Much Ado About Nothing - Spotlight

Each morning when I drop LB off at school I ask her, "do you know how much I love you today?"  And we both stretch our arms as wide as possible and say, "thisssss much!"

Can't help but share this blog, which features my sweet kiddo.  Thankful for my church and how they are investing in my daughter's life now and beyond.

Waumba in the Wiregrass

Kitchen Renovations

What is your favorite part of your kitchen?

Grant and I are ready.  We are ready to take out a wall.  Change out the flooring.  Counter tops....back splash....add a second oven.  Grant and I are ready to update our kitchen.

We have a few ideas, but not much that is concrete.  I casually googled kitchen renovations and found a plethora of ideas.  This could easily become overwhelming.  So, I'm going to commit to myself that I won't let it go there.  This will be a FUN project.  (primarily because we aren't going to do the work ourselves).

Today's idea: add a window seat here.  Possibly lose this table.  Looking to put a table in the dining room.

I would love your input!

Happy Friday!

I Hope We Always Remember

I've grown up hearing my dad talk about how he'll always remember where he was when certain world events happened - like Armstrong's first step on the moon, or Kennedy being shot.

The one event in my own life I can relate to my dad's stories are 9/11.  I was 18 years old.  I felt like I had the world at my fingertips.  Just a freshman in college, I had barely left the security of my parents home when this event rocked America and our world as we knew it.

I lived on the top floor of the freshman dorm.  Everything was still so new.  It was the first week of class.  I was meeting new people everywhere.  College life was in full swing and I paid no attention to the outside world.  My mom often referred to it as the W&L bubble.

My neighbor came in our room and asked if we had seen what happened.  Sitting on the foot of my twin bed, we watched as the planes crashed into the Twin Towers.  We were stunned.  I knew that my dad was travelling with work that week, so I immidiately got on the phone to make sure he was ok.  His plane had been grounded in NC and he was renting one of the last available rental cars to make the drive back to GA.

Going to school in VA, there were kids from all over the East Coast.  We heard stories of W&L alum that worked in the Twin Towers.  I knew one girl in my freshman class whose parents both worked in the Pentagon.  Her mom could see the blast site from her desk.  Thankfully, both of her parents were not hurt.

This morning, 11 years later, I drove to work listening to recaps on the radio with tears streaming down my face.  I don't need to see the replays to know exactly what each plane looked like and how the towers fell.  I remember it like it was yesterday.  The most touching part of the memorial I heard was the family members reading the names of those lost that day.  So very powerful.

I will always remember where I was on 9/11.  I will always be shocked by that day.  And I will always remember how people responded.  Helping strangers, praying for loved ones and responders, praying for our country.  Something changed in Americans that day.  I hope we always remember.

Summer Adventures

I've done somewhat better with taking pictures lately.  Let me clarify.  I've done better with taking pictures on a real camera besides my phone and instagram, which makes it too easy.

We've had some fun vacations and visitors.  And both of these require good pictures.  Here is a review of our adventures through our pictures.

4th of July Recap

We always go to Compass Lake for the 4th of July and spend it with my family.  And technology continues to revolutionize our trips down there.  Everyone brought a gadget for down times.

We love our sun hats!

Great-Grandmama Jobie with Laura and Henry

May Comes to Visit

Laura loves to talk about her two cousins - Henry and May.  We had a special visit from cousin May earlier this month.  While her mommy and daddy celebrated their 4th wedding anniversary at the beach, we got to play with May for several days.

May sporting her dress clip here!!

Our silly goose!

Trying out all the toys

The balls were a big hit

Lake Trip

After so much rain lately, we were excited to see the sun come out for a glorious Saturday at Compass Lake with friends and their kiddos!

Don't you just love kids in their pajamas!

I think LB is giving them instructions here

Yummy breakfast before a full day in the sun

Good times

Kids were great!

Funny pictures are the best!!

Home Alone

What is every mom's daily dream and desire?  Perhaps its just a few moments to herself.

Last weekend I got more than I bargained for.  Grant was out of town for work and my parents took LB for a night, one last spend the night before my mom goes back to school this week.  (Yes its early for school! They are on a modified year-round calendar :)

Waiting for Granny to pick her up on Friday - how do you teach patience?

I was left at home all...by...myself....

For those of you who don't know me well, I'm a planner.  And its only gotten more intensified as I've gotten older.  When I found out I would have all this time on my hands I went to my Reminders App on my phone and started listing off all the things I could possibly accomplish.  I didn't want to forget anything!  (I also love lists!)

• paint third canvas
• wash sheets
• farmers market
• wedding gift
• update budget
• pay bills

And I immediately set up a girls night with dinner and a movie for Friday night.  I couldn't just stay at home all weekend!

Amazingly I felt pressure to make the most of every minute.  But when I felt that pressure creep in on Saturday I would just sit on the couch and watch a movie.  And I know paying bills and updating a budget aren't very exciting to most of you, but some (amy sharp) understand that it can be great diving into those numbers!  So, I accomplished the bottom four things on my list in addition to rearranging furniture in the sun room.

Furniture from Grant's grandparents - Love!

Overall I think I felt somewhat lost.  Don't get me wrong.  It was great.  But it was weird being home alone.  The best part of my day on Saturday was that night when I drove to the Log Cabin to meet my parents and Grant for dinner.  I missed my family.  I was so glad to be together again.

So I realized a lot from last weekend.  Time alone is good and healthy, but I'm good with small doses all along.  Most importantly, I dream and desire to spend time with my hubby and little girl daily.

At PCB earlier this year

Sometimes I Pretend to be Crafty - Part 2

This has been a slow moving project, primarily because it requires time.  This past week I made the most of two nap times to work on canvas 2 of 3.  (you can read about canvas 1 here)

After I finished the first canvas I felt like it was too white.  So, for the next one I thought I would go with a background enlarging the little flower from my first one.  Now I'm not sure if I like it or not.  It makes the versus a little bit harder to read.  So, I'm up in the air for what to do on the third canvas.

This is definitely a progression of inspiration.  So, I'll wait for the inspiration and another solid nap time to break out canvas 3.  In the meantime, I welcome any ideas from you!

Birthday Wishes

What is the craziest birthday request you've ever had?

Off the top of my head I can think of 4 that rank at the top of my list.  All of them included a plane ticket over some body of water and a spring break trip during college.  Many thank yous go out to my parents who indulged (and supported) my travels during those four years.

Most birthday wishes are directed at our parents and grandparents while we are growing up.  Then as an adult, some of those wishes change course and we send them to our spouse.  I received a extraordinary request this year.  Amazingly, not from my daughter or my husband, but from my mother.

My entire life I always heard that my mom wanted red-headed children.  Still to this day she gets giggly when she sees a red-headed child.

So for her birthday I died my hair.  I didn't go all out red.  My cousin Martha is a wonderful true red-head.  She carries it so well.  I think, a task not to be taken lightly.  And I don't think I could live up to it like she does.  So I compromised and went Auburn.  And I love it.  Very subtle, but in the right sunlight the beautiful auburn shines.  I'm very pleased.

My mom - well, she squealed and was completely giggly excited when I showed up to wish her a happy birthday.

Will I ever be able to top this gift?  Probably not.  Guess I'll just have to do a repeat every July.

Happy Birthday Mom!

The Before

And After

Sometimes I Pretend to be Crafty - Part 1

These are the beginning lines of the chorus to "The Words I Would Say" by Sidewalk Prophets. One of my favorite songs! I've been wanting to put them in the playroom and I'm finally acting on the idea.

This is just one of three to come. Getting my craftiness on!

Grace Based Parenting

I recently began reading my second parenting book of the year.  Recommended by and borrowed from my friend Tami (thank you!) it is called Grace Based Parenting by Dr. Tim Kimmel.  

From just the early pages I felt a peace settle in my soul.  It is a peace from knowing that this is how I want to parent LB.  I want to parent with grace in the same manner that my heavenly father deals with me.  

Last night I read that the three most important gifts I can give LB are love, purpose and hope.  And that through these three gifts I can meet her needs for security, significance and strength. (pg 25)  I can even relate to these needs in my own life as an adult.

Parenting can be hard and often times a struggle to know what to do.  I am prone to try and "fix it" and in the end I agonize over situations.  It doesn't come natural, but I am learning that I must first submit to God for his guidance in all things.  And that I must "cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7.

Parenting is also the most rewarding journey I've ever been on.  Partnered with my wonderful husband, I know that through God's loving hand that He will not lead us astray as a mom and dad.

I enjoy visiting Sally Clarkson's blog.  And this post especially touched me today.  Check it out!

http://www.itakejoy.com/the-ministry-of-motherhood/

Add this Book to your Reading List

In one of my advertising classes in college I learned that there is a certain type of person in society that helps products fly off the shelves.  This person loves the item/product/website/whatever it is and raves about it to everyone they know.

I want to share with you about a book that is being published this summer by one of my best friends - and you must buy it!

I met Mikelyn Bolden back in 2005 when I was dating Grant.  Mikelyn's hubby and my hubby have been best friends since they were babies.  Naturally Mikelyn and I were thrown together all the time.  And I love this chick.  She is as genuine as they come.  And she has written a book!  Wow.  I love that she is not just going after, but chasing after her dreams using her God given talents.  And she is catching them one by one.  She inspires me to listen to my inner voice and to keep an eye out for God's nudges, prodding, and inspirations.

So, the book.  Yes!  It will be available for purchase this summer.  And in the meantime, go to her website and facebook page to check out more.  Trust me!  You will be impressed!

www.mikelynbolden.com

www.facebook.com/TheWaizChronicles

Happy Birthday Grandmama Jobie!

This past Saturday my grandmother turned 80.  I wish I could convey the awesomeness of the weekend, but I really don't know if that is possible.  I'll do my best.  

My grandmother is a fabulous woman.  She has influenced my life in more ways than I can count.  And in true Ponder fashion, we celebrated all weekend.  There were over 30 family members in attendance for a family BBQ on Friday night.  Highlights from that night included a board of photos; a book of letters, poems and photos; a board of sayings and events relating to her influence on all of our lives; a bean bag toss tournament; and excellent BBQ.

L to R: Grandmama Jobie with her sister, Aunt Cat

Laura Beall is named after my grandmother - Josephine Beall Ponder 

Here is my addition to the Birthday Book.

I Remember

I remember staying with you and Granddaddy each summer

I loved the "Big Boat", had fun on the "Little Boat"

And learned how to sail on a Sunfish

I remember loving all those boats.

I remember big family dinners for every occasion

I loved helping with the crescent rolls and pinching off the corners

And sneaking in the garage to find the frozen cookie dough

I remember loving all those meals.

I remember evenings with lots of story telling

I loved hearing about life in Cottonwood and summers at the Lake

And all the stories that involved my dad

I remember loving all those nights.

I remember the beautiful summers at Compass Lake

I loved being lazy in the water or riding the jet ski

And the evening cocktail cruises, especially after I turned 21

I remember loving all those summers.

I remember the summer I lived with you at the Lake

I loved being near you when we were hurting

And learned how deep love could live and last

I remember loving all those special moments.

I remember introducing you to Grant and then to Laura Beall

I loved naming our daughter after you

And knowing that she has a wonderful legacy to draw from

I remember loving all our moments as a family with you.

Happy 80th Birthday Grandmama.

Of course we made time for the beach!  Several of the cousins were flying in from IL, OR, UT and WA, so they were excited to see the sun and sand too.

Grandmama has a park across the street from her house - perfect for hunting eggs!

And finally we got to the main event of the weekend - the party.  We had it in a ballroom at the Wyndham.  Beautiful.  My grandmother had friends there from every stage of her life.  There was a table of her high school friends that drove down from Dothan.  There were her Bay Point friends - her home since retirement almost 30 years ago.  There were her choir friends from church.  And then of course all of the family.  We danced the night away.  

On Sunday we attended Grandmama's church, followed by a big lunch at her favorite restaurant.  The weekend was a testament to the kind of woman she is - a lover of people and a lover of life.  Happy Birthday Grandmama - you're still fabulous at 80.