I'd like to introduce to you...

Drum roll, please...

This is Lu Lu. Isn't she a beauty?



Blue is the new red, you know.

Seriously, I had a lot of fun reminiscing about all the fun we had with Bessie. My cars are really like friends to me. Maybe it's because I spend SO MUCH time with them. :-)

One story I forgot to mention in my poem was our 20th wedding anniversary. Daddy and I got dressed up nice and went to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. Now, in our house, that's a once in a lifetime (maybe twice) pricey, pricey dinner. So, we drive Bessie down to Clayton and realized that we have to use the valet parking. UGH! The van is not only embarrassingly old, but it is totally messy! So we hand the valet the keys without making eye contact. At the end of our wonderfully delicious meal, we come out right after some businessmen and right before an elegant couple. The businessmen, jump into the new, sleek, black BMW with the leather seats.

Then, up from the garage emerges Bessie! What a sight! She's covered in filth, missing a hubcap, has an odd squeal coming from underneath, and the transmission is jerking. We were trying to hold our heads high as we stepped up, tipped the valet, and climbed in, but secretly we were busting a gut. The couple behind us was clearly not impressed. I laughed until I cried.

It's funny how our memories are all tied up in things. Maybe that's why I hang on to so much stuff.

Anyway, I am so thankful for this new van and all of it's features. After having an old one for so long, I really appreciate all the new innovations...things like working windows and door locks, for instance. Yesterday, I bought groceries and realized that when I opened the back hatch, I wouldn't have to open it slowly to catch the rolling jars of spaghetti sauce - because it has a well in the back. WOOHOO!!! AND - Lu Lu has a compass!!!! It is imperative that I know which direction I'm heading whenever I'm in a strange city. I am SO PSYCHED about the compass! And don't even get me going on the CD/MP3 player! Bessie has a cassette player - those are little rectangular things that played music back in the day.

So, I'm a happy camper. I want to drive everywhere now. I think I'll run up to Walgreens right now for no particular reason. ;-)

Blessings to you,
Mamita

Ode to Bessie

Oh Bessie, Oh Bessie,
Shiny and red,
We drove you until,
You're almost dead.

You've been a good car,
We're thankful for that,
Except for the transmission,
the A/C and the flat.

Fourteen years
You've hauled us around,
Now is the time,
For a new car in town.

Our memories are clear,
We'll never forget,
You kept us all safe,
And we got where we went.

You've been up to the Dells,
And down to the border,
And we've always kept you,
in good working order.

Remember the Rockies,
When we slept in the back,
Afraid of the cold,
and that bears would attack.

We loaded you down,
You barely could make it,
In the mountains,
40 was all we could take it. (MPH, that is)

You've lived through two homes,
And kiddos times three,
Three churches, two trucks and a car.
Oh, how can it be?



Remember the date,
In the church parking lot.
Remember the glare,
of the officer's spot!

We really just stopped,
to talk and to plan.
We were shocked at the siren,
the lights, the knock on the van!

I'm giggling now,
as I laugh through the tears!
Imagine getting caught "parking",
At forty-two years!

Thanks for the memories,
Bessie, my friend.
Try not to think,
That this is the end.

This is the start
of a brand-spanking new deal,
You get to be driven,
by a teen at the wheel!

We're back...

Didn't know I was gone, huh?

I've been here all along, but our computer was SICK. We "had" a nasty virus ever since January 2nd. I say "had", because I'm not entirely sure it's gone for good, but, at least I'm able to get on the internet now. :-)

Phew! I was going into withdrawals!

Cupcake is mostly back to her normal happy-go-lucky self. Thanks for the prayers. I think the lack of schedule over Christmas was too hard for her.


Now for a little silliness...

Pat Benatar was in town today and stopped in with her band to give me a free concert. She sang "Heartbreaker". It was an excellent rendition. I wish I had gotten a video.




Guitar Hero - Bringing families together since 2007. :-D

Blessings to you,
Mamita

Feeling Insecure

Cupcake is not feeling so secure today. She's not sure we really love her. She's afraid of bad guys in vans taking her away. She's not sure the boundaries are in the same place they were yesterday. She's not sure they're the same minute by minute. You might pray for her little heart if you feel led....and for wisdom for us as her parents.

She had a few hours today where she was sort-of confident in our love. It was a beautiful, warm cloud-free day, so I took the girls up to the school playground for a short time.

We also went to a park yesterday....maybe pictures of that later.










Blessings to you,
Mamita

Merry Christmas to All and to All a Good Night

It hit me tonight...

At our Christmas Eve service...

The pastor was praying. He started with, "Thank you, Lord, for allowing us to be here tonight..."

And it hit me...

How thankful I am that He allowed US to be HERE tonight. All of my kids in the same country...in the same household...in the same pew. And the youngest one actually on my lap. The Christmas I've prayed for for so long. The daughter I've prayed over for so long. She's here. Thank You, Lord. Oh, thank You.

And the tears welled up.

And I thanked the Lord for all the other kids who are home this year.

And I prayed for those that are still waiting.

And I kissed my sweet baby's head and held her a little tighter.

*
*
*

After church, we had dinner with Grandpa and Grandma. Cupcake was wired for sound. So here are some action shots. (Please excuse and ignore the mess in the background.) Did I mention that she has NO FEAR and she totally trusts me...

Enough with the pictures already, Mom!

Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Blessings to you,
Mamita

Random Fun

Sunshine and his "baby"...

Purple eye-shadow compliments of Salon de Cupcake...


Giving TE the what-for...

Playing possum...
See my braids?

Look at me taking a picture of you taking a picture of me...

Wild fun with Daddy...

My big girl...

Blessings to you,
Mamita

Congratulations to a Dear Friend!

Several months ago (like March), I asked for prayer for a little girl who has waited way too long to come home. I am thrilled to report that God has answered our prayers with a YES! Tomorrow morning, my friends E and D will go to the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala City with their son, J.J. and their new daughter N, and they will promise to be her parents forever.

After 3.5 years, countless prayers, and more tears than we can count, N is coming home!!!!

Congratulations E and D!!!! May God bless your family forevermore!

Blessings to you,
Mamita