A Letter of Gratitude

The title sounds so final, but I don't want it to.  Last night, when I had some free time at midnight, I decided to get a jump on my hop for today.  Unfortunately, my internet was down and it finally kicked in this morning.  However, we're hauling hay today, getting ready for a shipment of cows this weekend, still adding on to our house, going on a campout tonight, trying to grate a huge pile of zuchini and freeze it so it doesn't go bad, and clean the house so I don't come home to an atomic bomb site.  I know you guys just love my to-do lists, (ha-ha) but I feel like I have to explain why I'm taking a sabbatical.

I want to thank my faithful followers with all my heart, and especially those who faithfully checked into my hop every week when I really backed off my blog.  I have come to know so many of you and respect you and your talents.

Thank you so much to those who just joined me and for all of your great comments.  I loved visiting with many of you who popped over when you could and am glad that I could find such a wealth of information and  entertainment by visiting your places.

I plan on coming back, eventually, because I do enjoy writing, and I especially enjoy reading about you and your lives.  I will be checking in with you on and off.  Thanks for the great ride.

A special thanks goes out to my sister-in-law at Saving Cent by Cent for helping me get a blog site and introducing me to a whole new world. You have always supported me and made me feel like I knew what I was doing. You're still my inspiration and I know where to go to find answers to all of my bloggy questions and more.

I also want to send out a big thank-you to Jen at A Book, A Girl, A Journey, Joe at Cranky Old Man, Katherine at Katherine's Corner, Nicole at I'm Staying Home with my Mom!, Geoff at Photokapi, Daisy at Daisy, Roo, and Two, Colleen at A Day in the Life of a Five Foot Mama, Michelle at Heartfelt Balance, Handmade Life, and Marlee at Budgeting During College.  You have become friends and I will definitely be visiting you now and again.

To all of my voiceBoks friends, (unfortunately there are too many of you to mention personally,)  know that I am thinking of you often and plan on returning.  Thanks for the love.

I know I have probably forgotten to mention some that mean a lot to me; please forgive me.  I have had a ton of fun and hopefully will be back soon.  Thanks again!

Crowning Moments! Hop #9

My Crowning Moments! this week is a report on my newest development in my life: a dance group!  Although I have always wanted to have  my own, I never planned on it until all of my kids were going to school.  Circumstances with my previous dance studio became too hard being twice a week and the time I was going to be spending on the road and the money in gas had made my decision early.  I will miss Dance Central and Sara Bingham, the girl's teacher, a ton, and hope that the girl's don't digress with my decision.  But, I have big plans and have already have had a ton of fun choreographing dances with my girls.

And so I introduce to you my newest baby, Jump Up & Dance!  I've had a great response so far, and I am really excited for this new chapter in my life.  I'll be starting in a couple weeks and will be posting pictures.

And so without further ado, join me in celebrating your life and share your Crowning Moments!

Here are the rules:

1. If you don't already, follow the host website (http:/hereslivinthedream.blogspot.com).

2. Grab my new hop button above and put it on your site, if you want to, so others can find their way back & share in the fun.

3. Link up a post, not a whole blog.

4. Go to the other links, comment, follow, and HAVE FUN!

Crowning Moments! Hop #8

My Crowning Moment this week included my trusty rake and a rattlesnake. I must have gotten out of the mode for killing snakes, because when I heard the rattle and saw the big-daddy reptile slithering through the pile of extra wood laying next to the house, (the same place my kids had been playing all morning!) I sort of freaked.

My knees went a little weak and I started breathing a little faster. After I took my baby in the house and told the others to stay put until I came back, I located my rake and went snake-hunting. After 10 minutes of hitting the wood pile, trying to get the sneaky thing to rattle again, I started fearing I may have lost it. I then walked around the pile and moving slow enough that its rattles wouldn't make a sound was my mega snake. It was creepier trying to be sneaky like that than it would have been if it was trying to strike.

To make a long story short, I killed it and its nine rattles now are proudly displayed by my 9-year-old who was next in line to get some.

Needless to say, at the end of the ordeal, I had to steady my shaking legs by sitting for a spell. It was all worth it when my hubby came home and showered me with praise for a job well-done.

Share your Crowning Moments! with us by entering your link below.

Here are the rules:

1. If you don't already, follow the host website (http:/hereslivinthedream.blogspot.com).

2. Grab my new hop button above and put it on your site, if you want to, so others can find their way back & share in the fun.

3. Link up a post, not a whole blog.

4. Go to the other links, comment, follow, and HAVE FUN!

House Addition

We are in the process of adding on to our house, (YA-HOO!!!) and even though I got up at 5:30 this morning, I have been running non-stop fixing meals for all of the workers, taking care of my littlest ones, throwing old shingles off the roof, delivering drinks, doing laundry, watering the yard, fixing more meals, taking care of my littlest ones, etc. Anyway, my hop has been neglected and I am truly sorry. I should be back in business next week. All those who have a Crowning Moment to share, please add on to last week's hop below. If you have already added a link, feel free to add another one. Thanks again for the support!

Crowning Moments! Hop #7

As I think back on my Crowning Moments! for the week, I realize that we are trying to get all of the fun things in for the summer before school starts in a few weeks.  I am continuously surprised every time I realize this.  Where did the summer go?  It has flown.

My Crowning Moment! for the week has been happening all week!  I ordered all of the kids' school clothes online and we have been getting Fedex packages every day!  It has been totally fun and we haven't had to fight any crowds or traffic!  This has been a totally good idea and I am definitely going to do this every year from now on.
.

Share your Crowning Moments! with us. Here are the rules:

1. If you don't already, follow the host website (http:/hereslivinthedream.blogspot.com).

2. Grab my new hop button above and put it on your site, if you want to, so others can find their way back & share in the fun.

3. Link up a post, not a whole blog.

4. Go to the other links, comment, follow, and HAVE FUN!

Crowning Moments! Hop #6

I know this is posting late, but it has been one of those weeks. A BIG "Thank You!" goes out to Jen at A Book, A Girl, A Journey for reminding me that it is Friday. ☺

I am so grateful to my faithful followers and my new followers, as well. I love to read your Crowning Moments! It makes my week.

As I listen to the silence of my house, disregarding the constantly working dryer full of clothes, I am thrown into my own little reverie of my life. I am so blessed. My dishes are ALL finished. There is not even one dirty cup or spoon to be found. Granted it is after midnight and the empty counters will be short-lived, (six hours to be exact as the household comes alive and the feeding frenzy begins!) But for this short time, the smorgasbord under the table is gone and I have time to be thankful for all I am blessed with. This peace: a true Crowning Moment!

Share your Crowning Moments! with us. Here are the rules:

1. If you don't already, follow the host website (http:/hereslivinthedream.blogspot.com).

2. Grab my new hop button above and put it on your site, if you want to, so others can find their way back & share in the fun.

3. Link up a post, not a whole blog.

4. Go to the other links, comment, follow, and HAVE FUN!

Crowning Moments! Hop #5

I can't believe it's Friday already! I had to check my calendar a couple of times to be sure that it was! I love summer and the fact that you don't have to keep track of days.

I love this hop because the entries are so varied! From looking inside ourselves and becoming comfortable with who we are, like my good friend Nicole shares HERE, to interviewing dream authors, like my pal Jen shares HERE, we have it all. Thank you so much for stopping by and joining us. Your support and shared love is what makes this fun for me.

Here are the rules:

1. If you don't already, follow the host website (http:/hereslivinthedream.blogspot.com).

2. Grab my new hop button above and put it on your site, if you want to, so others can find their way back & share in the fun.

3. Link up a post, not a whole blog.

4. Go to the other links, comment, follow, and HAVE FUN!