Recovering

I am still recovering from the garage sale we had last Saturday. Each spring I have tried to have a garage sale to make money to join our neighborhood pool in the summer. Every year as I am getting ready for the sale I say  "I am never going to do this again" but then I will have a great sale and make $700. So then next year I am at it again. Well I think this year will be it for a while. I did make enough money ($375) to join the pool and have some extra "fun" money but I am feeling old and tired. Part of the problem was the fact that I tried to have this sale in a month that contained planning a Valentine party, watching other kids for a weekend, having Elizabeth's birthday, having mutiple meetings at my house, and giving a devotional at a friend's shower. All things that I love to do but not a good time to add something else. I wanted to take a picture of my garage to capture the moment but when I got home from putting up my signs on Sat. morning, I had people waiting to get in. The day was rainy and cold but we had a decent crowd and I enjoyed visiting with the friends who participated in the sale with me. After we were done we packed up all the remaining items and took them to Good Will. I found great joy in putting empty plastic bins back into my attic. A feeling of freedom from the weight of stuff. I want to simplify life trying to live with less.  I also want to be more willing to give to others - not merely looking out for my own interests but the interests of others.

Elizabeth is 10 years old!

We enjoyed celebrating Elizabeth's 10th birthday. For her party this year we planned a Scavenger Hunt around town. The girls were divided into two groups and we all had fun racing to collect the items on the list. The girls got candles and ice cream from the grocery store, a crown from burger king, a gift for Elizabeth from the dollar store and a balloon from the party store. It  happened to be pouring rain during the whole outing but everyone had fun anyway. Elizabeth has such a tender heart and we are all recipients of her kindness. She enjoys writing and thinks that she would like to write children's stories about dogs when she grows up. We are so thankful for our Lizzie Boo. Happy Birthday.

No party is complete without candles.

The whole gang eating pizza.

Elizabeth had plates with dogs on them since she is such and animal lover so Lila was the honored guest.

On Elizabeth's actual birthday we were watching two extra children for the week-end. Riley is one of Elizabeth's dearest friend so we were glad to have a two night sleepover. After church on Sunday we all went to Cracker Barrel for a birthday lunch.

Double digits.

What a precious girl!

Basketball

We have enjoyed participating in a basketball program at a local church over the last few months. I keep meaning to take my camera but have not been able to remember. Here are some shots of the us enjoying our wonderful cul de sac.

A tough team to beat!

Tim gives Abigail a little boost!