Yesterday I celebrated my 31st b-day. It was wonderful. I had gotten two of my gifts early this year. The one from my parents and my brother and his family. So, We have been celebrating since Thanksgiving. My parents kept the girls and Dave and I went with Brooke and John to Shogun for dinner. I love Shogun, but the girls don't like it so we never go. I got many b-day wishes via facebook. They all meant so much to me. I got many phone calls from my family and dear friends yesterday. We have a sweet lady in our church. Ms. Katie that calls everyone on their b-day. Our friends the Bryant's brought over some GiGi's cupcakes. YUMMMY!!!! Last night about 8:30 while Dave and I were out shopping I got a text from Brea' my friend since Kindergarten wishing me a happy b-day. That was very special to me. I also got a sweet email from one of our area principals, Mrs. Boone wishing me happy birthday. I realized that the sweet words and thoughtfulness are what really matters in life. I am very blessed to have amazing people in my life, both old and new.
Today a very dear friend of my family's passed away. Mrs. Sue was in her early 80's and was an amazing Christian lady. Last night as I gathered around her bed with my parents and her family, I started thinking about the legacy she is leaving. She was a godly lady who honestly had the faith of a mustard seed. She knew who was in control of her life. Each day she lived to serve her Savior and others. On Tuesday right before she was headed into surgery to of our ministers and I went to see her and she asked if we came to get her tithe. She had been worried since she was not in church Sunday that her tithe was not paid. She talking a little bit out of her head at that time and she was telling Steve, our Senior Pastor that she had an OK button for him. At the time we did not understand what she was talking about, but later it hit us. A year or so ago he preached a sermon series on " Our Yes" being on the table and willing to do whatever God calls us to do. Well, at the end of the series he gave us yes buttons to reminder us to be willing to serve where ever God calls us. That is what Mrs. Sue was talking about. Her Yes was on the table during the last hours of her life. I hope I can life a life like Mrs. Sue to always have my Yes on the table. When I meet my Savior I hope my legacy is like Mrs. Sue's one of faith and service to my Father.
We carpool with our friends the Whitakers to school. I drive the mornings and Trina picks up in the afternoon. I started the 1st day of school praying for the kids before I dropped them off. It has now become our routine. If I happen to forget the kids will all remind. they look forward to our morning prayer time. Now every morning the kids tell me what they want to pray about. This morning Ella wanted to pray for Sleeping Booty, Mason wanted to pray for his dog, EC wanted to pray for all the Disney Princesses, and Lexi wanted to pray for herself that she would not worry.So, that is what we prayed for. It is so sweet to get to pray for and with these 4 special children each day.
Yesterday was a rough morning at our house. EC was not really wanting to go to school and to make matters worse my dad stops by to see the girls before school and tells them he is going to lake, Well, the bottom fell out. They both wanted to go with him. They both cried all the way to school and Ella never cries about school. My mom called me around 8:30 to tell me EC was better, but she told her teacher it was all Doe's fault. Later in the day her class was having a lesson on Setting of a story. They had to draw a picture to show a setting using a football player , a chef, and a teacher. Well, her setting with the teacher showed an apple with seven holes in it and Doe's name on it. In her class that is their discipline program is an apple and if you act up the teacher puts a hole in it. Well, the most they do is 4, so she was really mad at her Doe yesterday. Today she is sick with a stomach bug. We hope she feels better soon.
The saying it takes a village to raise a child is true. I am so thankful for the people in my life that help with my girls. My parents are such great support for us. They are always willing to drop everything when we need them. They both work full time jobs but they always make time for my girls. This week they both took off work to attend grandparents day at Ella's school. I think about my friends Trina and Kristen. They are always willing to help out and we swap out watching each other kids. My dear friend Brooke always makes time to play and love on my girls even when she is swamped at work. Our new neighbors and friend Terry and Karen love our girls so much they always call to check on them when they know something is going on and let the girls ride home from church with them. Even though Adam and Abbey are 2 hours away they are a huge part of the girls lives and when we are together we all help each other out and I know if I need them they are just a phone call away. My girls are friends with brother and sister named Landon and Reagan and their Grandparents Mimi and Papa have become a big part of our lives. They are also willing to watch the girls when I need help. Ella wants to go home with them everyday from school. I am so thankful for my village.
We are so excited to share with everyone the big news in our family. My sister- in-law Abbey is 12 weeks pregnant with twins!!!! I have been dying to tell the big news. As most of you know we are very close to my brother and his family. I totally adore my niece Olivia and look forward to having 2 more sweet gifts from God to call me Auntie Em.
