Fairy Princess in a Bubble Bath

Bathtime has been so much fun since Santa brought Princess Bubble Bath and a Disney Princess Bathtime Tea Set.

Allyson loves to splash and play in the mountains of bubbles.

It's fun to relax in a bubble bath, even when you're only two!

This bath is perfect for a fairy princess! Also, to get a two-year-old to take a bath, some interesting things may become bath toys. Things such as wands, My Little Ponies, plastic kid's cups from Olive Garden, etc.

She's still got that fat baby tummy, even though she doesn't seem much like a baby anymore.

You know you're happy when you just want to sing!

There have been several super cute bath postings lately. We can't be left out! I have been kinda slack in posting pictures of my little girl who keeps changing so much.

Here's an example. This past week, Allyson has started wearing panties ALL the time, well, except at night. For several months she's been potty-trained at daycare. But, when we get home, the routine changes. Sometimes we have places to go. Allyson and Mommy have just not been ready to venture into public restrooms. Well, Mike and I decided that we can't go on like this forever. I mean, is she going to wear pull-ups to her kindergarten graduation?

So, we started this week. We have had TONS of accidents! Allyson likes to tell us she needs to potty AFTER the fact. So convenient! So much laundry!

But, we are just taking things day by day. Yesterday was good. Today wasn't. She's been on antibiotics for weeks (ear infection, sinuses, etc. Thanks for thoughts and prayers. She's doing much better!) And, if you've had a kid on antibiotics, you know, it makes things loose, so to speak. So, again so much laundry!

I know like all the other phases we have been through so far, this will pass. Soon our little girl will be using the potty just like everyone else. And, what will take this phase's place? Another phase of something else.

The moral-I'm not going to get all uptight about these accidents anymore. Even if it's hard, I'm still going to try to enjoy as much of this time in her life as possible. When two is gone, it's gone for good.

On a different note, Mike's 60 hour work weeks are OVER!!! Hallelujah! He has been so miserable going in to work at 4 am and working every Saturday. Oh, it will be so good to have Daddy home!

Thanks for taking the time to read all of this and listening to me share my random thoughts! Cheers to good friends!

Friendship Devotional

This is the devotional that I gave at last night's Ladies Salad Supper. I chose to talk about Friendship, because relationships are so important to us as Christians. I did find the devotional of the Web. Why reinvent the wheel? I started with a poem...about friends, of course! Enjoy!

I believe in angels,

The kind that heaven sends,

I am surrounded by angels,

But I call them friends.

A Recipe For Friendship

Julia Bettencourt

Friendships are wonderful gifts to our lives straight from God. There are several references to friendship in the Bible. There’s the relationship of David and Jonathan (1 Samuel 18-20, 2 Samuel 1). Those chapters in Samuel are great reading. Jonathan and David had a great love and respect for each other.God called Abraham, "friend" (James 2:23). Moses also comes to mind. Remember how God spoke to him, "face to face, as a man speaks to his friend" (Exodus 33:11)?

When it comes to our sisters in Christ, friendship takes on a special quality. Friendship between Christians is especially sweet because of the bond of Christ. We are enhanced by those special friendships. Building those friendships is a wonderful way to encourage and lift up others in the Lord.

Now the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to beof the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus: So that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:5,6

Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

Ointment and perfume make the heart glad: so a man’s counsel is sweet to his friend. Proverbs 27:9

Friends are one of the ways God takes care of us. We need all the things friendship blesses us with from other human contact such as encouragement, companionship, love, honesty, loyalty, understanding, and so many more things friendship offers.

Our friendships with our sisters in Christ are like recipes of goodness for us. They bake up something special. You may have heard that saying, "In the cookies of life, friends are the chocolate chips". Friends are that sweet extra in life and even sweeter is friendship among believers in Christ. Why is a recipe for fellowship and friendship with our sisters in Christ so important? Let's check out the ingredients and see what they do.

Sisters in Christ Friendship Recipe

• Shortening - Provides texture. Our fellowship and friendship with our sisters in the Lord can add much depth and texture to our lives. We blend together in unity as part of the body of Christ.
  
• Sugar - Adds sweetness. Our fellowship with our sisters adds such a sweet taste to our lives. If we didn't have sugar in our cookies, we'd sure miss it. The same is with our fellowship with our sisters. We can't leave it out of our lives.
  
• Eggs - Holds ingredients together. Sisters in the Lord are someone to lean on. We are held together by fellowship with them. We are stronger because of them, their prayers, and their love in the Lord. We have a special bond in Christ.
  
• Vanilla - Adds flavor. Sisters add that flavor we need. They give us that extra sensation. Without friends and fellowship we become kind of bland.
  
• Flour - Adds substance. We need the substance a sister in the Lord can add. They give us many things by way of mentoring us when we don't even know it. When we share stories about how the Lord has worked in our lives and setting an example of how we live our lives, this has an impact on each of us.
  
• Baking Soda - Leavens. Leavening agents in baking helps to lighten the dough. Friendship with our sisters in Christ lightens our burdens through their prayer and encouragement.
  
• Salt - Enhances flavor. We know that friendships add flavor and just when we need it, they help improve the tastefulness and quality of our lives. Friends are the type of people that know just what we are going through and are there when we need them.
  
• Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips - - The kind of chocolate chips we normally add to our cookies is semi sweet. Our sisters tell us what they feel and think and that's okay. We can be honest and truthful to each other. Remember "Iron sharpens iron" (Proverbs 27:17).
  
• Nuts...Optional - Just a little craziness in a Christian friend is great! Sometimes a little laughter and zaniness in our friends. This can be just the ingredient we need.
  

Conclusion: Friendships take a lot of time and effort to bake up, but they are worth it. We know this when we sense that sweet aroma and special bond that they bring. Friends that have Jesus in common will have lasting relationships, not just here on earth, but will live with Christ together for all eternity.

"A man of too many friends comes to ruin: but thereis a friend that sticks closer than a brother." Proverbs 18:24.

What this scripture tells us is that if we do not choose our friends wisely, it will lead to our destruction. But, wisely choosing a few friends, we will find friends that will be closer to us than perhaps our own family. I think we make wise choices when we build our friendships in Christ.

I wonder often if I'm the type of friend that I should be to others, especially to my sisters in Christ. Am I doing all those things that I should be doing, like lifting burdens, adding flavor, helping hold things together with my prayers, and all those other things? I hope I can continue to grow and improve in this area.

So, ask yourself, is your life a good recipe for friendship?

Now, I will close with one more poem.

The Miracle of Friendship

There is a miracle called Friendship

that dwells within the heart

and you don't know how it happens

or when it even starts.

But the happiness it brings you

always gives a special lift

and you realize that Friendship

is God's most precious gift.

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Now, I'd like to ask for your prayers.

Last year about this time, Allyson had tubes put in her ears. She didn't have ear infections for a long time after that. At Christmas, as I put on that post, she got one again. And, apparently, it has not gone away. Even after weeks of eardrops and antibiotics.

She started wheezing today. She started coughing yesterday. She is just sick and not getting better. We started breathing treatments today for the wheezing. She has not had much of an appetite, either.

Some of you know that we could not go out of town for the day this past weekend because she had to have antibiotic shots. She had to have one a day for three days.

We know that one of the tubes is out. The other, we're not sure because the infection is built up too much to tell.

We go back to the doctor on Thursday afternoon. Hopefully, the antibiotic shots worked and the infection will be cleared up.

As I type this, I hear her coughing in her bed.

Please pray that her health will be restored and that she will not have to have surgery to have tubes put back in her ears.

Thank you and God bless!

Christmas with the Cousins

On January 3rd, Christmas came again. My mom's side of the family traveled from Columbus to be with us for a while.

We had a very enjoyable time. I'm glad Allyson had a chance to be around so much family.

Here's Jenny, Erin (my cousin Jonathan's girls) & Allyson dancing in my mom's kitchen. You can see little Caleb (my nephew) watching them to the side.

Here's all the kids playing on the stairs. They were holding up their babies. Caleb doesn't have a baby.

My parents took the Christmas tree down the day after Christmas. So, the presents were piled up in front of the fireplace.

The kids played so sweetly together.

Here's the new baby, Cooper, with my Aunt Janice and my mom.

Cute picture of little Jenny on the stairs. She's a PKer this year.

A good picture of my Uncle Steve, baby Cooper, Mike, and Allyson with her lip poked out about something.

On top of celebrating Christmas together, we had cake for birthdays. My bro-in-law Brad, Aunt Janice, and mama all have birthdays close together in December.

The kids wanted to help blow out candles.

After all the gifts the kids had gotten, they just wanted to play with wrapping paper rolls. Fun "swords", I guess. This is my parents backyard. I don't know what Mike is doing. Maybe wondering how far the little boat could get him away from so many in-laws!

It was great to see my cousins, their wives, and the children. Can't wait until next year!

**********************************

The next day, Allyson wore a very special outfit to church.

This outfit was her sister's. I found it when I was getting Christmas decorations out of the attic. Morgan had her picture made in it. Maybe I can scan it and put it with this post. I'll try that. Later.

Thursday Thoughts by Mike Pace

Mike was asked to do the devotional this past Wednesday night. He did a wonderful job. I was very proud of him. So, for this Thursday Thoughts post, I'd like to summarize his brief lesson.

If you're like me, you may watch the news for better or worse. With all the problems in the world today, it's hard not to get distracted from the things we should be focusing on. You don't have to look any further than the nightly news to find a lion's share of things to be worried about. We hear about war, economic chaos, strife, corruption. All of this can build uncertainty.

In what seems like a world gone bad, it can be hard to keep sight of life's big picture and press onward. Not just to live, but to live a life that can be an example to others and bring glory to God.

However, if we are going to be successful in carrying out the Lord's will, we have to rid ourselves of all fear and uncertainty from this world that gets us bogged down.

So, how do we do this? Here are four easy steps.

1. In 2 Timothy 1:7, Paul, who at the time was in a Roman prison being persecuted for merely being a Christian, wrote "For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and love and discipline." So, there is the first step. Don't be fearful.
2. Place your trust in the Lord. He has the wisdom to know how everything will fit into His plan. Proverbs 3:5 says, "Trust in the Lord and DO NOT lean unto your own understanding."
3. Know that you will be taken care of. Matthew 6:31-34 says, " Do not worry then saying, "What will we eat?" or "What will we drink?" or "What will we wear?" For the Gentiles eagerly seek all of these things; for your Heavenly Father knows that you need all of these things. But, seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all of these things will be added unto you. So, do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
4. Pray. I Thes. 5:17 tells us to "Pray without ceasing." The Lord has provided this avenue for us to lay our troubles down on Him. But, it is up to us to do it! Without prayer, we are not going to find the peace that we will need in these turbulent times.

So, when we find ourselves troubled and distracted by the world, remember that the Lord is still on His throne and in complete control. And, we still have a job we need to do.

Mike had a response during the invitation. David Shiver asked for prayers for his troubles and depression. Another lady (I won't mention her name) told me after the dismissal that she had a hard heart, but she wanted to respond, too. She said that Mike really touched her.

I thought Mike's thoughts came at a time when there does seem to be so much doubt and fears throughout our country. But, as Mike pointed out, we are not powerless. We know that God is in control, no matter what. We can have no fear and we can have peace through prayer.

When Santa Came...

Allyson woke up Christmas morning in terrible pain. She had woken up twice the night before when her Motrin had worn off also.

So, I didn't get that awesome picture I was hoping for when she walked in and saw Santa's treasures that he had left for her. We had to wait for her medicine to kick in before she had any interest in looking under the tree. Mommy had to rock her for a few minutes.

But, finally, her curiosity got the best of her.

Daddy helped her look throught the pile. "Look, it's Ariel!"

Allyson got a camera, too. It's a Disney Princess toy camera.

Santa could have just brought Allyson a Dora coloring book and markers. She would have been perfectly happy! After she opened these, she sat and colored for about thirty minutes. We all got dressed and opened our stockings. Finally, she got around to seeing her other gifts.

My parents spent the night with us Christmas eve. Mike and Daddy went out to fly planes. Every boy needs a toy at Christmas. Even grown up boys!

Allyson took her new Dora doll for a ride in her wagon in the backyard. Her shirt says, "I love Dad (He buys me things)".

We had turkey and the works for lunch. I was very proud of myself for making Paula Deen's cornbread dressing. It was beautiful and delicious! Wish I had taken a picture!

After lunch, my parents took off. We all put our PJ's back on and took a nap. Before we took our nap, Allyson pulled her new Disney Princess blanket (it's so cool; it lights up! Thanks, Aunt Robbi!), some of her new books, and other things into the kitchen to read. She wants to be where we are.

We had leftovers when we got hungry and that night we went (with our PJ's still on) to ride around and look for Christmas lights. Allyson screamed out at every inflatable Santa, snowman, penguin, Mickey Mouse. Or, she would just say, "Pretty lights!"

And it wasn't long after we got home when Michael took this. Our little Christmas Angel was all wiped out.

It was a wonderful Christmas that went by way too quickly. Can't wait for next year!

Our Christmas Eve

My new background is in honor of the 750 page book I have spent most of my time off reading, which is why I didn't post very much! The book is called Breaking Dawn. It is the fourth book in the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer. I am an addict just like every other high school girl in this country! If you are looking to start a new series, I highly reccommend it.

Anyway, onto our Christmas Eve. Hopefully, I can get around to posting Christmas Day soon! :)

Allyson had a really bad ear infection. I had to take her to the doctor the morning of Christmas Eve. She was in so much pain as soon as her Motrin would wear off. She was so miserable, but all better now!

Christmas Eve is when we open our gifts. Christmas Day is exclusively for Santa.

Mike and I exchanged before family arrived. I got Mike some clothes and other things he really seemed to like. He gave me a ring with Allyson's birthstone, an Ihome, and a new camera. All really cool gifts. He really spoiled me!

My parents, sister, brother-in-law, and nephew all came over. We ate sandwiches (deli, not pb&j!) and I made buffalo wings. Then, we went to church. I really enjoyed having all of my family with me at church.

When we came home we exchanged gifts and had dessert.

My parents gave Mike a remote controlled airplane. Loved it, of course!

I had to post this one. Allyson wanted to wear her Christmas ballerina skirt all day. She even wore it to the doctor's office.

How do little boys just know to make truck noises when they push trucks?

Allyson finally got to have a peice of her Gin-er bread man. She chose to have his hand.

We had a little battle with Nerf guns going on after the presents were opened. All the guys got one. It was sons-in-law versus Papa. Don't you like my dad's barracade?

And, what are these two up to? I love how they are starting to play together!