the russ memoirs

by one of my favorite singers!

http://www.lifechurch.tv/message-archive/habakkuk/2

the word ‘dip’ has been on my brain this week. my daughter’s been really into dipping things, odd combinations like grahm crackers in ketchup or pretzels in yogurt. i’m callin’ her my ‘little dipper’.

this 35min. msg speaks of (& illustrates like an upside-down bell-curve) when we find ourselves in a ‘dip’ ~ a struggle, trial or source of pain that just seems unfair. craig groeschel tells us 3 things we need to do @ that low point, in faith. important. pls watch it & share it w/a friend in need

http://www.lifechurch.tv/message-archive/habakkuk/2

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also, browse thru their tees for a giggle or 2

i dare you to stay still as u listen  ≡  a favorite booty shakin’ tune, one of many by my man, marc.  his recent show in @ antones in austin was a sweaty fusion of talent & fun. we had ourselves a good ol time

well, i didn’t want to forget the little details of the day, so thought i’d jot ‘em down

¤ ricky got up about 10 min. after angel and braylon did, he made them breakfast and then came back into the bedroom where i was trying to wake up. he brought me cinnamon toast and a homemade hot latte’…mmmm which i devoured right then & there

¤ when i made it to the kitchen, bray & i finished a moms day craft where we took little tissue paper squares, squished them over a pencil eraser & glued them to make fluffy 3d wings & pedals of a butterfly & flower

¤ late morning i put angel down while ricky’s benedril took effect, & bray & i left them to sleep while we went on a nature hunt for scary branches (a re-decorating idea i have for angel’s room - not scary, just a nature/ woodland escape w/butterflies, birds, a picnic table & other foresty things).

¤ went we later watched some ‘what’s new scooby doo’ episodes w/him

¤ went to aunt sherry & uncle frank’s to go swimming & celebrate the day.  much of it was spent talking about reality shows & sherry’s ankle surgery next wk (like the chances of whether or not she’ll be able to quit smoking so it can heal. pretty slim i say, if she admits not really wanting to stop). terry & brandon, ricky’s cousins were there all day too (quite the rare occasion)! we all had a good time swimmin, talkin’ and carryin’ on

¤ braylon swam to ricky for the 1st time w/no floaties on his arms. even asking r. if he could do it while talking underwater…which earned him a new name he now wants to write on all his school papers: ‘bravelon‘

¤ angel just waddled around in her jungle ruffle bikini the whole time - signing, talkin’ gibberish, playin w/nickie the dog, and  i did manage to floatie her around the pool for 10 min. before the fountain kinda freaked her out

¤ when we left i got the biggest allergy attack & couldn’t keep my hands off my eyes for 15 minutes. as i (peck-n-) type this, my eyes are still swollen. i’m almost unrecognizable! but it’s late & the benedril is kickin in for me now, so all is well - especially when my hubby gave both kids a bath, (even washed angel’s hair for the first time!) & did their bedtime routines while i rested.

¤ when we arrived home, i could hardly open my eyes to walk in the house, so bray volunteered to take my hand & lead me to the door, thu the living rm & to my bed. he was so proud to be this helpful. it made him want to do more for me, so i said he could get me a wet wash cloth for my eyes, & he jumped to it coming back  w/one & gently dabbing it on my left eye, then right & then covering them both w/it. i thanked him ’so much’

¤ later as i tucked braylon in & we did our good-nightly ramblings, i reitereated just how proud i was of him, not just for being brave, but for how a sunday school teacher told me he treated his classmates. one kid was jealous he had wheelies & punched him & then kicked him (right on a spider bite which re-opened & started bleeding again). he just stood there & not only forgave him but turned around & asked the boy if he’d like to borrow his shoes for a little while. ‘bless those who mistreat you’ - wow, he’s got that commandment down already?! wish i could say the same!