Shopping Date

Good Wednesday morning!

The Gallery Pic today is of Roxie's new perm. She looks marvelous. She smells much, much worse than marvelous. But if you don't get too close, you can appreciate her beauty from afar without being offended by her odor! (Bad, smelly perm... not Roxie!)

NOTE TO MELANEY - Thank you for my First Ever Fast Food Friends Free Diet Dr. Pepper. I loved it. I'm even going to write a letter to Pastor Kevin to read to the congregation Sunday morning. I'm going to put a really good story with it, too. How does this sound?

I was having to drive myself to the hospital to deliver my 9th... No. Make that my 12th child, and I was feeling sorry for myself because my husband was out of town on business in New York... No. Make that Hawaii, and I wasn't able to go with him because... HELLO! I have 11 children at home and was about to deliver number 12! But wait! A nice lady in a blue minivan offered to buy me a Free Diet Dr. Pepper not knowing the depths of despair I was experiencing in the big gold van right behind her... Filled to capacity with 11 children and one on the way. How about that for a Sunday morning story?

And then I'll end it by saying I decided to serve as a missionary in Zimbabwe because of the lady in the blue minivan's kindness to me in my time of need. Of course, I would be leaving the 12 children behind because how effective could I be as a missionary in Zimbabwe if I had to, in fact, care for all 12 children.

That's a good story, don't you think? I hope he reads it out loud this coming Sunday. Oh! And I'm going to be sure and put your first and last name in the story. I do want you to get credit!

NOTE TO CAM, LEANNA AND ROBIN - Okay, guys. I've got all the kiddos' names added to my prayer list. Everything's taken care of. You can rest easy tonight!

Weekend Family Fun

Domino's - This isn't for the entire family (or the weekend for that matter), but being an August baby, I can honestly say this is a very good thing. Domino's is offering a free piece of Chocolate Lava Crunch Cake to those of us born in the lovely month of August.

The offer is valid through August 31... and it's free... and there is no purchase necessary.

As with most things in life, you will have to prove you are indeed an August baby. You will need to bring in a valid driver's license or birth certificate as proof. Make sure and call your local spot to make sure they are participating.

Dollar Movie - They are still showing Night at the Museum 2, Monsters v. Aliens and Imagine That this weekend.

The Drive-In - This weekend they are showing G-Force at 8:00 and The Proposal as the double feature Friday and Saturday. Sunday they will only be showing G-Force. Call first (467-3434).

NOTE - I'll be adding a Gardendale event scheduled for August 22 in this spot later today. I need to get the exact details first.

Shopping Date

Yes, I know. I know. Everything is about college. Everything is about Austin. Everything is about... shopping. That's right. Even for the guys. You have to go shopping. And even for guys who hate to shop, there are going to be some items they need for college that interest them a great deal (computers, refrigerators, GPS so they can find their way home, etc.).

This is a great opportunity for one or two or even three dates with your college-age son or daughter. If you can spread the shopping trips out over a period of time, that will be several great one-on-one occasions to talk, talk, talk.

Austin and Mike had a great time looking for computers, and they left some time at the end to sit down and have a cup of coffee and visit awhile.

This is not an inexpensive date... Sorry. But it is priceless in many ways. It's a time to spend with your son and daughter and talk about the future. Tell them stories about your own experiences. Listen as they talk about their concerns or fears. Reassure them it isn't the end, but a very exciting beginning. The possibilities for conversation starters for these dates are endless. Enjoy this time together!

Have a great Thursday. Have a wonderful last weekend before school begins. Plan something exciting... or maybe just simple and low-key like a family movie night with popcorn. Things are about to get really busy, so simple is always good! I'll share a new book with you tomorrow, so check back in if you have time!

Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.