Ash Wednesday

is today, the beginning of Lent. I know a lot of people who give up various things during this time of year. Well, I have decided this year not to give anything up. Last year I tried giving up sweets for the 40 days but ended up with the flu and that was really the only thing that tasted good to me. So, instead of setting myself up for failure I'm taking a different route. I'm trying new things out...living a little so to speak, stepping outside my box.

In fact today, I did something I have never done before in my entire life I went to our church's Community Lenten Service with my friend Wendy. It was a really neat service which ended with the Imposition Of Ashes. I have never participate in this but "Wow!" what a wakeup call. You truly realize how mortal you are when a minister smears the sign of the cross with ashes on your forehead and says to you "Dust your are and to dust you shall return." Talk about a reality check. Makes you think, don't it?

I'm not really sure if your suppose to walk around all day with the cross on your forehead or not, but when the service was over and I was in my car I wiped it off because I had a couple of errands to do before I picked up the girls and I wasn't sure what the reaction would be? But the way the service worked was different spiritual leaders from the community participated - the Catholics priests, Baptist and Presbyterian ministers, etc. It was a very moving experience for me. I sat there and realized that no matter how different each of us are, we are all on a pilgrimage. We are one and the same and everyone of us are at different places in our own spiritual journeys. It so exciting to me to see where my own personal journey is going and the things that I am learning on the way.

Lela's Is 6 Years Old Today!

I keep asking myself how did that happen? It just seems like yesterday she was born. My how time flies! We celebrated her birthday last night because we have a lot going on with dance this afternoon and then church. She was so excited because she finally got her Ninetendo DS. The poor child has been wanting one for months. It was so much fun watching her with cousins as they showed her how to play some of the games. She just acts so grown up at times, that it makes me sad. We just ate pizza, ate some cookie cake and watched Lela as she opened her presents. My how different our birthdays have become from having dressup parties to jumpie parties to now just hanging out with the family and having fun. Happy Birthday, Big Girl!!! We Love You.

Imagine It! Children's Museum Of Atlanta

The girls went to a birthday party at Imagine It! yesterday for their friend Mary Cate. She turned 4. Despite Lela still being under the weather she held up really well and seemed to have a good time. I am hopeful that we are on the upside of things. The swelling in her eyes, hands and feet have seemed to have disappeared except for the occasional red patch that pops up. All in all she is definitely looking like her old self again. Thank goodness, I am so ready for this to be over with.

The girls loved The Children's Museum running around going from here to there and back again. It's a great place to have a party because you can just let kids run wild and have fun! The girls appeared to really like the magic sand area. Basically what it is is that moon sand they advertise on TV, which just stick together kind of like snow or play dough but it has the texture of sand. In my opinion, every mother's nightmare. But isn't that always the case, the messiest thing to do is their most favorite? Oh, well such is life.

Lunch At American Girl

Even with all the drama of Lela's allergic reaction, we somehow managed to get her to American Girl to celebrate her birthday yesterday. She took her best friend, Katharine, with her to have lunch at the bistro and visit the store. We all had a lot fun! The girls enjoyed themselves seeing all the dolls and clothes in the store. It's such a girly place with lots and lots of pink everywhere. Lela and Katharine both got new outfits for their dolls. Lacey being the child that she is had to get a llama? Yes, a llama. I know, but that's Lacey. Even Katharine's little sister, Lily, got in on the fun and got her very first Bitty Twin. It's so much fun watching the girls get excited over all the neat stuff they have for the dolls. It only makes me wish that I had one to play with.

Allergic Reaction?

Yes, it seems Lela is a lot more like me than we would like to think. Last night the poor child was complaining of itching and her joints hurting. I really didn't think much of it until later when I got her out of the tub and she had red splotches on her body. It seems that she has is developed an allergic reaction to amoxicillin. I'm allergic to penicillin, so I guess her chances of having the same allergy that I have is pretty good. She has been on the medicine since last week when we found out she had strep. The poor child feels just miserable and is sleeping away. I just pray that it goes away quicky, I know all too well how she feels.

Pictures From Abby's Birthday Party

The girls went to a friend's of theirs birthday party on Saturday. Yesterday, Abby's mom sent me some pictures of the girls having fun at the party. I thought I would share them with you. They are super cute and you can tell the girls had a really good time.




Katharine, Lela and Megan smiling for the camera.







We did it!!!






Hey, wait here I come!!!





Who me? Lacey is looking a little guilty.

Jazzerthon For The Cure

Yesterday, I spent my whole entire day doing Jazzercise related stuff. Once a year in February we have what is called a Jazzerthon. Basically it is a fund-raiser for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. We Jazzercise for three hours and usually have a special guest. Well, this year our special guest was none other than Judi Sheppard Missett who founded Jazzercise 40 years ago. It makes for a long day but the cause is so worth it. I personally have known two women who have died from the disease and then there are a few at our center right now battling breast cancer. They are a true inspiration to me when I see them in my class knowing what they have and are going through. This year our goal was for $200,000.00. As of this morning I'm not quite sure what we collected throughout the Metro Atlanta area, but I do know for a fact that our center alone collected $5100.00. Not bad for a center of our size.

Here is an article from the AJC that was sent to me from our District Manager in regards to yesterday's fund-raiser.