Candace Cameron-Bure...the conversation.

I had an amazing opportunity about a week ago to attend the exclusive unveiling of the new Disney Baby store at The Americana in Glendale.

Now Open! 

Inside Disney Baby

Love

Part of this celebration was a baby shower for 20 military moms presented by Operation Shower...which happens to be an amazing act of service for a lot of families. We were able to see what the store looked like and what they carried inside.


We had delicious eats, coffee and live music from Kenny Loggins. Yes...that Kenny Loggins. He now has a collection of children’s music and it’s quite delightful. Little does he know how many times I’ve played Footloose over and over since 1984 rocking out....like I was the original singer of the song.

 I felt extremely special at the invite to attend and cover this event as part of the media. We knew there would be celebrities, with or without their children, in attendance.  And I knew that I would be able to interview any of them if they were willing and had time. While waiting to get a personal tour of the store, I noticed Candace Cameron-Bure sitting at the table next to me. I had no idea she was going to be there.

Let me cut back to earlier that morning, before I even left home. I pray, like I do every morning, for the day, my husband, my children at school and whoever or whatever I feel needs praying for in my life. In particular, I prayed that I may have the chance to talk about God with someone that day. For anyone who follows me, or knows me well, you know I love to talk about God. So, that was my prayer.

Let’s go back to me noticing Candace sitting at the table next to me. There it was. My opportunity to talk about God. I didn't know what I would ask..or how I would even start a conversation about faith with her, but I knew I needed to talk to her. How would a conversation about faith have anything to do with a Disney Baby event? I wasn’t sure either.

As I stood outside the Disney Baby store waiting for my turn to see what’s inside, I saw Candace making her way to the exit. Still completely unaware of what I would say to her...and why, I did my best to get her attention and see if I could ask her a few questions.

The lovely Candace Cameron-Bure

And..I did.


The woman escorting her to her car told me that she couldn't, and didn't have time. But Candace politely said to her “No, it’s ok. Really, it’s fine.”

Face to face with Candace Cameron-Bure, I started to speak. It would actually be considered something more like mumbling...nonsense....embarrassment..you get the picture.

I was dying to ask her if John Stamos is as cute in person as he is on television, but luckily that’s not what came out. I briefly explained who I was and where I write...and what I write about. The poor girl probably thought some crazy blogger has just got a hold of her and there will certainly be no escape from this incoherent rambling....

Still unaware of what I wanted to say, I eventually got to this:


“So, I suppose what I’d like to know from you is, when I say “Parenting” and “Faith”, what is the first thing that comes to your mind?

“Prayer.”  She replied to me knowing what her answer would be even before I finished my sentence.

“Prayer” she said again.

Thank you Lisa Robertson of BabesInDisneyland.com for this photo!

I had no idea what the etiquette was for recording someone’s conversation, so I neglected to pull out my iPhone and shove it in her face. 
Instead I grabbed my notebook and pen and began to write down her every word. This was a conversation I knew I wanted to keep in my head. Of course, now as I’m reading through my notes, they appear to be as incoherent as my interview technique was.

I’m going to paraphrase the amazing advice I received from Candace that morning, except where there are quotations...I did manage to get a few things down.

She humbly explained to me that she is “face down on her knees” every morning praying for her children, also sharing with me that she “now prays more than ever” for them because they are older and facing challenges in life that require more thought and discernment.

“The power of prayer over our children” is something she values with utmost importance. “Pray scripture over them.” Scripture is amazing. In my personal experience as a wife and mother, the Bible has been the absolute best source on parenting and marriage I have come across.

We continued to talk about how difficult it is to raise children, period. But being in Southern California with a fast pace of life and not always being surrounded by people who share our same worldview, can make it even more difficult. I know this would be true for most parents.

“My children are dedicated to the Lord” and that’s how she can feel confident that they are protected with Love when they walk out the door. This is something I’m hoping to correctly establish in raising my children with my husband...a dedication to God.

So, I suppose it was fitting that we had a conversation in front of the Disney Baby store where their tagline is “creating magical moments right from the start™.” Because, I truly feel that our opportunities are there with our kids right from the start.





My children will fulfill God’s will and purpose for their lives. (Psalm 138:8)

Father, help my children not to be like many others around them, but let them be “alert and self-controlled” in all they do.  (1 Thessalonians 5:6)

Father, grant that my children may “show proper respect to everyone,” as Your Word commands.
(1 Peter 2:17)

Grant that my children may learn responsibility, “for each one should carry his own load”.
(Galatians 6:5)

Dear Mom,

Dear Mom,
Over three years have passed since I’ve heard the sound of your voice from your lips. I’m pausing even now, writing this to you, because that seems absolutely impossible.
Impossible I tell you.
So this is the eve of your death. I know that on this night three years ago, I laid at the foot of your bed watching you breathe. You needed medication every two hours and Sharon and I were the only ones you’d let give it to you.
I counted the seconds between your breaths in horror. I remember every thought I had and the disbelief that that was real life.
Closer to death you actually began to pause 12 then 13 then 15 seconds and then longer between chest raises.
Impossible, I tell you. Truly impossible to believe that this much time has passed.
I cannot tell you or anyone else around me how much I miss you. Words wont do.
How much I miss my mom.
Ouch.

Mom, the kids are amazing. Shelby is in 1st grade now and she can read and write! She is so beautiful and athletic and funny, sensitive, brave, confident and a go-getter, that’s for sure.

Hayden is all boy. He’s handsome and tall and athletic and smart...very, very smart. He loves to climb trees, throw rocks, jump on or off of anything, run and I know he’d hunt if he could...because he is all boy.
And Courtney...I know you’ve never met her and that breaks my heart, it truly does. I hope that when she was a twinkle in God’s eye, he showed her to you before she was sent this way. She is absolutely adorable and comical, stubborn, charming and cuddly.

Life is good...but I’m still in a lot of pain. It’s funny, mom, it’s not the same pain as what tomorrow brought me three years ago. It’s a different kind of pain, a dull, constant ache.

Don and I are doing really well. I’ve devoted myself to living how Jesus teaches and it’s truly amazing what that has done for me personally, and our family.

Jeff is getting married! He’s getting married mom, and I’m so happy for him. You’ll never believe it, but he’s marrying Jenni...his high school sweetheart. I am truly, truly ecstatic for them, they are on a wonderful path together.

And Joe....he’s just amazing. He’s grown up so much mom. You’d be so proud of him. So proud. He’s working hard in something he believes in and is climbing hurdles as they come. He’s working very hard.

I miss you. Every single day. The anniversary of your death is not much different than any other day of the year. I suppose I’m just reminded of the traumatic events that occurred on that day. Events that someday, I’ll share. Someday I’ll write about them mom, because they’re in my head and they need to come out.

I love you deeply. I miss you more. I’m sure you’re watching somehow, someway and there is comfort in that.
Oh, how I miss you.

 

My August 2009 performance in Expressing Motherhood in Los Angeles. 

Based on a blog post on Strengthofarose.com

A Very Nutella Breakfast

About four months ago, I discovered something splendid…something divine…something chocolate. And for those of you who don’t know, chocolate should have been included in my name somewhere. While strolling the aisles of Costco…I stroll because I love Costco and if I could be stuck there like Jennifer Connely and Frank Whaley did in Target in that movie Career Opportunities, I totally would. Seriously, I’d be fine for weeks. Anyhoo…I saw a food made of chocolate that I had never tried before.

Nutella.

Ok, so most of you have probably already had this stuff by now, but as worldly as I like to think I am, sometimes I’m taken back a few steps due to slamming face first into that bubble that apparently surrounds me. I saw Nutella on an end cap near the coffee.

Sold.

Ok, so does anyone really need a chocolate hazelnut spread in a two pack? Why, yes. Yes we do. Thank you Costco. I told myself if I didn’t like it, I’d…who am I kidding, I knew I’d like it. And I did. I liked an entire jar of it before I considered seeking treatment. Immediately I turned my love affair into a Facebook post and as I learned, I may have been one of the last people on Earth to have a taste.

But even more peculiar to me, were the few friends who did not like it! Say what? One of these friends forwarded something my way a few weeks later. Since Nutella apparently has the same effect on her as Rene Zellweger has on me, she passed on the invitation. It was an entry for an opportunity to host a mom’s breakfast for 10, sponsored by…you guessed it, Nutella. She convinced me…not so tough to do…to enter to win this breakfast party. So I did, and I was one of many moms chosen. I immediately invited the mothers in the neighborhood to my house for a “Very Nutella Breakfast.”

Me, being my mother’s daughter, cleaned the house ferociously…shortly before the start of the breakfast. My alarm was set for 4am to practice making crepes and make the house presentable. Why 4am, you ask? Easy, because I’m a mom… and that was literally the only time I could find. Cut to me, focusing solely on when I will get the kitchen floor mopped before everyone arrives. I’m not sure what it is about the kitchen floor, but in my mother’s house, a kitchen wasn’t clean until the floor was mopped…by hand. I skipped the ‘by hand’ part and once everything was set…the floor was mopped.

Nutella had sent coupons, coffee mugs, recipes and a big fat jar of the good stuff for all of the guests.

The ladies had breakfast, coffee and conversation. I had company, a husband watching my children and confidence that making a crepe was not as hard as it sounds. Considering I occasionally let my children have pancakes and syrup, Nutella isn’t a bad substitute…but for the most part, it’s used as a friend to keep my pretzels and graham crackers company. 


Yes, I made this. It's bananas and Nutella wrapped in a nice warm crepe.