Our Story - 4.20.11

Afton and I got to go on a little big girl trip this weekend to attend a bridal shower for Ashley, my new sister-in-law. She has been so excited about going to "Ashley's party" since I told her about it several weeks ago. Even though we had to leave at 4:3o AM she was bright eyed and bushy tailed and ready for an adventure!

By the second flight all the excitement had taken its toll our our little traveler and she pooped out. When I woke her up to get off the plane she said "Why are we standing up?" I told that we where getting off the plane. She said "But we didn't even fly yet." I wish I could sleep that well on planes.

I didn't get any pictures at the actual event. I am notorious for only having pictures of the car ride when we go on trips and none of the actual trip. I guess I am just too busy having fun. If I had gotten pictures there you would have seen a radiant bride-to-be, a four year old in party dress more than excited to be at a fancy grown up lady party, and a whole bunch of yummy food and fun friends and family that I am looking forward to really partying with at the wedding this summer.

On the drive back to Skiatook I was reminded of my love of the Oklahoma country side. So stunning. So comforting to my soul in a way that only home can be.

One glass of wine on the back porch and I knew I couldn't leave my home state less than 24 hours after I arrived. I called Ron and asked if he minded if I switched to a later flight. Of course he didn't. He's such a sweetheart.

While we were outside taking in the beauty of God's country Afton was inside coloring. She wrote her name on this paper which was something I didn't even know she could do. So proud. It was also exciting because I could let her play inside while we were outside. I was able to give her so much freedom on this trip because she didn't have her little sisters in tow. It was a lot of fun giving her a little autonomy. She relished it.

Switching to the later flight meant we got to stop by and say hello to Nana and Papa. Papa and Afton really hit it off this time.
Afton was also able to do a little shopping for the people back home. This is what she picked out for Daddy because "he really like Jesus". Still cracking me up.
She also got to have a little spa time with Yaya before the big flight back!

We were only gone for a day and a half but the little girls grew up on us while we were away. Look at Rose chilling in the back seat of the van, facing forward like she is too cool for school.

Our little princesses got to hang out with the their favorite princes this week.
Hopefully the princess-ness does not rub off too much, though I commend Jack for his thoughtful use of the Piperlime Accessory Wall.
Don't worry, he's still a man's man.
A little pre-lunch Veggie Tales? Don't mind if they do.
A girl's night in Mommy's room while Daddy's in Virginia? Don't mind if we do.

I Am Very Happy and I Know It.

1. We ate one of our Sunday pizzas for lunch because this week on Sunday we will be eating potluck at church. My new church has potlucks that are more delicious than most weddings. Last time there was pork tenderloin. Seriously. Yum. I should tell you all about my Sunday pizzas but alas time.....so bottom line about three or four years ago we started eating a frozen pizza for lunch every Sunday. On paper plates of course. It is a beloved tradition now. We get DiGiorno Pizzas from Sam's in a three pack for $12. Makes Sunday afternoons as peaceful and enjoyable as they were meant to be. Well, there I went and told you all about them.

2. Tonight for dinner we are having chili. Yum. I don't prefer meat in my chili so it is vegetarian. I threw the following into my crock pot:

1 large can tomato sauce
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can red beans
1 can black beans
1 can cream corn (experiment)
2 pack chili seasoning

It will sit there on low all day and the be served with red onion, shredded cheddar, and sour cream. Can't Wait!

(Ashley Holden, if you are reading this you should try it. It is so easy it can't be considered cooking. It is so yummy it can't be considered not cooking! If you do not own a crock pot please tell me now so I can have one Amazoned to you immediately!)

3. I love my new house, town, church, life. I am very happy and I know it.

That is all for now.

Christ As A Light

Happy Saint Patrick's Day! To celebrate, oh and I do so love to celebrate every possible holiday, I wanted to post the prayer of Saint Patrick, himself, here on my blog. I only know it as the exquisite song by John Michael Talbot that we played at our wedding. It is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard. Do yourself a favor and go to iTunes and purchase his song "Christ As A Light (The Prayer of St. Patrick). I guarantee it will be the best 99 cents you spend all day.

Anyway, like I said I wanted to post the prayer of Saint Patrick today and I figured it would be more proper to post his actual prayer than to simply post the song lyrics I love so much. My Google search for the actual words, however, came up with many, many different versions. Being neither Irish, nor Catholic, I had no idea which version was the real prayer of Saint Patrick! So I am posting JMT's lyrics, which I am more than happy to do. These words were the prayer of my heart on my wedding day three and a half years ago, and continue to perfectly capture my longing that Christ, Himself, would both surround and pervade all of me, and that my service as a wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend would be nothing less than service to Him.

Also because this song always happily reminds me of my wedding I am going to throw in a little wedding picture for free. One of the three snapshots I still have after my hard drive crashed last December. (It's not as bad as it sounds. I still have all the photographer's pictures and I know our parents have tons of snapshots too.)

The Prayer of Saint Patrick
According to John Michael Talbot

Christ as a Light illumine and guide me.
Christ as a Shield overshadow me.
Christ under me.
Christ over me.
Christ beside me on my left and my right.

This day be within and without me.
Lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Be in the heart of each to whom I speak,
In the mouth of each who speak unto me.