Birthday!

This past weekend we celebrated Piper's first birthday.  Her actual birthday is August 4th but this was the first Saturday her daddy had off from work so we had it on the 20th.  She didn't care!  We had lots of friends and family to come over and help us celebrate this little lady's special day.  She was so good!!!  She just smiled and laughed for everyone and hugged all her presents.  She is just the cutest thing.  At first she didn't really like her cake.  Erica and Blake do not really giver her sweet things and I do giver her ice cream which she loves!!  So this is an unfamiliar taste to her.  Once she got into it she really liked it though.  After the party this was one tired and sleepy little princess.  She took a late nap and then we headed over to my mamas' house to celebrate my daddy's 70th birthday.  We had such a good time.  It was a busy, busy day but so worth all the trouble.

What is this thing????

                                           I'm not sure...this taste a little different

                                      I think I like it!!

                               I really liked it but I think I am a little full.  I missed my mouth a couple of times!!

                                   Wow!!  For me?  My own vacuum! (bring that to Mimi's to use!!)

                                      I really just like to play with grass.  Here, I picked this blade for you!!

Makes Me Wanna Dance!!!!

I am totally in love with this new song by Jamie Grace.  Whenever it comes on the radio I just dance all over my house.  Piper does her cute, funky style of dancing too.  It is a good thing she is the only one who sees me...I am so funny.  She grins like a cat at me anyway!!  The beat to this song is fresh and bouncy.  Both Piper and my heads just bounce all over.  This is a new artist Toby Mac discovered and she is just as cute as a bug!!  She is only 19 years old...what a bright future!  Have a listen......

Counting Down The Days...

I am beside myself with excitement.  I adore The Food Network.  I watch it all the time.  And, as my son in law says, "You are the only one I know who actually cooks the stuff she sees."  I do try all sorts of different things.  Sometimes it is great and sometimes...well not so great.  But there is a new show premiering on August 27 at 11:30 a.m.  It is " The Pioneer Woman Cooks" with Ree Drummond.  I love her.  I stalk her blog daily.  I cook her recipes all the time.  She has the best recipes in the world because she photographs every single step and it is awesome.  She is hilarious to read too.  I bought her cookbook and I was so impressed.  She is a true renaissance woman in my book.  she has forged new paths that were foreign to her and has flourished.  I for one cannot wait to watch her show.  I know my friend Tracy will be watching too.  she likes her just as much as I do and Tracy cooks alot of things she sees on the cooking channel too.  I am putting a link to the information about the new show from the food networks website.  There are videos and lots of info about Ree's show.  I talk about her like I know her.  I feel like I do in a way.  The whole blog world is a peek inside lives that is so acute unlike facebook where it is chaotic to say the least.  If you would like to check out her blog or any others i have a whole list on my on blog page of ones that I follow.  You can hit on them and then go on to others and on and on and on.  Lots of fun.  Really.



http://www.foodnetwork.com/the-pioneer-woman/index.html?vty=pioneerwoman

check her out....

Hardened Heart?? Guilty As Charged.

This morning I was determined to squeeze in my devotional time.  For some reason I have been so undisciplined this summer.  Well, not some reason...the only reason is laziness.  I still have the same 24 hours in a day as I have in the other seasons.  This morning it was the all to familiar story of Jesus feeding the 5000 in the book of Mark.  I have read it a hundred times.  But before I started, I did ask God to reveal to me what He would have me learn this morning.  I really need some wisdom on some things and I know the best source is in God's word.  I skimmed (I am so obedient!!) over the story that correlated to my devotional but really didn't perceive anything new or applicable.  But...then I read on a little.  The next passage tells of Jesus walking on the water to the disciples in the boat.  They were afraid.  Jesus told them to be courageous and not afraid and then He climbed into the boat.  The disciples were completely amazed. 

Verse 52 states:  "for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened."

I thought about that statement and found it odd.  The disciples didn't understand about the loaves??  That ginormous miracle Jesus had just performed a few hours ago?  What was not to understand...it was a miracle for all to see just who Jesus was.  Right??  True, but that is just the surface.  Jesus is a beneath the surface kind of God.  He is God, so there is always more to any miracle.  My heart is hardened just like the disciples.  I see the miracles that God works in "others'" lives but I do not see or expect them in my own life.  What I have credited to a lack of belief is really a willful, hard-hearted rejection of Christ's ability to handle my problems.  This, my friends, is a form of ...gulp...Pride.  My heart is so stubborn and willful that I not only don't think Jesus can handle my problems, I don't allow Him to even have my problems.  The disciples saw Jesus feed thousands with five loaves and two fish but didn't expect Him to handle a little storm for them on the lake.  Jesus plainly told them in   Mark 50:  "Take courage!  It is I.  Don't be afraid."  I am just like those knucklehead disciples.  I don't take courage and I am afraid.  Afraid of the future.  Afraid that Jesus will not provide for me.  Take care of me.  I have thought and said that I struggle with believing God.  Not believing in but plain old believing.  How sad.  I prayed today that my heart will begin to soften towards these thoughts and that they be taken captive by God.  It is the work of the devil that keeps me in the bondage of rejection.  It is a wonderful, amazing thing.  The word of God.  How, even though you may read something dozens of times He can reveal a whole new thing to you.  And soften us towards Him...where we belong.

Showers

I had two bridal showers to go to this weekend.  I went to one today for a dear friends' daughter.  I have known Jennifer most of her life and she is just a precious young lady.  She is going to be a lovely bride and I can't wait until her wedding on September 17th!  The very next weekend my sweet niece Brittany is getting married.  I can't believe she is getting married!!  It seems like yesterday she was born on a stormy Thanksgiving day.  Time has just gone by so fast.  Brittany is going to have a beautiful wedding and I am privileged to help with the preparations.  She is having an outdoor wedding in Charlotte.  This weekend was the first of two showers she is having.  This one was a couple shower that was a great big bbq with lots of family and friends.  Next weekend we are having a more traditional shower at church for the bride.  We southern women just love a shower!  At least I do!  I love to throw them and I love to attend them.  Young brides are so excited and thrilled with all the gifts and attention.  When I was giving my daughter, Erica, her showers she was just so excited.  It was such a pleasure for em to watch her enthusiasm.  Brittany is like my own child so i am just as excited for her.  It makes me want to start helping Megan plan her wedding and showers!!  Each of my girls are so different and I am sure Megan's will be so fun in a much different way.  Where Erica is more formal and Brittany is very contemporary, my Megan is casual and laid back about these type events.  I am not sure what she has thought about in any detail but I am sure she will go with a simple elegance...just like her.  Here are a few pictures from Brittany and Aarons' shower.

Opening the first of many gifts the couple received from their guests.

An overhead shot of some of the family and friends.

Piper, getting a necklace from "Aunt Brittany"  A girl always needs accessories!!

Guardian Angel

The other night my friend Kelley and I went to see a movie.  Cowboys and Aliens.  Really good movie but you had to really follow it to keep the story straight.  Harrison Ford...I am mad at you.  Wash your mouth out and we'll talk again.  Anyway, I digress.... on the way home we were discussing lots of stuff but our conversation veered to angels.  What they are, their roles in heaven, on earth and the like.  I have always believed that God can send legions of angels to protect and fight for His children.  I am fully aware of the unseen spiritual realm that is all over this world and the constant battle that wages between angels and demons.  It must be intense at times.  The book of Daniel even speaks of this with the angel, Michael.  I just have always wondered if we each have our very own??  You know, Guardian Angel.  If so, does he wear a badge that says:  "My name is Louie and I am the Guardian Angel for Cindy".?  I have just always wondered if ... they are really, really out there and really, really watching and protecting.  Well, the answer is a resounding YES!!!!  This morning I put Piper in her stroller for us to go on our morning stroll to the pond and all about the yard.  We call it, "Offroading with Mimi."  Anyway Piper's mommy put pants on her today.  First time all summer.  I didn't say anything because the outfit was so cute and I figured I would take them off later anyway and just let her lounge around in the matching onesie.  So we stroll down to the pond and we watch a blue heron who is finally not so freaked out by us that it actually stays in the pond and walks around for us to watch him fish.  Piper was not impressed but I was.  I am such a nerd.  On the way back up the driveway from the pond I stopped to sweep a spider web out of the way when Ouch!  Holy Cow!!  Something bit the dickens out of my ankle.  Ouch, ouch ,OUCH!!!  Yellow Jackets.  I had stepped on a nest and were they ever mad.  I slapped at them and then I just took off running.  Thank the Lord I had buckled Piper in the stroller or I would have flung her right out.  I have never ran so fast in my life.  Never.  When I got to my drive way I went to jerk the baby out of the stroller and her little legs had bees all over them.  I knocked them off and ran into the house.  Thank you God for Erica putting pants on that little sweetie or she would have been stung a dozen times.  Thank you  Jesus.  Piper did not have one sting.  Not one.  I on the other hand had 18.  I got three more in the house because a couple of the little demons were up my shirt and one in my underwear.  I hope they like yellow jacket hell because that is where I sent them...fast.  I haven't been stung in 15 - 20 years by a bee.  I kept thinking, "Am I allergic???"  I guess not because I didn't quit breathing and I am not dead.  I am just so thankful that our guardian angels were protecting the two of us.  It could have been so bad.  I think I will forgo the offroading to the pond until it is cold outside. Thanks Louie!!

A Tough Day

My little Piper had a check-up this week for her one year birthday.  She got four shots!  Four!!  Two in each leg. And a finger stick!  Plus they looked in her ears, measured her and poked her all over.  When her mommy gave her to me she was drinking her last bottle....ever.  Erica put her on whole milk in a sippy cup.  No more bottles either??  Waaah!!!  She has always had all her juices in a sippy cup so at least that wasn't new.  Life is just hard...even for a one year old!  When we got back to my house we had a snack and then a nap.  She slept a long time too.  Poor baby.  When she woke up I made her one of her favorite lunches.  Spaghetti.  She ate it up but no matter what I couldn't get a smile out of my little punkin'.

I just want to eat, Mimi. 

I am not in the smiling mood today Mimi.  My legs hurt.

This was a tough day in this baby's world.

Summer vacation at last

Last week I spent a glorious week at the beach with my oldest daughter, her husband and their baby girl.  My youngest daughter got a real job and could not go.  I was so, so sad to leave her behind.  She is a very fun girl to take just about anywhere and she was really missed by all of us.  We stayed in a very nice condo owned by a dear friend of mine.  I love the beach for vacation above all other places.  There is just something about the ocean that brings about a calm in my soul like nothing else.  When I look out into the ocean I really wonder who in their right mind could ever question the magnitude of God.  I mean, seriously??  The waves stop right at the shore as if on command.  They come one after the other so politely.  Who but God could fashion that?    We did a big amount of laying around and people watching.  People are funny to watch.  I really don't think some people own mirrors at all.  Sounds mean...but hey, it is the truth.  The get-ups some people put on to go out in public are amazing.  We got up early each day because a certain little someone thought 6:30 was a fine time to get up for the day.  I would to if I went to bed by 8:00 every night too, though.  We ate too much, played cards too late and just had a really fine time.  Piper's other grandparents came down to see her for her birthday and were thrilled with how much she has grown in the few weeks since they saw her last.  I took about 635 pictures but I will only bore you to death with a few. 

Piper was already tired of the camera before we even started.  Her mommy and daddy have the "pose" down perfect!

                                                  Piper and me playing in the sand!

                                Blake was on sand removal duty on this day.  Poor baby averaged 4 baths a day!!

Piper loved the water.  She pitched a fit when you took her out.

                         This ice cream cone was a little big for Miss Piper!

Piper and her mommy strolling along the shoreline.

                          Wait!!  I am not ready to go in yet.  Water..here I come!!!

One Year Old!!!

For the first week of August this year we went to the beach for our vacation.  I will post more about our trip and photos later.  Piper celebrated her first birthday while we were there.  She will be having her "real" birthday party later in the month when all her grandparents, family and "friends" can come.  So, for the first time she had her picture made with her Frog Prince in a different place.  We used a big chair in the condo we stayed in while we vacationed.  She loved, loved, LOVED the beach.  I knew she would since she likes the outdoors, water and dirt so much.  Funny girl.  Here are a few stats about Miss Piper.  She now has six teeth.  Two more popped through at the beach.  You weigh 22.8 pounds and are 30 inches tall.  You can say several words.  Your vocal skills are amazing.  You can say mama, daddy, paw-paw-, maw-maw, cookie, thank you, Megan and sweetest of all...I love you.  this comes out, "I la you."  Just precious.  You love to eat everything. You are such a good eater.  Some of your favorites are yogurt, grits, blueberries, watermelon, crackers and puffs.  You can really eat almost any table food and so far there has not been one thing you turn your nose up to...even sauerkraut!  You still take two naps a day and sleep great at night.  You are still not walking but you crawl like a little maniac.  At the beach you did take two steps but dropped down and took off flying on your hands and knees.  I never thought I could love anything as much as I love you.  The blessing you are on my life is so pure.  Just an absolute joy and treasure!  Whenever you get a little brother or sister I am sure my love will just double over for both my grandchildren.  Hopefully that won't be too far in the future???!!!  Just know, sweet baby, that each day of your life your Mimi is praying for you.  that God will bless you and take care of you.  that He is already preparing the heart of the young man who will one day take you as his bride.  That God will guard your steps every day and that above all, you come to know His son, Jesus, early in your life and serve Him with your whole heart.  I love you, little Piper.  So much!

Is today my birthday???

It is!!  I am finally one year old Froggie!!

I need to give somebody a big hug!!!