Weddingness

It's wedding time.  We are gearing up for my baby sisters wedding on October 6th.  Maybe I have been more in tune to all the planning, expenses and details because honestly, I am scared to death.  I have four daughters.  I listen to my mother and I think to myself, "This is going to be me one day."  Take note.

The wedding festivities begin next week in Kentucky.  My girls have all their shoes and dresses ready to go.  I have my bridesmaid dress and have been reviewing up dos.  Mama has been working diligently on last minute details.   It's all so exciting.  Let's hope my girlies perform their flower girl and junior bridesmaid duties with grace and charm.  Let's hope.  I'm not promising. 

Sarah, my baby sister, the bride, is eleven years younger than me. I remember everything about her life from the time she was born. I recall the first time I held her, how she followed me around as a toddler and saying good bye to her as she and my family left me at college my freshman year.  At times I was more like a mother to her rather than a sister because I was so much older.  We are super close and I am proud of the intelligent (Did I mention she just got in physician's assistant school?), sweet, God fearing young woman she has become.  We are thrilled with her choice for a life mate.

I can't help but remember a trip Sarah took to stay with me a couple years ago.  She had just broken up with her long time boyfriend and she was  heartbroken.  We spent the week talking about life and faith, drinking sweet tea, shopping and discussing God's plan and how HE always works things out.  He see the big picture we don't.  I fully expected her to tell me to shut up during some of our conversations because, let's face it, sometimes it's just not what you want to hear in times of brokenheartedness.  But she took everything in stride and came through with grace.  It was one of the most special 10 days we have ever spent with each other just doing everyday life and having deep, meaningful conversations.

Shortly after returning home, Sarah met Cory and the rest is history.

 

So as her wedding approaches, I can't help but thank God for Sarah and Cory and the heart they share for the Lord. I anticipate with joy, the life they will have together.  Bless his heart he is about to enter quite a family;)  Welcome aboard buddy! 

I would like to offer a disclaimer to anyone who will be at the wedding.  I am a crier.  I'm not talking about  the dab your eyes with a tissue crier, I mean a blow your nose, ugly face crier.  I get emotional watching my daughters walk down the aisle as flower girls and junior bridesmaids and seeing my sister marry her prince charming. God's blessings so perfectly on display right in front of my eyes. So, I apologize in advance. I can't help it.

I will  take lots of pics of my girls and my nieces in their floofy (is that a word?) dresses.  Let's face it they would look good in a gunny sack. And let's pray that my sister Stacy, doesn't have baby number 3 until after the ceremony. 

During my wedding and my sister's wedding we have always claimed the saying, "No matter what happens today we will not let anyone steal our joy."  It helps keep our priorities in check and maintain perspective. I am claiming it now.  No Bridezillas in this fam.

The Crew before Stacy's wedding...

Let the celebration begin!  It's wedding time!

My Messy House

Happy fall y'all.  I have all my pumpkins out, my fall wreath on the door and the autumn harvest candle burning on my counter.  Yes, I know it is still 86 degrees.  I don't care.  I am pretending.  Don't ruin it for me.

Sorry I have been missing in action.  Between running all the kids to school, sports and regular wifely duties it seems sometimes I don't have a minute to do anything else and when I do I am way too tired to write.  But I do miss it.  It's my therapy.

I have been doing a Bible study on the book of James.  If you want a book to kick your butt read James.  Who knew this little book has so much to say?  You want to learn about trials, wisdom, controlling your tongue, being judgemental, worldly desires, faith vs.works and I could go on but you get the point...read James.  I have been doing the Beth Moore study and as my sister says, "Beth Moore can find insight in a ketchup packet", but it is true .  I don't regret carving the time out of my busy life it has truly blessed me.  Although, honestly 2 months ago I could have given you 20 reasons why there was no possible way I could fit a Bible study in my schedule.  But I did and I am glad.

Through the study I have met some really sweet girls.  We were all discussing something I thought I would share with you today.  We were discussing how whenever anyone calls and says that they are coming over we run around like mad women and wipe, and pick up and shove things in closets because we really don't want people to know how we "really" live.  I about died laughing because this is me.  Guilty.  I so do it.  Actually, everyone at my table admitted they do the same thing.  We are always trying to hide reality.  Reality would probably make us more approachable.  When my neighbor pops over, if my house is a wreck she would most likely think, "Great, I am not the only one."  How often do I not invite someone over or inside because of my messy house.  More often than I would like to admit.  It really doesn't matter.  My house was given to me by God and I need to use it for fellowship and His glory.  Mess or not.  So the next time you come over you may trip over a toy or two or thrity (for the sake of honesty), there may be pee on the toilet seat and you will definitely see dishes in the sink.  Don't judge.  I am working on being real.  Turning over a new leaf;)

The main reasons my house is always a mess...
Cute aren't they?

For our Faith to be real it must show in our lives.  If our faith is not evident we really don't believe.  Whoa. Girlfriend, that is a big one. As my mentor always says, "I'm still chewing on it."  So Lord, I pray you put people in my path that need a gentle touch and that I will not turn them away because I am prideful and have a messy house...

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit-fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other. – John 15:16-17

I want to share a praise with you.  My sweet Anna who started at a new school this year brought home her interim report card last week.  Drum roll please... straight A's. My jaw hit the floor and I might have shed a few tears of joy..I said might.  The girl is taking off.  Flourishing I tell ya.  I am so relieved and happy and proud.  I give God all the Glory and I pat myself on the back for listening to my inner mommy. 

Happy hump day everyone!

Twinkle Toes

Yes. Today my heart is smiling.  Although, that really isn't possible is it?  You know one of those days that something just makes you feel so blessed and happy you can't wipe the grin off your face.

I know you probably think I won the lottery or something but no.  It's my little twinkle toes.  Aubrey and Caroline.  They love ballet so much and I love to watch them even more.  Aubrey asks me everyday if it's ballet day. She gets so excited.

My two older girls have always been tomboys.  They would rather die than put on a tutu and twirl around the floor.  I have embraced their love of soccer and as a matter of fact they are pretty good. I love being a soccer mom.  But I have to admit, last year when Caroline asked me if she could take ballet I couldn't get to the studio fast enough to sign her up.   Faithfully, once a week, Aubrey would  go with me to take Caroline to ballet. She would stand on the bench on her tip toes just beneath the viewing window, her eyes glued, to watch Caroline dance.  I would always say, (something Aubrey hears alot) "Next year, when you are older, you can go too."

Unfortunately in January Caroline became very ill and was not allowed to participate in group activities so we had to quit dance.  Much to her dismay and mine.

When this August rolled around I announced I was ready to go and sign Aubrey and Caroline up for dance and Caroline dropped a bombshell on me.  "Mama I don't want to do ballet.  I want to play soccer like Anna and Brynn."  "Ok." I choked back my disappointment.  Just call me Mrs. Supportive although I didn't really want to be.

Luckily, at Aubrey's first dance class this year Caroline had to go in with her for moral support and she changed her mind.   It didn't take long or any convincing on my part and now they are both in the same ballet class.

Needless to say, I could spend hours watching my two littles gracefully (okay maybe a slight exaggeration) put their hands over their heads and walk on their tip toes across the floor. I can't get enough when they both turn around and wave at me through the window just to make sure I am watching.  I always give a thumbs up or the occasional pay attention to your teacher sign.

 

I truly love it.  And oh the innocence of young girls in frilly, pink tutus,  who still believe that when they grow up they can be a ballerina.  The world is their oyster.

I want to etch these special moments in my brain so I will always remember them.

So yep,  I will say it again, it's the little things.  The little things that make my heart smile,  like my  twinkle toes....