It was a {Facebook} party!

I had a Facebook party last night, but the beauty of social media is if you missed it, the posts are still there. So, better later than never, come join me on my Facebook page ... and enter some giveaways while you're there. Or I'm linking to all the giveaways here in once place to make your life easier.

"Choose Joy: Finding Hope and Purpose When Life Hurts" 

by Sara Frankl & Mary Carver AND a $10 Amazon card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

"You're Loved No Matter What" by Holley Gerth

"Chasing God" by Angie Smith

"Bread & Wine" by Shauna Niequist

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sweet Birdie Blessings' Spirit of Adoption necklace

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Slugs & Bugs' Sing the Bible Vol. 2

Jesus Culture's Let It Echo

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Trades of Hope bracelet

Infinity Scarf

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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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."

A Case of the Mondays :: 6 Things I Want to Tell You

I don't know about you, but this time change is messing with me. First of all, I was in bed and asleep last night an hour before my usual bedtime and then I was up at 5 a.m. Y'all. I don't do 5 a.m. But I couldn't go back to sleep.

So I got up and worked on some things.

And I realized there are some things I want to tell you ...

1. Lisa Larson of The Copper Anchor redesigned my blog. Isn't it lovely? And speaking of Lisa, she is having a fabulous sale this month on her gorgeous prints that would be lovely on your wall or framed as Christmas presents. They're all $5 and all the money she earns goes toward her family's adoption fund.

2. I'm sharing excerpts from my book on different blogs this month in honor of National Adoption Awareness Month. Today I'm at the Creative Home Keeper, where I'm sharing about how when we follow Jesus we have to rearrange our lives ::

"In the process of life, God rearranges our desires and our decisions. He fills our hearts with convictions we never anticipated being important. He perfects us through real life that often looks nothing like we imagined. Sometimes it’s hard, but we’re always better for it."

{From "Peace in the Process"} 

3. "Peace in the Process: How Adoption Built My Faith & My Family" is my ebook and its on sale this month! It's available on Amazon for just $2.99. You can even gift ebooks. And you can read Kindle books on any computer or mobile device with the free app.

4. I will be sharing more about my ebook and adoption on the local Christian radio station on Wednesday morning. Thanks to morning show host Eddie Sheridan for the opportunity! Turn in to Elevate FM on 89.7 in western Kentucky or listen live online starting about 8:10 a.m. or a little after.

5. Holley Gerth's best-selling book "You're Already Amazing" is just 99 cents today and tomorrow on any ereader. That's 93 percent off! You'll want to jump on this deal. {Read more about his deal from Holley herself.}

6. I got an email this morning from Compassion International about its free magazine for kids. Um, yes, please! So I signed up and I am excited to share it with my kids, especially Cate, who has been interested in learning more about how to help other kids. {Read more on this subject in my recent post called On Living in the Light.}

Plus, this is fun mail, which is always nice among the bills and junk that show up regularly.

I think that's all for now. I have a couple of fun announcements coming soon. And there are more giveaways coming soon. So, stick around and invite your friends to like Kristin Hill Taylor :: Writer on Facebook.
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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."

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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How I am replacing Google Reader and FeedBurner

Goodbye, Google Reader. Your departure makes me sad. You've been with me since I started following blogs many years ago. You've let me categorize and organize and star words I've loved. I liked the simple interface and your user-friendly ways.

I felt a little lost in cyberspace when I heard I needed to find a replace for Google Reader before it shuts down on July 1. {And I'm having a hard time believing July begins next week!}

In the last few months, I've started using Bloglovin' as Google Reader's replacement. I like it, even though it's not the same. You, Bloglovin', make it convenient to share posts via Twitter and Facebook. Organizing my blogs into categories is easy to do and marking blogs or categories as read is an effective option. And, honestly, I like the mobile version better than the desktop version.

If you're looking for a replacement, I do recommend Bloglovin', which will let you import all your Google Reader subscriptions with just a couple clicks. And, hey, while you're there, you can go ahead and follow 152 Insights to My Soul.

A few of you, well, okay, two dozen of you, get my posts in your inbox via FeedBurner. This is sadly also a Google product that is going away next week. I've transferred these subscriptions to MailChimp. You should get my new posts in your inbox like usual, but let me know if you are one of these couple dozen readers who has been receiving "Insights in Your Inbox" but suddenly you aren't anymore. Anyone can subscribe here to get new posts emailed.

Any questions? I may or may not be able to answer them!
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{Giveaway} 152 insights to my soul

From "You've Got Mail" by Anyclip.com
I started blogging in 2001 after some nudging from a friend who must have known it would be good for me. I had no idea I'd stick with it this long or how this place would become a place for me to document so many seasons of life.

But here I am. Still writing. This is good for my soul. And it calms my fear that I'll forget the details I want to remember. I believe I have stories to tell. And people seem to want to read them.

I've moved 152 Insights to My Soul to www.kristinhilltaylor.com, although Blogger should redirect people from the old address. Even so, you may want to update your bookmarks or feed in Google Reader. What? You don't use Google Reader? You totally should. And save www.kristinhilltaylor.com there.

Be sure to come back here after you do that because I have a gift for one reader.

You can watch the clip above if you don't know which movie references "152 insights to my soul ..." I don't even really remember why that line jumped into my mind when I was naming my blog. But I still like the title all these years later. And, hey, the movie is great too, even talks about writing.

Leave a comment telling me why you named your blog whatever you chose {if you have a blog} or what you'd name a blog {if you had one} for a chance to win your own DVD copy of "You've Got Mail."

For extra entries ...

• Follow me on Twitter and leave a comment here saying you did so. 
• Tweet up to once a day about this giveaway. Leave a comment here linking each tweet. 
• Like KHT Promotions, my new on-the-side venture, on Facebook and tell me here that you did.

 A winner, who must live in the United States, will be chosen randomly on Monday, Oct. 8.  
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Let's help 3,108 kids.

I've talked about Compassion International more than once around here. And I'm going to talk more about it in the coming weeks because September is Blog Month Compassion.

There will be stories and prizes ... and there is a goal for 3,108 children to be sponsored between Sept. 1 and Sept. 30. So, let's join the effort. 

If you blog, you can blog for Compassion too. Just sign up to be included.

If you believe, you can pray for God to raise up monthly sponsors for these kids who will have their lives changed as the financial commitments help address their physical, emotional, medical, educational and spiritual needs.

If you're able, you can sponsor a child. That child child will never be the same, and I'm guessing you won't either.
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Connecting at the table

This post is inspired by Jill Savage's "Third Thursday Blog Hop," which asked the question: How do you connect as a family? Yes, I know it's Friday. But, you know, better late than never.

I gave this sign of "rules" to Greg for our first-date anniversary earlier this year. I wanted to celebrate the process that began when he asked me out for ice cream 14 years ago and has continued into parenthood. Some seasons have been hard. Others have been downright ugly. But so many have been sweet and plenty have been adventurous.

Greg and I jumped off a bridge together. It was exciting and daring and a one-in-a-lifetime kind of thing. It's one of the big moments woven together with the smaller moments that make our life.

More days than not are ordinary. He goes to work. I change diapers and full with milk and juice. I drive kids to school and grocery shop. I meet friends at the park. He goes to meetings because he believes in serving our church and community. We have friends over for dinner and play Settlers of Catan.

And one of my favorite constants is the four of us having dinner together. Thus "SIT DOWN for DINNER" on our family rules.

Oh, you thought that was a reminder to my 2 1/2-year-old son who likes to kneel and constantly move around in his chair during any meal, creating scattered crumbs like a trail of where he has been? Well, yes, that too. 

But the bigger picture is we believe our family is and will be stronger because we prioritize each other and the meals we share. I've decided cooking isn't so bad the past few years, but these meals aren't even about the food. They are about the time and conversations. We tell Daddy about our day, and he tells some about his. But, truthfully, seeing a worm crawling at the park and the first week of kindergarten make for better conversations than home closings and small business incorporation.

While talking about the ordinary moments we've stay bonded even when we our ankles aren't tied together so we can safely jump off a bridge. This bond helps us {usually} stay united while we make spiritual, financial and parenting decisions that may challenge us. And it helps us enjoy each other.

Even with cornbread crumbs scattered across the floor and constant reminders to sit down until everyone is done, being around the table helps us connect in a world that is full of busy schedules and temptations to keep moving along at a pace that will eventually pull us apart. So, yes, we sit down for dinner. We walk away filled, and not just from food.
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Have some Compassion

I started blogging long before blogging was cool. It was really just for myself. As someone who was trained to write for a newspaper audience, it was strange to write for an undefined audience. Blogging has been therapeutic for me, especially as our family has expanded to include two kids who keep me on my toes, act as mirrors to myself, change my perspective on the world, and provide me with the hardest yet most rewarding moments in my 33 years.

Plus, you know, I just don't want to forget things. My kids are funny. Being a mom has changed me. We've been amazing places. My husband and I are living a life that is nothing like I planned but everything I didn't know I wanted. And those are the kinds of things worth remembering.

Yet, like all things in life, some things about blogging aren't all about me. 

Like my support for Compassion International, which I mostly learned about from other blogs. In the past few years, we've started sponsoring two kids -- Roselyn is 5 like my daughter and 10-year-old Jean shares a birthday with my 2-year-old son -- and serve as a correspondence sponsor for another boy, 13-year-old Elvis. Both boys live in Ecuador and Roselyn, who was our first sponsored child, is in Guatemala.

As a mom, my heart has been softened to kids who are like my kids with the pictures they like to draw, games and sports they like to play, and truths they are learning from parents and mentors. To think about them not having clean water, reliable houses, access to Bible lessons, stable families, and sufficient medical care makes me want to do something. I live in Murray, Ky., far away from Ecuador and Guatemala. But when their letters arrive and they tell me little details of their lives there, the world becomes smaller and I'm left feeling blessed even though I set out to help them.

So while sponsoring kids, I also decided to sign up to a Compassion blogger. Sometimes there are writing prompts. Other times there are my own personal lessons learned. And sometimes there's a message of compassion that lingers and gradually changes perspective. {You can read my Compassion-related posts here.}

There are plenty of other kids who need support, even from small towns far away from theirs. And I've learned that helping them helps my kids too. My daughter talks about Roselyn like we've spent time with her. She'd send her toys if she could. She draws her pictures. I write her notes.

And, really, $38 isn't that big of a deal when it helps and heals both here and there. You can sponsor a child too. And you can read what other Compassion bloggers have experienced. Trust me when I say, if you start following a blogger who goes on a Compassion-sponsored trip to meet sponsored kids your heart won't remain the same.

These bloggers have served this ministry with their words and time and money. Take a look around the improved Compassion Bloggers website. You can look back at past trips and follow future ones. You can help spread Compassion. You can browse the list of who blogs for Compassion.

And you can trust that words have power and are helping bring God's Kingdom to families across the world that are linked with compassion that transcends cultures and distances. 

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Date night on the sofa

I like to date my husband. We recently went to the movie theater to watch Super 8, a movie that had been on my must-see list since I learned that Steven Spielberg and J.J. Abrams were making a movie together. Having Coach Taylor from Friday Night Lights was just an added bonus.

But sometimes I like less theatrical dates. The ones on the sofa after the kids are in bed are a relaxing ending to a day filled with questions and stories from my 4-year-old daughter, babbled requests from my 18-month-old and all the other fun responsibilities that go with parenting and managing a household.

{Continue reading over at CSN Store's blog ...}

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ABCs of Me

There's much talk about the ABCs around our house, so I thought this was a good way to share some randomness about me ...

Animal: My favorites are the ones that aren't mine.
Advice: I often tell myself to slow down and enjoy the moment.
Album: "August and Everything After" by Counting Crows is one of my all-time favorites.

Best feeling in the world: Peace.
Best weather: I like that the weather changes, but I prefer sunshiny, warm days.
Band: I can't pick just one band. These days I'm liking Casting Crowns, Third Day and Sugarland.

Candy: I really love candy, but I'm trying not to eat much of eat these days.
Color: Cate would tell you purple, pink and blue are my favorites. She'd be right.
Continent to visit: I'd go back to New Zealand, which I believe isn't part of any continent.
Cheese: Colby Jack.

Drawing or painting: Neither. I like to write. And scrapbook.
Dog breed: Ones that belong to other people and that aren't yappy. Really.

Eyes: Mine are blue.
Everyone's got: Imperfections.
Ever failed a class: Nope.

First thoughts waking up: Did Ben sleep until 7?
Feeling: Right now I'm feeling tired yet peaceful.
Favorite Movie: "Valentine's Day," "Love Actually," "Return to Me," "27 Dresses," "Juno," "When Harry Met Sally," "Good Will Hunting," "The Holiday," "Serendipity," "You've Got Mail," and "Reality Bites" are ones I consider favorites.

Greatest Fear: Not being able to remember moments I want to treasure.
Goals: Raise kids who love God and people.
Good luck charm: No such thing.

Holiday: Christmas. And, really, the whole December season, not just Dec. 25.
How do you want to die: Naturally.
Hot or cold: Cold drinks. Warm weather.

Ice cream: I don't love ice cream, but a Reese's cup Blizzard from DQ is a wonderful treat.
Instrument: I can't play any.
Irrational fear: Having the bedroom closet door open. And more than fearing anything, it just bugs me.

Jewelry: I don't wear much. I love my wedding rings and Pandora bracelet.
Job: Full-time mom.
Jokes: I'm not very good at telling them.

Kids: I have two whom I love dearly.
Keep a journal: Sporadically. And I have this electronic journal, more often called a blog.

Love: It's a choice.
Laughed so hard you cried: Oh, yes.
Learned: I have much to learn.
Lost: One of the best TV shows ever, even though I didn't like the ending.

McDonald’s or Burger King: Between the two, McDonald's. I'd choose Wendy's or Culver's, though.
Marriage: I'm thankful for mine.
Musical: I don't really do musicals, but I liked "Man of La Mancha."

Number of siblings: Two plus six in-laws, counting my brother's girlfriend who he's officially marrying in May because she's been part of the family for quite awhile now.
Number: I like 3.
Nuts: Cashews and peanuts are the only nuts I'll eat.
Name that comes to mind first: Taylor.

One wish: The first one that comes to mind is that Katie would be my neighbor again one day.
One time I...: Bungy jumped. I'd do it again, too.
One word: Uno.

Perfect pizza: I had Mariachi Chicken (chicken, jalapenos, Roma tomatoes, chedder and provolone cheese, mariachi spice) with a side of sour cream at Donato's last week. It was delicious.
Pepsi or Coke: I really love Diet Dr Pepper.
Pet: I don't do pets. We had a fish, once.

Questions: I ask many of them.
Quit: I always say "I quit working at the Ledger when Cate was 4 months old ..." but that sounds like I gave up. It was more of a choice that was best for me and my family. And a good one it was.
Quiet: I like quiet.

Reason to cry: I typically don't need a deep reason.
Rude: I am rude sometimes.

Song: "Glorious Day" by Casting Crowns has been in my head often lately. My husband played it at church today too.
Sleep: I try to get eight hours a night. And I believe in sleep training my kids.
Salad dressing: Poppyseed is my favorite.
Slept outside: Yes, but I don't really like doing so.

Time for bed: 10 p.m.
Thunderstorms: I like them at night.

Unpredictable: It's true. I'm not in control, even though I sometimes try to be.
Uncool: My husband tucked in his long-sleeved MSU T-shirt last night and I told him that was uncool.

Vacation spot: I like vacations, especially beaches. But I'll take a city or the mountains. Really anywhere.
Voice: I don't think my voice sounds like my voice recorded and I don't sing for people.

Weakness: Perfectionism.
Worst feeling: Letting someone down.
Water or land: I like to be on land near water.

X-rays: The ones they took of my teeth at my last cleaning appointment were really high-tech.
Ex's: Part of how I got here.

Year it is now: 2011. Crazy.
Yellow: Our kitchen and bedroom are yellow. The same yellow, which was also the color of our bedroom at our old house. Yes, I like it.

Zoo animals: Way better than pets.

2,000 posts and counting ...

I have a couple of posts started, but I haven't had time to finish them. One about rituals. Another about freezer cooking. Then I have at least one [probably more ...] brewing in my mind about what God has shown me the last week while dealing with Gary's passing. But I noticed this is post No. 2,000 for me. Since 2001.

Since then I've gone from a single, recently graduated working woman to a stay-at-home mom with two kids. It's been a journey, that's for sure. And it will continue to be, I'm sure. I'm guessing you'll hear more than you want to about it, thanks to the way technology makes the world even smaller.

Until then, just know that words are always running through my head and sometimes I'm able to catch the moment with my camera. Or even on my iPhone. Like yesterday. Angela was feeding Evelyn and I was feeding Ben while the other three kids were jumping on Gran-Gran's bed while she sorted through the many beautiful flowers and plants. All five were happy, so I proposed a picture. I can't believe they all laid there ... for a few minutes.

Today

We were so happy to see Holly for a short visit Thursday and Friday.

I discovered a new blog last week, and I'm already borrowing a blogging prompt, which apparently actually came from yet another blog.

Outside my window ... there are snow flurries, believe it or not.

I am thankful for ... being able to stay home with my kids and have friends who are in the same season of life.

I am wearing ... jeans, a favorite T-shirt and socks.

I am remembering ... Party of Five, thanks to my early First-Date Day present from Greg.

I am going ... to stay home the rest of the day.

I am currently reading ... "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan.

I am hoping ... for continued peace as I settle into mothering two kids.

On my mind ... is not much of anything, actually.

Noticing that ... I'm feeling more simple than usual today.

Pondering these words ... It’s your life/What you gonna do?/The world is watching you by from the song "It's Your Life" by Francesca Battistelli.

From the kitchen ... I have broccoli cheese soup cooking in the Crock Pot and am stocked up on groceries that I just put away.

Around the house ... Laundry is washing and drying, children are sleeping and I am mentally resting.

One of my favorite things ... is my community of girl friends. And one of those who [unfortunately] doesn't live in Murray anymore visited us last week. [See picture above.]

And the winner is ...

Emily! Settlers of Catan will arrive on her doorstep soon, thanks to Cate drawing her board game memory out of a bowl ...

Canasta is our favorite game(as if you didn't know)... No it's not a board game but it is definitely a game of strategy!! This game has been passed down four Generations in our family and even includes two old reliable rule books... As far as board games go though... I'm always a sucker for scrabble!!

Thanks for everyone who participated in my first blog giveaway. I hope to have more opportunities to give you free stuff in the future.

Today is Monday ...

I read this on another blog this morning and loved it. I know you can't fathom me loving a list that also documents the moment!

Outside my window ... the sun is shining.

I am thinking ... about my day.

I am thankful for ... my life. Right now. This season.

From the kitchen ... my grocery list is in the works.

I am wearing ... a tank top, shorts and flip flops.

I am creating ... pages about our life in my scrapbook. I'm into April.

I am going ... to be close the rest of this month.

I am reading ... nothing at this moment because I finished "Hold Tight" by Harlan Coben yesterday. I do, however, have a list of books to take with me to the library soon.

I am hoping ... to see more of our adoption story unfold soon.

I am hearing ... Dora the Explorer. Swim lessons may not have taught Cate to swim completely, but they did, strangely enough, teach her who Dora is.

Around the house ... Cate and her friend Emma are coloring and watching Dora. I'm typing and seeing the chores I need to do.

One of my favorite things ... is not quite 3-feet tall.

A few plans for the rest of the week ... Grocery and eye doctor today. Swimming with friends and their kids and dinner with girl friends (and maybe even a movie with another girl friend) tomorrow. Play date on Wednesday. Working at the office on Thursday afternoon. Friday is pretty clear right now, so maybe we'll end up in the pool again.

My Dinner Party

DISCLAIMER: I must confess that I didn't think of this blog topic on my own. But, really, the originator should just be flattered that I liked the idea so much!

If I could invite eight people whom I've never met over for dinner, who would be sitting around my table? Melanie excluded Jesus because, well, she's met him. So I'm going with those rules too. Plus I don't want to get into a deep spiritual conversation right now about how really God, Jesus + the Spirit are three but really one + God is everywhere + His Spirit lives in me ... so really wouldn't Jesus technically already be there?!

OK, moving on. In no particular order ...

1. Albert Pujols. And not just because he's the National League's Most Valuable Player. Yes, he's a baseball player, but he's also a father, husband + Christian who probably has amazing stories to tell.

2. Rick Reilly. I actually haven't read his columns in awhile. But have you ever read them? They're about sports. But usually life too. And he's hilarious.

3. Mac Powell. He'd sing to me.

4. Donald Miller. He's practical. He's spiritual. He's quotable. He's bound to make for great conversation.

5. Rick Bragg. Forget the plagiarism scandal. I want to talk about growing up in the South, dreaming about writing for the New York Times, writing for the New York Times and returning to the South to tell his hometown stories for a national audience. Plus his books are good. Surely his conversation would be too because, in his words, "...to tell a story right you have to lean the words against each other so they they don't all fall down." (From "All Over But the Shoutin'")

6. Beth Moore. The woman can tell stories that have you laughing, crying + learning about God -- all at the same time.

7. Joey Potter (aka Katie Holmes). I don't think it's too big of a secret that I love "Dawson's Creek." I've watched the entire six-season series twice from start to finish. It's even quotable. OK, I need to stop admitting stuff like this. Anyway, I think we'd be friends. Plus she's married to Tom Cruise, so that's bound to be interesting enough to talk about. I don't know about all that Scientology stuff, but we can talk about being Joey Potter, who cuts her hair + being moms. (Side note: Twice random strangers -- once at Wal-Mart and another time at a yard sale -- people told me that Cate looked like Suri. I think it's just the eyes + hair.)

8. Ali Edwards. She's inspiring for my creative process. She's a life artist, as she calls it, + even writes about scrapbooking for a magazine. Plus she's a mom + married to a Oregon state representative.

18. Technology

These are the three Web sites on which I spend the most time, as most of you know! I'm amazed at all the things we can do online. If you look closely in the montage above, you'll see some of my other favorite things: Above the Facebook logo, you'll see a Google toolbar. I love it! It allows me to have my bookmarks on any computer (They're listed under that star icon on the toolbar ...), see when there is something unread in my Google Reader (the first icon in the toolbar ...) and have my Google calendar (the second icon ...) just a click away. Then you'll see the first e-mail in the small portion of my Yahoo! inbox is from Snapfish. I love Snapfish + Shutterfly. The prices are great for photo prints + there are lots of great gift ideas.

Oh, and I made that photo collage with my photo editing software, Microsoft Picture It! Premium 10, which also has a photo organizing library.

I didn't even mention my cell phone!

Yes, I'm indeed thankful for technology, mostly for the way it allows me to keep in touch with people + perserve memories.

Google Reader

If you like reading blogs and you don't know about Google Reader, you really should check it out. I've told a few friends about it, and each time I'm surprised they don't know about it because I thought I was the last person to discover such a handy online tool. Basically, you make a Google account, enter all the blogs you like to read, and then when you go there you can see the new posts. So much better than going through a bunch of bookmarks to see if someone has updated their blog.

About me .... then you

I've seen this (or some version of this) on different blogs, and I wanted to play along ...

Ten years ago, I was ... transitioning back into my parents' house after my freshman year at Murray State. I had met a great guy three months ago, but I was trying not to fall in love with him because he was getting ready to spend a semester in Germany. Little did I know that I would fall in love with him, and we'd get married about four years later. I also was returning to a summer job at The Park at Middletown. But that would be my last job that wasn't journalism-related.

Three things I'm going to do today ... include going to church, scrapbooking while Cate naps this afternoon and going to tour the house that's been raffled off as a United Way fund-raiser.

If I were a billionaire, I would ... buy a beach house, help children and save some for Cate's education.

Five places I have lived ... include only four places, all of which are in Kentucky: La Grange, Louisville, Lexington and Murray, although I've lived in Murray twice.

On my resume, you'd find these five jobs ... The Oldham Era, the Sentinel-News in Shelbyville, the Lexington Herald-Leader (internships are jobs, if only temporary!), The Associated Press and the Murray Ledger & Times.

Now I tag five friends to share their answers on their blogs: Shelley, Holly, Teaque, Bethany, Heather. And anyone else feel free to play along on their blog or in my comments.

And the winner is ...

KATY!

Thanks for all three of you for participating in the online version of Cate's birthday game. Katy, your prize will be arriving shortly.

Oh, and if you're interested (Shelley and Jodi, especially), Katy only missed two, which is the same number my mom missed when she won at the party Saturday.

No news is good news ...

Don't you hate it when you keep checking someone's blog, and there's no update? I know I do. And I realize that in some people's world I've become the person who hasn't updated my blog in four days.

I have no real excuse.

I'll cling to the saying, "No news is good news."

Yeah, doesn't really work in the blog world.

I could tell you about how yesterday I loved listening the pitter-patter of the rain all day. I enjoyed the cooler temperatures coming through the windows. I slept soundly under a couple blankets with the ceiling fan moving the cool air throughout our bedroom. Then this morning I didn't want to get out of bed because I knew it would be chilly outside the covers. And once I got up, I momentarily appreciated the rain, then dreaded going out in it to run errands. But we were out of milk. In fact, I had a whole list. Cate got to bundle up in a cute, brown sweatsuit and I did my best to keep us both dry.

See, it's not really that exciting.

Can a picture make it up to you?

It's from last week, when temperatures were warmer, the sun wasn't a stranger and I wished for cooler weather. Looks like I got my wish, minus the sun. Anyway, back to the picture ...


I thought that would help. Yeah, she's cute. Better than sunshine, really. And look at that outfit. It's like a baby version of something I'd like.

OK, because I've been a blog slacker, here's one more ...


I would have a picture of the cute, brown sweatsuit, but Cate is sleeping. Maybe later. If you're lucky enough to get another blog update.

EDITED TO UPDATE at 3:57 p.m.: Cate woke up. After a bottle, she was all smiles. So you're in luck.