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Parking Lot Sale Blunder

Well, open mounth, insert foot. After 8 and half years of growing, moving and rearranging, we had our first ever "Auntie's Beads Parking Lot Sale" this weekend. I was amazed at the amount of furniture, NEW fixtures, old equipment, and even misplaced jewelry that we had accumulated over time. I even found a box of personal photos stored years ago in the attic of the Grapevine store. It was the perfect weekend. Beautiful blue skies, temperatures in the 60's, and a willing staff manning the sale. On Saturday morning, sipping our Starbucks and waiting for our first sale, a lovely woman stepped out of her SUV. Fashionably dressed and sunglasses in hand, she made her way slowly around the merchandise. Seeing her "bump", I pointed out that we had some brand new baby clothes. She politely thanked me and headed that way. So, I cheerfully asked, in my normally loud voice, "When is your baby due?" "Oh, I'm not pregnant, I just need to lose a little weight." Yikes! Needless to say, she got some great deals that day, walking away with everything purchased at half price. These awkward moments I guess could happen to anyone. Or not.

Niki

I saw baby Niki for the first time since the accident today. The wound is shocking, encompassing half of the top of her head and going down the side of her chubby baby face, barely missing her eye. Even though the doctors say that she will be fine, her eyes are not the same, going in different directions at times. McDonalds was the unanimous decision for lunch and the girls had a ball. Dropping them off at their bare, drug infested and sometimes dangerous apartment complex, I just plain hurt. My heart hurts. Coming home to my comfortable surroundings, seeing beautiful trees, beautiful people, beautiful cars and never being afraid, it just doesn't seem right. Eleven year old Jessica has really made an impression on me. Very smart, loved by her teachers, and seeming to take on the role as an additional mother, I want to yell "You are just a kid. Be a kid. You have a right to be a kid!!!" Three of the five children are American citizens, born in the United States. But, "big Jessica"(the mom) cannot legally work to support her children. I WISH someone would explain this to me. She wants to work. We would hire her. But, we can't. I continue to pray for direction, I know that I am supposed to do something. In the meantime, forgive my dark commentaries. This is where my heart is at this time.

Munchkin Land

I have had little munchkins in my house since last Tuesday. I know this because the cereal is gone, there are Crayola's on every table, and I woke up in a wet bed Saturday morning. Apparently a munchkin got in my bed Friday night. Three little girls and a beautiful 4 month old baby boy have been mine for a few days. Their 2 year old little sister was accidentally struck by a car on Tuesday. We really didn't know them very well. You see Jessica, the mom, doesn't have "papers" and doesn't speak English very well. They are an inner city family that has fallen through the cracks, barely getting by. Jessica has to be a terrific mom, though. Her children are devoted to her and are polite and loving. Baby Niki will be fine. She is to be released from the hospital today. I will never forget the days I was allowed to spend with these children, and my staff won't either. Karla and Shanna taught the older girls beading, we now have new recruits! And baby Fernando was loved on and fell asleep in Karla's arms. There is nothing more relaxing than holding a soft, squishy, SLEEPING four-month-old baby. These kids will always have their mom, but now they have a large "extended" family.

Peace and Wonder

It's Friday night. It has been a difficult week. The stress is weighing on my shoulders like lead, making it hard for me to stand. But, as I walk onto my patio, in the sky, the moon is perfectly round, shining like a beacon. The smell of fresh cut grass takes me back to my childhood, in the country, a peaceful memory. My God IS an awesome God. I will not shrink from saying it. I will not apologize for believing it.