30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 21

14 years ago I met two people who have blessed me in so many ways. They are two of the most caring and generous people I know. They love the Lord and they love each other. They love me, and have called me one of their own.

They love their fine son very much. And they graciously accepted me into their family.

Meet Ama and Papa (along with Craig and 3 year old Will)

I am so thankful for my WONDERFUL in-laws. The first time I met them Craig's dad gave me a big bear hug, and I knew I would be well loved in this family. I couldn't ask for better (except for asking them to move closer to us! :) They are that awesome!

(Kristi, Nikki and families....I am SO thankful for you, too!!)

30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 19 & 20

I am thankful for this sweet boy.....

And for this season in my life!

I got to have lunch with Will on Thursday and then Anna and I stayed and watched his class do their readers theater play about the pilgrims. Everything I get to experience with Will is new, and a first for me. Sometimes I find myself wishing for the past, or wondering about the future, but Thursday was a reminder to me to just enjoy the present. Will is at such a fun age and grade....he is easy to talk to, he knows and understands probably a lot more than I give him credit for. He is asking questions about things like heaven, and divorce, and I find myself having to stop and really consider my answers....how much info to give, and how to explain things.

Will is a thinker, a planner, he likes routine and stability. He is a true guardian of his younger siblings, and he is very sensitive to others feelings. When I think about the fact that I have already parented Will 1/2 way through his years at home, it makes me even more determined to enjoy the moment. I am so very thankful and blessed to be his mom.

So, I'll leave you with a quote from this summer, I just found in a journal of mine:

Will- Mom, I've been thinking that when I get older I want to play on worship team, like Daddy.

Me- that would be cool, bud

Will- ya....'cause I've been thinking a lot about my future and stuff.

30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 16,17 & 18

Yesterday I got to do three of my favorite things:

1. Take the kiddos to the library and check out a busload of books for our 10 day break from school.

2. Sing for Wednesday night worship with Craig.

3. Laugh with one of my oldest friends---who has know me over 1/2 my life.

So, today I am thankful for, BOOKS, MUSIC, and LAUGHTER!

30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 14 & 15

I am so thankful for our schools. Perhaps I am biased, but I think they are great! The boys have adjusted to a new school this year, and although they miss being at daddy's school, I am so thankful they both have amazing TEACHERS! One of my favorite parts of the day is about 2:16pm when the boys burst through the front door and I get to hear about their day. We work on homework right away, and I get to be the follow up teacher for a few minutes. Right now Will is working on a readers theater, and he just finished a unit on "people in motion" where he diagrammed a swimmer. Wyatt is a little 1st grade sponge soaking in definitions of words, math facts, and reading books all the time. I get so excited hearing about all the fun things they are doing and learning. Their teachers put forth so much effort to make their learning experience the best!

I am also so thankful to be able to VOLUNTEER in their classrooms. It truly is a highlight of my day. It is so fun to see them in action and I gain so much respect for all teachers every time I visit.

Perhaps in my other life I was meant to be a teacher.....I don't know.....maybe a nurse?

30 Days of Thankfulness: Days 12 &13

This afternoon, as I spent a few hours working on some sewing projects, I was reminded of my gratitude for my Mom and my sewing machine.

As a young girl I practiced sewing on my mom's machine a lot. My mom taught me what she could, but she was more of a pillow and curtain type of seamstress. I had the desire to sew clothes so my mom graciously bartered: she gave a friend's daughter piano lessons, in exchange for sewing lessons for me. I learned (sort of) how to read a pattern and made my first article of clothing: a sarong, it was a very pretty periwinkle color, as I recall.

From there I started a schrunchi business...."Lindsay's Schrunchi's: made with love and help from above" was the slogan I had printed on my own personal business cards. I sewed other articles of clothing (none, too great) but I was always proud of my accomplishments. When I graduated from college my Mom bought me my own sewing machine, and it has served me well, these past, eeek, 10 years.

I am so thankful that my mom, encouraged my love for sewing, even though it wasn't exactly her niche. She made so many sacrifices so I could do the things I loved. These days I am getting to use my machine a little more often. I am so thankful!

30 Days of Thankfulness: Days 10 & 11

I am thankful for

GOOD FRIENDS

and

OUR CHURCH FAMILY

We are blessed by so many great friendships, both old and new. We love our church family and feel so at home there. We have so many people who care about us and are praying for us. I am so thankful!

30 Days of Thankfulness: Days 8 & 9

#8: I am thankful for the 4 distinct seasons we get to experience in our neck of the woods. The green and glorious days of spring, a few scorchers each summer, the gorgeous fall leaves, and usually a pretty decent snowfall in winter that brings about a school closure day, (or more!) It really is a blessing to live in such a beautiful part of the world.

#9: PLAY! I am so thankful that our family has healthy active bodies that allow us to play together. Just getting outside for a walk is something we often take for granted. I love watching my kids play, and playing with them.