Very Thankful Thursday

Ever have one of those days where there is a long road ahead, but for today...for right now...you want to burst with joy?  Today is that day for me.  There is a lot of pain (physical, spiritual, and emotional) happening in the lives of some people I love.  But, I have SO seen God at work and want to sing Him praise!

• My mom is being released from the hospital TOMORROW at 10:00 am!  She has to continue working hard at home, but I believe in her!  God has been working in her in MIGHTY ways!
• Sunshine!
• Our 11th anniversary is Saturday!
• Spring Break is six school days away!
• A student of mine will be spending Tuesday evenings with my family starting next week.  I'll share more about this on a later post, but for now, praise God her foster mom and my wonderful hubby both thought this was a good idea!  I'm preparing to be challenged and blessed!
• My daughters are learning in leaps and bounds!
• Flip flop season is just around the corner!
• Our homegroup met last night and it was SO good!  It was emotional, and challenging, and I am SO blessed to be a part of that group.  I love each and every member!

GOD IS SO GOOD...He's so good...good to me!

Are you thankful?  Really really thankful?  Ok, for what?  TELL ME!

SO Thankful This Thursday!

Satan is doing a number on us.  On my family.  On my friends.  But, thankfully, I know who wins this battle in the end!  WHOO HOO!  Satan has NO hold on  us!  So, STEP, you vicious thing! (said with attitude and snapping fingers!)  Jesus reigns here!

This Thursday, I choose to be thankful.  My mom is healing.  Her attitude and spirit is returning.  She has a renewed sense of determination about her.  She is committed to getting better.  Oh, how I love that woman!  And my dad has been her steady companion.  He sleeps in her hospital room, nightly.  He tends to her needs throughout the day.  I love him, too!!!!  THANK YOU, JESUS for sending me Godly, wonderful parents. 

I'm thankful that there are only two weeks until spring break.  You hear that Mother Nature?  SPRING break.  Give us a break, and give us SPRING!  Sweet Abby has been itching to take walks and get out side and play.  Laney just keeps asking, why is this winter such a long DAY?  heheheh.

I'm thankful that Sarah is doing a giveaway blog.  It's so fun to read the reviews and get a chance to win something!

I'm thankful for a husband that I adore.  He does more than his half of the housework and kidwork.  He loves me, even with my faults.  He makes me laugh.  He provides for us.  He loves God.  I would be lost without him.

I'm thankful I serve a MIGHTY God.  He HEALS, PROTECTS, LOVES, CHALLENGES, BLESSES, KEEPS, and COMMANDS us.... You hear that Satan?  So get to steppin'!

Thankful Thursday

What?  Two posts in one week?  Make that three, baby!  I posted one our church's ministry blog yesterday!

So why today?  Why this post?  Well, honestly, because I need it.  I need to be thankful.  My head needs this post.  My heart needs it.  My soul needs it.  And my God needs it.

First of all, friends, I am so thankful for you.  I pour my heart out on this blog and you respect it.  No, I don't have hundreds of followers.  No, not everyone who reads this, comments.  But you, the ones who chose to lift me up, thank you.  You encouraged me so much.  You encouraged my family.  Trust me, your prayers have been felt.  This week I needed you and your prayers, and you came through!  Yes, both my "real life" friends, and those I've met in Bloggyland.  Seriously.  You guys mean a ton.  I love that we "do" life together.  We share our ups and downs.  We praise Him and pray together as family.  Cheesy schmeesy...I love you!


My mom gets to leave the hospital today which is bittersweet.  It's good because she is over some of what put her in there, but bitter because there are other things they have found.  It will be hard without a nurse to push her to do all she should. 

Going home has also forced her to look at all the upcoming procedures and surgeries she'll need.  It is simply overwhelming.  It overwhelms me, I cannot imagine how she's feeling.  But today, I choose to be thankful.  My mom is alive and trying to get well today!  God has been merciful and healed some things in her!  I am thankful she had/has a team of doctors and nurses that truly care about her.  They made her laugh.  They made my dad and my family feel welcome.  They encouraged and challenged her.  And they were just nice people.  Thank you, Jesus! 

Just keep praying for her!  The procedures start happening next week!

I'm thankful Sarah keeps letting us in on ways to win free stuff over on her blog!  But don't go look and register, ok?  Then you'll decrease my chances of winning!

Ok, the last thing I'm thankful for today is that the COLTS made it to the SUPERBOWL!  WHOOO HOOO! I'll be glued to the TV Sunday, so don't call!  hahahah!  Bring home a victory, boys!

Thankful Thursday

Hmmm...so much to be thankful for.


1.  My new great-niece born this week!  (www.reidhosp.org  Click on Reid Babies, then recent births)  Her name is Kynlee Grace and she is just beautiful!

2. It's October...WHOO HOO!  I LOVE this weather, season, time of year! L-O-V-E, LOVE IT!

3.  Two cutie patooties that make me laugh EVERY single day!  Such sweet spirits!  Thank you, Jesus!

4.  Thankful my brother-in-love's surgery went well and he is recovering @ home!  (even if certain places feel like Chinese stars moving around!)

5.  God's heart for the orphan.  It challenges me.

6.  Text messages straight from God!

7.  Pastors at our church who "get" the big picture.  We need to get outta our seats and BE the hands and feet of Jesus!

8.  Thankful we serve a mighty God who carries us when we're weak!

9.  For friends. 

10.  My job.  My students make me laugh.  That's a good thing, right?

11.  I'm thankful for YOU!  My faithful readers!  I forget how many of you there are until one of you mentions a post Tony or I did.  So often you don't leave comments, so I think there are only a few readers out there! 

12.  A fun blog experience will be coming up soon!  You'll want to stay tuned for this one!  One word.  GIVEAWAY!

13.  You fill in the blank here.  What are YOU thankful for???

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for these little girls. No, wait. EVERY DAY I'm thankful for these little girls. But today, I'll tell you about it. They just make me laugh.

I want to document some fun conversations that we have been having...

On the way to church last week, we heard the girls bickering in the back seat. Tony, at this point, tells Abby to ignore Laney (because every two seconds Abby was whining about what Laney was or wasn't doing). I further explained to Abby that ignoring meant not to listen to or pay attention to her. Two minutes later we hear this:

Abby: Baba, Laney is TOUCHING ME!
Laney: IGNORE ME!
Abby: OK!

HAHAHHAHAHA! It was hysterical. We laughed and laughed and laughed!
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We've also had two funny prayer time situations. The other night when Laney was finished praying, she ended with, "BYE!" and then caught herself, giggled, then said, "Uh, Amen!" :)

The next night, Abby said she wanted to do the bedtime prayer and so we all closed our eyes and she started off, "A, B, C, D..." We all peeked at each other and started laughing! Just a bit tired and confused, I'd say!

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Goodness, God has spoiled us with these girls, and for that...I'm THANKFUL!!!!!

By the way, can you guess who is who in the picture?

Thankful Thursday, on Wednesday

Yes, I do know my days of the week, but it seems that I'm thankful on other days than Thursday...so I just have to post!

Today, my friends, I'm thankful I'm sick. Yes, you read that right. I have a raging sinus infection and double pink eye, but I'm thankful. I'm thankful I have a job that gives me sick days to take without penalty. I'm thankful that I have coworkers that will help pick up the slack when my sub plans are way below par due to the sickness. And I'm thankful I can pick back up where I left off tomorrow at work. I'm thankful for a specific coworker who shared her pink eye medicine...it seems to be working!

I'm thankful that God's timing is perfect with this sickness. I called my principal last night, to schedule today off. And then, in the middle of the night, Abby stumbled into our room not feeling well, and with a fever. YAY! Not yay that she's sick. But YAY that I had already planned on being home!

While I'm on a roll with this sickness, I'm thankful for my huband. He's currently at the doctor with Abby. I'm thankful he has a job and an employer that believes in family first. I'm thankful for the gift of healing that our doctor has. And I'm also thankful for my sister who was willing to come over and pick up Laney today. I decided to keep her here among the sickies (I know, probably bad idea) because Abby will perk up, she always does, and will want to play. Abby will be lost without her sister here. And I'm enjoying some bonus time with the girls today, even if I don't feel 100%.

Speaking of Abby, that girl's heart is just so sweet. She climbed in bed with us last night and immediately asked ME how I was feeling! She was concerned about ME. Even with a fever of 102, she was worried about me! Bless her heart. This morning, after Tony left for work, she ambled into the kitchen where I was making oatmeal. She had been dozing up until this point. The very first words out of her mouth this morning were, "How are you feeling, Mama?" She had asked ME before I could even ask HER! Her tenderness makes me want to cry!

So, today. I'm thankful for sickness. This sickness. Today, right now.

Sorry, no pictures though. NO ONE wants to see us sick. NOT PRETTY!

Thankful Thursday...on Friday

Ok, so today's post is late. And it's unimportant in light of world hunger, the orphan crisis, adoption issues, and so on. But it's important to be thankful for all things, at all times, right?

After my hysto, I had a swelly belly. (My incision was about eight to nine inches, vertically) Now, I'm a big mama, so it might have just looked like I gained even MORE weight than I was already carrying. But, I wasn't...my belly has just been uuber swollen and tender. During these times, I have thanked God that I was able to afford to buy a few items that would accommodate the swollen belly and it's soreness.

But today, my friends, is a super special day. I am wearing jeans! NO elastic waist! Not a size bigger than usual. And the icing on the cake...THEY ARE BUTTONED!

I still have some tenderness, especially around my incision, but the swelly belly is GONE! Now, I just need to lose the existing belly that I have! But, alas, that conversation is for another time!

Celebrate with me by doing a belly dance!!! Um, with your clothes on and belly covered! :)

Have a great weekend, family!

Thankful Thursday

SO thankful for them...

Ok, settle in, I'm thankful for a LOT!

*I'm thankful for doctors who are given their gifts from God.

*I'm SO thankful for a husband who took care of me and the girls like no other. I couldn't have asked for a better, more loving man.

*I'm thankful for both sets of parents who took days off to help, drive, feed, play, love, entertain, and care for us during and after the surgery.

*I'm thankful for family who checked in often and offered any help they could.

*I'm thankful for friends who cooked meals for us for two weeks. You will never know how valuable that was!

*I'm thankful for the flowers, cards, balloons, well wishes and prayers! They were needed and felt!

*I'm thankful for feeling more like myself now.

*I'm thankful for God's provisions so that we were able to have a vacation together as a family and make wonderful memories before the surgery.

*I'm thankful for the sunshine.

*I'm thankful for puppy kisses that make my girls squeal.

*I'm thankful that I have a job that I love, and I promise to give 100% effort in it. (at least most of the time...eheh, everyone has an off day!)

*I'm thankful I live in a place where I am free to worship God, the Creator.

*I'm thankful for nap times, that give me chances to recharge and blog! (Which it's almost over...I better go!)

What are YOU thankful for?????

Enjoy a few pics from our vacation!

Baba is so patient when he is teaching them!

I'm thankful for these two gorgous princesses who were taking a break from kingdom duties, by resting on our cabin swing.

The girls are thankful for new friends...this cute little statue bear in our cabin. Not sure if they'd like the real deal...RIGHT LINNY?

Just some pretty flowers outside our cabin.

MY man!

One view from our cabin...

...and another.

Thankful Thursday

Who wouldn't be thankful for this?

Mother's Day paintings, made with love.

T-shirt inspector stickers that double as band-aids for "tend" boo-boos.

A husband and daughters that love to do yard work together.

Thank you, God. I am so blessed.

Thankful Thursday

This will have to be short and sweet...I'm a woman on a mission.

I HAVE to say this out loud (um, or type it) because I need to be reminded of this...

• I'm THANKFUL I have a job.

• I'm THANKFUL that said job wants me to stay up-to-date on skills and teaching strategies.

• I'm THANKFUL that they require me to take additional classes (that I pay for) to learn said skills and strategies.

• I'm THANKFUL that said classes have about 35 assignments to be completed in the next three weeks, because it helps me stay focused (in other words, NO BLOG TIME FOR ME). Yes, 35 assignments, and I just started the class this Monday!
  

• I'm THANKFUL said class ends June 12--coincidentally, my birthday!

Ok, my friends. God knows my heart, so truth be told, I am truly only thankful for the first, second, and last bullet point. Was it obvious?

YOUR TURN! What are you thankful for? Come on. Let me know. I need an attitude adjustment, and you can help me! Tell me your joys!

Ok, gotta go. More work to do!

Thankful Thursday

Oh....I am SO thankful for conversations with three-year olds!

Driving home from the sitter's house yesterday, the girls and I were chatting. Here's how the conversation went.

Laney: I don't like bugs.

Me: Why?

Laney: Because they scary me (they both say scary for scared)

Me: But, bugs are little. You are a BIG girl. Nothing to be afraid of!

Abby: Bugs don't scary me. They tickle me. They tickle my hands.

Me: Yes they do tickle sometimes, with their tiny legs! Laney, did you know God made bugs?

Laney: Yes.

Me: So see, bugs are special. God made them, just like He made you, and me, and our family!

Laney: And Abby! God made Abby too!

Me: Yes! God DID make Abby too! God made lots of special things. He made them for us to enjoy! It's ok to be afraid, but most bugs don't hurt you. Do you understand?

Laney: Yep. Bugs are scary.


WOW...that went nowhere fast! However, last night during prayers Laney did say..."And thank you God for making bugs." Yeesh.



Abby's conversations are comical too. A recent one went like this:

"Hmmm, dogs, cats, horses. What are all of those, Abby?"

Abby: Animals.

"Good!!! Ok, hamburgers, cake, ice cream. What about those?"

Abby: TASTY!



I love, love, love my funny girls! THANK YOU JESUS!

Thankful Thursday

Good grief! It's Thursday already??? Holy cow...well, I am exercising my wifey right to pass the buck. It's time that Tony does a thankful post. :) It might not be until tonight, but it can be called "Thankful Thursday Night". Don't get me wrong, it's NOT that I'm NOT thankful...trust me, I have a billion things to praise God for! I just think he should get a turn! Just to prove it to you that I am still thankful, I'll list a few before I sign off.

• I'm thankful that tomorrow is the last day of our state testing. My poor students have been so stressed out!
  
• I'm thankful for family and friends that love me, in spite of my flaws.
• I'm thankful for my health. (Good reminder, Sarah)

And finally...

• I'm thankful I serve a mighty God that knows how my story ends! (Even if He won't let me in on it when I think I should at least get a memo!)

Thankful Thursday

Thankful Thursday is easy as pie for me this week. But it's gonna be looonnng!

• I'm thankful I married a man who loves God and wants to do his best for Him.
• I'm thankful I married a man who loves his children with every ounce of his being and would go the ends of the earth (or China) for them.
• I'm thankful I married a man who knows his heart (and our HOME) are big enough to love on kiddos that need a Mommy and Daddy.
• I'm thankful I have two precious daughters that teach me way more than I could ever teach them.
• I'm thankful for family and friends who support us (or me) when we come up with off-the-wall ideas.
• I'm thankful for a mom and a dad that raised me to be who I am.
  
• I'm thankful I have a job.
• I'm thankful God blessed people with the gift of medicine. We have needed those people lately.
• I'm thankful for a church that knows it's time to challenge us to BE the love of Jesus. (Wow, read the daily verse to the left!)
  
• I'm thankful that I have a workout buddy, Beth. I'm especially praying for her right now.
• I'm thankful for a group of friends in our homegroup. They challenge, pray for, and encourage me.
• I'm thankful that I have a roof over my head, food in the fridge, and the word of God in my heart.
  
• I'm thankful for bloggy friends near and far.
• I'm thankful that it's almost Friday!!
• I'm thankful for the snow. I'm thankful for the rain. I'm thankful for the sun.
• I'm just thankful.
  

(Thanks for the reminder, Sarah!)