Thankful List

1) A healthy family. where's the wood to knock on?? quick! Vitamins anyone?!

2) A fixed dishwasher. ::sigh::

3) A potential garden. YAY! I can't wait to see what comes next.

4) An open heart. Reading one of our youth's blog sharing how God is speaking to her heart fills me with joy and makes me thankful.

5) A money-saving website. A Super-Couponing woman in my area shares all her tips and I love it!

6) A dollar well spent. Unlimited minutes to where ever and high speed internet at home keeping me connected with my family and friends.

7) A nice camera. Without which I wouldn't be able to take all the lovely pictures I can share on this blog!

8) A new treat. Lactose free Breyer's Ice Cream! yummy.

9) A quotable son. Me to Luke: "You are just growing up." Luke: "Yes. To be a man."

10) A faithful few...who still read this blog. Thank you!

Thankful Thursday

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*Cough, sniff*, UGH.

Thankful Thursday

1) My husband's thoughtfulness:
He gave me beautiful roses.

2) My husband's example for our sons...

3) ...Luke gave me flowers.

4) This picture:

Luke fell asleep "reading" his Bible.

5) That my boys like to snuggle. Luke will say, "Lets have our family" and we'll all pile up on the bed or couch and snuggle.

6) Brotherhood.

I've showed this picture before, but I love it. Joel sitting with Luke during his time-out (for knocking him down, by the way). So sweet

Its been a while...

(For some reason Blogger won't let me space out my lines, hence the "decorative" dashes)
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1) Music! All my favorites at my fingertips. I always have my Christian music playlist down at the bottom of this blog and I have recently added to it a little Rat Pack-ish collection. LOVE that.

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Along that line-online radio is the only way to go-check out http://www.accuradio.com/ and listen to ANYTHING you want. Right now I've personalized my own Christmas music station to include Christmas Country, Grownup Christmas, Celtic Christmas, Religious Christmas Classics, Old-Fashioned Christmas, and a few more! I love the mix-up of genre.

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2) Experiencing music with my boys! I love when all the toys are cleaned up in the living room and we are spinning, dancing and singing. Joel even gets into it! Every now and then Luke wants me to explain a song to him-I am very thankful for that.

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3) Thanksgiving in TX! I'll be thankful for this one in advance and after! A little warmer weather, visiting with a TON of family and friends! Luke keeps saying we are "going on a trip to Olivia's house for a party and the Christmas tree with ornaments!!" But, we are going to my parents' house-he is just so excited to meet his new cousin Olivia; the "party" is his idea of Thanksgiving with all the people we keep talking about; and, yes, we are doing a little Christmas stuff while we are there just to confuse all the children!

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4) My Library Card-Books! (I know, I know, repeat-I'm still thankful okay?!) Lisa the Correspondent asked me what I have been reading: Mainly fiction...

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A Pemberley series by Elizabeth Aston:
(not recommended for youth without a parent-read first)

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Mr. Darcy's Daughters-Few of the principal characters, focused mainly on the next generation...the 5 daughters of Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy and Mrs. Elizabeth Bennett Darcy. Different, but enough sprinkle of the familiar world of Jane Austen to be a fun read.

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The Exploites and Adventures of Miss Alethea Darcy-story from the first book continues on, protagonist is the youngest Miss Darcy.

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The Darcy Connection-Following in sequence of the next generation, this book is about Mr.(now Bishop) and Mrs. Collins' two daughters.

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The True Darcy Spirit-Interestingly, here the 'heroine' is Lady Catherine de Bourgh's granddaughter.

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The Second Mrs. Darcy-Twisting a sentiment from Emma: "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single woman in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a husband." This book follows the widow of a Darcy cousin. Main tie-in is the previously seen Caroline Bingley Warren's chip-off-the-old-block son. Apparently bitterness towards the Darcy/Bennett clan is multigenerational-aren't all feuds?

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Those were interesting-I've been on a big Austen kick and that was a bit of the familiar with something new thrown in.

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Also, I have reread Mansfield Park by Jane Austen

some very good quotes in there of course:

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“Nothing ever fatigues me but doing what I do not like.”

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“Selfishness must always be forgiven, you know, because there is no hope of a cure.”

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“It will, I believe, be everywhere found, that as the clergy are, or are not what they ought to be, so are the rest of the nation.”

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"It was a quick succession of busy nothings."

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“I am worn out with civility,” said he. “I have been talking incessantly all night, and with nothing to say.”

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"We seemed very glad to see each other, and I do really think we were a little."

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I've borrowed a few more, I'll let you know how those work out. I'm moving from Austen to a different genre. Knights, Ladies, Dragons, Chivalry, Princesses, Court, etc. I may begin with Camelot? We'll see. If you have any recommendations-please let me know! I'm really more interested in the Juvenile rather than Adult category here...

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5) Coupons in the Christmas shopping-yyeesss! Loving it. But, I can't divulge here-secrets,

secrets.

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6) Snacks-cheerios and golden grahams...probably half of my kids' diets.

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7) Joel walking! Well, sort of. Okay, it depends on how you define "walking". He takes up to seven steps, but he does it all the time! Hopefully we can get some video of this amazing feat up soon!

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8) Watching my sons interact. They tickle, wrestle and rough-house and it cracks me up!

I'll give you an image: Me, mostly sitting on Luke, pinning him and tickling him-shrieking abounding as I shout: Joel! Come and get him! Joel races over, crawling, and then literally body-slams Luke. Then the dynamic shifts to my keeping Luke's feet and legs from injuring Joel while trying to direct Joel to slap at Luke torso, not his face. Oh it can get crazy and loud.

I will tell you this, I will not be putting a video of this online.

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The last two are Luke's:

9) Luke is thankful for a "happy heart". Me too!

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10) Luke is also thankful for Cubbies and his "church family". aww.

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BONUS!!

11) Joel just waved at me from his high chair. The first time he has purposefully waved at me like that! YAY.

Interesting.

1) Luke! Growing, growing, growing...now in 5T stuff and size 10 shoes-ohmygoodness.

2) He is also loving Cubbies! Pictures later, maybe tomorrow?, on that front. He prayed for snack last night, made a bracelet with his name (and a heart!) on it. Plus, did you know, his book has his picture on it-with Cubbie Bear! exciting.

3) Joel! Growing, growing as well. Eating finger food and so pleased with himself. Eating so well!

4) Also, can you say "morning naps"? Thank you God.

5) Brothers. How wonderful to watch them interact. Sometimes it looks less like watching and more like intervening...but there are those awesome moments of sharing, hugging, "tackling", laughs and giggles.

6) My Library Card. I love my library card, it is my key to another world. And I can bring my family with me...memories, experiences, fun, learning, all FREE. Plus movies! ;)

7) Coupons. Okay, I am thankful for coupons, however, until I get a little more experience with them, I will maintain my love/hate relationship with them and my "being thankful in all things" attitude.

8) Paper plates, plastic silverware, paper towels, paper napkins, plastic cups...adds up to no dishes! I have a problem.

9) My closet space. I have so much. Its a wonderful thing to be able to have this much space to put your clothes when you never know what you are going to need to wear!

10) Cookies. (that one is Luke's)

Another thankful list

1) My brand spanking new niece Olivia!

her parents are busy loving on her, but you can keep up with what they post at their new blog: http://www.txdurhams.blogspot.com/

2) Joel being more interested in food...cheerios went over well, pears are a favorite. Hopefully this interest will increase! He literally could care less. lol.

3) Seeing my house clean. Thats what happens when you invite people over...you have to clean up!

4) Luke getting in on chores! He is a master duster!

5) Date with Aaron for my birthday. Olive Garden and a movie-yay! Thanks Kathleen for watching the boys

6) Books on the shelves. Got out My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers...I have two, now I have one upstairs and one downstairs! :) Good book. I'm glad I "found" it.

7) I have a new library by me now! I'm gonna go visit it, I haven't yet, but I'm just thankful for the idea of it. Every time I drive by I get all excited about the books and movies I'm going to borrow, and how much Luke and eventually Joel are going to love it! ::sigh::

8) Online TV. Since the digital turnover we have been even less in luck with channels-but that led me to search the internet! Channel websites and http://www.hulu.com/ are AMAZING! I'm watching all kinds of shows I never get to see on my TV! Thanks High Speed!

9) Speaking of turnovers....Arby's! I'm thankful for Arby's, being across from my house! Walking distance to mozzarella sticks, chocolate shakes, curly fries and cherry turnovers! yummy.

10) My nice camera that takes such lovely pictures.

Thanks

1) Birthdays. Its all about me for a day...sometimes you can stretch it for a couple days, or a weekend, or a week....I like month. The birthday month. Yep. September is mine-but I'll share.

2) Birthday calls! Thanks for them-those are always fun. I always want to say, "And Happy Birthday to you too!"

3) Making up milestones. 26 = complete and official grownup, beyond any and all doubt (I was a grownup at 16-sweet, driving, job, 17-graduated, engaged, 18-married, government viewed adult, 20-no longer a teenager, 21-no purchase restrictions, 23-became a mommy and 25-insurance thinks I'm adult enough to lower) *because* I am no longer able to join the college sunday school class-I'm a "median adult"! AND I'm closer to 30 than to 20. Thereyougo.

4) A little boy voice singing happy birthday.

5) Joel climbing the stairs..."be thankful in everything"...sigh.

6) Knowing my dad reads my blog...everyday. :D

7) Turning things into good. = Going to the park for hours and playing with the boys. I think Luke could have thrown rocks into the river for an hour.

8) Crossing things off the Giant To-Do List. *Yesss*

9) Back in my old jeans!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

10) Christmas preparations-I love it! Can I be ready by Thanksgiving? I don't know. But I'm gonna try!

Another Thankful.

I am also thankful for watching our kids in the youth group grow and be impacted by the Lord in their lives! So many ways we get to see it. What an encouragement to us!


I would like to share one example with you today.


One of our teens, "Miss Dustfinger" has a cooperative project with another teen we love, "Miss Phoenix". Their desire is to each take a picture every day this year, and they are following themes...you can keep up with their project HERE if you desire.


I have been given permission to highlight one picture and caption from their faces theme, this was taken on our missions trip to Friends of Alcoholics:

This is the face of one man of the millions in the world who have struggled with addictions to alcohol and drugs. One man who lost so much because of the simple choice of yielding to temptation. One man who has suffered the extreme consequences of the darkness let into the world at the beginning of time. Although the face of this man can represent the countless lives affected by the negative consequences of addiction, it can also represent hope. It can represent hope because this is the face of a man whose life has been changed forever after years of addiction to drugs and alcohol. How did this miraculous change come about? Through one thing alone - the hope offered to us through the sacrifice that God made when He sent His perfect Son to die the most painful death known to man so that we people can be forgiven of our darkness called sin, so that we people could have true life.

When I asked him for permission to use his photograph for my 365 shoot, he agreed with one request - that if I talk about addiction, I must talk about the forgiveness, help, hope, and change that God offers to any who choose to believe in Him.

God loves you. He wants to help you.

Thankful list

1) Waking up this morning to Luke and Joel giggling at each other like crazy-so great!

2) My recent visit from ANNIE! from Mississippi. I felt so honored that in the midst of examining the area for her future, I was included!

3) Luke is THREE years old. He is such a great kid, I can't even say enough. I am so thankful for him. And praise God for how healthy and strong he is.

4) Mary Ellen Sprayberry's granddaughter and namesake: Zoe Ellen Sprayberry was born on Tuesday (Harold and Mary's 37th wedding anniversary). 6 Lbs 4 oz and 21 inches! Welcome baby girl. Love you. Congrats David and Emmi!

5) $10 off coupons in the mail to both Khol's and JCPenney's-yay!

6) Speakerphone button on my home telephones-my boys can talk and hear their family, and I think that is great!

7) Meijer. Come on people-you gotta love their sale ads, the people are nice that work there, they have a (albeit frequently broken) horsey ride that is free, icees for less than a dollar and free cookies for kids under 7 in the bakery department! Plus their meat guy wants to be a missionary one day-go say hi! :)

8) Luke saying kindly, "No Joel, you can't play with that." and taking "that" away gently...what a good big brother!

9) Joel starting to pull up now! Yes, this changes my world. Again. But it a huge developmental jump for him! so Yay!

10) Luke will be an AWANA cubbie this year! OH MY! I am so excited for him!!

Ten Greatest Hits

1) Luke's voice singing songs with the lyrics of "lead me on precious Lord" or "I don't wanna go one more day without your all-consuming passion inside of me". so special

2) The Missions Trip to MS!

3) A friend thinking of us upon going out of town and dropping off bunches of perishables on her way out.

4) Clothes at my doorstep, this time for me...

5) Uncle Spray's great visit!

6) Aaron being able to go to a Cubs game with Uncle Spray

7) Being able to get out of the house full of men briefly during the visit-thanks guys

8) People who read my blog-good to know that someone does.

9) Fitting in my pre-baby jeans again-yyyeessss!

10) Cherry cream pie...oh, wait, no-I meant, the Fourth of July. Independence Day. A great holiday, the reason we have Cherry cream pie....

So very thankful!

This has been one amazing week! (And it isn't even over yet!)

1) Sunday. Repentance and Responses. A change of heart and amazing letter written to our teens by one of our teens was such an act of growth and received in love-awesome.

2) Monday. Aaron's kids getting to lead FOUR children to Christ at Kids Club on the first day!

3) Tuesday. Encouragement in the form of this note written by one of our teens:

A Phone Call From God
Here’s the ‘ringtone’ He decided to have last night
at 11:30:

“Why are you looking for love? Why are you still searching as if I’m not
enough?”

It’s off of the song “By Your Side” by Tenth Avenue North. A fantastic song,
and even better lyrics.

But it suddenly felt like God was trying to get through to me. It was that
moment where you go, “What am I doing?!” And then, I wanted to write. So I
pulled out the notebook I use for moments like this and just wrote out a
conversation; one between me and God. I don’t know if this is what it was like
for Moses, David, John, Peter, or Paul, but it was like you could feel the words
coming. The thoughts weren’t something I was thinking through and molding into
my own words–they just came. Maybe I’m crazy. Maybe not.

-God, You’re tearing me apart, You’re breaking my heart!! WHY?!

-So I can show you how whole I can make you. You just have to hand Me the
controls and I will create a dream you could never have imagined. But first you
have to stop trying. I love you. I love you more than any other boy in your life
does. But love is
never fully enjoyed ‘one-way’. I want you to put ME as
your first love.

-But God, its’ not like we’re going to date or hold hands or get
married…?

-No, but I am the model for all men. And if you want the guy that’s best for
you, he’s going to have traits that match mine.

-But I won’t know what that looks like unless I know what you’re like,
right?

-Exactly. , I want the very, very, absolute best for you. But
you have to let me prepare him and bring him to you.

-But waiting is so hard.

-Then don’t think of it as waiting. Just because I’m preparing someone for
you doesn’t mean you have to sit and twiddle your thumbs until I’m finished, I’m
preparing you for him as well.

-It’s a painful process.

-Yes, but it shapes your heart into a young woman perfect for the young man I
have for you at this very moment.But until that time comes, lean on ME. Not the
boy you’re crushing on this week, not someone who will be gone tomorrow. I’m
never going anywhere and I will NEVER fail you. I keep no secrets and I never
lie to you. I also never change my mind because there will NEVER be anyone I
love more than you.

-I love you, God.

-I love you too, dear one. So much more than you know. Remember to come to me
and talk with Me. I want to hear about everything.

-Thanks, God. I’ll remember.

-Oh, and one more thing.

-Yes?

-There’s no call-waiting with Me either.

-Haha, thanks, God. Good night!

-Good night, child.

4) Wednesday. The prompting of the Holy Spirit at Youth Group (a.k.a. Summer Wednesdays) led Aaron to taking time and purposefully sharing the gospel. I knew he had not planned to and began praying, so many kids there with their eyes glued to him. Listening, you could tell they were listening. After we were home we got a call from a Youth kid that her friend, who has been a regular visitor for over a year, accepted Christ in response to what he heard!

5) Thursday and Friday-two more days of Kids Club for Aaron and his group to share Christ and His love!

6) The Seeds planted at Kids Club and Summer Wednesdays-please join us in praying!

7) The way we can see our children's part in our ministry and how they can open doors that were only just cracked.

8) For the kids in our youth group who have been working together and have been so excited and drawing close together this week. I love to see them strengthen their bonds.

9) God's preparation and timing-The Missions Trip that begins next week!!

10) Seeing God's hands at work. And knowing there is so much more than we can even think going on under the surface!

REMEMBER, YOU CAN CHECK ON WHAT AARON IS SAYING AND HIS MINISTRY WITH THE YOUTH GROUP AT HIS BLOG-JUST CLICK ON THE TAB AT THE BOP OF THE PAGE!

Thankful Thursdays

1) Addy! My niece turns 1 today!! Happy birthday princess! Her party is Saturday.

2) Bags on my doorstep. Clothes for my two sons were left the other day, and yesterday another was handed to me, by two different wonderful ladies! Thank you.

3) Naps. Not my own-haha-my sons. Without them I would be a zombie. or insane...or both.

4) The people who love my children. Offering to babysit because they truly enjoy them-what a blessing!

5) "Accidents". Last night I tried to call a friend and "accidentally" called the friend whose name is under their name in my phone directory-we hadn't talked in a while and had a great chat! Thanks God.

6) Luke's memorization abilities. I love listening to him recount stories, verses, songs, movie narrations-hilarious.

7) Date night! Yes, another one-dinner and a movie. woo-hoo.

8) The offer of a pool. I sure hope we can get over to it soon-I so want my kids to love to swim.

9) My sister-in-laws. I couldn't ask for better friends. God gives you your family, not all in the same way.

10) Southern Living. I love that magazine! I may not be there-but Southern Living doesn't know that! Thanks Jane!

What are you thankful for?

1) Banana Pop-sickles. Yummy. And the experience of making them with a 2 year old.

2) Baby laughs. Luke can make Joel laugh so easily! Watch for videos soon.

3) Clean clothes. ALL my laundry is done. Okay, except what we wore today-but that doesn't count! ...now if I can just get it all put away...

4) New recipes turning out well. Homemade pink lemonade: 1 cup sugar, *almost* 1 cup lemon juice, the rest cranberry (or, cranberry-pomegranate like us), and water til 2 quarts-mmm-mm.

5) A view of my future? Luke has an amazing pitch! go check it out down a few posts on video!

6) Special insight. Go read this if you have sons.

7) My Husband. Yep.

8) Sleeping in-thanks dear!

9) Plans to be excited about. Maybe a movie on Friday? And trip to MS next month!

10) Stars on the board. Luke has done a great job recently cleaning up his own (toy) messes. Good job Luke!

Thankful Thursday

1) Luke and Joel being good roommates! Now the grownups have their own room back and there is a "Boys' Room". They are doing so great, and BONUS: napping and going to bed about the same time every day!!

2) Furloughs. Great visit with the Mussers (and Barths), got to meet Jude! And another one with a BONUS: we took another missionary-on-furlough with us-Emily Bonner!

3) Sadie Margaret Scarbrough was born! Welcome to the world little girl-we love you.

4) THE SUN!! Oh, how I missed you.

5) Summer. My favorite season here in Illinois for sure. I am very thankful for a summer minus snakes, armies of mosquito's (oh, there are some but not near as many), scorpions, cactus, fire ants, and humidity. Whoo-hoo. ...I may even get a tan....

6) Oreos. 'Nuff said.

7) Lunch dates with Aaron. I feel special that he would interrupt his work day and go hang out with me...awww. (by the way, if you ever get a chance to, try Applebee's Shrimp and Spinach salad-yummy)