The Graduate and the Baseball Player

My princess graduated from pre-school!  They had a little ceremony, where they were each presented with a folder of the work they had completed over the last year.  It is amazing how much she has learned!  They also sang a few songs for us and then had a little reception.  Hannah said goodbye to all of the friends she has made this year and her two wonderful teachers.  I am so thankful for Mrs. Lehman and Mrs. Halley.  They really worked hard to make the kids feel special and at home in their classroom.  Hannah had a great year!

My dad was in town for the weekend, so he was able to attend the ceremony with us.  After lunch, he and Hannah went to the park and to get ice cream together.  I think it is really special for the grandkids to get to spend one-on-one time with their grandparents!  That night Dad took Harry to a baseball game.  He had so much fun!  He got to eat all kinds of junk at the game (plus the trip to Dairy Queen on the way home!).  We weren't sure how long he would last, but Dad said he made it all the way to the 6th inning before deciding that it was time to go get ice cream.  When he got home, he went on an on about the "baseball guys" and how they slid into base.  It was adorable!    

Sisters, Mothers and Grandmothers

I had a real treat a couple of weekends ago--I was able to spend some time with my sister, mother and my grandmother.  When we all lived in closer proximity to one another, we saw each other all the time.  Now that we are further away, our visits are less frequent, but more valued and cherished.  On Saturday the "ladies" all went out to lunch.  Hannah felt so special to get to join in the grown-up fun!  It was a sweet time.  I so enjoyed visiting with Grandma (my dad's mom).  She has such good insight on the important things in life.  She has lived a full and blessed life of 83 years.  It was a joy to be in her company.  

On Sunday, we all got together for Mother's Day and were a part of my nephew's baptism.  It's always sweet to see Pampa baptize his grandchildren.  It was so great to worship and celebrate together.  We are so thankful for the youngest member of our family, little Liam!  

I am thankful that I was able to celebrate Mother's Day with some of the most important women in my life.  I am thankful for all they have given to me and instilled in me!  I hope to be as encouraging and inspiring to my own daughter as they have been to me.  I have been blessed to have been surrounded by such a loving group of women all of my life.  I love you Mama, Joanna, Mimi and Grandma!  You are truly women whose worth is far above jewels.

P.S.  Nana would want me to clarify, that in the above picture, she is partaking of ROOT beer.  Just in case you were curious. :) 

Callouses in the Creator's Hands

So today, when we were riding around town, Hannah asked me why animals don't have to wear shoes.  I told her that God gave them "built in" shoes by creating them with paws, hooves, talons (and yes, I actually said "talons" which gave me a flashback to Napoleon Dynamite).  I said, "Their feet are hard already, so they don't need to wear shoes."  Harry pipes up, "Yeah, like me!".  Harry seriously has the nastiest feet I have ever seen on a man this side of 70.  I've had to take a pumice to them several times all ready.  Ken has nick-named him "hammer toe", it's just that bad.  Well, I'm happy that his massive callouses are seen by him as a special gift from his Creator!  Now he has another reason why he won't want to wear shoes when we go outside. :)

All this makes me think...what things in my life do I see as hindrances, ugliness, defectiveness, that my Creator had given me?  What brokenness is their in my life, that I think is holding me back?  Could my "callouses" actually be assets?  In God's hands, they can be!  What an encouraging thought.  Left to myself, my weaknesses will always be just that.  Weaknesses.  Given to God, to His purposes, my weaknesses can become a venue for His strength!  What a crazy thought, that God can actually be MORE glorified, BETTER served, more PURELY loved when I bring my weaknesses to Him, rather than trying to be strong on my own!  After all, HIS power is made perfect through MY weakness!  So, cheers to my weaknesses, my frailties, my ugliness!  May God take them and make them a place where other's see His beauty in me.