Just thinking

Yesterday I took my 4 almost 5 year old daughter shopping for her summer wardrobe.

WOW.

That was a pretty interesting time.  I usually don’t let her pick out ANY of her own clothes, but I thought I would let her help this time.  With a few rules…

1. Charaters are for P.J.’s only. (and tennis shoes if I am in a good mood.)

2. No Mini Hooker clothes.  (It makes me crazy to see little girls dressed in things that I wouldn’t let a teenager leave the house in.  It’s just not cute…or appropriate.)

3. Mom has the final say…on everything.

These are a few things I learned.

1. My daugter would wear Hannah Montanna from head to toe if allowed.  I’m lucky we got away with one t-shirt…it could’ve been much worse. (and that does break the character rule..I know, it’s a “play shirt”.)

2.  Jellies are back.. and Why are back?  Those were the worst most uncomfrotable things to come from the 80’s and apparently my daughter needs them.

3. You can never have too many pairs flip flops…and if they have glitter straps you need even more.

4. Red is for boys.

5.  You can never have too many colors in one outfit… (and if it’s rainbow it’s perfect.)

6. Pink Camo is on most of the clothes found at J.C. Penny’s. (thank goodness for mom veto power)

7.  You can never have too many sequins.

8. Don’t even bother asking, the answer is…the pink one.

9. No matter what the outfit, if it comes with accessories you have a fight on your hands. (and I have also decided that girls are born with the ability to accessorise)

10. Girls are expensive!

It’s going to be a very bright and sparkly summer.

While over_here…

I happened to run into an old_friend…

It really has me convinced that it is a small world after all.  (or at least blog world)

This is the second time something like this has happened to me this week. (and by this I mean a random run in with someone I haven’t seen in a very long time under unusual circumstances.)

and…

for some reason…

It’s really made me think about heaven. 

 Which, isn’t something I generally think about.  (no particular reason for that…I just don’t)

I am usually consumed with work here and keeping up with my everyday life which includes my dishes. (and my kids, jobs, and so on) 

There are so many people that have come in and out of my life and I don’t get to spend time with them anymore for what ever reason. 

So many amazing people.  

And there are many that are already there that I would love to see again.

 It made me realize how cool heaven will be….  Maybe there will be a huge game of Six_Degrees_of_Kevin_Bacon when we get there. 

While looking for some pics for a friend, I came across a CD of pictures from my wedding that I’m pretty sure I don’t ever remember seeing. 

I’m pretty sure I never saw them because I would have destroyed them. 

 Now, they are just funny.

This picture is probably only humorous if you were actually present at this wedding…

What I wouldn’t give for some of these right now.

And while in this picture it appears that my maid of honor and I are giving my sister in law the look of death I assure you it was directed way past her…  (and I assure you that we were all much happier than we look in these shots…thankfully!)

ahhh. memories.

Every summer right before school starts the church I work for has a BACK TO SCHOOL BASH.  The women’s group puts it on and has every game and fun carnival type activity a kid could want. 

The idea is for the kids to win the school supplies they need for the upcoming school year.

 (and to connect to the community…and be loved…and have lunch…and play games..and play on lots of bouncy toys…and get your face painted…and the dunking booths and so on…) 

There is a large need in our community for this type of outreach. 

 (and with the economy shifting I believe this year may be even more important for families.)  

The church is in contact with the local elementary schools who helps identify parents and children that may need help.  (I also wanted to add that is isn’t just for families in need… This is for all of the families in our community and church.)   The women also canvas the neighborhoods surrounding the church inviting all the kids. 

Alright…this is where I need the help…

This year John and I will be in charge of the ministry portion of this day. (with lots of great children’s workers to back us up.)

The Women’s group is already working hard on everything else.

I thought I knew what I wanted to do, but I’m second guessing my plan and could use some fresh ideas.  Yes…I’m praying about it as well, but I’m calling on a little help from my  friends. 

(or children’s ministry veterans…or parents…or kid’s workers…pastors…creative people in general, or pretty much anyone who has an opinion on the matter)

With a little less than 4 months to go…I need to work this out soon. (I’m not a down to the wire kinda gal)

This is what I am looking at…

-A carnival type setting…

-The women are asking for a gospel presentation …the format is open.

-Most of the children are elementary age. 1st though 5Th

-this will be a first impression our our church for a lot of families..I want it to be a good one.

-it can be one presentation or broken up through out the day.

-(personal conviction)  I want to keep what ever is done to be less “preachy” more “we care about you and Jesus Loves you.”…because we do.  I want to be careful that it doesn’t turn into something unattractive or forced. (especially for parents who might feel uncomfortable…)

Any ideas? 

Any sugestions that may have worked well in a similar event your church has had in the past?

I want anything you got! (from the games, to the outreach and the what not to do’s…)

 You can comment me here or send me a message.

Thank you guys!

You rock!

(p.s. just incase you might be worried…I never use my church’s name…location…or any ones full name in my blog…I’m just weird like that. better safe than sorry right? )

You could seriously start to think I hang out at goodwill…

I promise, I don’t. 

It’s just that I find something every time I go…

This time… 2 Mark Baker Prints $5.

bakerimages.com

last time…

this fun black and white stripe couch for the youth room at the church…

And…it doesn’t even smell funny. :)  I do plan on shampooing it though… Because as one of the kids brought up there is a possibilty that an 80 year old man had been sleeping on this couch naked last week.  While I found that doubtful, better safe than sorry.

and the time before that…

I found THIS.

Who knew shopping at the thrift store could be so much fun…

And who knew I liked black and white so much…

And…Who actually answers these questions in their head…

I have to say this weekends game at ignite was one of my favorites.

Not for the weak at heart….for sure.

Foot signing.

That’s right.

The team with the most legible signatures on their captain’s foot wins.

Here’s to washable markers and pedicures!

(and to the runner up that won Dr Scholls medicated shoe pads…and still smiled)

want some real flashback moments…

(and I’m pretty sure these are not on the actual wow 1999 CD…but remember wow? I think I had all of them…)

World_Wide_Message_Tribe

Considering_Lilly

SEVEN_DAY_JESUS

D.C._Talk

Bleach

Audio adrenaline…

house_plant_song

Big_big_house

News_boys

Jars_of_clay

and

SIXPENCE

 I could do this all day..but I have some actual work to do.

ragamuffinsoul vs. Enterprise Rent- a -car…

(if you didn’t see this you really should check it out)

Why is it when you decide you really need to lose weight…that’s the exact time everyone brings you the things you can’t resist the most…

I give you example one. 

Old fashioned Pecan Divinity my dad dropped off this afternoon.

ingredients include…Sugar, corn syrup, Pecans, Partially hydrogenated Soybean oil, egg whites  and so on…

also know as… big fluffy sweet empty calories…

or

pure evil

(another music confession)

ska+ the 90’s+ christian music= You Are the Devil and The Devil is Bad

once again…no judgement allowed… but back in the day I loved this song.

and

(and some other people I might talk about later…)

Also enjoyed a little swing dancing…

I know I’m still making fun..

I though this was cute in it’s time.

(and still good for puppet skits in kids church.)

I do think everything has it’s time though.