Thankful Thursday

Today I got to to visit a salon for a pedicure. There is no other thing like it. Sitting in a chair that is massaging my back, having someone rub my feet, reading a magazine, no one asking me to do anything for them. It is a little bit of heaven! I am always refreshed and relaxed every time, and I when I arrive home I am ready to tackle the real world once again.

I am thankful that my husband appreciates my need to retreat every now and then and I truly appreciate his support. He brought the boys home, played with them, and bathed them. I love that man!

Thankful Thursday

At the end of each day, no matter how gloomy my day might have been, I love to see the smiles on the faces of my children when I pick them up from school. When they see me walking towards them, they all come running towards me exclaiming, "MOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMYYYY!!!" I drop to my knees with my arms wide open and I actually have to brace myself for the impact as they come crashing into my arms.

I am thankful to have such a sweet reminder of the important 'stuff' in life as I hug them. One of these days, I'm sure they will request that I drop them off at the corner because I am too old fashioned for them and their jr high friends. I'll take the hugs while I can still get 'em. :)

Pantry clean out...ewwwww!

I'll admit it. I'm a pack rat. I can't stand the idea of needing something and not having it on hand. The problem is that I often forget that I have it and therefore it stays hidden away in a drawer or closet unused.

Case in point:
I cleaned out a shelf of my pantry the other day, and was horrified to pull out this can of evaporated milk. I like to keep evaporated milk on hand for making tater tot casserole, so when I buy it at the store the can gets put at the front of the evaporated milk section in my pantry and the ones at the back just get older and older. I pulled out a can that looked like it had started to leak and couln't believe it. The can expired in 2004!!!



I really need to get my pack-ratedness (is that a word??) under control!

Take me out to the ball game

Popcorn, playing at the kids play area, cotton candy, cokes, and baseball. What a fun evening!

Thankful Thursday (another Friday edition)

Five years ago yesterday my sweet twins surprised us by arriving three months early with a combined weight of just over 4 1/2 pounds fighting for their lives. They continue to surprise and amaze me every day, and I am thankful for them.

The other day when I was flipping through my old Bible, I found a piece of paper that spelled out days and people that had signed up to bring us meals after the boys were born. I keep that piece of paper in my Bible to remind me how grateful I was to have friends and family take care of us during our time of need.

Durig the three months after the boys were born but were still in the hospital, different families took turns bringing meals to our house, leaving them in our fridge, and when we would get home at night we would eat a home cooked meal. I am so thankful for each and every person who helped us in any way during that period of time which is like a blur to me. Some people checked our mail for us, a neighbor helped get a tree cleared out of our yard that fell the day before I was released from the hospital after giving birth, the complete strangers who took time to visit us in the hospital who heard about our situation through a friend or church member, the gift cards to restaurants and meals that were prepared on our behlf. I couldn't possibly name all of the wonderful people whose small acts of kindness were so helpful and were so greatly appreciated, even five years later. One lady who knew my parents from church visited me in the hospital several times, even though I had never met her before, and left me a goody bag to keep with me in my locker at the hospital. It contained granola bars, a magazine, and liquid coffee creamer containers. Such a small thing was so helpful and encouraging to me. I know their good deeds are known by the Father and I believe that God somehow blessed them because they blessed me with their kindness.

Whenever people have tragedies in their lives, it can seem like a trivial thing to offer to mow their lawn, bring a meal, pick up dry cleaning, or whatever, but believe me, it's the small things that matter and get you through the trials.

If you were a part of the prayer warriors who prayed constantly, brought a meal, or any other kind act during the boys' hospital stay after their birth, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You truly blessed my life and I am forever grateful.

Happy Mother's Day!

Answers given by 2nd grade school children to the following questions:

Why did God make mothers?

1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How did God make mothers?

1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God made my mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.

What ingredients are mothers made of?

1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?

1. We're related.
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's mom like me.

What kind of a little girl was your mom?

1. My mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff..
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.
What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?
1. His last name.
2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?
3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?

Why did your mom marry your dad?
1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my mom eats a lot.
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
3. My grandma says that mom didn't have her thinking cap on.

Who's the boss at your house?
1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.
2.. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.
3. I guess mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.

What's the difference between moms and dads?
1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller and stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friends.
4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.

What does your mom do in her spare time?
1. Mothers don't do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.

What would it take to make your mom perfect?
1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?
1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.

WHEN YOU STOP LAUGHING -- SEND IT ON TO OTHER MOTHERS, GRANDMOTHERS, AND AUNTS....and anyone else who has anything to do with kids or just needs a good laugh!!!

Father's Love Letter

This is one of my favorites that I read again and again so I thought I'd share it.

Father's Love Letter
The cry of a Father's heart from Genesis to Revalation...

My Child,

You may not know me,
but I know everything about you.
Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up.
Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways.
Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.
Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image.
Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being.
Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring.
Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived.
Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation.
Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake,
for all your days are written in my book.
Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth
and where you would live.
Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb.
Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born.
Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented
by those who don't know me.
John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry,
but am the complete expression of love.
1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you.
1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child
and I am your Father.
1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.
Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father.
Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.
James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.
Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.
Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love.
Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless
as the sand on the seashore.
Psalms 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you.
Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession.
Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you
with all my heart and all my soul.
Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things.
Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart,
you will find me.
Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you
the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires.
Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you
than you could possibly imagine.
Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you
in all your troubles.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted,
I am close to you.
Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb,
I have carried you close to my heart.
Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away
every tear from your eyes.
Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain
you have suffered on this earth.
Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you
even as I love my son, Jesus.
John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed.
John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being.
Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you,
not against you.
Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression
of my love for you.
1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved
that I might gain your love.
Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus,
you receive me.
1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you
from my love again.
Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party
heaven has ever seen.
Luke 15:7

I have always been Father,
and will always be Father.
Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is…
Will you be my child?
John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you.
Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad
Almighty God

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