A nice surprise

Saturday a good friend of mine and I planned a day of shopping to pick out some semi-formal dresses for a fancy-schmancy work party next month. (She and my husband work for the same home health company.)

She found her dress and shoes pretty quickly, and after trying on several I decided to wear the one I bought for the CMA's last year that I never wore. It was too cold for it last year, but since we'll be indoors the whole time I think I should be ok.

Anyhoo... While we were walking through Dillards we saw people setting up chairs for a food demonstration for Wolfgang Puck, and after the food demo he was going to sign autographs.

So, we walked around the mall and got what we needed and came back just in time for the book signing. I got in line quickly and was about the tenth person, so we timed it perfectly!

I wasn't planning on this as part of my shopping trip, but it was a nice surprise. :)

Another song that makes me smile...

What's your song?

I am always amazed at how music can affect your mood.

When the lyrics of a song ring true in your heart, you might want to belt them out at the top of your lungs. When a song reminds you of something sad, you might feel like crying.

I have a handful of songs that bring on all kinds of emotions - good and bad - and just hearing the intro can remind me of where I was or what I was doing when I first heard it.

Here are just a few of mine (and this is a wide variety!)...

Made Me Glad by Miriam Webster - riding in the car with my hubby to the CMA's this time last year.
Here I go Again by Whitesnake - riding in the car with Jeremi my freshman year of high school.
Cheap Sunglasses - my dad used to sing this with my daughter when she was little.
There Goes My Life by Kenny Chesney - reminds me of my daughter and always makes me cry.
Shout to the Lord - first time I heard it was at a friend's wedding and it became my new favorite worship song.

And there are tons of others. What's your song?

Everyone's heard the song "Here I Am To Worship". Well, that's one of the songs that brings me to tears every time I hear it.

The first time it made an impact on me was when I was at a church conference out-of-town several years ago, and I had gotten very hurt. I was in the town (literally just a few miles away) of someone I really cared about, and though I was so close - geographically - she didn't really want to put any effort to come and see me.

I was crushed, as this was a pattern in our relationship. (It's all good now, though.) And during worship that night, that song came on. During the chorus it was like the Lord stopped the music that was playing and pointed at me and said these words to me...

"...you're altogether lovely, altogether worthy, altogether wonderful to Me."

Of course, I lost it, and I am amazed at how many times the Lord has used that song to remind me of how much he loves me, even when my attitude is crummy or I am in the wrong.

I tell you this because He did it again last night. I was grouchy and not in a good mood, and my heart was not right. So I lay in bed with my ipod and put Chris Tomlin on shuffle. I had no idea that song was even on my ipod, but God did.

I think music is a gift from the Lord, and I am so very thankful to have it in my life.

What about you?

Precious little boys

One of the sweetest things in the world to me is hearing children pray. There's a reason God tells us to have child-like faith.

It's because children believe with all of their hearts that God is going to do what they ask of Him.

My nephews (ages six and twenty months) came over to stay with us yesterday and ended up spending the night. We don't get to see them very much, so I love having some time to spend with them.

An hour or so after they arrived, my living room was proof that they were there. I found cars and Kinex pieces in places that shocked me, and dinosaurs covered my carpet.

It was awesome!

Once the baby was down for bed last night, I helped the six year-old get ready. He stayed in his cousin's (A) bedroom, though A was at church camp, and he asked me to sit with him when he said his prayers.

They all started out, "Please God..." and were precious. After lifting up his requests, he said, "And I am very, very thankful for my entire family. In Jesus' name, amen."

Wow, talk about touching my heart! It was a very sweet moment.

We also loved hearing the baby walking around saying, "I want cheese" and "yeah" to every question we asked him. It was hilarious!

Today at lunch after church, our friends' always vocal four year-old recited the pledges he says at school every day. Listening him talk about pledging to the Bible, God's Holy Word, and to the Christian flag, my heart was warmed yet again.

Maybe he doesn't fully understand those pledges now, but I believe they are seeds being firmly planted in his heart.

These kiddos in my life are growing up way too quickly, and it is such a joy to be around them when they are tiny and innocent and full of life. What a blessing!

Have a great Monday!

Has it been that long?

I have been informed that it's been nearly a month since my last blog post. Has it really been that long? My life has been a whirlwind these past few weeks -- in a good way-- and I kinda forgot I had a blog.

So I apologize to the three people that actually read my blog.

What have I been doing? Well, thanks for asking.

My daughter finished up her final high school volleyball season, and at least one of us followed her to every game. Even the boyfriend didn't miss any of them.

We celebrated senior night at her last home game where my husband and I escorted her onto the court. Her coach read aloud all of her high school accomplishments as we walked, and I was very proud of myself for not crying.

Last week we escorted her, again, on the track at the football field while the same announcements were made. This time it was for all of the senior football players, band members, cheerleaders, and v-ball players. Once again, I didn't cry.

I did get a little teary-eyed when she asked me for a check for her cap and gown, though.

Next week we have an appointment at the college she has been accepted to, and along with a campus tour we will be meeting with the volleyball coach. Because it's a private school there are no tryouts, but she is very interested in playing. So we are going through the steps to see if that can happen.

And besides the busyness of kids and school and work and life, we are having lots of fun with our new friends. It's been years since my husband and I have had a couple to hang out with where we've had this much fun, and we are loving it!

Today I will be grocery shopping and meeting some friends to prepare for our annual Ladies' Candle Exchange for church. Tomorrow I send my son off to church camp, and Saturday I'm keeping my nephews. Busy weekend, but I'm very blessed!

Hope yours is wonderful!