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.

Multiple labels

We label people, don't we?  And we label ourselves.  I'm running around the house with a million different things and for some reason I was thinking about all the different capacities I'm operating in.

Elizabeth Ponder Faulk - wife, mom, marketer, event planner extraordinaire (self-proclaimed), cook, laundry lady, daughter, granddaughter, sister

Man, it's a busy Wednesday!

Thissss much!

On the way to school I asked Laura if she knew how much I love her.  She nodded and stretched out her arms and said, "Thisssss much!"  I smiled big and agreed with outstretched arms, "Yep, thisssss much."

Then she said, "And daddy loves you thissss much and you love him thissss much."  Her little arms were stretching out as far as they could go.  And my heart melted.

Grant and I believe that one of the most important gifts we can give Laura is a great marriage.  How cool that she knows Grant and I love each other at the same time that we love her.  We want to be her first examples on how to love another person.

I pray that one day Laura will love her husband thissss much and he will love her thissss much in return.  This agape type of love is a treasured gift from God.