My Mustard Seed

Today, was the most exciting day because Nora, Ana and Ethan got to see their grandmother get baptized. It felt as though I was back home today and seeing my mother-in-law make a public profession of faith made the day even sweeter. I'm not quite sure if Ana and Ethan truly understood what it meant but its one of those things that the "the seed was planted.

The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God's word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced. The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God's word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!"      (Matthew 13: 22-24)

Nora stood beside Rick as he was baptizing Jamie, aka; Grandma. It was an invitation that Jamie had asked Nora since she had a huge part with Jamie making her public decision. As Nora grows into a little lady and onto a lady of God, this memory will always be with her, and I pray that when she needs to feel God she will reflect back on this day. Trials will come our way, we will not always know the "why" answers but having memories as this, God will take us back to what made us first truly believe. 

I often revert back to the memories that have kept my faith strong and allowed growth. Our God is so lovely because when we ask He will give us what we need. And in my life, there has been many times that He has given to me when I did not even know what to ask for. Isn't that beautiful!

I end by writing this; you never know who is watching you and the impact you are making on them. Just as a 9 year old did on her grandmother

What makes perfect?

Nora & Boo December 2012

Brandi, Ethan and Nora

Jimbo, Ethan and Nora

Ethan and Nora

Some people would look at a perfect day as one being pampered, watching old movies while its raining outside or snuggled on the couch with a great book. And all these things are excellent ingredients for making a perfect day but this was mine. Freezing cold, walking and sometimes sliding down an ice sculpture slide, marveling over amazing carved ice sculptures while wearing more clothes at one time that I could barely move in. And did I mention I had to go potty right after we assembled me in all my clothing. I waited.
The art work and the time it took for each piece to be designed, executed and brought to life was extraordinary. I had never seen anything so magical. And Nora and Ethan were embracing it and taking it all in. I loved watching them. And in case your wondering where Ana is- well, we call her Desiree. And the reason for that is because she hates the cold. So this particular evening she stayed with Mimi and Papa in their warm cozy home.
After the looking at Shrek on ice we ventured over the Opryland Hotel. There we saw a free show about Shrek and his friends. It was absolutely fascinating. The singers were amazing, the costumes were grand and even Jimbo and I felt like kids again. By this time, it was raining extremely hard. Good thing Shrek on ice was indoors. Jimbo being the kind person, got the car for us and we headed over to Opry Mills for dinner. We wanted to take Ethan to the Aquarium restaurant. He never sat in his chair. He would walk up and down to watch and see the fish. We had a wonderful meal and a meaningful time explaining fish to Ethan as well as googling his other questions. You sometimes gotta do what is necessary.
I could not have had a more perfect day. I got to spend time with Nora and I felt I got to see Ethan grow a little bit as he saw new things for the first time. And when you put Nora and Ethan together you see how very much like brother and sister they really are.
I can complain about many things. I could probably complain on cue- but not that night. It was perfect!

Oh, the Conversations

Today was a day that ended with me thinking how stickin' blessed I am to have Ana, Ethan and Nora. Putting all three together you sometimes get more information than you intended to know OR you end the night with your stomach hurting from laughing so hard. Tonight, my day ended with ALL my stomach muscles hurting. And even with moments I couldn't breathe. 

Nora, Ana and I were sitting in a circle in Ana's room. Ethan was off defending his Skylander's from the evil forces. The girls and I decided to play a game where you draw a card and it has a family question for you to answer. Some of the questions consist of; "do you know how your mom and dad got engaged" or "what is a smell that reminds you of growing up" You get the picture. Nora draws a card to ask me the question. It read; "If you could have one wish come true- what would you ask for?" Ana went first and said; "I would ask for 65,000 stacks of cake just for me!" Nora and I busted out laughing. And this was an excellent answer from Ana because she loves cake! Now, let me paint a picture of Nora. She is sitting the circle, very prim and proper & with her school uniform on and says; "that is spoken like a true first grader." I literally fell back on the floor with tears in my eyes. Nora is in the fourth grade and she sounded like she was twenty!! Good Grief! Oh what a night it was. I love those girls so much!!

This next story happened last night. The newest thing for kids to do is make these rubber band type bracelets. They were cute last year but now they are a little pain in the neck because you turn and there everywhere- floor, between the couch cushions, on the beds and so forth. Ethan is pretty tidy with his room. However, Ethan will keep a gum wrapper someone gives him and treasure it always. But it will be kept neat in his room. He doesn't mind messing it up with HIS toys and when HE does. But cluttering his room with "girl"toys is not acceptable to Ethan. I get that. So last night Ana had left tons of the rubber bands on his floor in his room. It wasn't that many but enough she should've cleaned it up. Ethan looks at Jimbo and says; "I am tired of Ana leaving her things in my room. I'm gonna beat her little butt ass!!". Well, at first we were so caught off guard that we all laughed in silent. How, where, when did he get this? So Jimbo spoke to him about how that is not a nice thing to say even if she did leave her things in your room. Hopefully, this will be the last butt ass conversation we have.