I have a goal to read 52 books this year.  Each month I update my reading list and track my progress. 

My February Fiction reads were all free.  I love the free ebook posts over at Frugal Girls.

My faves from February:

Interrupted by Jen Hatmaker - What happens when Jesus interrupts the average life? Interrupted encourages believers to ask if their lives bring integrity to the gospel. Follow the faith journey of author and fellow disciplemaker Jen Hatmaker and rediscover Jesus among the least of us.

Let. It. Go. by Karen Ehman - Many women are wired to control. You're the ones who make sure the house is clean, the meals are prepared, the beds are made, the children are dressed, and everyone gets to work, school, and other activities on time.  But trying to control everything can be exhausting, and it can also cause friction with your friends and family.  This humorous, yet thought-provoking book guides you as you discover for yourself the freedom and reward of living a life 'out of control,' in which you allow God to be seated in the rightful place in your life. Armed with relevant biblical and current examples (both to emulate and to avoid), doable ideas, new thought patterns, and practical tools to implement, Let It Go will gently lead you out of the land of over-control and into a place of quiet trust.

Goals for 2013 and my January reads.  My year to date total is 19 books.   

When I saw this "ONE" collage on pinterest  I just knew I had to recreate it for my little guy.  It was hilarious chasing him all over and getting him to hold the different letters.  They ended up in the dirt many times.  A fun day and a really fun collage. 

This is the last week of basketball season for the Trent's.  We still have championship games but the end is def in sight.  It's been consuming three of my nights every week since October.  It's fun.  My girls love it.  (Brother will love it too, when he is old enough.)  Both bball players learned lots, gained new skills, ran tons, burned lots of energy, stayed fit, and had loads of fun.  So, don't tell them that I'm done.  There's a reason things come in seasons. ha!

I started out juggling three evenings a week by getting supper prepped early and in the crock pot.  I had a plan.  I did good.  Then I dropped the ball. (Pun intended.  )  Which is why we had McDonalds tonight.  So gross. 

I've got to get back in the "mom game" cause softball season is next and ain't no way I'm having McDonalds for supper again.  Seriously, it was gross. 

Help save Trent Tribe suppers!  Send me links to your crockpot recipes? 

The couples in our church took the Date Night Challenge  (Three dates in three weeks plus one date each month for the rest of the year).  Sounds fun, right?  But for some of us just getting a date night is the challenge.  Especially, when we have small children. 

For the Chief and I, the challenge has at different times been breastfeeding, bedtimes, no babysitter, no extra funds... You get the idea.  But when faced with a challenge, we get creative and we overcome! 

When we had several littles and no bigs, we'd date-in.  Some of our date-ins have been:

1.  Popcorn and a movie.

2.  Card games.

3.  Ben and Jerry's (Chief's fave ice-cream, we'd find new flavors and enjoy together).

4.  Backyard star gazing.

5.  Front porch swinging. 

Between the hours of 9 and 11 PM, at least once a month (but probably more like once a week) the Chief or I planned/plan something we could/can do at home together.  So even with littles and the inability to go out, we still had/have dates.  I use the past and present tense because even though we no longer are a family of littles only we still plan these special evenings. 

Cold, bleak, rainy... some nights, you just can’t be bothered leaving the house -- even for a date.  Date-ins are perfect for lazy or cozy nights.  Stay-home dates are a wonderful, comfortable way to spend time together and reconnect. 

Do you have date nights at home?  What do you do?

My Friday love?  Recipes with simple ingredients already found in my pantry. 

On this Lowcountry rainy day, I am making these:

For them.  A sweet treat to celebrate the end of the week. 

The Chief and I are sneaking in a lunch date at the coffee shop.  Did you take the date night challenge?  Having a hard time fitting date night in?  Too busy?  Schedule conflicts?  Small children?  No sitter?  I'll be posting next week with tips on making date night work.  I hope those of you who made it through the season of only littles in the house can chime in with your advice. 

Three years ago today, I was driving our suburban behind the Chief in a U-haul with nearly all our worldly belongings.

In 36 months, I've learned a thing or two about living in the Lowcountry.

1.  Floating tree limbs resemble alligators.

2.  I'm afraid of alligators and floating tree limbs.

3.  Spring comes early. 

4.  Summer is H. O. T.

5.  It really is the slow south.  Sssssss-llllllllll-oooooo-wwwww.

6.  Strawberries, peaches, and watermelon taste good in South Carolina.

7.  All bugs bite (even tiny little ants and gnats). 

8.  South Carolina bugs have a taste for Emrie and Josiah. 

9. A swimming pool is necessary for suriviving 100°+ heat index with children.

10.  Hot summers and mild winters = freezing to death at 50°.

11.  I like having a flat yard.

12.  I like running and cycling (when my bike isn't broke) on my flat road.  I had no idea I could like running or cycling. 

13.  I don't miss my coat.  At all.

14.  I don't miss snow.  My kids think they miss snow.  They've forgotten the times it took 45 minutes to bundle them up to play in the snow only to unbundle them 15 minutes later. 

15.  There are many blessings to enjoy when we trust God's plan for our life.  Be faithful to serve him and find the joy in where God has you and in what God has you doing.   

"I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure... You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." Ps 16:8-11 

Our church held the 2nd annual Date Night Challenge (Focus on the Family) this past Friday night.  We laughed, we cried, we had a caterer... It was a good date night. 

(My friend, Heidi, took pics of all the couples and did the decorating.  She's awesome.)

There is still time to host this event in your church and/or you can take the challenge on your own (don't forget LHCers to go register for this).  Three dates in three weeks plus one date a month for the rest of the year.  By registering, you'll receive emails with tips and suggestions to make the most of the date night challenge.  

Them.

I love being their mom.

P.S.  Want to see more Friday Love?

Last week we had a grandmother, aunt, uncle, and cousins visit us in SC.  Yay! 

We took the opportunity to snap some pics of Mommaw Shirley with her grands (all of them except the oldest who had to work).  Keep your eye on the little girl in blue (lower right).

In the midst of trying to get the baby to look at the camera, no one noticed "slick" and her many faces. 

I've got quite the little joker on my hands. 

Not funny, Rosie.  Not funny.