Audra Jennings

@BacheloretteABC on Twitter From the previews, it might get a little more tense on The Bachelorette: The Men Tell All tonight. It's usually oversold, but it might actually be good. They actually let DeMario on. Wasn't sure after the Bachelor in Paradise ordeal if that would happen. Before anything goes down, we have to sit through a  most memorable moments countdown. The #1 moment was Ashley and JP's gender reveal ultrasound. Then an overview of the drama for the entire season between the men. Lots of bleeping, name call and accusations. It reminds me how I didn't really like anyone. I especially hated Lee. All the guys cheer on Kenny after the clips with Lee. Chris asks Blake and Lucas (Whaboom) about their drama first. They didn't like each other from the get go. They start bickering and Iggy explains this is what it was like the whole time. DeMario defends himself in regards to having a girlfriend by saying he texts a lot of women. That doesn't me

I randomly pulled this video from four years ago for this week's Sunday video. This was from a day where they were driving me crazy, yet they were actually doing better with answering questions than the bunch was answering the questions I asked this week. I started making a video of this week, but one kid was hiding behind a songbook, another had their eyes shut singing their heart out, but singing her own set of words, and I thought you would have heard too much of me, so I didn't upload it. I don't want to hear me, and I don't think you want to hear me. I think Peyton, (second to the left) picked this song because "Sanctuary" is one of her favorites. On the old post, I noted she didn't really approve of the way I taught it. Because she was and is bossy. I had the boys and girls learn the song without parts. 

I had to borrow this picture from Peyton's Facebook page where she got it from the person who took it. Everyone just thought they were finished with softball for the season. However, they got into a "Midnight Madness" tournament. That's a tournament that starts at 6 PM and goes all night long. I think pool games went through 2 AM, then they started a single elimination bracket. I'm not completely sure as I only made it one game. Their first was at 7:15. They played about 45 minutes, then had to wait another hour and 15 minutes to play again. I didn't mind watching a game at 9:30 PM, but didn't want to sit around and wait given I needed to work on and study for my lesson to teach for tomorrow. The parents seemed to think it was as nuts as I did, so I'm not sure how they agreed to the idea. Even if it didn't go into Sunday morning when I needed to be at church, I wouldn't have made it all night. All I can claim is I watched them win one.

This work week has been a certifiable doozy. I can't tell you about it though. Some things could fill a blog's worth of material, I assure you. I just can't make it public which is a shame because I haven't had good blogging material in ages and ages. Sometimes I don't have material because I live a boring life. Other times, I can't blog about stuff because I just can't blog about stuff. Then, I have to make up stuff to back post when I finally sit down to work on my blog. I keep trying to post daily because I believe someday my blog will be decent again. Not great (because it probably never was), just decent. Thankfully, Peyton had a free evening, and I did finally make good on a promise to take her shopping. We first started talking about it in April about going shopping. I also promised to take her out to eat for her birthday which was July 6, and three weeks after the fact she finally got her cheese enchiladas and a birthday present. Quality time!

I went to an estate sale auction because that's evidently the thing to do on Thursday nights here in town. For various reasons, I've missed the past couple though my mom has added to her glass collection. I put the first bid in on an antique desk when I should have waited for the bid to start lower. I was the only one to bid. I probably could have gotten it for $15 instead of $25. Now I have another painting project. Tell me, when I'm going to have time for that! No telling what color it will end up. I'll post pictures once I get a chance to work on it. It may be a while though!

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Karla Akins’ sons, her pair of miracles, are proof of what is possible through God According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated one in 68 children has been identified with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Although a growing number of parents face similar circumstances, many still feel isolated and alone. In A Pair of Miracles: A Story of Autism, Faith, and Determined Parenting (Kregel Publications/July 25, 2017/ISBN: 9780825444845/$14.99), author Karla Akins , the mother of twin sons with autism, offers encouragement and reassurance. It was not long after Akins and her husband brought their adopted sons home from the hospital they realized the boys were not behaving and developing as they should. A few months later they learned the boys were on the fetal alcohol disorders spectrum, and by the time they were four, they were diagnosed with autism. Twenty years ago, autism was not as prevalent as it is today, and Akins admits she knew nothing a

We're getting close to the end! The three remaining men will meet Rachel's family this week. Normally this is the week of fantasy suite dates followed by two men meeting the parents, but I'm thankful for this change. They'll probably still have them by the time it's all said and done. Side note: Something I am not thankful is that Bachelor in Paradise was revived after the scandalous start and postponement. I still say I will not blog about it, but you know what I said about this season of The Bachelorette, and here we are. But, I digress. Tonight we are in Dallas. The men are staying at the Hilton Anatole. I know where that is. Not the point other than it's a place I could actually one day see in opposition to where they normally are. Rachel explains the change in the plan because her sister is 8 months pregnant and cannot fly to a location like the family normally does. This will still put the final two in some far off place. Peter goes on the first date

These guys sure have grown in the past couple of years. I haven't had a big group lately, but I'm going to make them do at least one video before promotion at the end of summer. I'm not sure how the group is going to shift based on how many kids are in which age group. I may have the same problem next school year! Right now there is only one kid who really likes to sing. Oh, she loves to sing. Loves to sing. Anyone in the auditorium on any given Sunday knows that. She needs a little reigning in though. ;) Who Did Swallow Jonah? Who did? Who did? Who did? Who did? Who did swallow Jo-Jo-Jonah? Who did? Who did? Who did? Who did? Who did swallow Jo-Jo-Jonah? Who did? Who did? Who did? Who did? Who did swallow Jo-Jo-Jonah? Who did swallow Jonah? Who did swallow Jonah? Who did swallow Jonah… Up? The whale did. The whale did. x2 The whale did swallow Jo-Jo-Jonah The whale did. The whale did. x2 The whale did swallow Jo-Jo-Jonah The whale

This week I haven't made it out to the craft room. My post yesterday was what I've done over the past couple of weeks. I've had other stuff going on this week. The only craft-related activity today was unloading the trailer after having it packed last weekend. Actually, some of the stuff had been in there over a month when we were going to do something that got rained out. It all doesn't even fit in the laundry room anymore. Well, actually, I guess it would except for the fact that boxes of books piled up as high as they would have to be piled up would be really hard to lift up and down without a fork lift. I had to stack some in my craft studio. Anyone want to order book initials? Lots and lots of book initials? I'll tell you how boring my Saturday was though. I've been way, way, way, embarrassingly way behind on reports for work, so I worked on copying and pasting and copying and pasting from spreadsheets into Word documents. That's after having to wre

Up until the last few weeks, I haven't been out in my art/craft studio lately. I have worked on some Christmas stuff already. In fact, I sold some Christmas stuff among the little that was sold last weekend, so I need to do some more. Yes, in middle of 100* July.  I have enjoyed doing something different though. It's our first year to do leaves. I like leaves and fall stuff. I've even made some stuff for the pumpkin spice lovers (not me).  Speaking of fall, I'm booking all our fall events. We sell in the fall, or at least we better. I've got tons and tons and tons of stuff I need to sell because we didn't sell in the spring and our summer event was meh. At least we know what fall events are good, and we're looking for more in our sweet spot. I'll post our schedule soon.

Peyton's softball team has been at the TTAS state tournament all week. They lost their second game of the tourney, but worked hard to win their next 5 and play in Thursday's championship. The came up just short, in second place. They played 8 games total to the other team's 5, including back-to-back games Thursday. Let me tell you 9 AM and 11 AM were plenty hot in July in Texas. They were at a disadvantage having to do that. While I wasn't able to make my way to Denison for the first three days, I got up bright and early to catch the last two games. Poor Peyton caught the whole game for 7 games and started the 8th one before her shoulder got the better of her. She was in pain, but I'm super proud!  

A true story of restoration and recovery,  Secrets  is the account of Jonathan Daugherty’s struggle with sex addiction and how, with God’s help, he overcame it.  His secret kept him from contentment, peace, and the possibility of being known and loved for who he truly is. Addiction doesn’t have the final say over Jonathan’s life or in his marriage. The God who finds the lost, heals the sick, and brings life from death has the last, victorious word. {MORE ABOUT  SECRETS } Secrets: A True Story of Addiction, Infidelity, and Second Chances  (New Growth Press, June 2017) Everyone has a secret or two, a part of their life they would rather not share with the rest of the world. But for Jonathan Daugherty, his secret was so life-altering and relationship-ending that he fought to keep it hidden at all costs. And it did cost him. His secret kept him from contentment, peace, and the possibility of being known and loved for who he truly is. That’s what any secret addiction can do—

What do you get when you mix World War II, a brave midwife, a wounded pilot, and a risky secret? Jeanne M. Dickson's new historical fiction novel,  Grounded Hearts .  When midwife Nan O’Neil finds a wounded young Canadian pilot at her door, she knows she’s taking a huge risk by letting him in. Still, something compels Nan to take in “flyboy” Dutch Whitney, an RAF pilot whose bomber has just crashed over County Clare. While she tends to his wounds and gives him a secret place of refuge, the two begin to form a mutual affection—and an unbreakable bond. Join Jeanne in celebrating the release of her new book by entering to win the Celtic Knots Giveaway!   One grand prize winner will receive: A copy of  Grounded Hearts A Claddagh bracelet A Claddagh jewelry box   Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on July 31.  The winner will be announced August 1 on the Litfuse blog . {MORE ABOUT  GROUNDED HEARTS } (Waterfall Press, J

From the previews alone, I think Rachel needs to flee all four men, their issues and their families. It looks like she's in for a whole lot of crazy on the hometown dates. First up is Eric in Baltimore.  Her first trip to Baltimore. His first time to bring a girl home to meet his family. He takes her to the "good part of the city," and warns her this is not where he grew up. She takes him into his family's neighborhood and passes a drug deal going down as they pass by. They go out on the basketball court where she cannot play in the shoes she has on. Eric's friend, Ralph, shows up to visit. Rachel sees Eric as the kind of guy who can seize the day. She asks Ralph about Eric's self description of being a "cool square." He confirms it pretty much. Once Ralph leaves, Eric talks about all the men in his life who ended up in jail and how he tried to help everyone out. He moves on to talking about how strong his mom is. Then, there's more talk ab