Catching Up

Jenny and I had so much fun at An Affair of the Heart. I still have some great goodies that I already sent over to Anabelle's in at Santa Fe & Danforth if you want to go by there.

I put off all my custom orders to spend several days just enjoying family and the Thanksgiving holiday. My brother & sister-in-law came from Austin, and we loved every minute with them. Here are some pics from our fun week...

The delicious meal

A cross-eyed cat showed up on the porch just after lunch...So funny I had to share. Haha!

All of us sitting around singing after dinner Saturday night. Probably seems weird, but it's one of our favorite family times.

The kids helped Pops put the Christmas train around his tree.

An Anthem for Busy Moms

Ben and I went to a Focus on Parenting event yesterday. It was an all-day deal, and we struggled with giving up an entire Saturday. But after last week's dentist office episode...who am I kidding?...I NEED all the help I can get with parenting! So we went and were definitely rewarded. Thank you, Lord, for the words of encouragement, correction, and training we received yesterday. Thank you also for a Christian friends who are walking this journey with us.

Before the speakers started, Matthew West sang this song. It is so me right now that one of my good friends turned around to share a knowing look in the middle of the song. I have to share the lyrics with you. I want my world to be different. I do not want to be caught up in busy-ness and petty pursuits. I want Jesus. I want Jesus to consume my children. So here are the words to the song Stop the World. It's always better to the music, but may the words alone speak something to you...

The TV is talking
The telephone’s ringing
The lights are all on
And the radio’s screaming
A million distractions are stealing my heart from You
I’m tired and empty
This life is relentless
It weakens my knees
And breaks my defenses
It’s wearing me down and I’m desperate to hear from You

Stop the world I wanna get out
I need an escape away from this crowd
Just to hear You speak to me

I need to be still before I make a move
I need to be humble with nothing to prove
I need Your Word to show me the truth
And I need time, precious time

Stop the world I wanna get out
I need an escape away from this crowd
Just to hear You speak to me
Stop the world I’m ready to listen
Show me sign, give me a vision of heaven
I can hold on to
Stop the world I need some time with You

Before I can find my voice
I need to hear Your voice
Above all the senseless noise

The Kids Had Their Teeth Cleaned Today

Dear Tiffany,

Please still be my friend.

I'm sorry that my daughter freaked out.

I'm sorry she locked her jaw and wouldn't open her mouth.

I'm sorry she screamed and cried in your office.

I'm sorry she kicked and writhed in your chair.

I'm sorry she grabbed your hands to pull the instruments out of her mouth.

Etc.

Etc.

Etc.

Thank you for cleaning her teeth anyway. I'm sure that tomorrow (after I've recovered from the humiliation and frustration) I'll think that ornery little smile is cute again.

Love,

Sada

P.S. Please pass my apologies along to Dr. Cash, and if he never wants my four year old in his office again, I would COMPLETELY understand.

Change in Weekend Plans

Many of you know that I had plans to travel to Guatemala this weekend to sing with my siblings at a national youth conference. Well, there was an abrupt turn of events last night before midnight, just hours before our scheduled departure. The first leg of our flight from OKC to Houston was cancelled by Continental Airlines. They automatically rescheduled us on a flight for Sunday, but that really defeats the purpose for Addi and I since the youth conference ends on Sunday and since we were scheduled to return to the States on Monday. As it turns out, they had overbooked the flight into Guatemala City by 22 people! And after a few hours of trying to make alternative arrangements, the good folks coordinating our travel decided it just wasn't possible to get the Herndons there in time for this weekend's event.

I'm sad and shocked after planning this trip for months. I'm fighting off feelings of frustration toward Continental Airlines, but I know it's really not about them. We have prayed so much about safe travel and for our purpose in Guatemala that I have to believe God's in control. Perhaps this is His protection for us to keep us home at this time. So I'm trying to just let go of my disappointment and be ready for His next opportunity.

I guess today I'll be unpacking and praying a lot. Thanks for your prayers and encouragement leading up to this weekend.

Was blind but now I see...

Cianne got her first pair of glasses this weekend. She doesn't have to wear them all the time (thankfully!), which is good since she's still pretty hesitant about them. The whole experience was pretty funny.

Dr. Wright and his staff were extremely patient with her. The funniest moment of our two-hour office visit was when she realized her vision was blurry from the dilation and she calls out in the optometrist's office, "I'm blind! Mommy, I'm blind!"

Picking out frames for her tiny face (I've always been a little afraid she's a pin-head, though Dr. Stephens assures me she's not) was another adventure. She preferred the plastic frames because they don't have nose pads, but I was really drawn to those twisty-bendy metal frames since I figure any 3-year-old's going to put them through the ringer. So thanks to Eyemasters' fabulous sale, we have both! Here she is sporting her favorites on the way home...

Girls' (plus Corben) Trip

I went to NW Arkansas for our yearly girls crafting trip. We did a little less shopping this year to accommodate my sweet Granny, but it was great.

Cianne trying out non-toxic nail polish at one of my favorite craft shows at the Embassy Suites...

I love this place. It's gas station/gourmet market/salad bar/convenience store/whole foods. And they serve gelato! I think we seriously need one of these at Memorial & Bryant.

Last but not least, Cianne with Aunt Addi and Aunt Jala having a dance party in the restaurant lobby.

Good times.

No more baby steps...we're talking giant leaps here!

Well, I've been talking about simplicity for a while now, and I decided that I was going to have to actually do something if it's ever going to happen. Life will not slow down without some changes. So, at the risk of disappointing some loyal shoppers, I will not be at An Affair of the Heart this weekend. I will still be at the Tulsa show in November, as next month isn't quite as hectic for our family, but this was definitely the right decision for this coming weekend.

However, you can still shop with my fabulous friends Jenny and Janie. They will be in booth 10 of the Hobbies, Arts, & Crafts building. Best of luck to them!

Also, Janie has opened Anabelle's Gift Galleria located at Santa Fe and Danforth, just east of Wal-Mart. You can shop for several of my items in this new store. Be sure to check it out before Christmas--lots of great gifts!