oh--I have a blog!!!

Yes, I do.  And it needs to updated.

Sorry.  Sometimes I don't feel like I have a lot to say.  Well, I do but it's not stuff worth posting about.  And I don't have any cute kiddos to post pics of.  It seems a bit much to continually put photos of myself up -- you're sooooooooo vain.....So I resort to nothing.

Then, I asked a far-flung friend for an idea and she said SCHOOL.  And how appropriate because so many people are going back to school -- just not me. HA and YAY at the same time.  {Well, her suggestion was stories about school experiences in the past and what I have learned.  Good suggestion, by the way.}

Today, I thought I would leave you with a link to an article that I read this weekend in my Sunday paper.  I read a similar article earlier this summer and my interest was once again sparked.

It is very near and dear to my heart for many reasons.  And that is CLOTHING and how LESS is SO MUCH MORE.

I'm telling you, some people think {I know because they have made comments to me} that I have oodles and oodles of clothes.  I mean, after all, I have two closets.  But I don't.  And I have to work on not being proud about that because pride is a dirty rotten sin. 

Well, I also have an easy excuse for not having tons of clothes because I don't have to get dressed up every day.  I basically have dressy clothes {for church} and casual clothes {for work/my life}.  I have very few in-between clothes.

The idea of having less appeals to me because I just believe that Christians in America have way too many things and we are too attached to this world.  And I include myself as #1 in that statement.  I understand that we are blessed by the Lord; we live in America.  But why do we buy things "just because it was on sale" or "because it was $1, $5, etc..."  or "I bought it at Goodwill/garage sale" or "It was on clearance!"  As if that was a justification for the 53rd t-shirt to add to my dresser drawer.

Anyways, I'm not trying to be preachy, but maybe you would find the article interesting.


Here's the link to the article from this weekend: from the Chi. Trib.

Later...

hello, peoples.....

....it is late, very late for me. But I am on song #10 on my "sleeping" playlist on my ipod and I still have not drifted off to dreamland so I thought I'd write you a little update.

Did you know that all of a sudden, I am addicted to going to bed early? Yes. I must be getting old. By 6:30 pm, I'm looking at the clock going--in two more hours, I get to start thinking about going to bed. Weird. Weird. Weird. But this little habit began over two weeks ago when I started my lovely, little nanny job and had to be up and presentable for the entire workday (8am-5pm) before 8am. Yes. So I've morphed into a sort-of morning person. However, since I've been getting over 8 hours of sleep at least 5 out of 7 days a week in the past two weeks + the fact that I drank sweet tea immediately before climbing into the sack, I am still awake.

I also haven't mentioned this because plans were still being finalized but I have a little secret......

My brother and I are going on a

TRIP!

{clues hidden within the word trip}

I am super excited beyond words.

Also, the weather has been fantastically gorgeous. I am getting ready for fall. I am starting to plan some fun things for the fall season and maybe I will get the gumption {and motivation and time} to share them on here.

Also, the children started school today. Like a mother, I say, HOORAY. But their behaviour and obedience has improved dramatically and that is a blessing directly from our Heavenly Father. It is a great burden of mine to be a blessing, example, and Christian witness/testimony to this family. I bought a sing-along Patch CD Sunday night and just playing it in the car for two days had already rubbed off on the children. They were already humming parts to songs. Amazing! Pray that I have opportunities to witness to them.

AND...and...and....while I was waiting to pick up one of the children from the Y, I met a family. The husband is a dr. and he graduated from the school where my Dad works. There were a few interesting connections. Ding! Another opportunity to be a blessing and Christian example/witness. I firmly believe there is a purpose to my life and I have gotten this job for a reason. I'm excited.

And last but not least--I finally paid my dues to a blogger where I will begin to advertise. Super excited about that. {Maybe some of you read her...??}

Signing off--

Way back when....I was on vacation and just-so-happened to check my email and BOOM! found out that I had won a giveaway! Yay!!

It was to Birdy Blue Design. {Go check out her cute etsy shop...and if you're on etsy, take the time to HEART her.}

It came very cutely packaged and I am so very appreciative.

 I can't wait to use my adorable little lettered notecards!

Girls,

I dare you not to get teary [or cry -- like me] watching this video. It is a bit long but at least watch the first 3 minutes. Hearing those veterans say, "Welcome home!" and seeing our former President.....sweet!

tonight...

....I get to do one of my most favorite things of the week.

Are you guessing cello lesson?  YOU ARE RIGHT!

To own one of these one day............[sigh].

I'm goin' to practice--later, ya'll...

endless gifts {336-345}

I must count or I will wilt tonight...

336. sleep
337. a day off
338. dead-headed flowers
339. watering cans
340. my church
341. after church pizza and fellowship
342. summer nights
343. crickets
344. old friends
345. sleep

Giving thanks before I go sleep...


ps--get my point?! :)

Peoples!

I have this apparent need to update but it doesn't seem like there is much to say.

How 'bout a list? {I love lists!}

1. Started the nanny job on Tuesday. Love it.
2. It's bakin' hot and humid here. Love it.
3. Crazy busy next week. Love it.
4. School starts for the public schools in a week and a half. Back to my normal scheduling on the 25th. Love it.
5. Saw on old college friend this week. Miss her. Loved getting together!
6. I have had soOoOoOoOoO much sleep this week because I've been going to bed early. Love it.


How's that.

Until next time....

endless gifts {322-335}

322. seeing the dirt {spiritually}
323. seeing the dirt {physically....hello, don't we all want clean houses?!}
324. really, truly funny stories
325. hot weather
326. music, music, music
327. saying YES to nannying and NO to cleaning {a first!!}
328. waking up smiling
329. hymns that run through my head at the most opportune time
330. spending all day with my brother
331. sweet Aunt Sue
332. wonderful cousins
333. incredible grandparents
334. another birthday for my Mom
335. this thought from the sermon last night: Jesus called Judas "friend." Judas. The one who betrayed him. Judas. Jesus, What a Friend for Sinners.......... I really needed that last night even though that was just a bypoint and not even what the sermon was about.

Giving thanks...

cruisin'...

Road trip with an open sun roof is one of the grander, earthly pleasures in life.

Because...

...I KNOW ya'll don't care a bit about all of the thoughts running through my head at the moment. There is so much I want to say and no space to say it. I almost don't have the words. But God is so good to me. I am learning and for every two steps back I take spiritually, the Heavenly Father graciously leads me forward. I am learning, oh so slowly. SO, I leave you with a few thoughts from one of my favorite books.

Taken from the devotional Interruptions, Delays, Inconveniences:

Emily, wife of America's first foreign missionary, Adonairam Judson, wrote home from Moulmein, Burma, in January 1847:  "This taking care of teething babies, and teaching natives to darn stockings and talking English back end foremost...in order to get an eatable dinner, is really a very odd sort of business...But I begin to get reconciled to my minute cares."  She was ambitious for "higher and better things," but was enabled to learn that "the person who would do great things well must practice daily on little ones; and she who would have the assistance of the Almighty in important acts, must be daily and hourly accustomed to consult His will in the minor affairs of life."

The author goes on...

One more quotation-this from an out-of-print book, The Life and Letters of Janet Erskine Stuart.  Says one who was her assistant for some years, "She delighted in seeing her plan upset by unexpected events, saying that it gave her great comfort, and that she looked on such things as an assurance that God was watching over her stewardship, was securing the accomplishment of His will, and working out His own designs.  Whether she traced the secondary causes to the prayer of a child, to the imperfection of an individual, to obstacles arising from misunderstandings, or to interference of outside agencies, she was joyfully and graciously ready to recognize the indication of God's ruling hand, and to allow herself to be guided by it."

What a lesson for a person like me who does NOT like my plans to be upset.

Speaking of plans...
...tomorrow [Lord willing], I will be [sing-song-y voice] driving up to Michigan.  Road trip!  My last hurrah before nannying starts NEXT WEEK. Boo-yah!

Have a lovely week...