Finally Friday

SPRING  BREAK:
I wouldn't have changed a thing about this last week. (OK, I would've loved to have dropped 20 pounds) My big kids were doing what was best for them, Richard was working (three jobs, at last count) and Sheridan and I kept busy accomplishing much, laughing a lot and traveling a little. We watched a movie, played with friends, finished our puzzle, read books, played kickball at the church (with Trey) on Wednesday, made a day trip to BA on Thursday. It's been good one on one time and although it wasn't our first choice (we both would've loved Disney) it was a week that was good for both of us.

The kids are on their way home now, Ryan's first text to me was "Moooooommmm!" They haven't had their phones all week, and it made me smile! Coming up this week he has 4 baseball games, he is head of the Prom (being the Jr Class president and all) and of course, school. It's like BACK TO REALITY when his feet hit the ground.

I've got a calendar full for next week too, including one (maybe two) days out of town, final prep for BA, loading equipment for BA, and moving in to BA on Friday. After PROM pictures and a good night sleep on Saturday I'm off to BA for 9 days. I will not wish this next week away.

March Madness?

Even Betty Crocker is getting in on March Madness!

Get in the game with Betty Crocker! As the nation’s top college basketball teams battle it out on the court, party foods inspired by their hometowns will go head-to-head in the Betty Bracket. Which recipe has the flavor to go all the way? You decide!

Finished

We clapped and hugged when the last piece went in.

Strange Spring Break

For the last 4 years we've gone as a family with our youth group to work at Mission Arlington. Although it's a rough week of work, and less than great accomodations, it's always a highlight of our year. Because of work obligations and my BA sale coming up in two weeks, Richard and I had to stay home this year. My big kids are there, I'm sure having a great time serving and will come back with wonderful stories, but Sheridan had to stay home. She was frustrated about that, because she loves to go!

I've been keeping her busy for the last 36 hours without her brother and sisters....

Yesterday she had her first cavity filled, went to Sonic for ice cream after that, had lunch at Subway, took our recycling to the drop off, and started a pot holder project. In the afternoon, Sheridan cleaned off her desk and found treasures, including a chapter book she stopped to read, and we started a 1000 piece puzzle last night.

Today we had breakfast with our dear friends in Russellville and they treated her to a candy stick, and before my hair appointment we bought her a cute pair of sandals and a new swimsuit! While I had my hair cut she watched part of a movie at the hair salon. Right now, a neighbor friend is over here giggling with her on the trampoline. Ahhh.

March Madness

I almost always have a post with this title, and it usually refers to the 2 birthdays in our immediate family, a seasonal business that happens around this time, Spring Break trips and general spring sports overload. This time, I'm sticking with the original intent and I want to go public to say I love picking the bracket in the NCAA tournament! I don't study it, I just go with my first thoughts and limited and trivial sports tidbits I know. I typically pull for SEC teams, hardly ever for Texas, and I love the underdogs.

My bracket is looking pretty good right now, even though there was a huge upset just now in the West. Of course, it's more fun to cheer for the HOGS, but we're in a slump during this decade so I had to pick someone else to follow. For the last few years I've been pulling for GONZAGA. (It's fun to say, OK?) They lost in round 3, but I did pick them for their first win, even though it was an upset. I'll keep my eye on the other Cinderella teams...there's a few wanting to win it bad, and who doesn't love a Cinderella story!

Sign of the Times

courtesy of Just Another Day in Paradise

Today is the day of Salvation

3.14.11

Sheridan prayed tonight to become a Christian. Richard was out of town, but we called him on the phone and I invited the kids to come and witness her prayer. Lauren says during their hug, "You know what, when we die, we're going to live together forever in Heaven."

Sheridan's heart was tender tonight and she kept asking me how she would know when it was the right time. She told me she had been asking Him but she didn't know. Then she told me she couldn't get Him out of her mind. I asked her if she wanted to pray right then, and she said "Yes." She wants God to forgive her and forget all her sins, and to live in Heaven.

Every night since she was about 2 I say to her, "God made you, Jesus died for you, and the Holy Spirit wants to live in your heart."

Tonight, for the first time, I said, "God made you. Jesus died for you, and the Holy Spirit lives in your heart."

We were both crying a little and she says, "I'm going to read my Bible from now on." I lose it and remember the passion I had for the Word when I accepted Him into my heart. I will pray that I make sure there is always time to get in the Word for her in our routine. This month Becky has challenged them with praying every day and reading their Bible every day. This has been important to her and she hasn't forgotten except for just a few nights.

He drew her in through His life-changing Word.

Thank you God for saving my children.

BIG weekend

Thursday Ryan and Lauren both played ball. Friday, Lauren played soccer again, in Berryville. When I got home from the game I went to the AWANA girls sleepover and hosted for about an hour during the missions portion of the night. Saturday morning the family got up, dressed in black, and headed to Hot Springs to watch our High School, and our buddy Trey, play for a state championship in Basketball. WHAT A DAY! The pictures say it all:

Quote of the Day

Last Wednesday night Richard arrived home just as I was leaving Sheridan's room for her to go to sleep. Of course, he went in to kiss and hug her and on my way around the corner I heard her say...

"Hey, aren't you supposed to be at an elderly meeting?"

Yeah, that's an elder meeting. Every Wednesday night.

Baseball/Soccer/Track = Thursday

Rich and I went to Tulsa/BA for a quick trip on Thursday. He had a meeting and I was handing out marketing materials to moms who want to know more about my event. We were on a bit of a tight schedule as we were both headed opposite directions to watch our kids play ball. Erin was out of town at a track meet, she has injured her knee, so was not running, just cheering.

I had soccer duty in Clarksville, and I needed to pick Sheridan up from a friend before the game. Game time was 5:00. Richard was on baseball duty and they were scheduled to play in Subiaco (30 min away), and the game was to start at 4:30. Unfortunately, or fortunately for us, Subi's baseball field was under water so we got to watch both games...from the visitor's stands at our football field! This only happened once last season.

We can sit on the top row and see both the baseball field and the football/soccer field. Woo hoo! Small town living at it's best!

Both teams won! Lauren scored 2 goals and assisted with another! Final was 5-0. Ryan pitched the last three innings and got us a win in a tight game, 9-8.

Sale #6

Blessed. It's the only way to describe all my crazy feelings during and after this 6th event in Russellville. You'd think I'd be nervous because we had less items, but no, the item quality was better. The location was new, but FABULOUS, and the shoppers never stopped coming!



Lauren and Ryan both put in a 10+ hour day on Saturday, driving all over town trying to buy me 6 foot tables (of which there are none in Rsvl), printing labels, checking in folks, checking out folks, and moving inventory at my command. They are learning some important skills of working with people, especially the grouchy ones (of which we have a few). I'm thankful they came, I would've loved to have them there all week.

Mom and Dad drove down on Monday afternoon just to hug my neck and see my new space. Of course, after about 10 minutes I had my mom running next door for ink pens and my dad stuffing a late entry in my 500 goody bags. I love my parents, they have been huge supporters during the development of my sale. I think I called my mom almost every morning on my way to the sale to give her updates. The time was right when she was getting ready to go to work, but she listened to me and took my prayer requests everytime! Blessed indeed.

The light was SUPER in our new location, the one big room looked so much bigger too. We had a lot of walk-by traffic from the grocery store next door. One day when I went to buy ice for our cooler, one of the managers at the grocery store told me because the parking lot was so full, they were having shoppers who though we were in a "snow scare!" I was glad we had several ladies in the store who knew what was going on (and would explain) and are now our fans.

Three weeks until Broken Arrow! God is good, all the time.

Read this

This last week I didn't get home until very late and only wanted to slip into a hot bath. My mind was spinning with sale stuff, and I needed to "unwind" before I tried to go to sleep. I had a Karen Kingsbury book a friend had given me and as tired as I was, I read at least 3 chapters each night.

This is a great story with a great theme. It deals with autism and it is encouraging and uplifting. It is a story of hope and faith and choices.