Whirlwind

Whew!  It's been a full three weeks of whirlwind activity lately.

First we had recital.  If you have a daughter in dance, you know that this is a full weekend event with dress rehearsal and then the recital.  AND, it was on Mother's day!  That was a busy, busy weekend.  She danced gracefully and was of course strikingly beautiful.  It was a wonderful day!

I haven't finished uploading the photos.  I'll edit with more photos later so come back!

Marking before the actual rehearsal

DD is in the middle

Then we had a college Graduation.  What  a proud moment/day.  Yes, it was an all day affair.  We arrived at William Jewell College at 8:15 am and didn't leave until almost 4:00 pm!  It was a wonderful day of celebration.

What a moment!  Walking across the stage.
As they announced his commissioning the room applauded and stood up.  It was amazing.

The next day was another full day as we participated in the commissioning.  It was another great day and yes, we are proud!

The Oath

The First Salute was from his dad.  What a special moment.

The handshake included the traditional silver dollar.  He bought a special one , an Army Commemorative silver dollar.

His dad is so proud!

The unofficial pinning of rank by his sister and me.

The proud family.

That whole week we spent getting ready for the wedding!  We traveled to Indiana with the grandmothers and had a visit to the airport to gather an aunt and cousins (usher and ring bearer) and still more aunts and uncles came into town.  We rehearsed and ate a lovely dinner celebrating the coming together of two families and then it was the big day!  It was a beautiful day.  The weather was perfect, the venue was perfect and the wedding party was gorgeous!  It was a sweet and wonderful ceremony filled with laughter and tears of joy.  I don't know that I've ever seen a happier couple.  I love them both more than words can say.

Getting ready and waiting...

Helping the ring bearer with his badge.

One of the beautiful ushers.

The bride getting ready.

And the bride's maid getting ready.

Making sure they have everything.

Lots of Father/Son moments.
There will be lots more photos to come.  Look back for updates!

The Bride

I just love this guy!  

So Granddad could be there too.  They wanted an "In Memory Table."  So sweet.

The beautiful bride's maid.

This kiss

Joy!

The moms in their tiaras.

The first dance.

Bride with her father

Groom and mother

 I have to tell you about this dance.  It was so precious.  The song he chose was the theme from "Toy Story", "You've Got a Friend."  I CRIED, no bawled as soon as I heard the music start before I even got out of my chair!  I was so precious.  That has always been our movie.  It came out when he was one year old and we watched it and the others over and over and he carried those Woody and Buzz Lightyear dolls from Burger King all over the place.  This was just such a precious moment to me.  Thank you Spencer for making it so!

Cousins dancing

More joy

We made a mad dash home and started getting ready for the PCS.  The permanent change of station.  Movers are coming this morning to pack them up and load them.  We spent the evening organizing and moving stuff from here to there and now they are getting ready to go meet the movers.  This is all getting real!

And yet, I'm not feeling so bad.  I worried that I'd be a crying wreck but I'm doing ok.  I'm excited for them!  I'll miss them like crazy but I can't wait to see where life takes them.

God Is Good. 

Update..

This week has just flown by for me!  It's been busy and full.  My mother is here visiting.  The next few weeks are full of family events, recital, graduation, commissioning, and a WEDDING!  All in THREE weeks!!  EEK!

I'll probably be a little hit and miss here if I'm here at all.  Oh my!  I just realized that the fourth week is my DD's 17th birthday and then next week she leaves for 6 weeks!!  So it's a busy FIVE weeks!

Don't give up on me.  I'll be here as often as I can but I make no promises as to how often.  Please pray for my sanity over the next several weeks.  I could definitely use them!

This is about how I feel!  LOL

Follow the Example

"We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.  Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.  For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me."  For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.  May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God."

Romans 15:1-7

Gracious God,

You gave us a perfect example to follow in Christ and we seem to fall short more often than not.  

Help us to listen to your word and learn to love the way you call us to love.

Help us to see you in everyone around us.

Help us to love one another, to welcome one another, to help one another as Christ would have done and did do in his time.

Help us to be more like Christ every day and in every way.  

Help us to praise you in all things.

~~Amen.

Words Have Power

"Kind words are like honey

they cheer you up and 

make you feel strong."

Proverbs 16:24 CEB

Loving God,

Thank you for loving me.

Help me to love more like you.

Help me to choose my words wisely.

Help me to use them to build up

not to tear down.

Words can be a weapon, 

a weapon against others,

and a weapon against myself.

Help me to remember that even the words I use on myself matter and make me who I am.  

They can make my mood 

and can set the tone for the day.

Help me to use kind loving words on myself 

and on others.

Your precious name I pray,

    ~ Amen

Happy Monday!

Happy Monday!  I feel like I'm finally getting my life back.  I've been so busy, it was all good busy, but things are falling into place and I feel a lot less stressed.  Thank goodness!

Yesterday, I worshipped with a beautiful

congregation about 40 minutes away.  It was a lovely service with beautiful music.  The choir's anthem matched perfectly with the sermon and I loved it!  I was all smiles.  I love when a service comes together so perfectly. 

I think I've been feeling less stressed lately because I've been being a little health obsessed.  I love all things natural but actually putting it into practice comes and goes because well, I really convenience, but a dear friend of mine has cancer and well, that just kind of makes me more aware.  Does that make sense?  

So, I've been reading a lot on natural cures again and healthy eating.  I KNOW I need to eat more veggies and fruits but I'm not a big fan of them.  I decided to try juicing and see if I could get them in that way.  It's working pretty well for me so far.  I usually get a least once juice in a day.  I should do more but it's all about baby steps right?  I've noticed since I started, that I don't really have cravings anymore.  I love that side effect.  I usually crave junk... potato chips, ice cream and my favorite mac and cheese, but that has really slowed down to almost nil.

Anyway, the more I read about natural cures, natural healing, and really nature in general the more I'm appreciating God's handiwork.  He's really pretty amazing and not only is his work beautiful it all has a purpose too!  I'm seeing how creation is perfect.  He provided us with all we need!  We have a perfect medicine cabinet right outside our front door!  

Now, don't start thinking I've turned into some kind of fruitcake.  I haven't but I am exploring new ideas to help make and keep me healthy.  And, I'm enjoying it!