a postcard from God
A few weeks ago, my friend Jodi posted on her blog about a "postcard from God". She shared it because, not only was it special to her, but she felt that God was prompting her to share it with someone who needed it. I felt that it was meant for me - I needed it right then - and I need it right now.
Jodi was sweet enough to share the postcard with me so that I can share it on my blog:
Awesome, isn't it?
Maybe it's just what YOU need today too.
more favorites and recent discoveries
I thought I'd share some of the things that are making me happy these days - along with some new discoveries that have made our lives simpler (and/or more fun!). . .
First off, I bought this blanket at Wal-mart this past weekend (because I was returning this couch cover, which I would NOT recommend). The website lists the price at $29.88 - if you're interested, you might want to check your local store - I got mine on sale for only $25. Even though we have a queen-sized bed, I bought this blanket in the king size. It's big enough and attractive enough to use as a bedspread. It's light-weight but very warm and cuddly. I love it! (Maybe I'll actually take a real picture to share - once I get my bedroom painted and some new curtains on the windows!)
We're getting ready to do some painting at our house. I've chosen a honey-colored paint for the dining room walls. My mom and I went curtain shopping on Saturday. I have these tie-back curtains in my bathroom and I love them! I wanted something similar, with the same country-feel, in my dining room; but I didn't want the same pattern (thyme). After looking at several, I decided on the saffron print this time. I'll be going with the tie-backs again, but will also be adding valances to the top (our dining room windows are very long and the tie-backs alone won't cover them). Again, hopefully I'll have pictures to share one day soon.
Do you have children with allergies? Gracie has pretty much outgrown her asthma problems, but she still has times when she needs some allergy medication. In particular, when she spends too much time with my parents (it seems she is allergic to their cat). I've purchased the melt-in-your-mouth Benadryl for her and she seems to be fine with that. Recently, though, I've discovered ZYRTEC® PERFECT MEASURE™. This stuff is awesome! Ordinarily, I wouldn't go for a liquid medication for her, simply because I have to worry about finding a dosing spoon or something to measure it out with. This is already premeasured in single-serving "spoons" - I just need to break off the seal and hand it over to her. Perfect Measure is for children ages 6 years and up, is sugar and dye-free, and available in most major retailers. They are grape-flavored and Gracie gives them 2 thumbs up! If you'd like to try it, I have several $3 off coupons - shoot me an e-mail and request one (be sure to include your full name and mailing address). NOTE: I receive this product free as part of a Bzzz! campaign. My thoughts on it, though, are honest and true to our experience.
A few weeks ago, I realized that I had a sensitivity in my teeth (I'll admit, I was gritting my teeth while snuggling with my dog!) I was glad when I got an offer to test some Sensodyne Iso-Active toothpaste. I admit, I was a little skeptical at first. How could a toothpaste help that? But, after just a few days of trying it (once a day - I still use my regular toothpaste at night), I see great improvement. It works! If you have a sensitivity to heat or cold, or to gritting your teeth while you squeeze your dog or baby, you should seriously check this stuff out. It comes out as a gel, but quickly turns into a foam with LOTS of great suds-action. I'll definitely be buying more of this stuff!
And there's one more favorite that my kids have been enjoying lately (two, actually). It is the Life on the Farm games by We R Fun. We have both the original and the preschool versions (thanks to my work with the TOS Homeschool Crew, who will be reviewing these games here). Though I find the original version to be a bit long and tedious, Gracie just LOVES it. And we're all impressed with the preschool version! Ian is constantly saying "how about I set up my farm game for us to play?" Too cute! If you're looking for some high-quality, educational games for your family for Christmas, do check these out as options!
Matthew's birthday present...2 1/2 months later...
Matthew's birthday was in August and all we gave him was a piece of paper. It was actually a handmade certificate which stated: "This certificate entitles you to attend Moorpark." For most 15 year olds, this probably wouldn't be very exciting. However, Matthew has been looking forward to this since his birthday!
Moorpark holds a Civil War reenactment in November which we had heard has a great battlefield. They also recreate actual battles from the Civil War. We decided that a trip down to this reenactment would be a great birthday gift for Matthew. I don't think he was disappointed.
Here are a few photos from this past weekend:
Hero's Tribute by Graham Garrison
WHAT DEFINES A HERO? A LEGEND?
Is the Measure of a Man Found in His Actions, Deeds or in Who He Really Is?
 What is a hero? Is it defined by your actions at one particular point in time or is it defined by who you are? First time novelist Graham Garrison explores the idea of what defines a hero and when a person crosses a nebulous line to become a bona-fide legend in his debut novel Hero’s Tribute.
The small town of Talking Creek, Georgia, has a hero—Michael Gavin. As a teenager, Michael made a name for himself as Quarterback of the local High School football team, the Eagles. As a young man, he earned a regional following when he played for the University of Georgia. Post -college, Captain Michael Gavin earned the Medal of Honor for distinguished service in Iraq further cementing his position at Talking Creek’s resident hero.
So when he was diagnosed with cancer, the town immediately rallied behind the Gavin’s. On his deathbed, Michael makes a radical decision and asks a complete stranger, local sports reporter Wes Watkins to deliver his eulogy. With absolutely no idea why the famed Michael Gavin would ask a complete stranger to delve into the intimate details of his life, Wes digs into this project as he would any other story. Who knows, perhaps it would generate some decent bylines and get picked up by the AP. In fact, this could be his ticket out of the small town life.
But what Wes discovers catches him totally off guard. His typical reporting tactics aren’t going to
work in this situation and as he uncovers some secrets in Michael’s past, Wes begins to see him
as he really was rather than the larger-than-life legend the town has created. The closer he gets
to the truth, however, the town begins to close ranks. Struggling to find the words to accurately
and completely describe Michael, Wes must examine his own life and decide what will define
him. Finding the whole truth could cost Wes everything. Who was this man that Talking Creek
revered?
 Graham Garrison is a writer and editor who lives in suburban Atlanta. He has covered high school and college football games as a newspaper reporter, completed an internship with the U.S. Army at its National Training Center in the Mojave Desert and tested WaveRunners and Runabouts as the managing editor of a national boating magazine. He’s written about battlefields for America’s Civil War, interviewed medical innovators for Georgia Physician and even penned an editorial for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. When he’s not writing, he’s chasing his two-year old son Nicholas and their Beagle, Baxter around the backyard with his wife, Katie. Visit his website at www.grahamgarrisonwords.com.
 I really enjoyed this book. It seems like most of the Christian fiction authors these days are female; so I always enjoy the fresh perspective of a male author. Graham Garrison did a tremendous job with this book. You get a glimpse into each character's mind and learn about the things that make them who they are. Though Michael dies at the very beginning of the book, you learn more and more about him as Wes does his research; and, right alongside Wes, you learn things about people (and about yourself) that will give you a fresh perspective on life and how you live it.
I would definitely recommend this book. Nobody is perfect, but it is possible to overcome the odds and become a person that people are proud to look up to - maybe even a hero.
NOTE: This book was provided to me for free (from Douglas Public Relations) in exchange for my honest review. The thoughts expressed herein are my own.
Christmas Giveaways at 5 Minutes for Mom!
5 Minutes for Mom always has the most amazing giveaways! In preparation of the upcoming Christmas season, they've got a TON of great things to give away this month! Be sure to head over and check them out - just click the button below: 
The Simple Woman's Daybook - Monday, November 9th, 2009
For Today, Monday, November 9th, 2009
Outside My Window... It's 6:30 a.m. and pitch black; it's currently 34 ~ expecting a sunny high of 55. Today's normal hi/low is 44/29.
I'm thinking...puppy, puppy, puppy. (We are sooo excited!)
From the learning rooms...today we will have school in the van while running errands. Then the rest of the week will be normal.
I am thankful for....daughters who diligently and joyfully hide God's Word in their heart. We had a wonderful time at Saturday's regional Bible Quizzing competition and our team did wonderfully with a couple of first places + winning a double-overtime for second place, and Amber quizzing out once and almost a second time except time was up in the middle of her anwser. Also thankful for very sweet blogger friends and local Christian friends that we visited yesterday after church.
From the kitchen...
M - Baked Potatoes
T - Anna's Choice/Chicken Fried Rice
W - Pasta w/Homemade Sauce
TH - Deluxe Baked Bean Hotdish
F - Salad & Leftovers
I am wearing... black exercise capris, berry-colored fleecy top, sports socks, hair is in a pony. Something comfy for now - will change later.
I am reading... Thru the Bible Each Year: OT: Jeremiah; NT: Hebrews, KJB;
Reading a lot on holistic care of dogs - more about that on a future post.
I am hoping... I'm feeling a tich under the weather, I hope I feel better shortly - I have much planned for the day and don't have time for this.
I am creating... need to get to a good fabric store so I can make the puppet theater.
I am hearing... the clock tick; my fingers bang on the keyboard.
Around the house & barn... a big thorough house cleaning this week getting ready for puppy's homecoming so we can just enjoy quality time with her.
One of my favorite things... doing reserch ~ learning new stuff.
I am going... to do some shopping to get ready for puppy's arrival; also get some groceries; and buy our annual stuff for Samaritan's Purse shoeboxes. (today)
A few plans for the rest of the week (besides school)...
T - clean house
W - clean house; lead Awana Cubbies
TH - Get everything set up for puppy's homecoming
F - Roadtrip ~ we go get our Puppy
S - Enjoy Puppy
S - Church; Enjoy Puppy
A picture thought I am sharing with you...
Online Images
Can you tell I'm in love?
That's all for today!
Thanks for stopping! Have a Blessed Week!
Much thanks to our hostess Peggy for the Simple Woman's Daybook
Life is Labor, and Death is the Transition Phase
The whole of creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth as it awaits its final redemption from the effects of the fall. ~Romans 8:22
As my grandma lay dying a year and a half ago, I was struck by how her suffering reflected the pains of childbirth. I felt as I watched that she was somehow being "born" ino heaven, passing out of the pain of this world to be caught up in the loving arms of her Savior on the other side, as all the angels stood by watching in joyful anticipation. I even had this Norman Rockwellish image in my head of the whole event. While it was very sad for all of us, there was a certain beauty in the process.
Yesterday, this thought came back into my head as I was reading from a book called Blessing Your Husband by Debra Evans. After quoting Romans 8:22, Mrs. Evans goes on to say, "Though it is easy on difficult days to forget our ulimate goal, our labor and groans are deeply productive where God's eternal purpose for us is concerned. 'For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18' "
Not much is said about the symbolism of childbirth in the Bible, but there it is, an answer to the question of suffering and a picture of our salvation, put into words that only a mother could fully understand. That's just an awsome thought, isn't it, that God is speaking specifically to us who have gone through the pains of childbirth? Just picture the whole of creation groaning in the midst of labor, and then that final moment when the child arrives and there is instant and complete relief, and overwhelming joy. Our labors are over, our sinful natures are gone, along with all the pain that accompanies them. Amazing! And not just us, but someday "the whole of creation" will feel that relief. Don't you long for that day?
Moving day is getting closer
We sign the papers in 19 days! I am so not ready to move. We (as in me) have been packing up like crazy, or at least until my asthma kicks in. So much dust under stuff.
Most of our furniture is going. I think the only things we are keeping is our bed, a couple of book shelves, two huge computer desks and two dressers. Oh and the fridge is coming with us too. We are getting new stuff when we move in. The place is smaller than we have now, so we need smaller stuff so it will fit.
No schooling has been getting done. Unless you count sorting and purging school. LOL. Lots of Matt's toys need to go. He has way to much stuff. I donated a ton of books and clothes already.
I need to finish my bedroom (hardest room I think so far). Kitchen will be last, or nearly last. I have to get some bubble wrap and pack up all the breakables. Pots and pans will be packed away the night before we move out. I plan on eating off of paper products for the last week or so. I know not very earth friendly, but I need to pack up my dishes.
I have been grabbing boxes from work every night and searching Craigslist for more. Love that place for the most part. So much to do and so little time to do it in.
Chat with you all later. Need to get back to packing.
The Simple Woman's Daybook - Tuesday, November 3rd
For Today, Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009
Outside My Window... It's 8:00 a.m. and a sunny, but frosty 23 degrees; looking for a high of 45 with a chance of rain later. Today's normal hi/low is 49/30.
I'm thinking...my brain is a puzzle, thinking about a dozen different things all at once.
From the learning rooms...busy like usual...in addition to our beloved Teaching Textbooks math, the girls are both starting "Your Business Math" by Simply Charlotte Mason. They named their businesses, "Anna's Pet's N More" and "Amber's Old Fashioned Bookstore", made their company logos, and ordered their inventory yesterday. I wish math had been this fun when I was their age.
I am thankful for....old time gospel music. We attended a gospel music concert Sunday night at a local church and it was such a blessing. It seemed like the theme was Revelations throughout the concert and the blessed hope of our soon departure.
From the kitchen...
M - Salmon
T - Ham & Eggs
W - Beef Stew
TH - Cheeseburgers
F - TN/FL Geography Presentations - BBQ Ribs, Key Lime Pie, Citrus Drink
S - Teriyaki Stir Fry Chicken & Rice
I am wearing... denim capris, brown 3/4 length sleeve t-shirt with a pretty fall tree embroidery, sports socks, hair is damp & pulled back with a scrunchie
I am reading... Thru the Bible Each Year: OT: Jeremiah; NT: Philemon, KJB;
Just finished the book, "The Blue Zones" by Dan Buettner. An interesting book about longevity...research about four areas around the world that have the highest percentage of people who live to be over 100 years old and what attributed to their long lives and good health. Although definitely not a Christian book, it inspired me to improve my eatting habits. I don't necessarily want to live longer, but rather live healthier.
I am currently reading up on holistic care of dogs - more about that on a future post.
I am hoping... to stay on task today.
I am creating... need to get to a good fabric store so I can make the puppet theater.
I am hearing... the clock tick; my fingers bang on the keyboard; an ocassional thump upstairs as the girls get ready for the day.
Around the house & barn... clean kitchen; muck stalls & paddock before farrier comes to trim hooves later today.
One of my favorite things... gazing at God's beautiful creation.
I am going... to Walmart & another grocery store today.
A few plans for the rest of the week (besides school)...
T - grocery shop; vote (gov. school wants to raise taxes); farrier comes out to trim hooves
W - lead Awana Cubbies
TH - Pick up Azure Standard order (grain & stuff); laundry; Amber has violin lesson; Bible Quizzing practice
F - Hopefully meat processor will call and say our 1/4 cow is ready for pick-up this wk; Girls will give their geography presentations
S - Bible Quizzing Regional Competition
A picture thought I am sharing with you...
Jeff finishing the siding on the sauna haus Saturday. He will be starting on the inside soon. I will have to paint the outside next summer.
That's all for today!
Thanks for stopping! Warm Wishes for
a Wonderful Week!
Much thanks to our hostess Peggy for the Simple Woman's Daybook
On Turning Forty
It sounds like such a big deal.
I've been sortof dreading it--the big 4-0 -- as it's loomed. It sounds so old. I used to think that people who were forty were so . . . mature. Somehow even the word "forty" just oozes stability, steadiness, solidity. It seems that a person who is forty should be sure of themselves--never doubt, never vacillate, never question their decisions or options for behavior. At forty, I thought, surely one would be done with becoming.
And yet, it's not so.
I'm more steady, certainly. Not flipping from boyfriend to boyfriend, trying to find "the one," as I did at twenty. And I'm definitely more sure of myself, less likely to struggle to squeeze into someone else's vision of what my life should look like, as I did at thirty. Progress . . . yes, there has definitely been progress. It hasn't been easy or painless, but progress has come.
Maybe I've earned forty.
It feels different than I thought it would. There are new mountains to climb. Over the years I've managed to gain the proverbial "five pounds per child," which must be left behind so I can enjoy the second half of my life. My eldest son has graduated and the second is hot on his heels, dragging us all out into new waters to navigate--strange waters, where I'm uncertain of exactly which star to head for and how deep I can put in my oar. A new family business offers prospects and challenges still being defined on many fronts. Opportunities to write come as welcome open doors yet beg the question . . . "Who am I exactly, and what do I have to say that's worth listening to?" My children are growing up faster than I'd imagined possible, and it seems that in many ways they themselves are new people whom I must learn to relate to every day.
The becoming continues.
In the center of it all, of course, one thing is the same: God, Himself. It is incredibly comforting to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that He who is the Director of my life is the familiar Friend who has been with me through it all. He's not surprised by today's challenges, scared of the obstacles I haven't seen yet, or shocked at the besetting sins we've yet to conquer. The one determination I've made--indeed, the only one it seems right to make--is this: that in the next forty years, I must decrease that He might increase. I pray that He'll keep chipping away, shaping me into Jesus' image so that I can fulfill the purpose He created me for . . . to reflect His glory to the world.
I pray that at forty, there's starting to be at least a little resemblance.
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