30 Days of Thanksgiving: November 29-30

Day 29: I am thankful for God's protection. I made a quick run to the grocery store and the van literally started shaking like the front wheels were going to fall off! I am thankful that it didn't start doing that while we were out of town this past weekend driving at much higher speeds than my 25mph here in town.

Day 30: As a culmination of my "30 days of Thanksgiving" posts, I want to say that the thing I am most thankful for is Jesus Christ. I have been reading through the book of Hebrews the last couple of weeks and am reminded of how amazing my wonderful Savior truly is. His sacrifice on the cross for my sins and the sins of the whole world have made it possible for me to have a personal relationship with God and someday spend all of eternity is Heaven.

Hebrews 10:1-25

For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: in burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: but this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, this is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; and having an high priest over the house of God; let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

30 Days of Thanksgiving: November 26-28

Day 26: I am thankful that we no longer have ANY car payments. 2 years ago we paid off both the van and Jared's car, neither vehicle is in perfect condition and both are now over 10 years old, but they are completely paid for and that is a wonderful feeling!

Day 27: I am thankful that my children like people.

Day 28: I am thankful for a night of uninterrupted sleep. All of the kids (including Sofi) slept through the night for the first time in many weeks.

30 Days of Thanksgiving: November 23-25

It's been wonderful and busy Thanksgiving week full of things to be thankful for:

Day 23:  I am thankful for the opportunity to go grocery shopping with only Miss Sofia (who slept the entire shopping trip). I fully enjoyed not having to tell anyone even once to "stop touching that and put your hands back into the cart". :o)

Day 24:  Happy Thanksgiving! I am thankful for the ability to walk. I was able to "enjoy" a 5k this morning with Jared and a few other friends this morning while my mother and father-in-law watched the kiddos. It's the first time in a LONG time that I have walked/ran over 3 miles, let alone without a stroller. :o)

Day 25:  I am thankful for some good deals while out shopping this morning, for some crafting time with a friend, and for an enjoyable family night.

30 Days of Thanksgiving: November 22

Day 22: Today I am thankful for productive days.

There are many days when I feel like I've accomplished nothing, which both my mom and mother-in-law remind me is completely untrue since I did feed, clothe, and care for 4 small children, but you understand what I mean. Both yesterday and today I have been able to get many things done and still spend time with my kiddos. That is something that seems so rare most days and for it I am very thankful!

30 Days of Thanksgiving: November 21

Day 21: Today I am reminded to be thankful for good health. My entire family is usually fairly healthy so after a month of the kids battling some form of sickness I am very thankful that I have yet to get sick. It also make me thankful for the times when my kids aren't sick. :o)

30 Days of Thanksgiving: November 18-20

Things have been a little crazy so I've gotten behind on posting my "Thanksgiving" posts.

Day 18: Today I was thankful for some quality time with my family. I enjoyed spending some time at the Chula Vista Resort and Waterpark with the Jared, the kids, and my BIL, SIL, and their kiddos.

Day 19: I am thankful today for the prayers of children. There is something about hearing a child pray that just makes me smile. They are so honest, simple, trusting, and sincere. I think that God truly delights in answering the prayers of children. For instance: last year Reagan prayed that God would give us another baby (after I told him that I was not ready for another one so he'd have to talk to God about wanting one). 6 weeks later we found out that we were expecting Sofia. Then this morning while sitting at the resort eating breakfast I told the kids that we should pray for Daddy (Jared) to get a deer or two (being it was opening day and Jared's only chance to hunt). Without hesitation Amelia bowed her head, closed her eyes, folded her hands, and prayed, "Fadder, daddy shoot deer, aaaamen." Reagan and Evie also prayed. 15 minutes later I got a text message from Jared, it said, "got one...doe." :o)

Day 20: I am thankful for a time of refreshment. Amelia and Sofia took very long naps yesterday at the resort and my SIL (and her sister) so graciously offered to take Reagan and Evie down to the waterpark along with her kiddos while they napped. It allowed me some time to spend reading and relaxing in peace and quiet. :o)

30 Days of Thanksgiving: November 17

Day 17: I will be completely honest, today was a day that I really, REALLY struggled with being thankful for anything. I was so worn out with sick kids and frustrated with not being able to get everything done that I needed to. I was running low on sleep, the house was a disaster, and I did not feel like I was being the wife and mother that I should be able to be. Basically, I wanted to be Super Woman (the wife and mother who can handle anything and everything that life throws at her with a smile on her face) but discovered that I was not.
That's when it hit me, I would never be Super Woman because I am just a human being. I will never be perfect this side of heaven. BUT God doesn't expect me to be perfect He only expects me to do my best. In short, I am so very thankful for God's grace. I do not deserve it but He chooses to give it. :o)

30 Days of Thanksgiving: November 16

Day 16: I am thankful for God's provision even if it is in a very unusual way. Jared and I have been praying about going on a mission trip to Puerto Rico in a few months but needed to have half of the money ($400 for each of us) in by this week. I got to looking over our accounts and in talking it over we decided there was just no way that we could "afford" to go unless God gave us the money in addition to our budgeted income.
We'd decided a few months ago to start putting any of my sewing money into a separate account specifically for either a mission trip or a vacation so we started out with exactly $57 toward the trip. Then a couple of weeks ago, we received a check for some money that someone owed us ($250). We hadn't budgeted for it so it was "extra". Then I got two more sewing jobs raising our amount to $400, which meant that at least Jared was going. Jared really wanted me to be able to go (and I really wanted to go) but we knew that it was still not a possibility unless God supplied the other $400 above our budgeted expenses. On Friday, we received a check in the mail for $100 from an income tax amendment. Now I was pretty skeptical about God supplying the other $300 by today so I'd pretty much resigned myself to not going.
Well, every Wednesday is usually my grocery shopping day but I have been stuck home due to sick kids or bad weather 3 of the last 4 weeks so I only picked up necessities instead of my usual "sale shopping". Today (while being stuck home yet again on a shopping day) I went through our finances only to discover that due to my shopping for only absolutely necessary items over the last 4 weeks we had a surplus of...drum roll please...$300. The exact amount we needed for my half of the mission trip "down-payment".

30 Days of Thanksgiving: November 15

Day 15: Today I am thankful for Reagan. His brain and body move at lightning speeds and generally in the wrong direction making him quite a handful most days, but on the days that they move in the right direction he is the single most amazing little helper.
For instance, I do not do well with vomit, it makes me sick just thinking about it. Today Reagan walked into the living room where I was feeding Sofi, he was carrying the puke bucket. He asked, "Mom, do you know why I have the puke bucket?" I replied that I did not. He said, "I have the puke bucket because I think I'm going to throw up." I told him that he should just go in the bathroom and use the toilet. Reagan proceeded to remind me that he prefers to throw up in the bucket (just ask Gma L.). I told him that if he was going to throw up in the bucket he should do it in the bathroom because puke makes mommy feel sick. I really didn't think he was serious about having to puke. Next thing I know, Reagan is in the bathroom throwing up into his bucket. Then I heard him dump the bucket's contents into the toilet, flush, rinse out the bucket, and wash his hands. :o)

30 Days of Thanksgiving: November 14

Day 14: Today I was reminded to be thankful for my children and their relationships with each other. They really are the most precious little people. A few of the things that reminded me of this:

• I took Sofi in for her 4 month checkup and our doctor commented on how much she enjoys seeing our kids, that's even with the fact that I generally bring all 4 of them with me.
• Sofi got a couple of shots today at her appointment. When Reagan found out that she would be getting shots he hid under the desk and covered his ears because he didn't want to see or hear Sofi cry. He truly felt bad for her and told me that he wished it didn't have to hurt.
• This afternoon Reagan was wrestling with Evie and Evie did not want to be wrestled with. Amelia walked over to Reagan and informed him, "Reagan off Evie." Then she promptly bit him in the back. She knows that Evie won't fight back so she was trying to "protect" her big sister. (She did get a time out for biting.)
• Evie is always very concerned about Sofia and lets me know whenever she spits up or is fussing.
• Tonight Reagan wasn't feeling well and was laying on the couch. Amelia walked over by him and started patting/caressing his head and then she leaned over and gave him a kiss on his forehead. She said, "Ok, Reagan, ok."

They may fight with and bother each other on an (almost) hourly basis, but they still care for each other even at such young ages.

30 Days of Thanksgiving: November 13

Day 13: I am thankful for my church and the training opportunities that God is providing us through its ministries. I am also grateful to the staff and members for the blessing and encouragement that they have been to us.

30 Days of Thanksgiving: November 12

Day 12: With today being Jared's birthday, I am reminded how grateful I am for him but also for the wonderful in-laws that I have. I am truly blessed by Jared's parents and how they raised him to be the man that he is today. Thank you to a great mother-in-law and father-in-law!

30 Days of Thanksgiving: November 11

Day 11: On this Veterans Day, I am reminded to be thankful for the freedoms that we still enjoy as Americans and for those who sacrifice(d) so much to protect it!

30 Days of Thanksgiving: November 10

Day 10: Today I was reminded to be thankful for the wonderful friends that God has given to me. I am truly blessed beyond measure.
I was up and working fairly early at a "for pay" sewing project this morning, still pretty tired out from the activities of yesterday when a friend surprised me and stopped by with a Peppermint Mocha. Then a little later another friend sent me a message letting me know that she could watch the kids this weekend so we could go out for Jared's birthday, and I hadn't even asked. I pray that I too can be a blessing to others as my friends are to me!

30 Days of Thanksgiving: November 9

Day 9: When I was a kid, my mom taught my 3 sisters and I to sing together, and in harmony. As we grew up, she'd have us sing for church, for rest homes, for competition, and yes, even on vacation she would volunteer us to sing pretty much everywhere we went. As preteens and teenagers we would get so embarrassed when volunteered by our mom to sing pretty much everywhere. She never seemed to tire of "embarrassing" us like that and I never understood why until today.

Today was one of those days where absolutely nothing went as planned, and on top of it I'd been stuck in the house with all 4 kids for almost 2 whole weeks. I just wanted to cry, scream, or some combination of the two. I was just plain exhausted and needed some reprieve. Jared was filling in for one of the professors at Bible Institute so I decided that even if the roads were icky I had to go to church. I needed a large dose of spiritual refreshment. I packed all the kids up, hooked the MP3 player to the tape adapter in our 1999 Windstar, and headed to church. The first song came on and everyone was quiet just listening until the chorus. Then from the seats behind me it came, the precious sound of Reagan and Evie singing, "Yea, justified! O blessed thought! And sanctified! Salvation wrought! Thy blood hath pardon bought for me, and glorified, I too, shall be!" (Complete in Thee) That's when it hit me, after a day like today, there was no sweeter sound than hearing my children sing about my Savior and the gift of salvation that He offers. I finally understood it - this was why my mother never tired of hearing us sing. So I am thankful today for my mother taking the time to teach us to sing and also for the MANY times that she (even to our embarrassment) made us sing. 

For the rest of the 25 minute drive, we all (including Amelia) enjoyed singing along to Ben Everson, the Outreach Quartet, and Bruce Frye; and some day in the future, I, too, will "embarrass" my kids by making them sing. 

30 Days of Thanksgiving: November 8

Day 8: I am thankful for "training" times with my children. With four kids under the age of 5, most of my days involve some sort of "training" opportunities, which wear me out. Teaching small children tasks like picking up toys, using the toilet, making their beds, etc., etc., etc. requires copious amounts of time and even more consistency. One area that I struggle with in training the kids is how to behave in public. It is a constant struggle of "No, don't touch that," "we do not run indoors", "Stay by the ________ (cart, stroller, van, etc.)", and on I could go. Today I did something I have been dreading for a couple of weeks, I took Evie to the hospital for her follow-up x-ray (to be sure that her pneumonia is indeed gone). I knew the actual x-ray would not take long so I really didn't want to deal with the hassle of dropping off and picking up the other kids from someone else's house knowing that upon pickup Evie would likely dissolve into an emotional heap because she did not get to say hi to ______, play with ______, or even say goodbye to _______. So I packed up the double stroller, my extra "diaper bag" (a large tote that I use to hold one of each thing I could possibly need for the kids and my wallet), and the kids; and we headed to the hospital. We got to there, and the kids all obeyed very well while I got the stroller loaded up. Things continued to go well as we got through patient registration and then walked back to the x-ray desk. I brought the Kindle along to read to the kids in the waiting room but we only made it through the first page of the "Pokey Little Puppy" before they called us back. Reagan talked to anyone and everyone we saw, Evie (said while standing on her tip-toes with her arms up over her head) "got to stand very still like a ballerina statue while the doctors took special pictures of the bones in her chest", Amelia played peek from the front seat of the double stroller and Sofi napped in her carseat at the back of the stroller. Very thankful that today was one of those days where I'm reminded that the time it takes to train my children really does pay off! :o)

30 Days of Thanksgiving: November 7

Day 7:  I am thankful for stress. I know it's an odd thing for which to be thankful so I'll explain. The last few weeks have been a bit more stressful for me between sickness (Evie with pneumonia, Sofi with a really bad cold, half the family had a stomach bug, etc.), church events, household chores, and a couple of sewing jobs. This morning, the Lord gave me a little bit of extra perspective on stress by reminding me of a verse, "But He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold." (Job 23:10) I may be taking it slightly out of context but it's just the verse God gave me this morning.

Reasons that I'm thankful for stress:

1. It reveals areas of weakness - just as the refining process brings the imperfections to light and removes them, stress shows me areas of weakness (sins, incompetence, etc.) that I might seek to work on those areas.
2. It reveals areas of strength - stress will help to encourage me by reminding me of the things that I do well, just as gold after the refining process reveals the best.
3. It reminds me of how blessed I truly am - this time it was a reminder that I really do have the most wonderful husband in the world. 

30 Days of Thanksgiving: November 6

Day 6: I know it may seem odd but I am thankful for Daylight Savings Time today. The Lord new I would need that "extra" hour last night. :o)

30 Days of Thanksgiving: November 5

Day 5: I am thankful for the ministry that God has placed us in at our church. I love working with our College/Career's group. Granted there are days you want to knock their heads together and say, "What are/were you thinking?" But they are so full of life, energy, and especially potential.

30 Days of Thanksgiving: November 4

Day 4: I am thankful for the opportunity to be a WAHM (work-at-home-mom). There are days that it would be nice to "escape to the office" or to be able to work uninterrupted but the flexibility of my schedule and the chance to spend time with my children are priceless.

30 Days of Thanksgiving: November 3

Day 3:  I am so thankful for my wonderful husband. He really is the perfect man for me. We are so opposite but compliment each other very well - his strengths are my weaknesses and my strengths are his weaknesses, etc. We have been happily married for 7 years.

30 Days of Thanksgiving: November 2

Day 2: I am thankful for Sofia Grace who blessed us with her birth exactly 4 months ago today. She already brings our family such joy. Reagan and Evie fight over who gets to hold her, and Amelia loves to sit and give her hugs and kisses. Her contented and happy disposition is a reminder to me on a daily basis that we really don't need a lot of "stuff" to bring us joy. The best way I've seen it put lately is in the following quote, "Sometimes we need to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy."

Evelyn, Amelia, Reagan, and Sofia

30 Days of Thanksgiving: November 1

I've had a couple of friends start posting one thing a day to be thankful for throughout the month of November. I did this last year on my food blog during the month of October (I titled the posts 31 Days of Praise). With things being fairly hectic lately, I've decided that I need to do this again to remind myself to be thankful for everything that God has given me.

Day 1: Today I am thankful for our laminate flooring (and a wonderful husband who cleaned it). Amelia got sick right before bed tonight and it was much easier to clean up the laminate flooring than it would have been to clean up the old shag carpet that we used to have in the living room.

Our poor little Amelia