AWWWWW!!!!

Okay, now I know that I’m getting older, because a good friend of mine just turned 40!  One of my best friends at Hanley, who is kinda like a big brother to me, just turned 40 on Wednesday.  To celebrate his birthday, his girlfriend, April threw him a surprise birthday party tonight.  It was an honor to be one of few invited. 

Once Tony arrived, he walked back out ’cause he was bawling-so surprised and so honored!  It was really, really precious.  April had everyone there (about 15 of us) get up and say something to Tony.  That was great to be apart of…and again, more tears:)  A few people were mentioning different things like, "Oh, I can’t wait until Tony and April make their relationship ‘more official’ and make me some nieces and nephews," and "All I want is for my baby boy to get married…"  I was beginning to think that they were making things awfully uncomfortable for the both of them, since they aren’t weren’t engaged!  Well, after we were all done speaking love and friendship over Tony, he got up…
April_2008_081…and said some very nice things to April.  Then he said, "Mom, I’m going to make your wish come true…"  At that point he reached inside his jacket (a few of us gently screamed in that moment:) and he pulled out a white box. …and then he got down on his knee.  Oh my word…I had never before witnessed a marriage proposal…it was SO BEAUTIFUL!!!  I’m completely beside myself, and so giddy!
April_2008_084

Anyone that knows me well, knows that I love LOVE.  Blessed by Jesus, it’s so fantastic!  In God’s timing I’ll have the opportunity to experience that…perfect timing, of course.  In the meanwhile, this seemingly long while, I will enjoy the joy of others whenever I get the chance to!

So, yay!  Tony and April, I am so, so excited for you!!!!

(click on the picture to the right to zoom in on that rock:)

My Help

Exhaustion overtakes my eyes, but I simply have to write something about today!  (I really wish that I would just kick myself in the seat and choose to be more disciplined about blogging nowadays!)

From 1-7pm we had parent-teacher conferences.  Honestly-really honestly-this was the best PTC session I’ve experienced yet.  Not only was there NO conflict happening, but there was not even a string of tension or conflict present the entire time!  Never have I experienced such a thing.  As a matter of fact, this is just how blessed I was today…3 different parents told me their kids loved me (I know…awwww!), one of them said, "No, seriously, your picture is on our refrigerator!  You are talked about, everyday."  I was told that "whatever I’m doing, I’m doing right."  And the many thanks that I received made my heart all warm and fuzzy-this will last for months.

I realize that it sounds like I’m trying to brag and desperately need attention (perhaps, but not probable)…except for the fact that all good things come from God!  One parent told me that she couldn’t understand how someone could have so much patience with a big group of kids all day long…I simply reminded her that "His grace is sufficient for me and that (thankfully) she’s seeing Him and not my weakness in that area".  Seriously, think about it…the kids don’t love me!  I am nothing without Jesus…really what they love is Jesus who lives in me (they just aren’t aware of that); and although I’ve worked very hard this year to get my kids to love reading and writing as much as they do, God was the founding Father of language and He just lit a blazing fire in their little hearts for it.  I happened to be a tool that He used (that’s what I did right).  And people thanked me, but I returned thanks back to MY HELP

Yes, I felt much appreciated today-incredibly appreciated, and affirmed, and loved, and warm, and fuzzy, and respected…But in reality, today was a win for Jesus.  He was working in Hamtramck and He invited me to join His activity there.  So I did.  That’s all I did:)