Domains?

What are the advantages of getting my own domain? It's cheap through blogger/google...$10 for a year. I see that it says I can add email, IM, calendar etc - but I already have all that.

If I change my blog to a domain name would all those who are linked to not2many.blogspot be automatically directed to the new domain? They say it will work that way. ::snort::

Why have some of you done this?

Why have some of you not done this?

Pros? Cons?

Being military and preparing for a move, I'm setting up the emails and such that will STAY when we leave Verizon...so wondering....if I bought this domain for $10 it sounds like I could also have our email addresses through THAT....why that instead of say a GMail account?

Tell me what you know, please. Choosing Joy is taken but I'm thinking of others that would work. LOL

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

True Love Celebrates 25 Years!

I have the honor of sharing life with a man whom I greatly respect. I've seen him guard his integrity and heart in situations where others have "covered their own tails" through "white lies" and whining. I've watched him "bounce his eyes," give up things he loved for the sake of integrity, follow the spirit not only the law of "rules" in his life and serve his family well.

I've watched this man fulfill his vow of 25 years ago to "love {me} as Christ loves the church." Mike has served his family, through hard work to provide for us, through endless read alouds, pitching in when he can see I'm overwhelmed, releasing me to minister to women, and above all being mindful of his responsibility to shepherd his family as well as his flock.

I have come to respect and love this man so much that one of my prayers for my daughters is that they some day meet a man who will love, cherish and nurture them, just as their father has me.

We've had good times and bad times, as all marriages do. A few things I've learned over the years:

• love is a choice
• love is about service, commitment and loyalty
• love is a verb - an action word
• Forget the 50/50 thing and give 100% - you won't out give love
• Be quiet and let your husband hear God's voice
• Speak up when God tells you to (um - you'd best be listening to God)
• Our mission is "oneness" and "intimacy" as we seek to raise "godly seed" - we've had to get under that mission. We've both had to sacrifice to see the mission of a godly family thrive.
• Submission (under the mission) is a response to Christ-like love
• There is no set "look" that all marriages must have
• Treat your mate like a nag and he (she) will be a nag
• Treat your mate like royalty and he (she) will act like royalty
• Set water bottles on the nightstands BEFORE you get into bed
• Big weddings make for fun photos, but if one of our children wants to get married jumping out of an airplane or at the ocean - we'll be there. The setting doesn't matter - the commitment for life does.

I can't imagine what life would have been like these past decades without you in my life, Mike. God truly blessed me when He orchestrated events in such a way that a certain upper class man would notice a slightly spacey freshman MK. (Yes - I'm blaming the whole incident on HIM). You've been such a positive influence in my life. I treasure your insight and wisdom. I treasure your confidence and trust and love. I treasure you.

Some of my favorite photos:

Reconnected with Cindy via Facebook

Yes, Christmas Wedding on Valentine's Day. That's a story for another day. I already have the photos uploaded now. ::snort:: To my left is my Dad. Yep, Daddy married me. On the far right, the tall blond is my oldest brother. My youngest brother is not in this photo. I'll have to look for a photo with him. I've threatened him that it will show up on FB. LOL

I was not as big as this dress makes me look, this was the 80's and it was a lotta dress. I am, however, this short in heels.

Ah....memories

Due to illness beyond our control, our anniversary get away is not happening....but we'll get away sometime. Regardless, we still celebrate today 25 years of God's faithfulness to us through the gift of marriage.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

SINGLES GIVEAWAY

When God Writes Your Love Story - Eric & Leslie Ludy

"If you're looking for practical ways to build a God-honoring relationship, you can't afford to miss this book." Drs. Les & Leslie Parrot

This is not simply "another courtship" book. It's not a book about dating. It's not just "another love waits" book. I'm not saying those books or ideas are wrong. We HAVE read a lot of those types of books in our home...and many of them to tend to become a list of do this and don't do this...and miss the aspect of giving your HEART to Jesus. They don't MEAN to do that, but if not careful you begin to follow an author's list and timeline, rather than learning to follow Jesus' voice in your relationships. {BTW, this is one reason that I weary of many self-help books.} This IS a book about submitting all areas of ones life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

The authors share their "dating experiences" (tastefully) which led them both to "turn the pen over to God" and let him "write their love story". Years, later the meet and marry.

I LOVE the fact that this book does not focus on a list of dos and don'ts that are supposedly going to "assure" purity. It focuses on the heart and a relationship with Jesus. Following the teaching in this book would not in any way harm a person if they were to remain single all their lives. They write about respecting and loving your future mate NOW before you may even know him/her.

The book is divided into five sections: desiring a love story, preparing for a love story, waiting for a love story, sweetening a love story and discovering a God-written love story.

The only thing I've not liked so far about this book is one of the examples. ::snort:: Leslie shares that every night as she drifts off to sleep, she gets thirsty. She explains that she can't get out of bed and Eric runs and gets her a drink every night. She presents this as an example of unconditional love. I can't help laughing as a vetran of 25 years of marriage. I think to myself, "Can't ONE of you remember to place water bottles beside the bed BEFORE you go to bed"?

I thought it would be fun for Valentine's Day to offer a giveaway for singles. I KNOW how hard it can be to go against our culture's pull. I have daughters in their 20's who are allowing God to write their love stories. It's not always easy. I believe this book by Eric and Leslie will be encouraging. I must admit after reading so MANY marriage self-help books to review and giveaway this week, I found myself thinking, "YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN NEED TO LEARN ABOUT THIS BEFORE THEY ARE MARRIED." That reminded me ofthis book.

When God Writes Your Love Story is written from both Eric and Leslie's perspectives. I think men or women would enjoy it.

If you are single (or have a youth you'd like to enter) and are interested in winning a copy of this book, please leave a comment. We will chose a winner on Monday 16 Feb. I'll need a way to contact you. If I don't know you - do note if you are a single or the parent of a youth. I'd like to give singles/youth who enter priority. If you are still in high school, please do check with your parents and see if they would like you to have this book. I would have no trouble with my high school age young men reading this book...but that's OUR FAMILY. I have not read the entire book. I have read the first nine chapters. BTW my girls can enter this one too, if they'd like. My boys can read my copy. ::snort::

This is on my 2009 Reading List.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

Murder Trac and other Such Glimpses

Life is falling into a routine around here. The kids are sleeping later as they're all in various stages of illness. The ones who got if FIRST are TIRED and BORED of being home (Nolan, Zander). They are still coughing. Jamin got it last; he slept most the day with a fever.

Since we cancelled piano today.....I had time to print out booklets for a Viking lapbook that the younger boys want to do. We read a bit extra in school. I moved the blog look to a more seasonal look until Jamin's birthday - I think. I proofed some forms I'd submitted to a website.

Murder Trac? Ah.....Are you ready for this? Zander showed Mike the "stuff" in the back of the van. He told him he wasn't sure what it was called. Mike said, "Nordic Trac". Zander sagely responded, "Ooooh, a Murder Trac!" I think he may be on to something. I'll let you know when we try it out. ::snort::

Zander telling Krista Mom is adopting a baby

The obligatory sick shot...but he's trying not to laugh. That's a thermometer.


Neighbor's fence didn't withstand the 62 mph wind...and that'll preach. I know it will....probably fairly soon...maybe next Tuesday. LOL

Poor Arielle just came to ask for something for a cough. I'm off.
Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

Zander's Prayers

Is it Kosher to laugh at a child's prayers? I smile big and try my best NOT to laugh until later.

I DID ask Zander if I could share his couch time prayers from yesterday and today on Facebook and the blog. He asked me if God were on the blog and Facebook - and after we settled that issue - he agreed that I should go ahead and share his prayers wherever God may be to hear them.

Yesterday - Zander has been praying for months that we'd have another baby. He's not getting an answer as quickly as he usually does and so has changed his prayer. He's now praying that we adopt a baby. He's going so far as to tell others, "Guess what?!?!!! Mom is going to adopt a baby." This from a boy who 4 years ago caused a therapist to tell me, "I'm concerned that he refuses to interact socially." I'm more concerned these days that he DOES interact socially - with anyone he sees. ::snort::

Today - "God, please send us to Paris. Little boys like me would like that a lot better than San Antonio." I couldn't help laughing. He looked at me and said, "Mom, don't YOU think Paris would be better than San Antonio?"

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

I Do Again - Cheryl & Jeff Scruggs

Blog Tour & Giveaway

The focus of I Do Again is God's might power to save and restore - even in the most difficult situations.

Cheryl and Jeff Scruggs appeared to have the "perfect marriage", the "perfect family" and successful careers. In reality there were rifts in their marriage that eventually ended in adultery and divorce.

During this time in their lives, both Cheryl and Jeff turned to God. They began to realize that HE was to be the focus of their lives. God gave Cheryl a vision of reconciliation. Seven years after their divorce, they stood together and said, "I do," again. This book is an amazing story of what marriage is meant to be, God's redeeming power (both in personal lives and in marriages) and the power of forgiveness.

This story is real. You may find yourself offended at points of the tale...but through the sin, shines God great grace and glory.

Publisher's Note: I Do Again details the fascinating real-life story of a couple whose relationship seemed shattered beyond all hope until a spiritual awakening led them to reconsider their definitions of “happily ever after.” A riveting account of the power of prayer and redemption, this remarkable book offers renewed hope for even the most troubled marriages—and reveals why the rewards of restoration are well worth the wait.

Leave a comment in the contact section if you would like to win a copy. Please be sure I can contact you. We'll draw a winner MONDAY 16, Feb. You'll have one week to respond with your address after being notified that you have won.

This book is part of my 2009 Reading List.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

Valentine from Tim Hawkins

A clip from "I'm no Rock Star"

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.