Dancing

OK, I have lots to be working on right now. But I couldn’t resist posting this scene from earlier today.

It happened while I was making dinner in the kitchen. S was playing near me, and W came up to her and asked her to come dance with him in the living room. She went with him, and after giving them about 30 seconds I decided I should probably grab my camera and peek around the corner to see what was happening in the living room.

This is what I saw:

and then this:

and then (brace yourselves for cuteness) this:

(which, I might add, happened with NO PROMPTING from mommy!)

Of course, lest you think that it was all sweetness and gentleness, this video will show you what it was really like. 🙂 Still, their love for each other was evident, which is such a blessing to this mommy’s heart!!!

Trash or Treasure?

A few weekends ago we spotted this trunk as we were driving by a garage sale a few blocks from our house. It fit a “vague vision” we had for a piece of decor for our house. And they were willing to give us a bargain. So we bought it.

It’s old. Very old. Here’s what it looks like on the inside:

You can’t see it, but stuck to the bottom is a newspaper clipping dated 1927 — which, I think, the trunk is even older than.

Our living room is currently an open play area, but eventually — once we touch the trunk up and (literally) soften the sharp edges  — it will serve as a coffee table.

I like to think that if I were ever to take it on that “Antique Roadshow” show, their jaws would drop and they would tell me it is worth thousands upon thousands of dollars. But I think I’ll humor myself and just let that idea hover in my imagination.

Because for now it has a plant and magazines on top (not pictured) and sits proudly along our wall, somehow completing the room.

And I don’t want to sell it, anyway.

Emily’s Sermon

NEW UPDATE: 8/28/10

Thanks to those who have been praying for Emily Grace! Her surgery on Monday went well, and though it has been a long week of recovery, with a few complications along the way, she is on the upswing & doing well! Just wanted to give that little update in case you were wondering!

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Our sermon in church today was excellent, but truth be told, we didn’t really need it today.

Why? Because of Emily Grace’s offertory.

You may remember my post from a couple of years ago, asking for prayers for Emily Grace, a precious little girl from our church who was facing surgery to correct a hole in her heart.

To give you a little background, Emily is a 12 year old who has faced many, many different medical challenges over the years because of the way that her body was designed.  She is a sweet, outgoing little girl, blond and petite, with a bright smile and joy that just radiates from her.  And she loves, loves, LOVES Jesus. And she loves to sing about him.

Tomorrow morning she is facing a huge surgery. Because of her worsening scoliosis, doctors will be fusing a rod to the top of her spine and another one to the bottom of her spine, with a telescoping rod in between. For the next several years, she will be facing surgery every 6 months to lengthen the middle rod, so that her spine will be straightened. But tomorrow is the “big” surgery. It has only been performed a handful of times, and the other physical challenges in Emily’s body make it somewhat more complicated than it would be for most.

This morning Emily sang the offertory at our church service. The song was called “Still I Sing”, and was all about continuing to praise Jesus even in “the dark & cold”. And with all she has been through, she knows the dark and cold. She sang it in her sweet little voice with poise and confidence. It was absolutely beautiful. I was a blubbering mess about 3 lines in. It was a beautiful example of childlike faith in the midst of suffering that many would lead many to question and despair.

So, as you can see, we didn’t really need a sermon today. That could have been it.

Will you take a moment and join me in praying for sweet Emily Grace and her surgery tomorrow (Monday) morning at 8:00 am CST? For protection and healing and success? And would you pray also for her sweet mom & dad & little brother?

Here are the lyrics to the song she sang this morning…I pray you are touched by them as I was!

STILL I SING
When your thoughts and plans for me,
Are beyond what I can see.
When things aren’t what I hoped they’d be,
I know you still care for me.

Still I sing when it’s dark and cold,
Songs of hope, rise within my soul.
When I am in trouble, still I sing.

Still I sing so the world will know,
You are here, and You’re in control.
Whatever may happen, still I sing.
Still I sing.

I have put my faith in You.
When I’m down, You pull me through.
When I am weak, Lord, You are strong.
I trust in You and sing Your song.

Still I sing when it’s dark and cold,
Songs of hope, rise within my soul.
When I am in trouble, still I sing.

Still I sing so the world will know,
You are here, and You’re in control.
Whatever may happen, still I sing.
Still I sing.

Pizza!

photo from threadedbasil.blogspot.com

Do yourself a favor and try out this great homemade pizza recipe from over at Threaded Basil. I decided to try it out yesterday and it was delicious! I am NOT a great cook, but this recipe was really simple yet delicious and fun to make — and (most importantly) the kids and hubby loved it. Yay!