Some of our vinyl signage was delivered today for Hopetown, so I ran to Jackson to see how it was looking....I am getting really excited about the opening of Hopetown....carpet and trim are almost finished....so now all the trim has to be painted and I need to add some finishing touches.

Since I was in town anyway, I convinced Brad to try a new Panda Express...I think it has only been opened for two days.

Yummm....Kung Pao and Sweet and Sour Chicken :P

Then, I took Savannah and McKenna for pedicures tonight.  It was the first time they had experienced that and it was funny.  McKenna was fine, but Savannah has trouble like I do with people touching her feet.  She had to have me hold her hand so she could grip it tightly and try not to kick the lady....ha!  I went ahead and had mine done too....I hardly ever do it, but I get to go on a date night with my husband soon, so I thought, WHY NOT?!  Knowing how I have reacted the other two times I have had a pedicure, I warned the lady doing my toes that I am a serious kicker....but, I promised to do my best to refrain.  SHE TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THAT KNOWLEDGE AND TORMENTED ME BY PURPOSEFULLY TICKLING MY FEET SEVERAL TIMES!  She.....and Savannah and McKenna thought that was hilarious! 

HiYAH!

It is puzzling how I can walk to pick up the mail where I work and pass through doorways that students and other staff members pass through constantly and still manage to walk through a spider web :P  I guess I'm just amazing like that...ha!

Trade Your Sorrows

Sometimes those problems are really pesky.  They stick around for a long time and even make us wonder if we are going to have to accept them into our lives as a new normal.  But no matter what circumstance is causing us heartache or grief, the sorrow can be traded in for joy.  Let's never forget that.  

Eventually, if we stay the course, we will understand the truth written about in Philippians 3:8...What I once held dear, I count it all as loss... FOR THE SAKE OF GAINING CHRIST.  Knowing Christ is our utmost delight.  I know it may seem easier to say that than to know it and live it....that is why we have to practice trading our sorrows for the joy He wants to give us.  We have to plead for eyes that see our circumstances through His fresh grace and mercy.  We have to trust Him....knowing that He is always GOOD.....and we have to repeat these steps until we have thrown off everything that hinders us from dancing.

The Power In A Positive Attitude

Kassi has a job interview today....NO, I DO NOT MAKE MY CHILDREN WORK AT AGE 10....besides their chores, of course :P  There is an opportunity at her school for her to work with a bank when they come to her school in order to teach kids the importance of saving money and managing a bank account.  Anyway, she has been so excited all weekend because she interviews today.  Last night, she talked with me about what she plans to wear for her interview and asked me if I could help her with some make-up :)  I am happy that she is so excited about it!

Have a positively, wonderful day!

"I've Been Replaced!"

I walked with all the girls out to the van tonight after youth group and Savannah went around to sit in the passenger side.  She opened the door and was appalled that I had allowed Dr Pepper to sit in her seat :P

"I've Been Replaced!" ~Savannah

My favorite "Drama Queen" quote of the day!

Lord, Shine Through Our Brokeness

Faith To Be Strong (and Strength To Be Faithful)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKPvozXnzPw

On One Hand...

I'd like to lose some weight, but on the other hand....

DONUTS

I woke up early and greeted the girls as they woke up...we started talking about this morning being a great morning for Hinkley's Doughnuts.  I said I would ask daddy if he wanted donuts, but I wanted to let him sleep a little longer.  Kassi said, "I'll go in there with you if you think you need a beggar!" :)

(What I thought of when she said that...

Kassi standing beside the bed begging Brad to go for a donut run.)

Donut run is like an oxymoron, right?

Anyway, we took a trip to Hinkley's and there was a long line.  I have to laugh at the difference between lines at places.  Yesterday, I was at the Dollar Store and there was a long line and everyone was irritable and actually leaving the line to take their things back to the shelves...murmuring to themselves or being quite vocal about their discontent.  But, at Hinkley's, the line is totally different.  People are already determined to wait when they arrive and they start telling you all about their families and their plans for the day :).  I love to watch people leave Hinkley's with their box of doughnuts....some already have it opened on the way out and are stuffing one into their mouths.  If they came with someone else, they are claiming their own as they point into the box, some just have this incredibly goofy and contented look on their faces as they float to their cars ....I saw an old man today look over at his wife in the car waiting for him and give a huge fist pump in the air.....VICTORY!