Dorathea's 5th Birthday..."Surprise!"

Dorathea requested a surprise party.  Surprising someone who wants to be surprised can be tricky, but today Ted, and I pulled it off.  Here's the footage;

P1020051 a video by thekeysfamily on Flickr.

Our party was almost rained on, but I saved it at the last minute by moving it to the Meadowbrook YMCA (in the same building as the Public Library, an Appaliachan Shop, a playground, and a nice little cafe).  Yay, Mom saves the day yet again!

The kids were eager to offer their gifts so we got right to it, to Dorathea's great delight. 

D- "For me?"- a homeaid apron

D- "Just what I always wanted!"

Then onto musical chairs; 

And after some lunch Cupcakes!

Which is good because some people can't wait much longer;

She blows and the pinwheels turn!

And everyone eats to buttercream cupcakes my mom helped me make last night.

then out come the giant balls!  Again my child matches perfectly :)

And we put the giant balls away and birthday party is done, so home we go,

Happy 5th Birthday Dorathea Bella!

love Mommy

Secret God spaces

Sometimes I get out of my own space to get out of my own head and clean up my mental state by spending time with God.  I have looked for these secret spaces since college.  I found an attic widow's peak on top of my dorm, and studying in Italy found a couple great window balconies, as well as a few prayer rooms along the way set aside for the very purpose of  talking with my beloved.  

But can I say that being a Mom and wife that it seems more important, immediate, and so very needed to occasionally run away from home?  The beautiful three I so often pour into often show me I am in need of exorcising personal demons.  So this day I took a ride around the corner to a church with an open door policy for their chapel and hidden garden (God bless them!)

First I planted myself here;

Then I dare to draw a little closer to the alter

And I lay here;

As I unload the heavy to my ultimate Father I shed a few tears too.  Just think someday He will wipe even that one away.  I let go of the baggage of who I thought I was; Angry, empty, sad.  He sees my efforts to love them so much I change into love in the process.  I turn to the face of Jesus, and I give up my ugly view of myself and those I am working to love.   I am given a glimpse of myself through his eyes; Holy Holy Holy am I!  His light shines in me golden.

I hop on my bike and ride home better for my time here.

This song has been in my head.  When I find it at home I laugh as I watch the artist's video and she takes the same ride to a little chapel on her bike.  He truly sees me :)

 http://www.youtube.com/karijobe

Surprise Dorathea!

Dorathea requested a surprise party.  Surprising someone who wants to be surprised can be tricky, but today Ted, and I pulled it off.  Here's the footage;

Our party was almost rained on, but I saved it at the last minute by moving it to the Meadowbrook YMCA (in the same building as the Public Library, an Appaliachan Shop, a playground, and a nice little cafe).  Yay, Mom saves the day yet again!