Wordless Wednesday

I love this post- and do you know why? Because its sweet and full of warm gooey feelings.

Feelings you can't take part in unless you head over to my new site and check it out!
http://www.confessionsfromboystown.com/

Wordless Wednesday: Good Morning

This post- hilarious. Want to see it? Head over to my new home at
http://www.confessionsfromboystown.com/
And, if you decided to shower me with follows, email/RSS Feed subscriptions, and/or chocolates, well, I wouldn't be opposed...

Wordless Wednesday

Oh- you'd love this Wordless Wednesday post. Trust me. Want to see it? Go to me new home @ http://confessionsfromboystown.wordpress.com/

Wordless Wednesday

This W.W. post is great. Seriously. Want to see it? Head to my new home:
http://confessionsfromboystown.wordpress.com/

Wordless Wednesday: Silly

You want to see a great W.W. post? Head over to my new home
http://confessionsfromboystown.wordpress.com/

Wordless Wednesday: Brotherly Love

I'd love for you to see this week's W.W.- so head over to my new home at
http://confessionsfromboystown.wordpress.com/

Wordless Wednesday: Tasty

I'd love for you to check out my Wordless Wednesday, so hop on over to my new site at
http://confessionsfromboystown.wordpress.com/

New Boystown Post!!

So, as I've said before, my new home can be found on Wordpress now.

If, for whatever reason you've yet to visit, run- don't walk- to there now.

Its in your best interest- really.  I mean it. 

Need an incentive?  I've got a bright, shiny, new Boystown post up on there.

Birthday Parties and you Part 1: Keeping up with the Jones'

Following me there is easy:

• You can follow via Wordpress' 'follow' button at the top of my page.
• You can subscribe to my emails.
• And you can even subscribe via RSS feed.

See?  No reason to worry. :-D  Our love can continue.

Oh, and someone asked me if you can leave me comments even if you're still here on Blogger... yes.  Yes, you can.  I love comments.  I am a comment hog.  I devour them like bacon.  Like coffee.  Like bacon flavored coffee...

Ok, so that was a tad gross.

Anyways, to sum up:

• Go check out my awesome new post on Wordpress.
• Follow me in some way shape or form.
• Give me lots of comments telling me how fantabulous you think I am.

Kahpeesh?  Good.

Saturday Shout-Out: Changing Diapers and Taking Names

This week I'm featuring:

Name:  Brittany Bullington

If you'd like to read the feature, please join me on my new site:
http://confessionsfromboystown.wordpress.com/

And, just so you know, I wouldn't mind it if you decided to follow me, subscribe to my email or RSS feed, or sent me chocolates and flowers.

A bit much?

I'm moving...

Ok, so the time has come to say goodbye to Blogger, can't you see?

M...I...C...K...

Oh, wait.  Wrong song.

Ok, well, I'm sure you got the point.  I'm moving my blog to Wordpress to get ready for an even bigger move in the future.  I REALLY hope that - since I can't actually MOVE you all with me, that you'll stop on by my new page and follow me there.  Right now, it just looks like a sad, little start up blog that really needs some love.

A start up blog with all my previous entries from here; all my comments from here; but no followers.  So, to sum it up, I look like I have a blog that people might have thought was cool in the past, but now stopped following me because they've lost that lovin' feelin'.  And, we all know that's not true.  I'm awesome.

Right?

Please say you're nodding your head.

So, if you're a follower already, just PLEASE- quickly click this link and follow my new location.  I'm actually begging you right now- I know I'm cool, and YOU know I'm cool, but to all of Wordpress World, I'm a tad on the pathetic "here's a quarter- buy some followers" side.

And, if you aren't a follower already, well, I'm going to assume that you're now wondering what life was like before you stumbled upon my blog and you're hop, skip, jumping over to Wordpress to be a new follower.

And, yes, my mom always told me what it means to assume.  I just fail to care.

So, in case you missed it, here's the link-

"I LOVE CONFESSIONS FROM BOYSTOWN AND I'M CLICKING THIS RIGHT NOW"

That's not TOO presumptuous, is it? ;-D

Wordless Wednesday: Firsts

First look at dinosaurs.

Tasty Tuesday #2

I've said it before- its kind of the motto of my life- but I'm always on the go.  Sometimes -by the time we get home and get dinner started- its well past when we should be eating, and if its TOO late, we end up spending money on yet another meal of take out.  Meals like this week's featured meal are my go-to meals when I know that we're likely to be gone for any length of time.

There's really nothing about this meal that is really difficult, and in the end, it comes out great.  It just takes a few minutes to prep, and by the time you're ready for dinner, its ready for you.

Smothered Steak

2 lbs cube steak

1 can cream of mushroom soup 

1 can (4 oz) sliced mushrooms

2 med. onions cut into half moon slices

1 envelope Lipton onion soup mix

1 tbsp dried parsley

salt (about a tsp spoon) 

pepper (about the same)

a couple tbsp flour for dusting

Combine pepper, parsley, salt, and flour.  Lightly dredge the cube steak in the flour mixture.  It doesn't need to be caked on- you aren't doing this to make some sort of crust.  If you put too much on, it will just make it gummy once its cooked.

Add the half moon slices from one of the onions on the bottom of the slow cooker.  Place steak in slow cooker on top of the onion.  Place the rest of the onion on top of the cube steak.

Combine the remaining ingredients and pour over the steak and onions.

Cover and cook on LOW for 6 or so hours- until it becomes super tender.  If you try to pull a piece off and it doesn't tear easily, leave it in til its ready.  You can do it on HI in a pinch, but I recommend you try to plan ahead enough so you can always put it on LOW.

We've served it with rice when mashed potatoes would take too long, but -let's face it- mashed tators are AMAZING with anything that has a gravy.

Enjoy!

Friday's Writing Prompt: A Memorable Recipe

Mama's Losing It: 3.) Share a family favorite childhood recipe.

I remember, when I was younger, one of the meals my mom liked to make for us was Chicken and Dumplings- and she was good at it.

And I remember there was a moment during my childhood that my mom made Chicken and Dumplings EVERY day for about a week.  We- my siblings and I- recounted this memory many years later and my mom denied it, but we remembered.

The thing about the Chicken and Dumplings, though, is out of all the meals I had growing up, that's the meal that sticks out- and not because we nearly demanded a new dish after repeated servings of it.  Its not flashy; its not exotic; but if you were to ask me to define my childhood in a meal, that would be it:

• warm
• satisfying
• comforting
• seemingly ordinary, yet profoundly extraordinary
• simple
• homey
• and, at times, repetitive

The amazing thing about the "simple" dishes, though, is the fewer the ingredients, the bigger the chance of screwing it up.  Remembering my tasty childhood memories, I wanted so badly to share this meal with my in-laws once I was married and -let's just say- while it wasn't a "crash and burn", it WAS a lesson learned.

I'm proud to say that the years have been good to my cooking chops, so the recipe that follows is now only in my recipe book purely for the memories.  The real recipe I hold in my heart.

Chicken and Dumplings
2 cups chopped celery
2 cups chopped carrots
2 cups diced onion
2 cloves garlic
1 3-4lb roaster chicken
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp rosemary
2 bay leaves
salt
pepper
1 cup milk+2 tbsp cornstarch (for thickening power)

Put chicken in a large pot.  Cover COMPLETELY with water.  Add bay leaves and allow it to come to a boil.  Add a couple of LARGE dashes of salt (remember- the chicken and veggies don't come packed with their own flavoring, so salt now and then re-taste later to see if it needs more!), pepper (to YOUR taste preference), thyme and rosemary.  Set to med. heat for 45-60 minutes or until the chicken is falling off the bone.

Remove chicken from pot and set aside to cool.  Remove any pieces of skin that might be floating in the pot by itself- boiled skin isn't really tasty.  If you're particularly "choosy" (such a better word than picky, don'tcha think?), you can strain all the stock to get out any "floaties".  If you want thicker soup, now is the time to add the milk/cornstarch slurry.  If I were you, I'd add a little at a time.  You won't see the full thickening power until the soup comes to a boil, so do this part SLOWLY.

Add diced veggies to the pot.  While veggies are cooking, shred the chicken (it should be cool enough to touch without burning yourself).  Once the veggies are tender, add the chicken and remove the bay leaves.  Taste it now, because it becomes MUCHO difficult once the dumplings are crowding the pot.

And NOW- its time to make the dumplings.

Dumplings
2 cups Bisquick
2/3 cups milk

Stir until a soft dough forms.  Drop spoonfuls into the boiling stew; reduce heat to a simmer.  Cook uncovered for 10 minutes; cook covered for 10 minutes.

Now EAT.

Saturday Shout-Out: Mommy LaDy Duke

I wanted to use my Saturday posts to highlight some great bloggers out there. This week's feature blogger is wonderful and I hope you love her as much as I do. If you'd like me to highlight you, just send me an email:

Saturday Shout-Out

Check them out for their Battle of the leading men every weekend!

~Your name:  Courtney & Betina(sisters)

~Your blog's name w/ link:  Mommy LaDy Club http://www.mommyladyclub.com

~Type of blog it is...  Entertainment/Mommy Blog

~Tell us a little something about yourself:  Betina and I live in different cities, but whenever we meet, we have the same pair of shoes and sunglasses.

~If you had only 1 wish, what would it be and why? To live forever. I love my life, and fear death.

~What's your favorite thing about where you live and why? I love the heat of the desert. When everyone else is complaining about it, I relish it!

~What's #1 on your 'Bucket List'? Living part time on the Rhine River

~3 words to describe yourself would be...? Tall, thoughtful, loyal

~1 little known fact about you is...? I am called the "rock lady" in my neighborhood, because I build giant dry slab rock walls.

~1 vice of yours is...? chocolate

~Why did you start blogging? I enjoy challenges, and I knew that I would be learning a lot from it, and I am!

~What's your favorite thing about blogging? Meeting all of the other fabulous women and bloggers out there!

~What do you think makes for a successful blog? Being honest, and offering quality information and originality.

~3 words to describe your blog would be...? Unique, entertaining, informative

~What's 1 blog (besides yours) that you think everyone should check out? www.nicegirlnotes.com

"Getting to Know You" Post

Question of the week: What is one of your favorite quotes and why?


Oh, so many, lol. My favorite quotes -I'm going to use a couple in this post- are all by Mark Twain.  He was a pretty wise and funny guy.


My first quote I'd like to share is this one: 

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.
- Mark Twain 

The blush will fade from your cheeks; the tattoo will fade with time; those that witnessed your act will either forget or die from old age- but what if you succeed and your attempt is life changing in a good way?  America wasn't borne of "safety".  People took leaps of faith that there was something better to be had, so they sailed away into the unknown.

Action speaks louder than words but not nearly as often.
- Mark Twain 


You can say whatever you like, but people will always look to see if your living reflects your claims.  I tell this to my boys CONSTANTLY.


It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.
- Mark Twain


Oh, how I wish that so many people in this world would learn from this quote.


And these last two just make me laugh and I wanted to share:


When I was younger I could remember anything, whether it happened or not.
- Mark Twain


When a boy turns 13, seal him in a barrel and feed him through a knot hole.
When he turns 16, plug up the hole.
- Mark Twain 


(the last one might as well be my motto for this blog.  I wholeheartedly agree!) 

Getting to Know You Friday Blog Hop #3

Hey everybody!  Welcome to the Getting to Know you Blog Hop week 3!  I'm so glad you decided to stop by- as are the rest of the Getting to Know You crew!  So, without further ado



<a href="http://confessionsfromboystown.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt333/asoto0703/gettin2knowu2-1.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0"></a>
Question of the week: What is one of your favorite quotes and why? 
(If you’d like to get a heads up on the Getting to Know You Friday Question of the Week, contact one of the co-hosts and give them your email. You will be added to the list!)
Welcome to the Getting to Know You Friday Blog Hop hosted by: Amber from Confessions from Boystown, Jennifer from mamawolfe, Christina from Spilled Milkshake, & Lisa from insignificant at best.
The idea behind the Getting to Know You Blog Hop, is just that...getting to know you. We also thought it would be a good chance to share thoughts, experiences & lessons learned from life.  All 4 of us met through a great little site (Voiceboks) which is founded on -not just promoting blogs- but actually caring about other bloggers, getting to know them, and making friends along the way.  That's why I think this blog hop is a great idea- cuz it goes along with that same general ideaology.

  So, to keep things orderly and with minimal confusion (we hope), here are the rules:

1. Since there are 4 hosts we thought it was fair to only require you to follow 2 of us. Each host has been partnered with another host. We ask that you follow the host who's blog you submit your link to & their partner, the other 2 hosts are optional. The partnerships are:

Confessions from Boystown with mamawolfe
Spilled Milkshake with insignificant at best

(ex: If submit your link on Confessions from Boystown. You are required to follow Confessions from Boystown & mamawolfe. It is up to you whether or not you'd also like to follow Spilled Milkshake & insignificant at best.)

2. Each week we'll have a new question for you to answer. Write a blog post answering that question & link directly to it in the linky below!

3. Include our blog hop button in the post.

4. Visit a minimum of 3 other blogs & leave a MEANINGFUL comment on their Getting to Know You post. Please do not just go to 3 blogs & ask them to follow you. Everyone is taking time to their thoughts, so please be respectful of that.

5. Have fun getting to know one another! :)

The linky will be open until Sunday evening to make sure everyone has time to write their posts & link up!

If you have any questions or would like to suggest a question for the blog hop please contact one of the hosts! If your question gets picked we will feature your blog & question in that week's hop!

Welcome to the Getting to Know You Weekend Blog Hop, where each week we Feature an awesome blogger for you to Get to Know.

Rules:

1. Follow your 2 hosts and this week's GtKY Featured Blog (the first 3 links below).

2. Link up anything you want! Facebook, Twitter, giveaways, a blog post, etc.

3. Visit/follow at least 3 other links & return the favor to those who follow/visit you. Get to Know your fellow bloggers!

4. (OPTIONAL) Grab our button and/or get the InLinkz code (above) and post the hop on your blog. Increased exposure for all of us!

5. Have fun!

The GtKY hop is open until Sunday evening. If you would like to be Featured & co-host this hop with us, just enter your email in the rafflecopter form below!

1. southernpixie	2. Build Your Email List!	3. Winter Blues Giveaway	4. Healthy Fit n Free
5. Theresa	6. RAISING...RELIEF (follows)	7. Raising Supermom	8. When One Door Of Happiness Closes
9. Simple Abundance	10. THE TAO OF POOP	11. Vintage Romance	12. Rekita @ Lovely Army Wife
13. Capturing Memories One Snap At A Time	14. My Fashion Forward Blog	15. BLOGmoda My Blog	16. Adventure Into Domesticland

(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)

Banking on Potential

"And they blessed Rebekah and said unto her,"Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them."  Genesis 24:60

On a day like today, I read a statement like that and- if I didn't know better- I'd think Rebekah's family were actually cursing her.  Thousands of millions?  Really?  How mean ARE they?  Forget the pain of childbirth- let's just talk about the aftermath: childHOOD.

I can't help thinking this as I'm listening to the regular soundtrack here at Boystown: crying, fighting, shouting, whining, and something that sounds slightly like grunting.  I'm having a hard enough time today with just 3- if someone in my family "blessed" me with "thousands of millions", well, that might cause me to disown them.  At the very least, they'd stop receiving a Christmas card from us.

Then again, our "little" family probably wouldn't fit on a Christmas card at that point, so...

The logical side of my brain, though, tells me that #1- they weren't cursing Rebekah and #2- they didn't mean for her to literally give birth to all those kids.

Children- despite their tendency to make you want to scream and hide- ARE a blessing from God.  They have a whole lifetime of potential and -if we do OUR jobs right- that potential could lead to anything from great jobs (to support us in the lifestyle we'd like to become accustomed to, of course) to helping "thousands of millions" come to know Christ.

Right now, as I'm writing this, I can't help but wonder to myself if Rebekah ever thought back on that day when they blessed her and mumbled a silent curse under her breath for the well-wishers.  The thought, honestly, makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside.  It makes me smile that maybe she, too, pulled her hair out in frustration at her boys' antics.  Could HER neighbors hear HER getting on her sons' cases?

But I think that what makes me smile and gives me hope the most is that potential our kids have.  If I can somehow survive their childhood and "bring them up in the way they should go", who knows what could happen?  I mean, one of Rebekah's sons -Jacob- was the father of Christ's bloodline.  If that kind of potential doesn't give a mom hope that her kids will turn out ok, I don't know WHAT will.

***If you liked my post, then please post my button!***

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Saturday Shout-Out: BabyBound!

I wanted to use my Saturday posts to highlight some great bloggers out there. This week's feature blogger is wonderful and I hope you love her as much as I do. If you'd like me to highlight you, just send me an email:

Saturday Shout-Out

Name: Mia Eliza

Blog's Name: BabyBound http://babycravings.blogspot.com/

Type of blog: Mommy/Baby Blog

~Tell us a little something about yourself: Ever since I was a little girl I dreamt of having a family. My dream is coming true because I'm pregnant with our first child due March 4th 2012.

~If you had only 1 wish, what would it be and why?
If I had just one wish, it would be to make and keep everyone is my life healthy. Money, beauty and success may add a little fun to your life, but good health is something to be treasured and cannot be bought.

~What's your favorite thing about where you live and why?
Hmmm. I'm not crazy about where I live but if I had to pick one thing it would be that this is where I moved after I got married. This is where my hubby lived and where his job is. I love that we started our life here together.

~What's #1 on your 'Bucket List'?
Have a baby!

~3 words to describe yourself would be...?
Loyal, Loving, Passionate ( my husband picked those. I agree)

~1 little known fact about you is...?
I can beat ANYONE at connect four. Don't believe me? It's true!

~1 vice of yours is...?
Nail biting ( does that count? )

~Why did you start blogging?
March 2011

~What's your favorite thing about blogging?
Connecting with other people who know where I'm coming from.

~What do you think makes for a successful blog?
Honesty. The blogs I'm "addicted" to all have something in common. They have their own voice and they stay true to who they are.

~3 words to describe your blog would be...?
Clean, Honest, Mommylicious ( haha I made that last one up)

~What's 1 blog (besides yours) that you think everyone should check out?
AltogetherBeautiful.Blogspot.com

Getting to Know You Friday Blog Hop Week 2!

Hey everybody!  Welcome to the Getting to Know you Blog Hop week numero dos!  I'm so glad you decided to stop by- as are the rest of the Getting to Know You crew!  So, without further ado





<a href="http://confessionsfromboystown.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt333/asoto0703/gettin2knowu2-1.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0"></a>
Question of the week: If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
If you’d like to get a heads up on the Getting to Know You Friday Question of the Week, contact one of the co-hosts and give them your email. You will be added to the list!
Welcome to the Getting to Know You Friday Blog Hop hosted by: Amber from Confessions from Boystown, Jennifer from mamawolfe, Christina from Spilled Milkshake, & Lisa from insignificant at best.
The idea behind the Getting to Know You Blog Hop, is just that...getting to know you. We also thought it would be a good chance to share thoughts, experiences & lessons learned from life.  All 4 of us met through a great little site (Voiceboks) which is founded on -not just promoting blogs- but actually caring about other bloggers, getting to know them, and making friends along the way.  That's why I think this blog hop is a great idea- cuz it goes along with that same general ideaology.

  So, to keep things orderly and with minimal confusion (we hope), here are the rules:

1. Since there are 4 hosts we thought it was fair to only require you to follow 2 of us. Each host has been partnered with another host. We ask that you follow the host who's blog you submit your link to & their partner, the other 2 hosts are optional. The partnerships are:

Confessions from Boystown with mamawolfe
Spilled Milkshake with insignificant at best

(ex: If submit your link on Confessions from Boystown. You are required to follow Confessions from Boystown & mamawolfe. It is up to you whether or not you'd also like to follow Spilled Milkshake & insignificant at best.)

2. Each week we'll have a new question for you to answer. Write a blog post answering that question & link directly to it in the linky below!

3. Include our blog hop button in the post.

4. Visit a minimum of 3 other blogs & leave a MEANINGFUL comment on their Getting to Know You post. Please do not just go to 3 blogs & ask them to follow you. Everyone is taking time to their thoughts, so please be respectful of that.

5. Have fun getting to know one another! :)

The linky will be open until Sunday evening to make sure everyone has time to write their posts & link up!

If you have any questions or would like to suggest a question for the blog hop please contact one of the hosts! If your question gets picked we will feature your blog & question in that week's hop!

Welcome to the Getting to Know You Weekend Blog Hop, where each week we Feature an awesome blogger for you to Get to Know.

Rules:

1. Follow your 2 hosts and this week's GtKY Featured Blog (the first 3 links below).

2. Link up anything you want! Facebook, Twitter, giveaways, a blog post, etc.

3. Visit/follow at least 3 other links & return the favor to those who follow/visit you. Get to Know your fellow bloggers!

4. (OPTIONAL) Grab our button and/or get the InLinkz code (above) and post the hop on your blog. Increased exposure for all of us!

5. Have fun!

The GtKY hop is open until Sunday evening. If you would like to be Featured & co-host this hop with us, just enter your email in the rafflecopter form below!

1. southernpixie	2. Build Your Email List!	3. Winter Blues Giveaway	4. Healthy Fit n Free
5. Theresa	6. RAISING...RELIEF (follows)	7. Raising Supermom	8. When One Door Of Happiness Closes
9. Simple Abundance	10. THE TAO OF POOP	11. Vintage Romance	12. Rekita @ Lovely Army Wife
13. Capturing Memories One Snap At A Time	14. My Fashion Forward Blog	15. BLOGmoda My Blog	16. Adventure Into Domesticland

(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)

The ABC's of Me

I'm a part of an online community called Voiceboks.  I know I've mentioned it before, and I'll probably mention it again.  Its a great place to "hang out" because its not just about growing your blog- its about friendship, so I'm thankful that the creator of the group - Lexie Lane- happened upon my blog and invited me when she first created it.  

Anyways, one of the "events" I'm participating in right now is this- a bit about me in ABC form.  Hope you enjoy!

 

The ABCs of Moi

A-  Ale.  that’s what I was named after: Amber Bock Ale.  Never underestimate the emotional whims of a pregnant woman.  Mom saw a billboard with the name- thus, it became me.  Guess I should be happy she hadn’t fancied the name ‘Michelob’.

B-  Boystown.  The first one was my husband’s family, and since we’re now the only ones of all his brothers to have boys, its now us.

C-  Christopher.  My heavenly baby.

D-  Dr. Who.  I’m a geek.  I like Sci-Fi and I LOVE this show.

E-  East.  Coast, that is.  I wouldn’t mind living some place where there were actual SEASONS.  I've heard there are places in the US where the trees change color with what time of year it is.  Right now, I'm living in a place where the only thing that changes color is the air- dusty, smoggy, cloudy, etc.

F-  Fireflies.  They have those back East, too.

G-  Gouda.  Well, any type of cheese, really.  I love cheese.  Does that make me mousy?

H-  Humor.  If you’re my friend, you need to have a sense of one.  If you don't have one, it'll just mean that I'll annoy you sooner than usual and you won't want to be near me.

I-  Insane asylum.  Its only a matter of time til I end up in one.

J-  Jesus.  My savior.

K-  Kids.  3.  No more.  At least, no more on Earth.  (See’C’)

L-  Liar.  I’m a bad one so I don’t even try.  I mean, seriously- I suck at lying.  Ask my best bud, Alli.  She was around when I'd try and call out sick from work to hang out with her when I was younger.  I might as well have just said,"I'm not coming in because I'd rather hang out with friends today."

M-  My coffee.  Yes, I know coffee starts with ‘c’, but that was already taken.

N-  ‘Numb’.  The default ringtone on my phone.

O-  Opal.  I think they’re pretty but my hubs will never buy me any jewelry with them in it because they remind him of stones from the old ‘Land of the Lost’ TV show.

P-  Pick up.  Nissan.  My second automobile I owned.  I learned to drive stick shift in it.

Q-  Quiet.  Never get to really experience it here at Boystown.

R-  Rain.  We need a good storm here.  With hail.  And thunder.  And lightning.

S-  Simple.  I like things that aren’t extravagant but have a lot of heart behind them.

T-  Talkative.  Very.  And Camo takes after me in that way.

U-  Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disorder.  My disorder.  I named it Bob because you can’t be scared of a disorder named ‘Bob’.  And Bob takes a lot less work to say.

V-  Valentine’s Day.  Call me a hopeless romantic, but I think its a nice holiday.  I think it says more about those people who are gung-ho to celebrate April Fool's Day, but claim that Valentine’s Day was created just to sell Hallmark cards.

W-  Winter.  Its my favorite time of year.  In the summer (what seems to be the longest season of the year in my neck of the woods), you can only take off so much clothing to try and get cool.  In the Winter, though, you can pile on the sweaters, beanies, gloves, scarfs; huddle under a thousand blankets- tons of ways to get toasty.

X-  X-ray.  I had quite a few while they worked to discover what was wrong with me (physically, people.  Mentally, that’s a whole ‘nother issue.).  On the bright side, I can say with no reservations and lots of proof that I have both -a heart AND a brain.  The down side?  X-rays are expensive and I’m pretty sure I signed over my kids on one of the forms.  I’m surprised I don’t glow in the dark.

Y-  Yellow.  I’ve heard the spelling of this word at least 50 times today alone.  Its the color of the week at Jacob’s kindergarten and he won’t let me forget it.

Z-  Zzzzzz....  What I’d really love to be doing right now since I have an 8 month old that is either a nocturnal creature of sorts or is solar powered and insists on keeping me up til all hours.  I know that one day I’ll look back on these days and long for simpler times, but for now, I’d give my left pinkie for a few quite moments of shut eye.  Who needs a pinkie, anyways?

Peace in Fear

1 decade.

That's how long its been.

10 years since every American's life was changed immensely and forever.

240 months ago, we all woke up with the given that any day could be our last, but there were a couple of other "givens" we had originally woken up with:

• America is generally a safe country.  Wars occur in places like Iraq- we only see those kinds of riots after the Lakers lose... or win.
• Planes don't crash into buildings.  In fact, if you were to ask anyone, they'd tell you that flying is safer than driving.

But on the morning of September 11, 2001, all of our "givens"- every ignorant assumption we'd held near and dear- were tossed aside.  Suddenly, our world was never going to be the same.  Our kids and future kids would never know a world where flying didn't include the possible threat of terrorism; where they didn't know at least one person who was heading off to war or had just come back; where there was a 'Twin Towers'.

My oldest was 1 and 1/2 at the time, and I'll never forget holding him, thinking "What a horrible accident!" and then watching as the second plane slammed into the second tower.  I'll never forget wondering what kind of life he had ahead of him.

I'll never forget church that Sunday.  It was packed to the brim with people hoping for answers- looking for hope itself.  Flags were bought by the dozen and flown in every doorway.  Candles were lit for the fallen.  People sang songs of unity and tolerance and spoke of how we needed to come together, throwing around the phrase "God Bless America".

760 weeks later, most of those thoughts have faded.  Flags might still fly, but candles are no longer lit.  Many who fled to church right after the attack, soon gave God a nice pat on the back with a "Thanks for being there when I freaked- see you at Christmas."  Unity and tolerance were nice ideas until you fit a certain profile or pissed someone off; and "God Bless America" soon became the "Have a nice day" of this generation- which strikes me as odd since "under God" in the pledge of allegiance still offends some people.

In the end, the only REAL thing that has stuck around all these years later is fear.  It happened once, could it happen again?  Where's Bin Laden and what's he planning?  Now we're at war- what now?  Oh, now we've found Bin Laden and he's dead... wait, what about zealots for his cause?

So, with so much fear in abundance, what does God's word have to say about it?

"So, do not fear, for I am with you." Isaiah 41:16
"In God, whose word I praise- in God I trust and am not afraid.  What can mere mortals do to me?" Psalm 56:4
"For in the day of trouble, he will keep me safe in his dwelling." Psalm 27:5

When we're afraid, he doesn't turn his back- he opens his arms.  He reminds us that -as it was stated so eloquently in Veggietales- "God is bigger than the boogie man."  God gave man free will, so there's never going to be World Peace- mankind is prone to sin- but when things go bad, God gives us himself.  No matter what we've faced, are facing, or will face, God is always true to his word and he's said that he's with us.  He's been there everyday for the last 5320 days- whether we've noticed or not- listening for when we call on him, and he'll continue to be there everyday, waiting on that 1 day when we're afraid and need him.

God is bigger than the boogie man.

So, what's to fear?

***If you liked the post, then please post the button!***

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Saturday Shout-Out: Golden Butterflyz

I wanted to use my Saturday posts to highlight some great bloggers out there. This week's feature blogger is wonderful and I hope you love her as much as I do. If you'd like me to highlight you, just send me an email:

Saturday Shout-Out

~Your name: Miriam Thompson

~Your blog's name w/ link: Golden Butterflyz - http://goldenbutterflyz.blogspot.com

~Type of blog it is : My blog is a Life in general blog

~Tell us a little something about yourself: I strive to live a golden life. Life is precious and valuable and should be treasured. Being a wife, mom, daughter, sister, BFF and friend is important to me because I share my love around. I love life and inspite of the bad things in this world, there are good people.

~If you had only 1 wish, what would it be and why? That we would have a peaceful existence free of the images of war, famine and unhappiness. The world needs to take a collective breath and get back to appreciating each other.

~What's your favorite thing about where you live and why? It is so quiet and peaceful in my small town. I love knowing that my route home involves passing by farms with horses and vast fields. Then when I enter the bustling town, I get those stressful feelings.

~What's #1 on your 'Bucket List'? Oh boy! I created one a while back and I cannot hunt down the paper now . But I know that landing a role on my favorite show Law and Order: SVU is my ultimate dream.

~3 words to describe yourself would be...? stubborn, loyal and vocal.

~1 little known fact about you is...? I love all things British. Part of my heritage is British and I watch anything British. British comedies are hilarious!

~1 vice of yours is...? Eating too much of my favorite treat...Chocolate.

~Why did you start blogging? At first it was at the prompting of my BFF. Now, it has grown on me and I feel liberated in that I am able to speak from my bloggy soapbox and let the world know my thoughts.

~What's your favorite thing about blogging? I am my own boss. I call the shots. I am the head honcho. It is a great feeling.

~What do you think makes for a successful blog? Being able to be yourself and not being a copycat. If you are putting on a show, the readers will see it. Go with your gut and let your blog reflect you.

~3 words to describe your blog would be...? Opinionated, Passionate and Thoughtful

~What's 1 blog (besides yours) that you think everyone should check out? Please check out Pumps and Gloss- http://www.pumpsandgloss.com.This blog speaks to all things fashionable, fierce and beautiful.

Check it out- someone else allowed me on their blog again!

Hey!  Look at me!!!  I'm a guest poster (post?  Postee?  Not really sure how to say that...) at




I wrote a BRILLIANT (if I do say so myself- which I do) post about parenting. You KNOW you're curious, so go read it. Please. And while you're at it, go check out the wonderful gal that had the courage to have me post on her site- Nan. She's got a really great blog with lots of great tips and tricks to help you in your daily life.

Not really quite sure how I helped anyone with what I wrote, but oh well.

Anyways, go check it out!

5 Tips to Make Parenting Easier

Getting to Know You Friday Blog Hop

Happy Friday everyone and welcome to the first Getting to Know You Friday Blog Hop!  Thanks for stopping by!





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Question of the week: What are the blessings and challenges of being a woman/man?
Welcome to the Getting to Know You Friday Blog Hop hosted by: Amber from Confessions from Boystown, Jennifer from mamawolfe, Christina from Spilled Milkshake, & Lisa from insignificant at best.

The idea behind the Getting to Know You Blog Hop, is just that...getting to know you. We also thought it would be a good chance to share thoughts, experiences & lessons learned from life.  All 4 of us met through a great little site (Voiceboks) which is founded on -not just promoting blogs- but actually caring about other bloggers, getting to know them, and making friends along the way.  That's why I think this blog hop is a great idea- cuz it goes along with that same general ideaology.

  So, to keep things orderly and with minimal confusion (we hope), here are the rules:

1. Since there are 4 hosts we thought it was fair to only require you to follow 2 of us. Each host has been partnered with another host. We ask that you follow the host who's blog you submit your link to & their partner, the other 2 hosts are optional. The partnerships are:

Confessions from Boystown with mamawolfe
Spilled Milkshake with insignificant at best

(ex: If submit your link on Confessions from Boystown. You are required to follow Confessions from Boystown & mamawolfe. It is up to you whether or not you'd also like to follow Spilled Milkshake & insignificant at best.)

2. Each week we'll have a new question for you to answer. Write a blog post answering that question & link directly to it in the linky below!

3. Include our blog hop button in the post.

4. Visit a minimum of 3 other blogs & leave a MEANINGFUL comment on their Getting to Know You post. Please do not just go to 3 blogs & ask them to follow you. Everyone is taking time to their thoughts, so please be respectful of that.

5. Have fun getting to know one another! :)

The linky will be open until Sunday evening to make sure everyone has time to write their posts & link up!

If you have any questions or would like to suggest a question for the blog hop please contact one of the hosts! If your question gets picked we will feature your blog & question in that week's hop!

Welcome to the Getting to Know You Weekend Blog Hop, where each week we Feature an awesome blogger for you to Get to Know.

Rules:

1. Follow your 2 hosts and this week's GtKY Featured Blog (the first 3 links below).

2. Link up anything you want! Facebook, Twitter, giveaways, a blog post, etc.

3. Visit/follow at least 3 other links & return the favor to those who follow/visit you. Get to Know your fellow bloggers!

4. (OPTIONAL) Grab our button and/or get the InLinkz code (above) and post the hop on your blog. Increased exposure for all of us!

5. Have fun!

The GtKY hop is open until Sunday evening. If you would like to be Featured & co-host this hop with us, just enter your email in the rafflecopter form below!

1. southernpixie	2. Build Your Email List!	3. Winter Blues Giveaway	4. Healthy Fit n Free
5. Theresa	6. RAISING...RELIEF (follows)	7. Raising Supermom	8. When One Door Of Happiness Closes
9. Simple Abundance	10. THE TAO OF POOP	11. Vintage Romance	12. Rekita @ Lovely Army Wife
13. Capturing Memories One Snap At A Time	14. My Fashion Forward Blog	15. BLOGmoda My Blog	16. Adventure Into Domesticland

(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)

More Craziness...

So, things are going to be a bit crazy on here for a little itty bitty bit- I'm in the process of that whole '.com' thing I think I might have mentioned once or twice, so it might look as if I've gone MIA, but the truth is, I'm making a sparkly shiny place for all you to visit. 

Once I've got a new address, I'll post it and invite you to come hang out!

In the interim, I'll post a few things here and there- you know, so you don't wander around confused.  But if you're feeling lost, just remember what you're mama used to say- just stay in one place.  I'll come find YOU.

Talk to you soon!

Go see my guest post! Now!

Ok, so I already wrote a 'Wordless Wednesday' post for today, but if you'd like to read actual WORDS by me, then you need to hop, skip and then jump (or tap, tap tap the letters on your keyboard) to Insignificant at Best!  (Or, you can jut click on that there link to take you to the post.)

Yes, that's the same gal I had guest post here.  What can I say?  She's got good taste, lol.

So, go on- go head over there for my brand new, shiny and sparkly, never before posted entry!  I'll be here when you get back so you can shower me with compliments, lol.

Wordless Wednesday

(Ok, so this is NOT so wordless, because I just have to brag about my AWESOME photographer friend, Victoria Karalun, who took this photo (among MANY others!).

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Tasty Tuesdays #1

Ok, so its really kind of sad that in my profile description, I talk about how much a love to cook and bake to save my sanity (and when THAT doesn't work, THAT'S when I write), but YET- I haven't posted any of my favorite recipes.

I know- I'm in awe, too.

But, never fear, I'm changing that now. I'm combining my love for sanity, cooking, baking, and writing and I'm turning it into

I know- there are a million Blog Hops out there by that name (one of which is found on one of my FAVORITE sites to visit: Voiceboks), but this isn't a blog hop. I HAVE hops that I do- including my Thankful Thursday hop- but I wanted to write a post JUST about food.

Recipes I love.

Recipes I'm trying for the first time.

Recipes passed down from generation to generation.

You know- food. And who doesn't LOVE food?


 So, for my first 'Tasty Tuesday', I wanted to post one of my husband's favorite cookies I've made.

Its really nothing special- its actually one of the easiest things I've done.  It was out of shear desperation for a different kind of cookie that I decided to try this one.  But sometimes, the best things in life are the simplest things.

Occasionally I'll sell batches of cookies to my husband's co-workers- like when they don't want to bake during that hectic time of the year, they'll ask me to do it for them, and I happily oblige.

Why?

Because cooking and baking help to keep me sane.

Have you read nothing so far?

Anyways, one of them- or maybe it WAS my husband- had asked if I made any lemon cookies.  I hadn't, but I had lemon cake mix... and would you looky here?  There was a recipe for Lemon Crisps using the cake mix!  Awesome!

Now, given, I'm not the type to see a recipe and follow it verbatim.  I've even *gasp* tweaked a 100 year old recipe for Spanish Rice (I'll post that recipe later) because, well, I can.  But, for the most part, this recipe is the one I found.  I just wanted to share it.  If you try it and you like it, I'd love your feedback.  If you don't, well, that's not gonna happen unless you hate lemon... in which case, you won't try it anyways unless you're tryin' to spite me.

Lemon Crisps

1 pkg. lemon cake mix

1/3 cup oil

2 eggs

1 2 tsp lemon zest

1/4 cup sugar

(frosting)

1 cup powdered sugar

2-3 tbsp. lemon juice

Heat oven to 375*.

In a large bowl, combine the first 4 ingredients; stir until thoroughly moistened.  shape dough into 1 in. balls.  

Dip the bottom of a cup in sugar to flatten the balls (I usually have a damp folded paper towel nearby to help the sugar stick to the glass a little better).

Bake for 5-7 minutes- until the edges are a light golden brown.

Cool 1 minute on the baking sheet and then move to a cooling rack.

Combine powdered sugar and lemon juice.  Drizzle over the cooled cookies.

Enjoy!  And, remember, if you have a recipe you'd like the rest of the blog-o-verse to  know about, email me and I'll post it here!

Guest Post Monday- Insignificant at Best!

As I told someone else, my husband is seriously thinking that I'm doing "other things" on the internet because I'm on here so often, so I decided that the easiest way to keep him from divorcing me...

...oh, who am I kidding- he'd never divorce me.  Who would cook his meals?

Anyways, though, I thought I would start doing Guest Posts on Mondays... or at least on the Mondays I have someone to do it. *hint, hint*

This week's guest is awesome- seriously.  The first time I read an entry by her, I questioned if we had been separated at birth because we had such similar tastes and humor.  Her blog has a little bit of everything because, as she's said, her mind doesn't stick to just one subject so why should her blog, and that makes perfect sense to me.  She claims that she's no one special, but I think she's pretty fabulous, and I'm sure you will, too. And once you've discovered her awesomeness, go to her blog and check out more from her!

So, without further ado- Lisa from Insignificant at Best!

Distracted Driving- Are we going overboard?

Distracted driving. It’s all the media and everyone else seems to talk about these days. All we hear about is how we shouldn’t “text and drive”, “eat while driving” or how we should “pull over before talking on the cell phone”. I don’t know about you, but here in Michigan we have some cities that have laws stating that we can’t talk on our cell phones while driving and there is even one city that says you can’t do anything, while driving. I mean talk on the phone, eat, drink, etc. when you’re driving. I mean how’s a girl supposed to eat breakfast in the morning?!? 

Anyways, I’m finding that it’s so “in your face” that I’m starting to get annoyed. The reasons are countless. First of all with “hands free” technology, now-a-days talking on your cell phone is like talking to a passenger in the car. I know that on more than one occasion I was so into talking to the person in the passenger seat that I missed my exit on the expressway. Does this mean we’re going to have to stop talking altogether when the vehicle is in motion? How about the crying infant in the back seat? Should I pull over and give them Benadryl so they fall asleep and shut up? I’m going to go with a big fat “no” on that one.

The next thing that drives me insane is all of these digital signs we have everywhere. You know the ones that say catchy little sayings like “Construction workers – give ‘em a break!” or “Stay alive, don’t drink and drive!”, when they are supposed to be warning us of upcoming traffic jams, road closures, construction, etc. I’m sorry, but I have to look up and read these ever changing signs with their life altering tips, which means I’m…DISTRACTED.

Let me just share with you some pictures of the gems in the Detroit Metro Area (Oh and let’s just pretend I didn’t take these with my cell phone while driving. What can I say? I’m a rebel like that.):

“Drunk driving, over the limit, under arrest.” Really?!? I had no clue that drunk driving could lead to an arrest. Next thing you’re going to tell me is that I’m putting my life and other people’s lives at risk when I drive drunk.

 

“Construction and traffic info www.mi.gov/drive.” Hmmm…should I grab a pen to write the website address down or just pull out my Smart Phone and go directly to the website right then and there?

“Avoid cell phone use while driving.” Ironic that I took a picture of this sign with my cell phone, don’t ya think? Also, ironic that a sign that’s warning me not to distract myself while using my cell phone is causing me to be distracted.

Not to mention all of the other billboards that line the roads, especially the new-fangled electronic ones that change between 2 or 3 advertisements. Ever catch yourself staring at those while they change? It just seems to me that this has all gotten a little out of control and frankly, I’m tired of it.

How about you? Do you agree? Disagree? Have funny electronic sign messages to share? Please do so in the comments below!

(***If you'd like to be a guest blogger, be sure to let me know!***)

Saturday Shout Out: I'm staying home with my mom!

I wanted to use my Saturday posts to highlight some great bloggers out there. This week's feature blogger is wonderful and I hope you love her as much as I do. If you'd like me to highlight you, just send me an email:

Saturday Shout-Out

"I'm staying home with my mom!"

~Your name:  Nicole Searfoss


~Your blog's name w/ link:

"I'm staying home with my mom!"  (link is http://www.indulgentaromas.com)

~Type of blog it is

I'd say that I'm a mommy blogger.....sort of....lol

~Tell us a little something about yourself:  

I am a Christian, 'challenged' homemaker, wife, and mom to 4 beautiful girls. I am working on not being a 'challenged' homemaker....I have recently started menu planning, baking, etc....and actually sort of enjoy it. Sort of.... I enjoy spending time with family, reading, and hunting. I also own a business, which I run from the comforts of my home. I work around my family's schedule and am available to them when I need to be. I love to laugh, act silly, have fun, and enjoy the simple things in life! Life is too short to sweat the small stuff.....You can either 'Survive the storm or dance in the rain'. I hope you dance!!!

~If you had only 1 wish, what would it be and why?

  If I had one wish, I'm not sure what I'd wish for.  I'd love to say money, because money takes away so much stress and gives you so many opportunities.  On the other hand, I'd wish that all my family would be safe, happy, and healthy.  There are so many things that I could wish for that would make my life, or life in general, better....but none seem deserving of my one and only wish.  So, I guess I really don't have an answer for that.  

~What's your favorite thing about where you live and why?

I live in a fairly small town.  It has 3 stoplights (they just put the 3rd one in a few years ago).  I love that we can let our children play outside without fear of them being taken.  I love that we all pretty much know each other and can 'catch up' at the grocery store.  I love that we can sit and watch the sunset or watch the snow fall over a quiet field.  I love October 1st and November 15 are holidays here.  I love all the 'country' things that happen here.......mud trucks, hunting, bonfires, lifelong friends, family togetherness, etc.  Come to think of it, there's not much that I don't love about my town.  It's where I was born and raised and now it's where I am raising my children.  Alongside nature and far away from skyscrapers that rob our view of God's amazing creation!

~What's #1 on your 'Bucket List'?   

We have hound dogs and I would absolutely LOVE to hunt a mountain lion with them.  I'm not much of a thrill seeker, but that is a dream of mine.  

~3 words to describe yourself would be...?   

best friend, mommy, problem solver.....guess that's 5, huh?  How about 3 phrases?  LOL

~1 little known fact about you is...? 

I am very self conscious....I come across as a confident leader, but it's all show.  I am getting better at believing in myself, but people wouldn't believe how much I really would rather be a wallflower.

~1 vice of yours is...?  

diet pop, currently Diet Mt. Dew....terrible habit but not something I am wanting to give up yet.....

~Why did you start blogging?

I started blogging for my newly launched home business.  I was given advice that I should have a blog for people to get to know me.  My goal was to 'network' through my blog and mentor others into my business.  I am still in that business (which is awesome, by the way), but blogging has become more to me than a 'business network'.  I began to change and grow in God.  I began to realize that I was relating to other mommy bloggers and they were relating to me.  We were forming a bond.  I have started to write about things that are important to me or things that I feel may help someone else out.  Maybe they are in my situation and feel alone.  Maybe they are looking to make money from home and see that I am doing it with 4 kids and running a home, so they figure they can do it too.  Maybe I had an experience that they can relate to, or find humor in.  I am 'meeting' and connecting with like minded, amazing women.  I am helping them and they are helping me.  It's amazing that a blog can be that inspiring to me and to my readers.  I write when I have issues and it makes me be accountable to others.  I can't  write about something then slide into old habits.  It has become very soothing to me to know that there are others out there experiencing the same things in life I am and we can take encouragement from each other.

~What's your favorite thing about blogging?

I love hearing from readers.  I love knowing that I am helping in some way or that others agree with me, and we can support each other.  Being a Christian isn't always easy, being a wife isn't always easy, being a mommy isn't always easy.   It's nice to be able to offer advice when you have it and take it from others when you need it.

~What do you think makes for a successful blog?

I think readers need to relate to you.  You have to be real without being a 'downer'.  Turn the challenges in your life into teaching experiences or a learning experience.  Don't be negative.  If my readers can learn from me or encourage me or laugh with me as we travel this road of life, then it has been successful.

~3 words to describe your blog would be...?   

opinionated, motivating, real

~What's 1 blog (besides yours) that you think everyone should check out?  

Oh, there are sooooo many great blogs out there!  I LOVE womenlivingwell.org, but that is only one of many that I love.  You can see my other favorites on the sidebar of my blog.  They are all AWESOME!!!!

Thankful Thursday Blog Hop

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I have a LOT to be thankful for, so I decided to start just making a list of 10 things every Thursday. That way, on days like today that make me want to scream and shout- and NOT in a good way- I can force myself to calm down and relax and think of at least 10 reasons why I'm actually NOT cursed by God to live in a miserable existence.

I'm kidding! I don't think that.

Usually.

So, here are the rules- well, not RULES, persay. They're more like GUIDELINES:

1. Don't follow me unless you really want to. I don't want this to be purely about getting new followers- I'd really like to see people flooding the internet with "Thankful" posts. If you'd like me to follow YOU, though, let me know.

2. I'd love it if you posted the button. It would give me warm fuzzies.

3. You can link up blogs, facebook and twitter accounts - just be sure to specify what each link is.

4. Hop around and find blogs that you enjoy. Be sure to tell them you are following them from Thankful Thursdays Blog Hop so they can follow you back!

And #5 and most importantly, HAVE FUN.

And now, once again, here it goes- my list of 10.

1. I'm thankful for an 11 year old that -I was told by his teachers last night- isn't working up to his potential. At least they KNOW he's not working up to his potential and they aren't accepting that he's a dolt that enjoys doing the bare minimum to get by. That means there's hope, right? I mean, at least he hasn't hit the maximum amount of intelligence that God allowed him.

2. I'm thankful that Nicholas is screaming. It means he has lungs, and I've read that those are important. I'd say that I heard that was important, but I can't really hear anything other than blaring screams.

3. I'm thankful for an inquisitive 5 year old that wondered what would happen if he threw his tacos on the ground- would they bounce or would they stick? You HAVE to be thankful for a child who loves science.

4. I'm thankful for clean carpets. The fact that those clean carpets are in dirty rooms make the rooms, well, ok, I'm just thankful I don't have to clean carpets along with everything else.

5. I'm thankful I don't have a second car and I have to walk to pick up Jacob from kindergarten- it gives me time to myself and I can listen to music that doesn't make me want to scratch my ears off.

6. I'm thankful I didn't die of heat stroke picking up Jacob from kindergarten today.

7. Have mentioned yet how thankful I am for coffee? Yeah- because I am.

8. I'm thankful that my basil plant has survived as long as it has. If you've read anything about me, you know that I PROBABLY shouldn't be given the permission to care for anything living... well, plants at least. My thumb is black and my plants USUALLY attempt herbicide long before now. Maybe this is a turning point?

9. I'm thankful I have a sense of humor.

10. I'm thankful my husband is thankful for ME, because that means that he hasn't run away and THAT means, in a few hours, I'll have a partner... so I can escape and go to Alli's.

So what are YOU thankful for?  Join the hop!

1.

spilledmilkshake.com/blog/2011/08/04/thankful-t...

2.

grandmabonniescloset.blogspot.com/2011/08/meet-...

3.

www.facebook.com/funonadime/posts/245532392155068

(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)

Vote 4 me- its good for the soul!!!

So, if you look to your LEFT <----- you'll see an ADORABLE little button that says 'Funniest mom blogs", so I'm asking you from the heart of my bottom (because my butt is SO much bigger than my heart), can you PLEASE hop on over there for 2 seconds and vote for lil' 'ol me?  I'd REALLY appreciate it and I might even send you cyber cookies.  Just tell me what kind and I'll get right on it. 

Thank you kindly!  

Wordless Wednesday- Young Love

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'Bunny Hops' of Faith

"28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus."  Matthew 14:28

A lot of times when people talk about Peter the disciple, they laugh and mock him for all his seemingly unintelligent things he did.  One such thing was his well known "failed" attempt at walking on water.

What those people -who are so quick to judge- fail to acknowledge, though, is that Peter was also full of trust and faith in his Lord.

I don't know if you realize this, but if not, let me enlighten you- did you know that humans sink?  Its true!  Throughout the ages, mankind has struggled with the inability to keep afloat solely (get it?) by standing on the water.  I'm not joking- these are pure facts, people!

Also, did you know that, when men go off on fishing boats, they generally go out to an area where they can't see the ocean floor.

I'm astounding you with these tidbits, I know.

So, let me play this out for you: Peter- a man- was out at sea- deep water where more than just lil' fishies live- and he saw Jesus, walking on the water.  He knew WHAT he -himself- was and WHERE he was, but more importantly, he knew WHO Jesus was.  He knew that, sure, man shouldn't be able to walk on water, but he knew that if Jesus told him to, he could.

And, here's the thing- he DID.  Jesus said to come, and Peter hopped out.  He was walking on the water because Jesus had it all under control.  He was walking on the water while all the others on the boat- who hadn't had the guts to attempt what Peter did- stood watching.

It wasn't until he took his eyes off Jesus and started staring at his, by all accounts, impossible situation, and started sinking.

Sometimes God will give you a sign as big as a billboard on the side of a freeway.  It'll have huge neon letters, flashing lights, and sirens to ensure you won't miss it.  Sometimes, however, it just takes a leap of faith that He won't allow you to get in over your head- especially if its something that you know He would want you to do.  The key is to keep your eyes on Jesus and not on your situation.

My little family isn't rich.  I'd complain more, but God has always given us enough to get by, and while we struggle financially, we have a marriage that I pray my sons will have with their spouses when they grow up.  I'll gladly trade riches for a happy marriage.

The thing about a lack of money, though, is that you really start to analyze what you can and can't spend money on:

Food?  Can.
Candy?  Shouldn't.
Gas?  Need to.
Toys?  Probably not.

When it comes to the things God wants you to have or do, though, God will always make a way.  All lights will be green, all roadblocks removed.  If its something you want and its in His will (meaning, its not something the Bible says is a no-no), then God will give His blessing.

Like I said, our pockets aren't deep, but when it comes to the things God wants for us, we've always gotten it.   The funny thing is, when we do what God asks of us, we're usually blessed with even more.

And, the times when its scary (especially financially) to do what we know God wants, we ask for His strength and we keep our eyes on Who we're doing it for.  Yeah, it can be terrifying- the water is deep, the storm is raging and what we're about to do seems like it can't be done- but its only truly terrifying when we take our eyes off the One we're walking towards.

So, we make a leap of faith.

Well, ok, its more of a bunny hop.  Leaps can happen later- after we've gotten our feet wet.

Hey, Peter didn't RUN on the water.  A bunny hop is more than some people make in a lifetime.

Besides, we're only human.

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Saturday Shout Out: My Nuggets of Truth

I wanted to use my Saturday posts to highlight some great bloggers out there. This week's feature blogger is wonderful and I hope you love her as much as I do. If you'd like me to highlight you, just send me an email at asoto0703@gmail.com.

Saturday Shout-Out

~Your name: Erin Patrick:

~Your blog's name w/ link: My Nuggets of Truth http://mynuggetsoftruth.blogspot.com/

~Type of blog it is: Inspirational

~Tell us a little something about yourself: I've raised 6 kids and the grandkids are starting to come now! My passions are writing, photography, gardening, and my girlfriends. I have this amazing husband who encourages me to shine and to go after my dreams. I desire, for my blog, to help people realize just how valuable and precious they are and that they are a dream come true to God.

~If you had only 1 wish, what would it be and why? It would be that we would see people through Jesus' eyes. Because all the rest of the "stuff" would work itself out if we looked at people that way.

~What's your favorite thing about where you live and why? People in Tulsa are warm and giving. A study was done and homeless people actually love to come to Tulsa because they know they will receive love and a hand up!

~What's #1 on your 'Bucket List'? Go to Italy

~3 words to describe yourself would be...? compassionate, tenderhearted, gullible

~1 little known fact about you is...? I'm extremely insecure about my photography

~1 vice of yours is...? Watching reality TV with my hubby: Pawn Stars, American Pickers, Diners, Drive Ins and Dives

~Why did you start blogging? I started blogging after my mother passed away and I wished that she had left me some snippets of her great wisdom. I wanted to make sure that my children have something that they could always look to that reminded them of who I was and what I stood for.

~What's your favorite thing about blogging? Receiving wonderful comments from the most amazing people who read my blog.

~What do you think makes for a successful blog? In order to be successful, you have to write about things that grab the attention of the reader. I don't "sell" anything on my blog, so I have to write about struggles and issues that I have in life that I think others are dealing with. You must be genuine and real.

~3 words to describe your blog would be...? inspirational, encouraging, uplifting

~What's 1 blog (besides yours) that you think everyone should check out? I Live in an Antbed http://www.iliveinanantbed.blogspot.com/

Wordless Wednesday

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Just wondering...

I was thinking about changing over to wordpress and possibly getting my own .com- does anyone know how that would affect this blog?  Is there a way to transfer all these posts or would I just be SOL unless I did it manually?  PLEASE help a bloggy mama out!

The heart of the matter

This is my Sunday devotional.  Yeah, I know its not Sunday, but I've been holding the littlest one so much lately that I'm lucky to have use of my arms, let alone, the ability to FINALLY have time to write my entry.  So, here it is.

A man's heart reflects the man.  Proverbs 27:19

Somebody once told me (or maybe it was something I heard in church?  Dang 'Mommy Brain') that who you are in the dark is who you really are.  In other words, who you really are, is who you are when you think no one sees you.  Its what lies deep in your heart.

Its also called character.

If you knew you'd NEVER get caught, what would you do?  What would you attempt?

There's a quote by Ralph Waldo Emmerson that goes like this

Sow a thought, reap an action;

Sow an action, reap a habit;

Sow a habit, reap a character;

Sow a character, reap a destiny.

"Sow a thought, reap an action."  It all starts with your heart.  What's in YOUR heart?  If all your thoughts were to suddenly be put on a loudspeaker, would you be ashamed?  Embarrassed?  If so, THINK about THAT.  When you think about something long enough and enough times, its only a matter of time before you follow through.  Ever notice on a woman's post-partum visit questionnaire that it asks if she ever has thoughts of hurting her baby?  If thoughts never led to actions and if they weren't a problem, would they still ask that question?

"Sow an action, reap a habit."  If you've ever talked to a Life Coach or a personal trainer, then I'm sure you've heard that it takes around 21 days to create a new habit and roughly 6 months for it to become a regular part of your lifestyle- give or take.  Every time you make a choice to act on a thought, you're working on creating a habit and affecting your lifestyle.

"Sow a habit, reap a character."  You can adamantly deny that what you do is who you are, but actions speak louder than words, and by this point, your actions are telling the world,"Listen up!  THIS is who I am."  Regardless of whether or not you meant to come off that way, if it walks like a duck, has webbed feet, a duck bill, and feathers- does it really matter if you're trying to call it something else?

"Sow a character, reap a destiny."  From the time our kids (or from the time we ourselves) were little, its always been stressed that in order to make a good life for ourselves, we need to get good grades and continuously work hard because it won't be handed to us on a silver platter.  Everything we were taught- everything we've taught our kids- is that you need to work on who you are now because your future depends on it.

Everyday we sow seeds that contribute to our character.  We water them through our habits, our actions and our thoughts- and it all comes to fruition when God either says,"Well done, good and faithful servant" or "Depart from me- I never knew you".

And it all begins with the heart.

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Do you hear that?

Oh, you don't?  Well, you should- its the sound of yet another fabulous blogger giving my blog props!  Yay!  So, right now, I'd like to give a BIG thank you to Amy at From the Heart for nominating me for the

She's been feeling a little under the weather (like me), but after antibiotics and a whole slew of other things, she's starting to "feel almost human again".  Go head on over and check her out- she was nominated for 'Parent's Magazine's Funniest Mom Blog', so I KNOW you'll find her entertaining; and maybe tell her to get well soon, cuz the Blogaverse is better when she's a part of it.

Well, Amy told us not to feel that we have to follow any "rules" this time around, but I always look at them as more like "guidelines" anyways, so I've never actually felt any pressure.  But, since we're doing things a little differently this time, why don't I tell you 7 things going on at my home this morning?  That should make you breathe a little easier about your life and cause you to shout out a big 'thank you' to God this fine Sunday morning.  And, you know how I love it when people are thankful, so here it goes:

1.  My baby- Nicholas- is screaming at me from the under the desk where I'm sitting.  I had been holding him while checking email, but when he chose to hit 'send' on something (not really sure what it was) and I saw that message had been sent (not really sure to whom), I decided it was time for mommy to have her arms back.  So, if you got an email from me that seems like its gibberish- I did not have a stroke; I have a baby.

2.  Its 10:05 a.m. and I've yet to make coffee- THAT is how tired I am.  When exhaustion keeps me from even wanting to stand at the coffee maker, there's an issue.

3.  Jacob is playing with a toy dragon that -when you push its tail down, its mouth glows and it makes annoying dragon-y sounds.  Think growls, hisses, smashing noises, etc.  Nothin' like ushering in a new day with the soothing sounds of screeches.

4.  Camo is watching Prince of Persia... with surround sound.  Such a LOVELY accompaniment to the dragon noises.

5.  My two older boys have just decided that fighting is more important than breathing- literally.  I'm pretty sure I hear both of them gasping for air which means that one has the other in a head lock.  And, as I've said before in THIS entry, I wouldn't put it past Jacob as being the victor.

6.  My living room looks as if an earthquake, a tornado, and a hurricane all touched down here.  Oh, wait- they did.

7.  It has taken me an hour and a half to get this far in my list due to all of the above going on.  I still have dinner to get prepped, my Sunday devotional to write (it'll be up later), and I STILL need to get ready for the day since time seems to really fly over here and we've got church tonight.  With that being said, I'll have to post my nominees for this award with my devotional later. 

Thanks again for the award, Amy!