The Debut of Two Girls Into Our World

On this special day, September 16th, I'm celebrating two of my girls. It was actually September 15th when our son asked us to join him and Shawntel's family for a surprise birthday party for her at her home. Her birthday was September 16th, but the party was on the 15th. We had a wonderful time together celebrating this beautiful woman (inside and out), but the party went to a whole new level, when Ryan got down on one knee and proposed to her. We rejoiced when she said "YES"! We knew God brought them together. Three months later they were married.

Larry and Staci were absent from this celebration -- but they had a good excuse. Just after Ryan proposed, we received the call from Larry....."Staci's contractions are just minutes apart." That meant we had to make a quick exit from this fabulous party.....to be at another fabulous "debut" party. Our little Alexia was coming into the family as well.

We drove lightning speed from Tulsa to Dallas and though the doctors were telling Staci to "push", she refused to....."My Mom and Dad must be here!" As we were running down the hallway of the hospital our precious little girl started coming. We made it....but not a minute too soon!

Our hearts were full -- our son was engaged to the "love of his life", and Larry and Staci brought another precious treasure to love into this world. And to make it even more special, Ryan and Shawntel drove from Oklahoma to Texas to meet their new little niece on both girls' birth-days. It was a joyous celebration!

So, today, September 16th, I get to celebrate two precious girls that have brought so much sunshine and joy to our family. I can't begin to thank God enough for my Shawntel (aka Angel -- always has been to our family) who is the most devoted and loving wife to Ryan, and incredible mother to our boys. She calls me Mom, which is one of my greatest privileges. We're bonded. We've shared so many blessings and though we're physically miles apart -- when we are back together again, it's as though we were never apart. She will always be MY GIRL. I'm so thankful for her Mom and Dad's love that brought her to this world for all of us to love her.

And, then there's my hilarious, beautiful, talented, loving, granddaughter, Alexia Wallace, who celebrates her 16th birthday today. Where has 16 years gone? It seems just a little while ago that we were rushing to meet her, and now she is becoming a young woman of destiny and purpose that loves God and loves to serve Him with all her heart.

Happy Birthday, Shawntel and Alexia -- my two September 16th GIFTS FROM GOD!

The Sweet Sounds From a Tuned Piano

SURPRISE!!! Happy Birthday, Payton! Yesterday was my #3 grandson's (in order of birth-dates) 16th birthday. That morning, I sent him a text that said, "I wish I were there to celebrate your birthday today, but we'll make up for it while we're fishing next week!" So, it was a big surprise when he came home from spending the night with a friend and saw me. I loved the outdoor decor' that made this day a really big deal for him.

What was an even bigger surprise than his Nana and the yard decor', was the gift his Mom and Dad gave him....a new ebony baby grand piano. Payton is a gifted pianist and though he's had a lovely antique baby grand, the sound and touch of this one takes his gift to a whole new level. The piano was delivered yesterday morning before Payton came home and when the technician played it, there was a key slightly off, so we watched him take the piano completely apart. It was quite the sight -- we'd never seen before.

All those intricate parts, when aligned so precisely, provide such beautiful tones for anyone who knows the art of playing. But if one of those parts is out of order, as beautiful as the other keys are, that one makes the others appear out of order as well. Once he pulled all the guts out, made just the slightest adjustments, bada bing bada boom, exquisite tones came from that piano. It became a masterpiece of artistry and engineering in their home.

That made me think about God's masterpiece creation, you and me. When we are in "tune" with our creator -- and being who He created us to be, we make beautiful, harmonious sounds and movements. He takes pleasure in hearing our praises and songs of joy to Him. But when His creation is "off" -- like our attitude that exudes negativity, anger, complaining, crankiness or are just plain out-of-sorts, then who He destined us to be, is not expressing the creator's intentions for His intricately designed, one-of-a-kind original. That's the time we need the Master Technician to tune us up, work us over, turn us inside out, and, though it may be painful, He will create in us the ability to make the most beautiful music that will touch the hearts of those around us with His love, His joy, His peace. We just need to submit to the Master Technician. We need to “Let go and let God” come visit us. Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago."