My BIG Announcement

Our family is growing!!

There are three things that I've wanted for awhile...

1. To adopt
2. Twins
3. A dog

Today, I'm getting all three wishes fulfilled at once!

But first, let me back up a bit...

On Thursday, I unplugged for the weekend, and our family spent some quality time together. Jenny requested that we go to Burger King for lunch and then to the local shelter to play with the animals (we like to visit and get our pet fix), and since we were going to be sans kids for the weekend, we decided that going to lunch and the shelter together would be fun.

If you remember last week, I talked about how I wasn't allowed to have a dog because I struggle with cleaning the house? Well, I'd been really diligent about cleaning last week, and my husband had noticed.

We had seen that the shelter had gotten a litter of puppies that had been dropped off the day before, so we were excited to get to play with some puppies. However, we had no idea that these "puppies" (only 12wks old, mind you) were already 30+ pounds!

It was too late. We fell in love.

And being the crazy people we are, we adopted two of the puppies - a brother and sister.

{Meet Noah and Nellie}

So in one afternoon, all three wishes were fulfilled: we adopted, we got twins, and we got a dog.

The kids and I are headed to the shelter in just a little bit to pick up 

these adorable pups and bring them home!

For those who like details: They are 12wk old, "pure-bred" (supposedly, but no papers) English Shepherd pups. We are first-time pet owners and have NO idea what we're doing. It's definitely going to be an interesting adventure!

Saturday Stumbles {02.26.11}

Doesn't this photo scream "SPRING!!" to you?!? 

{photo source: DaySpring - click for more details}

I didn't get around to quite as many blogs this week, due to a full plate offline, but I thought I'd share a few posts that I stumbled across:

• Social Mouths wrote about how to increase your presence on Twitter by getting your tweets RTed more often.
• Michelle, at SomeGirlsBlog, posted this yummy recipe for quick roll-ups that look delicious!
• This would be such a fun game to play at a co-ed bridal shower: staches and tiaras.
• ProBlogger is always a great source for blogging tips and inspiration, and this post on spicing up a post was a good reminder.

What great posts did you stumble across this week?

3in30 {Week Four}

Not sure what 3 In 30 is? Thinking about joining in with us starting March 1st? 

Read more about the 3 in 30 Challenge...

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Well folks, it's the end of another month. Thanks to Pix-O-Sphere for sponsoring the month of February!!

WOW! It flew by, and we have loved every moment of getting to know each of you, finding new blogs to follow, the encouragement, and the fun Twitter party we had last week! All that to say, it's time to post our Closing Comments for February and link up our Goals for March.

What are your "Closing Comments"?

• What is your overall reaction to this month?
• Did you tackle the three goals you had listed in the beginning of the month?
• What would you have done differently?

Looking Ahead:

• What are your three goals for March? {If you're still in limbo, consider these ideas: #3in30 March Goal Suggestions}
• How do you plan to tackle them?
• Have you suggested joining 3 in 30 to someone?

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We've got a giveaway for you!!

Our February #3in30 Sponsor, Pix-O-Sphere, is giving away one Advanced Membership to someone who was successful in meeting their goals for this month.

What is success? Success is not giving up and moving forward. 

Did you succeed? Let us know in the comments below to be entered for a chance to win this great giveaway! {Winner will be chosen at random on or after March 1, 2011, and will be notified via email.}

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Now, it's time to link up!!

How Do You Link Up?

1. OPTIONAL: Add the 3 In 30 button to your site or Facebook page
2. OPTIONAL: "Like" our Facebook Page
3. OPTIONAL: Follow us on Twitter
4. MANDATORY: Comment on at least the person linked above you and let them know you're coming by from 3 In 30. Comment & follow on as many as you'd like!

Got questions? We'd love to hear them! Email us: threeinthirty (at) gmail (dot) com

(NOTE: Don't have a blog? Totally fine! We are active on Facebook and Twitter, too! Feel free to link up your Facebook page or Twitter accounts as well.)

Idols? In MY Life?!?

Though some in our culture still practice idol worship, it is not common. If you walked into my home, you would not expect to see any shrines or carved idols as a part of my decor.

And yet, if we fully examine our lives, we may find that we too are guilty of worshipping idols.

Idol: that on which the affections are strongly (often excessively) set; an object of passionate devotion; a person or thing greatly loved or adored. {Source}

{click photo for source}

John 3.16 says that "whoever believes in [Christ] shall not perish but have eternal life."

"Belief is trusting your eternal destiny to the work of Christ and realizing that you have no other back-up (good works, sacrifices, sincerity) should that redemptive work fail." {Source}

Anything I trust in (whether acknowledged or simply realized through action) apart from the finished work of Christ on the cross is an idol. Only when I allow the Holy Spirit to reveal these idols to me and rid my life of them am I fully trusting in Christ.

What idols do you have in your life? 

Are you willing to trust Christ fully, to rid your life of them and trust Him alone?

Be FAITHFUL in the small things...

“He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in very much; 
and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much.” 
{Luke 16.10}

As I quickly glanced through my study of the Gospel of Luke on Monday, this verse jumped out at me.

My first thought was:

"Until I prove myself to be faithful with my current ministries, God won’t give me a bigger ministry."

As I meditated on it, on what my current ministries entail, a practical example popped into my head:

My main ministry (in theory, not always in practicality), is to my family.

One area that I’m slacking in regards to this ministry is cleaning my house. 

This has become a point of contention between me and my husband, especially as we would like to add a pet to our family. He has indicated that we cannot add a pet to the household until I prove myself able and willing to keep the house clean, as a pet will only add to the mess.

Until I prove myself to be faithful with a smaller task, I will not be granted the opportunity to be faithful with a larger task.

Until I make my ministry to my family my first priority in action as well as in theory, 

I will not be given additional ministry responsibilities from God.

What small task do you need to be faithful to complete well today? What ministry has God called you to be faithful in?

{my week in photos: a top ten of sorts}

{my week in photos: a top ten of sorts}

	{#1} A sleeping Princess!
{#2} He's all boy, even in his sleep!
	{#3} What I Wore... Wednesday
{#4} What I Wore... Thursday.
	{#5} What I Wore... Friday
{#6} What I Wore... Sunday
	{#7} My laundry helpers
{#8} My yummy breakfast!
	{#9} My first attempt to make French bread
{#10} Freezing rain on my office window

This post was inspired by the #3in30 Challenge (sponsored by Pixosphere), 

and is linked to Top Ten Tuesday hosted by Oh Amanda
and What I Wore Wednesday hosted by The Pleated Poppy.

Driving Home a Message w/ @SeedsWorship

In the midst of some cleaning, sorting, and purging last week, I found some "swag" that I had brought home from the Relevant Conference last fall. One of the items I found was a Seeds Family Worship sampler CD that I'd gotten from Erin at Home with the Boys.

{photo credit: screen shot of http://seedsfamilyworship.net}

It was "uncanny" that I found this CD about the same time I had been "wishing" for a Seeds CD for the car. I'd been enjoying their free listening option on the computer, but I really wanted to be able to share the songs with my kids as we drove around town.

The CD has been a big hit with the kids! I can't even start the car before one or both of them is asking me to turn it on. And since it's a sampler (only five songs), it's only taken a few trips around town for us to have the songs stuck in our heads, singing the Scriptures throughout the day!

Anyways, the point of this post is not to tell you how great Seeds Family Worship is (though I absolutely love them - and I love what Erin at Home with the Boys is doing with her Saturday Seeds series), but to tell you how God is using Seeds to drive home a message to me.

Yesterday, our pastor was preaching from Matthew 28.16-20:

16 But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated.
17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful.
18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

The point of this passage is that we need to be disciples who are making disciples. As members of the Body of Christ, we need to be discipled and be discipling.

The Seeds Family Worship sampler CD comes into this equation in two ways:

First, one of the songs on the CD is "Go!" based from Matthew 28.19-20. Hearing this song on the way home from church yesterday drove home the message that the Holy Spirit used our pastor to speak to my heart. I need to be intentional about discipleship.

{If you don't see a video below, read this post on AP Freewriting to watch it.}

Secondly, as a mom, I am to be discipling my children. What better way to do this than teaching them the Word of God?!? The Seeds Family Worship songs help me do just that - through the songs my kids are learning the Word of God and are hiding it in their hearts so that the Holy Spirit can use it in their lives.

I just love seeing God use multiple platforms and resources to reach my heart for His glory!

What message is God driving home to your heart today?

Disclaimer: I was in no way compensated for this post. Seeds Family Worship and Home with the Boys are neither one tied to this post in any way other than is explicitly stated above - all links to their sites are from my own personal appreciation to/of them for sharing the Seeds Family Worship sampler CD with me.

This post has been linked to Hear it on Sunday, Use it on Monday.

Surfing the Web on a Saturday {aka Saturday Stumbles}

I have a new "best friend" in the blogosphere: my StumbleUpon toolbar in my internet browser!!

I found this nifty little tool a few months ago, and since meeting, it has become a great friend to me. You know when you read a blog post and you think to yourself,

"Wow! That was great - I want to bookmark this for later!"? 

That's what I use my StumbleUpon toolbar to do. I "bookmark" a bunch of great posts, and not only do I have them saved for later, but I also get to share them with anyone who follows me on StumbleUpon!

{photo credit: DaySpring - click for more}

And today, I'm going to share some of my favorites from the week:

• I loved this interview with Anne Dunagan being a Mission Minded Family on Passionate Homemaking. Such inspiration and raw honesty!
• Kat's post on being a more patient mom in 24 hours was a great reminder that the little decisions I make everyday can move mountains over time.
• Jon reminded us that it's in failure that we learn the most in his post, "More Bloggers Need to Fail."
• "7 Ways to Thank Someone for a Retweet" helped me to break out of my "Thanks for the RT!" mold and get personal on Twitter.
• Jenny had some great tutorial links in her top ten Tuesday post this week - I can't wait to try some out!
• I love how Tara has laid out her conference sponsorship options. I've started looking for sponsorship for a few conferences I'm hoping to go to this year, and I'm thinking I need a page like this on my blog.
• As I get ready to move from Blogger to WordPress, I am especially appreciative of TentBlogger's tutorial on moving blogging platforms with as few interruptions as possible!
• This free printable from Life... Your Way on tracking medical expenses will be helpful this year as we've changed how we're paying for our doctor's visits and such.

What great posts did you stumble upon this week? 

Caffeinated Conversations {2.18.11}

Caffeinated Conversations have returned!!!

I know I've certainly missed doing them, and based on the emails and tweets I've received, I think some of you have missed them as well!

{photo from DaySpring - click for more info}

This week's vlog is short and sweet - I forgot to switch SD cards in my camera so I only had three minutes of record time available. Topics include:

• #HelloMornings
• #3in30
• Encouraging Words

{If you can't see the video, click over to Caffeinated Conversations on AP Freewriting.}

If you noticed at the beginning of the vlog, I mentioned that I was going to tell you about some exciting blog news. In my focus to talk fast, I forgot (that's how quickly my brain forgets important stuff)!

So what's the exciting news?!? Next month, I'm moving! I've purchased my hosting and I'm working on getting ready to move from Blogger to WordPress. Hopefully this will be a smooth transition, but in case of any bumps along the way, I'd implore you to please be patient with me. The layout and look will be a work-in-progress for a few months, but the content will hopefully be able to continue without interruption.

Alright, time for you to join the conversation... what encouraging words have you come across this month? Would you share them in the comments below??

This post is being linked up at Company Girls Coffee, 3in30, Hello Mornings, Caffeinated Randomness, Gather Inspirit, and possibly others.

#3in30 Linkup {Week Three}

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We've passed the half-way point in the 3 in 30 Challenge, and we're on the home stretch! 

How did this past week go? What did you get accomplished? What did you not get accomplished? What do you still have yet to accomplish before the end of the month?

As we share words of encouragement this week, make sure to stop by at least one other blog that is listed below in the link-up and spread a little love!

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And now, a word from our sponsor (I've always wanted to say that!):

Over the past several weeks I have been working on a new project for the family friendly blogosphere to help inspire, equip, and expand the relationships we have online. Many bloggers get discouraged if they aren't making an income on their blog yet, feel they become stagnant in their little circles, and just feeling like they've hit a plateau and want to expand their horizons.

I can't give away too much information just yet, but what I can say is the Family Blog Network is going to be different from other networks I have seen. You can follow us on Twitter to see some of the hints we'll be sharing and we look forward to announcing a launch date soon.

We hope you'll help spread the word about this exciting project. The more people who get on board the better for everyone who participates. Keep an eye out for hashtag #FBN11 for more hints and help RT to get the buzz going!

"The value of a blogger is not the number of people who read the blog, but the number of people helped by the blogger." ~Lisa Bertolini CEO Pix-O-Sphere

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Don't forget to spread the love on Facebook and Twitter and by using #3in30 on Twitter!

Link Up Schedule:

• 1st Friday of each month: "Roll Call"
  Who's in for this month? Let us know!
• 2nd Friday of each month: "Check-Up"
  How did this week go for you? Check in!
• 3rd Friday of each month: "Encouraging words"
  Let us know what quote, Scripture, or encouraging words got you through this week?
• 4th Friday of each month: "Closing Comments"
  Overall reaction to this month's goals. Also, include what your goals are for the following month.
• 5th Friday (occasional): "What blogs did you visit this month?"

How Do You Link Up?

1. OPTIONAL: Add the 3 in 30 button to your site or Facebook page {grab code above}
2. OPTIONAL: "Like" our Facebook Page
3. OPTIONAL: Follow us on Twitter
4. MANDATORY: Comment on at least the person linked above you and let them know you're coming by from 3 in 30. Comment & follow on as many as you'd like!

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A Very Special Announcement:  

During the month of March, we are challenging you to consider a blogging goal (if you're a blogger or want to learn about blogging) or time management goal. We have a number of resources that we would like to recommend, and when you purchase these e-books through our affiliate links (by clicking the icons below), you support the 3in30 Challenge!

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Now get busy linking up and spreading that awesome encouragement you're known for!!

Winner of @TimKimmel's "In Praise of Plan B" announced!

Congratulations to "MiningforDiamonds" who said:

This sounds like a great book! I am living Plan B because live has not really turned out the way I thought it would. It's too soon to tell if I should be disappointed or not, lol! I've had to learn how to accept things as they are and live in the reality and not the dream. So I'd definitely love to win this book! 

She was the 5th commenter (number chosen by Random.org) and is the winner of the giveaway from Family Matters of Dr. Tim Kimmel's new book, In Praise of Plan B!!

Book for review and giveaway were provided by Family Matters.

He came... How will you respond?

Either you accept Jesus or you reject Him. There's no middle ground. And there's no way to accept just a part of Him - you either accept Him fully or reject Him completely.

"The inevitable result of Christ's coming is that men must make a decision for or against Him, and that decision determines their destiny." {Source}

As C.S. Lewis said, you must decide if Jesus is a liar, a lunatic, or Lord.

{click photo for source}

There's no middle ground - you can't say, "He was a good man, but not God." He is either as He claimed to be - Son of God, the only Way, the Life - or He is to be rejected and forgotten.

How will you respond? Will you accept Him fully? Or will you reject Him?

Belief = More than just acknowledgement...

Our culture uses the word "believe" in such a way that it has lost it's true nuance:

"Believe in your dreams and they may come true; believe in yourself and they will come true." {Unknown Author}

{click photo for source}

In the Gospel of John, the use of believe means “to trust.” The Greek word, pisteuō (believe), refers to more than simply an intellectual acknowledgement of a fact, but includes a personal response and commitment to the work of Christ on the cross. This belief is not an instantaneous response, but rather a progression, as demonstrated in the Gospel of John, as one comes to a greater understanding and thus greater belief.

Believe "speaks of 'trust' and suggests reliance upon a truth not merely intellectual acceptance of facts." {Source}

The other key idea that John stresses regarding belief, is the idea that the object or content of the belief is the most important part of belief. John wrote his Gospel in order that his readers might come to belief in Jesus as the Christ, resulting in eternal life. The belief that the world offers is hopeless, as it is not based in the Son of God

To believe something is true is to acknowledge the fact and to act in accordance with that acknowledgment - to rely on the truth of the facts.

There are a number of things I say I believe about God, but if you were to observe how I live, what would you find?

• I say I believe that God is sovereign, yet there are times I worry and am anxious.
• I say I believe that the gospel is the most important message anyone can hear, yet I constantly fail to share it with others.
• I say I believe that God will provide all my needs, yet I often fret over finances.

It is not enough to say that I believe something to be true - I must also live my life in accordance with that belief.

What about you - are your stated beliefs reflected in how you live your life?

Top 10 Tuesday: Valentine's in Photos

This post is linked up to Top Ten Tuesday and What I Wore Wednesday.

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I thought I'd share the top ten photos from our Valentine's Day "festivities" this week,

with a few Valentine's outfits in the mix!

We started our Valentine's Day preparation on Saturday morning. I printed out these cute Pirate Valentines, and the kids and I got to work.

Hard at work making Pirate Valentines!

The ones I made by myself

Serious concentration to squeeze out the glitter glue.

"Look at me, Mom!"

The ones David decorated w/ help from Mommy with the glitter glue.

"Mommy - I'm not done yet!"

Two finished valentines:
mine on the left and Jenny's on the right.

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Late last week, I was challenged and encouraged by this post about wearing love from Kristen (We are THAT Family) on the (in)courage blog. The ideas from this post are sticking with me, challenging me each day (and throughout the day) to be wearing God's love as my primary garment.

Sunday was a full day of fellowship, worship, and encouragement from the Word with our church family. Since I was part of the worship team, I decided to dress in the color of love.

Wearing the color of love for church on Sunday.

And, of course, if I dressed in the color of love on Sunday, then Monday was a must!

Wearing the color of love on Valentine's Day!

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And what's a Valentine's picture post without a picture of what we ate?

Meatloaf for Valentine's Dinner... it's what he wanted!

As I finished editing the photos and getting them "just right", I realized that I had uploaded them to Blogger instead of Pix-O-Sphere as my goal for February's #3in30 Challenge demanded. So, I've also loaded them to Pix-O-Sphere now, but the ones in the post are still hosted by Blogger. Thanks to Pix-O-Sphere for being the awesome February sponsor of the #3in30 Challenge. Sorry to all for my lack of brain function today!

"In Praise of Plan B" by Dr. Tim Kimmel

Back in October, I was introduced to a great organization while at the Relevant Conference. Family Matters was one of the sponsors of the conference, and I had the opportunity to learn more about them while I was there. When I got home, I "liked" their page on Facebook, adding their updates to my news stream.

A few months ago, as I was browsing my news stream on Facebook, I noticed that Family Matters was promoting a new book that Dr. Tim Kimmel (founder of Family Matters) had just released. It was In Praise of Plan B.

Having found myself in the midst of multiple "plan Bs" in my life, I thought it looked like an interesting and encouraging read, so I contacted Family Matters to see if I could possibly get a copy to read and review on my blog.

Not only were they willing to send me a copy to review, but they also offered to let me giveaway a copy to one of my readers!

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{From the Publisher}

Plan B can actually be Plan Best!

If you travel far enough in life, you're sure to run into some detours. Detours that sidetrack the smooth-running dreams you always envisioned and leave you someplace you never intended to be.

If you're not careful, you can easily grow disillusioned or disappointed at the loss of Plan A. But best-selling author Tim Kimmel, who declares himself "the patron saint of Plan B," is here to help you turn Plan B into Plan Best!

In Praise of Plan B offers memorable, often humorous gems from Kimmel's own experiences as well as others'. The people you'll meet in these pages have all encountered life's various roadblocks, yet they still found a way to soar above it all. You can too!

Here you will find touching, inspirational wisdom for every facet of life, showing you that the Plan B you were forced to settle for will ultimately yield a richer, more rewarding life than Plan A ever could have.

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{My Thoughts}

I'd scheduled my review of In Praise of Plan B for today, knowing that the pile of books on my desk would sit unread if I didn't. However, as of 9:00pm last night I hadn't cracked the cover! Not wanting to put it off any longer, I decided to take it to bed with me and read until I was too tired to read anymore. By 10:30pm I was finished - I'd read it cover to cover!

One of the categories on the back cover of the book lists it as "inspirational," and I would have to agree 100%! This little book is packed full of inspirational stories that brought hope to my life, as I saw time and time again how God's plan (our Plan B) was so much grander and greater than any individual could have ever imagined.

"It's when our own plans don't go right - or often when they get in the way - that we get so busy or distracted that we fail to notice the tremendous joy God gives us in the ordinary." (p. 158)

Whether for personal encouragement, anecdotes for a talk I'm giving, or to share with others in times of struggles, this is a book I'll read time and time again.

I give In Praise of Plan B five out of five stars!

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And now the giveaway! (Leave a comment below for each task you complete.)

• Mandatory: Share an example of a "Plan B" in your life in the comments below.
• Optional: Share this giveaway on Twitter and/or Facebook (be sure to leave a separate comment below for each).
• {Be sure to leave a method for me to contact you if you win!}

Giveaway is open to residents of the contiguous US only. Winner will be chosen at random from all comments on this post. Comments will close on or after 10:00am EST on Thursday, February 17th, 2011. Book for review and giveaway were provided by Family Matters. Opinions expressed are my own.