tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34883597909285804622024-03-13T14:16:53.298-05:00Many RosesAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228541069113451967noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3488359790928580462.post-37710684259139902302012-08-26T22:10:00.000-05:002012-08-26T22:10:17.079-05:00Community<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkB3-yithIuYH-dMfA8ZGB27A8BMVtd_eGIBIlVl8SC19LdtmUGkcNvutxSf92aNKoHUv29W6GfX4IAo2jQIrWcFpbztRa47SviVTicwrQ9_GzYtvrfnqRphB7KH6GWI1mTbORaktsps0/s1600/christiancommunity-300x288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkB3-yithIuYH-dMfA8ZGB27A8BMVtd_eGIBIlVl8SC19LdtmUGkcNvutxSf92aNKoHUv29W6GfX4IAo2jQIrWcFpbztRa47SviVTicwrQ9_GzYtvrfnqRphB7KH6GWI1mTbORaktsps0/s400/christiancommunity-300x288.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today at church our pastor gave a sermon on community. He talked about how the people in your life can make or break who you are. He used the bible verse </span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs%2013:20&version=NIV" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Proverbs 13:20</span></a><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> as a reference which says:</span><br />
<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Walk with the wise and beco</span><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">me wise,</span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Prov-13-20">for a companion of fools suffers harm. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-13-20" style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-13-20" style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well as great as that verse is, the footnotes in my bible made it mean so much more. They said: </span></span></div>
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-13-20" style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><blockquote class="tr_bq">
"The old saying "A rotten apple spoiles the barrel" is often applied to friendships, and with good reason. Our friends and associates affect us, sometimes profoundly. Be careful whom you choose as your closest friends. Spend time with people you want to be like -- because you and your friends will surely grow to resemble eachother"</blockquote>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This really hit me hard. You see I have a couple close friends here in Texas, and they are all about to leave (the joys of living near a military base). In preparation for this change, I have been trying to put myself out there so I can make new friends. I have been very specific at where I look for these friends. I joined a La Leche League (LLL) Facebook Group for a local group, and went to one of their meetings. I met a very nice woman through them that I am very much enjoying getting to know. I have also been in contact with a Cloth Diapering group that meets once a month for play group, but haven't been able to meet with them yet. But other than that its been church related places. Small Groups or our church Facebook page, play groups, etc. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is very important to me that the friends I bring into my life are good Christian women. For the exact reason stated in that quote "Spend time with people you want to be like....[you] will surely grow to resemble eachother." </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have spent so much time over the past 3 years becoming a person that I can be fairly proud of, and I do not want to throw that away now by choosing the wrong company. I know how much people can affect your thinking and decisions. As a mother, wife and especially a Christian, I have to stand up for what I believe in. And I need others who will help. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now don't get me wrong, I definitely do not think that means that I can only hang out with or be friends with "perfect" Christian people. Jesus himself hung out with the worst of sinners. I just think that my closest friends, the people I count on, the people I turn to in times of need, know the Lord. And in the meantime, I reach out to those who may not know the Lord, or who may need love and I show it to them. Having a good backing of friends and spiritual strength will certainly help that.</span> </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228541069113451967noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3488359790928580462.post-563945276747057842012-08-24T21:50:00.000-05:002012-08-24T21:50:57.761-05:00Judgment Control<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOq86N11qq-H9aiwSdz0fBSnuOW9_FRWAJX9uKLd3qKWRGiGELBlZ3Rk4UhCG2oDLQ3fsYywWPo_WVEsyBWOeTpD4QUOGNXscQzLvXrT47GbjUPs_uk2sCVb9Ib2r6H5EbfB_xm3qc6ko/s1600/Passing-Judgment-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOq86N11qq-H9aiwSdz0fBSnuOW9_FRWAJX9uKLd3qKWRGiGELBlZ3Rk4UhCG2oDLQ3fsYywWPo_WVEsyBWOeTpD4QUOGNXscQzLvXrT47GbjUPs_uk2sCVb9Ib2r6H5EbfB_xm3qc6ko/s640/Passing-Judgment-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>It is very obvious by now...I am a Christian. And as a Christian I know that I am not to judge. God is our only judge and it is not my place to say what you should be doing, or anything like that. It is my job to love you, and if you are open to it, teach you (still through love). Well I am having a hard time on this subject lately. And it is affecting my life hardcore. </strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>I am so passionate about the topics of breastfeeding, circumcision, elective c-sections, etc. When I hear about people going against "my" views on this, I literally get angry. I throw a fit. Get all worked up. </strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Then I have to step back (normally at Charlies encouragement) and realize its not my life, its not my body, its not my baby. And just because I think that its the best option (and have medical reasons to back me up) it still isn't really any of my business. People will do what they will do and bombarding them with guilt, or scary facts is not loving them. </strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>So I confess and I am walking away. As best as I can that is. If I know you, and you are pregnant, and I seem a bit distant on this subject and you think that is a little weird, its because I just can't put my heart in it anymore. I will most likely ask once, and depending on your answer that will be the end. But if I see facebook posts that don't agree with my opinion, I am just going to stop looking, not get my heart broken. </strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>I promise you though, I have the best of intentions. I love your babies, and I want them to have the best healthiest life possible. Sorry if it comes out condescending or rude.</strong></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228541069113451967noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3488359790928580462.post-66378937873006305782012-07-26T22:25:00.001-05:002012-07-26T22:26:53.007-05:00Chow Down at Chick-Fil-A<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHss8WBcr47IJBRLUOO6tYx0mnMi4MhSSvoH-S9AR4woUhyphenhyphenCrJP4Q8cObyJwnz6bGbqVprw_0DRcpLFZAiHRkTwOROM3A4HRnNElwM0iAfGU1-LQT9q06u5bQVmUNc0DqUodOS8rgAwOk/s1600/chick%2520fil%2520a.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHss8WBcr47IJBRLUOO6tYx0mnMi4MhSSvoH-S9AR4woUhyphenhyphenCrJP4Q8cObyJwnz6bGbqVprw_0DRcpLFZAiHRkTwOROM3A4HRnNElwM0iAfGU1-LQT9q06u5bQVmUNc0DqUodOS8rgAwOk/s640/chick%2520fil%2520a.png" width="640" /></a></div>
There as been a recent uproar against the popular food chain Chick-fil-a because the President expressed his opinion on gay marriage. Let me begin by stating that this restaurant is a fairly well known restaurant that takes a radical stance to have their establishment closed on Sundays (I know Christian bookstores that won't even take this stance). They throw profits out the window as a stance as what they believe in. The president of Chick-Fil-A, <a href="http://www.chick-fil-a.com/Company/Bio-Page/Dan" target="_blank">Dan Cathy,</a> admits that his goal is to, "<em>To glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us. To have a positive influence on all who come in contact with <span class="no-wrap">Chick-fil-A</span>." </em>He blatantly states that he is a Christian man and has Christian values. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDKsqvOOQDyXoNRKkCKMO5WO1D-ednWst8IkoDS4mmmfHA9UFJc_u-o-3QEXNO8bI5aoxof8D2gJeBH2fXR39AhEiZflKTKccWFyXWIU2pnJxn-kp6Ua1WNLGF-U3XNYuO88d5IfGo8-E/s1600/Dan+Cathy+Chick-fil-A+event+edit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDKsqvOOQDyXoNRKkCKMO5WO1D-ednWst8IkoDS4mmmfHA9UFJc_u-o-3QEXNO8bI5aoxof8D2gJeBH2fXR39AhEiZflKTKccWFyXWIU2pnJxn-kp6Ua1WNLGF-U3XNYuO88d5IfGo8-E/s320/Dan+Cathy+Chick-fil-A+event+edit.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
However, in interviews this week he was asked on his view on marriage, and specifically gay marriage. He holds his stance as a Christian man stating that he believes that we are asking for God to judge us by what we are allowing marriage to be (<a href="http://news.yahoo.com/chick-fil-sandwiches-become-political-symbol-203947966--finance.html">http://news.yahoo.com/chick-fil-sandwiches-become-political-symbol-203947966--finance.html</a>). <br />
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After thinking on this topic all day today, I went back and forth as to what I believe in this. And I finally come to a conclusion of "Bravo". As Christians in America we are allowing our belief's and integrity be stomped all over. As Casting Crowns says in their song "Slow fade", our Christian stances are becoming more and more "gray". (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QASREBVDsLk">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QASREBVDsLk</a>) <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgidhTXWEfVkrtSnkn65P_mQs7UGRrFUFB68Tht3MuUt3AXPXxPcE6RtDtjx_XhYA769VHbhNDZlIYJEojql5sIeDTz_8PcPRLtOAdNNqsvfZR-o1Ks18qqgJe50B56_G1sikWa_JiSCiY/s1600/chick-fil-a-cows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgidhTXWEfVkrtSnkn65P_mQs7UGRrFUFB68Tht3MuUt3AXPXxPcE6RtDtjx_XhYA769VHbhNDZlIYJEojql5sIeDTz_8PcPRLtOAdNNqsvfZR-o1Ks18qqgJe50B56_G1sikWa_JiSCiY/s320/chick-fil-a-cows.jpg" width="320" /></a>Cathy is a Christian man and instead of leaning one way to get more profits he stands up for what he believes in and lives by the Bible. I think that Christians and Cathy are in a lose/lose situation on this topic (and other hot topics) because if we state what we believe and what the Bible says then we are "shoving our religion on others" and being "rude". However, if we sit back and don't say anything, then we are hypocrites or compromising our position for money (or whatever it may be). <br />
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I am not a regular Chick-Fil-A customer, but that is just because I am not a huge fan of fast food chicken. However, based on the recent news, and the upcoming <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/under-god/post/chick-fil-a-appreciation-day-announced-by-mike-huckabee/2012/07/23/gJQAx6Xs4W_blog.html" target="_blank">"Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day"</a> . I will choose to support the establishment more often, and encourage others to do the same.<br />
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I love to hear from you. What do you think of Dan Cathy's stance? Will you continue to support Chick-Fil-A?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228541069113451967noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3488359790928580462.post-88564873516293480912012-07-24T20:44:00.000-05:002012-07-24T20:48:52.000-05:00Infant Baptism. To do or not to do?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia_tLpUDgTsyP6WCsJ4JE9lgEQ8cgKj6d4CXVgdwlsCyGlzEdmVWM-AsAxRL_gateKjdOrplO1mHWwhqVNVcpuRJRPaULKNEWbLSW7g6trhJgPDNMQQQ32OvJcWf99GPKp2gQ9MppnIO4/s1600/baptism-feature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia_tLpUDgTsyP6WCsJ4JE9lgEQ8cgKj6d4CXVgdwlsCyGlzEdmVWM-AsAxRL_gateKjdOrplO1mHWwhqVNVcpuRJRPaULKNEWbLSW7g6trhJgPDNMQQQ32OvJcWf99GPKp2gQ9MppnIO4/s640/baptism-feature.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
My first free writing blog in a while, and I chose a touchy subject. But I like it. My husband was raised Catholic, therefore he was baptized as an infant. The Catholic Church baptizes infants because they believe that it is a "remission of sin, both original sin and actual sin–only original sin in the case of infants and young children, since they are incapable of actual sin"(<a href="http://www.catholic.com/tracts/infant-baptism">http://www.catholic.com/tracts/infant-baptism</a>). They believe that because the Bible never specifically talks against infant baptism and talks on several occasions that "entire families" were baptized, that this is to include infant and children. They want to assure that the infants in their families will be accepted into heaven if, heaven forbid, they were to die before they choose to baptize themselves. Because of this thinking Catholics baptize their children as infants.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTop3pX2KpgKUqdB_YzJnnIaglo9tNqV2X8yVB0L_5iaRgAY5pknRUS-1WF4LsYWVcBZyn1_6isprr36CzG8MLWiwnSohyYXdoSm3ViFyJCGiT0X0HXKhIt-cx6I1aRuyZ8sL8zh_Eg1M/s1600/baptism_immersion_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTop3pX2KpgKUqdB_YzJnnIaglo9tNqV2X8yVB0L_5iaRgAY5pknRUS-1WF4LsYWVcBZyn1_6isprr36CzG8MLWiwnSohyYXdoSm3ViFyJCGiT0X0HXKhIt-cx6I1aRuyZ8sL8zh_Eg1M/s200/baptism_immersion_1.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have never seen an infant baptism be <br />
done this way, but its so cute.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I was not raised in the church, and was not baptized as an infant. My mother and father never attended church so I doubt the thought had ever crossed their mind. <br />
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When Charlie and I were pregnant and discussing baptism, I told him that I did not agree with infant baptism, and would like to wait until Ethan decides to accept Jesus as his Savior on his own to allow him to be baptized. I believe that children are without sin and that until the age of reason (which is believed by some to be around seven, but I don't believe to put an age on it. God will judge this) if they were to die that God will accept them into heaven freely. <br />
<br />One thing I just can not wrap my mind around is the thought that if you are baptized as an infant you are automatically making it into heaven. The bible is very clear that you still have to make the decision and give your life over to Christ. And I believe that the baptism is "an outward expression of an inward decision." So, this is why I believe that until you make the inward decision, there is no point to make the outward expression. We have a loving God and a merciful God, and I see no proof in the bible that if your baby is not baptized and dies before "the age of reason/accountability" that He will send that baby to Hell forever. It just doesn't fit to me. <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd2zkaxlUSvOFNVNhQvs3e1ci7rvfSOB3_cy4yG8dLfDbP8UfxIlzFTnX2k4TGJV9vUlEBOGYu1bqfQgKJsv1GBwPMBdrS4jsASBkqx5VF9ZhuaOhLK-W7RYDqm98aSHQyX_mc6LICWzE/s1600/infant-baptism.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd2zkaxlUSvOFNVNhQvs3e1ci7rvfSOB3_cy4yG8dLfDbP8UfxIlzFTnX2k4TGJV9vUlEBOGYu1bqfQgKJsv1GBwPMBdrS4jsASBkqx5VF9ZhuaOhLK-W7RYDqm98aSHQyX_mc6LICWzE/s200/infant-baptism.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a little over the top, but still funny</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When I first brought this idea up to my husband, he was a little unsure. Still having the Catholic raising in the back of his head he questioned me, the process and did a lot of research. In the end, he and I decided we would "dedicate" Ethan at our Church. I believe this is as close to infant baptism as I would do. This means that we stood up in front of our church and we said to them, "we promise to be the best Christian parents we can be, we will raise him in a Christian home and we look to you (the congregation) for guidance and assistance." We did this on his 3 week birthday. <br />
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I know that their are alot of different belief's on this topic, and I would be interested to hear your thoughts. Do you believe in infant baptism, why or why not? <br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228541069113451967noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3488359790928580462.post-5821521887238850702012-07-22T17:23:00.000-05:002012-07-22T17:29:57.816-05:006 Months down -- a relook at resolutions<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB1RTUA-IBjJEhCy-TMXhlBHchJdkCULHxhS6pVciYac4_ecZBcuFrKwMIYFIcu89xZzVNtwkbiEGU0y0TbHHTJ5ZpKH-OGt_0liTYsjBNpEkTy5JrN7BoWAODkWbLKskjSQGUg2G2V6Y/s1600/New-Year-Resolutions1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB1RTUA-IBjJEhCy-TMXhlBHchJdkCULHxhS6pVciYac4_ecZBcuFrKwMIYFIcu89xZzVNtwkbiEGU0y0TbHHTJ5ZpKH-OGt_0liTYsjBNpEkTy5JrN7BoWAODkWbLKskjSQGUg2G2V6Y/s320/New-Year-Resolutions1.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><strong>2012 New Year's
Resolutions</strong></span> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(in no
particular order)</span></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1. Become a
mother. And do the best job I know how to do at it. Consult others, learn what I
can learn, make mistakes and grow from that. I pray that I am receptive to the
teachings that come my way, but that I do whats right for my family. I pray that
Charles and I are in unity about all parenting decisions that are made and I do
not "take" over the job. Most of all, when I am unsure of the right answer, go
to the one that has the answer: God. </span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">Check. I have the most amazing 6 month old little guy and I am trying my best. Sometimes I "take over" and I am really trying to get better. But I am doing the best I currently can.</span> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2. Be strong and
submissive. When Charles and I got married he made me a promise to be the leader
of this family (as I asked him to be). I have never had a person leading my
spiritual life, and its the best feeling ever, and sometimes its hard for my
stubborn self. So I resolve, to continue to grow in Christ and do what I need to
do to become who he made me be, AND be submissive to the biblical athority that
God has given Charles, and he has agreed to hold. </span><br />
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Check? I think I am doing this. Ask Charlie for clarification. I try daily. I fail. I never claim to be perfect, but I am trying. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">3. Lose this
baby weight. My family has a hard time losing weight after a baby. We tend to
have a 5 year old (or older) and still blame the overweight status on the baby
weight. My goal is to get to prepregnancy size by the end of the year (or
sooner, but in a healthy way). This resolution has a part two: I would like to
show Ethan a healthy lifestyle as a parent. No eating out. Eating Healthier
around the house. Adding physical fitness to a regular part of life, even just
small additions of walking more. </span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">Mostly fail on this one. Where I have lost 40 of the 80 lbs I put on during pregnancy I have not changed my eating habits very much. We eat out way more than "never". Physical fitness is daily on my to do list yet rarely completed.</span> </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">4. Thrive to be
a better wife. I know that if you ask Charles, he would say that I do a
wonderful job as a wife, and I am glad that I make him happy, but in every job
in our lives we could always do better. And I do not want to become
"comfortable" in our marriage. I want to continue to grow as a wife and as a
couple. Our relationship is fairly new still and has so much potential and I
want to continue as great as we have been so far. </span><br />
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Ask Charlie. I strive to continually get better and I do regularly check in with him to make sure there is no way I am failing. He is constantly telling me that he is happy, so who knows, maybe he is. :)</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">5. Go home. By
the end of 2012 I want to be in a home, that we can call home long term, in
Michigan. Neither of us are "happy" in Texas, and we both want to move. And
Michigan is my home, and after a visit there, Charles agrees to make it home for
us. I miss my sister. I want Ethan to grow up near his 4 month older cousin. </span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #93c47d;">This one seems to be falling to the wayside. It is still a desire of ours, but it doesn't seem to be something that will be done this year...We will see what/where God wants to be. And we are happy to follow Him and wait as long as need be to be back in Michigan.</span> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">6. Make a
sizable dent into our debt. I do not have unrealistic expectations and I know
that with me not working for a chunk of the new year, and a move deleting our
debt is pretty impossible, but I would like to start 2013 with less debt than we
are going into 2012.</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">Well what can I say to this. Our debt is not getting any worse. We did pay off two of our "Same as cash" things on one of our cards before interest was accured. And we have a plan to get things under control. But with my current work situation we are bringing in way less than we would like, but both believe time with Ethan is much more important than more money.</span> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">7. Read more.
Watch TV less. I feel so much better about myself if I spend 8 hours in a book
than if I spend 8 hours watching TV. And I know that when I read more, I read
more Christian Self Help books, which make me a better person. My goal is at
least, AT LEAST, 3 books a month. Thats 36 books in a year. And if even one of
those 3 are a self help book, thats 12 books that I have read that make me
better. </span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">Yea....major fail. I have read a total of 4 books this year. Not good, and no excuse why.</span> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">8. Continue
reading the bible daily. Over the last 2 years this has been a committment of
mine. And in 2010 I read everyday except, maybe 5 days. In 2011 I hit a rough
patch in my spiritual journey and did much worse off, but since August 1, 2011
we (my husband and I) have read everyday. This is a habit that dramatically
affects my life. I can't (or dont) go off God's course for me, if I keep him in
my everyday life. Not to mention, I want Ethan to grow up and see that his mom
and dad were in God's word EVERY DAY.</span><br />
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Win, we have read it everyday....except one last week. Somehow our routine got messed up and we just lost it. However I believe that one day we miss in nearly a year is still a win.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">9. Do not eat
the bread of idleness. This comes from Proverbs 31. In God's discription of a
Godly Wife he states that she does not eat the bread of idleness. I fail
miserable at this. I procrastinate, spend way to much time on the computer when
I should be doing other things (like now for example). My realistic goal here
is, if I know something needs to be done, do it. And then play later. For
example, how often do you put off doing the dishes, when in all honesty, it
probably takes 15 minutes to do them (max), and if you just do it. Then you can
enjoy your down time better without thinking the whole time, "Man, I know I
should be doing the dishes", also if you just keep up on things, it makes it so
much easier.</span><br />
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Fail. Dishes don't get done as often as needed. Books are not being read. Working out not being done. Ethan getting pushed aside. Facebook and blogging however, are being done. :(</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">10. Lastly, be
more open with Christ to others. I want to bring others to God, and I want to
be a role model as a Christian for others. I do not want to be ashamed or quiet
about my faith. I want to speak up. Bring others in. So this goal is bluntly,
OPEN MY MOUTH about Jesus.<span style="color: #990000;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Well....Charlie is doing great about this, so I recently looked at my life and asked why I wasn't doing as good. I realized it is because I don't have people in my life that are no Christians. However, the people that I do meet that I do not know if they are Christians, I make sure they know that I am as well....Sure thats like one in 6 months, but hey. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">Well there you have it. Some wins, some fails. Now I need to recommit to do better. Here goes.</span> </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228541069113451967noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3488359790928580462.post-69667290027489136162012-07-15T10:43:00.000-05:002012-07-15T10:43:15.864-05:00Day 30 -- Epilogue: Write a letter to yourself.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Dear Kari, <br />
You did it, 30 day challenge is over (and took 45 days to complete, lol)! While it has been fun blogging each day and having a set topic to blog about, I am excited to get back to writing my own topics again. I would say that some of my favorite blogs were the ones I did that opened my life up a little bit more, and brought God out a lot more. My reflection from that is that I think I am going to continue to keep God in my blog a little more. On the other hand, it was also fun to just do little blogs with just a fun topic. I believe I will do a little of both now. <br />
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I am glad to have the guilt gone. The guilt of forcing myself to blog, and if I didn't feeling super guilty. (Knowing me, I am going to start blogging more now that I don't have to). This was a great opportunity and I truly enjoyed the experience. I am happy that it did increase the readers, and hopefully I can keep getting more readers by my more personal and passionate posts. <br />
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The biggest thing I would like to make sure I keep in mind though is, this is only a blog. My readers are virtual. My son and husband however are not. I don't want to put anything, especially the computer, ahead of them. So I will continue to blog, and I will continue to give you quality posts, but I will not let it become more important than my men. <br />
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Love, KariAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228541069113451967noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3488359790928580462.post-39976818267878046942012-07-14T13:54:00.002-05:002012-07-14T13:54:32.715-05:00Day 29 -- Top 5 Favorite Bible Verses<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. </span><span class="text Rom-7-20"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love this verse for many reasons. One, because I have been here. I have wanted to do good, but kept doing bad. It was an internal battle that I was fighting and continually losing. I also love this verse, however, because of the wording. It's so confusing to read until you slow down and read it. I love Paul and how direct he is with his wording too.</span> </span><br />
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<span class="text Rom-7-15" id="en-NIV-28107"><sup class="versenum"></sup></span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="text Rom-7-15"><sup class="versenum">15 </sup>I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28107AB" title="See cross-reference AB">AB</a>)"></sup> </span> <span class="text Rom-7-16" id="en-NIV-28108"><sup class="versenum">16 </sup>And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28108AC" title="See cross-reference AC">AC</a>)"></sup> </span> <span class="text Rom-7-17" id="en-NIV-28109"><sup class="versenum">17 </sup>As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28109AD" title="See cross-reference AD">AD</a>)"></sup> </span> <span class="text Rom-7-18" id="en-NIV-28110"><sup class="versenum">18 </sup>For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28110AE" title="See cross-reference AE">AE</a>)"></sup> For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.</span> <span class="text Rom-7-19" id="en-NIV-28111"><sup class="versenum">19 </sup>For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28111AF" title="See cross-reference AF">AF</a>)"></sup> </span> <span class="text Rom-7-20" id="en-NIV-28112"><sup class="versenum">20 </sup>Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans%207:15-20&version=NIV" target="_blank"> Romans 7:15-20</a></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="text Rom-7-20"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> 2. This verse gives me so much comfort. When you are tired, weary, or weak, turn to God. He will give you strength you never knew you could have. He will help you through the darkest and hardest times, as long as you focus on Him.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><sup>28 </sup>Do you not know?<br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-40-28">Have you not heard? <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18449A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> </span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-40-28">The <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> is the everlasting <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18449B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup> God,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-40-28">the Creator <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18449C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup> of the ends of the earth. <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18449D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup> </span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-40-28">He will not grow tired or weary, <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18449E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup> </span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-40-28">and his understanding no one can fathom. <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18449F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)"></sup> </span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-40-29" id="en-NIV-18450"><sup class="versenum">29 </sup>He gives strength <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18450G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)"></sup> to the weary <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18450H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)"></sup> </span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-40-29">and increases the power of the weak.</span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-40-30" id="en-NIV-18451"><sup class="versenum">30 </sup>Even youths grow tired and weary,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-40-30">and young men <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18451I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)"></sup> stumble and fall; <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18451J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)"></sup> </span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-40-31" id="en-NIV-18452"><sup class="versenum">31 </sup>but those who hope <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18452K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)"></sup> in the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-40-31">will renew their strength. <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18452L" title="See cross-reference L">L</a>)"></sup> </span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-40-31">They will soar on wings like eagles; <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18452M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)"></sup> </span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-40-31">they will run and not grow weary,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-40-31">they will walk and not be faint. <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18452N" title="See cross-reference N">N</a>)"></sup> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-40-31"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=isaiah%2040:28-31&version=NIV" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Isaiah 40:28-31</span></a></span></span></div>
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<span class="text Rom-7-20"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. This is a prayer I pray regularly. We read through Proverbs once a month, and each month when I get to this prayer, I renew it in my mind. I know that I am the type of person that if I have to much, I will not need to rely on God therefore He will not be number one in my life. However if I have to little, I may do things that are also against God. I thank God for giving me "just enough"</span></span><br />
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<span class="text Rom-7-20"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><sup>7 </sup>“Two things I ask of you, <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>;<br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Prov-30-7">do not refuse me before I die:</span></span><br /><span class="text Prov-30-8" id="en-NIV-17260"><sup class="versenum">8 </sup>Keep falsehood and lies far from me;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Prov-30-8">give me neither poverty nor riches,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Prov-30-8">but give me only my daily bread. <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17260A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> </span></span><br /><span class="text Prov-30-9" id="en-NIV-17261"><sup class="versenum">9 </sup>Otherwise, I may have too much and disown <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17261B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup> you</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Prov-30-9">and say, ‘Who is the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>?’ <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17261C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup> </span></span><br /><span class="text Prov-30-9">Or I may become poor and steal,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Prov-30-9">and so dishonor the name of my God. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="text Rom-7-20"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-30-9"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs%2030:7-9&version=NIV" target="_blank">Proverbs 30:7-9</a></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> 4. This verse has helped me through some of my darkest times. I knew that no matter what I was going through, if I was called "according to His purpose" then it would ultimately be good. </span><br />
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<span class="text Rom-8-28" id="en-NIV-28145"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><sup class="versenum">28 </sup>And we know that in all things God works for the good <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28145A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> of those who love him, who have been called <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28145B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup> according to his purpose. </span></span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%208:28&version=NIV" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Romans 8:28</span></a></span></div>
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<span class="text Rom-7-20"></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5. Last but not least. This verse is a feel good verse for me. Three simple statements that say it all. "The Lord is good" "a refuge in times of trouble" and "he cares for those who trust in Him" Its just so good. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><sup>7 </sup>The <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> is good, <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-22692A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> <br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Nah-1-7">a refuge in times of trouble. <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-22692B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup> </span></span><br /><span class="text Nah-1-7">He cares for <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-22692C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup> those who trust in him</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="text Nah-1-7"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Nahum%201:7&version=NIV" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Nahum 1:7</span></a></span></div>
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<span class="text Nah-1-7"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There you have it, 5 amazing verses in the bible. Its hard for me to say that they are my "favorite" but these verses have definitely helped me in one time or another in my life. I tried to choose ones that were not so mainstream as a way to help broaden the bible verses my readers get to see. My prayer now is that one of these verses touch your heart.</span> </span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228541069113451967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3488359790928580462.post-3035402798428917612012-07-10T22:20:00.003-05:002012-07-10T22:21:25.288-05:00Day 28 -- Something you hope to change about yourself and why<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are a ton of superficial things that I would change about myself (lose weight, have smaller boobs, lol). I am trying to be better about these things. So two things I would truly want to change about me are....</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipUZDF9QsfWNXGuVhxjswydYlO55Y-b5mFLZGhWiPgeH0qierT5qx4V5MnllP-lK4Zaxx0BeWAfGK4tkOtLHQ70nvKnCsefbDRzEPLppGbfA-t5cW2w2yU5LKEZ4Anosz-XXMSDKCdcZk/s1600/do+you+like+me.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipUZDF9QsfWNXGuVhxjswydYlO55Y-b5mFLZGhWiPgeH0qierT5qx4V5MnllP-lK4Zaxx0BeWAfGK4tkOtLHQ70nvKnCsefbDRzEPLppGbfA-t5cW2w2yU5LKEZ4Anosz-XXMSDKCdcZk/s200/do+you+like+me.JPG" width="200" /></span></a><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. I wish I didn't care what you thought about me. All of you. I want to be liked. I want to be important. And although I am improving, it's still not where it should be. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRD9m-IzU9mv3dme-aE8qRo7RlpdH9hEA2tyOT4GUFGINVeef6nSqVJJa4z9n70URWDK3aN48YSeF7eChTGiDl5rJaB1uhh9RWPEmh2jjgs7zbE3Mtins375CMFmmKJwdURnu1MghLu1c/s1600/happy-girl-run.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRD9m-IzU9mv3dme-aE8qRo7RlpdH9hEA2tyOT4GUFGINVeef6nSqVJJa4z9n70URWDK3aN48YSeF7eChTGiDl5rJaB1uhh9RWPEmh2jjgs7zbE3Mtins375CMFmmKJwdURnu1MghLu1c/s200/happy-girl-run.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. I wish I liked to run. Or workout at all. I hear people say all the time how relaxing running is. How great it is to clear your head. But to me, its miserable. I absolutely hate it. It would be so much easier to get in shape and stay in shape if I have any enjoyment in it at all. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: Verdana;">I don't believe either of these things are life changing or anything, but I think it would help me be a better me. I am overall a happy person. And I think I am daily trying to better myself. Thankfully, where I am weak, God is strong. He is shaping me to be the best me I can be, and if that me hates running and still cares what others think, then thats fine by me. Truth be told. I don't need to change anything about me to be happy. I am happy. Truly and completely happy. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228541069113451967noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3488359790928580462.post-66910978415248838902012-07-08T21:51:00.001-05:002012-07-08T21:51:44.786-05:00Day 27 -- Describe a truly spiritual moment in your life.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv9Ls_VsTCEzULXPir8n4fnTKGOkDQ9aEwk6pfpbqr6ilEhw6PvxBUauSy2C_Qtnzl_U2VonEtO4wK25nlp3vy1dBySRW6yUKPxZDBLHbF5n4aaQCu3VC15mc-5vLmOvh6HZvLDZ5u_bw/s1600/worship.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv9Ls_VsTCEzULXPir8n4fnTKGOkDQ9aEwk6pfpbqr6ilEhw6PvxBUauSy2C_Qtnzl_U2VonEtO4wK25nlp3vy1dBySRW6yUKPxZDBLHbF5n4aaQCu3VC15mc-5vLmOvh6HZvLDZ5u_bw/s640/worship.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
After such a dark time in my life, I looked in the mirror and was mortified. I knew I needed to change, but I was so far off course, I didn't know where to start. So I started the only place I knew how to...in the bible. <br />
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Beginning around May 2009, I took this time and read my bible, I read bible studies, and I read a book called "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/When-Godly-People-Ungodly-Things/dp/0805424652" target="_blank">When Godly People Do Ungodly Things</a>" by Beth Moore. This book changed my life. (If you are in a dark time, and don't know how to get back on track, this is the book for you, I can not say enough good things about this book). Slowly I began to change (and by slowly I mean months, possibly years), slowly my thinking started to align with God's thinking. <br />
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On January 1, 2010 I opened my bible and read 4 chapters in the book of John. Then on January 2, I read the next 4 chapters, and January 3rd, and 4th, etc. Before I knew it, it was February and I had read every single day in January, then March, then April. I promise you that reading my bible daily transformed my life. It made me on a daily basis think "Have I read my bible?" which made me think of God daily. During the year of 2010 I grew in my relationship with God, which was helping my marriage quite a bit. <br />
<br />Everything changed however in October 2010. My (then) husband left for a school in Virginia, and this time, instead of me, Satan grabbed him. February 2011, my marriage had officially dissolved. And this shook my faith momentarily. I had promised God that I would hang on tight to His word. His promise to me. And from February - July 2011 God and Satan had a tug of war with my soul. I had grown so much in my faith in the past two years that I knew what was right and wrong. But Satan wasn't going to let me go without a fight. He put all the same temptations in my path as was there before. He knew my weaknesses better than me, and he exploited them. Thankfully though I was still close enough to God and His word that I was unable to stray to the degree that I had before.<br />
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I praise God for the year of 2010. It was one of the hardest year's ever. It had many many downs but God used this time to prepare me for what was to come. He brought me close enough to Him that I couldn't live without His presence. He never left my side. He gave me a desire for His word so I could hide it in my heart and never be without it. <br />
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When I started to stray, he placed the right people in my path to gently remind me of His love. When I looked to men for comfort and love instead of God, he put Charlie right there to catch me. It could have been so many other people that could have hurt me, but instead it was a man that wanted to love God as much I want to, a man who would love me deeply, tenderly and wholely. I praise God for orchstrating my life without me seeing it at the time. <br />
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Since August 2011 Charlie and I have taken the time to read the bible everyday as a family (btw we were married on July 21, 2011 and only have missed 1 or 2 days of our entire marriage). We both see (from our previous failures) that God being in the center of our lives is how we keep this marriage pure. It is so important to us we do not allow even a day of failure. Satan loves failure, and if we open that door for one day of missing reading the bible...then we will allow two days, and then where does it end. <br />
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Read your bible. It is a life changing task and it only takes a 10 minutes a day. I began by reading four chapters a day. And now a little more, but no more than 15-20 minutes a day. I spend longer than that on Facebook, or writing/reading blogs. It will be worth it, I promise you.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228541069113451967noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3488359790928580462.post-78634243988885444972012-07-05T22:46:00.003-05:002012-07-05T22:47:10.414-05:00Day 26 -- Describe a dark/turbulent moment in your life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpNXzI2LsFFmlvMiX1-am0bxakZACmAWo26EwtYBqaoVW-TDhTrn0n5E-hvE-lTFu33Pl4TP0M0Q9wjNI40ZNCtQJfNVu3FB36IhQIxD0CXMP7hqKKbFZOQfZhFB6aWv_9e1e_76XPrMA/s1600/turn-back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpNXzI2LsFFmlvMiX1-am0bxakZACmAWo26EwtYBqaoVW-TDhTrn0n5E-hvE-lTFu33Pl4TP0M0Q9wjNI40ZNCtQJfNVu3FB36IhQIxD0CXMP7hqKKbFZOQfZhFB6aWv_9e1e_76XPrMA/s400/turn-back.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">I have been dreading this blog for the entire month. I know exactly what time period I am going to write about, I just am not sure "how" to write it. How much detail to go in to? Whether I should go into detail at all. Its been a battle. I still don't know the answer to it, but I am going to start writing right now and see where it leads me.</span> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will start with a tiny back story. I was a "Christian" by name only for many years. Sure, I would go to church, and even bible study. But I never really gave my life over to God for real until after 2009/2010. And this was during/right after I hit the lowest low of my life. I was previously married to my high school boyfriend. And our entire marriage was tainted by infidelity, lies, insecurities, control and lots of other evil. This gave Satan the perfect foothold into my life to finish the evil he started. Now don't get me wrong, I am not "blame shifting" here, I accept full responsiblity of my actions. I just know that in my weakness and distraction, I gave Satan the perfect opportunity to plant seeds in my life. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5nmGBXF3FJwjrApLAdzXwu6WB5vM3HrhGO36B-fAUm9G3x9fO8C1uZGAjMEIE0nPrK59mEy601-7XgZOrEPf2NNt3kZsPeGQWfKyFZFWGviBFO6igLyLBNWhEDyggWypAd11uLSBs3mE/s1600/Business-Tough-Times-Ahead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5nmGBXF3FJwjrApLAdzXwu6WB5vM3HrhGO36B-fAUm9G3x9fO8C1uZGAjMEIE0nPrK59mEy601-7XgZOrEPf2NNt3kZsPeGQWfKyFZFWGviBFO6igLyLBNWhEDyggWypAd11uLSBs3mE/s200/Business-Tough-Times-Ahead.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> In 2008 he deployed to Iraq and our marriage was in a rough spot as it was. The day he left, neither of us knew how that deployment would affect us. Neither of us were mentally ready face such a challenge. For a couple of months though, things turned around, and I was trying to turn back to God and do good. He was trying to help as well. <br /><br />But then Satan grabbed a hold of me, and refused to let go....and I didn't fight it much. From the months of November 2008 until May 2009 I was Satan's puppet. I was the perfect definition of a "hypocritical christian". If it was wrong, I did it. I lied. I cheated. I stole. I ruined lives/families. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtpkO-Y2B3WbzPjz_7aLNRx9Lpnba1NKtGjt071SJDlHJtcsWgqfu0CIV-p4J9jqUFULRZNY0A_QaXnfYUFjX9D-t1VR_TVDEagSLafxh_PPl1vySr_WdAqgVlIwCpZSzP66sY8pLx9h0/s1600/blinders.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtpkO-Y2B3WbzPjz_7aLNRx9Lpnba1NKtGjt071SJDlHJtcsWgqfu0CIV-p4J9jqUFULRZNY0A_QaXnfYUFjX9D-t1VR_TVDEagSLafxh_PPl1vySr_WdAqgVlIwCpZSzP66sY8pLx9h0/s200/blinders.jpg" width="160" /></span></a><br />
<span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I lived two lives. One life that my Christian friends and my ex-husband knew about. The one where I went to work, came home, vegged out with TV Series. And then there was other life. The one that only those apart of knew about. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">During this time, I had blinders on. If I would have looked at my actions I would have known what I was doing was ungodly, it was so ungodly, that the ungodly even knew it was wrong. But I refused to look. I just kept going. I did what I wanted and was totally OK living this lie. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That is, until I was caught. (Isn't that always how it is...) God set it up where I would get caught no matter how well I thought I "covered my tracks". Once I was caught, those blinders came flying off, and I was mortified. I could not believe the things I was doing with no guilt, no shame, and no care. I just could not believe it. I still can not believe it. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVsc-3rII5KJkjWLewc7HkK_NS5R0WBKUwRjdFCucgzynaEG7IfN4h9GAQc-sr8_LLGju3AlmSm1HmxfTSJ05llEV8rdvwOEIK3FhyphenhyphenB2_9QX9zLE7ddP2Lziba1GfrX3TZzO1FTCswr9Q/s1600/drowninginsin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVsc-3rII5KJkjWLewc7HkK_NS5R0WBKUwRjdFCucgzynaEG7IfN4h9GAQc-sr8_LLGju3AlmSm1HmxfTSJ05llEV8rdvwOEIK3FhyphenhyphenB2_9QX9zLE7ddP2Lziba1GfrX3TZzO1FTCswr9Q/s200/drowninginsin.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I looked in the mirror and was disgusted. I became the person I swore I would never be. I did things that I swore I would never do. I was just mortified. I made decisions during this time that were unchangable. And when I was faced with that realization, I realized that I was drowning. I lost my way and I needed help. <br /><br />Praise the Lord though that when you hit the ground, you have no where to turn but up. And Jesus is always there to grab your hand and help you back to your feet....and that blog is for tomorrow. I will tell you all about how I truly found the Lord and how much it has helped me.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228541069113451967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3488359790928580462.post-45357687688778920202012-07-03T13:22:00.000-05:002012-07-03T13:22:23.132-05:00Day 25 -- Something that never fails to make you feel better.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcqeXeFFwPBvIc5mRBPHWvNJI4rrJfNQqQLefTe6wLyb2BCAPU_Um_MnvTQiXVjzJLKrUEe9WRtS-xnUWuU9nL8NtNDacNPODlnJsFL5_i4iGayApCzQXJJddf3RBeFoiK8rZNQXA3C0c/s1600/hugfeelbetter.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcqeXeFFwPBvIc5mRBPHWvNJI4rrJfNQqQLefTe6wLyb2BCAPU_Um_MnvTQiXVjzJLKrUEe9WRtS-xnUWuU9nL8NtNDacNPODlnJsFL5_i4iGayApCzQXJJddf3RBeFoiK8rZNQXA3C0c/s320/hugfeelbetter.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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I am days behind on this, but nevertheless, I will complete this challenge. The finish line is so close, and I want to cross it. Over the last few days, Ethan and I have not been sleeping well at night, and I have been TIRED when it was time to wake up. So tired I just was frusterated that he was awake. But in these moments I have an answer to this blog. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Date night (spending time) with my hubby</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrGGZ5dCI-P-rrHAd5ZLqiPHK2CdFzuAUZrfs9ASvIpMwhVQ_qLFy8zlHhKyMLCYWtcgP6RwBJykK0CPNKVbYh08m_b_fptnA41atUG_Se11bwtFUaVYce8flRPB6xbJvR6hysqZBtIII/s1600/541039_10151050771400991_1566279795_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrGGZ5dCI-P-rrHAd5ZLqiPHK2CdFzuAUZrfs9ASvIpMwhVQ_qLFy8zlHhKyMLCYWtcgP6RwBJykK0CPNKVbYh08m_b_fptnA41atUG_Se11bwtFUaVYce8flRPB6xbJvR6hysqZBtIII/s320/541039_10151050771400991_1566279795_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These two grins</td></tr>
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Nothing makes me happier then these two guys. And when I am tired and grumpy, when I am overwhelmed, all I need is a smile from Ethan, or a hug from Charlie and all is good again. I am one blessed woman, and I thank God for my life. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz_lhVrmFntB8MBKESQR8UmJ8fZ-IKWgWPLEnda1FKYfadfgk3epRzfiwUCFjgOIB2zYzWSXgSyDRoYRkKY9I4nMexUhhCM5NTzX_x3oHuxl3S3BvKXlcTuMdWfOjck6cCkPI8mSAxHoo/s1600/fear-of-pregnancy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz_lhVrmFntB8MBKESQR8UmJ8fZ-IKWgWPLEnda1FKYfadfgk3epRzfiwUCFjgOIB2zYzWSXgSyDRoYRkKY9I4nMexUhhCM5NTzX_x3oHuxl3S3BvKXlcTuMdWfOjck6cCkPI8mSAxHoo/s640/fear-of-pregnancy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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My biggest phobia is being decapitated by a log truck. I swear driving behind one gives me such anxiety. I will do some stupid passing maneuvers to stay away from one. I know what you are thinking..."thats because of the movie 'Final Destination'". There is no doubt that watching that movie freaked me out, I oddly had this fear way before seeing that movie. That movie just made my fear come to life right before my eyes. There is a joke with some of my friends now though, that if God gave me any way to die, how would I want it to be. And that answer is, decapitated by a log truck. That way, all of you who think its impossible, and a joke would then know, and at my funeral you would all say, "how did she know?" LOL</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9oP_sT7oGELqX68k9yZPGQPx-nXb7yoqG1kqF9cCRa_A6xpvLVTTyBynTnky2OVxQ55VFo9YTtLwsX0t0_-rojXi5RqMWnDRq16v_hX07LyoGEDLytBctJTBiPTXbVujyz_ruhthQCQg/s1600/log_20truck.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9oP_sT7oGELqX68k9yZPGQPx-nXb7yoqG1kqF9cCRa_A6xpvLVTTyBynTnky2OVxQ55VFo9YTtLwsX0t0_-rojXi5RqMWnDRq16v_hX07LyoGEDLytBctJTBiPTXbVujyz_ruhthQCQg/s320/log_20truck.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now for something a tad bit more serious. I have lost my mom and my dad. I would say that I am terrified to lose someone closer to me. If I ever lost Charlie, Ethan, my sister, or any of the other people very close to me, I do not know how I could keep myself together. I was eight when my dad died. I needed to stay strong (due to my pregnancy) when my mom died. I thank God for the strength, but I don't want to experience anymore hurt. <br />
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<img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi93dYwU0NZ7aAKqEFDMblFf2kEiY9S4tN-dya1kCVB0j2I-WltTSCPQc4frTrRVi04JUVR-3eD7jbzdD15_53qx9QotUFJUIrMgj8jaJjfsppzNtgczqAmBcb1Ue_oq2L88JVEcrnQGGg/s320/grief.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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What about you? Any silly phobias? I have a friend scared of cotton balls (freaks out, its weird), another one afraid of ostriches, and I would love to hear some of your silly phobias. </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228541069113451967noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3488359790928580462.post-19383946452556205082012-06-28T23:31:00.005-05:002012-06-28T23:31:53.816-05:00Day 23 -- Personality Pride<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-eypVs90zf3AP0GbCIP44FWJlLCDw-L_TA-xC_MaOIB-lQY9KmBga-iAl3depYLK3FIok9RiVopXtTW_Tkzonn7vPSHc_C-f8mRMwV5T1utcSaEVc8eHW-JgSS5jwTiUNhzqeREmNNpk/s1600/5720190-pride-personal-responsibility-in-delivering-excellence-concept-on-blackboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-eypVs90zf3AP0GbCIP44FWJlLCDw-L_TA-xC_MaOIB-lQY9KmBga-iAl3depYLK3FIok9RiVopXtTW_Tkzonn7vPSHc_C-f8mRMwV5T1utcSaEVc8eHW-JgSS5jwTiUNhzqeREmNNpk/s400/5720190-pride-personal-responsibility-in-delivering-excellence-concept-on-blackboard.jpg" width="296" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Doing this blog took me nearly 2 hours. It really pointed out my self esteem issues even more. I can't even think of three things I like about myself. It's hard. It is something I am trying to work on. Hopefully someday it will be better. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1. I'll do anything for someone I love, just ask Ethan, Charlie, Steffy Jo, Bubba Ray or my close friends. But most of all, Jesus. I love him and will do ANY thing for him. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPUpV3p0t8b1GywYPuYwpkAqZg2ksfWWxB1as-NCxKq06ynlDqL8QDUpx4SFYCB3TvG9L-Q24yExJTg1Om6WROvGRYCx9dIed3JRIvGhxZbadmdTlHLO1UoRv0mtXCrgIy9XLxZdDuH8/s1600/i-love-you.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPUpV3p0t8b1GywYPuYwpkAqZg2ksfWWxB1as-NCxKq06ynlDqL8QDUpx4SFYCB3TvG9L-Q24yExJTg1Om6WROvGRYCx9dIed3JRIvGhxZbadmdTlHLO1UoRv0mtXCrgIy9XLxZdDuH8/s400/i-love-you.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">2. I may not be who I should be, but thank God I am not who I once was. I am constantly trying to stay good. I want to grow in God, I want to be filled with His word and love. I love getting better. Better at being a Christian, better at being a wife and mama, better at cooking, better at blogging. You name it, I want to be better.</span> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdHd1BEuuAMyrl0ttEPHjtChY9yLdR99-ppss1gUJ_4UZS3kpAYDQvbP-qIe30XsPyAjMBrCBPifbuXxmY4U18eaN_5HYOrIMXuyXSoZtuzNhLxdDf4kTa-f28mwNmUKe2AVcL0w_Chgg/s1600/better-person.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdHd1BEuuAMyrl0ttEPHjtChY9yLdR99-ppss1gUJ_4UZS3kpAYDQvbP-qIe30XsPyAjMBrCBPifbuXxmY4U18eaN_5HYOrIMXuyXSoZtuzNhLxdDf4kTa-f28mwNmUKe2AVcL0w_Chgg/s400/better-person.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This blog asked for three things I am proud of. I can absolutely not think of a third, and sitting here staring is kinda making me feel depressed. So I quit. I am happy at who I am, and I am happy thriving to be better. I am not going to let a blog topic bring me down.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228541069113451967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3488359790928580462.post-79200735577442074352012-06-26T13:47:00.003-05:002012-06-26T13:47:52.885-05:00Day 22 -- In this past month, what have you learned<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid58w1ML2rrg_4qL3dquVR7ePLrwkZH1UHvyrAzbTTVjj8JuBhQ5cSqVTThgQEcpYU2gQy5X_DIKVIwt2vO3eYlUNhJ-O8Un_r43ZNzfW9c2iJ2o2uBEFEs7NqNf3gJElUo4PURamC558/s1600/1371785442_e4127b9839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid58w1ML2rrg_4qL3dquVR7ePLrwkZH1UHvyrAzbTTVjj8JuBhQ5cSqVTThgQEcpYU2gQy5X_DIKVIwt2vO3eYlUNhJ-O8Un_r43ZNzfW9c2iJ2o2uBEFEs7NqNf3gJElUo4PURamC558/s320/1371785442_e4127b9839.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
It seems that this has been a month of "give it a try". We are trying vegetarian, I am trying this blog challenge, the crickets are trying to invade my house (oh its bad in central texas right now...those crickets out number us by ALOT). Therefore, I have learned alot this month. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimaPZNHO0LCUzRVzXpTl4RL99qKSt_IBjoGhMAmEr9xJIzJjg7vfk9V39VGgTkYPd38KC3DJbLI1l-rrFslUlhR_31DFBLjbEGGLV24jqR9InhLZOQNGzyv6oG8QxNkQ2YmLvD8KVPlp4/s1600/veggies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimaPZNHO0LCUzRVzXpTl4RL99qKSt_IBjoGhMAmEr9xJIzJjg7vfk9V39VGgTkYPd38KC3DJbLI1l-rrFslUlhR_31DFBLjbEGGLV24jqR9InhLZOQNGzyv6oG8QxNkQ2YmLvD8KVPlp4/s200/veggies.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
I have learned eating no meat saves money. I have learned that I like sweet potatoes, eggplant, and alot of other veggies. And you don't need meat for it to be yummy food. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK4cMFi4wOVdd5aUPhqZYDLdFicor-KiEwE4pE-Ydrj50LwwVpLzICO06kVDZZTs2qRlpkPo4gLPDxqJb7H87ShBuy5NaBcdnVMVOYiCODdZG0BWbeo-5oULIVqkmFwzSsy5GoNOCAk1k/s1600/bible-study.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK4cMFi4wOVdd5aUPhqZYDLdFicor-KiEwE4pE-Ydrj50LwwVpLzICO06kVDZZTs2qRlpkPo4gLPDxqJb7H87ShBuy5NaBcdnVMVOYiCODdZG0BWbeo-5oULIVqkmFwzSsy5GoNOCAk1k/s200/bible-study.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtjm9qoFXrkNRETxchBEIX6Wsbaa7R1bXGOBGKCEPBGCGMxU7F8j0mcJUi75hPuouHjKtw_sUnxzkSQa4bQqPci3vgYVGwpfF546ltKeYU01-dauHiLVGzR9-gFfXguH0MgaL6-yelPk/s1600/394747_10151035782720991_601084984_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtjm9qoFXrkNRETxchBEIX6Wsbaa7R1bXGOBGKCEPBGCGMxU7F8j0mcJUi75hPuouHjKtw_sUnxzkSQa4bQqPci3vgYVGwpfF546ltKeYU01-dauHiLVGzR9-gFfXguH0MgaL6-yelPk/s200/394747_10151035782720991_601084984_n.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
I have learned that I just love being in the precense of God's people. I love the support, the love, the closeness, I just love people who love God. <br />
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I have learned that every single stage with my son is my new favorite stage. He's growing up so fast, and just getting so much more fun and cute. I absolutely love being a mom. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvR0Wj1TQk9NGvlnEC7vgsPkcB4L104ob6fqxGHkhL9QB3mhsURO0qQa3RysYOC1hm-gICMpFl26Kwp_L5VN5JqY4sWOSWPGJNBZYhy6SSEGN4uKU3-mh3VrMnvr1AQKGAEa7ueW_Pwo/s1600/baby-money.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvR0Wj1TQk9NGvlnEC7vgsPkcB4L104ob6fqxGHkhL9QB3mhsURO0qQa3RysYOC1hm-gICMpFl26Kwp_L5VN5JqY4sWOSWPGJNBZYhy6SSEGN4uKU3-mh3VrMnvr1AQKGAEa7ueW_Pwo/s200/baby-money.jpg" width="160" /></a><br />
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I have learned that the possibility of adopting a second child would cost a good deal of money. Charlie and I have toss the idea around a little bit. Tons of children with no parents, tons of moms that don't want there children. I did a tiny bit of research today and learned it could cost anywhere from $200-$30,000. Thats a lot of money to help someone out. Kinda makes me sad. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLyL6c4aXco1_H4D7Pg_kBrJbVM2_oJ6rPBzL1NONYfROJwkXUTrsoZkaPUHDcDtOQHJolv8FidBcJh7Ro-9PM5SZuasd_Y_fWBt2MrOEWLSTBsUGGZGPz9d9j7Qvl_krxe5LQdc4mFTE/s1600/swim_butterfly_photosculpture-p1539355053714279433ppq_400-thumb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLyL6c4aXco1_H4D7Pg_kBrJbVM2_oJ6rPBzL1NONYfROJwkXUTrsoZkaPUHDcDtOQHJolv8FidBcJh7Ro-9PM5SZuasd_Y_fWBt2MrOEWLSTBsUGGZGPz9d9j7Qvl_krxe5LQdc4mFTE/s200/swim_butterfly_photosculpture-p1539355053714279433ppq_400-thumb.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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I have (re)learned that water is God's relief in the Texas heat. As we are experiencing our first week of 100 degree days all I can think about is getting in the pool or staying inside. It's hot out there. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW623L2_0JiHCbLzbecFr11h4APr3RJwIBlTEJFiNEMBiHZSFuqeJNtlGn57nJKtJfd1bHb_U0h5xxIM7iJYOPtvscwqDAeMiNF3mRav0xkEURHKvRsm3b_ZMaEb2rZjGieGd_Jk9Jpq4/s1600/A3_552ndRedeployment6955_2_w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW623L2_0JiHCbLzbecFr11h4APr3RJwIBlTEJFiNEMBiHZSFuqeJNtlGn57nJKtJfd1bHb_U0h5xxIM7iJYOPtvscwqDAeMiNF3mRav0xkEURHKvRsm3b_ZMaEb2rZjGieGd_Jk9Jpq4/s200/A3_552ndRedeployment6955_2_w.jpg" width="163" /></a>I have learned how grateful I am to my friends and their families. In the last month 3 of my super close friends have been reunited with their husbands after being away during a deployment. Each of these wonderful ladies have very small children too. They are insanely strong, and I am so thankful for them, and that their families are reunited. <br />
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I am sure that I have learned much more, but for now, that is all I can think of. How has your month been informative for you? Have you learned any useful tidbits? <br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228541069113451967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3488359790928580462.post-29400373958243993272012-06-24T12:03:00.001-05:002012-06-24T12:03:21.517-05:00Day 21 -- A picture of you last year and now, how have you changed since then?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQdSfRNofs1-JpjKQeo3XPDoRcnoPUv-gYGJ3nkl3T4GBYsAKUgoqTKZlahMemR8sXrrGoC2-ap49UWU-pBAHDMwbA-PKW71jal-WK0AGo3fHEbwx1fXqCEkvDVbx3Lah4qMKcE7-qsg/s1600/224930_10151029473805991_1682903019_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQdSfRNofs1-JpjKQeo3XPDoRcnoPUv-gYGJ3nkl3T4GBYsAKUgoqTKZlahMemR8sXrrGoC2-ap49UWU-pBAHDMwbA-PKW71jal-WK0AGo3fHEbwx1fXqCEkvDVbx3Lah4qMKcE7-qsg/s320/224930_10151029473805991_1682903019_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My little man and me, 5 months old. <br />
June 21, 2011</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedMEVVIr3hDfjLIfzRFxl2Ft3xWpZ7ojyqn45a35pNfF-norIDaiHNsrY1DoVBVxprd2t97O9bPZ_sfOQtzOJsIlWGKB-2SE5EXVXQ2RRBm5gx5PbE4XZSck-oEtNtnFAuCmq7e-rioo/s1600/260264_10150292072295991_1109295_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedMEVVIr3hDfjLIfzRFxl2Ft3xWpZ7ojyqn45a35pNfF-norIDaiHNsrY1DoVBVxprd2t97O9bPZ_sfOQtzOJsIlWGKB-2SE5EXVXQ2RRBm5gx5PbE4XZSck-oEtNtnFAuCmq7e-rioo/s320/260264_10150292072295991_1109295_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">12 weeks pregnant with my little man<br />
June 26, 2011<br />
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How have I changed in the last year? It has been a year full of change. I got married, I became a mama, and if that wasn't enough, I got baptized, grew in my relationship with Christ. Its been a great year. And probably the most eventful ever. Never in my life have I been so happy, and I would not change a single thing. If all the hurt I had to go through in the past brought me to my life now....it was well worth it. I love you Ethan and Charlie</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228541069113451967noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3488359790928580462.post-54162558293593928182012-06-23T13:58:00.002-05:002012-06-23T13:58:38.291-05:00Day 20 -- A dream of mine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrTyUphdHKvPLwXNaLAXR3WC3IGn7oNdghPitE8T33nJ4LUZhyq94RJTIGGsgcyJCrbjMEPQ-Rzs4aoPDVWumHMv3CK5TK_bvqmIm2RpyXKaGgIdAbwPpKNpUAvhW2h59OX_lJYFFww3Q/s1600/dreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrTyUphdHKvPLwXNaLAXR3WC3IGn7oNdghPitE8T33nJ4LUZhyq94RJTIGGsgcyJCrbjMEPQ-Rzs4aoPDVWumHMv3CK5TK_bvqmIm2RpyXKaGgIdAbwPpKNpUAvhW2h59OX_lJYFFww3Q/s400/dreams.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
A far fetched dream I have is to someday open a business of my own. I vary on what I want to own, sometimes I want to do a hotel/inn, or a restuarant, a store that promotes natural living, I have even played around with the idea of getting a midwifery licence to open a birth center. I change my mind often, but I like to be in charge (who would have thought....lol) and running a place intrigues me. A new cloth diapering store just opened up in Killeen, and that made me think of this again. We will see....maybe one day I will choose something and go for it. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRBomFMDonP1BcLvs7IlxeeM9X0DLJ1nwWFYR8UTDDLS6D-lc1GzFC3eObHg8Mw5eF5_8Lsmwho3tWntO1F6C0Edim4b8iSVO7m5eZB8GBKDy6Y_pcEUmuNrz373YuS9JdtnmeVVDHwJI/s1600/restaurant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRBomFMDonP1BcLvs7IlxeeM9X0DLJ1nwWFYR8UTDDLS6D-lc1GzFC3eObHg8Mw5eF5_8Lsmwho3tWntO1F6C0Edim4b8iSVO7m5eZB8GBKDy6Y_pcEUmuNrz373YuS9JdtnmeVVDHwJI/s200/restaurant.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A restaurant?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpyYi0ZKn23zm1OqPGRXmh85iSCHZBRtD8wqXJxRaBaOYOjQ-MH824d7rmGnBbWqAcycTKspa6QfCbBqMsaiTiprTNhbyuiFCTgsCdJHw82eXwJnTQsXoqwyATjmz67a9isrpw8EGfgAA/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpyYi0ZKn23zm1OqPGRXmh85iSCHZBRtD8wqXJxRaBaOYOjQ-MH824d7rmGnBbWqAcycTKspa6QfCbBqMsaiTiprTNhbyuiFCTgsCdJHw82eXwJnTQsXoqwyATjmz67a9isrpw8EGfgAA/s200/image.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Bed and Breakfast?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7eSf_azxrPOXpN3wQ1kFAR_17Ngu9kTS95fklG59b1w8hkwzFCMgaZjy4a81-I1N7FVuo-Q9PGJtmZgcgABNN_YFzL-7o_XXLI2Q3eOVwgFroixBnhLii25x8QtK1lP_5Ux-dOdj8iQY/s1600/whole-foods-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7eSf_azxrPOXpN3wQ1kFAR_17Ngu9kTS95fklG59b1w8hkwzFCMgaZjy4a81-I1N7FVuo-Q9PGJtmZgcgABNN_YFzL-7o_XXLI2Q3eOVwgFroixBnhLii25x8QtK1lP_5Ux-dOdj8iQY/s200/whole-foods-001.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Supporting natural living?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn5jZHjLGt3skKEh7EeV0qjUA01lIp4-7KzOkug422t_ZcAyYuz0opir3Fp3L6n2sLw3Z_GrCeH3zevxY7c0ksgM3nV8DY3CofE3FoOirOz49jwXt3h5FHCOLOY2aM0-jnw3pZnM59BKE/s1600/002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="94" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn5jZHjLGt3skKEh7EeV0qjUA01lIp4-7KzOkug422t_ZcAyYuz0opir3Fp3L6n2sLw3Z_GrCeH3zevxY7c0ksgM3nV8DY3CofE3FoOirOz49jwXt3h5FHCOLOY2aM0-jnw3pZnM59BKE/s200/002.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helping pregnant women</td></tr>
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For now though, I am completely satisfied with being a wife and a mama, and that is probably why I cannot pin down a thought of just one idea.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228541069113451967noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3488359790928580462.post-43198490163857427472012-06-22T20:24:00.000-05:002012-06-22T20:24:20.635-05:00Day 19 -- Switcharoo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4OLGH20nK9xyM9SU2oHxFRwbc58hvetJ_Kok41bN7c_r_25-LNByiQjatarkVpBIEVhFL1xkE6-08COubUYjP3rfe_jEqX4mjRKJZ5pXnC0_TDcxzMFChyphenhyphenwlYefLCo2-kvBvfaiQtKDo/s1600/Freaky-Friday-freaky-friday-14551916-800-600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4OLGH20nK9xyM9SU2oHxFRwbc58hvetJ_Kok41bN7c_r_25-LNByiQjatarkVpBIEVhFL1xkE6-08COubUYjP3rfe_jEqX4mjRKJZ5pXnC0_TDcxzMFChyphenhyphenwlYefLCo2-kvBvfaiQtKDo/s400/Freaky-Friday-freaky-friday-14551916-800-600.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
If I could do a "Freaky Friday" with anyone, who would it be? I think I would want to trade places with someone who had much less than me, someone in a third world country or just really poor. Why? Thats easy. It would help me be more thankful for what I do have, and realize that "things" are just that. I have so many luxuries and yet I still find things to complain about. I have enough money to have clothes that are in good condition, good meals to eat, two working vehicles, a roof over my head, I have no needs. When I look at my life and hear myself complain, I get so embarassed. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZZlWzC5ccJAzROzLNeUXoS4MQdjjQ5EUVcdJgjRxEbi1ADf0yRdjGTDvE4EXhugCZ1VsAqhG1nIh8JgRHvWNjwjDc-6uqc7Z_u8j6t3W5DpW4LAEgSqTQx2n9lMZmkDDBcUyweOI7Nc/s1600/41v0epOSf7L__SL500_AA300_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZZlWzC5ccJAzROzLNeUXoS4MQdjjQ5EUVcdJgjRxEbi1ADf0yRdjGTDvE4EXhugCZ1VsAqhG1nIh8JgRHvWNjwjDc-6uqc7Z_u8j6t3W5DpW4LAEgSqTQx2n9lMZmkDDBcUyweOI7Nc/s200/41v0epOSf7L__SL500_AA300_.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We are jeans and t-shirt kind of people.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPKmzxWpDQqFNvKO7bpjfbsSGuxtQmX2fXhDhLwPHbS70bs1Ypinf0TCpUrQPikJkivPjg5h-1FoM9vo6dzRduF9VR09Pbod3g5gMICbtOxw34VDXseZhLwKdyRVZqLuKVQZIQWexKt1I/s1600/middle-class.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPKmzxWpDQqFNvKO7bpjfbsSGuxtQmX2fXhDhLwPHbS70bs1Ypinf0TCpUrQPikJkivPjg5h-1FoM9vo6dzRduF9VR09Pbod3g5gMICbtOxw34VDXseZhLwKdyRVZqLuKVQZIQWexKt1I/s200/middle-class.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We stress over bills</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiienNLmbB-oRloFzBCsj-XRfHdlw8MtHIAb2L_YrsVRdsusbjqUP7ylU2WSVwK01thrynzFMZp1wxtSTjHXJKK-tmjqjQQCho06ttuqSFLCJJGpoYwxkhwXpvLuqIeyHwja-nZVBCXxaM/s1600/14-rich_poor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiienNLmbB-oRloFzBCsj-XRfHdlw8MtHIAb2L_YrsVRdsusbjqUP7ylU2WSVwK01thrynzFMZp1wxtSTjHXJKK-tmjqjQQCho06ttuqSFLCJJGpoYwxkhwXpvLuqIeyHwja-nZVBCXxaM/s200/14-rich_poor.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We are wasteful</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc3tEaqPv7LZgyciNUOez2fnjBF-DplxSoQqS3uxaGJMDSTArukmSbzqvBfo0ISvbg_OL0Aj_ClNlvaeBH33DZ3JsfWotI-RuHk-ecxmit0W4-abjp-Yrdgn07ortjGRwnaIzFeDltwCg/s1600/roof-over-head.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc3tEaqPv7LZgyciNUOez2fnjBF-DplxSoQqS3uxaGJMDSTArukmSbzqvBfo0ISvbg_OL0Aj_ClNlvaeBH33DZ3JsfWotI-RuHk-ecxmit0W4-abjp-Yrdgn07ortjGRwnaIzFeDltwCg/s1600/roof-over-head.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We live comfortably</td></tr>
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God has given me so much. I have such a blessed life and yet I find myself complaining. What is wrong with me? People have so much more than me, sure, but people also have so much less than me.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228541069113451967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3488359790928580462.post-91946378483916616232012-06-21T22:06:00.001-05:002012-06-21T22:06:09.726-05:00Day 18 -- Something you’re proud of in the past few days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTFKfNcpF1PgDtDIbVPc4bl9SLNT1gyN7ejBlLCNlpje-LXmJsKc7tqI25oBbkU937wr71jYBYw6BTGcrXT9NLkDAtZdzfAZ8AYol1mJ6GtiX9NAe0QZB63PI2YAwfS0vwE0x3EqUGkoM/s1600/proud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTFKfNcpF1PgDtDIbVPc4bl9SLNT1gyN7ejBlLCNlpje-LXmJsKc7tqI25oBbkU937wr71jYBYw6BTGcrXT9NLkDAtZdzfAZ8AYol1mJ6GtiX9NAe0QZB63PI2YAwfS0vwE0x3EqUGkoM/s400/proud.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>
For the past few months (possibly year), Charlie and I have felt like we needed to join a small group at our church and get more in depth involved with Christian people at our church, but we both have been pushing it off for one reason or another. The more we put it off, the further it got from a priority to us, and then I started to face the reality of my closest friends are leaving soon. They are still in the Army world and the Army is making them leave me in November. I started to stress because I am not in any environment to meet new people and just hanging with the same people I always hang out with, and they are leaving me. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-tyPwhBCziVxM10xEV5MAw4o5pTCVq0m-B5OjVYMJ4DkPSeh5yUlb8r5rFze33bN8kuSGE2PHNSQCIn6R3XYdNx_l9SUmfU_q97CcD3gQIiHEBqDk-r0nmJTTjGfd0hYaThLop9RZHtI/s1600/small-group-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-tyPwhBCziVxM10xEV5MAw4o5pTCVq0m-B5OjVYMJ4DkPSeh5yUlb8r5rFze33bN8kuSGE2PHNSQCIn6R3XYdNx_l9SUmfU_q97CcD3gQIiHEBqDk-r0nmJTTjGfd0hYaThLop9RZHtI/s200/small-group-logo.jpg" width="198" /></a><br />
So the idea of getting into a small group became a priority again, and I looked for one through our church and with the help of the online community with our church we chose one on Thursday nights. Well Thursday came and went, and Saturday evening it dawned on me...."Darn it, I wanted to try that small group and forgot all about it." Once I realized we missed it, I put it on our Google calendars so it wouldn't happen again. <br />
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Back to what I am proud of....Charlie and I finally made the plunge and we went to small group tonight. Satan had it out for us though, and wanted to stop us from going. First of all, we went for a drive and just wanted to get out of the house today, and ended up not back in town until 6:00PM and small group started at 6:00. Well we had to stop at the house and change Ethan and nurse him, and ended up leaving the house around 6:10PM, at that point we were both so close to nixing the whole idea, because we both hate being late. By the time we got to the church it was quarter after and I was getting frusterated because I hate being late. We walked around the building that we were told the group was in, and all the doors were locked. Finally we decided to try the main building, but by now it was 6:25PM, and I was getting grumpy and anxious. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUqJGs1lL72BhVi0JJPXFzorStEDyX5bhnpuKJCruGm8n79qpLCmiuva8MXJwgI8hSI-5CGML3OlfcRSOuu7EACCDNQRRq8T9HzwG8QKVji3LAO_GI2Un76gCxGzxCEcMI5mvLujflCc/s1600/small-group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUqJGs1lL72BhVi0JJPXFzorStEDyX5bhnpuKJCruGm8n79qpLCmiuva8MXJwgI8hSI-5CGML3OlfcRSOuu7EACCDNQRRq8T9HzwG8QKVji3LAO_GI2Un76gCxGzxCEcMI5mvLujflCc/s200/small-group.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
The moment we opened the door where the group was meeting, all anxiety melted away. They were friendly, and inviting. Laughter filled the room. I was hugged hello. Ethan was loved on immediately. It was amazing. Without knowing a single person in the room, I felt like this is where God wanted me. <br />
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I am so proud of us for actually pushing through the grumpiness and getting our tushies in there. I am proud of us for opening up to the group. I am proud of us for already making sure we are going to make it a priority in the future. <br />
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As always, I would love to hear from you, have you done anything in the last few days/week that you are proud of? <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGrZpGHnVpnATMc3pD_aAvZq9yGqCeLtOs4iW2kRbTjMq3mJ_j1qFjeP4bSYRZa-GymfG82kTCNq2dOh6HUFV5ctH50mDmqCCOjE9-U_Bdu_FzbrzyywpMx0S-X1DUkyMEydJkbBTy5To/s1600/New-Small-Groups-Logo12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGrZpGHnVpnATMc3pD_aAvZq9yGqCeLtOs4iW2kRbTjMq3mJ_j1qFjeP4bSYRZa-GymfG82kTCNq2dOh6HUFV5ctH50mDmqCCOjE9-U_Bdu_FzbrzyywpMx0S-X1DUkyMEydJkbBTy5To/s400/New-Small-Groups-Logo12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Also, don't forget we are still trying to get to 100 "likes" over at our facebook page. Please head over to my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/manyrosesblog" target="_blank">facebook page</a> and "like" us. If I get to 100 before the end of my 30 day challenge one luck winner will receive a handmade hemp bracelet and necklace.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228541069113451967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3488359790928580462.post-13191163479848607672012-06-19T23:11:00.003-05:002012-06-21T11:09:51.725-05:00Day 17 -- Short term goals for this month<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheLgFI9Hs4VNsjw5g4w5vyZ-MMDwwWiLdqz3KfqGOsCGCDb_no1rFhw-a0wG1uZij-b20EwpF0d48poOexpNM0TNGPCPylwaJgMBZYd4U2Z4JvmqCtRgtCothxIZHRsDNdzIjrHGfVj7A/s1600/Goals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheLgFI9Hs4VNsjw5g4w5vyZ-MMDwwWiLdqz3KfqGOsCGCDb_no1rFhw-a0wG1uZij-b20EwpF0d48poOexpNM0TNGPCPylwaJgMBZYd4U2Z4JvmqCtRgtCothxIZHRsDNdzIjrHGfVj7A/s640/Goals.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
During the month of June I have two different 30 day challenges going on. One, is obviously, to blog everyday, and the other is to eat vegetarian, more specifically not to purchase meat with our grocery trip. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsn3eUhvilnbwbmFr5-yMXYxxC_29c3o47U5owU7rjP02BNfE0x5jyuGg8TvAcTXc5r8bPvxh6pSFcL0Lg01M-lYgURlHJCpmgqCYRRnRzPmcry4QXSVIV6a00pNOoROxIOQ6dL1OQrVA/s1600/vegetarian-diet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsn3eUhvilnbwbmFr5-yMXYxxC_29c3o47U5owU7rjP02BNfE0x5jyuGg8TvAcTXc5r8bPvxh6pSFcL0Lg01M-lYgURlHJCpmgqCYRRnRzPmcry4QXSVIV6a00pNOoROxIOQ6dL1OQrVA/s200/vegetarian-diet.jpg" width="200" /></a>As we are trying to be more mindful with our money, we have made a few changes to try to save (use the AC as little as possible, hang laundry outside to dry, and not to purchase meat to name a few). The point of this goal was to save money on the grocery bill (which it did, it brought our $300 monthly bill down to $240), we have on the other hand seen other benefits. We don't eat out nearly as much, which obviously saves money also. Because of those two changes, I have noticed a drop of about 5 pounds. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-dWiMt-BIP0DRWpkRiokxjiRBxkRR_oAedG5REpIeteTqldEXDA8QpPpTCebJ0DlJtDFDZQKN_2ZNw6yabvzKKzb8kvyOzoLDSQKlOZfEPqml-wuCQZPC8-ug2sJq-f4l8JMfAPhf1V8/s1600/179168_10151012307460991_1631560966_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-dWiMt-BIP0DRWpkRiokxjiRBxkRR_oAedG5REpIeteTqldEXDA8QpPpTCebJ0DlJtDFDZQKN_2ZNw6yabvzKKzb8kvyOzoLDSQKlOZfEPqml-wuCQZPC8-ug2sJq-f4l8JMfAPhf1V8/s200/179168_10151012307460991_1631560966_n.jpg" width="148" /></a>Charlie is a "meat and potato" kind of guy, so we really weren't sure how we would like this experiment. Well I am pleased to say that after nearly 3 weeks of preparing meals with no meat, there has been only one meal that he hasn't liked. And we are intaking so much more vegetables and learning vegetables that we didn't even know we liked. <br />
Another goal I have is to make it to the pool a few times a week with Ethan. The point with this is to help Ethan become acclamated with the Texas weather, learn to love the water, and get a small workout in (not to mention getting me out in the Texas weather a little this summer). Our only issue with this is that having Ethan around the chlorine so often isn't very good for him, however the lakes are gross and all of them cost money, so we are in a catch-22.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlCZdfqabnqyvBIT-AyW_cjWF2vJMYyEgjTL3B87J70VCltdEaHew3pdf7FMw1Ymqetk4blhaQ_DIos9aIhi7E3IWROlOvDdF75ObB5YVMKQL7hjMAMGPWD5DSAcP296FXCnp8R0bljqc/s1600/dont-waste-money-time.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlCZdfqabnqyvBIT-AyW_cjWF2vJMYyEgjTL3B87J70VCltdEaHew3pdf7FMw1Ymqetk4blhaQ_DIos9aIhi7E3IWROlOvDdF75ObB5YVMKQL7hjMAMGPWD5DSAcP296FXCnp8R0bljqc/s200/dont-waste-money-time.jpg" width="196" /></a><br />
Finally, one last short term goal I have is to not waste money. Charlie and I both have a bad habit of wasting money, whether it is on eating out, or wasteful spending on things not needed. In the last month, we have gotten very good about not wasting as much and being better at watching our spending. The goal is to continue on the better habits that we have begun. <br />
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Are there any short term goals that you are planning throughout the summer?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228541069113451967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3488359790928580462.post-5081844911953516132012-06-18T08:59:00.000-05:002012-06-19T08:54:02.431-05:00Day 16 -- Picture of Someone Who has the Biggest Impact on Your Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-uWcSV6mYHORwTPyMxYIQn1XVglXcN2wyjs8n4AKUY_xYFlymD_IaWhogDfVPimbxvuQpNHXeNqrrBcq5AN0D-65rOt6BglINo_O3m5TFxrk-DvC_0Kr8erf9V05HXgHAABlx-IKaZik/s1600/crucifixion_of_jesus_christ_with_dramatic_sky_and_lightning-1024x768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-uWcSV6mYHORwTPyMxYIQn1XVglXcN2wyjs8n4AKUY_xYFlymD_IaWhogDfVPimbxvuQpNHXeNqrrBcq5AN0D-65rOt6BglINo_O3m5TFxrk-DvC_0Kr8erf9V05HXgHAABlx-IKaZik/s640/crucifixion_of_jesus_christ_with_dramatic_sky_and_lightning-1024x768.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
When I truly found Jesus and made a turn to live my life for him, it changed me radically. Before, I was an adulterer, liar, thief, and so much more. But when I made a choice to follow Jesus, he saved me. He turned me from all those things I used to be and into his beautiful child. The sin has been taken away and "as far as the east is from the west" is how far he took it. I thank Jesus everyday that he did not force me to love him, and that he patiently waited for me to come to him. Because of it being my willful choice, and knowing the price he paid for my salvation, it means so much more to me.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228541069113451967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3488359790928580462.post-72084198239418794602012-06-17T14:04:00.003-05:002012-06-17T14:04:56.885-05:00Day 15 -- Favorite Super Hero<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMYpYT9A0qqTPt1R4xi0m4WV_glrKYOpahcPLXeVh9otPmAuGLPszGgDlgWd7O8arai0Mu2ZDPc5fMNAzxtOi_2VaN61taGmRaSfwArPcRMlxSG3KA78DaBeopDHeRGr0VdARYwZrMIIY/s1600/superheroes02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMYpYT9A0qqTPt1R4xi0m4WV_glrKYOpahcPLXeVh9otPmAuGLPszGgDlgWd7O8arai0Mu2ZDPc5fMNAzxtOi_2VaN61taGmRaSfwArPcRMlxSG3KA78DaBeopDHeRGr0VdARYwZrMIIY/s400/superheroes02.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
To start this out, I am not a superhero kind of girl. Up until the last few months I had never seen Thor, Iron Man, Hulk, or Captain America. Due to the release of "The Avengers" my husband was shocked I had never seen them, and asked me to watch them with him. I will admit, they were not bad, just not a movie I would pick out myself. So when I started thinking about this blog and what superhero to choose, I was completely unsure. However, I wanted to give this blog a real answer and not just skate through it with no effort given. So I went and did a Internet searched and pulled up the Wikipedia page on "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superhero" target="_blank">Superhero's</a>" and I even went to a website called "<a href="http://www.superherodb.com/" target="_blank">Superhero Database</a>" and read up on some superheroes (and superheroines). Needless to say, I was in nerd heaven, and was lost. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidLu37r9W4-SHMphwi8ZtD7gku2QQjuNrKXJcCFVtICo6t8DNpd2yYx7QVE4fASXYMcEQCnaQVvUl3gLzh34xu6GIQwcu9ybh9Zl8g7BATEmAMvc66V8CT-f38b0Tz5fGjyf0DUH3iXdY/s1600/nerd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidLu37r9W4-SHMphwi8ZtD7gku2QQjuNrKXJcCFVtICo6t8DNpd2yYx7QVE4fASXYMcEQCnaQVvUl3gLzh34xu6GIQwcu9ybh9Zl8g7BATEmAMvc66V8CT-f38b0Tz5fGjyf0DUH3iXdY/s200/nerd.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />I read the bio's on a few superheros I knew of, Superman, Batman, Captain America, Hancock and some I never heard of, Ariel and Zatanna. I read the comments on each of them. People are arguing about who is stronger Superman or Hancock, Batman or Captain America. People get as passionate on their superheros as I do on Labor/C-section and Breastfeeding. It was fun to be brought into a different world for a few hours. A world that is so out of my realm, but I still can relate to. <br />
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That brings us to my answer. Who is my favorite super hero and why? After reading up on a few of them, I have decided to choose......Batman. <br />
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I chose Batman because according to the Superhero database, although Batman has no super power he is one of the best super heros on pure intelligence alone. Batman can beat his opponents by wit. And if that doesn't work, he can always fall back on the insane amount of Martial Arts he knows. According to his back story, Bruce Wayne became Batman after watching his mother and father be murdered. He swore that he would protect Gotham City. I can relate to this, I watched drugs kill my mother and father, and I also swore never to touch them. Batman always seems so calm and collective, and that deep voice is so intimidating. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYScfIbVThIa4_e7Z9l05SQdsfpyhK-QCSnlyOj12qF38FaYQwrPeJq-aduEsvSiRzPSjeRvl4DgJjluByOIAb8zXkQch0Ny7aUxy33ci6KIq5Mtb0sTF4TrVkMaUyBEI_cyRerxn3i7Y/s1600/BATMAN.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="93" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYScfIbVThIa4_e7Z9l05SQdsfpyhK-QCSnlyOj12qF38FaYQwrPeJq-aduEsvSiRzPSjeRvl4DgJjluByOIAb8zXkQch0Ny7aUxy33ci6KIq5Mtb0sTF4TrVkMaUyBEI_cyRerxn3i7Y/s200/BATMAN.png" width="200" /></a><br />
Obviously my research on Superheros is no where near exhaustive enough to claim to be an expert, nor to say that had I learned about others I may had a different answer, but as of now, learning what I have learned about Batman, I choose him. <br />
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Who is your favorite superhero? It was a fun topic, lets continue the discussion.<br />
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Also, I am having a little contest over at my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/manyrosesblog" target="_blank">facebook page,</a> if I receive 100 "likes" before my 30 day challenge is up, then one lucky winner will receive a handmade hemp bracelet and necklace. We are already at 54 and today is the halfway point. If you have not already "liked" my page, please do so now.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228541069113451967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3488359790928580462.post-12235153298249896612012-06-16T22:15:00.002-05:002012-06-16T22:16:24.773-05:00Day 14 -- A habit you wish you didnt have<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvt4rTCbsSMisNJKKgf8o_-u6ER6Jla5WeOM8aKfoR8FFMhtzp9Au2-BhyphenhyphenwPDdv0CQz0AHvhtcIBlHadKVNMv_eht0Lt-WKlwVEoc6bkRdfSlJ1iM-yx1ZYhqfrFHlnIPUi92PKFF9ULs/s1600/habits.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvt4rTCbsSMisNJKKgf8o_-u6ER6Jla5WeOM8aKfoR8FFMhtzp9Au2-BhyphenhyphenwPDdv0CQz0AHvhtcIBlHadKVNMv_eht0Lt-WKlwVEoc6bkRdfSlJ1iM-yx1ZYhqfrFHlnIPUi92PKFF9ULs/s320/habits.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Two things come to mind when I read today's topic. First I wish I wasn't so chained to the computer. And secondly, I wish I didn't care so much what others thought of me. Considering the second one is not really a habit, I have decided to talk about my dependency on the computer. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzAXVYYnFQYl8qHVwcEPtAVnaFRGydJbqI1QarF59tF_IF4QLSM4zifbZrZ0BaVvipl6R__86v02EpIt7R4BIFHcVL2UaCnSeubA6pOUUxSn-RsaKeG1ZOCHkL0RenIjGuGgncXxObsV0/s1600/Austin-Internet-Marketing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzAXVYYnFQYl8qHVwcEPtAVnaFRGydJbqI1QarF59tF_IF4QLSM4zifbZrZ0BaVvipl6R__86v02EpIt7R4BIFHcVL2UaCnSeubA6pOUUxSn-RsaKeG1ZOCHkL0RenIjGuGgncXxObsV0/s320/Austin-Internet-Marketing.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The computer, specifically facebook, has become such a crutch in my life. I think regularly about shutting down my facebook account. What stops me is the support groups I have there, and my family is in Michigan, and we keep in touch through facebook, especially now with Ethan. I truly do not know if these reasons are legitimate or just a reason to keep myself online.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlUaeXWw_-pyfNWTAo6kKCErfU0KiSy5VaQ7QFLkExILsXrvD9BLuIjcYleiPwFNF4Thrt1-vjDW8IkwT0Rcuwp2Zq40kchUwt1mQ4N2QTfXzoCPyPX1P3ZmGWjYxojkNN1q9FH7TwrT4/s1600/ilovemycomputer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlUaeXWw_-pyfNWTAo6kKCErfU0KiSy5VaQ7QFLkExILsXrvD9BLuIjcYleiPwFNF4Thrt1-vjDW8IkwT0Rcuwp2Zq40kchUwt1mQ4N2QTfXzoCPyPX1P3ZmGWjYxojkNN1q9FH7TwrT4/s200/ilovemycomputer.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You see, I don't have a ton of friends in Killeen right now, and the few close friends I do have are getting close to leaving (they will all be gone by November), so my friends in the computer make me feel less alone. If I am feeling any such way, I have someone to talk to. I am apart of La Leche League support groups (breastfeeding), weight loss/healthy living support groups, I have family members, I have high school acquaintances, not to mention my newest group of friends that live apart of my blogging world. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I think that the Internet has become a way to hide in my comfort zone, yet not feel alone or depressed (although writing this blog has suddenly made me feel that I am depressed, lol). On the plus side though, Without Wednesday's bring me one step closer to life outside the interwebs. And each week I spend the day offline, I love it more and more. Who knows, maybe one day, I will be web-free. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, what is the habit you wish you could kick? I would love to hear. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228541069113451967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3488359790928580462.post-65478604930513101562012-06-15T13:51:00.000-05:002012-06-15T13:51:02.614-05:00Day 13 -- My wish for the future<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZzbBfS8C6vOj8c5ICWbMEv0wTCyykkAlRLDfDTZzEymOTK5dVbEvJGz8gi4iiZXHp0gZ5R5YS9y9wSF9iAhyRIjVcJl-UEs-YExPf44acU919qp3E6uxwnJczwnSws8GlIHbg0mvv7o/s1600/future.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZzbBfS8C6vOj8c5ICWbMEv0wTCyykkAlRLDfDTZzEymOTK5dVbEvJGz8gi4iiZXHp0gZ5R5YS9y9wSF9iAhyRIjVcJl-UEs-YExPf44acU919qp3E6uxwnJczwnSws8GlIHbg0mvv7o/s400/future.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
My wish for the future has always been the same. When I die, I want everyone to think/say that.....<br />
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I loved Jesus</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFaZ8j0UH6s9xi0JOYRNXSA40fiAx9F4GTq_4jb185Vf-Vtl5yyx83YQwb_hhy5qkSpzpx-Vc9kfYs58hO2PIGh2off0J88VFW-CnT97fUxX90O4Vtqz_ES6PnbrZ8ACwj43QQREtzMrs/s1600/JESUS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFaZ8j0UH6s9xi0JOYRNXSA40fiAx9F4GTq_4jb185Vf-Vtl5yyx83YQwb_hhy5qkSpzpx-Vc9kfYs58hO2PIGh2off0J88VFW-CnT97fUxX90O4Vtqz_ES6PnbrZ8ACwj43QQREtzMrs/s320/JESUS.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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that I was a great wife</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinRnMLexPrE_XGPhGg9LlYJLmHxb9BIlEbQ0kCBJAR8BSXbUtab8YXQ4O4V3rj6K4mEBtdtHxbmqb5iBzUNC_4mjeds35MI-9ETj_SyaweET3oGkaQ6_yTUVe_r_9Hc8GkRaHi6Z8_qG8/s1600/best-wife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinRnMLexPrE_XGPhGg9LlYJLmHxb9BIlEbQ0kCBJAR8BSXbUtab8YXQ4O4V3rj6K4mEBtdtHxbmqb5iBzUNC_4mjeds35MI-9ETj_SyaweET3oGkaQ6_yTUVe_r_9Hc8GkRaHi6Z8_qG8/s200/best-wife.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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the best mom possible</div>
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My desire is to do all of those things so well, that there is no doubt in anyones mind that those three things are the most important things to me. These are the things that matter....not the money in the bank account, not the job I have, not how clean my house is.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguEs-ItfRNqyq6UIOPagyWyGwiiF5px8_Stz4Af4QfMYj4hcSZEAnq2ME3RiZa8LH8jAqtHEnEd4rsofUVd8wqwfgHGoe9ysOauxIzXGKZ3T4xPd3HE4GGA6A0HVgWBKOLd-rWn5gwA8c/s1600/Grandma_Birthday.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguEs-ItfRNqyq6UIOPagyWyGwiiF5px8_Stz4Af4QfMYj4hcSZEAnq2ME3RiZa8LH8jAqtHEnEd4rsofUVd8wqwfgHGoe9ysOauxIzXGKZ3T4xPd3HE4GGA6A0HVgWBKOLd-rWn5gwA8c/s200/Grandma_Birthday.png" width="200" /></a></div>
I want to leave a legacy. I want for generations my children, and their children, and their children to say how great Grandma Kari was. I want for my grandchildren to know that Grandma Kari was always happy, always loving, always spoiling but still strict. That Grandma Kari loved Jesus more than anyone they knew, followed Him to the best of her ability. And not to mention that no ever doubt the love Grandma Kari always had for Grandpa Charlie. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTB3KOTe7lYiHWNkBQAaU8ybDLUhFqSNRxT8VNWR0OYfC3tn8hAhn78PmVCOSqWq8Ho9J86bo_uU0ZWd6SFIteEe_IZgrdR1Tcu6qyj04mk8TjniepL9M8gtk3MiNRUoBBk1Gn8ZP-bb0/s1600/love-being-a-mommy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="66" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTB3KOTe7lYiHWNkBQAaU8ybDLUhFqSNRxT8VNWR0OYfC3tn8hAhn78PmVCOSqWq8Ho9J86bo_uU0ZWd6SFIteEe_IZgrdR1Tcu6qyj04mk8TjniepL9M8gtk3MiNRUoBBk1Gn8ZP-bb0/s200/love-being-a-mommy.gif" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKg1tChhvOundM8kDnB8bChfMBHD3tBCuSDn9MOxcrQyA6fcjmDSmcG1Pd9tNvCP1esb4fVwYQpRhp8cTvc7y4rmXBNlKhA7x7JKqa2NvTCq0sDvv4gO-Ch-nG-LSu16o3doNaedwbdOU/s1600/i-love-charlie.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="83" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKg1tChhvOundM8kDnB8bChfMBHD3tBCuSDn9MOxcrQyA6fcjmDSmcG1Pd9tNvCP1esb4fVwYQpRhp8cTvc7y4rmXBNlKhA7x7JKqa2NvTCq0sDvv4gO-Ch-nG-LSu16o3doNaedwbdOU/s200/i-love-charlie.gif" width="200" /></a><br />
With all the death I have experienced in my life there is lots of talk about "how" certain people lived their life. <br />
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I am told all the time that there was no doubt, my dad loved us kids more than anything. <br />
My mom was only strict because she wanted us to grow to be responsible adults.<br />
Grandma loved Jesus and just wanted to go home to him. <br />
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However, a long with those great things, I am overwhelmed by the negative that took over their lives (or death).<br />
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My dad is more well known for his suicide than for his love for his children.<br />
My mom is currently more well known for the drugs that overtook her life than for the good she did for us. <br />
My great grandmas death created a wedge in our family that is still there years after her death. <br />
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My prayer is that more positive things are remembered about me than negative. I don't want to be remembered for my past, the infedelities, lies, divorce. I want to be remembered for the future, my love, my commitment, my parenting. <br />
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What type of legacy do you want to leave behind? If you were to die today, what would you be remembered for? Think on that for a little bit today?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228541069113451967noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3488359790928580462.post-40886955322142484902012-06-14T21:15:00.001-05:002012-06-14T21:15:54.613-05:00Day 12 -- My favorite place<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In my husband's arms</span></div>
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<span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">playing on the floor making my little guy laugh</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yCBMOCoqn-agxqmCs_Vjut8mZPJtI9v_rC417CEpb0iYm-NwiNPfRCh7RrLmiVRDU9Vkb5NcgZmWL9IfsThc2uNS8awWZWj0GNeIN8RyS1HTbOWfkbGDlSXObfAUEOl-i1LMPSiZ8ck/s1600/150449_10150946959340991_1006543598_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yCBMOCoqn-agxqmCs_Vjut8mZPJtI9v_rC417CEpb0iYm-NwiNPfRCh7RrLmiVRDU9Vkb5NcgZmWL9IfsThc2uNS8awWZWj0GNeIN8RyS1HTbOWfkbGDlSXObfAUEOl-i1LMPSiZ8ck/s320/150449_10150946959340991_1006543598_n.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I tried to think of literal places to do this blog for but I just could not think of any place I loved more than these two places. What can I say, I am a simple gal. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What about you? Where is your favorite place?</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228541069113451967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3488359790928580462.post-28677921732376537022012-06-12T22:34:00.000-05:002012-06-12T22:34:06.340-05:00Day 11 -- What I am currently reading<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDNZrfQwCjdsPwvnne-AQrn1uD_FyB54BN5ZKME16s4Y8BZLevssvuKZO-I55vRIJu1ZWPEdW8Vvmm8gA_v3jl-ZRWTG1ZSuokqwMssLXXMHhKtWt01xPiZuIeYPGRjLkq14ArF6JXAY/s1600/what-im-reading.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDNZrfQwCjdsPwvnne-AQrn1uD_FyB54BN5ZKME16s4Y8BZLevssvuKZO-I55vRIJu1ZWPEdW8Vvmm8gA_v3jl-ZRWTG1ZSuokqwMssLXXMHhKtWt01xPiZuIeYPGRjLkq14ArF6JXAY/s400/what-im-reading.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since I have started "Without Wednesday" I have been able to sit down and read more. In the last month I have finished 3 books, and currently on my 4th. Not a huge accomplishment, but considering I was reading one a year or so (due to laziness) this is a refreshing change. The book I am currently reading, I am two chapters into it, so cannot tell much about it yet, therefore I will also mention a few of my past reads also. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"The Last Sin Eater"</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">by Francine Rivers</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Like I mentioned, I am still at the beginning of the book. Francine Rivers is one of my favorite authors, so I expect it to be good. I gave up reading the back of books for the most part, I don't like plot points to be ruined early, lol. I will keep you updated on how it goes. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-_egkosHg1acczbqiSjvFKhCNEbzbcyNcmJVFzQxI_2SuUDk6LQPbAIuPxt7PxFaYAcLQwW6G5Hoq5YdBYc3kVPWqpZKvB3rPZ0R4rr3_pVuqd7k5wVQSxWUcGpMK_P465kmaz60c04/s1600/The-Last-Sin-Eater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-_egkosHg1acczbqiSjvFKhCNEbzbcyNcmJVFzQxI_2SuUDk6LQPbAIuPxt7PxFaYAcLQwW6G5Hoq5YdBYc3kVPWqpZKvB3rPZ0R4rr3_pVuqd7k5wVQSxWUcGpMK_P465kmaz60c04/s320/The-Last-Sin-Eater.jpg" width="213" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My last two books were...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Blessed Child" and "A Man Called Blessed"</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">by Ted Dekker and Bill Bright</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> The cover of "Blessed Child" promised that this would be the best novel I had read in a long time. It was good, but certainly not the best, and definitely not the best Ted Dekker novel. "Blessed Child" is about a 10 year old boy named Caleb who is a Ethiopian orphan who was raised in a monastery. Up until now he had never been out of the monastery. The monastery gets attack and he is brought to America. Caleb has such a close relationship with God that he is able to do amazing things. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"A Man Called Blessed" is the sequel in which Caleb returns to Ethiopia and rebuilds the monastery. It is believed by some that he holds the key to finding the original Ark of the Covenant and he is being chased to the desert to find it. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I said, both books are good, definitely worth reading. However in the scheme of Ted Dekker, the circle trilogy was definitely better....by far. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What books are you reading? Any great suggestions? After "The Last Sin Eater" I have nothing planned. I am considering the Narnia series, but we will see. Once again, "Without Wednesday" is upon us, see you Thursday.</span> </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04228541069113451967noreply@blogger.com2