An Emotion-Filled Day

Part I. My baby girl, my youngest child, is a teenager today.

As I wrote this post, she was playing games and watching the Olympics with 5 of her friends for a sleepover party. Today will be filled with picking up athletic uniforms, lunch with me & Dad, and spending the night at the house of another friend who couldn't make it to the party before heading to SeaWorld with her tomorrow.

What a blessing she is to our lives. In spite of a few teenage moments here and there, (complete with eye rolls, of course!) she is an absolute joy. She loves Jesus, her family, her friends, playing piano, singing, smiley faces, rubber duckies, school, and laughing.

Happy Birthday, sweet girl! I'm proud to be your mom.


BTW, a huge shout-out to Melody of Kids, Cakes, Dishes, & Laundry for the awesome cake she made for my girl's party! This was a H.U.G.E. step for me not to make the cake myself. But there have not been enough hours in the day lately, and so I took the plunge. And wow! Is that not a darling confection?!

Part II. I thought it would never get here, or that I would miss most of it because of the birthday, but it's time to hit the road for San Antonio for the Siesta Fiesta! I am so excited! I'm eagerly anticipating meeting some folks I just know via blogs and spending lots of time with Xandra.

The only downside is that I won't be able to meet those of you who can't come. We'll all miss you!
This got kinda buried the other day and not too many saw it. Here is my mini Siesta Fiesta for all of you - this perfectly expresses how I feel about you in my heart:

CIRCLE OF FRIENDS
We were made to love and be loved
But the price this world demands will cost you far too much
I spent so many lonely years just trying to fit in
Now I’ve found a place in this circle of friends

In a circle of friends we have one Father
In a circle of friends we share this prayer
That every orphaned soul will know
And all will enter in
To the shelter of this circle of friends

If you weep, I will weep with you
If you sing for joy the rest of us will lift our voices too
But no matter what you feel inside there’s no need to pretend
That’s the way it is in this circle of friends

In a circle of friends
We have one Father
In a circle of friends we share this prayer
That we’ll gather together no matter how the highway bends
I will not lose this circle of friends

Among the nations, tribes and tongues we have sisters and brothers
And when we meet in heaven we will recognize each other
With joy so deep and love so sweet
Oh we’ll celebrate these friends
And a life that never ends

In a circle of friends
We have one Father
In a circle of friends
We share this prayer
That it will not be long before
All will enter in
To the shelter of this circle of friends

That it will not be long before
All will enter in
To the shelter of this circle of friends

Thanks for being my circle of friends!