Too Busy

Just a note to say that I have been overrun by photography stuff. Hope to blog sometime soon. Ansley is saying "Oh!" with 2 syllables. "O-oh!" in the cutest little girl voice in the world! She is pulling up and letting go [and falling]. She loves to take steps while you are holding onto her.

Riley made All-Stars! Yeah!!! He should have made it last year, but that's another story. He still needs to have his trigger thumb surgery re-done, but he's catching pretty well nonetheless. Just hard to open and close that glove at times. He's an excellent hitter. :)

Poor Spencer didn't make it this year. He moved up to kid-pitch, and moved up to a bigger bat, and the last several games hardly even swung. The pitches were just too hard and fast for him to line up and swing. I felt so bad for him. He got into trouble quite a bit for not swinging. I told him I didn't care if he hit the ball or not, he better swing. He ran a lot of laps for me. LOL. But after we talked, he let it out that it was less embarassing for him to not swing at all than to swing and miss. He just lost all confidence in his hitting, which broke my heart. Kevin stopped pitching with him in the yard long ago because he hits too hard and too far. So, sadly, Kevin never practiced at all with him as far as hitting goes this season. And he needed it. Especially this year, when the pitcher tries to throw it as hard as he can, so that they don't hit it. I practiced a few times with him with a hitting stick, but that just wasn't enough. Our nights have been so busy with church, games, practices, shoots, and oh yeah RAIN, that there were hardly any good nights for Kevin to take him alone to the field to practice hitting. Broke my heart. But, we will hopefully get him all ready for next year. His defense was amazing. He rarely missed a single ball this year--and trust me he got some lousy throws at him. He was definitely their best catcher and thrower--he throws very accurately in a play. :) He pitched, and was their #1 pitcher much of the season. [they were all first year pitchers, so that doesn't exactly mean he was amazing--just really good for 1st year] But his hitting just wasn't there. And it was our fault. KILLS me. :(

Talan is a mess! He's rotten as can be, and I love him to death. Ansley adores him, he adores her, and yet he is always into trouble because he keeps pushing the envelope with her! When she gets bigger she is really going to let him have it! LOL More later. No time for pics. I'll try to get them later.

A Merry Christmas with the Moores!

Okay, so we actually got most of our wrapping done before Christmas Eve, which is quite unusual. All but 2 gift cards for presents were purchased 3 days before Christmas, which was even better! I've never been that ahead before. And yes, I consider that ahead! LOL! I have spent many years shopping 'til close on Christmas Eve...unhappily....

So Christmas Eve, Kevin had to work (of course). When he got home, we went to Grandma and Grandpa's for a while and hung out. She had dinner made, and we ate a bit, and just talked and stuff. Then, we left the boys, and took Ansley with us home to...you know...get things "ready." We thought we wouldn't have a lot to do, but actually we did. There was also some picking up that had to be done, so that also put us behind. And I also wanted to take some Christmas studio pics of Ansley, but she was pretty uncooperative, so that didn't last long. So anyway, we head back to Grandma's at about 10:30 or so. We went ahead and opened gifts there, and had a great time. When we were little, Santa would come to Grandma and Grandpa's (we would stay all night there), and then we would come home and see that Santa had been there too. Through the years, the tradition got adjusted to where we opened gifts at midnight, that way everyone could still have a good night's rest in their own home. But this year, we went ahead and did it before midnight, as everyone was getting tired. We just said Santa would only come at our house, and that there wouldn't be a Santa gift at Grandma & Grandpa's. The boys and Ansley got lots of stuff there. Riley was a hit. He was sooooo happy about everything he got, and kept exclaiming every time he opened something, and then would thank whomever the gift was from. He made me pretty proud. I've always said that boy has the most grateful heart :)











Ansley was awake the whole time, and didn't fall asleep until nearly time to get in the car. She looked so very cute in her Christmas pjs.

































Then we came home. We weren't "done" with everything, and had to just set everything in the playroom temporarily, so we told the boys to go straight to bed--and to hurry and get to sleep--before Santa came. Well, leave it to Spencer. He somehow snuck in to the living room and noticed that Santa had eaten his cookies and drank his milk, but hadn't left any gifts. Great. Spencer is going to be the end of me, I'm telling you. So Kevin told him we must have scared him off, and he's probably coming back. Talan was absolutely adorable. He was nearly quivering with fear that he wouldn't be asleep when Santa came back, and that he wouldn't get anything. I had to assure him many times. It sort of upset me, actually, how much this "Santa" thing meant to them. I know they're little, but still...Talan was really truly about to have a breakdown it seemed!

The kids ended up falling asleep pretty quickly. We finished what we needed to do, and then happily got into bed and waited for them to wake up. That morning they saw their unwrapped gifts from Santa, and opened the wrapped gifts from Mommy and Daddy. There weren't really any big wish list items this year. Their lists and wants were pretty much little things--nothing big like in years past. So in that respect, we lucked out! Spencer ended up with his DSi, and although I got it before he really really wanted it, he plays with it all the time and loves how it can take pictures. He also got one of those mini claw machines, which Talan seems to love more than he does. We figured Spencer would totally love it, as he is obsessed with them in stores, but...he is way more into the DSi.

Riley's main wish was for a T-Rex, so he got several dinosaurs that he plays with now. And he is a huge Wii fan, so he spends much of his time right now trying out all the new Wii and PS2 games that everyone got. The games are definitely his favorite. He also got a big monster truck that jumps over cars--he just loves the fact that it's so big, though. And one of those huge Nerf guns. It was nice that we didn't have to purchase anything big and electronic for him this year...only games. :)

Talan's fave is probably one of those bop bags, that we have had before. You know, the one where you can punch it down and it comes back up? Yep, that was his favorite gift until he cut a hole in it with scissors. That child, that child....I did tape it with duct tape, and will be checking to see if it keeps it sealed enough to keep that one until I can go get another. I got it from ToysRUs,and not sure if they have them at Wal-Mart or not... He got a 2 Wii games and a PS2 game, but Talan seems so anxious all the time, it's hard for him to stick with something. He gets frustrated and wants to quit. I hope to work more with him on that after the boys get back into school, and it's just us during the day. He also loves his new Thomas pieces and trains...he got a suspension bridge and tunnel, which of course cost a fortune in my opinion.

Ansley didn't get a whole lot...leggings, leg warmers (LOVE), tons of shoes and clothes, a teacup set, a play purse with stuff to go in it....not too too much, we thought we'd try to skimp on her this first year.

Kevin and I kept it simple--jeans for him and a sweater for me. We are soooo on a budget right now. Thank goodness that my parents still spoil me, or it would have been a total bummer. My fave gift is definitely my Coach purse and wallet from my mom. This one is just adorable...totally love it! Oh, and that Love and Luck perfume by Ed Hardy. It smells soooo good! And that LoveSpell lotion by VS. That smells soooo good too! Kevin and I both are loving all of that--perfume for me has been a rarity since I got pregnant with Spencer, and that was nearly 10 years ago! Now that I have found a new scent that I love, I wear it every time I've been out! Thanks to Steph for letting me smell it on her---it's delicious! And I'm soooo not a perfume girl! Well....I was before my first pregnancy....That has officially changed! I love smelling it! And my dad's main gift to me was photoshop. It is more useful than I originally had thought, as it was required by one specific lab that I use.

Okay, but the best thing about Christmas this year was that it was my first Christmas dinner at my house. At the beginning of our marriage, I kid you not that we were shuttling to about 6 different places on the 2 days of Christmas Eve and Christmas day. Now, I know that some say we are so "lucky" and "blessed" and that we should be "thankful," but....no. That sooooo wasn't happening! Christmas was a chore! I hated rushing here, rushing there, being starving because we weren't ever there at the time they ate...packing this, packing that. It was a total Christmas ruiner! Hated it. Hated it, hated it, hated it. So we have weeded out people out, and condensed it to just my Grandma & Grandpa's on Christmas Eve night, then mine and his parents on Christmas morning, then that evening at Kimo and Susan's in Farragut (my fave place, mainly bc it's the last stop of the night, and we can relax--the kids have kids to play with, and we usually play board games and have so much fun).

Well, I have been saying to Kevin for years that I want Christmas dinner at my house. And he has always been against it. (The kids get soooooo many gifts from so many different people, and he doesn't want to stress about putting it all up before company comes over)And he has always won. Well, I told him that it was enough, we had had it his way for 7 years, and sorry--but now it's my turn. I am a mother of 4. I obviously LOVE family traditions and anything like that...most people who want large families do...and it was my turn to have a tradition for my family. And so I did!!!!

It was chaotic! LOL! We were so rushed from picking up--we got home from my mom's at about 2:30, and people were coming at 6:00, and no cooking had been done yet! I was totally winging everything, and totally behind. But it got done!!!! (Kevin left all the gifts that weren't from us in the car--great idea!) And I had my Christmas tradition!!!! And it is my hope that when my children get older, they will know that Christmas dinner is at 6 or 7:00 at our house, and that that time slot belongs to me and our family! This tradition of mine excites me more than I can completely express. It is weird, because it's like a small dream come true for me. But, that's how I feel! So now, I hope to own that small piece of Christmas forever in my children's lives. (If they live close enough, of course).

So it was Mom & Jeff and Kimo & Susan and their children who came. It was wonderful. They had so much fun. Dinner was delicious. The only thing that could have made it better would be if my sister had stayed in town. She instead went to Cookeville, with her boyfriend, which kind of stunk. But, you can't win them all. We played a little game to open presents--a competitive game where you win a chance to start opening the gift by rolling a 7, then you try to open it with gloves, a hat, and a scarf on, and the person who actually gets to the gift on his/her turn is actually the winner of the gift--and I look forward to playing that every Christmas now. Very fun!!!! Kevin won us a $40 gift card to Connors/Chop House! Sweet! We got so many restaurant gift cards this year...I can't wait to use them right up!

So that was our Christmas. The first Christmas with our complete family. The first Christmas with our own family dinner at our house. The first Christmas with a little girl to dote on. I am so incredibly thankful....

And so there are the many pics that has been the root of all my slacking!!! And yes, some of them are on here twice, three times, four times. I just don't have the patience to fix it. I never even made it past the pics at my grandma's, so I'll just have to add a little as I go. I have to move on, or I'll miss the next 3 months as well!!! I'm so mad that I took this long and have missed so much! UGH!

Christmas Shoppin'!!!!

Okay, so I only got a couple of things on Black Friday, one being the DSi, so needless to say, I had a ton of shopping to do--I DO have 4 children!

So I did most of my shopping either with just Ansley or with Steph and Ansley. Steph is great to shop with, and I absolutely love when she does with me! We have had our funniest moments shopping together, and crack up usually close to the entire time. We Christmas shop every year together, several times, and I just love it! On a side note, it upsets me that Ansley won't have a sister. Steph and I are 7 years apart, and I absolutely love her to death. There is no one like her, and no one that would ever come close to what she is to me. There is indeed a special bond between sisters--one that I don't have with anyone else. We can talk forever, or just cut up the whole time. Unfortunately, we have the same flaws when it comes to shopping, so she's not exactly helpful...hahaha! In fact, I would say she is worse. She will buy and then rebuy, and have a complete load of things to return, where she would rebuy after changing her mind on a present...then end up giving them all of the things instead of returning! She's awful about that. She has such a good heart. But it's a good thing she's gonna be a pharmacist, to help foot the cost of all of her gift giving! LOL!

Ansley is an excellent shopping partner, and has proved she is in it for the long run :) This is how I did the shopping thing...

Usually leave the house around 8:00 (remember how I procrastinate? I would seriously have everything pretty much ready to go, then cook, then eat, then watch a little TV...hahaha! Horrible!). Get to Knoxville around 8:45, shop at the mall shops until 10:00, when they close. Then go to Belk, because they stay open 'til 11. Then Belk closes, so I'm off to ToysRUs or Target, which close at 12:00. Then after they close, of course to Wal-Mart I go! I took Ansley with me on maybe about 4 or so trips altogether, and only one of them was a really late night, where I got home after 1. She really does like shopping. I would just strap her in the Baby Bjorn if she was awake, and she would just eat it up! She loved "talking" to strangers, wiggling around, and especially pushing off of my hands when I would put my hands under her feet so that she could stand up. Oh how she loves that:) When she got tired, she would start to give a low whine every few seconds, and I would take her out, cradle her, give her the paci, and she was out. Then I would transfer her to the car seat after a few minutes. I mean it when I say it--she is just wonderful! But yes, it was so late for her. I could have left her at home, and eventually did the last several visits, but to be honest, she keeps me company if there's no one else that I'm with, and I feel like we really are 2 peas in a pod a lot of the time...and I pretty much adore her and love keeping her close to me.

Alright, so there's one post!!!! More coming!

"This is Kevin"

So today I got ready to pay the phone bill online, and realized when I pulled it up that it was WAY over. Now is not the year or the month to have a cell phone bill that is way over! So anyway, it actually had Kevin using up more minutes than me which never ever happens. And I needed to get detailed call billing, so I could see if this whole this was just bogus or not. And the phone bill is in Kevin's name. So guess what I did today? LOL

I faked being my husband.

Yep, I get so tired of hearing things like, "Well, Kevin is the name on the account, ma'am, so we'll need to speak with him. Could you have him call us back?" Nearly everything is in his name, so anytime I have a question or need to talk with customer service to change something, I get that. Sometimes I don't, but you know, a lot of times I do.

So I tried my best to deepen my voice and pretend I was him. I was totally cracking myself up and it was very hard to wing as many questions and answers that I had to do without any prior rehearsal. Totally hilarious. Sometimes I sounded really country, sometimes I didn't, sometimes I sounded like a homosexual! LOL I was dying. It was so funny because everytime I asked a question, I'd have to get my lips just right before I could say anything. And I knew....just knew....that I totally sounded like a very stupid person. Like very unintelligent, and from the hills.

Hilarious!

I did get the detailed billing info, and it does appears correct so far. (didn't nitpick it yet) And who has Kevin been talking to so much? Me! On the home phone, so it counts towards our minutes. UGH!

And as far as the cell phone thing, still haven't decided for Spencer. Steph thinks I should get him a free blackberry that she has seen several different places. I told her I don't care if its free or not he's NOT getting a blackberry! I just really want to wait until middle school, but I also know how blissfully happy he will be to own one. Tough decision! Raising boys esp. is tough, I think, because you really don't want to spoil. You're raising a future dad (hopefully) and future husband (hopefully). You don't want to raise someone who is used to getting whatever they want. You want to raise someone who is used to waiting, and understands earning. You want to raise someone who understand the value of a dollar (even at his age), yet isn't deprived (oh he's not). But then you also want to give them what they want because you love them so much! Spencer is such a great boy. I mean it, he's just wonderful, I think. He's so very helpful and he is so sweet. I would have loved having him for an older brother. The others are lucky to have such a good one. It may be up in the air until the last minute.

little prayers

Well, we switched a few months ago from the regular child bedtime prayer to unscripted ones. We have done both before, but either Kevin or myself would lead the prayer and the boys would echo it. Well, we switched a few months ago to letting each one do their own prayer. Takes a little bit longer, but it doesn't seem that way because of how interesting it is.

A couple of cute things that have happened....Spencer loves it and of course is very thoughtful in his prayers. Riley is funny. He has thanked God for the days of the week, and asked the Lord to bless "everyone in the earth and the other earth. And bless everyone in the world. And other worlds." LOL Kevin corrected him the other night, but I told him I liked hearing his little prayers, "correct" or not :)

One night recently Talan was praying (and for some reason he never says, "Dear Lord..." he just breaks right into "Thank you..." His are so very sweet too! Well anyhow, one night recently he was praying and he began to ask the Lord to bless "Mommy, Daddy, Riley and Talan and the baby girl Ansley..." and Spencer gave out some time of signal that--ahem--he had forgotten him! Well, after the prayer was over, Spencer told him that he forgot him. And I did as well. And then I asked if he wanted to ask God to bless Spencer. His answer? "Naaaah!!!" LOL!

Spencer and I just cracked up.

busy busy busy

Wow I have been soooo busy lately! I don't know what it is about me....why I can't stay idle for a while and just enjoy being caught up on things. I apparently have a huge character flaw that needs to learn to relax and enjoy life!

I'm talking about working from home. My small photography business. It's going really well so far. I love it. I love building it. I love making and designing every inch of it. I love bursting with new ideas over it. And it's killing me. I come up with something and it take me a while to deliver. I have had project after project after project. I've spent so much time on the computer that I am going to be fat! LOL Creating this, coming up with that, checking on this, designing that...and editing...editing...editing....

So I am really going to focus on taking a break now that I'm a little at a stopping point. I've designed all I need to design right now. I have to focus on my precious angel before time slips away any further! Just the thought of it is killing me!

I am already dreading now going back to work. Half the year is almost over, and I cannot imagine leaving her. It is going to hurt me too bad. Yes, I miss my coworkers and all, but I have seen them lately, and so I'm okay as far as that goes. I miss teaching, but I still teach Talan anyway, so I'm okay with that too. And now that it's winter, I'm so glad to be able to stay in my pjs a little longer in the morning (I'm still up early though). Yep, I've gotten over the fact that I miss my job and now I dread going back :( I AM totally the grass is always greener type of person. I'm horrible about that. In college, if I was with one boy, I'd wish I was with the other, then I would be with the other, and wish I was with the first. I'm horrible. I'm always wanting the opposite! Why is that???

I can't commit!

So....what's been up...

Well, I bought Spencer a DSi--the only great deal (for the kids) that I found on Black Friday, left it in the car, and wouldn't you know it that the next morning it's still there and he sits right beside it and obviously finds it?

Oh yeah.

It goes a little something like this...

Me: Kevin, you did get that bag out of the car, right (as the boys are in the car while we're getting a few forgotten items--story of my life)?

Kev: What bag? I didn't know there was a bag.

Me: Are you serious? It's still in the car? (panicking) Go get it oh my gosh!!!!

Kev: (about a minute later, coming back in with the bag) Well, guess where it was. Right beside Spencer.

Me: Are you serious? Promise. Promise me you're not kidding. Promise me.

Kev: I promise.

Me: You promise? You promise you're not kidding. You're lying.

Kev: NO. It was right beside him in the car. In a clear bag. WHO gives out clear bags???

Me: I don't believe it.

We enter the car....

Kev: So, Spencer... (nonchalantly) where did that bag go?

Spencer: What bag?

Kev: The bag that was sitting right here.

Spencer: You just took it in.

(I am laughing silently and incognito)

Kev: (dying too) Oh. What was in it?

Spencer: IDK

Kev: You don't know? I don't remember what was in it. You sure you don't know?

Spencer: IDK

Riley: (from back seat) I KNOW!

Spencer: Riley!!! Shush!!!! Don't say it Riley!!!

Riley: I KNOW!!!

Kev: What was it, Riley?

Spencer: Riley!!!! Be quiet!!!

Riley: It was game thing....a DS. With Mario on the front of it.

Spencer: It was a DSi. With Mario on the cover or something like that.

Kev: I thought you said you didn't see it, Spencer?

Spencer: Ugh!!! It was right here!! You shouldn't have left it in here!!!

Kev: Well, now we have to return it. We can't give it to you now.

Spencer: UGH! Riley!!!! SEEE???? SEEE??? I told you Riley!!! Now they're not going to give it to us!!!

And so Spencer is in a panic.

Then I explain that we may or may not give it for Christmas, as Mommy has commitment issues, and buys things a lot of times and then returns them. (Which is too true.) Spencer then tells me how much he wants a DSi, but is okay and understands my long and thorough explanation at how I buy and return things.

Yes, I have commitment issues.

I totally bought it with the intention to decide later whether or not to keep it, and now we're stuck. Which could be a good thing. Indecisiveness can torture the soul!

For Spencer's other gift, we are *considering* a cell phone. He has wanted one for over a year now, and has even secretly asked Steph and my grandmother if they would please get him one, and that he really really wants one. I keep asking him who he plans on calling, and that hey...I'm right here. He doesn't need a phone to call me. LOL.

A few months ago we saw a boy around his age outside of Wal-Mart with a cell phone, texting. Spencer pointed it out. So I ask, "Oh so you want to call him? You don't even know him." LOL I think he is TOOO funny! Who is he planning on calling???

But about a month ago, Kevin bugged him saying that I had a pink razr phone if he wanted it, and showed it to him. Well, Spencer had already taken Grandma's old cell phone (she gave it to him), which obviously doesn't work, and Spencer said that no, he didn't want my old pink phone.

Well, then like the next day or so I asked him if he was sure he didn't want my pink phone (joking). And instead of a definite no, he started asking me if it worked....and could he see it for a minute. Broke my heart, how excited he was for a minute because he believed me! It really did! He was going to take my pink girly phone! I called Kevin that day at work and told him we really needed to consider getting him a phone.

Spencer is really into secret messages and spy stuff and in a way has some Ferris Bueller tendencies, so I know he would enjoy texting his friends. The only problem is, I'm not sure who of his friends even has one. He named off a couple of people, but they aren't his close friends. But he wants one really bad, and we are considering it, even though I believe he is way too young and that would be more of a thing for a 6th grader. I haven't seen him want something so badly for so long. I know it's healthy to want stuff, but...I don't know. Spencer is a really good boy. He is an excellent older brother. He is wonderful at school. He runs out of patience at times, but he is soooo good with his brothers. He is always there to help me out if I need him to watch Ansley for a minute while I finish supper or to get something out of reach for Talan. He is just such a good boy, and I think I don't always have to totally understand what he wants. He wants it really bad, I think he is very responsible for a 4th grader, and well...I don't see any danger at this point. I'll peep in on his text messages, and monitor his usage, but I have to say I would trust him with one. So that's a definite maybe.

I've already spoke with his best friend's mother, so she has a heads up about it in case he begins to ask for one, too.

So that's all I have time for right now. 'night all.

Divine Intervention

Ok so last week we had revival. Just knowing it was coming up got me excited. Last year at Revival, both Spencer and Riley went up to get saved. Riley was a young five at the time, and so I wasn't really sure how to take it. I actually sort of got in his way a little bit, blocking the aisle just a tad during the invitation...just to give him an extra moment or so to really consider what he was doing. He edged around me, and said he wanted to go. Of course, I let my sweet boy go. It was the same night...September 7th I believe (I could look it up, but I'm not going to--it's late). One of the happiest moments of my life. I'm still doubtful that Riley knew what it meant...and when it came time for Baptism, I asked him if he wanted to and he said, "No. I want to wait 'til I'm six," so again...doubtful. Pretty sure he didn't truly get it. But you know, it still means so much that he went up...regardless of whether he actually understood. Riley wanted to give his heart to Jesus. He could tell me how He died on the cross for our sins. He knew the story. But I'm pretty sure he didn't really understand what it meant. Here's a laugh. On the way home, I told them how we were going to have to make some phone calls to let everyone know about their decisions that night, and that they got saved. Riley said, "Who saved us?" I said that Jesus did. He mumbles, "Oh. I thought Batman did," with a chuckle. Ok so doubtful he understood. LOL

Spencer was of age, I believe. He got baptized the following Sunday. It was such a wonderful, wonderful night. I distinctly remember him asking me the next night during service, when Bro. Len Turner would mention the word "Christian," he would say, "Is that what I am now? I'm a Christian, right?" When I told him he was, he got a huge grin on his face. What an angel.

So I am forever grateful for Brother Len Turner, and absolutely loved and enjoyed his boldness, sense of humor, and Georgia drawl. It was excellent.

Revival with Brother Henry Linginfelter did not disappoint. Again, this envangelist was an excellent speaker (more softspoken than Len), easy to follow, and delivered messages straight to my heart. Kevin and I both went to the altar on different nights. And on the last night, Wednesday, my sweet son Riley went to the altar as well, wanting to be saved. Mrs. Jones talked with him, and said that she still wasn't quite sure he fully understood yet, and that she would speak again with him in a few weeks.

To see your son up their twice, both at such an early age, gives me goosebumps. I hope and pray that Riley will continue to seek the Lord and feel no inhibitions about walking that aisle. I hope that he will always be in tune with the tugging of his heart, always doing his best to be obedient when he feels the Lord is calling him. I hope that when he isn't sure if the Lord is calling him or not, he'll go. I pray that the Lord has a special, special plan for him.

And in case it isn't clear...I love revival.

Friday night I went shopping with my homegirl Ansley. LOL. 2 stores: Children's Place and Alumni Hall. It was about time Ansley had a VOL outfit, and I just hadn't found one cute enough yet. I like the pink, I don't like the pink...never was completely sold on it, since I sorta wanted her to match everyone else. Well, I got her an orange and white tutu. I'm gonna put her in a white onesie (sure which I got a white one with orange letters!), some blue jeans, and the tutu over the jeans. In case you don't know, tutus are really scratchy. Not really the ideal fabric against your precious one's skin. And plus, I like the whole jeans under it thing. Now since Saturday's game was also Halloween, I've yet to put in on her. But can't wait!

Back to Friday. 2 stores. Lost my keys. 2 stores. No one found them. I was actually stuck in the mall after it closed, with the custodial people and security people, waiting on Kevin to come with the extra key. I was so glad I brought the diaper bag in...what would I have done with no bottle and no diapers? As I'm talking with the Children's Place people, a lady walks over to me from across the mall, asking if I need any help. I mean, it was clear I needed help. I was going through the bags one more time, talking with the workers.... This lady stayed with me the entire time. She kept saying she was about to leave, and was I okay...but she never actually did. We sat in those really comfy massage chairs in the mall and talked. She asked me if I was a Christian, and we went on from there.

The exact subject matter is too personal to discuss. But I will tell you this...God had our paths intersect for a reason. She shared some things with me that I needed to hear, and I actually said a couple of things that she needed. It was divine intervention. That gave me goosebumps as well. I talked Kevin's head off about it. And then on the ride home, I realized something really really weird. I say weird for a lack of a better word. Perhaps eerie. I don't know. Eerie sounds like it has a negative connotation. I mean for a positive one. Anyhow, I remembered my first impression of this lady as she approached me in the mall. Me, overwhelmed, a little flabbergasted, and totally in despair...and she comes at me, with her pale skin and blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail...around 50 or 55 I'd say...asking if she can help me in any way. I thought, "Is she an angel?" And then I went back to my current situation. But when she asked, "Are you a Christian," --I remembered this on the way home as I was reflecting--I remember giving her a slight smile...and knowing she was going to ask me that. Now, I don't believe she was an angel. Simply because I was able to give her a few things to think about...not just her helping me. But I do believe she was sent to me from heaven. The time, the place, the situation....She also was a teacher, and that is what made it comfortable for me to talk with her...she told the Childrens Place worker that she was a teacher, and that one of her fellow teachers lost her keys that week 6 times in one day. (I was thinking, geez lady I'm not that bad. LOL) But this was all before I mentioned I was. In fact, she didn't ask me my profession until quite a bit later. But I must confess knowing she was a teacher did make her a little easier to talk to. I felt like we had a common ground, and I felt like she must be relatively trustworthy. Now, I know that's not necessarily the case, but you know...generally speaking.

So anyway, the Lord dropped in on me. He shook me up a little. He let me know He was there. He put me in awe, and reminded me of how Almighty He is. He reminded me that I am one tiny, tiny being, and that He controls it all. He reminded me that He is listening to my prayers. And for maybe the first time, He let me feel that I could actually help someone by telling my story...that I do have something to offer. Not that I feel worthless or anything, but when it comes to giving advice and stuff and relating it to scripture...I'm not necessarily usually the giver. I would say I am rarely the giver of information. I seek help through my closest friends...well, usually my good friend Angela. She has always led me back the Word and taken the time to pray with me and pray for me. She never claims to have any answers...but only leads me to Scripture, where the answers truly lie. She tells me of her own shortcomings, of her own struggles. And I am so very appreciative of her. So it was nice to offer something back to this wonderful stranger. I will never forget her name or her story. And I stand in awe at how the Lord placed us right there together, to help one another.

Our God is an Awesome God....