"STRONG THINKING"

I attended a bridal tea today.  It was held at the home of a young wife and mother who was a mere toddler when The Husband and I were married 39 years ago.  Seeing her mature and in charge of her own home and family made me proud, but also made me feel VERY old.

This young wife and mother has experienced much pain and sorrow along with her joy.  A couple of years ago she lost her only sister to cancer and then after that her mother was found to have cancer.  I am happy to say that her mother has five treatments left and looks like she will beat it.    I am grateful.

There was a plaque sitting on a shelf in the den which spoke volumes to me.  In fact, it spoke so loudly, I felt compelled to share with you, my blog readers.  It said this:

"YOU NEVER KNOW HOW STRONG YOU ARE UNTIL BEING STRONG IS THE ONLY CHOICE YOU HAVE."

Well, ain't that the truth?  That goes right along with a saying I heard long ago which says about the Lord, "When you've come to the place that He's all you have, then you'll find He's all you need."

I felt the Lord speaking to me so strong through that saying.  I long to be strong.  I long to be an overcomer.  With the Lord's help, I can be all that.

So I will end with this now familiar verse to you readers:

"Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed:  for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."  Joshua 1:9

And all God's people said, "Amen!"

PARTY!

The Grandbaby's birthday week is done for this year.  What a week it was!  She began to get the hang of the birthday thing a couple of days before the actual day when The Girl bought her a birthday "tiara" from the dollar store.  Yep, $1 bought a world of joy and delight for The Grandbaby!

On her actual birthday, she got to enjoy going to story time to hear Grandma Snazzy read "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see?"  which is a favorite of hers.  And they sang Happy Birthday to her as well.

On her actual birthday, she also got to open a few presents and enjoy cookie cake....minus the tiara.

Look at that jewelry....

Two days after the actual birthday many family members and some friends met to party, meaning "pway awtshide".  Here's what happened "pre-party"...

After she got awakened from her nice pre-party nap, the birthday girl quite enjoyed herself at her "animal" party.

...as did her fweinds....

The Great-Aunt made the animal cupcakes for the party....quite the baker and decorator she is....you will agree I am sure.

and the Great Uncle "turned" the birthday girl a wooden jewelry box....quite a talent as well.

There were other presents, cards, and group pictures.

Yes--a day to long remember....we ARE blessed!

"TEEWWWWW"

Today I celebrate The Grandbaby.  Okay, so every day I celebrate The Grandbaby but today is her "b'thdAy"!  When asked how old she is on her "b'thdAy", she responds, "Teewwwww".

This girl loves her Mama and her Daddy....

  ...loves to "beeld" blocks and towers and such....

...loves to "swide"....

....loves to run and play "awtshide" especially....

...and absolutely LOVES to play any kind of ball.

She's a flower-picker...

..a book lover....

..and a regular library story time attender.

She REALLY loves her cousins....

..and snuggling with her mama.

The Grandbaby loves animals....

...food, especially if it's "Kickin', "mac-roni", carrots, "bwead", "meelk", and "kookie"....

Even at "teewwwww", she enjoys picking her own clothes for the day and has quite a unique fashion sense....and is now only loving her "papi" (paci) at night.

She loves Minnie, Mickey, Winnie, Peppa, Bubble "Buppies", and so many more...

Things haven't changed much since I learned that she would be arriving in this world.  My dearest wish for her is still to be kind and love Jesus.  Her personality is such a happy one and her smiles come readily so much that I feel that wish will come true as she grows--even through the "teewwwwws" and threes which are said to possibly be terrible.  Time will tell.  Her smiles and infectious joy are what we can learn from her.  Only "teewwwww" of the many things we can learn from her.

So Happy B'thdAy, sweet girl!  We give you much love and we give our Heavenly Father hearts of overflowing gratitude for the blessing of you!