In The Most Simple Ways

First, let me say that my absence these past few days: totally unexpected.

Two very dear friends of mine are going through very hard times, AND I've had the stomach bug...both of these things have resulted in me not having much left at the end of the day for blogging. 

So, so sorry. 

Forgive me? 

Great; you guys are the best. 

Today I wanted to share with you a few things that I've discovered lately that are making me super happy....that translates to ear-to-ear grin kinda happy, in case there was any question there.

First, Libby and I LOVED watching this movie together last weekend: 

It's based on a true story and is WONDERFUL. Great message, great story about families working through tough times, great inspiration for all. AND, it's currently streaming on Netflix. I highly recommend, but be warned: it does deal with cancer and is sad. I do believe, though, that after seeing this, Libby has a new found empathy for the situations and trials other face. If you check it out and love it (which I'm pretty sure you will), let me know. I'd love to hear your thoughts on it. And to find out more about the boy who inspired the movie, you can check that out here:

Letters to God

Second, I cannot believe I haven't discovered this show sooner:

Parenthood

A few weeks ago, one of my favorite Christian bloggers talked about how much she loves this show, and I realized I was clearly missing something. This is not surprising considering keeping up with hot TV trends is usually not to be found on my list of priorities. Well, fortunately for me, this is also currently streaming on Netflix, and I think it's safe to say I'm teetering on the edge of addiction. I love the characters, I love the real-life story lines, I love how the family works together, and I love how it encourages me as a parent. Are you a fan? If so, what is your favorite storyline?
 I ask because I simply can't pick a favorite; I kinda love them all.....

Next on the list is this book series by Karen Kingsbury:

Longing

I have read (and loved) many of her books, but the Bailey Flanagan series may be my favorite.

I just finished the third book in the series and cannot wait for the fourth and final book to come out in March. I love how Karen Kingsbury writes about relatable characters and how they approach the world and its many problems as Christians. And, for those who love a good love triangle, this one simply can't be beat. I honestly don't know who I want Bailey to choose in the fourth book.....

Moving on for now...

I am also loving this little ditty:

A friend gave me this Jane Austen Devotional for my birthday, and can I just say it's one of my all-time favorite gifts. How stinkin' thoughtful was that! Taking my love for literature and combining it with my love for God's word; you can't beat it. This book pulls passages from Jane Austen's works and relates them to scripture. Love, love, love it.

And finally, I am loving this:

The church we are visiting is starting Beth Moore's new study on the book of James very soon, and I am so excited. If you've never done a study by her, I highly recommend it. She just has such a way with words, and I love how much I learn about scripture when doing her studies. She takes what is often times intimidating and relates it to every day life explained in every day language. Have any of  you done this one yet? I can't wait to learn more about this book of the Bible.

Here's hoping the stomach bug is banned from your house, and that it doesn't return to our any time soon. Once a year is enough for us.

Happy Thursday to you and you and you.

5 thanks- June

So, besides being over-the-top thankful for summertime, here are some other things that I can't seem to get off my mind and am truly thankful to have found.

1. Rainbow flip flops

I think we've talked about this before, but I am true flip flop kind of girl. I adore them. I'd literally wear them all day, every day if it weren't for winter and her evil ways. Seriously- I put them on in April and take them off in October. And I figure if I'm gonna wear something for seven months out of the year, it should be something comfortable. Hear me when I say, it doesn't get any more comfortable than this. They are 100% worth the investment. They form to fit your feet, and my feet are quite the fan.

Oh, and to make these even better- they were a gift from mi madre. Thanks again, Mom.

2. My daughter necklace

I've been eyeing this for a while now, and I finally gave in and bought it. How did I pay for it, you say? Well, that's a funny tidbit for you. I hocked my high school class ring. Yes, I jumped on the 'sell your gold jewelry for cash' bandwagon, got rid of something I was never going to wear again, and got something I don't plan on taking off any time soon. It has Libby's initials on one side and Hollyn's initials on the other. And I love it.

3. My plants :)

I've tried growing things before, but it has never been anything even remotely close to a success....until now, that is. After seeing my cousin's Zinnias last summer, I just knew I had to have some of my own. Libby and I planted these seeds about four weeks ago. I can't wait for them to actually produce flowers. Wonder how long that will take....I'm not the most patient kid, esp. when pretty flowers are involved.

4. Time to read

As an English teacher, I'm pretty much reading or at least talking about reading for eight hours a day. However, reading to teach and reading to enjoy are two different beings, at least at my house. I was literally ecstatic about my trip to the library today to pick up some summer reads. Reading, to me, is like an escape of sorts. I've been told I read like a ravenous dog. I completely immerse myself in a book, coming up only long enough to eat and sleep....well, scratch that-- I've been known to stay up way past my bedtime to finish a good book. I've been that way as long as I can remember. Reading is what I do, and getting to read just for the fun of it makes the reading twice as good. And, before you ask, don't worry-- if I stumble upon anything I especially enjoy, I'll be sure to share.

5. My comfort food

No, it's not actually food. But it serves the same purpose to me as midnight Oreo's might serve to you. I cannot tell you how many times I've seen this movie. However, it still  manages to make me laugh out loud, think deep, and anticipate my favorite part. I think the main reason I keep coming back to it is because I relate to the main character so well. She's me in movie form, I do believe (minus a few choices I don't exactly condone). And that, my friends, is comfort enough for me.

5 thanks- May

So, after re-reading yesterday's post, I realize I've been bitten by the negativity bug. We'll call him Neg. for short. You know ole' Neg., don'tcha? He's the one that makes the cup look half empty when it's really half full. Well, in an attempt to undermine him, I've decided to make an honest effort at being more positive.
I found another quote today that inspired me, "If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "Thank you," that would suffice"-- Meister Eckhart. Not so sure who Mr./ Meister/whatever Eckhart is, but I definitely agree.
So, in an attempt to be more positive (we'll refer to this as Neg. repellent, so to speak), once a month I'll be posting about five things I'm thankful for at the moment.

So, without further adieu, here are the five things I'm thankful for: May edition.

1. TARGET DIAPERS

Oh, how I love thee, Target brand diapers. You keep my baby #2 dry long enough for her to sleep from nine to five. You fit her oh-so-well and have polka dots. Seriously people, who doesn't love a cute polka dot tooshie? I know I do. And, you're super cheap. Sometimes being cheap is such a great thing, like when it comes to something that your kid will use (literally) once and then throw away.


See...I told you they were cute.

Target diapers, thanks for all you do.

2. This baby gift:



In case you can't tell, it's a blanket for Hollyn, and I LLLLOOOOVVVVEEEE it. It's so soft, matches her room perfectly, is monogrammed, and is something she can use forever. Best of all, it's from a former student. How sweet is that???!!! Peyton- you have great taste. :)

Isn't it adorable?

Personally, I think it's even cuter when paired with these baby blues:




#3- My fix-all DAVE BARNES VIDEO

Bloggers, meet Dave Barnes; Dave- the bloggers. Seriously, if you don't know about Dave Barnes and his uh-may-zing music, you are truly missing out. I simply cannot get enough of him. Not only do I love his music, but if I weren't single, I'd be stalking him. I don't only think he's super cute, but he is MY KIND O'FUNNY, and if you know me, you know that funny is right up there on my list of necessities in life.

Ok, so when I'm having a bad day (like yesterday) and Ole' Neg. is trying to sink his teeth into me, I simply need to watch THIS VIDEO, and I magically feel better. It's honest-to-goodness Neg. repellent for me. It may even be the waterproof kind, because that's how well it works.

Thanks, Dave.

#4-Prison Break

Have I told you that Lee and I have Netflix? Well we do, and we love it. Here lately we've been watching Prison Break. If you like clever, you'll like this show. I love watching a television series via Netflix because it's much easier to fit an episode into my schedule and still make it into bed on time than it is to fit an entire movie.

Although the show can be a little rough around the edges, the prison life part fascinates me because it is obviously (and thankfully) so different than the life I know. And the characters are great-- really believable, both those I truly like and those I think should stay in that prison for years to come. It's my "break" from reality that I have so desperately craved this month in the midst of sleeping nights, state tests, and a crazed five-year-old.

Thanks, Netflix.

And last but not least,

#5
Please excuse the quality of this picture; as you can tell, my planner is a wee bit camera shy.

What I'm thankful for here is the fact that after today I have a mere twelve (my favorite number) days left of the day job. After that, I'll begin my newest adventure as a stay-at-home mom, part two. No more bell every fifty minutes, no more red pens, no more Channel 1, and no more packed lunches for the mom. Of course this also means no more talking about books all day and getting paid for it, no more funny teenaged jokes, no more lunches with some of my favorite people, and no more daily drive to and from work where I can have ME time. There are things I will miss....however, I tend to believe that spending the day with Hollynation and being here to pick up the Libster from her first day of kindergarten will make it all worthwhile.

So, there you have it. Ahhhh, I feel better already. No more Mr. Neg. today.

But, I do wonder-- what are YOU thankful for at the moment?