Sweet Southern Belle

As a child I always looked forward to summer because it meant no school! My parent’s were both educators so I was blessed to be home all day during the summers since they were off  work too. Even as an adult I still like the summer, minus the heat! It just seems like there is always more fun to be had during the summer months. It’s unbearably hot in Georgia during the summer so Little Belle and I get wet most days. We’ve been splashing in her small pool. She also loves to be outside and play in her play-house and sand box.  We try to play outside in the mornings before it’s to hot to enjoy.

Summer also bring more play-time with friends. I’m not working (outside of my home, that is) at all this summer so we have time to have play dates more often. Today Little Belle’s friend Butterfly came over while her mom and sister went to the doctor. The two girls enjoyed some summer fun!

I’ve also enjoyed growing and tending to a few vegetables this summer. While Little Belle is playing I’m busy watering and examining my new vegetables. It feels great to eat what you’ve grown!

As I said in my previous post I enjoyed Youth Camp! God really spoke to me this week and I enjoyed fun times with the teenagers! While my dear husband and I were at the beach Little Belle enjoyed the week at her GiGi’s house and was spoiled by my entire family!

I learned many lessons on this trip!

1.  Showering is not a priority for middle school boys and they think spraying a bottle of Acts cologne covers a large array of smells.
2. I miss teaching the youth! I taught 11^th and 12^th grade girl’s Sunday school for years but decided to take a break last year. After teaching the small group I realized I miss teaching. I’m seeking God’s will for how/what/when to teach again.
3. Some 15 year old girls still eat baby food!
4. It’s not cool to layout under the gazebo while at the Beach. “Heather, what are you doing?” “You might as well have stayed in the room”
5. A disco light in worship can actually be cool!
6. I can no longer stay up past midnight. My body crashes!
7. I can no longer eat junk food for an entire week and gain no weight ( even with exercise)
8. God doesn’t just want to be on my top shelf he wants the throne above the shelf!
9. I am officially old because …….the entire week I was thinking about what an awesome Condo we were staying in and how “when I was a youth” we stayed in run-down places. You know the whole…I used to have to walk in the snow six miles to get to school idea! (also see lessons 7&8)
10. My husband really likes raps about mini-malls!

I’m in Orange Beach, Alabama at Student Life youth camp. I’m one of the adult leaders with my church youth group and I’m having a blast! I’m sure I’ll give a more detailed report later or you can go to my dear husband’s blog for daily reports! So far it’s been a wonderful trip. My days have started early (long before anyone else wakes up) with quiet time on beach and Yoga. Yoga is even more peaceful when you hear the waves crashing as background noise. I don’t spend much time sunbathing but I’ve enjoyed reading in the shade and taking long walks. I’m teaching the girl’s small group and enjoying the awesome worship services! The condos are beautiful and the food is good! Here are a few pictures of me with my dear husband and some of the girls! And, the view from our balcony, where I’ve been doing yoga!

In my search for practices that lead to total body health I kept coming across Yoga so I decided to give it a try. I’ve been doing yoga 3-4 times a week for the past few weeks and I love it!!!! The practice certainly connects the mind and body. It’s a very peaceful experience. When I started I expected that it would be calming but I had no idea what a good workout it would be. After finishing I’m always sore (in a good way).

Despite the fact that here in the Western world Yoga is considered a “New Age” practice it’s actually a very old practice that originated in India. I’ve found that it’s a spiritual experience for me. As I finish and lay on the floor I’m able to reflect on God and to be thankful for the body he has given me.

I think that in this modern world most of us live a far more fast pace/stressful life than God intended. I think it’s important to find a way to have some quiet time alone with God and alone with ourselves. Yoga is a wonderful practice for both!

I realized today that in spite of the fact that I’m trying to teach Little Belle about sharing with her friends I really don’t like sharing myself. A few nights ago I popped popcorn right before Little Belle’s bedtime. And, of course she wanted some before bed. I was completely annoyed but let her have some popcorn anyway. Little Belle has grown a love of Ranch dressings and today while I was eating my carrots and dipping them in ranch dressing she kept taking carrots, dipping them and then chewing on the carrot. She did return the carrots after they had been chewed. Gee thanks! As I was getting annoyed and wanted to yell, leave my lunch alone you have your own, I realized that not even an hour earlier I was telling her she should share with her friend Ladybug. I guess I need to work on sharing too! Man, being a parent is so humbling!

I’m proud to announce that I’m officially down to one cup a day with no headaches. I finally met my goal, yippee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That one cup is my reward for getting up and starting the day.

My maternal Grandmother is 81 years old and is still in good health. She cooks several big meals a week and a few small ones. Most of my family lives within miles of one another and share dinners together several times a week. I live 2 hours away and I’m only able to attend such meals every few months. I love eating in my Granny’s kitchen for lots of reasons.

The food is excellent! She is a tenured southern cook and knows how to make everything “just right”. For years I tried to cook a Pot Roast with no luck until Granny gave me a few “tricks of the trade”. My favorites are her Roast, chicken& dumplings, eggplant puffs, and peanut butter pie. Those are of course, only a few of Granny’s treats.

 The fellowship is fun too! It’s neat to sit with my grandparents, mother, aunts & uncles, and cousins. It’s fun to hear about what they are doing and what’s going on in their lives. I think in this fast pace world we don’t do enough “sitting and sharing”.

Her house is always warm and inviting. Granny loves company and particularly loves feeding others. Everyone is always welcome! Some of my younger cousins invite friends without asking Granny because they know she will always have enough food to feed extra mouths. Granny always offers seconds and thirds to her company. Food seems to multiple in her kitchen.

I’m just returning from a visit with family and I’m stuffed from enjoying all that Granny’s kitchen offers. One meal included Roast & Gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn on the cob, squash, lima beans and rolls!