My Favorite Present

-
As we anticipated my 30th birthday this year, our 3 yr. old got excited about it too.  She enthusiastically declared one day, "Daddy will have to take me shopping so I can get you a present! I'm going to get you a soft white shirt."  What makes this idea super sweet, is that HER favorite article of clothing is her "soft white shirt" (as she calls it).  It is the first thing she wants to wear when the laundry is done.  We had been traveling for the 2 weeks prior to my birthday, but she had not forgotten her idea, and when we returned to Texas (2 days before my big b-day), she asked Karl to take her shopping.  He said they perused several different shirts "this one is soft, but it's not white"... "No it must be white. Mommy only likes white shirts," she said most definitely. :) They settled on the t-shirt that I am wearing in the picture (under a jacket since it was unseasonably cold that day), and also decided to pick out a piece of jewelry. Now here's where it gets even better...
I had seen this necklace (pictured) in the store a few weeks ago and loved it.  When Karl overviewed the jewelry section, he quickly decided (unknowing that I had wanted it) that the same necklace should be their pick, but he wondered if he would have to convince the little one, who obviously has strong opinions about what Mommy likes.  He said she walked straight up to it, fingered it, and said, "Oooo, this one!"
I felt so encouraged to think of the Daddy-daughter outing for my occasion, and I LOVE both the "soft white shirt" and pretty necklace! They made my day extra special.  This picture is also showing off our at-home manicures that we did that day as well.

Popular posts from this blog

Breakfast Devotions with our Kids: Love is is kind...

-
Image
During the month of February, we meditate and memorize the definition of love from 1 Cor. 13 (You know which ones I'm talking about--the wedding verses. Even Jim and Pam had them recited at their wedding). Our family needs refreshed in this, so it's nice to have this tradition to bring us back to it each year. We read and repeat the entire passage, but then focus on one element daily. "LOVE IS KIND" --today's focus. I asked the kids, "What does 'kind' mean?" Middle sister asked if she could give an example rather than a definition. With permission, she joyfully retrieved two stuffed animals and used them to demonstrate kindness by sharing. Brother and sister followed her lead and also acted out kind gestures between fluffy friends. "Very good," I affirmed them, "You obviously know what it is to be kind." This is where, in years past, I would have ended the lesson. We would adjourn by praying round the table, thanking ...
Read more

Why Am I Here?

-
Image
Journal entry from Sunday, November 15, 2015--after many weeks of being weary from sickness,  lonely for home, discouraged at not being able to accomplish basic things, and feeling pressures from the lack of my accomplishments. So I allowed the presence of Christ to refresh my spirit. You may recognize song lyrics and scriptures He brought to mind, which allowed me to dismiss the pressures and recenter myself in His purposes. I am here... to enter His gates with Thanksgiving in my heart, to enter His courts with praise to say "This is the day that the Lord has made! I will rejoice, for He has made me glad!" to know God and to make Him known, to remember who I am as a child of God, to love my husband and bring him good all the days of his life, to love my children and train them in the ways they should go, to have God's commands on my heart, to have God's promises on my heart, to talk about them when I lie down and rise up and walk about the way and sit ...
Read more

Baltimore

-
Image
Picture from Joy105 blog I feel removed from the pulse of America while living abroad. Honestly, I rely on facebook posts for current events (one week, all I know that happened at home was debates about the color of a dress) ;), yet I can see a small but recognizable change in the posts about Baltimore compared with Ferguson posts: there are significantly LESS prejudiced remarks in my newsfeed, fewer quick and harsh judgements, more compassionate people speaking up. I don't know if that's just my experience?? Perhaps it's because during Ferguson, most of my circle of friends didn't know what to say, so said nothing. Just.like.me. Perhaps it's because a large majority of my facebook family truly walks with Jesus, not "religious rules" people, but people of deep relationship with the Creator of humanity who compels love for others , and they are now speaking with this sentiment:   "I still don't know what to say, but I am paying...
Read more