Chinese Food with Three Chickadees

 Yesterday, I said good-bye to my fabulous fiance for two whole weeks.  I'll be in Memphis (I know, y'all are so jealous that I get to go the hottest, most humid, spot in the nation in July) for a week for National Staff Meeting and then a week in Oregon to for some pre-wedding bonding with my family AND my bridal shower courtesy of my best girls.

One thing that makes my time away so much sweeter is...

...a weekend with my girls!  I also got to meet Erica, Taylor and Brittnee's cousin.  We had us some fabulous girl time.

Brittnee wore her faux nerd glasses.  They are all the rage these days :)

And so did Miss Taylor.  Can y'all believe that neon is back in?  Brings me back to my days at Sisters Middle School.  My dad bought me the neon Columbia ski jacket (you know the one with the detachable fleece inside) and matching ski gloves and hat because I just had to have one.

Erica fit right in with us.  Three peas in a pod.

I'd heard great things about the Gluten Free Menu at PF Changs.  So when Tommy and I were thinking of places to bring the girls to eat, PF Changs was our first choice.

Me and Tommy.  Don't you love the can't-wear-much-make up-'cuz-you-will-sweat-it-all-off glisten?!  Tommy is always such a good friend and sport to play chauffeur and take me and the girls all around Memphis.  I know that's just how he loves spending his Friday nights - schlepping four giggly, sing at the top of their lungs, girls all around town.  We love you, Tommy!

 

And speaking of good friend - he is driving from Tennessee to California to witness the Timinda nuptials!  WOWZA!!

During our 45 minute wait (because you know, it's a recession and all) for a table I played with some of my camera settings to try to catch the girls in mid air.  It was harder (but a lot of fun) than I thought it would be!

Getting all three in mid air at the same time was a challenge... but my little volunteers were happy to keep jumping again and again and again.

JUMP!  JUMP!!

And, alas, I got the shot!  And with perfect timing, our table was ready.

The girls weren't too sure about this fancy Chinese food stuff.  It wasn't Panda Express and the names on the menus weren't familiar.  BUT they decided to trust Tommy and I and let us do the ordering.  No forks were to be found, so Tommy did a lesson on chopsticks and assured them that the lettuce wrap appetizers would be divine.

I was proud of them for eating outside of the box and trying new food.  They devoured the lettuce wraps, beef and broccoli, fried rice, veggies and honey shrimp!



Thatta' girl!

After dinner Tommy and I laughed out loud until our sides hurt.  The girls were in rare form with their impersonations, theatrics and hilarity.  Hard to put it all into words, but let's just say they have their British, Australian (and yes there is a difference) "Urban", "White", Southern, Valley Girl dialects down pat.  We laughed until we cried and I was afraid Tommy was going have to pull the car over to catch his breath from laughing so hard.  A great night with great girls. 

Tomorrow includes sleeping in, the girls eating donuts and sunny delight while I sleep some more (some things will never change :) ) and a dip in the pool.  Loving this time with my beauties!!!!

Easter in Memphis with My Girls~

I'm grateful that Taylor and Brittnee got to spend Easter with their Special Godmother.  As luck would have it I've had the chance to spend several Easters with my sweet girls, despite living across the country from one another.  Last year Brittnee joined me in California for Easter and a couple of other years I've been able to be in Memphis for the Holiday because of work meetings.  We attended their Church for a great celebration of Our Risen King and enjoyed a quiet afternoon together.

And, as is becoming a tradition, I brought a suitcase full of clothes for the girls compliments of some of my friends who have daughters the same age as B. and T.  I love watching them squeal with delight and watching the impromptu fashion show commence when they see their new wardrobe selections.  

Brittnee wasn't much for photos this morning.  Something about being a teenager and having a cell phone and texting friends... but Taylor was all about posing for a few in her true Taylor form.

I consider in pure joy that God has placed these treasures in my life.  

Never lose that smile, sweet girl!

I did get a few of the dynamic duo. 

Brittnee and Taylor both got to be a part of the movie The Grace Card. 

That's Taylor on the left.  She plays a lead characters girl.  I loved seeing my girl on the big screen!!!

Synopsis of the movie:

Everything can change in an instant ... and take a lifetime to unravel.  When Mac McDonald loses his son in an accident, the ensuing 17 years of bitterness and pain erodes his love for his family and leaves him angry with God ... and just about everyone else.  Mac's rage stonewalls his career in the police department and makes for a combustible situation when he's partnered with Sam Wright, a rising star on the force who happens to be a part-time pastor and a loving family man.

Mac's home life is as frightening as anything he encounters on the streets of Memphis. Money is tight and emotions run high as he constantly argues with his wife and his surviving son Blake, who is hanging with the wrong crowd and in danger of flunking out of school.  Sam Wright also never expected to be a police officer. He has a calling—to be a minister like his Grandpa George. But leading a small, start-up church doesn't always put enough food on the table for a young family, so Sam doubles as a police officer. With his new promotion to Sergeant, Sam starts questioning if his real calling might actually be police work rather than the pastorate.   Can Mac and Sam somehow join forces to help one another when it's impossible for either of them to look past their differences—especially the most obvious one?   Every day, we have the opportunity to rebuild relationships and heal deep wounds by extending and receiving God's grace. Offer THE GRACE CARD ... and never underestimate the power of God's love.

It wouldn't be Easter Sunday Church in the South without a photo of a woman in her big hat!

Happy Easter friends, and family!

Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Romans 6:8-11