Yes, This is a Post About Bathrooms

 I have to show you this. 

I got my mother-in-law's permission to photograph her bathrooms -just a little disclaimer, there.

This is my mother-in-law's finished upstairs bathroom.  It is beyond any adjectives I could conjure up...

Here is the view when you enter....

 Aren't those arches gorgeous?

 Here is her vanity (and me taking the picture from the shower...)

And this.  *Sigh* 

  Designed by my amazing father-in-law who I am sure is currently awed by the architecture and design of his heavenly home.  He could be building something right now, having a great time....

I could not bring myself to shower in this bathroom.  She offered, but I refused.  It's like a sacred place, which I know sounds silly, but....it just is.

Plus, I have this gorgeous downstairs bathroom to enjoy....

A Thankful Girl

That's me, with the cup overflowing today.

I sit in my mother-in-law's kitchen, trying to keep my hands off the Belgin Cookie plate, and think of how very blessed I am.  I'm thankful for you, the reader who continues to encourage me to write and reflect on the big and little of everyday.

And here are a few other things I'm randomly thankful for....

Coke Zero, that is good stuff
the smell of Hope's hair the morning after a good bath
my groovy students who put up with my weirdness week after week
Poppy's pizza, the goodness lives on...
texting, it's so fun
ThePioneerWoman.com - she's so cool! Go buy her cookbook. Now.
A handful of friends who let me be me.
itunes, where I find old tunes to reminisce by, and new tunes to inspire me
Aaron. Dear, dear Aaron.
My children, may they rise and call me "blessed" instead of "grumpy"
My parents, who I almost sent to the funny farm between 1990-1992

And my sweet Savior, the Giver of all good things, and even the not-so-good things that make me hunger for more of Heaven and Him....

Taking Dad and Mom to School

 Today my parents came to my classroom for a visit!  I loved having them share a normal day with me, and showing them around the school.  Here, my Mom gets excited over the "Welcome the Longfellows" message on my board. 

 Me with the senior class (minus Kaela - she was in a deer stand in the woods :)  I am making some sort of point, here, or doing sign language....who knows....Due to a fabulous anonymous donation last year to the high school, each high school student received a netbook computer for use in school.  They take them to class just like a textbook.  It's a sweet deal.  I'm still waiting for a fabulous donation so I can have a Smart Board.  You can make the check out to me....

 Eighth grade!  Since the high school is pretty small, I also teach 8th grade English.  They are a fun rambunctious group of kiddos who keep me on my toes.  Notice my Dad in the back, probably texting my brother Doug....

Here I am at my desk, doing something teacher-y.  Or shopping online.  Or updating my blog. 

Warning: gushing about the man of my dreams

One of my students at school today was commenting on how giddy I get when I talk about my husband.  Can't help it.  I just still believe he's pretty dawg-gone amazing. 

I like our silly jokes, our beautiful mix of personalities in our 4 kids, and the way he cleans a kitchen.  Seriously, makes a woman weak in the knees. 

Third Day - Lift Up Your Face

Yes, they've been around forever, but I just still love Third Day. Mac Powell. A hundred years ago when we were still college students, Aaron and I went to a Third Day concert in this little church in Indiana. It was a small, intimate venue and they ministered to us in an amazing way. Since then, they just have a special little corner of my heart. Plus, I just love that southern rock sound.

This video is a sweet story of one man accepting the invitation of salvation....enjoy.

Tools for the Journey

click here for Amazon page

I am the first to admit that spending time with God, getting into His Word each day, takes discipline, perseverance, and a good alarm clock.  Now that I have more of a set schedule in the morning, I do find it easier to make Him my first priority, instead of fitting in a quiet time "whenever it works."  (translation: not very often)  I have always been one of those people who need to set aside the first few moments of my morning with a Bible and a prayer journal, or it simply doesn't happen.

So, I want to encourage you not to give up.  When I had babies in the house, God was so gracious to meet me where I was, and to remind me that He is here for me, whenever I can get my head above water.  There are simply days as a Mom when you are just surviving, just trying to get a shower.  Actually, I still feel like that sometimes....

Here are a few tools that have been so helpful me in jump-starting my morning with my Father.  First of all, I have come to enjoy the New Living Translation and The Message as a fresh way of hearing God's Word.  I make sure to compare those verses with NASV or NIV to see if the true meaning is askew, but more often than not, God speaks to me with a new insight I hadn't thought of before.

Another great book I've enjoyed recently is Good Morning, Lord by Sheila Walsh.  The subtitle says it so well:  I don't know where you're going today, God, but I'm going with you.  Click on the link at the top of this post to view it on Amazon.  It's got a short writing by Sheila, and then questions to consider and scripture below.

The second devotional I use regularly is called Tapestry and it's distributed by Walk Thru the Bible ministries.  My mom first introduced me to this publication, and I've used it for years now.  It has each day's date at the top, and scripture to look up with the writing.  It helps me get my mind focused on listening and quieting my heart for the day.  Click here to view a sample page

Although there's really no need for "extras" when it comes to spending time with the Lord, I've always found that these are simply spring-boards for my own meditation on His Word.  I hope you'll be challenged to make your time with Him deeper and stronger!

Facing Florida

It was with joy mixed with anxiety - the first trip back to Florida after the death of Aaron's dad.  "Poppy", as we lovingly called him, spent the last sweet days of his life there, not knowing God would call him home sooner than any of us would imagine.

Aaron's mom was able to join us, too, and it was great to cry and laugh and remember together.  Being in a place he loved so much made it all very real again.   We are so thankful for the memories we have of being in Florida with him.

One of my favorite things about vacationing and extremely long road trips (can we do 1400 miles with 4 kids?  AWWWYEAHHH!!) is reading a big pile of books.  Here's what I tackled (notice I didn't say "finished") over the trip.

- Undressing the Moon by T. Greenwood (fiction - man, that girl can write - I think I read this in 24 hrs, it was so compelling)

- Half-Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls (true-life novel, they call it - same gal that wrote the bestselling memoir The Glass Castle)   Best quote from this book:  "Teachers in their way are holy -- angels leading their flocks out of the darkness..."

- The Walk by Richard Paul Evans (fiction, don't bother)

- Two Rivers by T. Greenwood (fiction, I know, there's a pattern here...)

And on the topic of food, if you'll indulge me one more moment.  I was disappointed to see there were ZERO Chipotle restaurants once we drove out of the state of Minnesota.  Maybe I just didn't drive by the right places, but there were none to be seen.  I did enjoy my share of Chickfila, but I don't know if I could live without dear Chipotle, either.