Weekend Wrap-Up

Well, I am happy to report that I had a wonderful weekend and I give God all the glory. If you will remember, I was asked to come and lead the fall Women's Retreat for Shoal Creek Baptist Church in Deatsville. This was a huge step out of my comfort zone and I prayed about it for days before saying yes to it. I knew that there would be about 40 women and that is a large group to stand in front of for sure. Talk about feeling exposed.

I worked on the three sessions for months and I have prayed over them and the event for months as well. Now that it is complete, I feel like I have delivered a baby or something. It is hard to believe that "the time" has come and gone.

I enjoyed the weekend so much. It was wonderful to be among so many old friends and to be supported and loved in such an amazing way. I also met some new friends as well. I have heard nothing but sweet things and have received many Facebook messages about how convicting the sessions were. I pray that God brings some fruit for His kingdom in all of our lives and through all of our lives.

I certainly missed my girls and they missed me. They both attacked me when I walked in my house late Saturday afternoon. We had a great evening just hanging out together. I didn't try to unpack or clean up or anything. We got out the air mattress and had a family movie night. It was wonderful to snuggle with my little ones for a few hours before bedtime. There is so much truth to the saying that absence makes the heart grow fonder. I missed all of my family in the one night I was away from them and we have been intentional about spending time together in the last 2 days.

Gene did a great job of being a single dad Friday, Friday night, and Saturday. He handled everything like a pro and only forgot to brush Gracen's teeth...the whole time I was gone. I knew by smelling her breath. But the house was clean, so I forgave him for that. I figure those aren't Gracen's permanent teeth anyway.

Many of you have asked how Gracen is doing. She is on the mend, thank goodness. All of that in her right lung is finally breaking up and she has been coughing a good bit....mostly at night, of course. It has been several nights since I have slept all the way through and I am ready for a straight 8 hour night. Maybe tonight will be that night.

I want to get back in the routine of blogging, but I won't do it every day. I just don't have time. My goal is to blog on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during the girls' rest time. On Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday I have got to start exercising during their rest time. I have been slowly gaining weight. I was 8 pounds from my pre-pregnancy weight and now I am 15 pounds from my pre-pregnancy weight. I started moving in the wrong direction when I sprained my ankle this past summer. I certainly couldn't go walking anymore, and actually my ankle still bothers me. But the weight gain is from a combination of not exercising, eating poorly, eating out too much, and snacking with the girls too much...and a lack of time. I don't have a lot of energy so I know that I have got to make a change. Exercise is suppose to energize you right,...we will see about that.

I love this cool weather and the fall season. I am so excited about the next couple of months and all the holiday activities. I have already started Christmas shopping and ordered our family Christmas cards yesterday. I love being a mom to two, and I am looking forward to this holiday season. Seriously, thinking about it just makes me all warm and fuzzy inside. I am a blessed woman!

Until next time...