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

GG.

our beloved GG has passed.
for a long time now she has not been well.
many surgeries.
and strokes.
we are thankful that she passed peacefully
at home
with her son.
we will miss her very much
but
are
sure
that
she
is
much happier
where
she
is
now.
we love you GG.

blessed tuesday.
alicia

please stand by.

got lots to talk about
but
got
sick
kids.

happy tuesday.
alicia

conversations with jack.

jack: mommy? did you ever know there was a wasket in your basket?
me: there is?
jack: yes! there is!

happy thursday.
alicia

girls guess.

to my girls in florida.
can you guess where jack was yesterday?
i'm sure you won't have trouble figuring this out.
we missed you.
but the "little muffin man" and i are having a lot of fun.
i know you are having fun too.
love you both very much.

happy thursday.
mommy

day 3.

without going into too much detail.
i have spent the last month preparing
to
go
here.
this is the Mecklenburg County courthouse.
yes.
me.
without cheapening this experience for myself
what i really want anyone who reads this to know is
that
whatever
"IT"
is
HE
can
handle
it.
i see myself as a rule follower.
not knowing at all how this was going to go absolutely
could have torn me apart.
but
instead i asked my God, my shepherd, my Father,
my protector, my friend, to take this burden from me.
to do HIS will.
to give me the words.
the courage.
the strength.
and the peace
to
handle
whatever
the
outcome.
i stand here amazed at what HE can do.
what HE does every day for you and me.
i purposefully did not share this with many people.
i knew this was not going to be something i could fight with a lot of words.
and excuses.
from
the moment
IT
happened
i knew
a
humble
prayerful
attitude
was going to get me where i needed to be.
as i prayed about this day over the last month i was very aware of what God was trying to share with me. have faith. believe in me. don't worry. enjoy your day. lay it at my feet. and the number 2.
2?
today i spent $2 for parking at the Mecklenburg County parking lot after i waited for 5 minutes in a courtroom of atleast 500 where a judge dismissed my case after hearing my humble explanation of events that lead her to understand that i would never knowingly pass a stopped school bus but was merely trying to avoid an accident.
praise
God!

Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.
Psalm 55:22

to my sweet girls still in florida....i love you. have a great day!

happy tuesday.
alicia

edited: right after i posted this blog entry. a yellow box popped onto my screen. [i don't ever get pop-ups on my computer]. the box said,
"is there a God?". i clicked on IT.
it is an article written by a former atheist.
until now.
my prayer is that this answers any doubts any of you may have.
it is yet another way that God has moved through my day.
and i thank Him so much for that.