Fun by the Dozen

Trick-or-Treating wasn't allowed in my family when I was growing up.  

But I do remember my brother and I getting to go to a neighbors halloween party once. 

Let me hear you say "awwwwwwwwwwwwwwww..."

I vividly remember coloring that contruction paper crown.
I also remember being terrified and excited at the same time--
wanting so badly to go, but also terribly shy.
 I think you can see the fear in my face!

Perhaps in an effort to make up for all the candy begging I missed out on in my youth,

I've thrown a Halloween party or two myself.

Good memories!

This year, Gabby asked to have a party with HER friends.

Gabby is all about friends.

If I didn't give her a limit, we probably would've been shoulder to shoulder with giggling girls.
A dozen was just right!

She planned this party for weeks. 

I stayed out of it for the most part, but at the last minute,

I decided to whip up a little atmosphere around the house.

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooh! Spoooooooooooooooooooooooky!
 She came home from school and LOVED it.

Totally worth it.

After an hour of frantic after school party preparations,
the hostess with the mostest got the party started with gross "guts" and scary stories.

The guests had to reach into the box and....well...
their faces say it all.

 

Crack. me. up.

Now all you need is a little mummy wrapping,

and monster-mashing,

and pinata bashing.

By the way, don't you love the homemade pinata?
Gabby's handiwork!

Way to go, Gabby!  Your party was a smash success!

I don't have pictures of all the fun stuff they did, but trust me...


they had FUN!!!

P.S. Thank you, Hanna, for most of these pictures.  
After all, who wants their mom hanging around taking pictures all night?!

Note to Self

 

Yesterday was super-sized messy with a side of exhaustion and tears on top.

Honestly, when trouble strikes, I'm stubborn like a two year old...

"I DO IT MYSELF."

And then I feel alone. Go figure.

But that didn't stop my clever God from sending help--via four special messengers.

Thank you, special messenger #1, 

for going out of your way to encourage me with your kind words at the park.

You blessed my socks off.

Thank you, special messenger #2, 

for sending an unexpected card with heartfelt words.

It came on just the right day.

 Thank you, special messenger #3, 

for calling to check in on me. Again.

You're always a sweet surprise.

 Thank you, special messenger #4, 

for offering to listen or help, even on your way out of town.

Your call was a lifeline.

None of these beautiful people knew just how much I needed to be encouraged.

But God did.

Isn't He clever?
I think maybe He loves me.
(smile)

Note to self :

Please pass the tissues.

It was completely unexpected.
Not the right place.
 Not a good time.
I lost control.

While the rest of the crowded school gym bid on pies,

 raspberries, and exotic vacations,
   I cried and she listened.

She listened like I was the only one in the room.
That's what friends do.
We aren't afraid of a few tears.

Because we all have stories.
 Stories that make us weep
at unexpected times 
in unexpected places.

 

I'll admit, most days I wish I didn't have a story
 that still makes me cry after 20 years.

But it's part of who I am.

It's the story God gave me.

And it's nearly impossible to tell it without tears.

Maybe that's okay.
 Maybe even good.
Because
God uses our tears.

"Frederick Buechner once said that it would help us all if we would keep track of the times and events in our lives that bring tears to our eyes... It may be at an unexpected time or place.  But, whenever you are stirred to such depths, these are times that God is at work in your life.  These are the emotional hot spots in our lives, when something breaks through the veneer of hardness in which we tend to entomb ourselves.  These occasions are like windows through which the light of God’s love gets in to us.  How quickly most of us close those windows of weeping for fear someone will see us when we are not in control!  But, when we slam those shutters back over the windows, we cut off God himself.  Check times and places where you weep, and you will see the places where God was getting through to you."          

                                                                                                                (Thomas Lane Butts, Jr.)* 

Go ahead,

tell someone your story.

Open up your windows.

"Rejoice with those who rejoice:
 Mourn with those who mourn."
 Romans 12:15

And please pass the tissues--

We've got some weeping to do!

_________________________________________________

"Jesus wept."
John 11:30

*Thank you to my Pastor for sharing the sermon quote. 

Hanna, these pictures are amazing. Thank you.
~For my CBS sisters