Give Me Your Eyes...

Happy Sunday, everyone! Thought I'd share a video by one of my favorite Christian artists, Brandon Heath. Hope this song speaks to your heart as it did to mine!



Enjoy your day and be blessed!

I ♥ Faces...A Penny For Her Thoughts

I'm participating, again, in the I ♥ Faces weekly photography contest. This week's theme is NO FLASH, so you have to rely on natural lighting. Be sure to check out all the great photos that are being entered this week!

Chris, Abby, and I went out to our local park a few days ago for a walk, so I grabbed my camera. There are so many spots to stop and take some beautiful pictures. One of my favorites places is a pier that juts out a little ways into the lake. I took this picture of Abby standing there...it looks like she's deep in thought about something. I glanced at this picture and all I could think about is that she's no longer a little girl, anymore. She's evolving into such a beautiful young lady and I'm so proud to have her as my daughter...even if she does make fun of me sometimes! :)

Now, yesterday, as I was out running some errands, this song came on the radio and I got so choked up! It's sung by Darius Rucker, the former lead singer for Hootie and the Blowfish. REALLY listen to the words...hope you enjoy it!

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"A daughter may outgrow your lap, but she will never outgrow your heart."~Author Unknown

Don't Wake the Baby!!!

Hi everyone! I, first, want to extend a huge THANK YOU for your birthday wishes for Brittany! I can't tell you how much they all mean! You really are such a thoughtful group of blogging friends and I treasure each of you. Hope you know that! Writing the post about her was a very hard thing for me to do because of all the emotions involved. When I published it yesterday morning, I told her that I'd like for her to read it. A few minutes later, she came over to me with tears falling down her face. Yep, I took one look at her and I completely lost it! She hugged my neck real tight and said, "Mom, that was so sweet! Thank you for doing that for me...I love you!" Let me tell you, we stood there, held onto each other, and had a major boo-hoo session for about 10 minutes or so. Boy, did I ever need to get that out of my system...it had been building up for days!

Brittany's had a good birthday, so far. She went shopping yesterday with one of her best friends, so that was a lot of fun! We, of course, went to church this morning and when we got home, Abby and I got busy making her birthday cake. We'll treat her to dinner out tonight at one of her favorite restaurants, Macaroni Grill. We're all really looking forward to "eating large"! We opted just to keep things low key this year since we gave her a "Sweet 16" birthday party last year.

I do want to share a funny story with you that Chris reminded me of when we were leaving church. Well, after I had Brittany, I made the decision that first night that I wanted her to stay in the same room with me, rather than have her go to the nursery. She was a bit on the fussy side and I tried for the longest time to get her settled down. Finally, she fell sound asleep and I placed her gently in the bassinet so not to wake her. I made my way, ever so carefully, to the bathroom. While I was in there, I kept hearing like a sound like a motor running. It just kept going and going. Chris was in the room with Brittany, so I felt certain he heard it, too, and would attempt to do something about it so she wouldn't waken.

Well, after several minutes, I opened the bathroom door to find my dear husband on the hospital bed with it jacked up about 5 feet in the air!!! I could not believe my eyes!!! I was not too pleased (that's an understatement!), and I asked him what in the world was he doing? He told me that he was trying to see how high the bed would go! Was he not using noggin?

I was sore, tired, and very cranky...he didn't know who he was messing with! I told him to get down off that bed ASAP because if he woke Brittany up from her slumber, he was going to be DEAD MEAT!!! Believe me, at that very moment, I meant every single word of it! We had a good laugh about it this morning, but it sure wasn't too funny then! Did I mention that he is such a stinker??? :)

As I'm sure all of you know...tonight is the Super Bowl. Well, so often, we hear stories about big name athletes who haven't chosen to follow the straight and narrow path in life by getting involved with drugs, illegal activities, etc. I came across this video that shows several athletes from the Steelers and the Cardinals talking about their faith...be inspired!



It's so refreshing to hear these athletes talking openly about their faith in God. Actually, that's what our sermon in church today was about...how it's our mission as Christians to bring others to Christ. The greatest thing you can do for another person is to share with them what God has done for you. So, today, I encourage you to take that leap of faith and share the good news!

Have a blessed Sunday...hugs to you all!♥

Like Two Peas in a Pod...

My sister-in-law e-mailed me this video yesterday. I thought it was too cute not to share...take a look!


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Isn't that so sweet? It should be a lesson for us all. Friendship affords one the opportunity to see past those things that don't really matter in the whole scheme of life (color, monetary worth, ability, proportion). If only we could learn from these two animals who found true friendship in each other...this world would be a much better place for us all. Do I hear an "Amen"?

Hope your Friday (and everyday!) is filled with fun festivities, frolic, and, of course...friendship! You've got a friend in me! ♥


P.S. You might have noticed that I now have the "Followers" gadget added to my sidebar...please add yourself to my list, if you haven't already! I appreciate it!!!

I'm Humbled...

My new blogging friend, Cheryl, just gave me this awesome award called the Lemonade Award! I am so touched that she chose me to pass it on to! Thank you, Cheryl, for making me feel so special!!! Please, be sure to hop over to her blog...it's wonderful!

Now, as with any award, there are rules:

1) Put the logo on your blog.
2) Nominate at least 10 blogs that show great attitude and/or gratitude.
3) Have your 10 pass it along to 10 more.

Normally, I am not a rule-breaker. No siree...I try hard to live by the Book (literally!). I simply cannot bear to pick only 10 blogging friends to pass this award on to. I just don't have the heart to do it. I don't want to make anyone feel left out. So, without further delay, anybody who hasn't received this treasured award, please claim it and know that you are so deserving to have it!

My other good blogging buddy, Sandy Toes, gave me this awesome award...I love it!!! Her blog is fabulous...check it out!


Thank you for making me feel all warm and fuzzy inside! Seriously, you made my day...as always! Now, I'm supposed to list my top 5 addictions... Hmmm...only 5???

1. Guitar Hero-This mom can rock out like nobody's business! Give me a little Bon Jovi and the rest is history!
2. Blogging!!!-I've mentioned this to some of you before, but I really think I need to go on "Intervention". I have a serious problem...but, I LOVE IT!!! :)
3. Exercise-Strange, I know! I just get in a routine and I feel so guilty if I don't do it!
4. Chinese Food-I love Moo Goo Gai Pan and Hunan Chicken probably more than anyone on the face of the earth!
4. Chick Fil-A Sweet Tea-Nothing says 'southern' better than this stuff! I'm thinking I just might have an IV drip filled with it! :) Pure heaven, I tell ya!
Once again, I just can't narrow it down to give this special award to only 5 bloggers. No way, no how! I don't want anyone to feel hurt or offended. So, if you don't have this one, either, please take it! In my book, you're all winners and deserve to be recognized! CONGRATULATIONS, ladies! Thanks for being my audience and my sounding board...what a fun journey it's been so far!!!

Isn't this the sweetest video you've ever seen???



Oh, and I went back to Bath and Body Works last night. Got some Volumizing Coconut Lime Verbena Shampoo, Cotton Blossom Body Splash (trial size), and lip protectant...all for just $5!!! Their sale is on until the 20th, I believe. Get on over there today and load up on some goodies! If I don't quit going there myself, it's going to become the number 6 addiction on my list!

Happy Saturday!!!

Slipping Through My Fingers...

On Christmas Eve, we sat down and watched the movie "Mamma Mia". I didn't care as much for the movie as I did the music. I love ABBA's songs and there was a scene in the movie that brought me to tears. Meryl Streep sang an ABBA song to her daughter called "Slipping Through My Fingers". Boy, did it ever ring true for some of the emotions I'm feeling knowing that Brittany will soon graduate from high school and leave the nest. I realize, from that point on, things will never quite be the same, again. Then, not long after, Abby will be on her way, too.

My girls have always been my heart and soul. Oh, I'm not perfect by any means, and I have made plenty of mistakes. However, I would lay down my life for my daughters...they are so precious to me!

Without a doubt, I'd have to say the hardest part about being a parent is letting go. As a mother, it seems to go against nature, but it has to happen...no matter how hard we try to stop it.

As you watch this video, really listen to the words. I can't get through it without crying... describes me to a tee.

Hope you have a fun and safe New Year! May 2009 be a great year for us all! God Bless!

A True Man of Faith...

I'm sure many of you are fans of Steven Curtis Chapman...he's been one of my favorite Christian artists for a long time. If so, you probably heard the tragic story of how he lost his precious daughter, Maria, this past summer. Well, I just admire him and his family so much and their incredible strength and faith. I was so blessed by this video...hope you will be, too!



And here's his new Christmas song and video...ENJOY!!!

"A Baby Changes Everything"

I heard this song recently by Faith Hill and I thought it was so beautiful. When it began, I assumed it was about another teenage girl down on her luck. Listen to the words very carefully and let the story unfold...I'm certain you'll be touched.

Faith Hill
 
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Hope your weekend's a good one...stay warm!!!