Today I am thankful for sleep.
This may sound weird to those that know me well as 6 - 8 hours is plenty for me, and I don't like to sleep late. But, I am so appreciative of a good night's sleep. If I'm sick, it makes me feel better. If I'm worried or stressed about things, I awake with a better perspective. After a long day it feels so great to climb under cozy covers. Then in the am, I love waking up to my young men coming in for a morning snuggle before starting our day.
Thank you Lord for peaceful sleep!
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Saturday, November 2, 2013
Day 2
Today I am thankful for my husband.
He works hard to provide for our family. He is the official attic 'getter-outer' and 'put-awayer'. He does most of the yard work. He protects me from ferocious bugs (like spiders). When I'm sick, he takes care of me. He is a great Dad and gets involved in the boys Scouting (he is "Mr. Scout"), and cheers them on at their soccer games. He makes great cheesy eggs. He is a wonderful example of loving and serving the Lord. He loves me unconditionally, supports, protects and encourages me. And if all of that isn't enough, he does a great Dr. Duffenshmirtz impersonation which amuses me greatly (sorry folks, he won't do that for just anyone)! I could go on, but suffice to say, I am thankful and blessed to have John as my husband!
Thank you Lord for providing me with a wonderful husband and friend, and a great dad for our boys!!
Friday, November 1, 2013
"30 Days of Thankfulness Challenge" Day 1
As I was falling asleep last night I was running through my head all of the things that needed to get done today in preparation for this evenings Pizza & Movie Night for my Cub Scouts. As I was feeling a little overwhelmed by the list of 'to-do's', I knew what my Day 1 post would be about.
Today I am thankful for, our home.
It's not palatial. It's not pristine. It's floors are not without stains and marks. It's shelves and corners are not without clutter.
But here's what it is.
It's a home where there is lots of love, laughter and life! Over the 9 years since the Lord brought us to, and provided for our home,
* we have welcomed our 2nd son
* hosted playgroups
* my mother stayed on weekends (super special since she is now with the Lord)
* held summer school when the public school had nothing to offer
* had a licensed day care, providing for our family
* lots of laughs at Sunday night scrapbook nights
* celebrated many birthdays, anniversaries and holidays
* annual Christmas parties
* lead and hosted two separate Cub Scout Dens
* many Bible studies
* dearly loved Heart2Heart program once a month
* too many play dates to count
And much, much more!!
What a blessing it has been to watch our children grown here, and welcome friends and family in it's doors.
So although our home may not be featured in Better Homes and Gardens, it is a refuge and blessing to our family, and I am truly grateful!! Thank you Lord for our home!!!
Today I am thankful for, our home.
It's not palatial. It's not pristine. It's floors are not without stains and marks. It's shelves and corners are not without clutter.
But here's what it is.
It's a home where there is lots of love, laughter and life! Over the 9 years since the Lord brought us to, and provided for our home,
* we have welcomed our 2nd son
* hosted playgroups
* my mother stayed on weekends (super special since she is now with the Lord)
* held summer school when the public school had nothing to offer
* had a licensed day care, providing for our family
* lots of laughs at Sunday night scrapbook nights
* celebrated many birthdays, anniversaries and holidays
* annual Christmas parties
* lead and hosted two separate Cub Scout Dens
* many Bible studies
* dearly loved Heart2Heart program once a month
* too many play dates to count
And much, much more!!
What a blessing it has been to watch our children grown here, and welcome friends and family in it's doors.
So although our home may not be featured in Better Homes and Gardens, it is a refuge and blessing to our family, and I am truly grateful!! Thank you Lord for our home!!!
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
"30 Days of Thankfulness Challenge"
Several years ago I started an "I Am Thankful" challenge on my blog. Then once I started using Facebook, I began writing my thankful posts on there.
Some would say that it's sad that we focus on being thankful one time a year. I would say, that although hopefully, we are thankful every day and give our thanks to God, that this time of year helps to serve as a reminder just how much there is to be thankful for!
Psalm 107:1 Give thanks unto the Lord for He is good, His love endures forever.
As November is approaching quickly, I began thinking a week or so back about how it's almost 'that time' again. As I considered it while perusing my Facebook news feed however, I felt God prod me to do more.
I was convicted to not only write one thing for which I am thankful each day in November, but also to strive to not complain.
Complain, complain, complain. How easy our pet peeves, annoyances and gripes roll off the tongue (and fingers). "We need to vent!" we'll reason. Yes, it's true, I feel the need to vent sometimes too. But have you ever signed onto Facebook for a quick minute before work just to check in and at the end of that minute feel annoyed or almost depressed over all of the negative posts in your news feed?
What if, ... what if, instead of just posting what we are thankful for that day, we also endeavor to keep our posts positive for the whole month? How would that make us feel individually, not to give into that grumpy voice in our heads? How would it make us feel to see primarily happy, positive posts in our news feeds?
Now of course, things will come up. People will have real needs, hurts and problems. I'm talking about giving up for one month, posting about how horrible the coffee server was who forgot to double cup your latte. I'm talking about not saying how all parents who don't parent the way you do are dummies. I'm talking about not complaining that anyone who likes a particular show, movie or band is a moron. See where I'm going with this? We all have the right to our opinions, I'm just challenging us all to not go negative for one month.
Ephesians 4:29 - Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
This will also help us with Philippians 4:8 - Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
And what if we take things even one step further (now I'm really getting crazy!). What if, we challenge ourselves to let at least one person per week through November know that we appreciate them? A handshake and a word of thanks. A card with a note of appreciation. What then? How would that effect both the giver and the receiver?
1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up ...
What do you say? Anyone with me on this?
Would you join me for "30 Days of Thankfulness"?
Feel free to save the picture below and put it on your Facebook page or blog. If you have a blog, leave me a message with your address and I'll link to your site.
Some would say that it's sad that we focus on being thankful one time a year. I would say, that although hopefully, we are thankful every day and give our thanks to God, that this time of year helps to serve as a reminder just how much there is to be thankful for!
Psalm 107:1 Give thanks unto the Lord for He is good, His love endures forever.
As November is approaching quickly, I began thinking a week or so back about how it's almost 'that time' again. As I considered it while perusing my Facebook news feed however, I felt God prod me to do more.
I was convicted to not only write one thing for which I am thankful each day in November, but also to strive to not complain.
Complain, complain, complain. How easy our pet peeves, annoyances and gripes roll off the tongue (and fingers). "We need to vent!" we'll reason. Yes, it's true, I feel the need to vent sometimes too. But have you ever signed onto Facebook for a quick minute before work just to check in and at the end of that minute feel annoyed or almost depressed over all of the negative posts in your news feed?
What if, ... what if, instead of just posting what we are thankful for that day, we also endeavor to keep our posts positive for the whole month? How would that make us feel individually, not to give into that grumpy voice in our heads? How would it make us feel to see primarily happy, positive posts in our news feeds?
Now of course, things will come up. People will have real needs, hurts and problems. I'm talking about giving up for one month, posting about how horrible the coffee server was who forgot to double cup your latte. I'm talking about not saying how all parents who don't parent the way you do are dummies. I'm talking about not complaining that anyone who likes a particular show, movie or band is a moron. See where I'm going with this? We all have the right to our opinions, I'm just challenging us all to not go negative for one month.
Ephesians 4:29 - Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
This will also help us with Philippians 4:8 - Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
And what if we take things even one step further (now I'm really getting crazy!). What if, we challenge ourselves to let at least one person per week through November know that we appreciate them? A handshake and a word of thanks. A card with a note of appreciation. What then? How would that effect both the giver and the receiver?
1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up ...
What do you say? Anyone with me on this?
Would you join me for "30 Days of Thankfulness"?
Feel free to save the picture below and put it on your Facebook page or blog. If you have a blog, leave me a message with your address and I'll link to your site.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Amazing
It's amazing to me how my 'need' for certain foods is diminishing.
Today I dropped my husband off at Dunkin Donuts to meet friends and while there I got two donuts for our boys. Normally, I would then get a caramel latte, but not today. Sure, I could have one. But today I didn't want to waste the calories on it. It wasn't a big deal.
Even as I passed the donuts over to the seat to the kids, the smell that wafted by didn't even get to me at all.
Don't get me wrong, I know there will be days that will be really tough. But I'm thankful for today, and all of the other days that will come where making healthy choices will feel more natural. It's nice to start the day with this small boost of encouragement!
It's time to start the day!
Today I dropped my husband off at Dunkin Donuts to meet friends and while there I got two donuts for our boys. Normally, I would then get a caramel latte, but not today. Sure, I could have one. But today I didn't want to waste the calories on it. It wasn't a big deal.
Even as I passed the donuts over to the seat to the kids, the smell that wafted by didn't even get to me at all.
Don't get me wrong, I know there will be days that will be really tough. But I'm thankful for today, and all of the other days that will come where making healthy choices will feel more natural. It's nice to start the day with this small boost of encouragement!
It's time to start the day!
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
A New Spark
No looking back, and no beating myself up, as I am so prone to do.
Just a fresh start!
I got on the scale last Monday. Signed into Sparkpeople.com and began tracking.
After one week, I am down 2 pounds.
Normally, I'd roll my eyes or be frustrated with myself for 'only 2 pounds' on week one. But not this time.
It's 2 pounds down, that's the right direction. It's a start. It's a step in the right direction. It was a week of good choices. It was a week of being accountable. It was a week of respecting myself and God's temple.
It's a new journey. It's a great starts. It's 2 pounds less extra, unnecessary weight, and 2 pounds closer to a healthy me!
Just a fresh start!
I got on the scale last Monday. Signed into Sparkpeople.com and began tracking.
After one week, I am down 2 pounds.
Normally, I'd roll my eyes or be frustrated with myself for 'only 2 pounds' on week one. But not this time.
It's 2 pounds down, that's the right direction. It's a start. It's a step in the right direction. It was a week of good choices. It was a week of being accountable. It was a week of respecting myself and God's temple.
It's a new journey. It's a great starts. It's 2 pounds less extra, unnecessary weight, and 2 pounds closer to a healthy me!
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