Guest Posting at OhAmanda

While she's living it up at Disney World, I am guest posting over at OhAmanda today on something very serious and dear to my heart ... perhaps one of the more important things I've written. Please go read it! And if you're visiting from there, welcome. 

The topic was stewardship, and the question referred to the “do not worry about tomorrow” passage in Matthew.

The question, from a study on Mission, asked something like, “How would you live if you really trusted God to take care of your basic needs?” … (Read the rest.)

 (You should go read OhAmanda anyway, if just to see her beautiful new design!)

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When Bloggy Friends Become Real Friends

I am pretty sure I've been reading OhAmanda's blog as long as I've been blogging. I honestly have NO idea how I found her blog, but I am sure glad I did! We've had two Blissdoms of fun and yesterday was the second time I've driven down to her house just to hang out.

And for the past few months, I've gotten much closer to some of Amanda's real-life friends and fellow bloggers: Staci, Mandi, and Becky.

Yesterday Staci, Mandi, Amanda, and I were all able to get together with our five kids running around like small crazy people. It was a blast, and I treasure having these friends I can truly talk about anything with (including and not limited to who to leave our children to if we died and how many craft blogs I have never heard of).

Here are our sweet kiddos!

Libbie loved all the play jewelry

Libbie and Asa--and yes, this IS the best picture I could get!

Adorable Lydia

Megan was all about this Flounder hat ... and strawberries!

And for a flashback, here's Libbie and Asa (and their mommas!) at Blissdom 2009.

Having online friends become true friends is a wonderful finer thing!


{Apparently Evan, Mandi's older son, didn't actually stand still long enough to get a picture of him!}

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Saturday Linky Love

Many the Miles from Home Sanctuary - a beautiful post for those of us with little bitty children

How to Set Goals with Your Children from Inspired to Action - I am in awe of Kat. Always have been. I so desperately want to be the kind of intentional parent that she and Amanda and others are modeling for me.

This birthday wreath from How Does She...? is SO CUTE! Maybe I'll make one for my own birthday (May 26. Feel free to send presents). ;)

I think these homemade bath bombs may be a good Christmas present to make this year! (From Petit Elephant)

I guest posted yesterday at Once a Month Mom about how to make yummy Maple Cinnamon Apple-Pearsauce. Yeah, usually I make it for Libbie ... but I've been known to eat it myself it's so yummy!

Speaking of birthdays, OhAmanda's is today! Go leave her happy comments or Twitter love.

Read anything good this week? Leave a link in the comments!

Added to Saturday Stumbles at It's Come 2 This.
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Things I Love Thursday: Online Friends

You want to know something really fun?

Friday night I am leaving the hubby and the girl here, driving 2 hours, and staying the night with Amanda--yes, THAT Amanda. We've met several times in real life (two years of Blissdom) but have never been able to spend that much one-on-one time since there have been so many other people to meet.

Then--oh then--on Saturday afternoon we are going to get together with Bee from Will Blog for Shoes and Candance from Twiggie Makes, whom I have never met. I'm not sure I could be any more excited.

Gorgeous Amanda (front) with someone I don't know. Photo by Mishelle Lane.

Even a year ago, I might have laughed at the prospect of going on a road trip to meet blogging friends--and staying at one of their homes! Despite the fact that Amanda and I have been reading each others' blogs "forever," it's just been over the past few months that I feel like we have grown very close. A lot of it is my constant solicitation for parenting advice. She is a former children's minister and has a plethora of amazing advice and the reason why she believes a certain thing. I will be the first to admit that I'm just making it up as I go along most of the time. I need the help!!

I had this discussion at Blissdom or immediately after about those bloggers who live for blog conferences. That's when they see their friends. This is not the kind of blogger I want to be, ever. Trust me--you need friends you can see face-to-face. You need to remove yourself from the computer OFTEN and live real life!

But there is a special blessing in online friends. I've known this since I was a high-schooler and found myself in a community of Hanson lovers. We communicated through guest books. Awesome.

I've always been able to explain myself better through writing than speaking. (Hence, blogging.) There is something about speaking face-to-face and hearing someone's voice--but there is also something about being able to write out what you feel without struggling through tears to put the words together.

Especially in the past few months, I've clung to my online "sisterchicks." I can only call the same two people to hang out with in Chattanooga so many times before I start to be clingy! Everything's been a whirlwind of emotions and it's so helpful to have those women to talk through situations with before I bombard my husband with a flurry of nonsensical verbiage and gasping tears.

All friendships are precious. I've realized the true gem of some of my online friends in recent months, and for that I am thankful.

Added to Things I Love Thursday at The Diaper Diaries.

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Top Ten Tuesday: Intentional Parenting and Inspirations

For at least two weeks, God's been trying to get my attention about intention. There was this post from Amy Beth which I love insanely and have shared several times. A radio program called "Intentional Living." Reading Impress Your Kids. And just all of these realizations about being at home now. For me, being at home has magnified how lazy I really am.

Remember my Top Ten Surprises about Staying Home? Apparently confessing my shortcomings has not made me want to battle them any more. I want to have a clean house, fresh laundry, nutritious meals, and never-ending patience--as well as be a good listener, helpmate, lover, and supporter to my husband. As soon as I look at all of these things in one place, my head seriously starts to explode, and I go check out Facebook instead.

I'm working on writing a guest post for Impress Your Kids about steps I am taking to be more intentional, but I'd love to know what your tricks and inspirations are, too! Please share them in the comments.

Here are my Top Ten people and things that inspire me to be a more intentional parent.

1. The Bible. Well, of course. Not only does regular Bible study help me keep focused on what is right and true, the more I read the more I want to teach Libbie. If she's awake when I am doing my study, I will read to her right from my "big-person" Bible. She enjoyed listening to some of Esther yesterday!

2. Impress Your Kids. Just go read it all and get back to me. I want to impress the Truth onto Libbie's heart!

3. The Finer Things in Life. Amy inspires me to be a better mother, wife, and homemaker. She has a gentle, guiding spirit and it was such a blessing to get to meet her in real life! (If you are thinking about becoming a SAHM ever, you should read her Mommy, Come Home Series.)

4. Family Fun magazine. (Follow @FamilyFun on Twitter.) Chock full of great ideas for every age, Family Fun is a GREAT magazine for inspiration. I think I got my subscription for free at some point, but I will definitely renew when the time comes!

5. (in)courage. The (in)courage posts are not all, or even primarily, about parenting, but the amazing authors there encourage me to be better and MORE in all aspects of my life.

6. Twiggie Makes. Candace's enthusiasm for life and love for her kids (and finding TIME to cook and craft) make me happy and ready to push forward! She's amazing and has become a true friend.

7. Reading. I am trying to read more parenting books, but I think reading in general sparks creativity--and it also gets me off the computer! I have read some GREAT books recently, including The Stolen Child, Sonata for Miriam, The Book Thief, and The Happiest Toddler on the Block. (If you like to read and you haven't read it, please drop what you're doing RIGHT NOW and go read The Book Thief. It's the best book I have read possibly ever.)

8. Disconnecting. I've found more and more lately that the way for me to focus is turn off the computer, TV, even music. I need the calm.

9. Playing. Just sitting on the floor with Libbie often gives me ideas of other things to do with her. I become familiar with what interests her and what she doesn't like. Also the more I try to have "special time" with her, where I allow no distractions for myself, the better behaved she is the rest of the day.

10. Creating mantras. My attitude is SO much better when I go into a task repeating, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men" (Colossians 3:23) than if I think, "Why do I have to do this? Ugh, I hate housework."

I hope this helps inspire you, and I would LOVE to know some of your inspirations whether it be for parenting, housekeeping, being a better spouse, or just improving yourself in general.


For more Top Ten Tuesday, visit OhAmanda.com.

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This Might Be a Series

I was laying in bed last night, half-delirious from sleepyness and more than half-obsessing over an article I have due on Friday and feeling more than half-guilty about not writing here more often when I have so many ideas floating around in my head.

I've been tempted lately to buy one of those little handheld voice recorders because I write blog posts in my head most abundantly in the car and right before I fall asleep--and promptly forget most of them before I get to a computer.


I'm not exactly sure why Robin from Pensieve flew to my mind last night, but I try not to question those kinds of things. Since I still remembered this half-composed post this morning, it must be destiny! So today I want to share with you the reasons I love Robin as a blogger and friend.


Top Ten Reasons I Love Robin and Her Blog, Pensieve

1. She's not afraid to post something really long if it's important to her.

2. She's an experienced mom whose kids seem to adore her and she truly adores her kids, too.

3. She is the only blogger I decided to follow because I had a dream telling me to do so. (And she didn't get too scared when I told her so.)

4. She is SUCH a magnificent writer.

5. She loves poetry.

6. She drove way out of her way to meet me the first time we visited Chattanooga.

7. She relishes the simple life.

8. She's not afraid to say what she thinks, and say it in a way that changes my mind about something.

9. She writes beautiful tributes like this.

10. She loves passionately and is passionate about Compassion.

Bonus: This.

I definitely think this is going to be a series, because I want to share with you the bloggers I truly adore. I hope you'll click some of these links and see why you NEED to subscribe to Pensieve.

This Top Ten Tuesday linked up at OhAmanda--whom you know will be in this series of Bloggers I Love and Why You Should Love Them, Too!

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Posts

Today Amanda listed her Top 10 most visited posts of all time. Well, I don't have data going back to all time, but mine does go back to March or so. Most of my most-visited posts, however, are recipes (and most of those because they are linked to Once a Month Mom). Mom's Enchiladas, Scalloped Corn, and Sloppy BBQ Chicken Pizza are the top contenders for most-visited recipes on this site.

So, instead of my real top 10 posts, I'm going with Top Ten Most-Visited Posts That Are Not Recipes. So there!

1. We Came, We Cooked, We Conquered



This really is my #1 post--undoubtedly because Meredith linked to it from Like Merchant Ships. It was a fun adventure!

2. A Little Bit About Me



Because I know everyone wants to see my scary snake picture! I really need to update my About Me page, but so much is transient right now I've kind of been waiting.

3. I Think This Officially Makes Me a Mommy Blogger



Without a doubt, MY favorite post ever. And perhaps my most honest.

4. Top Ten Tuesday: Baby Paraphernalia

This was for the very first Top Ten Tuesday! I had a four-month-old, which of course made me an expert on baby stuff. :)

5. Menu Plan Monday (The Last One?)

I honestly have no idea why this is a top post. I must have been at the top of the linky list at Org Junkie or something!!

6. The Case of the $8 Veggie Tray



Another Menu Plan Monday post; a case study on how I went over my grocery budget. Probably a top post because I get a lot of Google searches for "veggie tray."

7. Top Ten Birthday Gifts I Probably Won't Be Getting

Another Top Ten post! And much to my surprise, I did get quite a few of them due to the fact that my sister-in-law reads my blog and sent the list to my in-laws!

8. Dear Male Readers--Especially My Dad--And People I Work With, Please Don't Read This.



(Yeah. That's a little ironic, dontcha think?) Stephanie made me do it, is all I have to say about this.

9. Transitioning to Big-Girl Foods

A desperate plea for advice. Advice I still probably need, as I have a child who will happily subsist on fruit and bread.

10. Once-a-Month-Cooking Recipes: a Review



Pretty much exactly what it says it is!

So, there you go. Just in case you ever wondered. I still recommend more highly the posts in my "Popular Posts" section of the sidebar.

What's the most-visited post on your blog?

For more Top Ten Tuesday, visit OhAmanda.

Five and Five Make Ten

I was inspired by my good friend Jill's Top Ten Tuesday Etsy post last week. I love Etsy. I love the idea of supporting handmade goods and I don't use it to shop nearly enough. If you don't know what Etsy is, it's a website dedicated to selling handmade crafts from people around the world. I find that most people price their items competitively and ship reasonably as well.

So, for my first five, I have my five favorite things purchased from Etsy.

1. Cat buttons from seller poshtottysupplies. Way back in the day, before I got pregnant and tired, I used to crochet a lot, especially baby clothes. I got these to coordinate with a sweater I was making. Unfortunately I think they're still in an envelope in my crochet bag. But I WILL use them someday. Because how precious are they?!



2. "Buttercup" earrings from seller 2dy4. I got these for my best friend Michelle for Christmas last year. They just screamed of her style! I love the vintage-style jewelry from this seller and the earrings even came in an adorable vintage tin (all for $11!).

3. Wet bags from MonkeyFoot Designs. When you cloth diaper, you have to have wet bags. I have three sizes from this seller, who was recommended to me by Steph--small, large, and extra-large. We use the XL in her room for changes at home, the large in the diaper bag for a day's worth of diapers for daycare/sitter, and the small for in my purse or small diaper bag if we're just running out for a bit. They are super high quality and I LOVE the patterns--especially of this one I've pictured!

4. This is my reversible Dashwood sling from seller loveseptember. So sweet and I adored it when Libbie was a little bitty thing. And we all know I love loveseptember because she gave away a sling to one of my readers!


5. Someone gave me this exact hooded towel for Libbie, and I just loved it SO much I hunted it down to get one for my friend Amy's daughter, Aubrie. (When your kid's name is Libbie with an IE or Aubrie, it's hard to find something personalized!) The Etsy seller is tinysunshine and she has a great assortment of personalized sweetness. The towel is very nice and fluffy and I just love the little whale design!

And for the remaining five, here are my current five favorite items that I'd love to have from Etsy! (Christmas is coming, dear Mr. V, cough cough!)

6. All of shlomitofir's jewelry is exquisite, but I especially love these silver and turquoise earrings.

7. Another one from the same seller. I am drooling. Aren't they gorgeous?



8. I love Meghan Langford's beautiful photos of Nashville. I will need some Nashville memorabilia when I relocate!

9. You know I can't resist a precious little dress for my little one. How cute would she be in this next summer? I am slightly obsessed with Lil Miss Muffin dresses.



10. I love these sweet hand-stamped necklaces that have become popular. I only worry about having one made with Libbie's name and then having more kids! Won't they be jealous? Am I too ridiculous? This one is from seller CristinaAshleyDesign.

For more Top Ten Tuesday, visit OhAmanda. And if you want to find me on Etsy, I'm crochetterie.

Guest Posting at OhAmanda

I failed to mention that Friday I guest posted for my VERY FAVORITE blogger, Miss OhAmanda herself. (I'm sure you had no idea how much I love her by now!!)

The post it about working motherhood and has gotten some great conversation going on in the comments. Check it out!

Yesterday, I worked an eight-hour day, complete with a video shoot. I picked up the baby from daycare, took her to Target, came home, warmed up dinner, fed us all, played with her on the floor, made banana bread while holding the baby, nursed twice, put her to bed, washed, dried, stuffed, and folded 17 cloth diapers, picked up the kitchen, washed dishes, paid bills, and spent a little quality time with my husband. [For the rest of the post, go here.]

Favorite Recipes

Since I'm out of town with no Internet, here are some old favorites for you to peruse back through.

Favorite Cookie: Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Favorite Soup: Broccoli and Cheese

Favorite Casserole: Chicken, Broccoli, and Stuffing

Favorite Meatloaf: My Mother-in-Law's

Favorite Pasta Salad: Summer Bow-Ties

Favorite Pie: Cherry Cheesecake Pie

Favorite Dip: Mexican Corn Dip

Favorite South Beach Recipe: Taco Bake

Favorite Recipe to Share with Others: Italian Ziti

Favorite Places to Find New Recipes: Chocolatechic, The Pioneer Woman Cooks, Cooking During Stolen Moments

For more Top Ten Tuesday, check out OhAmanda.

Top Ten Tuesday: Linky Love

Since it seems people like a list of good reads, once again, here are my Top Ten Posts I've Liked Recently, for your reading pleasure!

10. "Best Audio Books for Kids" by OhAmanda. It was her top ten post today. Is that cheating? I left a small essay in the comments!!

9. "Will You Hit Your Saturation Point Before Your Tipping Point?" by Velveteen Mind

8. "When I Am Old" by The MawMaw

7. "Adjusting to Life with Three Littles" by Mom of Littles (aka MoneySaving Mom)

6. "ESPN, Where Do You Get These People?" by Deep South Moms

5. "Not Budgeting Enough Can Be Costly" by A Simple Walk

4. "Sweetness" by Love Well

3. "Brave" by Ministry So Fabulous

2. "I Cried" from The Life, Faith, and Creativity of Jessica Turner

1. "Throwing Down on the Recession" by Deep South Moms

And while we're talking links, here are the recipes I've starred on my Google Reader lately. Anyone want to make one of these for me? Sticking with the theme, these are the last 10 I've added.

Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake from Chocolatechic
Lemon Cake from Chocolatechic (really, she needs to stop taking such yummy-looking pictures)
Sesame-Garlic Chicken Noodle Stir-Fry from Cooking During Stolen Moments
Lemon-Garlic Chicken Noodle Soup from Naturally Knocked Up
Blackberry Jam Oatmeal Cookie Sandwiches from Cooking During Stolen Moments
Banana Cream Pie from Chocolatechic
Ridiculously Good Chocolate Cake from Cooking During Stolen Moments
Italian Meatball Hoagies from $5 Dinners
Meatball Soup from A Year of Crockpotting
Crockpot Chicken Fajitas from $5 Dinners

And while we're talking ... if you're visiting from OhAmanda, I have a giveaway going on right now for a wonderful book on hearing God speak in our time. Check it out and enter!

It's My Birthday, and I'll Top Ten if I Want To

I'm almost ashamed to confess to y'all how spoiled I am. Out of my "Top Ten Birthday Gifts I Probably Won't Be Getting," I've received quite a few! I got at least 7 1/2 hours of sleep the last two nights, as my mom and sister took over baby duty until it was time to feed her. My DH got a job. He also got me a Sirius radio--which I really did not expect. Broadway, here I come!! And my in-laws gave me a soundtrack, a Springform pan, and Babette's Feast.

I AM SO SPOILED.

So, for Top Ten Tuesday, here are ten things for which I am so grateful, spanning all 27 years of my life.

1. Having Christian parents who have raised me as a believer. They have also exhibited a wonderful Christ-honoring marriage and showed me a great example of how to parent.

2. An amazing, godly husband who honors me, adores me, and whom I love ridiculously.

3. The gift of my baby daughter, who has filled my lifelong dream of being a mom and is the sweetest little chunk you've ever seen.

4. And, of course, a dear sister and friends whom I love a lot.

5. That God is active and dwelling in me, and He speaks--still! [More on this later this week.]

6. God-given talents that will allow me to work at home while I stay with Libbie (and write this blog, which somehow people find read-worthy!).

7. A very fun blogging community. I've been so thankful this year to meet new friends, learn about the blogging business, and get to have feedback on questions from hundreds of people!

8. For church communities that have helped raise me and now will help me raise my own children. We've been extremely blessed to have spent the last five years in an amazing, faith-filled congregation.

9. For Netflix. OK, you know I had to have one goofy thing. But how cool is it to be able to watch any movie I want for $14.95 a month! (My current obsession is watching the entire Gilmore Girls series, which I never saw when it was on TV. I'm nearing the end of Season 3!)

10. For a hope and a future.

For more Top Ten Tuesday, hop over to OhAmanda.

Top Ten Posts I Loved Recently

Yo, I am TIRED this morning. Because you know if I wasn't, I would never say "yo." Baby got up every two hours last night screaming bloody murder. Please be teeth? Because if not, they are going to have to take me to the loony bin.

Here are some of my favorite posts as of late, since I have no brain power this morning.

10. "Free Willy" from My Charming Kids

9. "Simple Ideas for Generosity--Even on a Tight Budget" from Money Saving Mom

8. "I Don't Want to Be a Fun Mom" from The Secret Life of Kat

7. "Somewhere Ronald McDonald is Crying" from Big Mama

6. "Because Sometimes Love Letters Come in the Shape of a Book" from Ministry So Fabulous

5. "Mirror, Mirror on the Wall" from Deep South Moms

4. "Into the Marrow" from Pensieve

3. "Setting the Tone of Your Home" from We Are THAT Family

2. "Breaking News" from Chicken & Cheese

1. "Hello, Princess" from Her Bad Mother

Check out OhAmanda.com for much more interesting Top Ten lists this week.

Top Ten Birthday Gifts I Probably Won't Be Getting

My birthday is coming up! It's May 26, and I struggle to say I will be 27. I know that's not that old ... but for some reason is sounds much closer to 30 than 26 does! I've pulled out several gray hairs recently. I'm just starting to feel like a grown-up, I guess. Hah. Which I should, since I've been married nearly 5 years and have a child now!

Anyway, I thought I would amuse myself by listing the Top Ten Things I Would Love for My Birthday, but probably won't be getting. And Mom--NO, you cannot buy them all. Having you here for my birthday is present enough!

1. Eight hours of uninterrupted sleep. I have a six-month-old. 'Nuff said.

2. ERGO Baby Carrier. Unfortunately, I am waiting to hear back from the doctors on whether my back is in real disarray (I had an x-ray on Friday). I've been in back pain for the better part of a year now and carrying the baby doesn't really help it. But I love doing it. It's so easy and I like having her close and where she can see everything!

3. MacBook. I am spoiled to have a Mac at work (a GIGANTIC iMac), and our laptop at home just fried (after a stinking year and a half). I am lusting after this baby.

4. Babette's Feast. I LOVE this movie. It's in Danish, about a woman from France who ends up being the servant for two old maids in Denmark. The old maids are part of a primitive religious sect who forgo anything worldly. It's just a beautiful, delicious, and lovely movie, and I'd like to have it to be able to watch whenever I want!

5. For Mr. V to have a job. We're getting closer, we think. Please pray.

6. To be able to find this dress for Libbie for the fall, and for it to perhaps not STILL cost $20! It's one of those Gymboree things I've been obsessed with since it came out and never bought because the price is still so high for me.

7. Springform pan. Mostly so I can make this Ultimate Cheesecake. Or perhaps recreate Carolyn's peanut butter cup cheesecake, which sent me into a happy sugar coma.



8. Maid service. Oh, a girl can dream, right?



9. Broadway soundtracks. They make me happy! Plus, I can annoy everyone at work by singing along loudly in my office.



10. And while we're at it, Sirius Radio, so I can listen to the Broadway channel! Yes, I'm an addict. Oh well!

For more Top Ten Tuesday, visit OhAmanda!