Late Turns Perfect

We have all been there. The event starts at 4:40. It is currently 4:51 and we are stuck on the freeway, no way off, and no movement. Typically, we are late for work. Yet, today's event was of far more importance. The back seat held my beautiful 3 yr old daughter who was explaining to me that, "Mommy, if you roll down my window I will yell at all these people to go cause we have to go see Tangled. " Ah! The easy solution..
Did I dare confess that I didn't quite know how to get to where we were going even if the traffic did start to clear out, which it obviously wasn't because we were in a 'construction zone'? No, instead I praise God when my dear friend, Jonna, calls to the rescue telling me to take the next exit and then zips me right over to the mall. Now, the theater is in the mall and I follow the signs telling me where to park. BIG mistake! The time is currently 5:10. We still have to walk 1/2 of the mall to get to the theater, get tickets, and go potty. Did I mention the movie started at 4:40? I am realizing this is just not going to happen without us missing half of the movie. At this point I am a bit disheartened. I have already spoken to God. "Lord, I know that there is a reason for this.. I just don't like being late. Did you have me miss a car accident? I know you are going to bring good out of this. Can I see that good now? Before I tell my daughter we have missed the last 3D showing of Tangled?" Okay, so it wasn't really the last. There were 2 more showings. One at 7:10 and one at 11:00. I broke down and called the dear husband, letting him know our situation. We decide that Micaiah and I would have dinner and attend the 7:10 showing despite the fact that she did not nap and that bed time is at 8.

After stopping at the Disney store for a Tangled shirt, we picked up a few flowered tiaras. Micaiah decides she wants to eat at the Alligator Place AKA The Rain Forest Cafe. Our table mate was a gorilla with the elephants near by. We chatted about the animals and waterfall over our shared burger and fries. What a pleasant evening this is turning out to be!

After leisurely roaming the restaurant we head to the theater to grab our tickets and super cool glasses. We stop for a quick photo shot as we enter the theater. And then another before the movie starts. Check out the new shirt and Isnt she ADORABLE?!?!



The movie was very cute. Micaiah's first princess movie, our first 3D experience, and our first Mommy/Daughter date.

I praise God that there was construction on 114 today. I thank Him that we left when we did and not a moment sooner. I am so grateful that HE recognizes how very special mommy/daughter time can be and that HE makes it happen in even Bigger ways than I plan. My God knows just what I need, when I need it, and He provides. Tonight, He provided in spite of my questioning and grumbling.. just as He often does. What a precious Savior I have and what a Precious little girl He has entrusted me with!

The first of many..

The first of many.. doesn't that define most of our lives? Each day seems to be filled with the 'first of many's. With three small children, I am realizing that I should have started blogging years ago, but alas time escaped me as it does most of us. This year I have decided that I will blog. I don't know at which point I become a actual blogger.. is there an initiation? criteria? specifications? I don't know rules or vocabulary or what is proper. I guess this will be a learning experience!

Back to the first of many.. Lately, our lives have been filled with many firsts. Micaiah has started reading her first book. Okay, so it is mostly memorized or pictures..but she gets the words right and points to them:) Being a teacher, that makes me proud. She is always eager to do school work. Sweet Charis (I put that descriptor there to remind myself) has start saying many things that just amaze us. She has always been eloquent. Speaking clearly has been a blessing for her since she was 1, and a curse for Micaiah who struggles with certain sounds. But it isnt always HOW Charis speaks that is so amazing.. it is WHAT she says that blows most of us away..just under a year ago while sitting in Chick-fil-A she saw the cow and says, 'COOOOOWWWW!!! EAT IT!" okay.. what 1 year old knows that you eat cows? seriously?? Just yesterday as I helped her clean up her blocks it was "Oh Mommy! Good Job! You cleaning the blocks!! You like that, huh? You a GOOD helper, Mommy!" Yes, she is two.. TWO!!! And lets not forget my sweet little man who nicely said "cook" as I walked into the kitchen two days ago.. at 14 months old that word should NOT be in his vocabulary! He is now running instead of walking and is one of the happiest babies I have seen..well, as long as I am in sight. He is becoming more of a Daddy's boy and it is super sweet to see him light up and yell at the sight of Daddy.

Another first this year is the church.. Yes, it is our first church.. no, it isnt our first year and it is definitely not going to have its first struggles. Yet, this is the first year that we have been fully staffed and ready to reach out and DO ministry. We are so excited to see what God is going to do in and through Maplewood. With Gary's love for the Word and getting it into peoples lives and the talent that we have coming in along with the servant hearts that fill our staff, I know God has good things in store for us.