Another One Bites the Dust

In the almost five years Mike has lived in the town we currently live in he has gone through three, count 'em, three paper shredders. The second one lasted into the first year of our marriage and the third bit the dust Saturday. I tried to fix it tonight and somehow managed to find a loose spring that unfortunately is no longer in the shredder. It was making a high-pitched whirring sound. Now it doesn't. I think we're going to buy a new shredder soon...

On a fun note, you need to check out this site's list of children's fiction book heroes. I hadn't heard of some of them but you'll know and cherish the ones that you do know. :-) I can't pick my favorite.

Happy Birthday to ME!

Friday was my birthday and I had a wonderful day and weekend. Highlights were:

• a new laptop from Mike (SO excited - my old one had gone haywire)
• coworkers bringing cards and treats in
• flowers from Mike's family
• birthday dinner with Mike at Outback (and the waitress thinking I was only 20 - she may have been trying to get a good tip but she was good and that was just the cherry on top)
• day after birthday dinner with my grandparents
• relaxing and not having anything big on the agenda
• knowing I get to spend next weekend with my family

Hope you all had a great weekend!

Thankful Thursdays

I'm thankful for:

• freshly cut grass (yay for an awesome husband) :-)

• the beautiful weather
• laughter at just the right times
• getting things done
• flowers from Mike's family for my birthday

• seeing my family next weekend

And because I never put a picture of our rocks under the deck...

Richelda

At the first of the year Mike and I did something that we had been wanting to do for some time but for one reason or another just never got around to it. We started sponsoring a child through Compassion International.

We are sponsoring a sweet girl from the Philippines named Richelda. We got our first letter from her last week and I was SO excited. I've already sent her a little note via the Compassion site to help make the time between now and when our next written letter arrives in her hands a little "easier".

It's not much but I am so thankful that we are able to make a difference in the world, especially to a child. I can't wait to encourage, support, pray for and love this sweet girl from afar.

Hello, Spring!

Or, you can wait another day or two... winter isn't going down without a fight.

Thankful Thursdays

I'm thankful for:

• my hardworking husband
• the fact that my hardworking husband got our first home improvement project done today (rock under the deck because nothing will grow there)
• walks

Sunflower Pillow

I finally got around to making the sunflower pillow like the one I saw in Pottery Barn. I know my painting is a little elementary but I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out.

Kelly's Korner - Show Us Your Favorite Charities

I hardly feel qualified to really talk about either of these but they are both amazing organizations doing amazing work for God's Kingdom.

Compassion International

Living Water - If you've heard of Advent Conspiracy, my church in STL is one of the original churches that started it and this is the organization our church has decided to support. My Dad has gone on a trip to Africa where a well had been built through Living Water and said it was an incredible experience.

Thankful Thursdays

Today I'm thankful for:

• Mike's softball games getting cancelled this week - wasn't quite ready to sit at the fields
• the chance to teach children about God
• the first (almost) Spring rain
• new families that are an answer to prayers for wonderful friends

Spring has Sprung

Ok, not officially but it has in my house.

We have been enjoying the amazing weather this weekend. It was cloudy but cloudy and 60 degrees! Yay! We've had the windows open to let the house air out and it feels wonderful.

I got some cute little Easter eggs at Pier 1 on Friday to decorate for Easter. Christmas is the only holiday I really decorate for but I like having little things for each holiday and the eggs fit the bill and look cute on our coffee table with more of the raffia ribbon that I used on my wreath a few weeks ago.

I also got a pretty bunch of alstrolomeria at Sam's today. (and the candle is a Mango Cilantro scented candle from Michael's - it sounds kinda weird but smells amazing!)

On a completely unrelated note. If you take your old jeans into Gap between now and March 20 (I think) you get 30% off a new pair. I don't know if every store is contributing to the same thing but the store I went to said the jeans will be recycled into insulation for a house. Pretty cool!

Hope ya'll had a great weekend!

Kelly's Korner - My Day

I'm finally getting back on the ball with Kelly's "Show Us Your Life" posts. This week, everyone is sharing what their typical day looks like. Mine isn't fancy or complicated but here it is:

6-7 a.m. - get up, take Lily out, eat breakfast, get ready for work

7:30 - get to work

7:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. - work (meetings, day-to-day business, it changes every day)

4:30 p.m. - get home from work

5 - start dinner, eat whenever it's ready

rest of the night - get things done around the house, relax with Mike, check email/blogs, watch t.v., get clothes, etc. ready for the next day

Like I said, nothing fancy but it works!

Thankful Thursdays

This week I'm thankful for:

• cleans bills of health for two very dear friends
• Spring weather and chirping birds
• feeling like I'm making a difference, albeit small, in His Kingdom

A Great Day

So many fun things going on this week!

Work is going very well and yay for getting encouragement to show you that you're doing a good job.

AND, I got home today to find these (+ 1 green and brown polka dot tie that is currently in my hair) from Brandy atSewCuteShop. Thank you so much Brandy! I love them!