Thursday Thanks Tank #5

*Sigh* I cannot think about much today besides Jonathan. Jonathan fell down our stairs last night and broke his arm. It was a really bad break. I will spare everyone the details. Right when it happened, there was no doubt his arm was broken. He broke both bones in his arm an inch or two above his wrist. He spent about 5 hours at the hospital last night. Then, he had a pain-filled, uncomfortable night of trying to sleep.

My thanks tank for today:

1. No surgery: If the break had been just a bit closer to the wrist or if the broken bones had not been just the way they were, Jonathan was headed for surgery. The doctors really weren’t sure until the Orthopedic bone surgeon came in and did X-rays and was able to set his arm.
2. Seth was in town: Okay, this seems a bit selfish but I am very thankful that Seth was not deployed or traveling.
3. Prayer:This seems like a standard answer for my Thursday Thanks Tank. I was just bathing Jonathan and Seth in prayer last night. Also, I know my family was praying. There is nothing more comforting than that.
4. Cooler Temps: I couldn’t’ be more thankful that the temp dropped significantly today. It was around 99 degree here yesterday. It is not supposed to be that hot in Washington. If it was, all the houses would have air conditioning (most don’t). I think it is only supposed to get in the 80’s today.

Oregon Bound

Some of you have guessed this already (and yes, this is the answer to my State Research post). We are moving to Oregon. Seth is taking a fantastic job with Target (on the distribution side of the company). We are thrilled about the job and the opportunities that go along with it. We are embracing the new adventure of Oregon. I will admit that it was not my first choice of a new location. I am concentrating on the blessing of a great job and a family unit that will not be interrupted by deployments or remote assignments. Please pray for us as we make the transition. Seth could tell you (and might readily) that I have been quite emotional lately. I am attributing some of it to my pregnancy and some of it to how much I had it in my head that we would either be staying put or moving to the SE. We visited Oregon this last weekend. It was a good visit, despite our sick-of-being-stuck-in-the-car, arguing children. It was a nice state, despite finding out that I was told incorrectly that there are Cracker Barrel restaurants there. Again, keep us in your prayers as we have much to do in the coming months. And, by all means, pass on any good info about Oregon!

Thursday Thanks Tank #4

Okay, it’s late and it has been quite a day! I started the day out exhausted with my body aching from 2 nights of being up way too late for a pregnant woman. The day went from being rough to pleasant. I have so much to be thankful for! I am, however, tired and another day is around the corner. Here’s what I am thankful for this Thursday:

1. Vacation Days: Vacation days are so wonderful. We had a long 4th holiday as my husband had the day before and after off from work. With him off from work, I got some extra time to relax and we had a lot of family fun time.
2. Getting Rid of Clutter: It is so freeing to clean out! We have been working on cleaning out our garage. I am thankful for the joy of having less stuff.
3. Encouragement: I have had several friends and family members encourage me lately. Sometimes a simple word can change my attitude or give me a different outlook.
4. Summer Fun: The last few days I have enjoyed seeing my boys play in the kiddie pool, the slip-n-slide, and the sprinkler. The joy on their faces is delightful to me.
5. Pizza Delivery: I hesitated to write this one… no, I wrote it and then deleted it and now I am back to it. I was really thankful to order pizza tonight and not have to stop cleaning and start cooking. Plus, there wasn’t much clean-up afterwards!
6. My husband: I was worn out- he let me sleep in and brought me breakfast in bed. He took the kids to the park and let me relax into the early afternoon. When I asked for help- he said, whatever you need. Our kids were overtired due to late night 4th activities and he was very patient and understanding.

Change

"Yet, that's the thing about change. It's God's way of surprising us, and reminding us that wherever we go, his blessings go too."

Aline Alexander Newman, Guideposts July 2007