It's tough being a woman when.....

Just yesterday I received a question from my friend Cheree in Cape Town, South Africa. She, along with her husband Merle and 3 children live and minister over there. She was asking a question and hoping to share some of the responses at a retreat she is planning. She is planning to launch a Beth Moore study on the book of Esther. "Humorous, or thoughtful, or heartfelt responses all qualify," she said.
Her question was this:

why is it tough being a woman?

Here were some of my answers:

• It's tough being a woman because there's so much "square footage"(as my husband puts it) to shave!
  
• It's tough being a woman because we judge one another with such harshness when that's the last thing we want done to us.
• It's tough being a woman because 3 weeks out of the month our life is wonderful, beautiful and just right, and on that other week, well, we're not even sure if we should have been born!

• It's tough being a woman because we often question the love we receive and doubt the Love we need.
  
• It's tough being a woman because we easily go blind, such as when we open our closets and see nothing to wear.
  
• It's tough being a woman when the world only looks at the cover of who we truly are.

If you get a moment, would you take some time to answer for yourself? Cheree will be reading the responses here as well, so hopefully we can help her out and be amused and perhaps inspired along the way!!!
Thanks Ladies!!

(pictures taken around my home by Michelle Bailey Walls for a college photography project...so amazing right?)

the things a comma can do

"When the enemy comes in like a flood,
the Spirit of the LORD will put him to flight."
Isaiah 59:19

now, as some commentaries suggest, the comma was misplaced,
let's read it again:

"When the enemy comes in,
like a flood the Spirit of the Lord will put him to flight."

Isaiah 59:19

oh, the things a comma can do!!

Fulton Opera House

On Wednesday night I had a date with this handsome man...doesn't he looks sooooo sweet?
What is happening to my little boy?

We ate a nutritional dinner at "French Fries House".
His favorite: "cheesebooger and fries".

And then off to a fancier place, the Fulton Opera House to see "Annie."

We met my dear friend Mary Jo and her daughter, Josephine. They both were all dolled up and looked so beautiful....curled hair, painted nails, fur coats and all! The kids thought it was so special having their own tickets. Tyler held his almost the entire show!

They were all eyes as we entered the theatre. There was a lovely Christmas tree in the lobby and they fell to their knees by the presents!

I'm with Mr. Jolly!!

The children could hardly make the seats stay down, they weren't heavy enough! It was cute watching them find a comfortable position and wait for the show to begin, their little legs half way pointing to the sky! The show was OUTSTANDING! It felt like we were on Broadway, more then on Prince Street. The cast of little "orphans" were amazing! They could sing, act and dance, probably the reason they got the part! Annie was very talented and sang her songs perfectly, I was very, very impressed. The scene changes were so efficient and timely and the sets were pleasing to the eye from any angle! I'd love to see it all over again.....better yet, I'd love to see the theatre from the view of the stage. Someday I'd like to be acting on that stage.....someday!

After the show, because life is short and you're only young once, we walked across the street to the charming Prince Street Cafe.
It was 10:45 pm!

We let the kids pick out whatever they wanted.
Josie got a cookie the size of her face!

And Tyler picked a bowl of fruit loops!

When they were finished, they played with the toys while Mary Jo and I visited. It was delightful. This picture cracks me up. Tyler had found a small hole in the floor and was looking for treasure, such a boy! I love it!!! Sweet, proper Josephine was playing nicely with her toys!
Time to go, we closed the place down....I went outside and asked them to smile nicely through the door.....here is what transpired.....

and yes, Mary Jo, we'll show these on their wedding day!!!

I had a really great night with you Tyler. You sat so nicely and really took in all that was happening. I hope you enjoy live theatre as much as I do and someday, if you want to be on that stage too, I'll do what I can to make it happen. And can I just say that what you said today is probably the greatest quote from you...ever.

"Mom, look how big I am, my head is as big as my face!"

it's my birthday today!

and it's a delicious day even though i've already cleaned up throw up in my bed, made all the beds, wiped up the bathroom floor, broken up a fight or two, opened my "presents" wrapped in blankets, aired out the house because the wood stove went ballistic, held a 2 year old close because of a bleeding lip, (due to hopping too close to the desk), soothed a hungry 4 year old, (I'll tell you, these boys are a TRAIN WRECK until food gets in their belly)......all this and it's not even 10 am!!!

BUT, I am about to get out of my robe and get in some high boots, jeans and a sweater, drape my SMALL purse over my shoulder, (as opposed to my carry on bag that usually goes out the door w/ me and my 3 chillins) and meet some of my dear friends at a local cafe. I graduated from high school with these two dear girls, Rebecca and Kristina and I anticipate a wonderful morning.

My little purse and I are out the door.....and as my daughter's onesie says,
"I AM SO HAPPY TO BE ME!!"