Share Four Somethings-December 2022

I am not sure how we are already in the middle of December, with Christmas only a week away. Yet, here we are. Today is the last monthly share four somethings of the year. Share four somethings is a monthly link-up hosted by Heather Gerwing (thank you Heather!) where you literally share four somethings on the fourth Saturday of the month (or whenever you get around to it 😂). The categories are Something Loved, Something Gleaned, Something Braved, and Something Achieved.

Not Ready

Christmas is quickly approaching and I am struggling to believe it is only a week away. I find myself thinking of how I am not ready. I haven't finished shopping. I don't feel like it is Christmas. I feel like the season is passing us by and I haven't had time to stop and enjoy it.

Why?

Share Four Somethings November 2022

I blinked and November was gone. I am not even sure I remember what we did this month, LOL! Anyway, share four somethings is a monthly link-up hosted by Heather Gerwing (thank you Heather!) where you literally share four somethings on the fourth Saturday of the month (or whenever you get around to it 😂). The categories are Something Loved, Something Gleaned, Something Braved, and Something Achieved.

Happy Thanksgiving/Update

Happy Thanksgiving to my friends that celebrate. Today I am thankful we are in our new house. I am thankful for the food we will eat in a little bit, the roof over our heads, the electricity, the unpacked boxes, the boxes still to be unpacked (we are blessed), the sun shining, family time, and so much more.

Housing Update

We have only been homeless for a few days but it feels like forever 😂 I think because we packed up half our stuff in August, so it has been a long time of packing and feeling unsettled.

Share four somethings-October 2022

I cannot believe an entire month has gone by since I last posted!! With two trips to Ohio, researching houses, packing up our current house, baby-sitting, and just trying to breathe, this month has passed in a blur of activity. I was in Elijah's room recently and noticed his calendar and I said, "It's October?!" Yeah, it was October 18th!!! Y'all, I am just SO tired! Anyway, share four somethings is a monthly link-up hosted by Heather Gerwing (thank you Heather!) where you literally share four somethings on the fourth Saturday of the month (or whenever you get around to it 😂). The categories are Something Loved, Something Gleaned, Something Braved, and Something Achieved.

Share Four Somethings-September 2022

Can I just tell you that I feel like a lifetime has passed since my last share four somethings post, just a month ago?? I am not sure where September went, but it was busy. Share four somethings is a monthly link-up hosted by Heather Gerwing (thank you Heather!) where you literally share four somethings on the fourth Saturday of the month (or whenever you get around to it 😂). The categories are Something Loved, Something Gleaned, Something Braved, and Something Achieved.

Spontaneous Gratitude

I have not done a gratitude post in a while. Not because I don't have anything to be grateful for, because I do. I simply have not had/made the time to do the post.

Things that are triggering Spontaneous Gratitude in me:

God is in the details

I don't know about you, but sometimes when the chaos is swirling I get super overwhelmed. If you take a look around, chaos is everywhere. Each person I know seems to be going through something.

We're moving

Unlike every other time we have moved from North Carolina, we are not moving out of the country! Although it might feel like it 😆

A Wisconsin Wedding

After all our Friday adventures we felt ready for Saturday, our last day in Wisconsin and the whole reason for our trip. It was one of Kayla's BFFs wedding day. The wedding was scheduled for 2 pm and we had to be out of our rental house by 10 am.

Share Four Somethings-August 2022

Welcome back to share four somethings, a monthly link-up hosted by Heather Gerwing (thank you Heather!) where you literally share four somethings on the fourth Saturday of the month. The categories are Something Loved, Something Gleaned, Something Braved, and Something Achieved. Even if you do not participate in the link-up, I would love to hear your four somethings from the last month.

Potholes Trail

After taking the train ride on Wednesday, we decided that Thursday would be our rest day. We had been on the road for 7 full days and we were exhausted. I don't remember much about that day at all. I think it was filled with reading, blogging (me), video games (Matt and Elijah), and some board games (the three of us together, followed by dinner in front of the TV.

Trego, Wisconsin

Wednesday, day 5 of vacation, was supposed to be a rest day, the day we dropped Kayla with the bride and other bridesmaids, as they had several days of activities planned leading up to the wedding. However, the bride's mom invited us to join them on a family train ride in Trego, Wisconsin and we couldn't pass up the opportunity. We had not met Michaela's family and it would be a good time to get to know them a bit, and have a fun experience.

Share Four Somethings-July 2022

Where has July gone??? Each month seems to fly by faster!! Welcome back to share four somethings, a monthly link-up hosted by Heather Gerwing (thank you Heather!) where you literally share four somethings on the fourth Saturday of the month. The categories are Something Loved, Something Gleaned, Something Braved (or saved), and Something Achieved. Even if you do not participate in the link-up, I would love to hear your four somethings from the last month.

Little House Wayside

After our visit to Devil's Lake State park and all that was included in that, we headed to Minnesota City, Minnesota to spend the night. We stayed in the cutest house!

Devil's Lake State Park, Wisconsin

After our Route 66 jaunt we ended up in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. We had quite a few things that we wanted to do, but we knew we would not have time to do them all. This is another area where I wish we had planned to spend more time.

Route 66

We started our trip out with a full day of driving. We drove from our house to Indianapolis, IN, where we stayed in an Air Bnb for the night.

Elijah's Graduation (2 months later)

It is still hard to believe that Elijah graduated high school this year. I think it will feel most real in August when we would normally start back up. It has been a super busy time around here and it looks like the summer will continue in the same way.

Share Four Somethings-June 2022

I cannot believe this is the last day of June! Each month seems to fly by faster!! I barely got this post in this month, but better late than never. Welcome back to share four somethings, a monthly link-up hosted by Heather Gerwing (thank you Heather!) where you literally share four somethings on the fourth Saturday of the month. The categories are Something Loved, Something Gleaned, Something Braved, and Something Achieved. Even if you do not participate in the link-up, I would love to hear your four somethings from the last month.

When you're at the end of your rope...

We all go through those seasons where it seems like we are being bombarded on all sides. As soon as one thing settles, another hits. Before we know it we are spiraling down into depression and/or anxiety. I certainly don't have the answers, but hopefully, I can offer you a little bit of hope.

Five Minute Friday-Danger

When I saw that today's writing prompt was "danger" I immediately thought of the line "Danger, Will Robinson, danger." I don't think that I have ever seen the show that it is from (Lost in Space, yes, I had to look it up), but it's so popular that it sticks with you.

Thursday encouragment-The Lord is near

I started a new Bible Study this week. It has been a while since I have participated in an Online Bible Study through Proverbs 31 Ministries.

Share Four Somethings-May 2022

Welcome back to share four somethings, a monthly link-up hosted by Heather Gerwing (thank you Heather!) where you literally share four somethings on the fourth Saturday of the month. The categories are Something Loved, Something Gleaned, Something Braved, and Something Achieved. Even if you do not participate in the link-up, I would love to hear your four somethings from the last month.

Repost: Gifted?!

I originally wrote this post on January 13, 2016. I am re-posting with a few minor tweaks (in blue).

Elijah is adulting better than me

As I mentioned in a previous post, Elijah has graduated, a year earlier than anticipated. At this point he does not plan to go to college, but is keeping his options open. There are a few things he thinks he might be interested in doing that requires college, but since he is not sure he will wait until he has a solid plan so he doesn't waste money. He loves his job and enjoys working so that is what he will be doing for the foreseeable future.

Five Minute Friday- Know

Let's be honest. There are many things that we do not know or understand.

Quiet yet busy

I have been pretty quiet on here again. That's never my intent but I get so busy, start prioritizing things, and this blog always gets put last.

My Perfect Romance

Matt and I recently found ourselves with an opportunity to watch a movie. We went with my favorite genre, romantic comedy! He likes romance too 😉

What we watched: My Perfect Romance on Nexflix

Rating: PG

Synopsis:

Newly appointed CEO of Robinson Tech, Wes Robinson, is looking for new ideas to boost the company’s sales. Vivian Blair, a program developer, shares a dating algorithm she has been working on called My Perfect Match. Wes sees potential and an opportunity to turn the company around and launches the service. When the pair is challenged to use My Perfect Match themselves to find love, this algorithm shows some interesting results.

Three Things-Spring Edition

I am not one who gets overly excited about spring. I like spring, but because of the North Carolina weather, I never feel ready for it. I always feel like we didn't have a winter and spring comes to soon.

Fast

When I think of the word "fast," I can't help but think about how it feels like life is moving too fast.

Married at First Sight

I am not a huge TV/movie watcher. I much prefer to read than to watch something on TV. However, every once in a while I really just want to veg out and not think about anything. So, Wednesday evening Matt and I had a rare Wednesday evening to ourselves while Elijah was at work.

Share Four Somethings-April 2022

Welcome back to share four somethings, a monthly link-up hosted by Heather Gerwing (thank you Heather!) where you literally share four somethings on the fourth Saturday of the month. The categories are Something Loved, Something Gleaned, Something Braved, and Something Achieved (new topics for a new year!). Even if you do not participate in the link-up, I would love to hear your four somethings from the last month. 

Birthday Shenanigans and Tim Hawkins

Elijah's favorite comedian is Tim Hawkins. When Elijah saw in January that Tim Hawkins was touring again this year he decided he wanted to see him in person. We narrowed it down to two dates, April 7th in West Virginia or May 15th in South Carolina.

Explore-Five Minute Friday

I love to explore new places, don't you? To me, that is part of the allure of traveling. We have been blessed to travel and explore so many new places. There's just something about that feeling of
discovering something new. Do you know what I mean?

Kayla Update

Ever since I did my Elijah update I have been *meaning* to do an update for Kayla. However, meaning do isn't actually doing it 😂 I have had a hard time setting aside time to do the blog. I have been super busy but don't ask me with what because I honestly just don't know. 🤦😂

Coffee-Five Minute Friday

I have always loved the smell of coffee but never had the desire to drink it...until one year I gave up soda for lent.

Share Four Somethings March 2022

Welcome back to share four somethings, a monthly link-up hosted by Heather Gerwing (thank you Heather!) where you literally share four somethings on the fourth Saturday of the month. The categories are Something Loved, Something Gleaned, Something Braved, and Something Achieved (new topics for a new year!). Even if you do not participate in the link-up, I would love to hear your four somethings from the last month. 

I started this post on Saturday but life has been incredibly busy!

Love is action

I have been thinking about love lately. So often people say "I love you," but do they really mean it? For some, they don't know what love is, to them it is merely words.

Elijah-Endings and Beginnings

The title of this post should probably say "Elijah-Beginnings and Endings" but that wouldn't be in the right order. I know it's awkward but that's the way it goes 😂 This is a post on Elijah updates.

Last weekend Elijah had his LAST ever quiz meet. Since he has been doing Bible Quizzing since he was little, first children's quizzing and then teen quizzing, this is a huge chapter of his life closing.

Easy isn't worth it

 Five minutes to talk on easy...and go....

Anything worth doing is worth doing right. If we are tempted to take the easy way out of something
then we are probably not putting forth our best effort. 

Insomnia = Exhaustion

 My insomnia was out of control last week which spiraled me into a nice depression 😜 While the insomnia is not quite as bad this week (and neither is the depression), I am still completely wiped out! I decided I wanted to find some (hopefully) funny means and share them with you today.

I did try to take a nap today and about the time I got to doze the phone rang 👎

Heavy-Five Minute Friday

I am participating again in Five Minute Friday over at Kate's blog. Today the topic is heavy. I think we can all agree that the world is heavy right now.

A Prayer for Ukraine

I was driving Elijah to work when a song came on the radio. If you saw my post yesterday then you will remember that I believe the messages in music have a lot of power.

Stand

Music is powerful. I believe that is why we use it in worship. If we really listen to the words we are singing, they have power. Power to tug on our heartstrings. Power to change us. Power to make us think.

Carry-Five Minute Friday

When I saw the word "carry" was the prompt for today's Five Minute Friday, the song "Dead Man" by Jars of Clay popped into my head.

Peace-Five Minute Friday on a Monday

For some reason, when I hear peace, I want to sing "Peace, peace, God's peace" but that's not the way the song goes.

Share Four Somethings-February 2022

I am a week behind but better late than never! These past few weeks have been insanely busy!

Welcome back to share four somethings, a monthly link-up hosted by Heather Gerwing (thank you Heather!) where you literally share four somethings on the fourth Saturday of the month. The categories are Something Loved, Something Gleaned, Something Braved, and Something Achieved (new topics for a new year!). Even if you do not participate in the link-up, I would love to hear your four somethings from the last month. 

Stretch-Five Minute Friday

Sometimes we have to stretch ourselves out of our comfort zone if we want to grow in our faith.

Fetch App

I am not a huge app person. I don't like a bunch of things cluttering up the face of my phone or having so much on my phone that it slows it down. However, there are a few apps that I do use and enjoy. Today, I am going to introduce you to my favorite app and why I love it.