So, Drama Queen’s birthday is Monday. I know this may come as a shock to many of you, but she is very spoiled. Ok, maybe not so shocking.

Bossman and Drama Queen are going out this weekend for a very nice dinner and then to expensive seats at a musical. A very nice, expensive evening out. Drama Queen has made it known to everyone that would listen that this evening does not count one bit towards her birthday, and that she expects big things on her birthday.

The kicker is that those closest to her laugh about this behavior and indulge her.  To be honest, this kind of mentality really pisses me off. The depths of materialism and worldliness from a so-called Christian is shocking. There are so many people suffering and unable to provide food or basic needs for their families.

I have never lived the kind of extravagant life Drama Queen lives, but I have always had more than enough. I have been so blessed. Ryan and I really don’t even feel the need to buy each other presents for birthdays/holidays. We would much rather give to those around us. Please pray that I can bite my tongue to keep the peace the short time I have left working here. I’m left feeling really disturbed right now.

Any thoughts on the situation? I’m curious about your perspectives.

During the summer of 2006, I was happily working at the church, Grace Community, in the children’s ministry. Monte and I had begun volunteer training for the fall. Ryan attended one of the trainings because he served with the toddlers at that time.

After the training was over he came up to me and explained the following: “I just heard this girl talking in the training and it sounded exactly like your story. She just graduated with a teaching degree and currently works at a day care. She can’t find a job either. You should talk to her and find out if she would want to work at the church with you.”

I did some detective work and found out that the person he was talking about was none other than Jennifer. She and Jonathan were going to be new volunteers to the children’s ministry. We immediately clicked. In the following month, the children’s ministy decided to form a small group. We invited Jenn and Jon. They joined and our relationship grew.

Now, we have survived been in three different small groups together and are greatly enjoying it together. It has been over the past year that my relationship with Jenn has deepened. With both share a love for children. Our hearts speak the same language, and our friendship is so natural. She even is getting into scrapbooking too!

I feel so lucky to have her in my life. She supports me and lifts my spirits.

“When I count my blessings, I count you twice” – Irish Proverb

We celebrated Ryan’s birthday with friends at Maggiano’s a couple weeks ago. I’m just now getting around to looking at them. Enjoy the crazy cast of characters in our lives.

I really enjoy shopping unless I am looking for a that perfect outfit that I need by tomorrow. I think my love of shopping comes from my grandmother, Granny. Granny would take me to the mall very often starting when I was a baby. I remember one time my grandfather, Papa, was going to cut up Granny’s credit cards. I’m not sure how old I was, but I knew that the credit cards were my key to shopping. I looked at Papa and said, “Oh, no Papa. Don’t cut up Granny’s credit cards” in about the sweetest voice I could muster. It worked.

I also remember being at the mall one time and spilling a whole chocolate milkshake down the front of my white shirt. I was mortified. Granny quickly took me to the closest store, and bought me a new shirt. She was my hero!

When I think back to my memories with Granny, I have some really great ones. I love eating at Red Lobster. When I was little, Granny would let me pick a meal off of the adult menu, and she would trade with me and eat the kid’s meal. We also had our own secret code. My mom would not let me outright ask to spend the night. So, Granny and came up with a code word that I could mention in a phone conversation for her to know that I wanted to spend the night. It usually involved food of some kind and sounded like this, “Granny, I sure am craving pancakes!” We were super sneaky!

Granny is also one of the funniest people I know. She has a cackle that puts the wicked witch of the west to shame. I would beg her to do it over and over. She also has the best, original teeth brushing song ever. And, I will never look at cat food or bird seed the same way again. (I’m not even going to explain those in order to protect the innocent).

Happy Birthday Granny! So many of my fondest memories include you. I am so blessed to have you as a grandmother.