20 Random Questions

I was tagged by the lovely and charming Laurie Tomlinson to participate in this 20 random questions challenge. SO here you have it... some randomness. Good fun!

1. How tall are you?

I’m 5’5 and ½”. Quite specific, I know. I seemed to have had a growth spurt in the past few years because all through high school and college I had topped out at 5’4”, which made me the serious runt of the family since both my dad and my brother are 6’2” and my mom is 5’7”. Sigh… I’ll never be tall and statuesque but at least I can wear sky high heels and be the perfect height for smooching. ;) Priorities!

2. Do you have a hidden talent? If so, what is it?

Everyone pretty much knows I was a singer/songwriter in my early years, so that’s not really hidden. Hmm… Oo! I can speak flawless jibberish! Fascinating, I know. :)

3. What’s your biggest blog-related pet peeve?

I’m with Laurie. I’m not a huge fan of the daily-blogging by one author just for the sake of keeping a schedule. I’d rather read one truly inspired post than weeks of uninteresting chatter.

4. What’s your biggest non blog-related pet peeve?

I guess lack of manners probably bothers me the most. Like when, for instance, you are juggling a baby, wrangling toddlers, carrying bags, and someone lets the door slam right in front of you without bothering to at least push it open behind them or check to see if someone is coming. Or say, when you have all those kids and bags and you hold the door for someone else and they just breeze on past without a glance. Grr. Good manners equate to common decency. It takes almost no extra time and very little effort and it makes a big difference. If I do anything right, it’ll be teaching my kids about manners and respecting others.

5. What’s your favorite song?

Good grief, that’s like asking me who my favorite child is! Let’s break it down like this…Favorite classic: Stormy Weather by Billie Holiday. Favorite oldie: Telephone Line by ELO or Crystal Ball by Styx. Favorite worship song: Saved Me Deep by my uncle Kent Henry or Song 54 by Jim Stern. (I come from a very musical family.) Favorite contemporary music: anything older by Lifehouse or Keane, anything sung by Michael Buble, and Secrets by OneRepublic.

6. What’s your favorite Etsy shop that isn’t yours?

I’m not on Etsy, and honestly, the past several years I’m not much of a shopper (Gasp! Shocking, right?) But I have made a few gift purchases on Etsy. Beautiful stuff!

7. What’s your favorite way to spend your free time when you’re alone?

Reading, writing, and taking really hot baths. J

blog.mocha.uk.com

 

8. What’s your favorite junk food?

Dessert. Pretty much in any form. From shortbread cookies to triple chocolate fudge cake to mocha cheesecake. I don’t discriminate and I LOVE to bake!

9.  Do you have a pet or pets? If so, what kind and what are their names?

My hubby is lobbying for a dog, big time! And while I would absolutely love to rescue one, I’m thinking we will have to wait until our own puppies are potty trained and toddling around.

10.  What are your #1 favorite fiction and nonfiction books?

I’ll say it again, Francine Rivers Mark of the Lion series single-handedly turned me into a reader. I was so captivated I didn’t sleep for days. Lately I’ve been into some self-pubbed writers like Kate Perry, Amy Matayo, and Inglath Cooper. Great style, meaningful stories, and some spice. (Warning: Some more than others.) Truly addictive reading! I have a reallllllly hard time reading non-fiction. Puts me right to sleep.

11.   What’s your favorite beauty product?

I’m really low maintenance when it comes to this kinda stuff. Like I tend to use dial hand soap on my face and buy $3 hairspray. Strong perfumey scents tend to give me a headache so if I use a product it’s usually a sugary vanilla type scent or something citrusy. Right now I LOVE coconut oil. Fresh out of the bath I smear a little dab just about everywhere. Smells like summer and sunshine. Mmm.

12.   When were you last embarrassed? What happened?

insideout.topshop.com

Might as well ask when was the last time I went to the grocery store. For some unknown reason it is the site of all my embarrassing moments from the past year (and let me tell you, it takes a lot to embarrass me.) From my skirt blowing up in front of a line of senior citizens waiting to load their bus from the neighboring nursing home, to a topside wardrobe malfunction due to the baby carrier, and last but not least, the rather unfortunate train-wreck of events surrounding a rather riske purchase… let’s just say I should never show my reddened face there again.

 

13. If you could drink one beverage (besides water) for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Coffee. No question. Creamed and sweetened. I might be an addict. ;)

14.  What’s your favorite movie?

Another tough one. Who has just one favorite movie? Alright, fine… If I had to pick I’d probably go with a tie between It Happened One Night and Pride and Prejudice (the Keira Knightley/Matthew MacFadyen version.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15.  What were you in high school: prom queen, nerd, cheerleader, jock, valedictorian, band geek, loner, artist, prep?

High school was a bad time for me. I did a bit of everything. Got straight A’s, did a year on the dance team, photography classes, show choir, drama and I have always been quite social but I was actually a bit of a lone wolf. Most of my closest friends were older and graduated, and my high school boyfriend had left for college. They were pretty lonely years.

16.  If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?

Right here in St. Louis. I grew up here. All of our families live within 45 minutes of each other. And as much as I would LOVE to live by an ocean, I think I’d always long for home and family.

17.   PC or Mac?

PC, but with my iPhone and iPad I can certainly see the appeal.

18.  Last romantic gesture from a crush, date, boy/girlfriend, spouse?

He’s not a big romantic gesture kind of guy, but for my anniversary I did get a bouquet of wildflowers and a card with a hand written note. The notes are always the best part. <3

19.  Favorite celebrity?

I’m not much of a celebrity follower. Honestly, I haven’t seen a new movie that wasn’t animated since, well… I can’t even remember. I will say that I think Will Ferrell is hilarious and much more multi-faceted than people give him credit for. He was brilliant in Stranger than Fiction and a hoot in The Producers. I love Simon Baker’s acting in The Mentalist and pretty much anything with Reese Witherspoon is a win for me.

20. What blogger do you secretly want to be best friends with?

Pepper Basham. Oh hey, look at that! Secret’s out. ;)

 

Well, there you have it! More than you ever wanted to know about lil ole me! I'd love to hear about all your quirky randomness. Anyone have a similar answer for any of these questions? Post an answer to any one of these for yourself... I'd love some dirt on ya'll! ;)

OR

Take the challenge and be sure to tag me so I can read all your fun answers!

Raising my coffee mug to ya! Cheers!

 

xo

Amy

Throwback Thursday: Meet the Parents

In honor of Throwback Thursday and a very special Halloween 8 years ago, I thought I’d share a funny story about how my husband met my parents, my brother, and all my friends for the first time.

Dressed like this!

So 8 years ago—college years—it all began when I became this baseball player’s math tutor. It didn’t take long for me, even with my jaded, on-the-mend heart, to see that my preconceptions about this jock named Rick had been way off.

After weeks of tutoring sessions that had also become bible studys/coffee dates, Rick finally asked me out on an official date. (I was about ready to give up on the lug. Apparently driving me crazy was all part of his strategy to win my attention.Pretty sharp--not sure he even needed a tutor!) 

But since he’d asked me out the day before Halloween, and my brother was throwing this big party for our friends and family and a lot of his youth group kids, we decided we’d attend and have our date the next night.

Imagine my surprise when my date (and possibly my new “boyfriend”) struts in to meet EVERYONE I know, including my DAD in a push-up bra, a dress, a wig, jeweled sandals, five-o’clock shadow, and some impressive guns!

Talk about an ice-breaker! My mom gave me a mouthed “Wow” and a thumbs up the second Rick turned his back, btw! (Love my mom!) And I’m happy to report my awesome dad actually laughed (And made no mention of his gun collection.)

Do you have a fun meet the parents story? Or Halloween story? I’d love to hear!

An Announcement and a BIG prayer request!

For the past several months I have been guarding a secret. A big one---one that has to do with something very little in need of some BIG prayer.

This summer we found out I’m pregnant! 

Yeah, yeah… a lot of you called it with my coffee strike. That was actually the day I found out. The likelihood of me being pregnant was soooooo slim, I’d been discounting all the signs. IMPOSSIBLE!

Well, God likes to work in the business of all things impossible. This baby had a .8 (point eight) percent chance from the start. If you all remember my miscarriage/pseudo-heart attack/kidney failure last year (You can read about it here) you might remember that they advised I NOT get pregnant to protect my one very unique kidney from shutting down---as it would have had I not lost the last baby. Without getting into all the nitty-gritty personal details, they expected I might lose this baby too.

But… this little fighter survived. They ALSO told me, that on top of the less than one percent chance of conception, and the subsequent possibility of another miscarriage, the medication I was on for my kidney (A BIG no-no for pregnancy---and the reason we were using such sure measures of prevention) should have also ended the pregnancy.

All that to say, this baby is a MIRACLE!  

You can plan your life down to the detail, you can do all you can to be in control…. But the plain, and AMAZING truth of it is, God is BIGGER! His plan is bigger.

And we are trusting in that plan, and in the miraculous work He started first when He saved my life as a baby, and again when He spared my life by taking my child home last year…

And NOW… since this pregnancy poses a lot of dangers for my life.

LONG story short and simplified---We’ve made it into the second trimester now. And we’ve been advised that we need to keep me healthy and get this baby as far along in the pregnancy as we can before my blood pressure rises too high and my kidney starts to fail, which could happen at any time. At that point, they will have to deliver the baby. We are already 16 weeks, and viability is 26. The longer we wait, the better it will be for the baby, and the higher the risk becomes for me.

So, we could really use some prayer in the coming weeks. We are not afraid. We know that God’s got this. That He doesn’t do things halfway. And we are standing on the promises in His word and the power of our testimony. We can’t wait to see what He has in store for this little one!!!

Warriors: Some specific prayer needs

-For the baby’s kidneys to develop normally and remain unaffected by the medication that was discontinued late.

-For my kidney function to remain in the black until at least 30 weeks or more.

-For my tolerance to the medications as they tend to have difficult side-effects.

-For my blood pressure (which is already on the rise and will naturally spike more as the pregnancy progresses) to be controlled by the meds and manageable until it’s safe for the baby.

-For wisdom for my team of docs.

-For peace to take it all in stride.

-For energy for me to continue to care for my rambunctious kiddos.

-And maybe.... for a girl!

Thank you! We love you!

Rick, Amy, Kael, Rafe, and Baby Simpson.

Extra, Extra! Review and GIVEAWAY for Candace Calvert's Rescue Team

If you’ve ever read a Candace Calvert novel you know that there is just something insatiable about them. With a supporting cast of characters that are always quirky and fun, to heroes that I would challenge any living-breathing female to deny to love, all wrapped up in gripping stores that will keep you glued to the pages late into the night.

As I have come to expect from one of my favorite authors, Calvert dishes up a Texas-styled medical drama in Rescue Team that puts Grey’s and ER to shame.

Jaded Kate Callison, interim ER director at Grace Medical, is running from her past and desperately seeking a place to belong. She might come off a little stiff at first but Kate’s journey of redemption will have you in tears.

And then there’s Wes Tanner. Insert swoon. Selfless and tender. Macho and funny. This guy is the hero you want fighting through the woods to rescue you. The guy you want to dance with you under the stars. He’s almost too good to be true, despite the wounds that keep him from being truly free of the past. And if I can picture him with that twinge of a southern accent I just melt into a happy little puddle.

What I love most about Candace Calvert, aside from her obvious talent for weaving descriptions, points of views, and storylines with a seamless and effortless elegance, is that she not afraid to tackle tough issues. Rescue Team will challenge your view of forgiveness, inspire you with the astounding truth about grace, and literally entertain your socks off!

Don’t miss out on this irresistible read by real-life trauma nurse Candace Calvert. And if you haven’t read book one Trauma Plan drop what you are doing and run to your nearest bookstore! It’s my favorite! Though, I suppose, since the hero looks almost exactly like my husband I might be a teensy bit partial!

Well, what do you think? If you're not sold read the book. :)

I can not wait for the next installment in this series. Fair warning: If you pick up a Candace Calvert novel prepare to get hooked!

YOUR TURN: Since there are so many good looking books hitting the shelves, what's on top of your to be read pile? 

Maybe it should be Rescue Team!

Leave a comment AND your email address before 12 P.M, CST on Friday May 3rd and you could win a copy of this fabulous read! 

I Can't Get No Satisfaction

As I’m certain all of you know by now, life is, well . . . hard. Busy. Hectic. Stressful. Exhausting.

There are countless distractions that steal my time and my focus away from my Source. And often enough, my Source starts to feel like a side dish, and then maybe a dessert, or just an occasional splurge. It’s much more difficult to notice just a pound or two. Most often it’s only when you’re completely out of shape that you start to realize how horrendous your diet has become.

As a mother of two wild-child toddlers, most days when I catch my reflection in the mirror I have one of those “Whoa!” moments. As in “Whoa, sister, what the heck happened to you? You used to be kinda cute and, well, skinny, with unlined skin and an almost perpetual grin. 

When did I lose my focus? When did I become complacent? How did I get so out of shape?

With everything in me I want to be desperate for God. But am I? And how, with the kids and the bills, and a marriage, and relationships, and writing, and blogging, and facebook, and church, and missions, and . . . (you get the idea), do I find time to indulge in Him?

In my heart I’m not trying to simply perform or look good on paper so that others might commend my holiness. Ick! Even just thinking that makes me all itchy with the hypocrisy of it all. Legalism. Empty works. Going through the motions.

That is not how I want to glorify the God that is my very breath. The God who has blessed me with this wonderfully exhausting home and family. The God who has never abandoned me even in my darkest, desert nights.

So why do I feel like a snail wiggling inch by inch up an endlessly long and treacherous mountain when, in reality, I know that I will never reach that ideal peak. There is no perfection to be had here. There is no earthy destination where I will have done everything God has for me to do and then I can just dust off my hands, kick up my feet, and wait to see his Glory face-to-face.

Since my efforts very often fall short and leave me filled with frustration, am I bringing Him any glory at all?

A few weeks ago at church my uber-awesome Pastor said something that stuck all over me like winter static. He said:

God is most glorified in you when you are satisfied in Him.

Man, it really got me thinking  . . . Am I satisfied? My life is great, but am I so caught up in my daily struggles that I’m left wanting more without the energy to even cry out for it?

This profound thought has been tooling around in my brain for a few weeks, and yet, I'm not convinced I know how to be fully satisfied with where I am at. Every day is a battle. From the unique struggles that we are facing with our children, to the constant financial battle of getting ahead, and the challenges of my husbands dreadful job, I feel like we are simply pushing through the junk in hopes of the day when things won't be quite so difficult.

But that really just means that we are missing out on what God is trying to teach us right now. Missing out on time that we will never get back. And failing to see that regardless of our circumstances, we are called by God to be a light today. To show his love, joy, grace, and compassion today. To seek him with everything we have, not tomorrow, or when life finally settles down (as if that will ever happen), but TODAY.

What do people see when they look at me? Do they see the snot-crusted mommy who hasn’t had a good nights sleep in almost four years? Or do they see a joyful servant of the Most High, blessed beyond belief and satisfied with the God that is always more than enough?

What about you? Are you shining with His Glory? Or are you so worn out that you can’t even reflect His goodness?

Regardless of your struggles, are you satisfied?