My Little Rock

Ever have a rock in your shoe? It's surprising how worrisome something so small can be, isn't it? Well, today I had a 40 pound rock worrying me. This rock slowly followed me all day as I ran countless errands, stayed on my heels close enough to step on my flip flops, and whined the word "mama" repeatedly, especially when I was on the phone. Every time I said something the rock disagreed with, which in this particular rock's case that was everything that came out of my mouth, the rock would cry and scream and whine. In public. For several minutes.

Sigh...I know that all parents feel like dropping their children off at the post office at different times in their childhood. A few have even gone so far as getting the box ready. I did not reach that point today, but near the end of the evening, when my child, aka "the worrisome rock" had whined in protest for approximately the 114th time, I hotly retorted that she did not like anything today! She stood there silently regarding me, and with complete solemness responded, "I like you, Mama." It's hard to think about box dimensions for mailing her when she says sweet things like that.

A place like Mississippi...

William Faulkner once said that to understand the world, you must first understand a place like Mississippi. The state that gave us Mr. Elvis Presley, the all important cotton plant, and one of Johnny Cash's most popular songs about it's state capital, just so happens to be my birth place. And about once a year or so, I pack Grace and my mama in the car, and we return to it for a visit. We have family scattered throughout the state, and I always enjoy going back to see the people who have loved me since I was little.

We had lunch with some of my mom's siblings, and stayed with some of my dad's. My aunts and uncles are all so sweet to Grace and I, and she always gets spoiled when we spend time with them. But, in the tradition of aunts and uncles, I suppose that's just the way it is. I probably got a little spoiled myself when I was her age, and my parents took me for visits. Georgia is my home now, but I will always be a Mississippi girl!











My aunt Kathy taught Grace how to play UNO. She beat us all twice!

Bunnies and Blessings

Easter seemed to sneak up on me this year. Before I knew it, I only had a few days to get our clothes, eggs, and basket goodies together! In all the chaos of Easter traditions, Spring Break travel, and wedding plans, I had to take time to stop and think about what Easter really means. When I woke up this morning, I stayed in bed until the alarm went off, but thought about what my life is really made of. Sure, there's work and social obligations, classes to take and bills to pay, and housework (way too much of that!). But what are my blessings? DJ and Grace, of course, immediately come to mind. My family, my home, my health, my country, my job...but what drives me? Is it what it should be? Because, as a Christian born and raised in a southern Baptist church, I know very well what SHOULD drive me: my Lord. Am I putting Him first? Is He what drives my decisions and purpose?

Sometimes, I let worldly persuasions in, and they become more important to me than allowing Jesus to shine through in my actions. This Easter, I have decided to stay more aware of who loves me, wants what's best for me, and knows my heart better than I do. And I will teach my family and lead by example, so that I can be the person Christ wants me to be. Easter is full of beautiful, candy-filled eggs, good food, fun times with families, and special Easter bunnies, but let's not forget our greatest blessing: Jesus!

Here are a few pictures of some of my blessings.

Grace sat with the Easter Bunny again this year, although she was careful not to get too close. I tell you, four is such a sensitive age!!! I curled her hair, and she looks gorgeous in this picture.


Grace and my mom dyed Easter eggs on Good Friday. Grace enjoyed decorating the eggs with stickers. We're ALL about Princesses these days, so those stickers were covered in Ariel, Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora, and Belle.




Our church had Brunch with the Bunny the Saturday before Easter. We went, as has become our tradition. Grace loves hunting eggs, and the church hid over 6,000 of them! She ran through the grass, chunking them in her basket, but only the ones that were closed. If any of them had popped open, they were left on the grass!









On Easter morning, Grace awoke to discover her basket overflowing with treats and goodies from the Easter Bunny! She was a little overwhelmed at first, but enjoyed going through all the new toys and books and movies. Her favorite new things were definitely the princess jewelry and the Aurora doll for the bathtub!




After that, we enjoyed our church's Easter service. My mom went with us, which was very nice. Our church has such a great choir, so we were treated to wonderful music. After church, we had lunch with my parents, and Grace hunted more Easter eggs!












Thank you, Lord, for sending Your son to die for us. May we always remember to put You first in all we do. Thank you for our many blessings! Happy Easter!