Genetics?

I should start by saying that I NEVER peek at presents. . .I don't want to ruin the surprise. I love to look at a wrapped present for as many days as possible; somehow, it makes the event last longer. My sister-in-law. . .not so much! Sweet Aunt Heidi can not have a wrapped gift with in eye site. When she comes for a visit she always brings presents. Before we can even get the luggage unloaded she is standing in front of us saying "Open it, open it!" Please don't get me wrong, I LOVE this part of her personality! She has a amazing way of making you feel incredibly special. I say all of this as a lead in to last night. UPS delivered a package for Gracie about 4p.m. At 4:01 she began asking to open the gift. I explained that it was for her birthday and that we would open it at the party. It became clear that Gracie has this same gene as her Aunt Heidi. Asking turned to begging and begging turned to crying. I finally used the "We'll ask Daddy when he gets home" line. The second he walked in she started on him, so here is a snip from the beginning of Gracie's Birthday celebration (Side note: she picked out this outfit all by herself ~ she wanted to look nice for daddy!) Sorry for the choppy video, I ran out of memory:) Doesn't that just about sum it up! Again, press pause (II) on the Playlist at the bottom to mute the music. Follow up: I can't get the second video to load. . .sorry. It was really cute ~ she was telling Meme and Pappy thank you and "I love you" while she was wearing her precious new swimsuit and flip flops. She wants to wear it all the time. Hopefully she will be this excited to wear it to swim lessons. . .

Stock Show. . .

What a great day at the National Western Stock Show! Gracie was in rare form. . .she even rode a real Texas Longhorn! Just click this link http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=7e2d1ec4d1c401013a2a80&skin_id=1702&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=email to view the montage. . .

Business Trip?

Daddy's home! Brey's trip was an amazing blessing for us both! I will tell you there is something so spiritual, powerful and alive in this place that you can feel it in the pictures and hear it in the stories. I find it interesting that the country is 98% Muslim, yet filled with the presence of God. On several occasions, the photos actually brought me to tears. Oh how I long to go. . .I wish you could hear Brey talk about each picture and what it meant to him. For now we will have to make do with the photos. Here are a select few. . .I hope you enjoy!

The City of Petra ~ one of the 7 "new" wonders: The view from the Siq (a mile long channel that leads you into the city) as you are about to enter Petra. This building is the Treasury (and yes, this is where Indiana Jones was filmed).

Full view of the Treasury. Notice the detail. This was built over 2000 years ago!

Tombs along the Street of Facades. . .

Mount Nebo which is located outside of Amman:

Deuteronomy 34:1-4 "Then Moses climbed Mount Nebo from the plains of Moab to the top of Pisgah, across from Jericho. There the LORD showed him the whole land--from Gilead to Dan, all of Naphtali, the territory of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the western sea, the Negev and the whole region from the Valley of Jericho, the City of Palms, as far as Zoar. Then the LORD said to him, "This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob when I said, 'I will give it to your descendants.' I have let you see it with your eyes, but you will not cross over into it."

The view of the Promised Land from Mount Nebo. . .

On a clear day you can also see Jerusalem, Jericho and the Dead Sea. . .

Brey at the Citadel in Amman, Jordan. . .

THE Dead Sea Scrolls. . .

The Jordan River where John baptized Jesus. . .

After much research and excavation, the actual baptism site. . .

Brey getting water from the Jordan ~ a gift for mommy:) When he gave me the bottle it literally took my breath away.

The current Jordan River is only 15 feet wide. Israel is only a stones throw away. . .Praise God for the peace treaty; when this photo was taken they were fighting with Palestine.

O.k., did I mention this was a business trip? Brey and his boss "working". . .

The lowest point on earth. . .The Dead Sea, which is said to be on top of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Brey ~ just after he sunk up to his knees in "mud". . .

ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!

We are so glad to have him home, especially with the term-oil in the middle east. However, this trip has changed us both, for the better. I pray that the "reality" of the Bible stays fresh in our hearts and continues to create a hunger for more. It is obvious that you would feel closer to Jesus when you are standing where He stood. I can just imagine Him coming up out of the water ~ His power and majesty in all of its glory. . .it makes my heart race just thinking of it! Oh how I want to see Him this clearly in my life. Won't you join me in looking for Him in the ordinary moments of our daily routine? I would love to hear where you find Him.

A Plethora of Pictures. . .

Why haven't I been blogging? OVERLOAD! Here are MANY photos from our Christmas season. These are more for me than anyone else, but I hope you enjoy, too!

Practicing Joy to the World!

Mommy's Birthday in Beaver Creek. . .

Just too darn cute!

Wrapping presents. . .

Christmas Eve at Amma and Poppy's. . .

Oh how she loves dress-up!

Ready for a spend the night. . .

Christmas morning. . .(obviously it was a late night)!

Christmas Brunch with the Lee's, Papa, Grammy, Lindsey and Mike. . .

Thanks for playing dollhouse Uncle Mike!

My Itty, Bitty baby. . .

Itty, bitty baby playing piano. . .

Can anyone say "HAM"? This mic even comes with its own applause!

Santa's big delivery. . .

New Year's Day. . .

Helpin' Dad smoke a brisket. . .

My best friend, Benjamin. . .

I've created a monster. . .She staged this scene and is telling everyone to say cheese. Then she makes me review the "photos" with her. I think it's time for a real camera. . .

Gracie's first tea party with Mommy and Amma. . .

Oh, how I love her new favorite pastime!

My Bitty Ballerina!

O.k., o.k., I know it has been a long time since I have blogged ~ let's just call it writer's block. I am pleased to say the creative juices are flowing again, thanks to a major event today. . .Gracie's first ballet class! Brey and I had been talking about starting after her birthday so I was researching different schools. The local dance company emailed me this morning and suggested I bring her in for a "test drive". At first she was very reluctant ~ go figure. I told her she did not have to dance or even go in the room which is when she confidently replied "I'll dance!" She was so funny getting dressed. I think she said "I'm going to ballet!" at least 10 times:) We took the proverbial "pre" pictures and I could hardly get one in focus because she was twirling and kicking all over the place. From the moment we walked in she was completely at ease. We LOVE our teacher Miss Michele. We had a few minutes to talk with Michele and play with the other girls before class. Then, Gracie walked right in to the room and was transformed in to a perfect ballerina. She listened to each instruction, waited her turn and ONLY interacted with Miss Michele. At the end of class she got a Hello Kitty stamp on each hand, which made the morning perfect. After class we went to buy a new leotard and pair of tights. To say the least, LET THE GAMES BEGIN! It was so awesome watching Gracie participate in something SHE loves. I have a feeling this was day 1 of many! So now I wait for May 16th. . .her first recital! I am so excited I can hardly stand it! Here are a few photos and a video from this most important day. . .Enjoy!

My baby ballerina. . .

Practice, practice, practice!

The girls. . .

Look at that posture!

"Am I doing 'French fries and Pizza'?

The new outfit ~ Princess, of course!

Be warned, this is 3 and a half minutes long!

SORRY ~ THERE IS S PROBLEM WITH THE SOUND.

SLIDE THE VOLUME BAR TO THE LEFT OR MUTE YOUR COMPUTER.