Thank you for your generous gifts and the cakes, D + R!!!!

And we got a family photo too!

It’s that time of the year, I fly to Orlando for work. This year, it was especially stressful because I didn’t have my partner in crime with me. 

Oh hello again, skinny mirror in the room.

Of course, Chloe sneaked in a little letter to my suitcase. My Love…

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This is Chloe’s movie poster she did before the break. I’m so proud of how creative she is!

Shane continues his enrichment program and we are so proud of him for taking his study seriously.

I look forward to coming here every year seeing different productions. We saw Samson this time and it was amazing! Once again our family was blown away by the performance and the message is about God’s redemptive love and it always points to Jesus.

After we came home, Chloe and I had a great conversation about sin and forgiveness. I recently heard about drug problems and depressions in middle schools around the area. I was shocked to say the least. I wanted to bring it up to Chloe and talk to her about some of the issues…

We talked about how when we make bad decisions, stupid mistakes, rash sins, or careless choices,  how scary those consequences are. We need to be aware of aftermaths of drugs, and it can ruin one’s life sometimes…

I never ever want Chloe or Shane to ever do illegal drugs, or fall into any sinful path, but at the same time, we live in a sinful world and I can’t expect them to live a good and perfect life… So I always tell them if they ever do anything bad, or are in a bad situation, they can always tell me and their Dad and our love for them will never change. They should always tell me everything they are going through because we are here to try to help them from any situations. But even better, I want her to know that no matter how terrible our sin is,  the good news is God’s providence and His plan can cover all our sins. His all-wise governing of all things for His glory and for our good, includes our bad choices, our sinful actions, and the consequences that flow from them.

God forgives with His perfect love. Not to your undoing. God has a hopeful plan for you beyond this world that spans eternity. And no mistake of ours can undo it.

God will deliver us from our sin because Christ has paid for our sins.

Chloe’s first reaction to all the drug talk was a shock. And I did scare her quite a bit about all the consequences that can happen.  She said to me, “Mommy, I know I won’t ever do drugs, but I worry about Shane. Because he likes to do what his friends do. We have to watch him and pray for him.” So cute… She’s such a good sister (when she’s not beating him up).

Just the fact that she said we have to pray…. I know that her little mustard seed has sprouted in her heart.

This is my home church and my family in Christ. So thankful that God has placed us here to serve together. It’s been almost 12 years since we became members.

Chloe made this beautiful and delicious cake using this recipe!

Ready for the little lady guests to arrive…

This Sunday my girl Chloe is turning double digits! Chloe’s not a big fan of birthday parties so we were thinking about taking a weekend trip to a water park for the weekend. But just a couple of weeks ago, Chloe told me she would instead, like to invite a few friends and celebrate it at home. So I jumped for joy, got my party hat on and we thought of a theme together. We are going to have a “Alice in Wonderland” tea party. 🙂

For the activity, I’m having the girls draw and decorate their own porcelain mugs to take home.

Decorations for the party is all set.

Oh so yummy Fall Sangria

Letter E mug was back ordered so I’m missing an E. Bleah…

My latest tassels collection.

Thank you so much for those who carved out their busy schedules to come to my party! I wish I took more pictures but I was too busy having fun with all of you!

Chloe’s been wanting to learn how to make jewelries from me and we got to do just that. We spent the whole afternoon sitting next to each other making jewelry while listening to hymns. 

Chloe’s first design piece. She’s hired!