Pray for the Gulf!

I saw this picture today, which is said to have been at a BP station (look at the pump). Minutes later, I received this link and wanted to share with those who believe in the power of prayer. It details biblical passages and very pertinent prayers for our current situation in the Gulf.
I will especially keep Daniels words close to heart:
“Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, O Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. 18 Give ear, O God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. 19 O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.”

The article encourages us to take responsibility in creating a demand for the oil, and I see my greed in that. Don't get me wrong; I am deeply angered at the irresponsibilities of multiple parties that led to this destruction. Please, please pray for our Gulf, it's speedy restoration, and for the lessons that we stand to learn from this (at nature's expense, I may add.)

Here, There, and Everywhere

Mike went out of town, so Kensley, Aunt Marilyn and I took the liberty of having some girl time just frolicking around the area.
The first night we ate Mexican and did a little beach shopping around town.

The second night, we went down to a little waterfront beach community and enjoyed their free concert on the green. Kensley was enjoying a little Bluegrass - about to start dancing - when a little guy (his dad said he was 4) came up to her and wanted to dance!!! It was sooooo funny. She just looked and him, then looked and us, then back at him as if to say, Uh, I was already dancing, thank-you-very-much, instead she indulged and they cut a rug a bit until another boy came through and started rough-housing. At this point, Kensley got cooties and they boys did whatever it is little boys do. She was a little hurt she'd been ditched, but she quickly got over it.

The following day, we went to a quaint little artsy town I'd heard about and tooled around there most of the day. We three had our first beignets, which we are now more fondly of than funnel cakes (although funnel cakes are still very highly regarded!). It was some fun girl time and we are glad to share them with our family.

it didn't take long for them to be long gone!

how cute is that???

this tree was so neat!

For the end of the week, we headed the beach. If this doesn't scream, I LOVE THE BEACH - nothing does.

Gone Fishin'

We have a little pond behind our house and Mike has been promising Kensley they could go fishing. So when Wal-Mart had a sale on fishing gear, Kensley picked out a pink rod and reel and a bobber half the size of her head. Mike took Kensley over to the pond and they had a blast. I was the official photographer, since fishing gives me the willies. Kensley, however, is a champ and will touch all of the necessary grossness, which makes her an even better fishing buddy with her daddy.

bread and rod-n-reel

practicing

waiting for the fish to bite

...and after all of the waiting (maybe 10 seconds?) kensley caught her first fish!

Goggle Girl Conquers the World

Just so you know, this yummy man's workout is referred to as the 300 Workout.

She needed them to help make muffins, too.

Kensley is a swimmer. She has always LOVED the water, but now she is a swimmer. Kensley and her daddy did the parent-and-tot swimming lessons this winter so Kensley would be better equipped for watertime fun this summer. This was a fun activity for them and since her lessons have ended, Kensley has become the very proud owner of goggles.

Mother's Day

I tried to post for Mother's Day earlier in the week and it has disappeared into the blogosphere, so let's try this again. Since my last post, I have read fellow bloggers posts and thought about what I could say differently in this post.

Here's who I have to thank for Mother's Day:

1) God - for allowing me to parent this bundle of blessings and lessons. I knew I would love my child, but I never knew I would love her a big lump in my throat and tear in my eye everytime I looked at her, held her, listened to her speak or sing or breathe, spanked her, reconciled, and did it all over again the next hours and days. Thank You for our little blessing.

2) My grandmother and mother for being shining examples of the mother I would LOVE to be to Kensley (this is CLEARLY a work in progress for me).

3) My dad for always deferring the praise of parenting and its hard work to my mother. In doing so, he revealed how highly he valued my mother's efforts to parent and to maintain a household while he was away and how he appreciated co-parenting with her. My parents worked diligently(and still do!) to be the best they could be for us and to make us great people. I definitely don't want to disappoint them, especially this late in the game with their new favorite person in the world under my care.

4) My inlaws for giving me the greatest husband I would EVER care to co-parent with

5) My husband for supporting me and the effort it takes to parent a mini-me while also living with me. There are no awards great enough (or anyone else crazy enough)!

So, with all of this said, we were able to meet up with Mimi and Nanna and Pop at Carrabba's on Mother's Day. It was short, but it was sweet and we will relish any little bit we get! Kensley (thankfully!) didn't tell Nanna and Mimi what their present was, but she couldn't wait for them to open up! Afterward, Mimi, Nanna, and Pop had presents for the rest of us. Kensley got a huge goody bag full of princess stuff, pajamas, stampers, book, and a maganifying glass. She loved it all!