i'm bbbaaaccckkk...

...And that, my readers, was said in my bestest singsong voice. :)

If you're just tuning into this space I call my little corner of the blogosphere, I took a blogging break the week before Easter in honor of Lent. While I missed each and every one of the blogs I follow and your sweet comments that flood my inbox each morning from previous posts, my break from the blogging world was awesome. I spent my normal blogging time sitting out in the sunshine, reading and cutting up with the family. And, thanks for the blogging break, I have a wicked sunglasses tan {along with a overall farmer's tan} before all my friends. I might be kinda sorta proud about that little fact.

That's not to say I spent all my time playing and frolicking through the daisy patch weeds that grew like man people and multiplied by the second. Recently, I started going to the Word of Life Bible Study that many of my Bible Study friends attend, and I've fallen in love. It's since to hang with other homeschooling teens and just generally be weird and laugh at the most random things, but it's also a great study program with many levels of being involved in the Study. I'm now considering the possibility of going to the WOL camp this summer...

Lots of things happened over my blogging break. I finished my chemistry curriculum early, and I've been working like a mad woman to finish my geometry ::cough cough which could be the most evil thing EVAH cough cough::. Plenty of other family and friends ffilled my time, so stay tuned, readers, because pictures are coming!

::deep breath:: It's good to be back, readers. I've missed you!

Easter 2011

He has risen and conquered sin and death on this very day, 2000 and 11 years ago. 

He has risen indeed!

Wishing a happy Easter to you and yours, readers!

happy birthday aunt karen!

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Aunt Karen, happy birthday to you!! 

Wow, you are an amazing woman full of grace and Godliness. You love your family and will do anything for them, you work part time at a kinda sorta demanding job, and in light of your recent diagnosis of breast cancer, you display a great sense of courage and calmness. 

Thanks for all the Dr. Peppers, trips to Wendy's and sleepover with Samantha! :)

lent

Lent. 

It's a word many people associate with the Catholic faith, as well as sacrifice and the ever popular "I can give something up anytime, so why do it for 40+ days a certain time of the year?". Truth is, I've had all those thoughts, even the ever popular one. Many people use Lent to give up an unhealthy habit or something that they feel hinders them in their walk with Christ. We even think that if we give up something that constitutes as a sacrifice for us, it will parallel what Jesus did oh-so many years ago.

All of that changed this year. Remember our Advent books from Christmas? The older man who writes that particular series decided to write a special book meant only to read at Lent. Thus, a discussion with Dad on what he gave up for Lent many years ago as a boy {for those that don't know, my dad was Catholic growing up}. It was a mutual decision that we all give up something for the week before Easter, and what a great decision it was.

Fast foward to this week. Each of our "sacrifices" were something that meant something to us; Clark gave up his favorite computer game and Dad gave up evening TV. What about me, you ask? I choose to give up something that I felt both hindered me from my relationship with God AND was a little sacrifice in my life. Blogging.

After this post publishes, I'm unplugging from the blogging world. Sure, I'll stalk people on Twitter and get the occasion tidbit from Emmylou, but other than that: no blogger for me.

Farewell, readers. I'll be back next week with plenty of adventures to share... :)

Favorite Things Friday + Saturday Shopping {6}

Today I'm linking up with Kim's  Favorite Things Friday and Gussy's  Saturday Shopping blogging meme's. I absolutely love finding new Etsy pretties and sharing them with you, so here we go!
{Warning: Lots of cuteness coming your way. Just sayin'.}

Even though last week's was all yellow and sunshine-y, I'm back again with more yellow than your sweet eyes can handle. Maybe it's because yellow might just be my new favorite color or maybe it's because my blog is all pretty in pink yellow. You'll never know... ;)

Etsy simpleheat {1. Ruffle Linen Earrings} {2. Yellow Wrapped Pendant} {3. Silver Nest Earrings} {4. Yellow French Messenger Bag} {5. Jersey Ruffled Scarf} {6. Linen Yellow Tulips} {7. Yellow Sailor Tote Bag} {8. Eco-Friendly Dress} {9. Pleated Canvas Shoulder Bag} {10. Crocheted Necklace} {11. Owl Necklace} {12. Oak Leaves Pendant} {13. Yellow Sleeveless Dress} {14. Crocheted Bumblebee} {15. Love Birds Print} {16. Silver Citrine Ring} Sooo...I know I said that last week's FTF + SS was my favorite, but seriously: could the little bumblebee be any cuter?! :) Happy shopping!