Book review: One in a Million by Priscilla Shirer

"Taste and see that the Lord is good, Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!"

Psalm 34:8

This is a wonderful book, for anyone who is in the dessert, or has ever been in the dessert away from God. Wondering "Why? What has happened? God are you still there?"

This book is an encouragement, and it is as refreshing as a cold glass of water on a hot day! This books talks about the Israelites that left Egypt after being in slavery headed to the "promise land" only to wander about the dessert for 40 years. At the end only 2 spies (which comes to about 1 per a million) who thought they could enter the promise land.

This is a great read and if you have not found this book yet, I would take the time to do so! This would also be a great book to do a bible study with and hear from a group of women their perspective on the different chapters, the verses highlighted in this book, and their experiences with following God.

I for one am so glad that I had the opportunity to read this book!

"I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord. Be strong, and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord"
Psalm 27:13-14

keeping it real

Well this is my once a week report on how I am doing - learning to run and getting in shape. This is my accountability - it is to keep it real, and keep my honest!

Well this is how I fared:

*I made my goal of doing 10 miles walk/jogging

*I did not do Pilate's or yoga even 1 time! Ah!!!

I was having feet pain - horrible pain!! the day after I walk/jogged 2.8 miles I spent the next day with my feet on ice, popping ibuprofen like it was candy and whining. Lots of Whining!! However my neighbor - expert runner - came over and took one look at the shoes and said "scrap those shoes! That is what is causing your feet pain" . So with that in mind I am going to go shoe shopping this weekend. I will probably be looking at a New Balance or Ascics running shoe. Because honestly, it is hard enough to get this body going and keeping on -with out my feet putting me on the sideline the day after I exercise!

New goals for the upcoming week:

*12 miles walk/jog

*yoga and Pilate's at least 2x each (I know I am a sucker for punishment - but I would really like this to be part of my routine!!!)

My next keeping it real post will be next Friday - thanks for indulging me and helping me keep it real!

Acts of Kindness

Look what I received in the mail the other day! and I do not know who it is from. There was a sweet card attached that said it was a random act of kindness to brighten my day.! Well it definitely brighten my day!! Now I am trying to think how I can continue to "pass it on" or "pay it forward". Hum..............

Also thank you for everyone who offered such sweet encouragement from my post on Friday. Blogging encouragement means a lot!! That in itself is an "act of kindness"!!

Who else have you encouraged lately? Have you done a random act of kindness lately??

I only run if someone is chasing me!

That was the mantra I had lived by for the last 20 years. However some small changes have been taking place in my life that is bringing that mantra to a change.

1. A good girlfriend of mine started to jog (consistently!!)

2. My across the street neighbors have been running

3. One of my brothers has started up jogging

(THE TRUE REASON IS NEXT -YES! I AM THAT VAIN!)

4. I saw a horrible scary picture of me with a view of my bottom - AHHHH!!!!! Need I say more!

So I have decided that I should try to get fit. So I started out a week ago walking. Then I stumbled across some really inspiring blogs :

* Chubby Chicks run to

* Learning to run

* Real Fat

* Half-marathon-running

I found these blogs inspirational and started to think "maybe I could achieve my weight loss goal". So I started walking, then I started walk/jogging and much to my dismay I am liking how it makes me feel. (I know I am as shocked as anyone!)

So I have decided to post once a week, an update on this attempt -just to make an honest woman out of me! Trying to add margins (which is my theme word for 2010) to my routine in the form of exercise.

So here it goes:

I have walked/jog 6.8 miles so far this week

I have done yoga 1x so far this week

My goals for this week are:

to walk/jog 10 miles this week

do yoga 1x this week

do Pilate's 2x this week

My end goal is to do a 5k this fall and see if I can get more fit in the process. We shall see! (and much to my hubby's dismay I have him out there walk/jogging with me!)

Book Review: The style strategy: a less-is-more approach to staying chic and shopping

Well I will be honest - this book caught my eye completely based on it's title and the description. I was surprised to see that Project Runway judge Nina Garcia was the author. I personally have always found her professional, well spoken, but not necessarily the lady I feel like having girl talk with over a diet coke. Well let me be the first to admit - I was wrong!!!
Nina Garcia is so personable in this book, and really relates to the struggle the mere woman has with shopping and trying to put together an attractive wardrobe on a budget. I really enjoyed this book! I had my highlighter out highlighting her different advice and I can not wait to get my hands on her other books!! If you have not read one of her books - I suggest you run not walk to get your hands on one of them BEFORE you shop for your fall wardrobe!!


Remember the post I did about 4 things every lady needs and I confessed that I did not have a scarf. My good friend Jayna surprised me the other day with the beautiful pink scarf! The picture of the boots well that is a story in itself -( I confess I already had a pair -it was the 1 thing I had from the list of 4). However the other day I was out and went garage sale shopping and found these black, Banana Republic boots for only $2.00!!!!

RHOK Linky Party-What room are you most comfortable in?

Hi! I am participating with the lovely ladies over at the RHOK mclinky monday-where they challenged each of us to take a quiz. The quiz told us what room we are most comfortable in. Well quiet please, drum roll now.... I am most at home in the living room (Say what? I am shocked that it did not say that I was most comfortable soaking in a hot bubble bath!)

You Are Most at Home in the Living Room

You're the type of person who always feels relaxed at home. In many ways, it's where you're at your best.
You love to chill out at home. You are not the biggest homebody in the world, but you appreciate the time you spend there.

There's nothing like having a few friends over to watch a movie or just talk in your living room.
You are proud of the home you've created, and you love to share it with others.

Now I will confess I do not think you truly can get to know someone until you have kicked off your shoes and really visited in each others homes. My very best friends even have "Messy home privileges" (GASP!! I Know your shocked I do occasionally have a messy home,, and those sweet dear friends are the few besides family that I trust can come on in, and not judge me and still like me anyways!)

So I challenge you to take the quiz and learn
what room are you most comfortable in?

or if you just know you know, well then let me know! - what room are you most comfortable in?? Inquiring minds want to know! Operators are standing by...

Happy Monday!

Perfect Pairing Psalm 97:6

Psalm 97:6 (New International Version)

⁶ The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
and all the peoples see his glory.

Love Like Crazy - Lee Brice (official video)

I love this song, and want to share it with anyone who needs some encouragement, or just a pinch of romance back in their life. Long lasting love is possible it is just takes work, prayer, and dependence on God.

What are you doing this summer??

I am always fascinated by what other people are doing with their free time over the summer! Summer oh, how I love the no schedules, the sleeping in, the pool time, however I do try to do somethings as well.

When my kids were young (meaning they took 2 hour nap/quiet time in the afternoon) I used to try to do Christmas crafts in July ,that included getting the girls involved in making christmas crafts for their grandparents.
However I laugh as I have had to research this year manners for facebook to teach my daughters. I often use the summer time now to try to teach my girls manners and etiquette -things that during the busy school year when you add practices we just do not have time to focus on. We also take an hour three days a week and review math, English,I have one working on cursive, and practicing taking test. We also work on age appropriate skills in reference to housekeeping, and cooking. After all as a mom my goal should be to work myself out of a job (I have heard that somewhere-sorry if I am not giving credit I don't remember where/from who I heard that but it is true I want to grow competent, accomplished, well rounded individuals) thus each summer is a teachable one. I do take Thurs. and Fridays as our play days- we go to movies, the pool etc...
I started by researching companies that teach children these lessons. I looked at what topic they covered and researched some books from the library and looked at what was out there on blog world to develop my own course for my daughters.
My girls are different ages, so I have tried to create a program that is geared to each girl.

The most useful and original (at least to me) was a guide on how to remember to set the table. I found on the blog Jugglingfrogs ! This wonderful blogger explained how to use Mnemonic to remember how to set a table correctly. I added the dessert fork and coffee spoon to her lesson for my daughters.

So What do you do with your extra time during the summer???

(Also a special thanks! for the the sweet comments I received on my previous post -Thank you for your support!! I will be praying for you girls as well!)

I am on the road again..

I have started a journey that is best described by this quote:

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Lao-tzu, The Way of Lao-tzu
Chinese philosopher (604 BC - 531 BC)

It's time to take the road less traveled- at least not successfully towards weight loss.

I just wish that admitting this did not make me "feel" as I failed or was ashamed of myself because I like the me "inside" and I feel like I have not let my entire being go to waste. I maybe overweight but I still do my hair, apply my make-up with care, care for my teeth, use perfume and deodorant, pick out jewelry to wear, and care what clothes I put on my body I have just happened to gain weight while doing all those things. (ugh!!!) I hate when people try to classify overweight people as lazy or not carrying about themselves. I do care about myself - however I have been a little busy oh giving birth to 3 girls, running a household, potty training, running everyone here to there, and I got a little tired and taking care of myself meant taking a long hot bath (by myself-precious! and maybe trying to read a book) . However now my girls are older and I have more time on my hand. So I can now try tackle this challenge.

On the other hand I think I have been in denial about what my my weight change really looks like - however pictures do not lie. I saw a picture the other night of my self that shocked me! I know I look at myself every day as I am getting ready, but this picture was a back view of me -AHHHHHH!!! I had no idea that is how my bottom looked in my Capri's!! (And no no amount of money would make me post that picture - you will just have to take my word on it)

So here I go yesterday was day one of my diet, I like to think of it as one step

Has anyone had a similar struggle, or has started down that road towards weight loss? What has worked for you or what do you recommend?

sssh! You might miss him whispering to you...

^{Have you been asking God for direction and praying for an answer? Well the bible tells us in 1 king Chapter 19, that Elijah wanted to talk to God, and God sent him to a mountain to listen for his voice. Just like in this story God may be talking to you and you are not listening for his soft whisper. I have to admit God has been whispering to my heart in a quiet voice a call for action or activity on my part. A way to give to others that would allow me to include my children and pattern for them how to give to strangers. I will share more later as I put my faith in action and follow that whispering voice. I wanted to encourage anyone out there who is yearning for an answer to be quiet and be listening for that gentle whisper}

a perfect pairing-Genesis 1:21

Genesis 1:21 (New International Version)

²¹ So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

oops! I lost my camera!

I did an oops! I threw a large 4th of July party for family and friends -it was so much fun! However I did a hostess oops! I forgot where I put my camera and in the rush of having a party I was unable to look for it (which I found the day after located in my van -ahh! exactly where the camera was not supposed to be) So below are some pictures of some things I made or printed that I got from other blogs. The below 4th of July banner, flag straws, cupcake decorations all from the blog Tweedle Dee Designs Brandi over there makes the cutest designs! I know my pictures do not even begin to give her the credit she deserves. She helps the common gal look like she has it going on! Thanks Brandi!

I(I also made tissue flowers for decor inside, and outside on the front porch)
-The kids loved using the straws with the flags on them! It gave a very patriotic look to our beverages! Also note the cute water bottle wraps that she provided all for free downloading and printing!!!

Below is a picture of the very last cupcake (that I admit I put back just for me - you all know how you don't always get to take your time and eat when you are playing hostess) Two things to notice: look 1) at the cute cupcake decor that also came from Tweedle Dee designs and 2) look at how fab my poorly lit picture shows off the hit of the party, ladies you are gazing at the last Salted Carmel cupcake - yum!!!! I got this delicious recipe from Joy's Hope Something homemade everyday. This is a wonderful blog you really should check out her great ideas - and if you want a dessert that wows! the crowds - look no further than this recipe!!

Thank you Brandi and Joy for helping me throw a great party!! Sorry that I had to take these pictures a day late, instead of during the party!
***This just in my mom had her camera so here are a few family pics from the 4th of July:
Some of the cool older kids wanting to eat as far away as the could from us adult resorted to eating outside old school style -picnic style! (kaylee, Gracie, Mckenzie, Destiny, and Caleb)

Gracie and Max - sparkler time!
Princess Paige waiting for the firework show to start! Hope you all had a Great 4th July! I love our country, and are so thankful for the armed forces, and their families!

Jill from Real Housewives of New York's new book

The book Secrets of a Jewish Mother, written by Jill Zarin (some of you may recognize her from the show Real Housewives of New York) , along with her sister and mother have co written a delightful book covering a multitude of subjects. The book covers the gamut from from friendship, beauty and health, to parenting.
Some of the chapters in the book I did not relate to or thought they were handled a little shallow, and a little bluntly. However when the book turned to parenting I really warmed up to the book and the authors! When they gave advice on how to parent more than one child, "A secret to being a great parent, as opposed to being an average parent, is to give each of your children a separate, customized parenting approach." My parents have said that to me all my life (I was raised with 2 brothers and everything was not always equal, because we were different individuals! Trust me I am glad I was not signed up to play baseball, or computer language classes) we were loved and parented based on who we each were, and what our interest were.

Another touching part of the book, is how they write that you can never, say "I love you" enough. This is so true. Growing up I thought everyone lived like my family. My parents told us that they loved us all the time. Then I grew up and meet friends whose dad's only told them that they loved them on the day of their wedding. That is sad, and not what I want my girls to remember.

I think the book is a light fun read, some is blunt, some a little to honest, but you feel the love! I will close with a quote from Erma Bombeck that sums up this book that will make us all giggle Guilt: the gift that keeps on giving.
Erma Bombeck - If you are looking for a light, fun read, and are not to sensitive this may be the book for you.