Thankful Days #12 - #16

Day # 12:  I am thankful for my van!  I never really thought I would say that.  When I was pregnant with Ellie we needed to get a bigger car to fit all the kids in so we decided on a mini van.  I never wanted a mini van because I thought it would make me feel too old.  But...after buying the van I love it!! And I don't feel old!  I am thankful that we have two vehicles that way I'm not trapped at home because we all know that a stay at home mom really never stays home.

Day #13:  I am thankful for my church...Cornerstone Christian Church in Shiloh.  It is a place that feels like home to us.  My family has made many friends there.  I love that they care so much about people.  I am thankful that they care so much about our youth!!!  I am thankful that they care so much about missions.  I am thankful for our Pastors and the passion they show in bringing people to Jesus no matter where they are in the world.

Day # 14:  I am thankful that my husband has a job that he loves going to everyday.  I am thankful that he makes enough money so that I can stay home with the girls.  I love being there for them when they get home from school.

Day # 15:  I am thankful for authors and books.  I love reading!!  I am thankful that my kids love reading.

Day #16:  I am thankful for my cat...Charlie!  He completes our family.  Although he is pretty old he still likes to play around sometimes and I cherish everyday that we have with him.  Even if I do wake up to spilled water in the kitchen every so often.

Thankful Day #11

Today I am going to be a little selfish and say I am thankful for me!  Today was a milestone birthday for me...the Big 4-0!  I know at the beginning of the year I said I was going to blog about my road to 40.  Well life got in the way and that didn't happen.  But I'm happy to say that I did do some of the things I said I was going to do.  I started helping out at the girls school in their library.  I love straightening up the books and finding books to display on the shelves.  I also love when the kids come up to me and ask where certain books are or can I help them find a good book.  As for the weight loss, I didn't really get going on that until about June.  But since then I have lost 32 lbs.  I am fitting in clothes I haven't wore in a long time, I got rid of all my 3X clothes because I don't want to wear them ever again.  I am 8 lbs short of one of the goals I set for my weight but I plan to keep on pushing until I hit that final goal.  I feel better than I have felt in a very long time and I am happy with myself once again.

Even though I got a sick Wendy for my birthday, it turned out to be a really great day.  Harry made me my favorite breakfast this morning!  He even did all the dishes and cleaned up afterwards.  Instead of us running around I got to relax at home looking at some cookbooks my mom gave me for my birthday, got to see my sister who brought me a snowman she had made, watched some good football on t.v., played Hangman with Megan, and sat in the recliner with my Ellie.  Wendy slept most of the day but she did come down for present opening and cake (which Harry made for me all by himself and he even iced it and decorated it).  I got wonderful presents from my family which included a trip to the Fox to see Wicked in December.  As an added bonus, I got to spend my birthday with my dad which hasn't happened in a long time.  And as a second bonus, I got tons of birthday wishes on my Facebook from friends from all over the place.

I am truly thankful that God has blessed me with a wonderful family that cares about me, great friends who take time out of their schedules to wish me a happy day, good health, a serving heart, and an all around great life.

Happy Birthday to me!!!

Thankful for days 7, 8, 9, and 10

Back to being thankful:

Day #7:  I am thankful for friends!  I have some of the best friends a person could ask for!  They are there for me anytime I need them.  Whether I need to vent about everyday life, need help watching children, advice on how to handle a situation, prayer requests or just hanging out and sharing in each others company I can always count on them to be there.  You know it's a great group of friends when they stay up on a week night until 3 am just sharing your company and having fun, they follow you to Barnes and Noble even though they don't like to read, they see you at the grocery store at 10 p.m. and help you push one of your two carts out to the parking lot and stay with you until you get it all loaded in the van, you can get together with your college dorm mates like you were just living with them yesterday rather than 18 years ago, you post something on Facebook about your daughter's kindergarten teacher's house burning down and they send you a gift card for the teacher all the way from Washington state, you see a post on Facebook from one of your high school and college friends and you can immediately think of wonderful memories of them from the past and how nice it is to be connected to them again after many years.  For all my high school friends, college friends, friends I have met through church, friends I have met through MOPS, friends I have met through my girls, friends both near and far, new and old, I am thankful for each and everyone of you!

Day #8:  I am thankful for my in-laws.  They have been there for us when we have needed them.  They have watched the girls so we can have some time to ourselves.  They have been there for us financially when we were struggling and not sure how to make ends meet.  They are wonderful grandparents to the girls and for that I am also thankful.  I am also thankful that they are here or else I wouldn't have my true love either!

Day #9:  I am thankful for my house!  I love my house!  I love the old wood work that gives the home character.  I love the kitchen that is the heart of our home and my favorite room in the house.  I love the living room where we can make family memories with movie nights and family game nights, and just hanging out together.  I love my girls playroom which is filled with fun and laughter. I love my dining room, because it's where we do homework and school projects and I hear the girls playing music on the piano.  I love the girls bedrooms because it's shows who they are and I love to tuck them in each night.  I love my bedroom because it is a sanctuary that I can call mine (even if I do share it with that guy who lives here).  I love my laundry room because I don't have to go to the laundromat (like we used to do for 8 years before we moved in).  I love my basement because it is a good storage place and a safe haven from the storms. I love my backyard because I know my kids can play there safely and I love my front porch because I can sit on it and read, or watch the cars go by or just listen to and watch what nature has to offer.  I am thankful that I have a place to call home.

Day #10: I am thankful for the military, for those that have served and for those that are serving now.  I was never really exposed to military life living in a small town.  We only lived 30 minutes from Scott AFB, but I never really thought about it when I was growing up.  After we got married and moved to Belleville we got to know people that were in the military.  I have such a huge respect for those that are military.  To be a soldier away from your family at any spot on the globe for months and sometimes a year to fight for my ability to have rights and freedoms is something that I can't even be thankful for enough.  I am thankful to my friends that are military wives that have to endure running a household by themselves and being a single parent.  I have the utmost respect for you.  I am blessed to have met people that were stationed at Scott AFB that I am truly thankful to call friends.  Thank you to the Smiths, Galunas, Reeves, Downings, Buenings, Dunns, Butlers, Casons, McCraines, Yudinskys, Thuls, Thompsons, Southers, Goods, Cummings, Porters, Pubillones, Turners, Ellisons, Buzenski's and anyone else I may have missed because I'm tired and typing this at 10:45 at night.  Thank you for defending our country and putting your lives of the line for me and my family.

Election Day

Day # 6 :  Election Day!  I am thankful that I live in a country where I can vote and have a voice when it comes to those that are running our country, state, county, and city.

I am thankful for all of those that came before me to fight to keep our country a free country and thankful for all of those that are still fighting to keep it that way.  I have read many Facebook posts today that says "what a privilege" it is to vote.  I agree.  It is our duty, right, and privilege to vote.

I am thankful for the 19th amendment which "prohibits any US citizen to be denied the right to vote based on sex".

I am thankful for Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton who paved the way for women to vote.  They, as well as many others, staged protests, made banners to hold on the White House lawn, got arrested and thrown in jail for their demonstrations on making it a right for women to vote.

I remember back in grade school when all the school children from the state got to vote for the state animal.  Everyone made such a big deal out of it.  I was so excited to cast my vote for the white-tailed deer because he just had the cutest face.  The deer did win the vote for the Illinois state animal.  Once I tuned 18 I couldn't wait to register to vote for the President of the United States.  Of course, I had to wait another 2 years for that to take place.  Now I make sure that I vote every year.  Even if there is no Presidential election there are still items that need to be voted on where your voice could make a difference.

Once you have voted, be a grown up about it.  If your candidate doesn't get voted in remember we are "one Nation under God indivisible" do your part to unify and not divide. (Stole that from a friend of mine on Facebook)

The Thankful Month

I am going to make a huge effort to start writing my blog again and to stay on top of it.  I love writing!  It's really a form of therapy for me to relax and to concentrate on something I like to do. (Which doesn't happen very often because I tend to put everyone else and their problems before mine).  I have had many friends tell me that they miss reading my blogs.  So, I am starting now!

It's hard to believe it is November!  I think the last time I posted something here was very early in the year.  November is a great month!  Two of my favorite holidays are this month, Thanksgiving and my birthday, which happens to fall on Veteran's Day.  November gives us a time to concentrate on those things that we are thankful for.  Granted we should be thankful any day of the year.  But, when life gets in the way, it's nice to have one month out of the year to help us remember what we have to be thankful for.  Many of my Facebook friends are doing a countdown to Thanksgiving by telling everyday something they are thankful for. I love reading everyone's posts.  It give me a warm and fuzzy feeling seeing my friends and family so blessed. I think I will jump on the band wagon and use my blog to record those things that I am thankful for.  Since this is the first of November I have a few days to catch up on.

Day 1:  First and foremost I am thankful that God loves me enough that He sent His Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross so that my sins will be forgiven and someday I will live forever with Him in Heaven.  Having faith in God is what keeps me going most days.  I may not always find time to pray, or read my Bible, but I always know that He is there for me and that I have hope no matter what the circumstances.

Day 2:  I am thankful for my husband!  I am thankful that he is a good husband who loves me no matter what kind of mood I'm in.  He loves me no matter what kind of ratty clothes I wear. He loves me even when the house is unkept or when we have Taco Bell instead of a home cooked meal. He is a wonderful father to our girls.  He makes sure to kiss and hug them everyday.  He tucks them in and says I love you to them every night.  He helps them with piano lessons, school projects, teaches them about space and stars, and watches Mythbusters and Pawn Stars with them.  He is everything I had hoped for when I was dreaming of my Prince Charming.

Day 3:  I am thankful for my three beautiful girls!  They are my life and I love them more than I could ever imagine.  They are caring, fun, smart, talented, happy, loving, and all around good girls.  Each one of them brings something special to our family.  I am so proud of what kind of ladies they are becoming and I can't wait to see what the future holds for each one of them.  God has truly blessed me when He made me a mom to these girls.

Day 4:  I am thankful for my parents for without them I wouldn't be here!  I am thankful that I have a mom that I can talk to whenever I need to.  I am thankful for her advice when needed on cooking issues or child issues.  Even though we don't always get along or see eye to eye, I know that we can always get past the obstacle and start over.  I am thankful that I have a dad who is still alive and kicking.  He has been through a lot of health issues this past year and I am thankful to still have him around.  I am thankful that he gave me my love of sports - from listening to Cardinal games and sports shows on the radio while doing the dishes together to watching football games on a Sunday afternoon. And even when I'm at my wits end,  I am also thankful that I have a big enough house that both my parents were able to stay with me while recuperating from their major surgeries.  After all the years of them taking care of me, I am thankful that I have the means to take care of them when needed.

Day 5:  I am thankful for my sister, brothers, sister-in-law, brothers-in-law, nephews, and cousins.  It is fun to get together as a family and have ALOT of people in the house.  Kids running all over the place and siblings acting as if we are all still children ourselves.  I am thankful for the in-law siblings that fit in as if they were blood all along.  I am thankful for my cousin Becky, who is more like a sister than a cousin. She is my sounding board when needed and my "date" for various dinners out!

Just writing this list about family alone shows how blessed my life is and how much I already have to be thankful for and that's only after Day 5.

Trip to the Library

When I was little, I loved going to my small town library.  It was a big treat for me to go in there and check out books.  It was an even bigger treat whenever mom finally let me walk to the library by myself.  I can still see the small little area that was set aside for the kids.  There was a round table in the middle, a water fountain on the wall and all my favorite books:  Caddie Woodlawn, Little House on the Prairie, Encyclopedia Brown, The Boxcar Children, Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden, Sweet Valley High, and the list goes on and on.  To this day, I can still remember that certain smell the library had when you walked in to it.  It was even more exciting when it was time for me to venture to the other side and start checking out the adult fiction:  Stephen King, Victoria Holt, Phyllis Whitney, Dean Koontz, Nora Roberts, and the list goes on and on again.  Of course, I still love going to the library and finding books to read that I have on my ever growing list...but I also enjoy taking the girls and watching how excited they are to get the next book in the series, or a new book no one has read yet.

Tonight Harry and I took the girls to our library and I get so happy watching them run to the children's wing and immediately start looking for their next adventure.  Megan loves Fancy Nancy, Charlie and Lola, and any kind of book that has a cute cover.  (Takes after her mother)  She is also reading the Magic Treehouse Series as well as The Fun Day Fairies.  It is so cute to see her so excited to find the next book in the series she wants.  Wendy loves the Bernstain Bears, animal stories, and she is also reading the Magic Treehouse Series.  She is my non-fiction reader.  She has at least one non-fiction book in her bag each time we go.  Her pick this week:  The Properties of Gases.  (She has already informed me, with a big smile, that it's not the gases from behind).  Ellie's library bag is full of Dora and Max and Ruby.  I think I have read every Dora book that library has to offer a zillion times.  They each have their own library card and, thanks to Aunt Jayme's Christmas presents, they each have their own bag with their names on it to carry all their amazing finds home.

But...the best part of the whole thing is looking in the review mirror and watching them already looking through or starting to read their new books before my van is even out of the parking lot.  When we were pregnant with the first child, I always asked Harry "what if they don't like to read?".  It was a huge fear of mine that they wouldn't like to read.  I should have known they would have gotten the reading gene from me.

I look forward to the day that we can read a book and pass it on to each other, have discussions over lunch about the latest Bestsellers, and get phone call or e-mails that say "you have got to read this book!".  Until  then I will cherish the bedtime stories, the cuddles on the couch listening to Jack and Annie travel to distant lands, and seeing what adventures are up next for Dora and Boots.

Perspective

Sometimes I just need a good slap in the face to realize how good I actually have it!

Yesterday, my Brownie/Junior Girl Scout troop had a work day for our upcoming Thinking Day in February.  Thinking Day is a day set aside to think/learn about other Girl Scout troops from around the world.  Our troop chose Uganda as their country to learn about.  In preparing for our work day, I realized how lucky I am to live where I do and to have what I have.

I gripe about the pile of clothes that I have to put in the washing machine, even though I can walk away and let the washing machine do the work while I play Words with Friends on the computer.  Not even giving a thought to the mom in Uganda who washes their clothes by hand with a small child attached to her back.  I complain because I have no time to make dinner when I can just run to the freezer, grab something, throw it in the oven and be done with it.  Not even giving a thought to the mom in Uganda who must build a fire first and then sit by her makeshift stove to make sure the fire doesn't get out of control and burn her house to the ground. Once a month I complain about the electric bill being so high.  Not even giving a thought to the home in Uganda that has to rely on dangerous kerosene lights to illuminate their house in the night time.  I complain because I have to turn on the water faucet, fill up the sink,  and wash dishes that can't go in the dishwasher.  Not even giving a thought to that mom in Uganda that has to walk miles to fill up her water jugs from dirty ponds and lakes to get their water to survive.

Funny thing:  I receive a booklet from Samaritan's Purse and each week there is a new country to pray for with a little blurb about the country.  Guess what last week's country was...Uganda.  After the church sermon today at Cornerstone Christian Church, I wonder if Uganda has been put in my path for a reason.  I may have to clean out my ears and open my heart to see if God is talking to me.