Nugget Box

These are just the cutest things ever! I did make this one but cannot take credit for it, I will list the responsible parities in a bit. Mike's aunt is turning 90 in a few weeks and I think I will make these little cuties for party favors! I can think of so many different excuses to make them. Showers, Valentine's Day, birthdays and just for the heck of it. Original design came from a Stampin Up consultant named June. I do need to send her a comment & thank her for her creative geniusness (that's not a word is it??). Carlene saw it and sent it to Darlene who then sent it to me. I then sent it to Cheryl who created a cut file for the Cricut & sent it back to me. I however, get ALL the credit for copying it! I am so thankful for friends.

You open it up and have 6 Hershey's nuggets inside! I think I am going to add something to the inside lid to personalize them for Jeannie's birthday. I also, haven't decided on the color scheme. I used what I had on hand for this one & kinda like it. It's the little things that get me so excited!!

The gratitude dance

This is the video that got us started with the attitude of gratitude. You can't help but smile after doing it! It's not bad exercise either! Give it a try - you might get hooked!

I have made a conscious effort this week to find things to be grateful for. They are everywhere! When I concentrate on all I am grateful for, I don't think about the negative stuff. Life is so much more enjoyable with an attitude of gratitude!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9

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Birthday Dinner at Red Lobster

Matthew wanted to have dinner at Red Lobster for his birthday. I was all for it since I didn't have to cook. Matthew & Hayley always get crab legs. I had scallopes & Mike had stuffed talapia. It was a fun time. We took about 20 pictures and laughed a lot. A friend from work baked him a German Chocolate cake so dessert was taken care of too. What an easy birthday for me!

Happy Birthday Matthew!

Today Matthew turned 22. His friends met over here to carpool and go downtown to celebrate. He doesn't shave as often as I'd like so I had to grab a picture to remember the face I love to see clean shaven.

I took one tequilla shot with them - now I'm ready for bed. (I don't think I have done that since I was 22.)

Stephen - such a nice boy.

Why don't these boys smile? Is it not cool?

They are gone now. More friends are meeting them downtown. They have a designated driver but said they will call me if someone needs a ride. I'm off to bed.

Dear God, Keep both of my children safe tonight and bring them home to me. Amen

This is what we do at work when the servers are down

I taught Darlene & Miriam the gratitude dance! Admit it, it makes you smile!

Miriam trying to act like she knows how to play that "thing" (I don't even know what it's called - baby guitar?)

Mimi & I raided Kristi's desk and had an impromptu concert. I think we were singing Jingle Bells. Oh my, what a day! (Look at her face!)

Very unimpressive post but lots of fun!!!

This is why I brought a stack of work home with me tonight.

Facebook is good for finding old friends

Saturday evening Mike & I met our old neighbors, Terry and Lauren from Maplewood at Sea Island. It was so great to see her and catch up on life. They moved to Austin in 1991 and we lost touch with them. I always thought of her and wanted to find her. When I got a Facebook account, she was one of the first people I looked up. I found her daughter Lauren and she got Terry & I hooked up. We used to sit out front and watch the kids play or they would come over and play in our back yard. Good neighbors are a blessing and Terry was an excellent one. We have been talking back and forth for awhile and she and Lauren were coming to town for the Billy Joel / Elton John concert so we met for dinner. I'm so glad we got to do that! Lauren is such a sweet girl - you did an excellent job, Terry! Remember, we are going to get together when you are on summer break. If you can't come here we will meet half way OK?

Girl's Night

I was online a while back and I came across a catalog for a stamp and paper company called Close To My Heart. I think I am developing a serious addiction to paper and I fell in love with theirs. I found a really sweet girl named Julie that sells it and called her up to set up a home demo. Last time I did this just 2 people showed up so I didn't expect much knowing scrapbooking and stamping isn't everyone's thing. Well quite a crowd of friends showed up and we had a fun time. You can see below everyone is hard at work making a cute gift bag out of an envelope of all things.



If we tied Sandy's hands behind her back, she wouldn't be able to talk!


Irma being a brave girl, trying her hand at card making. She did an excellent job!


Shirley learning something important, I'm sure.


Pebbles was feeling a little neglected and was waiting patiently for someone to love on her.

Thank you

Our daughter Hayley, came home to us on Sunday night. I am so thankful to God for protecting her and bringing her home safely. We are working on re-establishing boundaries. We enrolled her in another high school today for students who are at risk of dropping out. She may be able to graduate as early as August. The school also has a lot of resources available to students regarding college or other post graduation training that I hope she takes advantage of.

I know no one ever said being a parent would be easy. I will say I am simply exhausted. I am reading a book called "Moments for Families with Prodigals". (Thank you for the recommendation, Nan) It is a devotional that is filled with so much encouragement and hope. One of the first things I read that hit me right in the heart said "Stop mourning the child you thought you had (or thought they should be) and start loving the child you have." I don't have the book in front of me so I may not have the quote exactly correct. I immediately felt convicted. I am committing myself to loving Hayley right where she is at and continuing to pray specifically for her heart to soften and that she renews her relationship with Jesus.

I told her that she had an amazing group of prayer warriors praying for her safe return home. I know she doesn't appreciate that now, but hopefully someday she will realize just how mighty our God truly is and acknowledge the power of prayer. You have my deepest thanks for your prayers and encouraging words.

God bless you!