What is your Blogging Personality?

Tonight, Computer Geek and I found this little quiz and I liked it so much I decided to share it with you.

Your Blogging Type is Artistic and Passionate

You see your blog as the ultimate personal expression - and work hard to make it great. One moment you may be working on a new dramatic design for your blog... And the next, you're passionately writing about your pet causes. Your blog is very important - and you're careful about who you share it with.

What's Your Blogging Personality?

So what is your Blogging Personality??? If you take the quiz and post it on your blog, please leave me a comment so I can read about your Blogging Personality!

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Blink by Ted Dekker

I just finished reading Blink by Ted Dekker. It took me until about the 4th chapter to really get hooked, but once I hit the 5th chapter I was a goner!

An intoxicating tale set amidst the shifting sands of the Middle East, Blink touches on geopolitical conflicts as ancient as the earth itself. The page-turning plot follows a Saudi Arabian princess fleeing a wretched forced marriage for the promised land of America.

A brilliant American graduate student discovers a mysterious power-giving him glimpses into the future. Thrown together, they become pawns in a struggle for power and must manipulate the very future in order to save themselves. In his most riveting novel to date, Dekker brings the story to a dramatic climax that will change the future of fiction in the blink of an eye.

I have read 2 Ted Dekker books this month. He goes on the list of favorite Authors with Frank Peretti and Dee Henderson!

See ya later, I am off to start my new book by Frank Peretti, Monster.

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
Choose one: moving to another state, having triplets, or never being able to eat chocolate again.

Having triplets or Never having chocolate again?? ARE YOU CRAZY?? LOL! Of course, my choice would be move to another state. I would love to move back to my home state of Indiana!!!

Soup
Name a news story that truly shocked you.

A lot shock me on the news, but my newest one would be the story of the Twin Girls I posted about this week.

Salad
What was your very first job?

My first job was working at my brother's convenient store/gas station as a cashier.

Main Course
If you had the chance to read the diary of someone you're really close to, would you? Why or why not?

I would never read anyone's diary. I don't like my privacy invaded so I wouldn't invade someone else. But for this I would probably choose my boys, just to see how they really felt about life. And to see what they were up to! LOL!

Dessert
What's something you're looking forward to?

Grandbabies!! (but no time soon! LOL!)

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Million to one odds

As I was watching Good Morning America this morning, they did a short report on this young couple and it intrigued me. I decided I wanted more information on their story so I googled them (how did we ever survive without google???)

Beating all the odds this couple gave birth to one black and one white twin girls! The couple are both mixed race. Their mothers are both white and their fathers are black. According to the Multiple Births Foundation, baby Kian must have inherited the black genes from both sides of the family, whilst Remee inherited the white ones. The odds against of a mixed race couple having twins of dramatically different color are a million to one.

I just loved this story and wanted to blog about it this morning. What a wonderful story! I am sure they will have a lot of explaining to do when the girls realize they are different, but what a blessing God has given them!!

If you would like more on this story, CLICK HERE

Until next time.....

God Bless~

I am a Member, Are You?

Are you a avid reader?? Do you have paperback books (Hardbacks too!) laying around that you have read and just don't want anymore?? But would love to add new books to your library?? Ever buy that book and it just wasn't as good as the summary sounded and would love to clean out your library of books like that?? Then PaperBackSwap is the place for you!!! I absolutely love this place! I joined last week. Doesn't cost to join. The only cost is the $1.59 to mail the books from your bookshelf. But when you request a book from another member, they pay to send it to you! When you add 9 books to your bookshelf, you receive 3 free credits. You receive 1 credit for each book that someone requests from your bookshelf and you send to them. Credits are good for getting the books you want. 1 credit = 1 book (unless they are audio books they are 2 credits). Within 15 minutes of posting my 9 books, I had a request for one of my books! I mailed it right away! Once she receives it, I will get 1 credit to get a book I want! With my 3 free credits, I requested 1 book over the weekend! I can't wait to get it. This is so fun! If you decide to join and never heard of PaperBackSwap until reading my blog, please use me as a referral. My nickname at PaperBackSwap is lightseeker. If you have already joined, please leave your nickname in the comment box so that I can add you to my buddy list.

Until next time.....

God Bless~

12 Step Program for Blogging

I have meant to post this earlier, but it has been a busy week since we came home from Marriage Retreat. I wonder if they have a "12 Step Program" for Blogging? Above is a picture of our State Overseer for our church. As you can see, he is blogging during Marriage Retreat. I had Big D take this picture for me. Now I thought I was a blogging fanatic. But he beats me by a mile! Brother McKinley is an awesome overseer! I couldn't imagine a better overseer to be under and work with getting my minister's license. You may wonder why I want to post such a picture as this. Well during Marriage Retreat, our special speaker was Dr. Knoblich, state overseer from Washington State. The Knoblichs and the McKinleys had a conversation about "Rednecks". The Knoblichs didn't know what it was and Brother McKinley had a difficult time trying to explain it. Well in the process, Brother McKinley took out his cell phone and took a video of the Knoblichs in the middle of a store. He shows us this video after telling us if he hopes we can help him with a definition of what a redneck is to share with the Knoblichs. That was the wrong thing to say right before showing the video! As I watched the video, it came to me. So I write this down, "Definition of a Redneck: One who videos you in the middle of the cereal isle with his cell phone". After Friday night service, I hand Brother McKinley the note. He reads it and starts laughing and told me "That is good!" I can see him sharing it with the Knoblichs and their reaction was priceless. I am so proud of myself UNTIL.....

Saturday Brother McKinley gets up and says, "Yesterday I shared with you to try to come up with a definition of a redneck for the Knoblichs" I looked at Big D and said, "Oh man! He isn't gonna say what I think he is!" Big D says, "You didn't think he wouldn't?" Brother McKinley continues, "Well a young lady hands me a note. Now I won't tell your her name..." I am thinking, "whew thank goodness" He finishes by saying, "...but her intials are (and he says my name!!)" Those that didn't know me knew it was me by my red glowing face! Then Brother McKinley shares the definition and of course everyone laughed!

I know bible says "revenge is mine saith the Lord", but I like to help out when I can! Just kidding! I wouldn't post this if I thought it would hurt his feeling. I truly love and appreciate Brother McKinley.

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
If you were a color, which color would you be, and why?

I would be the color purple because it is the color of royalty! It is also my favorite color!

Soup
When was the last time you went to the doctor, and what was your reason for going?

I went in September because I was really sick with the flu.

Salad
What do you collect?

I used to be a serious collector of Salt & Pepper shakers. I still have them but not as interested in them as I used to be. When you reach over 200 shakers, you kind of run out of space! Now I collect This Little Light of Mine by Harbour Lights.

Main Course
What were you like in high school? Name one thing you miss and one thing you don't miss about those days. (If you're still there, imagine how you'll remember it in the future.)

I was very quiet, but everyone's friend. I had friends in every clique. I miss the carefree times where the worse thing you worried about was what other girls were thinking about your outfit that day! I don't miss all the drama teenager girls can make!

Dessert
Pretend you're standing in front of your home, with your back towards your home. Describe the view - what can you see? Trees? Cars? A zoo? Wal-Mart?

I see a lot of trees and the mailbox! From the backyard you can see the beautiful mountains of Tennessee!

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Happy Valentine's Day!

I want to wish all my family and friends a Happy Valentine's Day! I love and appreciate all of you. Whether it be a simple card, a box of chocolates, or a bouquet of roses, please take the time to let those you love know just how much you appreciate them today!

To my number #1 Valentine (Big D):

I love you honey with all my heart! I could not ask for a better person to spend the last 20 Valentine's Day with! You are not only my soul mate, but my very best friend!!! Happy Valentine's Sweetie! xoxoxoxoox

To my little Valentines (Computer Geek, Football Star, and Princess Lacey):

I love you all so very much. You are the reason I get up each day!! I am so proud of all of you. I am a very blessed to be your Mom! xoxoxoxox

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Surviving Marriage? More like surviving SNOW!

Big D and I had an awesome time at Marriage Retreat in Gatlinburg Tennessee this weekend! Sister McKinley, our State Overseers wife (pictured), did an AWESOME job! Thank you so much Sister McKinley!! We love you and Brother McKinley!

All the speakers did a good job. I especially enjoyed Shannon and Jennie. They shared a wonderful testimony of how God restored their marriage. God is truly awesome!


The praise team was very annointed. We also had some very fun activities (pictured)! Big D and I won a prize for a trivia questionnaire. The questions were about the movie "Castaway", "Fantasy Island", "Gilligan's Island", "Facts on Paul", "Titanic", and "Survivor". We only had 2 wrong!! Our gift was a beautiful tri-fold picture frame and photo box.

It was a great weekend. UNTIL...................






THE SNOW!!!!


This is what we woke up to this morning!! Big D took this before 7am.


Gatlinburg got 6-8 inches of SNOW! When I saw all that snow this morning, I was ready to stay a couple more days! Or whatever it took until it MELTED! LOL!


Big D assured me it would be safe to drive and that he would get me home safe. And he Did! But I had to look at the mountain COVERED in snow as we desended! Yes it was a beautiful site! But all that slush and snow and ice sure can make a person a nervous wreck!

Praise the Lord, we are home safe!

I didn't post a picture of Brother McKinley tonight. This is because I have a very special picture I want to share with you tomorrow. SO check back tomorrow!

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
What was a class or course you took while in school that you realize now was a total waste of time?

Entomology (The study of bugs??? Now why would a 16 year old girl choose a class like that?? I was in love with the teacher! Mr. Maple!)

Soup
Who is the tallest person you know?

Chuck Pallo

Salad
What's your favorite midnight snack?

Since I am dieting, a banana. But when I am not dieting, anything sweet.

Main Course
Have you ever found money somewhere? If so, where did you find it, and how much was it?

Last time I found money was in the High School parking lot. It was $10. I was waiting for Football Star to finish practice. There were only a couple of cars in the parking lot. I was parked under a shade tree waiting. I looked down and there it was!

Dessert
Where would you like to retire?

Where ever my kids are!!!

Marriage Survivor

I am so excited! Big D and I are leaving tomorrow morning for a weekend away in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. We are going to the Tennessee Marriage Retreat. The theme this year is "Marriage Survivor". Last year was "When your marriage meets the Real World". Being a huge reality fan, I really love the themes they choose each year. Brother and Sister McKinley do an awesome job! We are really bless to have them as Overseer of Tennessee. We are staying at the EdgeWater Hotel.It is a very beautiful Hotel in Gatlinburg. It is right in the middle of EVERYTHING. Anything you want to do is only a couple of blocks to walk to. Which is VERY convenient. One great thing about going to Marriage Retreat (besides all the great information you get) is that Saturday we have about 5 hours to do what we want. Last year we went with a couple of friends to the Ripley's Aquarium. Everyone that was planning on going from our church had something that came up so they backed out. So we haven't decided exactly what we want to do. But I am sure we will find something fun to do, after all we are in Gatlinburg! Have a GREAT weekend!

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Exciting News from Tennessee Tech!!!

Computer Geek received some very exciting new this week. He received a letter from Tennessee Tech University. They are giving him a $12,000 Academic Scholarship!! Woo Hoo!! We are very excited! We are so proud of him and all his accomplishments!

Congrats Computer Geek! We love you!

Until next time.....

God bless~

A Proud Blogging Moment

I normally don't blog on Sunday BUT....Today was a proud proud blogging moment for me. Computer Geek decided to join the world of blogging. After just one afternoon, I believe he is addicted. I enjoyed giving him ideas and hints as he personalized his blogspot. Please go check him out at Mattaul's Archives
Please leave him a comment too!!!

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
On a scale of 1 to 10 (10=highest), how sociable are you?

Depends on the situation but most times I am 8 on the sociable scale.

Soup
Name 3 DVDs you currently own.

I own wayyyyy more than 3 but here are 3:

Coyote Ugly
Charlies Angels (1-2)
Pretty Woman


Salad
If you were to win a superlative award now (such as most talented, class clown, most likely to succeed), what would it be?

Greatest Listener (Or at least that is what my friends tell me...)

Main Course
What is your favorite radio station?

WAYFM

Dessert
Complete this sentence: I believe Jesus loves me because He died on the cross for my sins.

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Time to catch up

I know it has been while since I posted, but I have been extremely busy this week.
Here is a little summary of what has gone on since my last post:

Big D went to Mississippi for a business trip for 3 days. Of course, I always miss him when he is gone. He came home on Tuesday. He has been working so much lately He is such a great husband, father, and provider!

I have been swamped at work. It is the main reason I haven't had time to blog. Four days of 5 hours of sleep. Let me tell you I am about to crash. But I am not complaining because last week was a horrible week and this was a prayer answered. Also this week, I received a wonderful surprise gift in the mail from a friend that I truly cherish! She knew about my bad week last week and wanted to cheer me up. I know she will read this post. I want her to know that I love and appreciate her! I also helped out my brother-in-law with inventory on Tuesday. Back in May 2005, he and my in-laws sold the family grocery store they had owned for over 10 years. The people that bought it could not handle the business. They just didn't want to put in the effort it takes to run a grocery store. So I helped with inventory on Tuesday so Allan could buy the store back. We really missed having the store. It's great to have it back! This is another reason you don't mess with God's child! (Long story)

Computer Geek went to a TSA (Technology Students of America) competition Tuesday in Murfreesboro Tennessee. I am proud to announce that he came in 2nd in his competition. The school came in over all 2nd!! Congratulations guys!! We have also been so busy filling out scholarship applications. We have filled out 10-15 local scholarships. We are almost done. We have 3 left to fill out. Computer Geek has been so busy writing essays for all these scholarships. I pray that he is chosen for at least one of them.

Football Star has been so busy with weight training everyday and before school practices on Tuesdays and Thursdays. He has been studying a little for his driver's permit. He is so busy with football and homework. Studying for his permit is usually the last thing on the list.



We weighed over the weekend. Here are our results:

Me - 3 pounds lost (total 12 pounds)
Big D - 7 pounds lost (total 20 pounds)
Computer Geek - 3 pounds lost (total 9 pounds)

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
Choose one: Popcorn, Pizza, Pretzels, Peanuts, or Pasta.
Definitely Pizza! If I weren't dieting, I could eat pizza nearly every day.

Soup
Describe your personality in terms of a particular vehicle.
Let see.... maybe the VW Bug since it is cute, lovable, and fun!

Salad
If you won a shopping spree, from which store would you want it to be?
Wal-mart, I could get EVERYTHING there from food to clothes, house supplies, and electronics.

Main Course
Which television show re-runs do you enjoy watching?
Who's Line?


Dessert
If you could look into the future, how far down the road would you like to see? 10 years? 100 years? A million? I would like to see 50 years down the road. I chose 50 because I would like to see what kind of parent and grandparent my boys turned out to be. to see all of their grandkids and great grandkids. Just to know they had a wonderful life.

Second Week - Weighing In

Today is Tuesday that means weigh day. I did ok, but I wasn't real thrilled with my progress. I busted my butt last week on my recumbant bike hoping for a good loss. I only ending up losing 2 pounds. I try to tell myself that losing 2 pounds is better than gaining 2 pounds. I am trying to stay positive. Here is our progress so far:

Me - 2 pound loss (total 9 pounds)
Big D - 3 pound loss (total 13 pounds)
Computer 0 pounds loss (total 6 pounds)

We have a long road ahead of us, but I have to remember that our goal is to feel better and be healthy no matter what we lose each week. Please keep us in your prayers!

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Fun Weekend

We had a nice weekend with a couple of fun activities!

Friday night we had a gospel concert with the Daryl Williams Trio. I love their new song "Too Late of Lazarus". I am not a HUGE fan of Southern Gospel. I am more of a Contemporary Christian girl, but I still enjoyed them. They were a blessing. The Daryl Williams Trio is very special to our church and pastor because Karen Williams is our new Pastor's youngest daughter. If you have not heard of the Daryl Williams Trio, you can see them on 3 or 4 of the Bill Gaither's Videos.

Saturday was our yearly Roller skating party for the Teenagers. We love to rent Rollerscape, our local roller skating rink, for the teenagers at church. We had 40 people come. For our little church that is a great number. Rollerscape has more than just roller skating which is nice for those of us that don't skate. They have several video games, pool tables, air hockey tables, and laser tag. Big D and I love to play the car racing games against each other. I beat him this time. Shhhh don't tell him I told you! But he beat me at air hockey 7 to 1. Ouch! LOL! For the first time in my life, I played Laser Tag. Let me tell you, if you have never tried Laser Tag, that is something everyone should try once in their life! Now I see why my 2 boys love to do it! I had so much fun! I know you are suppose to be quiet while you play so your opponent doesn't know where you are but I was too busy laughing and yelling every time I got hit (your vest vibrates and it would startle me EVERY TIME LOL!) When we started I told the lady in charge that I didn't care whose was on my team as long as I wasn't on Big D, Computer Geek, Football Star, and Brother John's (our previous pastor) team. That was a BIG mistake on my part! LOL! They were all on 1 team against me. My team got to go in first and find a hiding place. After the second team was in place, our vest lit up and our laser gun was activated. Right off the bat my vest was constantly vibrating and I could not figure out what I was doing wrong because I was hid in the corner where I thought I was safe. But what I didn't know was there are little holes in the walls and Computer Geek was right behind me shooting through a little hole in the wall!! Little snot! I was on hot pursuit to look for Brother John. I had my team members help me find him but I never did find him. I so wanted to get him. After our time was up, we get our status sheets. Computer Geek shot me 15 times! I know at least 5-8 of them were the first 5 minutes when I didn't know what I was doing. LOL! And Brother John shot me 3 time. I told him "how is it I could not find you but you shot me 3 times!" He just laughed! I had such a fun time! Everyone seemed to have such a good time too!

Hope you had a good weekend.

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Snow Day!!

It never ceases to amaze me how quickly they call school off for snow here in Tennessee! Growing up in Northwest Indiana we rarely got out of school for snow. If we did, we had several FEET of snow and it was a blizzard outside with the wind chills 20 or 30 or more below! Oh but not Tennessee! Just the rumor of snow and everyone runs to the store to get milk and bread! I don't think we even got a full inch and its suppose to be in the 50s today, but guess what....NO SCHOOL! So the boys are enjoying a day at home. But they deserve such a day. Computer Geek takes a English College class Monday-Thursdays before school starts and Football star has football practice Tuesdays and Thursdays before school starts. That means they have to get up at 5 am on those days. So we will enjoy this 1st Snow day of the Winter season!

Until next time.....

God Bless~

Our First Week was a SUCCESS!

This picture says it all. We are definitely on the road to success. Our first "Getting Healthy" week was a success!! Today is weigh-in day. I was a little nervous for us all to weigh in because we had such a crazy weekend. Big D and I were at the camp grounds. So we were at the mercy of the cooks. We just prayed and made good choices. It wasn't easy passing by the biscuit and gravy at breakfast. Eating a cheese hamburger with no bread and passing by the cobblers at lunch. Computer Geek had two LAN parties. A lot of junk food to have to refuse. But our good choices paid off! I lost 7 pounds. Big D lost 10 pounds. Computer Geek lost 6 pounds. It is never easy, but the rewards are great! I personally always feel so much better when I am eating healthy. If you are working towards "getting healthy", hang in there. The benefits are better than that chocolate cake tastes! I PROMISE!

Until next time.....

God Bless~