On cupcakes and zebra print.....

This year I was a little behind with birthday planning because of other surrounding events.....as well as the fact that the "party planner" in the house now has more serious school commitments (which is cramping my style!).....but we managed to still pull off a simple but fun time.  Madison has really been into cupcakes for awhile so Allison agreed upon a cupcake themed party.  Yesterday we descended upon Hobby Lobby - with even the boys in tow.....to try and come up with a plan.  I am happy to report that no lives were lost though I believe a few minor injuries may have occurred......We left the store with thoughts of cupcakes, zebra print, and pink!

Madison was up early starting work on the cupcakes while mom and I did "support work."  She made a batch of vanilla and chocolate.  They smelled divine.

                                            

Thanks to her Pinterest (I swear I am not on that crazy site!  It is her!) addiction, she had several cool ideas for decorating. We were thankful for brothers who can blow up balloons and daddy who did a fabulous job of hanging.......Simple treats this time - fruit, popcorn, and homemade chex mix (thanks Grandma!).

 These cute zebra boxes were too hard to pass up for the girls to take home their decorated cupcakes in.......

Madison set up a decorating station for the girls and boy did they like this activity!

Believe it or not, the brothers were all on site - but thanks to the new "super huge" concrete driveway out front, foosball table hand-me-down, and legos, we hardly heard from them!  There was one party crasher who came in to decorate however.........

This cupcake was unbelievably divine.....Madison's mint chocolate....

The birthday girl's special place........

Allie smiles at her dad while he reads the special bible verse we picked for her when she was born.....

A few of Allie's sweet friends.....

Seems every year we have a pin the _______ on the ________ (whatever matches the theme). I think I've done it so often that Allie automatically thought of an idea this year!  

It was a fun day to visit with the families and enjoy friendship.  Sometimes in the hours before these "party days" I find myself wondering if I should be doing it.....feeling a little stressed.  And then ALWAYS afterwards I am so thankful to have done it.  I enjoy watching our family work together to honor another - a sort of rare time of selflessness......

I am amazed at the way Madison can design a party that always looks great - even if it is simple. I love photographing each of them! And I think the guests leave feeling special which is enjoyable.  It is an act of service toward her sister which I love.  And so, birthday blitz "phase 1" is over - Madison is next on the docket - though she says she doesn't necessarily want a party - she just likes to throw them!

Allison is 8 years old today!

So it was a Happy Birthday to you day here today!  Allie turned 8 years old......how can it be? I don't know what happened!! But I know it has been another wonderful year with our sweetie!  It has been amazing to watch her grow and change.....it is hard to pinpoint just a few highlights....but of course I will......

Allie enjoyed participating in ballet this last year immensely!  She floats around the house all the time!  But when she is outside however, watch out!  She will play football with her siblings, and is mean on those rollerblades!  

Allison loves her cousin and any other little one!  She is nurturing, patient, and so caring.  (Got all that from her dad)  She is not only loving toward little children but is an encourager especially to her momma.  She has a soft heart.

Allie has matured personally and is continuing to grow into a diligent student - who takes her studies seriously!  We have seen perseverance and heart we didn't know she had as she has tackled some challenges this fall!

 So glad she is willing to read to her brother and they sure love to laugh!

This year it has been a blessing to watch Allison grow spiritually as she has expressed such love and devotion to Jesus - her heart is so tender and loving.  And after several years of praying for an opportunity to go to Bible Study Fellowship with her daddy, brother, and sister - she began this year and is studying the book of Genesis.  It is fun to sit with her and study!

Every year at birthday time we like to celebrate each child and the gifts the Lord gave each of them.  We always reflect on the verse we chose for each one when born......it is awesome to read this verse each year - since when we chose it we did not "know" Allison - but it is such a reflection of her:  she gives others much grace, is loving, and is such an encouragement with her actions and words.  We love you, Allison Grace!

"May the Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his GRACE gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word." 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

we hold these truths to be self evident........

I think the kids are going to remember this 4th of July......thanks to our special friends who asked if we'd be willing to celebrate a "July 4th Seder."  We always enjoy the Passover Seder meal we do at another friend's house at Easter so we were all for it.  Besides - this is yet another American "holiday" that we sometimes have not made meaningful.  It is simple to get together, BBQ and enjoy fireworks....but do we honestly reflect on how our country came about?  Especially in these times as we see our country beginning to move away from what our founding fathers seem to have intended....it is imperative our children understand what the original documents of our country said and meant!

At the beginning of our reflection, we all gathered around our tables and listened as our friend shared some history about our country and the events surrounding the Declaration of Independence.  The kids had chances to read and share in the discussion.  

Nickels were distributed and the kids looked at the different symbols and words on the coin as well as listening to the meanings.....

Next, we drank a little tea to remember the Boston Tea party...... 

ate a salty pretzel to reflect on the tears shed by those who lost loved ones in the Revolutionary war.....

and enjoyed strawberries and blueberries dipped in whipped cream to celebrate the red, white, and blue of our flag!

 Later, we were given a quiz about the Declaration of Independence.  Oh boy - it was hard!  I didn't do so hot! Everyone worked diligently though and after all the answers of the questions were revealed it turned out Madeline and Jonathan had the most right!  (Jonathan was very effective at copying his brother's answers as well as making a few good wild guesses of his own!)

Inside the special box was a cool prize of a $2 bill!

Following the quiz, we looked at a copy of a newspaper printed July 5, the morning after the Declaration was signed. Pretty cool.....and then it was time to sign our own copy with a quill pen our friends had bought while on a recent trip back east.....fun!

Such lovely signatures!

After working up quite an appetite, we enjoyed special Fourth of July drinks by Madison and chicken/veggie kabobs grilled by Mr. Miller himself! After play and nice conversation after dinner we had to scramble to swiftly get down the road for the fireworks at a nearby church!  It was a shorter display than we anticipated - but not a problem since we were in such good company!  The kids and parents just sat and chatted until the traffic died down and we could walk home.....

               

 and enjoy some fireworks of our own.......The kids enjoyed sparklers, black snakes, and smoke bombs....  It doesn't get any better than that.....unless you have races to see which sparkler dies out first!

At midnight the kids were still going strong with foosball and even a sweet little game of trouble......

What a rich night of fun and celebration with old friends.....

bumps in the road.....

      

                                      

Seems life is full of distractions.  Diversions.  Interruptions.  Disturbances.  Four weeks ago we had one of those....but along with those the Lord grants blessings, gifts, and grace.    While taking our dear friend to the airport, the kids and I were in a serious car accident on the 202 freeway.  Somehow - we were ok inside despite the crumpled mess.  (The rear of the van was crushed all the way to the girl's seat - breaking it with the impact.) As we made our way to the side of the highway and the kids stood grasping each other in hugs and beginning to whimper - I examined the van from a distance.  I snapped the above picture with my cell phone.  Might as well document the occasion. Helpful passerby, friendly firefighters, good solid van which "crumpled correctly", properly restrained kids in car seats, friends who will jump in the car to come for us right away......lots of blessings.  The Lord spared us major injuries - we gave thanks right away.

Just like most life events - most people don't realize all that is involved until they experience it themselves.  Destroyed luggage in the back, sore muscles, dazed brain for several days due to what has to be gallons of adrenalin pumped into one's system, rental car, insurance filing, car replacement, fear of driving......lots of disturbances.  But still blessings.   I spent the day of the accident wishing I could hug all my friends and family - though didn't even call many of them.  What would I say?  I could text:  "Hey - how is your day going?  Mine is fine - just totaled my van!"  Ba ha. Since one friend from church came to get us the news traveled and what I already knew was confirmed:  We have the best friends and family in the world.  Texts and calls came in - meals offered - one friend just came to the door to make sure we really were in one piece........

Interesting experience the whole thing was - with lots of things to learn.  Hold on to possessions lightly, treasure the time you have with friends and family much, wait on the Lord to work things for the best according to His will......  This was a small trial in comparison to what many I know are going through in their lives.

And so there was a lag in the chronicle here.......even though life went on at a rapid rate.  Hopefully I can catch up eventually......one step at a time......to God be the Glory......

A little taste of heaven.....(Part 2)

I guess there really isn't much story to Part 2........all the "trauma" was within the first 24 hours! The day after our arrival I spent hours walking around the (inside) of the hotel taking pictures of the beauty.  I was in a photographer's paradise!  Part of what I enjoy about these trips is I can relish in some alone time and then in the evening Merl is back and we get to have a dinner date.  Fun.  It was hard to choose my favorite pictures - and I have no idea about types of flowers so no captions on these......just imagine being able to walk through gardens with the sounds of waterfalls echoing everywhere.......amazing!

  

                                           

The way off the grounds.....I only ventured out twice!

A little taste of heaven........(Part 1)

In March, Merl and I traveled to Nashville, TN for a convention he was attending for work.  We left the kids in capable hands of grandparents and friends and flew across the country......for a little taste of heaven. 

A view of one side of the hotel......

But let me back up.....a little background is needed here......before Christmas he had mentioned a convention at the Gaylord Opry Hotel and when I looked up the website, decided he was in need of a traveling partner......it would be a shame for my man to go to a place like this without me!  But then he wasn't sure he was going to go so I put it in the back of my mind......'til one night out for coffee with some girlfriends.  Merl had just told me before I left he had booked a reservation for the conference and it was coming up.  I hadn't thought about it for awhile and suddenly it seemed like a lot of trouble to try to go.  Enter my dear friends....who after hearing several wisecracks I made about marriage and not enough dates with my hubby decided we needed Intervention with a capital I......if you were to hear the story from them they'd probably tell you they had to twist my arm to go.....I would call it a good firm nudge.....either way - I came straight home from coffee and booked my ticket!

One side of the lobby/check-in

The night before our 7 am flight out  - yes I said THE NIGHT BEFORE...... I said - "Do we have a confirmation number or something for the hotel?  Any paperwork we need?"  Merl answers - "Hmm....I can't remember if I booked the hotel."  Me:  "You can't REMEMBER if you BOOKED the hotel?"  My dear sweet husband:  "No - it doesn't look like I did."  

OK - time out here. My bags were packed (overpacked to be precise), the kids were already at G&G's, and it was time for bed - and he is telling me we have no reservation at the hotel?  Of course he is an optimist and says it will be fine - he'd book it then online.  Me seeing the glass half full had other thoughts.  Like - this:  "You mean to tell me that after a month of thinking about a refreshing, and yes - luxurious hotel vacation of reading and relaxing in a beautiful place with you I might be staying across the street at the Motel 6?  Well probably not.  If there are no more rooms I am having a 4 day vacation right here! No way am I getting on that plane!"  

Well anyway - I was just thinking these things of course so by the time I got to "I am not getting on the plane" he had a room reserved.  Crisis averted.  We agreed on a time to leave for the airport and off to bed we went.

Stained glass ceiling in the lobby

I of course always under estimate how much time it takes to get ready in the morning and he often thinks we don't need to be at the airport QUITE early enough.....so the combination of the two turned out to be interesting.  Leaving 10 minutes AFTER an already too tight time frame, slow shuttle at the airport, etc. = late check in.  Standing in the line to check our bags (yes - I know we shouldn't have checked bags but remember, I overpacked).......I am having a stomachache and stewing over how much I do not like to be late......Merl is looking at me and saying it will all be fine but I could tell he was recalling how much I cannot stand to be late.

I think at this point I realized that maybe we've learned something in 19 years of marriage.  This is the way he is - this is the way I am.  No use yelling at each other or being irritated in the line now.  It is what it is.  We've got the neon orange sticker on the luggage that says "LATE CHECK-IN - cannot guarantee your bags will make this flight."

I fretted quietly to myself with a few heavy sighs in the security line and we sprinted - yes ran - to the gate.  Of course we made it there as boarding began and made it on the flight - without too much fuss.....for a few hours.....Then while claiming our baggage, it seemed my suitcase was not going to slide out of that chute.  Even then I am proud to say I didn't use any four letter words.......just followed him to the Southwest office to decide my fate.  Seemed the suitcase would probably appear on the next flight and they'd send it to the hotel.  Deep breath.  OK - yes - the luxurious hotel - focus........so off we went.

Balconies!

After an unexpected upgrade to a balcony room facing the courtyard........and a lovely lunch in the below restaurant......I am sorry to say - I was still sort of wondering about my suitcase!!!!!! But not like other times I've worried.....a little more contained.

Lovely restaurant for lunch

The next flight came and went without my suitcase so now I started to think that I might not see it that day.  Dressing or freshening up for dinner was a little out of the question.  Yes - my friends at home were texting me all kinds of wise cracks at this point.....but my sweet husband kindly said - if you need to buy some clothes tomorrow don't worry - it is fine.  This was, however, before I scouted out what the damage would be......: $25 dollars for just 1 pair of "old lady underwear!" Um, I don't think so.

Shops within the hotel......

 I did however, find a nice top on the sale rack at one of the shops and along with my black workout pants (which kind of don't look like workout pants) and some black shoes (in the other suitcase) it made an outfit suitable for dinner.  And besides - I don't care if you have a suitcase or not - this hotel was unbelievable - I couldn't really let it ruin everything......

Dinner was good except for the salad we were supposed to split that consisted of one quarter of a head of iceberg lettuce with about 6 grape tomatoes and literally 12 bacon bits sprinkled on the plate! That was a laugh actually - followed from a phone call from the airline:  "Your bag was sent to the hotel and should arrive within the hour."  Ahhh, music to my ears.  All was well again - time for some fun.

View out the left of our balcony

View to the right of our balcony

The river running through the hotel!