let's escape

It never fails.  No matter how crazy life gets, I know exactly where I can go to find solace.  There is NOTHING like a good book to carry you off into another world.  Far away from your reality. 

And if you are anything like me, sometimes you just have to escape reality!

I go back and forth between the types of novels I like to read.  Right now, I am reading anything by James Patterson.  And I am loving it.  Any time there is a lull in my day, (rare, but it happens), I enjoy sinking into one of his exciting stories.  If you have not read James Patterson, you must.  His books are classified as suspenseful, murderous thrillers.  They are every bit of that!  If I had to recommend that you begin with a particular book, I would suggest you pick up "Beach Road."  (Pictured above).  This was the very first novel I read by Patterson.  The twists and turns are consistently surprising and the only disappointment you'll encounter is when you have read the last word on the final page. 

I finished this little treat this afternoon.  Five out of five stars. 

 

As soon as I finish typing this post, I plan on diving head first into this one!  I cannot wait!

 

 

 

i want to be...

...  kind.

Compassionate

Loving

A good mother

A listener
Ambitious
Driven

Slow to anger
An exceptional student
forgiving

A friend

Trustworthy

Genuine
Patient

Honest

Intelligent

Educated

A good teacher

A good therapist

A published writer

A good daughter

A loving sister

Goal-oriented

godly

& STRONG.

 

 

 

I want to be all of these things.  I want to lay my head on my pillow each night and drift off to sleep confident that I did my very best in this life.  No regrets.  I want my trials to make me stronger and my successes to drive me harder.  When I am beat down, I will not give up.  When I am sad I will cry,  then I will dry my tears and move on.  When I fail, I will try again. When I fall I will get back up.  I will make the most of each day and appreciate the world around me.  I will spend more time outdoors and around town taking full advantage of what the city has to offer. I want to live my life in a way that will make my son proud. 

 

I just needed a visual reminder. 

 

HAPPY MONDAY, FRIENDS.

(Just because I am in a mood...)

 

 



why facebook is not a bad thing

The timing of this blog post is a little ironic.  I made the decision on Sunday to take a week long break from Facebook and Instagram.  I even overcame the strong urge to announce my "face-cation"  in a status update for all to read.  Step one, right?!  My decision developed on the tail end of a sermon I was listening to while sitting in church Sunday morning.  The topic was not about social media, but rather things you might consider giving up for the sake of Christ.   I'll go ahead and tell you that I am in no way hopping onto the social media hater's bandwagon.  I just thought it would be a good idea for me to de-clutter my life a bit.

 Simplify things.

The main reason I love using Facebook and Instagram is because it is so much fun sharing pictures and communicating with people who I otherwise might not have contact with.  I also have family who I do not have the opportunity to see on a regular basis.  Sharing pictures and messages is an easy way to stay in touch.  Facebook definitely has it's downfalls too.  For example, my account has been hacked FOUR times, that I know of!  Each time, someone will contact me telling me that they could no longer "chat" with me, or that I had "defriended" them, etc.  One time, last October, I apparently was responding to messages and commenting on pictures that, in reality, I had not even seen.  I have no idea how this happens.  It happened again recently.  I received a text message TODAY from a girlfriend of mine telling me that she could no longer see my page.  I have changed my password AGAIN!  It is really frustrating!  But, who knows...maybe the 5th time will be a charm!

The real reason I am writing this post is because I have stumbled upon several articles recently talking about how unhealthy facebook is for families.  Especially mothers.  I read one just last week that was written in one of my favorite Christian magazines.  I am sorry, but I could  not disagree more.  Facebook, Twitter and Instagram is no different than any other "thing" in the world.  Of course it can be unhealthy.  If you spend more time in cyber space than you do with your family, it's obviously not a good thing.  If you spend more time behind the screen of  your laptop than you do in God's word, it is NOT a good thing.  Just like with food, exercise, and sports.  Moderation is key.  I love my family more than anything on earth.  Having said that, I have less adult interaction during the day since I resigned from my job.  Social media keeps me connected with my friends and other mothers I have things in common with.  Plus, I LOVE my boys and enjoying bragging on them and "showing them off."  No mother should apologize for that!

So, if you are like me and have had the misfortune of reading the articles that are anti-Facebook, etc.  Do not feel guilty!  Just keep yourself balanced.  After my one week long break, I plan on spending a little less time interacting on these sites than before.  But as far as giving them up completely,  NO WAY!

And that's my rant for this week. 

In other news: 

• JP has not felt well.  I took him to the doctor today and learned that he has strep...ugh.  At least it is treatable and the generic antibiotic is FREE at Publix.
• A shout out to my mom who, after being diagnosed with diabetes a few months ago, has dropped 25 pounds and is learning to control her disease with healthy eating and exercise! Those of us who LOVE her are so proud. 
• I haven't heard back from the agent in New York.  My fingers are still crossed and my legs are still kneeling in prayer each night.  We'll see what happens....
• In the meantime, I have two new ideas for children's books that I am S.U.P.E.R excited about.  I am not going to share quite yet, but I will tell you that if it comes together like I have planned, I will be co-writing with a certain little Mayan who I love so very much!! *wink*

That's all for today, friends!  I hope that you all have a marvelous weekend and I will "see" you on Monday!

throw back thursday

My, how this little monkey has grown...

The boys and I drove out to the Christian bookstore tonight.  I was so anxious and excited to get my hands on Max Lucado's new book,  "you'll get through this."  (I blogged about the book HERE.)  We flew into the store to learn that the book is not going to be released until September 10th.  BOO.  I was so disappointed.  However, the great news is,  I was able to pre-order it for TEN dollars less than it will be sold for on the day of it's arrival!  Woohoo! 

That's a deal.

While in the store, I spent time walking up and down the aisles waiting to see if a particular book grabbed my attention.  I am not sure what I was looking for.  I decided to ask the sales associate if they had a section of books about divorce.  Of course the answer was "yes," and he kindly led me to what I thought would be the "Divorce" section.  Not that you would necessarily label it "Divorce,"  but believe it or not the store's (limited) selection for the topic was nestled in between the Love and Marriage books.  Seriously, on the same shelf.  Really?  There is no other place in the store you could have housed the (maybe) four books I found? 

I left empty handed.  Don't get me wrong, I wasn't mad at all.  It was just a little frustrating to be exposed to titles such as, "How to Date your Mate,"  and " Slow Dancing with your Best Friend"  while I am searching for a book that might provide me with a few post-marriage survival tips!

I am not going to give the name of the store because that wouldn't be appropriate.  It's a wonderful store and I'll certainly continue to shop there.  When I do, however,  I now know to steer clear of the (not so) divorce section while shopping!  

Happy Tuesday everybody!  I'll leave you with a few funnies...

the apple festival

Saturday, mom and I took the boys to Hendersonville to the Apple Festival.  It was fun, but soooo hot!  We have friends family who are camping there, so it was nice to spend time with them. 

I have two teaching jobs and another test this week.  It's gonna be another busy one!  HAPPY LABOR DAY!

*Edited to add:  I sent off ten pages of my manuscript to the agent in New York this afternoon!  I am very anxious to hear back.  Good or bad. I keep reminding myself that my ALL TIME favorite author was rejected SIXTEEN TIMES before he was published.  Send up a prayer for me and I will be sure to keep you posted.

unredeemed

I have found the PERFECT song.   My good friend John introduced me to the song, Unredeemed by Selah.  OH. MY. GOODNESS.  First of all, I am in no way surprised that this particular group released a song with such heart wrenching lyrics.  They are famous (literally) for that. 

However, if you ask me, this one takes the cake.  It is possible that you have heard the song before.  Apparently it was released in 2010.  With iPods, iPads, Pandora and smart phones, it has been a LONG time since I have tuned in to Christian radio.  Not only is the song amazing, but my life could have written the words.  It is truly my testimony at this time.  John just happens to be a great singer and this song just happens to be a duet!  I look forward to sharing this song with him.  I want to share the lyrics with you...

 

" The cruelest world

The coldest heart

The deepest wound

The endless dark

The lonely ache

The burning tears

The bitter night

The wasted years

 

Life breaks and falls apart

But we know these are

 

Places where grace is soon to be so amazing

It may be unfulfilled

It may be unrestored

But when anything that's shattered

Is laid before the Lord

Just watch and see

It will not be unredeemed

 

For every choice that led to shame

And all the love that never came

For every vow that someone broke

And every lie that gave up hope

We live in the shadow of the fall

But the cross says these are all

 

Places where grace is soon to be so amazing

It may be unfulfilled

It may be unrestored

But you never know the miracle the Father has in store  (emphasis mine!)

Just watch and see

It will not be

UNREDEEMED!

 

 

I'll give you a moment to let that sink in...   It does that to me too!  I will tell you that reading the words is great, but you REALLY should actually hear the song to experience the full blessing.  So, stop NOW, go to YouTube and type in "Unredeemed by Selah."  Several versions will pop up.  Click on the one with the dark-haired member (cannot remember his name) is sitting at the piano.  It has the best sound quality.  Feel free to email, text or (FB) message me your thoughts!!  I am super excited about this one!

No matter what we are going through..  No matter what pain we are experiencing.  If your life is broken, if your life is shattered, bring your burden(s) to the Lord and lay it at His feet.  Your pain will not be in vain.  You circumstances will not be unfulfilled or unrestored.  They will be REDEEMED.  Now, go listen to this song on YouTube.  I look forward to your feedback!   

 

Expect a blessing.