Playtime!

Today was awesome! After working out this morning, Lilu and I had a playdate at the playground across the street from the gym. It was with Hayden and his mom, Katy. Becky came along too with her little one. So much fun smelling the flowers and getting pollen all over the nose. Lilu slid down the slide by herself for the first time. And she got on a big kid swing. Although has not quite gotten the process down pat yet. She fell off. Scared me but she wasn't phased a bit. And wanted back on. After an hour of playing we went home for lunch and a nap.

After her nap we got a call from our friend Cindy. She invited us to come over and hang out. She lives down the street from us. Literally. It was pretty funny because I got there and wasn't sure which door of the house I needed to go to. So I call Cindy saying 'I am in a backyard, Help!'. She came up and got me. At least it was the right house. She and her husband, Jon (he was the one showing me the projection--thank you Jon!), live in the basement portion of the house. And let me tell you---Their house is Awesome. I absolutely loved it and felt so comfortable there. And Lilu loved all the new things. She especially loved the Cockatiel and two Russian Blue (cats) that live there as well. Her first to meet both. And not to mention the fish. So she had alot to play with. And did she play. Trying not to be one of those mothers that fuss over EVERYTHING that the child touches or gets into. Well, I failed completely. I just can't help it. I know children are curious and are not going to sit and just be. They will get dirty and investigate. And Cindy was so gratious to not worrying about what Lilu was touching or getting into. But I hate messing up someone else's home. Lilu did love it. Jon came home and played with Lilu. She even learned to say his name. Can't wait til she can play with Chris. After playing for awhile we had to go to the Women's Bible Study. But not before Cindy and Jon offered us food. Lilu a peanut butter and strawberry jelly and me and Salami and cheese. Soo Soo good. That was such an unexpected treat. And I cannot forget to mention the CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES!!! Lilu even had 3. I had a bit more than three. ahem. Numbers are not necessary. They were good. Good! I enjoyed my time there so much. It felt so good to actually talk to someone. And someone as special as Cindy. God has blessed me greatly!

At the Women's Bible Study we talked about beauty. How women put so much emphasis on trying to be beautiful. And what is exactly is beautiful. This has been something I have been dealing with. One, accepting compliments have always been a very hard thing for me to do. I guess I just never believed them. Two, I haven't liked what I have seen in the mirror for a long time. I know I am not gross but not head turning beautiful. And thinking about that tonight I realized I never really wanted that. But I do want to be noticed. I brought up the Shine Effect. This is what I want. Here goes: When I see good, loving, generous (all the fruits of the spirit from Galatians 5:22-23 can be put here) woman, I see a shine in her that glows so bright. That she shines with a beauty that cannot compare with anything else. It is in her smile, her walk, her speech, her love. This is the beauty that I want. That, I believe God intends for us to have. So learned so much tonight. Just an aside... I saw a show a couple of days ago called The Boy Whose Skin Fell Off on TLC. It was heartwrenching but it showed me alot. Jonny lived in pain every second of his life and yet was loving, generous, and had a great sense of humor. And lived his life with a purpose. To help raise awareness for his disease. Which he did. He knew where he was going and wasn't scared of death. He embraced it. Knowing it was a new beginning. So count your blessings everyday, every moment, and live, love, and laugh to the fullest. When things get you down, pull yourself out of the situation and turn it around. Count Those Blessings. I know it is hard. Believe me I know. God doesn't give us anything we can't handle but we always must ask for His help first. With Him all is possible. Thank you Katy, Cindy, and Jon. Much love.