Memorial Day

We had a great day with friends on lake LBJ this Memorial Day. We moved back to TX four years ago on Memorial Day weekend. We feel so blessed when we think about all of the fun times we have had and the great friends we have made. Here's a snapshot of our day:

What shoes should I wear?

Maybe these?

Ta-Da... aren't I cute?

Tubing with friends...

Chillin' in the shade...

Hangin' with my friend...

Resting with my Daddy...

New Skills

Sydney's new trick in the "Johnny Jump Up"

Uniquely Beautiful

Last Saturday, we hosted the most amazing women's event to date at Celebration Church. We called it "Uniquely Beautiful" and every element of the day shouted this theme. Forty-eight tables were decorated by forty-eight amazingly special women. The flavor of the tables ranged from classically simple with a bouquet of beautiful flowers to whimsical butterflies and tulle draped across a white iron centerpiece. Eiffel Towers, silver boots, lighted glass vases, chair covers, picture frames, candles and even fondue surrounded the tables. Everyone had beautiful china or dinnerware, napkins and stemware. It was uniquely beautiful.

All eyes moved toward the fashion show after eating the yummy quiche and strawberries Romanov from Texas Pie Company. Twenty Celebration women of all shapes, shades, and sizes strutted their stuff on the runway. Stein-mart Boutique in Round Rock provided all of the adult clothing and 10 spunky little girls wore adorable outfits from Just Kidds and More. The music was fun and the energy was electric.

We heard the video testimony of how Celebration Church has impacted Stacy Nash and we honored her with a makeover. All four hundred and fifty women sat teary eyed as we heard about her husband's tour of duty and how she kept her four children and home in order awaiting his return. She came from backstage all made over and sassy as the last set of the fashion show began. Through the generosity of the women in Stacy's Bible study at our church, the Nash family has been transformed. Our event was a perfect marriage of fun and inspiration.

Each of these fantastic elements prepared the way for Pastor Lori Champion, our wonderful Women's Pastor, to share her life-changing message. She spoke about Deborah and the role of women: we are made to bring life; we protect in adversity; we engage through transparency; we add beauty to every environment. This was truly the best part of the morning and I was inspired once again by our Pastor's insight and anointing.

I am still thrilled about what a uniquely beautiful event we were able to host. I feel blessed that God picked me to help facilitate the outworking of our Pastor's vision. None of the special pieces of the day would have come together had it not been for the 150+ volunteers who gave their time, money, effort, creativity, organization, and love to our house!

Wanna see a picture of the table I was at?

Tiger Baseball Tournament

Tigers played in the Mother's Day tournament called the Round Rock Super Series weekend before last. It was serious business. Brett submitted his birth certificate, proving that he is really seven years old and we were set to go. Playing baseball on the weekends isn't easy for our family since we work all day on Sundays. We geared up for the first game and Tigers won easily against the Longhorns. The second game was played right away on Saturday and the easily also beat the Bobcats from Kyle.

Luckily, the Sunday games were scheduled for the afternoon. First up: Longhorns again. Tigers easily beat them and we were in the final. Brett was so excited when he found out that he might win a trophy and anticipation was high since we were playing the Bobcats again. Here's Brett scoring a run:

We beat the Bobcats to take first place at the tournament. Here's the First Place trophy:

Go Tigers! And, Go BRETT!!!

First Swim

We took Sydney swimming for the first time on Saturday. She LOVED it! Her big brother is a great swimmer and picked up right where he left off last year! Check it out:

Grow, Girl Grow!

Sydney went for her six month check-up yesterday only to find that she only gained one ounce in a whole entire month. Yes, that's not a typo... one ounce. She went from 11 pounds, 5 ounces to 11 pounds, 6 ounces. I thought for sure my little chicken legged girl was going to break the 12 pound mark when I laid her on that cold metal scale. But no, the digital numbers bounced around and yelled back at me that she only gained a measly OUNCE during her fifth month of life.

She still wears 3-6 month clothes all baggy around the waist. Her diapers are still size 1-2 and the little Velcro strips touch the middle when I close them. She's small and I'm on a mission: to get her to grow.

Well, truth be told, it's a mission to get her FAT! She grew another half an inch in length this month and her head is smack dab in the 50th percentile. It's her weight that's the problem. Her chicken legs and scrawny arms just need to fatten up.

{I'm writing all this down for my dear girl so that one day

when she's staring in the mirror at her tween age body,

thinking she's all fat,

she'll know the truth-

It's all my fault because when she was 6 months old, I fattened her up.}

What's my plan, you might ask?

Step One:

Measure her milk to make sure she's getting enough.Feed her as much as she will take, even if that means thawing some of that liquid gold and going for another round.

Step Two:

Feed her solids every time she's awake. Give her as much as she will take and mix it with rice cereal to add calories.

Step Three:

Repeat steps one and two everyday until she's fat, Fat, FAT!

I don't know about you, but I'm not worried. I can do this one.

By the way, does she look like anything is wrong with her?

Purpose

Last night, Pastor Joe preached an amazing service and I decided 1 Peter 4 is one of my new favorite passages of scripture. Verse 2 says once you follow Christ, "You won’t spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God." We have been in a series called "One Month to Live" and PJ brought up a great question... if you knew that you had one month to live, would you spend that month chasing your desires or would you try to do everything you could to please God and win others to Christ? I honestly had to think for a minute about that one.

Even though I would say I spend my days seeking to follow the will of God for my life (after all, I AM in the ministry!), I have always thought if I knew I had little time left here on Earth, I would take big trips, spend lots of money, splurge on anything and everything... sort of "live it up" if you will. It has honestly never crossed my mind to spend each day racing to share the Good News of Christ with as many people as I can. To be "ANXIOUS" to do the will of God.

The will of God for all of us is that we spread the news of His son Jesus and help others come to heaven with us! I can honestly say I live my life like I have all the time in the world to do this. Oh, I get excited to invite people to my awesome church. I willingly share my story with those who might ask. I reach out to those in need around me and I always talk about what God has done in my life. But, I would not say that I am anxious to do this...

What would our church look like if we all got a little more serious and urgent about doing the will of God? I know I am challenged today.

Bluebonnets

I'm not one much for Texas traditions. I DO know that bluebonnets are our state flower, however. A lot of Texans take their kids wherever bluebonnets grow in order to take pictures of them sitting amongst the flowers. Some folks even stop on the sides of roads and it always amazes me that so many people love this. Thanks to Sydney's teacher at daycare, we have a bluebonnet picture:

A Note for Syd

Dearest Sydney,

As I watch you approach your half-year birthday, I see your changes and I am torn...

Between sheer excitement and thrill against sadness -
That you aren't the small tiny child who would sleep on my chest,
Knees pulled up for hours on end.

You are growing, my child.

On November 5th, when I first laid eyes on you,
I had no idea what kind of love affair would transpire.
You are smart and beautiful in every way.
A Baby Girl, a blessing I cherish...

Sydney Claire, Your Mother Loves You.

When I think about your future, I imagine all of the mistakes you will avoid-
All of the ones that I somehow did not.
I pray for and dream of the STRENGTH you will have to STAND UP to peer pressure
To be yourself no matter who you are around.

I know you will love our God with all of your heart, soul, mind and spirit.
I believe you will love your friends selflessly and protect and honor them as yourself.

You are one-of-a-kind, my dear.

Your Big Blue Eyes reflect a sense of wonder and pleasure at all things family...
I pray this never changes.

Your one-little-half-tooth smile makes everyone around you smile in return.
It always will.
A dimple below your right eye appears during intense joy and sadness alike... your trademark!

I love your long legs and tiny little waist.
You could be a runner someday.

Sydney, you already love to talk; I pray my ears are always hungry to listen.

My daughter, I am here for you.

You bless me with your tender touch and innocence.
When I look at your dainty hands, I think about moments we will share:

Manicures

Lifting our hands in worship

Shopping

Reaching out to those in need.

Sydney, you are going to change the world with those hands.

There's so much we still don't know-
Like what color hair you'll have {I think some will grow eventually}

Your personality and personal style
How you'll respond to pressure

And what kind of books you'll like to read.

Somehow, I know I will love your choices.

God knew you before you were formed in my womb...

He has plans for you, my love.

I pray that I never stand in the way of your fulfillment of those plans.
May I be a voice that teaches you to hear His Voice for yourself.
May my unconditional love when you make a mistake
Model Christ's love and acceptance of you.

God, may my ceiling be her floor.