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!

Vacation Day #7 Carousels and Fountains

Men at their conference today doing business-type stuff. Nana and I head to the shopping center with the kiddies. We sprinkle shopping with carousel rides, ice cream, playground, and finally playing in the fountain.

P1010017 a photo by thekeysfamily on Flickr.

 "I don't want to shop anymore!, I want to ride the carousel!"- Dorathea. Well I guess I'm glad that she hasn't grown out of that yet.

Stopping to smell the flowers at lunchtime;

And much joy playing in the fountain.  

Vacation day #6 Art festival Sunday

Ted and I were about to leave and Dorathea said tearfully, "Are you going to the Art Festival?", Yes sweetie", I said, "But I'mmm an artist toooo!".  It was hard to leave her but we had a lovely date lunch and enjoyed all the art stores.  But, there were so many children's activities at the festival I decided she and I should go back for a girls afternoon out at the Art festival just Mommy and Dorathea.

She painted a pink unicorn

Danced to the music.

Sculpted some clay trees while Mommy made a couple pots at the wheel.

and flew her paper airplane

A few more creations;

Shell and button frame

 Cast iron tiles;

  She carved a portrait of me, and I carved one of her.

Neat process; they poured the molten iron into the mold we drew on

Just us girls and we love to make pretty stuff.

I love my little girl.

Vacation Day #5 The Little Zoo that Could and the Soda Fountain

IMG_1595 a photo by thekeysfamily on Flickr.

We went to the Zoo Saturday and dragged Papa and Ted with us.

It happened to be the Zoo from the TV show. They also happened to have free face painting and games and a firetruck at the zoo for a volunteer event.

 It was a trip meant to be.
When I told Dorathea she could have her face painted she said, "I want purple and pink spots". Trying to avoid the getting over chicken-pox look I said, "How about a pink and purple kitty?".

The wagon was a bigger hit that the tigers or lions for the kids

 but we enjoyed learning about the histories of each animal, and how many were rescued from abusive owners (even the lions!).

After the Zoo Papa was itching to show us his favorite drug store complete with soda fountain and lunch counter. "The juke box is free!" he boasted, "and the coffee costs 10 cents!" We were game, so we lunched on chicken salad and sipped cokes.

The ten cent coffee was worth about ten cents, but Jonathan napped in his stroller.

 We ended with ice cream and enjoyed a good long stay at the drug store talking and laughing.