Thankful Thursday

Bus send-off was good today. {no crying}

We didn't even have to wait in the barn like we normally do, because it was so nice out already. {32 degrees!}

And he waved at me as the bus drove away. He doesn't always do this, but I love when he does.

I'm on a roll with chores today and cleaning even more things OUT!  

Kids are already outside playing.

Today is this week's Friday.

I have incredibly understanding and supportive friends. So grateful.

Our MOPS group is growing and changing and really becoming something great.

Also thankful for... super easy, yummy recipes. free printable organization sheets.  calendars.  MACHINES that wash and dry my clothes. and a beautiful home to live in.

I'm still feeling not fully awake today, but I am thankful. For so very many things.

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." Colossians 3:15

Thankful Thursday

It's been a really long time since I've participated in this.  But I need to.  Guys, I am really struggling.  With some things I can't go into here publicly.  And I'm struggling with winter blues.  Looking at my history of posts, I think this was an incredibly hard time of year last year as well.  Just feeling really down about myself, frustrated with the lack of progress in my life, unmotivated, tired, irritable with the kids and then feeling like I'm ruining them by the minute because they just copy your behaviors.  There's little room for error when you're a mom.  Sure, it's a good time to model sorry's and forgiveness, but you can only do that so much.  You HAVE to work toward changing what you're modeling, so it's behaviors you want THEM to do.  There's so much pressure, followed by feelings of failure. Yet you can't instantly change how you feel, how you react. You just can't.  It's some process that I just can't quite figure out.  So anyway, yeah, struggling.  And trying, trying to continue to look for the positives, even when it's hard.  So here I am with Thankful Thursday...

"Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." Ps. 42:11

1.  Kevin has been working hard all week and is making amazing progress in our attic renovations. Drywall is half complete and with all the angled ceilings up there, that is by far the hardest part of the project.

2. MOPS group. It's a ton a ton of work that goes into every single meeting but our group is still continuing to grow. Even with just 2 meetings left for the year, we are getting new attendees. Knowing we are reaching more and more moms makes it all seem worth it.

3. Play dates this week.  This winter has been a whole lot of nothingness. Just nothing on the calendar at all. So several playdates this week is good.

4. Morning Bible time. There are some days where I feel like I'm just staring at words on a page. But overall it's been good to start each morning with quiet as I seek hope and truths in the Scripture. And the last 2 weeks I've actually gotten some verses fully memorized.

5. Friends. I have so many friends who really truly care. Who take the time to ask how you are really doing, and then listen. It takes a special person to do that.

6. Projects. My friend Nikki and I were getting some of her curtains sewed during preschool time yesterday. And I'm so excited that I taught her how to sew! I pinned and she sewed, and it was awesome teamwork and we got it done!

7. Weather.  We are supposed to be getting 60's temps today and tomorrow and I am thrilled for that time outside. It's so refreshing! I love and adore my kids and enjoy being with them, but having some breathing room from them is so needed sometimes.

8. Family time. It's been a busy week and I still haven't made it to the grocery store. Carter fell asleep in the car before we made it there yesterday so we ended up getting dinner in town before AWANA. We finished early and took a short walk and ended up at the skate park. We'd never been there before and had a blast climbing and running up the ramps and then sliding back down. Probably one of my favorite memories yet this year.  =)

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." Col. 3:15

Time is life.

"They say time is money, but that's not true. Time is life. And if I want the fullest life, I need to find fullest time... the busyness of your life leaving little room for the source of your life... In Christ, don't we have everlasting existence? Don't Christians have all the time in eternity, life everlasting? If Christians run out of time--wouldn't we lose our very own existence? If anyone should have time, isn't it the Christ followers?" (Ann Voskamp, 64)

"Being in a hurry. Getting to the next thing without fully entering the thing in front of me. I cannot think of a single advantage I've ever gained from being in a hurry.  But a thousand broken and missed things, tens of thousands, lie in the wake of all the rushing... Through all that haste. I thought I as making up time. It turns out I was throwing it away." (64)

"Time is a relentless river. It rages on, a respecter of no one. And this, this is the only way to slow time: When I fully enter time's swift current, enter into the current moment with the weight of my full attention, I slow the torrent with the weight of me all here. I can slow the torrent by being all here. I only live the full life when I  live fully in the moment. And when I'm always looking for the next glimpse of glory, I slow and enter. And time slow. Weigh down this moment in with attention full, and the whole of time's river slows, slows, slows." (68)

So I continue looking for the next glimpse of glory. I continue making my list of one thousand gifts

32. Fresh fruit dripping with juicy sweetness.

33. Baby hands turning the thick pages of a children's book.

34. The cozy warmth of a child nuzzled onto my shoulder.

35. A newborn baby fast asleep on my chest. A moment so precious that nothing else matters in the world.

36. Soft baby skin.

"I want to slow down and taste life, gives thanks, and see God." (77)

37. Boy who shouts Mommy! every time he gets off the school bus and runs into my arms.

38. The subtle thumps and whispers that signal that the house is awaking.

39. The childlike innocence of backwards pants, shoes on the wrong feet, and hair in a gnarly mess.

40. Family naps.

"...When I'm present, I meet I AM, the very presence of a present God." (70)

Gift List

One of the books I'm currently reading is Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts.  In her attempt to get out of life's darkness, she's challenging herself to complete a list of 1000 things she loves, 1000 things she's thankful for and to view the world in a new brightness. To have a heart of gratitude. Always. In everything.  So I'm taking on this challenge for myself. 1000 is a lot of things. 10 lists of 100! But so I begin.  I begin a life of looking for the beauty in the everyday things we typically pass by without a thought. This is just a beginning. May I never stop looking for these treasures in life...

1. The peeking of the sun as it rises up and gives hope and promise of a new day.

2. A cup of hot tea giving warmth to my soul.

3. A splash of cool, fresh water on my tired face.

4. Wild flowers lining the side of the road.

5. The soft glow of a lamp in the quiet of the evening.

6. Stealing secret kisses in the kitchen.

7. Sleeping children snuggled into their plush blankies.

"And I see it now for what it really is, this dare to write down one thousand things I love. It really is a dare to name all the ways that God loves me. The true Love Dare. To move into His presence and listen to His love unending and know the grace uncontainable. This is the vault of the miracles. The only thing that can change us, the world, is this -- all His love." (59)

8. Bright stars lighting up the night sky.

9. The smell of coffee.

10. The intoxicating scent of men's cologne.

11. The sacred moments of quiet when the house is yet asleep.

12. A soft blanket of warmth resting upon my skin.

13. Passionate desires fulfilled.

14. A glass of wine at the day's end.

15. Lazy, sleepy mornings in cozy pajamas.

16. Warm, homemade bread soggy bread soggy with melted butter.

17. New socks that are so wonderfully soft on my feet it actually makes me moan.

18. Surprise mail from a friend.

19. Waking up to the smell of sizzling bacon.

20. A soft towel warming on the radiator.

21. The fresh smell of clean linen.

22. The brief moment around a table when all heads are bowed.

"Life change comes when we receive life with thanks 
and ask for nothing to change." (61)

23. The gentle rustling of leaves in the autumn breeze.

24. The crackling and popping of a campfire

25. And the firelight dancing across a circle of faces.

26. The deafening sound of summer bugs in the evening.

27. The soothing rhythm of a gentle rain as each droplet meets the ground.

28. A country sunset cascading over golden fields.

29. Feathery soft clouds wisped across a bright blue sky.

30. Sun rays bursting through the clouds, allowing me to see a real touch of God's glory.

31. The soft padding of a child's footsteps coming down the stairs in the morning.

"What if tomorrow you only had the things you thanked God for today?" - Ken Blanchard

To be continued....

Happy Thanksgiving!

To be honest, I've been in a little bit of a funk lately.  I didn't want to post daily thankfuls this month, because I think last year I did that and then it abruptly stops, and I hate that.  It's something we should do ALL the time.  Anyone want to challenge yourself to 365 days Thankful??  Anyway, the kids have been driving me nuts--just one of those weeks-- so I'm crabby with a capital C when Kevin gets home from work and then he gets crabby too.  I hate that too.  How I alone affect everyone's mood.  Who's there to help me and just hold me when I'm having an off day??  Kevin's working today, so today is just another day for us, except the stores are all closed and everyone else has stuff going on.  But it's been good too.  I bathed the big kids for once, independently this time, while Carter was napping.  One child did room time while I did bath with the other and folded laundry.  That alone makes me feel very accomplished.  LOL  Then we all had hot chocolate and watched The Velveteen Rabbit on Netflix while eating Ranch seasoned oyster crackers.  {Trying to get rid of all the stuff in our cupboards.}  Twas a good movie--made me cry.  And soon it'll be naptime.  So today is just a day, but tomorrow... tomorrow the excitement starts.  We're headed to Paul and Holly's for Thanksgiving meal and festivities (games n such), then on to my parents house after that so we can celebrate Thanksgiving with Kevin's family on Saturday.  We'll stay around for Sunday too and head back to Nebraska Sunday night. And then next week we can put up the Christmas tree-- JOY.

But anyway, while I'm here, I'm going to post 25 random things I'm thankful for....

{in no particular order}

1. space heaters.  we're without heat for the time being so space heaters have been saving us from completely freezing!
2. hot chocolate.  same reason as #1
3. family.
4. lazy movie kind of days.
5. freshly bathed babies.
6. snuggly soft, fuzzy blankets.
7. delicious food.
8. 1:30-3:30 in the afternoon.
9. sweet text messages.
10. emails from my hubby.
11. evenings with hubby.
12. evenings alone.
13. random acts of kindness and the joy it brings to do them.
14. Kevin's good job.
15. security.
16. dishwasher.
17. you.
18. forgiveness.
19. music.
20. church family.
21. baby smiles.
22. reading with children.
23. kisses.
24. friends.
25. togetherness.

"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom 
that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful"  
Hebrews 12:28-29

Thankful Thursday

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7" (one of my most-favorite verses!!)

It's been awhile since I've done this because I've been doing it every night in my lil' notebook. But on this cool, breezy, slow-start-of-a-day cappucino morning, I'm back. And oh so thankful....

* As much as I hate Kevin's rotating work schedule, I really love that he gets a 6-day off every month. He's just getting off his and heading into nights tonight, and we've had a wonderful 6 days this time. We've gotten SO much done on our house projects and we've done a few family fun things too.

* After all this our dining room is back in use (somewhat temporarily still while we wait on flooring) and our table is out of the middle of our kitchen, and it's sooo wonderful! I can open my cupboards without smashing the table, I can open the oven without cramming into the table, and the kids can be in the kitchen while I'm cooking without TOTALLY overwhelming me because it's so stinkin' cramped. I have my nice open kitchen back and I feel so free again!! =)

* The downstairs bathroom is soon changing from a water closet into an actual half-bath! It's mostly gutted and last night we picked out our bathroom light fixtures! It's SO EXCITING to see progress around here!

* I am thankful for my amazing, hard-working husband who has been working working on all his days off!

* I'd been noticing lately how much Carter has been outgrowing most of his clothes. I finally pulled out Eli's old 6-9 month bin of clothes and there is tons of stuff just right in there, and I didn't have to buy anything new!

* And for a little bit of change of gears here I'm thankful that my role as a parent has caused me to grow in my faith so much--challenged me to be a good example, to talk about God all throughout our day, to pray together, to study Bible verses, to recognize my own sin through my children's repetition, to practice confession and forgiveness daily, and to grow in love and patience.


What are you thankful for?? Take a break from your daily to-do's and thank God for all your blessings! And link up over at Grace Alone!

Thankful Thursday

Wow, I didn't mean to do Thankful days for all of November and then quit altogether! Since Kevin doesn't have a Monday-Friday schedule and neither do the kids and I, mostly I just don't have much concept of what day it is and Thursdays pass me by! But today here I am, taking a moment to give thanks to the One who gives all things, including my very next breath.

"Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 5:19-20

* First, I am thankful that Kevin was able to get home from work this morning. He left last night just after the winds and drifting had started. And I knew after a night of more blowing, the roads in the morning couldn't be good for his return. They weren't good at all and often he had to drive in the other lane because of drifts, but he made it to town where he could then walk the mile out to our house. He's really been through a lot the last month in his trek to work. Getting his truck stuck three or four times now and then spending all day trying to dig it out so he can get his truck off the road and make way for plows to come through. Walking the mile to and from town in cold, windy weather at times when we know that country roads aren't clear but highways probably are driveable. And shoveling through the 4-5 ft drifts that cover our sidewalks at the house. He sure is such a trooper and never once complains! And now I am thankful that he is snuggled up and warm in our cozy bed, last night was his last night of this shift, and we don't need to go anywhere for a couple days, allowing time for the roads and our lane to get cleared once again!

* I am thankful for all the time I've had this week diving into God's word. It's not something I'm good at sitting down and doing, but this week I have, and it's been so encouraging.

* With our 5-year anniversary being tomorrow, I am thankful for this wonderful man who walks beside me through life. We've both grown so much in the 11 YEARS we've been together, and I'm so thankful for the work that God has been doing in our lives individually and as a couple. I can only look forward to all that is yet to come!

What are you thankful for today??

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Today I am especially thankful for family and for living close enough we can spend holidays together now! I am thankful for so many good friends. I am thankful for my bloggy friends, because you too are a very real presence in my life! I am thankful for our church and mostly importantly a life in Christ through salvation! HAPPY THANKSGIVING, FRIENDS!

Be Thankful: Nov. 25

Today I am thankful for my new sister-in-law Holly. It was just this time last year that I first got to meet her, and now she is just a great blessing to our family! Not only is she perfect for my brother Paul, but she's a great friend and wonderful sister! I'm so thankful for how God works in our lives, bringing people together every day!

Be Thankful: Nov. 24

I am thankful for...

* waking up to the smell of coffee
* porch swings
* lazy rainy days
* hot tea
* good novels and snuggly blankets
* waffles smothered in peanut butter and syrup (healthy, I know)
* beautiful golden sunsets

What are you thankful for??

Be Thankful: Nov. 23

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will--to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment--to bring all things in heaven and earth together under one head, even Christ.

In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory." Ephesians 1:3-14

I've been feeling a little guilty the last few days for all the material things I'm thankful for, like I'm cheating and just giving easy answers. It's easy to be thankful for the good things in life. But this, THIS is what really matters!

God chose us to be holy and blameless in his sight.
He has freely given us grace.
I am blessed to have heard the Gospel.
He has redeemed us and forgiven us and saved us from an eternity in hell.
We are guaranteed eternal life with Jesus.

What more can we be thankful for?

Monday Meanderings

Bible Study
word study on blessings

Memory Verse
"I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the Lord most high." Psalm 7:17

Husband Encouragement
* Write a thankful letter to my husband.

Train Them Up
* continue working on kids' chores
* Thanksgiving activities!

Absolutely MUST Do
* Mail out a package
* Return library movie before leaving town this week for the holiday
* Make the first seasonal batch of caramel popcorn so I can bring some home with us this week. (not really a MUST do but something I really want to remember!)

Zone
Playroom. We don't have a LOT of toys to rotate much, but some of the smaller misc toys could definitely get rotated out. So I'm working on that.

Menu -

Monday - chili, pears
Tuesday - enchilada dip, Italian pasta salad, sandwiches
Wednesday - pizza

FUN THINGS!
* We're going HOME for the holidays! Kevin has Thursday - Sunday off, like a normal person for once! And he said he might be able to work longer days on Monday and Tuesday and then not have to go in Wednesday, so that would be extra fun!
* While home we're going to help Kevin's family set up all their Christmas decorations, complete with Christmas music and everything. It's hard for them to get around, so now that we've moved back we try to help out and make it into a fun day for them!

Join me with your weekly plans!

Be Thankful: Nov. 22

One of my favorite hymns, very appropriate for this week and for always...

Count Your Blessings
Johnson Oatman, Jr.

When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings - name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Count your blessings - name them one by one;
Count your blessings - see what God hath done;
Count your blessings - name them one by one;
Count your many blessings - see what God hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings ev'ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by.

Count your blessings - name them one by one;
Count your blessings - see what God hath done;
Count your blessings - name them one by one;
Count your many blessings - see what God hath done.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings - money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven nor your home on high.

Count your blessings - name them one by one;
Count your blessings - see what God hath done;
Count your blessings - name them one by one;
Count your many blessings - see what God hath done.

So amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged - God is over all;
Count your many blessings - angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.

Count your blessings - name them one by one;
Count your blessings - see what God hath done;
Count your blessings - name them one by one;
Count your many blessings - see what God hath done.

I am thankful for my two beautiful little blessings that are looking at books side by side right now. I am thankful for my wonderful husband who is hard at work right now. I am thankful that this yucky cold I have this week won't last forever. I am thankful for lego-built car washes, trains made out of folding chairs, and play dough spaghetti. I am thankful for a child calling for Mommy. I am thankful for couch snuggles. I am thankful for happy playtime. I am thankful for warm meals. I am thankful for electricity and computers and Internet. I am thankful for friends. I am thankful for productivity. I am thankful for days I'm in jammies all day. I am thankful for yummy, sweet cappuccino. I am thankful for clean laundry. I am thankful for clothes to wash. I am thankful for safe water to drink and warm water to wash in. I am thankful for music. I am thankful for baby kicks. I am thankful for sunsets. I am thankful for love. I am thankful for salvation. I am thankful that all that matters most in life will last forever.

What are you thankful for today?? Do share!

Be Thankful: Nov. 21

Right this moment...

* I am thankful for new friends.
* I am thankful for church family.
* I am thankful for the movie the kids are watching right now. We've been learning all about elephants this week and reading books about Dumbo, so now they're watching the movie about him. It's just fun to watch them get excited about the things we're learning about!
* I am thankful this yucky cold won't last forever.
* I am thankful for jammie pants.
* I am thankful for yummy smelling perfume.
* I am thankful for my wonderful children. They always surprise me.
* I am thankful for the new life of Nora Katherine who we got to celebrate at a baby shower this morning. She's precious and makes me even more anxious to meet our sweet little boy in 10ish weeks!
* I am thankful for an easy dinner we're having tonight. (omelets)
* I am thankful for creating new habits in my children and hoping it sticks! (more on this next week)
* I am thankful for our friend Craig who has been giving Kevin rides to work and letting him borrow his truck while Kevin's is in the shop.
* I am thankful for my hard-working husband and am anxious for him to get home in an hour.

What are you thankful for right this moment??

"I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." Psalm 18:1-2

Be Thankful: Nov. 20

Today as I'm a bit worn down from a cold I am thankful that we as a family do not lead a busy lifestyle. During this season in our lives we don't have a lot of commitments or extra curriculars or anything that fills up our schedules. We're mostly just home, training up our children, and Kevin's at work providing for the family. So when an afternoon nap is much needed, that's still very possible, and when I need to turn in early for the night (like tonight probably! which is hard for me to do since I'm a night person) that too is easily possible. And I'm thankful for the freedom we still have to be flexible and just chill. Because I know that someday as the children get older, we'll start getting busier and busier with AWANA or music lessons or soccer or dance or who knows what. So for now, I am thankful for this. Good night.

Be Thankful: Nov. 19

I am thankful for the lessons I learned from Kevin working those 2.5 months of straight night shift....

* I was reminded how much I appreciate all that Kevin does around the house and how important a man is to running a home.
* I was reminded how much I love just being with my man. We may not be romantic, but it's us, and I love that.
* I learned how wonderful four days off in a row are! And to think that that's a regular part of his shift rotation!
* I was reminded how much of a blessing it is to share meals together as a family.

Today I am also thankful for...

* A good baby appointment today. Everything checked out right on track. It's a great blessing for my body to to handle pregnancies so well.
* Kevin majorly cleaning out the van of our little mouse traces. I'm good at finding places to put things away, and he's great at deep cleaning, so together we make a good team. And now our van smells wonderful!
* A nice afternoon to play outside for awhile!
* Sweet sweet ladies fellowship at church tonight!

Be Thankful: Nov. 18

Today I am thankful for...
* A productive morning and lazy afternoon.
* Cozy pants instead of uncomfortable preggie jeans.
* A warm cup of hot chocolate.
* Afternoon snuggles with my baby boy.
* Pizza Hut lunch buffet.
* A warm house.
* Fluffy outside kittens who do catch mice for us.
* Our sweet little family.

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Be Thankful: Nov. 17

Today I am thankful for....
* breakfast out as a family this morning followed by errands and grocery shopping. I just love being out and doing things together as a family, even if it's just getting groceries.
* an afternoon nap, even though I didn't get anything done on my to-do list today!
* the joy of watching the kids tromp around the house in their "new" snow boots.
* Kevin being home. Ahhh... it's just. so. nice.

"Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 5:19-20

What are you thankful for today??

Be Thankful: Nov. 16

"I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." Psalm 16:7-11

Be Thankful: Nov. 15

"Praise be to you, O Lord, God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting; yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name." 1 Chronicles 29:10-13

Today I am thankful...
* Kevin wasn't hurt from hitting a deer on his way home from work this morning. I am thankful his friend Craig was with him when it happened and they were able to get help. I am thankful that Kevin will have the next four days off so we won't really need his truck anyway, while we can hopefully get it repaired quickly.
* I am thankful we've made it through Kevin's looooong weeks of night shift. This is the last night!

What are you thankful for today??