Here’s the deal.

I don’t like blogging. I love reading blogs. That other people write. But I don’t like the actual task of blogging. I first started a personal blog almost five years ago. I loved it so much that I actually forgot I had it for over a year. Yep, that’s right. I forgot my own blog for almost two years straight. Didn’t I say I don’t like blogging?
Well, I’ve been debating for awhile what to do about this little dilemma. Once I got my business blog going the answer became very clear. You see, I love my new blog. Maybe it’s because I have an actual defined topic to discuss. Or the fact that I don’t fear I’ll be attacked about personal issues but whatever it is, I like it.

This personal blogging stuff? Not so much.

I’ve never been attacked for anything. {here, anyway} Heck, I rarely even get a comment. But I do average just under 50 views a day. That might not be a lot to all you A-list bloggers but to me the fact that 50 anonymous folks read my writing- and yet never actually comment on it- creeps me out just a wee bit.

Add in two more facts:

A. I don’t enjoy this. I only started it cause ‘that’s what everyone else was doing’.

B. It’s not a priority in my life. Rather, it doesn’t need to be. I own a business that I feel the Lord has led me into, which means it will be blessed {I believe}, I am now a homeschooling mother to three kids {something else the Lord has led me to} and striving daily to become more and more of my husband’s help-meet, a true Titus 2 wife & mother. These are my priorities for now. Not writing here.

So I’m not going to be blogging over here anymore. Mirinda is done with her monologue. I have decided not to delete it, like I did before. You never know what life changes come your way and I might be led back here again. The Lord is funny like that

I Twitter daily. Can’t get enough of it after trashing it for months on end. I even created an account and deleted it two days later cause I thought it was so stupid. Got sucked back into it a few months later and am so glad I did. I’ve ‘met’ many amazing people there~ strong, sweet Christian women who are so encouraging. So follow me @octoberbelle if you’re on Twitter. And of course come visit at my biz blog www.obdforkids.blogspot.com

Blessings~

m

a crown and a birthday.

happy birthday ethan

Today is August 31st which means it’s my husband’s birthday! He’s a very young 38 years {This still makes me compulsively need to tell you that I am six years younger than him. Please do not assume me that close to 40 just yet. Sorry honey!}

So I came on here to share this and wish him a HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

That’s when it hits me that I missed blogging about a very important date last month. July 24th.

Why is that date important? Well, this year it was the celebration of 10 years of marriage.

Ten years of being married is one of those milestones that makes you think. A lot. What have been the good times, what have been the bad…and do the good far outweigh the bad? Thankfully, they do in our marriage. There were years that I didn’t think- and let’s be honest, didn’t want- our marriage to work. Things like having 3 babies in three years bringing countless nights of zero sleep, miscarriages, moves, job changes and general shifts in personalities bring struggles. But this is life. And I’m glad we’ve stuck it out and will continue to do so. Cause all the bad? Brought lots of good. And I’m still striving to be his crown. So here’s to wishing us a {late} Happy 10 year anniversary!

NOW. On to the current. So today Ethan turns 38 and when you have small children in the house not one birthday will go unnoticed, no sireeeeee! The three boogers have been celebrating since Friday. {that was 3 days ago} Tonight we will cap off the festivities with some of Ethan’s favorite foods and his fave dessert: lemon bars. {scroll to the bottom for the recipe} It’s throwing a kink in my kid’s party planning that we are not having a cake. HOW, exactly, do you have a birthday without a cake for crying out loud?! Well, we shall see….

“A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.” Proverbs 12:4

Lemon Bars

from Southern Living’s ‘30 years of our best recipes’ cookbook. These are different than any lemon bar you’ve ever had, I promise! The shortbread crust is divine

* 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour, divided

* 3/4 cup powdered sugar, divided

* 1 cup cold butter or margarine, cut up

* 1/2 tsp baking powder

* 4 large eggs, beaten

* 2 cups sugar

* 1/3 cup lemon juice

* garnish: fresh mint leaves

*Combine 2 c. flour and 1/2 cup powdered sugar. Cut butter into mixture with pastry blender until mixture is crumbly. *Spoon into 13 x 9 pan; press into pan evenly and firmly, with fingertips. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned

*Combine 1/2 cup flour and baking powder. Set aside. Combine eggs, sugar and lemon juice; beat well. Stir dry ingredients into egg mixture and pour over baked crust.

*Bake at 350 for 22-25 minutes or until lightly browned and set. Cool on a wire rack. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup powdered sugar and cut into bars {I sprinkle mine after I cut}. Garnish if desired. Yields 2 dozen.

YUMMY!

Boogers aren’t for bloggers.

So today in between downpours, I loaded up my kids and headed to the glorious land of Wal-Mart.

{Yes, I’m aware I keep saying that no foot of mine shall ever fall on their soil again. But whatever. It’s Wal-Mart. The pull is too strong.}

As we were ending our fun filled grocery trip- cause you all know how fun grocery shopping is with three young animals- I ran into the Queen of Shake Shake.

{At this point I must heed a warning before you head over to Heather’s blog. I don’t think she would mind for me to say that…well, you better like some four letter words in your daily reading. If not, stay here and just know her hair really is that perfect.}

Just a quick hello, how are you, stressed, busy, etc. etc. etc.

And some reference to drinking….

But would you expect less from someone who is the Queen of Shake Shake? No.

So I was thinking how nice it would be to run into all the bloggers I enjoy reading and chatting with online. How fun that would be, a face-to-face hello every now and then!?

We make it to the car and I have the overwhelming urge to check the spacer in my teeth for the millionth time since yesterday. I’m sure it’s causing massive ripping in my gums and I’m bleeding to death because that’s what it feels like!

Instead I see a booger in my nose. Left nostril to be exact.

Not once stitch of make-up.

Greasy hair in a ponytail.

Shorts hanging off me that are a size too big.

{In my defense we had gotten ready to spend the day at the pool but the rain….yo.}

Then I think of Heather’s perfect hair. And decide that meeting you gals in the grocery store on a Thursday afternoon unexpectedly might not be that great*….and perhaps I shouldn’t be allowed out in public much.

*I really would love to meet you. However, I need at least 10 days notice. Thank you.

It’s qualifying time.

I do realize that over a week ago there was to be a post concerning our plans for homeschool. I decided it’s best saved for after we start {which will be August 24th}.Cause I’m getting the feeling my best laid plans will be changing a lot.

Since our decision to homeschool, around 6 months ago, I’ve heard every sort of comment known to man. You other moms out there who have made the same decision, know what I’m talking about. Mainly though, we’ve received nothing but support. Even friends who disagree are keeping quiet- though it’s always obvious they are restraining from sticking an entire leg down their throat! But I appreciate the silence over the rude, largely unfounded commentary.
Yesterday, however….well, I got a new one. Someone was learning for the first time that we were about to embark on this journey and let me tell you, the look of ‘have you lost your mind’ was all over their face. It was then she asked me, in a tone that cannot be described… “Do you even have a teaching degree”?

Pause.

Deep breath.

Cause this was a new one.

“Nope, sure don’t”….

Since when do you need a 4 year college degree to be equipped to teach your children? I actually think I’m better equipped to teach these little humans that I birthed. Why? Because the Bible says it’s my job, mainly. And it was the norm for hundreds of years- not government run public school or private schools- that is what’s new, folks!  After much searching online and through books, this is apparently a common “concern” of those naysayers out there.

Can I just say that I have had doubts. Not that I don’t have a teaching certificate, cause I think that’s a bucket full of poo {eloquent, I know} to be quite frank. But just the doubt of can I handle this, am I patient enough, can I balance it all without being on the 5 o’clock news ?!?!

Then a funny thing happened. Within a few hours one day last week….I got the same message given to me by multiple sources- Email, Twitter, Facebook, my daily devotion even. The Lord might has well put up a bulletin board with flashing signs reading:

God does not call the qualified, he qualifies the called.

When you are so grounded in the truth that He has called you to something…then receive that message right there…Well, let’s just say my doubts have been erased. And it’s qualifying time!

Courtesy photo just cause he’s so stinking cute. And I taught him how to mix those brownies without a degree.

Happy Birthday to ME :)

Today I am the ripe old age of 32! There was a point in my life where I couldn’t fathom being in my 30s. That was just OLD, man. Yet here I am, so grateful the Lord is still using me.

Instead of posting about our grand plans for my birthday celebration {there are none, other than kids being excited} or reflecting on the past year, I’m going to tell you what encourages me.

Why, you may ask? Well, because of this. {in}courage has been the hot topic across the board for the past several days on many blogs I read, not to mention Twitter. I couldn’t help but hear about it and am so excited to see it’s launch today. The group of women behind this are phenomenal but most importantly are a great representation of a ’Christian’ woman. I was also excited that I got to share this post on my birthday. It feels somewhat….I don’t know…special? Because thinking this all through gave me the ability to process a lot that’s been going on in my life.

My plan was to have this all typed out the night before so I could copy, paste and post. The Lord had other plans. When asking myself what encourages me the answer was obvious: Christ. He is my source of strength and encouragement, often on a minute by minute basis. Sometimes even seconds. Yet initially I became very discouraged. My mind was filled with all the things going on in the world and in my life that are just not that fun. In fact, some could say really bad! But that is a great thing of Christ being your great encourager- you immediately cling to Him for hope, for a sense of ‘this is all going to be OK’.

Psalm 71:20 ‘Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.”

Doesn’t that encourage you?! It does me! Our God is a mercy-filled, compassionate God. I could not take a breath each morning without being filled with that truth. He never abandons one of His sheep, no matter how angry or bitter or sad we are- He always has a plan.

Of course other things encourage me as well. My husband is often encouraging me in areas of my life where I’m uncertain, doubtful about my ability. He is my ultimate cheerleader! I would not believe in myself half as much without him encouraging me.

No one can underestimate the power of friendships. I am so blessed to say I have a handful of amazing women who can always touch my heart, no matter how much in despair it may be, and set it on the correct path. It also fills me with joy to encourage them on their journey as well, spurring “one another on toward love and good deeds.”

What encourages you today, in your life? I pray that you know The One who loves you so much that he gave His own life! The One who has “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” I pray His word fills you with encouragement today as you go about your Monday. And of course, celebrating my birthday!

Be blessed

Now take a deep breath.

That post title above? That’s been my mantra as of late. And it’s all because of this journey the Lord has called us to: Homeschooling.

We were originally going to start school on August 3rd. That is until I got a call from a client who needed some help with his beach condo. So I spent the day driving over to Pensacola by myself. I cannot complain about that because one of my favorite things is driving by myself so that I may sing {badly} really, really loud. What made the trip even better was 1.I got to drive Ethan’s car- It has XM. 2. I took the scenic route home, driving along the Gulf Coast looking at the beautiful ocean. It was nice and can I just say that the alone time was much needed!

On top of that I have 5 paintings I’m working on right now for some sweet babies. This Mom was a wreck over the fact that we might not start school the exact day local schools were back in session. {gasp!} One morning while praying over my stress level with school it hit me: HELLO! Flexibility is one reason we are doing this. We can start school whatever darn day we want! So for now the date is set for August 17th. Will we make it by then? I don’t know and it’s not a big deal. Kids are still wanting to swim every day and I’m wanting to paint. I am taking a deep breath. My children will not be two grades behind because we waited a couple of weeks to start this great adventure.

Back at the end of June we attended the CHEF conference in Birmingham. Ethan and I both agreed that we would wait until the conference to start purchasing curriculum. It was really hard for me because of my need to have things perfectly in place RIGHT HERE AND RIGHT NOW. I’m not a patient person. {Please pray for me this year if I cross your mind randomly during the day. Cause chances are I’ll be trying not to wig out on a helpless kid.} I’m so glad he convinced me of this because I would have been really upset with myself. I had it all planned out that we were buying a “package” curriculum with premade lesson plans and that was that!

In the end, that’s not even close to what we did.

Tomorrow I’ll go over what we did choose for each kid. It will be interesting {to me at least} to see throughout the year how each one works- or doesn’t work- for our family. This blog may turn into an all-things-home school arena. But that’s OK. The Lord has led our family to this path and with that brought a passion for teaching my children! This is definitely our Great Adventure!

My new baby.

Go check her out. She’s fabulous, though still in need of a few tweaks and many more posts!

www.obdforkids.blogspot.com

Thanks so much to Jackie of Memories by Design. I cannot sing her praises enough or tell you to RUN HER WAY loud enough, if in fact you are wanting a blog design. She’s precious and just look at her work :0

What is worse than a summer cold? I’m sure there are plenty of things but right now, it is the worst thing in my life. I honestly sneezed 5 times while typing that sentence!

I woke up a little before 3am experiencing that strange phenomena where you cannot breathe at all yet snot is flowing like a water faucet down the side of you face. {you’re welcome for the visual} I have never understood how that works and even better love that you CANNOT sleep while it’s happening. My excuse for not blogging has been that I’m busy, busy, busy. I’ve even been going at it with work stuff since I got up at 3am. Here I am chugging along, so proud of myself for getting so much done before the sun even rises! {that is not a sentence I’ve ever been able to type before- in my life}

Then I check my email before heading off to do something else to keep me busy. That’s when I got this email devotion.

 Wow. Talk about hitting home. To be honest, when I first started reading this my mind kept going the route of ‘Ohhhh, I know who needs this’ !!! Instead of thinking of all the friends and family who need this truth I finally stopped to look at myself. That is never fun!

“I think Satan has deceived us with the illusion that a busy Christian is a genuine Christian. It’s just not true.” THAT is a good one!

Even better? “Genuine faith is not about doing. It’s about believing God.”

Today, I want to live with genuine faith! I want to believe God for every word He has ever spoken and ever will. Instead of being busy I want to live for Him. Care to join me?

I will survive.

I am still living and breathing on this planet! Wonder what I’ve been doing for the past two months? Well, mainly getting ready for homeschool, enjoying the summer with my family and working on a new division of October Belle! I’ve been online constantly yet haven’t been inspired- or had the time!- to blog.

I’m praying that over the next couple of weeks I will settle in to a routine of school, work and life! Until then I’m gonna keep breathing unless the Lord deems otherwise!

Just call me Grace.

BUMP:

Pronunciation:

\ˈbəmp\

Function:

noun

1: a relatively abrupt convexity or protuberance on a surface: as a: a swelling of tissue b: a cranial protuberance

2 a: a sudden forceful blow, impact, or jolt b: demotion

For a great example you could just touch the top of my head, where I currently have a large one. Shall I set the scene?

It’s pouring rain as I pull into the driveway. I opened the garage door, but not all the way. The rain was blowing sideways and I didn’t want all my leftover yard sale junk to get wet, did I? Noooo. So picture me taking off running from the car in a dead sprint and ducking, thinking I’ve cleared the garage door. Now picture me slamming the top of my head into the garage door, thus getting knocked FLAT on my butt, two feet back, in the pouring rain. After lots of tears and ice the laughing ensued. Lots of it. I’m impressed Ethan held it together after I told him through tears and screaming what happened. He had the decency to hold off on gut wrenching laughter until I started giggling. And thank the Lord above it was the top of my head and not the middle of my forehead. Can you imagine? Yeah, I can to.

And THIS is why my dad always called me Grace.