Julia chose hats for all of us…  I think she did a wonderful job! 

 We had hot tea, finger sandwiches, scones that melted in your mouth (I know what you are thinking – scones – I don’t like them, they are stale and crumbly – well not THESE scones..  melt.  Melt I tell you.  Mmmm.) and desserts that were as much fun to guess as they were to eat. 

The tearoom in Carefree, AZ is operated by a lady from England.  She does it right.  You feel right at home in her shop. 

Sweet Brian entertained Nate at the playground and they ate lunch at the Bad Donkey across the way.  Perfect, huh?  He is too good to me.  I know.  You don’t have to tell me J

I figured if we spoiled Grandma rotten, maybe she’d decide to be a snowbird and come stay with us from time to time when Houston gets to balmy and mosquito-y and rainy.  I know, I’m dreaming… but it could happen.

I am so thankful for family that travels.  What would I do without everyone coming to fill up my sometimes quiet home? 

So, to all you out there reading….  Someone is out there, right?  Edify your family.  Encourage one another.  You should be home base to each other.  If you can’t feel safe and loved by family – where can you feel safe?  Use kindness in your words.  Use gentleness in your tone.  Put one another first.  Give it a go.  You can do it!  The return on your investment will be 100 fold.

As for me, I am flying to FL for work tonight.  We are over the Texas panhandle right now and I can’t help thinking of all my family in Texas.  Nope, we don’t always get along perfectly- but we are pretty darn close.  We try hard.  We make good memories – and that is what matters. 

I’ve probably said it before – and I’ll say it again…. When I am 80, sitting in a rocking chair on my front porch next to my darling, I want to close my eyes and know that I was kind to all, gentle, purposeful, available, overshadowed and TRUSTING.

I want to lean my head back and know that I was able to sleep at night because I tried to live a life without manipulation, gossip and backstabbing.

This is why I pray.  Because I know it takes HIS strength to accomplish such tasks.