I Have Been Blessed

Wow ! I still can't believe that Thanksgiving Day is here...well, tomorrow anyways. When I take a moment to give thanks for all I have...there are far too many to list. First and foremost, are the following: My husband, children, family, friends, health, home, career, nurishment, and freedom to make our own choices.

I think Martina McBride said it perfectly. Even after all these years, this song still brings a tear to my eyes.

I get kissed by the sun each morning
Put my feet on a hardwood floor
I get to hear my children laughing down the hall through the bedroom door
Sometimes I sit on my Front porch swing just soaking up the day
I think to myself, I think to myself
This world is a beautiful place!
I have been blessed and I feel like I've found my way
I thank God for all I've been given at the end of every day
I have been BLESSED

With so much more than I deserve
To be here with the ones that love me
To love them so much it hurts
Across a crowded room, I know you know what I'm thinking
By the way I look at you and when we're lying in the quiet
No words have to be said.
This love is a beautiful gift
When I'm singing my kids to sleep
When I feel you holding me
I know, I have been BLESSED!

As we sit down with our families tomorrow, don't forget to thank Him for all of the small things that we frequently fail to recognize...like each breath. God bless you all tomorrow and always.

Is yours?

It turns out there are no set directions for living a happy life--no rules about marriage, how to raise your kids or what clothes we have to wear, nothing about career choice or ideal weight or what car to drive.

In fact, we actually have a right to pursue happiness however we define it, on our own terms, and in our own way.

And for this I am so thankful!

I love my boy!

A few of the many reasons I love my little guy:

• He give the BEST smooches to my mommy only.
• No matter how large the challenge, he is determined to give it his all...like playing in the toddler's McD's toy area. Yes, he crawled up the ladder and came down the slide without my help.
• He has a knack for getting himself in a bind--day after day he tries to crawl his way through spaces less than half his size. While funny at times, not when there's blood or gigantic goose egg appears.
• He opts for the quicker way of getting to the couch without going around coffee table--like crawling through the bottom shelf. Only once has he succeeded, yet he continuously tries.
• While visiting daddy at the fire station, Ryan smacked his temple on the corner of the dining room table...tear of the skin and blood droplets, but no tears.
• One morning Allison was in the shower, I was doing my hair in the mirror and Ryan was...well let's just say not where I thought he was. He had crawled into the bathroom right past me, crawled up the side of the shower, threw open the curtain and in a matter of seconds did a somersault head first into the shower. All wet in his pj's making a "eh, eh" sound...a little kiss on the forehead, a gerber and dry clothes brought a big grin to his face.

He's such a sport--quick on his knees and can take a knock on the noggin without a fuss. Two things that come to mind, I think I see pee-wee tackle football player in our future and I'm beginning to wonder if he can feel pain.

In Her Own Words

About Mommy...

1. what is something mom always says to you? "You better get in time out"
2. what makes mom happy? "When I make good choices"
3. what makes mom sad? "When I make bad choices"
4. how does mom make you laugh? "When you tickle me"
5. what was mom like as a child? "happy"
6. how old is your mom? "6 or 7"
7. How tall is your mom? "little"
8. what is her favorite thing to do? "Eat a banana"
9. what does your mom do when you're not around? "Watch a movie or play on the computer"
10. if your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? "doing what she wants to do"
11. what is your mom really good at? "crying"
12. what is your mom not very good at? "bowling"
13. what does your mom do for her job?"make dinner and construction"
14. what is your mom's favorite food? "peas"
15. what makes you proud of your mom? "When you make good choices too"
16. if your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? "tinkerbell"
17. what do you and your mom do together? "play games and snuggle"
18. how are you and your mom the same? "when we wear the same color of underwear"
19. how are you and your mom different? "we don't wear the same size clothes or shoes"
20. how do you know your mom loves you? "Because you always say you love me more"

About Daddy...
1. what is something daddy always says to you? "I'm gonna put you in the garbage can...or the washing machine to wash your attitude away"
2. what makes daddy happy? "When I make good choices"
3. what makes daddy sad? "when I don't listen to him"
4. how does daddy make you laugh? "When he says, "I'm gonna throw this out the window"" (Inside joke)
5. what was daddy like as a child? "He liked his bedroom"
6. how old is your daddy? "1 or 2"
7. How tall is your daddy? "big"
8. what is his favorite thing to do? "tickle me"
9. what does your daddy do when you're not around? "Watches scary movies"
10. if your daddy becomes famous, what will it be for? "He goes somewhere"
11. what is your daddy really good at? "saving people's lives"
12. what is your daddy not very good at?"bowling"
13. what does your daddy do for his job?"puts out the fires"
14. what is your daddy's favorite food? "Onions"
15. what makes you proud of your daddy? "When he helps people"
16. if your daddy were a cartoon character, who would she be? "One of The Three Stooges"
17. what do you and your daddy do together? "Go to the car store"
18. how are you and your daddy the same? "I have daddy's ears"
19. how are you and your daddy different? "He's a boy and I'm a girl"
20. how do you know your daddy loves you? "He says he loves me more than mommy"
I love this girl--she's a riot!

Put to the test

Have you ever wondered if you're on the "right track"? How different would your life be now had you chosen to take a sharp left rather than the wide right turn? Would you have been better off? I've always believed that everything happens for a reason. And that He has a plan for each and every one of us. How do we know if we're responsible for those times of hardship and despair? Was it due to a poor decision we made along the way or is it simply the next chapter in the plan? Are we responsible only for how we deal with the situation? How many of us turn to Him for guidance, wisdom and strength?

So many questions, I know. But, these are honestly the questions I've been asking myself nearly every day for the past few months. Sleepless nights due to numbers running through my head--payment amounts, current balances and due dates. Waking up with that heavy weight on my shoulders each morning has been extremely taxing on my normally positive outlook. How do I see past all the worry and maintain my optimism? It's frightening to think how much worse this can get for all of us. There was one thing that actually raised my eyebrows in shock today...no, it wasn't the Dow’s 151-point increase; it was the sign that read, 'Unleaded $1.68/gal with a carwash'. Honestly, when was the last time you saw that? Figures...after I had John fill up the tank when it was $2.01/gal. Just my luck! Well, the future is unforeseen territory.... only He knows what's in store for each and every one of us. Now more than ever, I need to put my faith in Him and trust that He will see us through.

Tonight

Gina with the majority of her kids.
At the moment I'm far too emotional to write a well-thought out message, however I wanted to post these few pics from Gina's Commitment Party tonight. I don't know who's going to miss this family more...myself or the kids. I believe certain people are suppose to be in your life...it's in His plan. And for that, I am so thankful to have been blessed with a wonderful friend and daycare provider.

Long Day

I wasn't going to post anything more today, but I just couldn't resist. It's been a long day for Allison. As you can see, she didn't even make it to her bed....she decided the shelf underneath the coffee table would make a comfy bed for the evening. This girl is passed out cold!

Tee Hee

Here are a few innocent knock, knock jokes I told Allison. You wouldn't believe how funny she thought these were...she was nearly rolling on the floor.

You're Gonna Miss This...

The tiny fingerprints that show up on almost every newly cleaned surface, the toys scattered about the house, the piles and piles of laundry to be tackled will disappear all too soon and I'll miss them profoundly.

Get it Together Jen!

Ok, so these past few days I've come to realize... I am a horrible housewife. Every morning this week I've woke up and told myself "I am going to clean this house from top to bottom when I get home from work tonight and have a warm tasty meal waiting for John." Well, by time I get in the door, feed the kids, straighten up the walking areas and get the kids in bed, I find myself just wanting to sit and watch a few DVR'd TV shows or sit at the computer. By time I get my lazy buns off the couch (or chair), John calls to ask, "what's for dinner?" Not only do I NOT have the house clean but there is NO dinner made for him. I'm truly a lucky girl to have such a wonderful husband who doesn't mind making himself a can of soup and pbj sandwich for dinner.

Well...today I've decided that I really need to make more of an effort to get my act straight and stop relying on the generosity of my friends and family. It's taken way longer than I had hoped, but I promise I'll find a way to make all these hats fit my head. Thank you everyone for the many ways you have lent John and I a hand. It doesn't go unnoticed and we appreciate it more than you know.