What an unexpected surprise!

Last Tuesday evening, I got the opportunity to go and hear Beth Moore in person at Life Today studios in Euless, Texas. This was not my first time to go, but I had missed out on tickets the previous times. The tickets are free, but one must respond immediately upon receiving the email because they go fast. It was totally a GOD thing that I got the tickets to begin with.

Tuesday nights are busy in the Kelley household. Cara has choir until 4 p.m. and then she has piano from 5:15 till 5:45 p.m. and then Volleyball practice from 6 to 7 p.m. in which Wade is the assistant coach. So needless to say, it was no easy feat to even get to the taping besides the fact that I needed to find someone to watch Caleb.. but I did it.

I had told the girls going with me that there was really not a bad seat in the entire place. It is a very intimate setting. However, I did not want to be seated behind her because then you are on camera then entire time of the taping.. well wouldn't you guessed it.. we were right behind her. My group of eight girls were right smack dab behind her. The studio is freezing and I came prepared as I had my winter sweater. One of the girls in the front row requested that we hand her a Bible because here she was sitting in the front row and she didn't want to look unspiritual.

I am in the middle of doing the study of Esther which was written by Beth Moore. However, to see Beth in person is quite an experience. She is so genuine and so adorable and so full of the Holy Spirit.

She did four 25 minute tapings for a series that will air in June. After the first two tapings, we had a break where the crew came out to fix make up etc. Well, I am not shy at all as any of you who know me.. so I just jumped right up out of my seat and said, "Beth, I just heard you speak this morning." She was excited to hear that I was doing the Esther study and asked what week I was on and I told her 5. I then thanked her for her study and that the timing was so incredible with everything going on in our country. It has truly taught me that God is in control no matter who is our President or what is happening to our economy. God can work through any leader.

Being face to face with Beth was an unexpected surprise... her eyes are so hazel... I sure wish I could just sit while she drank coffee .. I would drink Dr. Pepper and chat.. however, I feel like I do that everyday when I pick up my book and study alongside Beth. She truly challenges me in how I think and how I see characters in the Bible. She is a true inspiration that is being used mightily as a servant of God.

I sure wish I could have taken her picture.. but I didn't feel quite right about it... In the past, they have had a photo time, but they did not offer it at this taping. So tune in the middle week of June and you will see my smiling face on camera and that is definitely an unexpected surprise!

Blessings!

A Chance of a Lifetime!

On Saturday, February 21st, Cara saw Radio Disney at the Verizon store as she was driving with her Daddy. She asked her Daddy to stop which of course he did. She entered some contests and she won four tickets to the Jonas Brothers 3D Movie event on the following Saturday. Little did I realize that the event was actually a chance of a lifetime! Not only did she win tickets to the movie but to the Red Carpet event at Main Event. We arrived early at the movie theater and got our tickets, wrist bands, lanyards, backpacks, a coupon for free popcorn and drink and all you could play gamecard for Main Event. Once inside the theater, we also received cotton candy. Before the movie began, we had a special guest. Demi Lovato came in the theater to welcome all of us. After the movie was over, Verizon gave away some Blackberry Storms.

When the movie was over we loaded buses blaring with Jonas Brothers music. The buses took us to the red carpet at Main Event.

We walked the Red Carpet.. just like movie stars.
At Main Event, we met the "fake" Jonas Brothers from the movie. They were 3 fine Christian men.
Another huge highlight was we were able to meet Demi at Main Event. She was very gracious and kind.


There was all you can eat bars of food. Everything you could imagine!
Finally at 1 a.m. in the morning, the Jonas Brothers made their appearance. By this time, we had been standing for 2 and 1/2 hours. Needless to say, as a mother, I was getting frustrated.

The brothers thanked us for their support and talked for about 1 minute.

We then went outside where the Jonas Brothers were to walk the red carpet. It was freezing cold so I told the girls it was time to head home. We loaded the buses and received a journal with the Jonas Brothers on it and a movie poster. All in all it was a chance of a lifetime!

February 13, 2008- A Day of First and Lasts...

Today, February 13,2008 is a day of firsts and lasts...

The day began early for me. I am fortunate that Wade takes Cara to school. So Caleb and I can be found many days still in the bed at 7:30 a.m. Caleb likes to snuggle so he comes to our bed when he wakes up. However, today I was up at 6:30 a.m. getting ready to go with Cara to school. This morning was Muffins for Moms sponsored by the Dad's club. Upon our arrival at school, it dawned on me that we had not purchased Valentines for the party nor had we prepared a box or bag to place the Valentines in. I quickly began thinking on how I could solve this problem. This is a first in our household. We have never forgotten to get Valentines Day cards for school. I did have a dream earlier in the week that we would forget. I made a point to discuss it with Cara. However, it happened. We forgot. I could go into an explanations about how busy we were, but it was forgotten. Cara had Safety Patrol duty so she had to leave Muffins for Mom early to be at her post. I hurriedly ran to Tom Thumb and purchased a sharpie marker,two bags of candy that had to and from on it, and a Valentine sack. I wrote Cara's name on each one of the candies and rushed back to school. Cara had just left her post and was returning to class where I caught her in the hall where she retrieved the goodies.

I returned to the school at 1:30 p.m. to set up for Cara's last Valentine party. I have been fortunate to be Cara's room mom every year (except for one when I was teaching.) The party was simple- pass out cards, eat goodies, play bingo, go home. However, it would be the last party for Cara. There will not be any parties in Middle School. At least not sponsored by Room Moms :-)....

Tonight, Caleb enjoyed his first Pajama Party at the church. He was very shy at first when we entered, but soon warmed up. Caleb had a great time with all of the activities except for coloring. He also enjoyed the story from Pastor Mike.

A day of firsts and lasts.... another reminder to me.. how grateful I am to God for Caleb.. because although it is sad that Cara will no longer have parties for her Mom to be in charge of at school.. I can know that I still have another turn with Caleb.

Ten years really does go quickly!

The birthday celebrations continued throughout the whole month of January. Cara's cousin, Cole is eight days younger than Cara so they celebrated together with family.

As I looked for a picture of Cara and Caleb from when they were little, my heart was overwhelmed. I watched Cole as an infant so I was with him almost daily and I have always felt a special place in my heart. Cara used to call him "Dole"... He would sleep anywhere... He was very laid back as he is today... Cole also put up with a lot from Cara as she would steal his pacifier and his toys.

It is hard to believe that they are both 11 years old. Time really does fly by...
The next 10 years are going to bring about even more changes. It is my prayer that Cara and Cole will always be not only cousins, but friends.

The Birthday Celebration continued throughout the month of January. Cara had received some gift cards to American Girl store which were burning in her pocket. She could not wait to go to the AG store. Cara also had saved quite a bit of her own money as well.

So after a dilemma of choosing which dolls should attend with us on our journey, we were off.

Cara had stayed up the night before pricing items in her catalog trying to make decisions.

There were some items she knew for certain that she wanted to purchase...others took a little contemplation.

We arrived for lunch and even the dolls had their own seat and menu. Cara went to the restroom and returned to exclaim "They have a place to hold your doll".. so after lunch we went to check out the restrooms. This was not our first visit to the AG store, but I guess the first to the ladies room.

Cara then had to decide if she wanted her dolls hair styled at the hair salon. She decided against that idea and to use her money elsewhere. She finally decided upon another AG doll- she chose a Just Like You doll.. Although this doll does not have red hair and fair complexion. She rather chose a Just like I'd rather be doll... tanned skin with dark hair. Cara also picked up some outfits.

It was a fun day, but I was glad to be home with three dolls (granddaughters) and their mother.

Great Wolf Lodge

Now that we are in the last week of January, I have finally found a little time to blog about this month full of fun!

On January 2nd, Cara celebrated her 11th birthday at the Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine. Cara had been to birthday parties there before, but it was our first time to go as a family.. with her friends of course.

The first event was Magiquest. This will wear anyone out. You go through the hotel using your magic wand to unlock different quests. I finally began waiting in between floors as the girls went up and down the stairs for over 2 hours.

Everything was wonderful. The water park was a blast and Caleb had a ton of fun.

The girls all received a mongrammed towel as our party favor. Thanks to my friend Amy at

www.littlesewnsews.com

Can't believe that 11 years have already come and gone!

December Blessings

Blessings in December 2008



Cara and I went one Saturday to work at Mission Arlington. We worked together to help those who are less fortunate shop. They could pick out 1 large toy/item and 2 small items per child.
This was definitely an eye opener for Cara. I hope that this will be the start of something bigger in our lives.

Each morning, Caleb could not wait for you to turn on the lights of the tree and to play the different ornaments that hung on the tree. It was so wonderful to see the excitement in his eyes each day. It was like we had just put the tree there. It was also a wonderful blessing that he did not bother any of the ornaments.

We went as a family to see The Journey to Bethlehem. This event is sponsored by Memorial Baptist church in Grapevine. I would encourage everyone to attend if they have not in the past.

Although, I have known the Christmas story all of my life. To be a part of it was truly an eye opener. I had not ever taken the time to realize how the Jews were treated during those days. The Roman Soldiers riding on horseback.. showed us how it must have felt. It was truly a blessing to be a part of this event.

My oldest and dearest friends gathered for our annual Christmas gathering. I am so grateful to God for placing these girls in my life many of them from the time I was in cradle roll at church..a few I met in Kindergarten and one came along in 7th grade. What a treasure! It is my prayer that my children will also have tried and true friends. Each of these girls are true blessings in my life!

Christmas wouldn't be the same without Cara's Christmas programs. This will be the last time for an Elementary school program for Cara. However, she shined and we were so proud of her!

The other wonderful blessing to me each day was the cards I received in the mail. I love getting mail, but at Christmas it is such a treat. One particular day, tears streamed down my face as I read the wonderful news of some dear friends. They lost their baby boy as an infant. There daughter is 10 just like our Cara... and God has blessed them with a miracle pregnancy. I am continually blown away at how God loves us and he wants to fulfill the deepest desires of our hearts....

God is soooo Good!

Blessings....