Dates with Daddy

Dates with Daddy

It started a few years back, after my dad, in his
early 60’s became disabled after a motorcycle
accident. He was in the hospital and rehab for a good
part of a whole year. But when he got better, his life
was completely changed. My mom was still working and
he had many days he was, ‘in town’ for Dr appointments
and whatnot by himself. I was in my “full-time mom”
stage and he called me at least once a week to meet
him for lunch. He’s always been a social person and to
him, having lunch out alone was the ultimate waste. We
met at salad bars, café and diner’s., exploring the
local landscape of mid-priced eating establishments.
What a treat for a man who spent most of his life on
the farm, 20 miles from even the closed fast food. He
was like a kid in a candy store. We spent a great deal
of our time chatting about the kids or other personal
issues. The conversations aren’t as important as the
fellowship.
Over the next five years many things changed but our
dates remained a constant. My parents moved to town,
my mom retired. Dad was diagnosed with diabetes.
Through poor health, strokes and blindness, the dates
didn’t change. This last Christmas, I decided to make
an official commitment, an intentional effort to spend
time alone with my dad. Every Friday, rain or shine,
we go out. We do whatever he wants, usually estate
sales, then we go out to eat.
This doesn’t seem much like an incredible story
unless you know our history. We are not a typical
father and daughter. He was an abusive father and I
was his disappointment of a teen. The interactions we
had in those turbulent years would not lead you to
believe we could have this kind of relationship now.
Some how he sees me differently now, maybe I am
different, less sensitive, less confrontational… But
he is also more accepting and less critical. We have
many comments from onlookers and wait staff. “It’s so
sweet of you to be here with your dad.” Sweet wasn’t
the word, it was more like a miracle, miracle of
grace and forgiveness.

Boomi'

My tween's favorite and the Legendy, Toby Mac, wont be coming very close to us, but maybe others will enjoy this tour.

Crazy Beautiful

The Theme to the 2008 Mother/Daughter Retreat Scheduled for April 4th-6th at Butman Camp. More Details to follow. Enjoy and ponder the lyrics courtsey of Air1.com
Chasen - Crazy Beautiful
From the album Chasen

Chasen – Crazy Beautiful
From the album – Shine Through The Stars

Everybody’s been there
everyone’s the same
but mostly we don’t care
isn’t that a shame
We bring us down face after face
the inside is beautiful but the outside we want to change.
We want to change.

Chorus
Whoa you’re oh so beautiful,
you don’t need anyone’s approval
You’ve got to believe in your self you know you are
You’re crazy beautiful

There's no need to change
We're different but the same
In the eyes of the King
We're beautifully made
In his image we're made

Take a look it’s all around you
See the world from different views
The way you shine from the inside
I know with out a doubt
It’s more than what you’ll be
In the world’s eyes.

Whoa you’re oh so beautiful, you don’t need anyone’s a approval
You’ve got to believe in your self you know you are

You’re crazy beautiful

Lyrics may not be reproduced

Winter Wonder

Hoping you are using this cozy season to revel in God's Wonders,

New Season

I love Fall and as we approach Hebraic calendar's New YEAR, I enter a new season. I am closing down the retail space, The Gathering Place, in the Courtyard Mall. It has not been a great location for traffic. I am taking "my show on the road" as they say. I will be working with our Church's Children and adult ministries, planning events and prodocts to go. I am also attending Holiday Happening at the Lubbock Civic Center in Mid Nov. But for now, I am having a BIG Clearance on a lot on inventory at the store. Much is 50% off. Come by and xams sshop early. Deb

Moving skit

I dont know if I'm just emotional or what but this skit really flipped my tear switch. Sometimes it feels good to cry. Get out a Kleenex and enjoy

Rock the Desert

We are heading to Odessa, Tx to see Hawk Nelson, Barlow Girl and more at Rock the Desert. Click title for Utube of Barlow Girl. Visit http://www.hawknelson.com/ for our fave. see a video at MTV U websight.

In be “tween” the holding and the letting go

While cleaning out closets, getting ready for a new round of birthday presents, my almost 11 year old daughter decided it was time to pass down her collection of Barbies.
I wasn’t sure that I was ready to be mother to a girl who is “too old” to play Barbies. I tried to talk her out of it. But, with logic beyond her years, she expressed the same sentiment that was ruminating in my own heart.
“I want to be sad about saying good-bye, but I’m not.”

I looked back at the passing of each parenting season with melancholy longing, the memories were sweet. Sure I ooh and gooh over newborns. I love to reminisce over their baby books, but I have always looked forward to the maturing of my kids. What and honor to see the blossoming of my closely guarded prize rose crop. With much pride I parade all my visitors near to admire God's handwork He has so graciously allowed me to be a part of. I cant wait for the late night talks and the excitement of all the new things this tween season holds. Memories are sweet but the anticipation of the delights to come is sweeter still.
“Good-bye, you have always been my favorite princess. Fare thee well and Live long and prosper." She said, as she placed her Belle into the give away box...