Happy Wednesday! I'm linking up with Jamie on this beautiful day to share with you a few things I'm loving!
I'm loving these Newton fruit thins and BelVita breakfast biscuits. I've been taking these to work with me to snack on throughout the day and they always hit the spot! And on the evenings when I have to run straight from work to another event and don't have time for dinner, they keep my tummy filled and are easy to eat on the go.
I'm a fan of mostly anything coconut, so naturally these are just awful. I accidentally came home from Target the other night with a couple bags full. Oops.
I cannot.stop.eating.this. LIME popcorn! So heavenly. I could survive on this alone.
While I've been eating all this popcorn and M&Ms, I've been reading this book. Remind me to throw it in my bag when I finish with this blog, because it's due back to the library tomorrow. The author, Martin Dugard, has a true passion for running and can clearly inspire others to chase it as well. I know it's made me want to lace up my shoes (after I finish this handful of popcorn).
I love these skirt patterns I found on Pinterest! I think my wonderfully talented and beautiful mother should make them for me.
I'm loving the view from our front porch tonight. Now we need a good rain to wash away the blanket of yellow pollen that's covering everything, and then I'll be more excited about curling up in a porch chair to read a good book (and eat popcorn and M&Ms).
And most of all, I'm loving these three little munchkins that spent the morning collecting pretty pink blossoms for me.
The ministry and lives of Eric and Leslie Ludy have impacted me since my teen years, and now in my late twenties, they still speak bold truth and encouragement into my life. A few years ago, I was privileged to have the opportunity to gather at their home in Colorado with a small group of girls to share and grow together. If you ever get the chance, you should definitely attend one of their conferences or view a simulcast. It will be life changing!
Every other month, they release an online magazine called Set Apart Girl. I always look forward to each new issue, knowing it will encourage and challenge! The current issue has a great article about blogging in a Christ-honoring way. Go have a look!
In addition to their online magazine, I LOVE that they share the weekly sermons from Ellerslie, their discipleship school campus in Colorado. Here's the latest...
Stopping in to share five highlights from my week!
1. A new album from Dave Barnes was released this week! That got a big HOORAY from me! I think you need to own this, too. He is one of my absolute favorites. My head is bobbing along to it as I type.
2. This week has been Spring Break, which brought Nonna and Pop Pop to town and meant the big boys were home from school to play with us! We visited the zoo. We traveled to the aquarium. And we all had appointments with "the doctors."
Petting stingrays!
Quick stop in Antarctica!
Examining a pretty butterfly.
Notice the pink cars in the background. Those were our rides.
3. My Mom made the girls these super sweet bunny vests. She sewed pockets onto the front for them to carry all their little trinkets around in, and hid a special necklace and bracelet in each. The material in the lining of each vest is in each of their colors - green for Hattie, pink for Mazie, and purple for Annabelle. When Hattie woke from her nap today, the first thing she said to me was, "coat, coat!" - her word for the vest. I slipped it on her and she began hopping around like a bunny!
5. When I'd introduce myself to youngins in China, they'd all mention Nicole Kidman right away. I think she was the only Nicole they had heard of, before me. In one of my high school classes, I was excited to find an article about Nicole Kidman in their English textbook. I had a fun time elaborating with that lesson. They thought it was extra cool to know that both Nicoles now live in Nashville. One of my students wrote an article in the school paper about me that went something like, "Our teacher is kind and caring, just like Nicole Kidman. Our teacher is smart and talented, just like Nicole Kidman. Our teacher is beautiful, just like Nicole Kidman." Of course I'm saving it for all time! So this week in my ELL class, I brought The Great Nicole Kidman Lesson Plan back to life. It wasn't met with as much enthusiasm this time around.
What about you? What things in your week have deserved a high five?
Don't forget to set your leprechaun traps tonight, friends!
Have you heard of the new Squishy Baff stuff you add to your bath water? We decided to give it a whirl this week. The anticipation was running high as we watched and patiently waited for the tub to fill.
At last, the magic began! The girls loooooved it. They let it squish between their fingers and rubbed it up and down their arms and legs. Then they rolled onto their tummies so they could kick their feet up in the air behind them. Hattie opened her mouth in excitement and got a mouth full. Her natural reaction was to reach her hand in to wipe off her tongue. That would have been a good idea if her hand hadn't have been covered in more squishies. Poor thing began to cough and spit, and suddenly her breakfast was tossed up in the water. I plucked each girl from the bath and corraled them into the shower stall while I cleaned out the tub for round two.
After a shower and two baths, we headed outside to get dirty again.
Some of our fun activities for the week have included new Easter toys for the sensory table,
plenty of eggs to take apart and put together,
digging for gold in a tub of split peas,
wagon rides,
silly putty,
and sunshine!
We took a fun trip to the park to feed the ducks. Those pesky seagulls kept swooping in and stealing our bread in mid-throw and a couple fingers got nibbled by the geese.
On the way home, we swung by Mickey D's for a greeeeen SHAMROCK SHAKE!
I found an idea on Pinterest (imagine that!) to put yogurt dots on a cookie sheet and stick 'em in the freezer. Belle was my helper today (imagine that!) as we tried it out. They turned out fun! They melt quickly, but what good snack isn't messy!? Funny story - the girls' Mom returned from work and told me she had learned of a new yogurt snack on Pinterest. I told her to look in the freezer! :)
I got my music tank filled up this week at a fundraiser for veterans' scholarships. Charlie Daniels puts on this fantastic event annually. In addition to the great musical talent, it's a night to honor our nation's top heros and leaves you with that feel-good patriotic pride.
One of my favorite bluegrass groups, The Grascals.
Chris Young
Darryl Worley
The Charlie Daniels Band!
Gary Senise came out and played with Charlie. He does USO tours with his "Lieutenant Dan" Band!
The program for the night listed a surprise musical guest. Well, I think we might have parked in the wrong garage, because the service elevator by my car took us right up into the arena - an hour before the doors opened. We just pretended like we were supposed to be there (we're good at that). Aside from the reserved seating for the military members, we had our pick! Oh, those poor people who had to wait outside in the cold! Anyways, since we had time to kill, the surprise was spoiled - Rascal Flatts appeared. They came out later and completely surprised the crowd. It was a rare treat to hear them do such an intimate acoustic set.
Today has been a gloriously gloomy and rainy day. Have I ever told you how much I love rainy days? I really really do. My Mom sent me this photo of the chickens trying to stay dry, and I had to stop and snap this photo of our dry creek bed, filled to the brim!
Blessings on your weekend, friends! Make it a good one!
You've followed me from my home in Wyoming to a homeless shelter in Las Vegas. We've laughed with friends in Norway and cried with orphans in China. Now sit down for a bit with me here in Nashville, Tennessee.
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