Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Wednesday Words: Read




I smile when I read this Dr. Seuss quote. I'm thinking of printing it and putting it where the kids can see it.

Friday, November 25, 2011

Thursday Thanks Tank #172


Each Thursday I make a list of my thankful thoughts. It is my Thursday Thanks Tank.
Naturally, this morning I woke up with thanksgiving on my mind... Thanksgiving on my mind. I started by reading a friend's thankful thoughts. I looked forward to the thankful list I would make later in the day.

As soon as I was up, my day filled up with activities - great activities- a fun breakfast, baking with the kids, getting excited with the kids about balloons and floats on the Macy's Day parade, meal preparations, turkey crafts, more meal preparations, a delightful dinner, laughter and games and great conversation.

Before I knew it, the day was done. As I sat down late in the evening to make a thankful list, I realized with sorrow, that my thankful heart was vain. Somehow, despite the day of thanksgiving, in spite of the sweet thanks-filled prayer before dinner, I did not stop to say thanks to God for all he has given me.
Oh the sad irony.

It's a bit like realizing that I played Martha. I loved every minute of our Thanksgiving celebration. It is just that at the end of the day of Thanksgiving, I knew I had much to be thankful for and that I needed to take time to be thankful. One thing - the most important thing- was still needed.

And so, with my house finally quiet, I poured out my thankfulness in choppy tired sentences in prayer. I thanked God for my family, friends, his provisions, my possessions, and for forgiveness. I thanked God for the words shared, the laughter, and the company. I thanked God for love.

I thanked God for it all - all that I have.

Thanksgiving was busy. It was wonderful.
Maybe you, like me, could benefit from some time away from the busyness.
Take time to pray today. Tell God that you are thankful. It will be time well-spent.

These are my thankful thoughts.



Thursday, November 17, 2011

Thursday Thanks Tank #171

Hello Kitty. Pink and purple in a sea of legos and green and blue.
She is my soft hug in the middle of a wrestling match.
Giggles, skirts that twirl, fingernail polish, and pony tails.
I am thankful for her hand in mine, hearing her say she loves me, her tears and her laughter.
Full of sweetness and attitude- she is my girl. I am thankful for her. Today is her birthday and she's excited to be four.

I visited one crowded cafeteria this afternoon. It was all noise and mess. Today was bring your parent to lunch day. I am thankful that my 5th grader decided to let me come to lunch with him. He initially told me about it with enthusiasm, then told me he didn't want me to come and finally reneged and said I could come for lunch- but not recess! He had a lot to say during lunch. It was valuable time.
My talkative son, my 2nd grader, was quiet and reserved. What a switch! He said he was just eating. It was good to sit with him at the peanut free table. I am thankful for the peanut-free table and the lunchroom staff that keeps the table safe for my son.
My 1st grader was clingy and very loving. He held my hand, leaned on me, and couldn't stop smiling. I walked him back to class. I am thankful for those special moments.

Laughter, smiles, hugs and kisses. My kids are being spoiled. It can only mean one thing. My parents are in town. I am so very thankful that they traveled to see us. I am thankful for the way they love us and for the fun we have when we are together. I am thankful for my parents.


Long hours, exhaustion and dedication. It's crunch time at my husband's work- otherwise know as, "Peak" season. I am thankful for how hard he works to provide for us. I am also thankful for how he arrives home with a smile on his face and open arms for hugs. Today he left the house at 6 a.m. and returned home at 7:30 p.m. He had just enough energy to make the birthday girl laugh before she went to bed.


These are a few of the things that are filling up my Thanks Tank today.
Now, I am off to get some sleep. We are celebrating my 4 year old's birthday tomorrow and I need to get some rest. She definitely has more energy than me.

Monday, November 14, 2011

I'm exercisin'

It cracks me up when my sweet daughter says she has to exercise and then gets on the scale and proceeds to jump up an down.

Have I ever said, "Oh boy, I need to exercise" as I was standing on the scale?

Have I ever gotten on and then gotten off and then gotten on again (the equivalent of jumping up and down, I guess), hoping for different results.

That girl has my number... and she is so stinkin' cute!

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Active Duty (TTT170)

Tears hung in the corners of my eyes as my husband's grandfather swore him in as an officer in the US Army. His grandfather was an retired Army officer. He had spent a lifetime dealing with what he saw and experienced during war. There he stood, full of emotion, proudly reciting the Army oath with my husband. He would support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. He would serve the way his father served in the Air Force and his grandfather served in the Army.

The days were long and full of laborious tasks. My husband was on staff in a Transportation company. The job required long hours. It required weeks in the field. He gave it his all. Every task, from paper work to physical exercise, mattered. They were determined to be the best.

I was able to visit my husband for 2 weeks when he had a year-long remote assignment in Korea. The Koreans were protesting the US Army. It is engraved in my memory because during a sight-seeing trip to Seoul we accidentally walked right in the middle of an area where there was a protest. Two Korean children had been in harms way- in the road way when tanks were rolling through- and were killed. The protesters were angry. There were pictures of the accident scene. And my husband, who happens to be 6'3", and I stood out in the Korean crowd. We hightailed it to a side street and out of that area as quickly as possible. The military accident was tragic. Nothing could fix the situation. The soldiers serving kept serving, doing their best daily to protect South Korea.

He participated in the service with reverence. The mood was somber. A life was lost. He was in his dress uniform and if it weren't for the circumstances, I would have been looking at him with admiration. Tears were shed. Words were spoken. A man was given a good tribute. At the end of the day, I greeted my officer husband with a gentle hug. I held him tightly. His heart was heavy because a soldier took his life.

It was departure day- night really. They were leaving in the middle of the night. My husband was the commander of a Transportation Unit in the Army and they were deploying to Iraq. As he walked to the bus, our eyes locked. Would this be it? Oh God, please protect him. For his part, he carried the burden of a couple hundred soldiers. Would he bring them all back alive. What would they face? The weight of responsibility weighed heavy on him.

It was my birthday and I didn't hear from my husband. I knew he was on a remote mission but I thought, just perhaps, I'd get a quick email. I didn't hear from him for several days. I was fraught with worry and fear. I prayed and waited for communication. I didn't know it for quite some time after but on my birthday, he was being shot at. As the bullets filled the air when his helicopter lifted up, he worried that he would be shot on my birthday.

A training exercise would require my husband to be in the field for a month here or a week there. Often he wouldn't get very much notice. He'd have to come home from a long day at work to let us know he was leaving. He was dedicated to his service and devoted to his family. It was hard to come home and leave time and time again. He loved his job and he loved his family.

This week, I am thankful for:

1. My husband and his 10 years of service in the Army.
2. My father-in-law and his service in the Air Force, which included Vietnam.
3. My husband's grandfather and his career in the Army, which included WWII and the Korean War.
4. My brother-in-law and his service in the Air Force. He is currently serving. Please keep him in your prayers as he is constantly flying missions.
5. My sister and her service in the Air Force.
6. The numerous men and women in the Army that I know (or know of) from my husband's time in the Army.
7. All of the military families who support their service men and women.

This is my Thursday Thanks Tank.

Even if you do not know anyone who is serving in the military, honor them this week by saying a prayer of thanks for them and a prayer for their safety.

Thursday, November 03, 2011

Thursday Thanks Tank #169


Each Thursday I make a list of my thankful thoughts. This is my Thursday Thanks Tank.

This has been an eventful week.

I am thankful for:

A long awaited trip to San Francisco: I've always wanted to visit San Francisco. This past weekend my family and I took a quick trip to the city. I was giddy with excitement.

Time at the Beach: Sunday afternoon it was 75 and sunny in California. We hadn't planned to spend the afternoon at Ocean Beach but we couldn't pass it up. It was just perfect.

Family Pictures: I love pictures of my family. And, I appreciate it when my husband is willing to let me ask other people to take our picture.



A Safe Halloween: When you have a kid with food allergies, finishing Halloween safely is a wonderful feeling. My peanut allergic ninja had fun and didn't mind trading in over half of his candy for safe treats. (Now, whatever do I do with all of those Reeces?)

Festive Family Fun: We made caramel apples, painted pumpkins, carved a pumpkin and enjoyed pumpkin cookies. I love celebrations and Halloween is silly fun.

A Successful Surgery: My son had surgery yesterday. I am thankful that it went well. I am thankful for our modern medical system. My son is recovering at home and soaking up lots of this Momma's love.

Red Cup Lattes: It is Red Cup Latte season at Starbucks. I love my Gingerbread latte. I had my first one of the season yesterday and I may just have to get another one today.

My husband: I am very thankful for my husband this week. He went on a quick trip to San Francisco with me and our (calm and always very quiet) children. He made us all laugh (spill our pumpkin guts) when he was carving our pumpkin. He took days off from work to be available during the surgery and recovery. He's being a pretty good sport about how well Alabama is doing this year (Roll Tide Roll). He may not even verbally root for LSU this weekend. He loves our kids and loves me. I am very grateful.


My heart is full of thankfulness today.
Take time to be thankful today. It's time well-spent.