Queenies Little Kingdom

I’ve been carrying this book around for a sweet forever! It’s been a busy season since I received it from the good people at Thomas Nelson Publishing. I’ve had to read it in spurts. So, for what it’s worth…..I have completely read it now and here goes my young 42 year old opinion.

What’s AGE Got To Do With It? by Robin McGraw

I was attracted to this book for a couple of reasons. The first one is that I had read her first book and really liked it. Robin has the cutest personality and she seems like someone I could have as a close friend. Second, is the topic…..living your happiest and healthiest life! Well, duh. Who at my age wouldn’t want to figure that mystery out? No one, that’s who!

Robin gets very personal with the loss of her own mother at the age of 60. She was raised in a way that many of us experienced as well…..by a mama that did everything for everybody, neglecting her own well-being in the meantime. She just did and did until she could do no more. I could completely relate to her. I tend to do way more than the law should allow and then feel rotten for it later. This book reminded me…STOP IT! So, thank you to Robin for that wake up call.

There were some things that just rubbed me wrong in the book. Not everyone has access to all the experts that Robin has. It seemed to be a bit much sharing names of all the high priced people she has in her rolodex. I do not condemn her for having the best at her fingertips….but the reality that you or I can call up doctor so-and-so for “advice” is preposterous! I was really turned off by that. Face it, celebs have the “in” with other elite folks, period. That’s just how it works!

I really enjoyed the skin care tips and the last chapter regarding her faith. One can never have too much knowledge when it comes to looking better or knowing how to have a personal relationship with Jesus. It wasn’t everything I had hoped it would be. For me, the book was ok. I would give it a 5….out of a 1-10 scale (10 being excellent). A good book to me is one that I’ll go back to again and again for what I like to call, reminder reading! This one, I won’t be picking up anytime soon. Matter of fact, I’m gonna share it with some lucky reader in a giveaway soon. I’ll be sure to let you know when!

That Tyler Mote! He is awesome! We sat in the blazing heat yesterday to watch him advance on to Regional’s. Woohoo! It was surely worth it. We’re proud of you Rocket Man! What a hard race you ran (every one of them!).

Next week…..I’ll miss the event completely. Sweetboy’s Touch of Class banquet is the same night…(another reason to celebrate). I love following all these great kids around. It’s a pleasure to share in all their accomplishments and victories. Way to go, guys!

Oh….today, Sweetboy is leaving school early for Butler University. He was selected second year in a row for the Indiana All-State/All-Star Marching Band. He will spend the weekend marching in the Indy 500 parade and going to the race. Wow! Very cool, huh? Luckee!

I need one of those bumper stickers……don’tcha think?

MY KIDS ARE AWESOME!

Oh and I love this post by Vicki Courtney regarding this holiday weekend. Very cute!

I’ve been on edge today. I wish I could say that I’m a mature enough person to handle disappointment better than this. But I can’t! I’m just human and a flawed one at that. Last week the guidance office posted the list of scholarship recipient names for the world to see and guess who’s name wasn’t on the list? Yea, my sweetboy! It was a huge let down! I felt so sad for him. I knew he would be so bummed. I cried!

Since he was in middle school we’ve told him over and over that he had to work hard in school. He’s done that. He’s #24 out of 325 in his graduating class and his GPA is 11.3. That says something loud and clear if you ask me. So, I can’t help but wonder….how does that make sense? How can you make straight A’s all through your high school career and take no fluff classes ever and still not get a penny in reward? I sound so bitter. It’s a hard pill to swallow. It just hurts to see your kid hurt.

When we filled out all those scholarships we placed them in God’s hands. I even blogged about it. I totally meant it when I said we would trust Him either way. I believe that even more now. I know God has a plan for Gavin beyond any local scholarship monies. Some things in life aren’t supposed to come easy. Maybe this is just one of those things. So, while we are feeling let down….we still celebrate all that Gavin has accomplished during his high school years. His hard work does not go unnoticed by us.

Way to go Sweetboy! You have made us so proud!

To burn off my anxiety……I pushed mowed the worst yard in the neighborhood…IN FLIPFLOPS no doubt! Yea….I told you I was on edge! 🙂

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will make your paths straight” Prov. 3:5-6

For Rachel Barkey it’s not being a wife…or a mom….or even having cancer. It’s her relationship with Jesus Christ. Her personal journey through breast cancer and it’s revenge on her young body are so overwhelming yet inspiring. I happened upon her blog today and haven’t quite felt the same since. Why? I don’t know. She lives in Canada…it’s not like someone introduced us and we’re new friends. Her tender story of facing death moved me and opened up some great questions I have for my own life.

What is it that REALLY defines me?

What is it that gives me value? Is it being a wife? No. I’m way more complex than just that. My husband would agree. I’m honored that God allowed me the privilege of belonging to such a great man. Is it being a mom? I really love being a mom….but no it’s not that either. I do take it very seriously. I’ve invested all of me into the children that God trusted into my care. But I know that they are ultimately their own people….so I trust God with them. I’m simply a tool in their lives.

What defines me….is my own personal walk with Christ. He has authority over me. He has my heart. I don’t always follow along with that management like I should. But I really love belonging to God and knowing that I can rest assure He is at work in my life. I am amazed that no matter what I can count on Him loving me….flaws and all! My relationship with Him is mine! It’s between Him and Me! I don’t spend enough time nurturing what I have in Christ. I guess I’m like many…..I’m busy living life…until something stops me in my tracks to bring me back to reality. Today….I caught a glimpse into a reality that none of us want to face.

Life is short. Live it to the fullest……focus on what’s important!

Jesus,
I love you. I’m thankful that you were thinking of me when you went to that cross. I’m not worthy but you thought so. Thank you for Rachel. Bless her and her family as they transition to a new way of living in the next few weeks. What a sweet picture of grace!
Amen.

I live in the great state of Indiana (home to University of Notre Dame) and the controversy over President Obama’s visit has been intense. Those who disagree are speaking out regarding “his” view on abortion versus what the Catholic church stands for. They’re not happy (nor should they be)! The protests have been the big news. I’m sure you’ve caught a glimpse or seven.

I can’t help but think about the students graduating. All the money spent on their education at this university (which ain’t cheap, ya’ll) and the time invested to get to this point. What a shame to be caught up in such a media hoopla as this. This graduating class has had to take a backseat to the frenzy of garbage. If I were a parent……oh how aggravated I would be. Afterall, doesn’t this man get enough attention as it is? Come on!

That’s just my opinion! But after seeing a little more coverage of the actual event it appears he was not lovingly embraced by everybody. He did receive a standing ovation (duh, he is the President ya know). Still. Why make the greatest milestone of these students life a mockery?

I’m just sayin!

I like what Dr. Al Mohler says here regarding the President’s visit to ND.

We departed at 4:30am on Friday morning….arrived in Chicago at around 9:00am. Shopped until 12:00pm on Michigan Avenue…..headed to the Cubs game (then the rain came tumbling down). I sat on the bus because I know these things….it was raining way too hard for a ballgame. Everybody came filing back, soaked! No game! Bummer!

We spent the next sweet forever stuck in traffic trying to make it to our ROCKIN hotel! Key Lime Cove. It was incredible! The hotel was so clean and beautiful. Everyone loved it. I wished my other kid’s were there to enjoy it with us. I tried to capture some of the fun with my camera….but one, I’m not the best photog and two, it had weird lighting that kept interfering with each picture. I posted what I did take on Facebook. Curfew was at 11:30pm which wasn’t hard to keep….everyone was so tired!

The next morning was beautiful. Sunny, clear and a bit windy. Our big plans for the day included Six Flags. It was perfect weather for running around and riding rollercoasters. We had so much fun. I even rode this! It was amazing! I loved it….after I got over the fear. 🙂 I was putting on my game face….but inside…..I was freaking out! But I’m glad I did it.

Being on the trip was bittersweet. I had such a great time but realized this was the end of school trips for my sweetboy. It’s been fun tagging along on his many adventures. We’ve been many places in the last 13 years…..farms, caves, statehouses, zoo’s, parks, museums….movies! All sorts of fun spots. I’ve enjoyed them all (hubby too).

Here’s the whole gang as we were leaving Six Flags. Good times!