7 Quick Takes--Back to School Edition

Here we go with my 7 Quick Takes of the week :) Thanks to Jen at Conversion Diary for hosting.

1. Today is Orientation Day for new Nursing Students. I am, of course, both nervous and excited. I am also a bit sick. I gave myself a 5 minute grace period for my hypochondria, then I took my temperature. No fever, just a nasty cough and laryngitis. I will assume this means the cooties aren't that bad. If I had fever I would not be going today, but since I don't, I plan to be there with my many questions :)

2. Today is my friend (and sister-in-law) Stacey's birthday. Stacey is a wonderful mom, fantastic daughter and sister, and an AMAZING friend! She homeschools three (very sweet) boys, keeps an immaculate house, is a great cook, and makes it look like she could do it all with her eyes shut and her hands tied behind her back. In other words, SHE ROCKS! If you haven't seen her blog yet, go check it out and give her some birthday love :) Happy b-day, Stacey!!!!

3. In honor of Stacey's b-day, several of my friends are going to see The Time Traveller's Wife tonight at the movies. I won't be able to make it to the movies tonight, but soooo wish I could. The movie is based on the book by Audrey Neffineger, and it is one of my favorite books of all time. If you haven't read it, you so should. It won't disappoint you.

4. Someone told me yesterday, "Blink and it will be Christmas." Usually, I hate thinking about Christmas before Thanksgiving. I am that person that grumbles about "letting one holiday pass before you start celebrating the next", but this year, I realize it probably will seem like I blink and it's Christmastime. I will likely be too busy to come up for air until Thanksgiving break--oh well, I will just have to hit all the Black Friday sales.

5. Last weekend was tax-free weekend here in Alabama. I sooooo love school supplies. It's probably unnatural how happy it makes me to shop for folders, notebooks, crayons, pens, and pencils....pure bliss! My sister, Jenifer, and I went together to buy supplies, and we had so much fun. We are such nerds ;)

6. My friend Kim at Beautiful Wreck is hosting a giveaway for a gift certificate to EcoStore USA. She has reviewed several of their products and given them the thumbs up. Now, I've known Kim IRL for a long time, and I know how skeptical she is of green products. I also know that Kim is a woman who tells things as they are -- for better or worse--so, for her to rave about them is a real compliment. You should go check out the giveaway, and the rest of her blog. She'll entertain you, and she may make you blush.

7. I was unpacking boxes this weekend, putting away books on the shelves, and I came across a Bible study book I had from 4 years ago. I remember reading it and studying the Bible--doing some writing and praying, though I wasn't sure I really believed all of it. You see, I was raised to be "Christian" meaning my parents took me to church and whenever we prayed it was to God/Jesus, but it wasn't something I really was connected to until the last 9 months to a year. I've always wanted to feel something with regards to faith, but it just wasn't really there before. Anyway, I was reading through some of the things I wrote, and it dawned on me that even though I wasn't invested in God then, HE was invested in me. I kept a prayer journal during that time, and when I read through it I realized that He has revealed the answers I asked for then. It didn't happen immediately...it wasn't like rubbing a genie lamp and having your wishes granted...but when I read my prayers, and looked at all the events that have directed my path over the last 4 years, His hand in it is so clear to me. In fact, I am even more assured now that the changes we've made and the path I am on is the right one. :) God is good--he loves us even when we don't recognize Him.