GREETINGS

I've made it a week without our girl. Thank you for all the prayers, I did pretty well. The weekend has been the toughest but I've been keeping myself busy. The big Heritage Fair is next weekend and I am trying to get lots ready for my booth. My friend Julie and I have been banner happy and here's a little nugget of what we have been working on.

Hope everyone is enjoying the long weekend.

Emilee's New place

Weeping may tarry for the night, But joy comes with the morning.-Psalms 30:5

Holding On

I am holding on to that one. Well, we made the drive to Hanover and this time it wasn't to look or visit Madison. It was time for our girl to stay. Leaving your child at college is one of those times you have to be a grown up. It amazes me to think that you invest all this time and energy into something and you have to let it go. I've thought so much about God's plans and how he has every step of our life planned and how he invests so much in us and lets us go. He's asking so little of me. It's cool that even though I get older he still has plans for me. He still needs me to grow. It's just something to see a young women go off on a new adventure and get all excited about what God has in store for her but whats even more exciting , is to see he still has an adventure planned for a middle aged chick. Letting go, this is a tough one Lord. He really had this whole life thing figured out and how with every step of this journey you are following his plan. Sometimes the steps can be tough and you don't think you can make it or why do I have to walk this path. I don't have all the answers but today I have comfort knowing that God does.

Today

Well, it's family dinner day for Emilee. Yes, it's Saturday already and that makes tomorrow the big day. This week has been an emotional roller coaster for me and I think for everyone in our house. You're so excited for your child to head off on this new adventure but at the same time how did this day arrive so soon? Sleepless nights have left me reflecting on way too much stuff and thank goodness brought out a cute little story to share with her tonight. Just a little something I like to call"Twas the night before Hanover". So after dinner I'll read this little tale and we'll laugh and share and make some more good memories. I'll make it through today and I'll handle tomorrow the best way I know how. God has always shown me I can do things I didn't think I could do. He is with me and he is my comforter.
Enjoy your weekend.

Stuff

Wanted to share a glimpse of some things my friend and I have been working on for my booth.

This is just a sample and if you would like one of these treasures just let me know.

My First Award

Here it is, isn't it lovely?

I'm A Winner !

I won an award. How encouraging to this new blogging gal. My friend Debbie at http://www.fromacreativeheart.blogspot.com/ has given me this fine honor.
Thanks for encouraging and inspiring this new kid on the block.

Okay, first things first...These are the rules which need to be passed on:1).Link to the person who tagged you on your blog.2).Post the rules of the tag on your blog.3).Write 6 random things about yourself.4).Tag 6 people at the end of the post.5).Let each of the people know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.6).Let tagger know that your tag entry has been posted.
Six Random Things:

1. I started speaking to womens groups about 4 years ago and I love it. There is nothing like working for Jesus.

2. Love to cook and try new recipes. Our family use to always have a try it night. That way we made a game of trying new foods and having fun with it. The kids think cactus taste like dirt.

3. I sub a lot in the Middle School and this is a just an FYI to parents of middle schoolers...they still need you they may act like they don't want you around but they soooo do. Still be their parent. One of the saddest things I have heard was "our family never sits at the table to eat together".

4. I love to make someone's day or do the unexpected. Be someone that doesn't need the credit. It may be dropping a few bucks in the purse of a single mom or sending a gift card to an elderly person at church. They don't need to know who it's from.

5. I'm a big girl that LOVES the beach. I mean I love it. Walking it, swimming at it, watching it, listening to it, the sand between my toes, the smell, the waves the beauty of it. I want to go right now.

6. I love to have people over. We bought a much bigger home and I love to share it with family and friends. I love planning the food and thinking of something fun to give everyone. I get a kick out of entertaining .

Now the tough part picking 6 blogs I love. Being new to the blogging world and having friends that haven't jumped on this band wagon, I will have to think about this one.
Again, Deb thanks for lifting me up.

It hit me !

Today it hit me that my daughter will not be sitting next to me at church. Just in that moment I began to cry. I took communion and prayed and cried and thanked the good Lord for this child of mine. This child I was never suppose to have. He gifted her to me and now it's time to let her go. I sat there and thought did we teach her enough? Is her relationship with Christ strong enough? Tears streaming down my face and there is nothing I can do. Except thank him for this amazing child of mine. This is our final week and next Sunday it's off to Hanover. I have discovered one of my greatest fears. I like who I am and I don't want her leaving to make me a sad mopey woman!!! I am excited for her and can hardly wait to get her all settled in. She is so excited. I can do this .

Goodtimes

Lake Time

Last minute lake time. Where did summer go? The kids are back in school tomorrow or should I say the boys. I love that we took the time for one last trip to the lake. The memories we make with our kids can last a lifetime. And you gals out there that have a few pounds to lose don't cheat your family out of photos. We have once again learned how precious those moments together are. Unfortunately we came home to the news that the boys friend Adam lost his father on Saturday. He was only 46 and married to his high school sweetheart for 25 years. Being at the funeral home today and seeing all the pictures and all those special moments...wow..that's all they have now. Please pray for this family and pray for Adam. He and his dad where more then father and son...they were best buddies.
So,big girls strike a pose and say cheese!Your family will thank you for it someday.

To Dye For Shirts

Inner Hippie

It was time for our inner hippie to come out. We made tie dye shirts. It's one of those things that you don't do very often but once you do you could do more and more to see how they'll turn out. All of the shirts take on a life of their own. Way cool. Emme and Aunt Deb are going to a tie dye diner and if you wear a shirt you get your picture taken and you get put on their wall.
Getting in touch with your inner hippie every now and then is a good thing. Peace, love and why can't we be friends ? Sounds pretty good to me.

Trash To Treasure

Found this old shutter and I was wanting something to go on it and found this awesome metal piece. It looks so cool. I love mixing the old with the new. Hubby just wants to make sure it's secure.

Yummy

Got a huge zucchini at church last week and wanted to make some zucchini bread but came across this yummy muffin recipe. Yes, it's stinking hot out and I am baking. I'm even wearing my apron. I love aprons. I feel like I'm a better cook when I'm wearing one. Try it.

So here is a yummy muffin recipe

2 cups flour

3/4 cup sugar

2 t cinnamon

2 t baking soda

1/2 t salt

3 eggs slightly beaten

3/4 c veg oil

2 cups grated zucchini

1/2 cup pecans

1/2 undrained crushed pineapple

Preheat oven to 350 Spray 2 12 cup muffin tins.In a large bowl combine flour , sugar, cinnamon, salt adn soda. In a small bowl combine eggs and oil. Add to flour mixture, until moistened, fold in zucchini, pecans and pineapple. Place in muffin tins and bake for 25-30 mins.

Let cool in pans for 10 mins. Makes 24 muffins. Enjoy