The Star of the Show

Last night was the close of Emily's Dance classes for the year.  So bittersweet for me.  Happy to have once less place to be during the week. Sad that it means another year has passed.  The year has been so crazy, I can honestly say I wish I could "repeat" this year's ages of the girls.  Unfortunately, time stands still for no one...I can only enjoy the moment and not "wish" this precious time away.

Emily's hop hop dance was absolutely the best dance of the night.  They got the most applause of all the dances...I promise, I'm not being biased.  Their neon costumes screamed "the 1980's".  The side ponytails were just the icing on the cake.  J-Lo's "On the Floor" was a hit with the entire crowd.  

 I imagined Emily in some of the precious Tutu's and ballet dances that the other classes performed.  But, as soon as I thought it, I realized, "that is so not Emily".  It was confirmed after the recital, when she loudly announced in the lobby of the performing arts studio, "Mom, those ballet dances were so boring!"   We are still working on that "filter" thing:)

So proud of our little dancer.  As far as we were concerned, she was the star of the show!

~Hugs~

Kimberly

May

"The world's favorite season is the spring.  All things seem possible in May." 

~Edwin Way Teale~

I am ready and waiting for all of the possibilities that this season will bring.  Great things are happening!

Trusting When We Don't Understand

"This trial does not feel good; I don't like it, but I believe that all things are working together for good" are words that were spoken often by my father in law.  Wayne truly believed these words with every fiber of his being.  Any chance he would get, he would instill this and other principles into his family, his children and his friends.  

You hear people talk all the time about having faith.  But, do they really have it?  It's very easy to have it when life is good, the kids are getting along, the bills are getting paid, when our health is good, etc.  Going through tough times and trials will always test how much faith we truly have.

Wayne was so consistent with his faith.  It never wavered.  He acted the same no matter what was going on.  His face always wore a smile.  When he smiled at you, it was genuine and not surface. He could look at a person with all of their "baggage" and it didn't matter.  He could see beyond that, to their true potential. 

Yes, Wayne had given me countless advice and guidance, but what I've really learned from him, came from watching the way he lived his life.  He didn't just talk it....He walked it.  He believed it.  He got it.  Wayne had true faith.  

We may never understand God's timing, and I'm pretty sure we often will not like it.  My father in law was the greatest example of "Trusting When We Don't Understand".

Our family was shaken to the core on March 31, 2012.  However, even through our devastation we honestly believe that this was for a purpose...a GREAT PURPOSE.  I know for fact, Wayne wanted to live a life a purpose.... he did, until his last breath.

Wayne was a loving husband, father, world's greatest father in law, son, Poppy, brother, uncle, and friend  that has left a huge void in our lives.  We will miss him terribly. 

Until we meet again, Wayne, We'll miss you and We love you!  

Embrace the Ordinary

 Delight in the little things.

Appreciate small blessings.

Find pleasure in circumstances and situations that others may overlook.

When our day is "business as usual" is when we develop character and the ability to enjoy everyday life.

NOW, I would GLADLY EMBRACE and ENJOY if I had those winning numbers in the Mega Millions:)

I'm just kidding!

Well, only a little!

~Have a Wonderful Weekend~

Almost spring!

I always look forward to this time of the year.  Spring is my favorite season and has the best weather!  

Happy March!!

Emily's Calendar for March.

Her hand and fingerprint four~leaf clover.

Guarding My Heart and Emily's School Play

Last week in one of my devotionals, I read, "Integrity is only established when it becomes clear to everyone that progress, financial reward and recognition are not important...".

It really hit home for me.  I've always wanted to be seen as a woman of integrity, but have I been acting and making decisions as one?  Of course, I want to be seen that way with people I encounter everyday and everyone in my life.  But, what really matters most to me, is that my children see me that way.  I can only hope they don't see a difference between what I demand of others and what I demand of myself.  It will only damage their respect for me every time.  At any given time I am only one decision, one word or one action away from destroying what took a long time to build. 

 Leading and being the woman, wife, and mom I want to be doesn't come easy.  It is in those moments, however, that I learn a great deal about myself and I find out what I truly stand for.

"Above all else, guard your heart"

The prettiest "Gem" of all.

We had a full and exciting weekend.  Miss Emily Kate was the star of her school play...well, to me anyway:)

She did great on her song and dance and had the best time performing Friday and Saturday night with her friends.

I was able to take a few pictures before and after the show.   

Mommy and the "star" of Aladdin Jr.

I'll have to post the photos of her on stage later...due to Disney copyrights, we were not allowed to photograph the play.  Funny how a professional photographer was allowed to take pictures that we will be able to purchase:) 

Flowers for the "actress".

My Christmas Gift

This past Christmas, I received a gift that will be treasured forever.

Emily's teacher had the students make calendars for their parents as Christmas Gifts.  They worked very hard on them for several weeks in class.  Since Emily usually can't keep secrets, I was very happy to be  pleasantly surprised on Christmas morning.

The idea was to have the children use their handprints and finger prints with paint to make pictures that went with that particular month.  Along with each picture, there's a cute poem. 

Can you see why I love it so much? 

January is over, but here's a look at her artwork for the first month of the New Year. 

Only 8 days into February...not so late:)

Don't you just LOVE those handprints and fingerprints?  

So do I...especially since they're contained on the paper!

Hugs, 

~Kimberly

Emmie Kate

To say Emily keeps me on my toes, is a small understatement.  The things this girl comes up with are hysterical, and her way of communicating is priceless.  You see, Emily is a straight A student, but it comes with a lot of hard work.  She has a different way of learning and comprehending. Therefore, when she is telling or explaining something, she may not exactly get all of her facts correct!  One day she let me know, "When I grow up, I want to be a vegetarian...you know, take care of the animals when they are sick!" :)  The time she needed to review for her math test and was trying to get out of it...her response was, "It's not the end of the world if I don't pass that test, Mom".  Nice!

Her interests range from sports to dance and she loves being in her school play.  Emily is currently in the thick of rehearsals for the upcoming school play "Aladdin Junior", while taking her hip hop dance class every week.
As with Maddie, I am so proud of my baby girl.  Life is never dull with her. 

Emily before her dance recital last May

Happy Birthday, My Friend

My computer background reads, "She is clothed in strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future".  It's there to inspire me, a goal I can only hope to achieve.  However, this definition could easily describe my precious friend, Ashley.
She celebrates her ?? birthday today:)  Happy Birthday, Ash!  Even though I'm a little older...just a little...she is a beautiful example strength, grace, and kindness.  Through life's tragedies, it's so easy to become angry and resentful.  My friend has shown such peace and dignity through difficult circumstances.  Just watching her live her life is an inspiration to me everyday.  When I start to have a "pity party" , her example reminds me that things really aren't so bad.

We may go several weeks without talking(our daily afternoon calls are few and far between, since our children's schedule's consume us), but we always pick up where we left off.  Being her friend is so easy, and there's no pressure to be something I'm not.  I could only hope she feels the same about me:)  
I miss our "choir practice chats", the "looks" we would flash each other if we saw something amusing, and so much more.  As teenagers, I'm not sure who hated early mornings more, Ashley or me.  We would get up to get dressed on Sunday mornings and neither one of us would speak until we were in the car on the way to church.  My stomach turns just thinking about all of those late night runs to Taco Bell...Chili Cheese Burrito anyone?   I'm still not sure what possessed us to tan on her roof for all to see! Ha!  Anything for a little tan:)
Even with the changes in friendship, true friends will always be there.  We may not talk everyday, but we are still as close as ever.  That's true friendship! 

I love you, Ashley.  Happy Birthday to the strongest woman I know.  Thank you for being a true example of strength and grace.  

Madelyn Christine

My "Big Girl" just finished her first season as a cheerleader.  I still cannot believe this young lady, who  gave me the name "mommy" is in middle school.

We are slowly getting little glimpses of what's to come when she is a teenager...God, help me:)
Even though she has her moments, I could not be more proud of the young woman she is turning into.  I can handle the occasional "eye roll" and grunts of frustration when she's asked to do something she doesn't want to do.  My daily prayer over Maddie Girl is that she keeps a sweet spirit and kind heart. Telling my girls how to act and showing them on a daily basis are two different things.  I pray for God's strength and wisdom everyday... that I may be the example to the girls that He wants me to be.

Go Hornets!

Hugs,

Kimberly

Thankful

Today, I am reminded of all there is to be thankful for.  Sometimes, I get very distracted with things that are not so important.  I love a clean and tidy house...today, I looked on as dolls, crayons, books and electronics scattered across the living room floor.  The mess could wait.  The girls started talking about when "they were little"...they are so big now:)  One of the things they remembered watching was Psalty the singing songbook.  Anyone remember him?  He was a huge blue, walking, talking songbook.  His show would include music and would always have a story line that taught kids bible based lessons...think, "Christian Barney". Ha!  The girls would love to sing and dance and act as their favorite characters.  I could remember getting so tired of hearing those songs over and over...today, we "You Tubed" some of their favorites, and I listened with tears in my eyes as they sang along.

It is the little things in life that are often taken for granted.
My heart is heavy today for some of our extended family and another sweet family from our home church.  Each of these precious families lost a loved one...both unexpected.  It echoed to me how we are not promised tomorrow.  My thoughts and prayers are with all of them.
My house may be messy some days.  Other days, I may want to put earplugs in my ears to block out the girls' arguing, and their repetitive song selections.  During these days, may I stop, listen, and enjoy.   May I be so grateful that I have two healthy daughters and just take in the moment.  These times are like a vapor, as they come and go so quickly.

My goal today was to live life, laugh out loud, and love big...mission accomplished!


Hugs,
Kimberly xo

A New Year

Wow, another year has come and gone.  I am amazed at how quickly time is passing.  I'm still trying to figure out how I am "mommy"  to an 11 year old and a 7 year old...didn't I just have my 21st birthday? :)
Throughout all of life's joys and sorrows, ups and downs, and good and bad, I still try to focus on all of the blessings that I really don't deserve.  I stand in awe of God's grace to me.  One of the many lessons I've learned in 2011 is God's timing is perfect.  He is never early or never late.  His delays are intentional and are loaded with purpose.  As I sit and wait, may I fill the purpose He has for me and become what He wants me to be.
May 2012 be a blessed year!


                              Much Love,
                             ~Kimberly