Man on the Moon

I used to watch a show that was called The Torkleson's on Disney. It was about a family that was poor and the main character was a jr high girl who was going through "girl" things. She always sat in a window seat and talked to the man on the moon. I always thought I wish that I could do that, it looked so comfy, window seat and a big window. The perfect place to pour out all your dreams, hopes, fears, and secrets. Reciently Belle has begun to talk to the man on the moon. She always has to find the moon, no matter the time of day or night. She has a talent too. In the day you really don't think about the moon but here she is showing me where the moon is. This weekend I began to notice that she talks, sings, and even prays with the moon. I thought this was great! Not only was she telling him her secrets she was praying with him. I treat the moon like he is her special imaginary friend. One thing I think is great is that she has many friends but they all are from church. The one she doesn't is the moon. So she felt compelled to teach him her prayer and say it with him when she goes in the house. Yes we stand in our driveway while she prayes with the moon. I think she is going to be a heck of an influence on her peers! I pray that she will always be so open with her faith. She is amazing!!!

Mother's Day!

I have a confession! If there is a holiday that is about me I usually make it a whole weekend of fun. I have had an amazing weekend and it hasn't even been Mother's Day.

Yesterday I picked up Belle and decided that I had to drop something off for a friend, Joni. She watched Belle when I first went to work, she is a really great friend. Joni has two boys a little older than Belle, Holden and Harmon. Belle just LOVES these boys and being at there home. So we went and picked up Matthew and a "gift" for the boys, a turtle Matthew found. We tried to give it to Belle but she was so scared of it that we had to give it away. We went out there and found there small farm has grown into a huge one. Last year they had cows, now they have baby ducks, baby bunnies, baby kittens, frogs , and a new turtle. The boys are animal lovers. Belle was excited new things to look at (no touching) and seeing her favorite boys. Then there was a carnival for a grand opening of a farm store, yes I know...what!? So we took Belle there to ride a few rides and see all there animals, baby geese and beby chicks. What a night!

Today we went to Effingham, town! We went shopping and had a great time together! Then we came home and went to our other friends house, Penny, for a BBQ. She has three kids to play with and a new jungle gym! We played cards while the kids watched a movie after it got dark. I had such fun and even a little grown-up time.

Tomorrow is the day and we have already had such a good day. We are going to get our new puppy, a wienie doggy! He is Matthew's B-day gift. I have a great life and family that love to have weekends like this. As I am writing this I realize that most of this weekend has been about Belle and her having fun. I have the best time when she is having fun, I love watching her see new things. She is just so much fun. We got her some sandles and she looked at them when we got home and she looked at them and said, "my sandles are adorable". She really loves everything.

Ministry

For the last two years I have been a youth leader and really enjoying every minute! I really love teenagers, they are so much fun. I thought I was going to do this forever. Lately God has been changing my heart and my ministry. I have been needed less and less and been feeling like a failure all the while. What would I do now? I love being in ministry and around the kids in the community. They have become friends and babysitters for Belle. I have watched the youth group become huge, productive and gain a ton of help from the church. When I first arrived there were the core kids(like 10 maybe) and two leaders. Now we have 50+ and tons of people helping. However, there is another need in our church, the kids department. Most of the time it is babysitting and kids who are bored. I think we could do so much more and so God has been changing my heart and I am going to switch my focus and be with kids. Don't get me wrong I like kids but a ton of them in a room going wild is torture and that is what it is like. I really don't know what has happened to the kids program. We haven't had any pageants or choirs with the kids and they are barely learning anything. Belle is getting older and I am teaching her. I just want her to get the best out of church and really enjoy being there. So why am I writing this? Well I need support, prayer, and idea's. I have always helped with youth and never younger kids. I know that you all are creative people and all go to other churches, maybe bigger, so a few ideas would be great. Also, the church hates change and they have done this for so long, very small town people. I know they all mean well but we could lose our kids and they are so super important. So this is where the prayer comes in. Thanks a ton!

Read from the bottom to the top, a catch up

Me and Belle at Mattea's b-day party. I forgot my glasses but I thought this was a cute pic of just us. --->

This is a very confusing blog sorry I am trying to fit everything in that I can.

^Belle and I have been playing outside and I wanted to share this pic how cute is this? She is looking more and more like me, and by that I mean exactly. I never new how beautiful I was, strange how they can make you feel so warm and fuzzy! She loves the "flowers", to bad I have to get rid of them!

We are taking Gymnastics and she is doing so well, as you all can tell. She just loves it and the really cute outfits, very proud! She will show anyone that she can do a summersault! I love being able to share this with her and watching her learn all the new things. She is mastering a Bridge and the balance beam. ---->

Belle's first play. The highschool put on Cinderella, she is dressed appropriately! Her friend is Madison a little girl that I work with her mom.

Okay here are the glasses. I thought I took a different pic with them on and I looked and I didn't have them on! So this is what I look like now, kinda. I couldn't wear them very much because they made me motion sick. I like them thought and I think I look more grown up with them. I can see so much better then I ever could, how long did I need them?

Our computer is in the shop so I won't be visiting very often until it gets fixed, darn virus's!

Also we got family pics and had fun with them! Belle was really good for them and they were fast, I like speed anymore. She smiled, a good one not her cheeser smile. I think all kids go through that and hers is really funny. This pis isn't cropped I took it from the C.D. they gave us.

We are all ready for summer and warmth, we love being outside and Belle has already been asking about the pool. Yes we have one. She is ready to be the pool now!