Picture Story

How Great is Our God

This song is on my heart. And if I am blessed enough to wake up singing this song several days in a row, then I wanted to share.



VERSE(1):
The splendor of a King,
Clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice,
All the earth rejoice
He wraps himself in light,
And darkness tries to hide
And trembles at his voice,
And trembles at his voice

CHORUS(1):
How great is our God,
sing with me
How great is our God,
and all will see
How great, How great
Is our God

VERSE(2):
Age to age he stands
And time is in His Hands
Beginning and the End,
Beginning and the End
The Godhead, Three in one
Father, Spirit, Son
The Lion and the Lamb,
The Lion and the Lamb

CHORUS(1):
How great is our God,
sing with me
How great is our God,
and all will see
How great, How great
Is our God

CHORUS(2)(Tenors sing while others sing chorus 1)
Name above all names
You are Worthy of all praise
and My heart will sing how great
Is our God
(x2)

Mission Sunday

For the last several years, our church has had what we call "Missions Sunday". We have always strove to be a missions oriented congregation and this day is not only a celebration of that heritage, but a challenge to do more. In addition to keeping the fire burning for missions, we also do a special collection. This helps fund current programs, as well as start new ones.

This year, many of the missionaries and evangelists we support were able to come and be apart of the celebration. We have heard for the last month or about the work being done in other areas, the lives touched, the souls saved. We even heard about contacts being made in Cuba. C.U.B.A. I am amazed at how God works, and that He allows us to be part of it.

This year, in our special contribution we gave back over $585,000. "Gave back" because we recognize it is God's to begin with. I would love to be able to put that in terms to get our heads around, but I can't even fathom how far that will go...what God can do with a half a million dollars and hundreds of people hungry to share His Word. But I sure excited to see!

In honor of the special day, my girls wore their special dresses that Damma and Dampa brought back from Nicaragua. Appropriate, don't you think?(I don't pose them, seriously!)

Watermelon Patch

Last Friday we joined some friends from church and went to a Watermelon Patch.

We all had a good time enjoying the petting zoo, (watching zoo for the Bailey girls) hay ride, lots of things to climb on and play in, and, of course, the watermelon.
Here are my favorite shots of the day.And to think...this was the before shot. You really should have seem them after! haha
I love her little tongue poking through the gap in her teeth!
The sun was too bright for her to open her eyes, but she sho was happy!

People's reaction

I am amazed at how people are reacting to my closing the shop.

People tend to fall into one of three categories.

The vast majority are quite supportive. They inquire why I made this decision, give me words of encouragement and then tell me they will miss me/the business. These are people who know me or love me. Or tend to be the customers that I enjoy the most because of their nature in general. They have taken the time to get to know me a little bit and speak kindly to me. I had one customer actually cry when I told her. Others have been so visibly saddened that it created quite an awkward silence. I, of course, felt the need to fill the silence with justification of my decision, which didn't make things better. Some have shared their regrets of not being with their children more. Some have ask for my personal information or shared theirs so we could keep in touch. All of these people are the reason it will be difficult to close the doors. I will miss those relationships.

The second category is for those who simply want me to know how this affect them. They want to know where they will now shop. Or where they will sell their furniture. Or what are they supposed to do with the items that haven't sold. Or why couldn't I have waited until their furniture sold. While I do my best to direct them accordingly, I find myself wanting to remind them that this decision really has nothing to do with them. I keep my mouth shut.

The final category of people are the ones that cause me the most angst. They come in here and assume I was defeated in my business. They say something derogatory like "Guess sales just weren't enough". I actually had one lady come in and say "No offense, but I knew you wouldn't make it. Your location is terrible." I had a very difficult time remaining Christian. I tried to politely explain that it was a family decision that had nothing to do with finances. Then she laughed and said "If sales were great, you wouldn't be getting out." I should have let it go; it led to futile conversation that would have been easier to just ignore. I want these people to know that we did okay. But I really shouldn't care.

Oh, there is one more group of women. I have had not 3, but 4 -F.O.U.R.- offers to sign up for a home based business. I can't tell you how much of a turn off this is to me. I know there are several people who to this and do it well. More power to you!!!! Earn some extra money for your family!!! Invite me to a party!!! But please don't ask me to sign up under you. It ain't gonna happen. One lady actually told me that she doesn't even buy the products, she just signs people up under her and let them do the work. If she gets 18 people to sell the product, she gets "paid for life". Aren't pyramid schemes illegal yet?

Why am I telling you all this? Because I needed to get it off my chest. And also it has me thinking about what kind of person am I. Am I one to encourage those going through change, or do I make it about me? Do I assume the worst?

I'm pretty sure God wants us to be encouragers. Encouragers for peace, strength and following God led changes.

Summertime "do"... Big Girl "do"...

Must be something in the air!
Beautiful, isn't she!?!?!

Can you see the excitement on her face?


Wow, lost two teeth...headed to public school... big girl haircut.
This mama's heart can't handle much more.
But isn't she beautiful!!

Blog stalking etiquette

Ok, I know I am not alone in my fascination of other peoples lives and spying on strangers blogs. (Some even stalk good friends - you know who you are, TW!!!)

My question is, as a blog stalker who wants to break her silence, what is the proper etiquette? Do I somehow introduce myself first? Or do I just jump right in and add my own comment to this strangers dialog?

Thoughts? Suggestions?

Strangers, feel free to break your silence and leave your comments.

My 2 new favorite pictures...

We are tough!!
Thanks, Gabe, for the cool tats!!!

Hey Anita, can you use your magic and make these black and white with the tattoo in color? Or something cool like that for my scrapbooks? You Rock!

Too Good to be Through

After many hours of prayer and discussion, Josh and I have decided it is the appropriate time to close Too Good to be Through furniture consignment. Our oldest child is starting school and this means a new phase in our lives - a phase in which our girls will need more of me than I can give them while running our shop.

We have so enjoyed having the shop and meeting so many wonderful people. And we want to thank you for making this business such a success. We feel God has blessed us greatly through this endeavor, as well as through the people He has brought into our lives. And we also feel blessed with a new adventure. I am saddened to close the business, but am looking forward to school parties, family time after school, and having some one-on-one time with each of my girls.

Our last day will be July 26.
For the store of how this business began, click here.

Our family, by Brenna

Peek a boo

Horrible picture, but still funny!

Brenna's photo collection

Mom and Dad

Piper. She doesn't hold still long enough for B to get a good shot of her.

self portrait

Damma and Dampa, chatting on the computer. (sadly, D&D, this was the better of the three shots she took)

Restless night

Last night was a restless night at our house. After the wrap up of the Family Fun Night we attended last night, we got home around 11:15pm. B was thrilled to be up so late. She wanted to know if it is was midnight yet (a throw back to New Years Eve, I think). She was thrilled to find out it, in fact, was midnight - in Ohio. :)

The girls were too tired to sleep. Remember being that way? Anyway, Josh told P she could sleep in our bed for a while. I truly think this has happened less than 5 times in her whole life - including infancy. I felt bad for B and told her she could join us as well.

Even a king size bed isn't big enough when you have two girls who end up sleep perpendicular to us!!! I was awakened several times to a foot in the back or a fist in the face. At one point, P had an episode that only be described as imitating a death spiral done by crocodiles when they capture their pray. I had restless dreams and even wrote a blog about the night in my no-where-close-to-REM-sleep. It was quite witty and created a great picture. This morning, several hours later and clutching my LARGE cup of coffee, all wit has escaped me! Still I feel the need to post.

I have no idea how people function with a "family bed"!!! No judgment, just no comprehension!

Truth or not, this is hilarious!

I received this email today. Thanks, Keri, I needed that laugh.
Hope you all enjoy it, as well!

Clutching their Dillard's shopping bags, Ellen and Kay woefully gazed down at a dead cat in the mall parking lot. Obviously a recent hit --- no flies, no smell. What business could that poor kitty have had here?' murmured
Ellen.

'Come on, Ellen, let's just go . . '

But Ellen had already grabbed her shopping bag and was explaining, I'll just put my things in your bag, and then I'll take the tissue.'

She dumped her purchases into Kay's bag and then used the tissue paper to cradle and lower the former feline into her own Dillard's bag and cover it.

They continued the short trek to the car in silence, stashing their goods in the trunk. But it occurred to both of them that if they left Ellen's burial bag in the trunk, warmed by the TEXAS sunshine while they ate, Kay's Lumina would soon lose that new-car smell. They decided to leave the bag on top of the trunk, and they headed over to Luby's cafeteria.

After they cleared the serving line and sat down at a window table, they had a view of Kay's Chevy with the Dillard's bag still on the trunk.

BUT not for long!

As they ate, they noticed a black-haired woman in a red gingham shirt stroll by their car, look quickly this way and that, and then hooked her arm into the Dillard's bag without breaking stride. She quickly walked out of their line of vision. Kay and Ellen shot each other a wide-eyed look of amazement.

It all happened so fast that neither of them could think how to respond.

'Can you imagine?' finally sputtered Ellen. 'The nerve of that woman!'

Kay sympathized with Ellen, but inwardly a laugh was building as she thought about the grand surprise awaiting the red-gingham thief. Just when she thought she'd have to giggle into her napkin, she noticed
Ellen's eyes freeze in the direction of the serving line. Following her gaze, Kay recognized with a shock the black-haired woman with THE Dillard's bag, hanging from her arm, brazenly pushing her tray toward the cashier.

Helplessly they watched the scene unfold: After clearing the register, the woman settled at a table across from theirs, put the bag on an empty chair and began to eat. After a few bites of baked whitefish and green beans, she casually lifted the bag into her lap to survey her treasure.

Looking from side to side, but not far enough to notice her rapt audience three tables over, she pulled out the tissue paper and peered into the bag. Her eyes widened, and she began to make a sort of gasping noise. The noise grew. The bag slid from her lap as she sank to the floor, wheezing and clutching her upper chest.

The beverage cart attendant quickly recognized a customer in trouble and sent the busboy to call 911, while she administered the Heimlich maneuver. A crowd quickly gathered that did not include Ellen and Kay, who remained riveted to their chairs for seven whole minutes until the ambulance arrived.

In a matter of minutes the curly-haired woman emerged from the crowd, still gasping, strapped securely on a gurney. Two well-trained EMS volunteers steered her to the waiting ambulance, while a third scooped up her belongings. The last they saw of the distressed cat-burglar, she disappeared behind the ambulance doors… the Dillard's bag perched on her stomach!!

I love poetic justice!! (Of course, I hope the woman is fine and learned an important lesson!)

Missions Effort

My parents left today for a week in Nicaragua. Their home congregation is heading a medical mission this year.

They have witnessed in Nicaragua for years now. I am so proud of them for making this such an important part of their lives. They have a great deal of investment in this effort; financially, spiritually,and emotionally. I believe their work there has not only helped bring souls to Christ in Central America, but their love of it spreads and affects people in the US. I wish that we could join them again this year. It was an enormous blessing to see them in action last year.

Please pray for them, Mike and Jo, this week. Pray that they are safe, their travels uneventful, but most importantly that their work is affective and productive.

Mom and Dad, if you are able to get an Internet connection and happen to read this...My heart is with you! I look forward to hearing all about it.

Love, Me

Rapid fire catch up...

Princess Tea Party

Brenna and her escort
At church, they do a father/daughter tea party. It clearly is a big hit with little girls. My guess is the dad's feel kind of silly, but at least they are all in it together.

playing "Princess and the Pea"

B and her buddy

If you are taking a pic of B, you gotta get one of P!

P was jumping on the couch when I took this picture. I thought it turned out cool.

Piper, proud Brenna lost her tooth.

Ok, this story was much funnier to witness so I will save you the details. Piper came back from a quiet stay in our bedroom looking like this. There are bronzed colored handprints on my wall to match her face. This is lipstick gone bad. Very, very bad!

Ta daaaaa!

After several attempts to pull it, Brenna lost her first tooth this evening.
Seriously, in the last 5 days we have tied string to it twice, tried ripping it out with a washcloth, eating an apple, and making (she was a willing party) her twist it round and round. I documented each attempt with still shots and video. I was going to be the stellar mom who capture the moment. HA.
Tonight at the park, Brenna bit into a Nacho flavored Dorito. She then turns to me and says "uh...Mom?" Her tooth is basically laying in her gumline. I get a napkin and pull it out the rest of the way, one lonely root. She was thrilled! I was disappointed that I didn't have my camera. In the end, it was better that we were able to wash her mouth out first anyway, it was pretty gross.

So now we wait for the toothfairy. Anyone know who much she pays these days?
I'm thinking a buck (if I can find one in my wallet!)

Brenna has a loose tooth!

I have noticed Brenna had a couple teeth that appeared to be shifting. It made me nervous since we haven't taken her a dentist yet. One day she told me her tooth hurt. I looked in her mouth and found she had a wiggly tooth. Right up front on the bottom! She was so proud.

Then about a week later, I looked again, and saw that her permanent tooth is already growing in. It is about 1/3 of the way in! And MUCH bigger than those baby teeth. I know that makes sense, but grown up teeth in a four year old mouth sure look big. I think the 'awkward phase' has begun! :)

The Bailey Bunch

(click to enlarge to see the back of our shirts)

Well, Relay for Life had ended. For this year.
The Bailey Bunch will be a returning team!!

Last night was amazing. As I write this I am exhausted and weary (please excuse typos and nonsensical statements), but am on a "high".

First I want to tell you all that our team did a fantastic job. I truly could not be more proud of us and we accomplished. As a team we raised $5930ish. We won "Rookie Team of the Year" and was the only team to raise over $5000. As an event, we raised just over $85,000 and have more money coming in so the committee is confident we will reach our goal of $90,000. AMAZING! The committee did an awesome job orchestrating the entire evening. Stacey, Susan, Suzy, Tonya, and everyone else, job well done. Now get some rest.

Dinah, Alyssa, Jessica, Morgan, Bruce, Kathy, Judy and our new friends Robyn and Jeff: Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Our teamwork paid off to raise a significant amount of money for this great cause, as well as made for a great evening, night and morning. Thank you for your hard work, creativity, flexibility and friendship.

And finally, I need to share the biggest surprise of my life. Last night the survivors were lining up to say their name and how long they have been surviving cancer. I had moved up close to get some good pictures. There was a straggler Survivor being escorted from the sidelines. And as some of the committee members (see aforementioned committee members) stepped aside to allow her get in line, I see it is my mother. I was so shocked. I said "That's my mom" for anyone who was sitting nearby or cared, and cried, no - sobbed, as she said "My name is Jo and I am an eight year survivor."

I had no idea she was coming. She was supposed to be with her sister working on another project. She was supposed to be with me in spirit and heart. But there she was walking beside me. I cannot tell you what it meant to me for her to be here. I got involved in Relay for her, to honor her, and she was here for it. I am still crying about it even as she is resting in our guest room. She stayed up all night with me. Some times talking, some times not. Some times walking, some times not. But always thankful to be together.

So now, I say thank you to Dad and Aunt Jaye for sacrificing for me. Thank you, Judy, for having a heart that has always put others first. Thank you, Mom, Thank you.

Relay for Life

If you haven't heard already, Josh and I have put together a Relay for Life team. Relay is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. Our event is THIS FRIDAY night. Our team will join others and walk around Plunkett Park at UCO from 7pm to 7am. Cancer doesn't rest and neither will we!!!

Each year, across the nation, this event brings together entire communities to take part in the fight against cancer. That event is the American Cancer Society Relay For Life®. It’s a time and place where people come to celebrate those who have survived cancer, remember those we’ve lost, and fight back against a disease that touches too many lives.

It’s not just an opportunity to celebrate, remember, and fight back your involvement will help the American Cancer Society work toward a mission of eliminating cancer as major health issue and will support much-needed services in your community. Thanks in part to the donations from Relay For Life and other events, the Society is saving lives, helping those touched by cancer, and empowering people to fight this disease all over the world.

If you are in our area, please come see us (on the Southwest side of UCO). Bring your families. There will be lots of activities going on, including an area for the kids. All moneys raised that night will go right to the American Cancer Society. If you are not in our area and want to help, please go to this website and make a donation or learn more about Relay for Life.

We truly appreciate any support you can give to this great cause. We all know someone who has been devastated by this disease. Let's work together to stop it!

My Mom, an 8 year cancer survivor, posing with B, P & me.

What are you doing RIGHT?

As I sat rocking my sweet baby who was crying inconsolably I found myself listing all the ways I am failing my children as a parent. I was amazed and heartbroken at how quickly I could make a long list of my parental faults... All the times I get distracted and forget their requests. The times I was lazy and didn't play tag. The times I read through their books too quickly. The times they ate junk for dinner because I was too tired/rushed/distracted to give them a balanced meal. The times they watched too much TV...

And then I was equally saddened (actually more so) at how difficult it was to list even one thing I do really well as a parent. Every time I would think of something, I would immediately remember a time I even messed that up.

I assume I am not the only who struggles with this. And while I believe we should all work to overcome the areas we really feel we are failing, I also believe we should feel good about what we are doing right.

So, I would like for my readers to tell me what they are doing right. Think hard if you must, but let us know what you are proud of. I'll get the ball rolling.

I am good at encouraging my girls imagination.
Now your turn...

added after 9 comments----------------------------------
This post was really intended to be less about me and more about encouraging all moms to take a moment to focus on the successes they have thus far. I appreciate all the kind thoughts and encouragement, but I want to hear about you!!!

It is just one of those days....

All Aboard...

We LOVE Squash Blocks!!!

Why are sleeping babies so sweet?

Even when they are not babies anymore.
This was taken some time ago, but I love Piper's expression in this one!

These last two were taken today. The one of Piper is hilarious. Who can sleep like that? But also, I wanted to vent. I tried ALL AFTERNOON to get these squirrelly girls to take a nap. They sat on the couch for 40 minutes with the lights out except a lamp. (Originally they were supposed to stay there 20 minutes to rest, but since they were arguing, it got upped to 40, 5 minutes at a time.) They sat back there and giggled and played until the 40 minutes were up. I couldn't believe it. And then, 30 minutes before we close the shop, they both crash hard! Looks like I might be working a little late today. ugh.

Back Yard Nature

About four years ago, a robin built a nest on our electric meter on our back porch. When she did it, the blue jays gave her such a hard time, she never laid eggs. No one used the nest the next year, but the year after that another robin made it her home. She laid two little eggs. We watched them for a couple days, then discovered the blue jays had gotten them. It was so sad.

The nest lay dormant for another year, but this year Robin came back. On Friday, we discovered three little blue eggs. We took pictures and the girls were so excited.


Last night, I looked at them again and found one egg had hatched and one more was working on it. Piper was so sweet. Every time a bird would fly by, she would tell us to be quiet and hold her arms like she was holding a baby. We sat and watched the mama bird sit with her babies off and on all evening. The girls were really excited. They kept asking to look again at the baby.

Late last night, we heard a strange sound on our back porch and went to investigate. Some wretched cat destroyed the nest and killed the baby bird and ate the eggs. I was heart broken. I know the girls will ask. I know they won't truly be traumatized by the truth, but I still hate to tell them how cruel the world can be at times.

If anyone in our neighborhood sees a rather fat Siamese looking cat prowling around, would you sic your dog on it? Please.

Sonshine school pics are in....

...and my babies are growing up too fast!

Yummy!

The girls got a couple mini powdered donuts this morning. Piper made glasses of out them before she ate them.


Look at Piper discovering herself in the mirror in the background.

flowers and cheese

We have a rose bush blooming in our front yard. I picked one for Brenna's hair while we were out playing. Then Daddy got one for Piper.


They were happy girls. Clearly.

My day!

Yesterday when I got home from work, I found that my sweet four year old wanted to have a party for me. Simply because I am the best Mom in the WHOLE WIDE WORLD!!

There were balloons and cookies and a homemade card!! Oh, and games. Games of finding where Brenna hid the balloons.

I really think Bren just wanted balloons and cookies and to do a craft, but I'm just going to run with her excuse.

I do love my family!!

Next show..."The Singing Bee"

This is from "Music Idol"; a Bulgarian version of "American Idol".

Oh yeah, Mom, I cut my hair.

Jaye, this one is for you...

"For God so loved the world, He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16"

We love Spring

Sisters and hormones (yes, even this young)

OK, I just have to admit my girls are driving me nuts today.
The back ground info that may or may not be relevant is that Piper was sick over the weekend. She threw up off and on Friday through Sunday. Josh was with them on Monday and declared Piper "well" because all the energy she didn't use up during the weekend was coming out in full force. AND HASN'T STOPPED SINCE!

Today, Piper is SO emotional (I know, I know, she gets it straight from me). She has has about 4 total meltdowns this morning; and that was before we ever left the house. Which didn't make me too excited to leave the house. When we got the shop, she perked right up. And now she is WOUND up!!! She and Brenna are chasing each other around here giggling and squealing. They got some books so I thought they were going to sit quietly and read. HA! They wanted the same book, of course, but Piper had it first. I told B she could have when P was finished. B got distracted with another book and then realized that P was no longer looking at the book she wanted. B couldn't find it so she asked me if I knew where it was. I told her to look under the couch or the table. B hopped up and started looking around. Piper started giggling. This got my full attention. B was looking everywhere and P giggled more and more, while pretending to read a book. Exasperated, B says "Piper, WHERE is the Kipper book???" Piper laughs out loud and moves her leg over to reveal she is sitting on the book!!

I just keep thinking that if this "little sister" stuff has already started... Miss B is in BIG trouble!!! Aren't we all!!!

Time for an update...this is all I got

We took the girls to see Sesame Street last month (Thanks, Angela). They equally had a great time, but they handled it in very different ways. Brenna sat on my lap the entire time, mostly with her head against my chest. She sang and clapped and enjoyed her favorite characters, from the safety of my lap.

Piper loved every second of it. She stood in the chair the entire time squealing and laughing every time she saw a new character. She clapped and sang along at the top her lungs. It was wonderful.
Until it was time to say "Goodbye" to Elmo. Piper cried and reached for the stage for at least ten minutes crying for Elmo. It was heartbreaking (and a little bit funny to this sadistic mother).

(If you click on this picture you see the tears running down her face.)