blog break

I am taking a forced blog break.

Feeling so rejuvenated from my week last week, I offered to work two full days on Monday and Tuesday for someone at my job. I also work Wednesday and then am hosting our church's MOPS leadership committee at my house for lunch and a cooking demonstration on Thursday.

What was I thinking?

:)

Be back soon!!!

Project 365 - Week 35

Week 35

Ok, well last week I told ya'll that I needed a week of nothingness...

...and I got it when I got sick on Sunday night. I really hate being sick, but I have to say that I needed that down time and it was good for me!!! yep, that's right....you actually heard me say (or write) that I needed the alone/down time......not something I say very often! Guess my body knew it better than I did.

And the week couldn't have ended better. I was able to go to Tulsa for the Women of Faith Conference with 12 other ladies from my church. All I can say is....Wow!!! This will have to be another post!

Here's my week:

Sunday

I am really having a problem with Sundays lately.

Again...no pictureI ended up getting sick this afternoon...ugh!

Monday

I spent most of the day on the sofa today...
..watching old episodes of Glee..
..still sick.

Tuesday

waiting and waiting for a call or txt or ANYthing from my son that lets me know he is alive and well.....boys.
It didn't help that I am still sick....and now depressed.
Not really, ok maybe a litte, but I enjoyed another quiet day...
..of nothingness!!!

Wednesday

I am better today and went to work for about 3 hours.
We have moved to our smaller kitchen table for dinner since there is only 3 of us now. :( Jared is obviously not too sad about it!!!

Thursday

today continued my week of nothingness..
I am completely well....yea!!!
So my friend and I decided to go to a movie, Step Up 3D
So fun!!!
As you can see from the empty chairs, we had the whole theater to ourselves!! We could talk and comment during the movie and nobody cared!!! :)

FridayWe got up at 4:30 this morning to drive to Tulsa for the Women of Faith Conference.

Tonight, we got lost trying to find a particular restaurant for dinner. But ended up finding Wolfgang Puck's restaurant!!! What a treat for this foodie!!! And the food was A.MA.ZING!! The cool thing was that we had just heard one of the speakers talking about "detours" in your life that seem frustrating but are completely orchestrated by God.

Saturday

This morning started off with a very special time of worship. Hearing thousands of women's voices being lifted up to God was so beautiful!!

This is our group!!
Do you recognize anyone?

Lori from The Davidson Den lives near me and joined us on the trip!! It was so great to spend the weekend with her and get to know her better!!

So over all, my week was pretty much....great! How was yours?

Be careful what you pray for....

....you think I would have learned that by now!

In my last post and after my crazy week,
I prayed for a week of "nothingness"...

...and I got it.

Because I became suddenly sick on Sunday night.
Seriously, one minute I was fine and the next....well, let's just say not so fine.

I didn't get off the couch all day Monday,

or Tuesday.

Wednesday, I made it to work for 3 hours and that was it.

However, I did enjoy...
reading blogs, watching episodes of Glee from last season, sleeping, losing a few lbs. from not eating :), and yes, even the quiet of my house!! Today, there is nothing on my schedule except seeing a movie with a friend.

I love how God knows me so well.
He knows that even though I needed some down time desperately, I would fill my schedule to overflowing (I am working on that). And though I didn't enjoy being sick, at.all, I was really only sick enough to get the rest I needed.

I feel very refreshed.
And just in time to leave in the morning to drive with a great group of ladies to Tulsa for the Women of Faith conference!!! Good times!

Now, if I could just get my son to call his mama when he has more than 2 minutes to talk!

boys.

I think that is a whole other post.

Project 365 - Week 34

Week 34.

Wow....this week has worn me out!

What an emotional roller coaster. From realizing it was my son's last week at home, to car trouble we couldn't afford turning out to be an easy fix to new information regarding Jason's heart that took me off guard to my daughter taking the GRE for the first time to taking my boy to college......whew.

I need a week of nothingness!

But here I sit, in a very quiet house.....2 children gone. How did I get here so fast? What happened to those little munchkins that pitter patted around my house? Funny, these thoughts actually bring a smile to my face. Oh, don't get me wrong...I have cried today. But I am so proud of my children and the wonderful young adults they have become and it makes me smile. How wonderful it was to see them each be filled with excitement, not anxiousness, when we dropped them off at college. What a blessing to be able to leave them knowing in my heart they will be fine...in fact they will thrive. God is good.

Here's my week:

Sunday

Started out this week with no picture!! ugh!
After enjoying a wonderful service at church,
our family went out to lunch.
I love fast, cheap and delicious mexican food!!
Afterward, I took my boys school shopping.
I had a 30% off coupon at Kohl's and with sales of up to 80% on some things, we got some great deals!!! Gotta love that!!
Tonight I made panini's and we enjoyed our last evening with my MIL before she heads home. We have so enjoyed her visit!!

Monday

Back to work today.
I took most of the summer off, but today I started my new schedule.

Tuesday

Jason has gotten into henna over the summer.
So tonight he gave me a henna tattoo.
Got to say, I LOVED the time it took that I was able to spend with him! :)
I'm savoring each of these moments this week.

you leave the henna on for several hours and then peel it off.
It washes off after a week or so.

Wednesday

A good friend had a hysterectomy this week.
I made her a meal tonight and a "special gift"!!!

Thursday

Our last family night game before Jason leaves for college...sniff, sniff.
I got a little bored and stacked my pieces!

Friday
The dreaded day is here...

...and that is a LOT of stuff!

It takes a village..

....but the results were great!!
These boys have a great room!!

Saturday

I think Jared got a little cold during the night in the hotel room!

Checking in during orientation

see it?
2nd window down on the far right?
that's my boy's room......sigh.

How was your week:

Today is the day....

.....we take you to college.

How did this happen so soon?

It seems like yesterday.....

I got a glimpse of your face for the first time and fell in love.

I am so proud of the man you have become.
And so very excited to see what future God has in store for you.

And though I have joked all summer about how I won't miss...

your noise
your messes
your collection of dishes/glasses in your room
your borrowing my things and not returning them
your stuff all over the house
staying semi awake till you come home at night

....I lied.

I will miss it all terribly.

So today, when we drop you off...
...cut me a little slack when I sob cry....

..this is so very hard..

...and yet...

..so very right.

I love you, son.

Prayer for a fellow P365er and a friend

I'd like to ask you all to diligently pray for

Elizabeth at Zizzie happenings

I just found out today that her husband of less than 10 years unexpectedly passed away. Elizabeth has been a faithful participant in Project 365 and I know she would appreciate all of your prayers as she navigates the hard days ahead.

Join me as we lift her up to our Father, encourage her and surround her with love.

Project 365 - Week 33

Week 33.

This was another HOT week in Arkansas and another busy week in the Bowyer household. I really hate to see this week end.....mainly because summer is officially over...waaaaaaa....school starts Wednesday. But the biggest reason is that this is the week we drop Jason off at college. It has come way too soon! We will be driving him up on Friday........lots of changes coming...

Sunday

We had all the elders and their wives over for dinner tonight..
I love these guys!

We played a game of "family" and it seems that the elders knew each other pretty well!

Monday

Jason bought some henna and had some fun today.
ya, this boy will have a tattoo some day.

Tuesday

The youth group came over for a swim party tonight.
Thought I'd try a new angle!

Wednesday
This was a crazy busy day!!!
it started with me making 2 salads for a welcome back lunch for the teachers at school.

Then I had bible study.
Next I went to serve the lunch to the teachers...love doing this!

Steve's mom flew in mid day for a visit...
...Happy Birthday Ma!!
and we ended the day with a concert at the church!
busy day....but lots of fun!

Thursday

Tonight the marching band performed the music they have learned so far in band camp for the families. Then we had a pot luck and a great time visiting!!

Friday

Today, my 77 year old MIL got her ears pierced for the 1st time!!!

Doesn't she look great?!!

Saturday

After a relaxing day doing just about nothing.....ya, perfect....Steve's mom took us all out for catfish...Yum!!!

So what did the end of summer look like for you?

Friday Fill-ins

Joining Janet and Friday fill-ins today.

We have had another busy week and my MIL came to visit on Wednesday, so I haven't had much time to blog. I hope to get back into the swing of things soon!

And...here we go!

1. Music can make my heart sing.

2. Coffee and time with God is what I like first thing in the morning.

3. The first thing I said this morning was: more of a grunt...ya, not a morning person.

4. Chicken Marsala; it's what's for dinner tonight. Jason's choice before leaving for college and celebrating my MIL's birthday!

5. It's all been a bit crazy lately.

6. Getting a 2nd cup of coffee is what I feel like doing right now.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to family night, tomorrow my plans include fun stuff with my MIL and Sunday, I want to worship God with all my friends and church family!

The Random Dozen is Back!

Linda at 2nd cup has brought the random back!! And it is perfect for me today as it seems my weeks before school starts are getting busier and busier. Take a look at my answers and then head over to Linda's to see everyone else's!!!


1. When was the last time you laughed until you cried? While I was with my mom, going through all her old photographs. We were so tired by the end, but we got tickled over one of the pictures and laughed till we were both crying!

2. If you found $10 today, what would you do with it? take someone out to lunch!

3. Do you volunteer anywhere? I volunteer with 3 other ladies to run our children's sunday school program at church. I also volunteer at my boy's school on the hospitality committee and for the band.

4. What is your favorite summertime veggie or fruit, and how do you eat it? I can't pick a favorite!!! I love all summer time veggies and fruits!! Okay, if I had to pick one it would be peaches or blueberries....see, I can't!

5. Is your social sphere (circle of friends) small, medium or large? large.

6. When was the last time you attended a family or school reunion? How did that go?The last school reunion was my 10th (over 20 years ago) and it was a blast. My last family reunion was this summer when my family all went on a cruise together....tons of fun!!

7. When you're feeling blue, what is the best way someone can cheer you up? take me out to lunch or coffee....basically spend time with me and get me out of the house!

8. Have you taken a vacation this summer? yes, two. One with my family (#6) and then my husband and I went to IN to visit all our friends for a week on the lake!!

9. What is the most unnecessary item you carry with you all the time? the fat around my belly!!

10. What is the best summer flick you have seen so far? Inception.

11. Describe a perfect summer day. let me show you....

It would end with grilling dinner and then family time in the pool or a family game around the table!!

12. Please a share a favorite photo from the summer so far! This was VERY hard.....so many to choose from!!! but I came up with two.....

This picture just makes me smile!

I love the colors and it brings back great memories of a wonderful trip!

This picture makes me shake my head and smile!
This is my mom (good southern baptist girl that she is) dancing at family disco night on the cruise....
....and loving it!!!
What a blast we had that night and what fun watching my parents cut loose!!

Now head over to Linda's and check out some of the other Random Dozen's!!!

What a deal!!

I have just discovered a great deal thanks to my good friend Denise!!

Have you ever heard of "Groupon"?
If not, you need to check it out!!

Here's how it works:

Each day I get an email from Groupon featuring a great deal in my zip code area. For example, today the deal was buying $15 worth of food at Cheeburger Cheeburger for $6. If I choose to buy it, they tell me how many other people have to buy it for the deal to go through. If it doesn't go through, I lose the deal, but if it does then I get a coupon for $15 of food at Cheeburger Cheebuger that I paid only $6 for!

That is a great deal!!!

The groupons can be food, entertainment, dining, travel, etc.

Check it out here:

http://www.groupon.com/r/uu5831932

If you use this link and you like Groupon enough to join and purchase a deal, then I get $10 towards my next purchase!!!

We both win!!!

Project 365 - Week 32

Week 32.

This week was HOT. Oh my word, I honestly felt like I was going to melt a few days!! The humidity along with the heat was almost unbearable....even inside! I don't even want to see what our electric bill will be!! ugh!

Here's my week:

Sunday

Decided to fry up some chicken fingers to go on top a big salad...yum!

Monday

Darla introduced me to YellowBox flip flops when we found them on sale while she was here..
....oh.my.word these are sooooo comfortable!!!
If you love to wear flip flops, then you must get a pair of these!!!

Tuesday

This was the temperature in my car today.....ugh!
I am so over the hot weather!!!

Wednesday

Today was HOT....
...and very busy for me. I left the house at 7:15 this morning and didn't get home till after 4:00. As soon as I got home, I felt like I was going to be sick, laid down and fell instantly asleep for and hour. I think I was overheated.
So, no picture.

Thursday

Today started our children's ministries retreat to write our curriculum for the fall. I love these ladies!!! We work so well together and really got a lot done today.

Friday

This is what I made the ladies for lunch today...
...asparagus and mushroom quiche!!
We finished our curriculum!!!
This is the fastest it has ever come together and we are so excited to kick it off in September!!!

Saturday

Jason took me and his dad to a movie this afternoon!
what a treat!
** edit** We saw Inception and it was GREAT!

So how was your week?

Asking for Mountains....

...So many times in my life I choose the easy way.

I want things to go smooth, I don't want any difficulty.
And many times, I base my success on whether or not my life is free from hardships.

that's not biblical.

In church, we are studying Genesis and just got to the story of Joseph. If you have been in church any length of time, you know the story. But a fresh word came to me through the message this week as we studied Joseph's time in Potiphar's house.

Several times in chapter 39, the Word says that Joseph was successful. Really? He was a slave. His family had sold him into slavery. He owned nothing. His master's wife tried to seduce him and when he ran, she lied and had him thrown in prison...yet it says even there he was successful.

I think my definition of success is scewed. My quiet time reinforced this today. May I share it with you?

Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the Lord spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim were there, and that the cities were great and fortified. It may be that the Lord will be with me, and I shall be able to drive them out as the Lord said. Joshua 14:12

Caleb's faith in God never wavered though everyone around him doubted. God convinced Caleb that the children of Israel should enter the Promised Land, but the people were intimidated by giants and fortified cities. Their disbelief forced Caleb to wait forty years in the wilderness before he finally entered the Promised Land. Even after all those years, Caleb was as confident as ever in God's power.

When God was dividing the land among the Israelites, the people were asking for the lush valleys and grassy plains Caleb asked for a mountain The Israelites had driven their enemies into the mountains, where they had built fortresses. This did not intimidate Caleb--he asked for a challenge!! He did not trust in his own strength but in God's presence. Caleb longed to see God work in power, and he knew he would be less likely to rely on God if he dwelt in the easy places. He chose the situation in which he would have to trust in God. Caleb knew his inheritance fro God was on the mountain He refused to allow the difficulty of gaining it to stop him from enjoying all the God had promised him.

If you always choose the easy way, asking for the peaceful valleys, you will never see God's power displayed to enable you to take the mountain Seek out the mountains, and you will witness God doing things through your life that can be explained only by His mighty presence.

Today, I am asking God to help me not shy away from the mountains. But to have Caleb's confidence and wisdom and seek them out.

And I am working to change my view of success.