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. 

Him.

Sunday marks the 17th Anniversary of this special day. 

P.S. Thanks to Amber for the fun link-up.

I see cute t-shirts all the time but I'm not a fan of spending 25 bucks on a tee.     

When I found bleach pen tees on Pinterest, I knew exactly what I wanted to do. 

Sweetheart 5K shirts.

Superbowl shirts.

Home shirt.

And I'm not done.  I may need an intervention.  

Camellia's from my yard. 

I started.

I finished.

I didn't die.

Me and my kiddos except the baby (happily riding in stroller = do not disturb even for a picture) in front of the Hampton fountain after the race.  Katie and Gracie finished the Hampton Sweetheart 5K MUCH faster than me (my first).  Gracie (also her first 5K) took 2nd in her age division (boys and girls).  The Chief sat this one out to watch the littles.  Turns out Katie also won a cutest cupid award.  She is pretty cute. 

So, I'll probably do another one in April.  Hoping for a MUCH better finish time on the clock. 

Mark that one off the list. 

I've set a goal to read 52 books in 2013.  I'm excited to have started the year off strong but I must confess that I've had a lot of extra reading time. 

First of all, let me say that people often ask me how I find time to read because I have five kids, homeschool them, they're involved in lots, and I do a lot of volunteer work at our church.  (The chief is the pastor, volunteering goes with the territory but even when he isn't the pastor it still goes with my territory.)  Here's my secrets:  I don't watch TV.  My family may watch TV but you'll catch me sitting nearby with a nook in my hand.  Unless, there is a new episode of Duck Dynasty.  I also keep a book or my nook with me at all times.  I might only get in a page or two here and there but if I'm waiting, I'm reading. 

The extra reading time has come from basketball practice.  Two of my gals are b-balling it up and as much as I enjoy watching them, I've been watching since October and there really are only so many suicides (running) a momma can watch. This has bought me about two extra reading hours (maybe more if I didn't have to run to the store so often).  I am the crazy lady sitting in the bleachers at practice boohooing over an eReader.  Seriously some of these books have been real tearjerkers. 

7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess - 7 is the true story of how the author (along with her husband and her children to varying degrees) took seven months, identified seven areas of excess, and made seven simple choices to fight back against the modern-day diseases of greed, materialism, and overindulgence. Jen Hatmaker is hilarious. I love her humor.  Most of all, she has set in motion some thoughts and evaluations of my current life.  The Chief and I live pretty modestly as it is.  I think reading 7 has given me more confidence in our lifestyle and opened my eyes to even more steps to a Christ-like simplicity and generosity.   Just read it.  You'll be glad.

Unglued - The most important thing I learned from Lysa TerKeurst's book is finding peace in your most difficult relationships as you learn to be honest but kind when offended.  Serious.  If you are in a difficult relationship the only thing you can change is - you!  Unglued helps with that. 

The Circle Maker - I will not lie.  After reading Mark Batterson's book, I prayed a circle around my home, my church, and parts of our town.  If that is weird to you, you'll have to read The Circle Maker to find out what the circles are all about.  I'm still praying circles. 

The Duck Dynasty Family - I love the show.  I laughed and I was touched by their story.  I loved learning more about the history of the family and Duck Commander.  Reading their book only made me love the show even more. 

The four remaining books are historical fiction.  I was able to download all of them for free thanks to The Frugal Girls.  Check the link everyday for free ebooks to download.  I've seen cookbooks, children's books, and all types of Christian fiction.  I enjoyed all four! 

In addition to these great books, I am reading through the greatest book.  I've been doing my daily bible reading plan.  I've read the NKJV and the NIV in previous years.  This year I am reading the NLT.  I read from the Old Testament in the AM and the New Testament in the PM.  It's been awesome. 

The only things that will cause you to change over the years are the books you read and the people you meet.

No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance.

Reading is a discount ticket to everywhere.