PJ Day

Friday was Pajama day at Hannah's daycare. She was so fired up to get to wear her PJs and to see all of her friends in their pajamas.

This is Hannah and her friend Anna. They have been together at daycare since they were both infants - so they are pretty tight.

You may notice Anna is sporting a haircut that includes layers. This is not because her mom wanted her to have layers but because Anna and Hannah decided to cut each other's hair at daycare a couple of weeks ago. NICE!! The good thing for Hannah is her hair is so crazy you can not even tell she got a "haircut".

Do you ever feel like you can't possibly take another piece of bad/sad news? I feel like I have been consumed with bad or sad news for the past few weeks. News that a high school classmate is now a widow at the age of 31 because of a brain tumor her husband had fought for 10 years or news that a friend and co-worker has lost (or should I say won) a 20+ year battle with cancer. Friends who are struggling to sale houses or friends who have family issues. The list just goes on and on. Sometimes I just need some encouragement that this is not what we are living for. As bad and scary as it is sometimes, we as Christians have so much more to look forward to. Praise Him. So, just in case you are needing some encouragement too - here are some verses I am clinging to right now. Blessings!!

"Christ in YOU, the hope of glory" Colossians 1:27

"Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh EACH morning" Lamentations 3:23

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal" 2 Corinthians 4:18

Date Night - Barbie Style

Upon entering our kitchen last night you would have found several Barbies and their men apparently on a date. I am assuming it was a group date (which makes me feel somewhat better since they are sitting on each other's laps - hopefully this is as far as it went). They look like they are having a good time.

By the way - my Barbie loving little girl went to get her shots for KINDERGARTEN today. Lord, give me strength!!

Oh, Yes Ma'am

So, this

And this



Is now open in Spring Hill - just about 3 minutes from my house. I could not be anymore excited! I am taking my coupons I got in the mail and I am going today and I may stay until dark.
While we are at it - this is open too. About 3 minutes from my house and I have already partaken in the blessing.



"Every good and perfect gift is from above..." James 1:17
Give Him some praise!!!

What kind of blogger would I be if I didn't post pictures of my child in the most snow she has seen in her four years of life??? It's only taken me almost a week.

Hannah loved the snow and had me and David outside at about 8:30 on Saturday morning to start playing. She couldn't wait another minute. It was a good thing because by about 10:30 it was melting away. Here are some pictures.

Honestly

It has been almost two months since my last post. Are. You. Kidding. Me??? I just never can think of anything blog worthy to say. However, I get so frustrated when my other blogging friends don't update often. Let me see if I can tell you something that has been going on in our lives.
I just spent the whole entire weekend scrapbooking with Sandra. Super Wonderful. We have started this tradition of going to a scrapbook retreat in the fall and the spring. We already have the next one on our calendar.
We booked a vacation for Disney World in June and I am fired up about this. This will be the first real vacation we have had even before Hannah. I can not wait to go. Hannah is going to love it!

Well, guess what??? That's all I got. Two months and that is all I can think of. Unbelievable.

Few Words

When I went to pick Hannah up from her Sunday School last week, this is the picture I was handed from her teacher. How can you top this? These are not the only kids in Hannah's SS class (by a long shot), so her teachers took the time to dress all the kids up and have them take pictures as small groups. Can you get over this. I am always thankful for the church that David and I attend and one of the biggest reasons is because of things like this. Teachers who probably work other jobs, but take time out of their lives to invest in the life of my child. These are the people who are going to have an eternal impact on Hannah. How can you say Thank You enough???

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

I have totally skipped over Christmas. It is just too overwhelming to think about posting all the pictures. Let me just say a good time was had by all and I so enjoyed my step back watching it through Hannah's eyes. This has been my most favorite Christmas with her so far. Everything was fabulous to her and big and fun. I loved it.

I just wanted to wish you a fabulous New Year. No New Year resolutions here. Just a commitment to be a better wife, a better mother, a better friend and a better daughter - not only to my earthly mom and step-dad, but also to my Heavenly Father. My friend Sandra and I have started reading the One-Year Chronological Bible and I am beyond excited about it. I am sad to say I have NEVER read the entire Bible all the way through. I can't wait. I want to worship more, pray harder and dig into the Word with passion. He has great things for us friends - may we seek Him.

Psalm 90:2 (the Message)"...from 'once upon a time' to 'kingdom come' YOU ARE GOD."

I'm claiming that!!

YA'LL

My baby is growing up. Hannah has NOT been a fan of Santa Claus for about 2 years now. She even decided when she was two that Frosty could bring her presents, but NOT santa. So, needless to say I have avoided the Santa picture lines at the mall for the past two years. We could stand on the second level and look down at Santa - even wave to him, but sit in his lap - oh no ma'am. This year Hannah's day care had picture day with Santa a couple of Saturdays ago. Hannah was so excited and talked a HUGE talk about telling him all she wanted for Christmas and getting her picture made with him. So, off we went to daycare to see Santa. This is how the day started...

Here is Santa

Here is Hannah (clinging to her daddy)

We finally made it when she would get her picture made, but only if David went with her. Better than nothing - right.

When we left daycare she had decided that Santa was nice and she wanted him to bring her presents. So Frosty has officially been released from all present brining duties.

The past couple of days Hannah has been dying to go to the mall and get her picture made with Santa. We had to run by the mall on Thursday night to pick up a few things and she said she wanted to sit in his lap and get her picture made. Well, Santa was at dinner, so we couldn't do it and I really didn't think she would do it anyway. So yesterday, I had my department lunch at work and then we get to leave after the lunch. Since Thursday night Hannah has been asking if we could go back to the mall and see Santa. We had some time to kill before we met my parents for my birthday dinner, so I thought we could go to the mall and get her picture made. I didn't think the line would be that long on Friday around 1:30. WRONG!!! Huge WRONG. My friend Sandra called while we were still in line and couldn't believe we were having to wait that long. We waited in line for almost 2 hours, but I had a little girl who was so excited. I think I asked her about 10,000 times if she was sure she wanted to sit in his lap and get her picture made and every time she said yes. You know what I am thinking...we are going to stand in this line and then she is going to change her mind. As we got closer she kept getting more and more excited. I would not trade those two hours for anything in the world. It was finally our turn and my little girl went right up to Santa, I put her in his lap, she told him what she wanted for Christmas, got her picture made, and gave him a hug. She was so proud of herself. She could not wait to tell Nana and Papa and her dad about sitting in Santa's lap. So, here is the proof and here is the reason I am taking a step back this year and trying to see Christmas through the excitement of my child. May we remember to be this excited about the real reason for the season. Merry Christmas!!!

Holy Cow!! I can't believe how long it has been since I posted. A lot has been going on in the Millsap house - so here are just a few of the happenings...

We went to the Shrine Circus with Sandra and Jenna and the girls had a great time. Hannah rode a pony after she decided the elephant's were way too big. Not even riding with Jenna would convince her.


Hannah decided on a Princess (huge surprise) for Halloween. She was Sleeping Beauty or in Hannah language Seeping Booty. She loved getting candy but had more fun sitting on the front porch with her dad and handing out candy to other trick or treaters. Nana and Papa came over to trick or treat with us. It was a huge success.


Sandra and I went to see Steven Curtis Chapman at Allen Arena a couple of weeks ago and boy did we have a good time. We went to the the Great Adventure tour back when we were in high school and were on the front row. Well, we weren't on the front row, but 6th row isn't bad. It was a lot of fun and a great girl's night out.


Well, I think that is about it. We spent Thanksgiving with David's family in Oklahoma and got back home on Saturday. We had a nice time - if only we could do something about that 11 hour drive. We sure do have a lot to be thankful for!!

Happenings

Friday night Hannah and I hung out with some of my friends from work Amy and Rebecca. Rebecca has the cutest twins you have ever seen and Hannah loved getting to play with them. Although she couldn't quite understand why they couldn't get in the play land with her and then ride down the slide in her lap.





Saturday afternoon Hannah had a birthday party to go to for none other than Malcolm. Please notice that the hair is down. Of course we wouldn't have it any other way.


This last picture is just because. Yesterday Hannah put on her tierra on the way to school and then fell asleep. Rebecca saw us on the way to school and thought that was hilarious. Well, yesterday afternoon as soon as we got in the car the tierra was back on. Oh the life of a princess...getting chauffeured by your driver while eating M&M's and reading your Weekly Reader.

Preview of Things To Come...

My friend Sandra's little girl Jenna came over and stayed with us for a little while on Saturday and I took these pictures of the girls. It reminds me so much of me and Sandra - it was about this time in our lives we became friends.

I have a feeling this is only the beginning of these girls riding off into the sunset together - I hope so.

Things That Make My Heart Happy

*Being the mom of one of the most hilarious and spunky little girls I know.
*Hanging out with my husband and daughter with no agenda in mind.
*Mountain Dew
*Season premieres (especially Grey's Anatomy)
*Friends - some that I have had for as long as I can remember and some that are new. I love them.
*My relationship with my mom
*PJ Saturdays
*Tuesday Bible Study with the One and Only and new friends.
*Learning more and more about Jesus and falling more and more in love with Him.
*My praise and worship music in the car on the way to work while Hannah snores in the backseat.
*My ipod
*Being loved by my family
*My heritage
*Going to church with David and Hannah
*Hearing Hannah say her prayers at night "God is good, God is great" and then thanking Him for her family and friends and rainbows.
*Hearing other people laugh
*Taking hot baths and reading.
*Being able to open the windows in my house.

I want to hear about the things that makes your heart happy.

Hannah informed me when we got to her daycare this morning that we needed to go to the bathroom and fix her hair. When I questioned why since I had already spent time putting her hair up in a ponytail and it looked good if I may add, her response - "Malcolm likes it when I wear my hair down".

Are you kidding me??? Lord, give me strength.

Busy Times and Deeper Still

Hey Everybody. Things have been a little hectic around here lately. I just got back from a week long seminar for my department at Fall Creek Falls State Park. It was a ton of fun, but I am tired. Several months ago, I got a ticket for Deeper Still (a women's conference being held at the Sommet Center) and it was this weekend. Not the best weekend for me since I have been gone all week and am tired. However, I had big plans back when I got the ticket. As the time drew near, I kept going back and forth on whether I was going to go or not. AND - I wasn't going with anyone since none of my friends were able to get tickets. As of yesterday afternoon I still hadn't made up my mind whether I was going or not. Well, as the time drew near, I just couldn't miss the opportunity to hear Beth Moore in Nashville. So, after I made a stop by work to drop some supplies off, I headed downtown to the Sommet Center. Friends...it was AWESOME and I am beyond glad I went. It was last night and then pretty much all day today. I just sat in the Sommet Center with 33,000 other women and a couple of men and had a blast. The worship was incredible and the teaching was just as great. Priscilla Shirer and Kay Arthur were there too. It was Fabulous! I am so glad I went. So rest will come tomorrow and then it will be back to work on Monday. Nothing like getting some spiritual renewal with thousands of other women. I can't even imagine what heaven is going to be like.

Good Friends + The Fair = Good Times

We went to the Williamson County Fair on Saturday and Hannah had a blast. We met our friends Steve, Sandra and Jenna and it was so fun. Hannah and Jenna had such a good time riding ALL the rides and the adults even got to have a little fun too. Hannah and Jenna even rode the big Pirate Ship with me, David and Sandra. Hannah looked scared during the ride, but when it was over she said she liked it and was only a little bit scared. It was a perfect night to go. It was not crowded at all and it wasn't even that hot. There was a nice breeze. We had a blast.

I can't even tell you what a big deal it is that Hannah is even standing close to Bob and Larry (if you know our Santa story - you understand). When we saw them Jenna ran right over and then Hannah followed her. I think it took her a minute to realize she was actually standing this close to one of these things. She did let me get her picture if David would come and stand with her.

This was a little roller coaster and Jenna and Hannah loved it. Jenna had her hands up the first minute they got on. They rode it again at the end of the night and by then Hannah had her hands up too.

Now, David almost had a heart attack when Hannah wanted to ride this. They laid down on their stomach in a cage like thing. Needless to say they both LOVED it!!



AHH yes. No fair would be complete without a giant rainbow snow cone.



And now...it's time for a little fun for the adults. Sandra and I rode this thing and it was so fun. We did make a comment how old we felt when we sat down. We were surrounded by teenagers.

Birthday Weekend - Day 3

We now have an official four year old in our house. I can't believe Hannah is already four. She has had one big weekend. The morning started off with a stop at the Donut Palace for some donut holes for her friends in Sunday School to celebrate her birthday. Then we came home to Papa, Uncle Al and Uncle Andy putting together a swing-set. This is a present from Papa, Nana, Aunt Lin and Uncle Al. She also had a message on the answering machine from Daddy wishing her a happy birthday from Moldova. We had to listen to it twice. We had birthday cake followed by more presents. She has had a big birthday!! We miss daddy and wish he were here to celebrate with us, but we know he is doing a good thing in Moldova. We are very thankful for Nana, Papa, Aunt Lin and Uncle Al for helping with all the birthday festivities.

Birthday Weekend - Day 2

Well, one more successful day in the birthweekend. This morning we dropped David off at the airport and Hannah and I headed to Waffle House. We spent most of the day at my mom's just relaxing. Then it was time for the real fun. We had Hannah's friends at McDonald's Playland for her birthday and they had a big time. Hannah never grows tired being the center of attention, so needless to say she was in her element. There were eight kids all together and Hannah had a blast. She got so many neat presents. We ended the night with dinner with Nana, Papa, Aunt Lin and Uncle Al. So until tomorrow...

Birthday Weekend - Day 1

When you are spoiled rotten you not only have a birthday, but birthweekends. So will be the case with the princess of our house. Today started the beginning of the birthweekend. David's parents came into town yesterday and tonight Hannah got her first present from me and David. David leaves for Moldova tomorrow, so we wanted to go ahead and give her the big present from us. So, Hannah is now the proud owner of a bright red mustang and she thinks she is something!!!

At first she didn't know what to think about it and was a little unsure of the whole thing, but it didn't take her long to get the hang of it. She went back into the house and got one of her babies and she was ready. You can't tell it here, but she also had her drink in the cup holder.

She was taking her baby to church and she would drop her off in her class and then go back and get her and put her in the car. It was so funny. I am sure in no time she is going to driving around everywhere.

So, day 1 of the birthweekend was successful. Stay tune for day 2.

On a side note, if you think about it, please lift up a prayer for David and his team. I know he will appreciate it.

RBC

The church building I grew up is being sold within the next couple of weeks and I am surprised at how sad this has made me. This is a place a spent a significant amount of time for 19 years of my life. So much of who I am is because of this place and the people that came in and out of my life while we were there. I know church is not about a building, but when you can look at a place or think of a place and so much emotion rushes you...it feels like an important part.

My mom and dad started attending this church when I was 3 I think. Basically, it was all I ever knew.

It was the place where:

- I went to VBS for the first time and then every year after that.
- I was able to be a part of GA's and thought I was so grown up and cool.
- I would leave Sunday morning service with a friend and spend the afternoon with her and then come back to church with them that night. The fun you could have in those few hours was hard to come by any other time.
- I was able to go to the youth house when I became a 7th grader and the feeling of being able to walk across the street and into that house with all the youth was amazing.
- I was introduced to Centrifuge and youth camp and lock-ins.
- I felt the sadness of a youth minister leaving and then another and yet another.
- I felt the pride when my mom stepped up and agreed to teach the college class.
- I spent most of my summers either working at Camp Mack or just hanging out with my friends.

It was also the place where:

- I heard Jesus call my name when I was 9 and I stepped out of the aisle and walked down all by myself.
- I stood in the baptistry and heard my pastor ask me if I had accepted Jesus as my personal savior and I said yes.
- I learned what it means to be loved by people all most as much as your parents love you.
- My mom and I could feel safe when times were hard.
- I sat with my friend during her Mother's Home Going.
- I learned what it means to have a pastor who loves you like his own and want the absolute best for you.
- I cried my eyes out when he went to be with the Lord.
- I wish I could go back and it be like it use to be.

Just to be able to walk in those doors one more time and have Bro. Paul greet and hug me and be able to hug Mrs. Cry and go off to my class with all my friends and sit in the center section of the sanctuary with all the other youth. That is what I would like to do. It's not about the building - it's about the memories and the thankfulness of having the heritage where going to this place Sunday mornings, Sunday nights and Wednesday nights is going to be without a doubt one of the most important things I remember - EVER!