Outside Fun

Starting next week, our Mondays and Fridays are going to be much more quiet and kind of lonely. Olivia's mommy is about to begin summer break. Great for Mommy and Olivia, just a little sad for Grammy and Papa. We started the morning with one of Olivia and Papa's favorite things, pancakes at IHOP! Then who could stay inside on this perfect, BEAUTIFUL spring day? Olivia and I played outside the whole time she was here (except for a much needed nap--hers, not mine:0) She loves playing in the little rose bed fountain, and it's not a bad way to wash off the sand and the bubbles:0)


Taking a little break...playing makes you so tired!

Time for more bubbles...

Olivia kept looking at her Papa today and saying Gampa, Gampa, Gampa with a stinkery little smile...those two are quite a pair.

Ministry Online Conference

I decided to post some information on another online women's conference from A Woman Inspired. The first conference I did with them was great and this one looks interesting as well:

This conference is designed to provide information about ministering online through blogging and other social media. Speakers and topics include:

Alyssa Avant: Finding Your Passion
Amy Bayliss: Split Decisionz: How To Give Your Blog A Facelift
Darcy: Okay So I Have A Blog, Now What?
Dawn Camp: Facebook - Inside and Out
Genikwa Williams: Touching Lives Online: The Power of Social Media to Minister
Karla Porter: Social Media and your ministry
Kristen Schiffman: Embedding Excellence
Leah Adams: 'I Did It My Way' Is Never the Best Way!!
Leigh Gray: Spilling the Beans and the Motives Attached
Maria Reyes- McDavis: Biblical Principles for Social Media Success: A Complete Starter's Guide to Marketing Your Business, Ministry, or Personal Brand
Mary Snyder: Facebook Friends, Twitter Tweets, and Blogging Buddies: The Blessings of Online Friendships
Sarah Martin: He Knows Your Words!
Tracy Jackson: Mommytography- Blogging Version
The Amies: Starting From Scratch With Your Ministry - Leads to Full Q&A Session

The cost is a very reasonable $12.95 including all the speakers and a free e-book starter guide to beginning your own ministry online if you register by May 29.

Summer Bible Study

I am doing the study Me, Myself and Lies by Jennifer Rothschild with the Siestas at the LPM Blog. I got my book in the mail today and am looking forward to the study. Dori at Your Word is Life to Me is doing a sweet giveaway for a signed copy of Jennifer Rothschild's book Self Talk, Soul Talk. You can participate by leaving a comment here. The summer study at the LPM blog is a good way to keep in the Word with a group from the comfort of your own home :-)

Animal Cookies

A couple more pics from our picnic. Papa and Olivia were finishing up their meal by biting the heads off their animal cookies...nice! I love the way she is looking at him in the last picture, it says alot!

Picnic with Grammy and Papa

No time for comments...just a quick post of my favorite picture from our picnic today! Hopefully be back with more later.

Are You God's Masterpiece?

My New Favorite Photo!!!

In case you couldn't tell...she adores her Papa and the feeling is mutual!

Great Worship CD!

Very excited about this. I have been anxiously waiting for this new CD to be released by my favorite worship leader Travis Cottrell. It is almost time. You can go here to listen to some cuts from each of the songs or here for a chance to win a copy.

What is Sweeter...

I can't think of many things sweeter than a sleeping child. When it is nap time at Grammy's, Olivia starts collecting "friends" to toss in the pack-n-play. Yesterday she just had to sleep with our dog Annie's little teddy bear (kinda yucky I know) but what is a Grammy to do?

Spring Swing!

We did this for an hour this morning--we both loved it!

Creation Calls

My blog friend Debbie at Heart Choices posted this video Saturday and it is too good not to share. It is a little long, but worth every minute!

Finally Home!

This last month has been extra busy for us with funerals...some extended family and Monday Andy officiated at the funeral for a good friends mother. I was thinking about all the loss and this song kept coming to mind. I know this song means a great deal to my sweet hubby who still misses his dad a ton. It is a song with a beautiful vocal, but more than that it expresses so well our longing for "home."

Something to Think About

Same topic as yesterday...but it is worth posting about again. I was very moved by this post from Melissa Moore Fitzpatrick today. I think I need to print it and re-read it on a regular basis.

Compassion

If you are not reading the blogs from the Compassion blogger team that is in Inida right now, you don't know what you are missing. You can go here and here for two of many beautiful stories that will move your heart. Hopefully move it toward helping a child.

8 Things

I was tagged by Debbie at Heart Choices. I don't usually find the time to participate in these things, but here goes...

(edited to add: I started this last Tuesday and am just finding time to post on Sunday night, that's how the week has gone :-)

Here are the instructions for 8 Things:
Mention the person that tagged you
Complete the list of 8 things
Tag 8 of your wonderful bloggy friends
Go tell them you tagged them

8 Things I look forward to:
Our 30th anniversary trip in November
Mondays and Fridays with our granddaughter Olivia :-)
Meeting with my Bible study ladies
Walking every day with Shonda and Wanda
Visits from my kids
Anytime with my sweet hubby
Time for scrapping/cardmaking
My nose in a good book

8 Things I Did Yesterday:
Led a.m. Bible study
Started monthly newsletter
Worked on Sunday School lesson
Walked for an hour with friends
Made supper
Drank way too much coffee
Led p.m. Bible study
Watched the end of the Cub game :0)

8 Things I Wish I Could Do:
Quit my job
Travel anywhere with my hubby
Spend more time scrapping/creating
Learn about photography/with a good camera
Read more
Meet/visit with Beth Moore
Spend more time with family
Learn to Dance

8 Shows I Watch:
24
LOST
American Idol
Dancing with the Stars
Smallville
Extreme Makeover Home Edition
Rachel Ray (on my days off)
Cub games :-)

Not sure about 8 bloggers to tag, but if you'd like to participate I'd love to hear your 8 Things...like Debbie said, it is nice to get to know you better.

Grammy...

Someone called me by name for the first time yesterday...and it was sweet :-)

Who Knew?

I am not a big one for jumping on the bandwagon... I saw a link to this video several times before I finally watched. I have watched it four times now and been moved to tears. It will leave you feeling good--I promise.

Town Hall for Hope

If you are as tired as I am of all the fear and doom and gloom about the economy in the media you will want to particiate in the free nationwide simulcast event hosted by Dave Ramsey on April 23. It is way past time to start spreading a message of hope. For my friends who live close by, we are hosting the event at Highview Christian Church or you can click on the Town Hall for Hope link in my sidebar to find out more and find a location near you.

My Redeemer Lives!

His Wounds...My Ransom