Have a good time thinking this one up!
CELEBRATING BEING A FIRST-TIME MOM
This was my very first Mother’s Day as an “official” MOM! I’ve been a stepmother for 6 years, a foster mother for 3 years; but this was my very first Mother’s Day since adopting Stinkpot.
The time I enjoy most as a mother is watching my kids laughing and playing, and I wanted this on Mother’s Day. Originally, I wanted to have a picnic in the park just enjoying the kids being kids, but the weather was threatening, SO…
I chose to have my Mother’s Day luncheon at…
CHUCK E. CHEESE!
My husband hesitantly obliged — He wanted to take me to a nice restaurant to treat me with a special meal.
But before you say I’m crazy let me tell you what I was thinking…
The kids wouldn’t enjoy sitting still in a nice restaurant, we wouldn’t enjoy making them sit still, and the meal would end with us making a mad dash out the door while Stinkpot made a huge scene. Not exactly my idea of enjoyable.
Tell me! Is that nuts? Should I have requested a nicer meal than pizza?
Here is my story…
When I was 5 years old, my dad took me to the old K-Mart on New Road to buy a gift for Mother’s Day. His idea was to buy her an LP album of her favorite music, but this strong-willed little girl saw the “Cinderella” album and just KNEW my mother wanted that album.
Dad asked me as he picked up a Percy Sledge album,
“Don’t you think she would like this one better?”
“Oh no, Daddy, she would like Cinderella!”He purchased 2 albums & I ran excitedly to my mother to give her the gift I just knew she would love!
As she looked at the Cinderella album in her hands, I exclaimed, “Mommy, don’t you want to listen to Cinderella?”
“Oh no, Sweetheart. Why don’t you go to your room & listen to it?” And off I went, so happy on Mother’s Day!
So let me tell you – I had a GREAT Mother’s Day at Chuck E. Cheese!
(plus there was hardly anyone else there!)
Here’s a picture my husband took of me laughing with Lil Bit, our 9-month-old foster baby.
I’ve entered it in this week’s I Heart Faces photography challenge – Celebrating Mom.
Click on this link to head over to their incredible website & check out all the inspiring photos celebrating mom!
How did you celebrate Mother’s Day?
Have a great week!
Hugs to y’all!
~penny
THEN & NOW – A Forever Friendship
“It’s impossible to believe that Deanna, Shannon, Ann & I have been friends for over 30 years!
We became friends in first grade and grew up together. We’ve shared many firsts together: reading our first book, losing our first tooth, going on our first field trip, having our first crush, and plying our first “Truth or Dare”.
Unbeknownst to them, these girls became my rock, my escape, and, in essence, my extended family when my own family broke apart during my parents’ divorce. Our private lunches behind the curtains on the cafeteria stage comforted me through that tumultuous time.
When we graduated together in 1983, we were the last class of CSHS to attend first through twelfth grades at the same campus.
Even with me living away from Waco for nearly 20 years, we’ve kept in touch, and I have always felt like I could come “home”.
Deanna, Shannon, & Ann have become family to me and are a part of my heritage.”
I entered this in a fun photography challenge on the IHeartFaces website for the theme “Then & Now.”
Do you have childhood friends with which you still keep in touch?
Have a great week!
Hugs to y’all!
~penny
SNOW DAY IN TEXAS!!!!
My husband LOVED this…..
The other day after work, I dropped by a local camera store for a hands-on look at a camera I’ve been eyeing for a few weeks now. (though I really don’t NEED another camera)
The young salesman was doing a great job of demonstrating the different features of their line of Canon cameras (my favorite). As we were talking, I pulled out my camera to show him a few of my pictures & get some advice on how to improve them.
As I was showing him pictures of our new 4-month-old foster baby that we’re hoping to adopt, he smiled & said, “CUTE GRANDBABY!”
Given that statement, I will NOT be purchasing from him!
Bundle up & have a GREAT weekend with your loved ones!
Hugs to you all!
Christmas Lights….Continued
Stinkpot really enjoyed driving us through the park!
A cute winter village.
And even a patriotic display.
As we left the park, we had to drive through this crazy tunnel of flashing lights.
This was such a fun family Christmas outing, we’ll look forward to it next year.
SNAPFISH – BUY 1 GET 1 FREE PHOTO BOOK
SNAPFISH is having a Buy 1 Get 1 FREE sale on their Custom Cover 8×11 photobooks. Each book has 20 to 150 pages and sells for $29.99. Just put 2 of the 8×11 photobooks in you cart & use the coupon code FALLBOOKS09. This promotion expires Friday, November 6th.
Frustrations of a Working Mom
Today Walgreen’s had a WONDERFUL special to benefit the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Breast Cancer Foundation. They were offering photo DVDs for only $1 and donating that to the cure. I put together a DVD of 80 pictures of my foster girl to give to her mother this week. My hope is that it will give her the motivation to get her life on track, if not for herself, but for her little girl.
Lately, I’ve been struggling with trying to juggle it all! I have responsibilities at my job, at home, at church & even by being part of a local cancer non-profit. I want to be the best mother to my 2 toddlers & don’t want to short-change them. Sometimes I feel as if I’m spread too thin & feel insufficient in every aspect of my life.
I found this handy little chart that I’m going to print & start using these verses to turn around those negative thoughts & lift my spirits when I am feeling insufficient. My hope is that God blesses you this week!
HANDY LITTLE CHART – GOD HAS A POSITIVE ANSWER:
YOU SAY |
GOD SAYS |
BIBLE VERSES |
You say: ‘It’s impossible’ |
God says: All things are possible |
(Luke 18:27) |
You say: ‘I’m too tired’ |
God says: I will give you rest |
(Matthew 11:28-30) |
You say: ‘Nobody really loves me’ |
God says: I love you |
(John 3:1 6 & John 3:34 ) |
You say: ‘I can’t go on’ |
God says: My grace is sufficient |
(II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15) |
You say: ‘I can’t figure things out’ |
God says: I will direct your steps |
(Proverbs 3:5- 6) |
You say: ‘I can’t do it’ |
God says: You can do all things |
( Phil ippians 4:13) |
You say: ‘I’m not able’ |
God says: I am able |
(II Corinthians 9:8) |
You say: ‘It’s not worth it’ |
God says: It will be worth it |
(Roman 8:28 ) |
You say: ‘I can’t forgive my self’ |
God says: I Forgive you |
(I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1) |
You say: ‘I can’t manage’ |
God says: I will supply all your needs |
( Phil ippians 4:19) |
You say: ‘I’m afraid’ |
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear |
(II Timothy 1:7) |
You say: ‘I’m always worried and frustrated’ |
God says: Cast all your cares on ME |
(I Peter 5:7) |
You say: ‘I’m not smart enough’ |
God says: I give you wisdom |
(I Corinthians 1:30) |
You say: ‘I feel all alone’ |
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you |
(Hebrews 13:5) |