Day 30 - 30 Days of Thanks

Every good and perfect gift is from above ... James 1:17

It is with a very grateful heart that I have enjoyed sharing God's gifts of blessings this month. I will miss my daily posts and perhaps will have to revisit the lists of blessings often to stay focused. I am thankful for the friends - new and old - who have shared this past month with me. I look forward to staying in touch!

Today I got some really sweet gifts for my birthday! :) Flowers & candy from the church - delicious smelling "stuff" (from Bath & Body Works) from my co-workers - and not pictured a Goose Berry Patch recipe & craft collector's edition book from my little family. And cards - many sweet cards from friends and family. I used to say that "adult" birthdays were pretty boring & not worth getting excited over - but this year proved me wrong. It was an extra special day with many blessings!
I am grateful for my life ... and that God has allowed me 39 (??! really? so many??!) years on this earth - mostly healthy, happy years - but also the trials that He got me through - and a journey that has been amazing!

On a more frivolous note - I am thankful for my parents unknowingly getting one of my FAVORITE ice creams of all times for tonight: Breyers Chocolate Crackle (that my friend calls "crack" because it is soooo addicting!) ... yeah, that's one happily chocolate-crack-stupored pregnant woman:

I never want to take for granted the family God has given me. My husband who completes me - whom I respect even when he makes me mad because he's usually right - and who loves me unconditionally. My children who are growing up to be interesting individuals - who usually want to do what is right - who love the Lord and love being with us, their parents. (no pics of Andrew - he was manning the camera tonight)

I am thankful for my parents who drove 600 miles last week to be with me on my birthday - and who brought us a car seat-stroller combination as well as a bouncy seat they got at a consignment sale for our baby!! I am thankful for their quirks, for their love for the Lord, and for wanting what is best for me as I was growing up, even when I was difficult about understanding their advice.

Today was also my "last" day of work ... though it looks like another stint of being the "lunch lady" coming up this week - and perhaps even substitute teaching a few hours!! It wasn't a big deal that this was my "last" day of work because I know I'll be around - I'll be doing some work for the church/school from home as well as stopping by the office occasionally. After 6 1/2 years, I can't let go easily (ie. I am a CONTROL FREAK) ... and though I know the ladies will do a GREAT job in the office after I'm gone, I am thankful to still be involved in small ways around our church & school by doing the accounting, payroll, and other small tasks. I am thankful for my church - I am thankful for a wonderful little Christian school for my children to attend - and I am thankful for the privilege it was to work there ... and I am thankful for the lessons I have learned about ministry and about myself (some not very pretty lessons about myself!) these last few years.

I look forward to December - more blessings - more joy - especially with celebrating Christmas! I was just thinking that I am somewhat as pregnant as Mary may have been with Baby Jesus back then ... what an amazing thought (though I realize Jesus may NOT have actually been born ON December 25). I wonder how Mary felt - and I can understand why she would "ponder these things in her heart" (Luke 2:19) - Jesus gives us much to think about - so many good things to mull over and contemplate and rejoice in.

And for those who are wondering what we'll name our baby girl ... we've pretty much settled on Miriam (which is a version of Mary, meaning "beloved") unless we find something in the next few weeks that we like better ... well, that DAN likes better (he's naming this baby - long story - it's somewhere in my archives but I'm too lazy to search for it!).

What are YOU thankful for on this last day of November? Mr. Linky is not working tonight - perhaps we've exhausted him this month?? Please leave me a comment w/ a link to your last entry of thanks, if you'd like to share.

The Belly

Belly pictures from week 19 - week 35 (which starts today!)

30 Days of Thanks - Day 29!

Today I am thankful for

~ Christmas hymns at church

~ My parents' visit these last few days

~ My parents taking us to Cracker Barrel last night - no turkey in sight!

~ 35 weeks of a healthy pregnancy

~ Throw blankets on a cozy couch

Short & sweet today. What are you thankful for?:

30 Days of Thanks - Days 27 & 28

HOLIDAY LIGHTS - so beautiful!! On Thursday, after the big Thanksgiving meal and napping off the turkey dopamine stupor, we found out the Silver Dollar City was open from 4 - 10 p.m.! So, around 6 p.m., we bundled up (it was COLD!!) and my little immediate family went to the park. We got to see a show (a version of Dicken's Christmas Carol) and see the Light Parade. We shared hot chocolate, and I think for me it was the first time I "felt" like the Christmas season was upon us.

I am thankful for the 3 people above - my husband, son, and daughter who share each day with me and fill my life with love ... and though I love this little family unit, I can't wait to see it expanded by one more!

I am thankful for extended family - and as I already mentioned, I am thankful that my husband and I both have Christian parents. It is so good for my children to hear their grandfathers pray for them and to see their grandmothers read the Bible. I know not everyone has this privilege - and we don't take it for granted. My own family became Christians and got involved in church after I was already 8 years old, and I well remember the changes God made in our lives over the years after we found the Lord. I am so thankful for what God has brought us through, how He worked on us, and how He continues to help us grow in His knowledge- and mostly how He continually forgives us and has mercy on us.

I am sad this time of Thanksgiving is almost over for the month - but I hope it will have made giving thanks into a habit for me - and for all of us. It has been so good to look for daily blessings in the holidays as well as in the mundane, every-days. We have 2 more days to share - and again, I thank everyone who has!!

30 Days of Thanks - Day 25 & 26

I am combining Wednesday & Thursday's thanks into one post as I will be in "no wireless internet land" for the next few days! My parents-in-law do not have internet access, let alone a computer. I think the non-computer holiday will be good for me as I am practically co-dependent on my computer and my daily checks of email, facebook, and blogs! This time away will give me time to truly focus on my family, our blessings, and the holiday.

I am thankful that we are getting dismissed early from school today! The students will leave by noon (after a wonderful Thanksgiving lunch!), and the staff will start trickling away shortly after. As administrator, my husband stays until the bitter end usually - but at least it will still be an EARLY dismissal for us. We'll pack up quickly & hit the road as soon as possible. My parents-in-law live about 120 miles from us - for which I am also thankful as my children can get to know and interact with their grandparents on a fairly regular basis.

I am thankful for my family's health. My own dad recently had prostrate cancer surgery - and though he has some heart complications now (leaky heart valve?), he has been cleared to travel the 600 miles from their home in East Tennessee to our home in Middle-of-No-Where, Missouri. My parents will be here when we get home on Friday! I am so thankful that both sets of our parents are Christians - and my children know they have a godly heritage!

I will be thankful for turkey on Thursday - even though at this point, I'm a little sick of turkey already! I baked a turkey a few weeks ago when my husband got it on sale for $0.39/lb., and I baked another turkey last night to share with the school. I had to really pick this turkey good because we need all the meat we can get - and frankly, the whole picking-meat-off-bones thing is kind of gross, IMO! :)~ The meat was, however, DELICIOUS because you know I had to sample some! Just a simple butter baste - and mmmmmmmmmmmm, good!!

I am thankful for some time off with my family ... and wish you all a HAPPY and BLESSED Thanksgiving with your family and friends. See you back here on Friday for Day 27 of 30 Days of Thanks!

Psalm 100
1Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
2Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
3Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
5For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

Link up and share your Thanksgiving blessings:

30 Days of Thanks - Day 24

Today I am thankful for:

The ladies who are joining me in this month of focusing on God's blessings on their blogs as well - what an encouragement you have been to me - and what fun to share our stories and a small glimpse into each other's lives. THANK YOU!

I am thankful I have a few hours today to work on finishing cleaning my house. I don't really think it is "nesting" as such - though the baby things are READY!! - I really think that having company coming is motivating me to get busy!! My mom won't criticize my housekeeping - and in fact, I know she's glad to help me clean, cook, and with whatever I need - but I want her to relax & enjoy our visit at the end of this week too! My dad is also someone who enjoys little home projects, but he is still recovering from prostate cancer surgery - so he needs to take it easy!

I am thankful for a BIG turkey that I am baking today to contribute to our school's Thanksgiving Lunch tomorrow. I'm thankful because the meal tomorrow (which I won't have anything else to do with!) will be DELICIOUS and such a blessing to so many of our school children and their families. I am thankful for the volunteers who make a great team & who will make sure everything runs smoothly. I don't have that talent, but I am sure glad they do! :)

I am thankful for this week of Thanksgiving - to be with family and friends - to share our blessings and to praise the Lord together.

"Thanksgiving thoughts are the kind of thoughts

That we should have all year long.

For it is the folks with thankful hearts

whose lives are filled with song."

Bzzing about a Good Book...

Today I am sharing my review of a fun book I just read.

First - I have to say: "This is a Mama Buzz review. The product was provided by author Lisa Cottrell-Bentley and Wright on Time Books for this review."


This book is written by Lisa Cottrell-Bentley and adorably illustrated by Tanja Bauerle. The cost of the book is $12.99. You can check it out here: Wright on Time Books or on Amazon.

Ok, now that the necessary information is out there ... here's what I thought of this book.

Wright On Time - Book 1 - Arizona was a FUN book to read - even though it was geared toward 5-12 year olds. It is about a home-schooling family who is living in an RV and having great adventures along the way. The book doesn't necessarily have a "Christian" bent but the characters are are very moral, family-values-oriented.

Not only is the book about a family adventure/mystery, there are so many fun facts throughout the book - very educational! In the back of the book, there is a Glossary to refer to as well. It can definitely be used as a fun, home-school resource as well as a supplemental resource for any school children.

At the end of the book, you are left wanting more, especially since there is one little teaser of a mystery yet to solve! And Book 2 is supposed to be out in the Fall of 2009 - and the family moves on to adventures in Utah.

The author of this series is very open to interaction. She has a blog where one can play games, enter contests, learn more educational facts, and correspond with Lisa Cottrell-Bentley. I am very impressed with her passion for children, education, and getting to know her readers. She signed my book personally - and I can just sense she is very proud of her work and is excited to share this series with her readers. And I am excited to share my review with you.

30 Days of Thanks - Day 23

Today I am thankful for:

~ ORANGES :) Yummy - and all that Vit. C is good this time of year. I think I am getting a sore throat. :(

~ My nice co-worker who let me go home at 1 p.m. today - my daughter wasn't feeling well this morning (upset tummy) so we got to go home early to let her rest.

~ And speaking of work, I only work a few hours on Tuesday morning (my co-worker's daughter has a dr. appt.), Wednesday (and it's NOON DISMISSAL with a Thanksgiving Lunch before we go home!), and next Monday; and I am done! Aside from working some from home - and filling in if they need me until the baby is born, I will no longer be on a job schedule - although I also won't be getting much of a pay check any more either. A new way of life is definitely about to start - but I'm excited to get started.

~ This week my children will get to spend time with both sets of their grandparents! We are visiting Dan's parents who live about 120 miles away from Wednesday night til Friday ... and by the time we get home on Friday, my parents will be here from Tennessee!

What are YOU thankful for today? Link up & share with us:

30 Days of Thanks - Day 22

I am so thankful we had a very productive Saturday yesterday!! Anna and I cleaned out her room - and I do mean CLEANED OUT - closets, under the bed, book cases, etc ... My daughter is one of those who thinks if something is out of sight, it is "put away". I, on the other hand, am big on "a place for everything, and everything in its place." I have tried to get rubbermaid bins, baskets, containers, boxes, etc. for my kids to use to put their toys & things in - putting like items with like. My son follows this pretty well; my daughter, not so much. She'd LIKE TO try my system, but honestly, I don't really think a mess bothers her too much. She probably will have less stress in her life than I do!! :)



I got lots of laundry done & put away. My husband ironed for me - he actually doesn't mind so I'm thankful since he wears dress clothes to work every day, and we have quite a bit of ironing. I do miss the simplicity of a uniform from when he was active duty with the Army!



It's a great feeling to get up on a Sunday morning & have a somewhat clean, organized house (I still have LOTS to do to have it how I'd like it). My parents are coming to visit the end of the week, so that motivates me too!! We have our Sunday evening meal planned too - Dan brought home a big ol' ham on Saturday when he was out & about. It was on sale so he got a great deal too! I am thankful that my husband is willing to help out so much with some of the housework and grocery shopping. Especially at this stage of my pregnancy.



I hope everyone has a blessed Sunday. As always, I am looking forward to our services at my church - even to working in the toddler nursery during the afternoon service. My kids help me, and I love seeing them interact with the little people. :)

30 Days of Thanks - Day 21

Yesterday my thankfulness posting was delayed - today I am up & ready to go early!! Thus is my life. For the last 2 years now, I have worked on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday - except for the days that I needed to go in to work or help on Tuesday & Thursday ... so my schedule alternates from BUSY BUSY BUSY to quiet to BUSY BUSY BUSY back to quiet all the time.

There are days when I get up & leave the house early in the morning & don't see it again until late that evening. There are days when I don't leave my house at all. And I am thankful for both kinds of days - though my part time job is slowly coming to an end (which after 6+ years of working, I can hardly fathom not having! but am excited to be getting a new "job" as a SAHM of a new baby!!).

Anyway ... today I read an article that totally falls into line with what we are doing here at "The 'Haus" ... being thankful. I found this on the (In)courage website. A Lesson in Gratitude is worth reading (IMO) if you have a minute. It touches on something I actually enjoy doing, and that is writing Thank You cards. Lately, I've had a long list of people I've been writing - due to my wonderful baby shower last weekend, I have so many things to be thankful for. And I so want people to know how thankful I am for each item - whether a package of diapers that we will certainly NEED to the sweet little outfits that are just soooooo cute and frivolous.



I guess I have never liked being the center of attention for anything - and I certainly don't feel like I "deserve" anything from anyone - which has even translated over to God. I can't fathom why He loves me, why He blesses me, why He has been so good to me ... I am such a sinner - though forgiven (and how can He even forgive me?? Why would He want to??). It's not something that anyone has said to me, I don't think (I didn't grow up in a home where I was told I was rotten, no-good, or stupid - though I often felt like I wasn't good enough ... and now I wonder if that is just ME). It's something I struggle with sometimes - but I am learning to just take things as they come.

A long time ago, someone did something very, very kind for me - and I balked, I protested, I told her NOT TO ... and this person said if I didn't let her do this for me, I was depriving her of a blessing! It has stuck with me. I know how blessed I feel when I am able to do something for someone else (though I often feel like I don't do enough for others) - so why not let God use others to bless me? Even if I'm not feeling worthy, even if I don't think I deserve it, even if I think I didn't earn it (and do we really EARN God's love or any one's friendship?? No, it is a free GIFT!).

I guess even though I have some wrong thinking going on, one thing I always am is THANKFUL! I am thankful my children are healthy (I can hardly watch those commercials about FEED THE CHILDREN or see a plug for St. Jude's Children's Hospital without crying because only God's grace has made it that those aren't MY children - and would I still be thankful if they were mine?). I am thankful my marriage is great (and not that it has been perfect - but I have a husband who has loved me unconditionally for almost 17 years now!). I am thankful for my home ... for clothes ... for good friends ... for life in general ... for my children. Having dealt with infertility myself, I know the longing for a child - and I know many couples who still do not have a long-awaited baby they desire - and I feel unworthy to have been given the desires of my heart. And so many more things - little things, big things. My heart is full of thanks - and I know I should write the longest THANK YOU note to God Himself.

30 Days of Thanks - Day 20

This is the "Better Late than Never" edition!

Today was another one of those days that are busy from start to finish. I worked all day - then we grabbed a quick dinner - and then we were at our school's ballgames until 9 p.m.

I am thankful that for all it's busyness, it was a good day ... and now I am thankful for the WEEKEND to come! :)

Sorry so short ... perhaps tomorrow I'll have more time for philosophizing :)
Have a GREAT weekend!

If anyone still wants to, please link up here:

November Thanks - Day 19

After a few rainy, gray days, today I am thankful for SUNSHINE (that I am enjoying from the quiet of my home since it is my day off)!!!!

I think my cats are loving it too! There is a gorgeous, warm ray of sunshine coming in thru my NEW WINDOW in the living room - and my cats are rolling around, basking in that little spot of delight:

mmmmmmmmmm, soft rug, warm sun ...
I even opened my new window (!!) a little bit to let "the sun shine in" ... but the air is still nippy so that didn't last for long. I did enjoy opening my window SO EASILY as compared to my old, creaky windows that are NOW GONE!! (funny how a little thing like a window can just excite a homeowner so much!)

Cinder invited her twin sister, Ella to join her in the sun (get it Cinder + Ella):


Hope you are having a sunny day because of God's love - even if it is gray & rainy where you are.
Link up with me & share what you are thankful for!

It's still Wednesday ... but I'm very late in posting ... but I am THANKFUL!

Mostly I'm just thankful to be HOME...HOME SWEET HOME.

I worked all day today - however, this is the last full Wednesday I will be working in a long time. In a way, I'm a little sad - a little nostalgic - feeling a little guilt for abandoning my job. HOWEVER, I am thankful for one more opportunity to stay home, rock a baby, focus more on taking care of my family, and being more domestic.

I am thankful for my church - for the children's program that my husband and I work with during the mid-week service - and for the faithful church members who help us each Wednesday night.

And now - after this long day - I am thankful for a few moments of quiet before bed ... and for drop-and-bake cookies that will be my bedtime snack :) and for my family and friends. Even though it's been a long day, I feel very blessed.

If you still want to link up - though it's a little late - please do! I'd hate to miss out on sharing in everyone's list of THANKS.

30 Days of Thanks - Day 17

Today I have much to be thankful for. It was my day off, and I had a doctor appointment. I always love to hear the gentle whooooosh-whooooooosh of the baby's heartbeat! My next appointment is in 2 weeks - and I will be having an ultrasound to check on the baby's growth and progress.



Since I live in the middle-of-no-where, it is always a treat to travel 50+ miles to where my doctor is located - and where they have a TARGET :) I didn't buy much - but it was fun to wander the aisles and look at the "stuff". I had a bowl of soup at Panera Bread Co. (broccoli cheese) - and then enjoyed a leisurely drive home.



I was thankful that when I got home, there were 8 brand new double-paned windows and new screens on my house!!! Three workman had been busy all day - in the rain - replacing our old, moldy, wooden windows & hole-y screens that were original to our home (20+ years old). I am thankful that this winter we won't have to "shrink wrap" the bedroom windows to keep out the drafts. I will be glad to sit on the couch BY THE WINDOW without freezing from the cold air seeping in. I am thankful the condensation won't gather on the window panes & get into the frames & form dark, mold spots (bleck!!). I am thankful that these new windows will kind of flip out & open so I can clean them easily instead of cleaning from the inside & then going outside to clean too. I am thankful we will get a TAX CREDIT for installing an energy efficient product, which will help pay for them. I am hopeful - and will be thankful - if our utility bill truly goes down as radically as they promise due to our heat & a/c staying IN THE HOUSE instead of going "out the window".

I will be thankful when my husband comes home tonight. From talking to him a few times today, he's had a doozy of a day - busy, busy, busy - and our school had ballgames tonight too which he attended. I can't wait to pamper him a little bit! :) He's such a good man and I am thankful to take care of him.

30 Days of Thanks - Day 16

Right at this very moment I am very very thankful for one thing:

SILENCE.

My children are put to bed; my husband has been asleep for a long time now ... and I'm basking in the quiet of the house.

It was a busy Monday at work - nothing too stressful, just non-stop busy. I am tired - not the sleepy kind of tired but just the weary kind of tired.

Lastly I will say, I am thankful for ICE CREAM - because I am about to eat some -and then go to my bed, for which I am also very, very thankful! :)

Half Way Through a Month of Thanks - Day 15

Today I am thankful for

~ Sundays: hymns, prayer, a good sermon filled with God's Word - and not just some man's opinions & motivational blah-blah.

~ Quiet afternoons at home. Our church has 2 Sunday services - but our 2nd one is at 2:00 p.m. which means once we get home in the afternoon, we are home to stay! Comfy clothes, snacks, family time!

~ Throw blankets on the couch, a napping hubby beside me, and a kitty sitting on my feet.

~ The baby shower presents scattered all over my dining room - I need to find a place for everything now - but I love the reminder of how many ladies were soooooo kind to me & how God has met our baby's "needs" (and some of my "wants") through my church family.

I didn't think my thankful list would be very long today - but once I started dwelling on it, I think I could keep going!!! But I'll stop for now.

Hope everyone has a GREAT week!!

Showered With Blessings - Nov 14

Two of my dear friends hosted a baby shower for me today! It was just SO pretty- the tablescape alone just made me happy :) There were so many yummy, homemade goodies & lovely decorative touches!

I was so glad I could share this time with my daughter, Anna, too. I felt like a PRINCESS :) I also felt so honored that so many ladies from my church came! And they showered me with wonderful gifts too! I have everything I need - and am now ready to bring home a baby!

If you are partcipating in "30 Days of Thanks", please link up and share your blessings.

Day 13 - continued

Today after a full day of work, we continued my daughter's birthday celebration by having 3 of her friends come for a sleepover.

Last night, Anna and I made the cake - very simple: strawberry cake with cream cheese frosting. The flowers & butterfly were made with cookie cutters that we pressed into the cake & fill the mold with colored sugar sprinkles.

Right now I am thankful for our friends! 2 of the girls that are here tonight have been Anna's friends since we moved here when they were all just a year old!

We've enjoyed cake, presents, and scavenger hunts. Even Andrew is having a good time - though he was DREADING having GIRLS over!! They are playing freeze tag and getting along splendidly.


I'm sure THANKFUL it is the WEEKEND again!! What are you thankful for today? Mr. Linky is in the previous post if you'd like to share.

30 Days of Thanks - Day 13

I have been at work all day - and I am bringing 3 extra girls home with me for a sleep-over after school today. I will be back later to share what I'm thankful for - but until then, I wanted to go ahead & put up Mr. Linky.

30 Days of Thanks - Day 12

I am thankful for today ... even though it wasn't a productive day ... even though it was a downright strange day ... even though it was kind of a wasted day.

I am thankful because -

~ it was my usual day off.

~ I woke up around 7 a.m. with big plans to get a lot accomplished!

~ I started out strong on my to-do list. I started laundry, got some bills paid and organized, and ordered some things on line that we've been needing.

~ By 10:30 a.m. I was just sooooooooooo tired. I had a few weird Braxton-Hicks contractions off and on all morning and though they didn't really "hurt", I was uncomfortable. So I laid down "for a few minutes."

~ at 1:30 p.m. I woke up!! I did feel better though for which I was thankful. :) I haven't been sleeping well or through the night so I guess it just caught up to me. (of course, such a long nap will probably sabotage my ability to be sleepy again tonight!)

~ I needed a chocolate dip cone from DQ ... and so I got one. :) I am thankful for chocolate dip cones. :)

~ Now my kids are home from school - and I am thankful for the talks we have on the drive home from school each day.

~ I am thankful we still have left-over turkey for dinner...and I have potatoes baking in the oven! I am thankful that tonight my entire family will be home together :)

What are you thankful for today?

Thankful for Veterans - Nov 11th

Today is Veteran's Day! My family has many veterans in it - and I am thankful for their service. I have been around the military since I was 4 years old. At that time, my mother (who is German) married an American soldier, and we moved to the United States with him. My (step)dad soon retired, but we stayed connected to the Army by shopping on military bases, using their medical services, and later my (step)dad got a job with the Civil Service that again stationed my family in Germany with the military while I was in college.

My husband attended ROTC to help him pay for college and ended up with an active duty commission with the Army. He spent 2 years in the National Guard and then once we were married, he served 12 years on active duty. From February 2003 - February 2004, Dan was deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom 1. It was a long year for us all; but God's grace was sufficient and Dan came back to us safely. I am so thankful for the people God used in our lives at that time to get us through - especially my real-life friend Amy who blogs at It Is Well. Her husband and mine were deployed together - and it was good to know they had each other's backs over there while we held down the "home front" here.

Over the generations of America, so many military families gave so much more than we ever did - many made the "ultimate sacrifice" - and may it never be in vain. Even now, I know there are military families who are experiencing multiple deployments - and some for more than a year's time. I can't begin to imagine that since the one year Dan was gone seemed like an eternity!

Happy Veteran's Day - and THANK YOU to our veterans who have kept American free and safe. I am thankful to be a naturalized citizen of this country even though I am very proud of my German heritage as well. I am thankful that I have had the opportunity to live on each coast of this county, as well as in between, thanks to the military moving us all over (to include Germany for 3 years with my husband) - California, Washington State, Texas, Virginia, and now Missouri (it is thanks to the military we settled here - by the Lord's leading).

Share what you are thankful for by linking up with me today!

Thankfulness Continues - Day 10

When one works for a small Christian school, you never know what you might end up doing on any given day! Though my job is in the office, I have substituted several grades, helped wake up K4 students from nap time, fussed over all kinds of boo-boo's, and cleaned classrooms. I tend to stay away from the kitchen and lunch room because it's just not my comfort zone - but today our "lunch lady" had to be at a medical procedure, and my husband asked me to fill in. And feeling somewhat courageous, I did!



I am thankful I survived :) Actually, it wasn't too bad. My biggest problem was that with about 55 children in K4 and K5, I don't know all the names and faces. Thankfully, the teachers helped me out A LOT!! Both K5 teachers even practically ate lunch standing up so they could get every one's food opened, warmed up, etc. After the youngest students left, the rest of the lunch time was - well - a piece of cake ;)

Today I am thankful for

~my children's school where my husband and I work

~my children - they are healthy and doing well in school.

~my husband - he's pretty incredible ;)

~a healthy pregnancy

~a cozy home

~home made chicken soup simmering on my stove!

Days of Thanks - Day 9

Today I am thankful that I don't have to be at work until NOON. Since we are training my replacement, my co-worker is working with her this morning - and I'll take the "afternoon shift". I am thankful I was able to linger in bed a little longer than normal. I haven't been sleeping well - not sure if this is because I am now 32 weeks pregnant - but it seems that my bladder is now the size of an acorn (I was going to say a pea, but somehow that didn't sound quite right!!ha), I can't get comfy, and I toss and turn a lot so I end up on the couch around 2 a.m. I bought a body pillow but it seems to disturb my sleep even more as I shift the HUGE thing around, trying to get comfortable.

So, this morning I've been working on my office notebook that I am going to leave behind at work. It explains all the tasks we do on a regular basis. I still can't believe that after 6 1/2 years of working outside my home & having my children in school, I am about to be done and go back to what I've always just wanted to do - be a SAHM/WAHM. It will be very different this time since when A&A were little, my husband was still in the Army, and we were very active in a lot of activities and had money to spend. This time, my life will be much quieter, mostly because I am older and more of a homebody than ever - I will not be attending PWOC, MOPS or Musikgarten or any of the other things I did with A&A, like taking advantage of the hourly care program on the Army post we lived on. I will be cooking at home a lot more & learning to live on a much smaller budget. I will also - God willing - be working from home some & will need to really be careful about how I manage my time. And I can't wait to get started. :)

I am thankful the weather here is still pleasant. After weeks of rain, it was great to have temps in the high 70s over the weekend. I don't like winter/cold weather, so I'm thankful it is unusually warm right now!

I am thankful that I baked that yummy turkey last night - and supper will be EASY for the next few nights :) I am thankful that I have a few hours this morning to putter around my quiet house and do a few chores. I don't think I've vacuumed in weeks - it's definitely time to pull out the ol' vacuum cleaner!

Hope you all have a great day - full of experiences and blessings to be thankful for!

Giving Thanks - Day 8

It was a good day at our church (as usual). In Sunday School, we are studying this book:

It's my first exposure to Nancy Leigh DeMoss' writings (though I did not actually buy the book, so I am gleaning its lessons by listening). Our pastor's wife talked about how SELFISHNESS is the biggest hindrance to the serving - our spouses, our children, our church, those who are not easy to please ... Often we serve or do something, expecting appreciation. It doesn't always come. However, the appreciation should NOT be the motive for our acts of service. We are serving OTHERS, not for our own gratification. Appreciation is nice, but would we continue on if we were totally taken for granted? As my husband reminds me sometimes - if only God notices, that is enough.

I am thankful that my husband balances me out - and often gives me perspective. He serves at his job without much attention drawn to himself or to what he does. We have many humble people who work with us who are the same way. They just get the job done. What a blessing! I try to make it a point to say "thank you" often and to appreciate even small acts of service - but some things just get overlooked. It is nice to know God sees all (in this case!) and sometimes has His own ways of encouraging us to keep going.

On a more non-spiritual note, I am thankful our local grocery store has turkey on sale for $ 0.39 per lb! My husband brought home a small turkey on Saturday - and I baked it today for a pre-Thanksgiving meal!

My Turkey Recipe (roasted garlic version)

I roast garlic bulbs (cut off the tops, drizzle with olive oil, wrap in aluminum foil - bake at 400 degrees for about an hour); when cooled slightly, squeeze out the baked garlic inside the cloves into a softened stick of butter in a bowl. Then I mix that up - squish the mixture between the skin and the meat on the turkey breast & into the legs (which totally grosses me out - but it is SO worth it!) - and save about 2 tbsp of it to coat the outside of the turkey too. Bake the turkey at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Tent with foil - and use guide to bake it until done (basting occasionally). This has always given us such moist meat!!

When my husband prayed over our meal tonight, he unknowingly mentioned the whole theme of this month of thanks --- he prayed that even though it is not Thanksgiving yet, may we be always thankful for the blessings in our daily lives & remember how God provides for our needs. Amen.

November Thanks - Day 7

A whole week of focusing on GIVING THANKS has gone by!! It sure has helped my attitude and been a lot of fun as well. I look forward to reading the blogs of those who are joining me each evening. Maybe I'll go for a WHOLE YEAR of giving thanks - actually, surely, this thinking process will just become a way of life. I have been convicted for a long time that I need to work on turning my negative thinking habits around because GOD IS GOOD (even when circumstances aren't), all the time.

It's my favorite day of the week: Saturday!! And on this quiet, sunny day, it is again EASY to reflect on the blessings I have. Today I am thankful for:

~ a quiet morning. My husband is a morning person so he wakes up at the crack of dawn every day, no matter what, ready to GO. I, on the other hand, do NOT. So, today my husband has taken the kids to the library, and I am basking in the silence of the house.

~last night my husband was at ballgames with our Christian school's volleyball and basketball teams. He was in a town that has a Panera Bread Co., and he KNOWS it is one of my favorite places to eat/have coffee/have a snack, so he brought me back the crispy-crusted, soft-dough french bread that came with his Greek salad (the volleyball team ate at Panera for supper) -AND bought me a blueberry bagel to eat for breakfast today. :) I am in carb-heaven!

~I never in my life imagined I'd become a sports fan ... but due to my husband's excitement over his native Iowa Hawkeyes being UNDEFEATED this season, I have caught the fever of college football. I've always cheered unintelligently, non-commitally for my own home team, the Tennessee Volunteers - but at this stage, I can actually tell you players' names and give you stats! YIKES! Who'd a thunk?!! At 11:00 a.m. today, Iowa will face Northwestern - and we'll be watching! :) My Vols play Memphis later tonight, and hopefully they'll give us a WIN too.

~Somewhere in there, we need to get some groceries. I love love love Aldi's - and we'll probably start there. I have shopped at Aldi's since I was a kid who spent my summers in Germany with my grandparents - Aldi's is a German chain (ALbrecht DIscount) that is spreading across the U.S. We also have a Surplus Grocery store nearby there (lovingly known as the crushed-can-place). They get groceries that have been damaged (like cereal boxes that are cut, cans that are crushed, etc) that regular grocery stores are unable to sell. They are priced (usually) way cheaper than the regular stores, and one never knows what you might find. Grocery shopping that is fun & adventurous - ha! :) My husband actually LIKES to grocery shop, so we often make it a family trip. I tease him because he is seemingly the only man in our entire church and circle of friends who doesn't hunt- never has, never will - so I say this is his way of helping our family to "stock our freezer" and provide us with good meat and food instead of with wild life and game (whatever you call it) that the other guys are bringing home during the hunting season! :)

This may all sound like a pretty boring or quite average day ... but for our family, it sounds PERFECT :)

What are YOU thankful for today?? Link up & tell me!

Day 6 of Giving Thanks!

One of the ladies joining in this 30 Days of Thankfulness commented that it was so neat to wake up and start the day thinking about what to look for to share that we are thankful for! I haven't really had any "bad" days yet this month, but I have found that I am seeing things in a positive light as I focus more on God's goodness and blessings instead of myself and things in my life that aren't always going my way.

Today I am thankful I had a doctor appointment on Thursday. My doctor didn't have a lot of time to visit, so I didn't get any of my questions answered - but I will be seeing him again in 12 days (supposed to be 2 weeks but my schedule didn't work out to do that). I did get to hear the blessed whoooooooosh-whooooooosh of the baby's heartbeat. Of course, she is moving a lot these days so I know she is there! I love my belly and am thankful that everything has gone well these last almost-32 weeks of pregnancy.

I still don't feel too overwhelmingly uncomfortable, and I can still bend over! - but I know the next few weeks could make a HUGE (pun intended!) difference.

I am thankful for -

1. I was off work yesterday. Today (Friday) I will be at work -we've been training my replacement so that's been making it seem more real that I am actually going to get to go back to being a SAHM (and hopefully WAHM) soon!! :)

2. Safety traveling - my doctor's office is about 50 miles away - so I spent a lot of time in the car yesterday.

3. I had gotten a coupon booklet in the mail for Target's new off brand "Up and Up" - and I was able to get some things we needed anyway for a cheaper price. :) I am just hopeful the quality of the generics will be good - laundry detergent (free & clear), hand soap, napkins, lotion, diapers, etc.

4. I am thankful the sun is shining - and it was about 65 degrees on Thursday. Perfect weather for traveling and being out & about.