3318

3318. Pomegranates

3317. I signed up to bring donuts to the festival at church. Guess what was on sale at the grocery store this week.

3316. Our social worker called back today. We finally have an appointment set up for Bethany's final post-placement visit.

3315. Getting done with Lainee's school work before all the Halloween madness began.

3314. A random reminder that a friend is leaving on a trip to China tomorrow. I promised her she could have our left over money, and I almost missed giving it to her.

3313. Watching my kids go trick-or-treating tonight. It was their first time, and they were SO excited.

3312. Whenever Jonathan has a chance to win a prize, he will often give them to one of his sisters. He did that tonight. He won a game at the church festival and came back with Smarties for Bethany. Then tonight, when he saw that Lainee had scored herself a pencil, he immediately offered to top it with the pencil topper he'd won. He was genuinely excited to give it to her. I love that about him.

3311. I got help online today to fix the glitch that occurred in my browser when I downloaded an update from our ISP. I am very thankful for that - I knew what I needed to do, I just didn't know how to do it, and that is very frustrating.

3310. Not having to make dinner tonight, thanks to the festival at church.

3309. The fall festival at church. The kids have such a great time, the adults have a great time, and no one has to be out in the cold.

3308. The kids love fishsticks.

3307. Leftovers.

3306. Having a pastor who doesn't care when your kids run into his office and disrupt a meeting.

3305. And puts on a costume for the church festival, which includes a funky hair-do.

3304. God made it clear to me that I may have miscommunicated something today. I was able to clarify it and avoid a crazy situation.

3303

3303. That pony tail on top of Bethany's head: Too. Cute.

3302. Making "Eric Carle" pictures with Lainee today.

3301. Lainee got through her newest word family lickety-split today. (It can take a while, sometimes...)

3300. Ground sirloin for $1.50/lb.

3299. Halloween cards for the kids from Grandma.

3298. A coupon for $10 off of groceries.

3297. I needed to refill a prescription to get the coupon, but the doctor had to call in a new scrip because I was out of refills. So I called yesterday. The recording said they needed 48 hours to call in prescriptions. But my coupon expired today. Too many words to explain all this, but suffice to say that the office called in the prescription and I was able to use my coupon. Today.

3296. Using up leftovers (which requires that I remember I HAVE leftovers, then that I know what to DO with them.) God provided both for me today.

3295. And beef and noodles is really easy to make for dinner.

3294. Bethany got up way too early this morning. But the good thing about that is that I was able to get a bunch of stuff cleaned up before it got late in the day.

3293. I found our Social Worker's number. I'd lost it. And I need to call her to schedule the final post-placement visit for Bethany.

3292. Dental floss.

3291. A free sample of coffee stuffed inside my cereal box.

3290. Meijer sells a knock-off of Honeycomb cereal. Just as we were running out of this cereal (which I only bought on MAJOR sale, then discovered that it is one of the few things Bethany will actually eat for breakfast) I realized that Meijer had a cheaper version... AND it was on sale too!

3289. I forgot to mention that I had a really good conversation with Stephanie a few weeks ago. I feel like she "gets" me.

3288. Lainee volunteering to take a bath today.

3287. I think it is cute when Bethany gets out the toy vacuum so she can help me when I am vacuuming.

3286. The kids played happily in my bedroom this morning, pretending they were in a hotel. This, after I told them we were turning off the TV after watching two morning programs.

3285. I could barely hold back the laughter last night as Jonathan tried to reach for something that fell off his bed. He was supposed to be in bed, and I guess he thought I'd get mad if he got off the bed to retrieve what was on the floor. So the whole act of him trying to keep his legs on the bed was so funny to watch. He was reaching so far that he eventually fell off. He just disappeared. Then all of a sudden his little head popped up again. It was just so funny.

3284. Bethany was entertained for about 20 minutes today (read: I didn't have to hold her) with painting water onto a sheet of paper.

3283

3283. A fun bridal shower this afternoon.

3282. Remembering this bridal shower yesterday afternoon when I happened to see the invitation tucked inside my purse.

3281. Two great, funny, God-loving kids getting hitched in two weeks.

3280. A call from our friends who live down the street. She told me that it was getting to be time for them to watch the kids again so that Paul and I could go out. We just need to pick Thursday or Friday.

3279. Yummy chocolate cake.

3278. Beautiful weather yesterday and today.

3277. Kneeling to pray with my Sunday school class today.

3276. Some early readers on sale at the teacher store.

3275. Kids eventually stop crying.

3274. Watching Jonathan dribble a basketball.

3273. Giving gifts.

3272. The happy greetings I always get from the three ladies who usually sit behind me at church.

3271. Watching Bethany run. Especially when she laughs at the same time.

3270. Perspective: wanting a life devoted to helping others find joy in Christ.

3269. The neighbor that has been coming to AWANA with us also came to kids choir and church with us this evening.

3268. Jill remembered a major prayer request of mine in Sunday school today. I didn't even have to request it again, she requested it for me.

3267. Hearing Lainee sing along with Paul while he practiced his special music at church this morning.

3266

3266. Time alone with Bethany this morning, during which we stacked the same three pillows over and over onto the couch, and knocked them over, and laughed, and laughed, and laughed...

3265. Time out with Lainee today running errands.

3264. Getting the stuff we need for school next week.

3263. Finding some recipes to try out at a favorite website of mine.

3262. A nap.

3261. Getting an extra hour of sleep tonight.

3260. Coffee.

3259. Paul came home with L and J and a boat-load of ice cream from the local ice cream place.

3258. John Piper's book Don't Waste Your Life.

3257. My dishwasher.

3256. My microwave.

3255. My stove.

3254. My refrigerator.

3253. Clean water to drink, any time I want it.

3252. The people who have sacrificed their lives so that I can live in this country and enjoy many of the blessings listed on this blog.

3251

3251. Going out to eat with my in-laws.

3250. Jonathan in his jammies.

3249. Bethany's legs sticking out of her onesie.

3248. Lainee's laugh, and how quick she is to use it.

3247. Being home for the night in a quiet house while Paul, Lainee, and Jonathan sleep over at grandma and grandpa's.

3246. Having so many options for things to do with my free time that it's almost hard to decide.

3245. Got the lesson plans done for next week. And it's only Friday!!

3244. God placing initial ideas about how to teach Bible in my head.

3243. And also about how I might have to re-vamp Lainee's curriculum.

3242. Even though I wasn't prepared for it, we had enough popsicle sticks on hand today for the math demonstration.

3241. Chatting with my sister-in-law.

3240. I am getting quilt fever again. I sure do like quilting.

3239

3239. Feeling hopeful about ministry.

3238. Feeling hopeful about the future.

3237. Feeling hopeful about parenting.

3236. Getting to hang out with the girls tonight.

3235. Knowing that I have a small group of friends who want to do things with me and who support each other in our goals and endeavors.

3234. Chocolate cheesecake.

3233. Not feeling too tired today, even though the kids had me up quite a bit last night.

3232. Making cards.

3231. An opportunity to minister that fits my gifts.

3230

3230. Surpassing my goal for this blog. Go GOD!

3229. Lainee has a loose tooth. My baby is growing up.

3228. Jonathan loves to play with Lainee.

3227. God has, so far, kept me safe while I am in a car. I think about that a lot.

3226. The ladies at church who take care of the kids on Wednesday nights after the service. Paul goes to choir practice, and I go home! This may not be happening much longer, but it is surely a blessing to me.

3225. English muffins.

3224. People are praying for me and my family.

3223. Learning a few words of Mandarin.

3222. One of my least favorite things is when I forget that there is a load of laundry in the washer. It then sits over night and gets all smelly. Well, God knows this about me and he reminded me to look in the washer tonight. I was able to get the load I’d forgotten into the dryer before going to bed.

3221. Jammie pants.

3220. Calling companies that keep sending me catalogs and taking my name off their mailing lists.

3219. Crafting a monkey puppet brings such joy to my oldest child.

3218. Then she puts on a “Curious George” puppet show (complete with the man with the yellow hat puppet that she’d also created) and when she holds up the man puppet she says “hi, my name is...” then she gets this funny look on her face because she realizes that the man has no name. So she just kinda shrugs and completes the puppet’s introduction as she furrows her brow and says “the man with the yellow hat.”

3217. And her impersonation of George is really good. But mostly, it’s just cute.

(Is it even possible to imPERSONate a monkey?)

3216

3216. A hot fudge sundae.

3215. Story time at the library.

3214. Remembering to put the meat in the crock pot this morning.

3213. Macaroni and cheese. From the box.

3212. Got Lainee caught up on her math that we missed yesterday.

3211. Coloring with Lainee. Just the two of us.

3210. A really tasty turkey sandwich for lunch.

3209. Being able to turn up the heat when I am cold.

3208. Friends who love God.

3207. Learning about prophecy in the Daniel study.

3206. Getting enough laundry done to keep the laundry bin from overflowing.

3205. Hearing Lainee read.

3204. Kids always fall asleep. Eventually.

3203. Cake mixes on sale. Stocked up for Christmas cookies (the recipe requires a cake mix.)

3202

3202. My big girl surrendered her life to Jesus today. WOO HOO!

3201. I celebrated 15 years as a child of God myself, this month.

3200. I was able to get caught up on my Daniel study tonight.

3199. Hot showers.

3198. God is gracing me with a tougher skin.

3197. Paul had an extra shoe box that we needed. I didn't save enough for our gift boxes before taking them all to church to be packed for Operation Christmas Child.

3196. Leftover chicken from a church social.

3195. And having said chicken in the refrigerator when I was having guests for lunch, but forgot to go grocery shopping.

3194. The visit with Linda and the kids was nice. The last few times we have tried to get together, one of our kids has been sick. We were long overdue.

3193. Going out for cheap pizza dinner.

3192. And watching Bethany dance to "Good Times" at the restaurant.

3191. Not to mention the fact that Jonathan was busting some moves himself. There was one in particular that really got me laughing.

3190. We found Bethany's snuggler after she lost it in the grocery store.

3189. And we got Lainee's phonics lesson done at about 10 pm.

3188. Due to the fact that we ALL took LONG naps today, and now no one is going to bed.

3187. And I forgot to buy eggs. But, you know what? I also forgot that we didn't need eggs, so I'm GLAD I forgot to buy eggs.

3186. Somehow, even though it hasn't worked for weeks, the VCR started working.

3185. And this is good, because when you only have 5 DVDs and three kids who took MAJOR naps, it is good to have use of your VHS library that they haven't viewed in a long time.

3184

3184. Doing the night time routine with all three kids at the same time.

3183. Watching Bethany play with the newspaper.

3182. And seeing her run, too.

3181. Cupcakes.

3180. Crochet.

3179. Getting two scrapbook gifts done.

3178. Getting the Operation Christmas Child boxes done.

3177. The time I had in the house by myself today while Bethany napped and Paul took J and L to a kids' lunch at church.

3176. Bethany is getting better at "chilling herself out" when she gets whiney.

3175. Kids' soft skin.

3174. Snuggling with Jonathan before he goes to sleep. When I told him he was cute, he said "you're cute too."

3173. A big sale at JoAnn which got me a $13 stamp for only $1.

3172. Going out to dinner with some of the older folks from church.

3171. And they were happy to sit next to J and L and help them when they needed it.

3170. Good coffee.

3169. Not feeling addicted to blogging anymore.

3168. A peaceful, and short, business meeting at church that could have been contentious because we were voting on a huge remodeling project.

3167. I am done with Christmas shopping for Lainee.

3166. Cold weather.

3165. Warm house.

3164. Breath.

3163. Today I was going to straighten my hair before church. I got the "product" in my hair that I needed to use and thought hmm, it looks good just like that. That stuff seemed to just lock in some of the wave without making it look frizzy. And I even LIKED how it looked.

3162. And someone at church commented to me that they liked my hair too.

3161. Cranberry relish from Bob Evans.

3160

3160. Walking tonight with Libby.

3159. Nice conversation.

3158. Got a big task finished to help out a friend.

3157. Got the kids bathed.

3156. Got to rock/snuggle with Bethany a while this evening. Either she fell asleep in my arms or she is really good at pretending. She woke up screaming when I put her in her crib. (Just to be clear, the blessing was stated in the first sentence. I add these silly details because I fancy myself reading over this thing again in twenty years and wanting to know all these kinds of things. So, you'll have to excuse my silly details.)

3155. I finished "Every Man's Battle" today. Got a few bits of good insight from it.

3154. Toast with butter and strawberry jam.

3153. Peas.

3152. Broilers.

3151. Practicing Jonathan's AWANA verse with him today. He asked if we could. How could I say no?

3150. It turned into a little craft with both him and Lainee.

3149. My aunt has angioplasty yesterday after waking up with chest pain. She is doing well.

3148. I found a workbook for Jonathan that I forgot I had. It will come in handy.

3147. A great little house that I live in.

3146. Warm blankets on cold nights.

3145. A walk with the kids today.

3144. A friend stopped by today with a coat for Jonathan. I happened to mention that he needed a coat to a different friend, who passed on the info. Now we have a winter coat for him. God is so watching out for us!

3143

3143. Visiting folks from church with the kids. We ended up singing a few songs, accompanied by the guitar! The kids loved that.

3142. Getting my desk "cleaned up."

3141. Cleaning out a cabinet full of the kids' art supplies and reorganizing it.

3140. Found some containers for said reorganization.

3139. Lainee wouldn't say one of her phonics words today because she thought she wasn't allowed to say it. The word was "but."

3138. A night out with friends.

3137. Laughter.

3136. Andrea agreed to watch the kids while we went out tonight. The kids love her. I love her too!

3135. Ice cream.

3134. Bethany wanted Jonathan to sit next to her today.

3133. Today, while I was watching the video during Bible study, I wanted to jump out of my seat. The stuff that Beth was teaching was just so exciting. I just LOVE GOD!

3132. There is part of a Michael Jackson song that is made up of complete nonsense words. I don't even remember what the song is. But I remember the nonsense. I started singing it around the house today, acting all silly. The kids thought it was funny. It feels good to be silly. I feel like me when I feel free to be silly.

3131. Left overs from the restaurant for lunch tomorrow.

3130

3130. Sometimes I get in a huff about what other people are doing, getting myself all offended and such. Then I talk to God. Then He exposes what is really going - a problem in my own heart, not someone else's. And I like when that happens BEFORE I go and do something stupid.
3129. Last night I cradled Bethany in my arms and rocked her before bed time. She stared right into my eyes for a good twenty minutes while I just smiled at her and stroked her hair and her face. That has never happened before. Can you say yaHOOOOOOOOOO?!

3128. The girl across the street seems to really like going to AWANA with us. We get to talk some in the car about what she is learning and what the Bible says. Good stuff.

3127. Crafting.

3126. When I was out walking last night, I heard a baby crying from inside one of the houses. It was late. How cool is it that we can pray peace into the lives of people we can't even see? I just love that!

3125. Being productive.

3124. Someone told me tonight that I look like I am losing weight. Yay!

3123. It's only 11:00 and I have already done my Bible study lesson and taken my walk. That means I can hang out and read for a while before I go to bed.

3122. Bethany sings the alphabet. She can't actually say any of the letters, but when you hear her sing it, it's unmistakable. It's the alphabet.

3121. And the last part of "Ring Around the Rosie" too. The part where you fall down. Then she really does fall down. It's cute.

3120. She thought she had discovered the greatest thing the other night when she started walking around with one knee and the other foot on the floor. She'd step with her foot then drag her other leg behind her. She was cracking herself up.

3119. Brownies.

3118. The other night at dinner, Jonathan thanked me for "making these good biscuits for us." And "for these green beans." And for getting him something to drink.

3117. The computer at the library said I owed an eight dollar fine because of the DVDs that I returned, but that (somehow) never got checked back in. After a bit of sleuthing, the head librarian took care of it.

3116. Lainee is leaving "15" out of her counting less and less often.

3115

3115. When the things of earth grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.

3114. The short "u" seems, so far, to be much easier for Lainee than short "i" and short "e."

3113. Snuggling with Bethany.

3112. Two rolls of film developed tonight that had a bunch of great pictures on them.

3111. An easy math lesson today.

3110. Being taken up on an offer to help out.

3109. Cardstock on sale.

3108. Scrapbook paper: five 12x12 sheets for a dollar.

3107. Being able to get meatloaf ready for dinner even though I forgot to thaw the meat.

3106. Grapes on sale.

3105. Lainee read another book to me today.

3104

3104. We have been given so many clothes for our kids. We buy so little. God has used friends and family to provide for us beyond what I could have expected.

3103. Someone came up and greeted Lainee this morning at church.

3102. Chatting with friends from church.

3101. Sitting next to Lainee in "big church" today. She was such a good girl.

3100. Bethany tried to climb on the back of a chair yesterday. It tipped over and fell on top of her - on the hard kitchen floor, but she was not injured.

3099. Bethany has been snuggling a lot lately. I like this.

3098. We went to the church "pig-nic" today. The pig was good.

3097. Coffee with dessert.

3096. Got a family picture taken today so that we won't have to scramble to find a picture with me, Paul, and Bethany when it comes time for our post-placement report.

3095. Today's Hebrews passage in Sunday school.

3094. Jesus always lives to intercede for me (Heb. 7:25)

3093. And He is able to save completely.

3092. Stephanie.

3091

3092. Playing hide-and-go-seek with the family in the house, with the lights off. I scared the kids to the point of making them scream. Three times.

3091. And I think it is HILARIOUS when the kids walk right past me and still can't find me. (It makes jumping out and scaring them that much easier too.)

3090. Paul gave me a back massage this afternoon.

3089. Bethany seemed to play well tonight. With everyone home, she seemed more content than when someone is gone. (No, DUH!)

3088. Lainee, Bethany, and I all sat and colored at the kitchen table this evening.

3087. Lainee was beyond excited to set the pumpkins out on the porch this afternoon. We all set our pumpkin out at the same time. She could hardly contain herself she was so excited.

3086. Beth Moore's Daniel study.

3084

This is the 200th post to my blessings blog! WOOT WOOT!

3084. Medicine.

3083. Turtlenecks.

3082. Kitchen counters, sink, and stove cleaned.

3081. Family room picked up and vacuumed.

3080. Finished three loads of laundry.

3079. Sausage patties.

3078. Lainee and Jonathan left with Paul while Bethany was napping. I got to enjoy some quiet!

3077. And I got to get my lesson plans done too.

3076. Chocolate peanut butter ice cream.

3075

3075. Took the kids to get pumpkins today. Good stuff.

3074. Painted the pumpkins.

3073. Cookies at the farmer's market.

3072. Realized this same farmer's market sells trees at Christmas time. Our "usual" place closed down and we were left scrambling to find one last year.

3071. Chicken.

3070. Watched a movie with Paul tonight.

3069. Got a back massage too.

3068. I slept until 10 a.m. today.

3067. Paul had a day off, so we gave Lainee the day off (and therefore I got a day off too) and we all hung out together.

3066. Leftovers for lunch.

3065

3065. I asked God to help me find my book for Bible study. I found it withing 30 seconds of the time I woke up this morning.

3064. Don helped me out to the car, carrying a bunch of my stuff, after Bible study today.

3063. Then he helped me get the door/lock unstuck so that the van's door would stay closed.

3062. My friend (from #2996) is like a new person. It's like having the weight lifted from her has made her brand new. It is amazing to SEE the difference in her. God is WORKING.

3061. Hanging out with the scrapbooking girls.

3060. The pain I had in my back yesterday was gone by this morning.

3059. Playing "Gawayne's Word" for Lainee's word-family practice. Complete with suits of armor (baking sheets) and swords (paper towel rolls wrapped in foil.)

3058. A hot fudge sundae.

3057. Reading a little in my book tonight.

3056. Veggies and dip.

3055. Talking with my pastor today about the future of our church. Getting some affirmation that some of the things I am thinking might be good ideas.

3054. Getting all the survey results compiled for the committee I am on. Yay! It's done.

3053

3053. Got a bunch of committee work done today on Mary Lou's computer while she watched the kids.

3052. The program I was using was having some trouble. Thankfully, I did not lose any work.

3051. Most of the morning was taken up with this task. The kids had a great time.

3050. And I am glad too, because I hurt my back and it would have been much more difficult for me if I had been at home with the kids all morning.

3049. I forgot to bring Bethany's snuggler with me. I prayed about it on the way there, that she'd be okay without it. And she was.

3048. I let Lainee work on a craft during the reading portion of her lesson (which usually makes her impatient.) She worked on the craft and was still able to answer most of the questions after the story was over.

3047. Any time there is a craft involved, she is so well behaved.

3046. Bagels with cream cheese.

3045. Honeycomb. The cereal.

3044. Paul gave me a badly needed back massage today.

3043. And ibuprofen is so wonderful.

3042. And there is a light at the end of Brenda's tunnel.

3041

3041. If I make it a point to post my blessings twice a day, I end up listing more for the day than if I tried to do it all at night.

3040. Getting some time, at the expense of my husband who had to take two kids to a soccer game with him, to finish some work for a committee that I have put off for WAY TOO LONG.

3039. Being with Lainee tonight as she happily dropped tokens into machines and collected the tickets they'd spit out - her first experience at Chuck E. Cheese's.

3038. Half price Christmas ornaments at Hobby Lobby. The deacons' wives always do an ornament exchange for Christmas, and it is nice to find a pretty ornament and not have to spend a fortune on it.

3037. Bethany had this crazy crying jag today. I didn't feel at all riled by it. I just spoke softly and, at some points just let her cry. Who is this person living in my body?

3036. A simple reading/phonics lesson today.

3035. Hey, a simple math lesson, for that matter.

3034. Lainee is making some improvement with her word-family words. Might have found a new technique to help with that.

3033. The kids made a mess of the bathroom today. I cleaned it almost immediately, and didn't even get angry about it. Like I said, who is this person?

3032. Bethany ate a good dinner... meat and everything.

3031. A decaf latte with just a touch of hazelnut.

3030. Beauty for ashes.

3029

3029. Lainee made a card to bring with her when she goes with Paul to do a shut-in visit tonight.

3028. Got out of the house early today to get a gift that Lainee needs for a party tonight.

3027. Crock pots.

3026. Bethany is entertaining herself. YahOOOOOOOO!

3025. I found some sweat pants at Good Will.

3024. Bethany can climb onto chairs now. Cute.

3023. Last night she was playing on the living room floor with me and Paul while the other two were busy outside. It was obvious that she enjoyed having the attention from both of us at the same time.

3020. And I got to chat with Paul too.

3019. Bethany was having trouble sleeping last night, so Paul got to snuggle her in our bed. She was so beautiful laying there asleep. OOOOOh, I just wanted to squeeze her, but I had to refrain.

3018

3018. Eating cake with my family, celebrating Bethany's "Gotcha" Day.

3017. Seeing her face when I handed her a small book that we bought for her while we were in China for just this occasion. I have no idea why she seemed so happy to see it, but she was, and I like that.

3016. The kids' bean plants are growing all over the yard. (They went bonkers with a bag of lima beans a few weeks ago.)

3015. I got the kids bathed and in bed by 8:45. All by myself. Woo hoo!

3014. Change in plans for scrapbooking this week which ends up working out better for our family.

3013. Managed to keep Jonathan from napping this evening, which means that he went to sleep soon after going to bed.

3012

3012. Got the vacuuming done this morning.

3011. Got out early enough to finish grocery shopping before lunch.

3010. And the kids were pretty good at the store.

3009. Lean ground beef on sale.

3008. Beautiful weather.

3007. Doing Lainee's lesson out on the back porch.

3006. Getting a better feel for the things Lainee really needs to work on and the things we can skip.

3005. And a new way to review her word family words made that part of the lesson much more bearable today.

3004. We are celebrating Bethany's "gotcha day" today. She's been in our family for a whole year!

3003. Jonathan joining us for Lainee's lesson as we talked about how dictionaries work.

3002. The kids did most of the cake making for our celebration tonight.

3001. Dishwasher emptied.

3000. Old junk emptied out of the refrigerator.

2999. Waffles on sale. (We love waffles around here.)

2998. Using the aisle numbers with Lainee in the grocery store to help reinforce some of the numbers she's struggling with.

2997. Lunchables on sale. Lainee has been asking for them every time she is in the store with me. I was happy to finally get her one. The kids ate theirs on the way home from the grocery store.

2996. Now, this one is huge, and I am certain I will not have the words to adequately express it, but here goes. A friend of mine is going through something that is potentially devastating for her family. A group of us have been praying, fervently, for a few weeks now. My friend has just called me to tell me of the joy God is bringing through that situation and how the peace that has found its way into her home is nothing short of miraculous. God answers prayers, y'all. And it is his joy to bless and heal his children. I LOVE IT! Praise you, Jesus.

2995. Lately, I have felt happy. Down to the core of my being, I have felt happy. This, too, is huge. Kinda makes me want to do a little happy dance for the Lord.

2994. I got the front porch swept and it makes me feel good to see it clean. The kids even dumped a huge box of toys on it, and that's okay. All the dirt and leaves are gone and that is what matters.

2993

I am excited to get at this, because today was full of blessings:

2993. We recently returned 3 DVDs to the library, but only one was actually checked back in at the desk. I don't know what happened to the other two, but I found out that I had two overdue DVDs several days later when I tried to check out something else. Well, I just checked my account online, and those DVDs are no longer listed as items that I have checked out. I am going to assume that this means they found the DVDs. Thank you God!

2992. I found my keys.

2991. Karen telling me she missed me at Bible study on Thursday.

2990. Andrea came over after church for lunch.

2989. When we sat down to eat, Jonathan said, "thank you mom for making this good food for us!" (So, does it seem odd to anyone else that he didn't eat his eggs?)

2988. I got to take a nap.

2987. Cherry Coke.

2986. Paul had a meeting after church tonight, so I took the kids out to dinner without him. They were SO good. So. good.

2985. Banana bread with butter.

2984. Cinnamon rolls.

2983. The kids are always performing around the house, but it reaches new levels when we have company over. Today, during the show for Andrea, Jonathan was contorting his body in the most hilarious ways as he tried to dance. I was laughing so hard I was crying.

2982. And the song he sang for us during lunch was also quite entertaining. It was about a tiger and how, if he is in your house, you should let him out because he likes to be out.

2981. Bethany climbed into her car seat all by herself tonight for the very first time.

2980. Even though this life is pretty good, I am glad that there is more than this life.

2979. Jonathan rubbing my arm as I snuggled with him tonight.

2978. And when I told him again about what a good boy he was at the restaurant, he said, "thank you for saying that to me, mom."

2977. Amanda was in Bethany's nursery room at church tonight. Bethany loves Amanda, so I always feel more relaxed leaving her when Amanda is there.

2976. Bagels and cream cheese.

2975. We get the Sunday paper again. Today there was a coupon for $3 off of the diapers we use. YAY!

2974. Five baptisms at church this evening.

2973. And holding/cuddling Lainee during the evening service.

2972. Asking for help when I need it.

2971. Jesus sacrificed himself on my behalf.

2970

2970. It's only Saturday and next week's lesson plans are completed.

2969. Got started on a project for Lainee.

2968. Realized I needed a children's dictionary for next week and then remembered the one my mom sent that I had stashed away.

2967. A visit from Maureen.

2966. She even bought us ice cream at our favorite joint.

2965. Got Jonathan's drawers organized.

2964. Got all of Bethany's stuff put away in her drawers.

2963. She ate meat tonight at dinner. Wanted seconds, even.

2962. We all got out to the store this morning and got some stuff we needed.

2961. Rally's.

2960. Met the new neighbors across the street.

2959. Paul took the kids out for a walk so that Maureen and I could talk for a while.

2958. And he wasn't even planning on being there at that time, but the plans got mixed up, so he was home and was able to do that.

2957. The kids (all three of them) are out in the living room attempting a "camp out" right now. I have no idea if they'll ever get to sleep, but I think it is sweet that they want to do that with each other. (Update: that didn't last very long. They are all in separate rooms now!)

2956. Generosity.

2955. Found a bevy of good online resources for homeschooling last night.

2954. Lainee wanted to decorate for Maureen's arrival this afternoon. She ended up piling leaves on the porch and drawing a picture that she hung on the window of the storm door.

2953. Bethany was playing peekaboo with a lady at the ice cream place tonight.

2952. Paul grilled pork chops tonight.

2951. Coffee.

2950. Tweezers.

2949. I can buy groceries any time I need them.

2948. An exhaustive concordance.

2947. I walked out to the front yard today and found Lainee (in a dress, crenoline, and a poncho, with several "accesories" in her hair) slow-dancing with Jonathan as the re-enacted a part of a Strawberry Shortcake story (in which Strawberry and the boy character were actually re-enacting the story of Cinderella) and Lainee was telling Jonathan what to say, and what to do, and Jonathan was dutifully carrying out the princely protocol.

2946. Bethany was playing her little piano toy this evening by turning it on and off. I started dancing when the music was on, and froze when it was off. She picked up quickly and she kept switching it on and off. And laughing at me.

2945. Got the living room vacuumed.

2944. The counters cleaned.

2943. The stove top cleaned.

2942. And a load of dishes run.

2941

2941. I was in the grocery store that I go to every few months to stock up on the stuff they have real cheap. I thought I should probably get some distilled water, since theirs is cheaper than anywhere else. Nice of God to remind me of that because less than a week later, Bethany needed the humidifier in her room.

2940. Prayer.

2939. I have the double blessing of being a mom to biological and adopted kids.

2938. Talking with Paul about the kids' schooling.

2937. Clearance sales.

2936. While looking for some materials online, I came across a "number train" worksheet similar to one I had, but my only copy got destroyed.

2935. Popcorn made the old fashioned way: on the stovetop.

2934

2934. Getting some laundry done.

2933. The kids made a fort under the kitchen table this morning. That means they had to clean of the kitchen table first so they could lay blankets over it. I say, more forts under the kitchen table!

2932. Paul just took all three of the kids for a walk. So, for a few minutes in the middle of my day, I get to be at home listening to nothing but the dishwasher running and the laundry calling me from the dryer... Shhhh... peaceful, isn't it?

2931. Lainee asked if we could do her lesson under the fort today. I agreed as long as she did it with a good attitude. She did it with a good attitude. I say, more forts under the kitchen table!

2930. A great thank-you card from a couple that is about to get married. Who writes great thank-you cards anymore? Well, they do.

2929. Bethany in pony tails.

2928. Getting pictures of the kids. Hopefully they turned out good. (I took some pictures with the "old" camera because the digital has kicked the bucket.)

2927. Bethany took a good nap today for the first time in three days.

2926. Dimetapp.

2925. I ate my dinner a little early too. With the kids out of the house, I thought it would be nice to eat without interruptions.

2924. Paul made chocolate chip cookie bar for a carry-in at work today. He carried home half of it. And it's gooey.

2923

2923. This evening, Lainee came in the house, crying, after getting hurt outside. Jonathan was with her and he said, "Dad, come quick! Lainee got hurt outside and it's under there and get a band aid." So precious to hear his concern for her. (Later, he told her, "it will be better tomorrow.)

2922. Then, in bed tonight, (they have been sleeping in the same bed lately,) I was scratching Lainee's back, and Jonathan sat up so he could rub her back.

2921. When it was J's turn to get his back rub, Lainee helped out a little too.

2920. Apple crisp.

2919. Snuggling on the bed with Jonathan and telling him the story about when he was born and how he loved to snuggle as a baby.

2918. Snuggling with Bethany on the couch after the other two were already in bed. She kept looking at me and she started being silly. She was making herself laugh, which was so sweet.

2917. I didn't think the kids would want to eat the soup I made for dinner... so much so that I didn't even call them in from outside for dinner because I didn't want to listen to their whining about it. So, I was pleasantly surprised later in the evening when they each downed a bowl without a single complaint.

2916. Got the sink cleaned.

2915. And the bathroom cleaned.

2914. And Jonathan's hair cut. It needed it BAD.

2913. Got a bunch of the kids outside toys stored in the shed (until they get them out again, that is.)

2912. Sat with Paul after the kids were in bed and we just chatted. For a long time too!

2911. I think Bethany's fever is going down.

2910. I was playing with Bethany tonight and practically dropped her. Though she was hurt, she was not injured. Thank you, LORD!

2909. Got a bunch of stuff cleaned up in the family room, as well as tidying up our schooling area.

2908. I have been trying to find more books to have around that Lainee would be able to read. Just last night I remembered that I had a set of books stored in my closet, so I pulled them out. Turns out, they are just the kind she'd be able to read! Yay!

2907

2907. My sore throate is going away.

2906. I managed to get some extra sleep this morning after waking up throughout the night to tend to Bethany. (She has a fever.)

2905. Bethany fell asleep in my arms after waking during the night on Monday. That never happens.

2904. Then she snuggled me on Tuesday night after waking up again.

2903. I saw a toad two days in a row!

2902. We all had such a fun time playing "telephone" in the living room last night.

2901. Bethany kept walking up to anyone who would lend her an ear and she would whisper, "ha, ha, ha, ha."

2900. Lainee giggles so hard that she can't get the words out right.

2899. And if you tell Jonathan that you can't understand what he said, he will just announce it to you in a normal voice.

2898. Tacos.

2897. Chocolate malted milkshakes.

2896. Lainee has read six books since Monday. She seems to be getting excited about trying to read.

2895. Had nursery duty tonight, and I don't think we could have had two better babies in there. Definitely an easy night.

2894. The neighbor girl has been coming to AWANA with us every week.

2893. I found a bunch of clothes that had been stashed away. They are the right season/size for Jonathan to wear this fall and winter.

2892. There have been some books that the kids have really enjoyed lately. And I have really enjoyed reading them to them.

2891. The lost workbook has been found.

2890. Jonathan is excited to do his homeschooling these last few days.

2889. Lainee spent most of her day sewing some scraps of fabric together. I think it is supposed to be a baby blanket. It's really cute.

2888. Bethany thunked her head on the cement yesterday. Thankfully, there was no major damage, just a little scrape.

2887. Mom sent my pillbox that I'd left in CT in June.

2886. The recent change in the homeschooling schedule seems to be working out better for us.

2885. Ordered pizza for dinner tonight.

2884. Someone from church is going to China next month and told me to give her a list of the stuff she wants me to bring back.

2883. Warm weather.

2882. Open windows all over the house.

2881. Story time at the local library.

2880. Got a letter from Robin today.

2879. My husband vacuumed the house on Monday night. I hadn't gotten to it earlier in the day, so it was nice to come home from the grocery shopping to see that he'd done that.

2878. I got to do a little bit of a jigsaw puzzle at a friend's house. I love jigsaw puzzles.

2877

2877. Hearing Bethany's laugh.

2876. Arby's.

2875. Tonight, after I'd told Jonathan he was a cute boy, he told me, "you're cute too, mom." Then at bedtime, I said something I often say to him, "are you my lovin' boy?" To which he replied, "yeah, and you're still pretty."

2874. Hot green tea when I'm thirsty.

2873. The kids made us laugh today.

2872. Things don't always go the way I want them to. This is good for me. Very, very good for me.

2671. God's put me in a position to be in prayer for two different marriages that are under attack. What a privilege to intercede on their behalf.

2670. And to be reminded through that intercession that I am susceptible to the same kinds of dangers in my own marriage.

2869. A fantastic testimony about how God worked in the life of a church member through the recent mission trip to Mississippi.

2868

2868. The mercy and grace of God for my time of need. (Heb 4:14-16)

2867. I asked God to help me find Lainee's word cards that I had misplaced, and this morning, He led me right to them.

2866. I got some good time at the library for school planning yesterday.

2865. Took a long nap today.

2864. I Was able to encourage another mom who is in the midst of post partum depression. Thank you, God, that you use difficult times in our lives to make us more compassionate and able to sympathize.

2863. But, I am also reminded of how glad I am that those first six months of being a new mom are O.V.E.R.

2862. A long, and long overdue, conversation with Helen last night.

2861. Helen loves her new job.

2860. We took the kids to an international festival last night. For some reason, it gave me great joy to share a meal - literally with the same fork and out of the same container - with the kids. Bethany made a huge mess, but seemed to like what she was eating, (which doesn't happen much these days.)

2859. And the baklava. Oh, the baklava.

2858. And Lainee tried a new treat, and I was so proud of her for being brave enough to try something new... and she liked it too!

2857. Come to think of it, Bethany is trying (and liking) a lot of fresh fruits, lately.

2856. ANOTHER bag of clothes for Bethany from a church member.

2855. God is good. This is something that I take for granted. But He has reminded me of it a lot lately, and reminded me that He is able to work mighty things if we ask.

2854. One of the guys at church who works with the kids stopped me today to tell me what a good girl Lainee is.