Happy Birthday to America

Better late than never, right?


We kicked off the Fourth of July weekend with celebratory pancakes courtesy of Daddy. I even let them eat them while they watched Dora Saves the Mermaids.



We spent the majority of the day at the swimming pool and then cooked out with the neighbors before heading back to the pool for night time swimming and fireworks. The late night resulted in the invevitable terrible two tantrum when we were trying to leave for church the next morning. Welcome to my world...

And that was after I got her dressed. Getting her shoes and hairbow in was nothing short of Divine Intervention. Trust me.

But this makes it all worth it:

I haven't posted much of my writing lately, mainly because of negligence. This month's Portico Jackson magazine featured a story I wrote on the Mustard Seed in Flowood. I've always heard so many amazing things about this place, but had never had the opportunity to visit. My friend Mandy works there and was such a help with the story and arranging a tour.

I hate to say that the Mustard Seed is a "facility" for mentally challenged adults, because it is so much more than that. It's a community, a home, a refuge, and so much more. If you live in the Jackson area, I urge you to find out more about this awesome place. When I was doing the tour, I told the executive director that I had never felt so good about myself as I did walking through those doors, simply because I got so many hugs and the "seedsters" were just so excited that I was there to visit with them.

After my tour, I got an email from Mandy that said - "We drew names at Christmas. Jerry loves High School Musical, especially Troy Bolton! So when Megan drew Jerry's name, she knew the perfect gift. My favorite part isn't Jerry's reaction, it is how genuinely happy everyone else is for him." She sent this YouTube link. Check it out for a taste of the Mustard Seed.

I hope everyone had a safe and happy Fourth!

Ronald McDonald House

If you aren't already a subscriber, pick up the February issue of Portico. This month, the Giving Tree section features my story on Jackson's Ronald McDonald House. Honestly, I didn't know much about what the RMH did until I started doing research for this story. They house families who have seriously ill children and have to travel to Jackson for medical care. Basically, they serve as a home away from home so that parents don't have to sleep in the hospital waiting room. I can't imagine being faced with that situation. Some of the stories I heard were so touching and the way the RMH is helping these families is so commendable. Go get a copy!

I'm stoked

The October issue of Portico Jackson magazine is on newstands now, featuring my story on Operation Shoestring. OS is an incredible organization working to help keep our inner-city kids in school. They are celebrating their 40th anniversary this year and the story of how the organization was started is really interesting.

Also, Portico is a really polished and sleek magazine focusing on the Jackson metro area. I have fallen in love with the magazine and the fact that they show that there are good things happening here. Go pick up the October issue or heck, get a subscription. Visit their web site http://www.porticojackson.com/.