Thursday Thanks Tank #85

I just crawled out of a serious laundry pile. Sadly, it was overtaking my room. (No comments necessary from my parents! *smile*) I am so happy to be reclaiming my room, making it a haven again. I wonder if I am the only one that tends to take every unfinished project or pile of stuff that didn't get properly cleaned up to the master bedroom. We have had company for the last 3 weekends (and a some time in between) and my bedroom was a serious disaster. I focused on my guests and we all had a fantastic time. I am thankful for that! And, I am thankful that the room is being reclaimed. Now that I got that out (a little blog confessional, I guess), let me share what's filling up my Thanks Tank.

1. Sense of Smell: My house is full of the aroma of banana bread baking.

2. Spring Flowers: Aren't these just lovely? My mom bought these bulbs for me about this time last year. They bring a smile to my face every day.


3. Car Carts: Sometimes I have to go to the store with the kids in-tow. I try hard to plan my shopping when I can leave the kids at home with my husband. Every so often, mostly because of bad planning, I have to take 2 or 3 with me. I am thankful for car carts. We had to make a trip today and cart kept everyone happy. I took this picture a few weeks ago on my cell phone. It was Elsie's first time "driving" with Thomas. (She was all over it and all over Thomas!)


4. Smiles: Smiles are universal. This post touched me this week: Universal Language. After you check that out, be sure to check out the rest of the Pensieve blog. Robin is posting this week as a Compassion blogger from India. Her words are powerful.

5. Miracle of Birth: I held a newborn (3 day old) baby last night. He was still in the hospital due to an infection. He is beautiful. His mom and I talked about how amazing it is to give birth. We marveled at our Creator and how he made it all possible.

6. Sharing: I love it when my kids share. Look how lucky Elisabeth is (this was taken on that same shopping trip). We - I mean, they - didn't get Starbucks on today's trip.


7. Surprises: I am thankful that my parents came to visit us. We had a delightful time. One of the highlights of their visit was getting to go on a double-date with them. Actually, the best part was when we surprised my parents. My mom overheard me talking to my husband about the plans and she assumed she would be watching the kids while we went on a date. Her expression was priceless when I told her I was making arrangements with our babysitter to go out with them.

Although my thankful list on my notepad is long, that's all I am going to share. That's all I have time to share. It's time to get the crew ready for swim lessons.

One more note (mostly for mom and dad), I am happy to say, the master bathroom is clean, too!! (Really!)

Deceived by Complacency

As I sat in my car at Wal-mart a few weeks ago I noticed a man pouring something into his gas tank. I was checking messages on my phone when I noticed him. I don't know anything about cars, really, so seeing him pour something in his tank caught my attention.

What he did next surprised me and I have been thinking about it off and on since.

When he was finished emptying the container, he dropped it and kicked it under his car. Then, he got in his car and drove away.

It's one thing to litter. It's another thing to kick trash under your car, as if to hide it, and then drive away.

I was stunned by the hilarity of the situation. It also irritated me.

As I picked up the empty fuel booster container and took it to the trash, I found myself thinking, "Don't judge him, learn from him."

I have been considering the situation for weeks, trying to figure out the lesson for me. I have to admit I have had a terrible time evaluating myself compared the man at Wal-mart. My disdain of his actions made it hard for me to look for a parallel in my life. Did the man leave Wal-mart feeling good? Was he satisfied because he was taking care of his car? He gave no thought to his surroundings. He did not consider the absurdity of kicking his trash under his car and then driving away. He did not think about or care about who might be watching him. At some level, he was deceiving himself. He may have convinced himself that he was being responsible. He may have been so self-absorbed that he didn't think anyone was watching.

I need to be more honest with myself.

Am I so self-absorbed that I do not pay attention to the needs around me?

I often deceive myself.

I can take care of my children and fail to provide basic needs for myself like rest and proper nutrition.

I can spend ample time counting my blessings and forget to spend time thanking God.

I can convince myself that I am a caring person when I have not tended to the details of reaching out to others.

I can spend too much time feeling blessed and too little time cultivating a giving heart.

To others, my wrong-doings may seems just as obvious as the man littering.
Without question, I am an open book to God. He knows my heart better than I do.

I was focused on the ignorance I saw at Wal-mart. The treasure from that moment is realizing that I am not always honest with myself. Too often, I go through my days in a state of unrecognized complacency. The beauty in the trashed parking lot is the renewed desire for me to keep chiseling away at the selfishness of my heart.

Family Circus

It has been a circus around here. We have had so much fun lately that I anticipate my kids claiming to be "bored" in a few days. My parents have been here for a visit. They live across the country and we get to see them once or twice a year. It will be hard to see them go when they leave in the morning. During their visit, we were busy with lots and lots of exciting activities.

Here's a sampling of pictures that show what we did during the last 10 days:

Fishing with the Cub Scouts

Trip to the Portland Zoo

Thomas's Birthday

Jonathan's Birthday
(Yep, he had to have the same cake as Thomas.)

Bike Riding without Training Wheels

Swimming at the Community Pool

Combined Friend Party for Jonathan and Thomas at the Community Pool
(Ice Cream Sundaes and Presents followed by Swimming)


Cub Scout Pinewood Derby Race

Trip to OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry)


In coming days, I'll posting lots more pictures of each event on my family blog (Owen Home).

Thankful for Motherhood (Thanks Tank #84)

When I was pregnant with my son, I remember feeling overwhelmed. Motherhood loomed and I realized I could not be prepared for it. I anticpated not being able to handle being a parent. I feared not being adequate.

I had no idea how full my heart would become. I didn't know the joy that would be mine as a mom.

My oldest child was born 8 years ago today.

Here's a picture of me with my son when I was getting ready to take him home from the hospital.


Here's a picture of me and my "Jonnie Angel" this morning before he left for school.


He sure was a sweet baby.


He had a sweet smile this morning when he got a new Pokemon shirt.


Lately, he seems to always have his head in a book.


He really enjoyed books when he was a toddler, too.


Today, I am remembering what it was like when I became "Momma." I am thankful that I am a mom. I am thankful for my children. I am thankful for the fun of celebrating birthdays. That's what's filling up my Thanks Tank today.