Where I Come From

There's this guy I knew college that I've caught up with on facebook recently.  His name is DJ and he lives in West Yellowstone, MT.  Yep, that's right by the national park.  One of DJ's talents is photography.  My husband has dubbed DJ "Yellowstone Guy" and always asks if he's put up any new pics lately.  The kids love seeing all the animals that we just don't have in Kansas.  The photos are amazing.  But don't take our word for it, check him out and then like his fb page.  Tell him I sent ya.

An Attitude of Gratitude

I'm gonna be honest here.  Yesterday was a crappy day.

Grateful #6

Today I'm super grateful for one simple thing.  When I went into his room to call him into the kitchen to work on school, I found Big E on his bed, reading a book.  It wasn't a book I'd assigned him to read, and he wasn't just looking at the pictures.  I could hear him reading.  It was a great moment for me; as a mom and as his teacher.  He's starting to read for pleasure, not just for school.  It's clicking!  Yay, for Big E!

Grateful #5

Today I am grateful for...

1. Homeschooling Friends.  For the past two weeks we've been meeting with another HS family and doing shared science.  Last week I did an art project with the kids and today Shaunna did a music lesson.  The kids love working/learning together and mine are getting something (music) they would never get from me.  (Keep in mind Music for Elementary Teachers was my only C in college. I hated that class.  I can't keep a beat and refused to learn to play the recorder in college.)  I could get used to this co-oping thing!

2. A Husband Who Loves Me Enough to Deal With Hard Stuff.  'Nuff said.

3.  Shrimp Jambalaya.  Yum.  I should have taken pictures.  It would have made for a more interesting blog.  Sorry.  Maybe next time.

4.  My Mom.  She's just AWESOME!  Today she helped clean the kids' rooms, took all 4 of them for a couple of hours so I could finish cleaning and she brought over cupcakes.  With sprinkles.  She makes me so glad I didn't move far away from home.  I am regularly reminded of how great it is to live in the same town as my parents.  They're amazing.

5.  The Baby was without me for several hours today and didn't totally freak out. This is a first.  I feel a little like Mel Gibson in Braveheart, yelling  "FREEDOM!"  I love that little guy, but this is the longest we've been apart in 8 months.

6.  Not having a heart attack in Zumba class.  I know, this seems to be a given, but last night I wasn't so sure.  My left arm started to feel numb and tingly, then my cheek and even my leg.  I'm pretty sure it was just because I wasn't breathing properly, but for about a half an hour I was freaking myself out and thinking I was about to die.  Having just read Chapter 2 of Francis Chan's Crazy Love, I was thinking about pinning a note to my chest that says "God is still good."  (If you don't get it, read the book. I highly recommend reading it in any case.)

Grateful #4

Today I am thankful for...

1. Pop Ice. You know, those popsicles in the plastic wrap. Yep, those. I think I've gone through about 6 in the last hour. Go ahead, have one. Add a little flavor to your evening.

2. Motivation. Today Mom came over and told Eli he could go to her house after he finished school. And BOOM! Just like that, he was done with school in less than 3 hours. We'll see how Monday goes...

Grateful #3

1.  Oh Happy Day

Doesn't her face just say it all?

Today at church we had an AWESOME baptism service.  Originally, there were between 7-10 people who were planning to be baptised.  By the time it was said and done, there were 20.  I was especially moved by the young boy who told us "my parents are getting divorced and I need God to get me through this." 

2.  Sunday Afternoon Naps
My husband let me have a 2+ hour nap today.  It was much needed.  What more is there to say?  Thanks, Babe!

Grateful #2

I'm going to try for posting a list of at least 5 things I'm grateful for once a week. We'll see how that goes. Once a month may be pushing it sometimes, but hey, we've got to have goals, right?

1. The Little Things My Kids Aren't Old Enough to Know Are Funny

Like tonight for example, when Abby was practicing the books of the Bible and listed them as "...Isaiah, Jeremiah, Limitations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Jewel..."

Grateful

Things I Am Grateful For Real Zest: "My gratitude journey started with the realization that my emotions and my depression were my CHOICE. I was choosing to wallow in the mud instead of dancing in the rain…yes, it sounds cliche’, but it’s so true. Once you really start being grateful for every little thing, your life will change and I guarantee you will be able to choose joy when you “should” be choosing despair."

This is from my friend Sarah Colligan's blog. For over a year now she's been sharing "Gratitudes" with the world via facebook and was recently asked to share at Real Zest.