Homecoming Heartbreak

..there's still December, indeed!

This morning was filled with anticipation and excitement as Amanda was going to let the boy who asked her to homecoming that she would go with him. When 3:15 p.m. rolled around, she gets in the car and I ask, "so did you tell him?" She said I am upset. His parents said he cannot go to the dance that evening due to family plans. She told me he was upset about it, too. But then he told her, 'remember, there is a dance in December where the girls as the guys' ;)

Expecting her to be absolutely crushed (as a mom might anticipate when "dreams" fall through), I asked her if she was okay. She told me she was and that she would still go to the homecoming dance. She was sad, of course as she really wanted to go with this young guy, but she sure did handle it in stride!

Mr. Football Player, yes, indeed, there is December :)

..lAzY wEeKEnD mOmEnTs

MAN AND HIS

BEST FRIEND

Weekends are for rest and relaxation after a busy work week, right? Larry and Albert manage to accomplish the R&R without problem.

Flower and Cake Design

CAKE CLASS

So, I have embarked on yet another Wilton Cake Decorating class. What have I gotten myself into? LOL. I believe this class is definitely going to require practice, practice, practice. Class 1 went well; Class 2, I was about to call it quits; but I will persevere

...and so it happened

As a mom, you look forward to all the "firsts" in your child's life. Firsts of everything are so important to a mother. Even as our children grow up there are still many firsts. I don't think there is a time that "firsts" don't happen to all of us. But, did someone forget to mention to me how difficult (yet exciting) this new "first" was going to be?? Perhaps, I just wasn't listening? perhaps I just didn't want to hear it? Well, no matter what, I knew this day was coming; creeping up on me ever so unexpectedly.

I picked Amanda up from school today. Nothing out of the ordinary..her usual non-stop talking :). When we got home though..that was a different story. And the story went a little something like this:

AMANDA: Mom, what would you say if someone asked me to homecoming?
ME: Did someone ask you Amanda?
AMANDA: (said with giggles and a smile)...well, no, but what if someone did?
ME: Amanda, someone did ask you didn't they?
AMANDA: (still giggling) no
ME: Ugh, Amanda, just tell me. Ok, I get it, someone really did ask you and you won't say?
AMANDA: ok, ok...someone did ask me; ******* asked me to go with him to the dance.
ME: When did he ask you?
AMANDA: During P.E. class (at the end).
ME: What did you tell him?
AMANDA: I didn't have time to answer, mom.
ME: Well, you need to answer. And, now you will have to buy him a boutonniere and he will probably get you a corsage.
AMANDA: Hmm, I might have to rethink this then (laughing).
ME: Amanda, I am happy for you!! Now answer him tonight :)

...and so it happened. My sweet little girl-turn-young-lady has been asked to her first dance..Homecoming! Wow. So many emotions were and are going through my heart. What a wonderful "First" in the life of my girl!!

And now for pictures of the dress she chose...

...it will definitely be a night she will always remember

This Little Light of Mine....

My sweet nephew, Dayton, all dressed up and ready for church. He has such a heart for his Jesus! Oh the faith like a child!

Dear Jesus,

Dear Jesus,

Where does a mother begin? You have given me one of life's most amazing blessings - my daughter. I look into her eyes and I see a reflection of me; it's amazing how much we look alike yet how different we are. Each uniquely and wonderfully made by the hands of the Father. Parenting is one of THE hardest jobs we "sign up" for, but honestly, it is not a job I would trade for anything. You have seen me through a fair share of heartaches, hurt, disappointments, and moments of weakness, but You have never left my side; in fact, You have truly carried me during the storms I have faced (and will face) in my life.

With the recent loss of my job, did I question you? get angry at You? and ask You how could you let this happen to me? Yes, Father, I admit I did. I am guilty. But, though guilty as charged, I know My Father will take care of me. And, so far, I have seen it once again firsthand. Father, I worked a job that placed a tremendous amount of stress on my shoulders, which in turn caused me to neglect many other things and not to truly live life to the fullest. And, with this information, what did You do, took the job away, literally lifted the weight of stress off my shoulders, and have allowed me to nearly stress-free since August 9th, the day I lost that job. Yes, I lost the job, but I gained a new sense of renewal.

Due to the stress, I really think mine and Amanda's relationship was strained, even though we both really love each other. I didn't have the time to listen, the time to do things the way a mother should, etc. My life was always sorry I have to work...several hours of the day and night. But now, as I embark on this new journey in my life as a full-time student and mom and wife, I am amazed and the sense of peace I have, even with $0.15 to my name.

My Lord, You are faithful and You have allowed there to be a change; a change that I can see/feel between Amanda and me. Wow!

Oh yes, parenting a teenager is really, really tough, Father, but, how could I not love her in every way?

She is my mini-me. She is my little girl. She is my friend. She is Your Princess. She is a beautiful young lady and has a heart for You.

Father, thank You for journeying with me and my life...I really could not do it without you! Even if I do have to listen to Amanda go on, and on, and on, about P.E. class (hmm, I wonder where she gets her gift of "nonstop talking") I love her, Lord...and thank you.

Love,

Your Daughter