Thankful Thursday...

Still a little overcome by yesterday's "God Moment" as Christy calls it... Today I am thinking about how thankful I am....

I am thankful for a loving God who guides me and gets me through each day...

I am thankful that He hand picked the person I would spend my life with...and that person came with wonderful parents...

I am thankful for healthy, beautiful, happy, loving children...

I am thankful for teenage drama and tiny red-headed spitfires and everything in between...

I am thankful for my mom and my dad for loving me no matter what...

I am thankful that I have the two greatest step-parents ever who love me like their own...

I am thankful for my grandma who has prayed for me every single day since before I was born...

I am thankful for a big brother I worship and a little brother I adore...

I am thankful for wonderful friendships...

I am thankful that all of these above mentioned people are healthy and happy...

I am thankful I live in a country where I am free to be thankful...

Take a moment today and think about it... There's so much to be thankful for.

Perfect Profile...

This morning as I sat at the computer having my morning coffee, my little Jaden came tip-toeing into the room. Hair a mess, blankey in hand, eyes barely open he says, "mommy would you lay with me."

I carried him to the bedroom, lifted him up into my bed, covered him up to his neck, and snuggled in beside him. He smiled and closed his eyes, and was soon back to sleep, safe in mommy's arms. As I lay there looking at his precious face, I thought about the first time I saw it.

Ultrasounds are very exciting. I should know... I have had about 50 of them. Out of those 50 or so I had four favorites. Not what you would expect though. It wasn't the moment the tech said "It's a boy!" "It's a boy! "It's another boy!" "No wait... this one is a GIRL!" With each of my kids, my absolute favorite moment was at about 16-20 weeks when they find that perfect little profile shot. The one where you say to yourself... "oh my gosh... that's my baby in there" The one that makes you realize how miraculous what is going on inside you really is. The one where you fight back tears and are in awe of the power and majesty of God.

This morning as I watched my baby Jaden sleeping, I fought back those tears once again. Such a beautiful creation he is. What an awesome gift he is. What an unbelieveable responsibility God entrusts us with. No matter what I have going on in my life or how busy I am, my most important job is raising this tiny boy the way God intended when he gave him to me. I believe I had this quiet moment this morning so God could tell me just that.

And no matter how big or how old my baby Jaden gets...whenever I look at him, I am sure I will always be able to see... that perfect little profile. And I am thankful...

Daily Rules...

Received this as a forward in my email this morning. Since Tuesday's are my crazy day, I thought it was an appropriate way to get things started...

1. Wake Up!!
Decide to have a good day.
'Today is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.' Psalms 118:24

2. Dress Up!!
The best way to dress up is to put on a smile.
'The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance; but the Lord looks at the heart.' I Samuel 16:7

3. Shut Up!!
Say nice things and learn to listen. God gave us two ears and one mouth, so He must have meant for us to do twice as much listening as talking.
"He who guards his lips guards his soul.' Proverbs 13:3

4. Stand Up!!
For what you believe in.
'Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good...' Galatians 6:9-10

5. Look Up!!
To the Lord.
'I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me.' Phillippians 4:13

6. Reach Up!!
For something higher.
'Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, And He will direct your path.' Proverbs 3:5-6

7. Lift Up!!
Your Prayers.
' Do not worry about anything; instead PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING.' Philippians 4:6

Till tomorrow...

Slim in 6

Pressures on.... Weather is getting warmer..... Summer clothes not fitting...... Looking pretty flabby...

If you are anything like me, getting out the tote full of summer clothes is a bittersweet moment. The prospect of warm days, cool summer outfits, and lounging by the pool brings with it a harsh reality. The moment I slip one leg into my favorite shorts I realize "Man, I really over did it this winter." Happens every stinkin' year.

I love to eat when I want and whatever I want. In the winter it's easy. Throw on a big sweatshirt and you are good to go. Who wants to think about consequences when all that holiday food is in your face. Unfortunately, when you are hidden by all those layers of clothes all winter you tend to not realize what is happening underneath till its a little to late.

I am under the gun now. Thirteen of my family members and myself are hoping a plane to Florida five weeks from this past Saturday. I refuse to buy a new wardrobe and I really don't want to feel self conscious the whole vacation. So.... I have started a new program called Slim in 6 (six weeks that is)

I rarely let myself watch infomercials, but this one sucked me right in. Told me exactly what I needed to hear and promised exactly what I needed to happen. It is a huge commitment though, not a take a pill and lose weight kind of thing. In this program you have to EXERCISE... for up to an HOUR a day....SIX DAYS A WEEK! PLUS follow a diet.... Oh my gosh.

I am desperate, so I started it last Wednesday. Which gave me less than the full six weeks. So far I have not missed a day. Tomorrow is my day off and I kind of wish it wasn't. Turns out it is really working. I can see a difference already. I have more energy, I am sleeping better, the routines that were almost impossible for me last week are a breeze now. Goes to show if you commit to something and work at it, you can achieve just about anything.

So... four weeks and five days to go. Is it really possible to be Slim in 6? I will keep you posted.

Growing pains...

My Ethan is getting ready to turn 14 next month. Fourteen! My precious first born baby is not my baby anymore.

I have a very tight, special bond with Ethan. Maybe because he was my first... I don't know. But we have always been extremely close. He is very open with me. He is an all around great kid and I am extremely proud of him. I often get comments from teachers and parents about how much they like him or what a fine young man he is. There aren't many his age these days quite like him.

He has been a little quiet lately... a little sneaky. Obviously didn't want me at last nights track meet, although he didn't come right out and say it. So I'm thinking...There is a girl in the picture. OMG! Well, come to find out, mother's intuition was right on. I found out this girl is from loogootee, but all I knew was her first name. Now I am in detective mode, right. So I call my friend Carlye... and I ask if she knows a jr. high girl with this first name. She of course knew immediately and assured me it was a good girl from a good family and to calm down and quit freaking out. Then come to find out, this girl and her family go to church with Christy who also says they are a good Christian family. WHEW.... So I did not stroke out or have a heart attack. Crisis averted.

Today, i am having growing pains. Me... not Ethan. He is changing before my eyes and i am so not ready. Time to find the right balance between holding on and letting go. I am new at this and I am clueless. Today I will put it in God's hands and have faith that He will take care of my baby and give Aaron and I the wisdom to deal with everything that is coming our way. Probably by the time I come to grips.... Austin will be turning 14...then Jaden... then Ava.....!

My girls...

I would venture to say that a little over a year ago... I did not have "close" friends. It was kind of sad actually. I remember on a couple of occasions my step mom said "you should have your girlfriends over and..." or "the next time you have your friends over..." I didn't tell her only one or two people came to mind. And out of those two, we only talked on occasion and rarely got together. I had become pretty isolated. My how things have changed...

Over the past year, and especially over the last few months, I have developed a network of friends... good friends... close friends. Friends I can share with, laugh with and grow with. They are an answer to prayer. Each one brings something different to my life. I cherish each one of them. I value their opinions, look to them for guidance, laugh with them and cry with them. Some are new, some I have known a long time. Each one is a godsend.

One is a lot like me which is very cool cause she gets me. One is like my sister from another mother.. and no one can make me laugh harder... One is my comfort zone, we can really be ourselves together, so relaxing... One is my role model, I hope to one day be like her and have her knowledge and faith... and one is my work in progress, she so does not see her worth and potential.. I am working and praying real hard for that one.

Aaron and I talked about it this morning and as I wondered out loud how all these wonderful women have become such an important part of my life all of the sudden, he said very simply... "you opened yourself up." Wow. He is right. I did not realize how closed off I had let myself become.

It's easy to let that happen you know... especially when you have kids. I have learned very recently that in order to be the best wife and mother I can be, I have to take care of myself. And I'm not talking about my health. I am talking about my spiritual health. These ladies help me do that. They aren't just friends... they are My Girls!

Thinking Thursday...

I am following Christy's lead for the day and opting to go with a mind dump on this post.
My mind has been busy today...

* I think pedicures are the best... Today was guilty pleasure day and Becky and I had one after our traditional lunch at Applebees. She even bought me an ankle bracelet to mark the occasion since it is was the first trip of the year... I love ya Beck!

* I think I am very fortunate that my extended family is "normal"

* I think my little brother Evan is awesome. He has called me twice today. LOVE to hear from him. He is smarter and worldlier at 20 than I am at 40. I look up to him and admire him and can't wait to see what God has in store for his life... It will be unbelievable!

* I think I am so lucky that I get to go to the movies Saturday!!

* I think - scratch that - I KNOW I am so lucky to have a husband that does anything and everything to make sure I am happy and taken care of.

* I think the smell of my mom's meatloaf is awesome.... I think that cause there is one in my
oven right now!

* I think that prayer is a powerful thing and cannot get over what God is doing in my life these days.

Till tomorrow.....