Happy Thursday!

I know I don't say that often...the Thursday part, I mean.  With my aversion to them and all.  After yesterday, I know that today will be the turnaround.  :)

Have I mentioned that we watch Home Improvement in the morning?  I love this show.  And Tim Allen.  It's gotta be the all-boys thing.  I love how he's always getting into trouble of some sort.  It reminds me of a couple of people in my house.  Maybe that's why we like it...because we can relate. 

I'm glad we stayed home last night.  I went to bed early (for the third night in a row, right around nine).  I finished up the series of books I was reading from the library, so I started reading my first book on my new touchpad.  :)  I like it.  Love it, actually...I can adjust the font and the size of it, I can even adjust the background color.  I was only able to read for about fifteen minutes once I laid down, because I was already falling asleep.

I'm hoping I can hold myself together all night tonight, because I have plans at midnight!!!!  Any guesses?

My best friend, her daughter and I are going to see the 12:02 showing of Breaking Dawn.  :) 

Just because we're cool like that.  And it's funner at midnight.  Drew asked if he could go.  (Smile) 

Well, laundry is calling my name.  Again.  It does that a lot.  I also have to wake Jonah and Noah up a little early so that I can drive Graham and Drew to school.  Drew's ankle hurts really bad and he doesn't feel up to walking to the bus stop this morning.  (Because of his fall yesterday.)  So, I'm driving them. 

Have a great day!  Love to all. 

a little run through of my (now) comical day

My alarm clock went off.  Once.  Twice.  Three times.  On the fourth go-round, I finally managed to roll out of bed.

Breakfast was easy...but quick, since I wasn't the only one who couldn't get up.  (Ahem, Drew.)

I dropped the older boys off at school at 7:05 for FCA.

I drove home. 

And turned around, when Drew told me he forgot his backpack in my car. 

Smile.

I woke up Jonah and Noah.  And let the dogs out in the backyard for the fourth time since 6:20 or so.  (My floors are a muddy mess...or were, anyway.)

Breakfast was easy...and laundry was calling me, so it was a quick affair.  I had a little gentleman offer to carry the basket up the stairs for me.  Since right now, going upstairs involves stepping onto a chair and climbing over the baby gate that is keeping Evil Knievel from going up them to further torment the felines that are living up there. 

I dropped the boys off at school....after turning around to get the jackets that Jonah and Noah forgot...and lecturing a couple extra's on when it's appropriate to laugh and cut up...and when it's not.  This morning was NOT appropriately timed. 

I came home and settled down to finish up my Bible study homework.  And was having a grand 'ole time, when the phone rang.  It was the middle school, informing me that Drew had fallen down the stairs.  :-(  He was okay, but shaken up.  I took him some sweet tea and gave him two Motrin's.  He didn't want to come home...just wanted some medicine because his already bruised leg was hurting him.

I finished part of my Bible study homework and had to set it aside so I could eat lunch before work.  Then I got to work and noticed that today was their Thanksgiving meal day.  And I had already eaten lunch.  Part of the problem of my job is that I never get notified of anything.

Work was uneventful (if you can call a room full of hundreds of kids uneventful). 

A little angel brought me a Lindor chocolate truffle.  And she gave me the best hug ever.  :-)

Then, another little angel brought me some of her sweet mommy's homemade salsa and chips.  And I got another sweet hug. 

My day was brightened.  Smiles and hugs have a way of doing that.  Things get forgotten and suddenly, there is a bright spot. 

God is so good that way.  He knew that I needed to be loved on (just a little) today, and look what He did.  Kids don't bring me things very often...but today, I was blessed doubly. 

A coincidence?  I don't believe in them.  A God thing?  Most definitely. 

He cares about every little detail of our lives...the stressful, the mundane, the stuff that makes us crazy...and when we earnestly pray and seek His word about how to handle a tough situation, He turns things around.  Not always in the way we plan, but in the way He plans.  And His plans are far greater than ours.   

Today in my Bible study homework, I read about how He is enthralled by us. 

I don't know about you, but I feel treasured and loved by Him. 

I also feel in desperate need of some quality family time.  We have been gone every night this week, and the same will be true for tomorrow night as well.  So, because my hubby doesn't feel well, and because I just think we need it, we are staying home from church.  I plan on making an easy dinner, and a pot of decaf coffee.  We might watch a movie.  We might not...but whatever we do, we will do together. 

Sounds like Heaven.  Hope you enjoy your evening as much as I plan on enjoying mine.  Love to all. 


(Disclaimer:  Don't feel bad for me regarding my day...I was just letting you get a glimpse into my "real", crazy, not-at-all-perfect life.  I am thankful that I can write all this with humor, and with a heart that is thankful that this is all I have to deal with in my life.  I know that this is not at all the case for many of my friends, and I am not downplaying that at all.  I realize that my life is blessed, and I am humbly thankful for that.)

to love or not to love

Please be nice to me.  Especially when I am nice to you.  Even when I don't feel like it.  (This is meant for the people I don't know who are rude to me when I tell them our policies at school regarding lunch visitors.)  You can hate the message, but don't hate the messenger.

I do NOT love cupcakes for birthdays.  At school, I mean, for birthday treats.  I love the cookies and little individually wrapped treats.  And donuts...we love donuts!  So easy to pass out...and not messy.

I don't love red drinks.  They stain floors...just think of what they do to the insides. 

I love having the opportunity every day to love on my kids.  And all "my" other kids.  Well...most days, anyway.  ;-)

I love the sounds of a puppy snoring.  It means he's not doing anything bad at the moment.  I also love friends who loan me their dog kennels.  This thing has been a lifesaver. 

I love that my kids have jam packed calendars.  Most of which takes place in the mornings or afternoons before school.  I am so thankful that my kids love going to school.

I do not love hearing about some of the ugliness that goes on.  I pray that God will always guard their hearts, their minds, their eyes and their ears.  As I write that, I'm thinking of a song I sang as a child. 

"Oh be careful little ears, what you hear!
Oh be careful little ears, what you hear!
For the Father up above
is looking down in love.
Oh be careful little ears what you hear!"

I know He will guard them.  I pray they always walk with Him and in His ways. 

Well, I have to go sign people in as lunch visitors.  Love to all.

updates

Crash (the dog) had a really bad night Thursday night.  It resulted in my sweet stepdad seeing me very frustrated and a teary phone call to my husband.  I wanted to take him back.  He was torturing Andy the Wonder Dog and he kept peeing all over the downstairs.  I had had it, and Todd told me he would get in touch with his previous owners.  Which he did...and then couldn't get again.  I think they were avoiding us.  I agreed to give the mutt one more week's worth of chances and make a final decision after the week is over.

He's done much better, and I'm managing to tolerate him.  Sometimes.  When he starts bugging Andy, I put him in his kennel.

Friday was a holiday.  We made our annual trek downtown to watch the veteran's day parade.  :)  It was so much fun...and our friends even went with us, making it even more fun.  I took lots of pics, but I'll have to share them later. 

We did the usual weekend things over the weekend, ending with a middle school youth bonfire last night.  Except that it was extremely windy outside and the bonfire had to be held and contained in fire pits.  It worked, though, and the kids didn't mind at all.  They still roasted hot dogs and marshmallows for s'mores, then they all ran around and played hide and go seek. 

Good times were had by all. 

That brings us to today!  I need to go to the grocery store for lunch and dinner things, but I'm going to try and stretch what we have until midweek.  I am sure my husband will appreciate my efforts of not spending a small fortune at the grocery store.  :)  I am dressed and waiting to go to a Young Life banquet that we were invited to tonight.  I can't wait for some adult time...and with my husband and good friends, too!  My sister, Lisa, is taking care of the boys.  We're going to drive by and get Wendy's for them to eat, then they're going to eat at her house. 

What have YOU been up to?  I am so excited for Thanksgiving...it'll be here before we know it, and I can't wait to spend some quality time with family and friends.  I also can't wait for the five day break that comes with it! 

Enjoy your evening at home...and I will enjoy my evening out.  :)  Love to all.

Happy Wednesday!

We have a new member of our family.  His name is Crash.  As in Crash Bandicoot...from the Mario and Sonic games?

I am not sure how I feel about him.  I smacked his nose so hard yesterday that I might have bruised my fingers internally.  :-(  He was tormenting Andy the Wonder Dog, and he is NOT going to do that. 

He's actually doing pretty good with going outside, though.  Only a few little accidents here and there, and at least that's on hardwood. 

So, what else is going on...

I have a field trip today with Jonah and Noah.  We're going to the zoo! 

Graham also has a "field trip"...it's an emerging leaders conference for FCA.  He's either coming home afterward or going to a friend's house until after the other boys get out of school. 

Poor Drew will be the only one in school all day...but Graham said it's like payback, since he was absent two days last week while all the other boys went. 

Tonight is church and I am so ready!  We missed Bible study last night because the DVD was all scratched up.  I have missed doing Bible study homework this week...I'm always ready to jump back in after a little break. 

I cannot wait until Friday!  It's Veteran's Day, and we are doing our annual parade downtown with my sweet Daddy.  I'm sad that my sister Trisha can't go with us this year, though. 

That's about it...laundry is calling! 

Love to all and Happy Wednesday. 

Scripture

James 1:17 All generous giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or the slightest hint of change. 

James 2:1  My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.

Isaiah 26:3  You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You.

Romans 8:35, 37-39  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Philippians 4:6,7  Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.  Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done.  Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.  His peace will guard your hearts and mind as you live in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 2:6,7  And now, just as you have accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow Him.  Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him.  Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

Psalm 91:2,4  This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God and I trust Him.  He will cover you with His feathers.  He will shelter you with His wings.  His faithful promises are your armor and protection. 

Isaiah 46:10  Don't be afraid, for I am with you.  Don't be discouraged, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you.  I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. 

Psalm 37:4  Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 37:5  Commit everything you do to the Lord.  Trust Him and He will help you.

Proverbs 16:3  Commit your actions to the Lord and your plans will succeed. 

Galatians 6:9  So let's not get tired of doing what is good.  At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up. 

John 8:12  When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, "I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. 

1 Corinthians 10:23  Everything is permissable, but not everything is beneficial.  Everything is is permissable, but not everything is constructive.

Colossians 3:23  Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. 

Proverbs 15:4  Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. 

2 Chronicles 30:27  ...and God heard them, for their prayer reached heaven, His holy dwelling place. 

Psalm 25:15  I continually look to the Lord for help, for He will free my feet from the enemy's net. 

Galatians 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.  Against such things there is no law. 

Hebrews 11:6  And without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. 

no title Thursday

This week is going by so fast...as usual in my house.  We've had a couple sick kids.  Tuesday Graham came home sick, and yesterday Drew stayed home.  I don't know if it's a stomach virus or not...but the only symptom is nausea that comes and goes. 

I am keeping Drew home again today.  :-(  Hopefully his teachers will take pity on him and be kind to him when he gets back to school.  They were the other couple of days he missed earlier in the year. 

Hopefully today will go by quickly and Drew will be better.  I don't like it when any of my kids are sick, but when Drew is sick it's really quiet around my house.  He is the loud one.  :) 

On to other things now...

Today is a brand new day...and with it the opportunity to be a blessing to someone.  I pray this all the time...that God will work through me and allow me to be a blessing or an encouragement to someone in need.  I have days that I am so the opposite of that, though.  But every day is a new start.  Every day we have the chance to love on someone.  Whether it be through a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, a helping hand...we have the chance to be or do something kind. 

Isn't that awesome??

I love the idea of "paying it forward". 

I am making this my goal through the months of November and December.  I love a challenge and I am challenging myself to do or say something kind to someone at least once every day for the next two months.

One group of people I am targeting the most is my own family.  Did you know that it's a proven fact that we are nicer to complete strangers than we are to our own families that we live with?  How sad is that???  Don't forget to start with them!   

Care to join me?  I thought I'd do a different spin on the "I'm Thankful For...".  It's not hard and it doesn't have to cost anything.  The best things in life are free, after all. 

Think about it...and comment on here if you're interested. 

Love to all.