Updates

If you are interested in Homeschooling or Good Food .....
I updated both sites.
Click on the desired link at the top of this page.

Updated the Food Blog

I posted a few more recipies on the Real Good Food Blog.
If you are interested, click on the link at the top of this page.

New Links

If you share a passion for Homeschooling, Food, or Writing, check out the new links at the top of this blog.
They are still blogs in progress, but I have recently updated "Homeschooling".
I may add other blog links in the future, but I think these 3 are enough to launch for now!  ;)
Enjoy!
PS - Have you checked out my sidebar gadgets?  Beauty Tip of the Day, Bible Reader (read what is playing or type reference you wish to read), and Funny Points to Ponder (comic relief).
ALSO - please click on the "The Hunger Site" icon in the top left corner. It is quick and painless.  Just by clicking you provide over 1 cup of food to a starving child!  And you can do it every time you visit this blog!  Thanks :)

Link to free download of Pure Pleasure, by Gary Thomas

If you would like a free downloadable copy of the book, Pure Pleasure, written by Gary Thomas, please scroll down to my Links to Look At section.
The following synopsis is taken from Gary's website:

Is your Christian walk characterized more by guilt and sacrifice, rather than pleasure and freedom? Gary Thomas asserts that pleasure is a powerful force designed to feed our relationships, help protect our spiritual integrity, and bring delight to our heavenly Father.
In this liberating book, Gary will equip you to:

•Enjoy God with a new sense of freedom and delight.
•Overcome temptation by replacing counterfeit diversions with true pleasure.
•Feel the excitement of bringing joy to your family and friends.
•Discover and enjoy new activities that renew your soul.
•Experience a deeper awareness of God’s goodness in your life.

Hmmmm, does any of that ring a bell with what has been on my mind/posts lately?
Don't be surprised if I quote from Pure Pleasure sometime soon! ;)
Enjoy the read.

Quick Site Update

Hey Ladies,
Don't think I've ignored your comments on the past couple of posts. I have a lot weighing on my heart to respond to and for the post on morning quiet times. I'll post soon, I promise.
But for now (as my children are waiting patiently for their Mom to make them breakfast....)
I wanted to give a couple quick site updates.

First, thanks to Kari for brining to my attention a link for free downloadable Bible studies.
In light of this, I have added a "Links to Look At" Side Bar. (bottom left of this blog).
As I find links of interest, I will add them to the list.
Check it out!

Second,
I think I've come up with working Labels for this cyber journal. Feel free to suggest other labels or topics of interest for me to consider adding :) And no, I am not going to have a schedule of when I write about certain topics, sorry. I will, however, do my best to consistently label the posts so you can find posts on topics that most interest you :)

Here is the current list:

Britt's Blurts (random stuff)
Chore Chart (Household duties/Cleaning)
God's Glory (goodness of God - Praises)
Humor (I find this funny)
Life Lessons (What God is teaching me)
Marriage Matters (dealing with marriage)
Mommy Moments (dealing with raising children)
Site Maintenance (stuff like this post) ;)
Tea Time (Friendship issues)
Word Walk (Teaching from the Bible)

Thank you SO much for all your faithful comments and patience as I get this blog up and running! You are all appreciated! :)

Labels for this blog

Can I count this as a bonus blog posting? A two in one day deal?
Even though the purpose of this post is to solicit your help?

I'm wanting to create labels for the various topics I plan on discussing on this blog.
Below is a list that I have come up with.
What do you think? Catchy? Not Catchy? Meaningful or just confusing?

Also, are there any ideas for discussion topics that I haven't listed that interest you?
Let me know.

Thanks in advance :)


Wifely Wisdom (dealing with married life)
Mommy Moments (dealing with kids)
Britt Blurt (random stuff)
Domestic / Household (need catchy title here, ladies!)
Friends (again, getting late, and can't think of catchy title for this one)

Why this Blog, anyway?

Ok,
So maybe this should have been the first post. But the whole coffee shop experience was fresh on my mind, and seeing as how I am a "blurter", that made first post! (couldn't wait to blog about it) Growing up I always considered myself a patient person.
Then I grew up.
Oh yes, I put on a happy face and pretend all is well..... but inside, I am ready to act NOW.
(Or else have somebody else cease what they are doing/saying to annoy me, NOW.)

This is not a good trait on many levels. But Primarily:

Patience is an expression of love.

Love is patient, Love is kind - 1Corinthians 13:4
Trust me, there have been several days I regret teaching that verse to my children.... ;)

* When I am not being patient (and I mean truly paying attention to what they are
saying/doing - patient) with my children, I am not showing them love.

* When I impatiently tap my foot or roll my eyes at the S-L-O-W
WalMart check out cashier, I am not showing her love. Do I stop to
consider that maybe a truly patient and warm smiling face might
be the only bright spot of her evening? (I mean, who wouldn't perk up at
a smile from me, right?!?)

All right, already. On to the main point of this post
(Thanks for patiently hanging in there, btw) ;)

Why this Blog in the first place?

1) First and foremost, I feel it is a prompting from the Holy Spirit.
It seems HE has really laid it on my heart to Be Real. To put aside the made-up, nicely dressed Sunday morning image. The posting of all things good in my life blog post and FB quips. Now, do not get me wrong. I do not lie, but I don't exactly post the stories of how nicely I yelled at my children that morning! Within the past few weeks a few comments have been made to me that caused me to think about how real I am with people. I'll give you 2 examples.

One was "Britt, that is what I like about you, you are always so real".
Great! That made my day. One of the best compliments ever.

But a month or so later another mom and I had this conversation after church:
Mom: "I love your girls' dresses today, did you make them?"
Me: "NO! I don't sew. I got them at Kohls" (Can I get promo credit from Kohls, here?)
Mom: "Oh, I just assumed you sewed, since you're super mom and do everything"

Yikes! Do I give that impression to people? I mean, sure, I like to be well thought of and to at least appear fairly competent, but "super mom"? Had she spoken with my children, they would have set her straight! :)

2) I feel I have lots to say about life in general
Ok, some other day I will post on another virtue: humbleness. Unfortunately, I do not have that one figured out yet, so it will have to wait. But in all honesty, there are things in life/my life that I want to comment on. And since I do not have a syndicated magazine column, radio spot, or a talkshow bearing my name, that left me with free Blogger! :) This blog is my creative outlet, my cyber journal so to speak. I will probaly continue blogging even after all of you fans (shout out to Mom here) long abandon me :)

3) My prayer is that writing about my life and what God is teaching me will be an encouragement to other women who find themselves at a similar juncture in life.
By that I mean:
Married, raising children, stretching finances, keeping up on housework. Being the best Wife, Mother, Daughter, Sister, Aunt, Niece, Granddaughter, Cousin, Friend, Neighbor, Worship Team Member, SS Teacher, Aspiring Writer, Person in line at Wal Mart, and Blogger that I can be...... while not snapping into insanity!

So if you are haning in there with me while I figure out the shape of this whole
"cyber-interactive-journal-thing" - thanks a million. Let me know your suggestions to make this a better site. After all, I want this site to be as much about YOU, as it is me.
(See, I'm not that conceited!)

This site just wouldn't work without you.
I would have to start interacting with myself ;)

Question for you:
What ARE your thoughts on this blog idea? Any suggestions on what you would like to read here? What would bring you back to this site? etc... etc....

-Britt :)