Five Things I’ve Learned So Far This Year

1. When having nine 11-year-olds spend the night, realize they have now reached an age where you must make an informational announcement along these lines: “As we’ve come to the end of the crazy screaming and hysterical laughter time of the night and are moving onto the lie in your sleeping bags and whisper part, please silence all cell phones.” Otherwise you will be woken to a “heard” (because they ARE very noisy) of wild girls all running up the stairs at 7 AM because someone’s ring tone of an upbeat Hannah Montana song went off.

2. Bangs are the bane of a woman’s existence. I knew this. I live in a rainy part of the country where hairdos become hairdids with one trip outside. I still chose to cut them. There have been days where their fringy existence drives me bonkers. But this I have learned: using a curling iron as a hair straightener is not very effective. Just bum your daughter’s straightener and you’ll be much happier.

3. I am very tempted to do something illegal, and this urge even landed me in The Oregonian. If you have questions about the new “hands free” changes regarding cell phones, give it a lookeelou. (This not a dictionary approved word, so let me know how to spell it.)

4. Wenatchee, Washington is a lot of hours away.

5. Falling in love is risky, energizing, humbling, tricky, amazing, overwhelming, and makes me pray a lot! If you’re a facebook friend (or are reading this on facebook), you might have noticed there is a special man in my life … who happens to live in Wenatchee. I have strongly considered writing a post entitled, “Who is this Darren guy?” simply because so many people have dropped me notes asking about him. There really is a fascinating story behind us knowing each other, but I wonder if you want to hear it. Some of you will think that the 11 months I’ve experienced of being single is nowhere near enough passage of time to date. Others will think I’ve waited too long. I trust you all know me well enough (or will give me the benefit of the doubt) that I seek after God’s will in my life and would only go into a relationship with a strong man of the Lord who possesses solid character, integrity, and a heart hungry for knowing more of Jesus. He also happens to make me laugh, feel like the most beautiful woman in the world, and be willing to risk the hurt because the potential joy is so great. Plus, he understands my writing compulsion!

So … I’m not asking for your approval to date or not, but I am asking if you’d like to hear about our relationship as it progresses. As I see so many things God is revealing in my heart or blessings He is giving me, I hope to share them. After all, this blog has always been just as much for personal and spiritual connections as it has been for professional or “writerly” connections.

Before you make your opinion known, check out the great captions I gave our last visit. 🙂