Ten on Tuesday: August 3rd

1. What is your current favorite television show?

Army Wives, though a surprising close second (as I in general dislike reality shows) is Bethenny Gets Married.

2. Apple juice or orange juice?

Orange Juice

3. It’s Shark Week on Discover Channel. Do you watch? Why or why not?

Nope, just not my thing

4. What are the non-blog websites that you visit regularly?

Facebook, My Mommy Time and Faith and Famiiy Live

5. What is your favorite way to prepare green beans? Asparagus? Potatoes? Carrots?

Green Beans: steamed with almonds Asparagus: Roasted (or grilled) Potatoes: Mashed (or Fries)

6. What is your favorite flower?

Tulips and/or Daisies

7. How do you feel about handkerchiefs?

Reminder of a by-gone age.

8. If you could only shop at 3 stores for the rest of your life, what would they be? (You probably should include a grocery store.)

Wegmans- favorite grocery store Old Navy: Decent adult and children's clothes Target: Everything else

9. If you could only use wine for one purpose for the rest of your life, which would you choose? To cook with or to drink?

Drink, thank you!

10. What’s your bedtime?

Generally around 11pm but really depends on when husband gets home from work, I try really hard to wait up for him.

Please visit Roots and Rings to enjoy others answers to this weeks questions, and thank our host Chelsea

Quick Takes Vol. #58: NFP posts edition

1. Around here it has been a week of quality of mother-daughter time as 'Daddy' has been working very long hours and often not getting home till long after bedtime. Shopping, Storytime at the library, and lots of playing at her water table.
2. However across the country this was NFP Awareness Week with the theme of Trust: God has a plan for your marriage. Bloggers across the sphere have responded with wonderful posts both humorous and heartfelt.
3. Maggie of From the Heart writes beautifully of the trust aspects of NFP
4. Sarah of Fumbling towards Grace shares some of health-promoting aspects of NFP
5. Elizabeth of That Married Couple points out how the skills gained through NFP can provided aid towards achieving a pregnancy.
6. While Elizabeth's husband and Rebecca of Feel My Love share some of the humorous side, here and here.
7. Due to commitments at home and the increasing fatigue of late pregnancy this could have felt like a very isolating time but thanks to these and other wonderful people sharing of their lives and faith journey, even from my little corner of the world I have felt part of this great movement. Thank you!!

Please visit Conversion Diary and read the rest of this weeks round-up hosted by Jen.

Ten on Tuesday: July 27th

1. How do you take your coffee on an average day? How do you like your coffee if you’re splurging?

Average day: cream and Splenda but if I'm splurging I'm headed to Starbucks for a Mocha

2. What is your genre of books to read?

Historical fiction especially romance

3. Where do you want to retire, if you could go anywhere?

Definitely New England, hopefully near the ocean within easy visiting distance of the family

4. The 17-year-old you is told to write a 10-minute speech. What topic would you have picked?

As President of SADD, I did have to give several on the dangers of drinking and driving.

5. What word describes you best?

JOYFUL

6. What is the next “event” that you are looking forward to? (ex.: vacation, moving, date, job change, etc)

Vacation in a little less than two weeks, though the next big event is the birth and joining of our family of Cashew!

7. Do you like to discuss controversial topics or do you prefer to avoid those types of conversations?

Generally avoid, though with my husband and close friends I really enjoy a good discussion and debate.

8. Would you rather add 4 free hours to each day, or add 1 extra day to the week?

On first reading an extra day; I think

9. If you created a sports team; what would your colors and mascot be?

Mustangs: Purple and Brown

10. If you had to be a teacher, what subject would you teach?

History

Please head over to Roots and Rings to enjoy others answers to these questions and thank our lovely host, Chelsea

Quick Takes Vol. #57: Snapshot of a toddler

Seeking to see the good in every stage ~ even toddlerhood, a few things I don't want to forget about this time and place in our lives

1. Constant narration of our day and activities, where we are going, what we are seeing; and if these aren't interesting enough ~ we start looking for 'number pyramid', 'lost city' and the 'gooey geyser'.
2. Current favorite phrases: Her introduction to others "I Lisbeth and this is my friend, Mommy" and when asked to move from one activity to the next often we are asked for "Just one more minute"
3. Our bedtime routine has long included reading books, and now so must the nap time process. So gratifying watching her come to love books and words.
4. Favorite foods: Mozzarella cheese, lemonade, eggs, ice cream and cupcakes (muffins). Will generally refuse to sit in a high chair or booster at restaurants.
5. Interestingly and probably not coincidentally as my lap has begun to disappear, she is much more interested in sitting in my lap. A fun and interesting challenge.
6. Still insists that someone hold her hand (and foot) for a few minutes as she settles into her crib and transitions from day to night.
7. In so many ways becoming more independent (and defiant) little person, and yet still my sweet, snuggly, pony toting Lisbeth.

Have a wonderful weekend and don't forget to visit Conversion Diary and enjoy the rest of the Quick Take round-up!

Small Successes: July 22nd

1. Got the yearly inspection for the car done.
2. Replaced E.'s little pool after the original one developed a leak this weekend.
3. Have a baby book purchased for the new baby.

Giving thanks this Thursday for:

a hard-working spouse who gives of himself so generously to those he cares for

air conditioning

hugs and snuggles from my favorite toddler

continue good health during this pregnancy

good friends to share life's adventure with

God's great love and abundant grace.

Please visit Faith and Family Live to share your own Small Successes!!

Ten on Tuesday: July 20th

For each of the following 10 categories, tell us which brand/product you use and why.
1. Cell Phone

Samsung through Sprint: Best combination of price and features when it was time to get new phone.

2. Email

Google and a small server my husband set up for a bunch of us when we lost our graduate school accounts.

3. Toothpaste

Aquafresh~ for so many years now I can't remember why I started or what first appealed.

4. Car

Toyota Prius ~ hybrid and good amount of space for a sedan

5. Writing Utensil

No loyalties here, sorry!

6. Lotion

Bath&Body Shop: Lavender or Raspberry

7. Interior Paint

Behr: low fumes, good coverage, decent color selection

8. Soda/Drink

Dr. Pepper (no explanation needed, right)

9. Laundry Detergent

All; Free and Clear ~ gentle enough to use for baby clothes but gets stuff clean.

10. Medicine

CVS for vitamins, Ibuprofen for pain management (usually generic) AND luckily that is all

the medicine I need to worry about regularly.

My thanks to Chelsea of Roots and Rings for another fun Ten on Tuesday quest.

Quick Takes Vol. #56

1. Enjoyed a special treat recently as two of my three siblings stopped for a visit on their way to elsewhere. First my youngest sister and her family. Which means I got a good cuddle with my baby niece who has developed a beautiful smile she shares eagerly with those who talk to her.
2. My nephews were able to find plenty to play with even if they were 'little girl' toys, though the fact that she has a very cool rocket with lunar buggy worked in her favor.
3. Next was my brother full of tales of his adventures having at that point completed half of the Appalachian Trail. Happy for hot showers and a/c, he stayed an extra day to rest a chin-split and eat ice cream.
4. While closer to my sisters having actually grown up with them (he is actually my half-brother and much older), I do share a strong personality connection with D. Both our sisters are 'life of the party' extroverts while D. and I are introverts.
5. Both visits left me very grateful for the friendships I have built with all of my siblings as we have grown to have homes and families of our own.
6. Another midwife appointment today which will hopefully hold no surprises. Am happy to still be feeling well even as it is increasingly obvious I'm sharing body space with a growing baby.
7. Plans for the weekend: WEEDING (the alternating extreme heat and thunderstorms has given my backyard the jungle look) and some prime family time before C. begins a couple weeks of long work days.

Wishing you a good weekend and reminding you to please visit The Conversion Diary for the rest of this weeks round-up.