Catching Up

Ok, so I have been super busy and have neglected my Season Of Thankfulness posts. Forgive me. I am still thankful!! So, here is the update:

Day 19
I am thankful for the generous gift of new mattresses the in-laws gave us, even though the pillow top all shifted to one side of the bed and is lumpy and doesn't sleep well (reason for getting rid of them in the first place). The thought was nice.

Day 20
I am thankful that my bestestest friend Jennifer and her baby girl Abby were able to come hang with me today! We had a blast making and decorating gingerbread cookies, and watching Abby play tag with the kitties.

Day 21
I am thankful for the opportunity to teach Sunday School! Although I don't think I'll be doing it much longer due to some other, more pressing, responsibilities, I love it. 3 year olds teach me so much! (Have I already used this one? If so, I am double-thankful!)

Day 22
I am thankful that this is a short work week!!

Day 23
I am thankful that we bought a new mattress (a very expensive one at that) last night to replace our lumpy one....



I am SO looking forward to this weekend. It is going to be a much needed retreat for me. It just stinks that Brandon has to work. We aren't traveling, but Nana (Brandon's Grandmother) is coming down Thursday and cooking at his mom's house, and my mom is cooking Friday. Can we say TWO Thanksgiving meals??? Not to mention, we will probably leave both dinners with leftovers! And All I have to cook is one sweet potato casserole for each dinner (that is always the dish I am requested to bring...that's the one thing I make that everyone loves). Brandon is off Friday, so we will probably do some shopping. Saturday and Sunday are MINE! I am doing NOTHING. Well, not nothing. I have plenty to occupy me. I MUST finish making my homemade Christmas cards and get them ready to go out. I also must send out my invitations for Christmas dinner. I know, ridiculous, right? I am getting a little carried away with planning Christmas dinner :-)

Season of Thankfulness Day 18

I am thankful for my marriage, and my husband. We've definitely had our share of hard times, and many more to come I'm sure, but I have realized recently that I am so very, very blessed to have a husband who treats me so well, and to be married to my best friend. A dear friend of mine is being faced with the possibility of divorce, and losing her kids, and it breaks my heart. It makes me realize that all of the little things we argue over are irrelevant. When it comes down to it, my husband is my best friend, and I believe that with God we can withstand anything that comes our way.

Season of Thankfulness Day 17

I am thankful today for the opportunity I have had to work in our church's preschool dept on Wednesday nights. I have done this for 6 years now, and have loved every minute of it. Tonight is our last night to keep the kiddos on Wednesdays. It is time for us to focus on some other things in life, and at this season we had to cut our schedule back some. I feel it's time to be led, rather than leading, for a while. But, I have learned so very much through serving, and the children have touched my heart in more ways than one.

Season of Thankfulness Day 16

Today, I am thankful for my house. If you had told me a year ago that I would be living in my own house, I would have laughed hysterically. I am so incredibly thankful that God has entrusted us with this home. I may not be the best money-manager in the world, but I will do the best job I can to take care of it. I believe that when God blesses us with a home (OR an apartment!) that we should in turn open that home to others, and provide a place where people can come and be loved on, welcomed, accepted, and shown the love of Christ. If we have a home and don't open it to people, then what good is it? What good are our possessions if we don't use them to glorify God? :-)

Season of Thankfulness Day 15

Today, we are having a luncheon at work. Everyone brought food....soups, sandwich meat, salads, etc. I am so grateful for food. So many people are literally starving to death as we speak, yet we will have 2 tables full of food...and that's just for one meal that we will enjoy today.

Season of Thankfulness Day 14

Today I am thankful for my bed. I am reminded of people all over the world who are sleeping on a piece of cardboard, or, even worse, a rocky, dusty street. I am so thankful to have a comfy, warm bed to crawl into each night.

Season of Thankfulness Day 13

Today I am thankful for the beautiful sunshine! :-) Simple, yes, but so nice.

Season of Thankfulness Day 12

Today I am thankful for forgiveness; the forgiveness that God has so graciously shown me, knowing I certainly don't deserve it, and also that through God alone, we are able to forgive one another.

Dear Baby

Dear Baby,

I've been thinking about you a lot today. I guess it's because the holidays are right around the corner. This is a bittersweet time of year for me this year. I can't help but ache and wish that you were here to share this time with us. You will one day learn that Mommy LOVES Christmas. It's her favorite time of year. I hope you will enjoy Christmases at our house. As I was putting up the stockings this year, I couldn't help but think of how I was only putting up 2, and not 3. I wonder what you would think of the tree, with all it's twinkling lights. Would you be mezmerized by all the colors? I wonder if you will like all the Christmas movies as much as I do. Every time I go into a store I see some cool toy and I think to myself, "I wish I had a child to buy that for." I can only imagine your face on Christmas morning when you wake up and discover all the toys under the tree. I wonder what your favorite part of Christmas dinner will be. Oh, how I wish I had you to rock to sleep this Christmas season. I cannot wait until the day I can have our family Christmas picture taken, and it is actually complete. It seems as though something in our house is missing. I still do not understand how I can miss someone so much that I have never even met. Mommy and Daddy are waiting not-so-patiently for you, and I hope that next Christmas you will be here with us. I love you.

Mommy

Season of Thankfulness Day 11

Today, I am thankful for my job. It is so easy to find myself complaining about my job sometimes. I think we all do that. But, I really do have a good job. No one bothers me much. I come in, do my work, and go home. No overtime required. And I have plenty of free time (which is good AND bad). Mainly, I am just thankful to HAVE a job in such a time as this. Thank you, Lord, for my job, and for providing for us.

Season of Thankfulness Day 10 (a day late)

Today (well, yesterday...but still today, too!) I am thankful, of course, for every single man and women serving or that has served in the U.S. Military, no matter what capacity they served in. My father served in the United States Navy. Sadly I do not have a picture. His dad fought in WWII, for which I am eternally grateful. I am also thankful for all of the families who have sacrificed so much to allow their loved ones to be so far away to protect us. THANK YOU!

Season of Thankfulness Day 9

Today is dedicated to my Daddy. My Daddy is the best. Do NOT argue. He is 70 years old, and I guarantee you he could run circles around you! (I know he can me!) He still works part time at McDonald's...just for something to do. Know what he does there? Unloads trucks and fixes everything. Doesn't sound like much, but I totally look up to him. At his age, he still unloads trucks all by himself, running up and down the stairs carrying heavy boxes...and in record time, too! And the man can fix anything! I don't think my parents have ever had to call a repair-man (must be nice!). He even climbed up and down a 40ft ladder when we moved and painted our entire living room...alone!! At 70, this is a major feat. Not only is he healthy and talented, but he is THE most loving person I have ever met. He loves everyone, whether he sees eye to eye with them or not. He has ALWAYS told us girls how proud he is of us, and how much he loves us. He was a very affectionate Daddy, and never afraid to show his love for us. He is completely selfless. I love you, Daddi-o!

Season of Thankfulness Days 7/8

Ok, so I missed a day. I'll make up for it today with 2 things I am thankful for!

First, I am thankful for such a wonderful, amazing mommy. I am my mom made over, and it becomes more and more obvious as I get older. We are both incredibly sensitive and cry very easily (did you say my hair was messy? Excuse me. I need a tissue.) We both worry like nobody's business. If we have something on our minds, we lose sleep. We are also both incredibly shy. It's ridiculous. But, my mom is there for me through thick and thin. I can't STAND the thought of hurting her feelings or disappointing her, but she always makes sure to tell me how proud she is of me.

Second, I am thankful for my sister. We have never been real close. We are TOTAL opposites! She is almost 6 years older than I am, and we have never had a lot in common. However, the older we get, the more we find we have in common. We bicker like sisters do, but we love each other. The fact that my mom's sister is dying right now has made me realize just how special my sister is. She's the only sibling I have. And I would never ever want to regret our relationship.

What are you thankful for?

Season of Thankfulness Day 6

Today I am thankful for friends! I got to take the beautiful drive to Pegram, TN today and spend the day with my best friend, Jennifer, and her daughter, Abby. Jennifer and I went to High School together, but didn't really start getting close until the last year or so. But I am SO thankful that we have become such good friends. She is an amazing friends, and one of the best I have had in a long time. I look forward to spending more time with her and her little girl!

My Husband Rocks Fridays

Brandon NEVER gets sick. But, being the generous, giving person I am, I have given him my cold. Here is one big difference between my husband and I:

When I get sick, I cease to function. Luckily, I get sick time at work. I hate calling in, but when I am sick, I am NOT the "push through it" type. I am the laid-up-in-bed-doped-up-on-meds kind of person. Brandon, on the other hand, goes to work no matter what. He has called in twice since I have KNOWN him! Once was because he had strep. Don't remember what the other time was for, but I am sure he was really sick. That man never calls in. He was up at 3:30am today with a sore throat. If it were me, I'd have been calling in as soon as my boss came in (I definitely don't function with no sleep...what will I do when I have a baby?). But nope, not Brandon. He went on in. It seems silly, but I really admire that about him. It says a lot about his character...determined and committed.

Season of Thankfulness Day 5

I am thankful for a God who loves me SO much, that He took the time to create me just as I am. Every intricate detail of my life, He took the time to create. I am so thankful that, even when I don't love myself, God loves me more than I will ever imagine, and that HE finds me beautiful. I am thankful that there is nothing I can do...I cannot put on enough makeup, or fix my hair just right, or wear the right clothes, or have the right body....that would make Him see me as any more beautiful than He sees me right now.

Season of Thankfulness Day 4 - Double Whammy

Today, I am thankful for TWO things:

1) That Katie, our kitten, came through her declaw surgery just fine, and the vet reports that she is "resting comfortably," whatever that means. Either way, I am thankful she is ok.

2) I am thankful for the beautiful weather today! (I try to stay away from the generic "thanks" like "family," "friends," and "sunshine" but I had to give God credit for the gorgeous Fall colors!)

Poor Baby katie

I am so sad. Tomorrow morning, I have to take baby Katie to the vet. She's being declawed tomorrow. I will miss her terribly for the 2 days she'll be gone, and I pray that she will recover quickly. Poor Katie :(

Prayer Stix

This one is for my Sunday School teaching buddies. I thought this was a cute idea, and the kids loved it!

This month's theme in Sunday School is prayer. So, I took an empty container and covered it with construction paper. Then I wrote on large craft sticks different things to pray for (Mommy, Daddy, My safety, sick people, etc). During class, each child got a chance to pick a stick. Then they got to pray for whatever their stick said. Of course, I had to guide them in what to say, but they got the idea. They had fun praying, which is a beautiful thing to see.

Punkins!

Brandon and I painted Pumpkins...oh....2 weeks ago. And I am just now putting up some pictures. Oh well. Isn't my punkin adorable? I thought so.

Season of Thankfulness Day 3

Today, I am thankful for our current healthcare system, and the fact that yesterday I was able to walk straight into the Doctor's office and be done within the hour. My heart hurts for those in countries where they have to wait six months (which will be us if Obama's Healthcare reform bill passes..oops...did I say that out loud?), but especially for those without insurance, or those who don't have the luxury of going to the Dr at all. Thank you, Lord, for our country and our health system. Please keep it that way. Amen.

Season of Thankfulness Day 2

Today I am thankful that my flu test was negative. I still feel like a train wreck, but at least it's not going to kill me :)

Season of Thankfulness Day 1

Katie, I stole your blog post from you...again!

This was such a wonderful idea, and I definitely need to focus on all the blessings in my life right now, so here goes. I'll post something I am thankful for every day until Thanksgiving! (Thanks, Katie!)

Today, I am thankful that my History teacher was gracious enough to reopen the test that I forgot to take. Thank you, Mr. Vaughan!

Your turn!