Sum, Sum, Summertime

I have a love/hate relationship with summer.

You have to understand ... I live in a Southern state where temperatures can be unbearable. I'm talking hundreds here, people. Add to that the fact that I deeply dislike sweating and you can see the "hate" part of the relationship. Let's not mention the horrid electrical bill. RE. DICULOUS.

And, yes, there's that one other little thing I could do without ... swimsuits. (I won't even go into that one. I'm bitter.)

But, there are those things that I love:

The giddy feeling I get when I realize my girls are out of school and we can actually sleep until the late 7:30 a.m. (giggling even now at the idea of it)

Putting on those dreaded swimsuits and taking the girls for many relaxing days at the pool

Sandals & sundresses

And, maybe most of all ... the food of summer ... fresh salads, fresh fruit (hoping to always pick that one sweet watermelon), cold desserts, and the hubby's grilling

With that said, I will leave you with my family's favorite salad recipe that I will be preparing even today. I have friends request this salad when they come over for dinner. It's so easy and delicious!

(There are many versions of this salad. This one is by far my favorite.)

Broccoli Slaw

1 bag broccoli slaw mix

1 bunch green onions, chopped

1 c. sunflower seeds

1/2 c. toasted slivered almonds

2 pkgs. beef-flavored Ramen noodles, broken into small pieces (save sauce packets for dressing)

Dressing:

1 c. olive oil

1/2 c. sugar

1/2 c. white vinegar

2 Ramen sauce packets

Mix all ingredients for salad in large bowl. Mix well dressing ingredients. Pour dressing over all and serve immediately.

I usually double this recipe because it's so good that everyone always wants seconds.

Happy Summer!

Bringin' It Back!

Found this bit of advertising yesterday. I sure enjoyed reading it and giggled after the first few sentences.

I wonder if ice cream could have the same affect on these "skinny, scrawny" women.

Oh how times have changed! Now we pay big bucks to look skinny.

(sigh)

Um ... I'd like to bring this idea back, please. But, I think I'm gonna need your support.

Is there some type of petition we can sign? Come on ... get the word out! Curvy = Glamorous. I'd even go a step further and say Chunky could also = Glamorous.

So, spread the word, would ya'? Skinny is out! "Firm, attractive flesh" as mentioned in the ad is in! Yay!  (Aw, shoot ... it's from 1953.)

The Day She's Waited For

K Belle says good-bye to middle school!

Here she is standing for recognition of her poem that got published and her superior artwork.

Actually getting that "diploma." Most of the pictures are blurry. That's what happens when you forget your camera and have to borrow someone's massive professional camera with 142 different settings and 28 buttons that you don't even know what to do with. At least we have something. I am that parent who always forgets her camera.

And, this is just the best picture of the day. Cutie patootie La Petite Belle waiting around for graduation to start and begging me to play on my phone.

No more school for K Belle and the boredom has already kicked in. I keep encouraging her to take advantage of doing nothing for the next couple of weeks. It's so hard when all you have to do is sleep late, watch TV, and make the hard decisions of what to eat. 

Let the summer begin ...

One more reminder

La Petite Belle was being super sweet. I think K Belle's 8th grade graduation made her a little sentimental.

(Hope to have pictures tomorrow that are not from my phone.)

I was lying in the bed reading emails on my phone. La Petite Belle came in and told me to put my phone away so that we could spend some quality time together.

So, of course, I did.

She gave me a massage. She's quite a good little masseuse.

She gave me a foot rub, with lotion mind you.

She filed my nails.

She fixed my hair.

She did my make-up.

I even let her use the tweezers. Scary.

As she was this close to my face, she says, "Mama, what happened to your face right there?"

I got a little concerned.

I said, "What? Where?"

La Petite Belle: "There's a line right here." (tracing a line on my cheek near the side of my mouth)

Me: "Uh ... that's a wrinkle."

La Petite Belle: "Oh." (giggles)

Gee thanks, babe.

I think she felt bad after that because she brought this up to me after she was done with my makeover.

She's still a sweetheart.

And, yeah ... I get it ... I'm getting old.

End of Weekend, End of Days

Well ... May 21st has come and gone and here we remain.

This particular sign made me giggle. A "Save the Date" for Jesus' return? Really?? Unbelievable.

I was ready though, ya'll! I wore my glittery, gold pumps and everything.

Even though I knew that it wasn't going to happen, I still had that "if it does happen, I need to be ready attitude." But not only do I need to be ready, my kids need to be ready.

What better way to make sure your kids are ready for the rapture than to scare them half to death by mentioning that it could be happening the very next day? At least that's what I told Beau I wanted to do. He said, "No." Spoilsport.

However, I did mention what was going on to them and asked if they were ready, which I tend to ask on a regular basis anytime something end-of-days-ish happens. "Are you ready?" I ask. To which I get eye-rolls and the emotionless, "yes, Mom." I think they're callous to the question.

It did provide another good teaching opportunity about being ready at all times. Not just for them but for me too. Because, if I'm being totally honest and real here ... I would like to be definite about my kids being ready before Jesus returns. I'm selfish like that. Sounds horrible to say, doesn't it? I just want to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they're ready. I think they are, but do any of us ever really know?

I pray every day that they are and that their lives would reflect that. And, yes they say they are and we as parents have taught them all the right things, but ultimately it's up to them to decide.

There are moments that I get tiny glimpses into their souls. I love that. And, I think ... "They're doing OK." And, I breathe a sigh of relief.

Then there are days I think ... "Did these children hear anything I've said for the past 10-13 years? And who are they?"

Kinda sounds like us as adults, huh? We're exactly the same way with God.

I want to be ready and always expecting. But, not just expecting ... expecting something good!

So as I sit in my recliner this morning and not walking the streets of gold, I determine to be even more expectant about our coming King. And I pray even more fervently for His move on the lives of, not only my children, but my family, my friends, my world.

"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting ANYONE to perish, but EVERYONE to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9 

It's all over but the cryin'.

Today is officially K Belle's last day of middle school. Her actual 8th grade graduation is next week, but classes are done!

I have to say I ain't hatin' that.

I, along with everyone, am done too. We're all a bit weary here and as a former teacher, I think I can say without a doubt that the teachers are done too. It's definitely time for a break.

We went to a high school meeting last night and I must say ... I'm a little nervous about all that. I feel like a mama hen who doesn't want her little chick to get too far away from the nest for fear of the foxes and weasels that are out there ready to chew her up. I know that's probably a little overdramatic, but it's pretty much how I'm feeling here.

But there's another important day in my memory too ... the day of her dedication. That was the day where her daddy and I stood before thousands of people and God and committed her to the Lord. We stood there saying we trust God with her life. To me that includes trusting that God has her in His hands. She belongs to Him. We're just here to teach her, guide her, show her, take care of her, and most of all, love her.

How much do we really trust the Lord? How hard is it to loosen the grip on our kids' lives?

Oh it's hard.

Real. Hard.

While it is hard, I can't help but feel anxious to see what God's going to do in her life. So many emotions.

Child of the Seventies

As I was watching TV last night, I saw a quick promo for a new series coming this fall.

Yep ... They're re-making Charlie's Angels.

Yeah, the girls are cute. I have no clue who any of them are. I don't know exactly how I feel about this.

Is this the best idea? I mean ... Wasn't Charlie's Angels one of the most awesome shows of the seventies? The cast alone could never be matched. 

Let me explain my history with the "angels" ...

I was a young girl when this show was on and absolutely loved it. It showed women as beautiful, smart, and strong. I thought women could do anything!

The show came on a little later in the evening and past my bedtime, but because I had a sincere love for the show and begged my mom to let me stay up just that one night a week, I was able to watch it. Even thought it was a school night, it was the one night my bedtime was an hour later. Thank you, Mama!

My favorite "angel" was Kelly (Jaclyn Smith). I wrote her fan letters and wore Enjoli (her perfume). I was a young stalker. Cut me some slack ... I was a kid.

On the playground, we would play Charlie's Angels. It was always a fight over who would be who because I wouldn't play unless I was Kelly. We'd rotate who was each character because no one wanted to get stuck playing Sabrina. We had that gun-pose down and chased criminals all over the yard.

I don't think I'll watch the show because I want to keep my great memories of the "angels" in tact.

Other great things of the seventies that can't be matched:

Who doesn't love the bright, bold wallpaper patterns?

 Granted ... there was some good and bad fashion. But, the good was really good.

Gotta have something to wear to disco.

Fruit Stripe Gum & Pop Rocks ... Genius.

Fondue is totally making a comeback. You go, fondue!

Man, I do love the '70s.

Move over, MacGyver!

Remember that time MacGyver detonated a bomb with a paper clip or saved the day by plugging a sulfuric acid leak with a piece of chocolate?

Yeah ... crazy.

Well, I bet you didn't know that K Belle had similar skills.

While at school, the poor dear ripped her shorts from one side to the other, requiring emergency sewing expertise.

With only a paper clip and dental floss in hand, she was able to mend these torn shorts. Yep. She made a needle out of a paper clip and sewed her shorts up with dental floss. And, believe it or not, they stayed intact for some time.

La Petite Belle decided she would wear them too.

I'm so proud.

It's starting to hit me.

I am about to reach a certain age.

I'm OK with the number itself, but am feeling not OK with some of the things that come with the number.

The number is really just a number to me. No biggie. I still feel good. I still feel young. I ain't scared of the number.

But, yesterday I had a strange experience thanks to one of those things I hate about the number.

I had to have an ultrasound (no worries ... everything's great!) ... the same type of ultrasound you have when there's a baby in your belly. I had mixed emotions. At that very moment that the technician was moving the instrument around my belly area, I got nostalgic. I remembered the moments I saw my precious little babies there. The reality that there would never be another baby in there definitely made me sad. That's it. Not that I ever thought Beau and I would have another one, but it just wasn't so real to me until that moment.

When you're a mother in your early thirties tied down with two or more kids, you think you're definitely finished. That you would never be able to handle anymore kids. That you're happy with what you have.

And, really I am. But, there is still that sadness. (Because, really I could have handled and slightly wanted one more. Shhh ... don't tell Beau.)

I'll be OK. I'm just getting accustomed to these small adjustments that come along with that number I previously mentioned.

And, reflecting on this.

And this. 

Blessed

Yes, I truly am blessed.

Being a mom is definitely my greatest accomplishment.

There are times I feel like I've totally messed up. And, then there are times that my kids make me so proud and I think I've done something right. It's a common thought among moms. As women, we try to be perfect with EVERYTHING, especially parenting. Super Mom to the rescue! (although this mom is far from gaining that title) Being a perfect mom is not attainable. Yes, we try and we won't stop trying. But, there are times that we mess up. Plain and simple. And, that's OK. Live and learn, right?

I think that children appreciate seeing that their moms aren't perfect. That this woman is a real person with real feelings and vulnerabilities and not some stoic woman consisting of rules and expectations.

I hope that my girls see me as a mom that loves them tremendously and a mom that they can trust.

I love these girls.

I had a fantastic Mother's Day.

Beau and the girls brought me their gifts bright and early before church.

The girls got me a gardening gift set with a watering can, herbs, gloves, bird feeder, and bird seed. So sweet! Beau had a card with a $50 gift card to Forever 21 in it waiting for me in the car. Love!

We went to church. All the moms got a fabulous Crossroads Church duffel bag, which I also love.

We met my parents at one of my favorite restaurants, Bonnie Bell's Bistro, for a special Mother's Day lunch. I had a beef tenderloin with garlic mashed potatoes & green beans. Yum!

My mom & I at lunch.

The girls ended up leaving the restaurant with my parents and Beau and I found ourselves with some free time. We headed to Johnston St. Java. I had a little coffee and creme brulee. Then, Beau and I went to see "Water for Elephants". I loved it!

I had a fabulous day! And, feel extremely blessed. 

Thank you, Lord for the privilege of being a mom.

This girl makes me smile.

Last night was K Belle's final recital for voice and piano.

You can imagine my surprise when I saw this. 

Not sure where she gets this from. This girl has lost every inch of any shyness she ever had. Broadway, here she comes!

Then, there was piano.

I'm so proud of her and can't wait to see how God's going to use her.

At Joli today ...

Click here to visit and tell us what you think about how important looks are in our society.

I'm not sure I would have done well living in Old Testament days.

Not because of the gathering of the manna every day. Not because of the multiple wives thing (even though that's a pretty serious issue I have). Not because of walking long distances in the heat. 

But, because of the sacrifices.

 I've been reading through Exodus and Leviticus lately. These books can be quite hard to get through but there's so much to gain from reading them.

I'm amazed at the order and specificity of God seen through, not only the specific instructions for building the tabernacle, but just in simple instructions for everyday life. God told the Israelites how to do everything, especially when it came to sacrifice.

The question that's been rattling through my brain is: Why was God so specific?

Why was God so specific about the sacrifice? Why was He so about the way each item in the tabernacle was set up?

God is teaching me that He is a specific God.

I often don't bring my requests to God because I don't feel they're that important. It's not that I think God doesn't care. I just think He's got bigger fish to fry and I really don't want to bother Him about my measly request.

So, basically I'm the one that tells God what He should be doing, right?

I've set myself up as knowing more than God by saying, "Lord, you go ahead and solve the crisis in the Middle East and don't worry your little head about this or that because it's not that important. I can handle it on my own."

When really, I can't handle it on my own. But, Lord knows I try.

This morning I was reading about the individual sacrifices for sin and I thought about how many times I would have to go and slaughter an innocent animal for what I've done.

Think about that.

Knowing that you will have to physically gather up an animal and kill him each time you sin might deter some of us from sinning as freely as we do. I know that's a sad state of affairs to say that seeing as Jesus was that ultimate sacrifice that should ever be before us. But, let's face it, not seeing that on a regular basis or returning to that thought can make us less sensitive to our sin.

What makes it even more unbelievable is that the Bible says "when a person sins unintentionally" he must bring the sacrifice. Every time it says " sins unintentionally" in Leviticus 4. Every time.

Think of how many times we could sin "unintentionally" and think about how many animals we would have to kill. Wow. That boggles my mind. And, the description of how specific that slaughter of these animals is still amazes me. It makes me wonder if we would be in the state we are in now if God still required that of us.

Trust me. I'm glad He doesn't. The thought of cutting open any animal and sprinkling it's blood and parts over an altar is not appealing to me in the least.

What about those "unintentional" sins?  Because they were "unintentional," they were never brought to your attention and you missed a sacrifice? Then, what? Think about that one for a minute.

Wow. Again, overwhelmed with God's grace.

I'm so thankful this morning that God made a way for us.

I want to be in that same place spiritually that the Israelites were commanded to be in daily ... with that sacrifice ever before me. Constantly remembering and staying in an attitude of gratitude over what God did for us through His ultimate sacrifice.

The other thing I think about when it comes to the specificity of that sacrifice is that God doesn't want some offering just haphazardly thrown up there on the altar. God wants our best. Our first.

Honestly, we don't always give Him what's due Him. We give Him what's leftover or what's not orderly or prepared and then expect Him to do something with it. We say, "God, bless it." Do we really expect God to bless something that we have not put before Him as our best offering or sacrifice?

Goodness. So many things from that one little chapter.

I'll stop now because I'm starting to sound a little preachy even though I'm preaching to myself.

All that to say ... Thank God for Jesus!