thirty thankful days-day 22-grandparents

Every day in November I am posting something I'm thankful for, and I would love to have you join me!  Link to your thankful post below, or write about it in the comments.  Let's be thankful together!

Today I'm thankful that my kids have wonderful grandparents.  We are blessed to have all four of our parents alive and well and involved in our kids' lives.

I've been thinking about this a lot recently, as two of the gals in my healing journey class have recently lost their moms, and I get to see glimpses of their grief and pain.  Then, earlier this month, my brother-in-law Matt lost his father to cancer.  He was relatively young, and it is very sad.  I can't imagine...

Today was grandparents' day at my kids' school.  Both of my parents, who live here in town, were able to go.  They've gone every year since Bubba started at the school three years ago.  Now they split up--one going to the high school with Pickle, and one goes to the elementary school with Bubba.  I think they enjoy it, and I know the kids enjoy hosting them and showing them their world.

Grandparent's Day 2009--all four grandparents with Bubba

My hubby's parents will be travelling from MN in early December just to be here for a few of the kids' events...they will take in a piano recital and a choir concert and maybe hit a few basketball practices.  It's pretty cool that they make the effort to be at our kids' things when then they can.

All four of my kids' grandparents are loving, interested, caring, praying grandparents.  Our kids are so very blessed.  Many kids do not have four grandparents--due to either broken families or death--one or more are missing.  And of the grandparents kids do have, not all are even close to as kind and generous as ours are.  We are so blessed.  But as a friend said in her post, I will not feel guilty about any of that...  but I will be thankful.

What are you thankful for today?  Link up or comment!  Let's fill up blogland with thankfulness!

A few simple instructions for the link up:

-please link to your specific thankful post--not just your blog

-please link back to theGoodlife in your post so others can join the fun!
-feel free to grab the 30 thankful days graphic--I haven't figured out how to make it a button yet.  I'm such a techy, huh?

thirty thankful days-day 9--love on a chain

Every day in November I am posting something I'm thankful for, and I would love to have you join me!  Link to your thankful post below, or write about it in the comments.  Let's be thankful together!


As I mentioned before, Sunday was my birthday.  I had a lovely day in all ways.  The kids and Dave had some gifts for me.  A stinkin' adorable owl keychain and a beautiful watch.  Love 'em both--and they were much more than I expected.  But then Monday, when I got home from work, there was another package for me.  One of my presents had arrived a little late.  I thought they had already given me more than enough...but I'm so glad this package arrived.

In it was a beautiful Lisa Leonard necklace I've had my eye on for a while.  It's called the Family Tree necklace.  Isn't it pretty?

Some of the things I love about it: (and no, Lisa Leonard did not put me up to this...)

*  it's heavier than I thought.  I love how I can feel it's weight on my skin.
*  it's not perfectly round.  It looks handmade and it is.
*  it has all five of our names on it.  Including Aidan's.  I don't always know when it's appropriate to include him, but I'm so glad Dave did on this...

Now, I know I sound a little shallow, fussing over a necklace.  So let me tell you why I really love it...it's because Dave bought it for me.  Because he listened to me say how much I liked it.  Because to me, it represents his love, and our family's love.  It's the sentiment that means so much.

Honestly, this hasn't been the easiest year of our marriage.  Not the worst, but pretty hard.  For Dave to buy me something this sentimental makes me feel like he is still invested, still embracing this life we share.  When things get difficult, that is hard to feel sure of.  Not that a necklace solves or proves anything, but it feels like hopeful love to me.  It may not make sense to you, but it means a lot.

So, today, I'm thankful for this love hanging on a chain around my neck.

What are you thankful for?  Link up or comment!  Let's fill up blogland with thankfulness!

A few simple instructions for the link up:

-please link to your specific thankful post--not just your blog

-please link back to theGoodlife in your post so others can join the fun!
-feel free to grab the 30 thankful days graphic--I haven't figured out how to make it a button yet.  I'm such a techy, huh?

Thirty thankful days-day 6-Happy Birthday!

Every day in November I am posting something I'm thankful for, and I would love to have you join me!  Link to your thankful post below, or write about it in the comments.  Let's be thankful together!


Today is my birthday.  I am turning "halfway to ninety" as my daughter kindly says.  Wow.  That is a concept in itself...you know, the whole getting older thing.  But today, besides being thankful for 45 years of life, I am thankful for simple birthday celebrations.  As I mentioned on Wednesday, it was Bubba's birthday this week as well.  So, this weekend is when we did the celebrating for both of us.


I am so thankful that Bubba was up for a celebration that ended up being so easy-schmeasy.  He chose to have less friends involved, but to do more activities.  The less-friends part eliminated the need for formal invitations, the need for booking some sort of "party package" somewhere (whew--cause I let it get away from me and probably would have had trouble getting the date we wanted), and in general, lowered the amount of energy we would have expended corralling a large group of boys.  Bubba chose to have a friend from school, a friend from the neighborhood, and a friend from church and that was it!  

glow-golf

We took the boys to play glow-in-the-dark mini-golf, then lunch at the food court (I know, boring, but it makes 11 year old boys happy), then they tried out the laser-maze, and then my hubby took them to the Puss in Boots movie, and Dairy Queen for a treat.  The all-day shindig finished back at our house where Bubba opened some gifts.  They all had a really great time--and there was no prep, no decorating, not even a cake!  I'm so thankful.

the party-ers at lunch

After Bubba's day-o-fun, we spent the evening with my family celebrating both Bubba and my birthdays.  We had dinner together (ordered in--easy), opened gifts, had ice cream cake, and just hung out.  Simple and just perfect.  I'm so thankful!

Bubba got tickets to see the Air Force football team play--he's going next weekend with dad and grandpa!

new purse!

Today I will be at church in the morning, and then having a luncheon for my children's teachers.  When all of that is over...I am free to celebrate however I wish.  I think a nap will be involved.  You know...I am, afterall, halfway to ninety!  


What are you thankful for today?  Link up or comment!  Let's fill up blogland with thankfulness!

A few simple instructions for the link up:

-please link to your specific thankful post--not just your blog

-please link back to theGoodlife in your post so others can join the fun!
-feel free to grab the 30 thankful days graphic--I haven't figured out how to make it a button yet.  I'm such a techy, huh?

The Church has left the building...

What if we stopped talking about it and finally just got to doing it??

That was the question we answered as a church yesterday on our first ever "Be the Church" Sunday.

Yesterday, there were no church services in our building.  Rather 450 of us served at 18 projects around our city!  So cool, huh?

We were able to meet needs at a few food pantries, some thrift shops, some schools, a large rescue mission, a soup kitchen, the Salvation Army, a few retirement homes and some city parks.  We sorted, labeled, painted, prepared food, roofed, landscaped, picked up trash, listened, hugged, swept, and pulled up carpet in the name of Jesus.  We let people know in a tangible way that God sees them and loves them.

Last fall, our church had a white envelope project in which we gave money away.  Last Sunday we were handed white envelopes again, but this time they didn't contain cash--but rather a service assignment. We were to report to that assignment yesterday morning rather than coming to church.   Everyone was quite excited and embraced the idea.

Not everyone would have chosen the assignment they were given.  Some had passion for different areas. Some were in their element, some were out of their comfort zone.  We put all of that aside and just did it.

My family ready to go!  Aren't they cute?

Our family had a pretty comfortable assignment--we were assigned with 11 others to a local ARC thrift shop.  We shelved a lot of books, put many items out for sale, swept a lot of floors, cleaned, and straightened/hung a ton of clothes.  I think the most important thing we did was encourage the manager at our shop.  She couldn't say enough about how much work we saved her...and what a big help that was.  It was EASY, when working together, to make a big difference there...even if just in her heart.

Bubba returning book bins after we emptied them.

Dave doing his thing  (which means I'm not sure what he is doing right there...)

Pickle working in the accessories department--how appropriate!

I found something I should consider buying...heehee.

more of our group at another site.  they were doing the sweaty kind of work... :0)

We ended the day with a celebration service and dinner together as a church family.   Let me tell you, the energy was palpable.  We worked hard, were pretty tired--but absolutely energized by serving in Jesus' name.

I had several requests after the service (I'm on staff at church) that we do this every year, every quarter, even every month!  And maybe we will do it again one day.  But that wasn't the point, at least not from my perspective.  In my opinion, the point was that we all did it.  We all served.  We got to experience how relatively easy it is to give some time and energy, how big the need is, how big the impact is on hearts when they learn that God sees them.  We stopped talking about it and just did it.  We got to be the hands and feet of Jesus, and it felt good.  My hope is that this experience was a catalyst to much more service to our city by individuals, families, and life groups.  My hope is that our city is transformed by the love of Christ--and that we are all part of it.  Because, honestly, we are called to be.

Let me encourage you that you don't need your church to hold an event like this to get out into your community.  Pick an organization and call them--see what they need and if there is any way you could meet that need.  That's all there is to it.  Push aside the thoughts (I know them well) of finding the ideal setting to serve, your impossible family schedule, your concerns about your abilities.  Don't wait until your life calms down, or your kids get older, or move out,  or you feel ready.  Don't wait for some audible word from God--we already know what is close to His heart.  

This is my family's challenge now.  So now what?  How will we serve next?  It doesn't have to be perfect, we just need to do it.  If your family is serving your community...I'd love to hear about it!  And I'll let all you bloggies know what next step our family takes.

Saturday.

Saturdays are usually filled with chores, errands, Bubba's soccer or basketball games, and some procrastinating.  This Saturday was none of those things. (Well, maybe the procrastinating.)  There is much to do around here...and we had a whole Saturday to do it--but we didn't.  Guilt wants to creep in, but I won't let it.  We had a spontaneously fun day...and that is what we needed.

The morning started slowly, waking up leisurely, chatting and laughing long before our feet hit the floor.  Then we remembered that it was free-breakfast-day-at-Chick-Fil-A!  We hurried to wake up sleeping beauty and get dressed and ended up joining my sister and her fam and some friends for some chicken and visiting.

Pickle and I decided we wanted to attend an event at Focus on the Family where the Duggars (of TLC fame--19 kids and counting) were speaking and making an appearance that afternoon.  Pickle is a big fan and I figured there could be a lot worse choices of reality stars to meet, so why not indulge her?  We missed out on getting tickets to the event (I snoozed and lost--oops) so I agreed to buy Pickle their book so we could attend the book signing they were doing afterwards.

We had a great time.  They were all there (minus their youngest, Josie) and sat at a super long table, signing and greeting.  Pickle's first exciting moment was seeing the TLC crew filming and recognizing them from TV (from Jon and Kate plus 8 she thinks).  It got even better when they filmed her asking a question for the Duggars to answer on their show.  I had to sign a release for them to use the footage if they choose.  Then we spoke with and met almost all of the super-family, and they signed Pickle's book.  I especially enjoyed meeting Michelle Duggar, she exuded warmth and joy and genuineness.  And she looks fantastic for  a woman who has birthed and raised 19 kids.  It was a totally fun afternoon.

To top the day off, we got to visit with our friends who just had a baby.  Remember Becky and the shower I posted about?  Well, the little guy arrived on Wednesday and it was such a joy to meet him and hold him.  We shared an impromptu dinner together, played with his big sister (who is not quite two) and got to visit a good while.  He is precious.  There really is nothing like holding a new and tiny baby.

the only picture we took of baby Jackson

It was a lovely, unplanned, relaxing and fun Saturday.  My house remains a mess, but sometimes it's worth it.

What did you do this weekend?

I asked for a Christmas miracle...

If you read my blog, you might be tired of me talking about my hubby's back issues.  If  you want to read the drama of this week, click here and then here.  So, forgive me for mentioning it again, but this time it is to say something positive!  :0)

The week prior to Christmas, Dave was pretty much flat-out with back-pain.  We were scheduled to fly to FL at 6 am on Christmas day to visit his folks and take in DisneyWorld for three days.  I wasn't sure how he was going to do it...flying, luggage, walking, etc.  And the kids (and I) get so disappointed when he has to sit out of family things.  So, I asked God for a Christmas miracle.  I remember telling God that I understand that if this pain is in His Big-G-Good plan for us right now, that it may not go away.  I understand He has His purposes.  But I asked if there was anyway within His will for Dave to be able to be with us at Disney--so we could have a good family time together--would He please give us that miracle.

I am here to say that we got our miracle!  Dave was not pain-free by any means, but he was able to be up and around.  He got through the flights, and out of three days at the parks--He missed only one evening.  I am so thankful and wanted to give God the glory for that provision for our family.

I should have also prayed for the weather--cause it was FREEZING!  We now own mickey scarves and hats and fleeces and jackets... but we had fun and made a memory.  It was also super-crowded.  We've gone at Christmas time before--but this was more nuts than I ever remember.  Thankfully, we weren't feeling like we had to do everything--cause we never could have!  Special thanks to Nana and PopPop for making our trip happen...it was great!

Here are a few pictures from our trip:

Checking out the animal kingdom lodge. 

Pickle and Bubba with Mickey.

Nana and PopPop with the kids--waiting for Epcot's Candle Processional.

Dave and me riding the tram into Disney's Hollywood Studios.  Like my neon Mickey scarf? 

The kids after Bubba braved the Rockin' Roller Coaster for the first time.

Dave and the kids at Magic Kingdom on our last day--see, he's there!

That's our Christmas catch-up.  Linking up with Rachel and my friends over at Home Sanctuary today.

no tree??

We put the Christmas decorations up this weekend.  I love Christmas decorations.  It is always fun for the house to be decked out with symbols of the joy we feel because God came to be with us.  But guess what?  We didn't put up our tree this year.  I know, I know...that qualifies me as some sort of a scrooge.   We have reasons.  Traveling schedules, hubby's back issues, and mostly a desire to simplify--all played into our decision.

me??  

Plus, I have an ornament thing.  I LOVE Christmas ornaments.  Many of ours are gifts from loved ones or attached to memories of each year.  We have ornaments to remember vacations, every Disney trip, babies, new homes, our dog, and other family milestones.  We have precious homemade ornaments from the kids.  We have special ornaments in honor of the special babies that live in heaven:  Earl (Dave's sister's firstborn-1992), Aidan (our little guy-1999) and Sadie (my sister's sweet girl--2009).  We also have many ornaments that point us to Christ's birth that are special to us.  Almost all of our ornaments are packed away with care in their own wrapping, many in their original boxes.  I even have written the dates and the gift givers on most of the boxes as well.    {OK, maybe I'm a little uptight about the ornament boxes...} And we have tons.  We can't even get them all on the tree anymore.  But I love our full, eclectic, tree.

our tree last year

We watched a decorating special this weekend, and I am sure our tree breaks many of the holiday decorating rules...but who cares?  It's ours, it's special to us, and we love it.

And we didn't put it up this year.  In our {my?} desire to simplify our holiday season a bit--it was the thing if we eliminated would have the greatest impact on our time and on our energy.  As you can imagine, all that ornament abundance makes for a time consuming endeavor.  Especially on the put-away end of things.  And somehow, no one is as excited about that part...

Christmas isn't a tree, right?  I'm ALL about traditions, but am trying to learn not to put them ahead of sanity, peace and health.  I can get a little perfectionistic in my expectations.  My desire to simplify this season comes from a desire to leave space for some other traditions...celebrating advent with story and togetherness and peaceful waiting.  Those things get crowded out pretty easily when I am busy with all the have-tos and all the make-it-wonderfuls.

I'm sure none of you are scroogy-tree-skippers like me, but I love to hear creative ideas on making the season more than just a bunch of to-dos, enjoyable as they might be.  So, are any of you trying to simplify this year?

weekend pics

I'm usually a Halloweenie.  In other words, not really into Halloween.  I don't do scary.  Hate it.  Fun costumes and candy I like--but bloody and scary and freaky not so much.  Our neighborhood really embraces the scary...and it's creepy around these parts on October 31.

I'm always glad for November 1st.

However, we decided our alternative halloween celebrations were not very neighborly, and decided to participate this year.  We decided to do a food drive as part of our trick or treating, and to serve hot cider to the parents who came by.  We enjoyed ourselves--and got to see lots of cuties come by--dressed in all manner of costumes. 

The one that got the biggest chuckle out of me last night was a teenaged guy who came by dressed as a large gift box--complete with pink wrapping and fancy bows.  On his box was a gift tag that read:  "To:  Ladies  From:  God"  That guy needs to work on his self-esteem huh?

Our weekend also included having friends and family help us lug Bubba's heavy new loft bed up to his room, as well as Bubba's last soccer game of the season--complete with team party afterwards.  We also got to attend a Harvest Party at a friends farm that was great fun.

Here are some pics of our full but fun weekend.

Bubba's soccer team party. 

Bubba as a Chilean Miner--ready for a halloween party at a friend's.

Pickle as a greek goddess--ready for the party too.

Pickle finds a kitten in our friends' barn during the party.

Pumpkin carving contest--first encounter of Bubba's with the pulp.  blech!

Pickle getting creative.

The finished product--can you tell it's a fish bowl?

Hubby manning our trick or treat station on Halloween--candy for kids, hot cider for parents and a food drive.

A little ladybug stopped by--sweet Maisie!

My sis Kerry and her sweet ladybug.

Ladybug's big brother as a race car driver.

Pickle's friend joined she, Bubba and Caleb for trick or treating and food collection.

bligitty-blogitty-blog

I’ve been on a bloggie break of sorts.  I needed to take a break to take care of some pressing needs at home, and I recognize that while writing is an outlet for me, it can also be an escape.  I needed to stay engaged.

I have truly missed blogland, but I must admit I've been hesitant to come back.  I’m still not together at home.  There is still more laundry to do, more errands to run, more appointments to make.  However, I’m realizing that if I wait until I feel all the way caught up, I’ll be waiting a long, long time.  Like forever.  So, I’m easing back in.

Thanks to those of you who encouraged me in taking a break and those who let me know I was missed.  How sweet to have such life-giving friends in blogland.  I truly missed you.

I decided I should post a top-ten list of newsiness (is that a word?) from my hiatus.  So here goes with more than you really wanted to know:

10.  We played.  The kids had a day off of school and we visited a nearby town, wandering aimlessly, eating treats (see below) and best of all, visiting a penny arcade!  I’ll post more about that fun day soon.

one of my favorite treats--perfect for a fall fun day

9.  I drove.   I’ve heard about it for years.  The High School Youth Group’s Great Pumpkin Chase event.  This year I was recruited to drive on this race around town finding clues that ultimately led us to the great pumpkin and a party.  I had a great time with Pickle and her friends, although I almost ran her over once, and accidently drove down the wrong side of the road.  Yikes!  We came in fourth place.  Not too bad for a rookie.

8.  We partied.   My sweet sissie Kerry started a new home business with Thirty-One Gifts.  I hosted one of her first parties and it was great fun.  I got to see people I hadn’t seen in a while—and ended the night with plans to get together for coffee (diet coke for me) with most of them.  I also got some great stuff—can’t wait until my order comes! If you are unfamiliar, check out the lovelies on Kerry’s webpage  www.mythirtyone.com/kerryboutwell .

7.  We bought.  We made our first craigslist purchase.  We wanted to get Bubba a loft bed for his birthday and were having trouble finding what we wanted at a price that we could afford.  So I did what many others have told me about…surfed Craigslist.  I was busy with it for a few weeks—but it paid off!  We pick up Bubba’s new bed tonight!  I feel so green and recycle-ly.

6.  I was magnetic.  (or at least the particles in my body were, or something like that).  I had an MRI--a first for me.  I am not too good with small spaces and had many praying for me.  I know of people who have freaked out and needed to reschedule with sedation, and I just didn’t have the time or money for that.  I was surprised at how quickly I felt the anxiety once the machine started.  Eyes clamped shut (my strategy—I could be lying anywhere, right?). I felt my body tingling and jumped when the noise began.  My breathing quickened and my heart started beating a bit too fast…ohboy.  Then I felt the prayers.  I slowed down my breathing.  I quoted scripture.  I kept my eyes closed.  I did fine.  I don’t want to, but I could do it again.  Whew.

5.  We visited.  My college roommate for the first two years was Suzie.  Suzie married Doug, the guy she met and started dating early in our freshman year.  They are married now and wonderful friends of ours.   We don’t think we’ve seen each other in almost 20 years. They live in the Ukraine, where they are serving as missionaries.  The short story is that Doug and their 20 year old son, Nick—whom I’d last seen as a baby—were passing through town.  We got to spend a few precious hours with them, and I even got to speak with Suz on Doug’s cell.  She is on the other side of the world and sounded like she was on the next block.  What a treat.

4.  I tried something new.  My mom sent me a link to emealz—a meal planning service.  It costs $5 a month and each week I download a menu and shopping list.  The even cooler thing is that I could choose a menu that calculated weightwatchers points for me (still doing that) and was specific to the store I shop in!  It’s pretty cool.  We’ve liked the meals—and the meal-planning I hate is done for me!  Check it out here.

3.  We joined.  The  gym, that is.  It’s been a while since we belonged to a health club, but hubby needs to swim to help his back, and Pickle is no longer a dancer and needed to do something to keep fit.  We did a family plan, and so far we are all really liking it.  I’m going slow, but I hope to one day be kinda-sorta in shape. 

2.  I cried.  I’m not sure exactly why.  My doctor’s office called with the results of my MRI.  I have arthritis and a herniated disc in my neck.  When I called hubby to tell him, I burst into tears.  I think the emotion came from realizing that I had a real reason to be whining about my neck for two years…and I wasn’t imagining that something was wrong.  Oh, and I had PMS.  I’m sure that had nothing to do with the tears.  Anyway I see the doctor tomorrow to find out treatment options.

And... number 1. We rejoice!   Dave’s back has stayed better!  I’m not exaggerating when I say that it’s like he’s back from a very long trip.  He is himself again, and we had missed that guy.  Please thank God on our behalf and pray that it lasts!

Well, you are pretty caught up now.  Forgive the rambling, I'm nothing if not wordy.  But you knew that.