history and my honey.

charleston, sc

[click picture for more photos]

really enjoyed our time together.
the history in charleston is so great.
first day we went to the visitor center
and decided
that
we
were
going
to
do
a walking tour on our own.
it was the cheapest [$5 for a book to help us navigate and know some facts]
and it was the most fun because we could talk and stumble together along
the very old
very bumpy
cobblestone/brick walkways.
as i looked all around me at the homes and streets all i could think was "people actually live in these historical buildings and walk these streets!....what would that feel like to be a part of so much history?"
learned some really neat facts.
the old dungeon was cool.
to be where George Washington had been.
to hear the stories.
it was truly awesome!
jeff and i stayed in our sweet little camper.
went out to dinner one night
but
my favorite dinner was the one we prepared ourselves
steamed shrimp
salad
a little wine
cantaloupe for dessert
and
a good game
of
bananagrams [thank you to kim for introducing this fabulous game into our lives].
we really enjoyed each others company and were able to talk without interruption.
it was blissful!

can't wait to do it again!

happy tuesday.
alicia

relationships.

excerpt from Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge

Our enemy despises relationship, hates love in any form, fears its redemptive power. This is why God sent Eve. Women are needed to protect relationships, bring them back to center stage where they belong. You might at times feel like the only one who cares. But as women we must hang onto this-that because of the Trinity, relationship is the most important thing in the universe. Let us not give way or yield our intuitive sense of the importance of relationship for anything.

It is here, starting in our circles of intimacy, that we are first and foremost women. You have an irreplaceable role in your relationships. No one can be to the people in your life who you can be to them. No one can offer what you can offer. There are many things God calls us to do, but loving well always comes first. And don't your relationships feel opposed? Of course. They must be fought for.

Satan knew that to take out Adam, all he had to do was take out Eve. It worked rather well, and he has not abandoned the basic plan ever since. Your place in the world as God's heart for relationship is vital. All the Enemy has to do to destroy people's lives is to get them isolated, a lamb separated from the flock. To do this he removes the treasures in their life. He makes a woman feel like, "What do I have to offer, really? They're probably doing fine." Don't you believe it for a moment. You have been sent by the Trinity on behalf of love, of relationships. Fight for them.

read these few paragraphs last night before bed. felt very convicted to stop and let these words resonate in my heart. i have treasures in my life. however, i find myself not fighting for those relationships. mostly fine with just letting them go [so i thought]. turns out letting them go, letting them fade hurts me very much and never really thought about how much it hurts my Savior....the one who loved more than anyone....enough to die for me. this is my cross. i really feel the Enemy holding tight to me on this one. he would love nothing more than to see me continue to fail in this area. the one area that God calls me to really shine as a woman, wife, mother, and friend.

please join me in ongoing prayer for all women. that we can continue to place importance in the relationships that God calls us to have with one another.

happy friday.
alicia

good morning katydid.

we have taken the week off of school to play with grandma leann.
backyard play, sewing doll clothes, library visits, discovery place, dinner, water ice factory.
and now
jeff and i
are headed to Charleston to camp for the weekend.
yes, it is going to rain the entire time.
yes, we are going to have fun.
thankful that grandma is excited to stay with the kids.
thankful for this time with jeff.
thankful for little buggy creatures that land on our windows so we can see them up close.
have a blessed weekend.
edited: thank you shannon for reminding me that just cuz we're not doin' worksheets and narrating doesn't mean we're not doin' school....this is the school of life baby! even better!
love you mama!
happy thursday.
alicia

this is easier.

been doing some digital scrapbooking lately.
absolutely love it.
in order to let you all know what we have been up to
i
have
decided
to post some layouts.
if you click on them you can see them closer.
more to come.

happy sunday.
alicia

she is 12 today.

my sweet megan. we used to call her "punkin".
my baby girl has grown up so much.
she is beautiful.
both inside and out.
she is a young lady now.
helping me in the house.
she has plans.
she makes them happen.
she is my drama mama.
i am so proud of her and what God has done through her.
i pray for a blessed birthday for her
full of lots of love
and fun!
happy birthday sweetheart!
i love you very much!

happy 12th birthday day!
alicia

*sorry about the not blogging thing lots of school planning and fun. update soon.

huit. octo. otto. ocho. acht. eight.

she is 8 today.
she got her last PIF [princess in the forest] yesterday.
she is working very hard at learning to ride her bike all by herself.
[determined to be a part of our family bike ride in 20 days.]
she has strength and determination that is unending.
she has a deep caring soul.
she loves to love.
she loves to laugh and make you laugh.
she reminds me so much of my grandma.
she makes up songs and they just happen to rhyme.
it would be so easy for me to say, "that's my girl!"
BUT
i truly can not take the credit for the beauty He has created in her.
a gift to all that she meets.
i love you sweet girl.
"happy happy birthday. this hat is my hat, it makes me feel fine."
this song is by Laurie Berkner and approximately 5 or so years ago we were on vacation.
very late at night.
and could not find the campsite.
completely frustrated out of our minds.
jeff and i hear from the backseat Lauren singing these words in her sweet little voice.
lots of laughter ensued.

happy friday.
alicia

04.05.06.07.08.09 party!

today we were invited to a 04:05:06 pm on 07/08/09 party!
very fun event.
games.
treats.
snacks.
and great company.
a blessing
for one
run
down
tired
mom
with
3
very
energetic and
so NOT
tired
children.

those 2 red beauties were yummy! our first fruits of the garden. we have been enjoying cucumbers for a few weeks but these guys are awesome. nothing like that taste of a home-grown tomato.

happy wednesday!
alicia