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I'm sitting here, after just writing everyone's name on teeny tiny little pieces of paper...cutting them up...and putting them in a little bowl.
What...you say there's that automatic random name drawing computer site now? Well, maybe I'll try it one of these days, but this way is so much more personal, don't ya' think?
And since I have a LOT of time on my hands this week, I didn't mind.
You see, this week is that annual time again when my husband takes our children and camps all week with his side of the family. The time when this homeschooling mom has a few days out of the year to call her time her own.
Only this year, I'm going to be joining them for the final two nights...because really, a gal can only have so much solitude before she starts doing strange things like...oh, say... finding old pictures of college friends while organizing and then googling their names...having long conversations with her dog... and considering actually cleaning things that haven't been cleaned in awhile.
But truely, I do look forward to just a few days to myself.
And since Sunday afternoon, I've been reading a lot, trying to make a dent in organizing a couple rooms, and just enjoying that rare time of not hearing arguments ensue or demands for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks.
Honestly? I'm not a big fan of cooking and meal planning...so for me, it's a pure vacation to reach into the freezer for a Lean Cuisine of my choosing and call it good.
And most of all, I've been wanting to use to this time to have some uninterrupted time with the Lord...something that all of us as moms can find challenging during the busy days of parenting.
All of this said, I've got to come clean...
I miss my family SO much.
I miss my husband walking through the door at dinnertime and kissing me...
I miss my oldest daughter's silly sense of humor or our talks about the latest American Girl book she is reading...
I miss my youngest cuddling with me (at seven, she's still very much a cuddler) as we read stories at bedtime.
And last night, my heart was about broken when she began crying on the phone because she missed me so much.
I tried to encourage her, and then I prayed with her over the phone. But afterwards, I, too, was a puddle of tears.
So, needless to say, as much as I look forward to some rare alone time once a year, I am honestly looking forward to joining them in three more days!
Anyway, without further adieu...
Here is the name that I pulled out of my bowl with my eyes closed.....
DRUM ROLL....
Grandma Dawn!
Dawn, I'm so thrilled you won, since I know you love to read as I do!
You may have mentioned your first book choice already, but e-mail me and let me know what it is, as well as your mailing address.
(And I hope you enjoy sipping your Starbucks as you read!)
Blessings!
Thank you to all of you who entered my little giveaway! This has been so much fun, and it's been great meeting a few new people along the way, too!
Oh, and I SO appreciate your comments about the upcoming home school Open House "carnival" that I hope to be hosting...and that you liked the button so far! Really? This was my very first attempt at something like that, and I didn't even have my artistic husband helping me, so I guess I surprised myself!
I am aiming for Tuesday, October 28th, for our kick-off open house, and I'll let you all know the details in next week or so, so stay tuned!
The girls and I are off for a gal's overnight stay with my mom today only have a moment! (For those that don't know, she's 81, and though she doesn't update it often, she has a blog which you can check out in my sidebar!),
But I couldn't leave without annoucing the winner!
So...without further ado...on with the drawing for the Pampered Chef medium scoop!
First, the hat for the drawing...
And all the teeny tiny scrunched papers, representing all of you...
My six year old excitedly did the honors and carefully reached in...
AND...
The battery on my camera died.
Heehee... Sorry, but it really did!
But I won't keep you waiting any longer! You'll just have to take my word for it that she drew... (drum roll please)...
Darlene of Darlene's Days!
She is actually one of the new bloggy friends I just met through this contest! Congratulations, Darlene!
I wish I could send each an every one of you something...so I guess I'll have to have another giveaway very soon!
Thank you again for all who stopped by with 350th post wishes! Now, I'm off to my mom's for the night! Be back to catch up with you when I get back!
Blessings!
So... I had planned to tell you that I was going to take a bloggy break... when our internet service was interrupted for two days!
But I'm back- but just for the day!
Let me explain...
Our pastor has encouraged those of us who would like to, to participate in a time of prayer and fasting leading up to Easter. And although fasting does mean from food, he suggested that some of us could also "fast" from something else that may distract us. And for those of you who blog, I think you know where this is leading!
The purpose of this is to simple shut out some of the distractions and try to focus in on the Lord a bit more as we head into Easter Sunday.
I've got to be honest....because of all of our road trip preparations, and the fact that we leave just six days after Easter, I think it's been especially challenging for our family to dwell on Easter- and it's very real meaning.
So, in order for me to better do this, I'll be fasting from the blog world in these last few days leading up to Easter Sunday.
Not only do I hope to spend some of this time alone with the Lord...but I hope that our whole family will also be able to focus in on Him and that my children will understand a bit more about His great love.
Yes, they'll be participating in a few egg hunts...but in the midst of these fun times, I hope they will also see Jesus.
By the way, I found this book at our church library and we read it last night at bedtime. I thought some of you might be interested... 
I highly recommend this book, written by Chris Auer, and richly illustrated by Rick Johnson, as a read aloud for children during this season...or anytime!
Well, before I officially begin my break, I want to announce the winner of my giveaway- a new DVD of the old classic, "His Girl Friday"!
I just had my oldest little girl draw a name...and...the winner is...
Gail from More Than a Song!
My daughter exclaimed, "Gail won it again!"
Yes...this is true! A two-time winner from me!
But I wasn't going to throw her name back because she was picked fair and square! My five year declared, "Wow, that Gail is good!" heehee
Congratulations, Gail!
One more thing... After I return from my blogging break leading up to Easter, I will try to post twice that week. But then...I will be having yet another blogging break!
That's the countdown calendar my girls made...way back when the number started at 35. Now look at it...10. We can hardly believe it!!!
I think almost everyone by now knows that means when we'll be leaving for our long-awaited road trip to California!!!!
And unlike some of you dedicated bloggers, I won't be posting from the road.
But you can bet I'll be back as soon as we return, with stories and pictures to share!
Oh, I suppose there will be some laundry to do, too...but after two blogging breaks, I think that should take a backseat by then, don't you? ;)
So, in case by now you're completely confused...a re-cap:
I will be back before the trip- right after Easter.
But a week later...we have an appointment with Mickey and all the Disney princesses!
So today, I'll be visiting as many as I can for this one day of blogging I'm allowing myself this week!
A very Blessed Easter to each and every one of you!
Thank you all so much for playing along in my very first give-away! This was so much fun!
I'm late posting this, since the girls and I ran to a little craft class over at Michael's this morning to make these guys...
Aren't they just the cutest? They even have little jingle bells inside. This was our first time doing a craft over there and the girls just loved it.
But...after we got home and had lunch, I quickly got all the names ready, mixing them all up into the bowl.
My oldest, Sweetie-girl, reached in...
...and picked out a name... (she was very excited!)
and proudly read the name....
And the winner is...
(drum roll, please...)
Gail from More than a Song!!!
Congratulations, Gail! E-mail me and let me know which of the two prizes you choose!
Thank you to each of you again for participating...it was so much fun that I just know I'll be doing another give-away in the near future!
For now, I am off to do some dishes and then get caught up again with some of your posts...
But one more tidbit of news in the extended family front...
Do you remember my telling you about my husband's brother and his wife who adopted (or is in the process of adoption, but she is living with them now) a beautiful African American little girl who just turned two...and that after the starting the process of adoption, found out they were pregnant after not thinking it could happen? You can read a little more about it here.
Well, my sister in law, J, is scheduled for delivery this coming Wednesday! I can't believe the time is actually here! Please keep her and the baby boy in your thoughts and prayers- and hopefully I will be posting pictures about this time next week!
Oh, and there is a possibility that I may be watching this new little nephew a few days a week this fall...I'll keep you posted!
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone...
Blessings!
I'm not sure many of you caught my little edited statement on my last post about it being my 200th...I can hardly believe it, myself, since it feels like I just posted 100 things about me just yesterday!
But in my brief mention, I promised a little book giveaway in my next post! So, here it is!
I am giving away your choice of either three Love Inspired books (Christian romance) or the novel, The Remember Box by Patricia Sprinkle.
The Remember Box is story about an orphaned eleven year old who comes to stay with her aunt and uncle and cousins in 1949, just as they move to a new community in the south, where her uncle will be pastoring a new church. But with growing unrest, things begin to unravel in the small town and her uncle's voice of reason goes unheeded. If you enjoy a well-written Christian read with a tiny bit of grit and lots of meaning, you will probably enjoy this one.
Or, if you'd prefer, I will send the winner a three-book bundle of Love Inspired books, perfect for those times you just want a little light reading while stretched out by the pool!
Just tell me in your reply that you're interested, and you are entered! If you mention my contest and link me, you get your name entered twice! I will be putting all the names into a hat and having one of my girls pick on at random on Saturday, the 28th! If you are the winner, you get your prize pick!
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This week we are having rain, rain and more rain. In the middle of July! We're supposed to have at least five more days of it before the end is in sight. I wish I could send some of it to those of you who need it! It feels kind of cozy right now, but I'm by next week I'll be more than ready for summer sun again!
I have several memes I'm over due for and hope to do them very soon! But for now, the laundry is calling my name...
I'll leave you with this picture my husband took of Lil Cherub as she talked with me long distance from her tent. She had just found the picture of us I had tucked into her backpack...
Be still, my mommy heart...
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