TREATED LIKE ROYALTY...

We just returned from a little trip up to Kansas City, Missouri where we met and reconnected with longtime friends.  I had planned this one and chose a Bed & Breakfast, and was thrilled that everyone else loved it too, even though it was a bit pricier than we usually pay.

WE WERE TREATED LIKE ROYALTY!

Southmoreland on the Plaza is a beautiful old house, filled with antiques and pretty things.  Each room is unique and named for a different historical person; in fact, the second night we were there they had placed an open book on our bed that had a short biography of the person our room was named for.  The rooms also had fresh flowers and fruit.  We had gourmet breakfasts each morning served on china.  Snacks at 4, cookies at 8 - wow, did they feed us well!  Not only that, but the location was ideal - one block off the main street - we were able to walk to Country Club Plaza for other meals and also to Nelson Atkins art museum.  We stayed up and talked every night in a porch room that was filled with white wicker furniture and a hanging swing.  We worshipped together on a little patio connected to our room.

If you are ever in the Kansas City area, these folks get my highest recommendation!  This business is a member of the Select Registry, exceptional B&Bs, Inns, and Boutique hotels.

What a treat for us but also a way to reflect on our own hospitality to others as we serve in the Lord's kingdom!  

THINK ON THESE THINGS....

Sometimes it's hard to focus on the good.  Even little things can bother us and I was reminded of that Sunday at church.  Many of us are addicted to approval of others, and the only one we need approval from is God.   One place I go when I need a break from the world, housework, the computer, the phone, you name it -  is my garden.  I can sit and pull weeds for a long time.  And admire the simple beauty God created!

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Phil. 4:8

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever. Psalm 118:1

TO DREAM THE IMPOSSIBLE...

I've had a fascination with rocks for a long time.  My family has actually made fun of me about it.  I just love them.  They're amazing. They are handiworks of God.

The first time I ever saw the Grand Canyon at age 15 on a road trip to California with my family, I was in awe - and heartbroken that we only spent a few minutes there!  (I determined never to do that to my own kids!) I've visited the Grand Canyon a couple more times, most recently last fall when we hiked down into the canyon and up the same day.  It was hard.  It was a challenge.  Kind of  a half-marathon on steroids!  It took us 11 1/2 hours. I loved it and we had trained for it and we were with a sweet group of people from church.

BUT...I said I would never do that again UNLESS I could hike down and spend the night in the canyon.  I wanted to really enjoy the scenery, sit around, get to know it a little better, bask in it.  But there's a catch!  There's only one place to spend the night in the canyon, Phantom Ranch.  It's an old, historic place with a few cabins and dorms.  Or you can get a campsite (limited) and carry all your gear down and up with you.

I knew Phantom Ranch reservations were hard to get.  I didn't know how hard!  But I started dreaming the "Impossible dream" and planning for us to go somehow with our adult kids.  Time is of the essence.  I feel like their lives are getting busier and more adult-like all the time.  We are halfway fit physically, who knows how we'll be in a few years?

So the planning began - I had four different If-then plans.  We tried calling April 1, 2017 for April 2018 reservations, as the process goes.  We had three phone lines calling for over two hours to no avail.  We finally got the recording that all Phantom Ranch reservations were full.  I was told 100,000 people are trying to call at the same time every first day of the month.  Terribly disappointing!  I wanted to try one more time, May 1, before giving up and trying for a campsite.  My son had three phone lines dialing and I had one.  I was in disbelief 40 minutes later, when my son texted me that he was on hold and 15th in line!

We got it!  We got our second choice date!!!  So we have a reservation for one night at Phantom Ranch, along with the famous stew dinners, one year from now, the week after my youngest graduates from college.  

SUPER PUMPED!!!

ANOTHER MARATHON STORY...

Seems like I've posted so many of these through the years, but it's a special tradition for us - the OKC Memorial Marathon.  We've been doing something in it for so long, and the Hubs has only missed one year due to recovery from a crushed pelvis back in 2006.  

This year our youngest ran the half-marathon and the rest of us did the 5K.  We met him at the Finish Line and the weather was pretty nasty, but at least we escaped the rain and there were no delays in start time.  Delays are the worst!  

I also love how we can meet up with Team OC folks in a building and pray together before the race.  It's a great time to see friends and visit before the race.  

 Here we are in the building before the race about 5:30 a.m.!  Our daughter's husband was the only one not with us - he was supporting his brother who was running the full marathon.

 We met up with one of our relatives from Tipton!

 Brrr!  Let's get this show on the road!

 Here's our boy coming in at 1:37!

 Right afterwards - refueling with food in each hand and on each hip.  :0

Yummm...we went to a new breakfast place afterwards called Sunnyside Diner.  Delish!

GARDEN GRADUATION PARTY...

My niece Lauren graduated from college last week, and I was honored to be asked to host the party for the family!  My SIL did most of the work for it but when I found out she would be using a floral theme, I was excited to add some of my own goodies to it!  It was a beautiful day weather-wise, and a beautiful party, for a beautiful graduate!  

I've used these paper flowers for a lot of parties the last year, and I love them on my front door - I may just leave them up for a while.

My SIL made this pretty backdrop for the cake and gift table!

 The happy graduate!

 We ate a delicious Mexican meal with family outside on the patios.

My daughter took this from an upstairs window.  Everything's so green!

This old door has been used for a women's ministry decoration and now I have it sitting in the woods like the door to a secret garden.  :)  This is my niece (college grad) with her brother (who will graduate from high school in a month)!