30 Days of Thankfulness: Wrap Up

Over the holiday weekend, I have continued to reflect on the things I am thankful for. I think I am due for 6 more to make it an even 30.

1. I am thankful that Craig has a job. And, not just work, it is one that he loves. I have heard of so many losing their employment these past few days, it makes me really reflect at how blessed we are for his steady work.

2. I am thankful for healthy kids. Again, there are several children we know battling cancer and other unknown diseases. I am praying for a little girl from church who is yet to be diagnosed, but is suffering and in pain. I am so thankful for my own children's good health.

3. I am thankful for my siblings....my two older sisters and my younger brother. I look up to my sister's so much as wives and mothers. Being 7 and 6 years older than myself they paved the way, and taught me about hair and make-up. We are each busy with our own families, but I know we truly care about each other and love each other. I had some time to chat with my little brother over the weekend as well, and we shared some good laughs. It was fun to connect a little more than we normally have the opportunity to, and I am so thankful for him as well.

4. I am thankful that my kids have cousins! They are blessed with 12, so far.

5. I am thankful for my mommy van. It is old, the doors stick and the locks are funky, but God provides. 4 years ago we became a family of 5 and I was still driving the old Camry my parents had given us. We had to squish the three kids into the back seat, and I remember praying for this van. It is a simple, but huge, answer to prayer. God knew what we needed.

6. I am MOST THANKFUL for the gift of salvation. These past few weeks we have been practicing with the children at church for our Christmas program, and as we kick off the Christmas season, I am reminded even more how amazing God's grace is. I fail time and time again, yet still there is forgiveness and I am washed clean every day. I watch the little children practicing for their program and I am blessed by the small opportunity we have to give back to the Lord, in sharing our talent and the good news with others.

30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 24

I am so thankful for our little home that has been ours for over 9 years. We brought all our babies home from the hospital here, and have put so much work into it over the years. It is so gratifying to have improved it some, and I LOVE coming home to this place. We are so blessed.

30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 23

I am so thankful for my children's beautiful artwork! I am showered with little pictures and loving notes all the time. Today Wyatt drew this one for me:

Mom, I love you

Dad, I love you to

Will did this self portrait at school this year. It is one of my most favorite pieces of art he has ever done. I think it may end up in a frame! I just love it.

30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 22

I am so thankful for the Word of God that is living and powerful and speaks light into the darkness. This verse encouraged me today:

What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have Him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we've been given a brand new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven-and the future starts now! God is keeping careful watch over us and the future. The Day is coming when you'll have it all-life healed and whole.

-1Peter 1:3-5 (the message)

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.

30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 6 & 7

COFFEE

Today I splurged on my first candy cane mocha of the season, and boy was it yummy. There are times I go to bed at night thinking how lucky I will be to have coffee in the morning.

(ps--do you like my "coffee cozies" --my kids named them that, and I think it's pretty good name--I found directions to make them HERE. Somehow they just make the candy cane mocha seem even more fun to drink. If that is possible)

Speaking of coffee, did you know I didn't start drinking coffee regularly til this guy came into my life?

Something about having two kids "drove me to drink", so to speak.



Today I am also thankful for my Wy-boy. It is safe to say that as Wyatt grew and became mobile, he turned my world upside down and I found myself seeking the Lord for wisdom more than I ever had before. There were times when I even questioned my ability to parent this, crazy, active little boy. God has taught me so much about myself, as I've had the opportunity to be Wyatt's mom. I still lose it as a parent, regularly. But, I can also honestly see how far we BOTH have come. Wyatt is a joy and is soo, sooo, funny. He makes me laugh EVERY DAY! But he also has a very sensitive side. He wants to be a missionary when he grown up, and has been saying that for several months now. Even his Sunday school teacher came up to me the other day and said, "did you know Wyatt, really wants to be a missionary when he grows up?" I see God's promises being fulfilled in Wyatt's life, and for that I am so thankful.



So, coffee and Wyatt. Just think, without, Wyatt, I might never have had the need for coffee, and without coffee, I might never have gotten through those early years with my Wyatt ! :)

30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 5

I'm playing catch-up.

I am thankful when I hear my children's prayers.

Tonight Anna said, "....and if people are sick, just help them to feel better, and if they are sick and dying, help them not to die.....and Lord, if people are in jail..... just, just....... help them to get out."

30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 4

Today I am completely humbled. And that is what I am thankful for.

After my blog post about running yesterday I was feeling pretty hot stuff this morning out on my jog. It was one of those days I felt like I had a little more endurance so I added about 4 blocks onto my route. I was just over 1/2 way, and starting to head home, I crossed the street. I debated about crossing over to the other side, but decided against it at the last minute, there was a girl there walking her dog, so I just figured I'd cross over when I got closer to home. I don't know what happened, but about 2 seconds later I was flying through the air and landed face down, LAYING, on the pavement. I really wish I had a video of it because I'm sure it looked like something from the movies. Immediately my hands stung and my knee started throbbing. I forced myself up, and the girl and her dog asked, "are you OK?" I said, "I think so..." and started to limp home.

So, God has humbled me today, and shown my once again that He is in control. Thank you God, for a little reality check! I may be walking now for a few days. There is a huge goose-egg/bruise on my knee and my hands look like hamburger. Oh, and by the way, when kids fall and scrape their hands up on the pavement, it really does hurt!

30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 3

Morning Runs-

My relationship with running began a couple years ago. It is partly an addiction, part love/hate relationship, part "me" time, and part, a justification to eat ice cream while watching the biggest loser.

Whatever the reason behind it, fall mornings are some of the most beautiful times to be outside in the early wee hours, with the wind and rain in your face. Time to pray, and think. And I have seen some GLORIOUS sunrises in the process. I am so thankful for those early morning runs.

30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 2

(I am a little behind, oh well.)

Today (and every day!) I am thankful for my husband. This weekend I was away on a scrap booking retreat at the coast. I am so blessed to be able to go away and not worry about them at all. He encourages me to go, and takes care of everything at home. I even found a very sweet note from him in my suitcase while I was away. Here are a few other things that just make him the best:

• he unloads the dishwasher every morning
• he makes the coffee every morning
• he helps me pick fruit and produce in the the summer and even helps me can it!
• he takes on side jobs so I don't have to work, or worry about money
• he lets me vent and talk his ear off
• he sends me sweet emails and leave me notes
• he prays with me every night before bed

And much, much more! I am so blessed....and VERY thankful for him!

30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 1

My very inspirational friend Christi is doing this on her blog. I'm gonna copy her and do it too!

I am so thankful for my little girl. She is my side-kick these days and I'm so enjoying one-on-one time with her. She is my little helper, my friend, and she keeps me from getting lonely. She makes me laugh, and sing, and smile. She gives love so freely and I pray our relationship will always be this close.

"Brownies" .....need I say more?

One Rose Fairy Princess

Complete with make-up

Add two Jedi's

Who wouldn't stop posing....

Plus another family of five (not pictured) an awesome Duck win, yummy chili and cornbread, a little time to scrapbook, and way too many Reese's peanut butter cups.

It was a winner of a evening!