Last week, Jenny hosted the first annual Merry Mansel Mistletoe at her home. Of course, I brought along my aprons! She had some stockings and aprons made as well. She also had her pottery on display along with a Christmas tree full of handmade ornaments. Thirty-one Gifts was there to take orders, and our nieces brought their crocheted and hand-sewn items. There was much to browse as we sipped spiced tea and ate homemade brownies! Take a look at what we all made...

How do you like my display? I was quite proud of my "Dollar World" arrangement with the wooden spoons. I thought it was a nice touch anyway! Ha!

When I got the pictures printed off, the lady almost wouldn't let me take them home because she thought they were professional photos! Ha! Russ was so proud!

I also brought along about six of my full aprons and ended the evening with about six more orders. They are SO cute and even cuter ON!

Jenny's cross pottery was a big hit as well!

Her poor Christmas tree was nearly bare by the end of the night! Cute ornaments and a great price for teacher gifts.

I loved the stockings. There are still several of these left. We monogrammed names on these as well.

And, in case you wanted to see the assortment...

We saved the kitchen table for Olivia, Julie, and Leah's handiwork. Look at these cute owl purses. I can say that the owl items were first to go. I think there are still one or two owl purses left. I'm not sure.

Julie sat and crocheted at her table. Busy working on another masterpiece!

Look at all these detailed animals! I was SO impressed! Great work girls!

Leah even brought a bag she appliqued all by herself! Olivia helped her line the inside. But, other than that, it was all LEAH!

Grace sold some of her handmade items as well. She was so proud!

Not everyone was as excited as us girls! This is how Sam felt about all these goodies...

We had a great night! If you are interested in seeing what is still available. Jenny still has her things out. My aprons are on display at my parents' house. A couple of my full aprons are at Jenny's still. Thanks to everyone who came out to support us! We had a great night!

Her Future Plans Are...

Last night I went to see our high school's annual Beauty Revue. Our beauty review is a little different from most places. It is only for seniors. This is an event that is special for our senior girls...if they want to participate, of course.

I enjoy beauty reviews like many women. I have my list of names and pen ready to begin numbering, starring, and picking my finalists.

I enjoy this particular beauty review experience because of the information shared on each young lady. Of course, they list the activities, clubs, church activities, and community service that each girl is involved in. Then, they talk about the adult who had the biggest influence on them as a person. Those are always sweet. The last thing that the MC talks about is each young lady's future plans.

Isn't that funny how we, as girls especially, plan everything out. I laughed...sometimes out loud...as I listened to each young girl's perfect plan for their future. Let me see if I can remember some:

• Graduate from college, go to college at a major university majoring in [whatever], marrying the man of her dreams, having three kids, and become a buyer for a major high end department store like Saks Fifth Avenue.
• Graduate from college with a bachelor's in [whatever], marrying her high school sweetheart, and having two children who play tennis or football at Ole Miss.
• Graduate from high school, attend college in a big city with a great public transportation system or marrying a rich man and having a chauffeur.
  

Do you see why I laughed? I know that your senior year is the best time to have a dream and GO FOR IT! You must have a plan. Something to strive for. It is fun, however, for me to look back at my senior year and think about my future plans.

Have you noticed how we always say I plan to... We never really stopped to consider what HIS plans were. Of course, the one comment that kept sticking out to me was "marry the man of her dreams and have 2.5 kids." I think about how that plan really may not be His plan. I certainly had MY plans. I planned to have 2 children by now. I planned to be a stay-at-home mom by now. I planned lots of things that just never happened. Although I was sad to see those dreams, or plans, come and go...I am anxiously awaiting His plan.

I just finished talking with my mother-in-law about this tonight. She has struggled with some health issues and we discussed this. As the conversation ended, she stated that she prays for healing and relief. I asked her this strong question..."What if that does not happen? What if His plan is different from ours?" I only asked this question because I have dealt with this question myself, and I must say that it hurts to think about.

In all reality, God does not owe us ANYTHING! We owe Him EVERYTHING! He gave His only son so that we may live forever. So that we may not experience eternal death. All we have to do is accept His gift and ask Him to come into our lives. So, although I want more than anything else to have children and to be a stay-at-home mother, this may not be His plan. And although we all want complete healing for my mother-in-law, it may not happen. We must realize that He knows best. He knows our yesterdays, todays, and tomorrows. He has a plan and it is more than we could possibly imagine. (Eph. 3:20) We need to give it up! Give our lives over to Him and let Him take control. Trust Him with our lives. Our prayers might need to change from asking Him to fix things to asking Him how He wants to use us today. How can we use our current situation to bless others or show others to Him.

I think about precious friends, family members, and church members who have struggled though unimaginable difficulties, pain, and suffering. I think about how they pointed us to Him with each struggle, each pain, each difficulty. When they were down, they picked someone else up. When they were in pain, they helped others heal by their faithful example. When their struggle seemed lonely, they were surrounded by those who were touched by their example.

How will others remember you? What does your life show others about Him?

When your plans don't work out....

Take a look at us...not living our "planned life." Living HIS planned life!

What will you do with your circumstances? How will you use what the Lord has given you to serve Him, give Him the glory, and point others to Him?

Jeremiah 29:11 says,

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

MSU vs. KY

Once again, this family headed south to Starkvegas for some good ole SEC football! This was a big game for us. You see, we've been put in the rankings. Simple as that. Some of you may be thinking, "So what? Isn't it more important what NUMBER rank you are?" No! If you are a State fan, you understand that it is simply unheard of to be RANKED! Much less be ranked #21! So, coming into this game as the #21 team, we were feeling the pressure. The pressure to MOVE ON UP!

But, first things first! Tailgating!

Mama and Sherra

We took our normal spots beneath our four tents, grilled out, and enjoyed the company of our regular group.

Daddy and Rickey grilling burgers and hot dogs

Hoping for a victory, we happily relaxed as we welcomed visitors throughout the day to visit, eat, and take a seat to enjoy more college football on the TV.

The hubs

I used to say that tailgating was the best part of football season. You can see why, I'm sure! It is always a time for friends to get together from all over the state to celebrate one single love....Mississippi State football!

Vicki, Mama, Sherra, Lauren

Kristin, me, and Season

Dustin and Mary

Ryan, Season, me, and Russ

Lee and Rhonda

Russ, me, Becca, and Adam

Then, there is the Dawg Walk. That's pretty high up there this year. It has been fun welcoming this hard working, winning, sold out, and RANKED team and coaches!

Sisters and their cowbells!

Then, we come back to what USED to be the best part of MSU football...the tailgate! We visit some more, watch more football on TV, and eat more food! We laugh more, watch fans pass by, and anxiously await kickoff!

Phil and Ricky

Allison and Mary

More friends...

Finally, it's game time. Now, let me speak for myself when I say that NOW....NOW that we are playing football with a few "W's" under our belt and a number preceding our name on the ESPN score bar....NOW that we are proud, unified, and pushing forward and movin' up....NOW the actual football game is just as much fun as the tailgating! I'd go with the word AWESOME, ENERGETIC, and LOUD! I love it!!

This week, "Dan the Man" spoke before the game to encourage all our fans to ring responsibly. I must tell you that WE DID A PHENOMENAL job ringing only when prompted. I'm thinking we won't be fined after all! Ha!

Coach Mullen speaking to the students

But, when it was time to ring...we RANG! Mama thought this through as she brought one glove for her ringing hand. This is to avoid blisters, in case you weren't sure. Ha!

Mama and her cowbell glove

Yes, we were excited! We were ready! Oh...and it was Halloween weekend as well. I guess you could say Daddy was ready!

Bully and Mama

The game was incredible. It was close and action packed! I'd even go as far as to say that "Bully" got a little nervous...

But, all in all...we ended with a WIN! And that's what matters!

The fans were unbelievable! Everyone stayed until the end ringing their cowbells unrestrained. The team celebrated. The coach threw his cap into the student section. We were PROUD!

Yep...we're movin' on up AGAIN! Up to #20 this week in the BCS rankings! Can we say BOWL GAME?! Yes we can!

Go Dawgs!

Princess for a Day

Hanna, the birthday girl

Last week, I was privileged to join a group of precious "princesses" for Hanna's 8th birthday party. Oh, the memories of sleepovers and little girl giggles. You know, the giggles that only come from a group of girlfriends. Hanna chose a trip to Tupelo to Little Divas. I'm going to do a little free advertising here, because it was won-der-ful! We ALL had so much fun! The girls arrived and immediately put on little pink robes and headbands for a day at the spa.

Hanna relaxing during her facial

Each girl had a relaxing day complete with a facial, manicure, and pedicure while the the girlie music plays on the CD player. Each girl chose their own nail and glitter color. Such fun! Just the cutest place ever!

Grace getting her manicure

The party room was decorated with bright colors and zebra print...every preteens dream room, right? We covered the table and displayed Hanna's gifts.

The big girls had just as much...if not more...fun than the little ones! Ha! We found accessories and microphones! Yep! It was on! THIS is how a grown-up girl has a GREAT time! Living the life of an 8 year old singing karaoke to Britney Spears! Ha!

Jennifer and me

And, OF COURSE! Of course we bought these outfits and wore them home!

Want a full view? Ha!

The girls didn't mind that they didn't have cute tutus to take home. They were too busy feeling like divas themselves! I mean, just look at all this posing. It's as if they've been practicing! Ha!

Sweet friends

We enjoyed watching Hanna open her gifts and everyone ate cake before heading back home.

Me and Hanna

And, yes. Despite the blaring music, waving hands, windows down, spilled candy, and screaming girls, we made it home safely!

This is the birthday party I never knew I wanted as a young girl.

I mean, really....girls just wanna have fun! Thanks, Little Divas, for giving us a FUN filled day!

Canton Flea Market

There are so many things I miss about teaching school full time. I miss my Van Winkle babies! Really, there are none like them. In fact, I received a call last week from the school asking me to "talk to" one of my former students who was recently placed in ISS. Mama Johnson got on that phone like nobody's business! One of my friends asked, "Did you really get on her?" Absolutely! She had NO business in ISS and knows better! The teacher that called said she was in tears by the end of the conversation. Oh, how I miss them! I wanted to reach through that phone and give her a big hug as soon as my rant was over. [Sigh.] I miss the teachers I worked with. I miss planning creative lessons. I miss construction paper, glue, and scissors. You see, in my classroom, there was very little "paperwork" completed. We might CUT a worksheet apart to glue it someplace...but very little pencil and paper. I digress. I miss so many things.

But, there is one thing that job never afforded me. It never allowed me the opportunity to make it a few miles over to Canton, MS for the Canton Flea Market! Oh my gracious! Our women's ministry gathered a small group together to head south for the big occasion. I have a feeling that this group will grow next year, because we HAD A BLAST!

This group was compiled of quite the random combination of women. Isn't that the best kind! I always have so much fun getting to know others that I would not have normally had time with. Such a joy these women were! We left town around 5 AM. Yes, I was sleepwalking! Ha! We stopped midway for breakfast and parked the car in downtown Canton by 9:30. We shopped til we dropped. If you have never been, I encourage you to do so. There were vendors EVERYWHERE! I mean, in neighborhoods I never thought vendors would be. I think I saw it all, but I sure didn't have enough time to truly see everything. Next time, we'll be needing to be there at least by 8:00! We dropped around 5 PM. On our way back, we laughed and laughed and talked and talked some more. We meditated on our purchases and talked about what we should've gone back for! Ha! For supper, we stopped in God's Country, Starkville, to eat at Mugshots downtown.


We arrived home past most of the women's bedtimes I believe! Ha! But, it was worth it! What a fun day at the Canton Flea Market!