2012 Giving Thanks Challenge

Here is my list for the entire month of November.
2012 Giving Thanks Challenge

1. a new month and reading through the lists from past years.
2. electricity, water, and food to eat....something many people are without.
3. the relaxing, quiet calm of being away from the city, looking up to see the stars, hearing the night time noises of insects.
4. our home and the memories we've made here together.
5. washer & dryer as well as my clothesline to use on beautiful days like today
6. lunch dates with my husband.
7. my cousins.
8. my wonderful husband. He's my best friend, takes such good care of us, makes me smile, works hard every day, is a great Dad...I could go on and on. :)
9. my Caleb. I feel so blessed to be his Mom. I have learned so much from him; I am thankful for his sensitive heart, that he is healthy ,and the sound of his laughter.
10. a found DVD.
11. my boy leading two songs tonight. Also for my "Secret Sister" and her encouragement, prayers, and fun surprises.
12. finding my clean, folded clothes to put away when I got home tonight. Made me smile! My husband is wonderful!
13. coats, heaters in house and car, hot baths, and fuzzy socks.
14. to fill shoeboxes as a family for Operation Christmas Child.
15. for going to the Thanksgiving lunch at school with my boy.
16. a beautiful fall afternoon to play tag and take a walk with my boy after school.
17. electricity.
18. attending a community Thanksgiving service.
19. a nice evening outside playing ball (in the dark) with my boys.
20. God's neverending love and forgiveness.
21. safe travel.
22. special Thanksgiving memories.
23. pecans in my freezer.
24. grandparents...both mine and Caleb's.
25. God's Word and being able to read it.
26. time with my boy after school as he was doing his homework and then reading to me. (Most days he wants to read to himself.)
27. my parents and the love they've always given me through the years.
28. Christmas cards in the mail.
29. our vehicles.
30. being a stay at home Mom and able to volunteer at my boy's school.

Have a day of blessings!

My first Wednesday Hodgepodge!

1. What creeps you out?Little lizards.  I'm not sure why!  I think I am afraid to step on one when I am barefoot and feel it move under my foot.

2. What's your least favorite candy?
Reese's Pieces 
Makes me turn up my nose just to type it and think about them. 

3. Are you a fan of scary movies? What's the scariest movie you've ever seen?No, I do not like scary movies.  I cannot recall any scary ones I've even seen.

4. What part of life confuses you the most?The things that don't make sense to me are when I see people suffering with terrible diseases or loss.  I know God is in control and He has a plan though; His ways are better than ours. 

5. Pumpkin, sunflower, sesame, poppy...what's your favorite seed?My favorite seed to eat is sunflower. 

6. Imagine your life ten years from today...what's changed?My husband and I will be 44 and my boy will be 18!!  That is crazy to think about! I can't imagine.  How can that be in only 10 years??  I know how fast the last ten have been.

7. What do you a) love the most and b) like the least about the Hodgepodge? Not sure I can really answer this one since this is my first time to participate.  I always enjoy reading the questions and answers though posted on a couple of blogs that I read who participate weekly. I like how the questions are random and at the same time often relate to events happening that day/week.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
I look forward to "meeting" new blogging friends through the Wednesday Hodgepodge! 

Have a day of blessings!

About me...

I am linking up today with SUYL at Kelly's Korner so I thought I'd do a little post to introduce myself.

Welcome, thank you for stopping by today! 

I am married to my best friend and college sweetheart.  We will celebrate our 11 year anniversary in June.  I am so thankful for him and our relationship and how we have grown through the years.  He is the best!  We have a son who is 7 (he will be 8 in August) and finishing 2nd grade.  I am a stay at home Mom.  I taught 1st and 2nd grades before Caleb was born.  I volunteer twice a week at my son's school and also teach a class of 4 year olds at our church on Sunday mornings. 

We have lived here since December 2010.  The move was quite a learning experience for us as we went through months of waiting and unknowns.  God has been faithful and His timing about everything was perfect.  We are so glad to be here and love our little city and home. 

I enjoy reading and do book reviews here on my blog for various publishers.  I am a letter writer and love sending mail to family and friends and a group of senior citizens (a Yahoo group I found a few years ago).  I have recently started using Pinterest and enjoy finding ideas there to make.  So far I've tried out some recipes, a Valentine's Day wreath, and a Mother's Day craft. Things I like:  Precious Moments figurines, pens and stationery, Sonic Happy Hour, baking, the color purple, working with children, trying new recipes.

Have a day of blessings!

Marriage Monday

Today for Marriage Monday our prompt from e-Mom is as follows:  On Monday (Jan. 16, 2012), I thought it would be fun to get re-acquainted as women—without spilling any ink about our marriages. This time, boys are not allowed. The following prompts are designed to help us to get to know you as a unique daughter of God. Please complete the sentences, post your piece to your blog, and then click over here to Chrysalis to link up.  Think of your post as a quick pencil sketch. The faster you write it the better!

Here are my answers: 
I am a loved woman.
I want others around me to feel loved and accepted.
I have a wonderful loving husband.
I wish I knew what answers to fill in the blanks I left empty here!    
I hate..well that one the first thing I thought of is I don't ever use the word hate.  It's just not a word I use.  So I'll leave it blank. 
I miss my Peepaw.
I fear pain for my loved ones.
I feel safe and secure. 
I hear the blowing wind and tinkling of my wind chimes.
I smell my sweaty little boy. 
I crave Mexican food.
I search with google usually.
I wonder what 3rd grade will be like for my boy.
I regret not recording Peepaw telling stories of his past and childhood.
I love days with both my boys at home.
I ache when I hear of another woman having a miscarriage.
I care about those who are lonely.
I always buy chocolate chips when I go to Walmart. 
I am not very crafty or creative.
I believe Jesus is my Savior and Friend.
I dance in the kitchen with my husband.
I sing in the car.
I cry when I hurt and share my tears with my husband or just alone. 
I don’t always know the right answers as a Mom.
I fight for what I believe in.
I write letters (real ones that you put in the mail with a stamp!) often.
I never ran a marathon.
I listen to my boy's creative ideas.
I need to go to the store.
I am happy in my life.

Have a day of blessings!

Giving Thanks Challenge 2011

I have enjoyed participating again this year in the Giving Thanks Challenge!  Here is my full list from the month. 

Today I am thankful for:
1. lunch dates with my husband   2. looking at thankful lists from previous years and realizing all that has happened since then!   3. pretty colors on the horizon this morning   4. sweet prayers of my boy and God's answers to those prayers   5. our ACU family, brothers and sisters in Christ coming together in a time of tragedy   6. singing songs of praise   7. the wonderful pricipal, teachers, faculty and staff at Caleb's school   8. seeing trees full of colorful leaves   9. getting to keep a baby girl for a couple of days   10. an electric bill with this month's paid plus a $42 credit   11. a day to remember our veterans   12. getting to spend a little bit of time with my "forever friend"   13. hearing my boy singing beside me this morning   14. my husband winning a pretty bag for me!   15. money to buy groceries   16. being able to volunteer at my son's school   17. blessing of being together, whatever we are doing   18. sound of laughter   19. getting to see Mrs. Pat tonight and her being awake and trying to talk. God is so good!   20. a nice Thanksgiving meal today with my husband's side of the family, safe travel, nice visit.   21. good report at my dentist appointment today for my check-up   22. the way my boy makes me laugh and smile every day   23. seeing the movie "Courageous" with my husband   24. having a home...This time last year we had our stuff in the moving truck.   25. time with my family I haven't seen lately.   26. enjoying the trip to the deer lease with my boys. Fun memories with my husband, son, father-in-law and two brothers-in-law!   27. seeing our neighbor Laura today, such a blessing to see all the progress she has made and the answers to prayers   28. feeling rested and ready for the week  29. song lyrics that inspire and encourage   30. excitement of the upcoming month and being able to decorate here for the first time. 

Have a day of blessings!

ABCs about me

I saw this over at CiCi's Corner recently and thought I'd play along. A. Age: 32 B. Bed size: queen C. Chore you dislike: cleaning toilets D. Dogs: don't have one right now E. Essential start to your day: on school days praying with my husband before he leaves for work and my son before I take him to school F. Favorite color: pretty much all shades of purple G. Gold or silver: mostly gold but I do have some silver stuff I wear too H. Height: 5 ft 3 inches (I think) I. Instruments you play(ed): took piano lessons for a while as a kid J. Job title: Homemaker K. Kids: a 6.5 year old son L. Live: with husband and son in our house we bought in December M. Mom's name: Bonnie N. Nicknames: Beme, Pes O. Overnight hospital stays: Caleb's birth P. Pet peeves: hearing parents say "if I tell you one more time then...." to their kids and then the parents not doing what they say they are going to do Q. Quote from a movie: From the movie "Bambi" Thumper said..."If you can't say something nice....don't say nothing at all." R. Righty or lefty: Righty S. Siblings: none, I'm an only child T. Time you wake up: Usually wake up between 4 and 5 and go back to sleep. My alarm goes off at 6:50. U. Underwear: Is this supposed to be yes or no? LOL V. Vegetables you don’t like: turnips W.What makes you run late: forgetting where I put my keys or leaving something behind I was supposed to take with me. X. X-rays you’ve had: teeth Y. Yummy food you make: chocolate chip cake, taco tater tot casserole Z. Zoo animal favorites: giraffes and zebras Have a day of blessings!

Flashback Friday prompt

I'm excited to be hosting Flashback Friday this week while Linda is gone, I am posting the prompt today, and you can come back here tomorrow to link up with your answers. This week our topic is childhood pets. Here are some questions you may want to consider:

Did you have any pets when you were a child? What were they? Did you have a favorite pet? What was the pet's name? Where did you get it? Did it live inside or outside? Whose responsibility was it to care for the pet? What special things did you do with your pet? Did the pet go on trips with you? How long did you have the pet? Did you ever have a pet that died? What was your reaction to losing the pet? Did your family ever have any unusual pets? Did you ever have class pets at school?

Have a day of blessings! (If you are here for Thankful Thursday, that is the previous post!)

questions

I was tagged by Linda to answer the seven questions she gave me. Then I am to come up with seven questions and tag seven people to answer those questions.

These are Linda's questions for me:
1. Do you prefer to read the book or see the movie?
Read the book

2. What is your favorite holiday and why?
Christmas. I love the specialness of the season in the fact that we remember Christ's birth (even though we know He wasn't really born Dec. 25). I love the decorations, family traditions, buying and wrapping gifts, and all the special food.

3. Which do you like better - the mountains or the beach?
Hard choice, I haven't been to either very much. I like looking at the mountains and hearing the sounds of the beach.

4. If money were no consideration, what vehicle would you drive?
I'm not really picky about my vehicle. I liked sitting in the Acadia at the State Fair Auto Show a couple years ago. There was one I liked this year, but I don't know what kind it was. My husband probably would know though!

5. What is your favorite cold-weather beverage?
Hot cocoa with marshmallows

6. How do you communicate most often with your friends: phone, email, text, face-to-face?
Mostly email now or through Facebook. My phone doesn't have texting on it but my husband's does so I've used that lately and like it.

7. How do you receive your mail? Mailbox on the porch, at the end of the driveway, down the street, or post office box?
Since we are in a duplex, we have our mailbox on a post with three other mailboxes out near the street in front of the duplex.

Here are the seven questions I am asking.
1. Do you exercise regularly? If so what kind of exercise do you do?
2. What is your favorite fast food restaurant?
3. Do you use plastic, paper, or reusable/recyclable bags?
4. What is the best book you've ever read?
5. What is your favorite drink?
6. What's a website you go to every day?
7. Do you have a favorite charity? What is it and why do you support them?

Now I am tagging the following people:

Hickstionary
Mommy Accountability
Becoming a Titus 2 Woman
Susan's Space
Blossoms & Butterflies
Lily Valley
Country Roads

Have a day of blessings!

Pursuing Love: Anger

This week our theme for Pursuing Love over at Marsha's Musings is anger.

We find many verses and warnings in the Bible regarding anger. One that comes to mind is Ephesians 4:26, 27--

"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still
angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.

If we hold onto our anger overnight without settling the matter or if we sin in our anger, we are going to give the devil a little door into our heart. This verse is great advice, especially for married couples. I remember at our wedding rehearsal dinner the preacher asked if anyone would like to share advice. One lady said not to go to bed mad at each other. That is such a good practice.

I'd like to share these great questions also that Marsha posted on her post because they are really good to think about and consider our actions.

Do you have the kind of love that overlooks offenses, or do you get easily irritated when your rights are violated?
Do you fly off the handle and blow up easily, or do you have the kind of love that is unchanged by circumstances?
Are you easily upset by unpleasant circumstances that are beyond your
ability to control or change?
Do you cast blame, when in reality you are simply being touchy or thin-skinned?

I don't get mad very easily. There are a few things that "push my buttons," but for the most part I overlook offenses. As I was reading these questions I thought about my Mom. She is a school secretary. Many times she's shared stories of angry parents screaming at her over the phone or in her office. Other school personnel have commented on her calm demeanor in handling the situations. I think this is a very admirable trait to have.

I've enjoyed this study about the qualities of love. If I have Christ's love I won't be easily angered.

Have a day of blessings!

Flashback Friday

Today I'm joining Mocha With Linda for her new meme Flashback Friday.

This week's flashback: How and when did you learn to drive? Do you have any particular memories associated with getting your driver license? How old were you when you got your first car and what was it? Who paid for it?

My flashback:

I took the driver education class offered through the school. I guess it was the end of my sophomore year, I can't remember for sure. The class portion was held in the mornings before school for a few weeks. Then my driving portion was in the morning the first few weeks of summer vacation. I had never driven before so it was quite an experience. My instructor was a coach, and I remember how nervous I was that I'd do everything wrong. The other two students had plenty of driving experience. I remember at one particular corner in town he wanted me to turn and I pushed on the gas instead of the brake. The coach had to use the brake on his side to slow us down!

One thing I remember is driving home with my Mom the first day on the highway after I got my learner's permit. A police car started following, I was so nervous!

I remember my Dad telling me when to start applying the break going down the hills toward our home.

My parents got me my first car when I was in high school. It was a used grey 1981 Datsun Nissan. I had it through college. I have many memories of that little car, like picking up my cousin for after school snacks, spinning around in the high school parking lot one icy morning (thankfully it was pretty empty at the time!), driving to the grocery store with the little girl I baby sat in college (she got some Little Debbies out of a bag and was going to throw them to the back and I was afraid she was going to get the eggs and throw them next), and going back and forth from home to college.

Have a day of blessings!

Giving Thanks Challenge 2009

I am thankful for...
beautiful fall days,
my husband,
colors of fall,
being able to volunteer,
living in the USA,
being together on Friday nights,
a special day with my boy,
the beautiful voice of my boy singing beside me in church,
being a stay at home Mom,
doctors,
fun family projects for school,
receiving "good mail,"
having fun finding things to pack a shoe box,
food to eat,
singing,
being published in a magazine,
sleep,
Caleb's Thanksgiving program,
joy in my heart,
getting to go to a Casting Crowns concert,
having our family picture made,
small group at church,
lunch with a sweet friend,
traditions,
safe travel,
time with my husband,
seeing my cousins,
yummy leftovers,
Caleb feeling so much better,
upcoming Christmas season,
warm home.

Have a day of blessings!

10 small things...

Amanda recently posted 10 small things that make my everyday a little better... The theme for Thankful Thursday last week was little things but I wanted to post 10 specific things that make my daily life better. So here is my list in no particular order!

1. hot water heater
It is such a blessing to take hot baths!


2. Internet access
It wasn't really that many years ago when I was growing up that we didn't even have a computer much less Internet access! I remember when we got the first computer. We can do so much online now. It can be a dangerous place I know but I'm thankful for all the friendships I've found here as well.


3. my ipod touch :)
For someone who didn't know what one was a month before she got one. I am thankful my husband blessed me with this fun little gadget. It makes me smile to have it with me to listen to music as I'm hanging our clothes or to check my email.


4. ice maker
This has become aware to me now that ours is broken! It is odd to not automatically have ice. We never had an ice maker growing up but I've grown used to it now!


5. my leg pillow
I have had a pillow that I put between my legs at my knees while I sleep. One time the pillow got left behind at a hotel and was never found. My Mom made me a new one. I feel very strange if I try to sleep without it.


6. washing machine
I think I've previously put this on my Thankful Thursday list. I cannot imagine washing the clothes in with a wash board out in the creek.


7. marshmallows
I like to randomly eat marshmallows, by themselves just for fun!


8. digital camera
I love to take pictures of our boy and am so glad to be able to snap away without worrying about film and developing pictures that aren't good shots.


9. slippers
In the cold months I wear my slippers all the time. My boys get me a new pair for Christmas because I wear them out!


10. library card
I love being able to borrow books and also request new books that I want to read. Our library is great! We rent movies there too.

Do you have 10 things that make your daily life a little better?
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"The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God my Savior!" Psalm 18:46

10 Things I love...

Debra gave me the letter R for this fun meme to list 10 things I love. All ten things have to start with R.

Here's my list!
1. rainy days
2. reading
3. relaxing
4. rainbows
5. roses
6. rocky road ice cream
7. Roadhouse
8. Rush of Fools
9. Reese's peanut butter cups
10. romantic notes from my sweetie

"R" was a harder letter for me than I thought it would be! I If you haven't played yet and want to do so, I can give you a letter to use for your list of 10 things. It is fun!

7 things and 8 things

Shortybear tagged me for this "8 things" post. Here are my answers!

8 TV Shows I enjoy: (I don't want too much TV now so I'll do any I've enjoyed in my life!!)
1. Little House on the Prairie
2. Cosby
3. Leave It to Beaver
4. Price is Right
5. Dr. Quin
6. Full House
7. Family Matters
8. Andy Griffith

8 Things That Happened Yesterday:
1. made Christmas treats
2. got colder and sleeted
3. cooked supper
4. read books
5. changed our sheets
6. emailed
7. fixed Christmas gifts
8. talked on the phone to Lynn

8 Favorite Places To Eat:
1. Olive Garden
2. Texas Roadhouse
3. Chick-fil-a
4. Mom's house
5. Cracker Barrel
6. Cotton Patch
7. home
8. Subway

8 Things I Am Looking Forward To:
1. driving around to look at lights/decorations
2. Christmas morning
3. starting FPU in January
4. Women of Faith conference
5. next birthday
6. seeing family at Christmas
7. being a book reviewer
8. Heaven

8 Things On My Wish List:
1. new house shoes
2. new hand mixer
3. cure for cancer
4. finishing Caleb's scrapbook
5.
6.
7.
8.

Now, I tag the following 8 people: Join in with your answers if you haven't already been tagged!

Debra passed on this award/tag to me.
It comes along with a 7 things meme. Here are my answers:

SEVEN THINGS I DID BEFORE (a random list for me!)
1. went to college
2. worked in the education department
3. baby sat a little girl
4. tutored kids in high school
5. volunteered with Toys for Tots program
6. donated blood
7. went bowling in the summer with my cousin

SEVEN THINGS I DO NOW
1. read the Bible
2. listen to KLOVE
3. volunteer at a food pantry
4. teach my son
5. blog
6. scrapbook
7. take pictures

SEVEN THINGS I WOULD LIKE TO DO
1. visit Washington DC with my family
2. be debt free
3. be a secret generous giver
4. finish Caleb's scrapbook
5. volunteer at Caleb's school next year
6. go back to New York City
7. meet my August mommy friends

SEVEN THINGS THAT ATTRACT ME TO MY HUSBAND
1. He is quiet and not the loud obnoxious type.
2. He cherishes me.
3. He loves the Lord.
4. He is a wonderful example to our son.
5. He can calm me when I'm uptight.
6. He is money-wise and content.
7. He accepted me for who I was from the very beginning.

SEVEN THINGS I SAY MOST OFTEN
1. I love you
2. Come on
3. Good grief
4. Listen, listen
5. What do you say?
6. Are you finished?
7. Stay by me.


SEVEN PEOPLE I'M TAGGING:
Feel free to do this one too if you haven't yet! I've seen this one on several blogs lately

fPhoto Friday

I took this last Saturday when we visited the campus of ACU after the football game. I thought the multi-colored leaves surrounding this statue were pretty. I should have taken a close-up of the statue as well but didn't. It is a father and mother holding up a child. I can't remember the title.

What have I done?

I found this at Shortybear's blog and thought it would be fun to do.
Bold the things you’ve done.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band (does with a 4 year old count?!)
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain (actually hiked up a mountain, didn't go to the top!)
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang/played a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse (I think)
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David in person
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen (It seems like I did this in high school, can't remember what group or when though.)
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Gotten flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Made a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee



If you decide to do this on your blog, let me know so I can come over and see what you've done.

Tagged

I was tagged by Debra last week and am just now getting to it! So here are my seven random facts:

1. I like to read while soaking in a hot bath.

2. As a child, I would get a pen or pencil as a souvenir from our trips. I ended up with some really neat ones. Now I don't have so many neat pens but I still have a lot. I have a pen bag with multi-colored pens I use when writing notes.

3. Now I like to get magnets and postcards as a souvenir when we go on trips.

4. I was in a postcard exchange last year with fellow members of an online group. We got postcards from all over. We put them in a photo album. Caleb likes to look at them.

5. I was involved with 4-H as a girl. I enjoyed participating in the annual Youth Fair each January as well as the county food shows.

6. I like to dip my fried okra in Italian dressing.

7. When I was little we lived in the country. My Dad would ask me to go pick up anything I found in our drive way, like old bottle caps, screws, nails, bolts, and when I filled a bucket he'd give me $5.00. I don't know if I ever filled up the bucket! Our drive way was long and had a circle turn around area.

I have seen a bunch of people with this tag recently so if you haven't done it and want to, consider yourself tagged!! It was kinda hard for me to think of random things this morning!

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"As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease." Genesis 8:22

Lessons learned....

I've been tagged by Michele to share a lesson I've learned from my Mom or my children. Stop by her blog and see her answer.....

What to do: share with us and your readers a lesson that you learned from your own mom, a special mom in your life, or while raising your own children. There’s no right or wrong answers…just lessons that each of us can learn and implement with our own children. Link your post back to this one, leave a comment below so we can visit and learn from you, and then tag 2-3 other moms to participate.

Of course my Mom taught me many lessons. Two things come to mind that I'd like to share...

1. Let your light shine and always do your best. All my life I remember her telling me both of these things. It didn't matter where I was going or what activity I was attending she would say this to me. I knew that if I gave something my best and put my all into it that my parents would be proud.

I often think of these words and how they apply to me in everything I do even now. Do others see a light shining by my life? Have I done my best and given my all to this task?

Thinking about this now I wonder if kids have parents tell them do their best anymore.

2. It's just an inch. This is something else I learned from my Mom when I was in college. My freshman year (I think it was) I stayed for a class in May after the regular semester was over to get some more hours out of the way. I loved the class and the teacher, but the evenings were lonely. I missed home, my friends, my boyfriend (now husband) so much, and the weeks seemed long. It was then Mom told me that this was just for an inch of my life. I could make it through those weeks because in the big picture they really were not very long and just a little inch of time.

This is another thing I think of often now when something comes up that I don't particularly enjoy. I know I can make it through because it won't last forever and I can manage whatever it is for just an inch of time.

Now I'll tag a couple people-- Pamela, Natalie and Sarah. Join in if you'd like to answer the question on your blog too!! I enjoy reading these answers!

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"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:13-16

Marriage Monday: Why Romance Matters

I have seen Marriage Monday and thought since it was happening today I could participate this week! You can find out more by clicking on the link in the sidebar for more information.


The theme for this month's "Marriage Monday" is Why Romance Matters. Romance is very important. I think too many times in relationships the newness and romance "wears off" too quickly. This shouldn't be the case. I can honestly say I'm totally in love with my husband, and sometimes I still can't believe we're actually married. I still feel like we're newlyweds sometimes and can't believe we've been married 7 years!


Romance needs to be part of everyday life. It doesn't have to be something fancy or expensive either to be romantic. We often think of candlelit dinners and bouquets of roses. We need to learn our spouses true love language though and find out what they see as romantic. For me it is when I see my husband taking time to do something for me, like fold clothes or put away the dishes.

My husband and I have a little game we play that I've written about on my blog in the past. It always brightens my day to find the heart. It has come up in some funny places too, very unexpectedly. It has turned into a fun game for us to try to be creative in finding new places to hide it.

Something I've found beneficial is a daily email called "The Generous Wife." It gives great ways each day to show love to your husband.

Romance is something you have to work at too. It may not come naturally to some. For me those little moments that I least expect a little kiss, wink, smile, surprise phone call, or shoulder squeeze that mean the most.

I believe that if you take the time to find out what your husband finds romantic and then do those things, you will be pleased with the results and his response.
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"It doesn't require a special day to express how much I love you" ... Author Unknown

Tagged!

It’s a random tag, and here are the rules!
1. Link to the person who ‘tagged’ you!
2. Post the rules on your blog!
3. List 6 random facts about yourself!
4. Tag 6 people at the end of your post!
5. Let each person know they have been tagged by commenting on their blog!
6. Let the tagger know the entry is posted on your blog!

Pamela tagged me for this one.

Six random facts about me:


1. My thumb goes way back, almost flat (like when I'm giving "thumbs up" sign). My Dad's is like this also and so is Caleb's.

2. I love to lay on the floor and color. It relaxes me!

3. I am allergic to the apple cinnamon scent. My eyes do weird things when I smell it. One time when I was teaching second grade we were making apple sauce in the classroom, and my eyes were going crazy and giving me a headache. I finally put all the instances of this happening together and realized the cause!

4. I have the same middle name as my Mom and Meemaw.

5. I like to clip coupons! Last Sunday I saw Glade scented oil candles on sale at Walgreens. I had already seen them listed in their August rebate book too. Plus I knew I had a coupon for the same product. The candle was $5.79 originally and on sale for $4.99 then a $2.00 rebate. My coupon was for $4.00 off! I did the rebate thing earlier this summer and they know have it so you can submit online so I don't have to "waste" a stamp now either to do it! Plus you get 10% back if you put it on a Walgreens gift card. (I sound like a Walgreens commercial, sorry back to the point of the blog!)

6. I've never been out of the country.

I will tag:
1. Amanda

2. Michele

3. Marsha

4. Runnergirl

5. Kathy

6. Denise














"The secret of the mystery is: God is always greater. No matter how great we think Him to be, His love is always greater." Brennan Manning