MIA

I have been a little MIA (Missing In Action) lately when it comes to blogging.  It has had to take a back seat to everything else going on in our lives.  I have started my 6 week long-term substituting, the boys are in 4 night/week football practices every evening, our daughter started soccer, plus homework, band lessons, piano lessons, and dance all have to be worked in during the week.  Then I do try to cook a decent meal, keep laundry clean, and have a somewhat "clean" house.  Along with all my other responsibilities outside of the home, you can see why blogging hasn't been at the forefront of my mind. 

But, there have been lots of things I have been thinking about and things I plan to write in the near future.  They are all up in my head and if I have just a few hours one of these nights, I will get those all typed up.  Until then, I wanted to share a few things.

1- I started my Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) class today.  There are classes all over the US and the world.  I have been going to this Bible study for 4 years now.  This year we will be studying the Book of Isaiah.  It will be challenging and convicting, but I am ready for it because I know it will also give me Hope!  It is important enough to me that I took Wednesday mornings off from subbing so I can still attend BSF.  To find a group in your area, go to http://www.bsfinternational.org/.

2- Today would have been my mother-in-law, Margaret's 78th birthday.  We miss her so much.  She left us nearly 4 years ago.  I am sad that she isn't here to enjoy her grandchildren.  She would have loved watching them play in their sports and watch them in their theatre performances and just be here to watch them grow up.  But I know that she is watching us from above and living a glorious new life with Jesus.  We miss you Grandma Margaret! 

3- I am loving all the pumpkin stuff that is arriving in the stores.  I told you about my love for Pumpkin Spice lattes (I've had 2 so far).  Then Sunday, I found Pumpkin Pie Pop Tarts at Target.  I had to have them.  I know they are full of sugar and not healthy for you, but they are yummy!  I am sure they are a limited time item, so you better rush out and pick them up.  I haven't seen the pumpkin pie spice creamer in the stores yet but, I am sure it will be arriving soon.  I am hungry for homemade pumpkin bars and pumpkin pie.  I may have to make some this weekend.  I think fall is in the air and soon our leaves will be changing.  This is my favorite time of year, and I look forward to making time this weekend to get all my fall decor out.  It makes me want to snuggle on the couch with my favorite blanket with a cup of cider and some candy corn.  How about you?

So, that is what is going on with me.  Thanks for hanging out with me.  Feel free to leave me a comment and tell me your favorite thing about fall!

Winner of THE BOY WHO CAME BACK FROM HEAVEN

The winner of the book, THE BOY WHO CAME BACK FROM HEAVEN is.....

Random Integer Generator


Here are your random numbers:

6

Timestamp: 2010-09-13


Comment number 6 was.....

I saw this book reviewed in a magazine and I tore out the page as I want to read the book. It sounds truly inspirational and the type of stories I love to read.



nancylane

I will be emailing the winner shortly.  Thanks to everyone who signed up.  Even if you didn't win, I do think it is a excellent book to read!

Things I Love: Neutrogena Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Hair Mask

Things I Love...

This is my feature where I get to share something that I just love. Since you are my friends, I like sharing things I love with others. It could be anything from a new product, food, recipe, song, image, to a person and everything in between. This will be something I am completely doing on my own, without pressure or compensation from a company, author, PR/Marketing firm, friend, business owner, etc. This will just be something that makes me happy and I want to share it with you. Enjoy some love!

Neutrogena Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Hair Mask

This product makes me happy because I like how it makes my hair feel!  I use this product once a week on my hair.  You leave it on for 5-10 minutes and let it do its job and rinse out.  Afterwards you hair will be smooth and silky! I love it! 

I order this product from http://www.drugstore.com/, but it is possible it is available in stores as well.  It is regularly priced at $6.99, but I wait until it goes on sale and then stock up!

I love having a "good hair day" and this product is sure to give me one, at least one day out of the week!  I can also see a difference in my hair on a regular basis.  It doesn't get so dried out after using the straightener and blow dryer all the time.

Helicopter Mom?

I have been struggling with some parenting decisions this last week.  Just over a week ago, our 2 boys were walking home from school with a friend.  Since we live in the same town as the high school, there are frequent occasions that the high school drivers are driving faster than they should or too crazy.  That was the case when our son had to jump into the ditch to miss one of these high school drivers who sped out around the corner and swerved his car right at the kids.  The boys did the right thing by running home and telling us right away.  Fortunately, the incident was witnessed by the football coaches across the street and identified the driver.  He got a lecture from them, the principal and the sheriff after I made my report.  Unfortunately, nothing was done beyond that.  He is also the kind of kid who tends to not learn from his mistakes. (I know this is a judgmental statement, but he is someone who frequently makes poor choices.).  Anyway, now that I have started a 6 week substitute teaching job, I was extremely worried about the boys, along with their 5 year old sister, walking home after school.  Some of the struggles I have been having are...

How do I balance trusting that God will protect them, along with me being a "helicopter mom"? 
How do I protect them from potential dangers yet let them learn from situations? 
How do I protect my kids but not the several other kids who also have to walk home?
Is it my job to protect them or should I just leave it up to God?

Then, this weekend I had a great conversation with another mom friend.  She gave me another way of looking at things.  She talked about how she was praying for God to protect her kids every day, but then after talking with her pastor, she realized, God is naturally going to protect our kids, because they are His kids first!  He is guarding and protecting them every day, so asking Him to protect them, is like asking me if I will love my kids.  It is obvious.  Pray to Him for other things, like growing their faith, their future spouses, their decisions, etc.

So, one question answered, but what about the rest?  I still don't know yet.  As for now, I am intervening and having the kids walk through the school yard to the high school and straight to my classroom.  There are no streets to cross, no traffic to worry about, and they aren't going home to an empty house.  I don't know if it is the right decision or not.  Some may call me a "helicpoter mom", but it is the decision I can live with.  I don't have to worry and maybe that is how God is protecting them, by Him giving me that idea to have the kids walk to me. 

I know this is one of many, many decisions I will have to make as the kids get older.  Soon they will be driving, going out with friends, being exposed to poor choices, etc.  But, I will handle each one of those knowing that God is protecting them and giving me the ability to make the best choices I can as a parent. 

Bryton Pick Winners

Bryton Pick decided to allow me to have two winners this morning!  So, random.org picked my two winners and they are......

Random Integer Generator


Here are your random numbers:

5


4


Timestamp: 2010-09-06

Comment 5:  Kathleen D
Comment 4:  Xenia
 
Enjoy!  Thanks for signing up.  I will be emailing the winners shortly!

Things I Love - Pumpkin

Things I love................

This is my feature where I get to share something that I just love. Since you are my friends, I like sharing things I love with others. It could be anything from a new product, food, recipe, song, image, to a person and everything in between. This will be something I am completely doing on my own, without pressure or compensation from a company, author, PR/Marketing firm, friend, business owner, etc. This will just be something that makes me happy and I want to share it with you. Enjoy some love!



Today's love is.................
 

Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte

Starbucks Pumpkin Bread

On Tuesday, Starbucks began offering its seasonal Pumpkin Spice Latte at its stores.  I had gotten the email from Starbucks that they were going to be available.  So, I set up a date with me and pumpkin spice for Tuesday morning at 9:00 AM.  The Starbucks Pumpkin Bread is also one of my standbys.  I have often had a slice for lunch or supper while shopping at Target.  I don't know how they make it so moist and thick and delicious!  So, on Tuesday morning, I slowly drank my Pumpkin Spice Latte, ate my Pumpkin Bread and read a book while sitting at my local Starbucks and LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT.  This is something I RARELY get to do.  That morning as I was parking my car in the Starbucks parking lot, I got a phone call that the next day, I would begin subbing for a teacher for 6 weeks.  So, my vacation was officially over, which made the Latte even more enjoyable!

Tell the Truth Thursday

This is a new feature that I am doing along with several other blogs called Tell The Truth Thursday. We have to truthfully all answer the same question. Who knows? You might just learn something new about me and if you asked yourself the same question, you might just learn something about yourself.

Are you a morning, afternoon, evening or night time person? Has it changed over the years?

I have NEVER been a morning person.  I like to sleep in.  I don't like getting up early.  It takes me awhile to get going in the morning.  I LOVE laying in bed, even if I am awake, just enjoying the quiet and comfort of my bed.  Although a good cup of French Vanilla coffee can get me going in the morning.  I would have to say that I am an afternoon/evening person.  I can't stay up as late as I used to, but after the kids get home from school, I am usually pretty motivated to get stuff done, then after putting the kids in bed, I tend to have another burst of energy to get things done.  I also like the quietness of the house at night when the kids are sleeping.  So, this is when I might get some of my more quieter tasks complete. 

How about you?