It's Friday!

Now that I'm trying to get back on the blogging bandwagon, I'm not going to promise to write a post every single day because I know I won't follow through. I may even cheat sometimes and use a meme or some random links to things I like.

Today, I'm going with a Friday Fill-in because, well, it's FRIDAY!

(If you like these, you can get them here.)


1. It's time for caffeine.

2. The car; it's not a bad place for a moment or two of peace and quiet.

3. I must be dreaming if I think I can accomplish my to-do list any time soon.

4. Jesus is the best thing I have ever known.

5. My pantry is simply pathetic - I really should buy some food.

6. The last time I laughed really loudly was probably this week.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to a bit of shopping, tomorrow my plans include working and Sunday, I want to not be working, but I am!

Happy Friday!!!!

Well, hello there.

Remember me? Maybe. I can't believe how quickly the last few months have passed, and I can count my blog posts in that period on one hand.

Which has brought prodding by a few of you readers (ONE, in PARTICULAR, and you know who you are - ahem!) to get me to post again.

I aim to please, so here is my attempt at filling you in on what's been going on around here this spring and summer.

Michael has been involved in:

*Wrestling
*Tennis


*Practice for both
*Mission Trips
*Going to the beach


*Hospital volunteering and

TURNING SIXTEEN!!!

How did that happen??

Aaron has:

*Played regular season and All-Star baseball


*Played with his cousins both here and in Fayetteville


*Spent time with Gramma at the salon and
*Gone to the beach




Eli has:
*Played t-ball



*Turned FIVE!



*Graduated from preschool and


*Gone to the beach





Jeff has been:
*Assistant coaching Aaron's team


*Building a house for a great couple


*Managing the salon
*Breaking ground on our church building and
*Going to the beach

I have been:

*Involved in all the above :-)
*Reading a few books
*Knitting a baby gift (almost done!)
*Spending WAY too much time on Facebook
*Attempting a Square Foot Garden



*Surviving short-staffing at work


*Working at the salon
*Getting a promotion!
*Going to the beach (but there's no photographic evidence of my presence on that trip because I was the ONLY ONE WHO TOOK PHOTOS!) and
*in the midst of all this activity, I let my quiet time get smaller and smaller and lemme tell ya, it hurts. God seemed further and further away, and was as quiet as He may ever have been. But we're on the road to recovery :-)

So - does that explain why I haven't had time to blog?????

But I have missed it, and hope that when school starts back I'll have more downtime at home and a few minutes to actually write again!!

So, what have YOU been doing the past few months? Fill me in. In the comments. Blow off the cobwebs and dust you'll find there and leave me a few morsels of bloggy fun. I'm all ears...

Book Review: Put Your Dream to the Test by John Maxwell

There are two kinds of good books: some that are so good you just can't put down, and some that you read slowly and soak in every word.

Put Your Dream to the Test is the latter. In fact, I'm reading it so slowly that I haven't even finished it. If I waited until I did, this review may not be written for quite some time!

I have this tendency to always need something to look forward to, whether it be a simple project, a trip, a new book about finding your purpose, or a huge new assignment. That being said, though, I can honestly say that I am not much of a dreamer. I don't have a burning passion that drives me every day. So I wasn't sure this book was for me.

We were created for a specific purpose in this life and whether we know it or not, we all have a dream deep down inside that will help us fulfill that purpose. New York Times bestselling author John Maxwell has compiled a list of ten questions in this book that you ask yourself, which will either help you identify your dream, or move forward on the path to achieving the one you already have. These questions cover everything from clarity, reality and passion to strategy, cost and fulfillment.

His questions are thought provoking and really make you examine yourself and your dream. He encourages you all along the way with stories from people who achieved their dreams, and tips to help you become one of them.

If you have a dream that you'd love to see become reality, then pick up this book. If you don't have a dream, read this book and you're likely to find one!

On Memorial Day

I want to say "Thank you" today to all the soldiers, past and present, who have given up so much to serve this country. To the families of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, I want to say that those brave souls are not forgotten. And to those troops serving right now, my prayers are with you. Godspeed and God bless!

The Noticer by Andy Andrews

Yes, it's been quite a while since I last blogged. Life has gotten crazy-busy and I frankly have had no free time.

Well, kind of.

With the hectic pace around here lately, I decided to relax a little. Slow down when I could. The result was a lot less blogging (obviously), and a lot more reading.

I can't remember the last book I read until recently. That's pretty sad, since reading is one of my favorite things to do! But, I have remedied that situation in the last few weeks, and as a Thomas Nelson book review blogger, I get to share with you what I've been reading. Today, I'm going to tell you about The Noticer by best-selling author Andy Andrews.




The Noticer is a book about an old guy most people call Jones, who has a knack for showing up in the lives of people at just the right moment. He shares a little wisdom and gives them a "new perspective" on their circumstances, with life-changing results.

It's a quick read (or maybe I just devoured it because I was so reading-deprived!), and an easy, enjoyable one, too. It's a book that will make you think about seeing things through a different set of eyes!

What's really most amazing to me is that it's based on a true story. Read it and you'll see why that's a big deal!

Don't forget to check out The Noticer Project, which challenges you to notice the five most influential people in your life.

Happy Reading!

Can't post....

I've got Spring Fever! Gotta enjoy these warm sunny days while they're here! I'll be back when the freezing winter-ness returns to relinquish me back to my cave :-)

Dear Aaron,...

I had a post written which was basically a rant about the evils of Pokeman cards and afterschool care. After sleeping on it, I decided to forego the rant and just share the humor in the situation instead.

Enjoy.

When I picked Aaron up this afternoon, I found an envelope, a note and a dollar in his basket.


It says on the outside: "To Aaron: You are a good friend."



On the inside: "Dear Aaron, I want to give you this card and doller sence you have kind of suckish cards."

Yes, you read that right. Some sweet? little kid feels sorry for my son's shabby Pokeman collection so he gave him a dollar to, I don't know...buy some cards that aren't suckish?

Well, I should probably just look at the bright side: at least that kid has compassion, right? :-)