And the answer is...

Drumroll please......

I've had a few guesses as to the false statement in the previous post. 
David T. suggested that they were all true. :)
Ruth V. said - "I almost moved to an island in Alaska."
Kristin V. submitted - "I didn't get my license until I was 18."
Kathryn J. kept her submission secret but said she's sure of the answer. 

I'm sure you're all on pins and needles waiting for the answer. So without further ado...  

The one false statement is "I was homeschooled all my life." 

So that makes all the other ones true! (You might want to read through that list again...)

I doubt some of you will be shocked, but I was considered a serious dork back in the day. I was and still am a book-nerd. Words and the use or disuse of them is very important to me. I have a continuous grammar-check and spell-check going in my brain. Since having kids, it has calmed some, but every now and then my nerd-self has a flare-up. :) Writing and striving for the perfect blend of words to illustrate an idea in bold color make for more flare-ups. I think it's just who I am. 

It took long enough, but I'm finally okay with my nerdiness! I'm not cool - I'm just me. :)

The exercise of writing this list came from my recent journey of coming to terms with my life experiences. I'm sure there are, at the very least, several posts in there somewhere! Some are difficult, some are sweet, some heart-wrenching, some have long-term side-effects, some are the best things ever, some (like my hair in school pics) I'd rather never think about again... but sifting through each one has been good - hard - but in the end good. 

In fact, I'd highly recommend it. 

Make a list of facts about your life. Facts that some people may know or not know. Stuff maybe you've never said before. Compile it. Look at it. Read it. Those things make up who you are today. For better or worse. Look at it and see beyond those things the God of the universe who loves you.

God is not limited by your experiences. If He was, well let's just say He wouldn't be God. But since He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords - He's BIG enough to even orchestrate the events in your life to create the person you are now. Taking the pieces of yourself you don't like out of His tapestry would leave ugly gaps and spaces. He has designed you and even used your worst moments to show His power. 

Let God be God. We're not.
He has the ultimate right over your life - and He's better at it. :) 

So as you're "Carpe Diem-ing" and dancing in the rain... remember He's still working because He loves to take messed up people and show His glory! 

Confessions from a Children's Book Junkie

Wallace’s Lists 

by Barbara Bottner and Gerald Kruglik

“Wallace, a mouse, could do almost anything. Anything, that is, as long as he had a list.

1.    Wallace is a shy mouse.

2.   He writes lists. Lists of recipes, funny words, and frightening experiences.

3.    Wallace meets his lively neighbor Albert.

4.    His world is swiftly opened to new delights, such as painting and music.

5.    Wallace and Albert experience the excitement of an adventure, and Wallace discovers a new joy…

6.    Friendship”

The above quote comes from the inside cover of this amazing children’s book.  I found this little morsel at our local library and while reading it to my boys, almost laughed out loud!  This book accurately depicts me and my husband. I’m Wallace and He’s Albert. J

My favorite section from the book is the following:

“I changed my mind.” Albert boasted.

Wallace was dumbfounded.

“Changing my mind is an adventure,” Albert explained.

“I don’t like adventures,” said Wallace.

“An adventure can be anything. Anything that isn’t planned for.”

“You mean anything that isn’t on a list?” asked Wallace.

“Exactly!” said Albert.

“Do you ever use a map?” Wallace continued. “I have lots of maps!”

“I don’t need maps,” said Albert, “because wherever I go, there I am.”

“But what if you get lost?”

“Being lost is automatically an adventure!” cried Albert.

“Suppose you get lost and then fall down and hurt yourself?”

“I pick myself up and keep going,” replied Albert.

“When I get in an accident, it makes me feel better to write a list,” said Wallace.

I read this to Mike but could hardly read coherently we were laughing so hard!  When we were dating, Mike would come pick me up in Chicago and go wherever we had to that weekend. There was no GPS back then so he’d just ask what direction we’d need to go. I’d tell him a rough estimate “North Arlington Heights area” and along a particular road and off we’d go. Mike’s Mapless Adventures they were. It was how I came to trust his sense of direction. He was always within a couple miles of where we needed to be.

I’m Wallace. I’m sorry to admit it at times, but it is the truth. There’s nothing better than a good list! Checking off things on my list is even better. J I don’t like things not planned. It bothers me to no end to not know what is going on when I’m stressed about something coming up. I’ve intentionally structured our home to run with routines… putting dirty laundry in the sorting bins as you take off your clothes, clearing your dishes when you’re finished eating, putting your glasses in one spot so you won’t have to play Hide N Seek with them when the bus will show up in less than 5 minutes… things like that. As with anything, a great strength can be your greatest weakness. Lists ignored and routines breached can make me feel rather Autistic at times. I feel out of control and the need to cling to something familiar. I rather understand Wallace’s need to write a list when he’s had an accident – even if it’s just a list of what could’ve happened to turn perspective on its head.

If you’re reading this and you happen to know Mike and I, separately or together, you’ll immediately understand the insane humor of the quote I listed previously. Enjoy reading it again to yourself… along with the irony of two mice talking about adventure and making lists. Oh, and if you want to find out what happens to Wallace and Albert, you'll have pick up this little gem at your library! Happy Reading!!

As for me, I think this book will be my next acquisition to my children’s book library.

Maybe I’ll add it to my Book List.