M.A.S.H.

It's come to my attention that some of you never learned to play M.A.S.H.

(That's just wrong and I'm all about righting wrongs.)  

M.A.S.H. is a really fun game to play when you're stuck somewhere with nothing to do.  It was around before Nintendos, iPhones and the like were on the scene.  Played it with my girls and we all loved it.  Here's proof...

Want to play?  Of course!

To begin, M.A.S.H stands for M-mansion, A-apartment, S-shack and H-house.

Then, the rest of the game is up to you.

The sheet I created last night is below.  Let's go through it....

#1- Choose 4 people that you may end up marrying someday.  The fun part is that you pick 2 "good" choices and 2 "bad" choices.:)  (The giggles come when you get the "bad" ones!)

#2- Choose 4 numbers that will represent the # of children you will have.  (Make sure at least one number is "Duggarlike"! )

#3- Four locations you may live.

#4- The type of car you will drive. (Notice I have a trash truck as one of my options!)

#5- Possible pets you may have.  I was not hopin' for the tarantula.

When your sheet is ready, ask your friend (or yourself, but not cheating!) to pick a number from 1-10.

Using that number, we chose 8, you will begin counting from the MASH letters and then go to the people you may marry.  M is 1, A is 2, S is 3, etc.  Then you cross off the 8th item on your list, which just happened to be Edward on my list below...

Keep going down your list, counting to 8 each time.  When you get to the 8th item, you cross it off.  These things will not be in your future.

Look, I will not be having 20 children or living at the dump!  Hurrah!  But we're not done yet...

Oh my, looks like I will be driving a trash truck.  No Ferrari.  Wha, wha, whaaaa.

Keep counting to 8 (or whatever # you choose) until you have one item left in each category.  

What does the future hold for you?:)

The Book of Books

Description:

The Bible, the story of God's people, has been passed down through the generations. But how often does a combination of the complex or outdated language, the extensive genealogy lists, and the unfamiliar culture stand in the way of young readers' understanding of a truly great story?

In The Book of Books, Trevor Dennis uses his natural gift for storytelling to create a story everyone can understand and enjoy reading. Young readers will appreciate Dennis's honest and simple way of retelling the most famous Bible stories. Written in novel form, each chapter--from the story of creation in Genesis to the description of the Heavenly City found in Revelation--transitions smoothly into the next.


My Thoughts:


The Bible can be a bit intimidating to read, especially for children.  The Book of Books retells Bible stories in a very reader-friendly manner.  The words are entertaining and engaging without being overly simplified. Trevor Dennis makes children (and adults) want to read more!  My family and I really enjoyed The Book of Books particularly because we were learning more about the Bible in a fun way.  The Book of Books would be a wonderful addition to your home library!

Read an excerpt of The Book of Books here.


*I was given a copy of The Book of Books from Kregel in exchange for my honest opinion.  No other compensation was received.*

First Position

Dry.

Hot.

So dry and hot there may be no fireworks this year.

I'm not a lover of the heat but I do love summer.

Pool Time was just the ticket!

I read Lucy Come Home.

And sweated.

Thank goodness the cuties above indulged me with pictures.

The spoil sports below did this when I pulled out my phone...

Hey, I just noticed that the people next to us had snacks.  (note above plastic bags)

Didn't offer to share with us...

This is what you resort to when people don't appreciate your photo taking.

Sneaky pics taken by my husband.

See the top of my head- above?

Ahhh, that's more like it.:)

(My husband is so awesome.  He resorted to a towel head disguise to get them engaged.  Kind of like shiny objects and babies.)

Later in the evening we got together with ballerina friends to watch the movie, First Position.

Skittles, Twizzlers, Swedish Fish and Popcorn all around.

(That is, until a grasshopper jumped into the popcorn!)

Then we were ready.

The movie was amazing.

All I kept saying was, "Wow."

I couldn't help it!

Take a peek at the trailer below...

Lucy Come Home Book Review

Lucy Come Home...

Fifteen-year-old Cindy worked long days beside her migrant worker family in Michigan's sugar beet fields in the early 1940s -- the "war years" -- until she met a dashing young man from a traveling carnival, bringing some joy and fun into her hard-scrabble life. But a tragic twist of fate -- and a dead field boss-- sent the two young people on the run, leaving behind family and everything she'd ever known. Lucy Tucker, the crotchety old bag lady from the popular Yada Yada House of Hope series, is a veteran of Chicago streets and not about to give up her independence, even as she approaches her 80th birthday.  Until, that is, a young displaced woman with her gentle aging mother and a dog named Dandy seem to need her -- unsettling the secretive Lucy, who doesn't let anyone get too close. But just when it seems her past is catching up with her to bring her in out of the cold... Lucy disappears again. How these two tales intersect and intertwine between past and present gradually shines light into the dark corners of Lucy's murky past. But... why won't Lucy come home?

Authors Dave and Neta Jackson...

Dave and Neta Jackson are award-winning authors living in the Chicago area where their parallel novels from the Yada Yada House of Hope and Harry Bentley series are set. As a husband/wife writing team, Dave and Neta Jackson are enthusiastic about books, kids, walking with God, gospel music, and each other! Together they are the authors or coauthors of over 100 books. Visit http://www.daveneta.com for more info.    My Thoughts about Lucy Come Home... Every person has a story.  Lucy Tucker, a grouchy bag lady on the streets of Chicago, is no exception.  Beneath her tough exterior are memories and secrets just waiting to be told.  In the pages of Lucy Come Home we travel back in time to the years of the Dust Bowl.  Lucy was just 15 years old and she and her family were migrant workers from Arkansas.  Times were tough and life was hard for many people.  I really enjoyed reading about Lucy's early years and it helped explain why she was such a tough nut to crack!  There is romance, adventure, plenty of drama- and secrets.  It's now present day and Lucy wanders the streets of Chicago.  She is an enigma to all who know her as she keeps people at a distance.  Why is she like that?  What is she hiding?  One day a wealthy lady and her elderly mother wander into Lucy's life.  They need her help.  Past and present come together and create quite a story! Blog Tour Schedule is here. *I was given a copy of Lucy Come Home from Litfuse Publicity in exchange for my honest opinion.  No other compensation was received.*

Be The Joy

Today was an easy day for choosing joy.

There were moments that I felt utterly and completely happy.

Wow.

My husband was home.

He did crafts with the kids and took them to Sonic for shakes.

I picked veggies from my garden.

Made Zucchini Bread!

My girls spent time with their friends.

My sweetie and I were able to sneak off and have a lovely lunch.

At a restaurant that one of my girls hates.

Just the two of us.

My husband fixed my earring.

That kept falling off me.

In the parking lot!

My hero.:)

I was weighed at the doctor's office.

The scale stated I weigh less than I do at home??

Another, wow moment.

:)

Watched someone's confidence grow.

I know God is always working in us but this was something I could see with my own eyes.

Thank you, Lord, for reassuring me.

Saw new doors opening where there were only closed doors. 

God never ceases to amaze.

I'm glad every day is not this wonderful.

Then today would have been just like any other day.

Today was spectacular.

Don't wait for those days, though.

You'll miss the rainbow if you're always looking for the pot of gold.

Instead, savor all your days.

They go by so quickly!

You can be the joy.

You can.

Just be yourself.  

Wow.:)

Hours of fun for only $2.00

Hours of fun for only $2.00?

Yep.

Here's what you do...

#1- Grab the closest friend.

None of the prissy ones.

The fun ones.:)

#2- Head outside with cans of Barbasol shave cream.

The chase is on!

Squirt each other!

Style your hair!

"Shave" your face and legs!

Good, clean fun.

Plus, it smells nice.:)

What fun things are you doing this summer?

An Apple A Day

Sometimes an apple a day is not a good idea.

Especially if your name is Snow White.

Mandy played the witch in Snow White...

and was deliciously wicked!

My girl has a thing for capes!

I do believe that she could be a super hero.

She certainly has rescued me many times.

From lazily skipping my walk.

From eating (insert food) that I would later regret.

From a bad mood.

From doubting myself.

She's pretty special, my Mandy.

How I wish I had her acting ability.

I fret and blush on stage.

No one wants to watch that!

I am an awesome spectator, though.

I take pictures and applaud with the best of them.:)

Thanks for helping me choose joy each and every day, Cutie.