March Books & Life in Photos

It is already March! February sure was a blur. I think I am trying to get through winter as fast as possible so that I can finally relax when Spring/Summer are here. Not that we haven't had some gorgeous weather days . . we have had a good many. I am ready for swimming pools, though. So, we are not there just yet!

With the start of the new month is the start of a few new books! I needed alittle something lighter this month- last month was kind of intense!




I keep reading good reviews on The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks. I can always count on him for a great story line that holds my attention fairly well, without me having to do a whole lot of thinking.





Even though Baptists don't really observe Lent in the same way that some of the other denominations do, I love to find readings that correspond with this season and mediate and pray over them. I saw this book and thought that it would be a great read between now and Easter.
If it is as good as it sounds, I fear I may be done long before Easter :)

I wrote this post last year about observing Lent. I got so much out of these readings and am doing it again this year.

I wanted to try something new, just for my sake. I drive a good bit during the week. I notice nature and love to see new and different things. One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Romans 1:20 which says,

"For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God."

I love this. When I pass by something that just screams this verse out to me, I take a mental picture. I thought as I was driving by something today, it would be cool to document some of those pictures on here, when I can stop the car and get them!

I LOVE trees. That is so weird, I know. There is a tree that I pass everyday on the way to work that brings me joy. I realize how weird this sounds, but I'm just keeping it real. Anyway, the tree below isen't that tree, but is one that is on my parents road that I thought looked so cool amongst the fog today. There is something about its shape, the way its branches hang down and scoop low. I like this tree.




(I did finish watching Army Wives and was very much sad to see it end for the 3 weeks prior to the new season starting. Somehow, I talked Jason into watching the very first episode, and he likes it too! We started re-watching them together! He will kill me for posting this.)

Friday Ramblings and February Books!

- My typing has slowed significantly today. Last night I went to get something out of our cabinet, which happens to be a "lazy susan". Somehow, I pinched my pinkie finger to the point that I had to look down and make sure it was still attached. My word it hurt something fierce! So, today it is wrapped in a Hello Kitty Band aid that I picked up at Dollar General and it is wrapped tight and stiff. I didn't realize how much I bend and use my pinkie, but apparently alot!

- Our beautiful 60 + degree days we have been enjoying the last few days/weeks have given way to a 39 degree day today. It is cold! It looks like a snowy day, but I think all that is staying to the north of us. I have never wanted summer weather so bad in my life!

- My mama, grandmother, aunt, sister-in-law, great aunt and myself have a half week in NYC planned in June. I really am very excited about it. This time, we are going to a Broadway show, so that is something different. Of course, I am already emailing luggage strategy with my grandmother- lots of shopping to be done :)

- Still addicted to Army Wives. Currently on Season 4. Thank goodness only one more and then I will be ready for Season 6 that comes on in March.

- Wondering what I am going to watch after I am done?! ;)

- I am doing a Bible Study right now by Jen Hatmaker called Road Trip. It is so good. I had slacked off these last couple of weeks, but got back in the saddle this week. It could not have come at a more precious time. Last night she took me through the Bible in learning who we are in God- how He views us. Powerful for someone who fights with her identity almost daily.

- I have been late to work for 4.5 years now. I am not proud and it has become a terrible habit. Today was the morning my boss decided to fuss at me. Nice! Happy Friday to Me!

- I finished my January books! I kind of had a hard time with choosing February, but I think I have found what I want.



GREAT BOOK! I don't know if my love for this book is feeding off of my love for Army Wives or what, but I am so into political/army/special op stuff right now! I think it is fascinating. There is about 9 books in this whole series, so I should be good for the rest of this year!

I have never read Karen Kingsbury, but am really excited about this book. I love how Kindle will let you try a sample of books. I was really into this one when it cut me off yesterday and wanted me to purchase. Deep thinker that I am decided to check the library, because I did get a membership this past summer to avoid having to buy so many books. They had it! I picked it up today and hope to get into it good this weekend.

- I loved this post by Beth Moore yesterday.

I guess that is enough for today. TGIF!

Latest Obsession and Sewing

So . . . I have one more TV show obsession to take up even more of my time!



LOVE THIS SHOW. Last week, I was goofing off on Netflix and decided to sign up for the one month free trial. I was looking through TV shows that I have always heard great things about, but have never been able to catch up with when its playing in real time. I jumped all over Army Wives this weekend and have already finished season 1 and I am on episode 5 of season 2. Oh my. Not really sure how this is going to go with all my regular shows, but I will figure it out.

Thank goodness we don't have kids yet!

Also, I have been *attempting* sewing. Between Jason and myself we have alot of clothes that need minor sewing fixes. I was bored over the holidays some and got online and found a few tutorials. I started practicing on some old cloth and then eventually was able to repair some of our clothes. I have been very proud of myself. However, Gracie's toys have proven to be alittle bit of a challenge.



Looks ok, right? I mean not top quality, but she is just going to make a mess of him again.



As you can see, I sewed the beard over the nose. Oh well! At least the stuffing is not coming out everywhere anymore.

I will have to keep practicing. My goal is to be able to make a quilt out of some of Jason's old baseball t-shirts. It would appear I have LOTS of practicing!

Can You Help Me Pray?

This is too awesome of a God story not to record and remember!

Saturday night while we were watching the game over at my brother's house, I got into a deep conversation with a friend of mine and a trip to the Dominican Republic/Haiti that she went on this summer. I was just loving talking to her about it and I could feel God stirring my heart the entire time. Bless her, I think I probably wore her out! Anyway, she was telling me that the leader of the orphanage they visited in Haiti has emailed her constantly since they left in desperate need of supplies. My heart just broke. I wanted to know HOW CAN WE GET THEM SOMETHING . . anything! She said that there is just absolute chaos there since the earthquake. There is noway to really get anything over there without someone physically taking it to the border of the Dominican/Haiti.

My heart just continued to break as she told me that she had not been able to figure out how to get them the very basic things that they needed. As we were leaving, I made her promise me that if any opportunity came up to get the things there, to please let me know and I would love to help in anyway that I could.

That was Saturday. She sent me a message on Tuesday afternoon late that out of the blue a lady in New Mexico had contacted her and was going to be going at the end of this month, if she wanted her to take anything!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh my goodness, does God not work everything out?! So, we hustled around and got an awesome load together to send 1st to New Mexico and then to travel from New Mexico to the Dominican and then to Haiti.

Would you pray this suitcase makes it to where it is so desperately needed?






I stuck a note in, so I am hoping that we will hear from them sometime.

I am so grateful to God. He works things out that we NEVER could.

What We Are Watching Right Now

We are in reality TV overload right now! I have always been a reality TV junkie, but I have gotten Jason in on the fun too! We literally have something every night of the week that we can watch.

Monday night starts with a new show on MTV called Caged.



This show is actually pretty good. It follows the lives of several young adults in a small town near Shreveport, LA who cage fight. I know it sounds funny, and looks funny even typing it, but that show has been surprisingly good! I like to see how they train and the actual fight. All the drama in between is funny too.


Tuesday night is Teen Mom 2.



I will admit, this one I watch on my own! Jason hates this show, but I think it is so good! I tell my Aunt (who has 2 teenage boys) every time that I see her that I think all teenagers need to be required to watch this show. It is defiantly not an ideal picture of teen motherhood. If anything, it paints a very real picture of the hardships these girls (and boys) face.

Wednesday night is the most hectic. .Modern Family and Revenge! Modern Family is probably one of the funniest TV shows I have ever seen. I love the way it addresses certain issues and always gives a comedic spin! Revenge is one of Jason's favorites. I liked it to alot at first, but I got worn out with all of the vindictiveness. I still sort of half way watch it, but not like Jase does.

Thursday night is . . I am almost embarrassed to type this, but if I am being real....
Jersey Shore.



I have tried to stop watching this. I have told myself time and time again that this show is not funny . . but it just is!

That pretty much wraps up our TV week . . isn't that enough? A few others we love when they are on are Survivor, Big Brother, American Idol, Jail, Police Women of Memphis (that's just me!!!!), Alaska State Troopers and Kourtney and Kim Take New York.

I am in love with any reality cop/jail show. That includes Cops (esp. the old ones!), Locked Up, etc. .

After looking at this list, I think I need to stop watching so much TV!

Weekend Ramblings

Mondays roll around way to quick these days! We did not have today off. As a matter of fact, I spent 1/2 day at the accountant's office. Talk about a great start to the week!

Saturday night we cooked out steaks at my brother's house and watched the Bronco's play. I really like Tim Tebow. I have his book on my list this year and I am excited to read it. He seems to want to glorify God in everything he says and does- who doesn't find that honorable?

I left about 9 ish because the Miss America pageant was on! It just doesn't seem as glamorous as it did when I was say . . 7. I have tried to find pics online of some of the things I remember, and I get nothing! For example, I remember that portable sound proof booth that was wheeled out for the contestants who were not being questioned to go in until it was their turn. I remember big hair and lots of lipstick! My little tradition was to spend the night with my grandmother on both the Miss South Carolina and Miss America pageant nights. After it was over, I would go pull out all of her night gowns with matching robes ( the closet thing to formal evening gowns I had!), her high heel shoes and jewelry and play like I was a contestant until she absolutely made me go to bed! One year for my birthday or Christmas I got a crown (it was plastic!) complete with a plastic dozen roses. I LOVED that toy. I cannot find anything remotely close online :(

Memories! Of course I called her about 10:45 to talk about the top 10 and critique. Of course she was still up and in bed watching! I love that I have that memory.

Happy Monday!

Reading Through January

I wanted to challenge myself this year alittle with reading. I LOVE to read, but really did not engage as much as I wanted to last year. My idea is to read at least 1Christian themed book per month and 1 of any other genre, if I wanted. My goal is to absolutley read the Christian themed book and, time and energy permitting, the other also.

I told Jason my goal and he kind of laughed at me. He said it wasen't much of a goal because when I get started reading books I really like, I can't put them down! I guess he is right . . I am already done with 3!



Home By Morning is in the "other" category. It was a quick read that I ordered on my Kindle one day last week for light reading. It was really good! I am a sucker for a sappy love story though :) I have never much enjoyed period pieces, but this has been the exception. It is set in the early 1900's in a small town that has had an outbreak of influenza. Mix in some drama and alittle love story and you have yourself a nice, not have to think about it too much read! It was enjoyable.



Who has not heard of One Thousand Gifts yet? I love Ann Voskamp's blog, and I knew that this book would not disappoint. I read this last year, but felt like one read through wasn't near enough! Her thoughts are just so extraordinary and with every page I could just feel the Lord's influence over her. This is a book that will never get old that one can read time and time again and gain something new every time. Love this book!!




Riven is also a book I have read before. The first time, though, I did not finish. This book has a special place in my heart. I just love all of the characters because each is so different, yet all the same. Jerry Jenkins does an amazing job of illustrating God's sovereignty through each of their lives. There is a pastor, an inmate on death row, circumstances wound through family and friends that everyone can relate to.

I have enjoyed all of the January books! There may be more yet considering it's only the 10th! We will see.