Grace and Glory

Saturday, March 17, 2012

it's your lucky day

Christ beside me,

Christ before me,

Christ behind me,

Christ within me,

Christ beneath me,

Christ above me.

Saint Patrick

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!!!

Friday, February 24, 2012

escape plan

see this?

it's a getaway car.

that's right.

just me & the hubs for one night away.

a real live grown up restaurant.

a two-way conversation.

a hotel that promises

the "heavenly bed".
breakfast that isn't a bowl of cereal.

whatever will we do with ourselves?!!

ok...we'll check home 2 or three times
and talk about the kids the majority of the time,
and the time will likely fly by,
but
we'll cherish this 24 hour vacation like gold.
and
we won't feel the least bit guilty for eating
a dessert that's not shared with children.
nope. not one bit.
and
we won't feel guilty over
walking in tomorrow empty handed
to the squeals of,
"Whatd'cha bring us?!!!!"
the answer will be,
"a rested, relaxed, and recharged
Mommy and Daddy!"
they'll be so happy for us-
those darling, selfless little angels!

I miss 'em already.

hasta la vista!

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

true love

happy Valentines day!!!

Sunday, February 12, 2012

she went and did it...

despite my begging, groveling, weeping,

bribing, etc., she went right on ahead

and turned 18.

she can vote

she can be called for jury duty

she can buy a lottery ticket...

the thoughts of a high school graduation

in a few months?!

have mercy!

traditional dinner @ her favorite Italian restaurant

there were gifts...

there was cake...

there was sibling love...

there were flowers from Dad &

a ginormous bar of dark chocolate...

now,

what is one thing every girl dreams

of for her 18th birthday?

what was the ONE specific thing this

calm, organized, routine-tradition lovin'

birthday girl asked for?

to go to a local shooting range w/ her dad

pistol packin' mama

note to all future interested male suitors

who may possibly not treat our daughter

w/ the utmost respect befitting a

daughter of the King...

they're both mighty fine shots.

consider yourselves warned.

Friday, February 10, 2012

the big 1-8!

be still my heart - I cannot believe
this baby girl is 18?!!

we thank God for you, Ali!
18 years ago today,
with that
"deer in the headlights"
glaze on our faces, we
became parents for the first time.
we were scared to death,
and you were perfect.

we can't begin to describe the joy we've
been given as we've watched you grow
into a beautiful young woman who
is passionate about seeking her
heavenly Dad, embracing His Son as
her friend, and being filled daily
with His Spirit -
you are an amazing gift!

so today, we bless you with these words-
Ephesians 1:17-20
"For I always pray to the God of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of glory, that He may grant you a
spirit of wisdom and revelation [of insight into
mysteries and secrets] in the deep and intimate
knowledge of Him. By having the eyes of
your heart flooded with light, so that you can
know and understand the hope to which
He has called you, and how rich is His
glorious inheritance in the saints, and what
is the immeasurable and unlimited and
surpassing greatness of His power in and
for us who believe as demonstrated in
the working of His mighty strength which
He exerted in Christ when he raised Him
from the dead and seated Him at His own
right hand in the heavenly places."