a party for our baby girl

On Saturday, friends and family of the daddy-to-be
gathered to honor the soon-to-be-born baby girl.
The mommy-to-be, my sweet daughter, was pretty in purple and was so excited!
She had really been looking forward to the day. The food table was gorgeous!
It was a 10 am shower, so brunch foods were served.

A diaper cake assembled, by her hubby's sister

and his mom, was a special surprise. It was adorable!

Everyone was so generous...look at all the pink! :-)

These hand puppets were a favorite in the gift
from her hubby's sister-in-law.

Our girl has always loved books and she wants
her girl to love them, too. So, she was happy to get
these classics. "Little Bear" brought back sweet
memories of her dad reading it to her
when she was little. There was one story that they
would act out together.
Such fun!

There were many pretty"girlie" outfits, blankets,
socks, and the always popular and practical onesie!

The stuffed rabbit plays a lullaby and is 21 inches long
...the length of a newborn. So, they can practice
holding a baby by holding him!

Her hubby's sister discovered the "I Love Auntie"
clothes at Target and we decided she bought
them out...in graduated sizes, too!
One said "Me and Auntie means BFF". So sweet!

Here's Nana (Hubby's mom) and his sister-in -law.
Happy smiles! :-)

Nana and her mom with the "mommy".
This is the first grandchild for her hubby's family,
so they are,as my daughter says, "over the moon"!

These are the kind and generous ladies who hosted
this lovely and fun shower of blessings.
God bless you all for your kindness! :-)

Next time, Sunday's party!

he's there all the time

God Of Our Yesterdays
by Matt Redman

When we were in the darkest night
And wondered if our eyes would ever see the light
You were there, Lord
When we were in the stormy gale
And wondered if we'd ever live in peace again
You were there, Lord
You were there in the struggle
You were there in the fight
You were there all the time

We praise You - the God of our yesterdays
We praise You - the God who is here today
We praise You - our God as tomorrow comes

So whatever lies ahead
Whatever roads our grateful hearts will come to tread
You'll be there, Lord
We will fix our eyes on You
And know that there is grace enough to see us through
You'll be there, Lord
You'll be there in the struggle
You'll be there in the fight
You'll be there all the time

We praise You - the God of our yesterdays
We praise You - the God who is here today
We praise You - our God as tomorrow comes
We thank you - for grace in our yesterdays
We thank you - for peace in our hearts
We thank you - our joy as tomorrow comes
We will trust you, God

You're always closer than we know
Always more involved and in control
We will trust our lives to You -
The one who was and is and is to come

We praise you- the God of our yesterday
We praise you- the God who is here today
We praise you-the God as tomorrow comes.
We thank you-for grace in our yesterdays
We thank you-for peace in our hearts today
We thank you- our joy as tomorrow comes
We will trust in you, God.

too early soup

We had a few 70 degree days over the weekend and the first of the week. So, I made the first soup of the fall. It was delicious and the mini corn muffins were tasty, too. Sadly, the temps went back up and so did the humidity. Ugh! So, soup doesn't sound so appealing anymore. :-(
But I made a huge pot full so we have to eat it until it's gone. Or maybe I will take Ellen's advice and share it with the neighbors. :-)
Hope you all have a wonderfully blessed weekend. I'll be attending two baby showers for my daughter. So, there will be pictures to share next week!

throw. it. away!

I have had a small table top/bed top ironing board for a long time. I use it all the time for quick presses. It was looking pretty bad...actually very bad. The padding had disintegrated and the cover was discolored, ratty, and had so much starch on it, it was almost as stiff as the wooden board it covered. I talked about replacing it. My daughter told me you can just buy the covers. I priced them...they cost as much as a whole new board. Every time I used it, I thought..."Why don't I throw this one away and get a new one?"

For my birthday, my girl gave me a book and this....

She said , "I know this is a random gift, but I saw it in the store and remembered how pitiful yours is." I laughed out loud...and was tickled by her thoughtfulness!

Why do we do that? Hang on to old, worn out stuff that just needs to be THROWN AWAY? Especially when it can be replaced inexpensively which would make our work easier and more pleasant.

Reminded me of the way I hold on to old habits and attitudes that are not beneficial or healthy. I know they are old and worn out.... they aren't good for me anymore. My life would be easier and more pleasant. Why don't I just throw them away? A friend once told me that it only takes 6 weeks of doing something to make it a habit. (She learned to drink black coffee that way...she was trying to eliminate the extra sugar in her diet.) So, it can be done! The question is...do I have the desire and determination to make the changes?

God says ..." My grace is sufficient for you; for my strength is
made perfect in weakness."
II Cor . 12:9

So, if I ask Him, He will help me make those changes. He will show me what old things need to be thrown away, and what new things should replace them!

here's my friend...

...the sewer, the painter, the candle stick maker. Well, a sewer and a painter anyway! :-) She is the one who helped me paint the closets and make the valances. God has gifted her with many talents and abilities. She sings, she dances, she does sign language and she is an artist. She also teaches school and is a pastor's wife. We have been friends for 32 years. We have been there for each other for the birth of our children and for their weddings. We have also seen each other through the deaths of our parents. She is faithful to her God, dedicated to her family and her church and loyal to her friends. I have been blessed to know her and to call her my friend and my sister in Christ. I hope we have many more years to pray and play together!

fervent and righteous prayer

Not much to say today except that God is good and I am so grateful for Christian friends who are faithful to pray. I know we were bathed in prayer last week and that made all the difference. Through the years our Heavenly Father has proven Himself faithful to us over and over again. He did it again during this most recent anxious and trying time.
In Sunday School yesterday, our teacher said something that resonated with me. We were talking about how to talk to non-believers and he said, "Remember one thing, no one can argue with you about what God has done in YOUR life. No one can discredit that. They may not believe in God , but they can't tell you that what you know to be true, because you have experienced it, is not real."And you know what.... that is the truth! If that doesn't give us boldness, I don't know what will!

So glad I can trust Him with everything...my life, my family, our future. He is the only one who always keeps His promises and whose plans for me are always good. What a comfort!

"For all of God's promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding YES!
And through Christ, our Amen!, ascends to God for His glory!"
II Cor 1:20

the hiccups

I got a text from my daughter last night who is 7 1/2 months pregnant. She said the baby had the hiccups for several minutes and her entire belly was
shaking! :-) That was pretty disruptive for her sweet mama.

We had a case of the hiccups this week...an unexpected event that changed our plans. Our DIL, who is expecting our 5th grandchild in April, was admitted to the hospital last Sunday. She was having these "spells"....a little like passing out, except.... she knew what was going on but could not move. At first, they thought she was fainting because her potassium was low, then they thought she was having seizures because her heart was actually stopping for 11 seconds. So, on Monday, they rushed her (well, not really! It took them 4 hours to make arrangements and transfer her 30 miles!) to a nearby hospital that has a highly respected heart center. The plan was for her to get a pacemaker. At midnight, the doctor there said, "I think we may be rushing things. Let's slow down and do some more tests before we do anything as drastic as a pacemaker." They did their tests, talked about possible bed rest (6 months...that would be very hard!), then they decided to try a drug. It seems to be making her heart behave, but (as always!) there are side effects...headaches and nausea. Of course, she would rather live with that than have surgery. After observing her for two days, they sent her home today with a heart monitor to continue to keep track of how she is doing.

My son was getting a little frustrated with all the "guessing" by the doctors, but I had many praying for the doctors to have wisdom...I believe that's why they kept pursuing an answer and that resulted in a change in their plan of treatment

So, now to our "hiccup". Hubby picked up the grandboy on Monday afternoon so our son and her parents could be with her. He spent two nights with us. I already had a trip to Tenn planned to keep our grandgirls for a couple of days while our other son was on a business trip. Tues night, the Hubby decided he would go with me and we would take the boy with us. With things still up in the air, we felt that keeping him was the most helpful thing we could do. So, since Wed, we have been taking care of all three of the grands. We are back home now....and all three came home with us! The boy has gone home ...the girls will be here until Sunday when they will go back home with their dad who is coming here after attending a UGA football game on Saturday.

We are so very grateful that our DIL is doing better and are hopeful that the meds are the answer. We are also thankful for all the prayers that were lifted up for her. God certainly showed Himself strong on her behalf. We were also happy to have a week with our grands and to be able to help out until the "hiccups" were over! :-)

before sept 11 was 9/11......

...it was my birthday. Needless to say, it hasn't been the same since 2001. As kind and thoughtful as family and friends are, there always seems to be a shadow over the day. Well meaning people would say things like..."Oh, I'm sorry you have the bad birthday. But, at least no one can forget it." It's hard to feel good about celebrating when most everyone else seems so somber.

I knew I would have to avoid the TV and newspaper this year being that it was the 10th anniversary. But for weeks, it has been everywhere....on the cover of magazines at the grocery store check-out, on billboards, on the radio, even in my mailbox. I grieve over the events of that day, too. It was a terrible, senseless attack and I will never forget it either. But, like most folks look forward to enjoying their birthday, I would like to enjoy mine.

Of course it was mentioned in Sunday School. But our teacher did say this, "As horrendous as it was, just think how bad it could have been." How true! When you think how completely those terrorist took us by surprise...they could have been in planes all over our country. Many more thousands could have been killed. Only the hand of God kept our land from bring completely destroyed.

So, in the years to come, I will continue to remember Sept 11 as my birthday and as a day of great tragedy, but, most importantly, as a day when God chose to demonstrate His great mercy to us.

"God is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea."

"Be still and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen.

I will be exalted in the earth."

Psalm 46:1 &10

a sweet september saturday

We hosted this event at our church Saturday. About 200 women of all ages attended the one day conference.

Travis Cottrell is a wonderful praise and worship leader and, of course, no one teaches like Beth Moore. She is most definitely one-of-a-kind!

I invited four of my friends to come and they did!

Rather than eat the boxed lunch that was available
to purchase with your ticket, I made reservations
for us at the "British Pantry and Tea Room"
just a couple of blocks down the street.

The cute chalkboard listed the sides for the day
and one of the desserts that was available.
Notice that they are on Facebook...
that cracked me up!

Three of my friends ordered the
Coronation Chicken Salad
with curry cream sauce,three pasta salad,
and garden salad pictured below.
One friend and I ordered a Spinach, Cheese
and Tomato Quiche,
garden pea salad, and garden salad.
Not sure how I missed taking a picture of ours!
It was all very tasty and lovely to look at!

For dessert, I ordered a scone with lemon curd and
devonshire cream. I had never had a scone before.
I was a little surprised that it was just a biscuit! :-)

Another dessert was a Strawberry trifle.
It was pretty in the glass
and the sprinkles on top made me smile!

And last, but not least, a chocolate meringue
with fresh peach slices and cream.

This was the tea service they brought to the table.

The tables are pretty with royal purple and white
tablecloths and napkins and fresh flowers.

As I said, it is also a pantry, so they have
British food items for sale.

And, of course, china tea cups and mugs.

This was one of my favorites...lily of the valley.

More lovely flowers.

And there were British souvenir type items.

Naturally, Her Royal Highness, Queen Elizabeth
presided over the whole affair! :-)

One last parting shot before returning for the afternoon
session with Beth.

Worship, bible study and breaking bread
with precious friends...
I can't think of a better way to spend a September Saturday!

fun night at the ball park

A few Fridays ago, we went to another Braves game. Some friends got a BOGO deal on some tickets and invited us to go. The seats were on the club level.... which means you get some perks. Our seats were in the covered area, so you are in the shade and protected if it rains. To get to our seats, we went up an escalator, through some glass doors (where our tickets were checked) into a large air-conditioned corridor. Aha! This is where the good food is .....pasta, barbecue, steak sandwiches, even sushi! Comfortable places to sit, restrooms with NO LINES....it just kept getting better and better!

We arrived early, so we ate first.....

The guys had barbecue. They got all this for $9!
A hot dog and a coke is $10

The girls got pasta. A chef...tall hat and all...
cooked this to order for us...$8!

The walls are decorated with murals and
interesting facts about the history of the Braves.

The white doors below lead to private "boxes" that are
enclosed with glass and have a/c and the food
and drinks are served by waitstaff.
At $175 per person, don't think we will ever be sitting there!

We found our seats by going down a short hall off the corridor
through a door and back out in the heat...
and it was hot!
Before the game, these young people walked
and played from outfield to outfield along the base lines.
They got the crowd going!

Earlier in the year, the Braves won the 10,000 game
in their history.....quite a milestone. Not many
franchises have done that.
Not sure what the count is now, but....

...they added one more that night!

They have fireworks every Friday night, so we
stayed for that...and they were great!

It was a fun night...good company, good food, good seats,
good game! Go Braves!

being equipped

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus
for good works, which God prepared before-hand,
that we should walk in them."
Eph. 2:10

From Beth Moore's "So Long Insecurity"...

"In different translations of this verse, we are described as God's workmanship or His handiwork...or even His masterpiece! Bask in that for a moment. Some of us can get hung up on the "good works" mentioned later in the verse because we start thinking that maybe we are qualified or capable enough to pull those off. But guess what? Our Lord not only created us perfectly for that purpose, but He equips us to do the things He has called us to. He has even prepared specific assignments for us! Like a Sunday school teacher who helps her preschool students make a craft. She doesn't set them loose with art supplies and expect them to come away with a painting that rivals the Mona Lisa. Instead she chooses a project within their capabilities, prepares the supplies ahead of time, walks them through each step, and provides help when necessary. Those young students are set up for success. How much more will the God who created us...and who views us as the pinnacle of His creation....lovingly help us fulfill His purpose for us?"

So all I have to do is trust and obey!

Dinner at the Ronald McDonald House

A while back, three friends and I had the privilege
of providing a meal for the families staying
at the Ronald McDonald house in a nearby city.
They all had children in the Childrens' Hospital there.

Since it was summer, we decided to grill hot dogs
and hamburgers and compliment them
with good side dishes.

Baked beans, cole slaw, pasta salad, chips,
and all the trimmings for the burgers and dogs!
And two kinds of homemade ice cream for dessert!

The kitchen there is fabulous...
lots of room to cook and serve.

Here is our dear, hard working, and very hot
grill-master! He did a great job!

I won't go into great detail, but God certainly
went before us and prepared the way.
We were able to pray with and
minister to four families.
We were so very blessed and humbled
to be a part of what He was doing
that night in that place.
We plan to do this once a quarter,
so we are excited to see
what God has in store for us next time!