Thankful Thursday...oops, it's Friday now

I am a bit behind in my Thankful Thursday post, so it will have to be a Thankful Friday post instead.

Today I am thankful for my ability to see. I have never had to wear glasses and I know there are so many who have to put on glasses or contacts to be able to see clearly. It is truly a miracle every day that I often take for granted.

Lord, thank you for giving me the miracle of sight to behold your creation.

The picnic

This is an email that I received from #3's teacher today (I changed his name in the quote, she does not actually call him #3:

This morning #3 and some other kids were playing like they were going on a picnic and that they were going to share their food with the ants. They had the picnic cloth down and all the food, plates and cups. One friend said "ok let's eat!" Then #3 said, "No! Wait! We can't eat - we have to say the prayer first, silly!" So #3 said a prayer thanking God for this day and for the food - then they had a picnic. It was so sweet - it just warmed my heart.

That simple gesture just reaffirms to me how blessed I am to be able to have my children attend a Christian school. His teacher is a wonderful Christian lady and I couldn't be happier with how he is learning and growing in his faith and knowledge of God, not to mention everything he is learning about his ABCs, 123s, and the world around him. I don't mean to sound snobby or assume that those who don't are not good people. Far from it! We have attended preschools that were not faith based and they were wonderful schools. However, I wondered what they were teaching my children about God or whatever the workers believed in. I know that it is the parent's primary responsibility to instill and teach faith to our children. However, when it is reinforced at home and they experience it every day at school, it must sink in somehow. Either way, I'm proud of my little guy for living out his faith!

Family Easter Picture

I forgot to have the family take a picture before we left on Easter morning, so here is our Easter picture for 2010 (taken on the way home from church):

T-ball pictures

My sweet little baseball boys. #3 initially did not want to take a picture at all, but after a bit of bribing with a promise to go to Cici's Pizza after the game, he grudgingly complied (hence the half smile / half snarl on his face).

I love it when the photography companies allow us to purchase the CD for photos and give photo releases. That way I can post them on my blog without breaking copyright laws.

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for my husband. I could not have picked a better father for my three boys. He genuinely loves to spend time with them, often spending hours outside playing with them, practicing baseball, wrestling on the trampoline, or reading books together at night. He always has them laughing. He is a strong Christian man who places a priority on teaching the boys about God. I am truly blessed.

My father used to play with my brother and me in the yard. Mother would come out and say, "You're tearing up the grass." "We're not raising grass," Dad would reply. "We're raising boys." ~Harmon Killebrew

Hymns for teens

I have to give Matt Atnip and the Bammel youth group props on these 'updated' hymn titles for teens, born of a three hour wait in Burger King due to a flat tire on the way home from a retreat. Matt has posted them on his facebook so I am sharing a few that I thought were funny:

1. Just a Little Text with Jesus
2. I Must Needs Bounce by Way of the Cross
3. You Have Turned My :( Into LOL
4. What a Bestie we Have in Jesus
5. Mos Def Jesus is Mine
6. As the Deer Gets Mad Thirst
7. How Great UB
8. To God Be the Mad Props
9. Get Crunk Christian Soldiers
10. Chillin' on the Everlasting Arms
11. Just as I B
12. It is Dope with My Soul
13. Chillax with Me
14. Come Ye Sinners, Spent and Whack
15. Don't Trip Whate'er Betide

I like #10 the best, what about you?

My two lefties throwing rocks in the pond

Thankful Thursday

Today I am choosing to thank God for washer and dryer. We bought a top of the line front loading steam washer and steam dryer in a beautiful champagne color. It was a scratch and dent model, mind you, but all of the scratches were on the side where it didn't show. We got a great deal and just finished paying it off.

Although sometimes it can be overwhelming, I am thankful for each and every sock, shirt, shorts, etc. that I wash, dry, and fold for my family. We are truly blessed (and the washer/dryer has made it SOOOOOO much easier!). Now if it could only fold and put away clothes... :)

Old school

Freshman cheerleading
(3 out of the 5 in this picture now have twins - isn't that funny?)

Another freshman cheerleading picture - nice bangs!

Choir picture from freshman year

Senior picture with friends the day the caps and gowns arrived!


Senior choir banquet photo with my friend Kelly

A few friends of mine posted some pictures from high school so I thought I'd post them here for a few laughs. It's hard to believe it has been almost 16 years since I graduated from high school!

Now I'm officially "old school"...

It's 11:20!

Yesterday our church held our annual "Be the Church Day" where everyone showed up in their work clothes ready to work on a project. Some people mowed lawns and painted for elderly people, others handed out water in the name of Jesus to runners at a local park, some put together care packages to send to soldiers abroad, and many other worthy causes. Our family chose to visit the nursing home. We wanted to have a project where our children could participate and be a part of serving others.

The elderly people love to see the young children with all of their energy. I had to ask #1 and #3 to stop licking the glass of the aquarium repeatedly (which utterly disgusted me - who knows what kind of nastiness they ingested - GROSS!!!). Anyway, we were getting to the end of the service and the song leader leaned over to an elderly man who was sitting next to him and asked if he had a favorite song he would like to sing. The man looked at his watch and snapped, "It's 11:20!!!" Their lunch was scheduled to begin at 11:30. I guess he wanted to make sure we did not run late. It was pretty funny if you ask me.

Lesson learned...don't mess with nursing home residents when it comes to meal times!

Thankful Thursday

To piggy-back off of what some of my blogger friends are doing, I am going to use Thursdays to write about things for which I am thankful. There are so many things that I take for granted every day, miracles and the majesty of God's creation that I simply pass by unaware. It is easy to pray a broad sweeping prayer of thanks to God for all his blessings, but I am going to attempt to count my many blessings and "name them one by one" as the song says.

Here is one of my favorite songs about counting blessings:


When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Refrain

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.

Refrain

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings. Wealth can never buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

Refrain

So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be disheartened, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

Refrain




Today, I am thankful for air conditioning. Living in Houston the weather can get quite uncomfortably hot and humid in a hurry. Right now our upstairs air conditioner is broken and we are awaiting the shipment of a brand new condenser unit. I am also VERY thankful for the home warranty that will pay for all but $180 of the replacement cost. Thank you God for the cool breeze that makes our home comfortable.

Simple toys

Sometimes simple household objects, such as empty paper towel rolls or blankets can provide hours of entertainment!

Meet the prince and the king!

#3's field trip - Old McDonald's Farm

The 3 year old classes went on a field trip to Old McDonald's Farm. My sweet boy was SOOOOOO excited about the trip, at least half of which was excitement about riding the yellow bus. I was sad I was not able to go on this field trip because I had been home with a sick child earlier that week and needed to get some work done in the office. However, my sister was able to go and took some really good pictures. The cute blonde girl with pig tails is her daughter. #3 and his cousin are in the same class and are so funny to watch together. My niece 'mothers' him and loves to hold his hand, and #3 just eats it up.
#3's with his teacher and class

On the bus!

My little monkey on the monkey bars

Cowpokes on the fence

#3 and his cousin on the tire swing. I love this picture!!

Heading to the train station

Hanging out with his buddies

Choo Choo! Ready to ride the train!

Play time!

Another cute cousin picture!

Sweet dreams

Psalm 4:8 (New King James Version)

8 I will both lie down in peace, and sleep;
For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.





P.S. I did not turn the light on to take their pictures, they all fell asleep one night with their lamps on!

Underwear head...the encore presentation

More underwear head for you! Let me tell you, this is practically a daily occurrence in my house and always gets a laugh. I especially love how #1 has figued out how to pull it completely over his head like a ski mask and added a hat to boot!