Showing posts with label Finish the Sentence Friday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Finish the Sentence Friday. Show all posts

Thursday, June 12, 2014

To My Three Dads with Linky

Welcome to my weekend blog hop -
Make My Saturday Sweet #86!


I have three dads who all play an important role in my life and my family's. My first dad is my biological father. He was there from the beginning. He watched me grow up into a young lady and helped me find my way into missions. It was on the mission field where I met my husband. When I got married, I gained a father-in-law. Later, my parents divorced. Both of them eventually remarried. That is how I gained a step-dad.

The letter below is to my three dads:

Dear Dads,

Thank you for being a part of my life. Thank you for all your care and help along the way. Thanks to each of you for being a unique grandfather to the kids. My life is richer, because of you. I wish all three of you a wonderful Father's Day!



I thought this was the perfect Father's Day graphic
in light of the Soccer World Cup in Brasil. Who
watched the colorful opening ceremony on TV?


Image Courtesy of ZingerBug.com


Linking with Friendship Friday

*********************

Don't miss the special feature that I
did on my husband for Father's Day!


*********************

Make My Saturday Sweet is a weekend blog hop for all family friendly blogs. You are welcome to link your favorite post from the past week(s) and to visit the last link before yours and leave a sweet comment. It's a really easy and fun way to make new friends and to catch up on old acquaintances.

Now on to my blog hop...

Amanda’s Books and More

It's time for another Make My Saturday Sweet blog hop!

Join me (your host) for this fun and easy hop.
All family friendly blogs are welcome!

If you host your own blog hop(s), then feel free to
link them on my Blog Hops page!

I would love for you to follow me on

Here are the easy rules:
  • Follow Tina (your host) on one or more links listed above.
  • Link up a post from your family friendly blog.
  • Please try to add my hop button on your post or side-bar.
  • Share about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.
  • Visit the last link before yours and leave a sweet comment.
Blog Button Code:

Amanda’s Books and More

This is a blog hop!

Read More

Thursday, May 29, 2014

My Favorite Way to Exercise and More!

Welcome to my weekend blog hop -
Make My Saturday Sweet #84!

My favorite way to exercise is taking the dog for a walk. I'm really not a very brave person when it comes to exercise. I like my comforts more. Usually, if one of Amanda's older siblings join me, then it becomes a great way to have a little one-on-one time and to chat about whatever. All of Amanda's siblings are teenagers.

The photos below are of a recent walk that I took with Amanda and our dog, Benny. You can click on the images to view them larger.






Linking with:

Friendship Friday


*********************

Check out my latest book review of this exciting
new middle-grade action/adventure fantasy series!



*********************

Make My Saturday Sweet is a weekend blog hop for all family friendly blogs. You are welcome to link your favorite post from the past week(s) and to visit the last link before yours and leave a sweet comment. It's a really easy and fun way to make new friends and to catch up on old acquaintances.

Now on to my blog hop...

Amanda’s Books and More

It's time for another Make My Saturday Sweet blog hop!

Join me (your host) for this fun and easy hop.
All family friendly blogs are welcome!

If you host your own blog hop(s), then feel free to
link them on my Blog Hops page!

I would love for you to follow me on

Here are the easy rules:
  • Follow Tina (your host) on one or more links listed above.
  • Link up a post from your family friendly blog.
  • Please try to add my hop button on your post or side-bar.
  • Share about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.
  • Visit the last link before yours and leave a sweet comment.
Blog Button Code:

Amanda’s Books and More

This is a blog hop!
Read More

Friday, May 16, 2014

My Family, My Home and More

Welcome to my weekend blog hop -
Make My Saturday Sweet #82!

To make this hop successful, be sure to visit the last two
links before yours and leave a sweet comment. Also,
share this hop via Twitter, Facebook or Google+.

Today I am linking with
Finish the Sentence Friday
and Friendship Friday

"The nicest thing anyone ever did for me was..."

...to buy us a house. And, it's a really good
house with beautiful views and a swimming pool.
It's also an income property with a two-bedroom
flat downstairs that has always been rented out.


You don't have to buy me a house for me to
notice a kindness. In fact, when I first
saw the sentence to finish this week, I
wasn't sure what I was going to write.
I appreciate the small things people have
done for me and usually tell them so.

So, you might be wondering who would by us a
house. It was my mom-in-law. This house
has been a huge blessing. Here are some
photos to give you a glimpse of my home.

My in-laws came to visit for
my birthday, 2012

Jeremiah and Hubby, 2012
This is in the front of our home.

Samantha, 2012
Another picture from the front

Amanda, 2012
The covered balcony and view

Jessica and Amanda, 2012

Amanda, 2012

Bougainvillea from my garden, 2012
The view from my kitchen window


*********************

Don't forget to check out
my latest two book reviews
on Mrs. D's Book Blast
and the $50 giveaway!

The Trees Have Hearts

*********************

Make My Saturday Sweet is a weekend blog hop for all family friendly blogs. You are welcome to link your favorite post from the past week(s) and to visit the two links before yours and leave them a comment to make their "Saturday Sweet"! It's really easy and a fun way to make new friends and to catch up on old acquaintances.

Now on to my blog hop...

Amanda’s Books and More

It's time for another Make My Saturday Sweet blog hop!

Join me (your host) for this fun and easy hop.
All family friendly blogs are welcome!

If you host your own blog hop(s), then feel free to
link them on my Blog Hops page!

I would love for you to follow me on

Here are the easy rules:
  • Follow Tina (your host) on one or more links listed above.
  • Link up your family friendly blog.
  • Please try to add my hop button on your linked post or on your side-bar.
  • Share about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.
  • Visit at least the last two blogs before your link and leave a comment.
Blog Button Code:

Amanda’s Books and More

This is a blog hop!

Read More

Friday, May 9, 2014

Happy Mother's Day and Weekend Linky

Welcome to my weekend blog hop -
Make My Saturday Sweet #81!

To make this hop successful, be sure to visit the last two
links before yours and leave a sweet comment. Also,
share this hop via Twitter, Facebook or Google+.

Image and Text by Tina Morley


Dear Mom (Lisa),

Thank you for being the best mom a girl
could have. Thank you for listening and
always being there for me. Thank you for
a being a cool grandma too! The miles
may separate us, but not our hearts.

Love,
Tina


Dear Mom (Ann),

Thank you for being a wonderful mom-in-law.
Thank you for all that you've done for me.
Thank you that I don't need to impress you
or Dad with great meals, especially since
cooking is not my passion, but it is yours.
Thanks for being an awesome grandma too!

Love,
Tina


Dear Mom (Naty),

Thank you for being a loving step-mom
and grandma, and for loving my dad.
Because of the miles, we haven't see each
other often, but I appreciate the times
we have had. I especially remember
last summer when we got to spend a
moment of one-on-one time at the sauna.
It meant a lot to me.

Love,
Tina


Linking with
and

Free Facebook Orkut and My Space Mothers Day Graphics Glitters
Orkut Facebook Myspace Mothers Day Comments & Graphics

Free Orkut and My Space Mothers Day  Graphics Glitters
Orkut Myspace Mothers Day Comments & Graphics

Free Orkut Facebook and My Space Mothers Day Graphics Glitters
Orkut Facebook Myspace Mothers Day Comments & Graphics

Free Orkut Facebook and My Space Mothers Day Graphics Glitters
Orkut Facebook Myspace Mothers Day Comments & Graphics

*********************

Make My Saturday Sweet is a weekend blog hop for all family friendly blogs. You are welcome to link your favorite post from the past week(s) and to visit the two links before yours and leave them a comment to make their "Saturday Sweet"! It's really easy and a fun way to make new friends and to catch up on old acquaintances.

Now on to my blog hop...

Amanda’s Books and More

It's time for another Make My Saturday Sweet blog hop!

Join me (your host) for this fun and easy hop.
All family friendly blogs are welcome!

If you host your own blog hop(s), then feel free to
link them on my Blog Hops page!

I would love for you to follow me on

Here are the easy rules:
  • Follow Tina (your host) on one or more links listed above.
  • Link up your family friendly blog.
  • Please try to add my hop button on your linked post or on your side-bar.
  • Share about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.
  • Visit at least the last two blogs before your link and leave a comment.
Blog Button Code:

Amanda’s Books and More

This is a blog hop!
Read More

Friday, April 25, 2014

My Best Decision in Life and Weekend Blog Hop

Welcome to my weekend blog hop -
Make My Saturday Sweet #79!

To make this hop successful, be sure to visit the last two
links before yours and leave a sweet comment. Also,
share this hop via Twitter, Facebook or Google+.

*********************

This is Jeremiah in his high school uniform.
It's his matric (senior) year in South Africa.


*********************

Friendship Friday
Anything Goes

and

Finish the Sentence Friday
"The best decision I ever made..."


...was to fall in love with God. When I am motivated by the love that flows from the heart of God, then my actions are a testimony to that love. It helps me to be the person that I am today and it helps me to make wise decisions.

I have a wonderful husband who made the same choice when he was a young adult. Together we are building our home on a good foundation, the Rock of Jesus. That does not mean that we are perfect. We acknowledge our faults and apologize regularly.

Here's a poem I wrote a few years ago:



Let my home be a safe haven
One to be counted among the best
May its walls build hope and its floors mercy
And may its rooms offer peace and rest

May its roof be a symbol of protection
May its ceilings teach us Your ways
And may the gates stand for honor
Together adding joy to our days

by Christina Morley

You can find my poems on
Consider the Lilies Poetry.


Also linking with Essential Fridays

*********************

Make My Saturday Sweet is a weekend blog hop for all family friendly blogs. You are welcome to link your favorite post from the past week(s) and to visit the two links before yours and leave them a comment to make their "Saturday Sweet"! It's really easy and a fun way to make new friends and to catch up on old acquaintances.

Now on to my blog hop...

Amanda’s Books and More

It's time for another Make My Saturday Sweet blog hop!

Join me (your host) for this fun and easy hop.
All family friendly blogs are welcome!

If you host your own blog hop(s), then feel free to
link them on my Blog Hops page!

I would love for you to follow me on

Here are the easy rules:
  • Follow Tina (your host) on one or more links listed above.
  • Link up your family friendly blog.
  • Please try to add my hop button on your linked post or on your side-bar.
  • Share about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.
  • Visit at least the last two blogs before your link and leave a comment.
Blog Button Code:

Amanda’s Books and More

This is a blog hop!

Read More

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Time Travel and a Blog Hop

Welcome to my weekend blog hop -
Make My Saturday Sweet #77!

To make this hop successful, be sure to visit the last two
links before yours and leave a sweet comment. Also,
share this hop via Twitter, Facebook or Google+.

*********************



Finish the Sentence Friday
"If I could go back in time..."

... I wouldn't. Why would I want to play God and perhaps mess things up or change outcomes that could possibly become worse? 

That doesn't mean that I don't like fiction and stories that include time-travel. I enjoy good fiction and time-travel has definitely inspired some great stories.

Here's a quote from the Bible that helps me keep on keeping on, without trying to change the past:

"...Suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us" (Romans 5:3-5).

*********************

Friendship Friday
Anything Goes


Check out my latest book review on Dragon's Curse, by H. L. Burke. It's fantasy writing at it's best. I enjoyed the book so much that I finished it in one day!



*********************

Make My Saturday Sweet is a weekend blog hop for all family friendly blogs. You are welcome to link your favorite post from the past week(s) and to visit the two links before yours and leave them a comment to make their "Saturday Sweet"! It's really easy and a fun way to make new friends and to catch up on old acquaintances.

Now on to my blog hop...

Amanda’s Books and More

It's time for another Make My Saturday Sweet blog hop!

Join me (your host) for this fun and easy hop.
All family friendly blogs are welcome!

If you host your own blog hop(s), then feel free to
link them on my Blog Hops page!

I would love for you to follow me on

Here are the easy rules:
  • Follow Tina (your host) on one or more links listed above.
  • Link up your family friendly blog.
  • Please try to add my hop button on your linked post or on your side-bar.
  • Share about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.
  • Visit at least the last two blogs before your link and leave a comment.
Blog Button Code:

Amanda’s Books and More

This is a blog hop!

Read More

Thursday, March 20, 2014

I'm Done with School, But...

Welcome to my weekend blog hop -
Make My Saturday Sweet #74!

To make this hop successful, be sure to visit the last two
links before yours and leave them a sweet comment. Also,
share about this hop via Twitter, Facebook or Google+.

Today I'm combining two
Friday link party prompts.


Friendship Friday
Today's Theme:

Anything Goes

and

Finish the Sentence Friday
"I'm done with school, but..."

...I keep on learning. In fact, I think learning is more fun away from the typical sitting-at-a-desk-in-a-classroom environment. I learn better trying it for myself. And, the information can't be static, but must be relevant to my life now.

I'm a self-taught blogger, for example. I'm also a self-taught cook, baker, and no, I'm not a candle-stick maker, although I have made a few candles in the past. I've tried a lot of things. Some things I enjoy more than others. Some things I'm quite good at and some things are best left to others. I have traveled to over 40 countries and have lived on 3 continents. Stuff like that you have to experience for yourself.

It's interesting that this was the sentence to finish this week, because two weeks ago, I was talking to a class of 4th graders about the value of learning and how learning doesn't only happen in the classroom. I read to them a few stories and gave them a neat quote and a couple of Bible verses. (You are still allowed to talk about God, the Bible and Christianity in many of the schools in South Africa, thankfully. In fact, this was their religion or Bible period.) The Chinese Proverb was "Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere." I gave them a quick English lesson to remind them how to know when to use "its" and when to use "it's." Then I went on to ask them what their treasures were. I followed it up with these Bible verses: Matt. 6:21, Prov 7:1-4 and Is. 50:4&5.


Go ahead and grab my Chinese proverb above and pin it on your pinterest board. I know you want to. I even have a "Pin it" button in my sidebar to make it easier.


*********************

Make My Saturday Sweet is a weekend blog hop for all family friendly blogs. You are welcome to link your favorite post from the past week(s) and to visit the two links before yours and leave them a comment to make their "Saturday Sweet"! It's really easy and a fun way to make new friends and to catch up on old acquaintances.


Now on to my blog hop...

Amanda’s Books and More

It's time for another Make My Saturday Sweet blog hop!

Join me (your host) for this fun and easy hop.
All family friendly blogs are welcome!

If you host your own blog hop(s), then feel free to
link them on my Blog Hops page!

I would love for you to follow me on

Here are the easy rules:
  • Follow Tina (your host) on one or more links listed above.
  • Link up your family friendly blog.
  • Please try to add my hop button on your linked post or on your side-bar.
  • Share about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.
  • Visit at least the last two blogs before your link and leave a comment.
Blog Button Code:

Amanda’s Books and More

This is a blog hop!

Read More

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Spilling My Frustration and a Blog Hop

Welcome to my weekend blog hop -
Make My Saturday Sweet #72!

To make this hop successful, be sure to visit the last two
links before yours and leave them a sweet comment. Also,
share about this hop via Twitter, Facebook or Google+.

Today I'm combining two
Friday link party prompts.


Friendship Friday
Today's Theme:

Anything Goes

and

Finish the Sentence Friday
"What I really want to
scream out loud is..."


...that I'm frustrated and I want to move! I'm frustrated with being held captive by people's cultures! I've spent the past 19 years living amongst people who stick with their own friends and family and who won't venture out to meet new people. I have tried many times from my side to reach out, but people just aren't interested. I'm the foreigner, and my husband, although South African, is from another culture. Neither of us “fit in.”

It’s been hard for my husband who’s an introvert, so you can imagine it’s been even harder for me who’s a bubbly extrovert. Special friendships are few and far between. Thankfully, we are in an English, non-denominational house church where we get to have a bit of fellowship every Sunday morning. Our kids have done much better, because they have grown up here and made friends at school.

To make things clear, since we got married, we have only lived in two towns in South Africa. Both of them are very similar, but they can't be compared to the rest of the country. I've heard that I could probably make friends more easily in Cape Town or Johannesburg. I've also heard that the people in Johannesburg don't need a special invitation to visit friends and that popping in is quite acceptable, which it's not in our town.

I'm ready to move, but we have kids at school and three pets. The kids and the pets are happy here. My son is in his last year of high school. The school year began in January and ends in December. It's important that he finishes strong and has good memories of grade 12. We'll just have to wait and see what we decide after that.

*********************

Make My Saturday Sweet is a weekend blog hop for all family friendly blogs. You are welcome to link your favorite post from the past week(s) and to visit the two links before yours and leave them a comment to make their "Saturday Sweet"! It's really easy and a fun way to make new friends and to catch up on old acquaintances.


Now on to my blog hop...

Amanda’s Books and More

It's time for another Make My Saturday Sweet blog hop!

Join me (your host) for this fun and easy hop.
All family friendly blogs are welcome!

If you host your own blog hop(s), then feel free to
link them on my Blog Hops page!

I would love for you to follow me on

Here are the easy rules:
  • Follow Tina (your host) on one or more links listed above.
  • Link up your family friendly blog.
  • Please try to add my hop button on your linked post or on your side-bar.
  • Share about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.
  • Visit at least the last two blogs before your link and leave a comment.
Blog Button Code:

Amanda’s Books and More

This is a blog hop!
Read More

Friday, February 28, 2014

Amanda's Birthday and More!

Amanda turned 6 today!
Happy Birthday my sweet girl!


Welcome to my weekend blog hop -
Make My Saturday Sweet #71!

To make this hop successful, be sure to visit the last two
links before yours and leave them a sweet comment. Also,
share about this hop via Twitter, Facebook or Google+.


Friendship Friday
The Letter "H"

and

Finish the Sentence Friday
"The most unexpected part
about being a grownup is..."


A professional photographer took this photo of my kids
Samantha, Jeremiah, Jessica and Amanda

Today I'm answering both link party prompts in one.

H stands for Happy Moms, Happy Homes
my eBook and blog.

I never thought that being a mom would be as tough as it was, so I began writing. It was an outlet for me. Here's an excerpt from Happy Moms, Happy Homes:

Motherhood

As a mother you have the highest calling in life, but even so there will probably be days when you feel alone and unappreciated. The “heartbeat” of “Happy Moms, Happy Homes” is to let you know that you are not alone and that no matter what you’re going through, there is Someone who wants to go through it with you.

I was often disappointed when I couldn’t create the perfect family environment. For instance, I would take extra trouble to cook a special meal, and my toddlers would refuse to eat it. Similarly, we would go on a family outing and all they seemed to do was cry. When these kinds of things didn’t turn out as I had pictured them in my mind, I would feel crushed.

Since then I have come to learn that the absence of trials is not what produces a happy family environment. Instead, it’s achieved every time I’m not shaken when trials come my way. I may not embrace them, but I’ve come to accept them. What is out of my control is still under God’s control. He’s there to comfort and guide me.

Hardly anyone welcomes trials, but the truth is that God allows even trials to shape our lives. He does not want to harm us, but to enrich us. The Bible promises that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance produces character; and character produces hope. It goes on to say that this hope will not disappoint us, because His love is poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 5:3-5). Knowing this, you don’t have to go under when you feel you’re going down. Just keep reminding yourself that God allows difficult times to change you, but not to break you.

Trust the leadership of His Spirit and watch Him go to work in your life, your marriage, your family, and your world. Never give up. Run the kind of race that is pleasing to God, which is to have an open and honest relationship with Him. Then you will reach the goal and gain that prize!

Poem “Blue Ribbon”
You might not receive a blue ribbon
at the end of the day
And being a mother is not
a job that will pay
But your reward is the journey
every step of the way
And “Well done!” are the words
that my Father will say.

by Christina Morley


*********************

Make My Saturday Sweet is a weekend blog hop for all family friendly blogs. You are welcome to link your favorite post from the past week(s) and to visit the two links before yours and leave them a comment to make their "Saturday Sweet"! It's really easy and a fun way to make new friends and to catch up on old acquaintances.


Now on to my blog hop...

Amanda’s Books and More

It's time for another Make My Saturday Sweet blog hop!

Join me (your host) for this fun and easy hop.
All family friendly blogs are welcome!

If you host your own blog hop(s), then feel free to
link them on my Blog Hops page!

I would love for you to follow me on

Here are the easy rules:
  • Follow Tina (your host) on one or more links listed above.
  • Link up your family friendly blog.
  • Please try to add my hop button on your linked post or on your side-bar.
  • Share about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.
  • Visit at least the last two blogs before your link and leave a comment.
Blog Button Code:

Amanda’s Books and More

This is a blog hop!

Read More

© 2011 Amanda's Books and More, AllRightsReserved.

Designed by ScreenWritersArena