My birthday is on Feb. 7 so my dad sent me this. It's the KINDLE!!!! I'm sure this will be my favorite gift unless the hubby buys me a Lexus, ha ha! I haven't even registered yet or bought my first book because I'm too busy admiring it. I'm sure I will get it up and running this week. How cool is this? Thanks Dad!

Who likes this?

We have had a Wii for a few years now. We also have WiiFit. We now own WiiFit plus. I still resort to tennis when playing games with my kids. My son Dominic plays this game every day. I play with him at times. I like it but do not find it anywhere near as challenging as my exercise videos. How many of you out there use WiiFit and what do you like best about this product?

Hillsong, Hillsong, and more Hillsong...

Like I said in the previous post I am totally hooked on my new Hillsong CD. I listen to it in the car, at home, while exercising, just about all the time. In fact after church last night I had it playing when I got home. I hope my neighbors like Hillsong before going to bed, I know I do. After hearing about Hawaii passing HB444 through the Senate (legalizing civil unions) I leave you with this thought:
"You said, Ask and I'll give the nations to you
O Lord, that's the cry of my heart"
Hillsong

Standing tall in this wide space
Getting lost in Your embrace
I see a fire burning brighter
It's calling me to catch the flame

I feel like I'm falling over and over in love with You
It's not just a feeling, but I know that He is real
I feel like I'm falling into the arms of a mighty God
It's not just a feeling, but I know that He is real

You're drawing me closer to Your side
It's the safest place I know where to hide
With one glance You captured my heart
You speak Your words and set me apart

I feel like I'm falling, I feel like I'm falling
I feel like I'm falling, falling into the arms of love

Same song, different week. I'm posting this song again with the lyrics because it's the song I can't stop listening to from my new Hillsong CD By Your Side.

For more Then Sings My Soul Saturday's go on over the Amy's blog at Signs, Miracles, and Wonders.

Gadgets

I love gadgets. Especially gadgets that make my life easier. That is why I love this. The perfect brownie pan. Yes it works exactly as advertised as long as you follow the directions. I have used it several times for making brownies including gluten free brownies and every time the brownies popped out perfectly cut. I even made 50 brownies for my son's football team's fund raiser last fall and one of the mom's asked me how I cut the brownies so nicely. I told her it just takes practice. No actually I said "perfect brownie pan." The next gadget I absolutely love is a defrosting tray.
I have this too, although an older one. Yes it defrosts amazingly fast. The other gadget I love is used for cleaning and washing fruits and vegetables. It is a Lotus:
I think this works, at least in my mind it does. The other day on "The Doctors" they had another version of this called activeion: I showed my husband and daughter this and said "gee this would make a great birthday gift." They gave me the look, you know the one that says I must have two heads, and my daughter said "only you could wish for a cleaning product for your birthday. Well I'm sure you all get the point. I love gadgets, as seen on tv. I am now eying one of these
Anyone else out there love gadgets? If so which one's? The hubby hopes no one answers this. He thinks we have too many gadgets. Too many? Can there be too many?

What does buying books, patience and God have to do with Alaska?

I have some patience. I have zero patience when it comes to buying books. When I see a new book, one I just have to have now, at Sam's Club, for half the price, I usually buy it. Since going on my book buying diet for New Year's I have been better at checking the library online to see if I can get the book there for free. We are lucky. The library waiting list is never more then 10 to 15 people long, about a 2 month wait. My sweet friend in Alaska informed me that she was number 475 on her waiting list in Anchorage the last time she was on it. More like a 2 year wait instead of a 2 month wait. I thought God was sending me to Alaska so I could enjoy snow, something I miss occasionally, something I haven't seen in 8 years. Now if we get stationed to Alaska I'm thinking God wants me to learn to be patient, especially when it comes to buying books. Sometimes I wish God would make smaller statements.

The Girl Who Hated Books

I saw this clip and just had to share it. I thought it looked like my house. Books, books, and more books.

Once again I am joining in "Then Sings My Soul Saturdays," hosted by Amy. Everyone knows I'm a total nut for Hillsong and recently I bought a new CD. This is one of my favorite songs on it.
For more songs go on over to Amy's blog Signs, Miracles, and Wonders.

Today I made these. So far they look just like in the picture. I haven't tried one yet but I will let you all know how they come out. I have to see if they pass the "boys test" first. I was inspired by Mikki who is going gluten free. My two sons struggle with ADHD and I have to watch what they eat. Both do much better on foods that have no dye's or preservatives, but I've wondered if gluten free would make a difference. I am reading Jenny McCarthy's book "Healing and Preventing Autism," and in it she has a chapter on ADHD. Anyway making the connection with gluten and other things I have to wonder. I also received a cookbook from AMAZON, "Healthy Bread in Five Minutes a Day," that I purchased before the end of Dec. (as not to break my book buying diet) and this book contains a chapter with gluten free recipes, tried out on the authors nephew who needs to be gluten free. Apparently her recipes pass the taste test too. I'll let you all know how the brownie's taste later.

How to play the piano with your nose 101

When Dominic came home from work the other day I said "look what your son can do?" He said "that's pretty good." I said "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree." I think he's still trying to figure that one out.

Happy 101

I was blessed to find out that I was awarded the Happy 101 award from Mikki who has a blog that I must read every day. If you have never been over to "The Not So Perfect Housewife," go, now! I love this blog. I promise you you are in for a real treat. Mikki writes about so many different things that I am always amazed that someone could come up with so many interesting things to write about on a daily basis. PS: I am totally hooked on Mikki's book review blog "The View From My Beach Chair." Did I mention Mikki has recipes too, over here "The Not So Perfect Housewife's Recipes."

Now in return for the Happy 101 award I must list 10 blogs that make me happy, this will be easy, and list 10 things that make me happy. Here is my list, in no specific order, because each of these ladies blogs makes me happy on a daily basis.

10 Blogs That Make Me Happy

1. Diary of a Stay at Home Mom, by Sandra. Sandra's blog has a little bit of everything. She holds a special place in my heart because it was one of the first blogs I ever commented on and she commented back.

2. A Good Cup of Coffee, by Jen. Jen is sweet and always has nice things to say. Sadly her blog is about to go private, but I am lucky enough to have been blessed by Jen for quite awhile and will continue to follow her in her new journey.

3. When Good People Get Together, by Pamela. I just came across Pamela's blog a short time ago and I absolutely adore it. I also adore tea, tea parties, and England, some of the things Pamela loves. I am fast becoming friends with this lovely lady and if you go to her blog to check it out you will see why it make's me smile.

4. Refresh My Soul Blog, by Angela. Angela's blog blesses me on a daily basis. She is a woman who is a beautiful testament to God. Angela has a speaking ministry that you could also check out. Angela has a lot of to say about our Lord and she says it well. Sometimes she also has links up to other blogs that have Bible Studies going and other assorted things related to God.

5. Cupcakes, Sprinkles, and other Happy things, by Jenny. Jenny Simmons, lead singer for Addison Road, writes this adorable blog. Jenny is an awesome story teller and her blog has many wonderful family stories as well as experiences with Addison Road, everything glorifying Jesus. Jenny has a beautiful new baby girl who is featured on her blog often. And of course (Jenny is a Dallas fan), need I say more.

6. Elizabeth Embracing Life, by Elizabeth. Boy can this gal write. Her blog is like reading an amazing devotional. She has a beautiful family whom she writes about often. I love the way her posts can make me think and resonate with me for the rest of the day.

7. Signs, Miracles, and Wonders, by Amy. Amy hosts "Then Sings My Soul Saturdays"
which I normally participate in. I haven't recently but will very soon. Check out this weekly post, you will find many Christian songs over there. I have found many new songs myself through Amy's blog. This was a great idea and as you can see by the many links it's a great hit with bloggers.

8. Homesteader's Heart. Hosts Friday's Funnies and posts about a whole lot more. This blog makes me smile. I love it.

9. Noe Noe Girl...Tall Tales from a Short Chick, by Noe Noe girl (of Course). She's funny, she's sweet, and her love for her family really shines through. She can also take a great picture and shares many of them with her lucky friends. I love seeing pics of the scenery that surrounds her and her beautiful family. If you stop over Noe Noe's place, I promise, it will make you smile.

10. Blogging the Boys. Come on you all know I had to put this one.

10 Things That Make Me Happy

1. My family.

2. Books.

3. Gevalia coffee flavored with French Vanilla Creamer.

4. THE DALLAS COWBOYS!

5. My Honda Odyssey. Much better then my Chrysler Voyager. It's nice not having to worry about breaking down all the time.

6. My church and church family.

7. Dove Bars ( chocolate).

8. Free movies and games from the library.

9. Hawaii.

10. My friends, here and online.

To claim the award just save the picture above and put it in the post you do on this award I gave to you. As easy as that. Be sure to pass it on to 10 blogs that make you happy and list 10 things that make you happy.

Tomorrow night Royal Rangers (similar to boy scouts at the church) begins again after their winter break. The boys are looking forward to this. I am looking forward to the speaker they are having, Heidi Baker. She has been to our church before and she is funny and sweet. Has anyone else ever heard Heidi speak?
This weekend isn't too busy. The boys will do their leftover homework from Friday and I will get some reading in. Of course this afternoon I will have to watch the Dallas/Eagles game. As you all know I am a Dallas fanatic. Enough said.

Hope you all have a great weekend. Go Cowboys, you know I had to say it.

Exercise

I know, another ball. This ball is my favorite piece of exercise equipment. Of course my kids think it's a ball you can play with, that may be why I've been through a few of them, but for me it's worth it. Doing crunches on this thing is so easy. The only problem is when you are first getting used to it you may have a little bit of trouble controlling it, but after awhile it becomes easy. This ball is also supposed to strengthen your core just by having to keep it steady. My favorite video to go with this ball is "Stability Ball workout for Dummies," the name says it all. I check out most of the exercise videos on this website: www.collagevideos.com I like this site because you can watch little clips of the videos before you buy them. Usually I end up getting the videos on sale at Amazon or sometimes I find them at the thrift store, but I always check with collage first. The other videos I love are anything by Leslie Sansone. Her Walk away the pounds series is easy and fun. After you get used to the walking routine you can turn down the volume and play your own music to go along for motivation. I have the gazelle air walker too which I like. What are your favorite pieces of exercise equipment?

giga ball

This is what grandpa got Darrian for Christmas. He is able to roll down the hill in it. It is a pretty neat toy. Darrian says it's his favorite Christmas gift. So far this thing has been played with every day since he got it. I'm sure that after school today we will be back on the hill for another hour of ball play.

Mister Steamy

Has anyone ever seen this thing? More importantly has anyone ever used this thing. I have the dryer balls that work like tennis balls in your dryer and keep the clothes separated and apparently unwrinkled, but this emits steam. Supposedly it keeps your clothes from having to be ironed (not that I buy anything needing to be ironed), but it also helps prevent static cling. This feature could save a lot of money in fabric softener. Especially environmental friendly fabric softener. So any opinions?

Tea

I found a new friend Pamela who's blog, When Good People Get Together, is fast becoming one of my favorites. I found her while over at Sandra's blog, Diary of A Stay at Home mom, one of my favorite blogs for quite a while now. Anyway Pamela has e-mailed me some great web sites about tea and tea parties. I too enjoy tea and although I have never had a tea party I really want to have one soon. How many of you like a good cup of tea? How many of you have had or have been to a tea party? Pamela says she will be posting pictures sometime of an American Girl Club tea party she hosted. I can't wait. I do drink coffee, but really enjoy my afternoon tea. I love everything tea related. If any of you haven't seen these two ladies blogs, you are in for a real treat, so pop on over and enjoy.

I was just wondering what everyone got for Christmas? What is your favorite gift you received this year? Me and the hubby don't exchange gifts, but my dad always sends us some cash so tonight we are going out to dinner to spend it, thanks dad. My favorite gift was a little note pad and pen that my 6 year old Darrian bought me from Santa's Secret shop at school. He bought his dad a Nascar pencil. I hope everyone got a little something special they wanted. So I am going to say it one last time, Merry Christmas.

Happy New Year

Wishing all my bloggy friends a very Happy New Year and may this year bring you good health, happiness, and well being.