Little Things

This week I have been reminded how much God loves me and cares about the little things.

I found a butterfly, its wings open on the road, sunning itself. It looked like a little piece of sunshine.

A friend re-read two books with me in one month, which was just about the best. She was also super patient when my internet wouldn't work and we had to wait and skype when I went into work with my sister.

The Wi-fi was out most of the week, reminding me to stop doing stuff online and focus on what mattered. I needed that reminder, as I tend to get to thinking that the internet will explode without me on it every few hours.

I'm getting to help train our puppy Belle, and half the time that means just letting her crawl into my lap and just cuddle. Best way to train.

It's been a good week. How was yours?

Five Books I’m Re-reading this Summer

I've been wanted to do some re-reading of books lately, so I thought I would make a summer reading list and share it with y'all! I had to really limit myself because I wanted to re-read so many, but I figured five was a good limit. After all, I have a whole shelve on top of my desk of books that I own and haven't read. Lol. ;) 

Note: all the links will take you to the books Goodreads page.

Martin Hospitality by Abigayle Claire

This book has such a beautiful summery feel and amazing message.

Wings of a Dream by Anne Mateer

Such. A. Beautiful. Book.

A Name Unknown by Roseanna White

This book stole my heart last year, and I wanted to re-read it as soon as I was done the first time.

Becoming Nikki by Anne Elliot

This book is about siblings, which makes it pretty awesome by itself, but its also got great themes. <3

Illyon Chronicles by Jaye L. Knight

My sister and I are reading through these together. It’s my second time and her first. =)

So what are some books you want to re-read this summer? Have you read any of these? 

Learning New Skills

I have never been super good at trying new things. Trying ot learn new skills is not my favorite, but I really wanted to push myself this year, so I'm trying to step out.

I have been interested in cover design for quite a while now, but my skills are not very refined, so a friend of mine, Jessica Greyson, offered to teach me. She's a professional designer, scary good at her job, and delightful to work with. Right now I'm learning some of the very basic things; how much space to leave, what fonts to use, what images really make a good cover. I've made three covers for one book so far, and just now am finally feeling like I'm making progress. =) Also, I never knew how much work went into really good covers, so I aprechiate good covers a lot more now. I didn't think I would like learning this so much, but I am loving it!

I am also learning how to train our puppy, Belle. She's an adorable handful, and actually has a pretty good attention span for how young she is. I don't know a lot about training, but my sister is teaching me as we go along. I was able to teach Belle to go home (which constitutes her running up onto our deck), which was so satisfying after all the work we've been doing with her.

And while sometimes cover designing sessions end up with me crying in frustration, and training with Belle sometimes just means going out and petting her, both have been to rewarding to stop.

What are some new things you've been learning lately?

Go With the Flow

Go with the flow 

Go with the flow 

Don’t fight it 

Don’t listen to people 

Telling you to fight 

Go with the flow 

Let your emotions 

Pull you out 

Be adrift on this water 

Of man built ideas 

On your whims and thoughts 

Don’t fight them 

Go adrift 

Don’t use your ore 

Be carried out where 

The waves crash 

Go with the flow 

Don’t go don’t go 

Fight your way out 

Fight against your own ideas 

Go against your emotions 

Don’t follow the current 

Of your own selfish ideas 

Fight your way to shore 

Paddle till you ache 

Make your way there 

Where you’ll be safe 

On a shore built by God 

With arms to hold you 

And to help you 

Don’t go with the flow 

Fight it, fight it

And find yourself 

On an unmovable shore 

April Highlights

Hello everyone! I am so excited to be doing my first real post on this blog! So here are my April highlights!

Participated in Camp NaNo, and wrote 10,000 words. I didn't get nearly as much done as I wanted in my story, but I did meet my goal.

So. Much. Weeding. But really, I loved it. 

I listened to Defy while water marbling. I recently discovered water marbling and I love it. 

I went to the dentist again, this one ended up being not so great, so we kind of just ignored all his advice. ;P  

I tried my hand at lemon pound cake. It turned out surprisingly well!

It was my Grandpa Leroy's birthday. He's in a nursing home, so we drove up to see him and spent the day with him. 

We went to an amazing passion play, and then we had our Passover celebration. On Easter, we spent the whole day together at church, and then just chilling. Passover and Easter are my favorite holidays, so it was a really good weekend. 

I went to bible study with my sister Grace, and we had a late night fries run afterward. 

I registered for two events happening in six months. One a bubble run (I've never done one before, but they had free registration and it looked fun), and I registered to go back to the Gospel concert I attended last year.

My whole family went bowling. We found a great deal which included the food and went. I made two strikes, ate a ton of pizza, and had a blast. We had never been as a whole family before, so it was really fun to do. 

My sister Rose and I went to the beach for a couple of days, which was the best. I rode my first Ferris wheel, swam a ton in the ocean, rode the ferries, went to the Moody Gardens, and we ate ice cream on the beach.

My favorite was probably my re-read of Defy, and my least favorite The Treasure of Secret Cove, though I liked all the books I read this month.

New Routine Stories by Firefly

Spring Pen Pal Ideas A Farmgirls Life

Recent Photos and a Life Update Aria

5 Writing Lessons from Charlie Brown and 

Internet Friends of The Left-Handed Typist

How to do Something You've Never Done Before Pen Prints

This Was Harder Then I Thought it Would Be Sunshine and Joy

How was your month?