Random Happenings for the Week...

This has been a fairly normal week with the exception of Valentine's Day which we got to spend eating a delicious free dinner with our sweet friends from college and beyond David Todd and Lisa. The University Church here in town has a Valentine's dinner every year that is put together by Carl and Smitty Brecheen.(Dr. Brecheen is one of the best bible and marriage teachers in the world.) The decorations were very cute and the waitstaff was top notch...I mean how often do you have a chance to be waited on by Dr.Gary and Sylvia McCaleb. I do not think I met Dr.McCaleb the whole time I attended ACU, well maybe once so I was a little awe struck. There was a wonderful speaker and free childcare too. At the end of the evening I was even in the chair that got to take home the centerpiece which was a beautiful potted plant. I am going to try to keep it alive. What a great evening!

Kaylee has a great week at school of course who wouldn't when there is a party involved? I do not know who enjoyed her Valentine's box we decorated more her or me. I remember being so excited to open my box and check out all the goodies and what my friends had written to me. It was fun to watch her excitement. When I picked her up from school I had a Valentine's balloon for her which had Hershey's kisses in a sack at the bottom of the string. I told her it was from Daddy and I. She quickly inserted, "and Campbell". I said "oh yes and Campbell" Campbell pionted at the one she wanted me to get. (reached and pulled would be more accurate) Then Kaylee said,"Campbell you are so smart to pick the one with candy. You sure are a smart baby!" Does somebody love her sister or what? Next we were off to visit Cary at the office and take him some balloons and candy. All of the women there are so sweet and make the girls feel so special when we stop by. Kaylee enjoyed showing them her loot. She is at such a fun age right now and I am enjoying our talks so much and watching the world through her eyes.

Campbell is now up on hands and knees rocking back and forth. Cary said she crawled a little last night but I was in the other room. I was surprised to open the door to her room the other day and find her talking and sitting up in her bed looking around. It is a little startling when you are use to them just laying there. She is getting a little more hair but alas still no teeth. I am happy to report most of the time that she is still a "Momma's Girl" which is fine with me except when I am trying to attend Ladies Class and they come get me in the first 5 minutes. Oh, well. That's my girl:)

A few thing that never happened in Dallas:

1. We got ready for church Sunday night only to arrive and find out that they were delivering cookies to the nursing homes that night.(Obviously not the church we had gone to that morning or we would have known that.) So we went to Wal-Mart and Cracker Barrel instead.

2. I stopped to get gas at the HEB on Tuesday and as I pulled into the pump the attendant came over and tied bags around the 87 and 89 octane gas because they were out. I was about to leave instead of paying $2.29 a gallon for super unleaded when he knocked on my window and told me in a minute the price would change to the 87 octane price. I got a full tank of Super Unleaded gas for $2.09 a gallon. That was by far my deal for the week.

3. I went to Sam's for a few things and after checking out the cashier told me that "I looked young for my age". Am I that old? I think 32 is still pretty young. I am going to take it as a compliment since she looked to be about 21 years old. I suppose I would be old to her. I wanted to say, "Your day is coming sister." Maybe I will wear the outfit I have on today everyday. Good thing it is comfortable.

4. I had about 10 people 50 and over stop me in Sam's to tell me how cute Campbell looked in her "bib" overalls. Yes, I am in the country now. It was pretty cute though.

5. I had a 1/4 pound hamburger with all the toppings and a large drink for $1.88. It was delicious and homemade.

6. Last of all I left the house at 12:10pm and went to mail packages at the post office. I was at Sam's shopping by 12:40pm. Checked out and went home to unload the groceries at 1:45pm. Stopped for lunch at 2:05pm. Sat in the school parking lot and ate my lunch and still picked Kaylee up early at 2:20pm. I think I am finally getting use to having more time. What a blessing!

That is all for us this week. Hope you all have a wonderful and blessed weekend. Anyone coming in for Sing Song better either stop by or call to atleast say "Hi". Love to you all!

Happy Valentine's Day, Sweetheart!!

I just wanted to take today to tell the one I love Happy Valentine's Day! Sweetheart this one's for you.... where do I even begin with my wonderful husband?? I thought I would start with the Top 14 Reasons I Love You:
1. Your wonderful Christian leadership in our home.
2. The way you always know what I am going to say before I say it.
3. The LOVE you have for me unconditionally.
4. When you smile my heart still beats faster just like it did the first time we met in 1996.
5. Somehow you make each year of our marriage better than the one before.
6. Just watching you with our daughters and the way you absolutely adore them and they you.
7. The way you always encourage me to take time for myself while you watch the girls.
8. Little things that you do for me each day that do not go unnoticed even though you may think so at times.
9. The servant heart and love you have for the Lord.
10. Comfort you give me when I am feeling down just by holding me and not saying a word because you know when I want to talk and when I just want to be silent.
11. The way you are always striving to do what is best for our family.
12. You helped give me the two best gifts I have ever received. Our beautiful girls!!
13. How you always make me feel like I am the luckiest girl in the world when you look at me like I am the most beautiful girl in the room where ever we go.
14. I always knew that you would be a wonderful father but I never knew just how great you would be until the time came. You are amazing!! Our girls will be blessed to find someone like you one day.(in the distant future)
As Kaylee always says and Campbell will too one day,"Daddy you are the best...out of all the Daddy's in the world I am glad you are mine....I love you to the moon and back." Thank you for being my Forever Valentine!! Thank you for being my rock and my soft place to land at the end of the day. Out of all the men in the world I am glad the Lord blessed me with you as my husband. I love you!!!

A Wonderful Retreat

Well I had an awesome weekend with my dearest girlfriends. The weekend started a little early for me because I went to stay with my friend Stephanie a little early. So on Thursday night I got to have dinner with Stephanie, Amy, and Amy's sweet family. It was nice to catch up on all of the events we have missed in the past month and a half. Next we went to meet Steph and Traci for a little talking and fun at Chili's. I also got some great birthday gifts! We laughed so hard that I almost cried at some points which was a reoccurring theme for the weekend. By the time we went to bed for the night I was so tired but looking forward to the Canton trip the next morning.

Friday we went to pick up Whitney and met Nicole then we were off to Canton to shop by 10:30am. I really enjoyed the ride because Nicole and I got to catch up since she was not able to go on the retreat later that day, somehow I managed to talk her into at least shopping with us. It did not take much convincing! Shopping in Canton at First Monday Trade Days is the best! I do not think I could go every month ( mainly because my pocketbook could not take it) but a few times a year is great. We all found some great deals for about 1/2 the price you could find them other places. I now have some cute outfits for the girls for this summer, an iron piece to hang above the bed, fancy pants for Campbell, and a full tummy from the yummy food. After shopping for about 5 hours we decided to go eat dinner then drive on to the retreat facilities. We had to say goodbye to Nicole but were about to say "hello" to many other friends I have been missing.

Now for the awesome part of the trip which was to take place at Sky Ranch in Van, TX. Our first speaker on Friday night was Kimberli Brackett from Faithbuilders who was extremely encouraging and inspiring. If you are ever planning a Ladies Retreat or have the opportunity to attend one where any of these women are speaking please attend because it will be worth it. The Friday night topic was on being a Child of God and learning to accept ourselves and others as such. It was enlightning and powerful. We had a chance to look at her Faithbooks after the talk where she has scrapbooked prayers and scriptures for her children to have along with photos of memories and special times. I am definitely going to get started on a few of these soon.

After a little sleep on Friday night it was Saturday and time for a good talk by Pat Scott which is always a blessing. Then we had free time which meant off to Canton for more shopping in new buildings and a return to some booths from the day before that we regretted not buying something in. Amber, Amy, Whitney, Stephanie, and I were all making our lists in our heads on the way there. I accomplished the purchase I set out for today which was getting Campbell some curtains for her room since the old curtain will not work in the new house. Everyone else managed to get the items they had set out for too. Four hours later we were back in the car complaining like old women about all of our aches and pains from two days of walking around. I have not laughed so much or so hard in a long time. We were able to get all of our purchases in the car so we did not do too much damage.

Saturday night we got to hear Kimberli speak again only this time it was on "Teaching Us How to Journal with God". The main point I took away from the talk is that I need to listen for God more and try to just do things on my own less. We were all given journals to help with our daily walk with the Lord by writing down prayers, hopes, things we are thankful for, and even times when we may be a little frustrated. I was also encouraged by the fact that this does not have to be done everyday so I do not have to feel like a failure if I skip a day or two.

Later that night I got to catch up a little with my friends Traci and Steph who had been very busy making sure the snacks were out for all of us to munch on! They always manage to make me laught. It was unfortunate we did not get to spend more time together:( but the time we did have was great!

Sunday was the last day and after a morning service we were off to Dallas of course we had to make one more quick trip to Canton on the way:) By the time I got to Dallas I was so tired but felt that I would only be more tired if I sat down for a minute so I got in the car and headed home. By the time I arrived home I was exhausted physically but filled spiritually. I found the house in order and the girls both happy upon my return. They had a great weekend with Daddy going to the ACU baseball game and he even managed to get them to early service at church. Thank you sweetheart for being such a wonderful husband and father to our girls. Most of all thank you for being able to handle things so I can have a weekend away every now and then. Everyone needs a weekend with God, friends, and renewal of the spirit. Now comes the hard part of applying all that I have learned daily. I am looking forward to the challenge. May each of you have a blessed week!

Until Next Year...

Well my birthday came and went with a few nice surprises. My morning started with my husband bringing me breakfast in bed.(surprise #1) Then I had Campbell sitting in the bed with me eating some bread (just small pieces) and she said her first word which was "Momma"! (surprise #2) Cary was my witness to this event so I know that I did not imagine it. She even repeated the word. I am so proud of her! Then my sweet friends Honey, Amy, and Heather called to wish me a "Happy Birthday". Next I spent the day doing laundry so that everything would be clean for my wonderful trip this weekend. Kaylee and I did enjoy a little one-on-one time while Campbell was asleep. Then while the girls were napping I got ready to go out on a dinner date with my sweet husband. (Thank you again to the Mayos for babysitting for us so we could have a free evening together.) On the way to dinner Cary gave me my present which was a new watch to wear on days when I am a little more dresses up. We had a great time at dinner and actually got to have a little adult conversation. The night ended with a sweet call from my friend Kathy in Tennessee. All in all it was a good birthday.

However, I think my best present is coming today when Cary is coming home from work a little early so I can go to Dallas for the Ladies Retreat. Kaylee is very excited about a weekend alone with Daddy...the jury is still out on Campbell because she is quite a Momma's girl. I do not think anyone is more excited than me though:) I have not seen my girlfriends since we moved which was over a month ago. What could not be fun about a Ladies Retreat, a child free weekend, shopping in Canton, and catching up with friends??? Well I am off to pack!!! Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend...I know I will.