My Favorite Books

-Streams in the Desert by L.B. Cowman
-Believing God; Esther: It’s Tough Being a Woman by Beth Moore
-Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge
-Walking With God by John Eldredge
-Redeeming Love; The Atonement Child by Francine Rivers
-Every Thought Captive by Jerusha Clark
-Wanting All the Right Things by Shirin Taber
-The PAPA Prayer by Larry Crabb
-You Are Special by Max Lucado

My Favorite Movies

-Anna and the King
-Julie and Julia
-The Notebook
-The Parent Trap
-You’ve Got Mail
-The Devil Wears Prada
-Alex and Emma
-Enchanted
-13 Going on 30
-The Family Man
-How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days

My 10 Favorite Memories

-Welcoming my twin brother’s daughter into the world minutes after her birth
-Spending my wedding weekend with some of the most special people in my life
-Relaxing on the beach with my husband on our honeymoon and dreaming about our new life together
-Creating and presenting the “What a Girl Wants” conference with my Taylor University housemates
-Enjoying adventures in Europe with my younger brother and sister-in-law
-Celebrating my parents with a surprise party for their 25th wedding anniversary
-Student teaching with my mother-in-law
-Frequently visiting my twin brother at Miami University to experience college life together
-Sharing Ivanhoe’s ice cream while listening to my grandma tell stories from her past
-Traveling to Fripp Island, Triple Creek Ranch, and my grandma’s house with my extended family

My Favorite Restaurants

-Gino’s East Pizza (Chicago, Illinois)
-Seasons 52 (Orlando, Florida)
-Teller’s (Hyde Park, Ohio)
-Roy’s (Chicago, Illinois)
-Graeter’s (Cincinnati, Ohio)
-Tucker’s Whippy Dip (Mason, Ohio)
-Ivanhoe’s (Upland, Indiana)
-Barnie’s Coffee and Tea (Especially Baldwin Park, Florida)

My Favorite Destinations

-Fripp Island, South Carolina
-Kiawah Island, South Carolina
-Laguna Beach, California
-Boca Grande, Florida
-Winter Park, Florida
-Maui, Hawaii

My Favorite Stores

-Ann Taylor LOFT
-White House Black Market
-Lilly Pulitzer
-Pottery Barn
-Home Goods
-Target
-Barnes and Noble

My Favorite Pastimes

-Sharing thought-provoking conversations with my husband over dinner
-Reading in the sun (preferably oceanside)
-Walking on the beach and collecting sand dollars
-Meeting friends for coffee or dinner to catch up on life
-Teaching students to love reading and writing, especially at Youth Writing Camps
-Bargain shopping with my mom
-Discussing life with my dad while golfing, jogging, or washing my car
-Playing in golf scrambles with my husband and his parents
-Spoiling my nieces
-Learning about antiques, jewelry, and glass with my grandma, mom, and aunts
-Coaching cheerleading and leading small groups for teenage girls
-Competing in euchre tournaments with my extended family
-Road-tripping across the country with my family
-Writing, journaling, and reading
-Receiving decorating inspiration from HGTV
-Watching and learning about football with my husband
-Trying new recipes and hosting guests at our home
-Leading women’s Bible studies

My Favorite Music

-Chris Tomlin
-Christy Nockels
-Bethany Dillon
-Nichole Nordeman
-Amy Grant
-Bebo Norman
-Caedman’s Call
-Carrie Underwood
-Rascal Flatts
-Keith Urban

My Favorite Blogs

~ The Toy Stories ( My twin brother’s family updates )
~ Melbelle Art ( My sister-in-law’s personalized art and gifts )
~ According to Judy ( My friend’s insights )
~ Join Nick and Debbie ( My friend’s family/ministry updates )
~ Fladung Family Fun ( My friend’s family updates )
~ Restored One (My friend’s thoughtful ramblings and photography )
~ Fearfully and Wonderfully Made ( My friend’s updates on her daughter )
~ Epicurista ( My friend’s culinary reviews )
~Lemon Tree Creations (  My friend’s and her friend’s do-it-yourself decorating ideas )
~ Shanty2Chic ( Do-it-yourself decorating ideas )
~ Two Writing Teachers ( A helpful writing and teaching resource )
~ Living Proof Ministries ( Beth Moore’s Blog )
~ Bring the Rain ( An inspirational blog )