Little Life Update! (at last)

Hello, readers! I'm coming to you today with some photos, some books, some ... stuff. A little bit of a life update! I hope you all have been doing well and are living with purpose as we begin this third month of 2019. ^_^

So, it's been awhile! Let's begin with Christmas 2018. I had an absolutely beautiful Christmas Day with my family. Even my older brother was there, as he was able to fly out and join us last minute! It was such a sweet time & very blessed.

Living room after some cleanup has happened. *winks* Christmas morning we all gathered here and opened gifts.

Some puzzle time!

Fun gifts from family! Of course, my seven-year-old, little sister gives me her torn-up copy of Deborah because I love books! Hehe.

A beautiful Christmas Day. I went outside with my book, a journal, and red nail polish.

All ready for the festivities with relatives!

Going to town.

In the beginning of January, I went to an awesome conference. Read about it HERE.

Bible study on Wednesday night. My group just started a new book called Turning Everyday Conversations into Gospel Conversations.

Started reading through the Bible again. The NKJV this time.

Shopping at Goodwill. Yes, ma'am!

Coffee because I had a gift card. I'm not a big coffee-drinker, but I have to say that Starbucks' coffee tastes much better than Dunkin' Donuts. In my opinion. *winks*

Writing blog posts & reading at Starbucks. Their coffee is good. They have healthy snacks. And it's just the perfect place to write. So quiet and cozy and relaxed.

Some of my cousins came to visit for about ten days! We had lots of fun. Always love seeing those dear-hearts. *winks* *hugs*

Had a burst of energy after work and decided to spring-clean my room!! (A little early, haha). It was great. Although, after about three hours of being on my feet and cleaning, I was aching all over. My bones, my joints ... they have issues. :p

I found this pretty shirt at Goodwill for half-off. ^_^

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So yes! I got a job! ^_^ In childcare again. I'm really enjoying it! This time, it's only part-time.

... Which is okay, because I'm still working on getting healthy! My last doctor left his position, so I'm going to a new naturopathic doctor/chiropractor who has helped some of my relatives &  family acquaintances. I'm already starting to see improvement!

Back on my crazy, anti-inflammatory diet where I can't have - in addition to gluten, dairy, peanuts, coconut, & flax seed - eggs, beef, turkey, tuna, pork, almonds, black pepper, kidney beans, apples, grapes, oranges, avocados, carrots, cabbage, oregano, and so on and so forth.

Plus, I'm trying to stay away from sugar because that's obviously inflammatory as well ... and just bad for you in general.

I'm doing a little bit of working out about three days a week. Goodness, am I ever out-of-shape! :p We're working on it, folks.

I went back to the amazing bookstore that I went to for my birthday! Traded in books I didn't want for about $30 of pretty, new books!! (Maybe I should do a Book Haul Youtube video one of these days. Hmm.)

I'm going to meet my seventh younger sibling in May! So excited for this sweet baby to arrive! <3333 What a precious blessing.

I've been meeting new people, deepening friendships, experiencing new things, and continually finding God faithful. He, the Lover of my Soul, is always so close. I'm amazed at the way He comes through in even the little moments. <3

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Recently Watched:

Like Arrows - my Mom bought this and we watched it around Valentine's Day. It wasn't quite as good as I was hoping it'd be, but still a worthwhile watch ... and a needed message! Some really poignant moments.

Play the Flute - decided last-minute to go and see this in theaters with my sisters and a friend. It was good! Surprisingly well-acted!

Counting On: Season Nine: Episodes 1 & 2 - I just love this family. So much excitement going on this season.

Currently Reading:

The First Love by Beverly Lewis

Grown-Up Faith: The Big Picture for a Bigger Life by Kevin Myers

Turning Everyday Conversations into Gospel Conversations by Jimmy Scroggins, Steve Wright, and Leslee Bennett

1 Kings

Luke

Latest Lady Grace Blog Post:

Politics, the Medical World, and More

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Anyway, that's all for now, peoples! Let me know what's been going on your life. How are you doing? Anything I can be praying about for you? Blessings! <3

Hallmark Movie Tag

I was tagged by Victoria @ Victoria's Book Nook for the Hallmark Movie Tag! So that is what we will be doing today. Thanks, Victoria! ^_^

1) What's the best Hallmark Christmas movie you've seen?

Okay, I haven't seen very many Hallmark Christmas movies (or Hallmark movies in general, for that matter), but I remember enjoying A Cookie Cutter Christmas {2014} a couple years ago.

2) What's the best Hallmark movie you've seen?

The Magic of Ordinary Days {2005}! Is that a Hallmark movie? If so, it is truly a Hallmark movie that I can applaud. It was a lovely, romantic story set in the 1940s or 50s.

3) What's your favorite Hallmark Movie Season?

I don't have Hallmark channel, so I don't pay attention to Hallmark Movie Seasons. But I'm guessing I would like summer? I like fun, sweet summery movies. <3

4) The last Hallmark movie you saw?

Probably Love Finds You in Charm {2015}. I think it was actually a fun, entertaining film. Perhaps a sweet message and not quite as cheesy as some. *winks*

5) Have you ever decided to watch a Hallmark movie based off it's title?

I don't think so. I usually watch Hallmark movies because they're based off a book I've read or I know of the author (such as The Shunning {2011} by Beverly Lewis) or I know one of the actors ... like Erin Krakow.

6) Do you like Hallmark murder mysteries? If so, which one?

I don't believe I've every watched any ... and if I had, I'm guessing I wouldn't like them. I don't like murder mysteries! :p

7) Favorite Hallmark movie series?

I would have to say When Calls the Heart (2014- ). A good portion of it has come across as cheesy and inauthentic ... but still, I always have fun watching each new episode with my siblings.

The last couple episodes of this latest season (Season Five) were quite great, though. I cried. Tears streaming from my eyes. The acting was awesome; a step up from the rest of the series. Well done, Erin Krakow! I look forward to seeing what the next season brings.

WAIT. Is the Love Comes Softly movie series a Hallmark movie series? If so, that's my favorite! <333333 So beautiful and well-done. My only complaint is that the more movies that came out for the series, the more the strayed from the story line of the books. They killed off some dear characters. *is mad* But other than that, these movies are lovely.

Love Comes Softly {2003}, Love's Enduring Promise {2004}, and Love's Long Journey {2005} are probably my favorites of the series.

8) A Hallmark movie that had you dying of laughter?

Um ... I have no idea, haha.

9) Is there a Hallmark movie out that you haven't seen yet, but want to?

I would like to watch Finding Father Christmas {2016} and Engaging Father Christmas {2017}, and Marrying Father Christmas {2018} because they're based off books by Robin Jones Gunn (love her!). And Erin Krakow plays in them, and it's fun to see her in different movies.

Okay, "Marrying Father Christmas" isn't out yet, but it just seemed best to include it in this bunch.

Also, since I've read a bit by Karen Kingsbury, it might be interesting to watch the two movies based on her book, The Bridge.

10) What is your most anticipated Hallmark movie?

I'm looking forward to Season Six of When Calls the Heart! There's some potential for this new season ... hopefully they do well with it!

I Tag:

Natasha @ Simple Things

Top Movies I Want to See

Hello, folks! Since I haven't had time to film a video this past week, and lost my dear laptop and all that, I just wrote up and scheduled this random post on Saturday (my free day!)

So ... the MOVIES I'm anticipating seeing! Take a look!

Counting On: Season Eight

Airing: July 31st, 2018

{Kendra Duggar // Joy-Anna Forsyth // Jinger Vuolo}

{Josiah Duggar and Lauren Swanson // Engaged}

{Jinger and Jeremy Vuolo // Baby Shower}

I know, Counting On is not a movie. But I couldn't help but put this TV series on the list! I am so, so, so excited for Season Eight. *internal squealing* I love watching this family grow and experience life. I'm especially excited to continue watching Jinger (Duggar) Vuolo's journey. ^_^

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Like Arrows

Released: May 1st, 2018

After loving their movies such as "War Room" and "Courageous", I'm really looking forward to the Kendrick Brothers' new film, Like Arrows! It's theme is parenting, and it looks spectacular. I think it will be a much-needed and impacting message.

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Unbroken: Path to Redemption

Releases: October 5th, 2018

I haven't actually watched the first movie, but the trailer for Unbroken: Path to Redemption looks absolutely amazing! I love the era, for one. And the emotional journey shown in here looks powerful. As I recall, it's based on a true story. Can't wait to watch it.

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I Can Only Imagine

Released: March 16th, 2018

Based on the life of the lead singer of the Christian band, Mercy Me, I Can Only Imagine also looks like it's a powerfully-moving story! I definitely love the song, "I Can Only Imagine", and I think I'm going to really appreciate this heart-rending, beautiful story of redemption.

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The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Releases: April 20th, 2018

So apparently this is based on a novel, which I know pretty much nothing about. However, it looks like a really lovely film so I want to give it a try! I mean, Lily James plays in it and I really enjoyed her performances in "Cinderella" and "Downton Abbey". Plus, I love period dramas. And a book club + romance? Yes, The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society sounds like it could just be my thing. ^_^

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The Greatest Showman

Released: December 20th, 2017

This one looks like such fun, and is also based on a true story. I've been a little enamored with the idea of circuses and shows like this since reading The Lady and the Lionheart by Joanne Bischof, so I'm excited to see how The Greatest Showman is!

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God's Not Dead: A Light in the Darkness

Released: March 30th, 2018

I enjoyed the previous two films, so I'm looking forward to seeing God's Not Dead: A Light in the Darkness. It sounds like it has quite a thought-provoking theme - and those are always good!

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Once Upon a Prince

Released: April 7th, 2018

Yes, Hallmark movies can tend to be cheesy, but if Once Upon a Prince the movie is anything like the book by Rachel Hauck that it's based off, it'll be great! Truly, the book was a lovely modern-day retelling of "Cinderella", so I'm really hoping to see this movie.

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So there you have it! Seven movies + a TV series season that I'm eagerly anticipating!

DO YOU WANT TO SEE ANY OF THESE?

WHAT ARE SOME MOVIES YOU'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO WATCHING THIS YEAR?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving, my dear readers! I hope you have a very wonderful day with family, eating good food and reflecting on the blessings, big and small.

(found on Pixabay.com)

Today, I'm grateful for so many things. Family. Brothers, sisters, and parents, as well as my many cousins, aunts and uncles, and my grandparents!

I'm thankful for friends. Those sweet souls who take the time to notice, reach out, care, and listen. Missing all the people, currently miles away, who have touched my life in friendship.

And thankful for the new people I've met recently ... hopeful that I can be a friend to them, and they to me! *smiles*

I'm very grateful for journeys to health, soul-stirring stories, laughter, delectable food, conversation, adventures (small and unassuming as they might be), Chick-fil-A, the fall season, and chocolate cake ...

(found on Pixabay.com)

*laughs* Not that I can have chocolate cake at this time. But by the time my birthday comes around, I'll be off this diet, so I'm hoping to make a gluten-free, dairy-free, fairly healthy (using coconut sugar or something) chocolate cake with whipped cream frosting. *sighs at the thought of such bliss*

And first and foremost, I'm thankful for the One who holds my heart. I am truly blessed to be called a daughter of God.

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!

1 John 3:1

I pray that we all understand more deeply this love that He has lavished on us! ^_^

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Very quickly, I want to do a tag. I was tagged by Natasha @ Simple Things for the Movies I've Watched Recently Tag! Thank you! *grins*

Here are a few movies I've watched somewhat recently ...

Sue Thomas: F.B.EYE (2002)

~ This is a series following the life of a deaf woman and her work with the FBI. Based on a true story, it's exciting, inspirational, humorous, fun, and intense by turn. It's clean, but there are some episodes with very intense or disturbing themes that would not be suitable for children. ~

Seasons of Gray: A Modern Day Story of Joseph (2013)

~ An inspirational, moving tale, that can liken to the account of Joseph in the Bible. I found it well-done and enjoyable, even humorous at times. There were a couple intense/somewhat disturbing scenes, so caution to younger children. ~

77 Chances: A Story About Letting Go (2015)

~ This story was a little confusing; a modern-day tale with a supernatural twist, I suppose? It was intriguing, though, and had a good message. I liked it. ~

Ultimate Legacy (2015)

~ I watched the first two movies that go with this one, and this 3rd installment might be my favorite of them all. A touching and entertaining story. ~