"The Frontiersman's Daughter", by Laura Frantz

At first glance, this book looks to be an easy, enjoyable read. However, within the first twenty pages, I found myself struggling to stick with the story. (The language of this book is "settler-English" and at times is difficult to follow the sentence structure.) All that to say, I actually enjoyed the book quite a bit.

The story of a girl, the first child born over the Gap in Kentucke Territory, "The Frontiersman's Daughter" is a story of loves, life, and learning. Lael Click, daughter of the famed frontiersman, Ezekiel Click, is coming of age in a world full of trouble. Injuns lurk in the woods. Settlers bicker and feud over land. Love comes at a cost.

As she writes this story, Frantz brings the reader into the 18th century. The vivid details of clothing, homes, and customs pulls the reader into the setting of the story. Though the reading isn't easy, the story is deep and gripping. You'll find yourself wanting to read more, taking your time to understand what is going on in Lael Click's life.

I do best when stressed...

... well, sort of. I find that I am able to get the most amount accomplished in the least amount of time when I have multiple looming "deadlines" all at the same time.

Like right now.

The next three weeks are going to be insanely crazy as far as my time is concerned. I'm starting a "new job" on Monday (8/30) - thankfully it's a "work when you have time, as you have time" job. BECAUSE, we leave to go camping for four days/three nights on Friday (9/5). THEN, I have a three day turn around (maybe) before heading back to the great state of Michigan (the "maybe" is because maybe we'll never make it back to Indiana and just hang around MI all week - if so, that will require some more planning on my part this coming week) for another four day/three night stint. THEN, we start school the next day (9/14). AND Ladies' Bible Study at FBC starts that Wednesday (9/16).

Did you stay with me on all of that?

The GOOD NEWS is that in the last 24 hours, I have been WAYYYY productive towards getting things accomplished for all of these (or some of these, at least) activities that I need to plan for.

I have picked out (and gotten approved) a "curriculum" for my Wednesday Bible study that starts on 9/16. I have an announcement ready for the PowerPoint at Church tomorrow morning, and I will be making an announcement during the service to promote it.

I have a list started for packing for camping. I found, and dragged out of storage, our tents, sleeping bags, air mattresses, camping chairs, and hot dog forks. I tested my cooler to determine if all my "cold food" will fit. I have my shopping lists ready to get the odds and ends I still need for next weekend. I have my meals planned, my dish list done, and I think I'm good til at least Wednesday on trying to plan for the trip to Muskegon.

What do I still need to accomplish this coming week? I have a stack of books that needs to be read and reviewed (deadlines during the first couple of weeks of September) - I've been getting through about one a day the past couple of days. I have school plans to finalize and prepare specifics for the first week of school (printing worksheets, putting together games/puzzles, etc). I need to study and prepare for my Bible study now that I know what I'll be teaching. I need to do my "homework" for my "job" before my webinar on Monday night. I have to figure out what we're doing between 9/7 and 9/10 - staying in MI? where? coming home? etc.

I'm sure there's more that needs to get done, and I'm sure the list will continue to grow even after I accomplish all of that, but, like I said before: "I do best when stressed!"

Q4U: What's on your plate this coming week? Do you do better when you have lots of things going at once? Or when you can focus on one thing at a time? What's the busiest season/time of year in your life? What can I pray about for you over the next couple of weeks? I'd love to hear your thoughts on these questions and/or anything else you might have to say!

"Dawn's Prelude", by Tracie Peterson

Tracie Peterson is quickly becoming a favorite author of mine. She continues to produce such incredible books, it's hard not to enjoy her.

And this first book in her newest series, "Song of Alaska" is no different. The vivid detail of the late 1800s, the depth of the characters' lives and stories, the engaging story holding you hostage even long after you've finished the book. I can't wait til the book in the series comes out!

One of the things I have come to appreciate in Tracie's writing is her ability to address questions of faith without coming across in a "preachy" manner, and this book is no exception to that. Throughout the book, several of the character voice their questions about trusting God to one another in a similar way that you or I might address such questions. Time and time again, the answers are the simple truths of Scripture.

This story starts with trouble - a forced, abusive marriage ending abruptly due to death - and trials continue throughout. Lydia Gray has finally escaped her abusive marriage of the past 12 years and has run off to live with her aunt in the newly acquired property of the USA, known as Alaska. In Alaska, she finds the unthinkable - God's love & the true love of a man. However, her past manages to find her, and things quickly escalate from bad to worse. Will God prove Himself faithful to her yet again? Will He answer her prayers the way she wants to see them answered?

This is an edge-of-your seat "easy" read that all historical/inspirational fiction readers will enjoy! Pick it up at your local bookstore or library today!!

We're Tent Camping - We Need YOUR Help!!!

A week from today, we are headed up to Muskegon State Park (in MI) to camp with a bunch of people from our church over the holiday weekend. We were originally going to be taking my grandpa's trailer (fully stocked sans food and personal items), but plans have changed, and now we are going to be tent camping.

We have a tent. It's an 8 person tent that we bought on clearance(?) at a Coleman Outlet a few months after we got married four years ago. We've never opened the box. I had thought about trying it out this weekend, but due to the rain in the forecast, I don't think that's probably going to be happening.

We have hot dog forks. An ABUNDANCE of hot forks. We were given a bunch by J's parents when they were in the process of down-sizing a few years ago. I think we've used them 2-3 times since we've lived here in Indiana.

We have an air mattress & pump. J & I will be sleeping on it. Jenny will probably sleep on a sleeping bag (we have one of those, I think), & David will be sleeping in the pack'n'play.

We have cornhole/yard toss/bags. Whatever you want to call it. We have card games.

What else do we need? What are good camping meals? What is a good way to keep milk, eggs, etc cold while tent camping? What dishes should we bring for cooking, eating, etc?

It's been a while since either of us has been camping (since before we were married), and neither of us has ever been "in charge" of the details around the trip. Usually we just showed up, helped carry stuff, and camped. We know how to build fires, cook over a fire, put up a tent, etc.

Two of the meals while we're there will be "group meals" (Saturday supper and Sunday lunch), but we're on our own for the rest of the meals. I'm thinking...

Breakfast: cereal, egg/sausage scramble (precooked - just reheat), coffee (I think I'm going to take our coffee maker), milk
Lunch: sandwiches (meat, jelly, PB), fruit, chips, juice, pop
Dinner: coney dogs (per J's request)
Snacks: stuff for s'mores (marshmallows, chocolate, graham crackers), chips, cookies
Drinks: pop, milk, juice, water, coffee

I think I need a total of 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 1 dinner (since we'll probably grab fast food on the way up Friday night). That's actually not as bad as I thought. Hmm... maybe writing it all down was a good idea!

Let's see... dishes? Cereal bowls (4), a pan for cooking/reheating over the fire, coffee mugs (2), cups for kids (2-4), pop cups (2), utensils (set of 3 + spoon for David), plates (4). Any suggestions on washing methods? Should I take two wash tubs (one to wash, one to rinse) or can I get away with a dish wand and a spigot?

Should we take a clothesline/rope to hang wet stuff? Is there usually a spot on the site for this? I can't remember. We have a TON of firewood out back in our yard. Is it ok to take with us rather than paying for firewood at the campground? I know you're not supposed to move wood due to the Ash Beetle or whatever it is, but I also don't want to have to pay jacked up prices due to supply/demand. I do plan to take my own kindling (newspaper) & lighters.

What would you say is the best way to pack for a tent vacation? Crates/totes or suitcases? I'm partial to open containers on longer trips, personally, but is that the best way to tent camp?

Okay, I think I've pondered "out loud" long enough. I'd love to hear any and all input you might be able to share with me over the next couple of days as I plan out my course of action. Thanks so much!! Also, you can feel free to email at ashleypichea(at)gmail(dot)com if you have lengthy responses that you'd rather not leave as a comment.

"A Surrendered Heart", by Tracie Peterson & Judith Miller

When I was given the opportunity to review another book by Tracie Peterson, I jumped at the chance. I remembered enjoying her detailed story telling and engaging plots when I had the chance to review her book "A Dream to Call My Own" back in June.

This book, co-authored with Judith Miller, did not disappoint. Once again, I found myself lost in the story, anxious to turn the page to reveal more of the plot. I found myself lost in the characters, hoping and wishing alongside each of them.

I couldn't wait to see how the story would end. As I came closer and closer to the end of the book, I sat on the edge of my seat in anticipation. Would the story end "happily ever after" or would evil prevail? Would Amanda be stuck in a loveless and abusive marriage? Would she find a way out?

If you are a lover of historical fiction and love a good romance with a Christian theme mixed throughout just right, you will fall in love with this book.

This book is the third in "The Broadmore Legacy" series these two ladies have co-authored. I can't wait to read the first two and many other books by these ladies.

Hump day is over...

We're over the hump. This week is going by fast, and yet it feels like it's dragging. I guess it doesn't help that I've been miserable most of the week thus far due to the nasty itch on my arms, leg, and stomach.

Thankfully (hopefully I won't reverse it now), the rash seems to be healing. Even if I did take meds incorrectly to get it to do so. I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to take more than one Claritin or Zyrtec a day. I've been taking 2-3 a day for the past couple of days. Thankfully, the only side effect (supposedly) is drowsiness - and who can't use a nap, right? (Especially considering my insomnia last week.) Anyways, the oozing has slowed at least, and the itch isn't as bad during the majority of the day.

Anyways, since it's already 9:30pm, and I've taken one Zyrtec and one Claritin each today, I'm a little less than wide awake right now. So, it's time for Ashley's Rambles...

#1 - I got a job. Well, sort of. It's a consultant position for a homeschool curriculum-ish company. It was totally out of the blue, and I'm pretty excited about it! I have to do a webinar on Monday night, and then I think I'm official!

#2 - David turns ONE a month from tomorrow. My baby isn't a baby anymore. He is in to EVERYTHING, and thus has been confined to his crib quite a bit this week. He managed to figure out how to climb out of his walker, and the high chair (even with a seat belt) is not a challenge to him. The only things left for him to master are the pack'n'play (which he's pretty close on) and the crib (which I've not seen him attempt yet, thankfully). You should see the look on his face when he knows he's mastered the "no-no"!

#3 - My calendar is sitting open on the counter next to me. I need to organize my book reviews and such so that I make sure I'm making enough time to get the books read and reviewed before my deadlines. I think I need to start color coordinating my calendar, and possibly expanding my calendar to be a weekly calendar in addition to the monthly one I'm using now. We'll see how this goes.

#4 - I've been putting off shopping all week. I have my CVS list made, coupons pulled, and deals determined. I'm going to make money this week AND get some needed items for my stockpile. (I have no shampoo/conditioner stockpiled for myself - I'm picky - and Aveeno is having a sale at CVS this week.) PLUS, I desperately need to go to Aldi and restock my pantry (it's been pretty bare for over a month now) AND I need to restock at Owens (major Kroger-wide sales going on) AND we're out of bread again. So, maybe tomorrow I'll break down and leave the house? I'd really rather do it all sans kids... anybody want my kids for a couple of hours tomorrow???

#5 - This is going to be it for tonight - I know, I'm never this "quiet". Anyways... I just have to say that I have an awesome hubbie! Last night, the dishes were stacking up and needed to be washed (all our cereal bowls were dirty, as well as all of David's cups), but due to my nasty rash oozing everywhere, I didn't think it'd be too sanitary to stick my hands in the water to wash the dishes. I asked him if he'd be willing to wash if I rinsed and stacked (he doesn't like attempting to stack more than a meal or two worth of dishes, whereas I'm a stacking pro), and he graciously agreed. What a man!

Q4U: What's something "great" your significant other (if you don't have one, any family member or friend will work) has done for you lately? What "great" thing have you done for someone lately? I'd love to hear your responses to any/all of this questions as well as any other random thoughts you'd like to share!

Good Night, World!

A triple re-play...

WaterBrook Press gave me the opportunity to participate in their "Back-to-School Fiction" blog tour that is featuring three books this week.

Book one is "Rose House" by Tina Ann Forkner:

A vivid story of a private grief, a secret painting, and one woman’s search for hope.
Still mourning the loss of her family in a tragic accident, Lillian Diamon finds herself drawn back to the Rose House, a quiet cottage where four years earlier she had poured out her anguish among its fragrant blossoms.

She returns to the rolling hills and lush vineyards of the Sonoma Valley in search of something she can’t quite name. But then Lillian stumbles onto an unexpected discovery: displayed in the La Rosaleda Gallery is a painting that captures every detail of her most private moment of misery, from the sorrow etched across her face to the sandals on her feet.

What kind of artist would dare to intrude on such a personal scene, and how did he happen to witness Lillian’s pain? As the mystery surrounding the portrait becomes entangled with the accident that claimed the lives of her husband and children, Lillian is forced to rethink her assumptions about what really happened that day.

A captivating novel rich with detail, Rose House explores how the brushstrokes of pain can illuminate the true beauty of life.

I wasn't all that impressed by this book, although the ending was definitely not what I would have expected. I found myself "bored" within the first few chapters, though I will say that the story line got more interesting as the story went on. It's a fast and easy read - and overall, the book was good.

The second book is "The Confidential Life of Eugenia Cooper", by Kathleen Y'Barbo:

The future is clearly mapped out for New York socialite Eugenia “Gennie” Cooper, but she secretly longs to slip into the boots of her favorite dime-novel heroine and experience just one adventure before settling down. When the opportunity arises, Gennie jumps at the chance to experience the Wild West, but her plans go awry when she is drawn into the lives of silver baron Daniel Beck and his daughter and finds herself caring for them more than is prudent–especially as she’s supposed to go back to New York and marry another man.

As Gennie adapts to the rough-and-tumble world of 1880s Colorado, she must decide whether her future lies with the enigmatic Daniel Beck or back home with the life planned for her since birth. The question is whether Daniel’s past–and disgruntled miners bent on revenge–will take that choice away from her.

This was a fun and easy read. The story is well written and makes for an enjoyable read. The book is "light" (doesn't take much out of you as a reader) and has an interesting method of meshing two stories into one.

The final book in this blog tour is "The Sweetgum Ladies: Knit for Love" by Bath Patillo":

Once a month, the six women of the Sweetgum Knit Lit Society gather to discuss books and share their knitting projects. Inspired by her recently-wedded bliss, group leader Eugenie chooses “Great Love Stories in Literature” as the theme for the year’s reading list–a risky selection for a group whose members span the spectrum of age and relationship status.

As the Knit Lit ladies read and discus classic romances like Romeo and Juliet, Wuthering Heights, and Pride and Prejudice, each member is confronted with her own perception about love. Camille’s unexpected reunion with an old crush forces her to confront conflicting desires. Newly widowed Esther finds her role in Sweetgum changing and is surprised by two unlikely friends. Hannah isn’t sure she’s ready for the trials of first love. Newcomer Maria finds her life turned upside-down by increasing family obligations and a handsome, arrogant lawyer, and Eugenie and Merry are both asked to make sacrifices for their husbands that challenge their principles.

Even in a sleepy, southern town like Sweetgum, Tennessee, love isn’t easy. The Knit Lit ladies learn they can find strength and guidance in the novels they read, the love of their family, their community–and especially in each other.

I haven't had the chance to read this book yet, but based on the above summary provided by the publisher, I look forward to enjoying the read.

"The Knight", by Steven James

(Post was written a few weeks back when I received this book in the mail.)

It's 2:05 am.

When I checked the mailbox this morning (actually, yesterday morning, now), I had yet another book in the mail that needed to be read and reviewed. I think my stack is close to 15 books now that are waiting to be read/reviewed.

When I pulled the book out of the envelope, the first thing I noticed was the thickness/heaviness of the book. That immediately got my attention, as heavier books usually mean a more in-depth story. Then, I turned the book over to read the back...

"FBI Agent Patrick Bowers is used to tracking the country's most dangerous killers, but now it looks like a killer is tracking him. Bowers faces a race against time to decipher who the next victim will be and to stop the final shocking murder - which he's beginning to believe might be his own... Gritty, chilling, and intense, this psychological thriller is guaranteed to keep you up all night."

Let's just say that the book immediately had my attention.

I tried to read it throughout the afternoon, but the kids were too needy and distracting. So, as soon as they went to bed, I got comfy. A few hours later, it was time for me to hit the sack.

Half an hour later, I was still wide awake with no sleep in the near future. My brain was trying to figure out where the book would go next and how it would end. So I got back up. And three hours later, I've finished the book.

Let's just say I'm going to be looking for more books by this author. Steven James is an incredible story teller. The twists and turns in this book will leave you guessing and amazed. Though I had my ideas about how the end would come (and I can usually get pretty close), I my top choices were busts (though I did suspect the killer correctly at one point in the story). A great story with numerous twists and turns. I can't wait to read the next one - and the two prior to this one in the series - this is book three of "The Bowers Files".

Available August 2009 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

***Disclaimer: The graphic description of the crime scenes are not for the faint of heart, but I know many of you will enjoy this book as much as I did. If you like CSI and/or other similar shows, you should be able to handle this book.

(Mom & Aimee - you will both thoroughly enjoy this book and others by this author!)

Itchy & oozy...

...well, at least my poison ivy is. But you didn't really want to know that, did you?

Anyways...

We are at my parents' house this weekend. We drove up to Battle Creek on Friday night when J got home from work. J & my dad are golfing this afternoon.

I got a pretty good deal on Huggies wipes this afternoon at Walgreens. I had to get some stuff for my poison ivy - hydrocortisone cream and something to wrap it with for church tomorrow - and decided to see if I could do the deal I'd seen online earlier in the week. I got 7 tubs of wipes for $5.12 (after taxes)! I love Huggies wipes, so I really wanted to get some at this GREAT price! Thanks to the coupon in the "Back-to-School" flier at the front of the store, I was able to get $2 off each tub of Huggies (regularly priced at $3.29) AND, I got a $5 RR coupon for buying $25 in one transaction, which I was then able to use to buy the stuff for my poison ivy. It'd been awhile since I'd been to Walgreens, and this was an exciting first time back!!

I'm pretty distracted right now, and I'm having trouble thinking of things to write about.

I'd love to hear from you... what great deals you got this week, what you're doing this weekend, whatever is on your mind!

To WIC or not to WIC...

...that is the question.

First, some of you might be asking "What in the world is 'WIC'?" so I want to take a minute to explain to you what it is before I start debating it. WIC stands for Women, Infants, and Children. It's a nutritional program for pregnant/nursing mothers and children through age five. WIC is a government program that provides nutritional instruction and helps qualifying families by supplementing parts of their diet with vouchers.

The question has been raised to me: "Should Christians participate in WIC?"

My answer (and please remember that this is solely my opinion) is that each family should decide whether or not to participate based on their individual situation.

In general, however, I see no problem with Christians participating in WIC. If your family qualifies for WIC assistance, for whatever reason, I see WIC as a form of provision from God.

We all pay taxes. Part of our taxes go towards making WIC possible. As a contributing tax-payer, I feel I have the right to benefit from my taxes. (Isn't that what we pay taxes for anyways?) However, I do NOT feel that WIC (or any government program) should become a "way of life" for anybody. Nobody should be allowed to live solely off "government handouts". We all need to do our part to contribute.

Our family has benefited from WIC two different times.

The first time was when we were living on support we'd raised to serve at CFS for a year. We had no true income (just the gifts people had given us before we left for Wisconsin), and WIC helped to provide essential foods (milk, cheese, eggs, formula, etc) that significantly reduced our expenses. In Wisconsin, we were exceptionally pleased with the staff at the local WIC office. They were pleasant to deal with, timely with appointments, and generally helpful.

We transferred our WIC to Warsaw when we moved to Indiana, and we noticed a drastic change in the way we were treated and "helped". Once we both were able to find steady jobs (about six months after moving here), we left the WIC program as we were no longer needing the "extra help" and did not find that the help we were getting was worth the hassle of getting it.

However, when we made the decision for me to stay home with the kids after David was born, we decided it would be beneficial to reapply for WIC assistance. Our experience with WIC here in Indiana is not what it was in Wisconsin, but I've come to appreciate what the assistance allows (even with the hassles). Being able to participate in WIC has made it easier for me to be able to be home with the kids, which is something we feel is important. Could we get by without WIC, even with me staying home? Yes, but it would make things like supporting missionary friends, contributing to the budget of our local church (tithe/offering), spending time with our families, saving for retirement, saving for a house, and paying off debt (all of which we feel are very important) much more difficult.

Is WIC for everyone? No. Is it for us? At this time in our lives, it is.

Additional thought: It was asked if WIC was okay to use in case of adoption. WIC looks at the household, not the family unit, for qualifying purposes, so if you have adopted children in your home, they would qualify if your household qualifies. Should you adopt if you know you'll have to use WIC to do so? That's a question you'll have to answer for yourself. We are hoping to adopt in the next few years (I'll talk more about this in a future post). I don't know what our financial situation will look like when we are able to do so, but we'll have to evaluate the situation when we get there.

Q4U: Are you pro-WIC or anti-WIC? Do you have experiences with WIC that you'd like to share? What are your thoughts about the topic? I'd love to hear your feedback on this topic as well as any ideas you might have for future topics!

Bubbles and Bibles

So, in the midst of my inability to sleep last night, I found myself drawing a bubble map of possible blog topics... all somehow stemming from the clutter oozing from the brain. Topics for future posts included:

*Crushes
*WIC
*Adoption
*The lost art of...
*Tick, Tock (goes the clock)
*Weekly meme
*How-To tutorials

Do any of these topics look interesting to you? Would you like to read my thoughts on any/all of the above? What other topics would you like to see me discuss? Are there specific topics within one of the above that you'd like to read about? I'd love some input as to what you'd like to read (since you are the ones reading this)!

In other news, since I woke up at 5:12am this morning (not on purpose, might I add), I decided that God must have decided he wanted me to start the 90-day Bible reading challenge after all. I was going to wait and start it next time Brent decided to do it, since I was already half a day behind when I found out about it. Tif managed to convince me last to at least think about doing it this time, even if I was a couple days behind getting started. So, I spent a half hour reading through part of Genesis this morning (until it was time to get in the shower), and I'll probably read some more later in order to "catch up". I jotted my thoughts down as I went, and I came up with some pretty interesting things:

*3.6-7 Understanding all is NOT always a good thing!
*3.15 First declaration of war: comes from God
*3.21 God made them leather clothes...
*4.1 They must have sinned almost immediately after Creation since they're just now sleeping together!
*5.32 Were Noah's sons triplets?
*12.16-19 Men can have multiple wives, but women can only have one husband.
*16.2 What man wouldn't have agreed?!
*19.6 Sometimes God has to speed up our timetable to match His!

This is not a comprehensive list, but just some food for thought. It's fun to keep a running list of observations and questions when you read a part of the Bible... it challenges you to dig deeper and think about what you're actually reading!

Feel free to join us on the 90-Day Challenge!

"Offworld", by Robin Parrish

When I first picked this book up, I wasn't sure if I was going to like it. It's a self-declared "sci-fi" book, and I'm not too keen on "sci-fi". But one chapter into it, and I was hooked.

Parrish has an incredible talent for writing and drawing the reader into the story. Without over-writing, Parrish manages to make it possible for the reader to "be there", taking part of the story as it unfolds.

I found myself thinking multiple times that this book should be made into a movie. It holds the reader on the edge of his/her seat from the opening chapter to the last page.

Excerpt from the back of the book: "Commander Christopher Burke and his crew are humanity's greatest explorers. They've finished their mission on the red dirt of Mars and now they just want to get back to Earth. To see friends, family, and loved ones. To be home. But even with communication to ground control cut and a perilous landing, nothing could prepare the crew for what they discover when they step foot back on planet Earth."

A great story with great writing. This is a must read for all suspense lovers!

1, 2, 3... and then some

Insomnia has taken over my body. And, for some odd reason, I want to run the A/C 24/7. I hate A/C most of the time (and have for years).

Random thoughts oozing out...

#1 - I want to figure out how to make my blog look the way I want it to and do the things I'd like it to do. I think I might work on that over the next few weeks/months.

#2 - I love my food processor. I just wish I had a smaller one (handheld grinder) and a bigger one (more than 2 cups).

#3 - I'm really tired (due to my insomnia). I'm thinking I might investigate purchasing some Tylenol PM or something. I could really use the help getting to sleep at night.

#4 - I need to go to CVS today (since the 3-day sale ends today and they have really cheap Pepsi this week), but since I'm so tired, I really don't want to drag the kids along. Plus, I need to go to the bank (and can't just go through the drive-through) and should probably go to the library.

#5 - The next three weeks are going to be LONG. J is in training for his job - moving up to the next level - and thus his hours are switched from Sun-Wed to Mon-Fri. When you're not used to having to be Mommy all alone five days a week with nothing to do any of those days, it makes for a very long week. At least when he's on his normal shift, Sundays are spoken for, really leaving me with just three days to have to come up with a game plan.

#6 - Have I mentioned that I'm tired? I'm thinking I am probably going to end up napping while the kids nap in a bit. Unfortunately, that will just prolong the insomnia. I have issues falling asleep at night when I've napped during the day.

#7 - We're going "home" this weekend! J is playing golf with a group of men from "my church" (w/ my dad) on Saturday afternoon, so we're headed to BC for the weekend. (Yes, Sara - David will be there on Sunday.)

#8 - Jenny brought me her MagnaDoodle this morning with a "perfect" (it was pretty close to being perfect) number two drawn on it. "Look Mommy! I drew a four!" I corrected her as to which number it was, and then she proceeded to draw the number two a few more times.

#9 - I forgot to get the newspaper on Sunday, so I didn't get any coupons this week. Anyone wanting to donate their inserts are more than welcome to do so. (Actually, you're more than welcome to do so ANY week - whether I remembered to get my papers or not!)

#10 - I'm finally making some headway on my pile of books that are needing to be read! I got a new one yesterday. I'm down to 8 needing to be read and reviewed. But, I have another 10 or so on their way to me, I'm pretty sure. My book collection is growing like crazy!

And that, my friends, is about all the brain clutter I'm going to allow to ooze out for now.

P.S. Today's the "Remember When: High School" meme I was talking about a few weeks ago. I'd love to hear what your high school memories are! Leave me a comment with your thoughts!

Following the breadcrumbs...

Saturday morning, I was sitting at the kitchen counter having my "Bible time" (that's what I tell Jenny I'm doing when I'm having my devos), and I had a "brilliant idea" pop into my head - completely unrelated to what I was doing at the time. I hit the "pause button" on my devo time and grabbed a scrap piece of paper and jotted down my idea along with a few sketches to help me remember what I was thinking, then hit "play" on my devo time.

When I was done with my devos, I grabbed the scrap paper and headed into the den/office room to see if I could find some supplies that I would need to attempt to create the idea I had. This is what I found...

See my desk hiding in there? That's where I do all my scrapbooking and stamping. Can you tell why I haven't done any in almost two years?











Looking at the mess that was the den/office, I decided that it would be a good day to tackle the room. We had gotten a phone call from the Salvation Army earlier in the week letting us know they'd have a truck at Owens on Saturday, and I had two boxes of stuff from our garage sale earlier this summer that was sitting in this room just waiting to be taken to charity. So I moved those boxes in front of the door, so we HAD to do something with them!























Then I started to break down all the empty boxes we had sitting around the room - somehow we had declared this room to be "storage", and we tend to "store" empty boxes.

Once I had some room to work, I sorted through the boxes of baby clothes to determine what I could take to sell at the Kids Market next month, what I really wanted to keep, and what I could add to the boxes going to SalVal.

















At one point, I found an old bank and ended up spending a few minutes sorting coins and bagging them to take to the bank this week to add to the kids' savings accounts.

I finally "finished" around 3:00pm (not quite sure what time I actually started, and I had a few breaks throughout to take care of the kids and whatnot). I still have a few things that need to find new homes, but the room (and my desk!!) are now useable again!!!


































Eventually, the office stuff in this room will be relocated to the dining room (since we don't actually use it as such) and this will become David's room. But, for now, it's actually a useable work space again, and we are THRILLED!!

Q4U: What room in your house needs a major overhaul, sorting, etc? What is one thing you'd like to be able to get out of your house?

"Pirate Hunter", by Tom Morrisey

Tom Morrisey expertly blends two stories from two different worlds into a page-turning adventure you won't want to put down!

Ted, from the 18th century, finds himself aboard a pirate ship. Befriended by the pirate captain, he begins learning the skills of a navigator. He falls in love with a beautiful girl on the island of Tortola, and begins to work towards making her his wife.

Greg, in the 21st century, is a treasure hunting marine biologist. He gets a job with a company in Key West who has just found a new sunken ship site. He finds himself in the water alongside a beautiful girl who has stolen his heart.

Tom Morrisey has an incredible talent in his ability to weave these stories together. Not once did I find myself wondering if I was in the 18th or 21st century - the style of each story was unique in itself, making the difference intuitive.

This book is a must read for any reader who loves a good adventure-thriller with a touch of romance. I will definitely be looking for more books by Tom Morrisey!

"Through the Fire", by Shawn Grady

A suspense thriller about a firefighter.

Great story line.

Grady keeps you guessing until the end.

Although my initial reaction to the book was that it was too wordy (the descriptions and details made it hard to find the meat of the story at first), the further I got into the book, the faster I wanted to read. I found myself on the edge of my seat wanting to figure out the answers to the "Who? What? Why? How?" of the book.

Aiden O'Neill ("A-O") lost his father to a fire five years ago, and he blames himself for his father's death. When a string of fires begins to show signs of being set by the same arsonist who was responsible for his father's death, A-O and his friends find themselves as the targets.

This was a quick (once I figured out how to get around the wordiness) read and a good one! I look forward to reading future books from Shawn Grady.

"What's He Really Thinking?", by Paula Rinehart

This book required me to have my pencil nearby (most of the time in my hand ready to underline, mark, and comment in the margins) as I read it. A "quick" read - less than 200 pages - but FULL of wisdom and truth. Paula has 30 years of marriage experience, and that coupled with her counseling experience, she has gotten to know the inside of a man's head - at least as well as any woman can. What she shares in this book is more than enough to enhance any man/woman relationship if taken to heart and applied properly.

Paula breaks the book into two sections: "Understanding the Man You Love" and "Loving the Man You Understand". In order to truly love a man (in any sense of the word), you must first understand him. Paula shows women how to better understand the men in their lives, bringing them to a greater love for the men.

This is a book I will come to time and time again. I will use it as a reference, and I will use it as a reminder. If you have a man (whether father, son, brother, friend, husband, etc.) in your life - which we all have at least one - you should definitely read this book! It will change how you interact with the other sex.

I love Thursdays!

Why Thursday, you ask? Because Thursday to me is like Saturday to most of the world, only I get two more "Saturdays" after Thursday each week. Since J works Sunday through Wednesday, Thursday is our "take it slow and easy" day. We don't get up til the kids get us up (and I try to put them to bed "late" on Wednesday nights to delay the waking up process in the morning), then we lounge around in our pjs all morning and drink lots of coffee - I'm on my third mug of the morning.

Anyways, I could ramble on for hours this morning, I think, but I just want to leave you with a few thoughts from my quiet time this morning:

"One of the biggest discoveries of a [person's] life is learning to differentiate between the concepts of happiness and joy. Happiness is... temporal. Joy is different. It comes from having Jesus in your heart."

"Jesus did not die on the cross to make sure that you were happy, but rather to ensure that you would have the joy of knowing and glorifying Him."

"The secret to everlasting joy (instead of temporary happiness) is choosing to be content in Christ whatever his wishes, whatever the circumstances."

Some great thoughts from my devotional book ("Praying for Purpose for Women", by Katie Brazelton). I'd love to hear where they take you today!

"The Enclave", by Karen Hancock

Bizarre.

That's the only word I can think of to describe it. I've never heard of a Christian Sci-Fi genre, but this book would definitely fit into it. I kept having flashblacks to last week when I watched "The Incredible Hulk".

The book was well-written, and the story line was well-developed, but it was definitely NOT what I was expecting from the summary on the back cover.

I probably won't read any other books by this author, simply because I'm not a fan of sci-fi. If you like sci-fi, however, you'd probably very much enjoy this book.

A look at my counter...

I know, I know. It's not exactly the most thrilling topic ever, but hey. It's random and it's what came to mind as I sat here in front of the computer trying to come up with a random topic to write about. So, let me take you on a tour of the counter space closest to me.

To the far left (next to the stove), there is a folded in half Kohl's ad that we got in the mail today. Jenny asked me if there was any mail for her when I came in from the mail box, so I ripped off my 30% off coupon and gave the rest of the ad to her to play with. The ad is laying on the edge of the counter since that's where Jenny left it.

On the far left, next to the wall, is the toaster. It's white. It has a sticker on it that I think was intended by the manufacturer to be taken off before use, but we were only ever able to get part of it off, so the top right corner of it is still on the toaster. It says: "Auto safety ...off". The toaster probably needs to be cleaned.

Next to the toaster is my coupon box. It's piled up with randomness - a loose crayon that I confiscated from Jenny after she decided to color on the fridge, counters, and floor on Saturday; coupons I've gotten over the past couple of days that need to be cataloged and filed; and a journal entry that I wrote on a loose piece of paper that needs to find it's way to my journal.

In front of the coupon box (closest to the edge) is my "Everything Binder", my calendar, a postcard for Kids Market, my lesson planning file folder, a few blog post printouts, and Jenny's juice cup - all in a pile. Most of those things are pretty self explanatory, I would imagine. The "Everything Binder" is where I normally keep: my calendar, my coupon database printout, my rebate submissions, my CVS and WAGS spending records (I keep track of every transaction: amt spent, amt saved, Qs used, ECB back, etc), a scratch pad, a daily schedule (that I don't actually follow), my Bible memory verses (although this is currently in my journal, to help remind me to look at it every day), and some other odds and ends. I think I will eventually fashion a bag that will allow me to have this binder with me whenever I leave the house... right now, my current bag/purse is too small.

Next to the pile is the phone from the living room, a pile of tampons I got in the mail today (free sample), along with the lotion sample I also got in the mail today, and a coaster. The coaster came from Japan.

Behind those items (closest to the wall) are my stapler, three-hole punch, and a random binder with filler paper. I'm not quite sure why I have that binder there. It's been awhile since it found a home there, and it probably should find a different home with the rest of our empty binders.

Next on the counter is my computer stand. The obvious things on it are: the monitor, speakers, and CPU. The keyboard and mouse are under it on the computer. I also have a pile of receipts on the front/left corner of the stand under a candle holder - these are receipts for transactions I'm waiting to clear my bank account and/or ones I need to hold on to in case I need to return something. There is a random doll's bow sitting behind that pile, along with a note with the totals from my last OCP contribution. To the right of the monitor, I have a USB hub (4 ports), another small candle (Hazelnut), an envelope with my expired Qs sorted by food/non-food, and a bunch of random file folders that I've brought out of the den over the past couple of months (a scrap paper folder with paper for Jenny to color on, a stack of scrap paper to print Qs on, Jenny's reading list for the library, a folder with magazine articles I've saved, a folder with our IRA information that needs to go back in the den files, a random notebook, an ad for Grace College's GOAL program, my cleaning list that hasn't surfaced in a good six months, my Vindale research folder which also hasn't been touched in months, a wedding invitation, and a few other random sheets of paper). Under the computer stand is a myriad of cords and a power strip.

On the far right, next to the CPU's side of the computer stand, is my Brother laser printer. It's a beauty. I got it for "free" and it will save me SO much money over the next several years (especially since we're homeschooling).

Our phone charger is running along the top of the printer and is hanging down in front of it, where my cell phone and the living room TV remote are sitting.

And that, my friends, is a look at my counter - at least the one closest to me and the one I sit at the most.

Q4U: What's on your counter? Do you spend much time at your kitchen counter? Where do you spend most of your computer time? I'd love to take a tour of your counter space!

"The Friends We Keep", by Sarah Zacharias Davis & "40 Minute Bible Studies", by Kay Arthur

This week's blog tour includes books from Waterbrook Press. Here is a synopsis of each of them.

During a particularly painful time in her life, Sarah Zacharias Davis learned how delightful–and wounding–women can be in friendship. She saw how some friendships end badly, others die slow deaths, and how a chance acquaintance can become that enduring friend you need.

The Friends We Keep is Sarah’s thoughtful account of her own story and the stories of other women about navigating friendship. Her revealing discoveries tackle the questions every woman asks:

• Why do we long so for women friends?
• Do we need friends like we need air or food or water?
• What causes cattiness, competition, and co-dependency in too many friendships?
• Why do some friendships last forever and others only a season?
• How do I foster friendship?
• When is it time to let a friend go, and how do I do so?

With heartfelt, intelligent writing, Sarah explores these questions and more with personal stories, cultural references and history, faith, and grace. In the process, she delivers wisdom for navigating the challenges, mysteries, and delights of friendship: why we need friendships with other women, what it means to be safe in relationship, and how to embrace what a friend has to offer, whether meager or generous.

I read about two-thirds of this book. It had a number of points that resonated with me. I found myself thinking "she's talking about me" throughout the book. One of the bigger points in the book was that friendships are always more important to us after we "let them go" than they were while we were a part of them. I have found this to be true in my life. Another idea that struck a chord in me was the idea that we always want to be someone else's "number one". I have found this to be true time and again in my friendships, and I have too often let that jealousy separate me from the friend(s), causing us both (all) harm.

The 40 Minute Bible Study series from beloved Bible teacher Kay Arthur and the teaching staff of Precept Ministries tackles important issues in brief, easy-to-grasp lessons you can use personally or for small-group discussion. Each book in the series includes six 40-minute studies designed to draw you into God’s Word through basic inductive Bible study. There are 16 titles in the series, with topics ranging from fasting and forgiveness to prayer and worship. With no homework required, everyone in the group can work through the lesson together at the same time. Let these respected Bible teachers lead you in a study that will transform your thinking—and your life.

Titles Include:

•The Essentials of Effective Prayer •Being a Disciple: Counting the Cost

•Building a Marriage That Really Works •Discovering What the Future Holds

•Forgiveness: Breaking the Power of the Past •Having a Real Relationship with God

•How Do You Walk the Walk and Talk the Talk? •Living a Life of Real Worship

•How to Make Choices You Won’t Regret •Living Victoriously in Difficult Times

•Money & Possessions: The Quest for Contentment •Rising to the Call of Leadership

•How Do You Know God’s Your Father? •Key Principles of Biblical Fasting

•A Man’s Strategy for Conquering Temptation •What Does the Bible Say About Sex?

I received "Living Victoriously in Difficult Times" and "Rising to the Call of Leadership". I have not had a chance to read these books yet, but I look forward to incorporating them into future devotional times and Bible studies.

Sarah Zacharias Davis is a senior advancement officer at Pepperdine University, having joined the university after working as vice president of marketing and development for Ravi Zacharias International Ministries and in strategic marketing for CNN. The daughter of best-selling writer Ravi Zacharias, Davis is the author of the critically-acclaimed Confessions from an Honest Wife and Transparent: Getting Honest About Who We are and Who We Want to Be. She graduated from Covenant College with a degree in education and lives in Los Angeles, California.

Kay Arthur, executive vice president and cofounder of Precept Ministries International has worked with her teaching staff to create the powerful 40-Minute Bible Studies series. Kay is known around the world as a Bible teacher, author, conference speaker, and host of national radio and television programs.

The Sunday Afternoon Blahs...

It's Sunday. Which means I have been gone from my house more already today than I probably will be gone total for the rest of the week. And, it means I'm a single-mom for the next four days (unless the kids get to stay up "late" to see Daddy when he gets home from work a night or two). And, it pretty much means I'm bored and want to lay on the couch all afternoon (what else are Sundays good for) and read a book or watch movies (or just Gilmore Girls - my favorite time-killing addiction). But, I have these two little things called kids. They don't like it so much when Mommy vegges all afternoon. And, since I used their naptime to update my coupon database and check email and Facebook and whatnot, my opportunity to veg has pretty much been eliminated. They now have control of the TV, and I doubt they'd like it if Mommy disappeared for awhile to her room to read (or nap, or watch a movie, etc). They tend to like to know where Mommy is. I often hear panic cries of distress when I "forget" to tell Jenny where I'm going to be in the house if I'm not in the same room as where she last saw me - especially if I go outside or behind a closed door without telling her.

Jenny has the serious case of the munchies today. She went through two helpings of pretzels this morning during Church (and would have eaten more if the nursery worker had let her), came home and had lunch, woke up from her nap requesting a snack (which I didn't give her), and now's she asking for some "mini-wheats today". That child can eat!

Anyways... where was I? Oh yes, back to the dulldrums that are Sunday afternoons. Why is it that I think Sunday afternoons should be so lazy? I think it's because I grew up with Sunday afternoon being the one time of the week that everybody was home and that everybody was napping (even Mom & Dad). We would always come home from Church exhausted and then have to recoup for the evening service/youth group/etc. It was always the time of the week where we all crashed in front of the TV (football, baseball, etc) and dozed. So, now, all I want to do on Sunday afternoons is crash in front of the TV and watch something other than children's programming.

Q4U: What are your Sunday afternoons like? Is it a time to crash and re-energize? It is a time to get things done around the house that you aren't able to get done during the rest of the week? Do you have a special family time? Do you have to work? I'd love to hear what Sunday afternoon looks like for the rest of the world. Am I alone in wanting a veg time?

"Jess" - a High School Memory

Once again, the brain clutter has kept me from sleep. I have been exhausted all day - having trouble keeping my eyes open - and now that I actually want to sleep, I can't. My brain is going way too fast and I can't clear my head long enough to drift off into oblivion.

A few months back, I joined Eli's Lids in a "Remember Me When: Junior High" meme. I saw on her blog this week that she's doing a "Remember Me When: High School" meme on August 18th, and since my brain clutter is unusually to that end tonight, I decided to join in. So here is my "Remember Me When: High School" post, with my own little twist on it.

(I'm the second from the left in the bottom picture and the one on the left in the middle row on the top picture.)
















This picture represents a time in my life where I very much felt God at work in my life and the lives of people around me. This picture is from March 2000, just a few days after my 16th birthday. I was a sophomore in high school, and I was in one of the busiest times of the year. This picture was taken opening night of our school's play/musical that year - we did Grease. In the month or two prior to this photo being taken, God was definitely at work.

During the course of the month or so leading up to the play, God started to impress on my heart the need to pray for one of my classmates (who was also in the play). We'll just call this person "Jess" (and I won't use pronouns) for privacy purposes.

For some reason, I kept being drawn to Jess and noticing that something wasn't quite right in Jess' life. Jess seemed to be"down" (sad, withdrawn, etc) - more than was usual for Jess.

All of a sudden (or at least it seemed that way), Jess was "there" a lot more than normal. Sometimes it was physical (in the play together, class together, etc.), and sometimes it was just in my thoughts (random train of thought would lead Jess across my brain clutter, Jess would show up in my dreams, etc). I decided that I would start praying for Jess whenever I saw or thought about Jess.

After a few weeks of praying for Jess, I decided to approach Jess and invited Jess to come to church with me. Jess agreed to think about it, but never showed. I continued to pray for Jess.

One night, I was sleeping over at a friend's house as we were going to be playing together in a volleyball tournament the next morning. Just before I woke up in the morning, I had a very vivid dream, and Jess was the main character/star of it. I woke up with a weird premonition that I needed to pray extra hard for Jess that day.

We headed to the volleyball tournament in a caravan with a few other vehicles. There was another group of girls that were going to be playing volleyball, and there was a group of guys that were playing in a basketball tournament that was running simultaneously at the same site (also WOL). Since I wasn't part of the WOL group, I didn't know who else was going to be there, nor did I think twice about it. However, when we pulled into the parking lot at WMU (where the event was being held), I went to get out of the van only to see Jess looking at me from the next car over. I think I probably looked like I'd seen a ghost!

We all played our various games throughout the course of the day, and when it came time for the outreach portion of the event, I knew it was time to pray. I think I prayed for Jess the entire time the speaker was sharing the Gospel and all the way through the "altar call". Let me tell you my ELATION when I saw that Jess had gone forward to receive Christ!! I knew then, that God had put Jess on my heart for a reason. He was preparing Jess' heart to be ready to receive His salvation!

When I think back on that time in my life, so many memories come out of that one month of March: Jess accepting Christ, a fellow classmate & friend losing her life, turning 16, bomb threats at both schools I attended, the play, soccer, more. It was one of the busiest times of my high school life, but also one of the best. I saw God at work like never before, and I got to be a part of it!

"Jess", I doubt you'll ever read this. And if you do, you probably won't know it's about you. But I want you to know - God still brings you to mind regularly, and I pray for you often. I don't know if you are still walking with Him, but I pray that you are. If not, run back to Him. He is the only source of true joy in this life!

Brain clutter oozing out...

Laying in bed last night, I could have really used a brain clutter outlet. But, since I haven't been getting much sleep (I've been having problems falling asleep at night due to brain clutter and by the time I get up and rid myself of the clutter, it's pretty late), I decided to just try to make the best of it, hoping that my tiredness would beat out the brain clutter sooner than later. I think I managed to fall asleep in less than an hour, so it wasn't too bad.

Anyways... I decided that maybe I should get my brain clutter out now instead of waiting until bedtime to attempt to process all of it. That way my brain might be slightly less cluttered at bed time, allowing me a decent night's sleep. (Oh yeah, and J's work called this morning at 7:15am to see if he wanted to come in today - so that stopped my precious sleep an hour earlier than I would have otherwise liked.) So, here's the clutter in my brain today... in no particular order, only however it happens to ooze out.

#1 - I think I want to chop my hair. I finally have enough (I think) to donate again, so I'm seriously considering chopping it all off. J said I can do whatever I want as long as I don't go bald. AND, I got two $3 off coupons in the mail today to the salon I was thinking about going to (Fiesta Salon in Warsaw - cheap and only have walk-in appts). So, now I just have to figure out what I want it to look like. Any suggestions? (Links to suggested looks would be appreciated.)

#2 - My friend Heather (in CA) sent me five coupons for Electrasol in the mail! Her CVS wasn't doing the GREAT deal on it that my CVS is doing (FREE plus I could make $$!!), so she mailed her coupons to me. I couldn't find any in my stash, so I'm thinking I didn't get any in my paper. (P.S. Anyone who doesn't use all their coupons, she is collecting all extra coupons - they don't even have to be cut out - to use to build a stockpile for students at NTBI who are training to become missionaries. Let me know if you're interested and I'll get you connected!)

#3 - I got my first ever invitation to a Pampered Chef party in the mail today. I was so excited! (I love Pampered Chef!!!) And then I realized that it was on a Tuesday night, at 6:30pm. So, I can't go. (The earliest J gets home on Tuesday nights is 7pm, and there's no way I'm taking two little kids - especially mine - to a party.) Oh well. There will be others. Plus, if I don't go to the party, I don't feel obligated to spend money. And I probably shouldn't be spending money on kitchen stuff. I probably have enough. I mean, I have more than enough. Timing is everything.

#4 - I think I am going to try again with the "goals checklist". I realized today that I am neglecting a number of tasks and whatnot that should be a part of my daily routine, and I need to figure out a way to keep myself accountable to accomplishing them again. If you have any suggestions, I'd love to hear them.

#5 - I moved my coffee pot. When J built me my computer stand last Fall, it took up a portion of my kitchen counter. (He built it to do so, so that I can be on the computer and still be able to keep an eye on the kids - they play in the kitchen, living room, and toy room... all of which are visible from the computer.) But, with all my "extra stuff" (school planning stuff, coupon box, binders, miscellaneous files, etc.) that I like to have at my fingertips while I'm on the computer, I am running out of counter space near the computer. So, the coffee pot (which has always set on this section of countertop) has been relocated to another section of countertop with more space.

#6 - I just got highly distracted for about 15 minutes, and I have no idea how I managed to do so. One minute I was mid-typing on #5, and then I was leaving comments on another blog. I think it happened when J walked into the kitchen to tell me he was ready to go get lunch from McDonalds. He wanted me to print out a coupon that I had emailed him earlier in the week for free fries and drink with the purchase of one of their new Angus burgers. I had to look up the coupon location in my blog reader, and then I ended up reading all the new posts in there, commenting on the previously mentioned blog, and then getting lost for a few minutes before realizing I was mid-post. This is only a sample of my normal train of thought... the trains tend to be long and complex.

#7 - J went to get McDonald's for lunch (as I mentioned above). I really wanted a Whopper Jr. w/ Cheese, but I wanted McDonald's fries. And, since J wanted McDonald's (although he was willing to go to Burger King if I really wanted it instead), I decided I'd be okay with the subservient burger, as long I got a large fry! Hopefully the fries are as good as the ones we got Sunday night on the way home from Michigan. They were PERFECT!

Seven is the number of completion in the Bible, so I guess I'll stop at number 7 on my brain ooze for today. I would love to hear your opinions on any and/or all of my seven, as well as hear your 7. Can't wait!

Things I'd Like To Do...

As promised, here is a list of things I'd like to do. Like I said yesterday, I probably won't accomplish most of these (if any of them ever get done), but here's to wishing...

1. Learn piano well enough to be able to play for Church.
2. Learn guitar well enough to be able to play for Church.
3. Write (& have published) a book (and/or a series of books).
4. Train & run a mini-marathon.
5. Learn HTML well enough to start a blog/website design business (& work from home).
6. Declutter & simplify my life.
7. Get back in shape & join a co-ed soccer league.

What's on your "Things I'd Like To Do" list?

Top Ten Random Thoughts

All I can do today is ramble, because my head is in a fog. I think I need to start taking my allergy medicine again. I even had two mugs of coffee (not decaf, either) and I still feel foggy.

#1 - It's been a long week, and yet it's only been two days. So far, today is going MUCH better. I haven't yelled yet and Jenny hasn't been too annoying yet.

#2 - It's a short week for us!! J didn't work Sunday, since we were in Michigan for the weekend, so he only has a three day work week (ends today).

#3 - Jenny is sitting on the floor counting in Spanish. Although her pronunciations aren't quite right. It's cute!

#4 - Jenny is very excited about school. She keeps asking if she can "take this to school with me, please Mommy?" She is looking forward to all the fun times ahead! I think it might be time to start a "School Countdown Calendar". She's currently telling me: "I want to go to Homeschool right now!"

#5 - I have all my worksheets for Unit One printed and/or scanned onto the computer. I got my scanner out today and scanned all the pages from the library books I needed for the first six weeks of school. I'm not even going to start planning Unit Two until I see how Unit One is going (other than just general "here's what I want to accomplish" planning). I have two favorite books that I'm using for lesson plans right now: "Let's Read" and "Using the Standards - Numbers & Operations, Gr. K". Plus, I found a couple websites that have really good printable worksheets.

#6 - I think I might take the kids to the park today after we go to the library. Jenny asked me this morning if we could go swimming at the park today. So, if it's nice enough this afternoon, I might just comply. Aren't I a nice Mommy?!

#7 - I need some new random topics to blog about. This is not really supposed to be a blog about my family, etc. I have a blog for that. This is supposed to be a blog about randomness - a place to export my brain clutter and hone my writing skills. So, I need ideas. What would you like to see me write about?

#8 - We've actually spent a bit of time out in the yard this week. It's been nice to get outside and enjoy the yard. David loves to crawl around in the grass and eat (or at least taste) everything in sight. Jenny loves to run around the yard and play with the neighbors.

#9 - Jenny is starting to get a bit annoying. I think it might be time to get off the computer and give the little girlie some one-on-one Mommy time.

#10 - I couldn't leave off at nine - it just wouldn't be right. So, here's ten. If you come back tomorrow, I'll have a list for you of the things I want to do. I sat down one day and made a list. It will probably grow. And I'll probably never do most of the things on it. But it is what it is. And you'll have to come back tomorrow to see it!

The Hope of Refuge, by Cindy Woodsmall

Raised in foster care and now the widowed mother of a little girl, Cara Moore struggles against poverty, fear, and a relentless stalker. When a trail of memories leads Cara and Lori out of New York City toward an Amish community, she follows every lead, eager for answers and a fresh start. She discovers that long-held secrets about her family history ripple beneath the surface of Dry Lake, Pennsylvania, and it’s no place for an outsider. But one Amish man, Ephraim Mast, dares to fulfill the command he believes that he received from God–“Be me to her”– despite how it threatens his way of life.

Completely opposite of the hard, untrusting Cara, Ephraim’s sister Deborah also finds her dreams crumbling when the man she has pledged to build a life with begins withdrawing from Deborah and his community, including his mother, Ada Stoltzfus. Can the run-down house that Ada envisions transforming unite them toward a common purpose–or push Mahlon away forever? While Ephraim is trying to do what he believes is right, will he be shunned and lose everything–including the guarded single mother who simply longs for a better life?

Cindy Woodsmall is the author of When the Heart Cries, When the Morning Comes, and The New York Times Best-Seller When the Soul Mends. Her ability to authentically capture the heart of her characters comes from her real-life connections with Amish Mennonite and Old Order Amish families. A mother of three sons and two daughters-in-law, Cindy lives in Georgia with her husband of thirty-one years.

Once again, I have not had time to finish reading this book. It looks like a good read and I can't wait to sit down and read it! I hope you enjoy it!

Random and rambling...

Just some random thoughts on this "early" Saturday morning...

#1 - I'm currently sitting in my inlaws' apartment eating a Bob Evans breakfast bake. Just for Mom! :) (My mom does NOT like Bob Evans.)

#2 - David actually slept til 8am this morning! This is highly unusual for him when he's not at home. (And even unusual there for the most part.)

#3 - I have a HUGE stacks of books sitting on the counter at home waiting to be read and reviewed. Problem is, however, that I've been working on the same book for the last three weeks and haven't made very good progress on it. I've had too much going on in my life over the past month to get very much reading time. Maybe I'll be able to do some reading this week??

#4 - David just took 50% of my inlaws' DVDs off the shelf and made a nice mess. See what happens when Grandma leaves Daddy and Grandpa in charge of watching the Little Man?

#5 - I really don't have much to say today, so I think I'll leave you with just 5 thoughts today. Hope that's okay with you. Not that you really have a choice. Maybe if you all leave me lots of comments, I'll come up with some better stuff for next time. Until then...