2012 Character Awards - Yes, I'm THAT Mom Again

This is the time of year when I talk about how much I love our girls' school and the principles taught there.  Is it a perfect school? ABSOLUTELY NOT! But, it is a grace-filled place where a child's character and integrity is celebrated.

This week, each of our girls received their Character Award for the year.  What I love most about this time of year is that on Awards Day, I haven't the slightest clue who is the smartest kid in class, who makes the A-honor roll or who struggles with his/her grades.  None of that is talked about and I always find that so refreshing and in line with God's principles of loving and encouraging us all equally. 

Instead every child receives an award that emphasizes a Biblical Trait that his/her teacher found was evident all year.

This year, Emma received the award for Worship.  This was interesting to me because I've never heard of anyone receiving that award.  As her teacher was talking, it all became clear to me.  What started out as her teacher asking her to sing a song one morning turned into Emma organizing a worship time each morning for her class. 

She took that encouragement from her teacher and had an idea for it to become a regular worship time.  She started taking hymn books to school and searching for music online and then encouraged her friends to join her.  It turned into something bigger with the majority of the class singing praise songs to open the class each morning.

Mr. Brown explains it better ...


Sadly, I wasn't able to go to Olivia's presentation because I was with my Small Group, but Eric captured it on video.  She received the Gentle Spirit Award.

I admit I was shocked.  Though Olivia is a sweet, sensitive child, she is a spit-fire at home and keeps us in stitches with her quick-wit and sarcasm.  I must say when I hear her teacher in the video say, "Olivia is a natural quiet and gentle spirit", I had to wonder if she had the right child.  That made me laugh!!! Gentle Spirit never crossed my mind, but I'm so proud of her for showing such character to her teachers and classmates.  Olivia, you are a stinker!


I'm so proud of both my girls!

On the Go, Cooking & Small Group

Nothing very exciting is going on around here other than we're just trying to survive the last 2 weeks of school.  It really hasn't been that bad other than the fact we just don't want to get up early anymore and we're tired of making the loooong drive to school. 

Or maybe that's just me.

I know all too well as soon as summer is here, my girls won't mind one bit getting up early to play ... instead of letting their Mama sleep in.

So, with so little excitement going on, I'll just post some pictures I have failed to the past few weeks.

Saturday, we headed up the mountain to spend the day in Blowing Rock.  Our happy place :)

Emma and I played some tennis (yes, in sandals .... it was unplanned - but fun!)

I got to sit on the park bench with a really cute guy while I watched the girls play ;)

Have I mentioned Eric is home for awhile? He is! He may feel a tad suffocated over the next few weeks, but I intend to enjoy him being home.  I really do NOT like being away from husband!

Olivia is a reading machine ....

(I love how this picture captures her rubbing her blankey over her mouth and nose -

the first thing she does when she snuggles up with her blankey :)

She's a serious bookworm ....

We have to go to the library again today where she'll stock up on atleast 10 books that she'll devour in a week.

Speaking of Olivia, she loves to cook almost as much as she loves to read.  She begs to help with dinner every night.  Last week, I planned to make apple dumplings for dinner, so after I sliced the apples, I decided to let her do the rest.

She did a fantastic job!

They were delicious.

Last night, I let her slice cucumbers while I held my breath and said 87 times to "Please, please, please be careful because you could slice your finger off!"

Emma read in one of her books last week a way to get ready for school in 7 minutes or less.  It involved her laying out her breakfast the night before to cut down on time.  I found her bagels and  Strawberry cream cheese ready for the next morning in the refrigerator.

I had to laugh.  What's so funny is Emma has a maid that calls her down from her princess slumber to let her know her breakfast is ready.  All she ever has to do is show up at the bar and eat.  Her idea surely added an extra 10 minutes to her routine.

Live and learn.  (Important to note:  She hasn't tried this routine since that day - ha!)

Yesterday was the final class with my 8th grade girls small group.  We partied outside with pizza and lots of sweets :) One of the girls brought a cookie cake ...

"We Love U Mrs. Lail" ???  Hmmmm ... who knew? - haha

We had a lot of fun! They really are a good group of cute, chatty girls :)

Passing the Baton

So, maybe I've mentioned a time or ten on this blog that my little brother is leaving for the Navy in a few short weeks.  I realize many people have gone into the military before and many families have been separated before and God has been with everyone else that have gone through a major life change and other people have gone through much worse things and we're going to be fine and we're going to see how good things will be in the long run and blah, blah, blah.

I get it.

But, it's MY little brother whom I love like crazy and enjoy being around and laugh hysterically when we're together and well, it just seems bigger to me.  For many reasons.

Therefore, for those of you that are around me everyday, look out.  I'm sensing a great big, huge meltdown boiling up in me that I'm trying my best to contain.  And, maybe I won't have it.  That would be great.  But, if I do, don't offer any of the above cliches.

Because I hate cliches.  So, just sssshhhhhhhh.

What I do know is that God does take care of things.  Ofcourse He does.  One of my favorite things about the past 8 months is that John Patrick and I have been running partners.  That's not something I would have dreamed a reality even a year ago and the times we've had together 3 mornings a week every week will forever be a favorite memory. 

So, I've had this date looming over me that I will no longer have that time.  June 18th is his ship date.  I'll no longer have a running partner. 

BUT, my sweet Emma brings home a paper from school and tells me she is thinking about running on the Cross Country team at school next year.  And, though she is still uncertain, she'll have plenty of time to decide since she can practice with the team this summer ... meeting 2 mornings a week, early in the morning to learn to run 3 miles.  Oh, and I can join her if I want.

The best part .... practices start June 19th. 

How very COOL is that?

Whether she follows through or not remains to be seen (she disliked running a few years ago), but the fact that it was her idea and practices start the day after JP leaves is not lost on me. 

God knows I will be tempted to stay in bed on June 19th.
God knows I will be tempted to stop running.
God knows I'm going to need some extra encouragement.

And, I get it.  I really do.  He loves me and cares about what I care about.  He knows that although many, many familes have gone through similar things and worse, what is BIG to me is BIG to Him and He understands even when everyone else doesn't.

I believe that's that sufficient grace I study so much about. 

(Our school's 5K - August 2011)

(Emma and I have already started running.  We ran Saturday and Sunday and she did awesome - never complaining, and because she's Emma, she was smiling the whole time.  John Patrick doesn't do that! haha)

An Impromptu Break

I didn't intend to take a break from blogging.  I sat down a few times to write a post and just wasn't feeling it.  No reason, really.  Just life.

The only way to recover at this point is list what's been going on. I haven't even had my camera out, so these pictures are all from my phone.

** I've actually had a really good few months with my 8th grade girls' small group.  It has taken all year for them to open up and for me to relax.  We've had a lot of fun and some good discussions the past few weeks.  This has been, by far, one of the hardest things I've done this year in terms of trying to find what works.  We only have one more class together and we're spending it doing what we do best ... eating :)

** Mother's Day was a lot of fun.  Eric and the girls got me a new bike! I don't have a picture yet because I'm too busy riding it but it's a BIG cruiser with really wide handle bars.  I keep saying I can ride this bike when I'm 90 because the seat is so big and I don't have to bend over at all to reach the handle bars - ha! I love it! So, maybe that's why I haven't been blogging - we're too busy cruising the neighborhood. 

** On the actual day of Mother's Day, I just begged not to cook.  I normally have our Moms over and we eat a big dinner here, but our weekend was so busy, I did not want to do that.  So, we all went out to eat instead.

I was so thankful! Then, I came home and took a 3 hour nap!! I never do that, but it felt so good!

** That same weekend, Emma did something she's been wanting to do forever ....

She rode on her Pappaw's trike! Like 'rode to the store on the main highway!'.  I was so reluctant, though I knew she would be safe since it was a trike and she wouldn't need to know how to 'lean' with him.  Goodness, she was excited to do that! (And, I was excited once they were back :)

Olivia asked me if she could and I said "Absolutely not! Talk to me when you're TEN!" (Did you hear that Pappaw? TEN!"

She got a quick ride around the yard instead.

** We have 2 more weeks of school.  Give. The. Lord. Some. Praise.

** I chaperoned for Emma's class field trip Thursday.  I actually had a lot of fun with her class.  Two boys and three girls were in my car and it opened my eyes to how very different they are - and to how gross they think each other is (this part I loved - haha).  I laughed a lot that day!

Oh, and my sweet cry-when-she-gets-around-a-bug daughter touched a snake.

We were both in shock!

** Emma has started her own blog.

I love reading the sweet things she writes. 

** Eric and I sat down and looked at his schedule for summer.  Thankfully, he is home for a long time, with just a few short trips in between.  The best news is that we're going with him on several of those trips. Whew ... that gives me peace.  I do NOT liking being away from my husband.  Period.

Actually, we have a good, relaxing, fun day planned together, so I best get going ...

Abide: God Picked Me

My thoughts as we look ahead to Mother's Day ...

I was lying on the sofa one morning after dropping the girls off at school, feeling inadequate and exhausted over the thought of not being what my girls need .... or want.  Sometimes, when Eric is traveling and I'm beginning to unravel at the end of the week, I look at my girls and think "Bless your hearts.  You're stuck with me".

An innocent comment was made from the back seat on the way to school that morning, yet it left me feeling anxious.  Sad.

________'s Mom did this.

________'s Mom did that.

That sudden disdain for _________'s Mom crept up in my heart and I decided I wouldn't like her anymore. Ha! We are a funny people, no?

I'm very aware of the Comparison Game and how it leaves you feeling empty and less than .... inaccurately so.

Us twenty-first century Moms live in an age where Pinterest, Facebook & Twitter taunts us to be the best cooks, the best hostesses, the best organizers, the best decorators, the best gardners and the best crafters.

And, if we're not careful, we'll look around our home, watch our children, argue with our husband and discontent will settle in our hearts.

That morning, I picked up a HomeLife magazine and read a quick article Sophie had written.  One sentence leapt off the page and though this isn't word-for-word, the idea has resonated with me over the last few months .... God hand-picked ME to be Mom to my girls. 

Not ________'s Mom, not the patient Mom in the grocery store, not the Mom that can sew beautiful clothes for her family and not the Mom that's a gourmet cook.

Me.

I love remembering that I am hand-picked to do anything.

He could have chosen anyone.  But, He chose me.

Chosen.

I am the one Olivia wants when her tummy is hurting.

I am the one Olivia sheepishly tip-toes to when she wants me to read to her from a special book she has dubbed 'ours'. 

I am the one Emma wants when she's feeling anxious.

I am the one Emma wants to hear sing 'our song'.  The one she's heard since she was in a crib.

I am the one my girls love to snuggle with in the mornings.

I am the one Olivia asks to play card games - War and Slap Jack.

I am the one Emma loves to go shopping with.

I am the one my girls see in the hallway at school when they squeal with excitement recognizing I'm there.

I am the one my girls love to ride bikes with and pick honeysuckles.

God Picked Me.

And though He knows I'm going to mess up often, He also knows my heart is to love them like He loves me.

Oh, and guess what ... He picked you, too!

He picked YOU to be Mom to your children.  No one else.

He picked YOU to be the friend someone needs during a difficult season in her life.

He picked YOU to be the daughter your parents are proud of.

He picked YOU to compliment your husband in a way that makes him feel respected and appreciated.

He picked YOU to make a difference.

No one else.

Linking up with: Walk with Him Wednesday, Word-filled Wednesday, Wordful Wednesday, and Women Living Well.

I Wish I Had a Maid

I had BIG plans to get up this morning, drop the girls off at school, go for a run and take care of a few things I've neglected around my house.

None of that happened.

Wait ... I did drop off my girls at school.  But, then I had to run around like a maniac because I remembered something I committed myself to that involved Olivia's class.  Something I should have prepared for, but didn't remember until 10:00 last night.

Deidre, why, WHY do you do this to yourself?

The madness only lasted a couple of hours, but my plans were shot.  My day looked completely different than I thought it would.  I haven't even showered ... yet! ha!

Once the girls were home, homework was finished and they were playing outside, I couldn't stand it.  I had to join them.

We rode bikes ....

 ... until I thought my thighs would burst into flames.

How do you like my stylin' bike? My Daddy found it for me at a flea market last summer.  I've been meaning to replace the seat ever since.  It's ancient ... and very painful! haha

I stayed outside until I remembered there wasn't a maid inside cooking dinner.

Rats! Kills all the fun.

Sing to Me

Our days are oftentimes crazy, especially when our girls are involved in things outside of school.

I know part of my job as their Mom is driving them to those activities and supporting them in whatever they're interested in.  Their involvement in anything requires mine and Eric's discernment so we're not giving up too much time at home.  Our desire has always been to not over-commit and leave them ample time to just 'be kids' and play. 

We don't always get it right.

We have to tweak our schedules when it feels like too much.

But, there are times we get confirmation that what they are involved in is a really good thing.

Last night was one of those times.

Emma auditioned (and made) our local college's Youth Choir this past semester.  It was a completely new thing for us.  A Mom at Emma's school heard her sing a solo in this year's Christmas program and encouraged us to try to get an audition for the Youth Choir. 

What a positive, encouraging experience this has been for Emma! I have not one complaint about the entire semester.

Last night was their Spring Concert and it was fantastic!

(Emma is 2nd row, 6th from the right - with the beautiful smile :)

Emma is in the younger choir (the Minnesingers) and has learned a lot in the few months she's been a part of it.  (She now wants so badly to be in the older choir (the Meistersingers), so we're just waiting to hear when the best time to move up is.)

(With her Choir Director - Professor Jowers)

Her Daddy and I are so very proud of her.  Emma is beautiful inside and out!!

(The girls with my Daddy)

(The proud grandmothers :)

I wish we had a picture of our friends Rita and Dale who sped to the concert immediately after own church's evening service (Dale is our Pastor).  They skipped out before I could get a picture.  Emma was so glad to see y'all there!

She has some sweet fans :)

One of her biggest fans, her Pappaw Johnny, was in the hospital or he would have been there too! Pray for his quick healing! We missed you, Johnny!

Old is GOLD

I was lying awake at 5 am this morning and my blog came to mind. Particularly how much I loathe the new layout Blogger imposed on me.

Then it hit me .... Someone left a comment saying they figured out a way to switch back to the OLD layout.

I could hardly wait to 'google' a solution.

With just 2 clicks, all is right with the world.

Old Blogger, you complete me.

Carry on......

Five on F R I D A Y

The fact that it's Friday brings me untold amounts of JOY.

Dear Week, You have completely stunk.  Glad to see you go.

I'm happy to report Eric is home safely, we all had breakfast together and there may have even been smiling and laughing this morning.  A rareity this week, yet SO GOOD to see!

Emma has a birthday party/sleepover tonight at a friend's house and I'm honestly so excited for her! She needs it.

I asked Olivia what she wants to do while Emma is with her friends.  She came up with some really off the wall ideas, so I'm thinking maybe just dinner ;)

Okay, I promise not to talk about my rotten week any longer, except to say there are a few things that kept me pushing through ...

1) It sounds too easy, but I love these ...


And, I've eaten more than twenty a few this week.  Maybe I'm an emotional eater.

2)  I got to run with both Eric and my brother this week.  I haven't ran with Eric in so long, so that was a treat before he left for a trip.  And the time with my little brother confirmed more in my heart that even though he's leaving in a little over a month, he's still very much looking forward to it and is at peace.  That helps a little ;)

3)  My Secret Encourager gave me a gift card to Lifeway and I knew just what I would buy with it.  Christy Nockels' new CD.

It is SO good.  I'm such a fan of Christy Nockels!

Click on each link below to listen to a sample of a few of my favorites.  They'll speak right to your heart! The lyrics are pure peace!

For Your Splendor
Into the Glorious
Be Loved
Wonderful

I could link to the entire CD, actually.  It's on constant repeat right now.

4) Our school secretary stopped us out of the blue one afternoon and spoke incredible words of wisdom over Emma.  She was basically blessing my child with one scripture after another and telling her how much God adores her and has extraordinary plans for her life.  She has no idea the things we face and her unprompted attention to us blew my mind.  I did my best to hold it together in front of her, but completely lost it when I got in the car.  Who are we that God loves us so much to use a random person, knowing nothing about us personally, to speak His love over us? Incredible.

5) I have loved this song by Aaron Keyes for awhile, but had never seen him perform it like this until this week.  Love, love, love. You have to watch/listen to all of it! Wonderful!


That's a good note to end on ... Have a great weekend!

Cure for the Thursday Funk

I mentioned yesterday that I have been a tad irritable this week.  There are atleast 147 reasons that have contributed to my mood, not the least of which being the fact that Eric has been out of town.  When things go south, it helps if he's here to help out, listen, defend or offer advice. 

But, he hasn't been here.  So, things went from bad to worse and it didn't seem like we could climb out from under the black cloud following us around.

I woke this morning begging God for the new mercies He promises in His Word.  What's sweeter (and maybe an even bigger testament to how our week has gone) is that my girls woke up asking for the same thing.

We needed some sunshine!

I committed to driving for Olivia's field trip this morning.  I admit I was less-than-thrilled because we were only going to our local grocery store.  In my mind, a trip to the grocery store is only successful if I get to actually buy things to cross off my never-ending grocery list.  Walking around listening to what the most popular fruit purchased is? .... not so much.  (By the way, it's bananas :)

But, Olivia was excited.  She was even trying to get us ready by blaring her favorite Veggie Tales CD while getting ready.  It half-worked ;)

The trip was a success.  A long-time family friend, who manages the store, is the one who took us on a tour which Olivia thought was 42 kinds of awesome that I knew someone 'famous'.  haha Also, she now wants to manage a grocery store.  Which is somewhat different from her career plan last week which was to be a school janitor.

I'm hoping our next field trip is to a hospital ... specifically to speak with a neuro-surgeon.

Yeah, that'll work.

So, after the field trip, I walked Olivia back to her classroom and walked down the hall to peek in on Emma.  She sat at her desk looking so sad.

I asked her teacher if I could talk to her for a few minutes.  In the hallway, Emma voiced what I have felt all week - discouraged and defeated. 

What to do? What to do?

I did the only thing I could think of.  I reassured her, sent her back to her classroom, waited another hour and then busted both of them out for lunch!

Such a small thing .... but, it felt like we were breaking some major rule and it felt good - ha!

We took an extra long lunch and I watched 2 happy girls walk back into school to finish out the day.

Now, our new saying to one another is "Let's finish strong!" We are all more than a tad burned out!

As I type this, Eric is on a plane heading home, the girls have their homework finished and are happily playing in the back yard with friends and I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. 

Oh, and I came home today to find these ...

... flowers from my Secret Encourager. 

Very timely.  Thank you! I know you read my blog :)

So, tomorrow is Friday! Praise! Praise! Praise!