Well, another wonderful blogging friend, Meghan Jones of The Jones Family has “tagged” me. The first time I was tagged the rules were a bit different. This time I’m supposed to list 6 random things about myself. (And yes, the rules do say that I’m supposed to tag others, but I thought that since I just tagged a bunch of people recently, I’m going to let my first tagging count for this one, too.) So here are 6 random things about me:

1. I was saved when I was four and a half.

2. My favorite book of the Bible is Psalms.

3. I ADORE Coke slushies.  (But I never have them when I’m expecting, and nearly never have them when I’m nursing, which leaves me about two months every other year to binge and have them three or four times a week.)

4. I grind my own flour (and bake a LOT).

5. I don’t usually use a pattern when I sew (but don’t be too impressed–I make pretty simple stuff).

6. Up until transition, I actually really enjoy labor.

Hello again, ladies,

My appologies to everyone. I’ve been away for nearly a week keeping my husband company while he was at a  conference. I had hoped to bring my computer to keep up with all your lovely blogs and maybe post a couple things myself, but at the last minute, we decided against it since I was planning to be taking the children museum hopping during the day, and my husband was concerned that the computer would not be safe in the hotel room.

I still had hopes of checking blogs at night on my husband’s laptop once the children were in bed, but with the busy days and my being extra tired with the baby, pretty much the only thing I wound up checking at night was the softness of my pillow. We’re home now, though, and I’m hoping to settle back into normal life again soon.

Well, ladies, morning sickness (actually all day sickness) has officially set in, as has a serious case of tiredness. (Actually, I’m fine if I get ten uninterrupted hours of sleep each night. You can all fall off your chairs laughing as soon as you remember that I have a 4 1/2 year old, a three year old, and a fourteen month old. So, yeah, the ten hour thing doesn’t always work so well.) Plus, now that my daughter is turning five this year, I’m thinking that homeschooling needs to be a little less relaxed, and that takes time out of my already drained days.

So I’m looking for ways to streamline my life, and I’m wondering, what did/do you do when you’re expecting. Where did/do you cut? What are your favorite tricks? What cleaning/cooking/laundry shortcuts work best for you? (If you’ve never had a baby, then what did your mom do, or your friends?)

This is just a quick note to assure you all that nothing dire has happened. (Thanks, Kathy at Bonavita for your sweet comment!)

We’ve been out of town, and while I had grandiose plans about getting a post written before we left, writing kind of got lost in the pre-trip shuffle. We got home late last night (technically early this morning), so now I’ve got a post-trip shuffle to contend with. But I have a post brewing in my brain, so, Lord willing, I should be back to writing soon.

My dear online friend, Sammybunny, over at That Natural Girl has “tagged” me. The rules are that I must say seven things about myself and then tag seven more people providing their links. I decided that I would link to the seven bloggers who comment most often on my blog. (And if you get tagged, please don’t feel any obligation to continue the “game.” This is just for fun. My feelings won’t be hurt if you don’t participate!)

For my seven things, I’m going to list seven Bible passages that I remind myself of frequently.

1. Psalm 18:27-29 For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks. For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness. For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.

2. Philippians 2:3-9 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

3. Psalm 103:8-14 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

4. 1Peter 3:1-6 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

5. Proverbs 29:15 The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.

6. Proverbs 12:27 The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.

7. Heb 13:5-6 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

And here are the bloggers who have commented most frequently (listed in order of frequency). I tag:
Carleen, Kathi Armstrong, The Organizing Mommy, Kathy at Bonavita, Kathy at Not All Those That Wander are Lost (I know a lot of people named “Kathy!”), Kim from Canada, and Rachel.

Here’s some delightful encouragement from Amy over at Amy’s Humble Musings.

I just discovered a wonderful blog by Kathy Adams, a mother of nine. It’s full of great, practical ideas for managing a busy home, homeschooling, decorating, even a recipe for chocolate chip cookies that makes nine dozen! Stop by. You won’t be sorry.

Here’s a convicting and wonderfully encouraging post from Gina of Chats With an Old Lady.

Here’s a great post by Kelly over at Families Against Feminism reminding us to live purposefully.

Here is a great post by Stacy McDonald with a link to one of my favorite short films. It’s a must-see for all young women.