thirty thankful days-day 18-my favorite girl

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!

If you're keeping track...I missed a day of posting.  Some days are full and nights are late.  I was thankful, but didn't write about it.  I'm over it...and am on to today...

pickle on instagram

My daughter.  I find new things to love about her all the time.  Wednesday night we went out to dinner with an old friend of ours from college who was in town on business.  Throughout our dinner conversation, Pickle chatted happily with our friend.  I participated in the discussion, but the whole time part of my was sitting back and observing her as she shared her school experiences and her thinking about college and her future.

My thoughts?  She's so pretty--as she smiled big and brushed her hair from her eyes over and over.  She is so poised--casually talking with a 40-something year old man she sees about once every couple of years.  She is charming--she is beautifully animated as she speaks about her desire to work with kids, maybe kids with special needs, as a career.  I was enthralled with who she is and who she is becoming.

Last night we had our weekly long ride to her tutor's home.  And, because she is there, the music is on.  She's singing along, as always.  I love listening to her--whether she's belting out a ballad, or picking out harmonies to the various pop songs she's into.  I never tire of hearing her sing.

This girl-woman is quickly becoming a person I choose as a friend as well.  Her sense of humor and her caring heart make her a wonderful person to be around.  We laugh a lot together...and I value her opinion.

She's 15, and that makes some moments difficult.  In fact, there was one this morning.  {smile} Those moments are far outweighed by the wonderful ones.  Today I'm thankful for my beautiful, growing-up-too-fast daughter.

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 11-a little free time

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!


Last night was tutoring night.  Pickle has been seeing a tutor weekly to help her with study and organizational skills, as well as a few little brain glitches.  She's been a big help...but she lives pretty far from our home, and not near anything else.  So tutoring nights mean we leave our house by 5:30 and get home at 8:30.  Much of that time is driving, since I usually leave the tutor's home to run an errand--20 minutes to anything--and drive back to her house.  So, it's not my utmost favorite evening.  Even though it's worth it for the help Pickle is receiving.

At the last minute tonight, Pickle's tutor and I decided to cancel our session for a number of reasons.  And guess what?  5:30 - 8:30 was suddenly free!  Wahoo!  I didn't do anything super productive with the time...talked with my husband, watched a few youtube videos with my daughter, proofread my son's report, did a little facebooking, caught up on X Factor.  You know, important stuff.  :0)

What a gift it was.  Space in the day.  Unexpected space in the day.  That's what I'm thankful for.

Oh, and I'm also really thankful for this--my favorite video we watched last night--of my friend Nicole on the news welcoming home her hubby from Iraq yesterday.  Click and enjoy, it will make you happy.  Thank you and Happy Veteran's Day to all who serve our country!

Nicole and Andrew's Homecoming!

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-days 4 and 5

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!


Well, I can't believe I already missed a day on my quest to post every day of November!  All I can say is that I have NOT stopped since I last wrote...life is so full right now.  But that is one reason why I want to do these thankful posts.  Sometimes in the fullness of life...the good, the bad, the busy...I can lose track.  I can lose track of all of the blessings...I forget to notice them.  Anyway, I'm sorry bloggies, for my unintentional day off...but to catch up, I'll be doubly thankful today.  :0)


Today I'm thankful for M.  M is Pickle's very good friend.  Everyone needs a good friend, and a 15 year old girl might need one more than most.  Two years ago, Pickle's best friend (since they were toddlers!) moved away across the country (we miss you, K!)  I hoped and prayed she would one day have a friend like that again here in town.  M moved here a year and a half ago, and she and Pickle became good friends about 10 months ago.  Despite the relatively short length of their friendship, they are very close.  M came over last night to keep Pickle company as she watched the kids for our small group meeting.  

M and Pickle--November 4, 2011

M is a wonderful girl--she loves God deeply, worships Him with her whole heart, and follows Him authentically.  I think she is pretty amazing.  Her serious faith does not keep her from being silly though, and Pickle and M are very silly and giggly together.  They have so much fun.  I really couldn't have picked a lovelier friend for my girl...and I don't take for granted what having that kind of friend means to a growing-up-too-fast young woman.  So I'm thankful today for M.


Switching gears completely, I'm also thankful today for my bed.  I've been so busy, and therefore, so tired lately.  And when I'm tired, nothing's better than curling up in our new bed.  We've had this bed  for several months and it is incredible.  We took the recommendation of friends and our chiropractor and purchased a Natural Form bed.  This bed has air chambers, kind of like those sleep number beds.  The difference is that you don't have to select your perfect sleep number--this bed adjusts as you lie on it...and if you change positions, it adjusts to your new position as well.  You have NO pressure points at all.  Aaah, it's so nice, I may just want to get in it right now!  I'm so thankful to have a comfy bed to fall into at the end of a full day.  


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?

Insta-Friday

It's Friday!  It's a long weekend!  That calls for posting something silly and fun, so I'm joining up with jeannett and friends at Life Rearranged--sharing only photos from our cell phones!  Hope you enjoy an insta-gram glimpse at the Goodlife.

Bubba has added a new instrument to his repertoire--the trumpet!  He couldn't wait to bring it home and blow into it (can't call it playing yet!)for us.  Beginning band--oh, the joyful noise of it all.

We've been covering Pickle's textbooks the old fashioned way--paper bags. We had to shop at whole foods just to get some though. 

Took this on a morning walk.  There was not a cloud in the sky above Pike's Peak.  I pretty much love where I live.

Every day I drive past one of the many fields of these yellow wildflowers that are in bloom this time of year.  They make me happy.  They make my hubby sneeze.  Those two are not related. 

This foot belongs to my adorable niece who was sporting these new shoes when we hung out last Friday.

The owner of that cute foot.  Here she is making a silly face while eating falafel for the first time.  She loved it!

After our lunch at Garbanzo's we did some quick shopping at Target.  My 5 year old nephew was pushing his baby sister around.  I loved this view.  :0)

Not to be left out, Pickle always makes sure I have a new self-portrait on my camera and phone.  She took this last night.  (smile)

Happy Labor Day Weekend, bloggies!  Take some pics of the fun on your phone!

Celebrating more than great teachers...

I wandered into the auditorium just before the festivities began.  High School Back to School night.  I remembered last year, when I felt like the new girl my daughter was.  New school, new culture, new faces.  This year, as I entered the room, I was greeted by my husband who quickly introduced me to a colleague.  He led me to our seats near some of his coworkers--who I chatted with until the principal started speaking and I figured I should probably shut up.

We had a fun night traveling Pickle's hallways, meeting her teachers, and attending short versions of her classes.  I was impressed by each teacher and know she is going to have a terrific sophomore year!

And while that is worth a celebration in and of itself, I am really celebrating something else that was on my mind all evening...

I wasn't there alone.

Last year my husband's ongoing back issues were so bad that, for the first time ever, he missed a back to school night (he actually missed both of our kid's nights last year).   And while I'm not shy or inhibited, it was lonely last year.  Because we always do this together, and because I knew he wanted to be there.  He had been the school's Business Manager for a year and a half at that point, but that is not the same as knowing what your  child will be experiencing as a student.  I felt like a single mom.

In contrast, hubby is much healthier these days.  He still has his days where his back will interrupt our plans--but they are much fewer and much farther between.  His spirits are up accordingly.  His stress level is down because the school is in a much healthier place financially then it had been--and being the finance guy, the burden was overwhelming at times.  There were times last year when it seemed he didn't want to face being at school any extra hours for the kids' things cause he couldn't escape thinking about it all...

Last night was so different.  We were there together. He introduced me to colleagues and board members.  He chatted happily with folks he knew.  He greeted people with warm handshakes and a hug or two.  I heard him half-jokingly referred to as "the guy who runs this place".  I saw genuine appreciation on the faces of those who know what his job entails.  And I imagine they realize the role he has played in keeping the school afloat through stormy seas.  Everyone seemed to be celebrating that the school was in a much stronger position this year than last.  I am so proud of my husband, and thankful to God for all He has done to provide for this school.

hubby on our vacation this summer.  i love him.

But what I was celebrating in my heart most of all???  We were there together.

School Days and Catchphrase

I don't know if you have ever played the game Catchphrase...but this electronic game has a beeping timer.  It starts beep...beep...beep...keeping the pace of the game going.  As time gets shorter, the beeping quickens.  Beep, beep, beep, beep, beepbeepbeepbeep!  It makes me feel panicky--oh no!  time's running out!  

When I'm not careful with my thoughts...I can feel the same way as I see my kids grow up.  It seems like time is accelerating.  Beepbeepbeepbeep... yikes!  Back to school is definitely one of those seasons where I hear the rapid beeping in my head...

We had the fastest summer ever.  Really.  Before we knew it, it was time.   Tuesday was the day, and I made the kids pose for the obligatory first day photos.

Pickle is heading into her sophomore year.  I can hardly believe how grown up she is becoming!  (I know all moms say such things...but it's true!)

ten fingers = tenth grade.  that's how we roll.

And if it's not enough that my baby girl is a young woman, my little boy is in his last year of elementary school!  Bubba is in 5th grade...be still my soul.  Handsome little devil, isn't he?

While I want time to slow down, I choose to embrace.  Be proud of who they are becoming, be excited for each new step they get to take.  Walk alongside them while I can.  Hug them a lot.  And try not to be freaked out by the accelerated beeping I hear now and then in the back of my head...

Blog-hopping with the Company Girls today...

Been a little "tied up" lately...

Me being mummified on Sunday morning with the kids.

This is a weird season for me.  Just as things wind down for the kids, things pick up for me.  It is like this every year.  So, while I long to embrace the slower months with the kiddos, I can't slow down.  It is definitely the season of lists (which really help me when I don't lose them!) and so I figure a list is in order here.

1.  School has wrapped up for the kids.  Wednesday was the last final for Pickle and the last half-day for Bubba.  Bubba's end to 4th grade included a state fair project, a field trip, field day and a music performance.  Pickle's involved her first final exams, some grade-salvaging (including me re-learning geometry to help her study--yikes), and final choir performance.  It was a blur, but it's done!

2.  (Bragging mom alert)  I am so happy for Pickle.  She just loves-loves-loves to sing.  She has been taking voice lessons this year.  She has enjoyed her high school choir experience very much--especially the trip to Disneyworld to compete at the end of April!  She aspired to be a part of the select choir at her school one day.  Auditions for the fall were a few weeks ago, and she was in the midst of a terrible cold.  She auditioned anyway.  There was only one alto spot open--so she figured it was a long shot at best....  I will not forget the sound of her voice when she called to tell me that she was selected!  Not as an alto, but as a soprano!  She is the only one from her grade added to the 20-voice choir.  (There is one other sophomore-to-be who has been in it as a Freshman).  Everyone else is an upperclassmen!  She is THRILLED, as are we.  Guess we are buying another dress...

Pickle with two of her friends after her choir concert.

3.   After picking the kids up from school Wednesday we celebrated the beginning of summer in a favorite way. We grabbed a chick-fil-a lunch to eat on my mom's deck as we watched the Air Force Thunderbirds put on a fantastic show for the Academy graduation.  We were joined by my sis Kerry and her two little ones, and our friend Nicole.  It's such a fun perk to living here--as we get to see this show annually.  A great kick-off to summer!

There they are!

goofy posed picture while nothing was happening.  :0)

a non-posed picture of us actually watching.  :0)

My friend Tamara got this shot--which shows what they looked like when they banked over  my mom's house.

4.  I am busy planning VBX--to be held June 13 -17--and am deep in it right now.  We are doing Group's Pandamania-Where God is wild about you!  The whole VBX is based on Psalm 139--filled with the truths about how God feels about and interacts with each one of us.  As things get crazy-busy, it helps me to remember why we do this, and I get excited about kids embracing these important truths for themselves.  It's what keeps me going.  We have planned for double the kids this year--but so far registration is on pace with our normal numbers...will you pray with me that God sends the kids He wants there?

5.  For the first time this year, we are also taking VBX on the road!  Two weeks after our VBX, we will be holding VBX in inner-city Lincoln, NE!  We are partnering with a church-plant there that is only 18 months old and has never had a VBX.  They are in a poverty-stricken area, are under-resourced, and we are so happy for the opportunity to partner with them.  We are taking a large group of teens and adults from our church--and it will be a great team.  However, the amount of unknowns for this venture are sometimes overwhelming.  It's a step of faith for many of us...which is an exciting place to be.

6.  Today is my day off (perhaps the last Friday off until July!) and I am hoping to rally my kids to work with me to get their rooms and our home closer to clean and organized.  Right now it seems one of those terrible tornadoes took a quick spin through our house...

There's more, but before I fall any further into my usual pattern of making my lists unrealistically too long, I'll stop here for today.  I hope this weekend finds you doing things you love and with people you love.

Be back soon, bloggies.

Linking up with the Company Girls today.

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?

pickle's new "music video"

She is learning the guitar.  She loves to sing.  She loves Justin Bieber.  She's 14.

She wrote a simple song about him the other afternoon.  It is partly the way she feels about him, and partly teasing herself about her crush.  (I love that she can laugh at herself.)

She recorded herself last night.  She put it on youtube.  My girl--who never really lets anyone else hear her sing put herself out there.  She didn't doll herself up, or wait until she was an accomplished guitar player or had a few more voice lessons.  She just did it.  And she said I could share it here!

So I am.  Cause I am a fan.

One Thousand Gifts

I was thrilled when my mom gave me a copy of Ann Voskamp's book, One Thousand Gifts.  I have been wanting to read it, and hadn't sprung for it yet.  I have read less than two chapters so far, and am purposely reading slowly.  Why?  Because I can tell already...this is a book to be savored.  Like a rich piece of dark chocolate you let melt slowly in your mouth, I want Ann's words to soak slowly into my soul.  This is a beautiful book that is destined to be a classic.

Now, I have a confession.  I joined Ann's online gratitude community many months ago--pledging to document 1000 gifts in my life.  I did it for a while and posted some of my gifts here on theGoodlife.  Then I let it go.  I'm not sure why.

My mother in law gave me this beautiful journal for Christmas, and I quickly decided it would be my new 1000 gifts journal.  I started again at #1 in January.  And then, before long,  it sat waiting for me again...

Ann's book, which makes a case for living fully and gratefully, has challenged me to pick up that journal and start documenting my daily gifts again.  I will try to do it nightly.  I will try to post gifts again here on Mondays as a form of accountability.

Here a few of the most recent gifts listed:

62.  the privilege of disciplining my daughter:  I know that sounds weird, but when her actions deserve consequences, it is a privilege to be part of training her to be the woman God has called her to be.  She knows that, and although doesn't like the consequences, she settles into them, secure.

63.  girl's night at becca's:  I was invited to spend the night with some dear girlfriends.  We ate yummy food--cheeses, jams, berries, olives, bread--talked about our food journeys, laughed and delved into an art project they planned.  God is challenging me in the area of faith--so I made this collage.

the girls:  Carly, Becky (several days overdue!), Cathy and Becca

65.  the freedom I have from God to let go:  I don't have to be in charge, to make things happen, to manage.  He's already doing that.  I'm often getting in the way.  What joy it is to let go.

66. pickle wrote her first song with her guitar:  how I love to hear her sing and play...even if her first song was a tribute to Justin Beiber.  Really.  {smile}

Enjoy your day, bloggies.  Look for the gifts in your day!

everyday grace

pickle and bubba goofing around with photo booth

I asked him five times.  Once last night, and this morning four times.  He was very excited to be having a field trip today.  He is heading to the very top of Pikes Peak.  He needs a sack lunch.  As we pulled out of the driveway I asked him again.  Do you have your winter coat?  gloves?  your lunch?  Yes.  He had everything.

We drive the 20 minutes to school (hubby normally does--but it's a bad back day).  The kids pile out and I wish them a good day and drive off.  I drive 20 minutes home.  I'm ready to grab my things and head to Panera for my Tuesday morning mini-sabbath.  Hubby met me before I even got out of the car.  He was holding Bubba's lunch.  I couldn't believe it.  Apparently my son had tried to chase me down in tears as I was driving away...poor boy.

Pickle apparently responded to her brother's cries, tried to call me on my cell (I had it on vibrate) and eventually gave him her lunch for his trip.  She was hoping I'd make it back in time so she could get her lunch back, but she wasn't sure if I would.

So, I didn't like it, but I knew what I needed  to do.  I gathered my things along with his lunch.  Gotta get back there before he leaves on his trip.  Frustration abounded.  What about what I need to do?  It will be another hour before I can start my day now.  I asked him specifically about his lunch.  More than once. The spinning, selfish thoughts. Ugh.

Then I stop.  I remember.  Just yesterday emily posted this story about being shown grace and mercy as a child.  I commented that I hoped I would respond the same way if faced with a similar situation.  And look--I had my opportunity to practice grace with my son already! I jotted him a note on heart paper that said, "oops.  I love you." and inserted it in his lunch.

And God reminded me about how I pray for Pickle and Bubba to get along well.  She seems annoyed by his very existence often these days.  She's a teenager, I know.  He's a little brother, I know.  It's not always easy to be kind.  This morning Pickle showed compassion and kindness to her little brother.  I was touched--that was really sweet.

So, I took the heart paper back out and wrote her a note for her lunch.  I need to affirm that kindness when I witness it.

So...even though my cell phone died as I pulled into the school parking lot which meant I needed to return home one more time before my panera time, and that I couldn't text Pickle to tell her that her lunch was waiting for her at the office...it was still a beautiful morning.  I  got the chance to show the grace I hoped to show.  I remembered to do it.  Bubba experienced it--I saw it in his face as he mouthed "thank you" to me from his desk.

I got to peek at the part of my teenaged daughter that cares for and protects her brother.  I saw her showing grace today.  I could think of many other ways she could have reacted.  She put her own needs aside for his.

Yes, it was a beautiful morning.

something pretty, something meaningful, something gross, something fun

Catching up with the Company Girls today, a little late this week, but here I am.

 

Pretty.  Last weekend was homecoming and Pickle went to her first high school dance.  Ohmy.  Look at my pretty girl.

Meaningful.  Yesterday was the anniversary of Aidan's death.  God is gracious and faithful to heal broken hearts.  I posted about being scarred but whole.

Gross.  OK, I can't believe I'm telling you about this, but it has been a significant part of the week over here at our house.  On Wednesday, as the lawn guy fiddled in my garage with the sprinkler system programmer thingy...I looked at the floor of the garage and saw a little white wormy thing crawling on the floor.  I stepped on it.  I didn't like him.  Then I noticed he was not alone...the floor was covered in the little suckers...all making a mass exodus from the garbage can area toward the outside.  Lawn-guy told me they were maggots.  Excuse me??  Maggots?? He thought maybe a mouse had died somewhere and they were coming from there.  Gross.  Or maybe they were from the trash.  Gross.  I left for work and hoped when I returned they would be gone.    Nope--although there were less of them, and hubby thought perhaps I had exaggerated when I described them earlier.  Then he lifted the trash lid and found--HUNDREDS--of them all crawling all over each other and the trash.  G.R.O.S.S!!!!  I will spare you the detailed description.  Suffice it to say a strong stomach was in order.  I am thankful to report we have killed the majority of the floor crawlers, and the others went out with the trash today.  But the skin-crawling feeling might hang around a while...

Here's a pic of a few parading through the crack in our floor...

charming little creatures, aren't they?

Fun.  Can't end on the maggot note... Today I got to meet a blog-friend in real life!  Meredith and I met at Panera and talked for hours.  She is every bit as wonderful as I thought she'd be.  Thanks for a great time, Meredith!