Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for my friend Allyson. She is one of the women that I regularly pray with. She is a wonderful mom and has a beautiful family. She has such a sweet spirit about her.

This morning she called me up and asked me what I had planned for dinner. I mentioned nothing yet, but that a friend was coming by in the evening. For those of you who know our family, deciding what we will have and executing it are for some reason ridiculously hard things to do in this house. So, her next statement came as a surprise. She said, "I want to make you dinner tonight." It was so wonderfully random. We didn't "need" it. We aren't sick (beyond colds), we didn't just have a baby or any other reason that people normally bring a meal to someone. It's just a random Thursday. A random Thursday that I now did not have to cook a meal. What a welcome thought. We had recently had this awesome chicken dish at our last Clear Vision. She wanted to make it for us since she knew how much we liked it.

So, all day today I have been thinking about community. How thankful I am for Allyson and her understanding of being a part of a community. She blessed us so fully tonight...and it really inspired me to "Pay it Forward" so to speak. I really like the idea of taking care of each other in the community and this is just a nice, fairly easy, practical way to love on others.

So, thanks Allyson. It was AWESOME...I mean that...it really tasted good. It felt so good to put a nice meal on the table tonight. I'm so glad God put you in my life.

Thankful Thursday

Lots to be thankful for:

1) I'm thankful that I serve a great God and that He takes care of all my needs. No need to worry.

2) I'm thankful for my husband. 5.5 years later and I'm still crazy about him.

4) I'm thankful for my kids. Noah crawled into bed this morning, hugged me and said, "I love you Mommy". I'm so grateful for their tender hearts.

5) I'm thankful for my church community who rallies around and helps us out when we need it (I had two free babysitters this week who came and watched the kids, so that I could take a break) and I have someone coming over to take pics of them for me this morning. I love being a part of a community that takes care of each other.

6) I'm thankful that Dave has a steady job. In this uneasy economy I know that that is not always the case.

7) I'm thankful for good friends, both here in town and afar, who have impacted my life in so many ways.

8) I'm thankful for my family...for my parents and Dave's who have poured into me and helped shape the person I am today.

9) I'm thankful that God still moves. We're just starting the book Naturally Supernatural, and I love hearing stories about how God is working in people's lives.

Thankful Thursday

Lots to be thankful for:

1) As always, I'm thankful for my family. Dave brought me a beautiful bouquet of flowers yesterday and he prayed over me when I asked him. Noah is saying, "I love you mommy", which melts my heart. Callie is always wanting a good snuggle.

2) I'm thankful that our lifegroup is solidifiying. I can see God moving in this group already. Leah and I prayed over both our groups last week, and I can definitely see the differences.

3) I'm thankful for the ability to laugh. Noah has said some pretty funny things lately and Dave and I are pretty amused. It's true, laughter is good for the soul...and for the marriage.

4) I'm so thankful for the times I get to spend with my kiddos. Because, although there are days where I've had one too many bouts of puke, pee, and poop...I wouldn't trade it for anything. They are growing up so fast and I really enjoy being along for the ride.

5) I'm thankful for the Fall weather. There is something about the falling of the leaves, football games (which I actually *enjoy* when the weather is chillier) and sweatshirts that makes Fall a really fun time. My dad mentioned that there is probably a reason that Fall and Spring are so beautiful...with Winter feeling so long and dreary.

6) I have gotten some GREAT prayer in the last week and I feel myself slowly being restored.

7) God has given me great friends and family to "do life" with. I can't imagine my life without these people who constantly refine me and bring so much joy and comfort.

I could go on, but I need to get going with my day. Thanks God for all that you have blessed me with.

Thankful Thursday (on Wednesday)

We just found out that Callie's staph infection is resistant to certain antibiotics, namely the one that she has been on the longest. However, the secondary one...the vancomycin, has been effective, it is just a pretty heavy drug. They are nixing both however, and switching her to a narrower version of an effective drug. The only problem? They can only give it to her through an IV...meaning we are in the hospital until this goes away...which can take up to another week or so.

Admittedly, I was pretty depressed...however, Dave noticed and has done his best to make the night easier. For what it's worth, Callie is doing great otherwise. We rented Penelope and so I am watching that right now. He just left for the evening, but we've had a great day together.

So, instead of complaining about this being unfair, I think that I need to be reminded of the the things that I am thankful for...so here is my Thankful Thursday (on Wednesday)

1) I'm thankful that we finally know what we are up against and have a plan of action.

2) I'm glad that Noah has been in great hands, and that I still get to see him thanks to the efforts of the grandparents.

3) I'm thankful for the time that Dave and I have gotten to spend together. We have really connected over the last week and a half.

4) I'm thankful for all the ways that God has provided for us, and for all the lessons I feel that I am learning along the way.

5) I'm thankful that Callie has been herself and still smiling and cooing and "talking", because to have her really sick would make my heart ache more than it does now.

6) I'm thankful for friends and family who have come around and supported us.

7) I'm thankful for great doctors and nursing staff who have certainly done their best to make all of this easier on us.

So, with that said, I know that God is with us and that He has a plan for the next week and a half. I pray that these antibiotics kick in and that she heals quickly (for everyone's sake).

Thankful Thursday

I'm feeling gripy with the amount that I need to do and my kids attitudes...so instead of giving into that...I feel the need to make a list of things that I am thankful for:

1) A great family. I have two healthy kids, and a great husband. What more could I want?

2) RVC- I love our church and all that it represents. I love that it is a place where people who are broken or skeptic can come and experience Jesus in a powerful way. I love that people are being baptized and that there are people stepping up to help carry the load (those two don't necessarily go together...it was just my thought process...)

3) Our lifegroup. We had close to 30 people at our party this last week. Many people invited friends and it was incredible how many people showed up. It is such a great group of people whom we love doing life with. I know that others are not exactly in the same position, so I am thankful that our lifegroup is one where I can go to when I have issues that I need pray for.

4) Double Stroller and sling: 2 things that I just purchased online. I will be thankful if they come soon! :-)

5) Garage Sale: Even though it's crazy and chaotic it will be nice to purge ourselves of unnecessary stuff.

6) The beautiful weather today. It's going to be a nice day. Dave called on his break from work and I think we are either going to the park or putt-putt golfing when he gets home. Yea! We haven't seen much of him the last few days because he has been working long hours and sleeping in between. He suggested it, so I think that he wants to see us as much as we want to see him. :-)

7) Naptime. One of the best times of my day. Not that I don't enjoy my kids, but its nice for everyone to be able to rest a little while.

8) That I am healthy and able to do housework even though I don't like to do it.

I am feeling a little better now. :-)