The Queen B

Sweet

Guess who graduated from Kindergarten last week?

Isn't she growing up so fast??

We will be traveling to Guatemala later this month.  Would you please join us in prayer for our trip? Though we are praying for hearts to be softened, we truly just want to be in the Father's will.  

I do have a few tiny anxieties:  The King's first big trip since his surgery; flying.

That's pretty much the list.

I am really just excited to spend time with her and with the other kids.  

We have changed a lot since our last visit, and I'm excited to see the orphanage with clearer eyes.  

While I'm talking about the serious, I'd like to share something else with you.  I don't know how to explain it, but The King and I both feel that God is preparing us for a new chapter.  It may not be anything dramatically different.  But it might.  It may not alter our daily lives.  But it could.  

The last year and a half has taught me to rest in God's timing.  Not to rush it.  Not to force it.  

But it is still hard to wait.

Have you ever felt just on the edge of knowing something important, while really having no idea what it is you are about to know?

(Not rhetorical.  Spill it.)

Opportunity Missed

I almost can't even post about it.  

I was so close to the greatest moment ever.

So.  Close.

Here's the story.

When we pulled into our driveway after church on Sunday, I spotted something off in the distance.

"King?" I questioned, "Is that cow on the wrong side of the fence?"

He was unsure.

We drove closer.

Oh dear.

She was definitely on the wrong side. 

So The King decided to put her back.

Which is easier said than done.

And while The King would tell you that he has bovine experience...

I'm not sure that he actually does.

But here's where I become sad and disappointed. 

I DIDN'T THINK TO VIDEO HIS EFFORTS AT THE CORRALLING.

Did I momentarily take leave of my good sense?

I'll do my best to give you a word picture of the event.  

Just know that it will not be a fraction of the funny that I observed.

So The King wanted The Princess and I to participate in the corralling.  

And by "participate" he meant "watch him" so that we would forever be in awe of his cow skills.

We started out close by The King and the cow, but soon relocated.

BECAUSE THE COW BEGAN RUNNING TOWARDS US WHICH JUST SO HAPPENED TO BE IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION OF THE FENCE.

The King assured us that this was part of his corralling technique.

(We were doubtful.)

He then got behind her and tried sweet talking her to the gate.

Which worked about as well as when he tries to sweet talk me.

I'm just sayin'.

So the cow took off again in the opposite direction.  Full speed.

The King then went to the 4wheeler.

Which is apparently Bad Idea Numero Uno in Bovine Relocation School.

He tried to steer her (pun totally intended) to her gate.  

She ran toward the house.  

And dropped a big pile right in the middle of my driveway.

The King looked a little nervous at this point. 

I went inside.

But I totally watched from the window.

They played this little game of I-want-you-to-go-left-so-you-then-go-right for about 10 minutes.

The next thing that I saw brings me to tears.

TO TEARS.

The King was waving his arms and his mouth was moving.  And then...could it be?

I stepped outside to find out if what I suspected might, in fact, be true.

IT WAS.

The King was loudly telling the cow why she needed to do what he was saying and she was...are you ready?...mooing back at him.

I quickly realized the mistake I'd made in not having a video recorder.

They were talking over one another.  

But finally, the cow acquiesced.  She saw the error of her ways.

Or the fun of playing with the human had run its course.

Either way, she gave up and ON HER OWN FREE WILL WITHOUT ANY HELP FROM THE KING walked to her gate and went to her side.

It was, like, one of the top 10 moments of my life.

And it would have brought you such joy.

If only.

I'm Good With Nothing

I have to tell you...I am so ok with nothing dramatic happening here.  

All I have to share is a whole lot of daily stuff.  

 

1.  I think I never told you that I got braces on my bottom teeth.  

It is just for a short time.  

(Hallelujah.)

I had an appointment today.  They had to put on a new wire. 

Unfortunately, the only colors they had were PURPLE OR LIME GREEN.

Which do you think I chose...? 

2.  Is it ironic that the NASTY & DISGUSTING smell that I couldn't find in my refrigerator was coming from a lemon?

 3.  The Princess turned 13 last week.  

I cannot believe that this child...

...has grown in to this young lady.

I am so proud of her.  She is such a great kid.  She has handled so much stuff this year with laughter and grace.  

Happy Birthday, Princess.  

 

4.  We went to Dallas last weekend for her birthday.  My friend, Lacey, shares a birthday with The Princess, so she & Jason joined us on the celebration trip.

While we were shopping for jeans, the store lady asked me if I was shopping with my girls.  

I said yes, thinking she meant, like, shopping with my homies or something.

Then she said the words that ruined my weekend, if not my life.

"They're both your daughters?"

ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME?

If I'd had her when I was 5 1/2!

That day will forevermore be known as "The Day The Anti-Wrinkle Regimen Began".

You've no idea how much junk I've slathered on my face & neck.  

I'm in a constant state of glisten.

(Needless to say, I didn't buy any of her stinkin' jeans.)

 

5.  I think I don't really have a 5.  

I was going to (finally) post a picture of my tattoo, but I'm too lazy to get up and get the camera.  

I guess that's to be expected with my advancing age.  

 

Several Things

1.  Thank you all for the sweet birthday wishes to The King and La P.  

The King was thrilled.

He had a great day.  

Pretty much because of this.

 

If you can get past the fact that he is sitting with a cat in his lap, you'll notice his new birthday toy.

He's loving it.

The King.  Not the cat.  Though the cat is loving some lap time.  But he's a she.  

The cat.  Not The King. 

2.  Conner came home today!  Praise the Lord!!  He has a road ahead of him, for sure, but we know that he is well on his way to a full & complete recovery.   Thank you so much for your prayers.  

3.  If you are a local, check out the Embellished Goods link.  We'll be adding several new items this week.

4.  Hmmm.  What else do I have to tell you...?

Let me think...

WE GOT A VOICE MESSAGE FROM LA P FRIDAY NIGHT!!!

Do you even know how sweet that little girl's voice sounded to us?

Even though we couldn't understand a word she said...

A little birdie told one of the missionaries that it was The King's birthday, so he sent us a voice recording of her singing Happy Birthday.  And some other stuff.  

(Anyone care to translate?)

It was the first time we've heard that child since March!!!  

So amazing.

(And Thanks, Little Birdie...:)

It's Your Birthday

Guess who has a birthday today???

The King!!

And La P!!

And...today it's been 6 months since The King's surgery!!

What a wonderful day!!

I am so very grateful to be able to celebrate The King today.  

I cannot even imagine what a different day this could have been... 

***

It's kind of bittersweet to think of La P's birthday.  She turns 7 today!  

But I'm afraid she doesn't know that.

And I SO thought we'd be closer to having her here by the time she was 7.

But I know that the same God who saved The King has a plan for La P.  

And His plan is good.

So...

I am so very grateful to be able to celebrate La P today.  

Even if I can't be with her.

***

Do me a favor and wish The King a very Happy Birthday!  

(Even though he won't let me take his picture...)

***

Have a great weekend!