Family Blessings

Today I took each one of my family members aside and asked what they were thankful for. Here are their unedited responses:

Hubby - my job, our new little baby coming this spring, the fact our marriage just seems to get better and better every day.

Gi-Gi - that most days I feel good and healthy(tummy troubles this morning), family, toys and friends.

Bubba - jellybeans, turkeys, Daddy, oh and Mama

Ya-ya - food, Bubba, Gi-Gi, Papa, Daddy, and Mama

Since no one asked me (after all, I'm just the mama), I'll ask myself. "Mama, what are you thankful for?"

Mama - that I belong to a merciful God who loves me so much, He continues to bless me beyond my wildest dreams and desire.

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I am thankful for...

I am thankful for...knowing that my God is bigger than anything I can imagine.

I am thankful for...the children we've been raising who are growing less in need of me everyday, because that's what we're training them to do.

I am thankful for...my hubby taking the time and energy to make sure that I am feeling loved, even when I'm unlovable.

I am thankful for...even when I screw up with my kids, they are always quick to forgive and offer a wonderful "I love you, Mama."

I am thankful for...the chatter and laughter at the dinner table because it means we're a family.

I am thankful for...the friends I've been blessed with who love me and want to hang with me even with crazy pregnancy hormones.

I am thankful for...my kitchen table having glue on it because we got to make Thanksgiving turkeys together.

I am thankful for...Christ sacrificed Himself for me, even before I realized I needed Him.

I am thankful for...my fantastic in-laws who don't mind me serving them Thanksgiving dinner in my leopard-print slippers.

Where's Ya-ya?!

Most of you know our youngest, Ya-ya. Many of you have heard me say that out of my three (so far) she's the one who is the most courageous, independent and willing to try anything out of the three. Well, yesterday at church, we had a "Ya-ya moment". The following story would only happen with her. The others would never even think about doing anything remotely like this.

During the lull between the offering and the sermon starting, we were sitting in our pew getting settled. Hubby had already taken the two younger to class. We're gradually having our kids sit through the entire service with us and not going to class and this was Gi-gi's Sunday with us. Well, Daddy looks up towards the center aisle at church and starts smiling. He says, "Look, there's a little kid walking up and down the aisle. It kind of looks like Ya-ya." Laugh, laugh. Wait a minute! It is Ya-ya!! She had escaped from class. Hubby got up and ran to get her and him with a broken foot no less. Of course by this time, everyone around us sees what's going on and starts grinning or chuckling quietly to themselves. He rushes her back because he knows they are looking for her in a panic. Sure enough he meets up with our lovely nursery coordinator and she is almost in tears. Poor lady! Ya-ya had been upset in class and didn't want to stay, so the coordinator brought her to work up at the counter with her. She turned around for a split second and Ya-ya was gone. I know all about this. I am the mother of another Houdini. Well, Daddy brought her back into church with us and she arrived with a smile of triumph! I know that smile well. For the rest of the service she sat on my lap as good as gold.

Happy Birthday, Papa!

Happy Birthday, Dad! Today we celebrated my dad's 59th birthday with lasagna, bread, salad and a banana cake. Mmmm, my kind of party. Unfortunately, no chocolate was present because my dad is almost the only person in this universe who has an abhorrance to chocolate! That and peanut butter. How does he survive? Poor unfortunate soul.
Anyways, my kids are so excited to share anyone's birthday with them. It's a really big deal. It was extra special because their papa is the best ever! Each one of the kids is special in his eyes. Papa is good at piggy back rides, tickles, trips to the park, funny faces and taking lots of pictures of his grandkids. I've always known I have a special dad, but seeing him as a grandfather is even more precious to me. Many of you know my dad and you know what a friendly, talkative, God-fearing man he is. I couldn't ask for a better influence for my entire family.
We have been so blessed with a wonderful family and I am thankful for every minute we get to spend with them. Not only has he been blessed with 59 years, my children and I have been blessed to know him for our entire lives. Here's to 59 more years!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY November 21, 2008...I love November!
Outside My Window...The sun is shining (again), cars driving by, but still pretty peaceful.
I am thinking...how laughter is such a gift from God. I had a random thought this morning in bed, laughed and the baby kicked.
I am thankful for...way too many things to list, so my pillow-topped, king-sized, four-poster bed.
From the learning rooms...Pilgrims (of course), Mayflower and just about to start Little House in the Big Woods for literature.
From the kitchen...nothing yet. I'm hoping hubby will take us out for dinner.
I am wearing...black yoga pants (even though they make my bum look big - an optical illusion, I'm sure), green tee and socks.
I am creating...a new life inside of me.
I am going...to Wal-Mart, JoAnn's, and Bed, Bath and Beyond.
I am reading...The Ninth Witness by Bodie and Brock Thoene (my favorite authors), baby name book, and Stranded at Plimoth Plantation aloud to Gi-Gi.
I am hoping...to finally pick out a middle name to go with our boy name.
I am hearing...birds, kids rustling around in bed, Bubba coughing occasionally.
Around the house...everything is quiet and semi-clean. Better get to work!
One of my favorite things...my new candle stand/holder outside of my living room.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:errands today, finally putting summer clothes away, finish painting living room, Dad's birthday dinner, Thanksgiving preparations, hopefully movie on the couch with hubby.
Here is picture thought I am sharing...

I really just want to live in this tree! Remind me why I live in Arizona!
http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/

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Thoughts from a Mama

Last night as I was tucking our darlingest daughter, Gi-Gi, into bed she opened up her heart to me. Those times are so precious because I can see the working of the Lord in her heart and her desire to live for Him and to be more like Him. She confessed to me the fear she has of the future at times. This was heartbreaking for me because as her mama, I never want her to feel fearful for anything. However, this is something that I have dealt with myself throughout my life, so I felt that it was something familiar that I could encourage her in. I reminded her that God knows everything and that nothing ever takes Him by surprise. He loves her and she is a child of His. I wish I could say that nothing bad would ever happen, but I can't. However, I could remind her that He will never leave her or forsake her. She was encouraged and went right to sleep. This conversation stayed with me, though. I've been reading a book by Beth Moore called, Living Free. In it she says, "The more you know of God, the less you have to fear." Talk about revolutionary thinking for me! Am I passing my fears onto my children? I pray not. Second Corinthians says, "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (vs. 10:5) Thank you Lord for reminding me through my child how much you care for me and want me to live freely in You.

Date Nights!

We had two nights in a row of stimulating (?) adult time with each other this week! Our first date we got to go to The Melting Pot, which is a fondue place. We had a fabulous time! Look at the looks on our faces with that plate of goodies and a pot of ooey-gooey chocolate. Unfortunately, the pot was still to hot at the end to just lick all of the chocolate up. It was a really experience divertido (fun), especially because we've never had fondue before. I have to admit, it was a little embarrassing when we were served raw meat for our entree and we had no idea what to do with it. Thankfully, we had a very gracious server who showed us what to do.

The next night, we got to get all dressed up and go to a fundraiser dinner with Mamasita Rosarita and some of our best friends at the Biltmore hotel in Phoenix. How fun it is to pretend to be high-class society when you know inside you're a homeschool mama who just hours before was in cut-offs, sandals and a baseball cap. Thankfully, no one saw me nodding off during the key speaker! I can always pull the pregnancy card if I need to.

Rub-a-Dub-Dub

How fun is this? We missed church last Sunday because someone (I won't mention your name, Hubby) forgot to set the alarm. So, we had a lazy morning. The kids all wanted to take a bubble bath together in our tub. This rarely happens, so it was a treat for them! Much fun was had by all, especially since it was a chilly morning with all the windows open.