Some days it's easy to forget what day it is

It’s Friday! I can say that with assurance, despite my forthcoming post about how it’s been easy to forget what day it is this week. And speaking of EASY, that’s this week’s prompt for Five Minute Friday. Do you know about #FMF? Kate Motaung offers a prompt and then writers write. Five minutes. Just write. And then we all link up together. 

On Wednesday I was walking and talking with my best friend and said, “It seems later in the week than Thursday.” Um, wrong day. In my head I meant to say Wednesday but Thursday came out, probably because it never did feel like Wednesday.

This week, it was easy to forget what day it was. In some ways, my weekdays look similar but in other ways each day is its own.

I have a lot of ideas and thoughts and plans on my mind. And they’re making the days run together.

I started making summer plans because somehow that helps me embrace the moment. Making plans is my love language. (I watched “Leap Year” this week and loved when Declan said to Anna: “I don't wanna not make plans with you. I wanna make plans with you.”)

I have ideas of things to write. By things I mean blog posts, ebooks, and notes to friends. It’s easy to push those aside because other things seem more pressing, but, really, for the way my soul processes life, that’s not true.

I’ve showed our house, thought about our new house, and watched Fixer Upper with my oldest girl. (All that’s separate and related …)

Greg and I have both been up at 2 a.m. with our baby girl different days this week. Maybe those teeth are really coming though, but in the middle of the night, it’s easy to forget what day it is. During daylight, she’s happy and moving and discovering and soaking in life, whatever the day.

When my mind is swirling in different directions, it’s easy to forget what day it is, but, y’all, I’m glad for Friday and I don’t want to not make plans.
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I'm linking up with Kate Motaung for Five Minute Friday. 

Subscribe to get new posts and/or a monthly newsletter with content not available on the blog in your inbox. When you subscribe, I'll send you a FREE #choosingJOY printable. 

Thanksgiving in Buffalo {a recap for #ThreeWordWednesday}

We spent Thanksgiving weekend in Buffalo, NY, where my sister Cassie and her family live. And there wasn’t any snow, for those of you thinking we’re crazy to head into lake-effect weather for a holiday.

We actually had a couple days in the 50s, and then it was in the mid-30s the day we went to Niagara Falls and then three-fifths of my family ice skated outside.

It took us 15 hours – 764 miles and four stops – to get there. The big kids watched three movies – “Despicable Me 2,” “Matilda,” and “How To Train Your Dragon” – and Rachel dozed off between feelings. Grandmom was also with us.

In addition to Niagara Falls and ice skating, we had a big Thanksgiving meal with Cassie & Zac’s friends, ate wings (I managed one handed while feeding Rachel!), saw some friends who used to go to church with us in Kentucky, hung out with our almost-2-year-old nephew Lochlan, and played euchre.

On the way back, the big kids watched the same three movies plus “Princess and the Frog” and Rachel slept more. Thanks to less traffic in Ohio, we were able to shave off almost an hour on the way home.

Speaking of Rachel sleeping, she managed her BEST TWO NIGHTS up to that point while we were there and continued her six- and seven-hour stretches when we got home. She’s the best 10-week-old, ever, really.

Thanksgiving is a holiday that doesn’t have traditions for us. We’ve traveled often for it – Branson, Mo. … in 2011 and 2013; Charleston, S.C. in 2012 – and spent 2009 at home with our baby boy. Our favorite tradition is an annual meal with our friends. I say that like we only eat once annually with them, and that’s not true, but sharing in the holiday together has been special. And we did that last month this year.

This Thanksgiving was good. I coughed and blew my nose way more often than I wanted to. We spent two entire days in the mini van. But we made memories with people we love.

Buffalo didn’t have any snow, and my sister didn’t have her babies like I was hoping either. She’s 37 weeks pregnant with twins. I’m greatly anticipating their arrival, the updates about them across the miles, and visits with them this summer.

Until then, I’ve got Thanksgiving memories tucked away. Meanwhile, giving thanks is a concept I want to embrace more tightly regardless of the date on the calendar. {Tweet that.}

How was YOUR Thanksgiving?
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An InLinkz Link-up

Want more insights? "Peace in the Process: How Adoption Built My Faith & My Family" is available on Amazon. Like me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, peek into my life on Instagram, follow 152 Insights at Bloglovin', or subscribe to receive "Insights in Your Inbox."

Friday, stop acting like Monday.

Hey, Friday, you’re acting too much like a Monday. Come on, you’re better than that.

Let’s back up, Thursday night was so much fun. We gathered with hundreds of other Murray State fans to watch the NBA Draft on the big screen at the basketball arena BECAUSE OUR BOY CAM PAYNE WAS THE 14TH PICK. Y’all we love our mid-major team (is that still a thing?) and, admittedly, were a little sad when Cam declared he was leaving after his sophomore year.

But it was so fun to celebrate his success and see our alma mater’s name. I read articles and posts on social media all evening while Greg and I finished season five of “One Tree Hill.” (Let’s not talk about how I almost asked Google who Lucas called. I’m going to find out tonight. I want it to be Peyton. But I think it’ll be Brooke. And I’m not sure how Lindsey fits in.)

So I woke up this morning excited it was Friday. As a stay-at-home mom, especially in the summer, I’m not sure why Fridays are different than other days, but they still feel different, like the door to the weekend is cracking open.

Plus I still had this once-a-reporter-always-a-reporter adrenaline in me as I read more articles and tweets this morning about Cam being a lottery pick for the Oklahoma City Thunder. THIS MORNING AFTER EVERYONE SLEPT UNTIL 7:30! It’s like a miracle with Ben, who actually slept until 8. Happy Friday to me.

And then reality reminded me that I should call the pediatrician first thing. Ben had been peeing excessively. I laid in bed last night and made a plan to call and get a professional’s opinion. Part of me chalked it up to an easily distracted 5-year-old boy with a short attention span. Like he doesn’t want to stop playing to go to the bathroom. BUT there have been daytime and nighttime accidents. And frequent trips to the bathroom. And then accidents not long after he just went.

He and I were both frustrated, so I swallowed my momma pride and called the pediatrician. And the nurse didn’t think I was crazy mom and wanted me to bring him in. Appointment made.

And then Cate woke up, running a fever, coughing and talking about her congestion. She was like this on Wednesday – but I figured she was worn down from church camp earlier in the week. Thursday she seemed like herself. But now here on Friday she was puffy-eyed and lethargic again.

So I called the pediatrician again. I talked to a different nurse, but she also trusted my momma instincts and added Cate to the appointment I already had.

Not much later, Ben showed me his toes. Earlier in the week, there were a couple red spots that he said itched. So I gave him some anti-itch cream. Seems reasonable, right? Well, today those innocent red spots were blistery. His toes were swollen and the blisters increased and multiplied throughout the day.

I didn’t bother calling the pediatrician a third time. I just added it to our list of things to discuss during the appointment.

I haven’t even told you about how I rushed my lethargic, ailing kids out the door to meet the locksmith at the lake house at 10 a.m. The lake house is about 25 minutes from our house, so at 9:30 I herded my two cats … er, kids … out the door, promising they could watch a movie when we got there.

At 9:50, the locksmith called and said he needed to reschedule. Except I didn’t have a cell phone signal at that point so I got the voice mail when I got the lake house. I called the locksmith back from the landline inside (yep, those still exist). I wasn’t available to meet him when he wanted to meet me, so I volunteered to bring him the keypad lock, some other knobs that needed to be installed and keyed, a key to our house, and instructions on what we needed done. Because, sorry, ailing kids trumps locksmith ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU DIDN’T SHOW UP WHEN YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO.
Anyway.

All this and we returned home by 10:30 a.m., where the kids settled in for some episodes of Super Mario Bros. before lunch.

Turns out, despite Cate’s complaints of a sore throat and congested head, Ben is actually the one with strep. Yep, excessive peeing is a symptom, and I knew that, but I was in denial. I had high hopes that his tonsillectomy would drastically cut down on the strep diagnosis for him. Oh, and that’s poison ivy between his toes. And Cate just has a virus.

They kids pestered each other so much and interrupted me with their tattle-telling while I was trying to talk the pharmacist that I sent them to their rooms when we got home. They both promptly fell asleep – y’all it was almost spooky because these two just don’t nap these days – and I contemplated the bacon-wrapped, cheese infused hot dogs we’re going to eat for dinner. Then it’s family movie night with “Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken,” kettle corn, and Reese’s Pieces.

Because Happy Friday to me.

And, really, Friday, stop acting like Monday. You have some hours left to redeem yourself.
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Want more insights? "Peace in the Process: How Adoption Built My Faith & My Family" is available on Amazon. Like me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, peek into my life on Instagram, follow 152 Insights at Bloglovin', or subscribe to receive "Insights in Your Inbox."

Three Word Wednesday :: Joy & Sadness {thoughts on "Inside Out"}

Photo from Disney.com.

The kids and I went to see “Inside Out” on rainy Friday night. I decided to take them after a busy week because we like seeing movies in the theater, but I’m picky about which ones I let them see.

I didn’t expect to spend the movie reflecting on my one word for the year. {Read more JOY posts.}

Joy is actually the name of one of the characters. There’s also Sadness, Disgust, Anger, and Fear. They help make 11-year-old Riley’s memories, feelings, thoughts, and personality.

The movie has adventure as Joy and Sadness try to get back to Headquarters. (Get it? HEADquarters ...) There’s also story lines about friendship, family and change. The ultimate message was probably a little lost on 5-year-old Ben, but 8-year-old Cate understood it.

She summed it up when she whispered to me toward the end: “Joy is still there with Sadness.”

Joy spends most of the movie trying to make all Riley’s memories happy. But happiness is fleeting; joy is lasting. That’s what Sadness teaches Joy – and that’s what I’ve been learning the last few years.

Sadness – and the other emotions – has a place in life, but it doesn’t define our lives. No 11-year-old girl who loves hockey is going to be 100% thrilled to move her life from Minnesota to San Francisco (like the movie plot). Substitute whatever sadness you’ve experienced. I thought about people I miss, words I wished I said and the ones I should have kept inside, friendships that have changed, and the birth moms who have built our family while experiencing sadness of their own.

In the vault of my memories, some would be blue, signifying sadness, but there is still joy. This world has death, grief, sickness, conflict, and fractured relationships. But through it all joy can remain.

From the inside out, we can be changed when we choose joy. {Tweet that.}
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And speaking of #choosingJOY, here are some joys from my ongoing list :: 304. Reading first thing in the morning. 305. Yard sales on Friday! 306. ... And 20-cent chapter books for Cate. 307. Grilling out three nights in a row. … 310. My kids are using the plastic lids from their popcorn chicken containers from Walmart’s deli as boats in the bathtub. Whatever works. … 312. Good mail on a day I've been feeling melancholy. … 314. The four of us hanging out at the lake. 315. Missing my two best local friends while they’re both out of town – so grateful for these friends and the way we do life together. 316. Home study visit done and it went well! 317. People in the community being excited for our adoption with us. … 319. Hot afternoons at the pool. 320. Playing Settlers of Catan until after midnight at the lake. 321. Having a party at the lake house even though we still aren’t "done" getting it together. 322. Shelter Point Retreat! A name for the lake house! 323. Watching Cate at horse riding lessons. 324. Cate's excitement about church camp. …329. Soda tasting.

I’d love for my #ThreeWordWednesday friends – and any friends! – to join me in sharing joys on social media by using #choosingJOY. Instagram is my favorite place to share, but I’m on Facebook and Twitter too.
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An InLinkz Link-up

Learn more about “Inside Out” at its website, Focus on the Family’s Plugged In, and IMDb.com.

I'm also linking up with Mary Carver for Works for Me Wednesday because (surprise!) kids' movies can work for me. 

Want more insights? "Peace in the Process: How Adoption Built My Faith & My Family" is available on Amazon. Like me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, peek into my life on Instagram, follow 152 Insights at Bloglovin', or subscribe to receive "Insights in Your Inbox."

Five Things I Learned in February

1. A couple random TV/movies facts ::

Amber in "Parenthood" was Bernice in "Hope Floats" years earlier. Her real name is Mae Whitman. Before he was Cary Agos in "The Good Wife," Matt Czuchry played a college boy in "Gilmore Girls."

2. Christina Baker Kline is an author I love.

I read the popular "Orphan Train" in January and then "Desire Lines" and "Sweet Water" in February. I enjoyed them all. This month I also read "Bird in Hand," which I didn't enjoy but finished reading anyway. Kline is a great story teller who spans her suspenseful plots over two time periods, which isn't easy to do well.

3. Making homemade BBQ can be easy.

I tried one of those Crock Pot sauces that is made to just be poured on the meat. We didn't love the flavor. So I went to a recipe my longtime dear friend Katie shared. She shared it because of my love of Dr Pepper.

And now I'm sharing it with you. Because it was delicious.

• 2-3 lbs pork tenderloin
• BBQ rub of your choice (We used Stubb's BBQ rub.)
• 12 oz Dr Pepper (I used Diet DP because that's what I had.)
• BBQ sauce of your choice (Again, we used Stubb's Sticky Sweet BBQ sauce.)

DIRECTIONS :: Put rub on meat. Put meat in Crock Pot and the. Pour can of Dr Pepper over it. Cook on low for 10 hours. Shred and drain meat and then put back in Crock Pot with some BBQ sauce. I probably added about a 1/4 of the bottle and then turned Crock Pot to warm and then added more sauce closer to serving time. Most people added some more sauce on their sandwich.

Easy, peasy. And delicious.

4. Counting joys really is freeing. 

I have a list on my phone of moments, conversations, happenings that brought me joy. It's just a running numbered list I add to when I think about them, so I've probably neglected a few things. Here at the end of February, I'm at #108. Talk about perspective.

5. Sometimes a book begs for discussion.

I started reading "You're Loved No Matter What" by Holley Gerth. By the end of chapter two, I wanted to talk to friends about what I was reading. So I started a Facebook group so we can have an online book discussion. We're going to start discussing chapter one on March 16. You're welcome to join us! {More details here.}

How's your month been?
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I'm linking up with Emily Freeman at Chatting at the Sky. Read previous posts: {From 2013} June. July. August. September. October. November. {From 2014} January. February. March. April. May. June. July. August. September. October. November. December. {From 2015} January.

Want more insights? "Peace in the Process: How Adoption Built My Faith & My Family" is available on Amazon. Like me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, peek into my life on Instagram, follow 152 Insights at Bloglovin', or subscribe to receive "Insights in Your Inbox."

This post contains affiliate links.

Hello, 2015!

Since Christmas, I’ve left the house five times – a trip to the pediatrician and pharmacy, an overdue grocery shopping errand, another visit to the pediatrician, a dinner date with a friend who knew I was on the verge of cabin fever, and a date to the movie theater with my girl to see “Annie.” {By the way, Cate and I loved the remake. I think I’ll go find the soundtrack now ...}

I cancelled plans with friends – the ones who were going to come over before the Murray State basketball game for dinner, the ones who were coming over for New Year’s Eve, the ones who were going to cook deer my husband shot for us, and the extended family who hosts a New Year’s Day lunch.

This wasn’t how I expected to end one year or start another. But I have found myself remembering all that God has done.

I’m not complaining, because, despite my son’s fever and cough, it’s been a good week at home. The time being more unscheduled than I expected makes me feel freer. Sure, I’ve had to run the dishwasher a few times and am slowly working on all that laundry.

But I’ve finished scrapbooking 2012 and our trip to Disney earlier this year. I’ve finished reading “The Fringe Hours: Secrets to Making Time for You” by Jessica Turner. {You’ll hear more about this book here on the blog, but you can preorder it here. Any woman can benefit from its practical, encouraging words.}

This is our week in Instagram pictures ...

Let’s back up ...

Ben started running a fever late Christmas night. I made an appointment to see the pediatrician the next morning because I figured he picked up something from the cousins. It often happens after family gatherings.

Turns out he had strep throat. For a while, it was his go-to illness. But it’s been awhile. And his throat didn’t actually hurt. Armed with an antibiotic, we returned home and figured we had a couple days in the house.

When he was still running a fever on Monday morning, I called the pediatrician’s office again. Usually with strep, his fever is gone after 48 hours after starting the antibiotic. I was fine waiting longer, but it seemed strange that the thermometer was still reading 102. So back in we went.

This time he tested positive for flu. Those germs were probably there Friday too, but it may have been too early to show up on the test. The nurse said she had seen much strep and flu together recently. Ah, winter …

Admittedly, I wanted to cry when our favorite nurse practitioner delivered the news. And not just for Ben. But for our December.

You may remember Cate ran a fever for various reasons – walking pneumonia and then a virus – for 13 of the first 20 days of December. She missed half the days of school between Thanksgiving and Christmas. We cancelled plans and rearranged life.

All of that is fine and part of real life, but that’s been our whole December. Plus, as a momma, it gets old seeing your kids puny. And, yes, I miss my friends. I’ve seen them so much less than usual this month.

Nobody was sick the week of Christmas – praise God! – and Cate finally seems herself again. I’ve done my best to keep Ben’s flu germs contained to limited areas of the house, but there’s only so much control possible there. Ben’s temperature has been hovering around 99 and he’s perked up so much that he was pestering his sister and disobeying his parents yesterday. Either way, he’s hardly worn a shirt this week, which has in fact cut down on the amount of laundry.

We didn’t exactly ring in the new year either. Ben was in bed by 7 p.m. Cate, Greg and I played Phase 10 – well, the first five phases – until her bedtime and then us party-animal adults watched the most recent episode of “Hart of Dixie” so we could be caught up when it starts airing again next week. And we were asleep well before 2015 officially began.

This is life. And it’s often not what we expect. But there’s been beauty and rest this week anyway.

Happy new year, friends. May 2015 be full of your favorite people gathered close and unexpected beauty – and very few fevers. At least that’s what I’m hoping for mine.
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Want more stories? "Peace in the Process: How Adoption Built My Faith & My Family" is available on Amazon. Like me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, peek into my life on Instagram, follow 152 Insights at Bloglovin', or subscribe to receive "Insights in Your Inbox."

8 Things I Learned in September

I sound like a broken record here, but, seriously, where is this year going? How is September already over? Goodness.

But, hello, fall. Please stay a while. A long while. Like so long winter doesn't even happen. And, shh, nobody tell me how meterologists are predicted a no-good, terrible winter. I thought last year was bad ...

Moving on, September was lovely, even if it sped by so fast I could barely keep up. We spent many evenings and late mornings at the soccer field. We enjoyed the lovely weather. We lived our life in many small moments meshed together. We learned and loved and laughed. And, yes, we witnessed that lovely sunset while on Kentucky Lake.

In no particular order, here are some things I learned in my everyday life this month:

1. I can have household products delivered to my door step. I loved that when I ordered diapers from Diapers.com or Amazon. Now, thanks to ePantry, hand soap, laundry detergent, sponges, and trash bags will show up a few days after I place an order ... and at good prices. I received my first shipment this month and I believe I'm in love with this service.

2. I love life in my 30s, but sometimes I feel old ... and old-fashioned! For instance, I invited a college girl I've gotten to know through Bible study over for a home-cooked meal and realized I'm twice her age. She hasn't turned 18 yet, so she's only a decade older than my second-grader. Y'all my own college days don't seem that long ago.

More proof by the questions I ask myself: What's with all these movies that are rated PG-13 being promoted to kids? Like "Guardians of the Galaxy" and "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles." Why do restaurants have TVs everywhere? Gathering to watch a sporting event is one thing, but I otherwise prefer no television while we're trying to eat dinner together.

3. My personality makes me like Snow White. We're both ESFJ. Find out here which Disney princess shares your personality. I'm OK with my assessment, but, really, Snow White likes animals much more than I do.

4. I could be the only person who doesn't care anything about pumpkin candles, desserts, coffee, or, well ... anything. Yes, I'm a summer girl, but I do love the transition to fall. Just bring on the apples, specifically Honeycrisp, and candy corn. You can keep your pumpkin spiced latte. Or whatever other hot beverage you're drinking.

Funny story: A delicious-smelling apple pie candle showed up in the mail for me from Amazon. I didn't know who sent it until my friend Jen texted me. She loves pumpkin spice candles but chose an apple one for me. God's in the details, I tell you. Apples over pumpkin any day, especially fall days, y'all.

{After I posted this on Facebook, I learned I'm not actually alone, but there are so many pumpkin fans out there.}

5. I don't like homework. I don't remember disliking homework when I was a kid, when it was required of me, personally. But, seriously, I could do without homework now that I'm a mom. My girl is a good student, but she's done with school when she gets home. That time between school and dinner is already a rocky time. That's not just true at my house, right?! So to add homework seems cruel. We're in year three of homework and I'm still not a fan. I'm guess if I didn't like it in kindergarten and first-grade and I'm still not liking it in second-grade, then hope is pretty much lost for me for her remaining decade of school, right? Plus I'll have those 13 years of school for my son, who, I'm guessing, will be even less into homework than his sister. {She's cute though.}

6. Little People toys are for little kids, which apparently I don't have anymore. That's according to my 4-year-old son. So we donated most of the Little People to his preschool. Yes, I'm curious if he's going to play with them there, unlike he did here.

7. The Blacklist is addicting. Hello, James Spader. Goodness gracious, he's good in that show. Greg and I just started watching it last week, but we're well into the first season. I know, I'm not sure what took me so long either.

8. Scrapbooking is still a hobby of mine, even if it doesn't happen often. Like riding a bike, I didn't forget how to document life with actual printed photos, Sharpies, cute paper, and page protectors. I managed to spend much of one weekday at my craft table. We didn't have anywhere to be and Ben was playing alone so well. I was out of my usual adhesive, so I broke out the Rubber Cement. I loved it so much I bought more next time I was at the store.
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I'm linking up this monthly post with Emily Freeman at Chatting at the Sky.  Here are previous month's recaps from 2013: June. July. August. September. October. November. And from 2014: January. February. March. April. May. June. July. August.

I'm also linking up with the weekly Soli Deo Gloria Sisterhood Gathering.

Want more stories? Like me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, peek into my life on Instagram, follow 152 Insights at Bloglovin', or subscribe to receive "Insights in Your Inbox." This post contains affiliate links for products & services I love. 

{Dolphin Tale 2} #WinterHasHope

My kids don't watch many non-animated movies. But "Dolphin Tale" is one they've seen over and over. We even got to see Winter in real life at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium in February 2013. {See those pictures above?} Winter's story and the hurricane that wrecked the marina are tales my kids still like to talk about.

"Dolphin Tale 2" releases tomorrow! So I'm guessing the stories will continue around our house.

The sequel has been on our calendar for months. It's going to be fun to be able to say, "We've been there!" as we watch Winter's story continue. Like the first movie, "Dolphin Tale 2" sounds like it's filled with messages of friendship, hope, and family that I want my kids embracing.

Plus, if it's anything like the first one, the all-star cast will make the movie one worth watching.

ABOUT THE MOVIE :: Inspired by true events, "Dolphin Tale 2" continues the story of the brave dolphin Winter, whose miraculous rescue and recovery — thanks to a groundbreaking prosthetic tail — made her a symbol of hope and perseverance to people around the world and inspired the 2011 family hit movie “Dolphin Tale.”

This film reunites the entire main cast, led by Harry Connick Jr., Oscar-winner Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd, Kris Kristofferson, and of course, the remarkable dolphin Winter as herself. Champion surfer Bethany Hamilton, who has been an example of courage, also appears in the film.

It has been several years since young Sawyer Nelson and the dedicated team at the Clearwater Marine Hospital, headed by Dr. Clay Haskett, rescued Winter. With the help of Dr. Cameron McCarthy, who developed a unique prosthetic tail for the injured dolphin, they were able to save her life. Yet their fight is not over.

Winter’s surrogate mother, the very elderly dolphin Panama, has passed away, leaving Winter without the only pool mate she has ever known. However, the loss of Panama may have greater repercussions for Winter, who, according to USDA regulations, cannot be housed alone, as dolphins’ social behavior requires them to be paired with other dolphins. Time is running out to find a companion for her before the team at Clearwater loses their beloved Winter to another aquarium.

MORE INFO :: Official movie website. Facebook. Twitter. Trailer. Movie-related resources for homeschoolers.

And there's a giveaway! Use the Rafflecopter below to win a prize pack including an official Dolphin Tale 2 T-shirt and sunglasses. A winner will be chosen randomly Wednesday. CONGRATULATIONS, Mary! The prize will be coming your way soon.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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I received my own prize pack with a T-shirt and sunglasses from FlyBy Promotions, which is part of Propeller Consulting, in exchange for sharing about "Dolphin Tale 2," but the movie date my family is going on tonight has been planned for a long time. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you're not eligible for this giveaway. 

Want more stories? Like me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, peek into my life on Instagram, follow 152 Insights at Bloglovin', or subscribe to receive "Insights in Your Inbox."

7 Things I Learned in July

Let's not discuss how the year is more than half way over. How about instead of slowing down for a moment and reflecting on July? That's what I'm going to do, although after cranking out multiple blog posts yesterday and working on my ebook edits, I'm feeling short on words today.

So, without further ado, here's what I learned in July ...

1. Shaun Groves is making a Christmas album. I love Christmas music and I love Shaun's sound and ministry. Win-win! Yes, I know, Christmas is months away, but, hey, you can be part of the Kickstarter campaign to fund the album and get some fun rewards in the process. Again, win-win.

2. After years of reading Berenstain Bears, I realized how silly it is Brother and Sister don't have actual names when I was listening to Greg read the story aloud to the kids. Their parents don't either. Then there was an enlightening Facebook conversation about such. And, still more information here. We have a huge stack of these books and they still remain among Cate's favorites.

3. My kids are at great ages for amusement parks. They can actually ride "real" rides! This is only the beginning! {I blogged about our day at Six Flags and offered some tips to tackling amusement parks with kids.}

4. Planes 2 is one of the rare sequels, especially among kid movies, that is better than the original. At least I thought so. The message of thriving in community was loud and welcomed. Plus, I really loved taking my 4-year-old boy on a date to see it one Sunday afternoon.

5. I'm now a regular contributor at God-sized Dreams and Circles of Faith. I actually didn't learn this in July, but you all did! My first post at Circles of Faith was on waiting. God made both of these opportunities possible through other writer friends I've connected with online.

6. July really can be pleasant weather-wise. We've had several stretches of cooler-than-usual temperatures. While it's been lovely, I do need a few more afternoons at the pool with my kids before summers ends in two weeks.

7. Death and life go hand-in-hand. The larger Taylor family attended both a funeral and a wedding this month, within 2 1/2 weeks of each other. Although the events were obviously very different, some of the same perspective about legacy and intentional living was on my mind throughout both.

How was your July? Tell me about it. 
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These monthly posts are linked with Emily Freeman at Chatting at the Sky. Here are previous month's recaps from 2013: June. July. August. September. October. November. And from 2014: January. February. March. April. May. June.

Want more stories? Like me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, peek into my life on Instagram, follow 152 Insights at Bloglovin', or subscribe to receive "Insights in Your Inbox."

Scattering glitter & letting go

My daughter, who turned 7 last week, pretty much planned her whole birthday party. I have many control freak tendencies, but I loved sharing the party planning.

Really, I'd call all this growth. Cate seems taller basically every day. She uses bigger words and asks deeper questions. So there's that growth. I let go. I realized I don't have to do it all. And I asked my husband to mop the floors after the party, you know, as a Mother's Day present. That's growth too, people.

Ah, the real meaning of letting go around here, Elsa dear. 

Cate wanted to have some girls about her age over for a "Frozen"-themed party. I know, that's not exactly shocking. And who cares that it was 80 degrees outside on Saturday.

Inside we had ice cream cake, "Melted Snowman" {think about it ... yes, that's a fancy name for bottled water ...}, and blue Jell-o {because, you know, it sort of looks like ice cubes}. Oh, and I got out some of those mini bags of chips in various flavors we happened to have. The cake and Jell-o were Cate's ideas. She was immediate on board with the Melted Snowman because she recognized the joke. Thank God she got a real joke. Have I told you how I feel about first-graders and their jokes ... especially when they make them up?!

Cate and I planned her birthday party during Spring Break. That's about a month before the event, but we had fun browsing Internet. She'd been to another "Frozen" party in March. Other than informing her we weren't making snow, I left the crafts up to her.

She chose making "ice bracelets" with clear, sparkly and blue beads strung on pipe cleaners and decorating crowns with glitter. We also tore out some pages from a "Frozen" coloring book.

Here's the thing I love about girl parties: They're all into whatever craft we're doing. The coloring pages went on far longer than I ever anticipated, but who's going to interrupt 13 girls gathered around a table coloring, talking and laughing? Yeah, not me. That's exactly the kind of community I want my kids to know.

The day before Cate's party I did have a brilliant idea. I realized I could buy the "Frozen" soundtrack as karaoke tracks. As I was Googling how to make that work using my iPhone, I realized there were "Frozen" karaoke songs on YouTube. For free. You're welcome. And then my husband showed me how to play a YouTube using my iPhone and our Apple TV.

And we had karaoke. They loved it. I'm sure you're not surprised. I wasn't really, although they were louder and more in-sync with each other than I thought possible. {Have a listen here.} Multiple moms texted me later to tell me that was their girls' favorite part. Yes, the free, last-minute addition part was their favorite. Even my Type A-self enjoys this fact.

Who said birthday parties need to be Pinterest-perfect and complicated? Simple works.

And, hey, Cate told me it was her favorite party ever. You know, it could be mine too. That's what letting go will do for you. 

I'm glad God isn't a I-told-you-so God because he's been trying to teach me enjoyment comes when I realize I don't have to be in control of every last detail. Turns out my girl has some good ideas too. Yes, even the glitter, which is currently still showing up in at least four rooms of my house and will long serve as a sparkly reminder that perfection isn't the goal of a party ... or life.
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Joining Jen Ferguson, who is embracing fun this year, for her Soli Deo Gloria party, where being simply real is encouraged. Also joining Holley Gerth for Coffee for Your Heart and Jennifer Dukes Lee for #TellHisStory.

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{Giveaway} More Grace Unplugged

"Grace Unplugged" opens in some theaters this coming weekend. To celebrate this faith-based movie on the big screen, I have another giveaway for you! It's kind of like the one from earlier this month, but this one includes music!

Here's what you need to know about "Grace Unplugged" :: Sometimes, chasing your dreams leads you right to where you belong! Having just turned 18, Grace Trey aspires to more than just singing at her church where her father, a former pop star, is the worship leader.

With the help of Mossy, her dad's former manager, Grace records a cover version of her dad's old Top-10 hit, runs off to Los Angeles, and begins to taste the kind of stardom she's always dreamed about. Yet with each rung of the ladder she climbs, Grace feels more and more pressure to compromise her values, further straining her relationship with her parents. Will everything she experiences lead her to reject her faith… or rediscover it?

The cast includes A.J. Michalka, James Denton, Kevin Pollak and Michael Welch.

{Click here to see if the movie opens in your town on Friday!}


So ... I guess you want to know what you could win, huh? The movie-inspired prize pack includes:

• "Grace Unplugged" soundtrack CD with songs by TobyMac, A.J. Michalka, Chris Tomlin and Shawn McDonald
• "Grace Unplugged," the novel by Melody Carlson
• "Own It," a book by Michael & Hayley DiMarco featured in the movie
• An exclusive "Grace Unplugged" guitar pick

{You can read more about the two books in the post from my earlier giveaway.}

This giveaway is open to U.S. and Canadian residents who have a physical address to which the prize could be shipped. {No P.O. Box addresses, please.}

To enter, just leave a comment about why this is a movie you'd like to see. I'll randomly choose a winner on Saturday. UPDATED: Congratulations to Becky! This "Grace Unplugged" package is coming your way! 
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"Grace Unplugged" via PartnersHub is providing these promotional materials to the winner of the giveaway. I haven't actually seen the movie, but I'd like to watch it sometime. Unfortunately, it isn't opening in my town this weekend. 

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{Giveaway} Inspired by "Grace Unplugged"

Two books, one movie, and some good music. Throw in a faith-building story. Yes, please. That's what "Grace Unplugged" looks to be about. It opens in theaters Oct. 4.

{Check here to see if the movie is coming to your town.} I can't give you the movie or even tickets to it, but I can give one of you a copy of the book based on the movie and another book that's part of the movie's story. Stay tuned for details about that later in this blog post.

But first a little more about the story.

About "Grace Unplugged" :: It's a book by Melody Carlson based on the motion picture of the same name that stars A.J. Michalka {Super 8} and Kevin Pollack {A Few Good Men} and includes performances by award-winning musicians Chris Tomlin and Jamie Grace.

Grace Trey is an 18-year-old singer as passionate about her Christian faith as she is her phenomenal, God-given musical talent. Both traits come from her father, one-hit-wonder Johnny Trey who found Jesus after losing his chart success two decades ago. When Grace encounters her own music break of a lifetime, the sudden dive into the "real world" puts her deeper beliefs to the test. Pop superstardom is just within reach but appears to require some spiritual compromise. Will Grace reject her faith, or will she own it?

Thing is, I remember being 18. I can't carry a tune or play an instrument, but I was determined to be an adult as far away from my childhood home as possible. For me, that meant four hours away on the other end of the state. That's as far as I got, physically. But, spiritually, I started sorting out what faith meant in my daily life.

College was a chance for me to become an independent person, meshing where I had come from with where I believe God wanted me. Life is a process. But so many fundamental things happened those four years. It's like that for Grace in the book. She's chasing a dream ... and her faith.
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About "Own It" :: This book is featured in the movie version of "Grace Unplugged" and challenges readers by asking what it means to really own faith rather than follow blindly in the footsteps of friends or parents. Best-selling authors Hayley and Michael DiMarco help readers understand what to do when faith meets real world challenges. Without solid beliefs, poor choices are likely to follow. You must take the time to really know who you are, who you are becoming, and who God made you to be.

Hayley DiMarco is the best-selling author of more than 30 books including "Dateable," "Marriable," "Mean Girls," and "The Woman of Mystery." She has been a featured speaker at Women of Faith, Precept National Women's Conference and MOPS International and has consulted on the creation and enhancement of some of the largest stadium events for teens and young women in North America. Her husband, Michael, is a skillled communicator and teacher who has authored more than a dozen bestselling books including the 2010 Christian Book of the Year for Youth "B4UD8 (Before You Date)." They have one daughter and live in Nashville, Tenn.

Perhaps my favorite quote from "Own It":

"Faith signals a change, not only in your eternal destination, but in your heart, your mind, and yes, even in your personality. When you own your faith, those things that used to control you lose their power. The stuff that used to scare you is uneventful. Faith -- true faith -- changes you from the inside out. ... A new creation is a changed creation." {page 89}

Through stories, quotes, scriptures, and personal testimony, the DiMarcos challenge readers to devote themselves to developing personal journeys to God. Faking it, borrowing it, renting it and pretending to have it don't work when it comes to faith. Only faith in God will lead to truth. And that truth leads to transformation, a new life just like 2 Corinthians 5:17 talks about.
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And one of you can win a copy of each book! Just use the Rafflecopter below to earn multiple entries by commenting and liking/tweeting/following in other ways. The giveaway is open through Sunday, Sept. 15 to U.S. and Canadian residents. A winner will be chose randomly to receive a copy of "Grace Unplugged" and "Own It."

a Rafflecopter giveaway

UPDATED: Congratulations, Laura! You won the books! They'll be headed your way in the mail soon.
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I received these books for free from FlyBy Promotions in exchange for this review on my blog, but I only recommend products I actually support. I'm disclosing this because the Federal Trade Commission likes it that way. 

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{Giveaway} October Baby inspires

As an adoptive mom to two kids, I cherish two women who chose life for their babies. That's probably the biggest reason "October Baby" resonated with me. But all these messages spoke to my heart: Life is beautiful. Everyone has a story. Our actions affect other people. God has different ways of creating family. At its core, "October Baby" is a story of forgiveness and life.

The truth shall set us free indeed.

The movie was well down. The characters were strong. And the soundtrack is excellent. Yes, a few parts were rather predictable, but I found myself teary-eyed at the end anyway. "October Baby" offers hope that hearts and relationships can be healed.

And, honestly, I loved Hannah and Jason's friendship. Such innocent love on which to build a life. Watching them was reminiscent of the early days of Dawson and Joey's friendship and reminded me of the kind of man I want to love my daughter one day.

I'm glad I finally watched "October Baby." While Christmas shopping last year, I found the DVD for a price that made it a good stocking stuffer, so I gave it to my husband. Earlier this week we were flipping through Netflix choices, looking for something to watch. Not long after we pushed play, I turned to Greg and said, "I guess there is no reason for us to keep the DVD. Might as well give it away."

So that's what I'm doing. Giving it away.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The giveaway ends Friday, Aug. 16. Please use the Rafflecopter above to enter, starting with the blog comment about what you thought about this movie, if you've seen it, or what other movie you've liked lately. Once you've commented, there are additional ways to enter.
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Thumbs up for a giveaway!

Long ago when a friend dared me to blog long before blogging was cool, I kept hearing one conversation from "You've Got Mail" in my head when I tried to think of a name. Admittedly, I've never been good with titles or headlines. And, you know, if we get to have another baby and it's a boy, I'm not sure he'll ever have a name. Yet, long ago, I managed to name my blog. And both the name and the blogging endeavor have stuck.

Thank you, Joe Fox and Kathleen Kelly from "You've Got Mail."

Joe Fox: So what's his handle?
Kathleen Kelly: Uh...
Joe Fox: I'm not going to write him. Is that what you're worried about? You think I'm going to e-mail him?
Kathleen Kelly: [beat] All right, NY152.
Joe Fox: N-Y-one-five-two. One hundred and fifty-two. He's a hundred and fifty-two years old. He's had one hundred and fifty-two moles removed, so now he's got one hundred fifty-two pock marks on his... on his face...
Kathleen Kelly: The number of people who think he looks like Clark Gable.
Joe Fox: One hundred and fifty-two people who think he looks like a Clark *Bar*.
Kathleen Kelly: [laughing] Why did I even tell you about this?
Joe Fox: A hundred and fifty-two stitches from his nose job. The number of his souvenir shot glasses that he's collected in his travels.
Kathleen Kelly: No! The number... the numb... his address? No! No, he would never do anything that prosaic. ...
Joe Fox: Mr. 152 Felony indictments.
Kathleen Kelly: Mr. 152 insights into my soul.
Joe Fox: Oh yeah. No competing with that.

{From "You've Got Mail"}

So, well, I thought it would be fun to giveaway a prize {or two!} when my blog page on Facebook reached 152 likes. You know, it seemed like an appropriate number. I'm at 99 now as I'm writing this post. Want to help get me there?

And when we get there, I've got a prize for two of you. One of you will get that prize package of some of my favorite things {see, there, to the left ...} and another one of you will get a copy of "You've Got Mail."

By "you" I mean anyone who "likes" 152 Insights to My Soul on Facebook. Two winners will be selected randomly when that little thumbs up shows 152. 

This has all gotten me wondering how did you come up with your blog name or what would you name your blog, you know, should you ever, hypothetically, have one?
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Edited on 9.18.13 :: We did it! We have 152 likes. Well, actually, it's at 154 right now. Thanks, friends, for supporting this blog by reading and liking and sharing. Heidi Lara and Tracy Dyke are the winners of the giveaways!

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Nine Things I Learned in June

A water balloon "fight" between cousins. They were so wet and happy when it was over. Louisville, Ky.

When I browsed Facebook and Twitter this morning, I kept seeing some of my favorite bloggers linking to Chatting at the Sky's post about things learned in June. I love list posts, so I wanted to jump in.

June sneaked up on me and then seemed to be over before I blinked. I say over, but, really, we've got a few days left. Even so, our small town's Freedom Fest celebration is tomorrow, complete with fireworks, so it seems like July has arrived early. Summer Break is half over {and so is 2013 ...}, and, yes, it's flown by. I glance at my calendar, and I'm not sure life is truly going to slow down, but I want to soak up the sunshine and the real-life moments that are strung together to make this my life. 

So, in no particular order, here are nine things I learned in June ...

1. Even extrovert/planners/initiators like a break and want to be invited by others. Making plans and bringing people together is my thing. I like it, and I think I'm pretty good at it. Yet sometimes I like to sit back and have a friend reach out to me. It's a strange tension that presents itself when I'm weary. My husband and a good friend have reminded me that even strong extroverts need help -- something that others can understandably fail to see.

2. We're in the second season of Mad Men {Thanks, Netflix!} and I still can't decide if I like it.

3. Adoption is on my mind. The room that used to be Ben's nursery is sitting empty. I wondered for a brief moment what we should do with the room and I heard God tell my heart: Wait. So, we're waiting to see where this hope goes, but I believe we're supposed to expand this family of ours.

4. "The Internship" was really funny. I hesitate at what seems like it will be just a slap-stick comedy, but laughing is good for my soul. And this movie was funny.

5. I'm old-fashioned. I love my swim dress. I love my mini van. And, well, there may have been some political decisions recently that reminded me of this. {There is a blog post on that brewing in my head!}

6. Quizno's has a delicious sugar-free lemonade. Tropicana, I think. {Apparently I'm still in the process of actually learning this one!}

7. Subway serves avocado as a sandwich topping. It's really good with turkey and bacon. {Hey, with Quizno's and Penn Station, the avocado is what enticed me back!}

8. It's not all going to get done today. And that's OK. {Obviously, this is one I'll always be learning, but I've made progress here, people.}

9. Summer starts well before June 21. I've heard many times since school ended from my quite literal daughter, "Hey, Momma. Is it summer yet? It feels like it." Yes, but, hey, she learned to swim in the deep end without floaties, so there is that.
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I'm linking up with other list-makers at Chatting at the Sky. Want more stories? Like 152 Insights on Facebook. Follow me on Twitter and Instagram. Follow 152 Insights at Bloglovin'. Subscribe to receive "Insights in Your Inbox."

{Florida in February} Dolphin Tale

I took my kids to see "Dolphin Tale" last summer when a theater not far from our house was showing already-released movies on the big screen for $1 admission. Of course, the three of us combined for more than $3 at the concession stand, but, still, I love going to the movie theater and jumped at the chance for a family-friend movie. Remember, I'm kind of picky about what I let my kids watch.

"Dolphin Tale" is one of just a couple non-animated movies my kids have seen. To say they love it may be an understatement. Cate talked about it for months. She recounted the story, asked questions about Hazel and embraced dolphins when she saw pictures of them.

Winter -- the dolphin on which the movie is based -- lives in Clearwater Marine Aquarium. One night this winter when we were putting Cate to bed, she asked me to tell her again where Winter lived. Tampa, Florida, I said.

Then I realized we had plane tickets to fly to Tampa for four days one long weekend in February so we could be at my cousin's wedding on St. Pete Beach. I don't know why I hadn't put together our trip south and my kids' beloved movie hero until this moment.

I made the mistake of telling my kids we could go see Winter when we went to Tampa in February. I think this was in December. And my kids talked about it until we got there. At least Cate, at 5, has some concept of time. Three-year-old Ben, on the other hand, asked when he got up, randomly throughout the day, and before he went to bed each night, "When we go see Dolphin Tale?"

Meanwhile, we had to show Greg the movie so he'd be in the know of Winter -- a dolphin whose tail was caught in a crab trap and permanently damaged. The movie is inspirational and my kids were happy to sit through it again!

Well, folks, we went to see "Dolphin Tale" a week ago. My only regret is letting my kids -- especially Ben -- know our plan so long before it became a reality.

Along with their cousins, my kids were glad to see Winter. They also got to see fellow dolphins Panama and Nicholas {who performed during a brief show}, Bailey the turtle, and some stingrays. While walking through the rescue marina, Cate talked about scenes she remembered from certain spots. She had a notebook with her too. 

Honestly, I'm not an animal lover. But I was impressed with this marina. They rescue marina animals and release them back into their natural environments if possible. If not, they give them a home. 
Take Nicholas -- his momma died of pneumonia a few days after the two dolphins were found one Christmas Eve. Because Nicholas was so young, he laid by his momma's side and ended up sunburned, which left scars that interrupted the way his skin would otherwise be camouflaged. Plus he didn't have a chance to learn survival skills from his mom before she got sick. So he puts on shows to Clearwater Marina Aquarium visitors like us. 
The kids got stuffed dolphin souvenirs. Cate's is winter and currently named Winter. Ben's is gray and named Nicholas. These names are subject to change, but both dolphins will remind them when they saw the real dolphin who learned to swim without a tail. Winter has a prosthetic tail that she wears sometimes and helped her learn to swim with the proper up-and-down motion. My kids stuffed versions even have a different colored tail so they don't forget what makes Winter special. 
Although I'm pretty sure they'll be able to tell Winter's story for years to come. And it's one worth telling.  ________
Disclosure: That's a compensated affiliate link for the movie, but, really, my family obviously thinks it's worth owning. And, yes, there are more Florida stories to come. 

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{The Best of 2012}

My snow picture really doesn't have anything to do with this post. It's pretty and a nice way to end the year.

Sights and sounds and smells often take me back to particular moments. With 2012 ending, I decided to list some of the places, shows, words, sounds and activities that have been part of our year. Our is the key word. Obviously, "Land Before Time" wouldn't be part of my life this year if it weren't for my kids. Even so, most of these are more my answers than anyone else's.

{And speaking of  the approaching new year, nobody has gotten the right answer to my end-of-the-year game that includes a calendar prize. You should go play.}

Restaurant : Zaxby's and Chick-fil-A

Recipe : Sausage Balls

Games : Settlers of Catan, Ticket to Ride, Trouble, Uno

Sports : Murray State basketball, t-ball and youth soccer for the first time, UK basketball {Hello, national champions!}, St. Louis Cardinals baseball

Kids' movies : "The Lion King," "Land Before Time" and its many sequels

City : Charleston, S.C., which we visited twice

Music : Needtobreathe in general, "Mercy" by Dave Matthews Band, "Some Nights" by Fun, "Rest Easy" by Andrew Peterson, "Rise Up" by Matt Maher, Slugs & Bugs, "Third Word Symphony" by Shaun Groves

TV shows : "Parenthood," "The Good Wife," "Bones," "Downton Abbey"

Movie : "What to Expect When You're Expecting"

Books : "James: Mercy Triumphs" by Beth Moore, "7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess" by Jen Hatmaker

What about you? What sights, sounds and smells will bring you back to 2012 for years to come?
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This post was inspired by (in)courage's "The Best of Everything 2012." Want more? Subscribe to get "Insights" in your inbox. Or follow me on Twitter.

Better than I expected

We watched "What to Expect When You're Expecting" this week. My short review: I thought it was laugh-out-loud hilarious. And oh-so true. Starting a family, as with so many other things in life, is never exactly what you expect.

Sometimes it {whatever it is ...} is even better. 

Like our story: We tried for a couple years to become pregnant. There were various factors and we ended up turning our attention to adoption. We adopted twice and are open to adopting again. It's probably the greatest example of how not getting what we expected turned into the greatest blessing.

We have had friends who have miscarried, waited longer than seemed necessary to finally hold that baby, been surprised with pregnancy, and adopted. These stories make our families who we are.

And like this movie. So worth watching, especially after a packed day of balancing productivity, mothering, transporting people, and general living when there are still six loads of laundry to fold.

Have you seen the movie? If so, do you remember Jordan? He's the sword- and stick-welding boy who gets stuck in a soccer net, finds a dead cat and falls down concrete stairs while his daddy walks as part of a daddies group. He made me laugh more than anyone in the whole movie because he's just like Ben.


If you haven't seen the movie, or even if you have and just want a good laugh, watch the movie trailer. You'll see Jordan. Think of Ben.

And maybe you'll catch a glimpse of why I think being a boy mom is hard. But also why I want to remember.

Oh, you want more glimpses, here you go.

He's all boy. He's funny and animated. He keeps me on my toes as he likes to climb with his. And he likes to carry sticks, even when he thinks putting them in the waistband of his sweatpants is a good solution to not having pockets.

You never know when the unexpected will come your way. So be ready, you know, as much as you can. And hopefully you'll laugh along the way.
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