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Beauty on the Backroads

Stories of grace for life's unexpected turns

Saturday smiles

I'm bringing smiles back

March 23, 2013

This regular Saturday post where I tell you what has made my week has been MIA for a few weeks. Partly because I was feeling sorry for myself and didn’t want to take the time to try to come up with a week’s worth of smiles. (Because truly some weeks it is harder than others.) And partly because we had this BIG event–a 5 year-old’s birthday–and family were in town and life was not ordinary or routine.

So, I return, somewhat reluctantly, and if you missed me, then accept my apology for the absence.

Here’s a short list of what makes me smile this week.

Illustration by Billy Alexander/courtesy of Stock Exchange (www.sxc.hu)

Illustration by Billy Alexander/courtesy of Stock Exchange (www.sxc.hu)

Spring. It’s here, officially. Even though the weather hasn’t played along, I know it’s only a matter of time before walking outside with the kids becomes bearable again and the world bursts with color. It’s my favorite season.

God kept me calm when my son’s head was bleeding profusely. And He kept us safe while driving in the snow to the emergency room. And He’s given us a daughter who jumps in to help and isn’t freaked out by other people’s pain. When we told the nurse that Izzy wanted to watch any procedure on her brother’s head, the nurse asked if she was going to be a nurse or a doctor. “Actually, I’m planning to be a teacher,” she says. And Corban’s head is fine, no stitches required.

I read two great books this week. I can’t wait to tell you about them in April. Watch for the reviews.

I signed a contract for a magazine article I wrote. It’ll be published in an upcoming May/June issue. I’ll share more when the time comes.

We officially own our car. The title came in the mail last week. Getting out of debt feels good, even if it’s hard work in the process. One down, too many more to go.

While calculating our expenses for the upcoming month, I was relieved to realize we might be able to pay them without too much extra help. That’s a relief when lately paying bills causes anxiety.

I applied for a job.

Homemade hot chocolate mix.

Friends who bring a bag of coffee beans to your front door.

A catch-up phone call with an in-town friend.

Okay, maybe the list wasn’t as short as I thought. Guess that’s what happens when you start listing the good. You think of more.

What was good about your week?

 

Filed Under: Children & motherhood, Saturday smiles Tagged With: count your blessings, first day of spring, getting out of debt, peace in the storms of life, reading good books, things that make me smile, writing

Saturday smiles: Hodgepodge edition

March 2, 2013

I wish all my smiles posts had a theme. Or maybe I don’t because I like variety. The spice of life, you know.

So, here’s the smile-makers from this week.

I sold two articles. Even after years of seeing my name in print on an almost-daily basis, I still get a thrill out of someone wanting to pay me for something I’ve written. Looking forward to sharing the articles with you in a few months, for one, and later this year, for the other.

I read two really great books this week: Forsaken Dreams by MaryLu Tyndall and So Shines the Night by Tracy Higley. I’ll be reviewing both later in the month. If you’re looking for some good inspirational suspenseful romantic fiction, these books have a little bit of all of that and are worth the splurge.

Sometimes I read fiction, and have to finish a book no matter the time of night, to know that things work out all right in the end. When I feel like that’s not true of my life, fiction gives me hope.

So do songs like this one. My husband and I both cried watching this video.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8jilr8qsYU]

And as usual, the kids came up with some doozies this week.

Me: I’m so glad your grandparents are coming in a week.

Isabelle: So you can leave.

Me: Yes. So I can leave.

Corban: You didn’t get us any juice!

Me: Oh my goodness. Am I fired?

Corban: Noooo. Moms and dads don’t get fired.

And while we were discussing what was in the eggplant casserole, the kids came up with their own casserole combinations.

Isabelle: I would use broccoli, bacon, salt and pepper.

Corban: I would use pencils, coins and Mommy’s head.

Remind me not to let the boy anywhere near the kitchen.

And it’s March, which means spring is coming soon.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAI, for one, can’t wait.

Filed Under: Saturday smiles Tagged With: freelance writing, jj heller, march, new christian fiction, reading good books, spring, what kids say

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Hi. I’m Lisa, and I’m glad you’re here. If we were meeting in real life, I’d offer you something to eat or drink while we sat on the porch letting the conversation wander as it does. That’s a little bit what this space is like. We talk about books and family and travel and food and running, whatever I might encounter in world. I’m looking for the beauty in the midst of it all, even the tough stuff. (You’ll find a lot of that here, too.) Thanks for stopping by. Stay as long as you like.

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