so proud

yay Alison!!!!!!!

we made it through the big day.

photos & details to come...

the sigh of relief

after over a year of 

planning

and countless hours of work

yesterday was the day when miss Ali

presented her senior project.

over a year ago, when her topic needed to be chosen,

God gave her clear direction.

"do something that will count for eternity".

after contacting a blog friend

HERE,

Ali began the process of sewing quilts 

to be shared w/ an orphanage in Uganda.

EVERY minute detail had to be documented 

and approved.

a mentor had to be involved,

and God placed an incredible woman in Ali's

path from Colorado who was AMAZING!

one company even donated all the filler material

after hearing of the project.

and as each little quilt was stitched,

the little life that would be wrapped

up in it one day was prayed for.

so in March, 15 little labors of love

travelled to Uganda.

they were given to a home for moms and

their little ones, where the mothers had been spared

from a life of prostitution.

Those babies were sleeping on newspapers.

too much, huh?

my brain can't even begin to process that.

how the Father's heart must weep over injustice.

another cool thing?
after viewing the project display,
2 others want to now be involved in
THIS  ministry.

that's how it's done...
everyone who claims to love the Father,
and wanting to see change on this planet,
bringing God's kingdom to the dark,
and untouched places.
last night after Ali's final presentation,
we attended our church's prayer night together.
she said that as she was resting in
the presence of the Lord,
she heard her heavenly Daddy tell her
"good job - I'm proud of you baby."

yes, yes, and yes.


watching Ali grow through this process has been
priceless.
worth more than any award, high grade,
or achievement recognized over the past 4 years.

and so the countdown to graduation begins.
bittersweet, I tell ya.
every time I look in her closet & see
that black cap & gown, I'm a puddly mess.

time. flies.

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.

so it begins...

my brain has put it off all summer long,

but it's here...

the realization that Ali will now be a 

senior in high school.

today is senior portrait day.

I hope the photographer can concentrate

with the weeping and waling

coming from my corner of the room.

really,  a professional should be
well equipped to deal with
an emotionally unstable mother, right?

by the time poor Gracie has reached this milestone,
I'm sure I'll be a more poised mama...
hahaha
speaking of our youngest, check out
her first official "face" picture

talented, eh?
she had her 4th post-op visit last friday.
she'll be sporting the nose stents for
another three weeks
(whaaaa!)
and we are to up our game on treating her lip scar.
(her surgeon is still not pleased w/ the
redness and thickening going on)
so...more lotion & NO sugar it is!

well, I'm being invited to a tea party
by a very convincing little 3 year old.
I guess I should go change out of my pajamas...