Thirty Thankfuls.

I know it's trendy to make a list of things for which we're thankful in November--and bonus points if you do it daily throughout the entire month for your blog or Facebook. I'm not quite that organized now (though I used to be!), but I wanted to mention a few things for which I truly am grateful.
Happy Thanksgiving!

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever."
1 Chronicles 16:34

1. I am thankful for a merciful God who loves me so very much that he sent his only beloved son to die a horrible death on a cross because he wanted to take the punishment for me. I am so, so, so grateful beyond words.
2. I am thankful for my amazing husband who works hard to provide the very best for our family, and who loves me for me--no matter how crazy I get.
3. I am thankful for my two beautiful, healthy sons. They bring me more joy daily than I ever imagined possible, and I have learned so much about life, love, and myself through them.
4. I am thankful for my loving parents who raised me to know right from wrong, to do my best, and, most importantly, to know Jesus. I am proud to know them as adults, and so glad that they are grandparents to my boys.
5. I am thankful for my brothers who were my best friends and playmates through childhood. They showed me how to share, how to fight--and how to hide it all from Mom and Dad! Ultimately, they were the reason that I knew Nathaniel needed a sibling.
6. I am thankful for my church family who has been there for me during my entire life. I've been a member of FBC since I was a little girl, and there have been lots of changes--people, pastors, teachers, programs, even the building. But the one thing that remains steadfast is the love of Christ that the people demonstrate in so many ways. I am honored to be a part of FBC, and excited to see what God has in store for us next!
7. I am thankful for my home. Eric and I bought this house three and a half years ago, and I still adore it. Even with its flaws and upgrades that we can't quite fit into the budget yet, we are blessed to have a lovely, safe and warm home for our family.
8. I am thankful to live in this city, in this state, and in this country. This place has so many blessings to offer, and I am so glad that we have the opportunity to raise our family here.
9. I am thankful for my extended family. They have always been there to support us, share triumphs, joys & sorrows, and to love on my babies; what more could I ask?
10. I am thankful for the amazing outdoors--for changing seasons, for varied climates and different weather, and for all of the natural beauty in this world. I am in awe over the intrinsic details of this world, and so grateful to be able to experience it daily.
11. I am thankful for the religious freedom to worship, pray, learn, and fellowship in the way that we want. I am thankful that I can openly teach my children my beliefs without fear. There are many in this world who are not as blessed, and I am thankful to live here.
12. I am thankful for the Bible, God's own written word--right here, right now for me to read. I am thankful for the ability to read it, for pastors and teachers who study/teach it, and for easy accessibility.
13. I am thankful for my friends. I am blessed by friends so often--by their love, humor, and time. It is such a blessing to be able to share my own joys and struggles with friends who are always here to listen/care. I am thankful for the diversity of friends, and for the knowledge that I am not the only one going through anything.
14. I am thankful for my own health, as well as the health of my family.
15. I am thankful for the education that I've received, as well as for the many opportunities available to us for further education.
16. I am thankful for the opportunity to sponsor our little boy in El Salvador, Yonathan, through Compassion. It is an honor to be used by God in his life this way, and I love to read his letters.
17. I am thankful that I am able to stay home with my boys, and to be their primary caregiver 24/7.
18. I am thankful for music.
19. I am thankful for opportunities to serve at church, particularly with children. I love to teach and craft and play with kids, and my joy is only multiplied when I have the opportunity to do all of those things for Christ's sake!
20. I am thankful for my pets, not only the ones who live in this house, but also for the cats that I had growing up. Nobody can keep a pre-teen secret quite like a cat!
21. I am thankful for sleep. Motherhood has shown me how very lovely uninterrupted hours of sleep can be, and I truly appreciate those nights now!
22. I am thankful for the opportunity to choose healthier options for my family--whether they be foods, toiletries, or lifestyle changes. Options are a luxury!
23. I am thankful for the internet, which enables me to keep in touch with loved ones far and near, research products & ideas, and blog!
24. I am thankful for my community group of friends who meet often for fellowship, prayer, Bible study, dinners, service projects, playdates with the kids, and just hanging out. It is such a blessing to be a part such a close group of people who love The Lord, and who truly care about one another.
25. I am thankful for the peace and quiet that comes with alone time during naps or before the boys wake up in the mornings. The quiet house gives me an opportunity to read scripture, pray, clear my head, un-stress, and, of course, blog!
26. I am thankful for the "busy-ness" and hustle & bustle of daily life. I am grateful for all of the opportunities that keep us busy, and for the experiences that God gives us.
27. I am thankful for the talents and skills with which God has blessed me, and strive to use them all for His glory.
28. I am thankful for the opportunity to give through Operation Christmas Child. We helped our community group pack 39 boxes this year, and I'm already excited for next year! What an awesome opportunity to share Christ's love across the world!
29. I am thankful for Eric's job--an opportunity for him to use his talents and do what he loves every day, while providing a steady income for our family.
30. I am thankful for struggles and trials, for without them, we would never appreciate so many things in life. I am thankful for the knowledge that God is in control, and that His plan is far greater than our understanding--even when things seem to be falling apart around us. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28


"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
1 Thessalonians 5:18

Monday, Monday....

It's a dreary, chilly, gray Monday today, and I'm having trouble mustering up the motivation to get much of anything accomplished. While that's not great news for the lunch dishes still piled on the table, it does mean that I am willing to catch up on blogging while sitting on the couch with a steamy mug of tea. This blog has taken a backseat to life again recently, and I've finally convinced myself that that's okay! Real life is spending time with my boys, keeping caught up with devotions and Sunday School lessons, feeding my three hungry fellows more healthy food than junk, and making sure the house is at least semi-presentable before playdates. My main purpose for blogging is to share photos and stories and experiences and love through a virtual page that our family can look back upon in the future. So, if I get behind by a week or four? Not a big deal as long as I catch up with a few pics and snippets before 2016! (So, you see....I'm actually waaay ahead of schedule with this post about the past month of life around here!)


The biggest change around our household that I haven't mentioned is that LEVI CAN WALK NOW! He toddles around the house all day long, nibbing into every single thing within reach, and following his big brother like a lost puppy. Nate often reminds me, "Yiyi not a baby anymore, us both big boys!" Sigh.

Speaking of Nate, we've been experiencing much of his independence lately. And, while independence isn't a bad thing, it has led to more than one clash of wills in our home. Parenting a baby isn't easy, but, for me, parenting a "big kid" is a whole different ballgame! (And, I know, three is far from BIG when it comes to kids.) Often, I've found myself wondering what in the world we're doing--how are we supposed to know how to raise kids into healthy, well-rounded, God-fearing adults?! And then I remember Proverbs 22:6, and
Proverbs 13:24, and Proverbs 22:15.....and, well, let's just say that Proverbs has been very encouraging to me lately! Proverbs and the stack of books that I ordered from CBD about parenting! I don't want to say that we're discouraged--because we're not! Eric and I love being parents, and we love our boys! It's just that there are times when it would be easier to look the other way, to just let them do whatever it is that they want. "Oh, you want to eat ice cream for breakfast with sharp knives, then go outside and play in the street and swing from the electric lines? Fine, as long as you don't throw a fit." But, as parents, it's our job to not let those things happen. We love them too much to let them do whatever they want. Both of our boys have wills of their own, but they're don't yet understand what is best for them all the time. Green veggies and carseats aren't fun, but they're our ways of doing what's best for our kids--whether they like and/or understand or not. Sounds a teensy bit familiar, huh?


In other news, Levi is still teething. We've got about 2.5 molars through, and are still waiting for the rest. ....someday I'll get a full night's sleep again, right? (It's a good thing he's so darn cute in his jungle animal jammies at 3 AM!) Our daytimes are full of cars, cars, and more cars! (Some things never change around here!) Also, playdough has been a hit recently.

Though it's a few days early, we're readying for my favorite season! We decorated the house for autumn last Friday, and had butternut squash soup for lunch today. It's been chilly outside, and the leaves are beginning to change colors and fall to the ground. The silk leaves on the mantle make me crave pumpkin everything, and I've been perusing Pinterest for fall crafts to do with the boys. Who knew there were so many ways to incorporate leaves and acorns into finger-painted pictures? Starting to think about our Family Fall Bucket List for 2013 too! What's on your autumn list this year?

A few photos of our past few weeks....

No. 2 Pencils for Christmas? In August?

As you know, annual Back To School sales are in full swing in stores right now! Every year, the end of summer sales make me want to run out and buy crayons and pencils and pink erasers and glue sticks and spiral notebooks. And, a lunchbox! And, hey, while we're at it, I'll take a couple of Lisa Frank folders too! But, sadly, the only one who is going back to school from my house these days is a fellow who claims that his only needs for the new year are a file folder and some new posters of France. Erg.
If you're in the same I-wanna-buy-school-supplies-because-it's-almost-September-but-I-really-don't-have-a-need-for-any-of-it situation as I am, I've got an exciting secret to share! Right now is the best time to buy school-related things to stuff into your Operation Christmas Child box!! The boxes aren't due for a few more months, but buying school supplies during major sales (now!) is the frugal thing to do!

If you're not familiar with Operation Christmas Child, I'd love to share a little bit more with you. Operation Christmas Child is an organization that collects millions of shoe boxes full of small gifts from generous people around the world (like you!). Donations are collected ($7/box), and the boxes are shipped to countries where they are needed (so far, OCC has reached 125 countries!). The boxes are distributed to children who are living in poverty--who, most likely, will not receive any other Christmas gifts. Each child who receives a shoe box also receives a copy of a book called The Greatest Journey (printed in his/her own language), which contains a 12-week discipleship program to teach them how to become followers of Jesus Christ.

Operation Christmas Child is a ministry that has been close to my heart for many years. I highly encourage you to take advantage of this easy opportunity to bless a child across the world this holiday season. If you have children in your life, get them involved too! This is a fun way to teach kids about giving and loving their neighbors--even the ones who live on other continents! By the way, if you make your $7 donation online, you receive a bar code to place on your box, and then you are able to track your box to its destination. Fun--and an easy educational opportunity! If you are interested on helping Operation Christmas Child with their ministry this year, now is the time to get started! You can click here to learn how to pack your box. Collection Week this year is November 18-25, so there is still plenty of time to put lots of thought and love into your box-packing. (But, like I said, NOW is a great time to start shopping!) If you have any questions about how to pack or donate your box, I would be glad to help you out in any way I can. Happy "school" shopping!

Indian Summer days are over....

After a week's worth of sunny skies, temperatures reaching the 80's, and leaf piles, we're getting more "typical" fall weather today. The skies are gray, there's a chill in the air, and the drizzle seems never-ending. Within the next few hours/days, we are supposed to start getting some really nasty weather, compliments of Hurricane Sandy.
And, although I'll admit that I enjoy rainy days like today (there's no better baking weather!), I will miss those gorgeous days outside....

Stay safe and warm, All!

"Somtimes He calms the storm, and other times He calms His child...."
-Scott Krippayne

Fall Family Photos.

Weekend Love.

We spent our weekend celebrating autumn and spending lots of family time. We attended our local fall festival and county fair on both Friday evening and Saturday morning. On Saturday afternoon/evening, Eric and I had a date night, while the boys spent some quality time with Nana and Grandpa. Then, as if to celebrate a wonderful weekend, Levi slept wonderfully on Saturday night!

Fall.

Happy Autumn 2012! Hope you and your loved ones enjoy the season!