Thursday Thanks Tank #213

My thankful list on this Thursday, Sept 22:

My father-in-law. It's his birthday. I am thankful for all that he does for his family. I am thankful for the way he parented my husband. I am thankful for how much he shows others he cares. I am thankful for the way he loves my mother-in-law.

A trail run with a friend. I went on a trail run with my friend this morning. She is the best running partner I have ever had. We're sole sisters. But, unfortunately, our schedules have been such that we haven't been able to run together in a long time. This morning was wonderful. The miles flew by and the smiles were big. We laughed and talked and ran. It was very, very nice.

Neighbors.  I met a neighbor of mine today and if my first impression is right, we are going to be good friends. She is probably a little younger than my parents. I love her already. We talked for a long time. And when we were done and said it's great to meet, we finished the meeting with a hug. That's a good feeling.

Rain and sunshine. They make rainbows.

Amazon Prime. I am such a last minute person. The free two day shipping is a life saver time and time again. The one day shipping came in handy this week.

Brownies. They are in the oven. They are going to be a nice surprise for my kids, three of which are getting ready to get home from practice.

My Dishwasher and my Washer and Dryer. I will never run out of dishes to wash and I will never get caught up on washing and folding and putting up clothes. I cannot imagine my life without these appliances. I would struggle. I just cannot even imagine.

People who challenge me. Challenges are good. Sometimes people purposely challenge me. I have a friend who constantly posts motivational quotes on FB. I have other friends that encourage me to eat well. Other times people challenge me because to me they are challenging people. I grow through these interactions. I am thankful for my challenges- both the ones I welcome and the ones that I'd rather avoid.

Yard work. I spent just about 30 minutes pulling weeds today. I love being outside and getting my hands dirty. I love working with plants. I simply love being outside and working with nature.

Music. This morning before work and school, we listened to Rocky Top, Sweet Home Alabama and Coming Home. I love music and how some songs have a special meaning.

Wordless Wednesday

Thursday Thanks Tank #212

My life is so busy I cannot keep up with it. The funny part about that is that the core of my busyness is my kids' activities. It's become ever important that I pause to notice, appreciate and make time for small things.

Today, at this moment on this Thursday, September 8th, I am thankful for these things:

Carpools. As hard as it is to get my kids everywhere they need to be, I couldn't do it without several carpools. Often I have to have 2 kids in two places at the same time. That's simple, as long as my husband is in town and he isn't always in town. There have been a few times where I needed to be in three places. It gets so interesting. We are doing the football/cheer carpool tonight. So, while my husband was picking up three kids to add to our van of three kids, I was taking my oldest from cross country practice to band practice.

A quiet moment. Or, rather, being able to be still in the quiet moment. I have an hour before I have to go pick up my son. I got home about 20 minutes ago and as soon as I got home I started to do one of many, many things I need to do. Then, I sat down and just listened. I listened and I paused and I decided to think about all that I appreciate.

My new home. This past weekend we moved into our new home. We went from renting to owning and it feels sooo good. Yes, we have owned before. Yes, we actually still own another home in another state on the other side of the country. But, feels wonderful. It feels amazing to be in a home we own. I can't even explain it so I will stop trying. I am just happy to be where we are and have a feeling we are going to stay awhile.

My bathtub. Seriously. I'm putting that out there. The last two houses we rented did not have a master bath. Seriously. I could shower or go to the kids bath. This house has it's very own garden tub. I looove it.

My Yeti. I drink water from my Yeti like it is the best drink ever. I love how cold my Yeti keeps water.

A new desk. I spent a few days over the weekend looking at Craig's List for a desk. My husband sometimes works from home and we really wanted to get a desk for him to use. On Sunday, I popped on Facebook 2 minutes after a friend of mine advertised a desk on a FB community site- for free. It just happened, just like that. She was thrilled to give it to someone she knows and I am thrilled to have something that meets our immediate needs.

A memory. One of my Facebook memories from today was the night before my second son, David, started Kindergarten. The last part of the status went like this: "Let's see, school supplies - check. Life saving medicine - check. Emotions - not in check." The memory made me smile. He's in 7th grade now and he has never had to use his Epipen at school. School has gone well. So many people have kept him safe over the years, both actively at school and in prayer. I am so very thankful for that memory and the reminder that David's peanut allergy has only caused inconveniences and not allergic reactions at school.

Arguments. So the other day my husband and I got into a small argument. It blossomed quickly and grew into all kinds of irritation and smashed feelings. And even in the middle of it-- okay, no- not the middle of it. more like toward the end when I just wanted to work it all out (and hear him apologize. just kidding. sorta)-- I knew I loved him. I am not thankful for the argument, really. I am thankful for what I see when the dust settles (dirt stops flying). I thankful for the love we have and the desire we have to mend brokenness when it happens. I am thankful for a healthy, hearty relationship.

My family. I have an outstanding family. My kids impress me. My husband works hard. My parents celebrated 48 years of marriage yesterday. My grandma turned 90 this summer. My sister listens. My sister challenges me to be a better person. My husband loves me. My in-laws encourage me. I have a unique, very diverse family and each person's influence on me is something I appreciate.

My dogs. I have no idea why they have been so quiet since I got home. I kinda wonder what they are into. It's like having toddlers all over again. They are my babies. They make me smile... unless they got into something...

Thursday Thanks Tank #211

When love is so powerful, so visible it leaves you in awe...


Today as I was waiting in line at the grocery store checkout line, I smiled at a man buying flowers. He had two colorful bouquets of mixed flowers.  He looked so happy, it just made me smile.

Being as I was right behind him, I couldn't help but over hear his conversation with the cashier.

"How was your wife's birthday?"
"Not bad. Not bad at all."
"I took her flowers and birthday cake. (happy chuckle) I even took her birthday cake. I put a candle in it for her and then blew it out."
"It was nice. The fresh flowers looked nice on the gravestone."

Stunned. I processed what he had just said.

"Are you taking these flowers to her tomorrow?"
"No, I am going to ride tomorrow. I'll take them the day after that."

They made small talk. My heart was still.

When I walked out to my car, the jovial man, was talking to a friend he came upon in the parking lot. I walked by his jeep, and caught sight of the 'In Loving Memory' window decal.
Beneath her name, it said, "Loving wife, Best friend and Soulmate. Forever Loved, Forever Cherished." There were the dates of her life. The years were 1961-2009.
2009.
Be still my heart.

This man still celebrates and honors her birthday.
He talks about her with a love resounding from his voice. So much so that if I hadn't heard him mention her gravestone, I would have thought he was one extremely loving husband.
He is.

It's still overwhelms me to consider his heart.

So, tonight, I am thankful for love. I am thankful that we- that I- can love and love deeply.

Thursday Thanks Tank #210

A few things I am thankful for:

Fuzzy socks
Goldfish (the edible kind)
carpools
pictures
second chances
my puppies
teachers
getting somewhere on time
hugs
faith
questions
questions I can't answer (because they make me think)
chocolate
getting to see out of town family
optimism
honesty (though it can be very, very hard, I know it is a good thing)
a new washer and dryer (yay!)
having enough gas to get there and back
our kitchen table
a game of uno
my phone
a quiet house
discontentment (sometimes, in some areas, it is a good thing to long for more)
people who yield
tickling and giggles
our military
and military families
a cool day with sunshine
an enjoyable book

A good friend

My son, Thomas, is a friend to every body. In fact, he often laments that people that he doesn't know, know him. Kids at school will say, "Hey Thomas" and he will have no idea who they are. He tells me he doesn't know how that happens.

I tell him that he is the kind of kid everyone notices.

The truth is, though, he stands out but it is for more reasons than his unusual haircut. He stands out because of his personality. He doesn't meet a stranger. And, he's the kind of person that is a friend to everyone.

So, it wasn't a real surprise the other day when I was picking up my daughter from school when a boy asked if I was Thomas's mom. I replied, "Yes," of course. But, what surprised me was what he said next: "Thomas is my best friend."  I had never seen this boy before. Hesitantly (because I wasn't sure if this would offend him), I asked the boy his name. He told me... and I had never heard of him. I told him it as great to meet him and I went about my way.

Later in the day, I asked Thomas about the boy. I told him that he said Thomas was his best friend and Thomas just smiled. Thomas told me he was nice. So, I asked if he would like to have him over sometime. The response was, "Uuuuh, no..." Now, wait a minute, I thought to myself. So, I asked why. He said, "Weeell, the thing is, he picks his nose. A lot. He's nice, but..."

We talked about him a little bit more but there wasn't a lot to say. Thomas was his friend and he was good with it.

Later, much later- a few days later- I found myself thinking about this relationship. I'm not sure if it is simple or complex. It's simple for Thomas but it seems complex because the relationship means much more to the other kid. I decided that is okay that way. I am glad that Thomas is the type of friend that he is. He is kind. He is a good friend. He does not try to be more than he is. I like that.

She Laughs

I am terrible with emails. My inbox is always overrun with unread emails. In fact, over the holidays, I hit a new high- or new low, depending on how you look at it- over 1,700 unread emails. There are a few people in my life that can't stand this problem I have. For some, is bothersome- really bothersome, to have unread emails. Who knew?
Well, anyways, I signed up for an automatic, daily email. While I am sure that means there will be days that the automatic email adds to my unread email total, I am looking forward to the emails.
My church sends out a daily SOAP email. SOAP = Scripture, Observations, Application, Prayer.
This is a good thing.

Lately the SOAP has been going through Proverbs. Today, it is on Proverbs 31.
There are many words that challenge in these verses. Today, my heart is moved by these words in particular.

²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity,
    and she laughs without fear of the future.
²⁶ When she speaks, her words are wise,
    and she gives instructions with kindness.

She laughs without fear of the future. I want to live without fear. I want to laugh. Not that long delirious laugh I sometimes have when I am overwhelmed. I want to laugh with joy.

She gives instructions with kindness. I'll be honest. I have four kids and my instructions are not always shrouded with kindness.  I will focus on that.

SOAP is a good thing for me. It is a great start to each day- a little strength to go. I am not sure about the dignity but I am quite certain that reading scriptures with help with that. My words are not always wise, but then again, scriptures should help with that. And, of course, scriptures will help with any kind of instructions I give and the way I give them.

I am not afraid of the drudgery of this day. I laugh in the face of my fear of insignificance and doldrums.


Oh, and this morning, my unread email count is 26.

A warm cup of coffee

This morning, right before he left for work, I watched my husband pour his unfinished coffee into my cup of coffee.

He didn't know I saw him.

It was... icky.

I cringed and laughed internally.

It is wonderful, despite the fact that it irked me. He didn't even hesitate. He just did that.

So, it's sort of wonderful.

I think.

We've been married a long time. 20 years.

So, I think there's a beauty in that moment... somewhere.

What was he thinking? 'Don't waste warm coffee?' 'I'll warm up her cup?'

Was it an endearing gesture of love, even though he didn't think I saw him? Was it a be wise with a precious resource moment?

And, I wonder, Was this the first time? Does he do this and I don't know it?!

Ah, married life.
It is the most wonderful thing. Really, really.

He better not be using my toothbrush. I would have to draw the line right there.