Day 28-29 of Thankfulness - Wonder of Christmastime

I have been so blessed by doing this month's theme of posts on thankfulness.  It has helped me focus on the bounty of blessings I have been fortunate to receive.  I haven't had time to get stressed out that I don't have as much done on my Christmas shopping yet.  I haven't even been stressed out that my home is woefully not decorated for Christmas. (Greg is trying to finish drywall in front room and there is NO point in getting out decorations if they will be coated in drywall dust!)  I let the boys put up their little trees in their bedrooms and that made them happy.

Each day or usually each night, I have sat before my computer screen to ponder something else I am grateful for and it has impacted my heart in a positive way.

Tonight is no exception.

I have been keeping my nephew and nieces today/tonight because my sister is doing a holiday boutique in Lexington.  When it grew closer to bedtime, I loaded them up and took them home to get them in bed.  As we left my neighborhood, I took them past a house that is EXTREMELY decorated for Christmas.  Their awe was abundant as we approached the lights.  There were many "oohs" and "aahs" in my van.  I pointed out other lights on the way.  They asked stories about when Carter, Jenny and Jason lived with us (they were building a house and sold theirs quickly).  I told them about that Christmas together.

What a blessing to see/hear Christmas through the eyes of children.

My boys are so thrilled with lights.  They get this from me.  Even now, at my age, I am immediately drawn to Christmas lights.  Once we have a tree up, my favorite thing to do is turn out other lights, play some Christmas music and sit, wrapped up in my favorite quilt, quietly soaking in the lights of the tree.  For a fleeting moment, I am a child again, sleeping in the room with our Christmas tree.  They are excited to open their Christmas books.  They are anxious to buy one another presents.  They want to stay up late watching Christmas movies.  They sing along LOUDLY in the car to favorite carols and songs.

It IS a wondrous time.

During the hustle and bustle that encroaches on us through the holiday season, I pray I can stay focused on this wonderment.  I pray I can stay focused on Christ, his birth and the promise that he WILL return again someday for his church.

Day 27 of Thankfulness - Comfort of Home

"There's no place like home.  There's no place like home.  There's no place like home."

Dorothy from Kansas made those words famous in the Wizard of Oz. 

HOW TRUE those words really are.  No matter where I travel or visit, I enjoy being home the most.  I love my family and the comfort of home.  I am so grateful for the house we have and the comforts God has blessed us so richly with to care for and enjoy.  I am overwhelmed at times by our excess and compelled to give even more generously.  We have heat in the brisk cold of winter and cool air in summer.  We have warm beds and shelter from the elements.  We have clothing and food.

We want for nothing.

For all of this, I am grateful.

Day 26 of Thankfulness - Doctors/Healthcare Providers

I had to take Jake back to the doctor again today.

My poor little one has had recurrent ear infections.  Last week, he was referred to an ENT for ear tubes.  We also had to do three rounds of antibiotic shots to try to zap the ear infection. 

Dr. Laureano is such a great doctor.  He treated both Noah and Andy when they were newborns because they were "tongue-tied".  It greatly hampered nursing and they had to surgically have their tongues clipped for that and for speech problems that may have arisen later.  He was so gentle with Jake and he explains everything so well.

Throughout the history of having children, we have been blessed!  I truly adore my OB/GYN and recommend her to everyone.  She is personable and caring but very clinical and conservative.  The boys' pediatricians are people that feel like old friends when we walk in the door. 

I am blessed to have so many caring and competent individuals in our lives to care for our family.  When you have a sick child, you want to have faith and confidence in the person taking care of what you as a parent cannot simply "fix".  I feel that way about our doctors.

To all of you out there who faithfully serve our family, I am grateful for your service and your calling.

Day 22 -25 of Thankfulness - DAYS of THANKS

Our Thanksgiving weekend is always jam-packed!

My littlest turkey

Greg's family usually comes in from Florida and Michigan and everyone is at his parents' house.  Greg's aunt, uncle, two cousins and their families will come.  Thursday evening they do the big traditional meal.  Friday is usually shopping for all the girls and the guys do something fun.  Saturday, we go to Churchill Downs and come home to do "Christmas Grab Bag" with all of them.  We do not usually get to see them at Christmas.

This year, none of the extended family could come.  I thought it might be a little quieter.  I was wrong :)

Thursday we had lunch at my sister's with all of our family.  We then went to Greg's parents for dinner.

Jake playing blocks with my Mammaw

Friday I spent the day shopping with Greg's mom.  People were nice, we did not wait in any crazy lines and we got fabulous parking places every where we went!  It was a lot of fun and I got a few things to start my Christmas shopping.  I came home and ordered a few things online.  I am feeling pretty good right now about all of that.

The boys are DYING to decorate our home for Christmas.  I keep telling them that December doesn't start until NEXT weekend!  Because of the remodeling project we are doing, I cannot put out our big tree right now.  I am hoping for next weekend.  So after we had dinner, I got out the little trees (3.5 ft) that go in their rooms and let them decorate them.  That seemed to satisfy them for the moment.

Saturday we braved the cold and went to Churchill Downs.  Greg's mom got a box.  The boys really love watching the horses.  They go down to the paddock and see them.  They watch when they race.  I think they love watching the ambulance that races behind the horses and the tractors that fix the track after each race as much as the horses!  Jake was a little fussy, but he was a trooper.  He was asleep before we got out of the parking lot.  We went to eat with Greg's parents.  Then we took the boys to Barnes and Noble and Target.

The Twin Spires of Churchill Downs

Through it all, I am SO grateful for time with our kids.  I am grateful that Greg has a job that allows to be off on holidays and be home with us.  I am thankful that he is willing to stay home with all four boys so I can go do shopping alone.  I am thankful that he worked on our remodeling project while I was gone.  We have had beautiful weather and fabulous food.  We have SO many things to be thankful for that it is difficult to list them all.

I hope you enjoyed your weekend!  I'll leave you with a picture of my turkeys:

Day 21 of Thankfulness - Boys Who Play Together

Today, like many of you, I was trying to prepare different dishes for tomorrow's Thanksgiving meals with families.  I had a list of things I wanted to get done.  I knew the boys were going to have to play nicely and cooperate with one another or I would not accomplish one item on that list!

We had a relaxing morning and everyone stayed in their pajamas, including me!

I started preparing different dishes once Jake was down for his morning nap.  Blake and Andy asked if they could go play "restaurant" in Andy's room.  I said yes, hoping they would be happily occupied for the next hour or so.  About twenty minutes later, Andy came in to show me his "contract" that Blake had made for him to sign.  A little while later, Andy came to see me in the kitchen and he was a little upset.  I asked what was wrong and he said Blake had fired him.  I asked if he was doing the "work" he had promised to do and he said "No".  I then explained that when you don't do your job, you can be fired!
You can see the contract below:

They had made a menu, welcome mat, signs going down the hallway pointing to Andy's Restaurant.  They had "decorations" suspended in mid-air using thread and paper.  They had set up Andy's cash register and kitchen and play food and were being SO creative. 

A little later, Jake was awake and wanting to be right beneath my feet.  I was hurriedly trying to finish peeling 10 lbs of potatoes.  I asked Noah to play with him for a few minutes so I could finish.  He decided to push Jake up and down the hallway and around the house on the Thomas the Train riding toy.  Jake loved every minute of it! 

My boys fuss and fight like all kids, but I am certainly grateful that they could get along today and help entertain their little brothers.


They are currently in the middle of a fun game of Go Fish with their Daddy!

Some days, it really is the smallest thing that can make a huge difference!

Day 20 of Thankfulness- A Much Needed Break

My gratitude today is simply for a few days off from school.

I am extremely excited about having very little we "have" to do over the next few days.

Spending time at home and with family and friends sounds like a gift to me right now!

I pray you are enjoying a little break as well.

Day 19 of Thankfulness - Pumpkin Pie

There are few desserts in this world that I can say I LOVE.

Pumpkin pie is one of them.  Making them is something I enjoy doing and it signals the start to my favorite time of year - late fall into winter.  I adore Thanksgiving-Christmas seasons.  I love the time spent reflecting on God's faithfulness.  I ADORE buying gifts for people I love.  I relish adopting children from the Angel Tree or other ministries our church connects with to adopt.  All of these are activities I look forward to all year long.

Tonight I made pumpkin pies for the middle school/high school students lunch tomorrow at our school.  We are surprising them with desserts tomorrow made by all the teachers/staff.  Of course, Blake wanted to know if I made these for us.  I promised that I was making pumpkin pie on Wednesday for our Thanksgiving meal with my family on Thursday.  He'll get plenty of pie :)

Greg's mom usually makes pecan pie, pumpkin pie and German chocolate cake.  She makes it all from scratch - crust and all.  I cheat - I buy the crust!  But I think it is just as good and it saves me time.

What is your favorite Thanksgiving dessert?  Is there a food that says "Thanksgiving" to you?

Day 18 of Thankfulness - God's Provision

I did really well with my blog until Friday.  I left off Friday and Saturday from my days of thankfulness because I felt THAT BAD.  Friday night I was very thankful for ibuprofen and a husband who would put the kids to bed so I could go crawl under my covers at the early bedtime of 8:15 (I usually never go to bed before 11:30 or 12).  I had had a headache for several hours on Friday and started feeling like I had the chills.  Saturday, I still felt bad, but had to drive Blake and Noah to Bowling Green for their last Super Saturday class through the Center for Gifted Studies.  Ibuprofen was once again my friend.

Today I am extremely grateful for all the countless ways God continues to provide for our family.  He blesses us financially with abundance and gives us opportunities to bless others with that provision.  He has given us a nice home and a neighborhood where our kids feel safe to play outside.  We have been surrounded by family and friends to love on our children and support us.

Our church has blessed us!  We have most of our closest friends that we get to worship with and serve with on a weekly basis.  Today our church had our annual Joash Chest offering to help provide for the upkeep of our church and ministries we provide.  They asked us to fill out an index card to go with our offering and include praise and prayer requests.  I was overcome by the many ways God has provided for our family in the past year.  We have good health.  Greg has a good job when so many have lost theirs.  I have a job I enjoy and get to be part of an amazing ministry at our school.  I can still be with my kids and help provide for their tuition financially.

We find such truth and promise in God's word.  His faithfulness is neverending!  Today we sang a song in worship called "He is Faithful".  I want to share some of the lyrics.  I couldn't helped but be moved as I sang out these words:

He is faithful, He is glorious.
He is Jesus, and all my hope is in him.
He is freedom, he is healing right now.
He is hope, and love and peace and joy and life......

How true!  How timely!

I am blessed BEYOND MEASURE!

Day 15 of Thankfulness - Music and Worship

Music speaks to me in ways nothing else ever has.

I hear a song and I am instantly transported to another place, another time.  I hear Firehouse, Garth Brooks, or Bad Company and I am instantly back in high school at a school dance in the cafeteria, dancing in a circle.  I hear show tunes or Elvis and I think of my parents growing up.  I listen to the Carpenters Christmas album and I am a little girl again, helping my mom decorate the Christmas tree - throwing strings of tinsel in gobs on the branches.

I hear certain hymns and I am standing there in the pew at my home church, singing from memory without looking at the hymnal.  I can visualize the choir loft and see our Minister of Music directing the congregation.
I think of specific people who sang and can hear their voices.

God speaks to me through the words of songs.  The songs of my youth group and college days flood me with memories of special times like summer camp and retreats and remind me of the millions of ways God has connected me and provided for me repeatedly throughout the years.  Avalon, Point of Grace, Rich Mullins, Amy Grant, Sandi Patti, Crystal Lewis, DC Talk and others were huge groups/individuals that I loved to listen to and they spoke to me.

I am SO grateful to be on an amazing worship team at my church.  The musicians are lively and funny and real.  Drew leads us and loves on everyone and really cares about the state of our hearts as much as the harmonies we produce.  I have had some of the most provoking and thoughtful discussions and devotions with the different team members.

Tonight, I had practice because I sing on Sunday.  I just left there so full of HIS Spirit!  It was energizing to be there and just sing.  I wasn't caught up with what it sounded like.  I just sang and let my HEART sing.  I am so looking forward to Sunday when we focus on God's blessings in our lives and give back to our church.  God has ABUNDANTLY blessed my family and I am excited to see how he takes our gifts and multiplies them for his kingdom work!

Day 14 of Thankfulness - Andy

How do I begin to describe my third child?

Andy is full of life.  He is a little OCD and likes things to be "just so".  He has been that way since he was an infant.  He wants his toys to be a certain way.  He was the child that took his coat off when we walked in the door as a two year old and marched straight to his room (without being asked to do so) and hung up the coat on its' hanger.

Andy loves music and loves to dance.  He laughs and it is contagious.  He desperately wants to follow and be like his big brothers (sometimes to his detriment).  He builds large elaborate structures with trio blocks and legos.  He enjoys working puzzles, coloring and having books read to him.  Some of his favorite books are: Franklin stories, Curious George, the Sweet Pickles series, Biscuit books, Marley books, the Bearenstein Bears, Thomas the Train books and Dr. Seuss stories.  If we would let him, he'd pick out ten books every night to read before bed.

Andy is a picky eater.  He seriously does not eat enough to keep a bird alive most days!  He likes PB & J sandwiches, pizza, fruit, yogurt and applesauce.  He'll eat chicken, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes and anything Italian.  He is not big on vegetables, although we continue to make him try them.

Andy's favorite pajamas right now - BUZZ LIGHTYEAR

Andy is really into Disney movies and cartoons right now.  He still doesn't always sit still and watch them, but likes to have them on while he plays.  He is even a good sport and will watch Tangled, Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid with Cora and Ellie.

I love to hear him play.  He makes voices for different characters like his superheroes.  He makes up stories about what the action figures are doing.  He plays kitchen and store with his toys and Cora and Ellie and they have entire storylines going on with him being the dad, Cora the mom and Ellie the "sweetie" or daughter!  It is really hysterical to listen to them play.

Andy is affectionate and always looking for a hug.  He is a cuddler and will readily climb into my lap, especially if it involves reading a story or having his back scratched.



Picking up Andy from school is so fun.  If I am already there and go down the hallway to get him, he comes barreling at me going 95 mph and wraps his arms around my legs.  I cherish that greeting.  Who doesn't want to be loved so lavishly and unashamedly?

 As you can tell from some of these pictures, Andy is really into making silly faces for pictures right now.  I had many I could choose from in the past few months.

I am so grateful for all of the time I have been able to spend with my boys.  What a blessing it has been to me to spend the bulk of their "little years" with them one on one at home.  I wouldn't trade this time for all the money/retirement/job status in the world. 

Day 13 of Thankfulness - Our School

I am so grateful for a school where my children are nurtured, loved, disciplined and taught in an environment that looks through a biblical worldview.

I am so thankful for the teachers and staff that work with my children. 

I am thankful for the parents and families that my children are surrounded by and the influence of other families seeking God's best for their kids.

I am grateful for teachers I see going the extra mile to challenge my kids and meet their needs.

God is at work in that place!  He is blessing our school and doing great things through the students and faculty.  I am blessed to be a part of the process and see HIS plan unfold there!

Day 12 of Thankfulness - Books

To some this may seem odd, but for someone like me, books are a source of comfort, creativity, and constant learning.

As a very small child, I learned to read and never stopped.  I always have at least one book that I am reading.  Jenny and I had a set of bunk beds as children.  One went across parallel to the wall and the other came out under the top bed perpendicular to the wall.  There was a small dresser under the top bunk and behind it was the perfect cubby hole.  I made that my reading area.  I had a small clip on lamp and a pillow and blanket stashed back there.  When Jenny would go to bed (and IMMEDIATELY fall asleep), I would crawl in my special spot and read.  As we got older, the cubby hole didn't work anymore.  There were many nights when she would wake up and yell at me to turn off my bedside lamp and go to sleep.  In the summertime, I would often stay up half the night finishing a good book.  I loved Little House on the Prairie, Anne of Green Gables, The Babysitter's Club, Sweet Valley High and mysteries.  I read classics like Pride and Prejudice, To Kill a Mockingbird and The Great Gatsby for school.  My friend, Noel, introduced me to The Thornbirds and Maeve Binchy's Circle of Friends.  I have read every book of Ms. Binchy's since high school. 

I loved going to the public library and remember it was a BIG deal when I got my own library card to keep in my wallet and didn't have to leave it at the library behind the desk.  I would ride the bus to the library after school and my mom would pick me up an hour later.  I would go downstairs and the time would pass without my noticing.  I devoured biographies and historical fiction.  I fell in love with Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind.  My friends, Emily and Amanda and I would trade books back and forth and talk about them.  In many ways, books got me through tough times in my life because when I read them, I was instantly somewhere else.  I would read and feel like I was actually in the book.  The characters would become so real to me.  I always hated when a really good book ended!

Even now, I love to read.  I may not have quite as much time for it as I once did and finishing a good book may not happen quite so quickly!  In the summer I really try to read more.  I take the boys to the library about once a week and we all check out books.  In the winter, I try to have a book on standby for the long days and snow days.  Greg gave me a Kindle for Christmas last year and I have enjoyed reading books on there lately.  I have a few waiting for me to read them right now!

I am grateful for the truth God's word speaks to me and I am grateful that we have free access to the Bible in our country.  In so many places in our world, people are not afforded such freedoms and smuggle Bibles or share one copy among many people.  I want to strive to read my Bible even more than I currently do.  There is so much applicable truth in HIS word that I need etched on my heart and mind to combat things the world seeks to distract me with and hurl in my path.

I cannot imagine a world without books - can you?

What are you reading right now?

I am reading through the three book series that includes The Giver, Gathering Blue and The Messenger by Lois Lowry.  I read The Giver a few years ago when I was teaching middle school.  One of our teachers at school is going through these books with her class and loaned me the latter two to read.  I am re-reading The Giver to remind me of the story.  (It has been about 10 years since I read it!)  I am looking forward to being able to discuss them with the middle school students.

Day 11 of Thankfulness - Veterans and Patriots

If you were at my Pappaw's funeral  one month ago, you might remember that I read this.  I wish I could give credit to the author, but my brother-in-law heard this read at his Uncle's funeral and had a copy of it in an email.  I don't know who wrote it.

In honor of my Pappaw (who served as a Marine in WWII and was in the Pacific, Iwo Jima and Nagasaki immediately following the bomb) and all of those who have faithfully served or continue to serve our country, today I am grateful.  I applaud their honor and sacrifice.  I am grateful for their willingness to serve and for their families who remain behind.  Every freedom we have as a country is owed these men and women who have served so faithfully.  Let us never forget them..............

ALONG THE DMZ IN KOREA, U.S. SOLDIERS STAND WATCH. IN AFGHANISTAN OUR ARMED FORCES WILL CONTINUE TO HUNT FOR THE JIHADISTS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ATTACKS ON 9/11, WHILE GIVING THE PEOPLE OF AFGHANISTAN A CHANCE AT A DECENT LIFE. IN EVERY OCEAN IN THE WORLD U.S. SUBMARINES WILL RUN DEEP, AND AIRCRAFT CARRIERS SPLIT THE WAVES TO PREVENT THE WORLD’S THUGS FROM THE TEMPTATION OF WAR.

ALL OVER THE U.S. MEMBERS OF THE “GREATEST GENERATION”, WHO ANSWERED THE CALL IN WORLD WAR II, ARE GOING TO THEIR REWARD. TOO MANY OF OUR NATION’S YOUTH NEITHER KNOW THAT HISTORY NOR APPRECIATE THAT SACRIFICE, OR THAT OF THOSE WHO SERVE TODAY.

THERE IS A POEM YOU HAVE LIKELY SEEN BEFORE, BUT I WANT TO SHARE IT WITH YOU AGAIN, BECAUSE IT SUMMARIZES WELL WHAT WE OWE OUR VETERANS.

“It is the veteran, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion.

It is the veteran, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the veteran, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech.

It is the veteran, not the protester, who has given us the freedom to assemble.

It is the veteran, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the veteran, not the politician, who has given us the right to vote.

It is the veteran, who salutes the Flag, who serves under the Flag, whose coffin is draped by the Flag.”

TO THE MILLIONS WHO HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THERE TO STOP THE TYRANT, PROTECT THE WEAK, AND PRESERVE THE PEACE, WE HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN YOU. A GRATEFUL NATION THANKS GOD FOR GIVING US MEN LIKE YOU.

source:  http://www.heidisheavenlycookies.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/VeteransDay.jpg

Day 10 of Thankfulness - Adoring Grandparents

I have been blessed beyond measure with grandparents who love(d) me and poured so much of their lives into my life.  I grew up in the same town as my grandparents and knew 2 of my great-grandparents pretty well.  As many of you know, my Pappaw passed away a few weeks ago.  While we mourn the loss of his presence in our every day lives, we are so grateful for the legacy he left behind for us and our children.

Pappaw would call our house almost every morning growing up.  He'd call to check on everyone and to fill us in on the weather.  If it was a snow day, he'd call to make sure we knew school was called off and that Mom needed to be careful driving.  We saw him and Mammaw almost every day.  They helped take us to piano lessons, doctor's appointments and sometimes picked us up from school activities.

They never missed a school play, chorus concert or recital.  Even now, in their 80s, my grandparents have come to my boys' school for grandparents day, Christmas programs and more.  How precious it is for my boys to have them be a presence in their lives too!

God has given them to us to be examples of love, hard work and perseverance.  They were married 64 years and remained faithful to one another.  They gave of their time and money and love to us and forever impacted my sisters' and me.

This picture was from a few Christmas' ago of our whole family.  Jake, Ellie and Molly were not born yet.  The "babies" then were Cora, Ella and Andy!  But there you see Mammaw and Pappaw, front and center, in the picture.

Day 9 of Thankfulness- Autumn Splendor

Fall is truly one of my favorite times of year.

I love the plethora of colors and the way God's creation outdoes itself each new day.

I watch as my trees' leaves change from deep green to rich reds, oranges, browns and golden yellows.  Our neighborhood is a veritable canvas that changes each day into something more splendid than the day before. It is a reminder that winter is coming.  It is a time for us to slow down, days are shorter, nights are cooler.  The hustle and bustle of summertime outdoors and productivity comes to a halt.

It is a time for reflection of the past year.

It is a time of harvest and celebration.

It is a time of thankfulness and family.

I am so thankful for the beauty I see each day driving on my street and the trees that greet me.

Day 8 of Thankfulness - Footie Pajamas

I know this is a little light hearted compared to some of my other posts - but I ADORE footie pajamas.  Seriously.

I look forward to fall for their return.

They are Noah's FAVORITE pajamas to wear!  He has already busted out a pair about two weeks ago during the cold spell of fall break.

Jake is wearing them nightly.  He obviously doesn't have as much say so in his wardrobe choices yet :)

Andy likes to wear them too.  Blake hasn't said he is "too big" for them, but it has been implied :)


I will be very sad when our home outgrows footie pajamas.  The nice thing is, with Jake being so little, I have a few more years to look forward to their return!

Day 7 of Thankfulness - Noah

How do I even begin to describe Noah and how grateful I am that God allowed me to be his Mother?

He is my affectionate child.  He is my PASSIONATE child.  He deals in extremes.  He either REALLY loves something or really hates it.  There is not a lot of middle ground.  This can be a fabulous quality.  It can also drive me insane.  He is really into Star Wars, dress up (like Super Heroes), reading and video games.  He is especially fond of Sherlock Holmes.

He is very social and knows everyone.  As a baby, he was very bubbly and loud.  He was a squealer.  He always babbled and lit up when people were talking to him.  He loved being held and cuddled.

He asks intelligent questions and often gives surprisingly adult-like answers.  He can carry on a conversation with just about anyone.

He knows the bible and speaks about it a great deal.  Application is something we are working on :)

He can have a very compassionate heart and cares about others (except maybe not always his brothers).

I love that he still wants to lay his head on my lap when he is tired.  I love that he still curls up at night with his "animal blanket" that I made him when he was born.

I love that he loves to dance and be silly and his laugh is hilarious and contagious!

 I cannot imagine our lives without Noah in them.  There are days that I think I will never understand him and meet his needs.  But most days, I am simply over the moon about him.  I KNOW God has big plans in store for him.  I KNOW he is going to share so much love and bring cheer to those who need it most.  What a gift!

Day 6 of Thankfulness - Freedom to VOTE

Today, like so many other Americans, I exercised my right and responsibility to vote.  In this month of thankfulness, I am grateful for that right and accept the responsibility.

I have talked to my kids about this for weeks.  Last night we discussed proper behavior at the poll place.  We discussed not talking about which candidate(s) we were supporting.  We discussed that voting is a big decision and not one that you take lightly.  We talked about issues and why certain candidates were the ones we are supporting/not supporting.  We talked about how a person's vote is personal and private and you don't ask someone how they voted/who they voted for in the election. (Blake's response to this is that we have a big sign in our yard, so why do we care if people know who we voted for at the poll?)

I am very passionate about politics.  I grew up in a home where we discussed politics and knew the importance of voting. In high school, our speech club made money by going to all the precincts in our town and calling in results to a local news stations.  I remember getting in VERY heated debates with my high school classmates over Clinton vs. George H.W. Bush.

 I remember voting in my first Presidential election - 1996.  I was a Sophomore at Georgetown College and we had hosted Bob Dole for a campaign speech.  It was a momentous time and we were all caught up in the excitement of the day.  Obviously, Dole did not prevail.

In 2000, I went to vote with a friend of mine and her husband.  We joked that we were cancelling each other out.  He was a staunch liberal and I am a strong conservative.  I then proceeded to stay up the ENTIRE night watching the vote ping-pong back and forth between Bush and Gore, especially in Florida.  That was the night I decided I really liked Karen Hughes.  She was then the person who came out and spoke for then Governor Bush.  (side note - I have read her auto-biography and it is a good read - check it out!)  I watched the Supreme Court hearings and listened as James Bakker represented President Bush.  I watched the inauguration with awe.

In 2004, so much of my life had changed.  I was married.  I had a very small child and had just discovered I was pregnant again.  So many things seemed to be up in the air.  We were at war in Iraq.  I watched with anxiety for the election results to roll in on the television.  I was relieved when our country was spared a repeat of the 2000 results and the indecisiveness that hung over so much of that election.  I did not agree with everything George W. Bush had done or said, but I felt he was the better candidate of the two running for President.

In 2008, I was not a big fan of McCain.  I felt he was not a strong candidate and people were restless.  They wanted "change".  We certainly got that change. By the way, I had another small child at this point.  Life was even more interesting for me.  There was uncertainty in the economy and I was fearful of Greg's job security.

In 2012, we have had our fourth son and life has taken a few more bends in the road.  We have been blessed by so much......stability in Greg's job, a warm home, bills paid off, family that loves us, a church we belong to and serve in, a school our kids love....and NONE of that has anything to do with who is President.  Please hear me saying that voting is important, but I believe my blessings come from the one who sits on high - and that is not 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.  My blessings, purpose, plan and gifts come from the ONE true God.  I believe he is in control now and always.

This doesn't mean I don't get a little riled up over injustice.  This doesn't mean I don't get passionate about issues that matter to me, especially the rights of those who cannot speak for themselves like the unborn, orphans, etc.  It just means that I have learned to temper my temper with wisdom from HIM.  If I believe in the sovereignty of God, I have to believe in it ALL THE TIME.  No matter the results tonight, whether I agree with them or not, I believe God's plan is still at work.

I cast my vote today for many reasons.  One was in honor of my recently deceased Pappaw.  He, like so many others of "the Greatest Generation", fought, sacrificed and bled for MY freedom to vote.  To not vote is an utter sacrilege to me.  I cast my vote to lead my boys by example.  I believe we live in the greatest nation on earth and we have to treat our freedoms with the respect they deserve.

I have no idea how this is going to end up tonight.  I have prayed over it and over it.  I have asked God for his will to be done.  If that means my candidate didn't win, I will be disappointed.  I will be a little anxious about the decisions that will undoubtedly be made in the near future.  But I will remain steadfast in my belief that God is still in control.

I will leave you with a few pictures from our voting excursion today:

Loaded up and ready to go VOTE!

Driving past our capital building right after voting.    Noah wearing his "I VOTED" sticker.

Jake even got an "I Voted" sticker!

I hope you are as grateful as I am to live in the "Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave"!

Day 5 of Thankfulness - Blake

I am thankful for my first-born son.  He is the little boy who made me a Mommy for the first time.  I am completely in denial that he is already nine years old.  The time has flown by and he is so grown up.

There are so many things I love about him (even when he drives me insane)!  It is hard to pinpoint a few for this blog.  I love his servant heart.  He isn't one to make a big deal about it, but so often at home he is willing to help.  As a little toddler he loved to help with "chores" like taking clothes out of the dryer, taking out the trash, folding towels, sweeping the floor and raking leaves.  He was always good about picking up toys and putting things away when he was finished with them.  His room is a littler messier these days, but some of that is his roommate (Noah).

I love his sweet, sideways grin.  He can never tell a lie or try to pull a joke over on us because he can't help but break out that goofy grin.

I love his tinkering and how he thinks he can fix anything.  He always attempts to put something back together or fix a toy that is not working properly.  He is not afraid to take things apart and see how they work.

I love his curiosity - even when it means a million questions a day for me to answer.  He is constantly reading, exploring, learning something new and wanting to know more about things he is interested in most.

I love his crazy hair and that he likes to sing, but doesn't want anyone to know that.

I love how excited he got tonight about watching Jake walk a few steps to his Daddy and his brothers from me.






















I went to check on him and cover him up tonight and just watched his sweet face while he slept.  I am overcome by the blessing it is for me to be his Mom!

Day 4 of Thankfulness - Freedom to Worship

Today, on this Sunday, I am very thankful for the freedoms we have been afforded in America.  I am particularly grateful for the freedom I have to worship what I choose, when I choose.  I am grateful that I can raise my family in church, read my bible and proclaim my allegiance to Jesus Christ without fear of persecution and repercussions.   

This painting is by Norman Rockwell and was in a 

series he did based on a speech by Franklin D. Roosevelt

about four freedoms we have:  speech, worship, from fear and from want.

Source:  http://www.curtispublishing.com/images/Rockwell/FreeWorship%20%2022743.jpg

I have been blessed to be a part of several great churches in my life and to serve in ministry at a few.  I am grateful for the men and women that I have served under and with and learned so much under their guidance.

I am so grateful that we are not inhibited from worshiping our RISEN SAVIOR.  It makes me think of a song - an old hymn - that I was singing in my head on the way to to the doctor's office with Noah this morning.

He Lives -

I serve a risen Savior
He's in the world today
I know that he is living 
Whatever men may say
I see his hand of mercy
I hear his voice of cheer
And just the time I need him,
He's always near

Chorus
He Lives! He Lives!
Christ Jesus lives today
He walks with me and talks with me
Along life's narrow way
He Live!  He Lives!
Salvation to impart.
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart.

Verse 2

In all the world around me I see His loving care,And though my heart grows weary I never will despair.I know that He is leading, thro' all the stormy blast;The day of His appearing will come at last.

Chorus:

Verse 3

Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian! Lift up your voice and sing

Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ, the King!The Hope of all who seek Him, the Help of all who find,None other is so loving, so good and kind. 

I pray you have this same love of Jesus and exercise your freedom to worship!

Fall Fun Day

On the Monday of Fall Break, we had to run to Lexington for Noah's allergy shots.  The boys begged me to go to a local park that they love.  So we headed there for an hour or so of play.  They love it because it is MADE for hide-and-seek.  There are all kinds of wooden crevices and holes to hide in and great climbing spots.

Jake enjoying the swings

Noah was being kind and pushing Jake in the swing!

Boys were trying to make the tire bounce up and down.

Blake was being nice and pushing Noah and Andy in the large tire swing.

The day was so nice and warm.  We had the whole park to ourselves and they were free to roam.  It is so nice to have days where we don't have to rush to something else and we can all just stop and play!

Day 3 of Thankfulness - Friends

Day 3- I am thankful for friends- some I've had for 33 years, some are parents of my friends' kids, some are BFFs from college that feel like friends I've had for 30 years and gals that encourage me in my faith. God provides exactly the friend I need at exactly the right time. 

I have been overwhelmed by God's provision. It seems God always knows what I need in a friend, what I am going to be going through and when I need to just have fun.  I have friends that encourage me in my faith, point me to scripture and cover me in prayer. I have friends from high school and college that I may not see for a few months (or sadly longer) and when we get together, time doesn't matter. 

I have friends who I have run with and celebrated victories/goals. I have friends who are in same boat with me parenting little kids and trying desperately to do/be/say the right things. I have friends I work with and serve at church with in ministry. 

Of course I also have my sisters - my friends since birth.  We can fight and make up like no one else!

For all of these amazing gifts in my life,   I am extremely grateful!

College friends at our annual fall get together at Kalli's house.

High school (actually friends since elementary school) friends at Emily's wedding shower last summer.  I was 9 months pregnant!!

College friends two years ago at Homecoming for GC

Jenny and I with Meredyth - she is like having another little sister!

My sisters  - no explanation needed

My friends in high school - Kendrea, Emily, Noel, Toni Rae, Amanda and me

We had big hair, bright dresses and fun times!

I realize in loading these pictures, I have not done a very good job getting some pictures with some of my closest friends in the here and now.  I will try to do better about this!