"Heaven Is The Face" by Steven Curtis Chapman

We've been talking a lot about what Heaven is ... to us. After all, here on earth, we can only imagine Heaven with our earthly eyes. We can only truly comprehend what we know. Dear family friends of ours lost their beloved Grandmother this week reminding us of our own loss of Sweet Bisabuela just two years ago.

Just two weeks after falling in love with the Shamu Show at Sea World came the blow that the whale Tilikum had killed one of the long-time and most successful Dolphin Trainer's. The questions came fast and hard, why did it happen? Could she have been spared? And why are these massive sea creatures kept in swimming pools and holding tanks? And if we dare consider not supporting more Shamu Shows, we sure had better get to swim with them in heaven!

Heaven points us to the answer to all of these questions. Even as we sat in the shows at Sea World Orlando recently, I thought of the gorgeous dolphins and whales and how "if this is earth, how amazing heaven must be!"

Steven Curtis Chapman
really pens it with "Heaven Is The Face." Since I was eighteen years old, Heaven Is The Face of my Daddy, to me. It is the face of many more since then - people, places, things. So these lyrics are perfect. Enjoy the song. We are in love with the new "Beauty Will Rise!" music.



Heaven Is The Face by Steven Curtis Chapman

Heaven is the Face
Heaven is the face of a little girl
With dark brown eyes
That disappear when she smiles
Heaven is the place
Where she calls my name
Says, "Daddy please come play with me for awhile"

God, I know, it's all of this and so much more
But God, You know, that this is what I'm aching for
God, you know, I just can't see beyond the door
So right now

Heaven is the sound of her breathing deep
Lying on my chest, falling fast asleep while I sing
And Heaven is the weight of her in my arms
Being there to keep her safe from harm while she dreams

And God, I know, it's all of this and so much more
But God, You know, that this is what I'm longing for
God, you know, I just can't see beyond the door

But in my mind's eye I can see a place
Where Your glory fills every empty space
All the cancer is gone
Every mouth is fed
And there's no one left in the orphans' bed
Every lonely heart finds their one true love
And there's no more goodbye
And no more not enough
And there's no more enemy
No more

Heaven is a sweet, maple syrup kiss
And a thousand other little things I miss with her gone
Heaven is the place where she takes my hand
And leads me to You
And we both run into Your arms

Oh God, I know, it's so much more than I can dream
It's far beyond anything I can conceive
So God, You know, I'm trusting You until I see
Heaven in the face of my little girl
Heaven in the face of my little girl

What is heaven to you? Do you know Him? Please see my "About Me" section for more information or contact me if you have questions. Thoughts and prayers to you all this Sunday. Blessings to you all!

Warmly,

Snow Is Slanket Time!

So yes, we got another Snow!

This time I was ready! Thanks to Slanket I was set to go! Really, the whole family was set to go. Now, when I first saw this whole concept of a blanket turned Slanket to keep me warm, I thought okay, I have blankets and I have fleece blankets.

Guess what? This is not your Mama's fleece blanket! First of all, let's get a visual. Check out me in my Slanket the day we got back from Disney Social Media Moms in Florida. I so needed it coming back to Winter in North Carolina!

Voila, my Ruby Wine Slanket / spun fleece:

Ruby Wine Slanket

Here's the sweet note they wrote to me:

"We value you as a customer and appreciate your business very much. You are now part of the coalition of comfort our Slanket Army has one top priority to spread the warmth. Now that you have your slanket, sit back, relax and enjoy it! I hope you love yours as much as I love mine." - Gary!

That is my kind of customer service. The Slanket is very warm, very soft, the Tigers and I can fit in it. In fact, when we watch the Olympics this afternoon, Gooo USA!, we are all going to snuggle in the Slanket.

The Slanket has kids sizes and Adults and even a Traveler size. And look at all of the fun features. I don't know if this is Gary, but it could be you! :) Just think how cozy and comfy!

TheSlanket.com

And guess what, The Slanket is having a sale! That's right. Get you one now! Thank you The Slanket for sponsoring me. The opinion is all mine. I love my Slanket.

Are you a Slanket girl? Mom? or Friend? What color is yours? I love my Ruby Wine. However, I am thinking that Safari is looking good and the Tar Heel Blue.... I see a collection coming.

Warmly,

Media Moms

We're Media Moms!

Media Moms & Family
Pictured here, One Mom's World and Carolina Mama Families at Disney Social Media Moms!

Words, words, words! I love them! I've written all of my life which lead to my college major focus on Creative Writing. As a writer, blogging was a natural outlet for me from the very beginning - circa Summer 2006.

The only thing that wasn't a natural for me was the publicity of it all. I've always written and I have always been social so you would think doing so publicly would be a natural portal. It is one to be reckoned with indeed. My love of the written word, and my passion for moms and particularly moms at home, in the trenches of raising children, kept me writing and reaching out.

Now that "publicity" is hailed as Social Media! And our time has come. It's an exciting thing. However, I have to laugh and it makes me blush when people sort of bow and ask me how they to can write a blog or connect online, when they used to consider us stogy artist types. In the early days, there was comfort in the autonomy of it all.

Like most things in life - things change and so I keep it in perspective when folks now seem to listen up. Maybe they just heard the "Disney" in my "Disney Social Media Moms Celebration Conference." That's okay. They're hearing and so are corporations - hearing us loud and clear.

Especially when the New York Times notices:

"And reaching mothers online and through the social media means “reaching them in ways that are way more engaging than direct advertising,” Ms. Henson says.

That is where the mommy bloggers come in, she adds, because they are “credible as authentic voices” and also “have followers who will be talking and Tweeting” about Land O’Moms. Read More Here.

These were the moms at the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration. It was a real treat to meet Audrey McClelland, another boy mom, at the conference and get to catch up. We talked all things boy-mom, blogging, Fashion, and Disney!

And Jennifer James, North Carolina's own, of MomBloggersClub is a Brand Ambassador as well. She helped host the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration.

Yes, I am happy to help, out-loud even. So much so that my pro bona workshop to help my friends and acquaintances with businesses that need that combination of writing and connecting 'publicly' - it's filling up! I see that as a good thing.

So let me know do you need social media help? Are you another Mom? A Corporation? What mystifies you about this whole mommy-blogging social media thing? Taking questions! And workshop numbers while they last.

Even the Tigers are listening and hearing - while at Disney for Valentine's Day - it was so adorable to receive the Valentine 2010 that read, "Mommy, ... And Thanks for being a Media Mom!" :)


Warmly,

Magic Kingdom Fireworks

Here we are just before the evening fireworks at Disney! We are standing right in front of Walt Disney's statue. Can you see him? Right on the way to Space Mountain, dinner and the fireworks...


Let the magic of Disney's Magic Kingdom continue! You can continue to follow my travels here.

Warmly,

"Be Unto Your Name"

This song blessed many today in our worship service...



Blessings to you this Sunday!

Warmly,

Disney With The Hanes Comfort Crew

One of the first things we did at Disney World was get invited to Downtown Disney for the Hanes Comfort Crew TweetUp! I was so happy for the invite from the North Carolina Company! Carolina Mama is all about Carolina! So I was thrilled to take my family right along with me for the Tweet Up.

We met at Downtown Disney's Create A Tee Shirt Design Hanes Shop! The new shop has every imaginable option to design your own tee.

When we walked in the door, I was mesmerized with all of the primary colors and then ... take a double take - that is Chris Brogan, author, social media expert and speaker at the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration Conference! Yes, I was thrilled to meet him first thing and before the conference officially began. He was very personable. And as I got to know him throughout the weekend and particularly in his talk, Chris Brogan is funny! Informative and funny made for a great afternoon!



There were other mom bloggers there. Some I knew and some I had been waiting to meet like Classy Mommy and A Cowboy's Wife. It was fun to have a little tweetup social early morning. And the Tigers were on the computers provided designing tees all the while!



Here is my family with North Carolina's One Mom's World and her family. We had a grand time.


Hanes is working with mom bloggers to reach families. As a North Carolina family and Hanes fan, we loved getting to be a part of this Disney TweetUp. And to work more closely with a great North Carolina company.

Warmly,

"Dreams Do Come True - Disney!"

We are having the time of our lives!

Walt Disney World!

Check out our travels at Kissimmee Convention and Visitor's Bureau, CarolinaMama and Twitter.

Warmly,

Disney Social Media Moms, Polynesian Resort Walt Disney World

***This Disney Post gives you all to have the links to these amazing Resorts and options at Walt Disney World!

We just got underway with our Disney Social Media Moms Celebration!

It has been wonderful to see our friends from North Carolina here. Our Florida friends and all those elsewhere. My family has had a wonderful and amazing almost week already. We have enjoyed many things some of which you have seen here.

Then today, we checked into the Polynesian Resort



and that evening we joined all the other families at the Disney ESPN Wide World of Sports Disney! It was incredible to hear about Disney and ESPN's planning stages and all things new for months ahead.

Take a look around our room. We are loving all of the family amenities and fun so far. Our days here in Florida have been awesome and now our days at Disney have already been Magical! It has been a blessing to share this together.

Did I say how much I love my writing. And how God gives us above and beyond all that we ask or imagine! Amen! Tomorrow, we get to take part of an incredible initiative to feed the hungry - right in Epcot Disney. Stay tuned.

Warmly,

I Heart Florida!

We're in the midst of it here already and enjoying ... you can read all about it from the beginning here:


We are on our way to Kissimmee, Florida!

We just left Charleston, South Carolina where we saw our Nephew, the Tigers’ Cousin and the Tigers think we are headed back to North Carolina. Mountain Man and I have other plans, we’re South bound to Florida!





Read more about my assignment at the Kissimmee Convention and Visitor's Bureau, Kissimmee, Florida! here.


Are you a Walt Disney World fan? (who isn't!) Are you a Florida Resident? Do you heart Florida too! We're looking for a very special mouse - Mickey Mouse!

Warmly,

"You're Going to Disney!"

Shock!



"You're Going to DISNEY!"



That's the sign that surprised the Tigers with our Disney World trip. We were at the Florida state line when we claimed we were lost. Mountain Man and I planned this so we would have plenty of time for spontaneous excitement from the boys! No driving and surprising with Disney! No texting and driving, no surprising and driving. :)



The weather was gorgeous! Sunshine and blue skies! Perfect, considering this is "Florida the Sunshine State!" Our spirits were totally lifted as we drove South while the rest of the East coast received a history making storm!

Please continue to join us here and on Twitter @ CarolinaMama for the adventures of our Florida 2010 Vacation!

Thank you Kissimmee Convention and Tourism Bureau for hosting our family in your lovely county!

And stay tuned for more - we were invited to the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration!


Warmly,

WE DAT!!! I Love You SAINTS

WE DAT!!

More check-ins at Super Bowl SAINTS

Powered by Whrrl

Warmly,

Disney Social Media Moms, First Stop Charleston, South Carolina

We are on our way to Disney - Disney Social Media Moms Celebration!!

Our first stop is Charleston, South Carolina to see our precious nephew/cousin! The TIgers are having a blast and think we're heading back home to North Carolina tomorrow!



Stay tuned for when they discover we're in Georgia? Florida? I suspect they will tell us we've made a wrong turn? Or how much longer is this really to North Carolina?! We plan to capture the whole thing. I can't wait either because I am sure it will be a surprise to us too just how this all comes to light.

One thing - they will see my little sign - "You're Going to DISNEY!" :) Thanks for following along. And we'll see many of you very soon at Disney!

Warmly,

I'm Just Saying... I'm Going!

It's quiet. The children are at Choir with Mt. Man. It's 34 degrees. And I am home... packing...for Disney World!!



Follow along as we venture to the Sunshine State via an old South favorite, Charleston, where we'll see my niece and her family and my new "great" great-nephew!

After much planning, strategizing, working out details, I am thrilled my whole family will be joining me for this event! I was so thrilled when the Kissimmee Convention and Visitor's Bureau invited us down to explore and enjoy Kissimme and Orlando and beyond - Florida!

I'll be journaling about it here:



Wait until you see The Tigers' shock when we surprise them with Disney World and all that delights in Florida. They think we're going to see their new cousin! Which we are. Stay tuned - you can follow us here. And on Twitter here.


Warmly,

Tasty Tortilla Soup!

Winter Snow 2010
***Since I am talking about this recipe on Twitter - everyone wants it! So we're re-posting this cold Winter Day! And we're making it too! Am home with my children - we're schooling - pushing through so we're not in school until mid-June. We have had no school days missed for 'snow day!' Works for us! We've been working hard, history, art, reading, PE - Sledding! Homeschool Rocks!


Am I the only one, but this time of year has me nesting and cooking up a daylight savings time! :) Fall is a fun time for baking, cooking and all that entails homemade for your family! We love being home and getting cozy together.

Here's what happens when I get going in the kitchen! Really, I got started with Big Mama's amazing recipe for Tortilla Soup. And then it just escalated until I had the Tortilla Soup simmering, the homemade Tortilla Strips grilling, and the Stock going for - next 'project' meal - Homemade Chicken and Dumplings!



They were all Oh My Word Good! And see the picture, yes! that's homemade 'Tortilla Strips' hand grilled! :) They were awesome and really added to the Tortilla Soup. I'll make these again. Please do not compare my lovely pictures of cooking to Big Mama's ... recipe photos vary according to Chef! :)

They're that good so I am adding them to the Tasty Tuesday! Carnival. Check out all the recipes and what are your favorite recipes this Fall?

Warmly,

International Civil Rights Center and Museum Field Trip

Ode to the hometown and our native Mama's roots, Greensboro, North Carolina, the Tigers were privileged to get to have a field trip to the International Civil Rights Center and Museum before it even opened!



Today, February 1, is an historic day! Four brave young high school students took a stand at the Greensboro "Sit Ins!" History changed! I am proud of my ancestors and their community for embracing the change!



Feb. 11, 1960
Students participate in sit-ins across the state. Twenty-six William Penn High School students sit at the Woolworth lunch counter on South Main Street in High Point.


Sometimes I get choked up explaining the awful parts of history to my children. Sometimes I don't have the words to rightly convey it. On this day, I was both of these emotions. The great news is that there was a happy ending to this one. I got cold chills standing there thinking about what this meant.

Thinking about Rosa Parks just a couple of hours from my hometown of New Orleans. She must have been so proud of these young men.

My husband and I try to explain the courage and character it takes to stand up for what you believe in. I hope we do it. I hope they do it.

Read about it here . Thankful to our own relatives, who live in this community, for informing us. In searching the New York Times today, I have not found an article. However, here is the Sit Ins site.

I hope we share this with others today. Thanks you for reading and listening to something dear to my hear this day.
God Bless!

Warmly,