Today I’m thankful that my children have siblings.
Siblings are the people we practice on, the people who teach us about fairness and cooperation and kindness and caring – quite often the hard way.
Pamela Dugdale
Pamela Dugdale
30 days of thanks: day 2
Today I’m thankful for my goofy husband. Without him, my life would be boring and plain. With him, my life is full of energy, laughter, yelling and love. I am so thankful that God caused our paths to cross. I’m thankful he took my phone number that night. I’m thankful I called him back. I’m thankful we argued all night while we put together that stupid entertainment center.
I am the most thankful that he’s mine. He’s honest, hard-working and faithful. I’m not immune to the fact that in today’s society those are traits that aren’t common in men. On top of all that, he doesn’t back down from serving God or his country.
Katie’s 7
The birthday princess!
At seven, she’s an easy girl to please.
Riding up the escalator (or “exalator” as she says) with her Grammy on the way to her surprise.
“Yay! I’m getting my ears pierced!”
Realizing this might hurt…
…it does hurt!
Comfort from momma.
Celebrating on vacation!
My precious girl!
30 days of thanks: day 1
I am thankful for the never-ending beauty of God’s creation. I am constantly amazed by how much He loves us. He could have created a world that consisted of one or two colors, of one or two shapes, smells, textures. Instead, He shows His passion for us through the abundance of beauty we experience on a daily basis.
for the next 30 days…
Some of my favorite bloggers have recently focused on seeing the beauty in life, not taking time and people for granted and keeping your priorities straight. I had been feeling the urge to start my own series of posts focusing on the things I am thankful for.
When I saw a fellow blogger’s post here, I knew I had to join in. The next 6 weeks will be crazy for my family, so now is the perfect time to reflect and record the things for which I am truly thankful.
Why don’t you join us? On your blog, on Facebook, or just on a scrap of paper. Take the next 30 days and try to pay attention to the abundance in your life. God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say “thank you?” ~William A. Ward
the things I hear
I have to take the time to write down the things I hear in this season. With an 8 year old boy as the oldest and a just-turned-one year old as the youngest, our home bubbles over with hilarity on any given day.
Recent highlights:
Theodore (5) to Parker (3) : “OK, I’m going to be the whole boss and you’ll be the half boss.”
Parker: “NO! I’m the whole boss!
Theodore: “You can’t be the whole boss cause I’m 5 and you’re 3.”
Parker: “OK, I’m the half-boss.”
Katie (6): “Momma, I’ve done my handwriting and last math sheet and you readed to me and I readed to you. Am I done with school now?”
Parker (3) to Katie (6): (looking at her play dough girl) “Sissy what is that?”
Katie: “It’s a person.”
Parker: “What IS it?”
Katie: “It’s a person.”
Parker: “KATIE! WHAT IS IT?”
Katie: “PARKER IT’S A PERSON!”
Me: “Parker a person is a boy, girl, man or woman. You are a person.”
Parker: “NO! I’m NOT a person!”
Me to Foster (8): “You only have to wait one more day.”
Foster: “That’s a long time. It’s 12 o’clock now and that will be 12 o’clock tomorrow so that’s like 24 hours. I just don’t think I can wait that long.”
What funny things are being said in your world today?
construction zone
I feel like we need a sign over our door that says “Caution: Construction Zone Ahead”.
Not because you will often find this on our kitchen bar…
…but because we are constantly building bonds…
…and building minds…
…and building imaginations.
crazy kids
I love these crazy kids!
The Wall
Marriage is another one of those things that seems perfect and easy when you look at other people’s lives and ugly and hard when you look at yours. Marriage is security and companionship and intimacy and joy. It’s also challenging, hurtful and constantly evolving. Chris and I have never shied away from seeing a counselor or pastor if we come to an impasse in our relationship. We don’t hesitate to seek help if we see ourselves becoming more destructive than constructive. This is one of those seasons.
Sometimes words start to fall on my soul like an unexpected but welcome shower on a spring afternoon. I wanted to share them.
The Wall
It’s there. A wall that feels huge and solid and insurmountable.
It’s there. It feels strong, impossible to penetrate.
Satan strives to keep it, he sends his demons to fortify it moment by moment.
As I long to reach for you in the quiet hours, with a touch or just with words, I come against it.
I have to pray, I have to breathe deep. I have to realize that it feels like it’s there but it’s not.
Jesus has crumbled it, it’s only an invisible pile of rubble. He will take my hand and lead me across.
He comforts and encourages me to reach you. To honor Him by connecting with you.
If you are struggling in your marriage, get together and find someone to listen to you both. You might have to swallow your pride (or smash it down with a sledge hammer) but your marriage and family are worth it.
this and that
My kids’ favorite. Chicken casserole.
My super-cool chalkboard (made by my super-cool friend)
and a love note to my hubby.
Great use of an oil pan.
Little sprouts!
Building projects.
“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”
― Albert Einstein
All the Little Grubbs 