Mission: Proverbs 31 Woman

Back in January (I think it was) I shared about my New Year's Resolution to memorize the Prov 31 Woman passage this year. I've divided up the verses so I can memorize a few a month and have the whole passage memorized by the end if the year. And I finally came up with a fun way to help!

Michael gave me this cute photo decoration so I'm going to hang my verses from it.

Location:Stacy Ann Ter,Santa Maria,United States

There's an App for That!

I’m sure you know there are a gazillion apps out there. It seems for whatever you’re interested in, there’s an app for that.  As a joke, I now find myself creating imaginary apps for my life.

Nose Blower App: for cleaning out all the congested junk from your kid’s nose

Format Doormat App: for formatting your manuscript when you’re finished since it’s so tedious

Wipes Refill: refills your baby’s wipes box automatically when it gets low

Title It App: helps create award-winning titles for your books

Shave Time App: shaves your legs for you while you’re shampooing to save time 

A New Touch

A few weeks ago I got a new iPod Touch. It’s red, it’s fast, and it’s blowing my mind! I am constantly amazed at what it can do. And how it’s changing my life. For one, it’s become a time-suck! I go on to check my facebook, then scroll through Pinterest, oh and play a word on Words with Friends, and I have to log in my calories for lunch on my fitness app, and—before I know it, there goes an hour!

It’s also replacing pen and paper. I realized I don’t need my little notepad and pen I keep in my purse because I can jot down notes on the note pad on the iPod. Today I tried using the grocery list on the iPod instead of a handwritten list. It was much easier.

I also have little Fisher Price apps for West, which has already come in handy when we were at Trader Joe’s and he was antsy.

And let’s just say that the Pandora app has enhanced my writing. I’ve been playing a classical music ‘station’ while editing my book, and it’s great!

I hate to say it, but I have to: what would my life be without this little hand-held device?!

Picture of the Week

This is how I found my little Westly the other day. I guess he's going to be a Scrabble player like his parents

When God Smiles

For the past year I’ve been wanting to get Westly a latch puzzle by Melissa & Doug. It’s a board with windows that open with common latches. It’s been on his wish list, but he didn’t get it for Christmas. And it’s a little pricey so it’s not something I can just buy him on an average day.

Well, the other day a friend of mine came over and handed me one. She said her grandkids had left one at her house, but she already had one, so this was extra. She just thought that maybe Westly would like it. I took it and told her how much I wanted one for him. Of course I started to tear up.

I teared up not so much over the puzzle itself, but over the fact that God remembers us, and cares about the little things in life. And He used my friend to bless us.

Never underestimate God’s love for you!

Writing The End

I had a very productive week. Most productive moment: I finally finished a first draft of Book 5! Quite a sigh of relief followed my typing THE END. But this is far from the end. The work has really just begun. This draft is far from perfect or ready. But I am so glad to have a complete draft to work with. And as of now, I’m pretty pleased with it.

A lot of people tell me it’s great that I have a fun hobby in writing my children’s books. Yes, it is a really fun hobby for me. But it’s so much more than that for me. Writing is yet another opportunity in my life to walk by faith. It is as much of a spiritual journey for me as being a mother is.

The other night I was still struggling to find a way to tie up the end of my book. I prayed, mulled it over, and went to bed. And just as I was falling asleep, the Lord shot the idea into my head. And I suddenly went, “Ah-ha! That’s it! Thank you, God.” I fell asleep.

And as always, God was right. It was the perfect plot line. 

Cupid's Day

So Valentine’s Day is tomorrow. Early in our marriage, Michael and I decided I would be in charge of Valentine’s and he would be in charge of our anniversary. It’s worked out pretty well going on 6 years now.

One year I booked us an overnight stay in Morro Bay. Another year (we were on a tighter budget) I replicated a hotel-stay at home. Last year I made a chocolate cake from scratch and we had my dear sister-in-law Susie over for dinner and dessert.

No matter the plan, we’ve had a few traditions in play every year: we always get a heart-shaped pizza from Papa Murphies sometime that week, if not on the day. We always exchange cards and a little goody. We usually watch Sleepless in Seattle, and more recently the movie Valentine’s Day.

Now we have our little Westly involved. This year West made a Valentine for Daddy, and got to use a glue stick for the first time. I am so blessed to have two Valentine’s in my life!

My Bliss

Sometimes it’s the little things, the simple things, that can brighten a day. Here are a few little things that made me smile this last week:

Trader Joes Cheddar Snack: they finally came out with a healthier version of the Gold Fish cracker and Cheez-It. I’ve been waiting for them to have an equivalent snack without all the preservatives, etc.

Valentine decorations: West and I put up a few little hearts and bought some conversational hearts

Email from an Editor: I submitted a short story for a kid’s magazine a few months ago, and one of the editors emailed me asking if she could keep my work a bit longer because she thinks she might be able to use it. I said in not so many words, “Duh, yes!”

Get Smart Season 4: I got the next season on DVD and watch it during nap time while I get things done. It tickles my funny bone!

New Chicken Pot Pie recipe: I found and cooked Martha Stewart’s recipe and it was so yummy. A keeper!

Children’s Discovery Museum: I love this little gem in our town. West loves it even more, and I’m thinking for his birthday we’ll get a pass.

Writer’s Workshop: I attended one this Saturday. And as always, I came away inspired, convicted, and enlightened.

Monday Holidays: Michael has today and next Monday off. Three-day weekends are the best for everyone!

What’s your bliss?

Around the Block

I get Writer’s Block. Sure, it’s a common thing writers get. And I know I’ve expressed frustration with it before. But I’ve got another problem right now.

Is there such a thing as Mommy’s Block?

I’m stuck on a couple issues with Westly right now and I’m not sure how to get past them.

Let’s take the whole hair-washing issue. I wash his hair maybe twice a week, at least once a week. I do it so rarely because it is quite the traumatic event. He freaks out and screams because he’s basically getting drowned in water. I can’t get him to tip his head back, and I don’t know another way to wash those locks.

Mommy’s Block!

Next, nine out of ten times when I change his diaper in the morning and get him dressed, he throws a fit on 

the changing table. Since his very first day of life, he’s always thrown a fit when I lay him on his back and change him. But he’s almost two and it’s getting old. I’ve tried distracting him, playing music, bribing him, and even spanking him. Sometimes he’ll let me change him quietly, but most of the time he kicks his legs and carries on.

Mommy’s Block!

And I thought Writer’s Block was bad!

Happiest Place on Earth

Westly's first visit to Disneyland was every bit as magical as it could be. It was different being there as a parent. A few things made it different: no fast rides, a 2-hour nap time back at the hotel, constant look-out for stroller parking, and most of all, a renewed magic in everything.

Here we are with my darling grandma Mimi whose retirement benefits have given me free access to Disneyland for as long as I can remember. I've come to associate Disneyland with my Mimi, both of which have given me the best memories of my childhood.

Our little Doodle got his first Mickey ears with his name embroidered on it. He also got a button to

 celebrate his first visit!

This trip made something very apparent to me: I need to teach West how to look at the camera and smile!

Monday Madness

Being that we just got back from our Disneyland trip last night and I am charging right into this week with teaching art today, details on our adventures will have to keep till Wednesday.

I guess I am a working Mom now, even if it is only very part time.

For now those suitcases will have to stay packed and laundry will have to wait. 

Can't Sleep Tonight!

So. Excited. Right. Now.

Tomorrow we go to Disneyland!

Michael and I haven’t been in almost 3 years, which is a big deal for us since we used to go at least twice a year. We both grew up at Disneyland, so we’ve been having major withdrawals.

Most importantly, it’s Westly’s first trip!

Which make our visit to the Happiest Place on Earth that much more happy!