Thankful- Nov 27th

Today I am thankful for all of my

 sweet friends who are prego!

My partner in crime, Sami is expecting baby #2 which is a boy! Yay for the new dropplet! 

Auntie Joy can't wait to meet him, he arrives sometime in March (if I remembered right.)

 My crazy wonderful friend, Dory, is expecting baby #2 due in April and "It's A Girl!!!"

 My childhood friend, Becky, is expecting #2 due any day now. It is crazy remembering the days when we would beat each other up (she won), sing, play, and be general nuisances to our elder sisters together (Oh the days of toothpaste in the hair!). Now here we are married and having babies. I look forward to holding baby Eli and telling him all kinds of stories.

 My lovely sister in law is expecting baby #4 and its a girl! Baby Izzy (Isabella) will arrive sometime in January! All I can say is BRRR! I'll see you when its warmer Izzy! :)

I look forward to celebrating each precious baby's birth. There is something special when a dear friend is having a baby. I think part of it has to do with the fact that I get to hold and cuddle without going through all the pain. lol

Psalm 127:3-5 

Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
  As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.
 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

Thankful- Nov 26th

Today I am thankful that we get to create our own family traditions and memories.

I love creating memories with my family. It is so much fun and fulfilling. J was SOO excited to pull out the Christmas tree. He was having a ball, I even caught him dancing to the Christmas music. One word: HILARIOUS!

 Josiah's ornament for 2012. It is filled with legos. It is to remember the year we got to go to Legoland anytime we wanted. :) We haven't picked out Joanna's ornament yet.

 The most important part (besides Michael's toy soldier) is putting on the star. :)

 I just LOVE Lady J's face in this pic!

Psalm 106: 1  

Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Thankful- Nov 24th

Today I am thankful that we not only survived our Thanksgiving break but we completely enjoyed it. On top of that, this "break" was even more relaxing than our "staycation" back in early October.

I hope you all enjoy a few pictures from our Thanksgiving. And BEWARE! I have so many other pictures I can't wait to share with you all! :)

I Thessalonians 5: 18  
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Thankful- Nov 20th

Today I am thankful for freezer meals!

 It is so nice to pull out a meal that I've previously frozen on days that I've been busy and do not feel like making dinner. Tonight was Taco Soup with tortilla bowls. It was yummy, nutritious, and hardly any work at all to warm up.

And the best part? Cracking the tortilla! It makes you feel like you get to play with your food! 

John 6:35  

And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

Thankful- Nov 19th

Today I am thankful for Rootin' Tootin' Cowboys!

Yesterday was a special day at Church, Round Up Sunday! It is a day to "Round Up The Strays".

I am so thankful to be a part of a church that dedicates itself to reaching the lost and disciplining them. 

We had one soul saved in jr church with a couple others that came forward to speak with workers. I love to see how the Lord works not only in the hearts of the children but with the workers as they deal with the spiritual needs of the children.

Michael has been practicing for a few weeks to learn how to crack a whip and he did a great job as he incorporated the whip into his message. He was real pleased with the fact that he only hurt himself once while he was on stage. :) We'll turn him into a redneck one of these days. Michael's highlight of the day was strapping his gun on. {Still a little boy at heart!}

 

 Sheriff Grady Judd joined the adult service as a special guest. Josiah was so excited to meet the "REAL" sheriff! Sheriff Judd was so kind as he spoke with Josiah for a minute after we had our picture taken.

 (By the way, Polk County has THE BEST SHERIFF! He is a man who gets the job done.)

"The Lone Ranger" also made an appearance yesterday. Josiah kept asking where his horse was and finally decided that perhaps he rode his bike to church since he couldn't find a horse in the parking lot. That gave Michael and I a good chuckle!

Ezekiel 34:6  

My sheep wandered through all the mountains, 

and upon every high hill: 

yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, 

and none did search or seek after them.

Thankful- Nov 17th

Today I am thankful for having the opportunity to play!

I went down south this morning and got to play photographer. I enjoy taking pictures so much that it really is "play time" to me. I am thankful Miss A gave me that opportunity this morning.

Now the editing begins... or in other words, homework.

I am also thankful for getting to spend some time with my mom and sister. We ate lunch at Red Lobster with NO KIDS! :)

Psalm 37:3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

Thankful- Nov 16th

Today I am thankful that things sometimes turn out way better than you think.

This morning we were scheduled to have family pictures. Last night, if it could go wrong, it did. I was ready to throw my hands up and say "I don't care anymore!" Oh, wait, I think I did and my husband said (ever so annoyingly sweetly) "Yes, you do." 

And he was right. I do care. I care so much I want everything to be PERFECT. Ugh! There is that perfectionist thing again. (Yes, Lord. I remember that lesson.)

Everything that went wrong ended up not being a big deal AFTER I calmed down and rested and looked at it with fresh eyes. I now know why I got so overwhelmed... I forgot to do my chant. "This doesn't have to be perfect. It's okay if his haircut is shorter than I wanted. No one will notice my shirt bled a bit when it got washed. This is real life, it is not perfect!"

Anywho, our beloved Nana came over this afternoon and picked up Jman to spend the night with her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

With Daddy at work, me and Lady J had some fun taking pictures (Yes I know she is probably sick of having a camera pointed in her face by now.) I dressed her up in her Round Up Sunday outfit and enjoyed myself immensely using a REAL camera!

So here is a sneak peak of her Sunday-Go-To-Meetin' Outfit!

The house is clean, pictures are over and done, and tonight I am going to relax with a book and cup of hot chocolate. That sounds so much better than pulling my hair out because I allowed myself to get frustrated. 

I John 1:9 

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Thankful- Nov 15th

Today I am thankful for a day to recuperate.

This week our church had an incredible Bible Conference! The preaching and singing was just exactly what I needed. On top of the conference I had some errands, a meeting, and our library's last story time for a few weeks. Needless to say, just like everyone else, we are pooped out. 

Yesterday, when the kids and I got home in the afternoon, I put Lady J in her play pen while I unloaded some things from the truck. Within just a few minutes she laid down and found a comfortable spot and zonked out. I went ahead and laid her in her crib even though it wasn't nap time yet. The poor baby barely stirred.

 Then last night after we got ready for church, I had a few minutes to kill so I sat down to watch a video clip that was less than three minutes long and Joanna totally zonked out on top my desk.

As for Jman, he was so grumpy after his nap yesterday that I sent him back to bed where he promptly fell asleep. Michael pretty much had to drag him out of bed to eat supper before church.

So today we are recuperating,

 as well as cleaning. (yeah.)

Matthew 11:28-30 

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: 

and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Thankful- Nov 12th

Today I am thankful for Imagination!

I am a cruel mommy. I have banned toys and books that have batteries. Alright, maybe banned is a little strong of a word. I sweetly suggest that they be bought in moderation.

FOR THE MOST PART, when Josiah is playing with toys that make noises or only do certain functions he quickly loses interest in the toy. He plays with it only how the toy "suggests" it be played with, and quickly becomes bored.

For example, last Christmas J was given two cars that race and make obnoxiously loud revving noises. So Josiah when playing with them (97% of the time) he races them about 5 times and then leaves them for something else. On the other hand, he has an exact replica of one of those cars that does not make noise or race. This car at any given time is being towed, flying through the air, saving an army man, or is stuck in the mud. OR as in the above picture he is at the fire station waiting for all the guys to get there and load up to go put the fire out at the transfer station.

The child played for over an hour like that the other day. It is hilarious to listen to him play. Each of his guys has his own character. He changes his voice for each one. The beauty of his imagination is that by afternoon each guy has a new voice and job.

Oh, and without batteries, life at home isn't so loud.  Which honestly is the number one reason I do not like battery operated toys. I do not like lots of noise, or multiple noise sources going at the same time.

Noise = headache (in my book)

Disclaimer: I do not believe that if your child has battery operated toys that you/they are horrible and have no imagination. If I did I wouldn't have a kindle... or a phone... or a laptop... or a camera... or...
I'm gonna stop talking now. :)

Colossians 3:15 

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Thankful- Nov 9th

Today I am thankful for IMPERFECTIONS.

Oh, peoples, you have NO idea how badly I want to hit the back space button on that word. Over the course of the last few weeks I have learned that I am, in reality, a perfectionist. I want everything to be perfect, I want it to fit in my nice little box (which is gift wrapped with a pretty bow atop). I want no spills, overflows, nothing forgotten, nothing half way done. I want it symetrical! (ha, ha Alesha! Sorry, that is a bit of an inside joke.)

I look back on certain projects I have done and oh, I remember STRESSIN' like you wouldn't believe because it was NOT how I pictured it to be. A+B was not equaling C. This annoys me. A lot. 

(Enter craft time with the Jman)

 

 

So, he made a mess, the turkey has some crooked looking tail feathers, and some huge PINK eyes. Yet my little guy had so much fun. He definitely has his own way of doing certain things I am coming to find out.

I honestly had to repeat over and over. This is for fun, it doesn't have to be perfect. He is only three, of course he loves to squirt glue everywhere. He is having fun. It does NOT need to be perfect. He will not do it just like me. He is having fun. It DOES NOT need to BE perfect.

Ah, so yes, I stepped out of my box and allowed the turkey to be crooked, I cleaned up the glue and snapped pictures of my happy little man. It is okay to be imperfect...  sometimes. I have a feeling God will continue to beat me up against the head with this lesson. So if you see me working on a project and I am chanting to myself... well, you know what it is about.

Romans 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

...and all crooked-feathered, pink-eyed turkeys.

Thankful- Nov 8th

I have not been able to steal time away to blog the last few days. This week has been full and I have to cut things out sometimes and blogging, since it is just for fun, is normally the first to go. I guess it is part of being a grown up- learning to cut out some things in order to make room for the most important stuff all while maintaining your sanity. :)

So anyhow, today, yesterday, and the day before that I am thankful for birds in my yard! I love birds! They give me joy to be able to watch them out the windows. We got a bird bath this past summer and it has attracted so many more birds to our yard. I'm in feather heaven! ;)

 I am also thankful for the weeds sweet little flowers that Josiah brings me! It brightens my day and melts my heart when he comes inside and says "Mommy, I love you and I picked flowers for you."

Last and certainly NOT LEAST is the fact that all the laundry is done. I was going to take a picture of my empty laundry baskets but just as soon as I had that thought the poopy poopy princess had an explosion of sorts. Ah, well, at least it was all done for about ten minutes!

Matthew 10:29-31 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. (30) But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. (31) Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Thankful- Nov 5th

Today I am thankful for bare feet!

I am a born and raised Florida redneck which means I am either wearing flip flops or I am going bare foot.

Tonight I was glad I kicked off my flops...

I escaped being spit up on! 

That is always something to being thankful for!

Psalms 40:2 

He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, 

and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

Thankful- Nov 4th

Today I am thankful for a techno savvy three year old.

What can be better than a granchild with the ability to talk a grandparent into doing something silly AND taking a picture of it? 

Proverbs 17:22a 

 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: 

Thankful- Nov 3rd

Today I am thankful for Cherry Coke and a Canoli!

My wonderful hubby let me go enjoy some time off by myself this afternoon. I went shopping all by myself for two whole hours! It was so nice to shop without being in a rush or watching little fingers.

I also ran by Publix to pick up a special "after-the-kids-go-to-bed-so-we-don't-have-to-share" snack for me and the hubby. I have been wanting a canoli for the longest time and my taste buds are fixing to be shouting halelujer.

As a side note, my hubby doesn't really care for the taste of a canoli. ;)

lol

1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

Thankful- Nov 2nd

Today I am thankful for SILENCE!

I really don't think this needs an explanation.

 
Really.

I think you can figure it out. 

Ps 4:8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

Thankful- Nov 1st

Today I am thankful for another person's junk.  

 You know the old saying about one persons junk being another persons treasure? I love that phrase so much that I should paint it on my walls. Okay, maybe not paint it on my walls but you get the idea.

 I love it when someone asks us if we could use (fill in the blank). I could walk around my house and say so-and-so gave us this and so-and-so gave us that. So much in fact that I decided not to take pictures of it all because that would be a ton of work. 

The Lord has blessed us so much over the years. He has used so many different people to supply needs and wants in our lives. Clothes, furniture, groceries, tickets to really cool places, appliances, decor, baby stuff, school stuff. I could go ON and ON. God's been good!

I am thankful for the stuff we have been given, but I am even more thankful for the people doing the giving. To me their hearts are pure gold!

 I leave you with pictures of the kiddos. Why? Because they are cuties! Oh and look. They are sitting in stuff given, wearing clothes that were given, playing with toys that were given. See what I mean?!

Matthew 6:25-34
Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.