DK Originals

A few weeks ago my 2 cousins came into town for a few days. Unfortunately, besides Weddings, funerals and Christmas, I don't see much of my family what with most of them living over 500 miles away and... you know...life happening.

So it was pure delight that D and K were coming to Atlanta for a simple visit that had nothing to do with lilies,lace or Christmas lights...not that all of these things aren't lovely (sorry, couldn't help myself!).

A bit of background:

These cousins of mine, D n K, DK... well, they are fabulous!

For starters, it's no coincidence that these two share the same mono gram as a certain well known, oh so trendy, fashion designer.

No, no, no.

These ladies are walking fashion plates.

Want to know what's 'Instyle' without perusing armloads of Vogue magazines? You need look no further than these cousins of mine.

This keen sense of couture developed from birth.

Instilled by my Aunt Emma, the consummate in-house designer and seamstress extrodinaire, the gals were groomed early on in the finer ways of fashion.From the cradle on her girls were swathed in layers of petticoats topped with everything from cotton to taffetta. These gals were sporting designer orginals long before chic boutiques were all the rage.

Oh...and...did I mention they could 'sang'?

Not only were they instructed as to the essentials of style from a very early age, but my friends,

the cousins were encouraged to pursue all manner of musical endever, as well as and most importantly a deep love of Jesus....and did they ever pursue!
As we've all grown older, I am constently in awe of their sense of style, elogence as well as fun when it comes to adornment and life. Whether spiffy holiday wear or a fabulous unique Wedding gown

D and K have the complete package, inside and out, although I don't even think they know it...at least it never comes across that way.

All this love, beauty, elogance and talent with a humble servents attitude...My girls got it going on.

Okay, that was background...still there?

During the aforementioned visit a few weeks back we got together at my brother RL's home in Duluth for some great home cookin and a rousing game or three of "Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader".

The girls flat out beat the guys.

It took three games because a certain host was experiencing remote control operating challenges that defyed logic and kept unintentially making selections other than those we girls actually chose.

During the course of the afternoon to evening we did a lot of laughing, sharing, remembering and then laughing some more. You know the kind of tearful laughter, that goes into ugly brochial fits?

Um...no? Just me huh?

My oh my!!

Was it good...and long overdue.

Many of ya'll intentionally make a point to hang out more regularly with your relations than me and mine, and that is so wonderful! What a blessing!!

For the rest of us...
Good time get togethers require intentional planning.

If we wait for them out side of Weddings, holidays and funerals (which by the way, don't usually make for much one on one merriment), we will miss great opportunities to deepen the love and friendships celebrated in our youth, but too often neglected as we get swept along in...life.

Sooo...make a call, send a lenghthy email...not a forwarded message (I am so guilty of this!) and if at all possible...save a date, get hooked up, love on your family and friends. You will so glad you did!

"Let us consider how we can stir up one another to love. Let us help one another to do good works. Let us not give up meeting together. Some are in the habit of doing this. Instead, let us cheer each other up with words of hope. Let us do it all the more as you see the day coming when Christ will return." Hebrews 10:24-25

The New WWC

Over the weekend I received a long awaited phone call from my eldest child. After 5 years of rigorous training, various attempts to de-throne the competition peppered with multiple setbacks and injuries throughout, my son called to announce as he was the new WWC King!

Not to be confused with

World Wrestling Champion,

no...

This would be the

World Washer Champion

Please join us in sending out whole hearted congratulations!

WHOOP!! WHOOP!!

(That would be my boy in the plaid shorts)

Way to go Dave and Jake!

**Please Note: I have it on very good authority (my son) the world was fully represented with athletes present from upwards of 7 US States and at least 2 contestants were present on behalf of all Southern America**

Another Challenge

Okay, don't know about ya'll, but the Cardboard testimonies just stuck with me all day. The question I kept asking my wordy self...what would my testimony be if all I had was one piece of cardboard, regular size...not a refrigerator box?

Here it is.

Shattered, broken, mostly dead
Redeemed, Esteemed and fully alive in Christ!

So I challenge you: What would your cardboard testimony be?

Can't wait to hear back from you!

Cardboard Testimonies

O'kay, now I'm a puddle.




Our God is so very good!

Udderly Cool Day

Last Saturday we got the whole crew up early and headed to the farm, Cagel's Dairy Farm that is.

Cagel's is a local working dairy farm. You can actually take tours and watch cows being milked, the milk bottled, then take some home with you as they sell their product locally.

Later this fall we'll try and not get lost in what Cagel's bill as the 'World's Largest Cornfield Maize'. Good times indeed!

We were to come by the farmers market Cagel's host on Saturday mornings and do a bit of shopping. My friend from Mamzie Bakery was selling homemade breads and muffins that she makes using wheat she grinds herself. Talk about Yummie!

Once we picked up various staples including a most delicious assortment of tomatoes (oh the joy of homegrown tomatoes!) We were in need of breakfast. We left the house far too early for our regular Pancake Saturday extravaganza, so this called for an adventure.

We broke out of the chain restaurant box and shared a scrumptious meal at a local place, The Serene Bean. The SB has a fantastic assortment of fresh breakfast treats. We sampled a mini coffee cake made with cream cheese and just picked blueberries.

The Bean part of the name, oh yes coffees galore. I had one of the Cappuccinos I've had in I'm not sure when. This little place is big on ambiance and flavor. Laid back and friendly. Thinks the Central Perk meets small, southern town.

Afterwords, we strolled over to the Foxtale Book Shoppe. We had driven by this store many times, but never made it through the doors until Saturday. The investigation did not disappoint. Quaint, cute and with a surprising inventory.

We ended up buying a great book of poetry and a copy of The Shack. I have been hearing very good things about this book, but hadn't put it on my reading list. Big mistake.

Late Saturday afternoon, I started what I thought would be a cursory look only to be quickly drawn into the story. Were it not for the likelihood falling asleep in church Sunday morning, there's no doubt I would have stayed up thru the night to finish it. Whoa, it is some good readin!
If you can pick up a copy at your local bookstore or library. You'll thank me.

Well, gotta run. I have an invitation to play my first official golf game this week, and me and my posse got some practicing to do.

Until later,

Of This, We Are Sure

"Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth." Proverbs 27:1


For reasons I'm not going into right now, my beloved man and I are currently the primary caretakers of our eldest daughters two children.





Miss Kyra, our oldest grandchild has been with us since her birth,



while her brother, Mr. Kaden came to be in our care last April.




My husband and I don't claim membership in the Psychic Network, this was NOT where we saw ourselves at this season in our lives lo those many years ago.

No, our vision included cross country road trips, with fishing tackle at the ready, stopping along the way for any body of water that looked promising. All while chill'in to the sounds of The Moody Blues and Bob Dylan.




When not casting our lines out, we would browse out of the way bookstores, gathering various volumes by our favorite authors, while sipping cappuccinos (me) and Diet Coke (he). Sleeping over...eating out...as we stumbled across the country, all the while reveling in our AARP discounts. Finally gett'in round to that coupling time we missed with a marriage that included an instant family.

Aah! Sheer bliss!

Umm...Okay, sounded good at the time...but in retrospect, maybe a bit contrived...

Aaaaww shucks, maybe even boring.

This is our reality: Our empty nest is now full and over flowing.

Mr. B and I proudly reside in a 'baby' gated community, manage an ever growing and colorful My little Pony farm and have amassed quite an impressive collection of Veggie Tale books - The Green Edition.

Our vehicles are outfitted with multiple car seats, boosters and kiddie strollers. Our pantry staples include Goldfish, gummie snacks, Dora and Cars canned soups plus enough peanut butter to pack lunches for the Grands from now and throughout their college years. Okay, maybe only high school, but you get the point.

We don't have a bathtub or shower that does not have a least 1 rubber duck and a bottle of Johnson's Baby shampoo.

Oh, we still eat out. Many a meal includes grilled cheese, chicken nuggets and fruit chased with lots of milk and of course a side of packaged toy, game or dessert. Followed by the requisite climbing of walls, slipping on slides and crawling through any number of kids-size gerbil mazes.

We don't just 'up and take off' where our hearts desire...spur of the moment like. No, we consider the kid friendly aspects of any adventure we contemplate.

How will this be for them...with them?? What about naps and bathrooms?

We tend to pack like we're gonna be gone for a month instead of a weekend, coordinating each plan around the constant needs of an active five and almost 2 year old, it can put a damper on things...

or not.

Yes, we cruise the highways and sky ways, browse bookstores, drop a line here and there with our respective caffeine in hand.

I admit now and again I get an extra shot or two of espresso...we do what we must, you know?

Seldom will you see us anywhere without our precious posse.


No, this is not where we saw ourselves in this season of our lives...


but He did.

In so many ways, it is so much the better....


of this, we are sure.




For this season and whatever lies ahead we remain ever GratefulinGa

Um...God?

**The following conversation was recently exchanged between
Beth, Kylie and God.**

So as Kylie and I wake up on late Sunday morning, we realize that we've overslept and will not make it to church.

With our sleepy faces on we look at each other and say,


"What are we gonna do?"


Kylie says, "Well, we could pray..."


I told her that was a good place to start.


So, there in my king-sized bed, we fold our hands, bow our heads and Kylie prays,

"Um, God, um...we messed up and we didn't wake up on time. So, we're not gonna make it to church today, but we're really sorry and we really love You and we'll do better next week. Aaaamen."

We look up at each other and shrugged.

I said, "Okay, I bet He forgives us."


Kylie says - while holding up her pointer finger - "Hold on, Mommy."

She then lowers her head and folds her hands again and says,

"God, do you forgive us?"


Then, with that angelic face, she looks at me and relays the message,

"Yep, Mommy, He said 'Okay'. He forgives us!"

Whew! Can you say Deep!

Two weekends ago I was blessed to partake in the Deeper Still event at Philips Arena in downtown Atlanta. Some 19,000 women of faith packed the place out to the rafters breaking previous records for a ladies event. Philips had never sold out a women's event, but they sure did that week. It was a sight to behold and an experience that has left me overwhelmed, slowly savoring and digesting two days of what I have come to believe must be just the teeniest glimpse of the heaven on earth soon to be.
I had the sheer delight of being spiritually fed by three powerful women of the Word. My, oh my did they bring it! There was Kay Author, Beth Moore and Priscilla Shirer. I was very familiar with Kay and Beth by way of books, Bible studies and television, but I had no experience with Priscilla.

What did our Mamas always tell us, "You are known by the company we keep"? Whew! I should of had a clue.

Anyway, Lifeway's AllAccess is doing a fantastic job rehashing the weekend, well worth checking out if you get a chance.

My pal Deborah and I got there early both days, and had a great time getting to know some spiritual Sisters while waiting in line. The stories of how and what brought us to the event were varied. Gals from everywhere for all kinds of reasons, expecting all kinds of things. It's really something to hear different testimonies...stories of peoples lives...to meet as strangers and leave as friends. One new friend was Toni, from Augusta.

What a sweetheart! God definitely used this conference to give us all a good word, whether we planned on it or not. I am so excited to see and hear where He leads in all our lives.

The three of us had wonderful seats directly behind our Governors wife, Miss Mary Purdue. Talk about Blessed! Miss Mary and the Governor are members of our church, so I see them most Sunday mornings from the choir, or like this yesterday, blessed with a sermon

from the Governor himself. I must tell you, it pretty much blew my mind and gave me such hope and joy as we studied, worshipped and praised right along with Georgia's First Lady.

If you ever get a chance to hear any of these women of God, go...you could not make a better use of your time. They will take you deeper still. At the end of Priscillas message Friday night she recited a powerful poem, from a song actually written by Aaron Jeoffrey. As far as I'm concerned, it's a keeper. I hope ya'll enjoy this as much as we did, look for HE IS.

Crash

"No Mawmaw, I do not need a nap...I do not need a nap...I do not zzzzzzz..."

Of Tattoos and Corn Dogs

How did ya'll spend your 4th?


Our day began early!! We left the house by 8:15, having packed the essentials:


Diaper bag, bottled water, change of clothes for the children, goldfish snacks, hats, camera and most importantly...



Sunscreen 75: Once applied this is tantamount to encasing your body in a full body latex sheath. Yes, we left the house well armed.





We first stopped for an all American breakfast of champions at Cracker Barrel. One of a handful of finer southern restaurants that serve hearty meals, brain teasing peg puzzles and game of giant checkers on the side with every meal! What's not to love?




Nothin beats a crossword or seek a word before oatmeal and eggs.


Umm do you spell meatloaf 'meet-loaf' or me-tloaf'?






Miss Kyras and her hat.
Not exactly patriot in color, but effective in cutting down on harmful UV rays to the face...besides, I ask you, is there anything that does not go with pink? According to this 5 year old...NO!

Of course, what screams celebration of our nations independence better than an old fashioned parade!

Fortunately for us, Georgia has some of the best.

With Color Guard

Marching Bands


Floats

Yes, that is the Big Chicken Float...
it's an Atlanta thing!





Cool Cars

Yes...that would be Wall-E, Whoop!! Whoop!!

Bikers

An assortment of Princesses for every age and taste. We counted a good bakers dozen. Everything from Ms to Miss Tiny Baby Marietta/Cobb County. Take a look at just a few








Twilight Twirlers...you GO Girls!







Boy Scouts



Hot Dogs

Santa

and lots of service men and women

Some of us had better seats than others

Then it was on to the party at Marietta Square

packed with every sort of food, drink and craft vendor you could ever want.

Selling everything from oooh so fancy hats, slipper shaped dog beds and the ultimate drink holder. Check it out!

Some of us did a little shopping.

Kyra opted for new, more fashionable head gear.
along with a free Frisbee and Patriotic Tattoo. We're stylin now!
Then there were Jumpy's to suit every taste and skill level!

By 3 o'clock, it was time to call it a day!


Are you exhausted...feel like you were there?
Here's hoping!

Happy 4th of July ya'll!

Exhausted but