In Rehab Mode...

For anybody who is listening. I've been doing some rehab on my blog. I miss blogging. I love Facebook, Twitter, texting, & email, but there is nothing like a blog. I have missed exploring my emotions and thoughts and taking the time to flesh them out with words in order to make some kind of sense of all of it.

Anyway, I've missed being here and it's time to come back. Now...to figure out how to make all of this social networking stuff work together... If you have any tips, I'm open!

Happy Birthday To Me!!!

I figured the start of a new year for me is as good a day as any to return to blogging!

I lot can happen when you take a half a year off from blogging with regularity :)

Check out the new ticker at the top of my blog page :)

We'll have FIVE in our clan come November!

I don't know yet if I'll strive for daily posts or simply posts when I feel like it but I definitely misss my blogging habit (addiction) and will try to indulge myself without neglecting the rest of my life :)

Hit me! Send me a comment to let me know you are still there!

I'll Be Back...Soon

I've had a few emails asking where I am and why in the world am I not blogging.

Honestly, I don't know what happened. One day turned into two, two turned five, five turned into ten, and then ten turned in to the whole month of January. I'd been telling me that when February came I'd start fresh then but obviously that didn't happen.

Partially, I think that because of series of events I just got bottle necked with my real everyday life and blogging about my life didn't seem to be very exciting. Also, I haven't had the constant flow of pictures to share as my two year old accidentally pushed my digital camera into the sink at my mother's house over Christmas.

I've been overextended and I've just been cutting back in an effort to strive for more order. I'll probably blog about that later. I'm in the middle of learning a lesson (more like God is giving me a spanking) and I haven't really wanted to bare all while the sting is still fresh.

I will be back. I love writing and blogging about what I'm learning each day. I will be back because right now, this is my family journal album of what we do with our days. One of these days, I'll actually scrapbook them, but for now, at least I know what we did when and what I thought about it.

Just wanted to drop a line to say that I know I haven't posted in awhile, but I will be back...soon.

The Reason For My False Start...

Well I was all excited about getting back into my blogging routine and then didn't because we found that we had to plan to take Baby Kano (really toddler Kano now) back to Philadelphia for his one year post-op MRI.

I'm actually laying across the bed in the Ronald McDonald House now, waiting for Kano to fall off. We have an early start in the morning and I'm hoping he goes to sleep soon.

I'm blessed to have Gracie with me this time. I wanted her to come and see what it is we've been doing everytime we fly Kano up to Philly. It's nice to have her along for the ride. She's loving the Ronald McDonald House.

So, needless to say, with the whole in and out of town thing going on, my hands and my life have been busy and full.

Keep checking back...hopefully I won't be in this rut forever :)...

I do plan to post a report for family and friends on Kano's report from the docs tomorrow.

Stay tuned...

For Anyone Who Has Wondered...

I am coming back...next week in fact! Sorry about the hiatus. I've missed blogging. Once I decided to take a break, it just kept going and going and going....

Look for me to post on Monday!

Blog Neglect

Just in case you are wondering, I'm not permanently neglecting my blog. Following a weekend trip out of town, I know putting together the final touches for a week-long celebration of Gracie's 16th birthday.

...translated...

I just haven't had the time to blog.

...but I'll be back soon!

I Got An Award!!!

There are hundreds of awards handed out around blogland and I've never gotten one until now! Thanks to Rachel of Home Sanctuary for thinking enough of my blog to give me this:

I try to write and focus on what I'm led to talk about versus what will get me more visitors, more comments, or even an award, but it's nice to know that my blog is appreciated and valued by someone else. Thanks again Rach! You made my day!

Going Through My Drafts

Since the kiddos have been a little under the weather this week, I'll be going through all the "drafts" of ideas for blogs that I've been storing up and pulling some random things out to talk about. I say this as if my blog isn't already random :)

Anyway, hold on! Let's see what I can drum up.

Do You See Three Columns?

Contemplating making some changes (again) to my blog. I've had one person mention that they don't see three columns when they come to the blog site. Anybody else have this issue? There should be on on the right hand side with a picture of me. If you don't see that, you aren't seeing all of the columns. Please comment and let me know.

Blog Pass Alongs: Blogging

I've been busy trying to catch up at home. For some reason, I just can't seem to get on top of my laundry, dishes, and cooking plans. There are bills to pay, forms to fill out, weeds to pull. There is really so much I could talk about but I haven't had a chance to do it. I'm trying to keep my blogging in perspective. It can be quite an addicting thing, you know?

I was reading one of my favorite blogs, Raising Five, and she referenced Sarah at As the Lord Works on Those Sneaky Idols. This is one I'm gonna have to read a few times.

If you blog at all or even choose to be only a reader....better yet...if you love your computer and the ability to reach the world with the tips of your fingers through the internet (uuuuhhhh...that would be me)...This post is for you

Blogging Break...

After arriving home, and coming to grips with the immensity of having been gone for so long, I'm going to take a blogging break. Not to mention the fact that I've been blogging my brains out for the last three weeks.... :)

I think after about a week or so, I ought to have things sorted out and running smoothly again on the home front. I've got to get food in the house, get clothes washed, and start the process of getting organized for another school year. I'll be back to my regular blogging next week!

Pictures and Blog

Could some of you comment and tell me how the volume of pictures I've been posting lately have affected your viewing of the blog? Just want to check in and see if the photos is making pulling up the blog a chore...

Blog Pass Alongs...

I figure since my blogs have not been as meaty as I would like lately (all photos and fun), I would pass along some other blog reads that I've been enjoying recently. There are many blog friends that I have that consistently put out thoughtful posts. I just don't have it in me to be that deep all the time, but I do find myself reading and thinking..."man...I should pass this along".

So here are my bloggy "pass-alongs" for today. Be blessed, inspired, and encouraged!

Rachel over at Home Sanctuary never ceases to amaze me in how focused she is with her blog. The title and the theme is consistently addressed in her posts. I can count on going over to her spot and knowing, without a shadow of a doubt, that I will be encouraged on my journey to making my home a sanctuary for my husband, my kids, and for myself. Recently, she has blessed my socks off by writing about Loving My Regular Guy and encouraging me to see my husband for who is his and to love him completely and unconditionally just the way he is. She has also made me think a little more about how I take care of myself and to think twice about getting lazy when I'm tempted to let things go. And how many times, as a wife and mother have I said this, "But what about me?". Rachel eloquently addresses the feeling I think everyone has asked at some point and time.

Lindsey at Enjoy the Journey is a favorite read of mine too. She is on the journey...literally, and her blog runs the gammut of subject matter paralleling the places she goes, the people she sees, and the things that she does. I love her randomness 'cuz you never know what you are going to read about. She makes me feel validated in sharing just whatever I happen to feel like sharing on any given day. Lindsey, unlike me however, has mastered the art of tackling an issue that she feels worthy of discussion and sticking with that topic until she's covered it in full. One of those issues has been food...what we eat, the way we eat, and how we should be eating. If you ever wondered, why we should make healthy choices and what kind of choices are the better ones, read the following posts from Lindsey to get a bird's eye few into what she has learned on her journey to better health. Much of what she posts, I concur with. In fact, I have been shocked at how similar her journey is to my own. So glad she has posted in detail...it means I don't have too!

Part I - Why I'm doing this
Part II - The COST of being CHEAP
Part 3a: Practical tips for saving money on GOOD food
Part 3b: Practical tips for saving money on GOOD food
Part 4: Let's talk about the milk, okay?
Part 5: Another reason to go local for your food
Part 6: Let's talk about HFCS

Lindsey has even added more parts than I am caught up on reading. You can click HERE and look at all of her posts in this category. I don't think she's finished yet....

OK...and here's my last "pass-along" for the day. I have Kendra of Preschooler's and Peace on my daily blog reads too. I've referenced her before. If you are a wife and mother in need a little bit of perspective about the responsibilities that come with your job description, first read THIS and then read THIS.

I hope one of these posts blesses you today. Enjoy your Sabbath! Be sure and rest and then make sure someone you love knows it....

Internet Problems...

They are having serious internet connections issues at this hotel so will post again when I can.

And The Winner Is...

Martha Bishop from not THAT Martha!

My two girls picked the winner. I told them to look through my comments and select the winner based on any criteria they chose as long as they agreed. Because I am away, my two girls picked Martha because they were touched when she said "she loved Kirk Franklin but had never owned one of his cd's".

I've contacted her and hopefully will hear back from her so I can send her the gift!

My Bloggy Give-A-Way

**This post will stay at the top of my blog all week. For new posts, scroll down.**

There is a give-a-way going on this week over at Rocks In My Dryer. I thought it would be great to join in the fun!

If you've come to this blog before, you may have heard one of my favorite songs playing in the background... "Imagine Me". I happen to have an extra CD (still shrink wrapped and everything!) of the album this song was recorded on and I'd love to share this with someone. The album is "Hero" and the artist is Kirk Franklin. He is a Christian Gospel Music Artist who'll either have you singing loud in the shower, crying and thanking God for His grace, or overflowing with renewed energy to clean your house!

If you have no idea who I'm talking about...just listen. I'm featuring Kirk on my playlist this week. The first three songs are from the "give-a-way CD", and then I've included some songs from other albums too. You can also just scroll down to the bottom of this page, locate my jukebox and and click on the specific selections you'd like to hear. You can also go to his website and listen to a sample of all the songs on the current album.


To be entered in the drawing, leave a single comment (duplicates will be deleted) below. You must provide a valid e-mail address, but you do not have to have a blog. I'll close comments at 12:01 a.m. this coming Friday morning, July 27, and I'll draw a random winner from the list. I'll announce the winner sometime on Friday.

Why did I choose music as my give-a-way? Well, I haven't done a whole lot of talking on my blog about music, but it is my passion. Specifically, praise and worship music is a major love of mine. In the past, before marriage and four kids, I directed a choir at my church and led worship. These days it's a lot harder to get everyone out the door and at the church around 6:45 am for soundcheck so....I don't do it as often but I'm still in love with singing praises to the King. In another season of life, I'll do more. For right now, I just hold my own in the pew, lifting my voice and making a joyful noise :)

Enough about yapping about me and my music! Check out my blog if you haven't been here before. Start HERE if you want to read an introductory post.

Be sure to leave a comment if you want to be included in the give-a-way and check out more great give-a-ways over at Rocks In My Dryer!

I'm Off to South Africa!

I'm so excited! I will be going on a seven day trip to South Africa! Can you believe that it will just be me going ALONE with my husband?!?!?!?!? He is going for business and I am tagging along. This will be the first time in awhile we have been on a trip together...alone...with no kiddos (smile)...and an even longer time that I have been away from all four of them for such a long time (can somebody say...ANXIETY ATTACK).

We are blessed to have loving Antie's and Granny's to come to our home and to be with our chillun's. I'm up at this hour doing some food prep for all the precooking I should have been doing last week.... (sigh). That's the only thing about leaving home...It's SO MUCH WORK!

Anyway, I hope to blog a bit this week before we leave but forgive me if it is a bit sketchy due to my head blowing up as I try to remember a million minute details!

I don't know what my internet access will be like over on that side of the world, but if I can get online with my trusty Mac then I'll try to blog a bit about my travels....

I'm....so......EXCITED!!!

Now, if I can just finish deboning this chicken for the three recipes I'm putting it in this week..... (sigh...again....)

If you have any going-out-of-town-and-leaving-your-kids-tips....I'd love to hear them!

About Chrystal..

Welcome to my BLOG!

I'm Chrystal, and I believe I am a daughter of the King and yet a sinner saved by grace, a recipient of continual grace and in turn a conduit of blessing. I believe that Christ lives in me but that I continue to be a benefactor of second chances. I am a work in progress but yet a diamond in the rough.

I am learning everyday what I believe about my past, present, and future as I life my life. I believe that journaling is a way of keeping track of those things I've learned and the experiences I've had. I believe that blogging allows some of those lessons and experiences to be an encouragement to others who are walking out the days of their own lives.

I'm a "used-to-be" corporate, career-minded, on-the-path-to big-bucks, single gal - now turned homeschooling, bread-baking, family-minded woman, seeking after God's will for my life and that of my family. I am journeying into the unknown everyday and learning how exciting life can be as I listen to His voice and stay open to thinking outside the box God's way! I believe that as He leads the way, my life can be an encouragement to others.

I pray that you would be blessed as you share my journey!


So now that you know something about me...let me tell you a little more!...

I'm blogging from deep in the heart of Texas. I'm married to one a giant of a man (inside and out) and I am the proud homeschooling mother of four!

The photo below is a year old but it will have to suffice for now :)

This is my EVERYTHING BLOG. I am blogging about my life, which at times is all over the place. I'm enjoying my journey and I welcome you to come along for the ride!

If you want to learn a little more about me you can start with reading some posts on the ins and outs of my daily life. So far, I've talked a little about weird things, weight gain and weight loss, homeschooling, recipes, and homemaking.

Feel free to sample some of the lessons I've learned from parenting, cooking, motherhood, being a natural, and my personal quiet time. Every now and again I may sneak in a thought or two on current events. My ramblings do run the gamut. I've talked about everything from my faith to my "falls".

I consider myself blessed to have awesome friends and awesome family. Sometimes, I think I keep up with this blog because every other member of my family (see left side bar) has a presence on the web for their line of work. Well, motherhood and growing people is my line of work, and I think that's worthy of web presence too!

OK...OK...The reason given above is just a smoke screen. Really and truly, I started my blog because I was tired of mumbling under my breath over the kitchen sink.

OK....OK....I blog because everyone else does it ...

I used to have two blogs. Inspiration was the jist of one and motherhood the theme of the other. I finally decided that I didn't live a fragmented life so I shouldn't have a fragmented blog! I'm currently still working on moving over the posts from my old blog so feel free to check the '07 posts there if you won't want to miss anything.

I've learned, little by little, how to add things to my site like photos and music. Now, I've also learned how to post videos! As thanks for taking the time to read this post all the way through, I hope you get a few good laughs out of this video showing, Sumo, my 4yo, enjoying bathtime! ... And thanks for stopping by!

Do You Know How To Back Up Your Blog?

For a long time I didn't know how to backup my blog. When I finally found out, I was glad to be able to share the info with others. Click HERE to read the explanation.

Believe it or not I'm still moving over posts from my old blog at homeschool blogger. Little by little it's coming together. In doing this project, every now and then I run across a blog that deserves a reprint. This post is one of them.

Q&A - Daily Schedule & Toys for Tots

Nikki left this comment in response to Summer Days At A Glance:

Wow - I just checked out your schedule (I am also a chronic 'lister' and planner, and always curious about what works for others...). You get up at 4AM?!! Are you serious? And don't go to bed until 11pm? I would love to manage that - do you feel ok energywise?? Wow....

OK Nikki, you got me! That has actually happened like...twice. Let me tell you what actually happens. I stay up until midnight of 1am and get up at 5am or 6am. Realistically this can only work for about 3 or 4 days and then I go to bed early or take a nap. I'm working on consistency in this area. Consistency for me in anything is a real struggle and serves as an area of reflection for me as I think about getting older. I'm having to learn to live my life like a marathoner and not a sprinter.

The problem is that I can get so much DONE at night when the house is quiet. I have LONG stretches of time to complete tasks from my To Do List and that frankly is addicting :)

I'm almost done with our working schedule for the summer. It's more realistic. The schedule you looked at was just super-Type-A-little-me taking my first crack at making a family schedule and I was a bit zealous. I can proudly say that the meat of the day (like from breakfast on) was fairly realistic. Also remember, my schedule serves as merely a GUIDE for my day, not a blueprint. I reserve the right change this up at any moment. Hope that helps!


Holly left this comment in response to this WFMW post:

Isn't it bad for the people who have to buy your "used" toy? I could see if your buying them, but to play with and mess around with a brand new item for 45 minutes, only to put it back on the shelf seems selfish and rude to others, doesn't it? I know I hate to want a certain item, and there is only one on the shelf, and it's obviously been tampered with/chewed on/dead battery or what have you, it ticks me off. Would you appreciate that? Not trying to be rude, but think about it for a sec....

Well Holly,

You have a point! I have to admit that your comment gave me pause. I took a day to think about your note and have come to the following conclusion. I don't think it's a big deal. I figure if I was completely inconsiderate, your point would be well taken. If I let a drooling toddler knaw for 45 minutes on a toy that somebody's else kid would receive, then yes. If I let my boys, tear the boxes or packaging, then yes. But I think that if a toy has been so packaged by a manufacturing to obviously encourage a child shopping with Mom to WANT to touch and play with it (especially the ones that say "TRY ME") then I don't think that it's a huge catastrophe.

When I buy toys from the store, I do not expect that it has never been touched by another. I'm not surprised when the batteries run out faster. I'm pretty positive that the toy manufacturers don't put batteries in those toys that were designed to last anyway.

If I carried this mentality further, then I should be offended when I go shopping for clothes and other people have tried them on or worse, they have bought them, decided they didn't like them, and brought them back....and Lord have mercy when we buy shoes or worse end up with shoes somebody else returned! Maybe store should not be able to resell used merchandise?

I'm not offended because it is all a part of buying things from stores that have goods available to all.

Like you I'm sure, I will opt for the box or packaging that looks the most untouched by others. I think most people go for the newest looking item, but I have a choice as to what I decide to take home - so it's not a big deal either way.

Just my 2cts. Thanks for visiting my blog :)

Another comment from Holly...

I think you are a coward for not publishing my comment. I think you know I am right. Whatever.....

Ouch Holly!...I thought you said you weren't trying to be rude! In all sincerity, I read your comment and took time to think about it. I thought it was a question worth considering and responding to. I would have loved to respond to you directly but didn't have a link to your blog or an email address, hence, the response on my blog. The opinion you gave in your comment did give me pause and will probably make me even more conscious about how my kids treat the toys they play with. However, we are all entitled to our opinions and my opinion is as stated above.