It's A Love Story Baby: Military Proposals

When Your Man Put A Ring On It! That's right my friends, we're sharing military love stories & proposals!

Though I prefer the TBS version, An Officer and a Gentleman (SWOON) quite frankly could have the best movie ending--EVER! Don't believe me? Watch my friends. Watch and swoon with me.

What could be more romantic than being carried by a man in uniform? That's right my dear readers, not many things. Hollywood writes about romance, even acts it out with a bunch overpaid pretenders. But true love stories are all around us. Today I want to introduce you to several Army Wives, and let them tell you their ultra awesome love stories and sweet proposals, that put Hollywood's finest attempts of love and romance to shame. Get ready for some major swooning!


"Shaun and I met through a mutual friend 17 years ago. It was a only a phone call at 1st. He had a very appealing voice and our conversation was great. Through many phone calls and learning how much we had in common, we decided to meet. We have been together ever since. He proposed when I went to visit him in Ft. Sill, OK after his AIT in 1997. We got married May 2001 (long engagement, I know  ) and he didn't go active duty until 2003. My name is Laura and we are currently stationed at Ft. Bragg, NC"


"David and I met in 11 years ago. He was helping my roommate move in. David was really funny and not shy at all. I love about him. We had been together for 3 years when he proposed. He wanted to join the army and didntwant to leave without me, so he asked me to go. We have been married for 8 years and are currently in Fort Jackson, SC." ~Jenn



"Chuck and I went to school together but met through my brother. There was lots that attracted me to him: his personality, humor, and looks. He proposed to me October 7, 2005 on our couch after I said Yes. When he proposed, I wanted him to do more than show me a ring. That's when he popped open the ring case and said "I'll love you forever, will you marry me?" We got married December 31st , 2005. We've been in the Army 8 years."
~Megan, Fort Carson Colorado and on our way to Fort Belvoir, VA.



"Matt and I met in Augusta, GA at Chili's while he was going through AIT at Ft. Gordon. I knew he was THE ONE when he went with me to meet my father at the nursing home where my Grandmother was. He spent a whole Sunday afternoon here and at that point we had only known each other a few weeks. Also he was kind of cute! We met in July 2004. At Christmas, he was going home, Maine, before coming here (Ft Campbell) for his first duty station. He wanted me to meet his family, so I flew solo for the first time in my life to spend Christmas with his family. He wasn't flying up until a couple of days later by the way. He proposed on Christmas Eve. It wasn't really a surprise since I helped him pick out a ring, but as soon as Christmas was over he was headed to Ft Campbell and I was headed back to GA. He put the ring on my pillow before I went to bed. When it was time for bed I saw the ring and he came in and popped the question! We got married on May 28, 2005 and by the time you post this will have celebrated our 8 year anniversary! Although I guess you can't really celebrate it if he's not here "    
                 ~Jenny



"[Kris and I] met through an old high school friend who was in RIP together with my husband. I knew the minute I met him and shook his hand he was "the one"! He was cute, funny, kind and smart. (I would later find out that he had the same exact thought the minute he shook my hand too! Kismet!) He proposed 7 months after we met, in New Orleans. It was kind of a meeting point and special place for us while he lived in Georgia and I was in Louisiana. He spent the day asking where my favorite places were in the city and when I brought him to my favorite spot, he got down on his knee and proposed. He is going on 10 years now in the army, while we have been married for 8."  ~Katie, Fort Benning, GA

"My husband and I were set up on a date by his brother's girlfriend during his 2-week R&R from Iraq. The first thing that attracted me to him was his soft, kind eyes. They made me melt! During our first-date dinner conversation, I became attracted to his odd sense of humor that's just like mine, as well as his intelligence and clear sense of integrity. My husband proposed at the same restaurant where we went on our first date. Of course, this was on the last evening of his pre-deployment leave before another year in the desert. Andrew has been in the Army for 11 years, and I just separated from 6 years in the AF last November, so the first 3 1/2 years of our relationship (and one year of marriage) were long distance."  ~Heidi & Andrew, Ft Meade, MD

I would love to hear from you! Share your love story, and or proposal with us!

Fun in a Hayloft: Local Sites and Scenes For Family Fun

The Hayloft gives new meaning to the phrase, "born in a barn."

On my quest to find budget friendly family activities, my daughter and I stumbled upon this little patch of heaven--a barn. But not just any barn--The Hayloft Barn sale barn! This amazing wonder looked as if Pinterest had exploded inside!Think flea market on craft steroids!

My words cannot do this place justice! Take a gander at the pics below!

                                     

HOME MADE MARSHMALLOWS!! Kid Approved, Mom approved and DELICIOUS!

Visit kerflufflesmarshmallows.com to order your own today!

 

YUM!

Local Vendors: Meet "Those Girls." Every bone in their body is crafty! Click here to see more! 

Some of the Crafts that Caught My Eye

An Extra Splash of Cuteness!

More of the Scene for You to Enjoy!

Meet local Author Christie Jones Ray. Visit Christie at Christiegrammyhouse.blogspot.com

Live music from local Musicians!

I'm trying not to covet this chandelier! 

And More to Behold!

Meet local Artist Kellie Montana! Fabulous Art! Click here to visit her site!

I hope you enjoyed the pictures as much as I enjoyed searching the scene! :) Feel free tell me about any local venues you came up on. Have a blessed day! Now go find yourself a barn to play in! 

On Days When I Need A Laugh

image from www.allposters.com

Like Today.

Is it just me or do all the kiddos seem to be rowdier than usual? Ah. It must be the end of the school year! I dare say this time of the year is almost equivalent to the excitement felt at Christmastime. I feel the pool calling my name. But before I can sink my toes in the cool waters of a community pool, I need to make it until Memorial Day Weekend. I'm praying I can make it, but with one hyper child bouncing off the walls with a condition known as "can't-wait-for -summer-itis" and the other having torrential melt-downs because something doesn't go her way, I just don't know if I can hold on!!

Besides busting out my fav Bible verses, giving myself pep-talks, and deep breathing, I've also included laughing in my prescribed remedies for crazy stressful moments/days/weeks when I feel as if I'm gonna explode.

I've discovered that laughing really does help lift my mood, and ability to manage my stress level! :) It also works with the kiddos...I just need to remember to help to turn their screaming into laughter. :)

So whenever I'm feeling stressed, or grumpy, I yell for the kids (in a pleasant tone of course, :) ) and we check out our favorite youtube videos that have us hee-hawing within minutes! If you have a few minutes to laugh, check out our top picks are sure to bring a smile to your face, if not a hearty chuckle. ENJOY!

That song was my ringtone forever!

I think that goat can really hit the high notes!

FUNNY, FUNNY Guy.

This Church, Vintage Church, put out videos about the misconceptions of Jesus and Christianity. So funny and true! BUT it's  the kind of that funny you feel sort of guilty for laughing. 

Guest Blogger:Musician/Worship Leader Jamie Worley

Jam'n With Jamie! 

Music! We love it, can't get enough of it! It's rocks us to our core, pumps us up, and takes us back in time. God knew what he was doing when He thought of music. Today we want to talk with a musician that uses his talents to lead worship at Hilldale Baptist Church in Clarksville, TN. Everyone welcome Jamie Worley!

Jamie, thank you for joining me on my blog today! 

 Privileged to say the least, Honored.

Let’s go ahead and dive in so we can get to know you better. Who is Jamie Worley? What are you about? Jamie Worley is a 40 year old man just trying to figure out Life. I try to learn everyday how to be a better Follower of Christ, Father, Husband, and friend. I’m an Army Veteran. A Musician, and a Massage Therapist.

 Tell us how you became a Music Leader:
      10 years ago my life was stagnant. I had a steady job, living with my girlfriend (now wife) and two small girls..... Basically just "doing life". I was a believer but seldom attended church (hit-n-miss). I only prayed or sought the Lord during times of trouble or when I wanted things to go my way. Jesus was more of a "Santa like" figure to me, and I certainly didn't treat him as my Lord (insert coin, hope for prize). I was as Craig Groeschel would say, a "practical atheist". I technically believed in God, but I behaved immorally most of the time. I was one of those ones destined to be "spat out" after I died.        
        In the summer of 2003 my Mother called me from S.C. to inform me that my younger and only sister Tami Worley, had committed suicide. Tami's 15 year battle with severe Bi-polar Disorder ended in tragedy. The pain was more devastating to me than any other painful event in my 30 years, and I've had plenty. My entire life I had treated Tami very bad, I disliked her....even hated her during our adolescent years. So, I carried the guilt, and it chipped away at me. Her death haunted me.

       The days that followed brought me to the lowest point of my life. Her death however became a crucial and pivotal point for me. I began seeking the Lord fully. At first it was to find answers and to help cope with the pain. Needless to say this began a Love affair in my soul with the person of Jesus. 

         Soon after that, the people in my church began to realize that I played guitar and the next thing I knew I was playing in the praise band. Romans 8:28 says: and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to HIS purpose. After many months I was asked to lead a song, "What, you want me to sing, I don't know how"? Yikes! But I did it and to my surprise, I am still doing it today. 

        So, 10 years ago I began a new journey. This began with leading Worship for my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! My life has never been the same. I am passionately enjoying & growing in my faith and very interested in where God is going to take me!

Wow, Jamie. That's an incredible testimony! Tell us, what is the mission for the music you play?
       My Hope is that I can somehow create an Atmosphere where individual’s hearts connect with their Creator, Jesus Christ. I want to help people know, they were Made to Worship, and that missing link…that feeling that can’t be filled by no other means…..has a voice and a name. Which is Jesus

Do you have an audio or video sample you could share with the viewers?
      My cd is on ITunes and each track can be heard at www.jamieworleymusic.com 

Do you have a life verse that inspires you?
      Proverbs 1:7. This was my first memory verse. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction”

Do you agree or disagree with the following quotes:

     1: Without music, life would be a mistake. ~Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche (I don’t know who that is, lol)

         I would have to disagree with The German philosopher Nietzsche. We have a Deaf community in our church and they seem to think life is pretty good. I would love for Nietzsche (who coined the phrase “God is dead” to hear Crowder sing, My Gods Not Dead, He’s surely alive”

     2: Music is what feelings sound like ~Author Unknown (And I obviously don’t know who that is)
            Songs are born out of feelings sometimes, so maybe

Now I’m going to ask things I wonder but would never ask out loud, lol :
    1: In your opinion, what would Jesus listen to? I know He likes all types of music, yes, yes, I get that. BUT…in YOUR opinion, what would be on Jesus’ iPod? Lol 

    I think he has Holy, Holy, Holy on shuffle. Seems to be catching on around the throne.

   2: Sometimes I hear a Christian song and feel guilty for not liking it. Ugh, I know. How can I not like a song about God, right? That’s why I feel guilt, especially when I “skim” past the bluegrass Gospel station (sorry guys, even though I’m from Kentucky, I can only handle so much twang and banjo before my eyes cross). Do you ever hear a Christian song and feel guilty for not liking it? 
    Not at all. God has created us for likes and dislikes. He made mushrooms, but I don’t think it bothers him that I don’t like them. Culture tends to dictate that in all of us I believe.

   3: An English Teacher friend of mine had her students create a soundtrack of their life and write about why they chose the songs. I have since secretly thought about my own life soundtrack. I like to think mine begins with the Forrest Gump theme, then morphs into the Rocky Theme…somewhere along the way ACDC pops in with Back in Black because it’s awesome, and then I switch over to some DC TALK old school style when I feel my life call’s for some rap. Of course the folk sounds of string guitars, fiddles, and banjos make their debut in the soundtrack of my life when I’m driving back roads. What would the soundtrack of your life sound like?
     It would start with some 70’s singer-songwriter stuff. Since I was born in 1972…hints of James Taylor, Carol King….disco Bee Gees….Earth wind and fire…..then 80’s RUN DMC, I was a break-dancer. Then Metal years……lots and lots of metal Van Halen, then Punk Rock and Grunge, then finally Psalms……..the heart of the matter.

Fun with Jamie:
1: A song that makes you cry (Ugh, Safe in My Arms by Plumb makes me weep like a baby!): Eden by Phil Wickham


2: First instrument you learned to play: Guitar


3: Finish this Sentence: Music is like ___Syrup__________. It makes my heart ___sweet______________.


4: Musicians that you dig (I won’t judge you if you mention “secular” artists, lol )
Josh Rouse (friend from back in the day), Dave Matthews Band, Jon Mayer, James Taylor, Jon Foreman, Phil Wickham


5: The food you would most love to write a song for: Avocadoes


6: The book of Psalms is a BIG book of Songs. Do you have a favorite one? Psalm 150 (why do people freak on the dancing part)


7: What color would music be? White, it’s all the colors mixed


8: If you weren’t a musician, what would you be? Rapper…no pun intended, Ha! 


9: Do you play music for your wife? (If not, then you may want to start…I’m just sayin’. ) Yes, she tells me when it sucks, ha!


10: Tell us 3 interesting facts about yourself: 
I have many tattoos. They actually landed me on stage with Kevin James (comedian) he did a bit on me because I had the most in the crowd.
I hate Chalk or anything that has that feeling, like the white powder stuff on Balloons, I will stop breathing if I get that feeling!
I’m very hard on myself

Thank you Jamie for being here with us again! Feel free to contact Jamie and tell him how awesome he is! His info is below. Be sure to check out his site and download his music. :) 

Contact Jamie:
Facebook: Jamie Worley, and Jamie Worley Music
Website: jamieworleymusic.com 
Email: jamielovesguitar@yahoo.com

http://www.jamieworleymusic.com/

Pornography Wreaking Havoc on Marriage

Shhhh. We don’t talk about that.
Well today, we are.

Pornography. It’s a dirty little secret that no one admits to viewing, but the industry is booming. Someone’s looking.

Every second over $3000 is being spent on pornography. Do you know what I could do with $3000? A LOT!  Every second over 28,000 viewing it and every 39 seconds a pornographic video is being created in the US. Good grief, that's insane!

It’s no secret that the divorce rate is right at 50%. One of the biggest reasons for divorce, under adultery, and financial problems, is addictions; the most common of which are alcohol and pornography. Pornography is literally killing our marriages.

Let me get real honest with my married women readers, especially my Military Wife readers. It is NOT okay for you or your husband to be viewing pornography, nor is it okay for you to send your husband pornography while he is deployed, overseas, on a business trip etc.

                                                                           View my thoughts on 50 Shades of Grey.

I've heard women tell me, “Well, at least he’s not cheating.” Um, how is he NOT cheating?  If your spouse is getting sexual gratification from someone other than you, it’s cheating.

I've heard women say, “Well, he’s deployed. It’s difficult for him to go without sex that long. I can’t expect him not to look when pornography is everywhere.” Why is ‘not looking’ such a high expectation for your husband? Yes, it has to be difficult for our husbands to go without sex for that long. It’s no joy ride on our end either. However, to keep our marriage strong, and to protect our spouse from spiraling out of control, because pornography isn't an innocent little problem, refraining from pornography doesn't seem too much to ask.

Why not solve his dilemma by sending photos of yourself . Yes, I totally said that. No matter how awful you think you look naked, your husband loves you, and your body. Just want to clarify--do not send pictures via a military email address. Just needed to cover that. :)

Take pictures. He’ll thank you.

                 Interested in having “special” photos taken for your husband? Visit www.hannahpadgett.smugmug.com.

Study after study proves the negative effects of viewing pornography. It’s said to be a stronger addiction than cocaine. It diminishes real sex, and replaces it with some warped version of  what God meant it to be between a husband and wife. Viewers have reported devaluing their spouse  after looking at pornography. Because who of us can compete with some young chick with a photo-shopped image? It also desensitizes the viewer to sex to the point where he/she can become bored with their spouse, sex in general, and seek more graphic images in order to get that thrill they are looking for. Can we say, "Hello, Ted Bundy?" None of those things are beneficial for marriage, or mental health.  

Stay away from porn my friends. God says to “be holy, because I am holy (1 peter 1:16).” There is nothing holy about pornography.

References:

http://www.focusonthefamily.com/lifechallenges/love_and_sex/pornography.aspx

http://simplemarriage.net/3-reasons-to-beware-of-porn/

http://www.familysafemedia.com/pornography_statistics.html

Held Hostage: The Martin & Gracia Burnham Story

pic from mannaexpress.com

I'm patriotic. It kind of comes with the whole Army Wife/Life deal. For God and Country, yes, but I have to admit, push come to shove, it's God who I'm siding with. 

Nations come and go, but God's kingdom lasts forever. I'd fight along side my husband any day to defend our land and the morals of this Great Nation , but I know that it's God's Kingdom/Nation that counts eternally. I want to live my life in a way that will positively influence people living now, and even those that will be living centuries from now. Outlandish? Nope.

How do I do this? By loving those around me. How do I love those around me? By Investing myself, my time, resources, and energy to my family, friends and strangers. Those things have eternal value. Those things have generational and eternal impact. Living this way is God's plan for my life, and for those that follow Christ.

Martin and Gracia Burnham, missionaries in the Philipines, knew this to be true as well. They risked it all to invest themselves in the people around them, and were kidnapped and held hostage by a Muslim terrorist group, while celebrating their 18th wedding anniversary. Wow. 

Their story is heart wrenching and inspiring. I would love for you take the next five minutes or so and listen to Gracia share her experience. It puts a spin on Freedom that I can't quite put words to.

SHOUT OUT (Whoop Whoop, lol): Thank God for the military who risked their lives to save those held captive, and for the missionaries who risk their lives everyday to show others how much Jesus loves the people around them. 

Freedom Has Fangs: When We Use Our Freedom to Bite

Freedom is worth having, worth fighting for, and definitely worth dying for. Though it is a blessing, it can also be quite dangerous if misused.  It has fangs. Fangs that can protect, provide, and unfortunately, harm others when chosen.

Some crazy person decided to use their Freedom Fangs to wrongfully attacked this week, and once again, our young nation has endured tragedy. The bombings in Boston, and now the explosion in Waco, TX. The bombings are being called an act of terror--true, but that's not entirely true. In my opinion, the bombings were an act of cowardice. These people or persons, have misused their freedom and will be brought to justice.

In times like these, I find myself asking 'Why?'

Why do bad things happen?

Why do bad things happen to good people?

The answer isn't fun, it isn't comforting, it's simply that this world, and all mankind are sinful. We are sinful people given free will, and sometimes sinful people do sinful things with their freedom/free will. Pastor Andy Stanley from North Point Community Church, in Alpharetta, GA gives the most thought out, easy to grasp explanation of why bad things happen, in his Starting Point audio study. I would encourage anyone to check it out.

This is what I know: When bad things happen, it's an opportunity to increase our Faith and Trust in God, because He's bigger and smarter than we are. He's an expert at giving purpose to pain, bringing good out of bad situations, and so I pray that He's busy doing that right now. I'm also going to pray that the people of Boston stay strong, are encouraged, and only become stronger because of this horrific tragedy.

These terrorists picked the wrong city to mess with! Boston has bigger Freedom Fangs than those cowardly terrorists!

It's a Great Weekend to Free Slaves: Spotlight on The International Justice Mission

Our Nation May be the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave, but Slavery Still Exists Around the World.

Sex trafficking or the sex slave trade is a growing pandemic around the world. In a letter to our President, the International Justice Mission states, "an estimated 27 million people are enslaved around the world today, including within our own borders."

Over 73,000 people teamed up with the IJM (International Justice Mission) to stand against modern day slavery. We are Americans. Fighting for Freedom, and the Freedom of others is in our blood.

Christian's have been the leading force in ending slavery in America during the Civil War time period. They have marched and lead the battle for the right for women to vote, to enact child labor laws, and civil rights. It's time we stand up again, and do what we have been commanded: "do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with [our] God." `Micah 6:8.

 Now that you know slavery still exists, it's your turn to help end it. How? Here's a few suggestions.

• Check out the IJM website and contact info. They are great at responding to emails and give wonderful suggestions on how to raise support
• Click here to ask the President to make freedom real for all
• Participate or Donate to Calvary Baptist Church's 4th Annual Run for Justice on Saturday, April 20th, 2013.

Must Read: Though My Heart is Torn

Second in the Cadence of Grace Series, Though My Heart is Torn, made its debut just days ago, and is climbing the charts!

Author, Joanne Bischof has wowed her readers again! Last I heard it was #12 in the Christian Romance world of books. No. 12 is nothing to sneeze at--What an ACCOMPLISHMENT!! :) However, right now, Though My Heart is Torn, is definitely No. 1 on Hannah Conway's chart, and we all know, that's what really matters. :) lol :)

We rejoin Gideon and Lonnie O'Reilly, and celebrate that they are finally happily married and enjoying the joys of parenthood. Their Happily Ever After soon turns into the possibility of a Never Ever After when Gideon gets word that he isn't officially divorced from his first wife that Lonnie knew nothing about! GASP!! The law states Gideon has to return to his first wife who now refuses to divorce! BIGGER GASP! Lonnie is forced to take their child and live apart from Gideon as he tries to settle in his new married life with a woman he believes he can never love.

This pickle of a predicament leaves Lonnie and Gideon's hearts torn. It seems that their life together is over, and another life is being forced upon them. How can they move on?

This book keeps you invested. The characters come to life and you struggle with them in their journey. A MUST READ!

I know you're grabbing your purse and racing out the door to get your copy now, BUT hold your horses! Before you dive into Joanne Bischof's latest masterpiece, you HAVE to read the first in the series, Be Still My Soul.

Okay. Now you can go buy both!

Click to Purchase Though My Heart is Torn

Click to Purchase Be Still My Soul

Some Bunny That I Used to Know: A MUST SEE!

Happy Easter Ya'll! 

I'm "hopping" you guys love to laugh as much as I do. Check out this funny Easter Themed Spoof made by some great friends of mine, and talented musicians, Matt & Joanna Black! When you get a chance, stop by Matt & Joanna's page...they are INCREDIBLE people making AMAZING music!!

Beating the Easter Blues: What to Do While Your Honey's Away



It's difficult to celebrate Special Occasions and Holidays when your spouse is deployed, or away for training. It's hard to feel like celebrating when the one you love can't be there to join in on the traditions, fun and laughter.

picture from www.dreamstime.com

With Easter next week, I can't stop from wondering what our family would be doing this year if my husband were home. Where would we have went for Easter dinner? Together, we would have taken the kids to see the Passion Play at our church, and together we would talk to them about the importance of Easter in our Christian faith. I wonder how many ugly eggs my hubby and the kids would insist on coloring? Where could we hide the eggs that would keep the kids busy long enough for he and I to raid their Easter baskets, lol....we would NEVER do that.

The memories keep me going through times like this; I'd say they keep most of us going during the deployment. My memories equal hope. I think of the good times, how they make me feel, the laughs that were shared, and those memories allow me to hope for the future--that there will be even more good times to come. Easter is a good time to be filled with hope; after all, Easter is all about hope.

There are many Military families missing their loved ones this year, I just want to take a minute and encourage you. Hang in there. In the words of my Momma, "Paste that smile on, and go on." Acknowledge that you don't feel like celebrating. Cry about it if you must over a bag of those awesome Hershey candy coated eggs and a glass of milk (I may or may not have done that, lol). Once you've acknowledged these feelings, go on and get your celebrate on! Make yourself if you have to, because you need to, because your children need you to, because the others going through the same battle need you to.

Think of the good times and know more are on their way.

Beat the Easter Blues: Tips for Making this a Memorable Easter Even With Your Spouse Afar:

1.  Find a church to attend for Easter Sunday: If you haven't heard about the hope Easter is about, it's about time you heard it. :)
2.  If you're close to family, go home and hang out with them.
3.  If you're far from family, get together with friends and play games, talk, eat, laugh, hunt for eggs!
4. Color Easter Eggs with your family, or start a new Easter Deployment Tradition; maybe it's making a special breakfast, or playing bunny freeze tag where everyone hops around like bunnies---it's a blast and a calorie blaster! Be creative, and have fun.
5. Talk openly with your kids about the deployment, and how they feel about their parent missing Easter and other special occasions. Have them think of things they will do next year when their soldier is home.
6. Remember that traveling any road alone is lonely; if you're feeling down or need to share some exciting news, there's nothing like a good friend to do life with. If you don't already have someone you can confide in while your hubby/spouse is gone, and even when they're home, I would highly suggest you pray God sends you one.
7. HAVE FUN! Whatever you do this Easter, and while your soldier is deployed, try to have fun and laugh. Anytime your soldier is away, is just plain stressful. Laughter is a good prescription for stress.

A Tale of Forgiveness via the Deaths of Sea Monkeys

Ugh. I'm a sea monkey killer. Admitting is the first step to healing. lol.  



picture from wordpress.com

What a week my friends! I'm looking at a pile of clothes that need to be folded, game pieces tossed about in the floor. Nice. My house looks lived in right now. Inviting, but lived in. Maybe I should light an apple scented candle? It's nap time here at the Conway house--Thank you JESUS for naptime! Though the house is quiet, I can't seem to shake the thought that on my table, swimming about in a make shift tiny tank, are several tiny sea monkeys on the verge of death because I threw away their food by mistake. A few have already perished from starvation...ugh...I'm drenched in guilt. Did you know that not even Walmart sells Sea Monkey food?? I've been all over the place trying to find what these critters need to survive and NO ONE sells it. By the time I've ordered special sea monkey food, they will have all died. I might as well go ahead and give myself a new title to accompany Christian, Army Wife & Mother: Sea Monkey killer.

It was an honest accident. Not like the time I "accidentally" broke my son's flute, or the time I "accidentally" ripped a larger hole in my husband's favorite Khaki shorts he had been wearing since high school--those things HAD to go. I honestly did not mean to throw away the sea monkey food.

My son will be heartbroken to know there are only five little monkeys left--no they're not jumping on the bed. Stop smiling, it's not funny. :)

I'm going to have to ask for his forgiveness. Though it's trivial, and these little critters are just some  microscopic floating specks, I feel terrible that they are going to die, and even more terrible at how upset my son will be. It seems lately I've had to ask his forgiveness a lot.

• I'm sorry I raised my voice at you. Please forgive me.
• I'm sorry I kissed you in front of your friends. Please forgive me.
• I'm sorry I wasn't listening well when you were trying to tell me something. Please forgive me.
• I'm sorry I ate your Popsicle when you went to the bathroom. It was staring at me. Please for forgive me.
• I'm sorry I lost your reading book list; I'll make another one. Please forgive me.

And now: "I'm sorry I starved your sea monkeys to death. Please forgive me."

My son is always very eager to forgive me. He may be sad about what's happened, but he's always ready to forgive when I ask. I love that quality about him, and I wish I were more like him in that regard.

Am I always so willing to forgive? No. Such a bummer. Sometimes I think it's because I don't know who my anger or frustration is towards. It's not always a person that offends me, but rather, it's the circumstances of life. It's when you find out your husband may be home early from deployment and then the plans change. It's when unexpected, inconvenient things happen that can cause an unforgiving attitude to take hold. In those instances, there is no one in particular that unforgiveness is directed towards, so is there still a need to ask for forgiveness?

Definitely.

Unforgiveness can lead to depression, rage, bitterness, resentment, negativity, stress and stress related illnesses, as well as a host of other emotional problems. Forgiving doesn't have to have a person involved. Forgiving is about letting go of the right to stay offended over a wrong committed against you in order to live a full life without some stormy cloud following you around. It took me awhile to learn this concept, and it's taken even longer to put it into practice. What can I say? I'm a work in progress.

My son's got this whole forgiveness thing down pat. I think I may take notes from him tonight when I ask for his forgiveness again.

Poor Sea Monkeys. Should I hold a funeral for them?

Author and Guest, Jessica R. Patch with Writing Tips for All!

Spring is just around the corner. Spring cleaning anyone? Well, I'd rather clean up my writing than my home, so that's why Jessica R. Patch is stopping by my blog today. She is a very special lady with a lot of valuable information on writing...the do's, the don'ts...the in's and outs. She will have your manuscript sparkling in no time!

Jessica, thank you for being on today!

Cleaning Out the Funk

by: Jessica R. Patch

Thank you, Hannah, for hosting me today!

When my house is clutter free and clean, a candle burning—the scent of apples and cinnamon lingering in the air—everything seems right. I can settle in on my couch and feel guilt-free for anything I want to do: read, watch a movie, take a nap etc…

Our manuscripts are much like our home. We spend a lot of time on them. We live through our characters. We smell what they smell, we live where they live. And we want our readers to do the same thing.

It’s important to de-clutter, dust, vacuum, and sweep away everything that doesn’t belong. We want our stories to be welcoming, inviting, and a place for readers to settle in—guilt-free—and enjoy the time they spend experiencing our “home” for however long it takes to read it cover to back.

Here are a few “cleaning” tips to help polish your manuscript:

The first thing I do when I clean my house is pick up the big things and put them where they go. Bags of chips and cereal boxes on the counter go in the pantry. Shoes, clothing, coats that the kids strung across the living room have to go!

1.      Remove and organize the big stuff first. Print your manuscript if you can. If not, maybe you have a Kindle. You can load it onto your Kindle or iPad (Kindle app needed) for free! Make the font bigger. (You can also zoom in and change the font for a fresh eye on your computer if the two above aren’t possible for you.) Read through just like you would someone else’s book and pull out plot slips, contradictions, discover plot holes and make notes. Does your character stay true to who they are? If not, de-clutter the manuscript. Do you realize you don’t need 4 POVs to tell the story? Delete! Cover the big stuff first.

I always dust before I vacuum.

2.      Dust away the –ly words and filler words. It’s important to make your writing tight. Powerful. Give your reader an experience not just a story to read. First do a search on “ly” and look at how many –ly words you have! Then see if you can find a powerful action verb to replace it. For example:

John softly crossed the room. He didn’t want to wake Annabeth.

We can turn this into something stronger by using a word that will help the reader experience the story better.

John tiptoed across the room. Annabeth still slept. (I also restructured the last sentence to go deeper in John’s POV—but that’s another post!) Tiptoed gives a better visual of what John is doing, doesn’t it?

Filler words are words that you don’t really need. Can you find the filler word in the sentence I just wrote? Yep, it’s “really.” If you can say a sentence and get your meaning across without words like: really, very, just, quite, etc…then delete the filler word.  

3.      Vacuum overused words and phrases.

Chances are you’ll get attached to certain words and phrases. I’m editing my latest manuscript and I’ve found that most of my characters want to shrug and turn the corner of their mouth up. Once you see a word or phrase two or three times, make a note. Then do a search of those words and phrases. Pull out the thesaurus, in print or online, and start looking for synonyms or have them do something else.

Your character might be a shrugger and he/she does it often. That’s fine. Just make sure not all your characters are shrugging, or biting their lip, or raising their brows. You get the picture.

There are a lot of things you can do to clean up your manuscript, but these are only a few. Happy cleaning! And if you need someone to partner with you to help you polish and shine your manuscript, see my critiquing & editing page at www.jessicarpatch.com I’d love to work with you!

BIO

Jessica R. Patch writes inspirational contemporary romance with plenty of mystery and suspense. A passion to draw women into intimacy with God keeps her motivated, along with heaping cups of caffeine in the form of coffee. When she’s not hunched over her laptop or teaching the new & growing believer's class at her church, you can find her sneaking off to movies with her husband, embarrassing her daughter in unique ways, beating her son at board games and contemplating how to get rid of her irksome dog (she hasn’t attempted any of them…yet). She is represented by Rachel Kent of Books & Such Literary Agency.

Connect with Jessica at her website, facebook, and twitter @jessicarpatch!