Moody Mania: Stairway to Chicken

February 2016 has been as SWEET as can be. Allow me to demonstrate.

That's nice...

Getting there...

JACKPOT!!!

Get your insulin ready. We kicked off this month with a Night of Worship at North Trenholm Baptist Church. Many days were spent decorating, stringing (and breaking) a few lights, setting out hundreds of candles, rehearsing, etc.

Think of a Night of Worship as preparing a Thanksgiving feast. It takes only an hour or so to eat and enjoy the meal, but you don't see the sweat of the cooks in the kitchen or know how many ingredients it involved.

Speaking of food, our awesome drummer, Gary, offered to cook a delicious meal for everyone before our rehearsal. He made chicken, fish, salad...the works. We were all sitting quietly ~~devouring~~ eating our food when I took the first bite of a chicken tender. And the Heavens opened up.

I thought long and hard for a moment. How could I adequately express my love for this food? All was quiet as everyone was eating. Then I proclaimed, "Ya' know what, Gary? You should start catering stuff...."

Everyone laughed. I didn't see what was so funny. It was DELICIOUS! Then someone said... "Katharine, that's Gary Seawell. Does Seawell's of Columbia ring a bell to you?!"

"Seawell's is a family owned and operated catering business since 1946..."

OOPS. And in other news, perhaps Michael Phelps should try taking laps around the pool and see how that works out for him.

Oprah, I have a hunch that you should start a talk show.

And, Jesus...do you think you could perform some miracles?

"Oh, Katharine...I'll see what I can do."

Needless to say, I will never live that one down, but I meant it as such a sincere compliment! These things happen to me often. It's nothing new.

This group is AWESOME! You might see us in serving uniforms at the next Seawell's event, but I can't make any promises.

Want to know something really funny and ironic? I sang at Seawell's last year at the SC Citizens for Life Dinner and still didn't put the two together. Oh, glory!

I mean honestly, some things in life just don't make sense, no matter how you look at it.

Like that hair style on The Weeknd...

Don't worry, honey. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

But at the end of the day, or shall I say evening, this was SUCH a powerful Night of Worship where it felt as if God Himself sat next to every person there. And He did.

Here is a video of the finale song, "Forever."

What a weekend! My parents really enjoyed the Night of Worship, and my Mom and I did some shopping the next day and visited my Uncle Larry.

Of course, Miss Emerson usually comes out pretty well during their visits.

Meanwhile, I get practical things like household items and cleaning products. But everything is so appreciated! I can't thank them enough.

Need some toilet paper, soap and trash bags? Hallelujah!

That Sunday afternoon our wheel of fortune took a wrong turn. Emerson started running a fever and hacking like the dog on National Lampoon's who swallowed a chicken bone.

The pediatrician told us the news last Monday: Emerson had croup. Croup will creep up on you.

Some of you will get this.

As usual, it was a virus, and there wasn't anything we could do but put her on steroids for three days. Have you met my daughter on steroids?!?!

"Emerson, PLEASE get back here!!!"

Last week was freezing cold, but that afternoon we actually had a very nice, overcast day. Croup or no croup, we ventured outside to take some Valentine's Day pictures...and could this Queen of Hearts be any sweeter?

Does that tiara look familiar? I love it when I can incorporate special elements.

Every day I love her more, and I do not take one second for granted- even the frustrating ones.

Last Friday was the class Valentine's Day party. I realized this the Thursday night before. You'd think with my love of parties and all things seasonal I would have prepared something in advance. But between Emerson being sick, passing it to Ryan AND me, our microwave and coffee table breaking, oh yeah, and a full-time job...somehow the class Valentines slipped my mind.

I made these while waiting on the appliance repairman. Kids love cereal, right?!

Those kids were precious, and here is Emerson with her massive bag of sugary candy and goodies at the end of the day.

We left early that afternoon for a big date and occasion. Ryan was taking her to their first father/daughter dance that evening. Don't they make the most adorable pair?!?

My heart melted. Of course, I thought of the day when they will dance at her wedding. You know, in 2075 when I look like this:

"MAMA! I THOUGHT WE ORDERED A SIX TIERED CAKE!!!"

Nonetheless, I'm soaking up the moment. The now. The tiny toddler on her first date.

Definition of a miracle:

1) Jesus healing the blind man

2) Arriving at the DMV to find no line.

Is it even safe to go in?!?

3) Emerson keeping a bow in her hair for the entire evening. I CAN CONQUER THE WORLD!!!

Of course I couldn't leave the rest of the family out of the fun, so the next day both of our families had a delicious lunch at Ruby Tuesday's, preceded by a trip to Toys R' Us, where we bought this Magna Doodle that saved the day and kept her entertained at the table.

We are taking a family trip soon to celebrate Valentine's Day, but I still had a little something for her to open. A domino train!

How sweet is it that Valentine's Day fell on a Sunday this year? I can't think of a better day to be thankful to Jesus for all that he has done, is doing, and will do. Here are our praise singers coordinated in red!

Well, a shade of red, anyway. That coral jacket of mine tricked me when it was in the closet. At least it's in the same color family?!

Then came...PRESIDENTS' DAY aka another incredible perk of my job. I get extra holidays. And this meant one thing: an entire day with my sweetie. She woke up like this:

We traveled and did lots of fun things that day, like visit my grandparents:

Took a trip to the candy store...wait, was this for Mommy or Emerson? Then we had lunch.

And this is what the end of a successful day at home with a toddler looks like.

We had such a wonderful day together.

Emerson still wakes up at least once every night...always wailing, "MOMMY!!!" Naturally, I cave in and go get her, give her some milk or juice and then on some occasions ease her into our bed so as not to wake Ryan.

But one night recently Emerson noticed him curled in a lump, facing the other way, and snoring. And she needed to get his attention. It started with a whisper.

"Daddy, Daddy..." And then with a little more emphasis....Da-tee! DA-TEE!" She jumped over, gave him the biggest hug around the neck, and proceeded to sleep on his head like a parakeet for the remainder of the night.