Blogs, Web Sites and such that I Dig Right Now

I adore my computer (Cali) and I love nothing more than to find true gems on the internet that make my life easier, more fun or richer...

Check these out if you feel the same:

1. http://www.youversion.com

YouVersion is an online Bible, and SO much more. There is an app so you can get it on your smart phone too. My fav thing about YouVerison is the parallel Bible feature. You can pull up Scripture and look at it in two versions side by side (for me it's always NIV and The Message).

2. www.picnik.com

I love taking pictures though I am NOT awesome at it and I don't have a fancy camera. What I do have is picnik.com (the poor man's Photoshop), and thus I can edit my photos in the coolest ways. Basic picnik is free. The upgrade (which I suggest) is only about $30/year. With this comes editing tools, text features, borders, collages, and tons of different photo effects. They even offer seasonal features....like at Halloween you can turn yourself into a ghoul. Fun, right?

Using picnik, I made this from a simple picture of a cross. It took like 10 minutes. Believe me, it's Mindy fool-proof.

3. http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com

This is a blog from a guy named Carlos Whitaker. He's a musician, creative visionary, tattoo enthusiast, adoption advocate and all around cool guy. I adore his authenticity as a believer and find his posts to be funny, compelling and thought-provoking. He has the "right touch" as a blogger, not making them too long, and balancing out his offerings btwn seriousness and levity. I get his posts sent to my inbox and I make time to read them, knowing I won't be disappointed.

and

4. http://nutritionponderings.blogspot.com/

this is a new blog written by a friend of mine (since 1st grade). She has a passion for nutrition, but she does not come off Nazi-esque with her views, but rather well-informed. She includes recipes and lot of helpful information about the "whys" of nutrition, and focuses a lot on how to feed our kiddos well.

Giselle, Bobby and June

Last night as I was tucking in my boys, my six year old said this: "Mom, you're a fashion model."

As I stood there in work scrubs and a black fleece, glasses and chapped lips, I laughed one of those laughs, that had my mouth been full of a drink, I would've spewed it all over the room. Because, let's face it, Giselle Bundchen I am not. But I quickly recovered and hugged my son, because the little guy meant what he said.

Monday night, when I served my family soup for dinner (prep went something like this: boil water, add pre-made mix, simmer and stir), my oldest son said this: "Mom, you are the best chef ever." I secretly rolled my eyes, because Bobby Flay I am not. But again I recovered and smiled at him, because he too, meant what he said.

And then there's my hubs who must have a built-in sensor. Because just when I am in a melancholic trance, surveying our dirty house and mounds of laundry, he'll say something like this: "Thanks for all you do to keep our lives running smoothly." And I want to yell at him and tell him can't you see how I am so not June Cleaver? But I refrain, because he also means what he says.

I think the 3 boys in my life are getting something right here... Isn't there a saying that happiness is wanting what you already have, or something to that effect? Granted I am not Giselle, Bobby or June, but my family treats me like I am, and in doing so might even sometimes make me feel like I am. And the only reason they feel compelled to offer such props is because they love me and they want the mom/wife that they already have.

And even though my temptation in response to such kuddos is to "do the wonderwoman" (deflect all compliments that come my way with my special gold cuffs), I do my best to embrace their words, because there is something so amazing about being wanted (shortcomings and all).

So maybe we'd all be better off if we viewed the things we have, the people in our lives, the jobs we work, the houses in which we live, as prized commodities; gifts; something to be desired? Maybe if we could get past thinking the "grass is always greener," we could really see the merits of the grass in our own front yard and start appreciating it and maybe even wanting it...