The Father's Love

Source: Uploaded by user via Melissa on Pinterest

Jeremiah 29:11  For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.  

Absolute Love

Tonight as we got you in your jammies, you asked me if I was absolutely 978, 763, 679 bazillion percent sure that I love you. ABSOLUTELY! I wonder sometimes how you can doubt it or maybe you just like throwing around those BIG numbers. =) Even if you ask me 978, 763, 679 bazillion times, I will always say yes. The answer is always yes.

Here it is a few hours later and you are sweetly sleeping after some really cozy snuggles, hugs, and kisses. I love the smell of your hair and how ticklish you are on your neck, sweet girl. You are my sunshine and so much more.

I love your giggles and your sense of humor - your use of humor. Oh, how you try to make me laugh in every situation (they are not all laughing matters, but you don't need to know that right now).  I love how you are so helpful to others, in little things and big things. You are so quick to offer up your piggy bank for every need noticed or perceived (like when I wanted to go to Uncle Tommy's funeral - oh, my heart hurts) or how you wrote those sweet notes to Abbi & Grandma Contino. You think of others and that's just how God wants us to be. God reminds me through you that He is a creative, loving, gracious, and generous God. You are surely precious in His sight because He loves you even more than I do and that's quite alot of love.

I know you can't stop growing. Like you say, "God made me to grow, Mama." I wish time would just move a bit more slowly so I can soak in these sweet moments. I love you, Gracie Cakes. I found this little heartfelt saying a bit ago. It really captures what my heart is singing tonight. Here's to you - from my heart to yours~

To My Sweet Daughter:


Your wee little life has changed me. The day you were born was a new beginning for me, too; a change that will forever lay soft on my heart. Everything in my life is sweeter because of you.  The days and fleeting moments with you are only a breath in time.  They linger briefly and fly away on the wings of tomorrow. You are precious in every way; the sunshine of my day. You are the joy in my soul and the love of my life.
Love you forever and more,
Mama

by Patsy Gaut - though the love you forever and more part is all mine =)

On The Radio

We love Shine 89 radio. It gets us going in the morning and keeps us singing until we say our best, worst, and prayers at bedtime. Truth is, Shine is usually always playing. I just love that our home is bathed with good stuff; stuff that makes heaven smile and let's the enemy know he is on fighting ground. We are to create a place for Christ to dwell and our worship invites Him to abide. Then there is the part how we just love Christian music. Shine keeps us covered in more ways than one.

Now that the alarm wakes us up before the sun, we are loving the Early Morning Show with Kurt Wallace

(Go CARDS).  The Gracie girl LOVES that Birthday game. We called in this morning and Grace made her radio debut. Sweet...my goodness, that girl sounded so sweet over the airwaves; but I digress.

You can play the birthday game if a family member is born in the designated month. She has a papa in the month they called out and was invited to tell why she loved her papa. It made my heart all melty when she talked about why she loved her papa.  I think Kurt (Go CARDS!) was more bummed than Grace when the birthday wheel landed two days away from papa's birthday. He said he almost moved the wheel back just so she could win just because she was too cute. That guy is full of integrity so no cheating, but we did win a cool Matthew West CD AND there may even be an extra something else in that Shine package for Gracie. That is just cool, I tell you.

Shine 89, WE LOVE YOU!
AND big news for mom. I submitted my application for graduation! YEAH me!! I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Aug 5th! Long road, but worth it. That's my faith talking. =) It's well past the best, worst & prayer time. Got to go to BED! Night folks.

PS - I recorded Gracie's radio shout out, but it didn't take. Wonder if I can get a hold of that clip somehow?? Would be a sweet addition to the Grace FULL Days blog, don't you think?

Down on Papa's Farm

Momenti-di-Cattura with Merideth Powers

Momenti-di-Cattura with Merideth Powers

Momenti-di-Cattura with Merideth Powers

Gracie takes control of the wheel - photo by Merideth Powers, Momenti di Cattura

Photo by Merideth Powers, Momenti-di-Cattura

Photo by Merideth Powers, Momenti-di-Cattura

Photo by Merideth Powers, Momenti-di-Cattura

Photo by Merideth Powers, Momenti-di-Cattura

Photo credits to Merideth Powers, Momenti-di-Cattura

Grace

Grace - this is for you; just so you know how much you mean to me: 

Hokey Pokey - That's What It's All About!

From the first day I brought Grace home from the hospital, I sang the Hokey Pokey song when I changed her diaper or clothes.  She learned her body parts early.  Just think how many times she heard the song by the time she was one year old? Quite the motivating song, we sang it as she learned to dress herself. It's so endearing song. When mother's have little one who aren't yet talking, I encourage them to sing songs with repetitive lines -- a song easily incorporated into their daily routine. Guess what song fits the bit perfectly? YES, it's the Hokey Pokey! I giggled this morning when I saw this Hokey Pokey button on Facebook. Giggled out loud. =) This belongs on Pinterest for sure! 

Resolution

I resolve to...

• read something
• write something
• work something
• pause somewhere
• sing something
• call someone
• pray often
• and love constantly

every day


by Tony Hill

Wisdom

I've been posting pinning over on Pinterest about lots of things, among them- wisdom. Don't ask me how I got there, but I stumbled upon a blog post over at StickyJesus.com all about wisdom in a mere three words; an entire post of 3 bite bits of wisdom. I have to share the whole thing, because it is going to help me say more with less. I hope it is also helpful to Grace FULL readers now and later, down the road awhile. Here goes:
“. . . God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.” ~Eccl. 5:2


by Toni Birdsong
In the abbreviated world of social networks, we attempt to share the depths and riches of God’s word in status updates, comment boxes, and 140 character tweets.

To get your creative muscle amped, we’d like to get you thinking in even shorter bursts of truth. Here’s a list of 100 Three-Word Power Posts. All express God’s word.

Remember, living out your faith online isn’t about how much scripture you can wallpaper onto the web. It’s about you being in such exciting fellowship with God that the notes from that conversation easily fall onto the pages of every other conversation you hold.

Feel free to cut and paste these posts for your own tweets or status updates.

You might be surprised how just three words can minister to others—when those three words are scriptural. Be sure to bless us with your own Three-Word Power Posts in the comment section—after all it is potluck Friday!

Share Christ
1. He. Turns. Tides.
2. God. Fills. Gaps.
3. His. Hands. Hold.
4. God. Is. Love.
5. Be. Still. Know.
6. God. Is. Bigger.
7. Therefore. Be. Holy.
8. He. Is. Able.
9. God. My. Portion
10. God. Whispers. Grace.
11. Fixed. On. Heaven.
12. Ransomed. By. Love.
13. God. Hears. You.
14. God. Patiently. Waits.
15. Make. Christ. Known.
16. Christ. My. Portion.
17. God. Of. Everything.
18. His. Love. Rescues.
19. Seek. Him. First.
20. Yes. God. Can.
21. God’s. Love. Pursues.
22. God. So. Loved.
23. In. His. Keeping.
24. Come. Follow. Me.
25. He. Fails. Not.

Share Grace
1. Allow. For. Imperfection.
2. Extend. Astonishing. Grace.
3. Drop. Your. Net.
4. Mercy. Never. Leaves.
5. Beauty. For. Ashes.
6. His. Anchor. Holds.
7. Be. Not. Afraid.
8. Prayer. Changes. Everything.
9. Forgive. The. Unforgivable.
10. Pray. Don’t. Pace.
11. Surrender. Your. Past.
12. I’m. His. Beloved.
13. Love. Children. Unconditionally.
14. Grace. Is. Enough.
15. Pursue. God’s. Heart.
16. Holy. Spirit. Come.
17. Relationship. Over. Religion.
18. One. Empty. Tomb.
19. Fear. No. Evil.
20. My. Cup. Overflows.
21. Jesus. Loves. Anyway.
22. God. Dwells. Here.
23. Christ. My. Rock.
24. Express. Joy. Fiercely.
25. Give. Yourself. Grace.

Share Hope
1. Live. With. Compassion.
2. Pray. Through. Doubt.
3. Out. Pray. Fear.
4. Advance. Through. Fear.
5. Trust. God. Infinitely.
6. Invest. Time. Generously.
7. Speak. God’s. Word.
8. Share. Christ. Abundantly.
9. Echo. Love. Loudly.
10. Enjoy. God. Forever.
11. War. Like. David.
12. Lazarus. Come. Out!
13. God. My. Fortress.
14. More. Than. Conquerors.
15. Anchored. To. Heaven.
16. Be. Not. Afraid.
17. Take. Thoughts. Captive.
18. Yet. I. Praise.
19. Pray. Down. Walls.
20. Shine. Your. Light.
21. Live. In. Peace.
22. Exalt. Him. Together.
23. Show. Yourself. Faithful.
24. Give. Honest. Answers.
25. Plant. Joy. Liberally.

Share Love
1. Love. Even. Though.
2. Love. Covers. Sin.
3. Unleash. Crazy. Love.
4. Love. Never. Fails.
5. Love. The. Unlovable.
6. Love. Is. Kind.
7. Love. One. Another.
8. Let. Love. Rule.
9. Love. Conquers. All.
10. Love. Your. Enemies.
11. Let. Striving. Cease.
12. Labor. In. Love.
13. Extend. Indestructible. Love.
14. Relieve. Your. Brother.
15. Feed. My. Sheep.
16. Wash. Their. Feet.
17. Salt. And. Light.
18. Love. Like. Crazy.
19. Surrender. To. Love.
20. Love. Heals. Deep.
21. Speak. Love. Always.
22. Love. Without. Condition.
23. Love. Breaks. Chains.
24. Forgive. Them. Anyway.
25. Love. Always. Wins.

What’s God stirring in your heart today? Share it in 3 words (as many as you’d like!) . . .

Rules of the Road

It's so simple people. Drive right, pass left

Drive right, pass left is the law in Germany; yet, another thing I love about Deutchland. =) Just do it! Photo shared by Val from FB poster, Cheri Peters Lee, who likely poached from someone else. Nonetheless, this truth must be shared.

New Beginnings

Gracie is off and running in Second grade. New school, new friends, new routines. After a lengthy discussion about whether she wanted me to take her to school or ride the bus, she went to bed a car rider the night before and woke up a bus rider. =) A girl's prerogative is to change her mind. So, cutie Gracie rode the bus to school for the very 1st time.  Albeit she hasn't ridden the bus to or from since, but that's fodder for another blog post. Happy school year, little Miss Grace. You are my pride and joy. I just can't smile big enough to express my delight in the charming young lady you are growing to be. 

Gracie ist ausgeschaltet und läuft in der zweiten Klasse. Neue Schule, neue Freunde, neue Routinen. Nach längerer Diskussion etwa ob sie wollte mich zu ihrzur Schule nehmen oder reiten den Bus ging sie ein Auto rider der Nacht vor bed and wachte einen Bus rider. =) Ein Mädchen das Vorrecht ist es, sie umzustimmen. So ritt Cutie Gracie dem Bus zur Schule für die sehr 1st time. Nun hat sie sich nicht mit dem Bus zu oder von da geritten, aber das ist Futter für dieanderen Blog-Post. Glückliche Schuljahr, kleine Miss Grace. Sie sind mein ganzer Stolz. Ich kann einfach nicht lächeln groß genug, um meine Freude in die charmante junge Dame, die du immer sein werden auszudrücken.

Baby Love & Then Some

Gracie is vacationing with friends who love like family in Kentucky and Missouri while I prepare yet again for qualifying exams in a couple of weeks. She held her own for the first three days, keeping our conversations very brief and mostly on the topic of the care package. =) Last night, she called all weepy. She realizes now how much she misses me and promises that she does not want to leave me again. All future vacations will be together she declared. Also, she has lifted the ban on Baby Love, a pet name I swiped from Auntie Nae. On her 7th birthday she announced I could no longer call her Baby Love, nor could I sing the song that typically follows the sweet name calling. Devastation. Yes, I was devastated. Oh, and if I slipped up - she called me out on it. Sadness~ Well, happy days are here again because I can once again call her Baby Love. I sung her to sleep last night.  Tonight she called up with a request to read a book. She picked one and so did I.  She chose "Puppies, Puppies, Puppies," by Susan Meyers.  I picked "You Are My I Love You," by Maryann Cusimano.  Grace was enthralled with that sweet book and here is a bit of the why:

I am your parent; you are my child. I am your quiet place; you are my wild. 
I am your calm face; you are my giggle. I am your wait; you are my wiggle. 
I am your carriage ride; you are my queen.  I am your push; you are my swing.
I am you audience; you are my clown.  I am your London Bridge; you are my falling down.
I am your carrot sticks; you are my licorice.  I am your dandelion; you are my first wish.
I am your water wings; you are my deep.  I am your open arms; you are my running leap.
I am your way home; you are my new path. I am your dry towel; you are my wet bath.
I am your dinner; you are my chocolate cake. I am your bedtime; you are my wide awake.
I am your finish line; you are my race.  I am your praying hands; you are my saying grace.
I am your favorite book; you are my new lines.  I am your night-light; you are my starshine.
I am your lullaby; you are my peekaboo. I am your good-night kiss, you are my I love you. 

 Isn't that the sweetest book? Gracie added a couple more lines and then sang a song. I wish I could remember more of her sweet refrain.

You are my dream. I am your wish. You are the one I love most of all. We can always snuggle, both big and small.

Song: When I see you, you were there for me. I only look into you. You were always there for me. You were the one I trust the most. You were the one I loved because, you are loved so much. You were the one who made me. Say it together, you were the one that made my little body. You are the one who makes me come alive.

I have the sweetest girl EVER! Can't wait to hug that Baby Love!

CATS

Gracie recently wrapped up a 7 week summer enrichment program drama camp with the local high school performing CATS, the Musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber.  Talk about hard work...play, work, and learn. What's not to love? Five days a week; four to seven hours a day of singing, dancing, makeup, acting, and just hanging with the big kids was pure joy for the Gracie girl.   Two weeks into the program, Gracie asked me to go ahead and take money out of the bank to pay for next year's camp. She's THAT into it. =)

At the end of the first week, I peeked in for a few minutes.  "Now, don't be afraid, mom. When the show starts, they will pull the house lights down and it will get dark.  The house lights are the lights where the audience sits." That's right, they learned even theater lingo and technical terms.  In fact, the children were involved in every aspect of the production from makeup, choreography, set design, vocals, lighting, costumes...the whole nine yards. What an experience! In fact, upon leaving the set for the last time, Gracie thanked Mr Thorsky, program director, for the "glorious" experience. 

Preview Gala

As a mother, I finally felt the thrill and pride my mom must have experienced as she watched her kids involved in something worthwhile and fun.  Mom was usually involved in whatever we were doing; volunteering in some way - scouts, cheerleading, etc. She was so proud and supportive of our efforts.  I know what she was feeling; now I understand her joy. 

I just can't say enough good about the summer enrichment program and the drama camp. It made me want to invest my time and energy beyond multiple trips to the theater. I wanted to dive in head first and support the kids.  I recently saw this somewhere and it fit the situation:  Those who can, do. Those who can do more, volunteer. =) So, I earnestly helped with tickets and organized the cast party to show my appreciation for the efforts of the children and those involved in making the camp a success. Can't wait til next year.  Annie, here we come! 

Grace & the cast of CATS

Heavyside Layer

Bustopher Jones. Gracie loved hanging out on the car.

Fifi and Old Deuteronomy

Fifi and the Great Rumpus Cat

Munkustrap and Fifi

Skimbleshanks, Fifi, and Rum Tum Tugger

Gus, the theatre cat, Skimbleshanks, Fifi, and Rum Tum Tugger

Jennyanydots and the lady bug bunch

Fifi with the triumphant Siamese Kittens bringing Growltiger to justice! 

Ballet teacher, Ms. Teresa, came out to support her dancer girls in CATS!

Every Blooming Thing

That blog post sounds familiar. Hope I didn't use it before. =) Just wanted to post some recent pictures from my little garden spot. I'm loving it. Not digging the cutie chipmunk tearing up and tunneling in my geraniums, but I'm loving the colors of summer blooming in my yard. 

I don't have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness - it's right in front of me if I'm paying attention and practicing gratitude. Brene Brown