Pearls and Curls: Catching Up and Wasting Time

I have a to do list a mile long at the moment, BUT.... The "Belzer" as we call Ellie Faith more often then not for some reason, is presently playing away happily in her exersaucer. She used to love this play apparatus, but over the past few weeks, being contained in any way is not her idea of fun. However, independent play time is something I feel strongly about, so she has to endure it 10-30 minutes a day, based on the emotional attitude of the day. :) Our house is a quite small, very narrow, two story town home. I am kind of stuck in kitchen and hallway at the moment... if I were to walk by the happily playing child, she would think I was going to get her and heart break would ensue if/when that didn't happen. Luckily for me , and unfortunate for my to do list, our computer is in the hall way, so I am taking this time to blog. I really don't have anything to write about, but since I am trying to get back into the swing of things, I am just going to ramble for a bit.

We had some fun "family fall" plans for this weekend that got a little ruined do to weather. Oh well. We made up for it by just having a Saturday at home, which we rarely get! Aunt Brenna hung out most of the day with us, then one our former college girls grabbed some dinner with us, then came back to our place to watch some football. It was great catching up with both girls. In years past, they were over at our house all the time. But life isn't static, so our hang out times are just not as easy to come by anymore.

I did get out of the house for a few hours to attend the bridal tea for one of our "original" college girls. (theses girls are really starting to make me feel old by going off, getting married, and starting their own families!) Jared and I will get to attend their wedding in a few weekends and we could not be more thrilled for them! Its been a long time coming!

They are the american couple. She is that amazing teacher you just pray your kids are lucky enough to get at least once in their scholastic years, and he has been serving in the armed forces since graduating from college. They are beautiful inside and out. And yes, just thinking about all they have been through, over come, and endured, and how amazingly they have handled it... this proud mama is emotional! I totally kept tearing up during the bridal tea!

Ellie and I are going to be taking a little road trip and heading back to my home town for about 4 days. My baby brother has his first college basketball game, and I wouldn't miss it for the world. Unfortunately, Jared has work and meetings this weekend, so he is staying back. But let's be honest, deep down he is probably a little bit excited about having 4 days alone. :)

I don't really have plans for the trip back, other then just enjoying time with family. There have been several babies added to the family in the last two weeks, so hopefully I will get to snuggle with some of those sweet infants. And I wouldn't complain a bit if we got walk around down town Franklin (aka the greatest place on earth!)

Overall... I think just a change of scenery will be good for me emotionally and mentally.

I am leading a girls bible study for ministry we work with on UT's campus. Its Kicking.My.Tail! I am never one who likes to be front and center. I love to plan (and yes, be in control) but from the back ground. I am great wing-woman. Jared always makes fun of me that I am the only person he has ever met who enjoyed "middle management" positions in my career. I have been approached several times about leading bible studies or sunday schools and have always emphatically declined - it just wasn't my thing. Again, God has a very funny sense of humor when it comes to my life. This semester, I found myself in a situation where I really had/was given no choice. I recently updated my facebook/twitter with this status:

If you ever think you have a good grasp on your faith, God, and religion - assist

in leading a bible study. Holy Moly! #eyeopening #convicting #challenging

Wowser! We are doing a modified study with youversion.com, on Confident Womanhood. I think we are all really enjoying it, learning a lot, and growing personally as well as a group. I honestly think I am learning more from our girls then I am teaching them. I know a lot of people complain about young people today, but I could not be more proud of "my" girls and can not wait to see all the wonderful things they accomplish for the Lord in life. This generation has lived through more hurt and dysfunction then many of the previous generations, and though its left them battered and scarred, its also given them a different perspective on life. They understand cause and effect, relational hurt and dysfunction, what tears a family apart, what destroys trust forever, etc... They have seen how not to do it, and are determined to be better. And I have not doubt they will do better then many of the people who were supposed to be "examples" in their lives.

45 minutes later....

Ok, playtime ended, Ellie has eaten, and is down for her morning nap (yes, even though its noon. Kid stays on a college kid's sleeping schedule!) so that means mama has two hours to be a whirlwind of accomplishment!

Until next time.... which will hopefully has WAY more substance and entertainment. Yikes!

And just because she is too stinking cute: