Getting To Know You...

Blogging is the modern front porch. And for stay-at-home mothers, blogging is nothing short of a God-send. My husband was the one who first got me blogging. "Do it for writing practice," he said. Little did I know that my "writing practice" would become an indispensable part of my life, mostly because of the wonderful community of people who are kind enough to read my words.

I will be adding a permanent link to this post in my sidebar, so even if you don't introduce yourself today or this week, you can always come back later. I know some of you through your own blogs, or maybe we know each other personally. Mostly, I think it will be interesting for all of us to get to know each other a little better. Feel free to leave links to your own blogs or websites. Thanks to Jennifer @ "Et Tu?": The Diary of A Former Atheist for this introduction idea.

1. What's your first name? State? Country?

2. What does a typical day look like for you?

3.  Which books (not counting the Bible) have influenced you the most?

4. What spiritual beliefs (if any) do you hold? Do you attend church regularly?

5. What's your favorite hobby or pastime?

6. Which are your favorite posts to read (you know, just so I can keep you entertained ;): funny stories, my faith journey, twin updates, other?

Comments

[Carmen]

1. What's your first name? State? Country?

Carmen, Indiana, USA

2. What does a typical day look like for you?

Nursing the baby (seems like that takes up a lot of my day!), chasing the toddler, teaching the other children (we have 7), cooking for our gang, swimming in the pool with the kiddos, playing with the kids, reading books to them, etc. I'm also the taxi to flag football, golf, dance, piano, etc. I enjoy it...they have so many opportunities that I never had as a child. My husband is a part time children's pastor, part time contractor, part time substitute teacher...always a different schedule so our days are never the same from one to the the next (drives me nuts but I'm getting used to it).

3. Which books (not counting the Bible) have influenced you the most?

I don't enjoy reading that much to be honest. I'd rather do crafty things...so do craft books count? I really enjoy Beth Moore, though...loved the Bible study "Jesus, the One and Only".

4. What spiritual beliefs (if any) do you hold? Do you attend church regularly?

Christ follower...at a non-denominational church. (A recovering Baptist church attender! -- No, not a Baptist, just an attender of the church...there's a difference, you know!)

5. What's your favorite hobby or pastime?

Well when I'm not doing the above mentioned...scrapbook, decorate the house (I'm frugal so I make a lot of my own things), do crafty kinds of things...cross stitch.

6. Which are your favorite posts to read (you know, just so I can keep you entertained ;): funny stories, my faith journey, twin updates, other?

I love the funny stories! I really love the updates on the twins. You are a very good writer! Your blog is one at the top of my list.

www.sixblessings.blogspot.com

Hope your moving transition goes well!

Hugs,
Carmen

[Sara]

1. Sara. California
2. Now that it's summer :) Hooray!
My days are relaxed and we are trying to slow down...In September, back to the Kindergarten classroom (I found your blog through your mom, who I worked with). But typically, some Noggin, a bike ride, and in a perfect world, some naps...all make up our day.
3. I haven't read a book in so long...I am trying to read for fun again...
4. We do attend a small church, I shamefully admit we don't make it every week...
5. I love taking pictures of my kids...I'd do it for a living if I could! and I love "creating" things...by myself (scrapbooking) or with Jack, my 5 year old.
6. I love the twin updates...my daughter is a month younger than your cuties :)

www.coopersx4.blogspot.com

[Ashley]

1. Ashley, Arizona, US

2. laundry, lots of cooking and dishes, hopefully 30 minutes on the treadmill, reading and being read to, homeschooling my oldest and occupying the other two (kind of), a little blog reading here and there, LOTS of cleaning up the same messes over and over....

3. Ridiculous as it may sound, definitely the Little House on the Prairie books; I read them for the first time when I was eight, and lately have been noticing a lot of "ideals" I have in my head that came from them. Also anything written by Elisabeth Elliot or C.S. Lewis.

4. I'm a believer in Jesus, and attend a non-denominational church 2-3 times a week. Also involved serving in ladies and childrens ministries.

5.READING!!!! Photography, scrapbooking. I REALLY LIKE exercising, it's just hard to find the time.

6. I love anything related to the kids/parenting. It's encouraging to hear other people's stories so I don't feel like I'm the only one losing it sometimes:)

[Michelle Hart]

1. What's your first name? State? Country?

Michelle, NJ, USA

2. What does a typical day look like for you?

I work full-time in my own packing/shipping business. I have two children, Elizabeth is 13, Matt is 10. My day starts out with getting up @ 6:30, breakfast, waking the kids, exercise (only 30 mins), then shower, dress, make lunches, kiss the kids and husband and I'm out the door until 6:30pm. When I get home, my husband has usually started dinner (bless his heart), the kids homework is done and we do our few evening things until bedtime.

3. Which books (not counting the Bible) have influenced you the most?

The Little House series of books by Laura Ingalls Wilder and all of her other writings in magazines. Her positive outlook on life, her determination and integrity have influenced me very much like she was my grandmother.

4. What spiritual beliefs (if any) do you hold? Do you attend church regularly?

I am a Christian. I was raised Catholic and came to know Jesus personally when I was 16. We used to attend church regularly until a year ago. We are now in the slow process of trying to find another church.

5. What's your favorite hobby or pastime?

I love to scrapbook and read.

6. Which are your favorite posts to read (you know, just so I can keep you entertained ;): funny stories, my faith journey, twin updates, other?

I have to honestly say that all of your posts interest and inspire me. You are an excellent writer and I enjoy reading your blog daily!! Keep it coming, sister!! :)

[Mel]

1. What's your first name? State? Country?
Ontario, Canada.
2. What does a typical day look like for you?
My 3 kids and I hang out a lot with my sister (who will soon be moving away! :O(). Laundry is always on the go. My littles love going for walks so we do that a lot. By 4:00 we all get very antsy for Daddy to come home which makes supper prep a challenge. I love checking out blogs that remind me I have sisters in this journey of Christian mothering.
3. Which books (not counting the Bible) have influenced you the most?
Love parenting books by Ginger Plowman.
Love 'Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World' by Johanne Weaver.
Love Lynn Austin

4. What spiritual beliefs (if any) do you hold? Do you attend church regularly?
I am a Christian and was blessed with Christian parents so it's always been my life. I crave the worship and fellowship at church every Sunday and am so thankful for it.
5. What's your favorite hobby or pastime?
I love blogging, scrapbooking, reading, walking.
6. Which are your favorite posts to read (you know, just so I can keep you entertained ;): funny stories, my faith journey, twin updates, other?
I love the one about you leaving your home and the one about getting through the day by clinging to Jesus. You make me smile.

[Sian Couper]

1.What's your first name? State? Country?
Sian - Pronounced Sharn - it's Welsh,
Living in Stockport in the North West of England - just south of Manchester

2. What does a typical day look like for you?

Alarm goes off at 6.30 and i'll try and ignore it once or twice. roll over and kiss my husband Matt good morning before getting myself sorted to go
to work as a Speech and Language Therapist (Pathologist). That fills most of my day - working with children who have communication difficulties either in the clinic, at preschool or in mainstream schools. In the evening, it's being at home with Matt, churchy stuff, catching up with friends, checking facebook or doing some baking

3. Which books have influenced you most?
Hmm, not sure about this one. I LOVE to read but i'm really rubbish at remembering content. I'm better off listening to music or the spoken word!

4. Spiritual belief's
I was blessed to be raised in a Christian home and in a Presbyterian Church. Since leaving there i've attended Vineyard, Weslyan Methodist and Apostolic churches depending where I / we've lived. Currently we're part of Stockport Vineyard

5. Fav hobby / pastime
Cooking, eating, spending time with family and friends, travelling, music, children - reading blogs!

6. Fav posts
I love them all, the funny ones that make me smile, the difficult one that make me realise however "perfect" other people's lives look we are all challenged, and of course - what the kids say :-)

[destry]

1. What's your first name? State? Country?

Destry, Tennessee, USA

2. What does a typical day look like for you?

Lots of laundry, lots of messes, lots of hugs and kisses...

3. Which books (not counting the Bible) have influenced you the most?

Hmmm...not sure...I read TONS of books...I'll have to think about this one.

4. What spiritual beliefs (if any) do you hold? Do you attend church regularly?

We attended a UPC (United Pentecostal Church)... Yes, I'm one of those Evangelical types you're so fond of, lol. I was not raised in church... I found Jesus when I hit rock bottom 10 years ago. We attend regularly...twice on Sunday and Mid-week service.

5. What's your favorite hobby or pastime?

photography, scrapbooking, reading

6. Which are your favorite posts to read (you know, just so I can keep you entertained ;): funny stories, my faith journey, twin updates, other?

I love all of your posts!

[karenkool]

1. What's your first name? karen State? NY Country? you know

2. What does a typical day look like for you? hahaha typical hahaha... um... hahaha

3. Which books (not counting the Bible) have influenced you the most? There are so many! I enjoy reading novels a lot, and depending on where I am in my own journey detirmines whether any given book is going to influence me greatly or not. Sorry. That's all I have for ya.

4. What spiritual beliefs (if any) do you hold? I believe in a spirit world and uphold biblical beliefs. Do you attend church regularly? Yes, but there's a long story there too.

5. What's your favorite hobby or pastime? photography and going to the beach

6. Which are your favorite posts to read (you know, just so I can keep you entertained ;): funny stories, my faith journey, twin updates, other? I love your twins updates and your photos, as well as the and cute stories.

[Arnonym]

1. What's your first name? State? Country?

I try to stay anonymous... but I am from Germany.

2. What does a typical day look like for you?

Work, family, music (but that not so often the last weeks).

3. Which books (not counting the Bible) have influenced you the most?

The non-scientific works of Feynmann have given me good thinking about teaching childs and grown-ups.
Douglas Adams makes me think in twisted plots.
Adrian Plass reminds me that it is good to laugh at one-self.

4. What spiritual beliefs (if any) do you hold? Do you attend church regularly?

I am a follower of christ and attend a free evangelical church.

5. What's your favorite hobby or pastime?

Computer, music and the combination of both.

6. Which are your favorite posts to read: funny stories, my faith journey, twin updates, other?

I like all of them!
Although as a German I am not that deeply interested in American politics. ;-) But having a lady as chancellor I can comment your election between a possible first female and possible first black president with: "Welcome to the 21th century, land of freedom and tolerance." :-P

[Jennifer (Et Tu?)]

As you can guess, I love these!

1. Jennifer - Austin, TX

2. I have three children ages three and under, so our days are crazy. I get up early to have some time to myself, then the kids get up and it's total chaos until nap time. During their naps I have some time to myself (life saver!!), then when they get up I get things ready for the evening. Then my husband gets home, we eat, then do bath and bedtime routines (which are incredibly hard work!), my husband and I hang out for a while, then we collapse into bed. :)

3. - He Leadeth Me by Fr. Walter Ciszek
- Introduction to the Devout Life by Francis de Sales
- The Good News About Sex and Marriage by Christopher West
- Jesus of Nazareth by Pope Benedict

4. I'm Catholic, and we do go to Mass every Sunday. This is all new for me because I was raised in an atheist family and was an atheist my whole life until a few years ago.

5. Writing!

6. I just discovered your blog, so I don't know yet. :) But with most of the blogs I read, I like a bit of everything. You can tell when an author is feeling inspired by what they write, whether it's about grand religious concepts or just what they had for breakfast that morning. So I guess I would say...whatever inspires you!

I look forward to reading more of your site!

[Lynn]

1. Lynn, St. Louis, MO

2. I am single, so a typical day is going to work from 8:30 - 5 and enjoying my evenings with family and friends!

3. Anything by Charles Stanley as well as Beth Moore.

4. I am a Christian, and attend a Baptist church reguarly (although I don't consider myself a Baptist...it's hard to find a solid Bible-believing church and I've found that in this church!)

5. Scrapbooking, playing with my sister's 3 little girls

6. Kid updates and pictures, as well as your faith journey - which is always encouraging to me!

[Shannon]

1. My first name:Shannon. I reside in the USA.
2. A typical weekday includes going to work at an ad agency, coming home and spending the evenings with my husband, Ryan. A weekend includes lots of chores (to catch up from the week days) and lots of fun with family. Lately, my weekdays and weekends have been filled with packing boxes as my husband and I are moving, so I can completely resonate with your most current posts (sans children on my end).
3. Definately the Book of Mormon; another Testament of Jesus Christ, has influenced me the most. Others include Man's Search For Meaning, by Victor R. Frankle. C.S. Lewis' writings (Chronicles of Narnia as well as Mere Christianity, Screw Taper Letters, etc.). Etc.

4. I believe in a loving God and in His Son, Jesus Christ and in the Holy Ghost. I believe that coming to know God and Christ and following their teachings is the source of true joy and peace in life. I attend the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The one thing I love about it is that wherever we go, whatever place we currently reside in, we can go to this church and hear the same doctrines and message being taught and it all points to Jesus Christ; that He is my personal Savior and He knows and loves us each individually. We go each Sunday and learn from the scriptures (Bible-Old and New Testament, and the Book of Mormon).

5. My most favorite hobby above everything is being with my sweetheart and our families. I love writing (blogging has been a great medium for me), LOVE running, and currently my husband is teaching me how to long board, which is crazy fun.

6. Dear Elizabeth, you can write about marbles and I would be entertained. Thank you for your faith, your honesty and your outlook on life (and your occasional sarcasm; it's great).

[Anna Kia]

1. What's your first name? State? Country?
Anna, California, USA

2. What does a typical day look like for you?
During the school year, I get up early for quiet time before a full day of teaching ten-year-olds turning eleven! ;) I love children and find such deep satisfaction in my relationship with each child and family He entrusts to me...it's very rewarding work.
During summertime, I sleep in (ahh), savor my coffee and Bible reading even more than usual, and learn about things I'm interested in (cooking, organizing, crossword puzzles, any word game!, relationships), catch up with old friends, watch movies, read books, and revise my teaching practices for next year.

3. Which books (not counting the Bible) have influenced you the most?

A.W. Tozer's "The Pursuit of God"
Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice"
Philip Yancey's "What's So Amazing about Grace?"
Florence & Fred Littauer's "After Every Wedding Comes a Marriage"
Brent Curtis & John Eldredge's "The Sacred Romance"
David Keirsey's "Please Understand Me: Guide to Temperaments"

4. What spiritual beliefs (if any) do you hold? Do you attend church regularly?

I am a born-again believer in Jesus Christ, totally in love with Him--my Eternal Husband.
I strive to keep Him first in everything and to seek satisfaction & contentment only in Him. I aspire to love the Lord my God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love my neighbor as I love myself. This is going to take a lifetime to perfect, but I know with confident certainty in my spirit this is the right path for me.

Yes, I attend church regularly. We have a "home base" church we go to when my husband is not speaking somewhere else (a few times a month he gets invited by a sister church throughout Southern California to teach). Sometimes we go to local churches just to build community as believers in the One Body, and to help connect our community's church members with one another, as they are interested. Our hope is more inter-church cooperation in partnership to meet needs for the benefit of the neighborhood we call home,at least for now. We host a Bible study at a teen center in LA, where people come from all different denominations to study the Word together...it's amazing! We are learning so much from each other's varied perspectives and experience, and using our gifts to build up others across denominational lines! I love it.

5. What's your favorite hobby or pastime?
a. Catching up with friends (emails, Facebook, reading other people's blogs--ok, spying!, coffee together, having people over, etc.)

b. cooking new foods, finding new combinations and adding to my chef's repertoire! :) Yum!

c. Word games (crosswords, facebook Wordtwist & Scramble)

6. Which are your favorite posts to read (you know, just so I can keep you entertained ;): funny stories, my faith journey, twin updates, other?
I love hearing about your journey as a Spirit-empowered wife and mother. Keep it coming! I'm learning a lot. :)

I don't have a blog of my own...but I'm on facebook (Anna Kia) and I check other people's blogs to stay caught up on how they're doing. I try to check in with friends (new and old) and comment when I feel led to, to encourage, strengthen, empathize, or just reconnect.)

[Joy]

1. What's your first name? State? Country?

Joy, Tennessee, US

2. What does a typical day look like for you?

Chasing four toddlers (6,4, 2, 10 mo)...homeschooling...um...trying to find my marbles and bludgeoning the laundry into submission.

3. Which books (not counting the Bible) have influenced you the most?

OOh, that's hard. More authors than books:
CS Lewis
Jane Austen
Grace Livingston Hill
LM Montgomery

I would have to say within the last year, it's actually been Ann Voskamp of Holy Experience (blog) that has touched my life the most of any author.

I just finished Stone Crossings by LL Barkat (breathtaking and lovely) and am now reading Mudhouse Sabbath by Lauren Winner.

4. What spiritual beliefs (if any) do you hold? Do you attend church regularly?

I am a follower of Christ. As to what denom, I am not sure. It's been a long arduous journey out of fundamental evangelicalism into freedom (our story mirrors yours).

5. What's your favorite hobby or pastime?

Scrapbooking, photography, and does reading count?

6. Which are your favorite posts to read (you know, just so I can keep you entertained ;): funny stories, my faith journey, twin updates, other?

Ha ha...definitely the crazy kids and moms posts. It makes me feel much less alone with my four! But I love everything you post about!

[colleen]

1~ Who and Where?
colleen police (yes, police) California, USA

2~ typical day right now...?
well, getting ready for my sister's wedding in just over a week, moving out of my apartment, out of my studio in Laguna Beach, all back home to Pasadena! dealing with my own haywire emotions :P
basically trying to find the Lord's joy in the midst of chaos...

3~Books
Walking on Water by Madeleine L'Engle
The Lord of the Rings by Tolkien
anything CS Lewis
Candles in the Dark by Amy Carmichael
Pride and Prejudice...because i'm a girl.

4~Beliefs
blood-bought Christian. i've been so my whole life, but in the last few years the immensity and beauty of following Jesus has meant more to me than it ever has before. i go to a non-denominational church, and try to make Bible study and prayer meetings during the week. emphasis on try...!

5~Pasttimes
writing, painting, drawing, singing, pretty much anything creative. let me know if you need a portrait done of one of your kids ;)

6~Why i'm here
i loooove your stories about your kids and the things they say...i'm known in my family for being a bit obsessive about writing down things people say, funny conversations, etc. so i appreciate it to the uttermost.
i love your sincere posts about struggles, too. people tell me they appreciate when i write them...and i know it's true on my part when other people do the same. it encourages me.
i just generally appreciate your writing. thanks.

oh, and about the earthquake, i haven't read what other people wrote yet. but every time i screw up when i felt i should have had much more steadfastness and faith, i just remember that God's first thought towards me is love. He knows i'm weak. that's why he has me here and is working on me. if i responded perfectly to every situation i wouldn't need His strength. times where i fall remind me that i need Him and i need to grow and change...and that's exactly where He wants me to be. But above all, he loves you. no matter where you are, no matter what you do, and no matter what direction you run in when the ground starts shaking.

[DramaMama]

1) Melissa - WI - US
2) Right now it's a little crazy b/c my teacher hubby is home w/a broken ankle. But during the school year we get out in the morning, my son takes a nap and I catch up on housework in the afternoon. (That's a pretty basic version!)
3) Personality Plus, Power of a Praying Wife, Evidence Bible, Anne of Green Gables...there's too many! I'm reading Serve God, Save the Planet now...
4)I am a born again Christian who attends church almost every weekend.
5) I like to scrapbook but haven't been doing much of it lately. I take a lot of pics and blog. We like to camp as a family, hike, bike and I like to garden. We like to be outside =)
6)I do like the funny ones! But I must say I was drawn to your blog b/c you are a believer and a mom to more than what some people consider normal. So far we have one but want a lot more and I think I look to others to see how they do it - I'm not organized but I want to be!!
Sorry for some short answers...like I said I write my own blog and if you/anyone else is curious you could probably find out more about me there. Anyway - thanks for writing! Sometimes it's such a blessing to read about others' journeys, even if you've never met =)

[Tressa]

1. Tressa, Nebraska, USA

2. What does a typical day look like for you?

Homeschool 9yo & 5yo. Try to keep up with 15mo. Promote literacy through Usborne. Attempt to keep household chaos to a minimum. We read a lot, as a family and individually. You can even find the littlest one with a board book in her lap... Diapers, laundry and trying not to burn supper. Burnt Offerings, my husband calls it.

3. Which books (not counting the Bible) have influenced you the most?

C.S. Lewis
Mars Needs Moms
I Love You Forever
(I know, previous 2 are kids books, read them and you'll understand)
Florence Litauer

4. What spiritual beliefs (if any) do you hold? Do you attend church regularly?

John 3:16 says it all.

Currently attending Berean Bible Church.

5. What's your favorite hobby or pastime?

Reading first with crafting and sewing a very close 2nd and 3rd. If I can involve the whole family, even better.

6. Which are your favorite posts to read (you know, just so I can keep you entertained ;): funny stories, my faith journey, twin updates, other?

It's all good, sister!

[Rachel]

1. What's your first name? State? Country? Rachel, TN, USA

2. What does a typical day look like for you? I work 8-4:30 and depending on the day...various and sundry activities. I am 27 single woman who doesn't know how to slow down. I am also a grad school student.

3. Which books (not counting the Bible) have influenced you the most? The Pressure's Off(Larry Crabb), Calvary Road(Roy Hession), Ordering your Private World

4. What spiritual beliefs (if any) do you hold? Do you attend church regularly? I am a Christian. I attend church weekly, and am very involved at my church

5. What's your favorite hobby or pastime? I love music..listening to it and making it, shopping, outdoors, dancing, interior decorating.

6. Which are your favorite posts to read (you know, just so I can keep you entertained ;): funny stories, my faith journey, twin updates, other? I love it all, you are hilarious!

[Jasmin]

1. What's your first name? State? Country?

Jasmin
California
U.S.A.

2. What does a typical day look like for you?

I work full time and I'm pursuing my master's degree full time so I get very little sleep...the upside to this is that I'm seeing what life will be like when I'm married with kids (i.e., little sleep). ;) A typical day for me is working 8 am to 5 pm, running off frantically to class for 4 hours, coming home, doing homework, eating, sleeping, and then repeating. Somewhere in between all that, I try and read a bit, maintain a normal social life, and catch up with family and friends.

3. Which books (not counting the Bible) have influenced you the most?

Mere Christianity
A Lesson Before Dying
To Kill a Mockingbird
Rome Sweet Home

4. What spiritual beliefs (if any) do you hold? Do you attend church regularly?

I'm Catholic. I split my church time between Roman Catholic Church and Maronite Church (eastern-rite Catholic). I attend church weekly.

5. What's your favorite hobby or pastime?

I enjoy playing tennis, traveling, and sleeping, if that can be considered a hobby. ;)

6. Which are your favorite posts to read (you know, just so I can keep you entertained ;): funny stories, my faith journey, twin updates, other?

I just came across your blog from a response you had posted in someone else's blog on being Christian and not voting for Obama. I like reading everything, to be honest. You have a way with words. God bless you and your family, and keep up the entertaining stories. :)

[Shawna]

Hi there! I just started reading your blog today, thanks to Chelsey at Grace, Grammar, and Good Eats and BrownEyedBasics! Here's my intro:

1. What's your first name? State? Country?

My name is Shawna, and I too live in SoCal. Just moved to northern LA county from Michigan back in April. Love it here!

2. What does a typical day look like for you?

What the heck is typical, LOL? I work full time while the hubby is a stay at home dad. He works at night while I'm a stay at home mom...best of both worlds, I guess.

3. Which books (not counting the Bible) have influenced you the most?

Hmm....tough call...I like the Joel Osteen books, and Louise Hay.

4. What spiritual beliefs (if any) do you hold? Do you attend church regularly?

I am a Christian, though unfortunately we do not attend church as often as we would like.

5. What's your favorite hobby or pastime?

I like to read and blog.

6. Which are your favorite posts to read (you know, just so I can keep you entertained ;): funny stories, my faith journey, twin updates, other?

Well, I just started reading your stuff, but I love the funny stuff, and even the day-to-day stuff. :)

[Sara Carmichael]

1. What's your first name? Sara State? California Country? USA

2. What does a typical day look like for you? Chasing my two girls, ages almost 4 and almost 2 and scoping (transcript editor) at home for court reporters

3. Which books (not counting the Bible) have influenced you the most? always the ones I'm currently reading, like right now Captivating by John and Staci Eldridge. Once I've read the book, I tend to see it affect my life for awhile, and then I forget what I've read, so I read it again later. Other memorable books: The Purpose Driven Life and Baby Wise.

4. What spiritual beliefs (if any) do you hold? I believe the Apostles' Creed (that summarizes Christianity in a nutshell, right?). Do you attend church regularly? Yes, but I don't just attend; I get in and get my sleeves dirty, so to speak. I'm very involved in our children's church program, and I sing with the worship team. We also attend/lead a midweek Bible study.

5. What's your favorite hobby or pastime? Writing, painting, spending fun times with my girls and hubby

6. Which are your favorite posts to read (you know, just so I can keep you entertained ;): funny stories, my faith journey, twin updates, other? All of the above. I especially look to your blog for political reviews, though. I love it that you're not afraid to broach the political hotspots.

[Suezi]

HI elizabeth.
Not sure how I found your blog but throughly enjoy it.
My name is Suezi Gurzi
I live in orange County, Ca.
I am a strong Christian believer.I do attend church regularly. I say that lightly because I have 2 kids that are involved in activities that tend to take place at our regular church time.
Favorite hobby is paper crafting. Love Love Love paper and material. you might say I am an avid collector of both.
So far I have enjoyed most of your posts. Especially the one about the Duggars. Love all the comments. Highlighted you on my blog. thanks for sharing. Looking forward to coming back!

[Ellen]

Hi Elizabeth,
My name is Ellen. I live in Austin, Texas. I have twin sons. Ethan and Will, I am expecting my third baby right now, a girl, I am going to name her Caroline or Julia! She is due on December 15th so I am getting ready. I found your blog from one of my friends who has been checking out your blog since 2007! My typical day is taking my three year old sons to pre-k and I take a nap, I go have lunch with my friends or eat alone, I pick up my kids at 2:30 and my husband comes home at 6:00 from the hospital he works at. Then we eat dinner, we sometimes let the kids watch 30 minutes of tv. And then we read a bible verse to them every night so they learn early. And then we put them to bed. That is how my daily life is. My family attends church almost every Sunday. One of the books that has influenced me the most is The Kite Runner. It was so good! Right now I am reading The Road. My favorite hobbies are playing tennis, swimming, reading, cooking, and baking. I play tennis almost every day at my country club but I haven't played tennis for about 5 months... I also am an avid baker. I currently own 3 cafe's or bakeries whatever you want to call them , The Cupcake Corner, Nick and Ellen's, and Sprinkle. They are a huge part of my life also. And my favorite posts to read are updates about the twins, life lessons, etc.
THANK YOU! Ellen B.

[Val]

Hi! I came across your blog on this year's Tour of Homes at BooMama's site... Just wanted to say that I am so impressed that you even have a tree up at all--with 5 kids that is no small feat! Your family is beautiful.

[Sarah]

1. Sarah... VA, USA (Northern VA... there is a difference!)

2. What does a typical day look like for you? I work at home fulltime and have 3 children (9mo, 26mo, and 7yr). I manage to get most of my work done during that wonderful 2hr period called naptime. So other than that, there is the morning rush to get out the door to school, back inside for breakfast with the little ones and coffee. It seems like all of our time these days is spent inside, but when its warm we like to head to the park, lunch and noon, followed by nap... work for mom, cleaning if there is time, then the girls are up, my 2nd grader is home, and my front door becomes of revolving door of 7yr old boys. My husband owns his own business and is in an out most of the day. We always try to sit down for dinner together and sometimes the kids help me make som tasty desserts, bed and bath by 8pm, and my husband and I can finally relax.

3. Which books (not counting the Bible) have influenced you the most? Maybe not as influential, as thankful, A Child Called It, and the others in the series.

4. What spiritual beliefs (if any) do you hold? Do you attend church regularly? I have attended the same Methodist chutch since I was 2yrs old. We were married there, each of our children were baptised there. They are our second family.

5. What's your favorite hobby or pastime? Bargain shopping... even grocery shopping is fun for me, my husband thinks I'm crazy, but I loves sales.

6. Which are your favorite posts to read (you know, just so I can keep you entertained ;): funny stories, my faith journey, twin updates, other? We are contemplating having more children. So I love reading about how you deal with your 5. It gives me inspiration and hope that we will be able to survive with 4 (or more) children, even if we have to get a new car. I also love that you live in So California. It's 15 degrees outside right now, so that also gives me hope that it will be spring soon!

[jenny]

1. What's your first name? State? Country?
Jenny Colorado

2. What does a typical day look like for you?
Drag myself out of bed when I hear 4 boys wrestling upstairs and the 15 month old hollering next door, "Mo-Meeee!" Then chase 4 boys and spoiled-rotten toddler around all day. I facebook. Then I put kids to bed and facebook some more. JK... kind of. You've seriously inspired me to quit cold turkey. I did quit the Mafia recently. :)

3. Which books (not counting the Bible) have influenced you the most?
I love books about writing. They inspire me.

4. What spiritual beliefs (if any) do you hold? Do you attend church regularly?
I am a born-again Christian attending two smallish community churches. We started going to a new church but can't give up our old church family.

5. What's your favorite hobby or pastime?
Reading, writing, scrapbooking, stamping

6. Which are your favorite posts to read (you know, just so I can keep you entertained ;): funny stories, my faith journey, twin updates, other?
All of the above. Your kiddos are adorable.

[Holly]

Hello!
My name is Holly. I just started a blog FALLING UPWARD. I am a CAtholic stay at home mommy. I love your blog and want to get around to the fun questions--but my 18motnh old is in time out and I have to go get her before she falls asleep--I don't need her mixing up time out and nap time!

[Debra]

1. What's your first name? State? Country?
Debra, Missouri

2. What does a typical day look like for you?
Get up, iron clothes, feed baby, change baby, do all sorts of other baby related items, then go to sleep.

3. Which books (not counting the Bible) have influenced you the most?
Mere Christianity - helped me to understand Christianity and realize that Christians are not a bunch of idiots.
Pride and Prejudice, just because I don't think I knew good literature before that and pretty much anything by Barbara Curtis, because her writing frees me as a mom.

4. What spiritual beliefs (if any) do you hold? Do you attend church regularly?
I am a Christian and attend church as often as my little one lets me :D

5. What's your favorite hobby or pastime?
Reading.

6. Which are your favorite posts to read (you know, just so I can keep you entertained ;): funny stories, my faith journey, twin updates, other?
New reader, so I'm not sure yet. The post about unlearning Christian lingo is what kept me reading on - I linked from

[AliRae]

My turn! (I figure it's only fair, since I just finished reading your ENTIRE blog.)

1. I'm Ali. Originally from New Jersey, currently living off the coast of Benin, eventually going to be settling in some other African country. Or Canada. Really, whatever God decides.

2. I live on a 500-foot floating city. I can go days without setting foot on land. When I work as a pediatric nurse on the wards, my days are a whirl of dressing changes, pain medicines, stickers, and stumbling through myriad mistakes in African languages.

3. Madeline L'Engle taught me to dream. I don't know how many times I've read and re-read A Wrinkle in Time.

4. I was raised in a fundamentalist church (not the scary kind, though), and I still love going there when I'm home. I believe all that good stuff in the Bible, and I believe that Jesus came to affect radical social change. I believe in a wholistic gospel - that it's no good to tell someone about Jesus if they walk away physically hungry. I believe that the Kingdom starts right here, right now, and that my job is to play my part in ushering in that Kingdom. I go to church on a windowless hospital ward in the belly of a ship. I almost always have a patient sitting on my lap, and I usually worship in a language I don't understand. I dance every time I hear the drums.

5. Photography. And writing. I'm the atrsy-fartsy one in my family, and I own that title with pride.

6. I'm a sucker for humour, so keep that coming. I love the faith posts. Not only are they encouraging to me, but as a liberal fundamentalist with a best friend who left our church to convert to orthodox catholicism, I can't help but be fascinated by other people's journeys.

[Ariella]

1. What's your first name? State? Country?

Ariella, in transition from IL to MO

2. What does a typical day look like for you?

Up at crack of dawn getting pooped on by 2 month old. Brace myself for impact as 20 month old awakens. Do the kid chase dance all day with a little housework or real work (I'm a nurse) thrown in. Cook. Stare at huge pile of dishes and deliberately walk away. Ask my husband a zillion questions to hear conversation not related to diapers or disease. Sleep.

3. Which books (not counting the Bible) have influenced you the most?

Biographies, biographies, biographies. Every one that I have ever read, to be exact. Maybe that is why I am addicted to reading blogs, they are like a biography that is continually being added to.

4. What spiritual beliefs (if any) do you hold? Do you attend church regularly?

Evangelical Christian. I better go to the church, my husband is the pastor.

5. What's your favorite hobby or pastime?

Does sleeping count? If not, then it would have to be cooking ethnic foods.

6. Which are your favorite posts to read (you know, just so I can keep you entertained ;): funny stories, my faith journey, twin updates, other?

Anything with a picture attached.

[Jamie]

1. What's your first name? State? Country?
Jamie, a Nebraska girl currently living in Japan!

2. What does a typical day look like for you?
On good days: Wake up, MAKE COFFEE, wait for the coffee, sit and drink the coffee whilst reading the Bible/journaling/thinking/talking with hubby, eat breakfast #1, wait for two-year-old to wake, eat breakfast #2, have a Japanese lesson (in our home) twice a week, go to the park/play trains/watch Elmo, eat lunch, enjoy the two-year-old's naptime, go to the park/play trains/watch Elmo, figure out what to make for dinner, make it, eat it, sit on the couch (which sometimes includes watching Elmo), put the two-year-old to bed, hang with hubs and rub my belly for a while (currently 5months preggo). a-day-in-the-life :)

3. Which books (not counting the Bible) have influenced you the most?
"Strong Women, Soft Hearts" by Paula Rinehart
"The Great Divorce" by C.S. Lewis
"Get Out of That Pit" by Beth Moore
"The Pursuit of God" by A.W. Tozer
..all are books that have helped my damaged heart heal and learn to love, enjoy life, and be passionate again. They've helped me come out of the realm of fear and guilt and into freedom in Christ. Oh how Jesus cares for us!

4. What spiritual beliefs (if any) do you hold? Do you attend church regularly?
I love Jesus. When we lived in America, we attended a PCA church. We now join a fellowship of about 20 Japanese and American believers, all of whom love Jesus, but we have significantly different ideas about the "disputables" in Scripture. It's been so eye-opening, we love it. :)

5. What's your favorite hobby or pastime?
Thinking, writing, and reading whist eating a sweet bread item and drinking some form of coffee. In the quiet.

6. Which are your favorite posts to read (you know, just so I can keep you entertained ;): funny stories, my faith journey, twin updates, other?
Anything motherhood (spiritual or funny), funny stories about life, thoughts from your spiritual journey

I've only been hooked up with your blog a few days, but I love it! Have no remembrance of the clicking trail I used to find it, but so glad I did. You're so fun to read! ;)

[Susanne Barrett]

1. Susanne Barrett, Southern California

2. Homeschooling four kids, teaching online and at co-op, and trying to find time to write in the wee corners of my day

3. The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence, Evangelical Is Not Enough by Thomas Howard, The Illumined Heart: The Ancient Christian Path of Transformation by Frederica Mathewes-Green

4. I have my feet firmly entrenched in both the evangelical and the liturgical small-c catholic Christian traditions. I attend an Evangelical Free church on Sundays and a Reformed Episcopal Church on Fridays for the Anglican Mass.

5. Writing and reading.

6. I really like the Saturday Evening Blog Posts and the posts on faith life.

Thanks for creating such a wonderful place for us to learn more about faith and mothering. :)

[Roz]

1. What's your first name? State? Country?
Hi Elizabeth and everyone. I'm Roz from Ann Arbor, Michigan.

2. What does a typical day look like for you?
I'm an empty-nester, so my day is pretty self-directed. I spend a huge amount of time online keeping up with e-mail and Facebook (which I use to keep up with friends and family), as well as doing research on technology tools and how they might foster effectiveness in the workplace and maintaining long-distance relationships (which relates to what I do professionally). Sometimes I see coaching or therapy clients. Then there's the house, dinner, time with my husband and (in the summer) often baseball on TV in the evening.

3. Which books (not counting the Bible) have influenced you the most?

"Who Moved the Stone?" finally tipped over my concrete doubts about the reality of the resurrection.

"Mere Christianity", "The Chronicles of Narnia", and much of what C.S. Lewis wrote gave me a sense of how Christian truth and my life intersect.

"Time for God" by Jacques Philippe is by far the best book on prayer that I have ever read.

4. What spiritual beliefs (if any) do you hold? Do you attend church regularly?

I was raised Catholic, spent 15 good years in a Presbyterian church, and then was reconciled with the Catholic Church in 2004. Since then, I've experienced a new spiritual vibrancy that I'd never known before. I belong to an ecumenical (interdenominational) charismatic community.

5. What's your favorite hobby or pastime?

Frankly, reading and learning things online is a big area of enjoyment. I knit and crochet, and enjoy following my favorite baseball and college football teams.

6. Which are your favorite posts to read (you know, just so I can keep you entertained ;): funny stories, my faith journey, twin updates, other?

I'm fascinated by the "fundamentalist recovery" stream. I used to be part of a group that I would say was on the fringes of what you describe. My son is a pastor in an Independent Fundamentalist Baptist church and, though I don't believe it necessarily has the characteristics you describe as part of your past life, I want to be wise in my love and support for them. (P.S. I love Shannon's remark earlier: "Dear Elizabeth, you can write about marbles and I would be entertained." Sounds like a "hear, hear" to me. You write delightfully.)

[Julie Todd]

1. What's your first name? State? Country? - Julie, mountains of North Georgia

2. What does a typical day look like for you? - I'm a home school mom. So a typical day is one where I wake up, around 9:00 or so, wake up my teens and pre-teen (2 are out of the house now) and get them started on their school... after I have checked my email. The day progresses in different ways each day.

3. Which books (not counting the Bible) have influenced you the most? WOW, the list is pretty long on that one. There are many books that have influenced me... you can check out my profile for them. LOVE John Eldredge books, "The Shack", "Bo's Cafe", "So You Don't Want to Go To Church Anymore", "He Loves Me". "The Pressure's Off"... just to name a few.

4. What spiritual beliefs (if any) do you hold? Do you attend church regularly? Currently for the first time in 52 years I am not in a church. Long story short, our church ended a few weeks ago. I am a strong believer in the love relationship with Papa God... I am a woman who loves God with all of her being.

5. What's your favorite hobby or pastime? writing, teaching, singing....

6. Which are your favorite posts to read (you know, just so I can keep you entertained ;): funny stories, my faith journey, twin updates, other? I love your faith journey posts...

7. I am a mother of 5 children, ages 22, 19, 17, 15 , & 12. I've been home with them the entire time and home schooling for 18 years now. I'm not your typical home school mom... I love encouraging younger women into who they are... I love teaching the truth of the Father's heart. He's been very misunderstood and misrepresented.

That's about it....

[Blythe]

1. What's your first name? State? Country?

Blythe, from the States, but I'm living in Montreal right now

2. What does a typical day look like for you?

My husband and I wake up, have coffee and breakfast. He goes off to work, and I do various things: I recently finished my MA, and am working several very part-time jobs--creating curriculum, watching research footage, and preparing ESL lessons. I read a lot of blogs and craft and play piano fairly often, too.

3. Which books (not counting the Bible) have influenced you the most?

Se questo è un uomo (Survival in Auschewitz) by Primo Levi

The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis

Works of Love by Kierkegaard

Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell

When God Stood Up: A Christian Response to Aids in Africa by James Cantelon

4. What spiritual beliefs (if any) do you hold? Do you attend church regularly?

I am Christian and was blessed to grow up in a strong Christian home. I moved around a lot as a kid and went to lots of different denominations of churches, so I don't subscribe to a single 'flavor'--as long as the church is Christ-centered and biblical, I'm generally okay with it.

Yes, my husband and I currently attend a charismatic, scripturally-conservative Anglican church (figure that one out!) ;) I help in the nursery, we lead worship every few weeks and my husband preaches sometimes.

5. What's your favorite hobby or pastime?

Cooking delicious gourmet meals, and playing piano.

6. Which are your favorite posts to read (you know, just so I can keep you entertained ;): funny stories, my faith journey, twin updates, other?

Your faith journey from fundamentalist to free has intrigued me. I have perfectionist tendencies and know that my experience in a legalistic church certainly fueled that fire.