Spring Break without Breaking the Bank

I can't think of a stretch of days where I have been able to enjoy my kids more than I have this last 8 days. Without this break, I'm not sure what shape we would have been in come end of the year! Knowing we're headed into baseball AND softball season, added to the dance and AWANA we already have, plus a new day of chess for Josh and drama club for Andrea ... It makes me feel like I need to get into my fighting stance from Tae Kwondo days.

So here's a quick break down of how the break treated us--and an excuse for why you haven't heard from me in so long.

[Total side note: One of my pet peeves years ago when I first started reading blogs was bloggers apologizing for not posting. OK, if you're on to apologize, then maybe you have time to drop one poignant, yet hilarious, thought on us, right?? And now here I am doing something similiar. Is it as annoying to you as it was to me? 'Cause all you have to do is say so and I'll never apologize for slacking again!]

FRIDAY: The weekend kicked off to a wonderful start with a OMSI field trip with Josh's class. Highlights included seeing the scary T-Rex skeleton (Samson), the group of inquisitive boys I was assigned to, and running into two high school friends (one of which I hadn't seen for 15 years). The only lowlight was driving back across the bridge to the school to get the other kids for our trip to Hermiston. I knew I could beat the traffic if I left straight from OMSI, but I wasn't sure how to explain to the Berry grandparents that I'd only brought one grand kid.

Going a bit crazy on the bus.

Oh, and Andrea started exhibiting flu-like symptoms as I tucked her into bed that night.




SATURDAY: A fantastic day with the out-laws. I am amazed every time I go back at their expressions of love and caring. I appreciate them more as their ex-daughter-in-law than I ever did while married. It's extremely important to me that the kids see them as often as possible, too. Grandparents are horribly hurt by divorce and I want to support their right to know the kids as much as I can.

They hid plastic eggs filled with quarters on the lawn while I kept the kids busy inside. Then, as the kiddos searched outside, they hid early Easter baskets inside for them. Made for happy kids and a happy momma.

SUNDAY: The drive back went quickly and arrived home with enough energy to unpack, vacuum out the car, and weed all the flower beds. The kids played bubbles, helped weed, and planted tomatoes, cucumbers, and wild flowers in their own little plot.

  

 MONDAY: A eight-stop errand run didn't seem to slow us down. When we got home with hostas, verbena, snap dragons, petunias, dusty miller, begonias, and marigolds, the kids got right to work in new garden gloves--their idea of being spoiled--and planted just as many as I did. The flower beds should look lovely for the home buyer who's surely coming within the next months, right?







TUESDAY: Rockaway beach with Josh's best friend and his mom. Though it was a bit windy and cold (57), we enjoyed it immensely. Of course, the stop at the Tillamook Cheese Factory for ice cream didn't hurt.

And here, folks, is BIG NEWS. I'm posting the first picture of "Angel" on here.

Like I said, it was a bit windy. ;)

We also stopped for a potty break at Footbridge Trailhead off Hwy 6 on the way home and the kids played in the river.

WEDNESDAY: Uh-oh. This is getting waaaaaaay too long and picture happy, so I'll save the rest of the break for a part two.

Hope you all had a wonderful time enjoying your friends and family!

New Hair and First Radio Interview!

About a month ago, Darren mentioned that with my delicate frame and exquisite features--I might be rewording a bit ;)--a short hair do might look cute. I filed that away, revisiting it with each tangle I ripped from my scalp in the following days. Then my friend Tj's daughter cut her beautiful long hair and donated it to Locks of Love. Andrea has done this twice already, so I had her measure my ponytail. Looked like it might be just long enough.

On Friday, Mom and I drove to the Redeemed Writer's critique group, and as we chatted, she also threw her vote toward short hair. I called my wonderful stylist--also named Christina--after our critique session and twenty minutes later ...

BUZZZZZ!

I am loving it! So excited that I braved the Big Hair Fear AND will be blessing someone with my donation of one full foot of hair.

My stylist always does a fantastic job. And you can't beat Super Cuts prices! Anyone in the area who wants a great cut with a shampooing massage to dream about, visit the Cornelius location and ask for Christina. Oh, then be nice and tip her well. :)

Another thing I'm super excited about--can you tell I'm in a good mood?--is my first radio interview. Mark Zimmerman treated me so well when we taped the interview a few weeks ago, but I couldn't even really remember what we discussed.

Listening back to the segment today, I couldn't help but smile. Several people were praying that I would be able to adequately portray the message of the book ... and I believe I did. Let me know what you think. If you'd like to put a link up on your blog or facebook or twitter, that would be wonderful!

The "Break-Up" Blog

Once upon a time, a girl named Christina [re]met an old friend named Darren on facebook. They hit it off, talking so much they would have burned up the telephone wires if not for using cell phones, or run up huge bills if not for free minutes.

Sparks flew across the hundreds of miles between them. Months went by. After several Darren visits, Christina finally drove to his perfect town, met his perfect friends, hung out with his perfect family, attended his perfect church, stayed at his perfect house, witnessed his perfect ministry, and enjoyed the perfect scenery.

Okay, maybe they fell short of absolute perfection, but they were perfect for him.

On the loooooong drive home, Christina thought, "He will not be moving any time soon," and that thought planted itself deep within her subconscious.

They continued to talk and talk and talk and their friendship deepened and grew to love. But the fluttery feelings faded as the reality of the distance grew more concrete. Six hours of driving, they decided, was too much.

At the end of the journey, Christina had found a man of great character, honesty, purity, thirst for Scripture, prayer, humor, kindness, loyalty, hard work ... and a very good friend.

Though those around them may label such a thing a break-up, Darren and Christina believe it is a redefining of a true and lasting relationship and are grateful for the time they've had together.

The End. Except it's not. A chapter may have drawn to a close, but the rest of the book awaits!

The Thing About Robin Jones Gunn...

is that she's amazing. Not only is she a woman after God's heart, but she's an engaging speaker as well. I finally got pictures of our fun time hanging out for a few minutes at the recent OCW conference put up on facebook and you can see them here. She keynoted the very first writer's conference Mom and I ever attended almost nine years ago.

Oh, yeah, she's actually a fabulous writer who's changing many a girl's life with her Christy Miller series, and reaffirmed the power of friendship for many a woman with her Sister Chicks series. I won't go through all her books, because I should probably go to bed before the sun comes up, but you won't be disappointed to try them if she might be a new author to you. Highly improbably, I know, but there's always a chance.

The thing about Robin that I want to highlight the most is this superhuman power she has to make every single person she talks to feel like she is his or her new best friend. In a way, it makes me think of those blessed people who had the incredible privilege to talk with Jesus as He walked the earth. Surely they walked away knowing He loved them most. :)

A Stress Reliever

I've had a stressful two days, resulting in tight shoulders and a strange muscle twitch in my left arm. This afternoon, I took some Ibuprofen and forced myself to lie down for a while with every muscle relaxing. Mentally, I cast all my anxieties on God, because He cares for me. (1 Peter 5:7)

If you've been following this blog for a while, then you already know how I relieve stress.

I clean. The outcome of a really tough day yesterday is a vacuumed house, clean bathrooms, and empty laundry hampers.

Cafe Lily made me aware of a new DVD series that would probably relieve my stress as well. Turns out Phil Vischer of Veggietales fame has a fun, new project out called What's in the Bible? He goes back to his original vision of teaching kids about the Bible ... and the God who wrote it and loves them very much.

Hop over to Cafe Lily's blog to enter a giveaway and read more about Phil's journey. His testimony proves we can always learn more about ourselves during times of stress. For me, it reaffirms how weak I am, and how much I need my all-powerful Savior.

New Releases for March!

I love how ACFW keeps us all informed of new releases. This month is a treasure trove!

 

1. A Distant Melody, Wings of Glory, Book One by Sarah Sundlin An historical from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. Allie is promised to a man she doesn't love, but a B-17 pilot captures her heart--will she honor her family's wishes or take a chance on love?

2. A Woman Called Sage by Diann Mills An historical from Zondervan. A woman bounty hunter fights bitterness and revenge to find the killers of her husband.

3. Beaded Hope by Cathy Liggett Women's fiction from Tyndale. A moving story about women helping women and lives changed across continents, inspired by a non-profit organization of the same name.

4. Beguiled by Deanne Gist and J. Mark Bertrand A suspense/mystery/thriller from Bethany House. A dog-walker and a journalist pursue a thief (and each other) in atmospheric Charleston.

5. Cowboy Protector by Margaret Daley A Suspense/Mystery/Thriller from Love Inspired Suspense. When Hannah Williams comes to help Austin Taylor with his injured daughter, she draws him into an intrigue that threatens their relationship--and their lives.

6. Dead Reckoning by Ronie Kendig Suspense/Mystery/Thriller from Abingdon. Trapped by a terrorist plot in Mumbai!.

7. Disarming Andi by Elizabeth Goddard A Contemporary Romance from Heartsong Presents. Contractor Andi Nielsen has another chance to discover what ís hidden inside the missile base she was hired to remodel. Is she prepared to detonate her feelings for the new owner?

8. Fatal Burn; Big Sky Secrets, Book 2 by Roxanne Rustand A Suspense/Mystery/Thriller from Love Inspired Suspense. In Montana's wide open spaces, danger and love are waiting....

9. Forget Me Not, Crossroads Crisis Center series, Book 1 by Vicki Hinze A Contemporary Romance from Waterbrook-Multnomah. Someone's robbed her of her identity and goes to great lengths to convince her she's someone else; someone who wants her dead.

10. Gold in the Fire/Light in the Storm by Margaret Daley A Romance from Love Inspired. Stories of love and loyalty

11. Groom in Training by Gail Gaymer Martin A Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired. Friends, Four-legged Friends and Love.

12. Kansas Courtship, After The Storm, No. 3 by Victoria Bylin An Historical Romance from Love Inspired. Dr. Nora Mitchell came to heal the town of High Plains. She stayed to heal Zeb Garrison's heart.

13. Katie's Redemption, The Brides of Amish Country by Patricia Davids A Romance from Love Inspired. A young woman returns to her Amish roots but can she find her way back to her faith.

14. Katy's New World, Katy Lambright Series by Kim Vogel Sawyer General Fiction from Zondervan. An Old Order Mennonite girl holds to her convictions while attending public high school.

15. Liberty's Promise by Amber Stockton An Historical Romance from Heartsong Presents. Feel the heartbeat of a chaotic new country through the lives of three Pennsylvania women who seek to know to whom they can entrust their hearts.

16. Love Finds You in Bridal Veil, Oregon by Miralee Ferrell A Romance from Summerside Press. A schoolteacher must choose between a man from her past and one who could be her future, while risking her reputation to rescue two runaway orphaned children.

17. Love Finds You in Homestead, Iowa by Melanie Dobson A Romance from Summerside Press. A widowed father and his young daughter find healing and hope in the communal Amana Colonies.

18. Morning's Refrain, Book 2 in Song of Alaska series by Tracie Peterson An Historical from Bethany House. Adventure and Romance in 1800's Sitka, Alaska.

19. Once in a Blue Moon by Leanna Ellis Women's Fiction from B&H Publishing. Faith is the first step to soaring.

20. Romance by the Book by Myra Johnson A Contemporary Romance from Heartsong Presents. A shy young woman's crush on her favorite romance author leads her to the man who will finally claim her heart.

21. Scattered Petals by Amanda Cabot An Historical from Revell. Tragedy broke her spirit -- will love mend her heart?

22. The Captain's Lady by Louise M. Gouge An Historical from Steeple Hill. Torn between love and duty, American Patriot James Templeton must deny his heart to help win his country's freedom.

23. The Easter Edition by Robin Shope A romance from White Rose. Bridal shop owner Carol Horn feels she will never find a love of her own until a new pastor comes to town, turning up by accident at her mother's funeral.

24. The Family Way by Michelle Levigne A romance from Desert Breeze Publishing. Pregnancy brings their shaky marriage to the breaking point, and Lisa and Todd must rediscover their love, their faith, and what true marriage means.

25. The Mockingbird's Call by Diane Ashby and Aaron McCarver A Romance from Barbour. Amelia Montgomery, torn between her family's traditions and her own convictions against slavery, must also choose between her duty and her heart as she works for the Underground Railroad.

26. The Promise of Morning, Book 2, At Home in Beldon Grove series by Ann Shorey An Historical from Revell. When loss drives them apart, can their faith bring them back together?