29 and holding!!

Well....yesterday was my birthday!! It was a rather uneventful day actually...I stayed home with my 2...nearly 3 year old...and sorted clothes for the boys (out with Winter gear and in with Spring/Summer attire)...let me tell you....that was a job! Other than that the only things I did was to pick my 4 year old up from school and then go to church last night!! Like I said...uneventful! Okay...now to catch up on everything since my last post!! I'll start with books!! I have read several so hold on tight...this could be a wild ride!! I finished the Life As We Knew It series...with The Dead and the Gone and This World We Live In! This series is over all kinda depressing! It so makes you think....what would you do...and in lieu of all the natural disasters occurring as of late it seems almost too real...I thought it was an interesting contrast between the first 2 books of the characters...where one has no religious beliefs at all and the other's survival is based mainly on their belief in God...and hoping against hope that there is a way to survive and that there is something better! After the seriousness of that series I decided I needed a good vampire love story....so I read the Vampire Academy series...(all but Last Sacrifice...I haven't been able to get my hands on that one yet)...and I absolutely LOVED it!! I am seriously contemplating buying the whole series....just in case I want to go back and read them again!! After that I read Darkest Mercy....it was an amazing...and a little bit crazy...end to the Wicked Lovely series....as always there is always unexpected death and crazy twists that you don't see until they hit you full on in the face...(but honestly is anything unexpected)...sometimes things happen and you're like...did THAT JUST HAPPEN?!? But it all comes together to make a strong end to a roller coaster story ride!! My next selection was Matched...I had heard mixed reviews on this one...but I really enjoyed it...I love the way they fight the system...and how in every experiment (life) there is always unexpected variables mixed in with the control group!! I can't wait to see how things all play out in the next book!! Then there was I Am Number Four....such a good book...really....I wasn't sure about this one either...but in the end I was pleasantly surprised! This is going to be an interesting and intriguing series to read...can't wait for the next book!! Next read....If I Stay....it was a different kind of read for me....it was about the power of love and the effect it has in our lives!! This is another one that has me wanting to read the next installment!! Okay....now for one of my all time favs....well....of the moment....Insatiable!! I really just saw this at the library and thought....hmm....I think I'll read this....and I am SO glad that I did!!! There was vampires, and vampire hunters...love and hate....and romance...unexpected alliances...and it was just very entertaining....I eagerly await the next book in the series!! And finally....the last 2 books I've read are both by the same fantastic author....Cassandra Clare!! Clockwork Angel....and City of Fallen Angels! I absolutely LOVED Clockwork Angel....I loved both Jem and Will...and of course Tessa....it was good to see an appearance form Magnus too!! And then City of Fallen Angels was just what I was expecting....but not really!! I knew there was going to be something to try to rip Jace and Clary apart....but as to what...I was totally like....WHAT?!?! Yeah..it was like that!! And of course it ends with a cliff-hanger....but I was a little prepared for it since my sister had forewarned me of being like....it's gonna end like that...and I've gotta wait til next year to see what happens next?!? And so.....that gets you up to date on my reading excursions!! Now on to more important things....like how my REAL life is going!! lol....I am still into the job hunt....I am pursuing a few promising leads as of now and hopefully will hear back soon on at least one of them!! As far as my study time that I had set forth to improve....it's been a slow going process...but I'm making progress!! Something that has been a huge help getting me back on track was joining in a ladies Bible study class on Mondays at church!! It gives me a set thing to study and I have been doing pretty good at getting my study done. I am really enjoying the study not just for content but also for the principle of getting real with God and seeking him out and listening to what He is telling me through not only the scriptures involved but the life experiences that are being brought to light!! The study we are doing is Jonah: Navigating a Life Interrupted by Priscilla Shirer! This is not the first one of her studies that I've done. I really enjoy the way she just puts things out there...no sugar coating...no playing it up...she's just real and plainly just speaks the word of God!! After this study is complete I may go back and redo one of the studies I've previously done...I like to do that from time to time to see how God has moved!! To see how my life situations have changed....or in some cases...stayed the same!! It's always amazing to see my God at work....especially when I get involved!! Okay....that's all I have for now....until next time my friends......until next time!!

What to do...what to do?!?

Okay...well I think I'll start with books and just go from there!! lol....well I've been reading the Maximum Ride series by James Patterson...I am loving this series so far...I've read the first 4 books and I can't wait to get my hands on the next one...but I have to wait until the library gets it back in....so until then I'll be reading The Lost Saint....which is the second in the Dark Divine series by Bree Despain....and Absolution...the third and final book in the Heavenly series by Jennifer Laurens!! By the time I finish these 2 books I should have received the book I just won in a giveaway on goodreads....woo hoo...gotta love free books!! But...you know....as excited as I get about reading these books....there is one book I need to be more excited about reading...and that my friends....is the Bible!! I "try" to get my bible study time in every day....but quite frankly "trying" is not good enuf!! I have really been struggling lately with the whole jobless...feel like I should be doing something but not knowing what kinda thing!! And I know that only when I fully and totally seek God will He fully reveal to me what it is that I need to be doing...so here's the plan: I am going to make it a point to start my day with study and prayer...then during "nap time" for my toddler I am going to do a little more study and prayer time....then maybe after the boys go to bed at night I can do a little leisure reading....this is NOT going to be an easy adjustment to make and I know it...due to my selfish, fun-loving nature...but I know that I need to make God more of a priority in my life....THE priority of my life!! God doesn't want my life to be all work and no play....but He wants to be first in my life and if I keep Him first then He will provide time and allow for all the other fun stuff I often put before Him!! (Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you)! Now, I'll leave you with a prayer...Dear God, thank you for loving me...I pray that I would make and keep you as priority in my life....each and every day....I know that I am by no means perfect and I know that I will more than likely fail...but I pray that you would place a strong desire in my heart to diligently seek after you above all things...I love you Lord...Amen!!

Monday...Monday...Monday

Okay...so this week is...well...I'm not really sure what!! It's going to be AWESOME!! I could take this time to complain about things going wrong...like the dryer dying and the truck being in the shop....or the fact that sometimes I feel like I should be doing more to support the family and since I'm not I feel like a failure....but honestly....all these things don't really matter....and are mainly just a fleeting thought that crosses my mind once in a while!! I'm not going to let these things that don't really amount to much drag me down simply because that's what satan would like for them to do....and I'm not going to give him the satisfaction!! What I've decided to focus my time on are making memories with my boys...today I had a picnic with my 2 year old....we just took a blanket out in the front yard and had sandwiches and chips....I wouldn't have traded that for anything in the world! Then tonight he asked me if we could have another picnic in our yard!! He is so sweet and I thank God for the daily blessings in my life!! All I can say is don't get hung up on the minor inconveniences that gets thrown your way....if you keep your focus on Christ and watch for His blessing in your life the other stuff will just fade into the background!!

B-E-A-utiful day!!

Today is another beautiful day, the sun is shining and there's just a slight breeze blowing....I am SO excited that Spring is finally arriving!! This means a lot more time playing outside with my boys! They love going to the park.....and I love to take them! They are so much fun...I LOVE being a mommy!! Sure there are times when they try my patience and drive me crazy...but in the next moment they can give you a smile that melts your heart....and then they say those magic words "I love you mommy"....those are the moments you cherish forever!!

Okay....now that I've totally gone all mushy mommy on you....lets change gears!!

BOOKS!!! I so totally LOVE to read!! I may have mentioned this before....but....it's true! I just read a sneak peek at the first chapter of a book I am very anxiously awaiting!! Illusions by Aprilynne Pike....I am SUPER EXCITED about this book! It comes out the day before my birthday....talk about a great birthday gift!! So...yeah....I'm thinking about going back and re-reading Wings and Spells again before I get Illusions....these are some of my all time favorite books! *sigh*

I will be making a library run this week...I am needing more books to read! I really hope they've gotten some of the books back in so I can finish some of the series I've started! I am also feeling a book purchase coming on soon....but honestly....I've been trying to hold out until my birthday and maybe I'll either get some of the books I want or better yet get B&N gift cards....yeah...I've got it bad!! Well...enough about me...let's get back to enjoying this beautiful day!!

Busy...busy...busy

WOW...I've had lots going on...definitely staying busy!! Housework seems to never be done....I mean I had no idea we had that many clothes...or dishes!! lol....but I guess it makes sense....I mean we wear clothes everyday and with me and a little one home everyday we dirty up a lot of dishes!! I've also been filling out job applications and tweaking my resume...hopefully one of these apps will pay off!! I've also been working with selling Mary Kay! It always seems that I have enough orders to cover whatever expense needs to be paid...God always provides!! When I've had free time during the day....mainly during "nap" time....I do some reading! My most recent reads have been the Uglies series by Scott Westerfield. I have really enjoyed it! I am reading the 4th book now...Extras. Next on my reading list is Life As We Know It...by Susan Beth Pfeffer! Well...time to get lunch started and to unload and reload the dishwasher...and to fold another load of laundry....and vacuum...and dust...and.....well...you get the idea!!

Relaxation....yeah right!!!

Okay, I mentioned before that lost of things good and bad have been happening in my life....I'll fill you in on just a few! Okay....in January I was the lay director for a girls high school Chrysalis...it was a LOT of work getting the team together but SO worth it in the end! God blessed me more than I thought possible...it is always so AWESOME to see God at work...but to actually be able to take part in it....I have no words! Many friendships were rekindled as well as new ones formed and I am thankful for each one! Also, I have begun working with the youth at church. God has placed a passion on my heart for the youth not only in my church but in our community and God has asked me to be available to Him and His ministries! This is something I have been struggling with for quite some time...being available...not that I didn't want to be but that I wasn't able to be. Just a few weeks ago God made this possible in a way that may seem less than ideal...but I praise Him in this time of need and struggle. I lost my job of 7 years and while it hurt I was also relieved...it was like a weight had been removed from my shoulders. I know that God's got a bigger better plan for me...I just have to be faithful in seeking Him and He will reveal it to me in His time! So...you'd think I would get a chance to relax and take it easy...but I've been staying home with my 2 year old and for the past week I've had my 4 year old niece!! Let's just say I have undoubtedly discovered that I do NOT have a future in childcare...lol...I am enjoying this time I get to spend with my kids and even my sisters kids...but I am looking forward to what God has planned for me!! I guess that's all for now but I'll catch you again...real soon!!

back in the swing of things

WOW...okay...so it's been 8 months since I've blogged...but I have decided to give it another try! I used to blog about scrapbooking and daily life...but I have not scrapped in quite the while and....well....life has been happening...things both good and bad....but thru it all I know I am blessed!! I have found a new hobby to fill my time and that is reading!! I honestly can't remember howmany books I read last year but I've set a goal of 80 books this year....I shouldn't have any problems reaching that goal....as I've already read 16 books and 2 novellas....I am currently reading "A Great and Terrible Beauty"...I've only started it so I haven't really gotten a feel for it yet! A few others i have read this year are: The Pretty Little Liars series, A Kiss in Time, The Tiger's Curse, The Iron Queen, Deadly Little Games and Night Star....and others! If you have any book suggestions or just wanna talk books let me know....you can usually find me on goodreads.com!

Peace Out!!