Acceptance and Being Positive

How do you change? How do you change you? I don't mean changing something simple, like changing your hair color or your clothes. I mean changing some perspective of yourself, some habit that as of right now, makes you, you. I am not pleased to say it but I have a very hard time with acceptance and optimism or thinking positively. I tend to think more "the glass is half empty" so that when things happen in a negative fashion I will not be surprised or overly upset.

A prime example of a current situation is our house. I have written a couple of postings about the headaches we are going through with regards to our house. As of yesterday afternoon, we had not heard anything from our realtor or a lender despite the fact that both of them said they would get back in touch with us about the status of our closing. All the little things have started to built up and built up so this morning I sent a very firm, very honest, almost nasty email to both of them outlining my concerns and what I would like to happen today. Throughout this whole process I have been the one contacting the realtor, the builder, the lender, etc. Whatever I find out or set up I relay to DH because he does not have time for it during his workdays. But as more things went wrong I wanted him to step up and be assertive and be forceful with them so we can stop being pushed off. It wasn't until last night when I was talking to my sister that she brought up a wonderful point. My DH isn't like that, he will never be like that - in fact in the words of my sister, "DH is naturally good tempered. We aren't, you and I tend to follow our parents. DH is the other half of you and don't take it for granted". Isn't it amazing what my 18 year old sister pointed out that I keep overlooking?

So my question now is how I do work on that, how do I change those tendencies? I guess it is God's will and plan for me to deal with this - in fact DH and I's new church Keystone Church is starting a new seminar this coming Sunday on questions we gave to them about God's take on certain things in our life. And guess what the first question planned to be discussed on Sunday is....How to Stop Habitual Sin? Perfect timing huh? I emailed DH at work today to let him know my thoughts, worries and feelings right now. I want to be open and honest with him about it. I guess if any one of you have any suggestions or recommendations or stories on how you changed some negative aspect in your life, please share them with me. I would love to hear what others have done in a similar situation and thanks for listening guys!



(both pictures borrowed from All Posters)

Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today....July 28th, 2008

Outside My Window....is a day that is expected to reach 105 degrees! Can you believe that? I am so thankful to be inside, in the air conditioning

I am thinking....I need to plan out my weekly goals, weekly menu and begin getting ready for my baptism on Sunday

I am thankful for....air conditioning on days like this, a new church that DH and I love and be able to share dinner and a movie tonight with MIL

From the kitchen....not much happening there, especially with getting ready to move this week - half of our stuff is packed away already and the pantry is still left to be packed up

I am wearing....denim capris, rose color blouncy top and straw type flip-flops with pink on the top

I am reading....nothing right now - desperately, anxiously waiting for the release of Breaking Dawn on Friday at midnight (the 4th book in the Twilight series)

I am hoping....to hear back from our realtor soon, saying our closing will take place tomorrow afternoon

Around the house....are tons of boxes, piles to be boxed up, things to be gone through and cleaned out

One of my favorite things....is the sense of calm and peace you receive after reading an inspiring blog post or after a wonderful message at church on Sunday

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week....finishing boxing up apt, closing on our house, moving little by little after work, taking Friday off so our new refrigerator and dining room table can be delivered to our new house

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you....


(picture borrowed from Simple Living)

A New Church, A New Decision and A New Blog

It seems the end of this month is bringing about a season of change for me. As many of you know, my husband and I are working on moving into our first home. Many setbacks befell us last week but I am not going to dwell on the negative. I am going to accept that God surely has a reason for why we could not close on our house last week and find some comfort in that. It looks like we should have our closing on this Wednesday, July 30th. Any prayers to help us reach this wonderful milestone would be greatly appreciated. I am so anxious to take some pictures of our house to share with you!

Besides the house, my husband and I are experiencing some changes in our life with regards to God's plan. We have been blessed to find a wonderful church in our area called Keystone Church. Today was our third Sunday service at this church and we know that this is the church for us. In fact, my husband and I went to their Starting Point class last night which is a small class that offers the overview about what the church is all about, its beliefs and goals and about becoming a member of the church. One of the requirements you have to participate in to become a member is baptism by immersion. I was born and raised Roman Catholic so the only baptism I have taken part in is my baptism as an infant.

I was very blessed to be raised in private schools that gave me a early understanding of God but it wasn't until I met my husband and his family that I truly started to see, learn and strive for a deeper relationship with God. I do not repent any of the things my early Catholic upbringing brought me, I just never really accepted the teachings in my life wholeheartedly. So after discussion and prayer, I have decided to participate in Keystone Church's baptism celebration next Sunday, August 3rd at Lake Grapevine. I have also invited my husband's parents to come and witness the celebration. I am anxious to begin this next leg of my walk with Keystone Church and with God.

To conclude my post on "new" things, I wanted to share with you a new blog that I have found today, Mary Snyder, Joy Filled Living. Mary is a Woman's Ministry leader and a published author. I happened across her blog through a post she made on the Internet Cafe Devotions website. Her post this Sunday on hope was wonderful, something I needed to read. I encourage you to check out her blog - she is very funny, very insightful and she is having her book published this Spring! I hope you find as much joy as I have in her posting. And to end my post in the words of our pastor's brother, "Make God Smile Today".

(picture borrowed from All Posters)

Mosaic Meme

Want to put yourself in pictoral form in just 12 images?? This was so fun! Here is my mosaic meme:



The Questions (and the Answers):
1. What is your first name? Becky
2. What is your favorite food? Coffee cake
3. What high school did you go? Ursuline Academy
4. What is your favorite color? Pink
5. Who is your celebrity crush? Gerard Butler
6. Favorite Drink? Diet Dr. Pepper
7. Dream vacation? Ireland
8. Favorite dessert? Carrot cake
9. What you want to be when you grow up? Suzy Homemaker!
10. What do you love most in life? Family
11. One word to describe you? Loving
12. One hobby of yours? Reading

Your turn to do it!! Go ahead and make one of your own. Here's how: a)Type your answer to each of the questions above into Flickr Search. b) Using only the first page of images, pick an image to represent your answer. c) Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into Mosaic Maker. d) Save the image to your hard drive and then post to blogger. e) Copy the HTML code for the flickr photo credits and paste them into the blogger at the bottom of the post!

My Credits:
Becky's eye, 2. Apple Streusel Coffee Cake, 3. Ursuline Academy, 4. Pink Petals, 5. Gerard Butler, 6. Diet Dr Pepper and Indy Jones can, 7. Another Ireland Mosaic, 8. Carrot Cake, 9. Who is Suzy Homemaker?, 10. Family Photo, 11. "love comes from the most unexpected places...", 12. I Love To Read.....3

"These Are a Few of My Favorite Things"

Don't you just love this movie? I can hear Julie Andrews singing in my head already..."when the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I'm feeling sad...I simply remember my favorite things and then I don't feel...so bad!" Love it! Well, I was looking at some different blogs over the weekend and one of the ladies had a list of her favorite things on the side of her blog. That, of course, got me thinking of what are a few of my favorite things....I have decided to come up with my list and hope you might be encouraged to do the same!

Some Favorite Things -

*Brand New Issue of Country Sampler magazine

*Yankee Candles

*Clean, organized house

*Enjoying a lazy afternoon on couch, watching a chick flick

*Receiving a card or a letter in the mailbox

*Being able to be content at what I am currently doing

*Listening to Josh Groban or Michael Buble

*Finding inspiration from my mother in law's thoughts and discussions

*Hearing my mother laugh

*Smell of baking banana bread or my Grandmother's coffee cake

*The idea of living in our first home

*Gathering favorite books and Disney movies for our future children

*Oversleeping and not having anywhere to go

*Reading new posts on my friends' blogs

*Ideas for simplistic living without comprising on beauty

*Unexpected cards, emails or phone calls from my DH

*My DH's smile and sparkle in his eyes when he laughs

*Memories of my childhood, especially spending summers in Illinois with my grandparents

*My trips to Europe during high school

*Any handmade crafts - quilts, candles, soaps, blankets, etc.

*Color pink

*New purse or tote bag

*Thinking positively (not easy for me to do but trying)

I am going to keep thinking and make a list in a notebook so I can refer back to when I am feeling down or materialistic. If you want to participate, feel free but please let me know so I can be sure and check out your blog!

Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today.....Monday, July 21st

Outside My Window....there is a bright, sunny day which I know will feel like 100+ degrees when I step outside

I am Thinking....that I have my womanly annual dr appt in 2 hours

I am thankful for....the ability to have the day off from work to get my dr appt done and have the walk-thru on my house this afternoon at 1 pm

From the kitchen....I see I need to go to grocery store today for the week's food

I am creating.....hopefully mountains of full packing boxes! We started yesterday but didn't get very far because we ran out of boxes and all the packing supplies places were closed on Sunday

I am going....to dr office for appt, Wal-Mart for groceries, fix lunch for DH and I before our walk-thru, walk-thru appt at 1 pm and then get to gym for exercise!

I am wearing....new black cotton capris that I got at Kohl's yesterday and either a black London tshirt or a striped white tshirt with flip-flops

I am reading....all my favorite blogs on the internet

I am hoping....that Wal-Mart has the newest issue of Country Sampler magazine out

I am hearing....the A/C in the apartment start up and DH getting ready to leave for work

Around the house....there is a mess! From normal daily things that need to be finished (i.e. laundry) to the rest of the things that need to be packed into boxes

One of my favorite things....is seeing DH relax, knowing that I did my job as his wife and that everything we want is finally coming together

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week....laundry finished, meal plan lined out, exercise plan lined out, friend's bday gift sent out and hopefully closing on our house on Friday!

Here's the Picture Thought I am Sharing With You.....


(picture borrowed from All Posters)

Wonderful, Blessed Swap Gift

I apologize for the delay but I finally have the pictures of my summer swap gifts from my partner Michelle! She did an amazing job - she went above and beyond anything I could have imagined. On July 1st when Peggy posted our blog partners we were responsible for getting in contact with our partners and finding out more about them. I left a message on Michelle's blog to let her know that we were partners and after that we sent back and forth a handful of emails with questions to try and get to know each other. And Michelle, girl, you got an A from me!! You are the best swap partner ever!! If I could be so selfish and ask I want to have you as my partner next time too!


This is the gorgeous Americana quilt wall hanging she made me. It is gorgeous! And she even signed the back of it! I cannot wait to put it up in my new house!


An Applique Quilt book, two handmade soaps and one handmade lip balm!! Talk about talented!!


A close-up pic of the 2 soaps - scented "Summertime" and "Raspberry Lemonade" and my Lip Balm - "Latte" scented

Michelle, again you are amazing! I love them all! You should be getting your package today - please let me know when you get it and if you like it.

Oh and if that isn't all - I have 2 more blessings to boast about, if I may. Today is DH and I's 4th wedding anniversary. It is amazing to think that 4 years have gone by so quickly. It really doesn't seem that long when you stop and think about it....I will be posting more on us this evening when I get the chance to scan some wedding pictures to post on here!! Don't worry!! And lastly, the one more blessing....as you probably know, we have had some setbacks with our new home, the builders weren't able to hit the original closing date of the 15th because they still had several items to complete on the conversion from a model home to a livable home. Well as of last night at 6 pm......


We have a driveway, a sidewalk and a fence all completed!! Our house is almost done!! And that should be left is building the mailbox and laying sod where some landscaping was removed! We cannot wait - thank you Lord for this blessing!

Selfish Phase

You remember the '80s movie entitled Look Who's Talking with Kirstie Alley and John Travolta? Well there is part in the movie where Alfred, Kirstie Alley's client, who tells her he can't participate in their son's life because he is going through a selfish phase right now. I am going through a selfish phase - isn't that awful?? There is no reason to be feeling selfish or feeling like I need more of anything. It is just so shocking when these feelings rear their ugly heads. I was thinking earlier today how blessed DH and I have been here lately - we got more money than we thought in our paychecks this week, our house is finally coming together, I am staying on top of everything at work and with the extra cash we received DH and I are able to get each other anniversary gifts this year. Our 4th wedding anniversary is this Thursday - two days away.

Well DH really wanted the new NCAA Football video game that came out today and I was happy to get it for him for his anniversary gift because he hardly gets anything for himself. Well, I, on the other hand, had grand ideas of getting this more expensive purse at Brighton that I had been eyeing for a week. Of course the purse costs more than DH's game and when I asked DH about anniversary gifts he informed me that he already got part of my gift so if we are keeping in the same price range for each other's gift than that would leave about $20 left for something else for me. Inside my greedy "inner voice" reared its ugly head, thinking "no, I want that purse". How awful is that!! Is that not just horrible?? It is always the thought behind the gift that counts and we are extremely lucky because we weren't even going to get each other gifts this year.

I mean I have made several posts and goals to be more simplified in my living lately and here is a perfect example of a setback. I mean I did not get the purse and I will not play the selfish little child act to DH about it - I will prevail and ask God for assistance and acceptance for the things I have been blessed with. I truly hope I am not the only one who has problems with items of material value that we tend to wish for or covet for ourselves. I will write about it in my new prayer journal tonight. Wish me luck please! Besides that, I am going to be posting the wonderful pictures of my swap gift from my partner, Michelle. She did an awesome job and I LOVE everything!! It was my first time to join a craft swap so I hope you like your gift, Michelle. It should arrive on Thursday!


*This picture is taken outside of my grandparents town of Arthur, Illinois - a place of simpler living and the more important things in life**

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY: July 14, 2008

Outside My Window: I hope it is cooler today...this weekend our car thermometer read 107 degrees! Ick!

I am thinking: how amazingly blessed I am. I received my Summer Swap package from my partner, Michelle, and it is amazing!! I cannot wait to put my pictures up! Michelle you really went above and beyond, I truly love it all!

I am thankful for: new friends, new goals for the week and the wonderful new church we went to this week, Keystone Church in Keller.

From the kitchen: I made Funfetti brownies for DH yesterday and my first ever time to make my Grandmother's homemade coffee cake!

I am wearing: white flip-flops, khaki capris and brown shirt with white dots all over

I am creating: a prayer journal and master schedule for my new home!

I am going: to be very dedicated and focused with meeting my weekly goals, set out and put down in my new chart I got from Dave Ramsey's book, Financial Peace Planner

I am reading: Financial Peace Planner by Dave Ramsey and The Simple Life:Devotionals from Amish Country

I am hoping: that DH has a nice, easy day at work and that everything on our house gets finished, on schedule, this week

I am hearing: the A/C unit blow in my office...going to turn my iPod on for something more lively

Around the house: a little bit of laundry I need to finish and little piles of things that need to be packed away in boxes for moving

One of my favorite things: is feeling like DH and I are finally getting everything we want - our first home, a great new church that we like and working on our relationship with the Lord

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week: Exercising, cooking DH home cooked meal tomorrow night, exchanging cards with DH for our 4th wedding anniversary on Thursday and becoming more at east with just being at home

Here is the Picture I am Sharing With You:

-This is the front at our new house!

If you would like to learn more about the Simple Woman's Daybook, click here

Messages I Need and Comparing I Don't

Last weekend, during our car sagas, I stopped by Mardel's and was looking in their bargain book bin and found a book The Simple Life:Devotionals from Amish Country. It was only $3.99 and I am fascinated by all things Amish so I decided to buy it. I have been reading it little by little, at night, before bed. The simple stories, messages and thoughts are exactly what I am needing. If you have been reading my last couple of posts, you know of the situation with my DH and his job and trying to get into our first home. Well last night I read a story entitled "Wise Answers" and the thinking questions and the Food for Thought statement at the end were so poignant, it was like God was speaking to me. The short story was about an Amish couple, Lettie and Luke, and they had lost 1 colt after his birth and 1 mare during her birth of another colt. They were trying to figure out how to make the mare who lost her colt start caring for the orphan colt. I won't tell you what happened but I will share with you the questions and food for thought statement because they are perfect.

This is what the end says, "How many times have we been faced with a problem for which there seemed to be no answers? If we trust in our own wisdom, we might make a mistake, but if we turn to God for guidance, He will help us make a wise decision. In Proverbs 2:6 we are reminded: For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. May we always remember to seek God's will in all that we do." The Food For Thought statement was - If you can't have the best of everything, then make the best of everything you have. Are those thoughts just so simple but so true? It also got me thinking on about subject that I seem to struggle with every so often, comparing myself to others and their situations.

When DH and I are out, I find myself people-watching, if you will. Observing others' appearance, demeanor, etc. I will always notice those people who are very well put together, simple but elegant in not been overdone with makeup, clothes or accessories. I always seem to wish to be one of these people - I do not think that I put myself together very well. I tend to have a hard time getting up in the morning. I normally get up between 5 and 5:30 am to get ready for work and then leave by 6 am so I try to hurry and look presentable. I mean I make sure I don't look a fright or a mess. I will just notice clean, elegant nails on one lady, a tasteful, gorgeous purse (that didn't cost an arm or a leg like the purses I love) on another and simple jewelry and a calm outward appearance on the last. I long to be able to be that way...I am working on changing some things about my appearance, for example my weight (I am doing Weight Watchers) and I am trying to live more simply which will, in turn, help my stressed appearance and lastly trying to be more centered with God.

There are so many things I want to learn or try to do that I need to work on my inner and outer self first and then everything else will just fall in place.



(pictures borrowed from All Posters)

House Saga Continues

First of all I want to thank everyone that left me messages of encouragement and understanding, Vanessa, Heather, Leah and, Casey and Michelle. It was very nice and heart warming to read your words. I will be re-reading them over and over again, especially with the latest developments from last night and today. God is really testing my faith and I can honestly say that I have never been tested like this before.

My DH had a horrible, eye-opening experience last night with his boss and his current place of employment. After long discussions last night we decided that DH will start looking for a new job. He will continue to work at his current job until we can find something but we both have realized that what DH wants to do with his life is not possible at this job. DH wants to have a fulfilling job that he can go to work early, leave early if he would like and still have a healthy family. He doesn't want to overwork himself to become a big time partner - that isn't his goal, we want to have a wonderful family life and to be able to work and support us for the sole purpose of that, no fame, glory or fortune. So any extra prayers for DH and finding a new job soon would be a wonderful blessing for us!

Now, onto the house saga....we already know that the builders would not be able to make the original closing date of the 15th so they were saying a closing date of 18th, no later. Well now we have more developments...our realtor was able to meet and talk with the appraiser today and she found out that the appraiser cannot do the final appraisal until the house and everything is 100% completed. And that the final appraisal will take 4-5 days to complete! So that means they finish the house on the 18th then then appraiser will be doing the final appraisal from the 21-25th, which in turn will push our closing back until 28th! This is just so draining for DH and I. We just want our house, we just want to move in and get settled - that is all! That isn't too much to ask, is it? So with DH and his job and the house we are definitely using plenty of prayers. Good thing they are unlimited! Don't know about you but I am defintely ready for the weekend!

(picture borrowed from All Posters)

A Jonah Week

The Lord is giving a strong test this week. Have you ever heard the expression "It's been a Jonah day"? Well it seems I am having a Jonah week. With the car problems and expensive bill this weekend and now it seems our house situation is falling behind. We still have the house but we had it written in the contract that our closing would be on or before the 15th of July. We find out yesterday that the builders will not have all the conversion items finished in time to have the walk-through and the closing by the 15th. They are now telling us it will be the 18th or so. In the big scheme of things, this isn't a huge undertaking but it is a pothole we didn't want. I mean there was a reason we got it in writing to have the closing on or before the 15th but it seems that our hands are tied with our options. We would like for them to give us a good faith gesture because of the change they are making; however it is very unlikely that they will do this. I am very frustrated and disappointed and I am trying to keep a brave face on so not to make DH any more upset than we already are.

One of my friends Steffany reminded me not to get too stressed out that it is all in God's timing. I am trying, really I am. My gracious and loving MIL has offered to take me out to dinner tonight to relax and refocus while my DH is out with some guys from work. My MIL always seems to help me put things back into perspective and calm my nerves. Any prayers for our house situation would be a wonderful blessing! In other notes, I have found a wonderful new blog, Internet Cafe Devotions. It is full of Christian, loving stories and soul-searching topics. I encourage you to check it out!

Some other shout-outs for this week:
Please congratulate Casey and her family. They were blessed enough to get a new van!

Please keep my friend Steffany in your prayers. She underwent some painful dental work and is recovering at home.

Lastly, keep my dear nephew and SIL at Tales from the Cryb in your warm wishes. They are expecting a new bundle of joy in their house in 5 months! Can't wait to welcome this new little one into our family.

(picture borrowed from All Posters)

Cars and Finances

Have you noticed that the two items listed in my title do not go together? Well I knew this sentiment before this weekend but now I am learning more and more, which in turn is testing my new goal of being positive. My little story actually begins last Sunday. DH and I were heading home from my parents when our car has a blowout on the Turnpike (at 9 pm at night, mind you). Luckily my parents came and helped us change the tire only to realize one of the lug nuts had broken off and needed to be replaced as well as a new tire. So Monday morning my parents dropped off my car at the dealership to have a new tire put on and the nut replaced. Everything taken care of there.

When my father picked up the car on Tuesday he mentioned that I need to get new brake pads put on the car pretty soon before they began to damage the rotors. So DH and I decided we didn't want any more headaches so we would take it to Just Brakes this weekend to have new brake pads put on. Now keep in mind that my father warned us it would probably cost about $400 for this. Breathing deeply here, trying to have faith...so after my WW meeting this morning DH and I dropped off my car at Just Brakes and asked them to call us after they check everything out. No problem there so we leave and head to breakfast with DH's parents. On the way there DH's car gives us a low tire pressure signal - AFTER we put more air in them yesterday morning!! So DH checks the back tires again and the back right one is down a good 6 PSI again, only 24 hours later, which means a hole somewhere!

Now I ask you, could my day get any better and it wasn't even 9 am yet! During our breakfast we decided since DH was going golfing with my brother I would take the car to Plano to National Tire and Battery and have them see if they could patch up the tire today. We called my brother to come pick us up and we left DH's car there to be checked out as well. Trying VERY hard to stay positive at this point...worrying about what they will find. Oh and find something they did! Just Brakes called and informed DH that yes I needed all new brake pads but that the right front rotor was damaged already and they couldn't do anything else at this point but to replace it and the calibers. So for all that and the brake pads we were looking at $690 instead of $400! We spoke to Dad first before approving anything and he agreed with what the mechanic had said and asked that they keep the bad parts for us to pick up when we pick up the car.

DH's car did have a small hole which NTB was able to fix, only costing $23.91 so after picking up DH's car and my car today, we spent a grand total of $750.00!! Needless to say this wasn't what we were wanting to do today. While I waited for the cars to be done my parents asked me if I could take my sister's car and run a couple of errands for them. So I went to Wal-Mart for my parents and then stopped by Mardel's for me for some divine intervention. While at Mardel's I picked up Financial Peace Revisited by Dave Ramsey. I have been reading it most of the afternoon and am anxious to start implementing some of his ideas. I don't want something like this to hit us again. I am so glad that tomorrow is Sunday and not Monday because I need a day of rest after today! Hope everyone else had a nice relaxing Saturday.

(picture borrowed from All Posters)

Wishing to Be Better

Have you ever yearned to be something more? Not different, per se. Just something more than what you currently are. I know I have mentioned adopting a simpler lifestyle a lot lately but it has been weighing heavily on my mind and heart. I know I could do it but where do I start? As I look around at my favorite new blogs, Lindsay, Simple Bliss, and Michelle I see things I long to do or to be able to do.

I have been so lucky enough to be paired up with Michelle as my summer swap partner. Her blog is amazing...her photography is breathtaking, her crafts jaw-dropping and her posts such fun to read! I am a little intimidated since she is my swap partner - I hope you will like what I am sending you, Michelle! I know I will your package!! Over at Simple Bliss, Vanessa has put together a list of 28 items that she wants to do. I am thinking I might want to put my own list together of things I would like to do by Christmas this year. What things would you like to do before the end of 2008?

I am trying to better myself one thing at a time. For instance, I know this might seem mundane to a lot of people but I absolutely loathe doing laundry. Almost to the point where we have nothing left to wear (I can't believe I admitted that! Sorry MIL!). I am trying to be better with it...I really do loathe this aspect of my homemaking. I want to be better! So when I was released from work early yesterday afternoon at 2 pm, I went straight home and started doing my many laundry loads. By the time DH came home from work I had all but 2-3 loads done. So this morning I let DH sleep in and I got up at 6:30 am and started up the last bit of laundry. I have all my laundry done now and I do feel much better knowing it is done. I guess I need to pray and work on guidance and help from God in balancing my full time job and my duties as a homemaker and wife. Also pray for some patience until the time comes when I can be a full-time stay at home wife. Hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July!

(picture borrowed from All Posters)

New Book and New Blogs

This past week and a half has been a very trying time for my DH, which in turn has made it a very trying time for me. I have been very blessed to get some advice from my mom, my MIL and my SIL to help me cope and feel more at ease about the situation. The situation for DH has been handled for now...I am trying to be positive about what DH found out yesterday and look to the future with faith in God's plan. DH, on the other hand, is somewhat skeptical I think so last night, after dinner, we ran to Best Buy and to Barnes and Noble. We didn't see anything that was a dire emergency to get at Best Buy so we went around the corner to Barnes & Noble. I found the above book, Power of a Positive Woman by Karol Ladd and began reading it last night in bed. I am looking forward to her teachings and discussions on anyone can become a positive woman, with God's help and direction. I read the first chapter last night and it was entitled "Relishing the Unique Qualities of a Woman". The Scripture passage she put at the end to remember for that chapter is from Psalm 139:14, "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." I am anxious to see what the next chapters hold for me in my quest to be more positive and accepting.

Besides my new reading, I have found and fallen in love with two new blogs Passionate Homemaking and Living to Love. Lindsay at Passionate Homemaking is so faithful, inspiring and has wonderful posts about their journey of a frugal, healthy, God-centered life. Also her husband and little girl are adorable! April and Brandon over at Living to Love are incredible. Their stories of their life, their longing to have children and their dedication to their church and family is so inspiring. Looking at April's blog can brighten my day anytime! She is very honest about her worries and wishes for their life and how badly she wants to love children and show them all that God has in store for them. Please check them both out and see if you do not love them as well!

What is everyone's plans for the 4th holiday? I am looking forward to the extra day off to clean, pack, simplify our possessions and spend quality time with DH. I could get used to the 3 day weekends!

My Summer Swap Partner!!

Today I found out who my summer swap partner is!! I am so excited! My swap partner is Michelle at Sleepy Cat Hollow! Her blog is amazing...she takes incredible photographs and does almost every craft there is! Wow, talk about no pressure on putting together a fun summer swap box! Please click on your blog name and see exactly what I am talking about. I am ready to get start on putting her box together. The rules state we have to have our gift to our partners by July 19th. That gives me 18 more days! Better get going!!

Also, another great thing about this week is the builders are putting the final touches on our house. Our realtor called yesterday and said the landscapers would be there today putting things how we want them and they would be laying the driveway for the garage. So we should be having our final walk-through either Friday or Saturday of this week and the closing will be sometime next week! I cannot wait - I have two themes set up for the new house...the kitchen will be royal blue/yellow with some sunflowers and the formal living room will be Americana, red/white/blue. I have 2 decorator dolls already bought and ready to go in the living with my red gingham couch. Next on the list for that room will be to search for a antique looking coffee table and a coordinating quilt for the quilt rack I got. I am ready to get going! This house will be 4 bedrooms though so have any ideas on what theme to do in the other rooms??

Oh and hello to my swap partner - she just emailed me, saying she was off to check out my blog!!