Day 8--Thank God for My Parents!

I am so thankful for my parents. This isn't just a "random thoughts", nothing-else-to-be- thankful-for kind of post. There is deep meaning and feeling behind my words today. I am grateful to the very core of my being that God gave me parents who not only love me unconditionally, but loved me enough when I was young to discipline me and teach me respect. I was not in charge...not of our household, not of any classroom, not of decision making. There were things that they knew to be in my best interest that were REQUIRED of me. If I needed a "switch" from the tree in the front yard (or any other place--my mother has been known to CLIMB A TREE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD!) to remind me what was best, then that's what happened. The discipline did not "ruin" me, did not harm me in any way. I enjoy a loving, close relationship with both of my parents today. Because I was taught obedience and respect as a child, I am able to apply it in areas of my life now. God help the families around me...and thank you, Mom and Dad.

Day 7--Hope

Today our congregation shared a meal together at noon--our annual Thanksgiving meal. I know, it's a little early, but it's what we do to avoid clashing with travel plans, etc. during the holidays. Russell was required to be back on the unit today at 1:00--part of the prison's plan to allow him to keep his preaching position. This is something that our family needs and that he loves to do. He works on the unit from 6-9:30, at church from 10:00-12 or so, on the unit from 1-5:30 and at church from 6-7ish. Since he usually wakes up at 4 or so to study, and often our evenings with our church family go until 8 or so with various activities--it is a LOOOONG day.

Back to "hope" though--Russell asked Conner to give the devotional talk at our abbreviated second service after lunch today--and he agreed. As enthusiastically as any 15 year old boy asked to speak in front of people does! Conner is such an amazing person--we are watching him grow at an alarming rate right now...he is not only taller and sporting a deeper voice, but his love for the Church and his faith are growing and developing each day right in front of our eyes. He decided to speak on hope, and he did a great job. His choice of scripture, his references to a contemporary Christian song (he IS his father's son!), and his delivery were great. What REALLY filled me with hope was that in addition to Conner's talk, his friend Weston led the congregation in singing, and his friend Ryan led the closing prayer. These boys are 8th, 9th and 10th graders. In a few short years, they will be the leaders in the church. I am so thankful that each of them has the willingness and the ability to participate now. I am thankful for each kind word and hug that they received afterward today. I am thankful for the hope that they give me for our future.

Day 6 is an easy one...

November 6th, the 6th day of thankfulness is very easy for me. Ten years ago today my life became sweeter with the birth of our baby girl. I wrote about her birth last year HERE (click on the word "here" to read it Mom!) so I won't include all the details this time--just let me say that she continues to bring so much joy to our lives. She has not had an easy time with her seizure disorder the past couple of years, but she is the picture of perseverance and has a determined spirit. She also has the most loving heart of just about anyone I know. The precious pink bundle of ten years ago is growing into a kind, loving, and intelligent young lady. Truly, truly something to be thankful for.

Today I'm Thankful for....Tomorrow

I'm serious. As serious as I have ever been. I am just so thankful that today will end, and that Lord willing, the sun will rise again tomorrow. It will be Saturday--a blessed day of rest. Should our Lord decide that it is to be, Sunday we will be blessed to begin a brand new week.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases--

His mercies never come to an end.

They are new every morning--

Great is thy faithfulness.

The Lord is my portion says my soul--

Therefore I will hope in Him.

The Sound of Silence--Day 4

Today I am thankful for solitude. I realize everyone else seems to be listing their loved ones during our Thankfulness journey...and I'll get there one day. But today, I got to spend a little while alone in my house and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Except for the fact that I spent the time doing dishes and laundry, picking up after people, and trying to conquer my raging hormones, it was lovely. I crave silence--and silence is almost nonexistent in my life. As I type this my husband is having a complete conversation, out loud, with himself. He often gets up in the morning and tunes the television in our room to Fox News--then he goes into the kitchen and finds KLove on the computer there and turns up the volume so that he can hear it over Fox news. Then the drama queen starts her daily reign. On a normal day she will clash with her brother at least 12 and a half times before we leave for school. The 15 minute drive to school is sometimes tense, often quite pleasant, but ALWAYS noisy. I won't even try to describe my school day--but here are a couple of things I will tell you: 1. I have taken to eating my 30 minute (supposedly anyway) duty-free lunch in my room alone. Right now that 30ish minutes of quiet each day is the only thing standing between me and some kind of pharmaceutical intervention. 2. I have 13 students and 10 of them were named ineligible for the conduct award this week based on their behavior in PHYSICAL EDUCATION. Something is so wrong with this picture. In summary, I need quiet and today I seized the opportunity. A little peace and quiet is truly something to be thankful for.

Day 3--LOL!!

Today I'm thankful for laughter. This may be the cheesiest blog post ever, but I really am just so thankful for all things humorous. I was born with a sarcastic, dry sense of humor and I suppose it will be with me for life. Don't see myself becoming a supermodel OR losing my sense of humor at this point in the game. Thank goodness.

I read two different blogs tonight, a daily part of my routine to destress and get ready for sleep--two blogs that made me laugh so hard that I had tears. Crazy, happy tears--the kind that can lead to slightly wet pants if one who had an 11 pound baby isn't careful. Here are some things over just the past few days that have made me laugh:
1. Pictures of my nieces Brilyn and Jacelyn as Dorothy and Toto.
2. My son's teacher imitations--side splitting hilarious if you're fortunate enough to catch a performance and even funnier if you know these men and women. He doesn't do it to be rude, or in a mean way. It's all out of love.
3. Taking group pics at school yesterday. Got all the kinder kids lined up on the risers. I was placed with my back to them, where I could not see them, and told to smile and not to worry. This is what I heard--"One, two, three...CHEESE! CRASH!!!" Turned around to find an empty spot on the back row. Sorry, but it WAS funny. The risers were NOT high and no one was injured.
4. Same child made up a song to sing on the way to group pictures..."I've got a wedgie, I've got a wedgie. Oh yes I do! Oh yes I do!"
5. Caleigh. Seriously, when the child is not driving me crazy, she makes me laugh harder than anyone else in the world.

Laughing is cleansing for the soul, good for the body, and a gift.

Thankfulness--Day 2

Today I am thankful for the right to vote. I grew up in an interesting political environment--mainly in the fact that my parents cancelled out one another's votes for many years. Thank goodness for my Uncle Don--his larger than life personality, his years in public office, and that he made SURE that I knew the RIGHT way to vote! Seriously, I love this country and pray that God's blessings will be on this election.