Thankful Thursday

The work week is rolling to a close and I'm tired. Doesn't matter though because I have lots of stuff to be thankful for!

1. The beautiful snow we had over the weekend. It was lovely and entertained the kids so nicely.
2. A job that has a nice variety of tasks. I love doing different things. It keeps the boredom at bay.
3. Convenience food. Although I do feel a bit guilty that I haven't cooked too many meals this week. Late days will do that to you.
4. Reduced gas prices! 10 cents cheaper than last week!
5. Winter coats to shield my family from the cold. I had a long walk to my car today and had removed my jacket once there. When I had to step outside to pump gas a bit later I realized just how cccccc-old it is out there.
   
6. Generous children. It's been so neat to watch them get excited about getting their siblings Christmas presents.
7. Sleep. Have I said that before? Seems I have. I crave it. Sooo thankful for it.
8. Cordless phones. Especially when you have to make a call and are sitting snuggly under a warm computer and would rather have it BROUGHT to you. No comments about my laziness please-I'm already feeling guilty enough about that.
9. Patience. Something I was able to practice on Monday when the future pilot shut down on me without warning and could not be consoled. I got on my haunches to get eye level and he leaned into me and I fell over. Right. In. The. Middle. Of. The. Christian Bookstore. Oh if that wasn't a sight. We went to the car and I played 40 questions in askance for the reason for his mood, with ever answer being, 'no' until I asked, "Do you want me to sit in that seat next to you and hold you?" To which he replied with a nod. 30 minutes later he was ready to move on. Thank you Jesus ever so much for slowing me down when I'm in the rush of things. Especially since I know the snuggles of my growing future pilot are numbered.
10. That "the Law" is NOT working eve shift this weekend. Hallelujah praise you God. Some normalcy.

Thank you God for another winner of a week. I love You.

Wordles Wednesday - I Finally Spilled The Beans

Lights!

Armed with things we really like...
We admired this guy upon a bike.
Brightly lit mids threw off their hats,
A red crustacean thought he was one cool cat.
A big cuddly bear bid a gigantic hi,
and an airplane headed for the sky.

For the third straight year the future pilot slept through the entire thing. I suppose the drive is just too much for him. The airplane was a new addition this year too. Oh well. Maybe we'll make it out that way again before it ends.

Two (or more) For Tea

What an exciting day! I sucked up my "what if's" and attended our Ladies Tea with the ladies at my church. I don't get out much and I should. I've said that before. Even less do I invest in good fellowship with the abundantly rich souls that can be found right in my very own church community. I have my reasons. None of them good. They all begin with "what if" but we'll save that topic for another day.

Today, I didn't let anything stop me. What excuse did I have? The ladies ministry offered free childcare! I didn't even let the threat of snow convince me that it was a "sign" not to go. I went. I met ladies I've walked by for years yet never truly held a conversation with. Oh and no, giving baby instructions (or taking them) does not count.

In a beautiful city. In a quaint little tavern. On a rainy day. How better to converse then over tea?
Not wanting to impose on those in the party I didn't do any photo snapping until the waitstaff was cleaning up.
I can vouch that the place was decorated very festively.
And the walk back to the car was enjoyable and scenic.
And that silly old snow, though frosting my windows, didn't pick up too heavy until I was home.

Thank you to to all of you who made this day possible. I had a great time and can't wait until we meet again.

Thankful Thursday Friday

Sorry for being so lame and not posting this on it's appointed day. Yesterday was quite a busy day. Filled with gratitude for it though (and for the cyber break).

1. Public libraries and patience to keep going back and following around my favorite lil girl in the world while she "finds" her place there.
   "Mom, do they have non-fiction books here?"
   "Yes. What exactly do you want to read about?"
   "Um. Hmm. I don't know. Hmm."
   "Start with this...person place or thing."
   "Thing."
   "What KIND of thing?"
   "Um, cookbooks?" (found 'em, next?) "What about fish?"
   We came home with a books about bats, and gorillas. Go figure. God bless the book
   selection though. We are getting there.
   
   Oh and both kids (I picked for the future pilot since he stayed home with "the-Law") got books by Saxton Freymann and Joost Elffers. If you haven't seen these books yet you MUST. Ingenious illustrations! (You can check out some of the art work here http://morarwen.multiply.com/photos/album/1/Saxton_Freymanns_Food_Art)
2. Soothing Christmas lights. The tree is up and it is beautiful. The lights are twinkly and pleasing
3. Children who, though rambunctious, share good times together
4. My favorite first born, who promises me he is going to roll up his sleeves and help me get the basement converted into a workout area and place for the kids to go wild without harming themselves (padded cells come to mind--for me...)
5. Eggs! LOVE 'em
6. Patient husbands who, when their frustrated wives throw in the cooking towel now and then, muster up and grab a bowl of cereal
7. Mints. Not as much as gum mind you but, well, when you can't have gum...
8. Sleep. People this is soooo under-rated!
9. i-Pods. A device which allows you to finally here your children sing without them tell you to stop listening. Is it me or do kids just think you can't hear them because THEY can't hear them?
10. Warm fuzzy pj's (they go especially nice with a steaming cup of coffee) Mmmmmmm

I know some of these may sound a bit frivolous but I am thankful for them. It is the little things sometimes. It truly is.


Thank you Jesus for providing for us!

Wordless Wednesday - Next Year's Tree

The Long Short Road

I am no longer allowed to chew gum. Yep, the dental hygienist said yesterday I'm killing my teeth and jaws. I kind of think it will be worse if I don't chew. There will be nothing between my teeth and the grind. Oh well. I have to suck it up and be a good sport. Why?

Because this little guy...

This sweet lil boy...
has been told he has to give up his thumb. Yesterday. And he's doing it!

He's a man boy of great logic. I didn't argue with him, brow-beat him or bribe him. I didn't even lecture him. In fact he saw past his sorrow with enough compassion to tell ME he was sorry that I had to give up gum. He asked me WHY it was again he had to give up his thumb and I calmly explained that it would push his teeth in a position that wasn't natural. He then came up with a few different things he could try instead of sucking his thumb. Thank God for Blanky and Pooh. Thank God for the logical future pilot.

Today's lesson. Never underestimate the mind of a child.