My tiny little dancer

Addie took dance for the first time this past year at Alyssa's Dance Studio in Dover. She has had a ball and it has been really hard getting her to and from practice on Tuesday nights for a year, but with Nanny and Daddy they helped me make it happen! She had her dance recital last Saturday night in Paris, TN at Krider Performing Arts Studio and she loved it. She got a trophy with her name on it and she felt so proud. She was a beautiful little stinka if I do say so myself.

That toothless smile

Her ballet costume

Addie's class

Their tap costume

In between waiting for them to go back on stage we killed time and I went out to see them in the hallway and they were all crowded around a DVD player that was a movie about Justin Beeber. They were so funny!!

love the green hair extension??

They did a finale at the end and the title to this years show was Let's go to the Movies so the finale was 80's attire and they danced to Footloose!! They were so cute saying, "we aren't even 8 yet and we get to dress like the 80's." I thought that was so cute!!

The opening act, going to the movies. Grace, Addie and Kylie

Addie has on leg warmers!!

Addie and Grace during their tap routine

Addie and her best friend this year in her kindergarten class: Darryll Cook. Addie adores her.

Addie and her friend Kylie

Happy Mother's Day

I am so blessed to have my mother today in my life. I am blessed to have a mother-in-law, and I am blessed so much to be a mother. We had a nice day today having lunch with Nanny, Pap, the girls, Chris and I at Ruby Tuesdays after church. I love this sweet family that has allowed me to take their name in marriage. I am blessed beyond measure. I then drove to Franklin with the girls to see my mom.

I do think of this day with sadness for those dear to me that don't have their mother's due to the fact that they have passed on, or for those that can't just jump in the car like I can and be there in under 2 hours to see theirs like me. I know I am blessed to be able to just go do that.

Let me tell you about my mother......she helped raise us and train us, all four of us. I give her the praise for instilling in me my christian values and morals. I love her for all she did for us, more than I will ever know. Even as a mother now, I still can't fathom what all she did for me. She shielded me, she loved me, protected me, cared for me, made sure we had all our "have toos" from Santa every year. Mom, if you read this.....know that you are my hero!! You amaze me at every turn in your life. Your life wasn't what you thought it would be after caring and raising four of us, but you are our rock and we love you for it!!! You are one of the strongest people I know. I know that your strength comes from the Lord. Your faithfulness and trust in Him. If I never "got it" before, I get it now..........I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!! I am proud to call you mom. My prayer is that Addie and Claire can say that about me in 30 more years.

I pray for the stresses of this life. When you are in a storm, like I feel that I am in right now along with so many others, I know that the little things mean the most. My friends that call, email, text. Those hugs from my children and husband. My personal relationship with my Lord and Savior is ALL I NEED. For all of you that are women and read this blog.......I love you and WE will get through this. So, for all of us that are in some type of storm I hope this blesses you:

"You remind yourself , that He is light, He is love, He is longevity and He is the Lord. He is goodness and kindness and faithfulness and He is God. He is holy and righteousness and powerful and pure. I serve Him because...His bond is love, His yoke is easy, His burden is light and His goal for us is abundant life. I follow Him because He's the wisdom of the wise, the power of the powerful, the ancient of days, the ruler of rulers, the leader of all leaders. His goal is a relationship with me.

He'll never leave you, never forsake you, never mislead you, never forget you, never overlook you and never cancel your appointment in his appointment book. WHEN YOU FALL HE'LL LIFT YOU UP. When you fail, he'll forgive you. When you're weak, He's strong. When you're lost, He's your way. When you're afraid, He's your courage.

When you stumble, he will steady you. When you're hurt He's gonna heal you. When you're broken, He will mend you. When you're blind, He will lead you. When you're hungry, He will feed you. When you face trials, He's with you. When I face persecution, He shields me. When I face problems, He will comfort me. When I face loss, He will provide for me. And when we face death, He will carry us all home to meet Him. He is everything for everybody everywhere, every time and in every way. He is your God." -Priscilla Shirer

Hard Times

This month has been a challenge for so many. I had a wonderful friend have a miscarriage, my friend Lynn in the previous post lost her husband Tuesday and she buried him today, however he is in Glory with his Lord and Savior!! Over 100 people have died this week due to the tornadoes and high winds that we have received over the past 72 hours, and my heart is so heavy for someone I love. We all need prayer!! Literally everywhere I have turned this week there is destruction. Satan is on attack!! A girlfriend's husband is leaving her and he suffers from alcoholism, another friend's child suffers from an eating disorder. Literally I found this all out this week!!!!

I started reading Life Interrupted this week in my Bible study time and wow do I need to read it!! The author tells us that these "interruptions" are actually divine interventions. If God is going to bring us to "it" He will bring us through "it"!! Lord I hope so because I don't know how strong I am!!

Good night all! I love you

Godly Women

What does it mean to be a Godly woman? When I think of the answer to this question one woman in particular comes to mind. She has been on my mind lately. She is such an inspiration to me and I love her. Her name is Lynn and she has walked a difficult road for many years. Her husband was diagnosed with leukemia almost eight years ago. Two weeks ago he started having some strange behaviors. After taking him into the hospital they found lesions on his brain that were biopsied. They came back as fungal. I think we all felt a sigh of relief that he would take the medicine and would eventually be better. Last week Lynn found out that he also has a brain mass that came back as lymphoma. The doctors warned her and her children that this time he is terminal. Wow....

so I think of her often because she has walked this path that she wouldn't have chosen for herself. She has been by her husband through rough, hard times. He has been in and out of the hospital numerous times. Her life and his in a moments notice 8 years ago was changed for the worst. She is Godly to me even thru her/his hard times because she is still with him. I am sure she has screamed out and asked why. Why me Lord, but she still continues to give God all the glory. Her faith to me is massive!!! I don't think just the average woman could have endured this test of faith. I think you have Lynn, and I continue to pray for you as you and your children walk through the rest of this path you are on. My heart is heavy for her to become a widow at the age of 49. I can't even imagine. It is my prayer that you continue to lean on the Lord. That you make Him all that you need. I love you my sister and my friend!!

I read Psalm 91 today and it made me think of you both.

The Homeplace

The girls and I went to visit the Homeplace a couple of Saturdays ago. The Homeplace is at Land Between the Lakes. We had never been and we had a fun time. The girls enjoyed seeing the animals their daddy does the vet work on and I enjoyed taking photos of my little moving targets!!!