Thanksgiving 2009

Thanksgiving was wonderful!!! Delicious food, sweet family, great football, and lots to give thanks for!!!

BURRRR

It's nice and cold outside (which I LOVE). I rushed away from work yesterday as soon as my students were gone. Keith and I cleaned out the garage and attic (felt so good to do that). He's out doing my Christmas shopping right now, I'm headed for a massage at 12:30, and then it's put up the outside lights time!!! I'm so excited! (I think I get more excited about Christmas decorations and lights than the kids do). Tomorrow it's make sweet potatoes and a HUGE salad and then head to Aunt Stacey's for some Turkey and family time!!! LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR!

Happy Thanksgiving!

THANKSGIVING

I'm on a "posting roll" tonight (playing catch up since it's been awhile. )

Thanksgiving...sometimes (even in my own house) we overlook this important season and it's special message. So, in an effort to not forget, I'd like to give thanks for a few important things...

#1 MY FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST...I don't always do everything right and I often find myself stressed or worried. However, it is in those moments that I remind myself WHO MY FAITH is IN. When all else fails and my world feels like its crashing down, I can close my eyes and hold to tight to my sweet Savior...Jesus... He gives me a "peace that passess all understanding."

#2 MY husband...I'm teaching my students about "Stories Inside Me" right now. In an effort to model this for them, I'm actually doing the work right alongside them. It's been fun to recall some of my most favorite memories. One story that I recently recalled (and retold) to my class is the story of how I met (and married) Keith. What's amazing is that I can remember being so desperate to find love and feeling sure that I never would. Then, without even trying, I found Keith. I'm so thankful for his love for me and the girls. He is a wonderful man and I'm blessed beyond words...

#3 My kids...Grace and Madeline are my life. They bring me the greatest joy and heartache. Madeline is at such a fun age where she is learning all of the time and soaking new information up like a sponge. I am shocked at all the vocabulary she's learning, the songs she knows, the letters she can write, etc... she's amazing. And then there's Grace....WOW....talk about beauty. She has a beauty that she doesn't even know is there. It's not only a beautiful face, but an inward beauty that seeps out of her soul. I find that she and I are connecting more and more...I'm especially thankful for the special connection we made last night (I love you Grace)!

#4 My family...Mom, Dad, Jenn, Sarah, Leslie, Gregg...I LOVE YOU!!! What can I say??? We are blessed to have one another. "I thank my God upon EVERY remembrance of you!"

#5 My friends...Tara Moffatt and Robin Rath you are so special to me!!! I have lots of friends (I'm blessed in that way). However, when the rubber meets the road, I can always count on Tara and Robin. They are women of faith who lift me up when I need it and tell it to me straight when I need that too! Thank you ladies for being you...

#6 My job...In this economy I MUST give thanks for my job. I prayed for this job and I prayed hard. God gave me this class, this group of kids, at this time.... I'd be lying if I didn't admit that once or twice this year I asked "oh Lord, why???" What God's showing me is that I needed these kids as much as they need me. They are precious. My days are surely filled with the hardships of being a teacher and all the pressure and stress that comes with that. However, at the end of the day, I am pleased. I can look at those kids (and at myself) and say "well done."

Cleaning up and cleaning out....

It's funny how things happen over time you know??? As I look back over the past couple of years, I see how one thing leads to another and yet another, until finally it comes to a head and BOOM...it's done. That's kind of been my reality lately.

I've not only been cleaning up and cleaning out my house (toys, clothes, etc... in preparation for all the new that's coming) but my life in general. One thing I'm certain of--the process is never an easy one, but is sometimes necessary.

Romans 8:28 is a reminder to me. It says "ALL THINGS work to the good for those that LOVE the Lord and are calling according to HIS purpose."

I don't always understand why things happen, but I trust in the convictions that HE gives me and I'm learning not to question it.

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas!!!

I've had 7 sick days around here and it's good to be feeling better : 0 ) The girls took another turn for the worse this past weekend too so it's back on antibiotics for them for 3 more weeks!!! Whew....it never ends! Anyways, in an effort to keep them busy, Keith and I pulled down the Christmas trees and ornaments. We got the inside of the house all decorated for Christmas; it looks beautiful!!! Keith and I assembled the trees, he put the lights on, and the girls put on all the ornaments...all the while jamming to Christmas tunes!

I'm hoping he gets the outside done next Monday....

Priorities and Compromise

So, working has definitely made big changes in my life! The biggest one being the time it is involving....some in my life aren't so accepting of that and it's been hard:))

I took some advice from a good friend of mine at work and sat down with Keith to prioritize. We decided that one way to regain control in our house (and with our time) is to have daily responsibilities for the girls. So, the girls came up with a list a things they are able to handle on their own. I took their list and made and posted a daily schedule of their "responsibilities" when they get home from school. It's been so nice to see them helping out and being proud of what they're accomplishing (it's been nice for me and Keith too because we aren't trying to do everything). Per my friends advice, we also made a list of "commissions" (things they can do that are extra). Once they do 10 of these, they will earn a reward. I LOVED this idea...they aren't getting monetary payment for what they should be doing everyday, but they have the opportunity to earn rewards for the extra things they do.

We also make a schedule of our evening and its activities (and we're stickin to it)! It's been so nice to have our home flow again....to feel like we aren't spinning out of control. AND, it's allowing Keith and I the much needed quiet time together in the evenings and when I get home to feel like we're working together and bonding. AHHH.... I love the feeling of peace.

Seriously, I have had to let go of what others think and/or say and focus on #1 my family and #2 my job. I've had to make some hard decisions and prioritize some things that weren't necessary before. Change isn't bad, but it is change.....and that's not always easy!