A trip down memory lane...

Want to take a trip down memory lane? Go Yearbook Yourself...

Those of you who knew me "back in the day" know that my hair was frighteningly similar to the second and third photos at different points in my life. Long live the spiral perm! (No, not really)...I saw reason and finally cut my hair off, leaving me with the very short cut I have today...thank heavens!

Budding baker...

Sweet E helped me make blueberry muffins and chocolate chip oatmeal cookies this morning...my little budding baker perched on a stepstool clad in her pink and white gingham apron and stirred like a pro! We had a little mishap when she tried to sprinkle sugar on the muffin tops....it was more dumping than sprinkling, but that's ok...

Now, she keeps asking me if she can wear her "pink shirt" to "cook" again. Too fun!

And this video is too cute...even if it's sideways! I need to remember to hold the camera the other way, because I can't rotate the video after I shoot it this way...

Wonderful dinner...

...butter garlic shrimp

...whole wheat pitas with hummus

...tomato red pepper soup

...Greek salad with feta, red and yellow tomatoes, black olives, purple onion and a simple lemon olive oil dressing

...a favorite red wine

...bliss!

Wordless Wednesday...

Corners of my home: Dishware

Is having a dishware obsession unhealthy? I have holiday dishes, everyday dishes, plastic picnic ware dishes, special occasion dishes...I think this is a genetic problem, because my mom is the same way....so if you get us together in a M*kasa outlet, there's a BIG problem.

Seeing the above cabinet each day always makes me smile. I adore blue and white, and these are some of my everyday dishes that we use a lot...They're a little battered and worn, but lovely nonetheless!

Note to self...

...do not feed Chinese food to young children.

This morning, Mom, E and I met for a fun girlie morning of shopping and lunch out...we headed to a fun, yummy place that I haven't visited since my working girl days. Mom and I ordered an appetizer and a lunch special for the three of us to split. E loved the hot and sour soup and moderately enjoyed honey chicken and rice. I'd also brought her some yogurt and milk.

Here I am being all proud that my daughter is such a foodie that she likes interesting foods aside from kid standards like chicken nuggets and mac-n-cheese....

That pride vanished this afternoon as poor E had quite the upset stomach, leaving this mommy either changing smelly diapers or rocking a poor sad E...who has quite a red bottom!

I don't think we'll be having any more baby foodie adventures any time soon...we'll stick with the basics for now!

Rap star wannabe?

Why does this frighten me a little?

The hat on backwards, no shirt (!!!)

diaper hanging out above the shorts...

I know, I know, I should think it's cute...and I do...but ACK!

Overheard...

..."My poor, poor little zero....poor little zero..." (said as E is matching foam numbers to a number grid from our recent Preschool Activities in a Bag swap).

..."Mommy, this is NOT a camera..." (said as E holds a ballpoint pen up to her face...not a camera, really, you think not?)

Dinner with friends...

Tonight we had dinner with some dear friends of ours. They just moved to the area, as Josh has finished medical school and is now an ENT doctor in a local practice. We've been friends for years, connecting here and there for dinner or a quick visit, but it's so fun to have them in the area now! They were married four months before hubby and I, and had their daughter four months before we had E. We've always joked that we are on the same "schedule". Hailey and E had a BLAST playing together! We'll definitely have to do it again, soon!

First haircut...

Sweet E had her first haircut today! I've been so scared to cut off her baby curls...I just love them! Kimberly, the sweet gal that cuts my hair, offered to barely trim E's ends today while I was in for a much-needed haircut. Sweet E also got some wispy bangs...so cute!

Before: big cheesy smile!

Before: curly girlie!

During: mom, I am not so sure about this...

After: so cute!

Welcome to the world...

...little Holden Brazell Chambers...we're so glad you're here!

Never....

...turn your back on a two year old...even for a second!

(Yes, that is an entire box of tissues...pulled out...)

Playdate fun...

Today, Claire and Nate came over to play...the kids had a great time, and their mommy and I had a nice time swinging on the glider in the backyard and visiting. It was a wonderful morning of "normal" after many weeks of craziness.

E has such fun with these big kids! Despite the age differences, they all play together so well! We can't wait to do it again, soon!

Behold a host arrayed in white...

We sang this hymn at Granny's memorial service yesterday....the words always make me cry, and that was the case even more so yesterday, of course. But the words paint such a vivid picture of all of those in heaven with Jesus...truly beautiful!

"Behold a Host, Arrayed in White"by Hans A. Brorson, 1694-1764

1. Behold a host, arrayed in white,
Like thousand snow-clad mountains bright,
With palms they stand.
Who is this band Before the throne of light?
Lo, these are they of glorious fame
Who from the great affliction came
And in the flood of Jesus' blood
Are cleansed from guilt and blame.
Now gathered in the holy place,
Their voices they in worship raise,
Their anthems swell where God doth dwell,
Mid angels' songs of praise.

2. Despised and scorned, they sojourned here;
But now, how glorious they must appear!
Those martyrs stand a priestly band,
God's throne forever near.
So oft, in troubled days gone by,
In anguish they would weep and sigh,
At home above the God of Love For aye their tears shall dry.
They now enjoy their Sabbath rest,
The paschal banquet of the blest;
The Lamb, their Lord, at festal board
Himself is Host and Guest.

3. Then hail, ye mighty legions, yea,
All hail! Now safe and blest for aye,
And praise the Lord, who with His Word
Sustained you on the way.
Ye did the joys of earth disdain,
Ye toiled and sowed in tears and pain.
Farewell, now bring your sheaves and sing
Salvation's glad refrain.
Swing high your palms, lift up your song,
Yea, make it myriad voices strong,
Eternally shall praise to Thee,God, and the Lamb belong.

Hymn #656 The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: Revelation 7:13-17
Author: Hans Adolf Brorson, c. 1760
Translated by: composite
Titled: "Den store hvide Flok vi se"Norwegian folk-tune, c. 1600
Tune: "Great White Host"
Arranged by: Edvard H. Grieg, 1907, ad.

Marguerite "Mickey" Poeck

Marguerite "Mickey" Poeck, age 89, of Plano, Texas, was called by our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ to her heavenly home on Sunday, August 3, 2008. She was born September 11, 1918, in Littlefield, Texas, the daughter of Herman John and Fredaricka (Sueltz) Michlink. On November 11, 1937 she married William Reinhold Poeck in Littlefield, Texas. Mickey will be remembered for the love, kindness and hugs she showed to her family and friends. She was an example of the love of Jesus. She is survived by her daughters, Margie Best Henry of Plano, Sharon Sandling of Plano and Linda Frei of San Antonio; five grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren, and sisters, Myrtle Evans of Waxahachie, Texas and Christine Loschke of Prescott Valley, Arizona. Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, William on May 16,1979; sisters, Esther Poeck and Laura Kreneck; and brother, Fred Michlink. Memorials may be made to Marguerite Poeck Memorial Fund in care of Faith Lutheran Church, 1701 E. Park Blvd., Plano, TX 75074

Bridal shower fun...

We hosted a small shower here this weekend for Lucy...

what a fun, girlie time of family, friends, food and fellowship!

My Sweet Granny...

...is home with Jesus.

"I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live." ~ John 11:25