Appreciated and loved

My birthday's tomorrow and I have been gettin so many cards!

I think this year people love me. Feels good ;)

One card from my brother-in-law, who sends us cards for Halloween, Easter, Thanksgiving, Fourth of July.... everything. And he always writes two letters. It's been this way since I met him back in 04' and it will be that way forever. And he was sweet enough to send me a gift card with $1.50 on it. It beats the printed copies of coupons he usually sends. He's just one of those guys, and we love him!

That's him as Cupid.

And here he is in one of his favorites. 

He actually wore this one day when I picked him up for church....

 A card from my buddy that she thought looked like me....

 in which her mom started off sayin nice things about me but quickly deteriorated into 

melancholy warnings of aging.

And a pretty sick card from my sis, Coley, that was obviously filled in by someone who was not my sister, Coley. A) Not her handwriting. B) it says "You are the best person I have ever met (when? when you were 2 days old?)......

 But no matter. It BLEW my freakin brain pan!

Who does that?!?!?!

 A teensy tiny surprise from my crew....

 where I got old people candy.....

 and a card that admits he is always wrong. What's up with these new elegant 

putdown cards for Birthdays? I don't know how to process all the self deprecation....

Today's about Me anyway. Let's not lose focus.....

 And tonight the kids are all at a sweet family's house we have good history with.....

 When I told them they were going, Sarah said "YAY!! What's a sleepover?"

These kids need to get out more ;)

I really don't think Sarah understands it's temporary. 

She packed her whole room.

Corn doesn't last forever.....

I'm just feeling forlorn this day. Seeing our daughter was inexplicably beautiful,

an experience I could do no justice with my limited grasp of writing. So I won't even diminish it by trying.

What's in my heart is like fireflies in a jar. I want to share them sometimes but if I open the lid, I just know the light will fly off..... 

A door was opened in our hearts and now we just stand on the porch, not really knowing if we should walk in or if we are meant to stand there patiently waiting for the beckon in.....

We will wait forever, if need be. And stand ready to be whatever is needed or wanted, whenever and however it is wanted.

Until then we'll keep doin life. 

 And I'll keep pickin up a few little things here and there.....

though to be honest with you, I'm gettin bored of it.

 And while I'm bein so open with everything, 

can I just admit that I am really sad that my happy corn guy is washin off?

A sweet gal at Chikfila painted it on my arm and it was the highlight of my day.

Well, I guess the moral of this post is that all good things come to an end.

And corn doesn't last forever.

Lectures on the fly

Sometimes daddy's take a second job that leaves them only 

a tiny window of time to lecture their kids for getting  behavior reports at school.

And sometimes you just may get a "shower lecture" while they are gettin ready for that second shift,

even though you thought you were gettin out of it.

 And sometimes you have a mom that documents everything.

Because we have to remember these things! They're too awesome, baby girl!

You can just see it..... "MOOOOOM!!!"

Early lovin from my buddy :)

Today my best buddy came by to bring me some early birthday presents.

I never see my buddy anymore since she's currently working two jobs. She's

got some pretty awesome goals and a dream in her heart to secure all the necessary training 

and documents to begin rescue efforts of trafficked children in Russia. 

I can't say how much I respect this woman. But she knows......

 And she just gets me, ya know. 

I love you, buddy. 

I know eventually our journeys will split and we'll sail different waters.

But we'll always serve the same Captain and that unites us forever.

Spending a few hours with you was the best gift of all today.....

Playmobil score

A couple weeks ago I found Gabe's Christmas present at a children's consignment 

 that was clearing out everything at 50% off. The box may look like crap,

but I don't have to tell you guys that it doesn't do one thing to devalue the inner treasure ;)

The shopkeeper assured me that all pieces were accounted for because her daughter built and dismantled it religiously in the store. Bet she was sad to see it missing :(

I took a quick peek in the box but just long enough to see several figures and a few 

glossy pullouts of instructions and such. I really kinda want to be just as surprised as Gabe on Christmas morning. Then I took a quick peek on ebay and felt pretty smug about this purchase.You know we all do it! ;)

And Mason, this post is totally dedicated to you, brother. 

It was in one of your first few posts that I saw your affection for these tiny androgynous men 

and I knew you were solid ;)

Until recently I had only a troop of dudes. But after receiving a lady Playmobil (who appears to be a bit Amish-y) and makin a few trades with my 8 year old niece for a lady (vet?), I have a couple of hens. But who knows with Playmobil, the vet could be a guy.......

And don't worry about my niece, she's not a pushover so don't think I'm takin advantage of her. She makes me fork over some pretty good stuff. She thinks she's gettin my old Bambi figure, keeps uppin the ante on her offers ;)

And with the introduction of the female species in any group,

the menfolk start showin off.

Hope everyone's havin a great weekend. Today we had the absolute best weather of the whole 

year down in Texas :)

Halloween

Ok, so you've probably noticed the lack of Halloween coverage over here.

So here's all I got.

 My church had a harvest festival for all the kids and parents in our community. I been knowin about it for a couple months and had a very blase attitude about it. I was kinda busy with my own projects and didn't want another weight. But one of my sweetest friends, who's made several blog appearances over the last year, lost her son to a car accident on Wednesday. I cried and prayed in the hours of first hearing and woke up thinkin of my sweet friend and her family who I adore. The next day I was convicted in how selfish I have been with gifts and talents that are only mine because God made them in me. I headed over to Walmart at noon, grabbed a few things without even knowin what I would make and headed home. As I was painting this owl, I literally dropped a few tears on it. I prayed for my friends and I asked God to forgive me for bein so selfish sometimes. And he did, as He always does.

 And then I put together a quick scarecrow outfit out of things I pretty much already wear....

 And got one shot of the gang minus Ava, who was the only one who had a real costume 

of a unicorn.

 The Harvest Festival ended up being one of the highlights of my year. I got there early to set up and had worked out a couple folks to help me run the games. When I arrived, the "toddler" section was pretty bleak with only two games.  I'm tellin ya, my participation was needed last night. It's easy to return to that same ol' way of thinkin that you really don't count. Last night was a heavy reminder to me that everything counts and we all have an important contribution. Every kid that came through won my heart and their little smiles just lit me up!

And above all that, that precious family was there last night. They pulled up when I did and I had to choke back some tears. I went to hug Miss Brenda and before I could even begin with condolences she told me, "We're just gonna paint faces tonight  and we're gonna love on those kids and that's what tonight is about. Someone's gonna meet Jesus." And I knew that nothin need be said after that.

They were all there last night serving. A family of now five, smiling, hugging, painting faces, just lovin on all the children. Every child takes a few minutes to get a painting and in those few minutes they hear some of the kindest most life giving words they probably hear all year. One of them was dressed as a Disney Princess and smiled all night, graciously taking pictures with little girls and mothers. You would never know from their outpouring of love that they were in the midst of such a tragic loss.
Some may think there is somethin wrong with people that can serve others through such a time. Some might think that they had every right to bow out.
But we are a different people, a peculiar people who live not by social "norms".  We believe when He said
"My grace is all you need. My power works best in your weakness."

My life is full with some of the best people this Earth has to offer. How can I not be grateful?

Again?!?!!

It happened again.

And really ya'll, I'm feelin sooo unworthy down here! Why are you guys SO AWESOME?!

It's kinda embarrassing and I worry that I'll look like a total bragger

but what can I do?

 Mason! You rock, brother.....

 My girls are even catchin on, when they saw this package Sarah said "Mommy got some toys!!"

I told them if they wanted to see them they had to chew the box open....

 But I only messed with em for a minute.

Partly because their little nubs weren't gettin it done and I wanted to see what was inside! ;)

 Gabe pulled out Cookie Monster and got first hugs!  That's ok.

 I was genuinely excited about this stuff, Mason. True uninhibited enthusiasm 

doesn't look too flattering.....

Double chins, wrinkles, crows feet.....

and don't forget eye bags! Ha ha!  But life's got a lot more interesting things to dwell on.....

 Like Playmobil!
And you know me and Ava LOVE some Playmobil <3

Mason, thank you. When I first checked you out from the comments over at the Geek's place I knew from the first reading that the Napolean force was strong with you. And I love your content over there, Mason. I like your Sunday Reflections, the way you talk straight to the reader like we're just shootin the breeze, your super enthusiasm over what you find at your D.I. (even though a "D.I." is completely foreign to a Texas gal) and the inclusion of your family always makes me feel like you've got your treasure priorities straight.

D.I. Treasures feels very much like my own home. We're keepin our spouses young, brother! ;)

And the fact that you just expanded my Applause brood,

well that makes me a friend for the long haul ;)

This is gonna sound a tiny bit strange, but my favorite item hands down because it made me smile a huge wrinkle inducing smile was this.....

I saw it on your blog here and it made me giggle.

It has been well placed where I keep a couple of very, very special pieces of art that were given to me by some extremely important and cherished folks. It's got a good home :)

And listen up. I do not flake when it comes to Christmas.
There will be some paying it forward so ya'll just get ready..... ;)