't complain now!!
So, from puppy dog heaven,
I am
Living Happily Ever After,
Beverly
Beverly
Monday, June 2, 2008
Random Weekend Update!
Why is it that when I mop my kitchen floor, it always seems stickier than before I mopped? I clearly need a Masters degree in housework.
Today may or may not be a big day in our household. The vagueness of that statement may consume you for the rest of the day, it would befuddle me if I were reading someone's blog, but when I have further information, it will be shared.
This post was going to be about my housecleaning abilities or the lack thereof, but for some reason my mind is distracted... and Legends of the Fall (that brilliant movie that makes me want to move out West and live in a log cabin - but only if Brad Pitt is around) is on and I am finding my thoughts to be quite random. I am sure you have noticed.
Oh - Chuck E. Cheese was a hit on Friday, thanks all of you who have asked.
The place is truly not as horrid as I had previously remembered. It was clean, not very crowded, the pizza was relatively like cardboard, but the Coke was good and refills were free. We had a coupon and bought 40 tokens and got 40 tokens free, so we were well able to play all the games that Sweet Stuff wanted to play and still have some tokens left for another visit, another day.
I remember going to Chuck's place when in high school and later as an adult chaperone for youth fellowships - it was always awful! Dark and dirty, loud and obnoxious. Thank goodness they have changed the place! It will never be my favorite place to go, but it did make my child happy and really, isn't that the only reason I exist for this space in time?
We have a blow up pool for the backyard. Here is some information you might find useful; if you are using a mini-air compressor to blow up said pool, allot at least three hours and don't start the project at 10 AM on a Saturday morning sitting in the hot sun. You will be tortured. Also, please remember that three year olds have an attention span which is at maximum 20 minutes. If you forget these facts, you will spend three hours in the HOT sun, struggle to blow up a kid-sized pool(that you can't even enjoy!!), spend 30 minutes filling it with water, only to have your child spend 20 minutes splashing out the water and then beg to go inside because she is cold and wet and HOT and wants to watch Curious George. So, how was your Saturday???
Saturday evening, a girlfriend and I went to the new SITC movie. It was fabulous - didn't disappoint and a great way to wave goodbye to the television series. I wasn't a HUGE fan of the show, I did watch it and followed the story over the years, it was hard to relate to being so universally different from my life, but the clothes were always fun to see and the fantasy of life lived in New York was always interesting. The clothes in the movie were WILD! It was a great reason to get dressed up and go out so I am thankful for the break from mommyhood; at least for a couple of hours, I highly recommend it.
So, the child is now awake, the house is coming alive, the peace and quiet is gone so I will close my random weekend update for now. If anyone is still reading this crazy post up to this point, I truly appreciate it. Have a great day.
Living Happily Ever After,
Beverly
EDITED TO ADD: In a complete circle, as my life usually is, my newly mopped (and still stickier) floor, is also apparently a magnet -- I just dropped not one, but two eggs on it.... arghhhhh!
Today may or may not be a big day in our household. The vagueness of that statement may consume you for the rest of the day, it would befuddle me if I were reading someone's blog, but when I have further information, it will be shared.
This post was going to be about my housecleaning abilities or the lack thereof, but for some reason my mind is distracted... and Legends of the Fall (that brilliant movie that makes me want to move out West and live in a log cabin - but only if Brad Pitt is around) is on and I am finding my thoughts to be quite random. I am sure you have noticed.
Oh - Chuck E. Cheese was a hit on Friday, thanks all of you who have asked.
The place is truly not as horrid as I had previously remembered. It was clean, not very crowded, the pizza was relatively like cardboard, but the Coke was good and refills were free. We had a coupon and bought 40 tokens and got 40 tokens free, so we were well able to play all the games that Sweet Stuff wanted to play and still have some tokens left for another visit, another day.
I remember going to Chuck's place when in high school and later as an adult chaperone for youth fellowships - it was always awful! Dark and dirty, loud and obnoxious. Thank goodness they have changed the place! It will never be my favorite place to go, but it did make my child happy and really, isn't that the only reason I exist for this space in time?
We have a blow up pool for the backyard. Here is some information you might find useful; if you are using a mini-air compressor to blow up said pool, allot at least three hours and don't start the project at 10 AM on a Saturday morning sitting in the hot sun. You will be tortured. Also, please remember that three year olds have an attention span which is at maximum 20 minutes. If you forget these facts, you will spend three hours in the HOT sun, struggle to blow up a kid-sized pool(that you can't even enjoy!!), spend 30 minutes filling it with water, only to have your child spend 20 minutes splashing out the water and then beg to go inside because she is cold and wet and HOT and wants to watch Curious George. So, how was your Saturday???
Saturday evening, a girlfriend and I went to the new SITC movie. It was fabulous - didn't disappoint and a great way to wave goodbye to the television series. I wasn't a HUGE fan of the show, I did watch it and followed the story over the years, it was hard to relate to being so universally different from my life, but the clothes were always fun to see and the fantasy of life lived in New York was always interesting. The clothes in the movie were WILD! It was a great reason to get dressed up and go out so I am thankful for the break from mommyhood; at least for a couple of hours, I highly recommend it.
So, the child is now awake, the house is coming alive, the peace and quiet is gone so I will close my random weekend update for now. If anyone is still reading this crazy post up to this point, I truly appreciate it. Have a great day.
Living Happily Ever After,
Beverly
EDITED TO ADD: In a complete circle, as my life usually is, my newly mopped (and still stickier) floor, is also apparently a magnet -- I just dropped not one, but two eggs on it.... arghhhhh!
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