My Hubby at a Singing Competition...

I couldn't be more proud of my hero - my hubby...he won 5th place at a singing competition (it was a fundraiser for a local medical center)...but seriously, I think the judges were a little delusional...
he should have won!!!

Here's my dear hubby singing "I Can Only Imagine"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kcypfkGXIo

Then, he made it to the top 6 finals - he sang "Voice of Truth"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CanxTQZMDNE

As I say to him every day as he leaves for work -
"You're my Hero!"
Truly, he is my hero!

Getting Ready for Kindergarten

When Little Bear was about to start Kindergarten, I had a "run through" with the whole eating out of a lunchbox in a certain amount of time....just to give him practice, to see what he liked or didn't like for lunch, how much he would eat, and if he could open the wrappers, etc. So, today we had a practice run through with the Pretty Little Princess...

(Sniff, Sniff)

As she was zipping up her lunchbox, I said,
"Oh, Honey! I can't believe you're going to Kindergarten! Oh! I'm going to miss you!"

But - true to form - the Pretty Little Princess looked at me like I was crazy! She kept saying,
"Oh, Mom! You'll see me every day at recess!"

I will see her every day at school, but not at recess...I didn't have the heart to tell her that. It will be so nice working at the same school Little Bear & the Pretty Little Princess will be attending, but it doesn't diminish the fact that my baby girl is going to...

Anybody else feeling my pain??!??

How Christ Changed Our Lives - Book 2

Wahoo! Book 2 is hot off the presses! Praising God for another opportunity to put out another testimonial book!

What's unique about this edition??? The book was dedicated in loving memory of Floyd Sensenig (my sister's father-in-law, my dad's really good friend)..it was through his Homegoing that our daughter - the Pretty Little Princess -came to know Jesus personally.

I'm so excited about this book...can you tell?!!?

A Couple More...

After yesterday's post, I decided to add a couple more of

Pretty Little Princess' ponderings....

When my husband and I asked her the other week what she learned in Sunday School, she replied,

"Love one of another!"

Isn't that precious? I think she was trying to say "Love one another!"

Yesterday - for some unknown reason - Pretty Little Princess started talking about when she goes to college...does she realize she's only 5...please don't start talking about college...I'm having a hard enough time seeing her off to Kindergarten in a few weeks!

But anyways, this is the little conversation I overheard in the backseat of the van...

Pretty Little Princess said,

"When I go to college there's NO WAY I'm bringing a stuffed animal!"

To which Little Bear said,

"Well, I'm going to bring Teddy Bear when I go to college!"

Pretty Little Princess said,

"Oh, Brother!"

But when she said "brother" it really sounded like "brudder". Over and over she said,

"Oh, brudder!"

Pretty Little Princess

My Hubby is convinced that ever since our Pretty Little Princess lost her 3 front teeth, her personality has REALLY come out full-throttle. Could be. I don't know if it was from her teeth getting knocked out or not, but I know one thing...she cracks me up all the time!

Where does she come up with her little one-liners?

Last Sunday at church she said,

"Hold the phone, Daddy! You look HOT!"

When driving in the car last week with one of my friends....my friend kept making me laugh and laugh! I couldn't stop giggling!

Pretty Little Princess said,

"Girls! If you don't settle down, we'll need to stop the car and you girls will need to get out and go...go...PICK CORN!"

These next two pictures are of Pretty Little Princess right after she was complaining of how she didn't like the wind in her hair while she was in her MeMa's convertible....

I think it was the heaviness of her eyelids that was really bothering her!

(Little Bear was really having fun with this one!)

"A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."
(Proverbs 17:22, NIV).

First Friday Fun

In a nearby city, every first Friday of the month is a little celebration...

Here's Pretty Little Princess & I awaiting our supper...

...and here's our Handsome Dates!!!

A refreshing fountain that gave our children much entertainment!


The Mounted Police were a Hit!

Little Bear couldn't keep his eyes off of the horses even for a moment so I could snap a picture!

So soft!

At an outdoor cafe listening to music

It was so soothing to Pretty Little Princess

One of our last stops was watching a young street entertainer as he demonstrated some really cool magic tricks

We were all impressed!

Our final stop was at the Fractured Prune...my friends told me about this place earlier in the week...I had never heard of it before. I ordered a Hole in One for both of our children...it was a fresh, homemade donut with a dip of ice cream in the middle served on a Frisbee! I can't believe I didn't get a picture of that. The kiddos ate them so fast, though!

Check out their website. It's the best donut shop ever!

http://www.fracturedprune.com/

God's Beautiful Creation

Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the
fish of the sea
and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground."
Genesis 1:26

Pretty Little Princess Looking at a Dolphin Swimming Near the Beach!

I wish my photography skills were better...but, you get the idea!

ENCOURAGEMENT

Last Sunday our Worship Pastor gave the sermon - it was on Encouragement. ENCOURAGING people is something I LOVE TO DO! So, naturally this sermon touched my heart.

My favorite quote from his sermon was...

...Ninety percent of coaching, education and parenting is ENCOURAGEMENT!

Wouldn't that be a good Uppercase Living expression in the faculty room at school? Okay, I wasn't going to do this, but here's a little plug for my side business...the new catalog came out this week. It's super inspiring!

119341.uppercaseliving.net

Have NO Fear

Little Bear

Pretty Little Princess

Recently our little Mellette family went on a "hiking" trip. Okay, I didn't really hike. I walked slowly and took in all of the sights! My hubby planned the whole thing. He helped me pack a yummy lunch, too. It was such a memorable afternoon!

Pausing for Lunch

After lunch, we saw a steep little trail off the main path. Little Bear, Pretty Little Princess, and my #1 Hubby took the challenge while I snapped some pictures. Going up wasn't a problem...

...It was the going back down the hill that caused some fear and trepidation.

(No problem for our Beagle Rocky!)

Check out my hubby's face in this one!

It really wasn't easy especially with a 5-year-old on your back!

As I listened and watched my dear hubby console our Pretty Little Princess, I was reminded of my loving Heavenly Father. He often takes me by the hand and guides me gently and carefully to safety. I may not always be the most trusting, patient or understanding princess, but my faithful Father (through His Word - the Bible) reassures me ever so sweetly...

"For I am the LORD, your God, Who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, 'Do not fear; I will help you'" Isaiah 41:13.

Sometimes just when you think you can't take another step, our Father provides someone to carry you.

But, other times we need to get off someone's shoulders and do a task all by ourselves!

It may be scary at first...

...And we may need a little encouragement just to finish strong...

...But, it's just SOOO worth it!

I LOVE FREEBIES Especially....

....When it involves anything with a date night my hubby.

Here's a free downloadable

Babysitter How to Reach Us

sheet.

Here's the Link...

http://tangarangblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/free-download.html

One Amazing Paper Company

CHECK OUT THIS WEBSITE...It's AMAZING! I received a birthday invitation designed/made by this company and I was so impressed with the professionalism & creativity of the invitation, I checked out their website! WOW! When you need a birthday invitation, a holiday card, a wedding invitation, baby announcement, WHATEVER you need that involves paper...I HIGHLY recommend these girls at....

http://justmeprints.com/

Enjoy!

A Piano Duet

After only 11 lessons, here's our LITTLE BEAR playing with his wonderful piano teacher...the same piano teacher I had...I know, I know...she doesn't look old enough!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35muOA8VIiY