{Review & Giveaway} Getting it Together

Kayse Pratt is my kind of girl.

I'm a organizer. But until I sat down to put Kayse's words about a Home Management Notebook to practice, my pile of lists and calendars and projects was a tad out of control. I'd been keeping close a calendar with to-do lists, a notebook with other to-do lists related to various projects, file folders for our vacation lake house and the other vacation rental I help manage, my journal, and the hard copy of the book I'm writing.

Y'all, that's a lot of papers. And I don't really like clutter. "Getting it Together: Your Guide to Setting up a Home Management System that Works" helped me consolidate.

Of course, I also use Google Calendar, which single-handedly improved communication in my marriage. But I really like having a handwritten calendar/list in front of me so I can physically mark off tasks, appointments and assignments as I do them. My grocery list is on my iPhone so I can keep it updated as things come to mind. {Remind me to tell you about the time earlier this month my phone died right after I snapped an Instagram of my grocery helpers. Yeah, my list died with it. I managed to get 12 of the 16 items on my list, well, and then some.}

Kayse's recommendations that led me to organize my organization system came at a really great time.

"No, being organized won’t accomplish world peace. It won’t make you love cleaning, and it won’t counteract the tornado-toddler issue. But it will most definitely bring a little more peace to your home."

{Kayse Pratt in "Getting it Together"}

After spending about 15 minutes reading the simple, practical e-book, I spent about 15 more minutes organizing my papers with printables included in "Getting It Together."

My favorites are the weekly and monthly meal plans, freezer inventory, daily schedule, master project list, cleaning schedule, and the blogging calendar. Kayse has them designed in cute blue and green colors, but I printed plain-o black-and-white copies out of convenience.

Your Home Management System can be as pretty and creative as you like. That's the beauty of this system -- it can be as simple or elaborate as your choose. Kayse's book includes printables pertaining to auto maintenance and finances, but those aren't areas I wanted to include this binder. I did print master project lists for our house as well as each of the vacation rentals.

My categories are Calendar, Around the House, Meals, Blogging, Kentucky Lake Lodge and The Gathering Place. Oh, and I used dividers with pockets, you know, for a little bonus organization. Again, it's wide open. Your categories can be whatever you want them to be. My system is putting all those different notebooks and folders I've been carrying around and keeping close in one place.

It's not quite world peace, but, seriously, organizing these papers and lists is high up on my list of my favorite things. Trust me, this short book is worth your time. And if Kayse didn't live on the other side of the country, I'd be inviting her over so we could scrapbook, write with Sharpies, and perhaps organize another pile I have sitting around here.

You'll want to be her friend too, but perhaps you can start with her book. You can buy the PDF version of "Getting it Together" from KaysePratt.com or the Kindle version from Amazon.com. Both are $3.99.

But one of you will get a free PDF copy, courtesy Kayse! Whoo-hoo! 

To enter, leave a comment below: Do you have an organization system in place for your household? If so, what do you like about it and what would you change? And you'll see there are some other ways to earn extra entries. The giveaway ends Friday.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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I received this e-book for free by subscribing free to Kayse's monthly newsletter earlier this year and was offered it again to review, but these opinions are mine and so is the binder I compiled. This post contains affiliates links. 

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We spent the weekend at the lake

We spent the weekend at our lake house with our best friends. Together there are five kids in five years. The weather was perfect and the agenda was non-existent. We played four games of Settlers of Catan and two rounds of Ticket to Ride as we celebrated Jaclyn's 35th birthday.

We loved on each other.

We fished.

We ate. A lot.

We used our imaginations. {Yeah, I really have no idea. But an older kid was clearly involved.}

We lounged together.

While the kids were fishing or chasing each other or collecting sticks and rocks, Jaclyn and I were able to read for awhile. She started "Beyond Ordinary" by Justin & Trisha Davis and I dived into DiAnn Mills' "The Survivor," a fiction book that wasn't as personally challenging as the non-fiction books I've been reading.

We watched movies in creative seating arrangements.

We had sword fights with old mops and broken fishing rods.

We played beauty shop that somehow became doctor's office.

We wrestled.

We made shotguns out of broken fishing rods that had been swords earlier in the day.

We swept the grass.

We huddled together to discover.

We jumped in leaves. Yes, in March.

We laughed. We talked. We shared. We stayed in pajamas. We rested. We grilled. We spent the weekend at the lake.

What did you do this weekend?
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{Tiny Prints} FREE Graduation Announcements

Every graduate should have a party. And it's not too early to plan.

Tiny Prints can help you do just that with 10 FREE graduation announcements or invitations. This deal is good through Thursday night when you use GRAD2013 at checkout. You only have to pay for shipping, which starts at $4.50. You can get them faster, of course, with the priority shipping options.

They have more than 300 designs to choose from and you can customize the cards with pictures of your graduate, your own text, and more.

Welcome to the real world, graduates!
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{Five Minute Friday} Rest

This is where we like to rest. This time it was April 2012.

I'm participating in Five Minute Friday, a link-up writing prompt at Lisa-Jo Baker's blog. This week the prompt is "Rest ..." 

Five minutes starts now. GO ...

I don't like to take naps. My mom says I didn't like to when I was a kid either. I like to sleep, just usually from 10:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m., although I'd take a couple more hours into the morning, if my kids and life would just let me.

But I do like to rest.

I'm one of those Type-A people who uses "rest" -- whether it's watching a TV show, reading a book or scrapbooking -- as motivation to get the work done. Yes, I'm a work-then-play kind of person.

I'm going to rest this weekend. At the lake. With my best friend and her family. We're going to grill out food and play marathons of Settlers of Catan and Ticket to Ride. My girl and my friend's girl who are a year apart are finally going to get to sleep in bunk beds in the same room, like they've been wanting. We have five kids in five years who have sibling-like relationships when we all gather together. They don't know life without each other.

I haven't known life without Jaclyn for more than 14 years. We're going to rest together this weekend in a place that is only 20 minutes from our houses yet can seem like a world away. We'll rest in the comforts of friendship with the peaceful backdrop of Kentucky Lake.


STOP.

Want to join us? Here are Lisa-Jo's rules: 1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking. 2. Link back here and invite others to join in. 3. Please visit the person who linked up before you and encourage them in their comments. That is like the one rule we all really care about.

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{Out of the Blue} Seeing faith lived out

With my two kids in tow, as usual, I finished my grocery shopping, handed the check-out cashier my stack of coupons, and realized I didn't have my wallet, much less the $104.10 to pay for everything bagged and sitting back in my cart.

I was totally embarrassed.

I started explaining the cashier that I’d be back as soon as I drove the 1.2 miles home to get my wallet. I told her I’d check in my minivan, but I was pretty sure it wasn't in there because I’d just picked up my purse and set it in the van before coming to Kroger. We hadn't stopped anywhere else along the way.

In my mind, I knew Ben was to blame, but I didn't feel right about blaming what seemed like forgetfulness on my 31-month-old son.

As I was mumbling to the cashier, probably hoping nobody else would hear me, the lady behind me spoke up, asking if she could help. I realized I knew her. And I realized she probably was offering to watch the kids while I ran out to the parking lot. I explained I was certain my wallet wasn’t in there. She opened her checkbook and asked the cashier for the total, saying I could send her a check later.


Kristen at Chasing Blue Skies has a weekly link-up about surprises. This week share about a mistake you made – even an ‘oops’ moment – and how your lesson learned or God’s grace from the mistake surprised you.



My mistake in not making sure I had my wallet before I got up to the cash register and my boy's mistake of getting into my purse were covered with kindness. In that moment, I was reminded of some of the advantages of small-town living, thankful for her kindness, and relieved my embarrassment was resolved. And I didn’t even yell at my son for the role I was certain he played in the scenario.

When we got to our Chrysler Town & Country, I asked him where my wallet was. “In play room,” he said. By play room, he means living room, which had been his room of choice this particular week.

See, I know my boy.

I saw the evidence as soon as I approached the living room couch. My wallet was lying open with its contents surrounding it. And there were empty gum wrappers right next to the couch on the floor.

Guilty.

How did I know? Mommas know.

And, well, my boy was in the midst of an on-going fascination with getting into my purse and carrying off items that seemed interesting. Thing is, this was during a couple weeks when I was being challenged to take the biblical book of James to heart: Consider trials joys. Persevere. Demonstrate faith in deeds. Draw near to God. Be humble. Realize we’re not in control. Pray. Be patient. 

I was in the midst of an eight-week study of James by Beth Moore and being given ample opportunities to live out my faith, thanks to my adventurous, fearless, into-everything boy.

Near to this wallet incident were the morning Ben accidentally locked himself in his room just as we needed to leave to get to the weekly James study on time; the moment Ben peed all over the bathroom rug just after I cheered for him peeing on the potty for the first time; the time Ben squeezed every medicine, diaper cream and lotion stored on a high shelf in his room all into the carpet; and the discovery Ben took apart the air conditioning vent and apparently lost the vent cover, which I was sure was dropped into the actual vent but ended up resurfacing days later from its yet-to-be-determined hiding place.

Peace came over me when my embarrassment was turned to testimony of God being in control even when I don’t see a convenient way out. Peace came over me when I chose not to yell even though I was frustrated. Peace came over me when I laughed about it later.

Now I hang my purse up near the door, where, for now, it’s out of reach of those little, curious hands. And my faith is stronger.
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What I believe makes me who I am

I've had the Apostles' Creed memorized for a long time. I knew the words long before I understood their meaning. Then somewhere along the way, I became a Third Day fan. Hearing Mac Powell sing Rich Mullins' "Creed" always makes me turn up the volume.

Third Day at Lovett Auditorium in Murray, KY on March 10, 2013

Hearing it live on Sunday night was good for my soul. Plus, well, I hope that heaven sounds like Mac Powell. {That video is from a different conference, but, hey, you get the idea and I highly recommend you listen.}

In those few minutes Sunday so many moments collided in my mind.

There were memories of my childhood days spent in a Catholic church pew. Conversations through the years with friends while I searched for meaning replayed in my head. And I remembered so many decisions that led me here to a life that is nothing like I expected yet everything I've ever wanted.

I do believe in God the Father, almighty maker of heaven and earth.

I do believe in Jesus Christ, the only son of our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried.

I do believe on the third day he rose and ascended into heaven.

I do believe he'll come again to judge the living and the dead.

I do believe in the Holy Spirit.

I do believe in one holy church.

I do believe in community.

I do believe in the forgiveness of sins.

I do believe in life everlasting.

And, yes, believing this truth of God makes me who I am.
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What timing! I had this post mentioning my Catholic childhood brewing before Jorge Mario Bergoglio was named the next pope. 

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{#TellHisStory} It's about the Lamb.

{This post was originally published here last year, but I've edited it for this year.}

I spent $8.84 on my kids' Easter goodies. And that included the leftover jelly beans I got as a snack. I also used some things {Easter story books, plastic eggs and that jelly bean prayer bookmark} from the previous year. We'll also make resurrection rolls and use plastic resurrection eggs to tell this story. His story.

Please know I'm not telling you how to do Easter; I'm just telling you how we do it. And I'm documenting life for myself because these first almost six years of motherhood are already running together in my mushy, momma brain.

So, their baskets. Well, truthfully, basket. I put it all together in one. Anyway, the basket tells the real Easter story. Each jelly bean color represents different things {Jesus' blood, sin, grace, new life, etc.}. The chocolate money is a reminder of Judas' betrayal. The rocks -- edible and filled with chocolate! -- symbolize the stone that was rolled away. And the lamb is a reminder that Jesus is the Lamb of God and always with us.

I want my kids to get it. I want them to understand Easter isn't about bunnies and candy, but about the pivotal day in God's story. And because that story involves God sending his son to live on earth, die a brutal death, and shock the world by rising from the grave, it is our story too. It's about grace. And life. And forgiveness. And hope.

Jesus is alive. The stone was rolled away.

Or, as my daughter, who wasn't quite 5 at the time, said: "Jesus died on a cross. He rose. And we can go to heaven with him." Indeed.

So we're going to talk about it all again in the days leading up to Easter. And, really, the days after that and many, many other times. But especially in 2 1/2 weeks on Easter Sunday.

On Easter Sunday, Cate will wear a dress to church, like she does every week, but I won't buy her anything new. She has quite a selection of dresses, the majority of which hand-me-down from cousins or from a consignment rack. Ben will probably wear a collared shirt, but, again, that's what he wears most weeks. Not because we go to a fancy church, trust me. But where else will a 3-year-old all-boy boy wear a nice shirt? Certainly not the park. And he's got some cute shirts, thanks to a cousin's hand-me-down selection. I may wear a skirt or dress pants. But God won't care if I show up in jeans and flip flops.

Truth is the new clothes and treat-filled baskets don't change us. Jesus rising from that grave offers us new life. He makes us new.

And that's better than any bunny or fancy dress.
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Here are a couple of the books we've used: "Let's Celebrate Jesus on Easter" {available on Amazon for $2.29} and "A Child's Story of Easter" {available on Amazon for $4.48}. And I always recommend "The Jesus Storybook Bible." Melissa & Doug has a selection of Easter-related toys, including lambs. You can save $10 off an order that totals at least $75  with the code EASTER10 or $5 off a $50 order with EASTER5 through Thursday night.

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I'm linking up with Jennifer Dukes Lee and other storytellers. #TellHisStory is a chance to tell a story that connects your story to God's story. Read past #TellHisStory posts here. This post contains affiliate links. 

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{God-sized Dreams} Quiet

I need more quiet in my life. 

Yes, I have kids who like to talk. They tell stories to anyone who will listen. Earlier today I asked my 3-year-old boy what he said because I couldn't hear him over my hairdryer. "Nuffin. I's just talkin' to myself."

So there is that. But that's not the noise I want to shush.

I replay conversations over in my mind and then analyze them. Did she know what I meant? I hope she didn't think I was too harsh.

Scenarios build themselves in my head, when really they shouldn't be something I spent any energy thinking about.

Too often I fill silences with unnecessary words. Sometimes they are too harsh or too critical or too much. Other times I should speak up sooner but my desire to please people gets in the away. This juxtaposition of too much and not enough then creates conflict in my mind as I search for clarity and wisdom.

This week's God-sized dream challenge from Holley Gerth took awhile for me to put into words. What do you really want more of in your life? Will you dare to say it out loud? Hint: it probably means having less of something too {ex: more joy, less stress}. Write a post sharing the desire(s) of your heart.

I really want more quiet in my life. I want to hear every word of my kids' stories while being fully present. I want to silence the conversations and scenarios that run on a never-ending loop in my mind with confidence that comes only from seeking God. I want to love and serve with authenticity that quiets any distractions of what's next or who else in the room.

Truth is, I can have it. I can have it because the Lord my God is with me. And he is mighty to save. He'll save me from my wanting-to-do-it-all, people-pleasing ways that sometimes cloud my conversations because I'm too busy replaying conversations and wondering how a scenario will unfold.

He takes great delight in me. He delights in the me who sometimes has too much to say and the me who doesn't know what to say. And he'll quiet me. He'll quiet the over-analysis of words and moments. He'll quiet the critical words that need to never be spoken. He'll rejoice over me with singing. It's when I let God quiet me that he makes himself known. 
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Tuesdays are God-sized Dream days around here and I'm linking this post along with many, many other dreamers on Holley Gerth's blog. You'll find encouragement, truth and community there. I also recommend Holley's "You're Made for a God-sized Dream." You can buy it from Amazon ($11.19) or DaySpring ($8.24 with code HOLLEY25 at checkout). 

I'm also linking up with the Soli Deo Gloria party for the first time. 

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R-A-C-E-R-S! Racers! Racers! Go Racers!

Around here, March means basketball. 

We spent Friday night and all day Saturday in Nashville, where our Racers were playing in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament. We wore blue and gold all weekend, stayed in a new-favorite hotel, ate good food, visited with friends, ran into other friends, and enjoyed being together.

For you basketball fans, Murray State beat Eastern Kentucky on Friday night to advance, but then lost in a heart-breaking game to Belmont. Even so, I'm so glad we were able to watch these two games. After a season with some ups and downs coming on the heels of last season -- the best ever in MSU history -- these games made me proud to be a Racer.

Friday night the game didn't tip off until about 8:30 p.m. Y'all. My kids usually go to bed around 7 p.m. So the game didn't end until 10:30ish and then it was a little after 11 by the time we got into our hotel room. And, well, you know, it's exciting to stay in a hotel. So it took the kids some time to settle down in their pull-out-bed and it was around midnight before all was quiet from their portion of the room, which was actually their own room.

We managed to sleep in a little and then had a leisurely morning eating breakfast and hanging out at the hotel before we went to Opry Mills mall, where we had lunch at Rainforest Cafe with friends and shopped some. And then it was on to the championship game.

Most of the day was full of me being proud of how my kids behaved and reacted. I truly treasure the words from my non-momma friend who reminded me in an email exchange that making memories is an important part of parenthood. She's right. And, you know, I didn't take a ton of pictures like I tend to do, especially during a road trip. I was thankful for the time to be truly present with my family, laugh with my husband, and just enjoy each other.

Do like college basketball? Who will you root for in March?
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Look back at our other trips to the OVC Tournament: 2012. 2011. 2010. 2009. 2008.

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Weekend Words

Neverlands and Promiselands :: Jennifer Dukes Lee is a new favorite storyteller of mine. I related to so much of she writes, especially this piece. I was never going to move back to Murray; I've been back here more than nine years. I was never going to work at the Ledger & Times and then I was never going to quit the job I never wanted. I've been a stay-at-home momma for 5 1/2 years. There was something about never sending my kids to private school. Yeah, well, clearly I need to stop saying "never." Good thing God works in spite of my "I will never ..." Right, Jennifer? "I still like to make plans, but I’ve learned to hold them a little more loosely, and then to take care with what comes next." 

"King & Queens" by Audio Adrenaline :: This is a song I've been loving lately. "Boys become kings, girls will be queens/Wrapped in Your majesty/When we love, when we love the least of these/Then they will be brave and free/Shout your name in victory/When we love when we love the least of these/When we love the least of these." You can listen below. You'll want to. 


Have you read anything good this week? Heard any good songs?
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{Five Minute Friday} Home

Katie & I saw each other for an hour in January. It wasn't enough. She's like home to me.

I'm participating in Five Minute Friday, a link-up writing prompt at Lisa-Jo Baker's blog. This week the prompt is "Home ..." 

Five minutes starts now. GO ...

She is like home to me. We haven't been neighbors since 1997, but we knew how many steps it was from her from door to mine for seven years we lived right next door to each other. We lived in the same town, a different town, for one summer and another year later.

I can sit in the home I've made with my husband and two kids and be homesick for her. I wouldn't trade where I am or who I'm with for anything. But I'd give almost anything to add her and her family of boys to my street.

We sit too close on the couch when we do finally get to see each other. We interrupt each other to finish one another's sentences. We fill in the detailed back story of the current news, but, really, we know the back story. We know what led us each to where we are, to these homes we have with people we adore. That's how 23 years of friendships is.

She taught me about God. She lived details of my childhood with me. We played flashlight tag, dreamed of being big and having driver's licenses instead of just bicycles. We drank Dr Pepper and ate Circus Peanuts.

And when we walk into each other's grown-up lives, it's like coming home.


STOP.

Want to join us? Here are Lisa-Jo's rules: 1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking. 2. Link back here and invite others to join in. 3. Please visit the person who linked up before you and encourage them in their comments. That is like the one rule we all really care about.

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Read past Five Minute Friday Posts here. Want more? Subscribe to get "Insights" in your inbox. Like 152 Insights on Facebook. Or follow me on Twitter.

{Out of the Blue} Thank You

I check on my kids every night before I go to bed. It's not out of worry, but rather I want to see the peace of them sleeping after our day together. Our days aren't perfect, but there is something about watching them sleep that makes me forget the hard moments.

I usually kiss them on their foreheads too and whisper "I love you." Sometimes the mumble back, but most of the time they just continue their sleepy breathing. Peace, I tell you. 

My boy Ben goes to preschool on Monday and Wednesday mornings. He takes his lunch with him, B-E-N scribbled on his cup and Rubbermaid container in permanent marker that isn't so permanent once it goes in the dishwasher.

Kristen at Chasing Blue Skies has a weekly link-up about surprises. This week's prompt is:

What unexpected, surprise appreciation did you receive from someone or extend to someone? How did God use their thank you to make a difference in your day, your year, your life? 


On Sunday night, when I kissed my sleeping son on his forehead, he opened his eyes and whispered, "Momma, you write my name on my cup for school?" Whispers from him usually only come when he's sleeping. He must have been dreaming about school.

"Yes, buddy. It's already on there."

Still in a sleepy state, he managed, "Thank you." His head turned back into his pillow and the deep, sleepy breaths continued. Peace, I tell you. With some gratitude tossed in.

We teach our kids to say "thank you" more as a reaction than an actual sentiment. As they grow up, the meaning comes with the words, hopefully. Each day I do all sorts of things for these two little ones who have rocked my world in ways I never imagined but don't want to change back. Honestly, they seem to mostly go unnoticed. If someone were to notice a task going undone, it would be my first-born, just-like-me girl.

So to hear "thank you" from my boy, the one who makes near-constant noise, and messes out of anything, friends wherever he goes is especially sweet. Sweet words this momma was glad to hear. Peace, I tell you.
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I'm linking up today with "Out of the Blue" at Chasing Blue Skies. And I later linked up with MOB Society's "Let's Hear it for the Boys!" Want more? Subscribe to get "Insights" in your inbox. Like 152 Insights on Facebook. Or follow me on Twitter.

{#TellHisStory} Fearfully, wonderfully made

By Jenn Hall King Photography

Cate's birth father is Iranian. We expected her to have olive-toned skin. But instead people debate whether she looks most like me or her dad. We both have blue eyes. She has gorgeous brown eyes that always soak up details. She has always had defined eyes. I think this must come from him.

She tans well and has always had dark hair. It's lightened up some, making it closer to her birth mom's hair color. When she was younger, the cleaner her hair was, the curlier it was. On a rainy day or when she sweated, the strands would become spirals.

For a momma who has always had straight hair that won't hold curl and doesn't seem to want to grow long, I especially loved my girl's wavy, long brown hair.

She's a kindergartner now. Her hair is straighter. And we've {mostly} grown out those bangs I cut to keep hair out of her eyes when she was a toddler.

She's learned that if she sleeps with her hair braided, it's curly {think 1985 crimp ...} the next morning. So I've helped her with that a couple times recently. She has opinions about whether her is down or up, in a pony tail or pulled back with a headband. She usually wants to wear it down and I insist on a small, side ponytail to keep those almost-grown bangs out of her eyes.

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. {Psalm 139:13-16}

God knew. God knew when I cried out to him for a baby that my girl would have this story. God knew he was going to make us a family through adoption. God knew her brown eyes and wavy-turned-straight hair. God created this. He created us. He created her. He created every eye lash and every hair that can be braided. And they are indeed wonderful. 
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I'm linking up with Jennifer Dukes Lee and other storytellers. #TellHisStory is a chance to tell a story that connects your story to God's story. You can read lots of past adoption posts here. Want more? Subscribe to get "Insights" in your inbox. Like 152 Insights on Facebook. Or follow me on Twitter.

{God-sized Dreams} Get your toes wet

Madeira Beach, Florida in February 2013

Dear God-sized Dreamers,

See that big ocean out there? Yeah, it's all yours.

God knew what he was doing when he created this world. The way the waves crash against the sandy shore is so powerful yet peaceful. Only a God who is ever-present and all-knowing could know how to perfect that continuous motion that can soothe a soul so well that worries and fears disappear for a time.

Sometimes the first step in is cold. You may hesitate because you know you feel the same once you're in there. Maybe the salt water tempts you to stay on shore.

But inch in.

One step at a time.

It'll be worth it.

With these steps into the great, big ocean God laid before you, you'll find adventure and joy. Others will join you there. You'll all walk out talking about how you're glad you dipped in your toe, and then your waist, and then your soul. Grab the hand of a friend and help each other in.

And when you step back out, the sun will warm every piece of you. That's how God is with our lives. Immerse yourself in where he's leading you. He'll be with you on the journey in, the adventure there, and the steps back to shore.


He's here. And there. And everywhere in between.

It's not about how big this dream of yours is. It's about how you pursue God and what he's called you to do. He wants you to enjoy his creation and tell others about it. He wants you to take a risk so you can trust him more once you step in. He wants you to soak up the sun so you can give glory to him.

Go on, dreamers. You can do it. And you'll be refreshed when you do.
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Tuesdays are God-sized Dream days around here and I'm linking this post along with many, many other dreamers on Holley Gerth's blog. You'll find encouragement, truth and community there. I also recommend Holley's "You're Made for a God-sized Dream," which officially released March 1. You can buy it from Amazon ($11.19) or DaySpring ($8.24 with code HOLLEY25 at checkout). 

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{God-sized Dreams} DaySpring Deals

I've mentioned loving "You're Made for a God-sized Dream" more than once around here. I've quoted it at least a couple times. {Review here. Stop delaying, start doing is a piece of the book's advice. Bringing Him glory is certainly the goal.}

But then I learned about these other amazing accessories that go along with Holley Gerth's newest sweet, encouraging words. I already feel like she's sitting at my table talking to me when I read her books, so bringing her words into my home with decor on the wall and cards ready to send friends is like inviting her back over for a chat. 

All of the items in this collection -- including the book -- are available at DaySpring for 25% off the already-marked-down prices this month. Just use the code HOLLEY25 at checkout. That makes the book about $8!

There are other great deals at DaySpring this month, including boxed cards, which are buy 2 get 1 free.

Happy shopping. Spring is coming!

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Bones & Booth

The following post is about the TV show "Bones." I've watched the first seven seasons and the first episode of season eight. OK, yes, we caved and paid $1.99 for the 40 minutes of television we had to see. That's what cliffhangers do. Don't read any farther if you don't want to know any of the plot from seasons one through seven. And, friends, really, don't tell me about the eighth season I haven't seen. 

Photo from www.wetpaint.com

Dear Bones and Booth,

My husband and I watched 142 episodes of you on Netflix. That's seven seasons. Sometimes two or three a night. Admittedly, I got a little bored with your show sometime in the fifth season. But that's normal for me. {Read more about my TV favorites and tendencies here.} It was the hope that you'd embrace your love for each other that kept me going, yet the lack of soap opera drama is one reason I liked the show from the beginning.

And then season six picked up. And seven season was possibly the best yet. That episode when Christine was born. Oh, goodness. See, I knew you all were meant to be together. I'm glad it's clear that having a baby isn't the only reason you're together. You really do love each other. We've seen it from the beginning. So has Sweets.

Your supporting cast of characters is strong. You'll are smart and loyal. And I don't know how the rotating cast of lab assistants works for you, but it actually works for me. Something about the regular irregularity works.

I remember watching "CSI," the original one and later the one in Miami, for years. I got tired of the cases because they started seeming the same. Somehow that hasn't been true with your work.

Earlier this week, we watched a case get personal and realized it wasn't going to get solved in the last nine minutes of the episode when we paused it. {I think I had to tell my husband something, prompting a pause.} It was after 10 p.m. and we were debating whether we'd watch the next episode, knowing we were hooked on watching you all figure out just how that computer genius killer who wears an ankle monitor was setting up you, Bones, to look like a murderer. Staying up that late to watch TV is a big deal around here.

Bones, you drove off, leaving Booth to make your world safe to come back to. He didn't want you to go, but he knew your dad knew how to advise you to be fugitive away from the system.

And we were left hanging. There wasn't another episode. #142 was it on Netflix. We didn't realize we'd caught up to the current season. We were going to sit there for another 40 minutes to see the rest of your story unfold. Now we'll have to wait a while longer because we can't keep paying $1.99 an episode.

Sincerely,
Fans who liked binge-watching you solve cases and fall in love
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Anyone have anymore Netflix recommendations? I'd love to here what you're watching. This post contains affiliate links. Want more? Subscribe to get "Insights" in your inbox. Like 152 Insights on Facebook. Or follow me on Twitter.

3.1 in the snow

In January, my competitive nature got the best of me. Greg said he was going to run a 5K, so I decided I would too. It should be noted here, I don't really like running. But since the beginning of the year, I've been running regularly. Our family's Saturday runs have been my favorite. I'd been running 2 miles pretty consistently for the past few weeks, but I hadn't gotten beyond that.

Well, you know, a 5K is 3.1 miles. 

Oh, and, hey, it was snowing and 31 degrees.

We're off. We're smiling because this is just the beginning. That's my friend Emily to my right. Y'all, I was so grateful for her. I was nervous about setting a pace. Greg said he'd run the first part with me, but then was going to go faster. He stayed with us for the first 3/4 mile or so. Emily ran a pace slightly faster than I had been running but was consistent, which kept me from jetting off too fast with the mob mentality of the real runners in front of me.

We did it! While going up a hill right before the last stretch to the finish line Emily reminded me the best part of running is finishing. She's so right. I don't love running, but there was such a satisfactory feeling of accomplishment to run that last stretch, finishing something I started that doesn't come easy for me.

I finished in 34:24.9. Greg had told his mom, who was sitting in the car with our kids while we ran, that he'd finish in about 30 minutes and I'd probably take about 40 minutes. I was so glad to beat his estimate. I'd running 2 miles in about 24 minutes, so I was thrilled to finish the way I did, especially because snow was coming down the entire race.

Such sweet faces were awaiting me at the finish line.

On a medical note, I usually take my insulin pump off just before I start running. But I took it off about 30 minutes before today, thinking I was running farther and my blood sugar was at a good level when I woke up this morning. {Exercise naturally lowers blood sugar levels.} After the race, my blood sugar was high and got even higher in the afternoon. Not sure what that's about.

Regardless, a couple people told me on Facebook that running is addictive. I'm not sure I'd go that far, at least not yet, but I am planning to run a second 5K in May. I'm assuming it won't be snowing then.

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Weekend Words

A Kind Wife :: "You see, I was so busy doing things for my husband, trying to be the perfect wife, that I was getting it all wrong. I was so tired and stressed that I was snappy, unkind, and impatient. And the only thing my dear husband wanted was a girlfriend! Am I saying that it’s wrong to do things for your husband or family? Of course not! But I am saying to think about keeping being kind as the TOP priority." I promptly emailed this to my husband so he can understand why I'm weary when he gets home from work. And then I prayed I'd continue to embrace imperfection and be nice to the people I love most.

Every Book Starts With A Sentence :: Thank you, Lysa. I read this at exactly the right time for my heart. I had writing ideas circulating in my head and this was just the encouraging nudge I needed. "It’s a process, this book writing thing. It’s hard and messy and crazy time-consuming. But what a wondrous thing to have words that live on beyond us. Sentences that linger and continue to inspire. Yes, please."

Less Yelling, More Praying: Bible Verses to Pray :: I read this one day and then didn't think much more about it. But then I was having a couple overwhelming mothering days this week and went searching for this again. This was the follow-up to Erin's initial post about a subject that I too am oh-so familiar. {I linked that earlier post in a "Weekend Words" a couple weeks ago.}
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{Five Minute Friday} Ordinary

Life in community, sharing food and stories around a table, is
ordinary for these boys. Yet it makes an extraordinary difference.

I'm participating in Five Minute Friday, a link-up writing prompt at Lisa-Jo Baker's blog. This week the prompt is "Ordinary ..." 

Five minutes starts now. GO ... 

When I was a kid and then even later when I worked in a newsroom, being a mom seemed ordinary. Ordinary days seemed filled with ordinary errands and ordinary conversations. There were ordinary rules and ordinary routines.

And then I held my baby in my arms.

Being a mom didn't seem so ordinary any more. I felt called and chosen to be the momma to my baby who also was chosen for our family by a God who orchestrates details while we cry out the desires of our hearts in words only He can truly understand.

I spent the first week as a mom in a hotel waiting for adoption paperwork to be cleared in Indiana and Kentucky and then the next five weeks at home with my baby. We lived ordinary days and then I went back to work.

I realized I liked this misperceived ordinary. Yes, it was ordinary and simple compared to asking questions, reporting on events, writing stories, laying out pages and doing it all over again for the next 24-hour news cycle in a small town. My ordinary changed when I quit my job.

Our family expanded. Our schedules changed. Our ordinary changes regularly. We meet friends for lunch and playdates at the park. I run errands and drive carpool in my mini van. My life wouldn't be the same if it weren't lived in community. God has shown me the extraordinary that comes from a job that may seem ordinary but challenges me and inspires me like none other I've listed on my resume.


STOP.

Want to join us? Here are Lisa-Jo's rules: 1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking. 2. Link back here and invite others to join in. 3. Please visit the person who linked up before you and encourage them in their comments. That is like the one rule we all really care about.
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{God-sized Dreams} You were made for them!

I want to write a book. Maybe two.

I am managing an amazing lake house that's available for vacation rentals in addition our own two lake properties {Vacation, anyone?} and want to build a freelance promotions company doing this kind of thing and other publicity projects.

And, most importantly, I want to be a mom who serves my family, embraces imperfection and lives in the moment.

As I read "You're Made for a God-sized Dream" by my virtual friend Holley Gerth, it's as if she heard me list these dreams and cheered me on with God's word and anecdotes from her own life. But she didn't stop there.

Holley writes soft-spoken truth. "You're Made for a God-Sized Dream" officially releases today. Go buy it.

Her words encouraged faith, challenged me to take steps, cautioned me that others may not see my dreams like I do, helped me realize God has been preparing me for this, and reminded me that my actions toward dreams are really about serving the Giver of these dreams.

"You don't have to be ready. Conditions don't have to be perfect. Because it's not about you. It's about God fulfilling his purposes through you, and he has always been able to make that happen in spite of our humanity and the fallen world around us."

{Holley Gerth in 

"You're Made for a God-sized Dream"}

I really loved when Holley wrote about how God intended us to live in Eden and heaven. 

"While we don't get to live in those places right now, we still have the ability to capture a bit of both in our imaginations. Eden reminds us of who we're created to be and heaven reminds us of where we're called to go."

{Holley Gerth}

Like our lives, our dreams won't be perfect. But God has us here, where we are, for a perfect purpose. We won't love every minute that we're here, working and dreaming and serving and living. Moving forward and finishing what we've started won't be easy. We'll make mistakes and He'll change our plans. But God is with us. He's leading us to a new place and his glory is there, just around the corner or outside your window.
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I received a free, advanced electronic version of "You're Made for a God-sized Dream" as part of Holley Gerth's Dream Team, but these opinions of the book are my own. I've mentioned the book at least a couple of times already {Stop Delaying, Start Doing. Bring Him Glory.} and I'm sure I will again. This post contains affiliate links. Want more? Subscribe to get "Insights" in your inbox. Like 152 Insights on Facebook. Or follow me on Twitter.