His Passion.... Our Great Redeemer

Every year, the Music and Fine Arts Program at our church does an Easter drama.  This year, it's titled His Passion... Our Great Redeemer.

It is filled with great songs, wonderful drama, reenactments of Christ's journey to the cross, and humbling testimonies from church members.

If you are in the Gardendale or surrounding areas here in Alabama, we would LOVE for you to come be a part of this special night with us!  We have worked so very hard over the past few months to prepare for this one night.  And all of our hard work is finally paying off.  

And I hope He's proud of us... for spreading His love with others.

It's been a tiring week... practices Wednesday and Thursday night... and then tonight will be a very long night.  But it will all be worth it. 

If we can touch JUST 1 LIFE... if 1 person realizes how much love Jesus has for them... that He gave His life so that they could be saved... that makes it all worth it.  

If you are interested in joining us, here are the details:

His Passion... Our Great Redeemer

Christway Church of God in Gardendale, AL

7:00 p.m.

Sugar Scrub...

One day last week, I decided that I'd like to make a sugar scrub.  Not really sure why it came to me, but I thought it sounded fun.

I've recently become interested in making products like soap, shower gels, bath bombs, and scrubs.  I LOVE Lush for those products, but I can't afford to buy them.

I looked up some different recipes for sugar scrubs to get a general idea of what to put in one.

Then I made up my own.  It's so simple.  And you can basically add whatever you like!

I couldn't wait to use this.  I was cooking dinner and it was nice to soften my skin after cooking chicken and scrubbing with antibacterial soap.  It made my hands feel heavenly and smell good enough to eat!! :)

Here's the recipe I came up with (and feel free to add anything you like).

*Also note, I didn't use exact measurements... just eye-ball it.

Ingredients:

White sugar (you can also use pure cane sugar - recommended if you have it, but I didn't)
Brown sugar
Oil - such as olive, almond, or peanut. (for some reason vegetable is not suggested - but I would think it would be fine if that's all you've got)

Things that I added:

Vanilla fragrance oil (I had some from soap making, but you could use vanilla extract)
Sweet almond oil (another soap making ingredient - but not necessary)

Directions:

-Mix equal parts of white sugar and brown sugar.  I used 1/2 cup of each.
-Use a whisk to blend together evenly.
-Begin to pour your oil in (in tablespoon increments) and let it settle toward the bottom of the sugar mixture.
-After a few pours, use a spoon or fork to mix up the mixture.
-It is up to you how "saturated" you want your scrub.  I wanted mine moist, but not sopping with liquid.  Definitely add enough oil to make the scrub "hold" together.
-Once you've reached the consistency you like, add in your extra ingredients.  I added about 2 tablespoons of sweet almond oil and about 1 tablespoon of vanilla fragrance oil.  If you use vanilla extract, I would start with a teaspoon and work up.  It's much more potent than fragrance oil.
-Package in a cute, little, airtight container.

Excuse my packaging.. I didn't have anything handy.  But you could use an adorable glass jar and even give as gifts.  Here's an example:

It leaves your skin feeling so soft.  And it's safe to use on your whole body.... but you'll have a sweet tooth craving after you're finished. :)

End to a perfect weekend

It surely was perfect!!!

I was so upset (and anxious) when Jase's birthday party got cancelled.  We had terrible storms (like major tornadoes) here in Bama on Friday.  I had this bad feeling that it was going to affect our plans for Saturday.

And then, to top it all off, Jason was told he had to be @ work Saturday morning at 6:00.  They were expecting major damage (and lots of power outages) so they were getting prepared.  Unfortunately, they were right.  Parts of our state were hit very hard by tornadoes, and lots of damage was done.  Jason said it was one of the worst storms he had ever seen.... came really close to hurricane Ivan.  We are so sorry for those whose homes were damaged or lost - and especially those families who lost loved ones.

The boss said there was no way he could get out of it.... Jason HAD to be there.  He kept telling me, "I'll be home by 5."  We called everyone and told them the party would be @ 5 instead of lunchtime.

I, however, was not so optimistic.  I knew in my heart that he would NOT be finished working in time for the party.  And I wasn't having a party without him there.

So I made the executive decision to change the party one last and final time to Sunday @ 5.

I'm SO glad I did!  Jason worked until 4 IN THE MORNING on SUNDAY.  He came home and went straight to bed.  Jase and I carried on with our normal Sunday activities... church and lunch. :)

Also, I didn't mention the weather on Saturday.  It would have been a terrible day for an outdoor party.  It was COLD and WINDY.  So, instead, Jase and I went to the mall, did a little shopping, and rode the carousel. :)

Sunday turned out to be the perfect day!!!  I couldn't have asked for better weather (or a better party).  The cake was a hit.  And we have an amazing family who made the day extra special for Jase.

Unfortunately, I didn't stop long enough to take many pictures, so here's a few.  I'll post more when I get them from my sis - the designated photographer for the day. :)

Enjoy.  I hope you had a wonderful weekend, as well!!

I have fallen...

.... in love with this lady.

Kelle Hampton.

I found her blog recently, and I cannot get enough.

She is an awesome photographer (one that I would love to get one-on-one tutoring sessions from).  She is a mom.  She tells it like it is.  And most importantly, she shares her life story with us.  I love her point of view and her love for life.

This week, she linked to a post she did last year.  It was about the birth of her second child, Nella.

A few weeks ago, I mentioned Kelle's post about Down Syndrome Awareness Day.  Nella suffers from Down Syndrome.  Her parents, however, feel she is perfect.  And if you've seen her picture, she is DEFINITELY perfect.

So when I found this post of her birth story, I couldn't wait to read it!

It touched me.  Being a mommy, there is no way you can read the story and not be moved.

I know it's a long story, but I beg you to take the time to read it.  It's a symbol of true love, motherhood, family, forgiveness, and so many more things that are extremely important in life. 

I promise you won't be disappointed.

I often think about people who have children with special needs.  I honestly believe that God places those children in people's lives for a reason.  He chooses our children wisely.  I believe those Mommies and Daddies will have huge crowns waiting on them in Heaven.  He believes they are worthy, strong, and patient enough to care for a tiny child... one who depends solely on them.

It is absolutely the most rewarding job in the world.. to be a parent.

Prep Day...

This has been such a busy week... WHEW!  I just needed to stop and take a breather.

This is definitely a good day to do that.... it's storming like crazy!

I have been working all week to get things ready for Jase's party tomorrow.

Gathered all the goodies, made my "to do" list, mapped out my plan, and now it's time to put it into action.

Tonight, I'll begin by baking... and baking and baking.  Gotta get the cakes ready to be carved and decorated bright and early tomorrow morning.

I'm praying it goes well. :)  We shall see.

If you would like to read my previous post about THE CAKE, you can find it HERE!!!

I can't wait to let you know how it turns out!

Wish me luck!

Also hoping this silly weather shapes up to be a beautiful day for a party!!!
We may have to move the party to tomorrow night.... my hubby has already been told to be at work bright and early Saturday morning.  These storms are expected to do some major damage here.  He's so upset, but I've assured him we will NOT have a party without him.  We'll do whatever it takes.  Even if we have to wait until next week to celebrate.  He'll be there.

Can't believe it!!!

My baby boy is 3 today. :(  

3 years ago today, I went for a routine checkup, 36 weeks pregnant.  I told the doctor I had been having some "funny feelings" all weekend, but nothing to be concerned about.  I had NO IDEA that those "funny feelings" were contractions.  And yes, they had been going on ALL weekend... just a few minutes apart.  After checking me and realizing I had progressed A LOT in a week, she sent me for monitoring.  And the next thing I knew, I was ready to meet my baby boy.  (Let's hope and pray that the next baby's birth will be as easy as the first time around.)  It was the best day of my life (next to marrying my best friend).  I never knew it was possible to have that much love for one individual.  It's unexplainable.

So that brings me to today.

MAJOR SAD FACE.

I just don't know where the time has gone.

It seems like yesterday, I was bringing him home for the first time... scared out of my mind.  

And now, he's grown up to be a handsome, smart, funny, and loving little boy.

This is going to be a hard weekend.  I just want him to stay 2 forever!

Well, now then.  Guess I'll cheer up and think about all of the stuff I have to get done before Saturday... and hope the weather cooperates for our party!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Jase.  I love you more than you'll ever know.

Is it Summertime Yet??

I wish.  Although, I think Spring is my favorite time of year.  I like when the temperatures are comfortable - in the 70-80 degree range.  When it gets to be 100, I get a little "complainy."  

Anyhow... on Sundays, we usually spend the afternoon at my in-law's house.  This week, Jason's brother called to say they were bringing a water toy to play with in the back yard.

So we headed on over.  After trying to get it up and running (which took a while), the babies didn't even want to play in it!!  But, the water was a little on the chilly side, so I don't know that I'd want to play in it either.

But one day, and probably pretty soon, it's going to warm up nicely.  We're planning to spend LOTS AND LOTS of time in the water - my parents are in the process of getting a pool.  YAY!!!  

We can't wait. :)

Here are some pictures of our fun day outside.

 My baby boy - who's not a baby anymore :(

 Little Lilly trying to figure the thing out

 Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie.... so cute :)

 Aunt Brit... taking one for the team. :)

 Papa to the rescue!

 So sweet... "cousinly" love

 "Cheese!!"

I love that face... with all my heartbeats. :)