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You're all invited to get your party on. Your blog party, that is. Today is the first day of the "Ultimate Blog Party" over at 5 Minutes for Mom.

So...if you're still reading this, I must tell you - I love the ellipses. I know, I know...they're really not "acceptable" in bloggityville. But I love 'em. So you'll see lots of them, k?

This is the part where I tell you something about myself, right? I'm fixin' (that's slang for "about") to be 38 in June. Well, I'm a stay-at-home homeschooling mom of three. I'm sure there are moms that don't stay at home and homeschool, but I have no idea how you'd do that because I have to stay on my kids like White on Rice. Our day typically starts out with a few grumbles about having "another" schoolday, then mom cracks the whip and out come the books with "smiles on our faces". We LOVE school.

Oh...and the other thing I love? Sarcasm. So you'll have to excuse me. I know it doesn't always read right...the way I say it in my head is most certainly NOT the way you are going to hear it. But I digress...(see? there's those ellipses again)

The three happy kids are pictured here: (well, one's not so happy) We live in the second largest state of Texas (I lived in Alaska for 20 years, so I have dual bragging rights...you know how us Texans LOOOOOVE to brag) and are a happy family. For real. Even though I don't always blog about the good stuff - we're devoted to one another, and to God.

But that's not ALL I do...my husband and I own our own business - we actually have a mission - to help folks like us get out of debt and become financially independent.
I also spend A LOT of time reading my favorite blogs...and the list is ever-growing...I think I'm up to 64 now? Thank goodness for Google Reader! Phew.

I'm an avid reader (as mentioned above)...some of the books I'm currently reading you'll find on the left sidebar. See? I don't just read blogs...I actually read other stuff too! In addition to everything else, I'm actively involved in my church and Lord only knows why...but I'm over the Nursery. (I guess it's because I can't have any more - and He knew if I cared for those little bundles of poop...er, joy during SS, then I'd be okay with that).

So thanks for stopping by...hope to see you again soon. Feel free to browse the archives...but get yourself a drink and stay awhile. You can read my most recent posts here if you want a better sampling of moi. If you have any questions...shoot em straight into the comments. I'll be visiting you! 
Ah, I think I am your first commenter from The Ultimate Blog Party! WOO!

Love your blog design!

March 2, 2007 at 10:05 AM Tirzah said...

What a fun party!!

March 2, 2007 at 10:16 AM 
Thanks for the party invite! ;)

Love your three column blog! That is something that has elluded me. LOL

March 2, 2007 at 10:23 AM 
We're partying at my place, too... And I'm also a big ellipse-user!

March 2, 2007 at 11:07 AM it's me, Val said...

Just wanted to stop by and say hi! Enjoy the party!! :)

March 2, 2007 at 12:30 PM 
Ahhh...a woman after my own heart...ellipses...sarcasm...and busy!! LOL!!

Glad to meet you...I'll be hanging out, and I'll be back...your bookmarked!!
 ~Jennifer said...

Nice meeting you and your family. We're homeschoolers too. :-)

March 2, 2007 at 3:25 PM rindy said...

stopping by for the party and I learned something...ellipses... never knew that's what they were called but I use them all the time! and sarcasm...yup, that too!! enjoying looking around your site!

March 2, 2007 at 8:12 PM Kathleen aka Coffee Mom said...

Hi- I like your blog, a lot! I 'll be back soon for a longer visit.

March 2, 2007 at 8:34 PM 
Love your site! I am an ellipses fan too and think you can never have to many. The sarcasm is coming through nice and clear...maybe it takes another sarcastic person to understand. There's those ellipses, I can't make a post without them. You're in my favorites so I will be checking in. Party Hearty!!

March 2, 2007 at 8:44 PM 
Party hopping here! Great site! I'm hugely sarcastic as well. LOL

March 2, 2007 at 8:59 PM 
Welcome to the party! We may have been separated at birth...I use 'elipses' (is that how you spell it??) all the time. ALL the time. :)

March 2, 2007 at 9:35 PM 
And wait???.... why aren't ellipses acceptable in bloggityville??? Please...share...

March 2, 2007 at 9:37 PM 
Nice to meet you. I'm shocked to learn ellipses aren't blog-acceptable. I think I use them all the time! Enjoyed your site.

March 2, 2007 at 11:45 PM 
I'm Jeanette and I live in Melbourne, Australia with my hubby and our two children. It was great to meet you. Feel free to come and join the fun at my party too.

Jay :)

March 3, 2007 at 4:34 AM twiga92 said...

Hey, thanks for visiting! Fellow reader and scrapper here! I have a friend currently reading that Beth Moore book 'Get out of the Pit'. I've done a couple Beth Moore studies - great stuff.

March 3, 2007 at 7:18 AM BeckyD said...

I came for the party, and felt right at home. It's a good thing too, b/c I'm still in my PJ's. Loved your site, and have bookmarked it and will be back.

Come by my place, if you would like. It's a bit rowdier and wild, but I hope it's a fun place to be.


March 3, 2007 at 7:24 AM 
Lovely site. I always like to find other Christian Moms to talk to. Your children are beautiful. Thank you for stopping by my Blog Party Blog!!

March 3, 2007 at 7:29 AM Melissa R. Garrett said...

Oh thank you SO much for stopping by and I can't wait to read up on all your posts!!

March 3, 2007 at 8:07 AM Rachel Langston said...

Thanks for visiting my blog! It is a pleasure to meet you and I'll be back to read some more later!

Rachel Langston

March 3, 2007 at 10:41 AM Lissete said...

Visiting for the party. Nice to meet you. I use ellipses all the time. At least you stick to 3, sometimes I get carried away.....

March 3, 2007 at 1:59 PM 
Oh, so nice to meet you, Karen! :)
My name's Tammy- I'm a homeschool mom, also...my girls are 4 and 7.

BTW, your site design is so cute!

Oh, and I also love to read! (When I'm not homeschooling and blogging, that is!) ;)

Please come on by and say hello if you can!
~Tammy (Family Doin's)

March 3, 2007 at 4:10 PM 
I....uh...had to look up ellipses...in at dictionary.com LOL!! OOh, I do that...a lot...

I love your blog, beautiful children! I'll be back! Come see me if ya want!

March 3, 2007 at 4:42 PM 
Here via the blog party.

Wow.. you went from one large cold state to one large warm state.:-) I have been to Alaska twice and would love to take my family back again sometime!

Thanks for inviting us to your place for such a nice visit!

March 3, 2007 at 5:22 PM 
thanks for visiting my party. I hope your husband's trip to ATL was good (and safe!). The airport and traffic can be a hassle.

March 3, 2007 at 6:25 PM Swinging in for the Ultimate Blog Party!!! Nice meeting ya. We homeschool too. It is such a joy.

Happy party week!!!


My first party favor give-away has begun. Come over when you get a chance.

March 3, 2007 at 7:23 PM 
Great party!!! you sound like a lot of fun I'll be back to read more...

Thanks for stopping by my party!

March 3, 2007 at 11:25 PM kardel said...

Love your post. Thanks for stopping by "my place". Keep this party going! Nice meeting you... I'll be back.

March 4, 2007 at 12:55 PM 
Just popping in to say "Hey!!!" Oh, and we are also fans of sarcasm!

March 4, 2007 at 3:46 PM Jen and family said...

Hi Karen nice to meet you
lovely family you have
and I love your business mission
visit me at http://jenz.wordpress.com/

March 4, 2007 at 8:39 PM 
We homeschool, too, and I am a fellow lover of ellipses...

Thanks for stopping by my place!

March 4, 2007 at 8:51 PM 
Great blog you have here. Love the pic with your kiddos. They are precious.

I hope you'll stop by my party and meet my family, too.


:-) Susan

March 4, 2007 at 9:18 PM 
Thanks for stopping by my blog! I can see we have lots in common. I'm bookmarking your blog and I will catch up more with you after the party!

March 5, 2007 at 9:40 AM 
Very nice to meet you Karen! I love your sense of humor and I think it is wonderful that you are home schooling those three adorable kids! Your Mission sounds incredible! Thanks so much for the delightful visit. :)

March 5, 2007 at 1:06 PM 
What a fun blog! I like your sense of humor. I have fun exploding bubbles over at my Party Post; c'mon over! It's www.womanwithmanyhats.com (not what you get by clicking my name).

March 6, 2007 at 8:56 AM lifeasamama said...

ha! you cracked me up!

March 6, 2007 at 5:58 PM Janice (5 Minutes for Mom) said...

you make me laugh.

what a wonderful family and life you have! :)

I love your title and masthead design.

March 7, 2007 at 3:05 AM MamaLee said...

so nice to meet you!

March 7, 2007 at 4:46 PM 
Visiting via the party! The business you run sounds like a great one that would help many people. :)

March 8, 2007 at 8:59 PM 
Stopping by for the party =) I am also a SAHM who homeschools three lovely children =)

March 9, 2007 at 9:15 AM