#601

It's Tuesday and while I've started several posts in between it's been a week since I actually published anything. Of course, I'm not telling you anything you don't know but I myself wonder how a week can slip by without my realizing it.

If not blogging, then what did I do all week? In summary, I spent all of last week sweating. Literally. My oldest son played nine basketball games last week, all without air conditioning, a modern convenience I am now all the more grateful for.

We sweated over the weekend too, in Memphis for some bicycle races despite a heat advisory and 100 degree plus temps. My two oldest boys competed in a road race and a time trial on Saturday and then my oldest son raced in a criterium Sunday. They did well though the heat was some kind of brutal.

Look, I have pictures!

My two cyclists before the time trial Saturday evening:

My oldest in the criterium Sunday morning. The corners make me nervous!

My oldest sprinting to the finish but couldn't quite get there first.

Are y'all impressed or what?

And while I'm being all technologically advanced and posting pictures and stuff, Sandra tagged me for a photo meme. The rules are:

1) Go to your photo files… Select the 6th photo folder or album.

2) Select the 6th photo in that folder/album.

3) Post that photo along with the story behind it.
4) Then challenge some blog friends to do the same!

Here's my number four son, Christmas 2001. He was two and enamoured with all things Blue (Note the Thinking Chair). What a cutie!

If you feel like posting, consider yourself tagged!

In other news, this is my SIX HUNDRED AND FIRST blog post, if you could call it that.

What's On Your Nightstand, June

Time once again for 5 Minutes for Books' monthly "What's On Your Nightstand?" carnival!

I am currently reading...

Idols of the Heart: Learning to Long for God Alone--A very convicting look at the deepest desires of our hearts and our temptation to look for satisfaction and meaning and purpose in "idols" and not in the Person of Jesus Christ.

The Texicans--Think Lonesome Dove.

A Shelter in the Time of Storm: Meditations on God and Trouble--Fifty one meditations on one of my favorite Psalms, the 27th.

The Disappearance of God: Dangerous Beliefs in the New Spiritual Openness

What are YOU reading? We want to know! Post your list and link up here, then go see what's on everyone else's nightstands!

Monday Mini-Posts, a list of 4

A few things on my mind, posts that aren't quite posts, mini-posts if you will...

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1. My husband is so good to me. He spoils me R O T T E N!

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2. Well, the Long Overdue Painting of the Half Bath project is done. More or less. I still need to rehang the mirror. Since I'm on a project roll here (you know, one every 2 years or so...) I'm looking toward my next project? Painting the kitchen? Or, not nearly as fun but in dire need just the same, painting the trim? Staining the porch floor? The options, they are endless. The energy and motivation, not so much.

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3. The 2010 dates and locations for the True Woman Conference have been announced and registration begins August 1. I didn't go last year to Chicago but I listened to the audio messages--really good stuff! I really, really want to go to Chattanooga in March!

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4. I've been pondering this statement from Elyse Fitzpatrick's book, Idols of the Heart: Learning to Long for God Alone:

"your strongest desires, the things that you are most passionate about, are what ultimately define your worship."

So I've been asking myself--what do I want the most? Think about the most? Fear the most? Worry about the most? Dream about the most? In other words, what defines my worship?

Spring Reading Thing, all wrapped up

Well, spring is over. No surprise there as it has been H-O-T outside! The end of spring marks not only heightened temperatures but also the conclusion of Katrina's reading challenge, Spring Reading Thing 2009.

You can see my original goals for the challenge here. So, to wrap it all up...

Books from my original Spring Reading Thing List that I completed (linked to my review where applicable):

So Brave, Young and Handsome: A Novel, Leif Enger
Don't Let Me Go, Pierce
Around the World in Eighty Days , Jules Verne
Austenland: A Novel, Hale
The Passion of Mary-Margaret, Lisa Samson
Dough: A Memoir, Mort Zachter
Certain Jeopardy, Struecker and Gansky
Sometimes a Light Surprises, Jamie Langston Turner--watch for an upcoming review at 5 Minutes for Books
Tell the Truth: The Whole Gospel to the Whole Person by Whole People, Metzger
Surrender: The Heart God Controls, Nancy Leigh Demoss
Real Moms...Real Jesus: Meet the Friend Who Understands, Savage
The Bookends of the Christian Life, Bridges and Bevington--watch for an upcoming review from me and Carrie both at 5 Minutes for Books
Get Outta My Face!, Horne
Spiritual Mothering: The Titus 2 Model for Women Mentoring Women, Hunt
Comforts from the Cross: Celebrating the Gospel One Day at a Time, Fitzpatrick--watch for an upcoming review!

Books from my original list that I did NOT read (only one!):

A Tale of Two Sons: The Inside Story of a Father, His Sons, and a Shocking Murder, MacArthur

Books not on my original list but I read anyway--also linked to my review where applicable:

(I think. I mean, I know I read them I just can't remember when, exactly, and if the reading fell in the Spring timeframe but I think so)

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Finding An Unseen God--watch for an upcoming review!

Face of Betrayal

The Count of Monte Cristo

The Help

How Do I Love Thee?

Clara's War

Saints in Limbo

The Great Gatsby

Every Secret Thing

The Hunger Games

Whew! That's a lot of reading! In conclusion, Katrina wants to know...

• Did I finish all the books on my list? Yes, all but one.

• Did I stick to the original plan or change things as I went along? Some of both. I stuck to the plan but, as you have no doubt noticed, I added just a few titles here and there (I think. I didn't pay too close attention to the dates I completed the books but I'm pretty close.)

• What was my favorite book? Hard to choose. For fiction, I loved (loved!) The Count of Monte Cristo as well as The Hunger Games, So Brave, Young and Handsome, and The Help. Of course, I love every minute spent with Harry Potter, even the second time around (or more, I'm not telling). My favorite non fiction read would be a toss up between Finding An Unseen God, Dough, Surrender, and Clara's War. Really, I loved all three, for different reasons.

• Did I discover a new author? Yes, I read several books by authors I hadn't read before but I am most excited about the next book by Suzanne Collins, author of The Hunger Games.

Thanks, Katrina, for hosting the reading challenge! If you're interested in seeing what everyone else read this spring, check out the official wrap up link up here.

Teach me Your way, O Lord

Sunday night my pastor taught on understanding Old Testament prophecy, using Matthew 2:13-15, "Out of Egypt I have called my son," as a springboard. From Matthew, we flipped to Hosea, looked at verses in Genesis and Numbers, and returned back to Matthew.

It was some deep stuff. I think I can speak on behalf of the rest of my fellow church members when I say it blew our minds.

Why go there? Why struggle to understand the deep things of the Lord? Why seek to unravel mysteries that are hard to comprehend? Why do the difficult work of studying, thinking, and examining?

I've started reading Paul David Tripp's devotional A Shelter in the Time of Storm, a series of meditations drawn from Psalm 27. Contemplating verse 11, "Teach me your way, O Lord," Tripp gives two reasons that we should pray to be taught again and again and again by the Lord:

Depth. The wisdom of the Lord is deep and without boundaries. Giving ourselves to the study of His Word increases our worship as we realize the "depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!" (Rom. 11:33)

Danger. As Tripp says,

Every day a thousand voices speak into my life and the vast majority of those voices have not gotten the flowers of their insight from the wisdom garden of the Lord.

They tell me who I am. They tell me what life is about. They tell me how to invest my time. They tell me how to use my resources. They tell me how to conduct my relationships. They tell me what is true and untrue. They tell me what my goals should be. They tell me what the good life looks like. They tell me what I should be and do and want. They offer me a comprehensive system of wisdom that's well thought through and attractive on many levels, but that competes with the true wisdom that can come only from God. It's so easy to be taken captive. It's so easy to have divine wisdom corrupted by human wisdom. It's so easy to breathe in the polluted air of a culture that no longer actually thinks that God is, let alone that he is wise.

So, why do the difficult work of plumbing the depths of the deep things of the Lord? Because fools despise wisdom and instruction (Prov. 1:7). Because His ways are higher than our ways (Is. 55:9) Because as we determine to seek Him, we will find Him. Because our (albeit limited) knowledge of things too hard for us to understand moves us to humble adoration of the only One wise. Because it is our joy as His beloved children to know Him in ever increasing intimacy.

And, because we are at war. Because the lies of our world are so pervasive and so attractive and our flesh is so weak and so given to deceit, we must seek the Truth. We must long for the wisdom of the Lord. We must have a humble, teachable heart that begs to be taught so that we may stand despite our enemy's schemes.

Determine to be a student of the Word of God. Marvel over the depth of the Lord's wisdom and arm yourself to face the danger of our world system. As you pray, "Teach me your way" you will find that is a prayer the Lord delights to answer.

My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you,
making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding;
yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding,
if you seek for it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures,
then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God.
For the Lord gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding...

Prov. 2:1-6

On church and the Lord's faithfulness

One day last week I was rummaging through my word documents looking for I-can't-remember-what and I stumbled across the minutes of a church leadership team meeting dated July 21, 2008. Taking the minutes was not my usual responsibility, yet (obviously) this particular meeting must have been an exception.

Out of curiosity I opened the document to see what sorts of things we were discussing that night nearly a year ago. What I found was the record of our naming our church and the final draft of our mission statement.

A meeting I well remember, the five of us who comprised the leadership team gathered around the dining room table at one of the member's homes brainstorming possible church names, some of which were pretty silly. We drafted lists, we made phone calls seeking input, we discussed, we deleted, and finally we chose.

And celebrated with milkshakes and a quick email announcement to our fellow planters.

Not too long ago I was wearing one of our church tee shirts and, as I caught a passing glance of our church's name and logo in my reflection in a mirror, I experienced one of those "oh my word" heart stopping moments as I realized the full import of what we had done and are doing. We named a church. On a summer night sitting around somebody's dining room table. Not only did we name it but we started it. A church. From scratch.

Browsing through the Lisa writes archives, I revisited my thoughts as I posted them last summer. It's funny; I thought (I feared) at the time that perhaps I was writing too much. Now I wish I had written more. Not because I want to relive all the yuck but because I want to remember. Last summer and all that transpired resulting in our church plant--it marked me. Profoundly. I don't want to go through it again but I don't want to forget.

I love my church family. I wish I could find the words to express how grateful I am that the Lord in His sovereignty brought me--us--here, to this. I would never have chosen this path on my own. Never. Only the Lord. Only Him. Only His grace. I am so thankful I am a part of this church body. I am so glad the Lord drew me and led me here. Some Sundays my heart is so full I could nearly cry. Maybe some Sundays I do.

One Sunday I did, cry that is. We had just left church, not ours but another, and I realized afresh the Lord's grace and mercy in allowing us to serve Him here. I wept as an awareness of His faithfulness despite me overwhelmed and humbled me...

I want to be clear: my gratitude does not stem from some warped sense of relief at no longer being a part of my former church. I've said it before, I will say it again: leaving our former church is the hardest thing I've ever done. It broke my heart. But here's my testimony: the Lord is faithful and He works all things for our good and His glory. He provides in ways unimaginable. His grace sustains even when His will demands we do what is hard and painful.

So where are we now? As we approach a year since we first began meeting together and almost six months since we chartered, we are still in process of organizing and implementing and making sure what we do is Biblical and gospel driven. Church as we know it is not about stained glass, a playground or a gym, guitar and drums, or even Wednesday night suppers--as we have none of those things. The gospel is boldly proclaimed weekly from the pulpit, in Sunday school and through community group classes. We've elected elders so my stint on the leadership team has now passed. Our fellowship has had some difficulties (what fellowship doesn't?) but still we enjoy a sense of unity and commonality, the gracious favor of our Lord. We are family.

To God be the glory, great things He hath done.

Words worth pondering

From Elyse Fitzpatrick's Comforts from the Cross: Celebrating the Gospel One Day at a Time...

Everyone wants to get better, to approve of herself, to have the respect of others, to be mentally "healthy," to keep her family together, to learn to be productive...they say things like "I want to feel good about myself," or "I know that this weakness of mine doesn't please God, and I'm so embarassed." But there's a problem here for us: self-improvement isn't a Christian construct; death and resurrection are...

God isn't interested in self-improvement regimens. He isn't impressed by our resolutions to do better, to get those devotions in, pass out tracts, cut down on our online time by fifteen minutes every day, or fast from the shopping channels during Lent. In fact, he isn't impressed with us at all. He's impressed by his Son. He's impressed with the perfect life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus the Christ, his beloved Son. He's impressed with his love.

Here's the crux of the matter: you shouldn't hope to be impressed with yourself...we should be utterly and entirely impressed with only this: Christ died and was raised. His love was so powerful that he bent under the cruel tree, rested himself upon it, submitted to the hammer and spike, swallowed his Father's bitter wrath, relinquished his life, and then by the power of the Spirit was raised again. All this for us!

...These are the thoughts that must engage our heart. We will not be able to fight victoriously against our sins unless we fight under the banner of the gospel and thereby detach ourselves from our hedonistic plans for self-improvement...

Yes, let us march onward with the cross of Jesus, not with our desire for self-improvement, a good record, a clean conscience. Let the love of Christ control you and live no longer for yourself but rather for him who died and was raised. Live in that love and war on.

You asked; I'm answering (sort of)--Part Four

Shelly asks, What were you like in high school? in college? Susanne also wants to know what you were like when you were a teenager.

You may think me dodging the question but I thought I'd answer with pictures rather than words, a picture being worth a thousand words as you well know...

Not high school or college, but me and my baby sister (and my dad). I was almost 3.


And this is me at 4 or 5. I honestly thought I was smiling. Too serious then, and now.

This following picture cracks me up. It's me roller skating on the carport at my grandmother's. Check out my outfit! My mom made most, if not all, of our clothes. Here's hoping that bolt of fabric was on clearance!

I couldn't find any high school pictures but here's a few from college. This is me and my (then future) husband. He came out to Baylor from Auburn to visit. Note we are wearing the other's school's sweatshirts.


Me and my college roommates.


Me at my graduation from Baylor.
And while we're on this pictorial version of "This is your life," here's me and my husband at our rehearsal dinner.

And as newlyweds.


So, there you go--the way I was, way back when. Should I stumble across any pictures from high school, I will be sure to post them. Maybe. High school wasn't too kind to me, particularly the early years. Think braces, glasses, and a succession of bad perms. It was the 80's, after all.

Just do it

Some thoughts from last Friday night...

It's a beautiful night. Not hot, low humidity, a gentle breeze. I am out on the porch with a cup of coffee. Alone. Two boys are in the playroom laughing, giggling, playing something electronic no doubt. One boy is outside on the driveway cleaning his bicycle. The other boy and his daddy are at soccer tryouts.

So it's just me enjoying the serenity of my porch on this beautiful evening.

I am wishing for a girlfriend to sit with me. We could laugh and chat about everything and nothing. Maybe she would ask me what the Lord is teaching me this week; maybe I would ask her the same. I might confess to her my overwhelming feeling of helplessness as a mom; she might encourage me with the truth of Scripture. We could share our struggles and our victories both as we pondered the glories of the gospel.

I wish for it, but the truth is I am not that kind of friend. I wish to be. I am ashamed at how little I speak of the Lord and His gospel with my friends, even my family. When I do, I fear I sound fake or forced or, worse, like a hypocritical know-it-all.

True, there is nothing wrong with dishing on kids or fashion (living with a houseful of men I love every opportunity to dish on kids and fashion) but I also long to share the deeper things, to wonder aloud over the mysteries of God's glorious grace in Jesus Christ, to boast in the Lord, to assert our hope in the promises of His Word

I don't know how. I don't know how. I admit that with more shame than I admit my failings as a friend. I can write it, sort of at any rate. It is far harder to say it. I know it is like anything else that is uncomfortable but necessary: you begin by beginning. Just do it.

As I look for opportunities to just do it, to speak of the Lord despite my discomfort, I also ask for such an overwhelming love for my Savior that I must speak. To be like the two disciples who testified, "We can't help but speak of the things we have seen and heard." To boast with Paul that the love of Christ compels me. For my theology, what I believe and know about my God, to affect my reality, my day-to-day real life, my friendships, my relationships, and yes, my conversation.

You asked; I'm answering--Part Three

Continuing to answer your questions in the You ask; I'll answer (maybe) series of posts...

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Jennifer asks, In light of criticisms and insecurities that we give so much weight to, I'd like to you share which area of homemaking you feel like you are good in (or if you can't go out on the limb to say that you are good at it, you still have to be better at one area): mothering, cooking, cleaning, wifing (I can make up words if I want to).

I have admitted freely and often that I do not excel in the domestic arts but I will admit to the following...

Cooking: I wouldn't claim to be a bad cook (I've actually given out recipes upon request, believe it or not), but I don't really enjoy it so I wouldn't therefore claim to be good at it.

Cleaning: we don't live in a pigsty nor are we in any danger of illness due to unsanitary conditions and that's all I'm going to say about that.

Mothering: I've made a lot of mistakes. A lot of mistakes. So, again, it's difficult to claim excellence here except for the fact that I think I've done a good job of making sure my boys know I love them. They are great kids, not perfect mind you, not by a long shot, but great kids--but not because they had a great mom. I've continually given them over to the Lord, begging for His grace, and knowing without Him we're lost. Literally.

Wifing (and yes, you can make up words, by all means!): again, I've made a lot of mistakes but--here I hesitate because I know my husband reads my blog--but one of the most important things I've learned (I think) is serving and supporting my husband with my mouth shut, especially in front of others (except to say something nice). Wives, we have to quit bossing and manipulating our husbands. Nagging only makes us both miserable.

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Speaking of husbands, Elle also asks, What was your first anniversary like?

I'm ashamed to say I don't remember! I do remember we got out (and at least attempted to eat) the cake topper from our wedding cake that had languished in the freezer for a year, but other than that--????

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Also from Elle, What did you think marriage would be like and instead discovered it was really?

I thought marriage was sunsets and roses, all romantic bliss and happily-ever-after. I was Cinderella, he Prince Charming, and all would be well in our fairy tale of true love.

Before we got married someone gave me (the best) marriage advice: Be kind to one another, loving one another as Christ loved the church. You will laugh, but I honestly thought that was advice I would never need. Not be kind? To him, the love of my life? And to have to be told to love him? Get real!

Well, it did get real. I discovered that marriage is less about bliss and more about choices, that romance gives way to reality, and that long term love is way better than initial infatuation. I love that we have a history, that we know each other so well, and that he has stuck with me and stood by me even though he knows the worst of me. He loves me in spite of me and I am so very thankful. To know the love of a good man is a blessing from the Lord that humbles me and moves me to gratitude before the Giver of all good things...

Who needs sunsets and roses? I'd MUCH rather have (almost) 18 years and counting of life in all its twists and turns, heartaches and joys, beside this man--this man who I love more today than ever.

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Mocha with Linda wants to know: Comparing living in a small town to where you grew up - what you like, don't like.

Things I miss about the big city: shopping and eating. Starbuck's and PF Chang's. Target and Barnes & Noble. Things I do not miss: the traffic. The masses.

Things I love about a smaller town: seeing people you know at the post office and at the grocery store. No traffic. Knowing my kids' teachers and where they go to church. A sense of pride and community. My kids growing up with the same group of kids.

Things I do not love about a smaller town: No Target. Seeing people I know at the post office and at the grocery store when I have no make up on, haven't showered, and am yelling at my kids.

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Julie asks, What are the top 3 things you'd tell yourself, if you could talk to 'self' when your 4 boys were wee little?

1. Raising kids is not like baking a cake. You cannot follow a "recipe" and end up with the kid of your choice. In other words, don't try to make your child into an image of your choosing. He is who he is; celebrate and encourage his individuality.

2. There are no guarantees. Your kids are sinners, just like you. As sinners, they will disappoint you and break your heart. However, and this is related to #1, while you certainly bear responsibility in disciplining and nurturing right behavior, it is not in your abilities to transform your wretched sinner of a child. Only the Lord. Only His grace. Beg for it, even as you give them over to the Lord. The good news is: Jesus Christ saves sinners. His grace is sufficient in weakness! Raise your kids in the fear of the Lord but do so relying on His provision.

3. Have fun. Enjoy your kids! Relax, forget the floors and the bathrooms, and delight in your children's childhood.

4. (I know you asked for 3, but I'm on a roll so indulge me) Some of the best mothering wisdom I've received was from a dear friend older than me. She told me that we raise our children to let them go. We want them to be responsible, independent adults. They will not become so if we are intent on keeping them wrapped around our apron strings. Let them grow up, make mistakes and learn from them. Know that this season as a mom of young children passes--as it should. Besides, the joys of children who can bathe and dress themselves AND fix their own breakfast? Priceless.

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Still more questions and answers to come...

15 that stick, in 15 minutes

I saw this first at Carrie's, then at Jennifer's and thought I'd join in the fun. Here's the deal, from Booking Through Thursday (a blog devoted to weekly book memes):

“This can be a quick one. Don’t take too long to think about it. Fifteen books you’ve read that will always stick with you. First fifteen you can recall in no more than 15 minutes.”

So, at 8:55 am, here are the first fifteen books I can think of off the top of my head that have stuck with me (and no, Jennifer, I did not ponder this beforehand, honest!)...

1. The Bible
2. The Dangerous Duty of Delight by John Piper
3. Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper
4. God is the Gospel by John Piper
5. Pride and Prejudice
6. The Count of Monte Cristo
7. the Mitford books by Jan Karon
8. Seeking Him by Nancy Leigh Demoss
9. Surrender by Nancy Leigh Demoss
10. Jane Eyre
11. the Harry Potter books, all of them
12. Anne of Green Gables
13. The Ragamuffin Gospel
14. The Book Thief
15. Living the Cross Centered Life by CJ Mahaney

So, there you go. Now 9:04, that's my list of books that affected me and stuck with me. A variety of titles and a variety of reasons why they came to mind, but all of them favorites in their own right.

What about you? Can you name 15 "sticky" books in 15 minutes?

Status Report, June

Sitting...at the dining room table. I want to go out on the porch but it is HOT. Hello, summer.

Drinking...a Coke. The real thing.

Finished...reading The Count of Monte Cristo last night, all 1200 pages. Loved it. LOVED it--much more than Les Miz! Someone asked me why I splurged for the unabridged version and I have no real good answer other than the reviews on amazon convinced me to go that route--and I'm so glad I did! Unlike my abridged version of Les Miserables which still at times seemed, well, too much, particularly in regard to Hugo's political rants, I can't imagine what part of Monte Cristo could be left out or summarized! It's 1200 pages of really good storytelling, which I enjoyed immensely

Now reading...Face of Betrayal. After The Count and How Do I Love Thee (a novelization of Elizabeth Barret Browning's love story), I was ready to get out of the 19th century and into some good 21st century suspense! So far, so good.

Weary...of my taxi driver role. Already. It's, like, only the third official day of summer. Gonna be a long one.

Attempting...to limit the summer TV time for the boys. It's not so easy adjusting to the slower pace of summer apart from hours spent in mindless entertainment. We're learning, all of us. I don't watch TV hardly at all, but my kids sure would, were I to let them. Can I just say sometimes I'm tempted to let them...

Grateful...for our little church and the work the Lord is doing in us. He is faithful!

Overwhelmed...by the sovereignty of God. I am humbled when I realize all over again that it's all Him. ALL HIM. I am nothing before Him. I can see His hand, drawing me, leading me, carrying me. Grace, grace, God's grace. He is good, He is merciful, He works all things according to His pleasure.

Began...the Great Closet Clean Out of '09 yesterday. One down, but what a mess I made! Sure, all the junk extra clothes are now out of my son's closet, but so far it's less of a clean out and more of a transfer of location, meaning the hallway is now junk-ier than his closet ever was! I must persevere...but it is no fun, let me tell you. Quite the opposite really. After the Great Closet Clean Out, up next will be the Long Overdue Painting of the Half Bath.

Enjoyed...a great night with some old friends last Saturday night (not old age wise, mind you, but old in that we've been friends for a long time!). I love having friends who knew me when and I love that we were given opportunity to spend an evening together just like old times!

Thankful...for celebrations like bridal teas, especially bridal teas where I get to see friends I don't see so often anymore.

Boasting...in the Lord with dear friends. HOW FAITHFUL IS OUR GOD! His timing is PERFECT! How gracious He is to grant us this glimpse of His sovereign goodness working all things together in ways unimagined. Glory to His name!

You asked; I'm answering--Part Two

Another sampling of questions and answers in the ongoing You ask; I'll answer (maybe) series of posts...

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Among Elle's questions: How did you announce your first pregnancy to family? How did you announce your fourth?

Our first pregnancy we announced to my family just before my sister's college graduation exercises. We were going to wait until after the ceremony so as not to steal her thunder, but my husband was so excited he couldn't wait. I, on the other hand, was in a state of shock (that lasted nine months, by the way) so I made him say it. My mom was ecstatic (as was all my family for that matter). She cried.

The fourth time around was, shall we say, a gift that we hadn't necessarily asked for if you know what I mean--talk about a state of shock! More than shocked, I was mortified (terrible, but true). So, once I gathered my courage, I told my mom on the phone cringing even as I broke the news. She was ecstatic. And she cried.

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Shelly W wants to know: Where is your favorite place to be? Where is the best place you've traveled to?

My favorite place to be, day in and day out, is on my back porch. In the early morning with a cup of coffee and my Bible. At dusk. Or, actually any time of day except for late afternoon when the sun is bearing down. With coffee or a glass of iced tea and a good book. Or, at suppertime with my family. Or, like this past Saturday night, with good friends and good conversation. Have I mentioned how much I love my back porch?

The best place I've traveled--well, I haven't traveled all that much, though I love vacations at the beach (better than the mountains, as Elle knows). A couple of summers ago my husband and I went to DC and I loved it. LOVED it. Can't wait to go back.

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Liz reminds me that I once encouraged young moms to take more videos (if you did it again). Or something like that. I'm wondering what of, or does it matter

It really doesn't matter; you will treasure any footage of those fleeting days. However, someone once encouraged me to take lots of pictures and/or video of the everyday moments, the real life activities of the kids playing, riding their bikes, etc. She promised me that those slices of life would be the ones I would treasure and she is right.

I tried to be faithful to her advice, particularly when the kids were much younger, not so much now (my poor youngest boy--he will have little to reminisce over, bless his heart). Not too long ago my husband was playing around with some video software and in the process posted a snippet of video footage from the boys ages 18 months to about 7 years old respectively. I have to tell you, I could watch those few minutes of video 150 times and never grow weary of it!

Treasure the ordinary moments and record them for posterity; they will pass by faster than you can imagine.

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Kelly (who did not miss the deadline because there isn't one) asks: What simple, daily pleasure makes you smile the biggest?

That first cup of coffee.