Happy birthday to my baby!

Wow, what a difference 7 yrs makes!

This is all the "stuff" that Abby chose to buy with her leftover birthday $ today.....and her daddy was so proud that she dressed her Build-A-Bear in a UGA football uniform! His name is Reggie!

When you go to ToysRUs on your b-day - you get a crown, a balloon, and something out of their treasure box. Plus, everyone that works there makes a big deal out of it when they see you. She was on cloud nine!!!!

2nd edition of "My, how you've grown!"

1st day of 2nd grade

Last day of 2nd grade

Time flies! It seems like yesterday that we were bringing Abby home from the hospital. Bittersweet? -- ABSOLUTELY!

I am SO looking forward to seeing my little girl grow up, but: God - can we slow down time just a little bit? It's going way too fast!

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. ~~Ephesians 6:4

Birthday fun!

What do you get when you have 92 degree weather and 19 kids show up for your daughters party? LOTS of laughing, yelling, and giggling, with NO cake left over!

Maisun, Emma, the birthday girl, and Freddie

Emma, Abby, and Natalie

The card says "BFF" inside - I love the expression on Abby's face!

Thanks everyone who came out today and made Abby's birthday celebration so special! And a HUGE thank you to Steve and Martha for being so gracious as to let us invade their backyard for the afternoon!

Wordless Wednesday

Me & my crazy dreams

You know those commercials, where the "average Joe" turns into a well-known diva because of hunger? And as soon as he takes a bite of a Snickers bar, he is back to normal. Yeah, cuz Snickers really satisfies (I only wish I was getting paid for this post)!

So in my dream last night, I won a contest. The prize was to go onstage and sing with Third Day. Which, if you know me well at all - you know that would be a dream come true.

So, we're at rehearsal, doing our sound check and what-have-you. Mac Powell is all "You can't sing a B flat?" And I am all "Can't the guitar or keyboard give me my note?" And get this - I turn my eyes away from him to look at the other back-up singer (not that Third Day has "back-up" singers - it's just 4 guys rockin' out for the Lord!) and then look back at him - and "he" has turned into Mariah Carey!!!

Ugh, even though he wasn't being nice to me in the dream, I still like to look at him!!!! Come on, it's Mac Powell!!

So, I then proceed to shove a Snickers bar in his mouth and then I woke up! Hello, can I have closure?!

Mac - I am prepared if we ever meet! I am ALWAYS gonna carry around a Snickers because I have no urge to meet Mariah Carey, but I would be honored to meet you!! The real you - not the "diva you"!

Trials

You know that saying - "When God closes one door, he opens a window"? All of our doors are closed at my house & we need all new windows! Or that other saying "He never gives you more than you can handle"? He really needs to realize that I CAN'T HANDLE ANYMORE!

Today started out like every other day: Wake up , shower, get ready, get the Ab-ster ready for school, drop her off for school, drive to work, try to meet my deadlines, have a yummy FREE lunch from McAllister's, finish out my day, drive home, and BOOM, when I walk in the door - my daughter says "Momma, Daddy needs to tell you some bad news."

I knew when I came in the door that something was wrong based on the look on my honey's face. His company decided (without warning mind you) that his weekly sales didn't meet up with their expectations. By an average of $100/wk. Wow! And the only reason A knew this news before me is because she has GREAT timing on interrupting conversations between sons and moms. And the fact that D couldn't bring himself to tell me, so that I could make it thru my workday without having a meltdown (those who know me closely, know that 2010 hasn't really been a great year so far!).

So, yet again in our (sadly) recent history - my sweet, hard-working husband is unemployed.

I sent a prayer request to our coordinator at church - and we have already had a MEGA outpouring of wonderful, inspirational, encouraging responses (in a matter of hours - you guys are AMAZING!)! Here is just a sample:

"His desire for His children is that they prosper and be in good health. You are His and He loves you. I stand with you believing that His answer will be swift and even better that you ever believed."

"Thanks for letting us know you need your Church family. God is good. He will provide in the most unique fashion. Just keep looking up."

"Lifting you up to the throne of grace, asking God to do what only he can, and to help the rest of us make some sense of all this."

Someone is having a birthday today!

Happy birthday Danielle! Hope it has been great!