Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Thoughts...

Lately I have been feeling a bit like a chicken running around with it's head cut off. I have this crazy "to do" list a mile long and I feel like I can't do anything else until those 'things' get checked off. Only here is the problem, life is going on around me and I'm standing still while my family whirls around me. I want to engage but that 'list' keeps pulling me back! UGH! So this morning God woke me up extra early, 6:24a.m. to be exact! I layed there and tried to fall back asleep to no avail so I popped out of bed and started a load of laundry, only that's not what God wanted me to do. He wanted me to grab His word and my coffee and park myself on the patio and be refreshed. I didn't listen. I couldn't find 'my' bible, I had left it in the pew at church. And when I decided to get my back up bible, I realized that my husband shared that one with someone. Instead of grabbing one of my husbands (many) bibles, I sat down and sulked. It went something like this, "see, i can't even have my own quiet time, I am so unorganized and now my bible is not where it needs to be and I don't want to read someone else's bible, I wanted my bible." Ewe as I type this Willie Wonka is playing in my head..."I want a golden egg daddy, why can't I have a golden egg" and with that SELFISH ran through my head. I have been allowing my own selfishness to sabotage myself! Silly right? Yet as I sit and reflect that happens a lot! I get in my own way!
John 10:10 says the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that you may have life and have it to the full."
In my selfishness of my self imposed "to do" list I have allowed the thief to steal my JOY! UGH So for the rest of this morning, if you need me, I'll be on the patio with my husband's bible and my coffee, Join me!!

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

How Hannah became a true princess...
















We recently came home from a family vacation to Walt Disney World in Florida. We had a wonderful time, can't say I have the desire to ever go again, but I'm glad we did go. Especially for Hannah, because in another year I don't think the Princess Breakfast would have had quite the "magical-ness"! I found this mini book idea on a scrap site that I frequent and I knew that I had to make one for my princess too. Here is the story as it is journaled in the album:

Once upon a time, not so very long ago in a far far away land there lived a beautiful maiden named Hannah. Her only fairy dream was to become an enchanting Princess. Her fairy God mother (mommy) always called her princess but she never really felt like a "true" princess.

Then one day, Hannah went on an adventure to the "Kingdom of Magic" in Walt Disney World.

One night while she slept, Cinderella came to her room in her magical carriage and left the beautiful maiden a wonderful gift.

Hannah awoke from her slumber to find a beautiful gown, a crown and some fairy dust.

Then fairy God "mommy" got right to work and transformed her into a beautiful princess.

And then she received a royal proclamation by Her Highness the queen to attend a celebration at the Akerhus Royal Banquet Hall.

Princess Hannah was extremely busy but she made time to enjoy breakfast with her fellow princesses.

Belle even found time away from the Beast to laugh and spend time with the new Princess Hannah.

Ariel was enchanted by Princess Hannah and stopped by to say Hello!

Aurora was passing thru and wished the new Princess well.

To end the day Snow White came by and joined the royal welcome.

And just like her friend Cinderella, Hannah also learned that "A dream is a wish your heart makes when your fast asleep" And Princess Hannah lived Happily Ever After.


*I want her always to remember this story, it was a lot of fun!! Now here is the 'real' story about how the outfit 'magically' appeared! Sooooo everyone that knows me knows that I am frugal. If not, you do now. When we were planning this trip to Disney many people told me that my daughter HAS to go to the Bippity Bobbidi boutique, so I checked it out. After I pulled myself back up off the floor (the prices are crazy!) I got to thinking, now, how can I make Hannah feel like a princess, and be cost effective in the process??? Bingo, I made my way to the Disney outlet where they had High School Musical gowns on clearance. Next was the crown head piece, again on clearance and no respectable princess would be without shoes, or in this case flip flops!! Wheeeee and then to Claire's where they had the hair extensions, with beads, and a pretty star necklace. And walmart had the fairy dust! DONE! Packed it in our suitcases and the evening before the breakfast, after Miss Hannah fell asleep, I got out all the items and displayed them in our room. Her reaction was priceless and when she asked where it came from her big brother stepped in and said, "how else Hannah, Cinderella brought it, in her carriage" And thus the fairy "tale" began. The best part was, on our way to the bus, we saw a horse drawn carriage!! Yep, that was the cherry on top!!