What a blessed life I live! If you are reading this, I just wanted to challenge you to keep a list of things you are thankful for, maybe in a journal, maybe on a post-it…however you want, and just keep it available to remind yourself how blessed you are. I promise you, life is better when you focus on the positive! We all have challenges in our lives, and periods of our lives that seem hopeless, but we can never EVER lose hope!
MAY THE GOD OF HOPE FILL YOU WILL ALL THE JOY AND PEACE AS YOU TRUST IN HIM SO THAT YOU WAY OVERFLOW WITH HOPE BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. ROMANS 15:13
In honor of the month of November, and Thanksgiving, I have been participating on facebook in the Thankfulness Project, which was to post something you are thankful for every day of November. Below are my entries along with some commentary in italics, because, I am me after all, and always gotta have commentary:
November 1 - just some inspiration for the project – Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Phil 4:8
November 2 – Today, I am thankful that I live my life surrounded by remarkable people. Whatever the world throws at me, there is always someone who has gone through it before. Thank God for surrounding me with “a cloud of witnesses.” Heb 12:1
November 3 – Today, I am thankful for my job. I get to do work I enjoy, for a company I believe in, with people I really care about. I am truly blessed!
November 4 –Today, I am thankful for my smart, hilarious, adorable, sweet, big-hearted oldest son, Hunter! I am totally in love with my kiddos – they brighten every day, and I know I am annoying about it but choose to do nothing to correct my annoying behavior…sorry!
November 5 –Today, I am thankful for my adorable, strong-willed, smart, precious, active, wild, snuggly, squishy and sweet youngest baby boy, Ben, Benny Boo or Benjy! I was going to try to use the same number of adjectives to describe Benjy, but forgot!
November 6 – Today, I am thankful for my amazing parents. If I grow up to be 1/10 as awesome as them, the world will be a better place from having me in it. Words fail me, but just trust me: they are even more awesome than you think!
November 7 – Today, I am thankful for my church. It is not a perfect institution, and certainly not a perfect group of people, but we are on a mission, and our Leader is perfect. So that is pretty cool! Our church is going through a “Healthy Church Initiative” project right now, where an outside consulting firm came in to do a checkup and give us some suggestions for change. This was the day those suggestions were announced, and it just showed me how great of a church I am blessed to belong to.
November 8 – Today, I am thankful for perspective. Things are rarely as hopeless as they appear, and when we trust in the Lord, He fulfills His promises, just not usually how we expect. “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
November 9 – Today, I am thankful for Fall. What a beautiful season. I think this was a day where the trees were in their most beautiful state, it was an amazing Fall in the Ozarks this year!
November 10 – Today, I am thankful that I can read. Literacy is a gift, and without it my life would be vastly different.
November 11 – Today, I am thankful to live in this country. We were founded by deeply optimistic principles, and have been defended by deeply committed veterans. What a testimony to the world that Freedom is not Free, but is worth the sacrifice. Thank you Veterans! – This was veterans day.
November 12 – Today, I am thankful for the lake. So peaceful.
November 13 – Today, I am thankful that my husband, kids and I are healthy. I absolutely never take good health for granted!
November 14 – Today, while I am not thankful for Mondays, I am thankful for weekends! Especially ones that are as blessed as this last one was. And, I survived Monday! Goodnight!
November 15 – Today, I am thankful for laughter. Sometimes it is all we need to get through a day!
November 16 – Today, I am thankful for my busy schedule. I am living a full life and I love it! When I do get overwhelmed, 30 minutes in my chair usually does the trick. Calm in the middle of chaos…so I guess that is two things today: busy life and calm breaks.
November 17 – Thankful for some really good news I heard this morning!! Seriously, people. So much to be thankful for! A brother getting married, a friend having a baby and another friend getting a new car! (those are all really awesome things, trust me!) Thankful day 17 is super-easy! Keep the good news coming!
November 18 – Today, I am thankful it is Friday. I really need a weekend!
November 19 – Today, I am extremely thankful for a day at home. I cant even begin to tell you how badly I needed a day like this! Spending the day at home with my boys, trying to catch up on chores = my idea of a perfect Saturday!
November 20 – Today, I am thankful for three things: Sabbath rest, coffee, and girlfriend. I’m really looking forward to church this morning, chicken chili in the crockpot for lunch, my hubby coming home from deer camp and…girls night out tonight!!
November 21 – Today, I am thankful for a warm home, car, coat and workplace. So blessed to have a warm place to be!
November 22 – Today, I am thankful for friends. Specifically, friends who can make me laugh when things are tough. Life is short, belly laugh as much as possible. That is my advice.
November 23 – Today, I am thankful for JEANS DAY!! One day a year, we get to wear jeans to work as a fundraiser for the ADA. Best work day of the year! Then a 4 day weekend, SWEET!
November 24 – This was Thanksgiving, and I saved being thankful for my hubby until the actual day. I mean, I was thankful for him everyday, but wanted him to get Thanksgiving as his day to be thankfulled for. Today, I am thankful for my husband. Through all that life brings, he continues to be my partner and friend. Life is hard, and I am thankful to get to spend it with that man. He has a servant’s heart and is a fabulous dad. My kids and I are blessed to have him as ours. Happy Thanksgiving!
November 25 – Today, I am thankful for my whole fan-damily, including those near and far, my side and in-laws! I am extremely blessed to get to raise my children surrounded by such love!
November 26 – Today gets an A+. I guess I forgot to say what I was thankful for that day. Probably just my life in general. We spent that day at home all day, and then went on a date that night…our first in at least 6 months! So, that was pretty nice!
November 27 – Today, I am thankful that my boys spent the night with my parents, and I slept till 8am. Seriously disoriented from sleeping so late. Good morning.
November 28 – Today, I am thankful that my children have such different personalities! Makes life extra extra fun!
November 29 – Today, I am thankful for Christmas!! Best season of the year!
November 30 – Today, I am thankful that I have so much to be thankful for! I could easily list thousands of things I am thankful for, and still be forgetting some. Particularly, today, I am thankful that I am able to follow God’s call to Haiti and know that my kids, my home and my work responsibilities are all in good hands. I feel at peace because I am surrounded by people who make my life easier than it could be.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
Country Names
Ok, I have been trying to think of a way to blog about our country names so that we can remember this ridiculous time of our lives, but I guess the best way is to just say it.
One day, Justin decided we needed country names, so together he and Hunter came up with them. Mind you, I am aware that Hunter Wayne is the countriest of all country names...so that is part of the irony. Please do not be offended if one of our country names hits you wrong...that is the point: we are idiots 'round these here parts.
So Justin and Hunter named me Betty. As part of the joke, I always argue with them and say "no, my name is Mommy!" and get all mad! To which, Hunter and his Daddy say "you're Betty! We LOVE YOU BETTY!!" then I act more and more mad. It's funny to us, so whatever.
There are 2 really particularly dumb stories that go along with this. First: Hunter's new favorite song is "black Betty" he and Justin play it really loud and sing to it. Black Betty is from Birmingham, according to the song. I, too, was born in Birminghan, so my boys took that as a sign that they are right and I am wrong, I MUST be Betty!
Also, the other night, Hunter said "hey Mommy! You're Betty!! Haha!" and I said "nah, my name is Flo" to which he responded "no, Betty, Flo is at home with Uncle Zak!"
Well...the country names have spilled over to the rest of my family. Here, I introduce you to (from back to front and left to right, in order of appearance):
Cletus and Flo
Edith and Jed
Bob, Betty, Hank and Bill
We realized when writing this post that Ray and Anjalesa have not yet had submitted and approved names. When that happens I will let you know.
You're welcome.
One day, Justin decided we needed country names, so together he and Hunter came up with them. Mind you, I am aware that Hunter Wayne is the countriest of all country names...so that is part of the irony. Please do not be offended if one of our country names hits you wrong...that is the point: we are idiots 'round these here parts.
So Justin and Hunter named me Betty. As part of the joke, I always argue with them and say "no, my name is Mommy!" and get all mad! To which, Hunter and his Daddy say "you're Betty! We LOVE YOU BETTY!!" then I act more and more mad. It's funny to us, so whatever.
There are 2 really particularly dumb stories that go along with this. First: Hunter's new favorite song is "black Betty" he and Justin play it really loud and sing to it. Black Betty is from Birmingham, according to the song. I, too, was born in Birminghan, so my boys took that as a sign that they are right and I am wrong, I MUST be Betty!
Also, the other night, Hunter said "hey Mommy! You're Betty!! Haha!" and I said "nah, my name is Flo" to which he responded "no, Betty, Flo is at home with Uncle Zak!"
Well...the country names have spilled over to the rest of my family. Here, I introduce you to (from back to front and left to right, in order of appearance):
Cletus and Flo
Edith and Jed
Bob, Betty, Hank and Bill
We realized when writing this post that Ray and Anjalesa have not yet had submitted and approved names. When that happens I will let you know.
You're welcome.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
A post about Haiti
I am leaving on a mission trip to Haiti in 4 days. I have so much to say about this that I don't really know where to start. I am going to attempt to keep up the blog from there, but since the Internet is spotty, we shall see. Here are my preliminary thoughts:
When Justin went to Haiti last year, it was life-changing for both of us. He went with a larger group than I am going with (his group had 10 people, I am going with 6). They encountered some political issues there, as there were riots relating to an election, so they got stuck down there for a couple extra days. They were scary days. It was complicated to get them home, but they did get here. We learned a lot about the political climate, how difficult it is for those who live down there, but the most important thing we learned was the kind of Hope that Espwa brings to the people of Haiti, and Southern Haiti in particular.
Pwoje Espwa is a village, established to house and educate orphans (some whose parents are deceased and others are economic orphans-i dont have time to go into that right now) in Southern Haiti, near Les Cayes. There are currently 650 children who live, eat and learn there. This is the largest orphanage in the Western hemisphere and is in the poorest country in the western hemisphere. Besides taking care of these kids, Espwa provides lots of jobs-they employ many Haitians, and have trade schools (which are being more developed). It is truly a place of Espwa, which means Hope in Haitian Creole (their language).
They also provide some assistance to the nearby prison, which is a humanitarian nightmare all of its own. Besides all of that, they also have a clinic on site that provides healthcare to people from the neighboring areas, as well as the kids. There is a new clinic being built, that is going to be state-of-the art for Haiti, and is something I am very excited about! I really get pumped about improving delivery of healthcare to impoverished people, it is so important to encouraging improvements in all areas of society. It is hard to build a society with people whose chief concern is their health. This actually translates to the grand ole US of A, but I'll save that soap box for another day...you're welcome.
I am very excited to meet my friends in Haiti, face to face, and hope you will join me on the journey by your prayers. It will be a challenging trip, but one I know I am called to go on.
I think we will be trying to update our Haiti blog during the trip, although I am not sure who is delegated to do that, so I'm not sure. At the very least you could peruse the blog entries from the previous trips.
Haiti.schweitzerumc.org
If you want to know more about Pwoje Espwa, find out at:
Freethekids.org
Peace out.
When Justin went to Haiti last year, it was life-changing for both of us. He went with a larger group than I am going with (his group had 10 people, I am going with 6). They encountered some political issues there, as there were riots relating to an election, so they got stuck down there for a couple extra days. They were scary days. It was complicated to get them home, but they did get here. We learned a lot about the political climate, how difficult it is for those who live down there, but the most important thing we learned was the kind of Hope that Espwa brings to the people of Haiti, and Southern Haiti in particular.
Pwoje Espwa is a village, established to house and educate orphans (some whose parents are deceased and others are economic orphans-i dont have time to go into that right now) in Southern Haiti, near Les Cayes. There are currently 650 children who live, eat and learn there. This is the largest orphanage in the Western hemisphere and is in the poorest country in the western hemisphere. Besides taking care of these kids, Espwa provides lots of jobs-they employ many Haitians, and have trade schools (which are being more developed). It is truly a place of Espwa, which means Hope in Haitian Creole (their language).
They also provide some assistance to the nearby prison, which is a humanitarian nightmare all of its own. Besides all of that, they also have a clinic on site that provides healthcare to people from the neighboring areas, as well as the kids. There is a new clinic being built, that is going to be state-of-the art for Haiti, and is something I am very excited about! I really get pumped about improving delivery of healthcare to impoverished people, it is so important to encouraging improvements in all areas of society. It is hard to build a society with people whose chief concern is their health. This actually translates to the grand ole US of A, but I'll save that soap box for another day...you're welcome.
I am very excited to meet my friends in Haiti, face to face, and hope you will join me on the journey by your prayers. It will be a challenging trip, but one I know I am called to go on.
I think we will be trying to update our Haiti blog during the trip, although I am not sure who is delegated to do that, so I'm not sure. At the very least you could peruse the blog entries from the previous trips.
Haiti.schweitzerumc.org
If you want to know more about Pwoje Espwa, find out at:
Freethekids.org
Peace out.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Tis the Season
The other day a very wise woman said:
"you have to remember that Jesus is the reason for the Season, and that the Season is All The Time!" I couldnt agree more. We decorated today, so we can enjoy this beautiful season with lights and fun decorations.
I Love Christmas!
"you have to remember that Jesus is the reason for the Season, and that the Season is All The Time!" I couldnt agree more. We decorated today, so we can enjoy this beautiful season with lights and fun decorations.
I Love Christmas!
Productive day
It is Saturday at 4:30pm and I haven't left my house! Crazy, but I literally can not remember the last time I did this.
I made myself a very aggressive list of stuff to do today, and somehow accomplished everything on my list! While taking care of my sweet kiddos (J is deer hunting, of course). My kids have not exactly been on their best behavior, but that is probably because I have been focused on trying to get things done. I haven't neglected them or anything...we have played many games, built with blocks, read lots of books and decorated our Christmas tree! It's been fun!
What did I do?
Pay bills
Decorate for Christmas
Clean bathrooms
Put my summer clothes downstairs
Organize/shuffle around clothes in the boys closets
Laundry (about 8 loads total)
All the sheets
I have some work projects I need to do tonight once the kids are in bed, but I feel so good having completed all these tasks around the house.
Yay for a perfect day!
I made myself a very aggressive list of stuff to do today, and somehow accomplished everything on my list! While taking care of my sweet kiddos (J is deer hunting, of course). My kids have not exactly been on their best behavior, but that is probably because I have been focused on trying to get things done. I haven't neglected them or anything...we have played many games, built with blocks, read lots of books and decorated our Christmas tree! It's been fun!
What did I do?
Pay bills
Decorate for Christmas
Clean bathrooms
Put my summer clothes downstairs
Organize/shuffle around clothes in the boys closets
Laundry (about 8 loads total)
All the sheets
I have some work projects I need to do tonight once the kids are in bed, but I feel so good having completed all these tasks around the house.
Yay for a perfect day!
Benny Boo Too
Both of my kids are hilarious. The thing is that Hunter's sense of humor is easier to explain because he uses words. Benny is more action-focused. As in, he is still not talking hardly at all: he says "daddy" "hot" "uh oh" and "ball" and then he randomly pulls other words out of his hat that he refuses to repeat. But, I already blogged about his closet-talking.
I am going to try to tell a Benny story. If it doesn't make you laugh, I guess that means you had to be there, but I'll try anyway.
Before bed, I sit in his chair holding him, and gives him a bottle of milk. Then we sing to him, turn on a boxfan for sound, and put him in bed. This all happens at 7:00 SHARP or he turns into a little Whiny McWhinerson. (I know he is too old for a bottle, my mom has told me 1,000 times, but I am his mom and I say he gets a bottle, whatever)
Anyway, last night at 6:54, he looked at me, ran over to the fridge and yelled "BOTTLE!" so I started to make his bottle. Once that was ready, I said "Hunter, I'll be back in a minute, I'm going to put Benny to bed. Benny, tell your brother goodnight" so my sweet little Benny climbed over the mountain of blocks in the middle of the floor and went over to where Hunter was sitting, gave him a kiss on the head and then came over to me, grabbed my hand and started walking to his room. Once we got to his room, he turned on his box fan and climbed in my lap. He took like 3 swigs off his bottle, set the bottle on the little table, and pointed to his bed. I put him in bed and didn't hear another peep from him.
He decided it was bedtime, so he took control!
Ok, that doesn't sound that funny, but it was!
I am going to try to tell a Benny story. If it doesn't make you laugh, I guess that means you had to be there, but I'll try anyway.
Before bed, I sit in his chair holding him, and gives him a bottle of milk. Then we sing to him, turn on a boxfan for sound, and put him in bed. This all happens at 7:00 SHARP or he turns into a little Whiny McWhinerson. (I know he is too old for a bottle, my mom has told me 1,000 times, but I am his mom and I say he gets a bottle, whatever)
Anyway, last night at 6:54, he looked at me, ran over to the fridge and yelled "BOTTLE!" so I started to make his bottle. Once that was ready, I said "Hunter, I'll be back in a minute, I'm going to put Benny to bed. Benny, tell your brother goodnight" so my sweet little Benny climbed over the mountain of blocks in the middle of the floor and went over to where Hunter was sitting, gave him a kiss on the head and then came over to me, grabbed my hand and started walking to his room. Once we got to his room, he turned on his box fan and climbed in my lap. He took like 3 swigs off his bottle, set the bottle on the little table, and pointed to his bed. I put him in bed and didn't hear another peep from him.
He decided it was bedtime, so he took control!
Ok, that doesn't sound that funny, but it was!
Monday, November 7, 2011
Crazy
Real-life conversation between Hunter and me:
But, first, a backstory (of course): somewhere, probably preschool, Hunter learned about stoplights, as in green means go, red means stop. And ALL THE TIME in the car, he is telling me I should GO! or STOP!! But he doesn't really understand. If he sees a red light anywhere, he thinks we should STOP MOMMY! STOP! MOMMY, WHY AREN'T YOU LISTENING TO ME!?!?
So, that is the back story.
Hunter: Stop, Mommy, the light is red, you are supposed to stop.
Me: Hunter, remember I told you that we only stop when the red light is in our lane and we are close to it?
Hunter: I don't care, red means stop!
Me: darling, you are driving me crazy with this. Please try to understand.
Hunter: I am NOT driving, I am sitting here in my seat with my seatbelt, you are driving crazy. *heavy sigh*
Seriously, people, what do you say to that? Me? I just laugh.
Oh, and random: did you know that people ask me just about every day if my boys are twins? Well they do.
Below are some pics from our date to DQ tonight while their Daddy was busy.
Have you missed my blogging? That's what I thought.
But, first, a backstory (of course): somewhere, probably preschool, Hunter learned about stoplights, as in green means go, red means stop. And ALL THE TIME in the car, he is telling me I should GO! or STOP!! But he doesn't really understand. If he sees a red light anywhere, he thinks we should STOP MOMMY! STOP! MOMMY, WHY AREN'T YOU LISTENING TO ME!?!?
So, that is the back story.
Hunter: Stop, Mommy, the light is red, you are supposed to stop.
Me: Hunter, remember I told you that we only stop when the red light is in our lane and we are close to it?
Hunter: I don't care, red means stop!
Me: darling, you are driving me crazy with this. Please try to understand.
Hunter: I am NOT driving, I am sitting here in my seat with my seatbelt, you are driving crazy. *heavy sigh*
Seriously, people, what do you say to that? Me? I just laugh.
Oh, and random: did you know that people ask me just about every day if my boys are twins? Well they do.
Below are some pics from our date to DQ tonight while their Daddy was busy.
Have you missed my blogging? That's what I thought.
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