My #1 Fan

Everyone needs at least one fan and I found mine this weekend.

As you know, most churches do a Halloween alternative. I'm so thankful that our church has an annual Jamboree where the kids dress up and get lots of candy {similar to Halloween, but not at all like it ;)}.

My girls have always loved this event. Of course, K Belle is too old for this, but La Petite Belle has at least one, maybe two more years to be involved in it.

This year's theme was "Extreme Heroes."

To my surprise, one of our good friend's daughters dressed up as me. I got such a kick out of it & of course, she was precious.

Here we are together. What a doll!

La Petite Belle took it a whole other direction by dressing up like her daddy ... not her mama ... her daddy because obviously that's way cooler. I'm not bitter. It's ok.

Here she is practicing how she'd carry it off.

Getting the look down.

On stage.

So fun!

Glad that cat's out of the bag.

I don't mean to toot my own horn, but I'm VERY good at keeping secrets and surprising people. Beau ... not so much. And, my family ... even worse.

We were going to surprise the girls with our 3rd trip to Disneyworld. This time we would be there for Thanksgiving. It will probably be our last one for a long, long time seeing as our girls are getting up there in age. The next time we go may be with the grandkids .... Wait. What? Let's not think about that.

K Belle was told accidentally by an aunt last week. It really was quite innocent. So, La Petite Belle was the only one who didn't know.

We decided to go ahead and tell her in a fun way soon so that no one else would spoil the suprise.

K Belle and I planned a little scavenger hunt for her last night after she got home from soccer.

She was scared at first. We assured her nothing was going to jump out at her. She was very quick to find all the clues. Each clue came with a letter. When she collected all the letters, she was to unscramble them to give her her final clue.

It took a little while, but she go it!

Yay! So excited! In less than a month, we'll be at the most magical place in the world.

Anything for you.

I hear a Gloria Estefan song playing in my head. That shows my age.

I'm careful only to post recipes that either I'm dying to try or I know are good. You can trust me on this.

So, last night I attempted something I saw on none other than Pinterest (It's like a drug. Don't  even try it if you haven't yet.)

Any recipe with only a few ingredients is always worth a try. This was worth the effort.

All you need is this: (plus powdered sugar)

You mix an angel food cake mix and one can of lemon pie filling. Spray a 9 X 13" pan. Pour mixture into pan and bake for 20 minutes. When cool, sprinkle with powdered sugar.

I ate two pieces ... ok, 2 and a half ... just to make sure it was worthy of posting. Anything for you guys!

So easy and good too! 

Push Back

We had two soccer games this past weekend. La Petite Belle was in full force.

She scored two goals in Sunday's game and led her team to victory. But, the game on Saturday didn't have such good results. They lost ... 3-1.

There seemed to be a LOT of pushing on the part of the other team ... the other older team (U-12 ... La Petite Belle's team is U-11). So much pushing that at one point I just screamed out "Stop pushing!" Guess who was on the other end of most of the pushing? Yep. La Petite Belle. She was pushed quite a bit. She even spent some time on the ground.

After the game she said, "I think they had it out for me." (Me too.)

La Petite Belle started to become visibly irritated that the coach was not calling the other girls on the pushing. So ... what do your do? 

Well ... she just pushed back.

This was not the right thing to do.

However, the coach, after the game, said that if the ref is not going to enforce these rules then La Petite Belle did the right thing by pushing back.

Which leads me to the question: At one point do you not turn the other cheek?

That's what the Bible teaches us. That's the harder thing to do. The easier and most fulfilling thing is to definitely push back.

Is there ever a point where we should push back? You hurt me so many times, I hurt you back?

Really, pushing back is just self-defense. We do the same thing in our relationships.

And, that is the harder part because our flesh wants it. We want to push back. Push back so much that we are far away from anyone who can hurt us.

Every single time we're pushed ... Every. Single. Time. ... we are commanded NOT to push back.

Really not pushing back makes us the stronger person. It takes real strength to turn the other cheek when someone has offended or hurt you.

It takes real strength to lay it all down at Jesus' feet and trust Him to handle the situation and not take it into our own hands.

I'm trying, ya'll. I'm really trying to be that kind of strong.

On momentous occasions, make sure you let someone know when you're going to do your secret dance. (AND a winner!)

Remember the whole deal about me turning 40? And how I had a big awesome party with about 70 of my friends? Yeah. Remember that?

Well ... I forgot to tell you that Beau and I had worked on a secret choreographed dance the night before. Yeah. It was intended to delight and loosen up the crowd and to get them on their feet. (which it did)

But, here's where we failed. A couple of my friends knew we were thinking about doing it, but I hadn't told them yea or nay on the matter. 

So, when the moment came around when Beau and I were mentally preparing for our moment, I didn't tell anyone to record it. No one.

One friend got only Beau talking about how much he loves me and wants to dance the first dance with me. Then the video cut off after the first few seconds of the music. But, I will upload it for you just for fun.

And the other friend only got the very end of the dance, which was quite enjoyable to watch, but he continued to record so that the video is too large to upload. :(

Just take my word for it: Beau's got moves. (but I think you already knew that)

Now ...

Who's the winner of the $10 Starbuck's gift card?

Let's see ...

Random Integer picked #6.

Karis Brister ... you won! Because I know you, I'll be able to hand deliver that gift to you at church. Congrats!

Hoping to use some of your questions soon in my interview with Roma.

What would you ask an angel? Or at least someone who's played one on TV? {and a little giveaway:)}

In particular ... this one.

The beautiful Roma Downey.

You see ... I got an email a while back about previewing a new children's DVD series she's producing and even being able to offer the DVD as a giveaway here. After a phone call from someone at Grace Hill Media, I agreed. 

And, then, the person on the other line said that Roma would be calling me. 

Wait ... what? I'm going to be talking to Roma Downey?

I didn't expect that. 

Yes, I would be interviewing her about her newest endeavor, "Little Angels."

After I hung up, I thought about what I would ask her. Of course, the first thing that popped into my head was about her Christianity and her walk with the Lord and how difficult it must be in Hollywood. Then, how she met her husband, Mark Burnett. And, then her inspiration for "Little Angels."

So ... let's make this interesting because I need some help. When you enter a question for me to add to my list of interview questions, you will be eligible to win free coffee!!

Yay! What's better than free coffee?!

Just doesn't get much better than that.

So, a $5 ... oh, heck ... let's make it a $10 Starbuck's gift card could be yours. 

You could get this cute little one right here.

Just post a question. That's it. And then I'll randomly select a winner on Friday.

If you could ask Roma Downey anything, what would it be?

Thanks! Much Appreciated!

Exciting News ...

According to my gynecologist, I "don't look my age. And she should know since she sees lots of women every day."

Nice. I really like her.

I didn't like having an extra pair of eyes in the examination room for my annual exam, but I guess that's what "observations" are for. That observer got to hear about all my 40-year-old issues. When you add the nurse in there, that's 3 people ... count 'em ... 3 people observing me. Really observing me. Getting quite an eyeful, if you know what I mean.

Anyways ... By the end of the visit, I walked out with free medication, an order for blood-work, and the highly-anticipated mammogram appointment.

In other news (good news), it only took me an entire year to lose 8 pounds. I'm thankful it wasn't a gain.

But the most exciting part of the day was definitely not the exam, it was my Bible study, where I discovered I am definitely more wicked than any one of my friends and my personality-type description (choleric-melancholy) makes me sound like a crazy control freak who doesn't care about anyone.

That's totally wrong.

Seriously? Cholerics are totally misunderstood. Pretty much the story of my life.

I think this calls for another view of my friend, Ouiser ... pretty sure she was a choleric too.
(And just as pleasant as all cholerics!)

I love her.

I'm gonna try and work on bringing my "melancholy" numbers up above my "choleric" status. I like them more.

And, let me not forget what else made Bible study so exciting! 

CARNITAS!!

Yep. I made this. Super easy & delicious!! Just put it all in the crock pot and you're done.

Here's the recipe I got from The Girl Who Ate Everything:

Easy Crockpot Pork Carnitas

2 pork tenderloins (about 1 pound each)
1 (15-18 ounce) jar of your favorite salsa verde
1 (10 ounce) can Rotel tomatoes
1 (4 ounce) can diced green chilies
1 white onion, chopped in large pieces
1/2 teaspoon cumin

Place all of the ingredients in a crockpot and cook on low for 8-10 hours or until pork easily forks apart. Serve buffet-style with flour tortillas, cheese, cilantro, avocado, tomatoes, lettuce, sour cream and a squeeze of lime. Make sure to get some of that yummy sauce the pork is in inside your tortilla.

Enjoy!

You knew I wouldn't be able to let it go.

Remember, when I said yesterday that I didn't have the energy to write another post on modesty? 

I lied. Because here I go again.

But, this one's short and sweet and another take on the same old issue.

You can read back at my other post and get my take on the whole thing as far as why women dress inappropriately and how men are affected by that fact. That's all just common-sense stuff that we as women have learned over the years. Pretty basic.

We know how it affects men.

We know women who dress inappropriate have issues.

But, I never considered how much it affects our daughters. I mean ... I knew it did, but I guess I never really thought about how large the impact is until I noticed something this weekend.

Beau, La Petite Belle, and I were just minding our own business and trying to get some wholesome frozen yogurt. We stopped at Swirl in Houston.

As soon as I walked in, I was hit in the face with bosoms. Large bosoms. Bosoms being held up by a black strapless bra under a sheer light pink dress.

SHEER.

With a black bra under it.

Let me just say ... if you're putting on a black bra under something see-through, you obviously WANT your bra to be seen. It's a given. (then that goes back to my attention-getting theory)

But, wait. It was a little more extreme than just seeing the bra because the sheer top was almost cut down to the bra itself. Ridiculous.

We walked by the woman. I, of course, looked the other way. But, I actually wanted to tap her on the shoulder and preach her a little sermon. WWJD? He's probably sit and hang out with her. After her encounter, she would cover up. I didn't preach or hang out. I was there for yogurt with my family.

We got our yogurt and sat down. 

I noticed that La Petite Belle noticed the woman. She looked at her quite a bit.

My thoughts were ... "I hope she's not looking at this woman and thinking that what she is portraying is beautiful. I hope that she's looking at her and thinking that she's dressed inappropriately."

Then I thought about how much more she's bombarded, along with the rest of us, with many images of inappropriateness that is promoted as beauty.

I am now making it my mission to point out true beauty to my daughters ... not only modest beauty on the outside, but pure gorgeousness on the inside. They need good examples of this.

It's so hard as humans to not judge someone by what's on the outside, but I want to. I want to see the true beauty of each woman and girl I'm in contact with and I want my girls to learn to do the same.

New Discoveries

It was quite an eventful weekend, in which I came across many new things.

#1 - Ice skating birthday parties are too cold. 

I do not recommend them. Being frozen is not conducive to a pleasurable experience.

But, La Petite Belle & her friends had a great time!

#2 - Parents actually just drop their YOUNG children off at the skating rink and leave. 

No supervision at  all. When did this become acceptable?

#3 - I love Houston even more each time I visit.

#4 - IKEA  

(what we bought this weekend for La Petite Belle's room which we're knee-deep in remodeling right now, despite the fact that we haven't finished our kitchen re-model yet ... I will post pics of both once they're complete.)

This bed will be painted white.

Dresser

3 of these DVD storage wall mounts

 Chandelier

 A set of these ... 59 cents a piece!

 La Petite Belle's paint color of choice ... Caribbean Coast ...

... combined with one accent wall of this ... Southern Evening.

And ... finally ... our inspiration for what will hang over her bed. So sweet!

#5 - IKEA food is yummy!

Who knew?! Tilapia, ribs, and swedish meatballs all at a furniture store.

#6 - Inappropriately-clad women do not only affect men, but also my young, impressionable daughter who also notices their inappropriateness which I don't want her to mistake for beauty. Ugh. 

Really? I don't even have the energy to write another post on modesty. Just get it together, women. Get. It. Together.

#7 - Casa Manana (for my LA peeps) is delish! 

White queso with chorizo sausage, grilled shrimp tacos, and sopapillas!

If you're in Lake Charles, eat there.

#8 - Not exercising or eating right for a whole week fills me with guilt & possibly depression.

Even if I don't see massive results, I feel better when I'm doing the right thing. I'm sure there's a spiritual lesson in this. Guess who starts back at it today?

No way.

With every year that I get older, so do my little girls.

La Petite Belle is 11 today.

K Belle said, "I'm so sad. You're getting so old and growing up."

Yeah. Tell me about it. I birthed this baby.

I miss her.

Aw ... sweet little girl.

But, I'm also looking forward to all God has for this bundle of energy and attitude.

Happy Birthday, La Petite Belle! We love you.

I like the fierce & fabulous part, but the forty ... eh ... don't like as much.

So, yes, this will be my last post about being 40.

I can hear your sigh of relief ... "Yeah, we get it. You're old now."

My hubby & friends threw me this fabulous black & white party. Everything was awesome ... the food, the speeches, the dancing, and, most of all, the company.

The party was downtown at my favorite restaurant, Bonnie Bell's Bistro, which we rented out for the night.

Check out this fantastic cake: Red Velvet under chocolate fondant with edible diamonds. Yep ... awesome!

Beau emceeing the event and conducting the trivia game he came up with.

This table ... trying to get me to cheat.

  

A few photo booth shots:

My mom and dad

My favorite!

My girls ... They did all this.

Let the dancing begin ... This guy danced from 1st song to last.

The other one who danced during every song.

The girls that closed out the night (even Bonnie, the restaurant owner joined in).

What an awesome night! I feel so blessed.

Now ... onto 41. Ew. That sounds gross.

Friends ... Gotta love 'em!

I came home Friday to this:

Actually, this is only one small portion of my entire yard, which was covered in yellow caution tape, black crepe paper, giant high school pictures of me, balloons, & posters telling people to honk because it was my birthday. 

Needless to say, I was surprised.

I immediately knew who the culprits were (after I texting my daughter that she was dead meat & she denied the decorating was her).

I thought that was the end of it. It was plenty. These friends had already done so much for my big party the next day.

But ... little did I know ... there was more.

As Beau and I were working on our dance (yes, that will be a topic for tomorrow's post), K Belle yelled for me to come upstairs because she had something to ask me.

I said, "No." I don't go upstairs to answer questions. My kids come downstairs to ask questions.

But, Beau kept encouraging me to go and find out what she wanted.

I said, "What is going on? What are you up to?" (He would never have told me to do that.) I knew something was going on.

I played along. I went upstairs.

K Belle asked me a random, unimportant question & my suspicions were confirmed: 

Something was going on.

I came downstairs and could even sense that something was definitely up.

Funny that I kept saying, "Discernment. Discernment. I knew it!"

Yep. I was right. These girls came to kidnap me to celebrate our last night of my thirties.

These masked bandits are my friends. They helped to make my weekend amazing! 

I love them ...

Even though they debated on whether or not to have a guy really kidnap me.

WHAT?!?

Yeah. These are my friends.