Aunt Erin

*The date went well! Chris said for the first few minutes at Zaxby's, she just kept looking at him and giggling. He asked her what she wants to be when she grows up. She said, "Well, there's just so many things. Maybe a librarian or a tree cutter." Yeah, that's right. My sweet little girl has aspirations to be a tree cutter! She's had this occupation in the back of her mind for about 2 years now ever since we had 2 large trees cut out of our front yard. For those who know her and know how girly she is, this is a funny thought. But hey, if she can do it and act the way God wants her to, she can do it as far as I'm concerned! I'm just really thankful that Chris wants to spend this special time with our girls. I don't have to force it. He is as committed to it as I am and I feel blessed and I know the girls are blessed to have him as their daddy!

*This parenting road is a tough one and one I'm glad I have God to help me travel. I appreciate all the positive comments I got about the date. I truly do love having a support system of other Christians. Both online & in "real life," I think Christian relationships are so important and I yearn for even more of them.
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*My big tub of toys we use for playgroup has disappeared. We think we know what happened to it. However, if I tell that story, it will be a negative picture of my otherwise wonderful husband, so I'll refrain from revealing the details here. Alissa or Kate, if you really want to know, drop me an email! This story is one to hang over his head, for sure!
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*Last night we met with the 2 co-leaders of our Life Group to discuss logistics of our new group which will begin meeting later this month. I think we have a good group signed up and will pray that we focus our thoughts on God and doing what He wants us to do. Life Groups offer such an opportunity to have close relationships with others and to meet the needs of others on a more personal basis.
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*I bought a tablecloth last week at April Cornell. It had orginally been $89, was marked down to $45 then 1/2 off, so I got it for about $24. It was too big for my table, so I tried selling it on Ebay. It sold last night for $59.99 + $8 shipping. Whoo hoo! I'm thinking of going back and buying a few more!
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*Have I ever mentioned my wonderful sister-in-law, Erin? She is such a sweetie and cute, too! She's like this little miniature person because she's so petite!

I remember the first time I ever met her. We were living in Uvalde, TX but had come up to Lubbock for a Tech football game. Mike (my brother-in-law) and Erin, who were just dating at the time, had come up to meet us along with Chris' parents. Gracie was about 4 months old. A little background: I couldn't really care less about football! Well, to make this game worse, it was November, freezing and drizzling! Did I mention I had a 4 month old?!?!?! I don't think the fans needed bleachers because they rarely sat, but I did. I sat down with Gracie inside my coat being quite miserable about this whole thing. I was really hoping for a sister-in-law, so I was trying to scope this girl out. Well, let me tell you, I was disappointed! She was into this game big time. Standing up, cheering, talking about the plays, etc. I was like, "Great! She's nothing like me!" At one point, she sits down next to me and I said something like, "So, you like football?" She looked at me, never breaking a smile, and said something like, "No, I hate it. I'm just pretending to like it." From that point on, I liked her! Here she was, trying to make a good impression on my brother-in-law, who is possibly the most sports obsessed person I know, and his family, but deep inside, she hated it, too! I remember she & my mother-in-law and Gracie & I left early that night to drive back to Plainview where Chris' grandmother lived and we were staying.

Erin is lots of fun! I have to admit, one thing I don't like is eating with her. I mentioned earlier that she is very petite. I am...how should I say this delicately...not petite! Sad, but true. Erin will order off of the child's menu and eat 1/2 of it. I order off of the adult menu and leave hungry. Seriously, I just stay hungry. It's a curse and my body size is showing the effects of it. Anyway.....

"Aunt Erin" gives the best gifts to the girls! Gracie's precious hot pink personalized backpack came from her along with Katie's little lime green one. The posable Angelina Ballerina doll came from Aunt Erin this Christmas along with the Pottery Barn mixer & toaster. True, I steered her in the right direction for the Christmas gifts, but she's always happy to listen to my requests. I try to do the same for my precious niece, Sara Jane!

Aunt Erin was even referred to as "Aunt" before she & Mike got married. This was done a little discreetly as to not put too much pressure on Mike, but let's face it. He was getting old and if he let Erin get away, we were all going to kill him!

Gracie got to be a flower girl for the first time in Mike & Erin's wedding. She was about 1 week past her 2nd birthday, and not quite up to the mature responsibility of holding this position, but she looked cute!

Erin is a teacher, so we have that in common although she teaches high school and is still doing so while I've "retired" for awhile. She gets along great with my husband and my children and is a wonderful "sounding board" on many issues.

Erin is a great sister-in-law! She's a Christain and nice and compassionate and such a sweet mother! She also reads my blog regularly even though she never comments! She thinks I'm mad at her which is silly so I told her to keep reading my blog 'cause I'd write about her!
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Dear Lord,
You know the things on my heart. Thank you for helping me lately with keeping my mind off of things that threaten to overtake me with worry. Thank you for helping me to close my mouth when it threatens to open and say things that shouldn't be said. Please continue to help me with this and please forgive me for the times I haven't been successful. Please help our Life Groups this year to be successful with Bible Study and also in reaching out to others with a helping hand and a good attitude.

Please be with little Ira who is still so sick. Strengthen his parents & big sister as well.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen