Thankful Thursday

I haven't done a Thankful Thursday in a while, but I just couldn't let this week pass by without joining in!

I have had a bit of a "monkey" on my back for some time now. I knew that there was something I was supposed to be doing for God, but I just for the life of me, couldn't figure out what He wanted me to be doing.

I started to give up my Kindergarten/first grade Awanas class this year because I felt like maybe He wanted someone else in there. Through a series of events I discovered that, no,....He wants me there.

After many nights of tossing and turning, after much conversation with God, He allowed His wishes for me at this time to hit me square in the face last Sunday morning.

The pastor started off with a few announcements, as usual, then said there were a few positions left open for the upcoming year, he named them told us who to see if we were interested, then continued on with the service. He taught from Philippians 1. To live is Christ, to die is gain.

This is something that I am "running in to" in several ways right now.

We're doing the No Other God's Bible Study by Kelly Minter right now. Something that continues to speak to me through this study is that our sole purpose....THE reason we are here is to serve Him. Everything else is in vain if serving God isn't my sole priority.

This is certainly not to say that I neglect my children or my husband or any other responsibilities by making service to Him my sole reason for being. Absolutely not. In fact, how can I be a better mother, wife, friend, sister, daughter, etc, than by living a life of total and complete service to God?

To live IS Christ!

So, back to Sunday morning. There is one particular class that I adore being a part of. I taught this class for several years at the church we used to attend. I have had the opportunity to get involved with this age group during VBS, but never on a routine basis.

Until now.

I had half heartedly listened to Luke as he named off the positions that needed to be filled this year. All were teaching positions. I already have Awanas to prepare for each week, I have 2 babies to care for, I can't possibly take on another class.

Until HE said, "Yes you can." or "Yes you better". I'm not sure of His exact wording when the conviction began, but I'm sure it began.

After the service I went to pick Carter up from the nursery and on to find the person Luke told us to see about filling those positions. I probably wouldn't have even remembered who he said to see were it not for the fact that she is my sister in law.

When I told her she said she'd started to ask me about it because she knew I'd taught that age before, but that she'd decided to wait.

I'm glad she did, because if she had asked me before that morning I would have told her no.

So! I'm thankful that God worked it out for me to be with the Sunday School class that I LOVE to be with. The 4 & 5 year olds. I love it! They are old enough to ask great questions, and learn so much! I pray that God will use me to further His will in their lives in the upcoming years!

For more Thankful Thursday, visit Iris @ Sting My Heart!

Thankful Thursday...

I haven't done a Thankful Thursday in a while but I couldn't let this one pass by without participating. This has been such a heartbreaking week, yet through the tears I have seen strength beyond belief. Strength that can only be explained by the grace of God and prayer.

I am eternally thankful for the opportunity to be a part of Eric Crowe's life, of each one of the boys in that class' life. They were and still are such a blessing to Kyle & I. We were to be their teacher when in truth they ended up teaching us.

I am thankful that God granted me the strength to visit Gaye & Tim yesterday. I guess I was going to minister to them, to love on them, but they truly ended up ministering to me. Loving on me. I was a nervous, hormonal mess on the drive over but Tim was in the yard and as soon as he saw me drive up, he came to my car, greeted me with a hug and thanked me over and over for coming. All of my nervousness and fear of saying the wrong thing vanished. Gaye greeted me the same way, a big hug and a pat on my growing belly. If you hesitate to call, visit, or send them a card...don't hesitate!! They need and appreciate it right now!

I am thankful for all of the wonderful comments and prayers listed on my earlier post about Eric. I planned to buy a card and send it but after reading a comment from yesterday it hit me that Gaye might like to have all of these things. I printed off my blog and every other one that I knew of with a post about them and all the comments and took it with me to see them. I know that a card would never have been able to say what all of you said so beautifully.

I am thankful for Adam and Brandon who were able to put their feelings into words. At least as much as anyone possibly can at a time like this. I know these tributes will bless Gaye and Tim as much or more as they have blessed the rest of us. I pray that God will give you and all of Eric's friends peace and strength during this time of such great loss.

I am thankful for our wonderful church family. This family helped Kyle and I through the loss of our two babies and rejoiced with us through our first pregnancy and Carter's birth, and now pray and rejoice with us during this pregnancy. I know they/we will be able to surround Eric's family with love and strength through the Grace of God during these next days, months....years.

I am thankful for my family. I am especially thankful for my husband who has been a rock this week, even though I know he hurts as much as I do. I am thankful for my son and for this baby girl I'm carrying. I pray that I will be able to teach them to be as loving as Eric was and as creative. Because for those of you who knew him, you have to admit (because I know every single one of you remember!), when he did get into trouble in high school....at least he was creative about it! :))

For more Thankful Thursday, visit Laurel Wreath.

"There Is Hope"

......That's what the sign said. "What sign?", you ask.

Yesterday morning I had a doctors appointment and as I will probably do before every visit until I can actually feel this baby move, I basically prepare myself for the terrible news that I just know I'll hear. I put away all evidence of the pregnancy before I leave home, and usually make sure my house is all clean just in case I have to stay for a D&C and need someone to bring me some things. I torture myself, basically. I have had many people offer to go with me to my appointments, but you see I don't talk on the way. At all. Ever. The only person I can seem to tolerate is my sweet husband because he understands that I just want him there. Silent. No need for mindless conversation on these days, no idle chit chat. No. Only prayer, silent pleading with God for the health and safety of this baby. Prayers of thanks for the blessing of this pregnancy, when we barely dared to dream of one baby, can we even begin to now hope for a second?

So, yesterday I went to my appointment alone and as I was exiting the interstate waiting for the light to turn green so I could turn on to the street toward the office, God sent me a message. I know He had been listening to my prayers because His message was clear to me. I saw it when I glanced in my passenger side view mirror. A large billboard on the side of the interstate with a beautiful baby that says "There Is Hope". The billboard is an ad for The Fertility Clinic. The very one we spent thousands of dollars with and didn't get results. At least not the results we'd wanted. WHEN we wanted them. God had a plan, we just had to wait on Him, and now he's telling me There IS hope.


I made it to my appointment and for only about the second time in the 4 years I have seen Dr. H had to wait about 30-45 minutes. When I finally got in for an ultrasound, he kept saying that he was seeing a shadow. He said this several times and then finally changed the cover on the machine and again, the shadow. I was near tears at this point and said,...but do you see a heartbeat?...He said, Oh yes, but this shadow......I can't seem to get a good picture. Well, I clearly wasn't thinking on the same level as he because when he said, "I do have a heartbeat, but I can't guarantee it's just one, come back in two weeks and we should be able to tell for sure." I nearly fell clean off the table. Were it not for the vision of my naked rear having to be hoisted up off the floor by the medical staff, I might have fallen, but that vision snapped me right back to reality!

Boy, is there EVER hope! God is sooooo Good! Whether there is one baby in there or 2 or 3 or dare I say 4...(gulp) I will rejoice and be thankful for this blessing! Now, I just need to make it past the 12 week mark and I can relax a bit more! One bit of really good news is that I am not quite as far along as we thought, and God basically allowed me to catch this pregnancy at it's very beginning. So my progesterone shots started within days of conception, which is a rare and awesome blessing for someone who was floating through life not even thinking of becoming pregnant. (which was a blessing in itself for someone who thought about it constantly for 7 or 8 years)

A bit of a funny side note for you: Last night during our youth class at church I was asking that they continue to pray for us and told them what the Dr said. Casey G. a 16 year old boy in my class who is the oldest of 5 (the youngest 2 of which are twins) said. Well, isn't this like your 4th pregnancy? (I had no idea he was keeping track) I said yes. He said, "well, did you know you are much more likely to have twins in your 4th or 5th pregnancy?" ...ummm no I didn't know that, nor would I have ever in a million years expected to learn it from a 16 year old boy in a Wed night youth class!! How funny! This is why I love being involved with the youth! You just never know when they are gonna knock your socks off!

To say that I am Thankful doesn't even begin to describe my joy today. There Is Hope!

Thankful Thursday.....

This week, as always, I have much to be thankful for!

I am thankful for my healthy family. I am also thankful for this new addition to our family. Any woman who has ever been pregnant knows you love that baby as soon as you know it's there.

I am thankful for the prayers going up for us. My niece Rachel, who was one of the first people I told I was pregnant,(because I knew she would be one of the most excited!) has requested prayer for us in children's church several times now. When I told Rachel, she said," Don't you have two baby boys in heaven already?" I told her that I didn't know whether or not they were boys, but I'd always kinda felt like they were. And she said. "I hope this baby doesn't die too"...From her mouth to God's ears! I am thankful for Rachel and her prayers, and all of my other nieces (2) and nephews (8).

I am thankful for my sister, Crystal, who came and stayed with Carter while I went to the dr yesterday. I did a bit of shopping as well and enjoyed myself immensely! The ladies at the doctors office also enjoyed not having to clean up after Rambo after we left!

I am thankful that Carter tolerates riding in a stroller long enough for me to get in a decent walk. I am also thankful for the city employees who are constantly in the park using some sort of large equipment,( ex. tractors, lawn mowers, back hoes) It keeps his attention for the extra mile! Whoever invented the term "sanity break" knew what they were talking about!

I am thankful for the new Casting Crowns cd. It is wonderful! My favorite so far is "The Altar & The Door" which happens to be the title of the CD. The message is so true! How often are our good intentions lost somewhere between the altar and the door? Plus! It has a really contagious beat. If I turn it up reeeally loud, I totally sound like part of the band! I can't wait to see them live on Oct 27......I also can't wait to see TobyMac on Oct 5.....My birthday is in October,....I'll be celebrating all month as you can see!

I am thankful that my friend Jenny has committed to meeting me in the park to walk at 7:30 this morning. Now, if she doesn't come, and isn't sick, or her kids aren't sick. She'll have to feel guilty! :))

If you would like to read more Thankful Thursday, please visit Iris at Sting My Heart!

Thankful Thursday......

Is it Thursday again already? My goodness! Time flies, doesn't it? This has been such a busy week and a sad one as well. Which brings me to my first thankful this week:

I am thankful for all the prayers that went up for my Mom (and also for the rest of us) this week. She seems to be doing okay so far. We are trying to make sure that one of us spends some time with her each day so that she isn't by herself so much.

I am very thankful that my Tahoe is FINALLY fixed! I got to pick it up yesterday afternoon.....It took them two weeks to fix it!

I know that I have mentioned this a time or twenty,..but I am VERY thankful for the warranty on my truck. I had to pay about a hundred dollars, ($50 deductible and $60 for a battery) but had I not had the warranty the cost would have been $1500.00! Very Thankful for the warranty!

I am thankful that I went to the eye doctor yesterday. It appears I have been driving my child around blind. The Dr. just kept saying how amazed he was at how much my prescription had changed in the last year. Evidently, the contacts I'd worn for the past 5 or 6 years had kept my prescription from changing, but the ones they changed me to last year allowed the change. I'm wondering,.....is there a warranty on my vision?...Can I be reimbursed for the loss of vision due to his suggestion last year? I'm guessing not. Anyway,..I'm thankful that I can see clearly today!

I am thankful that God gave me the idea for Fit4Life Fridays. It has given me the motivation I needed to better myself in several areas! And, the accountability helps tremendously!

I would be VERY thankful if someone,....anyone,...could tell me how to fix my sagging sidebar (if you look for it,..it's at the very. bottom. of . the. screen.) I don't have a clue how to correct it. Help me,...please!

For more Thankful Thursday, visit Iris at Sting My Heart!

Thankful Thursday....

I am thankful that I have a warranty on my Tahoe. The guy who called me on Tuesday from the dealership to tell me that he thought it might have a cracked head is probably thankful for that too. He sounded like he was dreading telling me, until I reminded him of the warranty.

I am thankful again for my VW. I would be insane by this point had I been trapped in my house all week with Rambo (This is what our mailman calls my son. Quite fitting, actually)

I am thankful for Gary who sells fresh produce on the corner to those of us who are too lazy to plant a garden. He has the best tomatoes in the world.

I am thankful for my wonderful husband, who even though he works 12-14 hours every day, comes home and takes Rambo with him to check the cows and farm,...so Mom can have a little sanity break.

I am thankful that we have a roof over our head, food on our table, and live in a place where you can drive down the road and have people wave when you pass by. Or call to check on you if you miss church one Sunday.

I'm thankful for my morning walking buddies: Jenny & Lisa. Even though we are huffing and puffing around the track, it feels like a bit of a "break" before I start my day.

I'm thankful that even though Iris is on a break, Laurel is hosting TT this week. Please go check out everyone else's thankfuls, and maybe even post some yourself!

Thankful Thursday.....

It's taken me until 2:41 PM to manage to write this Thankful Thursday post, but with the kind of week I've had, I feel as though I should list my thankfuls,.....

• I am thankful for my healthy family.

• I am thankful for the prayers for my Mom's friend, Tony. We went to see him yesterday. He is bad. He is having a really hard time breathing and can barely hold his head up to talk to you. It's bad. Please continue to help us pray.

• I am thankful that my vehicle only overheated when I was sitting still yesterday, so we were able to make the hour and a half drive home safely. We just put down the windows and turned it off at every red light and stop sign. It was 90ish degrees. Fun.

• I am thankful that when my vehicle started overheating while I was actually driving this morning I was only 10-15 miles from home, and on my way to the dealership to have it repaired. I am also thankful that my husband could leave work to come get me and my child. I am also thankful for the tow truck that hauled in my vehicle to the dealership. I am also very thankful that it was 7:45 AM and not 97 degrees yet! And that none of the 157 18 wheelers that blew by us as we sat on the side of HWY 117 hit us.

• I am thankful that I still had my trusty VW Passat at home that I could use to do my business today. I am thankful that even though we hardly ever drive it, all it needed was to be boosted off to get it going.

• I am thankful that even though like a moron I forgot and turned off the engine (after only a few minutes of letting it run) at the dollar store, and it wouldn't start again, that I was able to use my trusty battery charger (Sams $40) to get it started again.

• I am thankful that with all the car trouble I have had the past week, I had an extra cell phone at home to replace mine when it died the other day.

• I am thankful that I replaced my camera that was laid down in water on the 4th of July last week. I can't afford it this week...lol

• I am thankful that now that I have depressed each of you, there are (legal!) drugs available to help with that.

If you would like to participate in Thankful Thursday, please visit Iris at Sting My Heart.

Thankful Thursday....

...It's hard to believe it's Thursday again already! This week flew by....As always, I have much to be thankful for on this Thankful Thursday.....


.....I am thankful for my healthy family

.....I am thankful for the kick in the rear I got from reading This post on Laced with Grace this morning...I'll tell ya, there is nothing like good old fashion conviction to make you get things done girls! I've been cleaning like a mad woman all afternoon!

....I am thankful that with great effort and much patience the lady at the shoe store and myself managed to get my child in some shoes that fit. This was NOT a pleasurable experience. He just does not have the time to be bothered with shoe fittings and things like, you know...sitting down for more than 3 seconds.

....I am thankful that he was exhausted enough to go to sleep with no fight. Mama is whooped today! (what with the conviction, and shoe fittings, and cleaning and all!)

...I am thankful that my child's favorite word to say right now is "mama". I realize that eventually this will drive me up the wall when repeated over and over, for hours, even days on end....but for now, I adore hearing it. I also love hearing him say "thank you" it's just the cutest thing ever! He knows just when to say it.....he is just sooo smart!....(you have my permission to leave your computer if you'd like to upchuck due to all this uncharacteristic sappiness!)

That should do it for today, I don't want you all thinkin I'm goin too soft and all....

If you'd like to participate in Thankful Thursday,...or just read the Thankfuls of other Thankfuls...visit Sting My Heart!

Don't forget about Fit4Life Fridays starting tomorrow, right here at my place! Everyone is invited!

Thankful Thursday!

This week I am so excited to say that I am thankful for a baby shower gift that I was able to buy! This is an answered prayer of mine, (and many others!) This coming Sunday will be the shower for a sweet Mom in our church family, who has gone through a challenge in becoming a Mom...to say the least! I am so excited for this sweet, loving family! I know two of the most selfless, giving people who are about to make this baby girl some wonderful grandparents! She will also have a wonderful Aunt H and Uncle J!


Speaking of this family....The grandparents started bringing a boy from our community to church who is deaf/mute and autistic. In the few years he has been coming, we have watched him go from seriously uneducated, to now being enrolled in the Helen Keller School for the deaf and blossoming as he surely never would have had he not received the help he so desperatly needed! This young man blesses my socks off every time he comes to church! He "sings" to the top of his voice during song service, and though he's done this for a while now...its something I don't get used to. It leaves me weeping tears of joy everytime I hear him making his "joyful noise" To the world it may sound like nothing but noise, but I believe Michael's singing touches the ears of God, and the spirit of me! I am so thankful for our van ministry, and for the kids who bless me through it!

Updated to add: I am also thankful for Melissa's news, and will add her family to my prayer list! You can click HERE to read her news and share in the excitement!

If you would like to take part in Thankful Thursday, visit Sting My Heart!

Thankful Thursday.....

This week as Father's Day draws near, my thoughts turn to the men in my life. I have a wonderful dad who has always worked hard, but found the time to spend with us. When I was young, we were very into sports. My dad would work 12 hours a day, then still manage to play a game of basketball in our back yard with us and every other kid in the neighborhood. He was always the only dad out playing. He built us the most awesome playhouse in the whole world. It was two stories complete with a kitchen, bunkbeds, and windows! And when I had my baby, I don't think there was anyone who was more excited about it than my dad. He now plays the piano and sings the songs to Carter that he used to sing to me as a little girl. It's just the sweetest thing ever to watch! I am so very thankful for my Dad.


I have also been blessed with a wonderful Father-in-law. He is a Godly man who is one of the hardest working people I have ever known. He does much and asks for nothing in return. He has the loudest, deepest voice in the world and it startles my son so much that you'd think he'd be afraid, but he laughs when his Paw Paw talks, and listens to every single word oh so intently.


Then there is my husband. I always knew he'd be a great dad, and he is! Carter walks him to the door every morning when he leaves for work, if he's awake. If he's still asleep, he wakes up and looks for him then says, "Dada gone?" Then when Carter hears the door opening in the evening, he knows just who it is and heads straight for his daddy. I think he's almost as glad to see his dad as dad is to see him! I am very thankful that my husband is a wonderful father to my son!

Both my grandfathers have passed away, one when I was 11 (20 years ago June 7) and the other when I was 15. These were both wonderful men who helped to make me into the person I am today, for that I will be forever grateful. I can't help but think that maybe my two angel babies are up in heaven spending some time with their great grandfathers!


Last, but certainly not least....I am thankful for my Heavenly Father. I am thankful for the hope He gives us in what is becoming an increasingly dark world.

Happy Father's Day to all you men who I know are lurking out there reading my blog!


For more Thankful Thursday, or to participate.....visit Sting My Heart!

Thankful Thursday....

This has been such a crazy busy week, I almost skipped out on Thankful Thursday this week. BUT! I have so much to be thankful for, I just couldn't do it! So,.....here goes!


This week I'm thankful for:

My happy, healthy family!

A booming business! That's alot of the reason I am running so crazy this week. When I started this a few months ago, I never dreamed I'd stay this busy! God is Good!

A wonderful turnout at VBS this week! This is such an outreach opportunity. There are so many kids who might never learn about Jesus were it not for VBS!

The home that I live in. I have looked at it with disgust so many times lately. It is a disaster right now, right down to the mounds of papers on the desk I am currently typing on,....but! I am so very thankful to have a wonderful house to live in.


If you would like to participate in Thankful Thursday, visit Sting My Heart!

Thankful Thursday.......

This has been a wild week for us around here. We are finishing up the hay, getting ready for a 1st birthday, working, and prepping for Bible School next week. Whew! BUT! in the midst of all this craziness (yes, I know there is always craziness around here!) there is much to be thankful for!

I am thankful for my healthy family.

I am thankful that my son has made it through his first year of life very happy, healthy, and mostly injury free. (I know the injury part will change as he walks more and more!)

I am thankful for THE most incredible year of my life. Can it possibly get any better than this?

I am thankful for a very organized Bible School Director. If the director isn't with it, it can be a disaster...I've seen it happen!

I am so thankful that I get to teach the beloved 4 year old class this year! Due to work I haven't been able to help with Bible school in several years, and the 4 yr olds were the SS class I taught for several years! I'm soooo excited!! (check back with me on Friday of next week, see if I'm STILL excited!)


I have much more, but a certain wee one is tugging at my PJs for my attention....


If you would like to share your thankfuls this week, visit Sting My Heart!

Thankful Thursday....

I have so much to be thankful for! Here are just a few that randomly come to my mind as I type....(as if I ever have a non-random thought, right??)

Tonight is graduation at the local high school, and there are some graduates in this class that I am particularly close to. (In fact, one of them has worked with us all week to get in our hay.) I am so very thankful for the opportunity to know these young adults. They are such wonderful additions to our life, and to this community, and to our church. I wish them all the best as they begin this new chapter in their lives.

I am thankful today that I have a dentist appointment. This will allow me to get my teeth cleaned instead of working in the hay field all day! I will only have to work the second half of the day which ends early due to graduation! Yea!

I am thankful that my son is surrounded by people who love him and are praying for him...."it takes a village to raise a child"....I believe this saying is true!

I am thankful that I live in a small town. I love that when I go to the grocery store or the dollar store (those are about all we have) that I know most people there, and they talk to my son, and can tell me who he looks like, or acts like. Or if I have to run to the restroom, there are always people to watch him. Thanks Tonya & Cindy B!

On this Memorial Day weekend, I am thankful for all who serve and have served. I often think of my friend, Jeremy. But I do especially on Memorial Day. He was killed in 2002 in a helicopter crash during a training mission in the Philippines. (training for the Attack on Terror war that continues today) They found 8 of the 10 who were killed. They did not find my friend's body. I had many dreams that they found him alive,...I can't imagine how many of these his mom has had.... Thank you, Jeremy, for your service to our country,...but thank you most of all for the friendship,..the laughs, which were always plentiful in your presence. I know you rest with God.

If you would like to participate in Thankful Thursday,...please visit Iris at Sting My Heart!

Thankful Thursday......

I have so many things to be thankful for. Yesterday I followed my husband and son as we moved one of the tractors from one field to another location. I drove the truck, they drove the tractor (don't freak out, it has a cab...and my husband is the slowest driver in the history of the universe!) in front of me, and I could see my husband's back, with his hat on (which I'm sure was a John Deere hat) and just over my husbands arm I could see my son's head, he had his John Deere hat on too. And I just about cried my eyes out! That was the sweetest sight. Every few seconds my husband would look down at my son, so I knew he was talking to him. I couldn't help but wonder what he said. Tonight as he washed his tractor (yes, he washes it, and WAXES it..and armour all's it), little man was sitting in his wagon nearby and his daddy told him that one day this would be his job, so I'm sure he was telling him about the farm that I hope my son one day loves as much as his Dad does.

I'm thankful that I live in a place where you can drive your tractor on the road and the people who drive around you wave as they go by! (at least MOST of them do! Others don't use ALL their fingers when they wave at you!)

I'm thankful that my husband does not often have to drive in a place where you MUST drive faster (ie: Atlanta...Oh dear Lord, the horror of riding with him there!) Because he drives tractor speed at all times, and if you pass a tractor dealership.......well, let's just say I've learned to grab the wheel if that should be the case!

I'm thankful that my husband lusts after tractors, not women.

I'm thankful to know that as you read this, I'll know that there will be several prayers going up for me today. I am going to be babysitting my 3 month old nephew. Please pray that my 11 1/2 month old maniac does not attack him, hit him, scratch him, pull him in to the floor, or any of the other horrors I have imagined since being asked to babysit by my sister. And, please pray for her too, 'cause I'm sure she has the same concerns! Especially after I told her about his attack on the sweet little girl (1 week younger than he is) in the nursery at church on Sunday!

If you would like to participate in (which I highly recommend) or read more Thankful Thurday posts, visit Iris at Sting My Heart!

Thankful Thursday...

Many of you read my "In Other Words" post on Tuesday, if you didn't, you may not understand completely the relevance of my thankful today. With Mothers Day this weekend, I am thankful for my own mother, but today I want to express just how thankful I am for my Stepmom. She & my dad married when I was 18 and she has become such a rock for my family. She is by far the best thing ever to happen to my dad. She is a Godly woman who is the most soft spoken & sweetest person you will ever meet. (not to even mention the best cook on the planet!) I am SO VERY THANKFUL that my son has his Gran for a Grandmother. I know that she will be a wonderful influence in his life, as she is in mine.

I am thankful for my mother in law and that she raised a wonderful son, (even if she doesn't always realize it) and that she is also in my son's life!

I am thankful for my Grandmother. She is fiesty as can be at 71, and oh so proud of her great grandbaby. Mine is the only grandbaby (there are 11) or greatgrandbaby (there are 8) with brown eyes, and that tickles her to death. My ENTIRE family has blue eyes, so when my baby's eyes turned brown (like his dad's) I think she called everyone on her gossip circle to share the news! (If you don't know what a gossip circle is, it's the group of old ladies in town who call each other, much like a prayer chain, only they discuss the latest gossip in town!)


Also, I am thankful that I am a Mother. This is a blessing that, for a long time, I wasn't sure I would have. But God had great plans, and blessed us with our beautiful baby boy on June 1 2006. I am so very thankful for the opportunity to be his mom.


If you would like to participate in Thankful Thursday, please visit Iris at Sting My Heart.

Thankful Thursday...

This week has been a tough one. My baby is teething, and no one in our house is getting much sleep. He just doesn't feel good! He started sleeping through the night at 5 weeks, so we aren't used to that around here! Today, I am thankful for:


I am thankful for a healthy baby, and family.

I am thankful for teething tablets and teething gel.

I am thankful for Big Bob Gibson's Barbecue sauce....BBQ baked potato makes my lack of sleep fade momentarily.

I am thankful for DVD players in vehicles.

I am thankful that God has provided a way for me to stay home with my baby. When I think of the hours I used to work, I can't imagine missing that much of his life!

I am thankful for a wonderful church family. Our pastor asked us on Sunday to go to the people in the congregation we were upset with, or mad at..and make it right with them. I didn't have to go to anyone. (and more importantly, no one came to me!) Most of the time, everyone gets along! That IS A BLESSING! I have been places where that wasn't the case!

I am thankful for our pastor and his family. They have such a desire to serve the Lord, and they are a blessing to our entire community.

I am thankful that all of my siblings are married to Godly spouses, and that my nieces and nephews (on both mine and my husbands side of the family) will be raised in Godly homes.

I am thankful that I have not seen my neighbor naked in his yard yet this summer. Maybe he has seen the light! I keep dreading going by because I know it's bound to happen, but not so far this year...Thank you!!

I am also thankful for a God who hears my thoughts even before I speak them and is already working on them


What are you thankful for this week? To participate in Thankful Thursday, visit Iris, at Sting My Heart. ( I highly recommend it! We don't stop nearly enough to count our blessings!)

Thankful Thursday.....

Today I am thankful for: (in no particular order)


My sweet healthy baby boy!

My husband and best friend, and the fact that he is so tolerant of me and my mouth.

A safe (even if it was long, long, long) trip to see my newest neice, and nephew who turned 5 yesterday.

Living less than 30 minutes from most of my family.

Living farther from some of them.

Rain.

Living in the country, on a farm, where we have lots of new baby calves.

For the smell of dirt when the farmers start to plant. And the smell of grass when people mow their yards.

Computers, and email, and satellite tv, and Law & Order reruns.

Having a roof over my head and food to eat.

Air Conditioning.

My health, and the health of my family.

God's mercy.

I am also thankful that I participated in Thankful Thursday. It has caused me to stop and realize just what all I have to be thankful for, even if I don't sit and list them all! Let me end with a prayer request. My cousin, who is 29 year old, has battled breast cancer for about 4 years now. The cancer has spread throughout her body and is now affecting her brain. She can no longer stay by herself, and that is so hard for her. She has an 11 year old son who is having a really hard time with his mom's illness. Please say a special prayer for this family today. I know that family would be Thankful if you would, as would I.

For more Thankful Thursday, or to participate(which I highly recommend) visit Iris, at Sting My Heart.