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