Sunday, December 31, 2006

4020

4020. A "thank you" from my son. For getting him some "really cold water."

4019. Hearing him say "this is so exciting." I don't even remember why he said it, but I can hear his voice in my head as if he were standing next to me right now.

4018. A new year.

4017. Somehow, God helped me to surpass my goal (my first one, AND my second) for this here blessin's blog.

4016. Found a cool new website that I'll likely be spending too much time reading.

4015. I didn't overeat today.

4014. Dinner consisted of three different leftovers. Take yer pick!

4013. A no hassle exchange at Blockbuster after I picked up (and paid for) the wrong movie... and brought it home and left it sitting on the kitchen table for about 6 hours until we decided to try watching the movie.

4012. Blockbuster was open until 10. On New Year's Eve!

4011. I was able to locate the fabric I'd been needing for a little project today. I'd seen it a few weeks ago at JoAnn, and went to fetch some (am I sounding ridiculously southern today? anyway...) I went to get some this afternoon. It wasn't on the shelf. I spied it sitting (or should I say "settin'"?) behind the cutting counter.

4010. We read a Bible story tonight about how Jesus said he'd be going to the Father in heaven and that anyone who was his friend would live there with him forever as well. Lainee asked if there were any people in the Bible who didn't want to be Jesus's friends. We said there were. She said, "I know. There was one man on the cross next to Jesus who wasn't his friend." That she remembered that all on her own was very cool.

4009. And we sang the "Little Honey's" song again.

4008. Making cookies with the kids. Everyone helped. And mom didn't go crazy!

4007. Shrimp with cocktail sauce that has a lot of horseradish.

4006. Buying shrimp for 10 cents each.

4005. Tonight, Lainee was crying about something and Bethany had a look of great concern on her face. I told Bethany to be kind and gentle to Lainee, suggesting that she give her a kiss on the head. Bethany leaned over the big chair Lainee was in to reach her head and gave her a kiss. Then she rubbed Lainee's head a little bit.

Saturday, December 30, 2006

4004 (Yahooooo!)

4004. Bethany's fever is gone.

4003. This means we can all go to church tomorrow.

4002. Went out to dinner tonight.

4001. We spent way. too. long. at Target tonight, but no one seemed to get whiney about it.

4000. Nestle Tollhouse cookies.

3999. As we were enjoying the cookies, Jonathan said, "Thanks for making these, mom. They are really good."

3998. Finished entering our address list into our new database. (Now, how to print labels...)

3997. I am so glad, that at no point in my relationship with Paul (even when he had hair) did I ever find myself saying to him "do you need to get more hairspray?" I heard a girl say this to her significant other in the store tonight. That's just too much pretty for me.

3996. Getting a "wellness plan" together.

3995. My husband let me sleep til noon after a very wakeful night with Bethany.

3994. During the night, while I slept with her out in the living room, she would keep saying "Mommy.......Mommy.......Mommy" in this little whisper voice until I answered her. It wasn't like I enjoyed being awakened, but her voice was cute.

3993. Bethany saw a duck tonight, pointed to it, and, clear as day, said, "DUCK!"

3992. It's really cute when she says "okay" too. We will tell her something, and she will say "taaaay."

3991. And "Barney" is pronounced "bah-DEE."

3990. After a good talking to about all the stuff she likes to hold onto, Lainee decided to clean off the top of her bookshelf. Then I was able to walk her through the process of deciding to throw out a bunch of junk from her storage bins as well.

3989. I haven't gained a bunch of weight over the holidays. I don't know HOW, but I haven't. Thank you, God!

3988. Free water at Target. Sometimes places charge for it. Not Target!

Friday, December 29, 2006

3987

3987. Holding Bethany by the window yesterday so that we could enjoy watching the squirrel perched on the fence outside.

3986. She tried to say "balloon" tonight. It sounded like "boon."

3985. Her fever hasn't seemed to bother her much today.

3984. I have no idea why, but this evening, Jonathan approached Bethany, looked in her face and gently stroked her cheek.

3983. I am figuring out how to use Open Office. The database is like nothing I've ever used before, but it's working out. Slowly.

3982. Today at the grocery store, I remembered to buy the things that I forgot to put on my list.

3981. One of those things was the magic eraser sponges, which ended up being on sale.

3980. Watched the movie "Akeelah and the Bee." Good movie.

3979. Lainee got a "Memory" type of game for Christmas that has pairs of kids from all different countries around the world. She has almost all of them memorized. When we play (daily) she will turn over her two cards and say "Tanzania. Iraq."

3978. Coupons.

3977. Since Lainee buffed a large area of the kitchen floor with a shoe buffer, it has been extremely slippery. Two of the kids have fallen. Thankfully, no one has gotten hurt.

3976. I got a cute shirt for Christmas with the kids' hand prints on it. I wore it today and they were all so excited. Even Bethany seemed to recognize it the moment I walked in the room.

3975. I found a new, green (love the color) long sleeve T-shirt for $6.

Thursday, December 28, 2006

3974

3974. Without being prompted, Bethany walked over to me and laid, not one, but two kisses on me tonight. First time she's ever done that.

3973. The "preview" feature by which one can see e-mail attachments in Yahoo! mail. It enabled us to at least see our file of addresses that we have been unable to open.

3972. Chocolate peanut butter ice cream.

3971. Watching lots of bad movies over the break.

3970. Everyone in my family seemed quite satisfied to eat meatballs with sauce as their main course for dinner tonight. Everyone. Even Bethany.

3969. I didn't make those meatballs! (And I am beginning to think that those might be the perfect thing to have in the freezer so I can take a few out and make them for Paul when the rest of us have chicken. Paul loves meatballs.)

3968. Two people have already agreed to do the 90 day Bible reading plan with me online.

3967. During his prayers tonight, Jonathan thanked God for the card from Andrea.

3966. And I called Andrea tonight, and she told me the whole story about how she and Chris got engaged. It was fun.

3965. Writing stuff that is silly.

3964. Another round of the "Little Honeys" song tonight before bed. Jonathan kept starting the song again and again, and we would all join in.

3963. Remembering to take my vitamin.

3962. A back massage.

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

3961

3961. Dinner was already made, thank to the cooking co-op.

3960. Celebrating Jesus' birthday (late) with the kids. Complete with birthday cake.

3959. I managed to get Jonathan's hair cut. It really needed it, and it looks so cute now!

3958. Errands run today: 5. Sweet.

3957. We got the house picked up this morning. It really needed it.

3956. The book I am reading is really good. Wild Swans by Jung Chung.

3955. Two little sleepy-heads sprawled out on the family room floor.

3954. Game night with the kids.

3953. Getting the floor vacuumed.

3952. Reading Sylvester and the Magic Pebble with the kids tonight. Lainee totally figured out how Sylvester could change back to himself.

3951. Hearing the words "I'm serious!" come out of my son's mouth.

3950. Remembering to renew the library books before we got any fines.

3949. Gift cards to Target for the whole family from my Dad's brother and his wife.

3948. Gift cards to Target for the whole family from my Mom's sister.

Tuesday, December 26, 2006

3947

3947. Finished another book yesterday.

3946. I started a new book today, which is nice, because I just wanted to. Not because I "had" to.

3945. I spent the entire day yesterday in my pajamas.

3944. Ham sandwiches made from the leftover ham. Did I say that yesterday?

3943. Milk for $1.78/gallon.

3942. Got some stuff returned to the stores today.

3941. Bought one slipcover for the loveseat and ordered one for the couch to match. At first I was bummed that I had to order one (the store was out of them) but it meant that I was able to use my 20% off coupon on BOTH items, instead of just one. WoooHooo! So we got two slipcovers for the low, low, discount price of, well, it came to under $90. Which really is a low, low, discount price, given that one at regular price often costs more than $90. And, you know, it's a lot cheaper than buying new furniture, so I'll take it.

3940. While I was trying to order the slip cover, the kids were running around the store getting a little out of control. I sat them down so I could give the clerk my information without having to go running after them. Paul returned at just the right time. They were getting a little antsy. He took them with him to another store.

3939. Remembering to get ink for the printer in enough time to get over to the office store before they closed.

3938. Eating out with my family.

3937. Driving in the van and hearing Jonathan say, "Mom, do you know what we just passed by? It's a restaurant that only sells DESSERTS!" (It was Dunkin Donuts/Baskin Robbins. Oh yes indeed.)

3936. Lainee spelled "pie" today. I have explained the long vowel/silent "e" concept to her briefly. I wasn't trying to teach it to her, I was just pointing something out. Today, as she tried to spell "pie" I asked her what letter made the "I" sound. She said "I." Then I asked her how the "I" would know to make the long I sound instead of the short I sound. "Silent E" she said, without a moment's hesitation, adding the "e" onto the end of the word. I am impressed.

3935. I showed Bethany how to give hugs tonight. She kept practicing on me for a few minutes like she was excited that she had this new talent.

3934. My sister's Christmas gifts for the kids arrived today. Good books abound.

3933. Reading the book But Not the Hippopotomus with Jonathan. He thought it was hilarious. And the looks on his face. Priceless.

Monday, December 25, 2006

3932

3932. The fact that God's ways are foolishness to the wise. That His ways are not mine. His coming and his life were not at all like anything anyone would have invented.

3931. Immanuel. God with us.

3930. A brand new 64 pack of Crayolas.

3929. Playing Guess Who with the kids and hooting and hollering over the winner.

3928. Seeing Lainee hold her own when she played "Memory" against dad.

3927. A stapler. This is the source of much excitement for a five-year-old. Her very own stapler. "It even came WITH STAPLES!"

3926. Watching Bethany take off vacuuming with her new vacuum cleaner while holding one arm in the air so as to keep her new purse from falling off her shoulder.

3925. Sitting on Lainee's bed last night, with the whole family, repeating the "Honeys" song from All Together Now. Over. And over. And over. (And make sure you pound the bed real hard when you get to the "thump your great big feet" line.)

3924. Leftovers.

3923. Laying on the couch next to Paul, watching a movie after the kids went to bed.

Sunday, December 24, 2006

3922

3922. The excitement I felt today when I found out that a great couple from church got engaged yesterday. I cannot even describe how happy I am for them.

3921. The following lyrics, bellowed by my five year old into a new toy microphone:
Last night I was walkin' down the street
And I did not care.
I saw a skunk and it sprayed me
Cha, cha, cha, cha, cha.

3920. The gas station that was open at 6:45, when Lainee decided she really wanted a grilled cheese sandwich, and we were out of cheese.

3919. A grilled cheese sandwich.

3918. Coloring with Bethany.

3917. A long nap.

3916. Our Sunday school lesson today, which just made me want to jump out of my skin over the awesomeness of Christ coming to earth.

3915. And wanting to jump out of my skin when I saw that my SS teacher had brought in chocolates this morning too!

3914. Crying with people.

3913. Finding out that friend at church is pregnant with her second baby.

3912. Seeing an old friend at church this morning. She is such a sweet woman.

3911. Exploring the concept of love as a commodity presented in Blue Like Jazz.

3910. Cherry pie.

3909

3909. Bethany and Jonathan napped at the same time that Lainee wanted to play a computer game today, so I relaxed in my bed!

3908. Having our Christmas celebration with Paul's side of the family.

3907. Safe travel for those coming from far away.

3906. Watching the cousins have fun playing together.

3905. Yummy food.

3904. Playing Apples to Apples with the family.

3903. Getting several books I wanted as well as some wall hangings I have been eyeing for a while.

3902. The kids got some great gifts as well.

3901. Laughing.

3900. Hearing Bethany say her cousin's name.

3899. And grandpa too. She just kept calling out to him, "Paw!"

3898. Four kids with brand new scooters in a small area, and no one got hurt.

3897. We found the gift that had been MIA in plenty of time to get it wrapped and ready for tonight. (This was an answer to prayer, because I had no idea where it could have gone and even called the store to see if I had left it there by accident.)

Friday, December 22, 2006

3896

3896. Watching a movie with Paul after the kids went to bed.

3895. They stayed up too late, but it meant that the kids went to bed really easily.

3894. Paul got most of the gifts wrapped that we need to bring to the family celebration tomorrow.

3893. I got all the receipts out of my wallet, recorded what I needed to record, and set aside the ones for Christmas gifts in case I need to return something. I hate having receipts piled up in my wallet.

3892. Egg nog.

3891. The kids playing together.

3890

I am behind, which means that I will almost definitely have forgotten many of the blessing that would have come to mind quickly had I been posting them each day. So, I am sure I will forget some, but here they are:

3890. Clearance, good coupons, and a great price or two on Paul's Christmas gifts.

3889. Over the past few days, I have been hearing Lainee singing Christmas carols. She has the tune, but she sings a bunch of verses all jumbled up - whatever part she can remember, I guess. It is cute.

3888. Brenda has got me thinking.

3887. That tooth of Jonathan's that turned gray has lightened up considerably.

3886. And twice this week I have unexpectedly found something hard in my mouth as I chewed my food. Neither time did I break a tooth, though it could have happened very easily.

3885. My Sunday school teacher does not have an aneurysm on her heart.

3884. Today, we had nothing planned. We just hung around together. I like peaceful evenings at home with the family, especially this time of the year.

3883. Playing blocks with the kids.

3882. And the whole family singing Christmas carols together as we built towers on the living room floor.

3881. Last night the girls from Witt came over for our annual Christmas get-together. Good times catching up with everyone.

3880. I laughed harder than I have in a long time. Something to do with a pogo stick. I just screamed and rolled around on the floor at the ridiculousness of it all. I am serious about the screaming and rolling.

3879. Sandy brought us all her traditional gift... a tube of chapstick.

3878. Shelby gave everyone a very cute ornament.

3877. And a variety of desserts were shared.

3876. Helen slept over. So fun.

3875. And she gave me a bunch of tips for Lainee's schooling.

3874. The event was possible, thanks to Paul, who took the kids to his parents' house for a sleep over. (Him included.)

3873. So Helen and I stayed up until like, three in the morning. I got up with her to see her off, but then I went back to bed. And I woke up when the family came home at noon.

3872. With McDonald's in hand.

3871. And let's not forget that on Thursday morning, I rolled out of bed late, while Paul got up with the kids and gave them breakfast.

3870. Then he vacuumed the whole house.

3869. And tidied the kitchen.

3868. Then I left for two hours to finish my Christmas shopping, and he took the kids to visit the neighbors.

3867. I am still in my pajamas.

3866. But I did not let this stop me from going outside to join our neighbors in looking at the HUGE rainbow that was arched right over the top of our house.

3865. Wednesday was Paul's first day home for break.

3864. I went do get the grocery shopping done during the day, but without the kids!

3863. And Paul took the kids to the park (the PARK!) while I was getting dinner ready and finishing up a few things around the house.

3862. The beautiful weather the last few days.

3861. On Wednesday night, our whole family left church together, which doesn't happen most of the time.

3860. We went to get ice cream together.

3859. And Bethany got to laughing about something, and it was really cute.

3858. We even had some theological discussions with Lainee as we ate.

3857. Took the kids to story time, where they made this cute craft with green icing, an ice cream cone, and a bunch of srinkles. It was supposed to look like a Christmas tree.

3856. Went to scrapbooking with the girls on Monday night.

3855. Libby offered to watch the kids the following night when I told her that we were having problems finding a sitter.

3854. Ami's husband made some really good toffee, of which I ate way too much.

3853. And we ate the extra potato soup from our meal co-op that we couldn't fit into containers for people to take home.

3852. And Paul willingly watched the kids without any complaint so that I could have a night out.

3851. I finished the scrapbook I was making as an exchange gift for Paul's staff party.

3850. We went to the staff party on Tuesday night, and ate some great food.

3849. And Paul and I got to hang out together for a while, which was nice.

3848. I also met some of the people that he talks so much about when he comes home.

3847. And we got to play pool.

3846. One blessing of playing pool while people you don't know are watching you (as you do very badly) is that you learn to get over your insecurities. Fast.

3845. When we came back to get the kids, we found that they'd had a great time, and that Libby and her husband actaully enjoyed the evening caring for our kids along with their three.

3844. Starting a crazy quilt with all the scraps of fabric I have collected. I see progress fast, and I like that.

Sunday, December 17, 2006

3843

3843.Watching Lainee help with setting up for our fellowship tonight at church.

3842. Our fellowship tonight at church!

3841. Getting to take home some leftover ham.

3840. And, since I cut four of the hams, I got to take home some hambone too!

3839. My kids.

3838. Lainee is so excited about the Christmas present she and Paul are going to make for me.

3837. Piecing together a quilt. Why that is so enjoyable to me, I will never know, but when I get time to do it, I get excited.

3836. Hanging out with Melissa and Joel for lunch.

3835. Watching Bethany do that excited run that she sometimes does.

3834. Got the leader kit for the Bible in 90 Days curriculum at church this morning. Will be starting that on January 10.

3833. Pajamas.

3832. Stephanie taught Sunday school this morning.

3831. Jill helping me sew some pieces for the quilt that I had to redo.

3830. Those gooey coconut chocolate chip bars that someone made for dessert tonight.

3829. Bethany and Lainee laughing HARD during a silly video at church.

3828

3828. We decorated the tree tonight. The kids had a great time.

3827. I still have a little construction paper angel I made when I was three. The face is a cut-out of a picture of me at the same age. When I pulled it out of the box tonight, one of the wings was torn off. Paul responded with a degree of disappointment that surprised me. He said it was his favorite ornament. He loves that picture of me, apparantly. It meant a lot to me to know that he loves that ornament so much.

3826. The day was full, but not completely crazy.

3825. Got to spend some time doing church outreach today.

3824. When I came home, the house was picked up and vacuumed.

3823. I got some major work done on the quilt that I am "directing" my Sunday school class in making. I have all the major pieces together and ready to hand out to people to do embroidery.

3822. Not stressing over a situation that would have stressed me not too long ago.

3821. Crafting.

3820. I have a few fun get-togethers to attend this week, but none requires any major preparation. Just time to hang out and enjoy the company. I like that.

3819. Another nap.

3818. Jonathan has twice, in recent weeks, fallen in such a way that he has landed on his head/neck. I am so thankful he was not injured.

3817. Karen left chocolate chip cookies at the outreach for all of us to enjoy. Yes, I did. Did you really need to ask?

3816. Lainee went rollerskating for the first time today.

Saturday, December 16, 2006

3815

3815. Dear, sweet Bethany let me sleep until 8:00 this morning.

3814. Pigtails on little girls.

3813. Getting in the car after the kids and Paul had already loaded into it. I opened the door to hear chants (from all four of them) of "momMY, momMY, momMY!"

3812. And getting the chants going again for Paul when we picked him up after a quick run into a store.

3811. We bought a Christmas tree tonight. (We chanted about that too, oddly enough, but the kids were so into the chanting!)

3810. My friend Shelby.

3809. A much needed nap today after three nights in a row of staying up WAY too late.

3808. Got a batch of cookies done without too much hassle tonight after the kids went to bed.

3807. Z0l0ft.

3806. Had a meal all ready from last night's meal "co-op" that I just popped in the oven. Easy as that. It was good, too!

3805. The animal noises that Bethany makes when we read Clifford's Animal Sounds (almost every night before bed... and before naps too.)

3804. I have heard back from people who thanked me for my post about depression. It is nice when God sends some affirmation that yes, indeed, sharing about what I went through can encourage someone else.

3803. This afternoon, Mrs. Q. from down the street called to say, "It's a nice day out today and I am getting ready to go for a walk. Do you mind if I take the kids with me?" Of course I didn't mind. And they love Mrs. Q.

3802. Then she showed up and said that she would take them back to her house before returning so that they could see the Christmas tree. About 20 or 25 minutes later, she called to say that they were playing and coloring and that she'd bring them back after a while. So, I sat down with my cup of tea and a book. I got through a whole chapter and they still weren't back. So I closed my eyes and drifted off for a while. I don't know how long I slept, but it was surely a nice break!

Thursday, December 14, 2006

3801

3801. Cold oranges.

3800. Getting some crafting time in last night.

3799. Making freezer meals with the girls tonight. I now have eight meals in my freezer that I don't have to cook all by myself.

3798. Spending time with those girls.

3797. Laughing at the police officer who drove up to question us as we left church at 12:15 a.m. loaded down with meatballs and chicken tarragon.

3796. I was able to fit all of the stuff in the freezer. (Well, except for the one we will be eating tomorrow night.)

3795. Being able to pray for people who are going through things that I went through.

3794. Health insurance.

3793. Lainee earned enough tickets to get a fish bowl.

3792. Hearing her read.

3791. Jonathan is funny. As I was putting on his shoes one day this week, he looked at me, and, out of the blue he said, "Mom, when you gotta go, you gotta GO!" as he waved his index finger to emphasize the "GO!"

3790. Having friends over to make chocolate covered pretzels.

3789. They brought some pretzels too. This was good because I didn't have enough.

3788. Melissa came over to say hello at church on Sunday morning.

3787. Getting an e-mail from Andrea.

3786. Our Sunday school get-together for Tuesday night was cancelled. So we got to spend a nice evening at home with the kids.

3785. And the cookies that I was supposed to bring for the exchange are now being used for something else. (Since I can't go the the party at the time it was rescheduled. This means less baking for me!)

3784. Easy fudge.

3783. There was a really polite guy at the drive thru window at Tim Horton's on Sunday night.

3782. Uh, and another one on Wednesday night too.

3781. We got to go do some bird-watching at the metro park on Wednesday, and the kids learned a little about cardinals.

3780. They sang a song about cardinals. I watched the kids singing. Jonathan picks up songs so quickly, he just sang right along.

3779. And we saw a bunch of blue jays.

3778. And woodpeckers too.

3777. I finished Bethany's Christmas stocking. Yay!

3776. Bethany seemed to understand that it was hers. She also seemed very excited about it. We hung all of our stockings on the wall and she would point to different ones expecting me to state the name of the person it belonged to. Whenever she pointed to hers she would say "my!"

3775. When we were at the library on Tuesday, I just happened to look up and see a book about creative activities to do with kids. I have been thinking that I need to do better with that kind of stuff, and there was that book sitting right there. I checked it out.

3774. Chapter 7 of Blue Like Jazz. All the chapters are good, but this one was particularly good because I could relate to it.

3773. I needed some new bras. There were some nice ones on sale this week AND I got 15% off by using my credit card.

3772. I have this can opener that make me crazy. I finally bought a new one, and I love it. I am honestly thankful that I can open a can easily instead of having to wrestle with it.

3771. You know what? I am not at all bothered by the fact that I don't have our Christmas cards started. I think it will be a New Year's card, and I like that better for sake of my own sanity.

3770. Wednesday I was scheduled to do nursery at church, but I'd forgotten. It just so happens that I walked right by the room I was supposed to be in, and I noticed my nursery partner in that room. I knew right away that I was supposed to be in there with her, so I just walked right in. I wasn't even late or anything.

3769. Jonathan was so excited to wear his bumble bee hat to church so he could "sting" pastor Larry.

3768. While he was sitting through a short meeting with me, Jonathan was very concerned that he was missing his Cubbies class (AWANA.) I love that he likes it so much.

3767. He is also showing more interest in learning his letters.

3766. On Monday night, Paul got me a little treat that he left in the car for me. He knew I'd be taking the car to go shopping. It was a Hershey's with almonds. I like that he thought of me.

3765. I also like that I didn't eat any of it until I'd had some dinner. Even then, I only at half. It feels good to display a little self control.

3764. I found several things that I still needed to get for Christmas while I was out that night.

3763. I remembered to put new batteries in Bethany's musical crib toy. This seems to have helped with her crying at nap/bed times.

3762. The World Vision gift catalog.

Sunday, December 10, 2006

3761

3761. Being able to keep a visitor's baby in the nursery while they enjoyed the Christmas performance at church.

3760. And getting to do the nursery duty with a fun lady that I like to chat with.

3759. All three of my kids are asleep in the living room.

3758. A nap.

3757. Thoughts coming together.

3756. We got our replacement remote for the VCR/DVD recorder.

3755. Free software downloads.

3754. Getting some plans together for a daily activity with the kids.

3753. Eating light.

3752. Figuring out some things about computer maintenance.

3751. Talking with God. Whenever I want.

Saturday, December 09, 2006

3750

3750. I didn't cuss the fourteen times that I wanted to over the past two or three days. I realize this doesn't say much, because the attitude of my heart is the same either way. But it is a start.

3749. I was excited to find six fun scrapbooking items totalling $5.16 on the clearance rack at my favorite store. The girls who scrapbook together each month agreed we'd do a gift exchange of scrapbooking items, but decided it should be a $5 gift.

3748. A brand new leather baseball mitt for Jonathan, given to us by a friend at church. She bought it on clearance for her nephew, but forgot he was left-handed. She couldn't return it, so she gave it to us. Free, I tell you.

3747. Getting some time to go shopping while the youth group watched the kids at church.

3746. How appropriate that we could not find anything we wanted to get for Jonathan.

3745. Cheap tape.

3744. Paul reminded me that we had wrapping paper stored up in the attic that I had forgotten about. So, we didn't have to buy that!

3743. The Christmas musical at our church.

3742. Reading a good book.

3741. Easy dinner that was modified from another recipe to fit the ingredients I had on hand. It even tasted decent.

3740. Sleeping babies.

3739. Seeing the couple who portrayed Mary and Joseph in the performance tonight brought a tear to my eye. They are expecting their firsts (twins) in April after a long run of infertility.

3738. Everyone in my family is still living.

3737. No one in our house is even sick.

3736. My MIL gave us a gift idea for my FIL, which is good, because we are kinda stumped.

3735. Gift cards. It's just too easy not to like.

3734. Discussing with Paul about how to better organize some of the rooms in our house.

3733. AMVETS pickup service.

3732. Frozen cherries.

3731. Resisting the urge to buy things I don't need.

3730. Scripture.

Thursday, December 07, 2006

3729

3729. Found: the other white mitten. (Under the couch cushion. Where else?)

3728. Seeing Bethany all bundled up and wearing boots too big for her. She waddled around the yard and did a face plant whenever she couldn't lift her foot over a stick or something. She wasn't hurt. It was very cute.

3727. Got a batch of cookies done - with the kids - this afternoon.

3726. Shopped for most of the items we need for the rest of our kids' thank you gifts for their teachers.

3725. Bethany let me cut her hair this evening while she was in the tub. This time it was a little trim to the bangs, but really I was wanting to angle down the sides. It looks a lot better now. (If I do say so myself.)

3724. I remembered where I put that book about the butterfly life cycle in time to use it for Lainee's lesson today. We had already talked about the ant's life cycle. It was nice to hold the ant book next to the butterfly book so she could start to see that all insects go through the same stages of development. (And I didn't even plan that comparison. I just saw it right in the middle of the lesson.)

3723. Jonathan read a book to me today. It was a repetive book about colors. "Red. Red. This is red." He was able to do the whole thing by himself. And OH, the excitement in his voice as he read. I wish I could have had it on video.

3722. Bethany liked her dinner. Ate a whole bunch.

3721. She's a funny one, that Bethany. Great excitement comes over her when exposed to anything musical. She danced with great delight along with Jonathan and Lainee today. And she is already starting to sing along to a Barney song... even gets one of the words right.

3720. And she likes to point to my cup of tea and say "tea!"

3719. And the boy child sings verses to songs in their entirety. It amazes me.

3718. He asked to do "homework" today, holding out one of his workbooks to me. I had him do a rhyming page. He gets it. Totally. I remember Lainee wanting to do the same things at his age but getting frustrated because rhyming made no sense to her. I guess having had that frustration with Lainee makes me appreciate it more that he gets it.

3717. The other thing he does: he blends words for Lainee. If he hears her make the sounds for c, a, and t, he will just blurt out "cat" before she even gets there.

3716. Joy abounding today during Lainee's math lesson when I gave her ten pennies and put price tags on a few items and asked her which ones she could buy with the money she had. Complete attention to her lesson. Smile on face. I'll take that.

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

3715

3715. The Holy Spirit convicts. This is a very good thing. Otherwise, I'd be off all "me, me, MEE-ing" until I became a danger to everyone around me.

3714. My husband.

3713. The beef with mushrooms recipe on page 84 of the Fix-It and Forget-It Cookbook. Served over mashed cauliflower. Fav. O. Rite.

3712. The coffee I drank managed to quickly do away with the head-ached I had been dealing with for most of the afternoon.

3711. I put Blue Like Jazz on hold at the library and it came in today. I was very excited to finally start reading it. I got even more excited after reading the first 37 pages. I KNOW! 37 pages! I TOLD you. I'm excited...

3710. Fleshing out my philosophy of homeschooling with Lainee, which is, "learn to read, read to learn." The "read to learn" part is just starting to come together, but I am liking how it's working out, so far.

3709. Being reminded of how fun it is to learn.

3708. Lainee walked by me this evening on the way to her room. She just gave me a kiss and kept on going. I like that.

3707. Doing Tae-Bo without feeling like I have to puke when it is over. Feeling like I have to puke means I forgot to hold my stomach muscles in, like I'm supposed to. So NOT feeling like I have to puke is a good thing. In more ways than one.

3706. Jonathan's excitement over the snowman ornament he made at AWANA tonight.

3705. Bethany has started saying (a version of) "I don't know." Sometimes when she says it she holds both of her hands out, palms up.

3704. Jonathan napping in the sled on the living room floor.

3703. My sister-in-law, thinking ahead to the holidays, purchased a gift quite some time ago for a hard-to-buy-for family member for Christmas. She bought it thinking that if she didn't draw his name in the gift exchange, her mom would buy it from her to give to him. Well, my mother-in-law (who is pretty good at finding gifts that people will like) didn't need the gift. This worked out well for me because I was the one who drew this person's name. And my SIL offered to let me use it. SWEET!

3702. When I asked the kids to pick out some toys to give away to make room for the upcoming Christmas onslaught, Lainee volunteered one of my least favorite toys - a talking Strawberry Shortcake doll. Then, when I suggested a second toy (one that is large and loud,) she quickly agreed to that too. Woo HOOOO!

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

3701

3701. My best friend, Helen, just got news (after 2 1/2 years of waiting) that she and her husband will be able to adopt two brothers from Ethiopia.

3700. Being on Helen's list of people with whom she shares the big stuff.

3699. Progress on the quilt by members of my Sunday school class.

3698. The mud stains all over Lainee's coat (that is on loan from my sister-in-law) all came out.

3697. Shout.

3696. That South Beach Diet cereal. I don't remember what it's called, but I sure like it.

3695. Getting a ham cooked, chopped up, and frozen for future use.

3694. Went to a metro park today with the kids where we learned all about deer. Kids had a blast.

3693. And Bethany did NOT fall asleep on the 1/2 hour ride home, thereby messing up her nap schedule for the afternoon.

3692. Jonathan picks up on stuff. Sometimes I wonder about him, but he picks up on stuff.

3691. And he dances too. Oh, my has he been dancing, lately. So. Funny.

3690. Bethany HELD COURT tonight with all of us. She had us all laughing. Including herself. The girl knew she was funny and she milked it for all it was worth.

3689. Lainee read four books yesterday. She even figured out a few words with blends.

3688. And she earned another ticket.

3687. But she lost the one she earned last week. Thank goodness, she found it this morning.

3686. Ice cream run with the family tonight.

3685. Then driving around to look at all of the lights in a few different neighborhoods.

3684. The children's choir at church had their Christmas performance on Sunday. Lainee was too cute in her donkey costume.

3683. And Jonathan behaved, even though he didn't want to see the show, but had to sit with me anyway because there was no child care provided for his age.

3682. And I almost cried at the part where one girl stepped up the the mic and sang a short solo. This after I'd just spent the night before with her parents and they were telling us how dreadfully shy she is, and what a huge milestone this performance was for her.

3681. Coffee.

3680. Fuji apples with Colby cheese.

3679. If I am out with Paul and the car/van needs gas, and it is really cold out, Paul always pumps it.

3678. A warm house.

3677. This here computer.

3676. Getting the last few weeks of homeschooling planned (up to Christmas break.)

3675. Reading books with Lainee this week and learning about ants, insects, and bugs.

3674. Reading joke books to the kids. I don't know what is funnier, the jokes, or the kids acting like they get them when they don't.

3673. The scanner, which enables me to make card sets and games from my teacher's edition for Lainee's lessons.

3672. I love green tea.

Saturday, December 02, 2006

3671

3671. Someone told me tonight that they have been praying for a frequent concern of mine. I so appreciate this!

3670. A good time at the deacon Christmas party.

3669. With good food that I didn't have to cook.

3668. An evening out in which I did not think twice about my kids or how they were doing.

3667. This is thanks to the fact that Steve and Ami took them all (along with their own kids) the the Christmas festivities at the local park. And the kids, as I suspected they would, had a great time.

3666. And they all behaved well too!

3665. Traveling last night to and from Columbus without any troubles.

3664. Maureen's baby shower. She looked so cute. And she had a good time too.

3663. I enjoyed chatting with three people I'd just met during the shower. It was nice, since I only knew one other person there!

3662. Making people laugh.

3661. Lainee's khaki pants are just fine to wear with her donkey costume tomorrow, which means I did not have to go searching for something else for her to wear.

3660. Falling asleep on the living room floor with Jonathan this afternoon.

3659. Got dessert for tonight ready without much fuss.

3658. Finished another book this week.

3657. Looks like "Read the Bible in 90 Days" is a go for me to do at church in January.

3656. Lainee read two books to me yesterday.

3655. And one of them was funny. I liked hearing her laugh, genuinely, when she thinks something is funny.

3654. I also like funny books for her to read. It is much more rewarding for her than just reading a silly "see spot run" book.

3653. Our neighbor, who has been coming to our church's Children's Choir with Lainee, will be in the choir program tomorrow night. From what she says, it sounds like a lot of her family members will be coming to see it.

3652. Bethany happily playing outside today, without needing me to be with her!

Friday, December 01, 2006

3651

3651. My husband.

3650. My husband getting dinner for the kids so I could take a little nap.

3649. Doing stuff with our family. All together.

3648. Bethany in the rain. She thinks it is so funny.

3647. A good lunch at church today.

3646. Chocolate cake.

3645. Lentil soup.

3644. Chatting with the girls about things that I would only trust a few people to hear.

3643. And the understand what I am going through and how I feel. And they commit to pray for me as well.

3642. Getting a grip on what I want, what I need, and how to figure them out.

3641. Getting a bunch of things checked off my "to do" list.

3640. Ami and Steve will watch the kids for us on Saturday night. And they are so gracious about it. "Drop them off whenever. Pick them up whenever. We will feed them dinner..."