Tea Anyone?

Today I had the privilege of working beside an amazing christian woman. She has such a kind generous heart. She cooked and served a very formal tea for 35+ people at her sister in law's lovely home. It was a mother daughter function honoring ladies of the church. Edie, had been working on the function for weeks, trialing recipes, shopping for groceries and cooking as much as possible ahead of time. Everything was homemade from the breads to the chicken salad, scones and clotted cream... I truly hope it was a blessing to the ladies, I know it was to me. I had the opportunity to spend time with my friend and to see how she organized such a large menu. She had prepared everything leaving just the assembly her mother,daughter and myself.
Edie was fearful that there would not be enough food, but God provides. She had prepared for 70 and 35+ were in attendance. There was enough for everyone... and let's just say all the fellowship made everyone work up an appetite.
I feel like gift's of service is my love language. I enjoy giving my time to others. I certainly appreciate when someone gives me the gift of their time. I am so blessed to have generous people in my life. Nana constantly gives her time, and energy to her family. Bible study friends, give the gift of lifting one another in prayer. My blessings are abundant and for that I am grateful.
I hope to host a tea one day for the friends who have been so wonderful to me. So ladies when I do, remember "pinkies up".

Technology

Okay.. I said I hated Facebook, if I wanted to talk to someone, I would call them. But-long pause, I have actually had fun on it this week. I have posted three pictures of the kids and have made a "friends request" of someone I knew from JR high school... I am hoping to hear from her soon.
I am trying to embrace technology... I so love pretty stationary and opening a letter from a friend of family member. I frequently go to the mailbox with anticipation of what lies inside. I guess I can be the same way with a cell phone, waiting for a text from my daughter or an email from a friend. So for those who have listened to me shun Facebook... I apologize and will have a Little salt and pepper with my crow.

Mother's Day

Long time no post.... I know.
I wanted to share one of my most memorable Mother's Days yet. The children had their pictures taken for my mothers day gift. They are wonderful pictures. The children then took me to dinner at Cracker Barrell. For those of you who know me personally I don't do meat on the bone. It's a strange quirk, and yes I know that all meat starts on a bone.. it's just a quirk and we will leave it at that. Well anyway, I had country chicken yummy, it's like fried chicken without the bone.PERFECT
As the day was coming to a close my son, decided I needed to make me "smile one more time" he then proceded to do a song and dance. The song was made popular by a gentleman on American Idol. It's called "Pants on the Ground". Well Jack started singing, and came to a pause in the song... and what better to do in the pause of a song than to do a top spin on your head on laminate floors. Well let's just say a trip to urgent care..and one more picture for Mothers day...an X-RAY of three broken fingers. Yep my most memorable Mother's Day in some time.

Remembering to Play

The other day I allowed myself the luxury of playing in the pool with my children. I frequently "lounge" in the pool, floating, relaxing and reading an occasional book. But as I watched Anna and Jake pretend to be dolphins frolicking in the "surf". It came to me, that I was missing out. So to their surprise after fixing a poolside picnic. I did a cannon ball. When I surfaced, the both looked at me giggling and exclaiming... "Mom you got your hair wet!" was from Anna and Jake, well of course he commented on the size of my splash.
So, for the next two hours we played. My children reminded me how liberating it is to dive under the water, to do a hand stand and to just be in the moment. I think as we get older, we get so busy planing the course of the day, week or even month and we forget to be in the now. So I have made a pack with myself to play, not just go through the motions but to really play. To allow my inner child to express herself. I know Anna and Jake had a great time swimming. I also know "little me" had a great time and can't wait to come out to play again soon.

State Folding

I live in Chesapeake Virginia. I have been in this area since my 13Th birthday. I went to high school and college here. I am blessed to have worked for the same company for 19 years. My friends and church are close and awesome. There is one thing I would change... if I could. No I would not make the beaches less crowded. I wouldn't make the summers less humid.Heck I wouldn't even make sweet tea our state drink. What I would do is make the proximity of Virginia closer to both Florida and New Jersey. My mother has come up this ingenious idea. We just haven't figured out how to implement it. We call it state folding. What we would do it connect New Jersey to Virgina and Virgina to Florida. Now for those of you in the states of Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, we apologize for the inconvenience. We just need to be closer. We could help relocate you. If you are west coast... you too could try it. In fact any state that does not interfere with our plan is welcome to help with research and development.This past weekend I had the luxury (and I am being sincere)- luxury to have my sister and her family, my parents and my other sister all in for the weekend. I cannot tell you what a wonderful weekend I had. I felt happy and complete. I just wish my family was closer so we could enjoy each other more often. For those of you separated from your family by miles my heart goes out to you. Please take the time to pick up the phone, or write and email or letter and let your family know you love and care for them. If you like the idea of state foldingand your family wouldn't objet send them to my blog and let's get working on it... If they live in Maryland or one of the other for mentioned states.... ask them to consider relocating... I'm only kidding but if I could ... I would.

Rights of Passage

Goodness this summer is flying by. The kids have been busy all summer long and I am convinced that as they get older, it only gets worse. My oldest is 11 1/2, she like many her age is in that awkward tween stage. She is caught between girl and young lady. Unfortunately the media and peers are pulling her towards the latter. She wants a cell phone, new camera, to go to friends houses instead of being at home. I can remember this stage, wondering why my mother was plotting against me by not allowing me to wear make-up, or get my ears pierced. There was an appropriate time. "Elizabeth if I let you do it all now-you will have nothing to look forward to." she exclaimed.
Well I have given in, I allowed Anna to shave her legs, she had what I would call light hair on her But for at least 6 months I have heard "Mom look at it-it's gross." and "Its so dark!" So today I had her draw a bath and I taught her how to shave her legs. I made sure to point out to take it slow around the ankles and knees. To be sure to make sure to wet the razor, and to moisturize with lotion afterwards to keep her legs from drying. She was excited and even allowed me the privilege of feeling how silky they were afterwards.
If you are wondering what the right of passage was, it was really not about Anna shaving, it was about me, letting go a little. Allowing her to begin to make some of her own choices and then teaching her the proper way to complete the task. Next will be make-up I guess. I suppose she will seem to young then too. She is a beautiful girl inside and out. I cannot imagine she will ever need make-up. But I know the day is coming. I will take her to the mall, and have an "expert" help us choose the most natural look. She will walk out as proud as a peacock, and I a little prouder of the beautiful girl who is becoming a young lady.

Encouragement

WOW! I have a fellow blogger named Edie that proofs my work from time to time. She gives me tons of encouragement and advice on how to improve my writing and blog. She tells me of new blog sites to visit, how to track who's looking at my posts and ways to improve my writing. She most recently turned me on to a blog that....promotes blogs. It's a sisterhood of sorts with all kinds of creative ladies. I have gotten great downloads, decorating ideas and recipes. The site is.... over there to the right (click on it to check it out). What do you call that? The sidebar?It's amazing. Last night I jumped from blog to blog looking at great writing, neat downloads and overall really talented ladies.

At first I felt inadequate after viewing these sites. I mean who would want to read about my inner thinking's when there is free download-able scrapbook paper on a blog. But then I remembered the reason I blog: to encourage others, to help others see the good and beauty of this world through everyday occurrences. So come on back, I will continue to let you in on my thoughts and I will keep you updated with new blogs I am following.