Really, Thanksgiving is a season, right? It spans from November through December, as we reflect on all that we've been given in December as well. So...
Thankful #18 - The Family Ministry Team at our church! Glory to God in the Highest! I am on this team and it's right where I'm suppose to be. Yesterday, I enjoyed an AMAZING break for parents and indulged a little - vanilla latte at the local coffee shop on Main street with my feet up, next to the fireplace, reading the best book, and talking to God...courtesy of the volunteers for Christmas Break for Parents. My friend, Katie, took a shower during her break. She was pumped. Yes, only as a mother of young kids do you get so excited to take a shower alone, in peace. :)
Thankful #19 - Opportunity! Matt and I were just reflecting a bit on this tonight. Our parents and grandparents have given us so much opportunity and for that we are incredibly thankful. Mom and Dad, Mark and Brenda - you know what you've done!
Thankful #20 - New Friends! In no way will they replace the strong friendships that we have built with old friends, but it's nice to have something planned with another couple and their son in our new location - they're coming over for dinner this month. (Yes, we had to plan that far in advance.) And I am feeling more connected at our church. God is good...all the time.
Thankful #21 - Claire Claire. Love her. She was so cute tonight. I was nursing Henry in bed tonight and she came up and put Baby to bed in our room. She prayed with her - thanking God for Mama, Daddy, Opa...and others. Then she sang our lullaby to her, gave her a cuddly "Schnuffeltuch" (cuddle toy) and tucked her in. I realize that many little girls do this, but when MY little girl does it, I think she's wonderful.
Thankful #22 - Hen-ro (Henry). He is really cool, he can walk now and loves to point at things. Mostly balloons. Sometimes Mommy or the Christmas tree. Otherwise he loves to say "ga" or "da" (I think he is part Russian).
GUEST POST in purple by the one and only, Matty!
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Saturday, November 17, 2012
A Little Behind, but Still Thankful...
Day 9 - My awesome Aunt Chris! I love her so much and she's so special to me. We have a wonderful relationship and I can always count on her! She's got a great sense of humor, is a whiz in the kitchen, and it's always fun spending time with her. She's greatly influenced my life, giving me a wonderful curiosity for trying new foods and experiences!
Day 10 - Thankful for a wonderful family-in-law! I love that Matt has a big family and am blessed that they include me as one of the bunch! And I am thankful for Aunt Sue helping decorate Henry's cupcakes. :)
Day 11 - My brother and sister-in-law, as friends. Alex and Jaclyn are great to spend time with, just the four of us. We have gotten to spend more time with just them since moving, and that's definitely a positive!
Day 12 - It's my baby boy's birthday! I'm incredibly thankful for Henry Matthew. :)
Day 13 - I'm thankful for my longest friend, Kristin! We met and became friends the summer before sixth grade. A few weeks ago, while organizing, I read what she wrote in my high school graduation guestbook. It was something like "It's been fun knowing you." Her mom, Lori, wrote, "Keep in touch!" Little did we know that we would become even closer not seeing each other everyday (during golf season). She is SUCH a great friend. We can always pick up right where we left off, she is so easy to talk to, encouraging, and genuinely interested in my day, even if I have nothing spectacular to share. I love her so much!
Day 14 - My mother-in-law! She always is willing to help out when we ask. Last week, on her day off, she came over for four hours to help with the kids and distract them while I cleaned. Since then, the house has been 'in order.' And let me tell you, when the house is in order, everyone is more relaxed and we enjoy each day a bit more!
Day 15 - Refreshing conversations with close friends - today with Jen while the girls played together, and also for phone conversations. It makes my heart happy! :)
Day 16 - I'm thankful that I'm healthy and for the health of my family! I want to take up cross-country skiing. I have been walking. I do not want to take for granted that the Lord gave me good health. I want to honor Him by taking care of myself!
Day 17 - So thankful for my husband's attitude, helpfulness, and work ethic!
Day 10 - Thankful for a wonderful family-in-law! I love that Matt has a big family and am blessed that they include me as one of the bunch! And I am thankful for Aunt Sue helping decorate Henry's cupcakes. :)
Day 11 - My brother and sister-in-law, as friends. Alex and Jaclyn are great to spend time with, just the four of us. We have gotten to spend more time with just them since moving, and that's definitely a positive!
Day 12 - It's my baby boy's birthday! I'm incredibly thankful for Henry Matthew. :)
Day 13 - I'm thankful for my longest friend, Kristin! We met and became friends the summer before sixth grade. A few weeks ago, while organizing, I read what she wrote in my high school graduation guestbook. It was something like "It's been fun knowing you." Her mom, Lori, wrote, "Keep in touch!" Little did we know that we would become even closer not seeing each other everyday (during golf season). She is SUCH a great friend. We can always pick up right where we left off, she is so easy to talk to, encouraging, and genuinely interested in my day, even if I have nothing spectacular to share. I love her so much!
Day 14 - My mother-in-law! She always is willing to help out when we ask. Last week, on her day off, she came over for four hours to help with the kids and distract them while I cleaned. Since then, the house has been 'in order.' And let me tell you, when the house is in order, everyone is more relaxed and we enjoy each day a bit more!
Day 15 - Refreshing conversations with close friends - today with Jen while the girls played together, and also for phone conversations. It makes my heart happy! :)
Day 16 - I'm thankful that I'm healthy and for the health of my family! I want to take up cross-country skiing. I have been walking. I do not want to take for granted that the Lord gave me good health. I want to honor Him by taking care of myself!
Day 17 - So thankful for my husband's attitude, helpfulness, and work ethic!
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Days 7 & 8 - Family!
Day 7 -
I'm super thankful for being born to great, loving parents! They taught me to be compassionate, modeled a great work ethic, and instilled in me the importance of financial responsibility. Without them, I wouldn't have gotten the fortunate start that I did.
Day 8 -
Mom and Dad also gifted me a brother and I'm blessed to have a great relationship with him! Alex is one of my best friends and I'm so proud of him!
I'm super thankful for being born to great, loving parents! They taught me to be compassionate, modeled a great work ethic, and instilled in me the importance of financial responsibility. Without them, I wouldn't have gotten the fortunate start that I did.
Day 8 -
Mom and Dad also gifted me a brother and I'm blessed to have a great relationship with him! Alex is one of my best friends and I'm so proud of him!
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
November 6 - Freedom!
Today I'm thankful for the freedom to choose to worship the Lord and pray in public; the freedom to choose my spouse; the freedom to keep and raise my children, boy or girl; the freedom to become educated, especially as a woman; the freedom to choose our country's leaders; the freedom to work as a woman; and the freedom that comes with working from home with my own business.
In many countries or cultures, all or some of these are still denied! Atrocity.
In many countries or cultures, all or some of these are still denied! Atrocity.
Day 5 - My two lights!
Claire and Henry are the lights of my day! I love their smiles and playing and curiosity and love. The other night, Claire told Matt, "Daddy, I wanna play with Mama." We had been playing Mama Monster and she loves it because she has my undivided attention - my goal - pursuing her - and it's fun too! I love spending time with my kiddos and a family and am so grateful God has entrusted us to raise them. I am so grateful that they still love spending time with me, as I know it won't always be so! I pray that I can be the type of parent that is respected, but still fun, that I can set an example for my kiddos and their friends, even in those teen and college years, so much so that they will 'want' to hang out with me and their friends every once in a while. :)
Sunday, November 4, 2012
November 4 - Non-negotiables
Matt and I are both so grateful for amazing friends that feel like family, and for celebrating special occasions together! Today we were honored to be included in celebrating the baptism of Benjamin John. He's just a little peanut, but God already has so much in store for him!
Sometime within these past six months, I heard about 'non-negotiables.' It may have even been from a movie, but I liked it and it stuck with me. The advice whomever gave was to make some events non-negotiables in your best friends' lives. For example, a wedding would be a non-negotiable, meaning you'd do everything you possibly could to make it to a friends' wedding. It shows value in the relationship and support for the life event, not to mention creating memories together, which is super important to this 'quality time' minded girl! I talked with Matt about this idea, and we decided we liked it and it was a good way to ensure that we stay in touch with friends that we don't live near (let's face it, that's ALL our friends right now!). It's so important to us to keep these wonderful friendships strong that we made in DSM, even though we've moved! So...births, baptisms, 1st birthdays, weddings, and sadly, deaths...non-negotiables! And THAT'S why we had a road trip today...and it was well worth the time in the car!
Sometime within these past six months, I heard about 'non-negotiables.' It may have even been from a movie, but I liked it and it stuck with me. The advice whomever gave was to make some events non-negotiables in your best friends' lives. For example, a wedding would be a non-negotiable, meaning you'd do everything you possibly could to make it to a friends' wedding. It shows value in the relationship and support for the life event, not to mention creating memories together, which is super important to this 'quality time' minded girl! I talked with Matt about this idea, and we decided we liked it and it was a good way to ensure that we stay in touch with friends that we don't live near (let's face it, that's ALL our friends right now!). It's so important to us to keep these wonderful friendships strong that we made in DSM, even though we've moved! So...births, baptisms, 1st birthdays, weddings, and sadly, deaths...non-negotiables! And THAT'S why we had a road trip today...and it was well worth the time in the car!
Saturday, November 3, 2012
November 3 - I'm His
Today I'm thankful that I get my worth from the Lord. That means even when I've done everything wrong, and am feeling at my worst, I can take comfort in knowing He made me in His image, to glorify Him, and I can do all things in Him who gives me strength.
Lately I've noticed my need for that strength more! Whoever said this being a mama thing was easy had never tried it. I actually did think, in a way, that being at home with my kids would be 'easier,' though that's not the right word. It definitely is more laid back and flexible as far as schedules, getting out the door by a certain time, are concerned. But it is in no way easier. I think it wears me out even more than teaching! Matt and I are both exhausted by the end of a day of parenting. There have been a few days lately when I've really felt like I'm doing nothing right, and yes, that's in my exhausted state of mind, but it's then that I turn to God and ask Him to remind me that I'm His. He has adopted me as His daughter. And even though I'm not doing this whole parenting thing perfectly (and as much as I try to do it perfectly!), I have faith that my Savior is in control. His plan is greater! He has marked my children as His since the day they were conceived, and He knows them better than anyone, and though they may stray, He will always have open arms when they run back to Him!
Lately I've noticed my need for that strength more! Whoever said this being a mama thing was easy had never tried it. I actually did think, in a way, that being at home with my kids would be 'easier,' though that's not the right word. It definitely is more laid back and flexible as far as schedules, getting out the door by a certain time, are concerned. But it is in no way easier. I think it wears me out even more than teaching! Matt and I are both exhausted by the end of a day of parenting. There have been a few days lately when I've really felt like I'm doing nothing right, and yes, that's in my exhausted state of mind, but it's then that I turn to God and ask Him to remind me that I'm His. He has adopted me as His daughter. And even though I'm not doing this whole parenting thing perfectly (and as much as I try to do it perfectly!), I have faith that my Savior is in control. His plan is greater! He has marked my children as His since the day they were conceived, and He knows them better than anyone, and though they may stray, He will always have open arms when they run back to Him!
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