Proud and Embarrassed

 While I have been a Christian for MOST of my life, I will come clean and say... I have NEVER, EVER read the Bible in its entirety. Embarrassing. 

I have been saved since I was four, baptized by my own choice around age 12, gone to Christian youth camps, done Bible studies, devos, listened to sermons, faithfully gone to Sunday School and church and have covered MUCH of it I am sure... but I have personally NEVER read it ALL. 

I will never be able to say that again. 

Over the past year, every day, I read through chronologically. I am done. I am SO PROUD of myself and it was time SO.WELL.SPENT. I loved it! I loved it in order, I loved the "program" I used, I loved that it was actually my "little" secret for much of the year... (more on that in a bit)

I was inspired by a blog post on a blog that I like to read and she started an Instagram page just for accountability. I thought... yah...I can do that... I drink my coffee in bed every morning... my routine is always the same...

Even when Minnie and I headed out of town! This was a little more challenging because I lost the speaker on my phone so I was able to continue with my reading plan, but I had to catch up on my Recaps when I got home....but I DID IT! I was able to get all the podcasts on Amazon Music

SO EASY!!! My routine as the school year went on is reading during coffee and listening to the podcast on the way to school for my morning commute. The timing usually works out pretty perfect by the time I start it... it's usually ending just as I turn off onto the last part of my commute. I LOVE it.

Now... why the "secret"? Shouldn't I be shouting to everyone? Honestly... I didn't know if I would be able to complete it... lazy... or if I'd not stick with... I have tried in the past and failed...whatever... I just kept it to myself for a really long time... but now... NOPE... You all need to do it! :) It was so fun and the question is... will I do it again... YEP! Starting back at Genesis 1:1 on January 1, 2024. Can't WAIT to start again!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Broken Hearted

Last Thursday after Minnie's basketball game, CountryDad came to the house to deliver devastating news that Uncle Mike had passed away that morning. Reeling is the only word I could describe... out and in...in and out... I could not make sense of it... an apparent sudden heart attack shortly after grabbing a breakfast of Aunt Carol's famous chocolate chip cookies.

In our grieving and heart break, I am finding so much gratitude and thankfulness... for ALL the time spent with him...ALWAYS making time to hang out when they came to visit, for text messages but especially for our most recent trip to GA. Other than this picture....

I didn't take any other photos of he or Aunt Carol or us together... but in my memory.... are the conversations, the car rides, the deep couch sitting, the story telling, the advice he gave me and his thoughts and views on different aspects of relationships and my life. 

Through sobbing tears I told Husband AGAIN how so very GRATEFUL I was for that trip and how supported I felt by him to be able to spend the money and time away with Minnie. Those conversations with Uncle Mike (and Aunt Carol) will forever be some of my most favorite. 

To say that I am sad doesn't scratch the surface... heartbroken... physical hurt from sadness and missing this guy that was WAY more than just "Uncle Mike" to me...

Uncle Mike Posts

Miss B (WARNING: Graphic Pics Part 3)

 Miss B has been through it AGAIN... it really is a good thing this girl's pain tolerance is so high... on Tuesday I left work early and picked her up at school and we headed for the dentist... this girl has had so much done at our sweet dental office... we do LOVE him but man alive I feel bad for her....this time it was her pesky LAST baby tooth... it was jammed in between her adult tooth and the gums. Dr. Mike said there were no roots attached but upon further review...they were. Ouch.

Few "drops" of Novocain and his special tool that she HEARD snap "27 roots" :) and a giant hole. Poor kiddo. 

and just to FINISH off the drama....

The FINAL toe nail popped off when her toe got stuck trying to put her jammies on... it didn't hurt she said but holy COW this process has been so long! So happy we can spend the winter with these things covered and FINGERS CROSSED they are long enough for a pedi by the time sandal season starts!

I cannot explain how TOUGH this girl is when it comes to physical ailments! :) I love her!!!

The Weekend Report (Sunday)

 

Festive holiday nails for all the HOLIDAY fun!

Maddie and Minnie worked together to make this charcuterie to bring to SIL L's 1st Annual Cookie Decorating Party!

This guy had NO IDEA why his Mom had put tablecloths UNDER the table...

but it was a GOOD THING SHE DID!! It got a little nutty REALLY fast! :)

Oh Miss Mean Muggin'....I love her!

These two were RIGHT in their glory with sugar sugar...

and MORE SUGAR!

Whew!

Josie Ring's nieces jumped in on the fun!

and my big girl was so helpful :)

My gals LOVE LOVE LOVE playing with their little cousins so much....

until they crash from exhaustion! :) Wowzers it was fun!

The Weekend Report (Saturday)

On Friday night Minnie's friend asked if she wanted to be in the town light parade with her... of course!!! Husband and I were not sure if we were going to head down but Maddie needed a place to crash after the parade so Brad and Marisa could Christmas shop so we zipped Miss B down and hung out in the center of town for an hour or so...

She snagged free "hot" chocolate and onuts so she was super happy!

Been a LONG TIME since we've gone to the tree lighting...

but you add in a PARADE... and it was all KINDS OF fun! :)

Saw the Flaherty crew!

And then there was Minnie with her buds...

Pretty much how my photography goes when it is dark and there are Christmas lights...yikes!

but also hard taking pictures of 14 year old girls who are CONSTANTLY MOVING!

Thankful Sammy stopped long enough to snap one with Miss B

and probably the only picture with Santa :)

The parade went around the town green so we caught it again on the other side :)

and this time I got Miss B with Bella :)

and the backside of teen girls! :)

Came home with a bonus child, feed 'em all the snacks...

and sent 'em to bed!

FUN NIGHT FOR SURE!