the Heart of Life

Girls Night

2015-05-27T08:48:00.000-05:00

So the afternoon before the party I start feeling tired and start regretting letting the 3rd grade girls class talk us in to a Girls Night at the church. They wanted a lock-in, but I used my master skills of negotiation to talk them into a 4 hours girls-only extravaganza. It was barely after noon and I wanted a nap. My mood was less than cheery and I was trying to think of ways out of this pre-teen party.

Knowing I'd agreed, promised and planned the thing, I went home after work, pasted on a smile, gathered my child and our things and headed for the church. We got things situated and waited for the first child to arrive. When the first girl showed up, there was the same feeling of trepidation that I felt. Then the third child arrived and the squealing and tumbling and laughing started. It didn't stop the entire time we were there.

It was an Queen Esther themed evening with games, crafts, beauty treatments, a fashion show and more. In regular "momma-ratzi" fashion, I took lots of pictures. The little ladies hammed it up for the camera all evening. Even though my partners in crime and I were tired moms, each with 4 kids of our own at home, I think that we knew what this evening could mean to these girls. We wanted them to know they are special, they are chosen, and they are called.

In the story of Queen Esther, she was chosen to undergo a year of beauty treatments and training, presented to the king and then chosen to be his queen. While she was queen an evil man plotted to kill the Jews. Because of her position and favor with the king, Esther was able to foil the plot and save her people.

At the end of the night I took a little video and asked them about their favorite activity of the evening. Many of the girls said it was the, "best night ever!"

We made some great memories for the young ladies in attendance, but more importantly they know that they are loved by a great king. Who knows but that you have been called to (insert the thing you may not want to do) host a 3rd grade girls night for such a time as this.

Family Meal Time

2015-01-23T11:51:00.000-06:00

So last Friday for dinner, we enjoyed a catered meal that was part of the pre-paid funeral my dad arranged. It was weird, but it was brilliant. It was one last party planned by a fun loving guy. It was a beautiful opportunity for our family to share a meal and be blessed by his thoughtfulness. Tonight the Medleys enjoyed Tex-mex again...remembering .

Friends Make Life More Fun

2014-10-25T22:47:00.001-05:00

Our oldest son had his birthday party this weekend. I love birthday parties. I love celebrating. I love having that special day each year that the kids set the agenda. They choose the menu. They are celerated.

It's special to watch relationships form and strengthen over the years through the glimpses the birthday events provide, as all your friends gather and join in the celebration around you. Many of the boys at the party this weekend we're at our sons 5th birthday party, in his kindergarten class. Next year, they will start junior high - another reason to celebrate the amazing people they are becoming.

Little girl with black eyes

2014-08-05T16:12:00.001-05:00

My little girl tried to do a back flip in a pool. She didn't get out far enough and hit her head. She had a huge goose egg and otherwise ok, except these black eyes.

People keep giving the stink eye when they notice. Our little girl told one man, "it may look bad, but you should see the other guy!"

Yet: You're Eligible Too

2014-08-03T05:32:00.001-05:00

Today during the service projects at the Golden Key Honor Society International Summit, I met Rose, a beautiful 60 year old woman from South Boston. She's got a job, a 22 year old grandson and was homeless.

She came to the first ever GK Spark A Change event that was a part of the conference to tell her story. She was a teen mom, married an abuser, did drugs and then way leads to way and she found herself homeless. She talked to us as we cut fleece and tied it into scarves and hats for the homeless of Boston.

During this event there were many projects going on like jewelry making, the sales go to support mobile mammography, as well as the assembly of snack and toiletry bags for the homeless of Boston in addition to several others. Nearly 300 participants worked for 3 hours and will impact over 1200 lives.

Sitting among the members of Golden Key, the academic top 15% from universities around the world, you assume that homelessness wouldn't be an issue. Certainly all of these students come from loving, supportive homes. Right? It seems the stero type isn't always true. Rose said that there are many faces, many factors and YET means, You're Eligible Too.

It could happen to anyone. You're eligible for a new start just as you are eligible for homelessness.

But for the grace of God we are in a place today to help others. So many little choices, seemingly small decisions, that lead each of us to the places we find ourselves. As Rose told her story, I couldn't help thinking of so many times when I had choices to make that really could have turned out much differently. I believe that I'll look differently at those sleeping on benches and asking for change tomorrow.

But for the grace of God...

The pain of trying new things

2014-07-28T14:41:00.001-05:00

Before we went in the St. Louis Arch, our daughter declared (quite a few times, for two days) that she wasn't going with us; she'd be on the ground waiting on us, she sure wasn't going to look down, etc.

When Billy got tickets we had to get in line immediately. I just handed her a ticket and said they needed us to stand here. Then it was time for us to go down the stairs and next thing you know we are in the pod and headed to the top.

When we get to the top, she runs to the windows, and tells everyone how amazing it is - repeatedly.

Isn't that the way we are with so many things? We tell God, our boss, our mate what we're not going to do and why and how and they we jump. The thrill of the new thing is better than we could have ever imagined.

Some Things Shouldn't Change, like love and birthday parties

2014-07-26T17:14:00.001-05:00

I love birthday parties. I loved planning my parties as a kid. I love planning parties for my kids. When our kids are invited to other parties, we don't miss. I love birthday parties.

Parries for my friends have gone from sleep overs, with decorations, games and cake to nice lunches. For the most part, there is less hoop - la and more heart now.

One of my friends celebrates the anniversary of her 25th birthday. But she celebrates. The people she cares about get an opportunity to let her know they care for her too.

There is something terrific about celebrating life. A year we'll done... or maybe just a year survived. A new beginning.

Today I got to celebrate with one of my most special friends for her birthday. Just lunch. Her beautiful family sat around her as we visited and talked about the adventures of the summer. Every time we're back together, it's like I only left yesterday. Nothing special and absolutely wonderful all at the same moment.

Celebrating life and friends like that should never change.

VBS, small town style

2014-07-24T12:41:00.001-05:00

There's something special about the "village" of a small town, especially when they come together to teach the word of God to the children.

This week was crazy, beautiful and refreshing. It is always a beautiful thing when you set out to be a blessing and God blesses you more than you could have imagined. This week, my partner in crime, the youth helpers, and the sweet children - it was a divine appointment, even through the noise and the mounds of glue.

Gallery of Success Trip

2014-06-05T16:55:00.001-05:00

Behavior rewarded is behavior repeated. Companies that know that and take care of their folks have folks that take care of the company.

This week we're in Florida on a trip that my husband earned through his hard work this year.

Baseball Awards

2014-05-31T20:24:00.001-05:00

The end of season baseball awards happened in our small town today. All the families bring their kids to the fields and the players huddle up with their teams, wait for their names to be called, and get their trophies from the coaches. Parents hussle onto to the field to snap photos and then stand around catching up with their friends before everyone scatters for the summer.

It's a wonderful thing.

I really appreciate the way the community comes together for the good of the children...and not just when its time to play ball. I didn't grow up in a small town and didn't think I'd enjoy life in a small town, but I am not sure we'd trade ours.

Memories that Make you Smile

2014-05-30T20:33:00.001-05:00

I love it when you hear a song, see a long forgotten friends doppelganger, or run across photos of things and people from days gone by. It's even better when those things make the corners of your mouth turn up and make your heart just jump.

My best friend from high school made me a lap board and added some of our favorite photos to it. That was 20 years ago. Looking at the old photos, my children thought that Kimberli was my sister, Heidi. I never saw the similarities until they asked.

Most all of the people in those photos have children now too. I hope that they all have the kind of growing up that we did, surrounded by laughter and acceptance and good things, really good things.

Boys with Polish

2014-05-30T09:13:00.001-05:00

Going to get a pedicure before an upcoming trip, my boys said they too wanted to join. At the end of the soaking, massaging, and filing came the question, "what color?" Color? The boys asked if they could choose a color too.

Then came the decision.

After the polish came the laughter. They loved their Mustang spirit and the Super Hero tribute nails.

Lifelong Friends

2013-06-17T21:02:00.002-05:00

Our children are forming friendship with each other now.

Remaining connected to others makes you more alive. It seems to me that my newly created relationships, those made later in life do not have the depth, the character, the trust or the stability that the friendships that go back in time have, those that have remained through the test of time.

I have an amazing circle of friends from my childhood, two went through high school with me and we recently spent time together, with our families, during our 20 year high school reunion. Time has tested each of of us, but never threatened our friendship. Unequivocal support is the unspoken foundation of our bond. While our conversations typically dwell on happier times, we all clearly remember the sadder ones. One was widowed as a young woman. One divorced in the same months as a job layoff and a major surgery. I moved off away from the others to attend college and still don't live near them; that doesn't stop the support or the love.

We have been there for each other through good and bad, thick and thin. Each one of us has had our hardships, but it's easier when you have friends like these to support you. I can talk to them if I'm anxious, afraid, worried, happy or sad. I am free to be who I am with them. I have known them longer than I have known my husband. They know what made me.

Times like ones when were in grade school attending "whirly-birds" or summer camp at Camp Sooner. Or in high school when on Friday nights we would put on our cutest outfits and cruise up and down 12th Street, tee-pee friends houses together, or worshiping at CIY Conferences with hundreds of other youth.

We grew up in very different households as children, but our love for Jesus and each other make us very similar.

2012-12-14T17:13:00.001-06:00

School is starting soon and I want to chronicle who they are what they are thinking as they start a new chapter in their little lives. It seems life they grow up so much before summer comes again. When I found these "Questions to Ask Your Kids" I knew that it would be a great place to start..

23 Great Questions to Ask Your
Kids

By Sharon Jaynes

1. What do you think heaven looks like?

2. What does Dad do at work?

3. Who is a person you know that seems the most
Christ-like?

4. What do you think your wife (husband) will be like?

5. I you were going to spend one year on a desert island
and could only take three things with you, what would they be?

6. Who is your favorite aunt or uncle and why do you like
him or her so much?

7. What sounds and smells do you think Joseph and Mary
experienced in the stable on

Christmas night?

8. What is the nicest thing I ever did for you?

9. When is a time that I hurt your feelings?

10. When is a time that you were really mad at me?

11. If people followed the Golden Rule, think of all the
things we wouldn’t need. Can you

make a list?

12. If you could be in a movie that you’ve already seen,
which one would it be? Would you

be a character that is already in the movie, or would you
be one that you would add?

13. How is love different for a Christian couple than it
is in the movies?

14. What is the difference between being smart and being
wise?

15. What is your favorite outfit?

16. What is the hardest part about being (fill in your
child’s age)?

17. What has been your favorite childhood memory?

18. When you pray, how do you picture God?

19. What is your favorite Bible verse? Why do you like
it?

20. If you could be an animal for a day, which one would
you be?

21. If you could go in a time machine, what era in
history would you like to visit?

22. What person in history would you like to visit?

23. What is the most important decision you will ever
make?

Taken from Being A Great Mom,
Raising Great Kids by Sharon Jaynes (© 2004, Moody Publishers).

Tragedy Brings Perspective

2012-12-14T17:11:00.000-06:00

Today when I heard about the tragedy in Connecticut, it made the little things I was worried about seem insignificant. I watched as my social media feeds filled with condolences for those affected and like the president during his address to the nation, my eyes filled with tears.

I, like most parents, wanted to drive to school to hug my own children. Knowing that was not the healthiest option, I wrote my children's teachers a email:

Thank you for loving my children as your own while they are in your care. You are my "substitute" a few hours a day and I know that you love my children too. I am so very grateful. So very grateful for each of you and the distinct impact that you’ve each had on the lives of my children, their growth and development as individuals as and citizens of our community.

As I read reports of the news from Connecticut, I wanted to send you a note of thanks and ask you to hug those babies in your rooms today extra tight.

I pray that God bless our teachers and that He hold those teachers and parents from CT His arms today....

Travel Game - Make a Movie

2012-06-19T23:59:00.002-05:00

In the middle of a cross country car trip, I pulled out the fake mustaches I bought at the Dollar Store the week before our trip. We talked briefly about a story line, characters and this is the first movie they made... not bad for the first round. I love that they are laughing and using their imaginations!

Take two started right after it got a little out of hand.. .watch to the end and see what I mean.

Phone Number Bracelets

2012-06-19T23:08:00.000-05:00

Getting ready to go to Disneyland, we did several activities to get ready- one of those were our phone number bracelets. Each child got to design their own bracelet. I chose the numbers and lined them up for them. Then they chose the decorative beads to go with them.

Our design features 6mm number beads, mini pony beads and 2mm elastic cord. We chose the thick elastic cord for durability, and the disk shape of the number beads have large enough holes as do the pony beads to accommodate the thicker cord.

As we designed our bracelets, we talked about how important it was going to be to stay together. If we got separated, our rule is to go back to the last place we saw each other. We talked about safe people and about staying calm.

Our Disney adventure was a huge success!

Hot-lanta with my Sweetie

2012-02-14T20:18:00.001-06:00

Signed up for a professional conference in Atlanta, I headed out the door for an adventure. I was looking forward to traveling and seeing a city I'd never been to before. However, I was not looking forward to spending Valentines Day without my dear hubs. But my husband flew 4 states over to join me!

I Have to Be the Tooth Fairy!

2012-01-05T00:58:00.001-06:00

Getting ready to lay down to go to sleep and I remembered - oh no, I have to be the Tooth Fairy!

When I heard that he pulled his tooth at school, I knew that I'd have to go get change - the tooth fairy is generous, but really. Going to get the change was after dinner and homework and church and picking out tomorrows clothes and showers ....after stopping my snaggled toothed son from just putting the lone tooth under his pillow - no container, no plastic baggie. How would I ever have found that in the dark under the pillow pets and extra blankets?

Anxious to go to sleep, I jumped up to get it over with, grabbed the money and headed for the boys room. Under the glow of the night light, I stopped to look at my boys sleeping and could hear them breathing deeply. I started to think about how it really seemed like just yesterday that I waited at the door on the hour practically to hear the sound of them breathing to make sure that my babies were still fast a sleep - and then I looked, really looked and couldn't tell who was on the top bunk and who was on the bottom. I ran to get my cell phone - it has a flashlight app on it - and as Fairy luck would have it, my tooth was under the pillows on the top bunk. Ladder or desk? How was I going to get up there to retrieve my tooth? I started up the ladder and realized my reach would be better from the desk...

Finally, tooth in hand, cash in place, I started out the door and wondered, who's bright idea was this Tooth Fairy gig any way!?

Potato Soup

2012-01-02T15:54:00.000-06:00

This family recipe brings lots of smiles and is easy to make.

Dollar Store Trays

2011-12-23T17:41:00.004-06:00

Trays glued together

These great trays are made from dollar store finds. We bought silver trays in various shapes, plastic stemware and some glass vases. We already had a hot glue gun, E6000 glue - just in case the hot glue didn't work - and the spray paint.

The vases used in the middle of the tiers provide more support than the plastic stemware that are sold next to the trays. The blue trays in the photos below are separated by the stemware. It might look cooler but its very unstable.

And really, they look pretty cool before we sprayed them...

Tray Finished

Doilies could be used to spray pain on designs

We sprayed them and left them to dry for quite awhile.

THE PARTY TRAYS

We used the trays for a 9 year old Angry Birds Party for decorations and cupcakes...

We glued the pieces together and spray painted them in coordinating colors. It was a great addition ---

Life is What You Make it

2011-08-27T23:16:00.008-05:00

My grandfather, we call him Gramps, will be 90 years old in May, but this week his doctor recommended hospice care. A few months ago we were told that his cancer was back, but it was too far gone and he was too weak to progress with any kind of treatment. After getting choked often while eating, to the point of needing the Heimlich, he now has a feed tube - a port where his meals are poured out of a can into a tube and straight into his stomach - 5 times a day.

Through it all my grandmother has been there - for the hospital stays, the new treatment regimens, all of the visits to all of the doctors, and on the other end of the tube 5 times a day. She slept in their Volkswagen vanagon in the parking lot of the hospital in Amarillo the first time he had cancer, when they didn't know what he had, when they installed and when they fixed his defibrillator.

She was also at the coffee shop when my grandfather came in with his cousins the first time they met. She was there with his infant daughter when he got home from the war. She was there every night when he got home after work with his meal on the table and in the passengers seat as they explored all of the 50 states. She was there when they welcomed 2 daughters, 4 grand kids, and to date 6 great-grand kids.

During his last stay in the hospital some of her former students from more than 30 years ago approached her in the hallway and reminded her of their favorite thing about her class. She taught a Zig Ziglar "I Can"course and at the beginning of each class they would do a cheer saying, "Act Enthusiastic and You'll Be Enthusiastic!" They would all chant in unison three times before each class. The irony of lyrically repeating THAT phrase outside her partner of more than 60 years hospital room... but sometimes it's true.

You can succumb to what life hands you - growing up with an alcoholic, abusive father or dealing with the passing of your mother as a young boy - or you can choose to live a beautiful life, to leave a legacy, to be there.

Every day that the sun comes up, you have to purpose to make it a great day. Do the best you have with what you're given and live to make your memories part of your happiness.

The Family Necklace

2011-08-27T23:06:00.002-05:00

With school starting back this week, I thought that this idea from Moomah was amazing and I wanted to share it with all those other moms who want to do whatever they can to help their children feel safe and be successful...

from Moomah

When it’s time for my kids to go back to school, they often get anxious about the transition. To help ease this anxiety, we make a very special family necklace together. It’s also a great project for kids nervous about going to summer camp or anywhere else that’s out of their comfort zone.

We take a photo of each family member (including our two adorable dogs and our fish Santa, of course). We glue the pictures onto tags made of oak tag and then cover them with tape to protect them (you could also use mod podge to coat them). We take soft wool yarn, braid it and then hang our tags from it (you could use shoelaces, ribbon, etc.), completing our family necklace.

My daughter says, “Whenever I miss you, I look at your picture and it makes me feel better,” and that makes me feel a lot better. The necklace was such a hit that other families in her class started to make their own.

- tracey stewart

http://moomah.com/thejournal/entry/nourish/the_family_necklace/

Devil Rays TeeBall Party

2011-06-04T05:08:00.011-05:00

Planning an end of season team party is a ball. I tend to think that my children probably won't remember those nights that we spend at home just hanging out quite as vividly as they will the unique experiences that we can create to make memories for them. So for me, planning events is a great joy.

There were more players than games in the season so the 3 families that didn't bring team snacks, chipped in for the party. Then each player contributed $10 for the rental and coaches gift.

The players whole family got to enjoy dinner and swimming for only $10 - that's a great deal!

It makes it even more fun when you have great companies to work with, like La Quinta and Dominoes. The party was held at the La Quinta on Ashmore. We rented a meeting room and had access to the indoor pool for 4 hours and it only cost $50. They were ready for me when I arrive an hour early to set up, had table cloths on the tables and even let me use the ice machine!

They were most helpful and gracious through the whole event.

They really made the event a huge success.

I also called Dominoes Pizza who offered me a great deal, brought the pizza right on time and even brought extra plates, napkins and cheese. The delivery driver was gracious and set everything out for us, arranged by topping.

We picked up some cupcakes, drinks, and a gift card for the coach at United. I added some cupcake toppers and a little emblishment to the water bottles that I just printed from the PartyBlog, just for extra fun.

The pool and the pizza were certainly the highlights of the party.

As a great ending to the party, one of the team moms, brought these adorable baseball themed buckets filled with Big League Chewing Gum and other great candy. We made some new friends and some great memories. The party was a grand slam!

May Days

2011-06-02T21:58:00.006-05:00

The month of May brought great chaos and wonderful memories for our family. May typically brings a change in seasons and in activity. As the month ended so did school.

Trenton has end of the year parties at Community Bible Study and at Parents Dy Out. He is going to miss his friends this summer. I'd be surprised if they recognize each other when they return to school. They will grow and change so much over the summer.

He was quite the trooper as we drug him to games and practices and activities that he was just too small to participate in just yet. He does love "ball base" and has quite an arm on him too!

Addison participated in cheer camp again this year, had an end of the year splash day, and a field trip or two. She absolutely loved going to Pre-K this year and really did quite well.

She also went to Austin with me and was such as big help as we hosted Aunt Heidi's baby shower. After the shower, we went downtown to the Pecan Street Festival where Addison got to ride this life-sized rocking horse. Her favorite part was wearing the cowgirl hat with the feathers and a tiara on top.

Preston is our kindergarten graduate this year. At their graduation ceremony, they announced the child, the parents and then what the child wants to be when they grow up. Preston wants to be a Race Car Driver... others said things like, a ninja, a first grader, and bull fighter. It was nice to laugh, even though we were misty eyed. They just grow up so fast.

Right before graduation, Preston lost his first tooth. He was thrilled and even pulled it himself. Our tooth puller is also quite a ball player. He received two game ball awards from his teeball coach for making great plays.

Clayton's last week of school was full of awards and field trips for good behavior and reading success. He even got to drive go-karts for making the Pony Pride list every six weeks all year long.

His baseball team ended out the season 6-6 and he played positions from catcher to short stop and outfield. The boys on the team sure did learn about baseball and life this season.

We're going to have a third grader next year. I can't belive it. As I type they are all in the boys room for a "sleep over" laughing and just enjoying staying up late and being together. Even though it's late, we so enjoy the sound of their laughter I think that we'll let it continue for awhile.