Let's try this again

Apparently the following clue was a little too abstract for some people.

July 2010

I was trying too hard to be witty and creative.

Maybe this next clue will help clear things up.

Is that better?

If you've never eaten at the Waffle House, you may not find this funny....

Jaida and I were driving past a flower stand outside the national cemetery near our house. Our conversation went something like this:

Jaida: I wonder if anyone ever buys those flowers.

Mom: I think they buy the flowers and take them to the cemetery to put on the graves.

Jaida: I don't think I want to be buried.

Mom: You want to be scattered....?

Jaida: Smothered and covered!

Marine Corps Ball 2009

Halloween in Oz

For the third year in a row, we decided to dress in theme. This year was Wizard of Oz.

Our little cowardly lion preferred to trick or treat without his mane.

Okay, so I see Dorothy, the wicked witch, the scare crow, and the lion.

But who is Jaida supposed to be?

Cocktail party Barbie?

No, she's Glinda the good witch. But if you haven't had the pleasure of seeing "Wicked", then you won't recognize her in her "Popular" dress.

We couldn't find a Glinda costume that Jaida liked, so I made one.

Yes, me.

No, I don't really sew.

But I sewed that.

I know Dash doesn't belong in Oz, but this picture of Maya with her best friend Trey was just too cute not to include!

July 2010

Wordless Wednesday

Answered prayers

I noticed something yesterday. And I'm trying to figure out how I didn't notice it sooner.

Ryan was sleeping and I was looking at him. Really looking at him. (How often do you get a chance to look at your sleeping husband?) And I noticed something important.

His eyes.

They were closed.

Completely closed.

From corner to corner. Top lid and bottom lid touching.

Not with effort.

Closed completely in peace.

In June 2007, I started asking people to pray for Ryan's eyes. Specifically that his eyes would be able to close. Ryan has had seven corrective surgeries on his eyelids, most recently August 18, 2009. He gets focused medical massage on his face and eyelids to improve circulation and elasticity. And he's had laser treatments designed to resurface his scars.

But yesterday, was the first time I saw it.

The answer to my prayers.

The answer to your prayers.

And I knew I had to tell you. Because you brought us here. Your prayers and God's power.

So, now I want to ask for another prayer. You've been so faithful to us. I hope you will consider adding another family to your prayer list.

My dear friend Lisa has inoperable brain cancer. She has been valiantly fighting it for a year and a half. A few months ago, they found another tumor. And for all the progress she's made, this new tumor has knocked her back quite a few paces. She is a wife to Sean and a mother to Mia and Ella. She is 27-years-old.

Will you pray for her? For her healing. For her strength. For her peace. For her family.

I only ask you to do this because I know it works. I was reminded of that yesterday.