1 x 1

2007: 305

2007-04-24T13:25:00.000-04:00

305. Some clarity about how I can get the kids more involved with helping around the house and what kind of things I want them to do. Ideas to try - better than nothing at all.

304. Found the book I was looking for.

303. Found the receipt that I wasn't even looking for because I thought I threw it out. I need it to return something.

302. A walk with the kids.

2007: 301

2007-04-23T23:03:00.000-04:00

301. Green tea.

300. Scrapbooks.

299. Writing letters.

298. Motherhood: how it reminds me over and over again that I NEED GOD.

297. Remembering to take meat out of the freezer for dinner tomorrow.

296. Warms days when I can take the kids out for a walk.

295. Handwashing dishes. How crazy is it for me to think that is a blessing? Oh well!

294. Seeing two kids asleep in the same bed.

293. A date with Paul.

292. Planting some seeds and a few seedlings.

291. Mocha chip ice cream.

290. Goals.

289. A quick, easy dinner that no one had a major complaint about.

288. A late night walk in the rain.

2007: 287

2007-04-20T22:49:00.000-04:00

287. Ms. Boo was not injured when she ventured into the street the other day.

288. And neither was Mr. Bug when he tried to cross the street without looking first, then ignored me when I told him to stay put.... because a car was coming.

286. I loved this:
285. Hearing Ms. Boo read.

284. Snuggling with Ms. Bao in my bed this morning. It was like the two of us fit together like the peices of a puzzle.

283. Stephanie.

282. Scrapbook nights with the girls.

281. Getting a handle on things through conversation with Jeana.

280. I have never suffered torture or torment at the hands of my government.

279. Sitting outside on the grass reading my book.

278. The kids can play outside.

277. Advil.

276. It. Got. Warm.

2007: 275

2007-04-16T23:01:00.000-04:00

275. Getting Ms. Boo's lessons done today without major incident. She's not "into" them, and after a week off for spring break, she wasn't thrilled about picking up with them again.

274. She even volunteered to do her handwriting lesson (which I hadn't even planned for her to do today. But since she was willing, in a "let's get this out of the way" kind of way, I said GO FOR IT!)

273. Avocados w/ lemon juice and a little salt.

272. Getting the compost started in the back yard.

271. A good, vegetarian dinner that Paul said he liked.

270. Looking at old pictures of my baby.

269. A picture of Ms. Bao making the silliest face next to her adult cousin making a similarly silly face.

268. People who are gracious.

267. Getting all of the kids' clothes put away today.

266. Readily available healthful food.

265. Seedless raspberry preserves.

264. Hot showers.

2007: 263

2007-04-16T00:19:00.000-04:00

263. Mexican food.

262. A nap on a Sunday afternoon.

261. Paul being home for spring break.

260. Getting an idea of how to get a grip on life, even if I don't actually have a grip on life yet. Having an idea of how it might work is comforting...

259. My health.

258. The kids' health.

257. Paul's health.

256. A warm house when the weather is cold.

255. The Bible.

254. Our church sanctuary being used to bless people outside of our church.

2007: 253

2007-04-14T12:18:00.000-04:00

253. The night hike.

252. Mr. Bug miraculously keeping his shoes on without one single complaint from the time we left the house until we returned from the hike.

251. Finding salamanders at the state park.

250. Seeing salamander eggs.

249. We all. ALLLLLL! slept until 10 am while we were away on a little mini vacation.

248. Hearing Ms. Bao ask to put on her "badey soup" and then ask if we could go to the pool.

247. Hearing her say "pash" (splash) while making big arm motions as a way of convincing me to take her to the pool.... even though I knew she had absolutely no intention of getting anywhere near the water.

246. The raised-eyebrow, single eye squint that she gave me when I told her that I didn't want her to get burned in her "badey soup."

245. Ms. Bao is still talking about the duck we saw last night on the night hike. When I asked her what color the duck's head was, she hit her head a few times and said "GEEE!" (green.)

244. Snuggling with my Bao baby while she slept next to me in the hotel bed.

2007: 243 (4263)

2007-04-11T15:58:00.000-04:00

243. Six and a half hours to do my own thing. All. By. My. Self.

242. And I didn't spend any of it window shopping.

241. Reading good books.

240. Learning new words.

239. Learning in general.

238. Finding a new vegetarian recipe that sounds DEE-lite-ful. We'll see if, after I making it tonight, it is as delightful as I am hoping.

237. A haircut in which the stylist spent a whole lot of time drying my hair. It felt so good.

236. I get to love people.

235. Thoughts to be expounded upon.

234. Rain.

233. Free refills.

232. Laughing with my kids.

231. A day out with Ms. Boo.

230. God giving me enough sense not to hurry her up or correct her (unnecessarily) for every. little. thing.

229. Small victories in the area of keeping calm while being frustrated by a whiney child.

228. Asparagus. I love asparagus. I'd marry it if I wasn't already.

227. My husband has done a LOT of laundry this week.

226. And dishes too.

225. The boy says "I'm serious," and I think it is so funny.

2007: 224 (4244)

2007-04-09T15:05:00.000-04:00

224. A new bike for Ms. Boo's birthday 20% off, and an extra 15% off with the credit card.

223. Hearing Mr. Bug say he found a "snake bone" while playing in the fossil exhibit at the children's museum.

222. Read the entire Bible in three months. YAHOO!

221. Ms. Bao is chatty, chatty, chatty. It is so fun to listen to her try out new words. Current favorites: money, see ya, go, and (when we tell her we aren't quite ready to go, she says:) in a minute (which sounds like mih mint.

220. And she said Jesus the other night too. I've never heard her say that before!

219. A great Easter Sunday at church.

218. An evening of sitting around with Stephanie drinking coffee and talking Scripture.

217. A great talk on the phone with a fellow blogger. It encouraged me very much.

216. A great Easter Sunday with family.

215. My SIL brought the latest batch of hand-me-downs from her kids.

214. Paul on spring break.

213. My neice preparing for a mission trip.

212. Seeing my nephew while he is on leave from Iraq.

211. And watching him play with Mr. Bug and their cousin Luke... just the "boys."

210. Getting a picture of the cousins together.

209. Ms. Bao with cousin Amie. She loves Amie.

208. My big girl turning six.

207. A fun birthday party for her.

206. Getting a few cards made.

205. Getting a quilt finished.

204. Getting a bunch of the kids' old clothes out of the house and in the hands of someone who can use them.

203. The boy turning four.

202. And a message on the machine for him from Andrea. She called from Georgia just to wish him a happy birthday.

201. The boy stroking my hair during our snuggle time before bed.

200. Hungry, Hungry Hippos.

199. A portrait appointment at the last minute that fits our spring break schedule.

198. The tortoise who came out to see us at the museum today.

197. A composting series run by the solid waste district and the local parks. And a free composter if I go to all three sessions.

196. Breakfast at McD's with the whole family this morning.

195. A big tax return.

194. Getting some photos in order well in advance of my next scrapbooking night.

193. Finishing the cat quilt.

192. Meeting the baby for whom we made the quilt... and his grandma too!

191. Don Henley on the radio.

190. Lots of good 80's tunes lately too.

189. Raw sunflower nuts.

188. With or without honey.

187. The salmon salad at Panera. Y.U.M.

2007: 186 (4206)

2007-03-07T12:50:00.000-05:00

186. Two weeks ago, Mr. Bug, to whom the glass is always half full, got a stomach bug. A few minutes after one of his "incidents" I asked him how he was feeling. His response: "A little great."

185. Dancing with Ms. Bao to the song I Love you Always Forever. Not exactly a song about the love between a mother and child, but when all you can understand is the chorus, then I think it fits.

184. I heard Steve Winwood on the radio this week. Higher Love.

183. Yesterday, Bruce Hornsby's The Way It Is.

182. Puzzles.

2007: 181 (4201)

2007-03-06T09:34:00.000-05:00

So, I've been gone a while. Not that I haven't thought of a bunch of things to post here, but life is busy. Anyway, I've probably forgotten a lot of them, but here goes.

181. The Word. The Word. God's Word!

180. A night away.

179. Paid for by my MIL.

178. Time with my SIL.

177. Getting some work done on the quilt my SS class is doing.

176. Getting two gift books done for friends who just had babies.

175. And they like them!

174. While on that overnight, where I accomplished the aforementioned crafting tasks, I also got a massage.

173. Paid for by my husband.

172. Out of his bonus money from work. How sweet is that for him to use his bonus money on me? I'll answer for you... very sweet.

171. Chocolate ice cream from the chest freezer that is so hard it almost breaks your wrist to scoop it out.

170. Said ice cream in a glass, covered in milk so that little ice crystals form on it. Yum.

169. Ms. Bao tells me "yuh you" without being prompted. (I love you.)

168. I love her too! She is talking more and more.

167. The powers that be in the district where Paul coaches are new this year. They have interpreted the contract differently than the previous administration and have decided that Paul should be paid on the salary step that reflects the years he has been coaching there (even though he doesn't teach there anymore.) So, this year, Paul will be on something like step 15 for coaching pay (where he should be) instead of step 4, where he was last year.

166. And they decided to reimburse him the difference in his pay from last year too.

165. Warmer weather.

164. The kids actually played outside yesterday.

163. I made chicken fried steak for Paul's birthday. It's the first time I have ever made that. It came out pretty good... which is what Paul said. It's the first time I've eaten chicken fried steak too, so I needed him to tell me if it was any good.

162. With real mashed potatoes. We don't do that around here much. Okay, at all. They were really good.

161. And he liked the cake we invented too.

160. The steak was on sale this week... just in time for the birthday meal!

159. New online friends.

158. Hanging out with my mentor.

157. Getting a nudge towards doing the ministry God has for me.

156. Milk for $1.50/gallon.

155. And a freezer to put it in.

154. The nice guy at the grocery store who pointed out a really good deal on ground beef.

153. And the lady who gave me the discount on the soap dispenser.

152. Ms. Boo is getting into helping around the house. Yesterday, she swept under the kitchen table for me.

151. And she can do laundry now too.

150. The kids can sort laundry too.

149. Salad.

148. My kids like prunes.

2007: 147 (4167)

2007-02-16T02:47:00.000-05:00

147. Paul had another snow day.

146. We loaded up bikes, balls, scooters, and a picnic lunch and headed over to the fellowship hall at church so the kids could play. We had a good time.

145. Bethany is hilarious when she is running around and giggling at the same time.

144. We all napped in the afternoon. Well, not Jonathan. He found a few things to watch on TV.

143. We went to Target tonight. Half price Valentine chocolate.

142. Part of the reason we went out was so we could get a "treat" with the gift cards we all had from Christmas. So, we went to the snack bar at while we were at Target too. I had THE MOST delicious salad. Oh, my word it was so good.

141. And, y'all, I just want to thank the Lord for a warm house again.

140. The other day, after playing out in the snow, Lainee came in and started telling me about how she and Paul made an igloo. I figured it was all Paul's idea. I learned later that it was not. While Paul was shoveling snow, Lainee was picking up "bricks" of snow that had been formed after the sleet fell on the first layer of snow for an entire day. Basically, all the snow has about a two to three inch "crust" on it. Lainee kept finding pieces and piling them up into an semi-circle shaped igloo. When Paul asked her what she was up to, she invited him to "harvest" the pieces with her (a term she used to describe the process of removing rough corners and loose snow.) She told him she was working on a window - leaving a hole in the wall - which Paul finished off by putting a piece of "crust" over the entire opening. The thing they created is so amazingly cool. And it was all Lainee's idea.

139. I am a day AHEAD in my 90 Days reading. WOW!

138. I am feeling God moving in my heart about some things I need to bring before him. The big ones: wifehood, motherhood, spiritual nurture of our children, and homeschooling. And I don't even feel overwhelmed by all of that.

137. Finally got a section of my binder all organized with info about the women in the online study. Good thing I got that straightened out, now that we are in our sixth week of the study.

136. Got an appointment for Jonathan's pictures on President's day. Never thought I'd get one so early in the week, given the fact that I scheduled it so late. The very cool part is that Paul will be home that day, so I don't have to take ALL THE KIDS with me to the mall. Yippeeeee!

2007: 135 (4155)

2007-02-14T22:21:00.000-05:00

135. A warm house.

134. Jonathan walked up to me the other day and said, "Mom, I have a present for you." When I asked him what it was, he gave me a big hug and a kiss too!

133. Butterfly kisses from the boy.

132. Bethany talking. How fun it is to hear her say new things.

131. My friend had her baby, and all is well.

130. J's 4th birthday.

129. Lainee is so big. Just a big girl. I looked at her toes tonight. Odd, yes. But I just thought they were so beautiful. SUCH A BIG GIRL!

128. Paul had two snow days in a row.

127. I got to the library today, which I really needed so I could do Lainee's lesson.

126. Finished a baby blanket for above-mentioned friend.

125. Reading Scripture. Learning a lot.

2007: 124 (4144)

2007-01-24T23:00:00.000-05:00

124. A free chest freezer.

123. I am staying caught up with my 90 Day Bible reading.

122. Lainee did a page of work today with the most beatiful handwriting. I knew it was in there, and she finally just decided to work at it enough to make it look nice.

121. This blog.

120. When someone asks how they can pray for you. That happened recently.

117-119. As described in this post.

116. Getting something accomplished at the library with kids in tow.

115. It's 11:00 pm. I am taking my shower and going to bed.

2007: 114 (4134)

2007-01-19T01:02:00.000-05:00

114. We had a rain check for a camera that we kept bringing back to a store only to find that they still didn't have it in stock. There was supposed to be a rebate along with the sale price, but the rebate had expired while we waited for the item to be restocked. This week, I was at the store, taking advantage of their monthly deal (5% off of groceries, 15% off of general merchandise if you use their credit card) and I figured that 15% off the camera would put the price back in the range we were hoping to pay (after rebate) for the camera. So, I asked if it was in stock. It was. They gave me the sale price (naturally,) and the 15% off. Then they took the rebate amount off the price of the camera as well. So, we got a brand new Canon Powershot for $93 and change. SWEEEET!

113. Grinding flour from wheat and making pancakes with the kids at a Metropark preschool program.

112. Lainee's reading is coming along.

111. Chatting with April after the fellowship dinner on Sunday night.

110. The fellowship dinner on Sunday night.

109. Scrapbooking tonight. GREAT conversation, as always.

108. And Stephanie joined us.

107. And I got three pages done too.

106. A cool shirt for $10.

105. Lainee read two books yesterday and one today.

104. Helen has travel dates for going to adopt her two sons in Ethiopia.

103. Keeping up with my 90 Day Bible study reading.

102. An e-mail from Addie.

2007: 101 (4121)

2007-01-12T22:33:00.000-05:00

101. Making ice cream with the kids today. Each of them had a cup that they had to stir while it sat in the ice/salt mixture. Bethany could not be bothered with this. She just drank the liquid.

100. Insight into the Word from the ladies doing the online study with me.

99. Bethany grabbed my face last night, pulled it to hers, and gave me a kiss. She did this repeatedly.

98. She can say "pizza."

97. And "yuck."

96. My BIG girl lost her first tooth tonight. She was so excited, and I made a big deal of it. Paul asked her if it made her feel like a really big kid. She said, "I feel like I'm ten!"

95. Gas for $1.88/gal.

94. A friend at church who was 26 weeks pregnant went into the hospital today with bleeding. The decided to deliver her twins by C-section. They came out breathing and are doing okay. My friend is recovering.

93. Going out to dinner with the family, and everyone swaying to the music while we ate.

2007: 91 (4111)

2007-01-11T23:46:00.000-05:00

91. Reading Scripture.

90. Exercising.

89. Making homemade butter with the kids.

88. Watching the kids show the homemade butter to their Dad.

87. Getting my act together with Lainee's lessons... slowly, but surely.

86. And the lessons went well today. Got more done than usual in less time than usual.

85. Having two kids old enough to trust that they can go into the bathroom at a store without me, and make it out without any major catastrophes.

84. Dance night with the family: living room full 'o rompin'.

83. Helpful Heather.

82. A better schedule today with B's nap and the kids' bedtime.

2007: 80 (4100)

2007-01-11T00:48:00.000-05:00

80. Watching Jonathan dribble a basketball.

79. Bethany repeating the words at the end of our sentences.

78. The driver's window on the Civic was smashed when Paul went to leave for work on Tuesday morning. This was a very good thing. He ended up staying home because I needed to take Bethany to the doctor. The thing is, I forgot to set my alarm. So, since he was already awake, he was able to wake me up in time to get out the door for the appointment.

77. And he kept L and J while I was there too.

76. Dinner on the fly isn't always so bad.

75. Getting the second table out of the kitchen.

74. B-dawg turned 2.

73. And when you ask her how old she is, she says "two" in a really cute way.

72. A good party with family.

71. And chocolate crock pot cake.

33-70. The 38 women who joined the Bible in 90 Days study online.

32. Working out the kinks as moderator/owner of the online group.

31. And the ladies have been so patient about it.

30. Good first day of reading. Good, good stuff. Even learned something new.

29. E-mail from Uncle George.

28. One of the moms at church said that she sat in on her son's AWANA class when they first starting attending. It happens to be jonathan's class. She said she wanted to me "his mom" because he was so kind to her son and included him in what they were doing.

27. A quit chat with Boomama on Monday night.

26. A walk around the block in the cold weather with the kids.

25. Sunny weather.

24. The quilt our SS class is making is WAAAAY cute. I am excited about it.

23. A few days after the fact, Lainee told me the name of the waitress who had served us as a restaurant. "Her name was Jess," she told me. When I asked her how she knew that, she said "I read her name tag!"

22. Cupcakes.

2007: 21 (4041)

2007-01-04T00:00:00.000-05:00

21. A new year.

20. Happiness without drugs.

19. Getting over the winter hump, which exists only in my mind. Once all the Christmas stuff is on clearance and the days are getting longer, winter is as good as over to me.

18. Bethany did not seriously hurt herself when a chair fell on top of her and she used a (working) pellet stove to try to steady herself.

17. Doing something about my health.

16. Veggies.

15. Hummous. Even though my jar of it that I bought broke today, I am glad for hummous, because I like it AND it's good for me.

14. A new workout video.

13. A good first day back to homeschooling after the Christmas break.

12. Going to story time with the whole family.

11. Then walking over to the local restaurant and having lunch together.

10. Friendlies.

9. Bethany gave us a few good poses when we got her portraits done.

8. A large bag full of fabric scraps from my mother-in-law to use on some scrap quilts.

7. And some of those scraps are really just 3 yards of fabric she never used. All this fabric for FREE enables me to try some things I have been wanting to try. Then I can donate the quilts!

6. Ribs at my MIL's on New Year's Day.

5. Bethany slept all the way through the night last night.

4. Finding a coat that Jonathan has agreed to wear. On clearance.

3. A great picture of Paul and the kids.

2. My sink is clean.

1. Paul grilled pork chops for dinner tonight. I got out the applesauce and heated up the mac and cheese that Deana made for our meal-sharing group.

4020

2006-12-31T23:36:00.000-05:00

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.

4004 (Yahooooo!)

2006-12-30T23:05:00.000-05:00

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!

3987

2006-12-29T23:50:00.000-05:00

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.

3974

2006-12-28T23:58:00.000-05:00

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.

3961

2006-12-27T19:26:00.000-05:00

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.

3947

2006-12-26T23:55:00.000-05:00

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.

3932

2006-12-25T17:20:00.000-05:00

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.

3922

2006-12-24T19:12:00.000-05:00

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

2006-12-24T00:25:00.000-05:00

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.)

3896

2006-12-22T23:29:00.000-05:00

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

2006-12-22T17:43:00.001-05:00

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.

3843

2006-12-17T22:40:00.000-05:00

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

2006-12-17T00:55:00.000-05:00

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.

3815

2006-12-16T00:06:00.000-05:00

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!

3801

2006-12-14T23:11:00.000-05:00

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.

3761

2006-12-10T23:24:00.000-05:00

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.

3750

2006-12-09T16:53:00.000-05:00

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.

3729

2006-12-07T22:19:00.000-05:00

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.

3715

2006-12-06T23:04:00.000-05:00

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!

3701

2006-12-05T22:24:00.001-05:00

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.

3671

2006-12-02T22:56:00.000-05:00

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!

3651

2006-12-01T01:53:00.000-05:00

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..."

3640

2006-11-29T23:52:00.000-05:00

3640. Tonight, when I read the kids their story before bed, Bethany leaned back on Jonathan. He sat behind her with his arms around her, holding her as they listened to the story.

3639. A great walk on a warm night at the end of November.

3638. A new route to cut some of the boredom.

3637. And it has more street lights too.

3636. An easy day school day with Lainee.

3635. Getting a compliment from someone on how my hair looked on Sunday!

3634. An e-mail from a friend with whom I've lost touch.

3633. Got a volunteer from my Sunday school class to work on ALL the pieces that I had ready to be sewn for the quilt.

3632. Chicken for dinner that I didn't, for once, realize was undercooked just before I wanted to serve it.

3631. Playing a fun game with the kids in nursery tonight.

3630

2006-11-28T23:45:00.000-05:00

3630. The repairman came yesterday to work on our refrigerator. We don't need a new fridge.

3629. But figuring that out required that he unload the entire freezer and a good part of the fridge. So, I took that opportunity to clean out the refrigerator. It actually makes me feel good to see the inside of the freezer/refrigerator.

3628. Getting grocery shopping done in the morning, with the kids, without major incident.

3627. Getting to the point in my life where losing a stuffed animal in the grocery store is not considered a major incident.

3626. And getting to the point in my depression where it doesn't feel like the world is going to end when I think of going grocery shopping with my kids.

3625. Buying fabric with Vonnie tonight for the quilt our Sunday school class is making. This quilt is going to be CUTE!

3624. Cutting some of the pieces for the quilt and realizing that there are a lot of pieces I can send home with our class memebers to work on.

3623. Tomato salad.

3622. Jonathan fell asleep in the floor of the family room today. With no shirt on. Odd, but funny.

3621. I resisted the urge to go get ice cream tonight.

3620. Walking around the neighborhood last night with my family and looking at all of the Christmas lights.

3619. Jonathan was just staring at this one display. He was just mesmerized.

3618. Washed all the bed sheets today. I love the feeling of clean sheets. It isn't something I feel very often!

3617. Story time.

3616. Glue sticks. They keep Bethany entertained like nothing else.

3615

2006-11-26T22:21:00.000-05:00

3615. Today I taught Jonathan that orange juice comes from oranges. (He thought "they" put the orange juice in the orange.) I set him straight, then I squeezed him some fresh orange juice to prove it. He thought it was the coolest thing in the world.

3614. Watching old videos of the kids. Are those MY kids?

3613. Watching Bethany dance to the music at Burger King.

3612. Hearing about how good Bethany was in the nursery.

3611. A nap.

3610. Not eating too much today.

3609. Good scriptures from Hebrews 13 that we discussed in Sunday school today.

3608. Found the pink marker.

3607. A chat on the phone with a mom getting ready to bring their daughter home from China.

3606. Sweats.

3605

2006-11-25T22:09:00.000-05:00

3605. Being with family on Thanksgiving.

3604. The kids taking a "field trip" (as Lainee called it) on the "alligator" (as Jonathan called it.) Translated, this means that their cousin, Ami, took the younger cousins for a ride on the Gator out to the woods and through the corn field.

3603. Thinking of a few good, practical gifts for people who are asking what to buy the kids for Christmas.

3602. Getting laundry done.

3601. Paul organized the garage today.

3600. And mowed the lawn.

3599. And cleaned up the front yard.

3598. Being home for a long weekend without much planned except for hanging out with the family.

3597. Taking a walk with the family yesterday.

3596. Panera bread from our neighbors.

3595. Beautiful weather for the last three days.

3594. The kids being able to play outside.

3593. Paul took the kids to the museum while I was away on Wednesday.

3592. Kids who act silly.

3591. Watching Bethany and Jonathan play together today.

3590. Getting the vinyl fence fixed. Finally.

3589. I managed to cut Bethany's bangs while she was in the tub last night. They have been in her eyes for months, but she fights me whenever I have tried to cut them. She looks so beautiful with her hair out of her eyes. I just love it!

3588. Went to the library yesterday and got a bunch of books for the next three or four weeks of school. Lainee went with me and she tried to help me find books. I guess it was her first lesson in using the Dewey Decimal System.

3587. Six week teacher loans from the library.

3586. Reading books to Jonathan.

3585. A good walk on the tread mill at the hotel.

3584. A good walk outside last night.

3583. The whirlpool at the hotel.

3582. Eating a candy bar without having to share with the kids... and I not having to hide from them to do it!

3581. Chocolate frosting.

3580. Spending an entire Thanksgiving day with the knowledge that God has blessed me with AT LEAST 3579 specific things for which to be thankful.

3579

2006-11-22T19:40:00.000-05:00

3579. A husband who is like, "sure, go ahead and take a WHOLE day to yourself. Get a hotel. Do whatever you want. I'll take the kids. Love you, see you tomorrow."

3578. Graeter's.

3577. I found exactly what I had in mind for Jonathan for Christmas at Big Lots. Right gift. Right price.

3576. I wanted to browse around a pottery store that I'd heard about, but I wasn't sure where it was. I directed my car in the general vicinity, and found it without even having to turn myself around.

3575. Then I spent somewhere around an hour in there looking around at all different stuff.

3574. And I found a butter dish, which we've been needing.

3573. I also found little tins that I can use to put fudge in for the kids' AWANA teachers.

3572. Chicken.

3571. Getting most of the Christmas shopping done.

3570. Breakfast at Hardee's.

3569. Getting my hair cut.

3568

2006-11-21T22:45:00.000-05:00

3568. Story time.

3567. Video of the kids. Bethany is too funny.

3566. The boy fell asleep before we even got home from church tonight.

3565. Church tonight.

3564. A girl at church who is pregnant with twins found out she is having a boy and a girl.

3563. Babies who wake up in the middle of the night crying and are soothed simply by having their mom hold them.

3562. I didn't cook dinner tonight.

3561. Bethany's response to the question, "do you want to eat fish sticks." It's this extremely excited "yeah, yeah, yeah!" coupled with some sort of dancing/jiggling type of movement.

3560. Addie celebrated her birthday today. And her husband made sure we all celebrated it with her.

3559. Boomama is moving to a new house that she's excited about. I'm excited for her.

3558

2006-11-20T23:11:00.000-05:00

3558. Getting the grocery shopping done with all three kids in tow.

3557. Crystal-clear view of Orion on my walk tonight.

3556. New determination to exercise.

3555. Legs that work.

3554. A warm house on a cold night.

3553. Sitting with Jonathan on the couch tonight, telling him how, when he was a baby, he and I used to fall asleep in that exact spot after he'd eaten breakfast.

3552. The libary's online card catalog.

3551. A surprise instant message from Betsy. I haven't talked to her in a long time. She said she'd been thinking about me!

3550. Bethany fell asleep in my arms tonight.

3549. All three kids dancing around the kitchen this evening - Lainee wearing roller skates, Bethany wearing a pair of Lainee's shoes, and Jonathan just being his energetic self.

3548. Knowing that something I've done has blessed someone else.

3547. More clothes handed to us for Bethany.

3546. have some cupcakes for the kids to make on Thanksgiving that look like turkeys. When I was looking for all of the stuff for them today, I thought I would have a hard time finding one of the things that the recipe says to use. It was a special kind of cookie. Well, I walked about 3 feet into the cookie aisle at the grocery store, and it was the very first one I saw. This was a great help b/c the kids were with me and I did not need to spend fifteen minutes looking for those cookies!

3545

2006-11-19T22:14:00.000-05:00

The unseen blessings:
3545. The times when God has not allowed Satan to tempt me because He knows it isn't what's best for me.

3544. The times when God has allowed Satan to test me because He knows it will develop my character.

3543. When I do stupid things in the car because I am not paying enough attention, but no one else is around for me to crash into.

3542. When I get exactly what I need.

3541. Not getting exactly what I deserve.

3540. When I don't get what I want because it isn't what's best for me.

3539. God, standing by.

3538. When God directs my decisions that end up keeping me from unknown pain or hardship.

3537. Angels in the heavenlies battling on my behalf.

3536. Prayers of strangers answered in my life.

3535

2006-11-18T23:43:00.001-05:00

3535. Werther's candies.

3534. Pumpkin pie.

3533. A really, really long nap this afternoon. I missed almost the entire OSU/Michigan game. (All four hours of it.)

3532. Hanging out at a kids' party chatting with the adults.

3531. A phone call from Helen.

3530. Getting ahead with lesson plans and, because of that, being able to prepare things that are a little more creative.

3529. Our scanner.

3528. My Omnigrid. I didn't figure it out until I only had three more pages to laminate, but it sure makes the application of Contact paper much easier.

3527. Seeing friends, even if it is only briefly.

3536. Watching my kids play bingo. Jonathan won once. :)

3525

2006-11-18T01:33:00.000-05:00

Paul took Lainee out for their first date tonight (3509.) This left me with Jonathan and Bethany for the evening. I had promised Jonathan earlier in the day that we would get some butterscotch candies this evening. None of my kids have ever eaten butterscotch before, but Lainee decided to try. She really liked it, so Jonathan wanted one too. Unfortunately there was only one in the Halloween stash, and Lainee got it. Hence the promise.

While we were out tonight, we also had to buy a present for a party that the kids will be attending tomorrow. (I am thankful that I didn't miss it (3510) because I'd totally forgotten about it until Wednesday, when I actually thought I'd missed it.) Anyway, Bethany, Jonathan, and I went looking for a gift. While we were in the store, Jonathan reminded me that we needed to stop somewhere for butterscotch candy. Noted. I found a nice gift for a good price at Half Priced Books (3511.)

We also stopped at the second-hand store to see if I could find a winter coat for Lainee.

After that, we went to the mall for dinner. Then I stopped quickly to get some ice cream for the ride home. When I returned to the car, I gave the kids their ice cream and told them we were heading home. "But MOM," Jonathan said, "what about Clara's gift?" Apparently he didn't realize that I'd actually bought one, so I told him it was sitting in the front seat. "But what about Lainee's coat?" he asked. I explained that I didn't find one I liked, so I never bought one.

Nothing more was said. We went home.

As I pulled into the driveway, I remembered. We never stopped for butterscotch. Jonathan never said a word. He worried about Clara's present and Lainee's coat, but didn't think about the butterscotch I'd promised him (3512.)

I apologized for forgetting. He sweetly accepted my apology, and sincerely believes me that we'll get some tomorrow - after all, I promised him... again! (3513.)

When I got the kids out of the car, I almost fell over laughing at Bethany, who was COVERED with her Reese's cup sundae from Friendlies. ALL. OVER. HER. FACE. On her coat. In her coat. Down her shirt. There was a time this would have upset me. Tonight, I laughed (3514.)

So I gave the two younger ones a bath (3515.) I don't know why clean kids is such a blessing to me. It just really makes me feel good to know they are all clean!

Later, I told Paul all about what we did this evening. He told me that his sister was bringing winter coats to our Thanksgiving get-together that her kids had outgrown (3516.) So, I guess it is a good thing that I didn't buy one (3517.)

At bed time, Jonathan wanted to sing from one of his song books instead of read a story. All five of us were sitting on Lainee's bed singing "Jesus Loves the Little Children," "Kum ba yah," "This Light of Mine," and others. We all had a great time doing that (3518.)

After the kids were in bed, I planned for the next two weeks of school (3519.) This means I don't have to worry about it this weekend. Or next weekend either! The plans include some games that I think Lainee will enjoy (3520.)

Lainee earned her first ticket towards her gold fish today (3521.)

The house was trashed today. I got a bunch picked up (3522.)

Lainee was excited when I handed her a brand new shirt to put on for her date with Paul. She had no idea I'd bought it. It was pink. With rhinestones. She was very excited (3523.)

Both Paul and Lainee had a good time on their date (3524.)

And I had a great time with Bethany and Jonathan. They were really good (3525.)

3508

2006-11-16T22:03:00.000-05:00

3508. The. Collard. Greens.

3507. Family time.

3506. Beth Moore, getting ON IT in today's Bible study.

3505. I have been thinking of a certain ministry role I'd like to take on at church. Stephanie brought up a way of fulfilling that role that I had not even thought of.

3504. Made a big batch of split pea soup with ham.

3503. Ate lunch outside at the picnic table today. Probably the last time we'll do that until spring.

3502. Played a rhyming game with Jonathan and Lainee today. They seemed to enjoy it.

3501. I feel like I am slowly gaining perspective on how to approach ministry and homeschooling.

3500. Here's the thing: God's got my back and it frees me up from worrying about myself and lets me put others first. (Not that I have mastered that in practice, mind you, but I get it conceptually.)

3499. Lainee was too cute as she concentrated on reading her sight words today. She gets a sticker if we review them all and gets them all right. The sticker is a small step towards the gold fish.

3498. And let me just say, regarding the motivation the child has to concentrate... Praise God, from whom ALL blessings flow.

3497

2006-11-16T01:16:00.000-05:00

3497. The ground beef I was going to use for dinner was bad when I got it out of the refrigerator. Somehow, God enabled me to think FAST, which I am not good at when it comes to food prep, and I ended up making some very tasty ham on the fly. Actually, on the stove.

3496. Then I baked the portion of the ham that I didn't use, and now I have a hambone for some pea soup. I think I may have stumbled upon a new method for making several meals out of a ham without having to buy the stuff that is precooked.

3495. Ribbon on clearance.

3494. A cookie from Jonathan's AWANA teacher. It was yummy.

3493. Lainee, who, for her AWANA class, needs to know the first 8 books of the New Testament in order, could be heard reciting "Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Act. Roman. First Corinthians. Second Corinthians." during different times of the day. The one that blessed me most was when I heard her in the bathroom reciting the books as she used the toilet.

3492. The word families -ill and -ell? No problemo for the darling Miss Lainee.

3491. Once again, I finished all five of my lessons for tomorrow's study this evening.

3490. But this time, it was at Dunkin Donuts.

3489. Our neighbor girl ate dinner with us tonight.

3488. Finally remembering to work on scripture with Lainee during school, and figuring out a way to do it that will motivate her.

3487. Finding that several of the scriptures that I had already listed for her to learn contain many words she is already able to read.

3486. Tweezers.

3485

2006-11-15T00:27:00.000-05:00

3485. A fruit smoothie made with pineapple.

3484. Describing to the kids what the Holy Spirit does in our hearts by running around the bedroom shouting "Happy! Joy! Loving!" Lainee looked at me like she was thrilled to see me doing this.

3483. Walking.

3482. I didn't have to bundle up. The weather was perfect. Slightly SLIGHTLY drizzly. I was not too hot or too cold.

3481. The squash soup recipe I found is really good.

3480. Chicken.

3479. Hearing Bethany talk to herself after we've put her down for bed.

3478. She let me cradle her tonight. She stared right up at me.

3477. Have discussed a motivational plan for Lainee's schooling with Paul. There may be a goldfish in our future.

3476. Today was a good day of lessons. She wasn't really crabby, and she seemed willing to cooperate.

3475. The kids painted happily for about an hour this morning. I was able to get some work done.

3474. Hot fudge sundaes.

3473. Jonathan says "thank you" when I do things for him.

3472

2006-11-13T22:04:00.000-05:00

3472. Fuji apples.

3471. Tuna fixed with sweet pickle relish.

3470. Paul didn't have to stay really late at the deacon meeting tonight.

3469. Getting a lot of laundry done.

3468. A good buy on a sweatsuit that I have been wanting.

3467. A coupon for $5 off of a gift card at the grocery store. I think I'll be buying a gift card soon...

3466. Homemade cranberry nut bread.

3465. Dinner tonight was delicious. (Even if I do say so myself.)

3464. Some good sales at the grocery store. A pound of butter for $1.50...

3463. Bethany saw me cutting an apple today and said "apple."

3462. The back issue of a quilt magazine that I needed arrived in the mail today.

3461

2006-11-12T21:51:00.000-05:00

3461. Dinner with Bill and Cindy.

3460. Paul told Lainee she could not get ice cream tonight. At first, I was bummed because I knew I'd have some whining to deal with if I decided to get ice cream. Then I remembered how tight my pants are and decided that not having ice cream was a good thing.

3459. Going to church.

3458. Talking with the ladies in Sunday school about the real life stuff that we struggle with.

3457. Hot wings.

3456. God is making it clearer to me how I can serve by doing some of the things I like to do.

3455. Chris sang a great song this morning.

3454. Andrea and Rachel sang a great song this evening.

3453. I got to take a nap this afternoon.

3452. A hot cup of green tea.

3451. There are a million things that I feel like I could do. Sometimes that excites me. Sometimes that overwhelms me. But it occurs to me that, regardless of how I feel about it, having those possibilities in front of me is a blessing.

3450. At the same time, I am learning about my need to pare down all the things I do and focus on doing a few things well.

3449

2006-11-11T22:20:00.000-05:00

3449. Going to the wedding of two great people who love God and are perfect for each other. Good time.

3448. Finding something decent for everyone to wear to this wedding.

3447. Good cake. With coffee.

3446. I totally forgot to post this when it happened, but last month I celebrated my 15th spiritual birthday.

3445. Dancing with Bethany.

3444. Watching her try to do the chicken dance.

3443. Yesterday, I had forgotten that I needed to return a movie to the store. God reminded me, and I didn't have to pay a late fee.

3442. I really wanted some tea today, but I thought my supply of tea bags had run out. When I looked in my container, I saw that there was one left. I was so pleased, because I REALLY wanted that tea.

3441

2006-11-10T22:47:00.000-05:00

3441. A great time at the metropark today. The kids got to learn about all things raccoon and even went on a hike to find 'coon tracks.

3440. Finding the metropark,which I'd never been to. This would include being allowed to drive on a road that had just been closed... the very road that the entrance was on.

3439. Having a chance to serve.

3438. And bringing Lainee with me to do it. She did a LOT tonight - she worked hard. I am proud of her for being such a great helper.

3437. I was also thankful that people who were working with me were happy to include her by giving her jobs that were just right for a five-year-old.

3436. Great spaghetti sauce at the dinner at church tonight. So good, in fact, that I ate it without spaghetti.

3435. Getting to take some of that sauce home with me.

3434. A piece of moist cake with chocolate frosting and a hot cup of coffee.

3433. People ate up all of the dessert I made.

3432. Tylenol.

3431. A very comfortable bed to sleep in.

3430. Got the family portrait today that I have been waiting to display in my living room. It's of my side of the family and includes Paul and the kids.

3429

2006-11-10T02:45:00.000-05:00

3429. Found the missing phonics card. I knew God would provide. I was just waiting for the day I could post "we found it" on the blessings list.

3428. Great friends to laugh with.

3427. Bearing burdens with those same friends.

3426. The Qs took the kids tonight so I could go to scrapbooking while Paul had conferences.

3425. Little babies falling asleep in your arms, allowing for unlimited and unhindered kisses and snuggles.

3424. Life.

3423. Husbands (well, actually I only have ONE) who build forts out of blankets in the living room and let the kids sleep in them.

3422. Unleashing creativity.

3421. Raking leaves. I do not know why I like to rake leaves, but I do.

(And I do not know why my computer will not let me type apostrophes without going bonkers.)

3420. Fried chicken.

3419. Good coffee.

3418. Lainee read the word "brick" all by herself.

3417

2006-11-08T22:25:00.000-05:00

3417. Left-overs for dinner means I don't have to cook.

3416. Had our final visit from our social worker today for Bethany's last post-placement report.

3415. Laughing with Lainee through a funny book that she read to me.

3414. A trip to Dunkin Donuts with the kids. While eating our treats, Lainee asked, "Mom, do they do parties here?" THAT'S MY GIRL!!!

3413. And that chocolate kreme (it pains me to type that) donut was deelishus.

3412. The kids were totally cracking each other up on the drive home.

3411. Bathing all of them.

3410. Then watching the three of them try to put on the most riduculous puppet show I have ever seen. Funny. But ridiculous. (Lainee kept leaning behind Bethany, who herself was supposed to be a puppeteer, so that she could say Bethany's "lines" for her, making it seem like Bethany was actually the one talking. I think that is funny.)

3409. Making progress on re-stitching the 15 rows I had to pull out of the blanket I am crocheting.

3408. A sale at JoAnn. com on some stuff I need.

3407. And free shipping.

3406. And they charge tax, which means I don't have to remember it come tax time.

3405. Good lessons with Lainee today.

3404. The quiet that is my house after 10 pm.

3403. The gambling issue didn't pass.

3402

2006-11-07T22:02:00.000-05:00

3402. My son prayed for new couches tonight. I have no idea why. But he has been refusing to pray pretty frequently, so I am thrilled that he picked the couches to pray about. Because I'd love new couches.

3401. The kids and I left the house at about 9:45 this morning so I could vote and drop off the van to get the oil changed. We then walked to the library. And no one complained, even though it was drizzly out. I think they just thought it was fun to be walking downtown.

3400. After story time at the library, we walked over a block to a local eatery and had lunch. Then we walked back to pick up the van.

3399. When we got home, the kids found an old cassette tape. I don't even remember seeing it before today. But it was all energitic praise music, to be used when exercising, I guess. We cranked up the stereo and danced around for a good twenty minutes.

3398. It was fun to watch Bethany imitate my dance moves.

3397. Lainee's reading lesson was short today. This is good because Bethany got up from her nap early.

3396. We went to the mall this evening to check out their new play area. The kids just ran around and climbed, slid, crawled all over the place. None of the new "equipment" really does anything. So it was just the kids entertaining themselves rather than being entertained. I like that. I also like that it is free.

3395. I live in a country where I can vote.

3394. Double fudge cookies.

3393. I was expecting my husband home late today. He got home early.

3392. Found something at the grocery store last night that has been there all along, but I never really noticed it. It's a less concentrated version of the "shout" stain remover that I have been using. I don't know why I started using the more concentrated stuff, but I did. And I guess because it worked, I just kept using it. Anyway, it occurred to me that I am spending a small fortune on stain removal. So I bought the other stuff. (The bottle was bigger AND cheaper.) It seems to work well. Glad I finally wised up.

3391. Making things. Even just THINKING about making things.

3390. My favorite pasta dish for dinner. And lots of left overs.

3389

2006-11-06T21:43:00.000-05:00

3389. Paul was home today and helped out around the house.

3388. He did Lainee's reading lesson with her too.

3387. I was able to go to the library and pick up what I hope are the last two books for my reading goal.

3386. I called to make an appointment to see the doctor, and they said they had an opening for this afternoon. How nice that Paul was home so that I could say "sure" and get it out of the way.

3385. I had to make some photocopies of photos for Bethany's last post-placement report. I kept picking up the pages to look at the photos. Made me feel really good.

3384. Some sort of energy bar that Paul brought home from the race. It was yummy.

3383. A chicken philly sandwich for dinner.

3382. My favorite canned tomatoes were on sale this week AS WELL AS the pasta that I like to eat them with.

3381. Resisting the temptation to eat things when I am not hungry. Not that I do this very often. But I did it tonight, twice. So that is indeed a blessing.

3380. Raking the leaves and cutting back the plants today. Lainee, Bethany, and Paul helped. The girls really go into it.

3379. Beautiful weather today.

3378. Sitting in the library with Lainee in the "tent" that I barely fit into, reading a book with her.

3377

2006-11-05T23:46:00.000-05:00

3377. A great Sunday school class this morning.

3376. Getting excited about an opportunity that our class has to minister to someone.

3375. I managed to get Jonathan's shirt, socks, and shoes on him while he was sleeping, but without waking him up. He didn't get enough nap in before we had to leave to take Lainee to kids choir. So I am glad that he didn't wake up.

3374. Kids who choose apples over french fries at McDonald's.

3373. That Asian chicken salad from McD's. Yummy.

3372. Paul was gone this weekend, but this morning we managed to get everyone dressed (with hair and teeth brushed) and out the door for church with plenty of time to spare. And I didn't scream at anyone.

3371. Paul was able to finish the marathon without any pain in his foot. When he left here, it sounded like he was just going to be a spectator. But he ran! YAY!

3370. A movie rental to watch all by myself.

3369. Twice.

3368

2006-11-04T23:14:00.000-05:00

3368. A play date with some friends that got us through until the afternoon.

3367. The nice, adult conversation that the mommies were able to have.

3366. Getting to go over to Ami and Steve's house and let the kids play this evening.

3365. Being able to talk to Ami right at a time that I really needed someone to talk to!

3364. Bethany figured out how to get down their stairs on her bottom. It was obvious she really liked doing it too.

3363. Chocolate milk.

3362. Animal crackers.

3361. All the kids had baths tonight.

3360. And all of them got their teeth brushed before bed too.

3359. Not being a single mom.

3358. Got some cabinets cleaned out.

3357. And the kitchen floor mopped.

3356. Lainee vacuumed the family room today.

3355. Another nap.

3354. Tomato salad.

3353. Bethany fell asleep in my arms this afternoon.

3352

2006-11-03T22:15:00.000-05:00

3352. A party where I could take the kids and they were entertained without me having to drag them somewhere and/or do all the entertaining myself.

3351. Ice cream cake.

3350. Bethany spent some time with some other people that she knew at the party.

3349. The kids, once in bed, fell asleep pretty quickly.

3348. Lainee was already asleep when Paul called and left a message on the machine. I was putting Bethany in bed at the time, so I couldn't answer the phone. If Lainee had been awake, I know she would have heard it and gone nutso because she missed her chance to talk to Paul.

3347. The vacuum cleaner didn't seem quite right yesterday. I played around with it today and, though I didn't find anything wrong with it, whatever I did seems to have taken care of the problem.

3346. Safety in the car.

3345. I was able to catch a nap today.

3344. Laughing with Lainee.

3343

2006-11-02T21:20:00.000-05:00

3343. A lovely dinner out with my beau.

3342. And we went because the neighbors called and said "we are taking your children so you two can to out." So, how's that for a lil blessin'?

3341. The prophecy we learned about in the Daniel study today made me want to jump out of my seat and yell, "GLORY!"

3340. We (the family) made a fun (and funny) video clip for a friend who is collecting people on video to give to mutual friends for their wedding gift. Good laughs. Good laughs.

3339. Someone in my extended family thinking about doing missions. YaHOOO!

3338. Running around in the maze Lainee made by raking a path through the leaves in our yard. I kept yelling, "this is a-MAZE-ing!"

3337. Libraries.

3336. Bethany gets so excited to see Mary Lou. I love Mary Lou... and so do my kids.

3335. Knowing that people pray for me.

3334. A warm coat on a cold day.

3333. My health.

3332. Paul's health.

3331. My kids' health.

3330. We got more books from my mom for the kids.

3329

2006-11-01T23:49:00.000-05:00

3329. Finished another book. 10 down, 2 to go.

3328. Figured out what was wrong with the speakers on the desktop that was making it impossible to hear any sound.

3327. Hearing Lainee master one of her memory verses for AWANA tonight.

3326. I have been carrying around a book every time I went to church, hoping to give it to someone, but that someone hadn't been to church for a long time. I'd contemplated just taking the book out of my bag. Thankfully, I did not do this, because that person ended up being at church tonight. Yay! I finally got to give that book to him!

3325. Got all five of my lessons for the Daniel study done this evening, thanks in no part to my disciplined lifestyle, but completely to my husband, who took the kids home after church and put them in bed so I could go sit at a coffee place and do my lessons. (And I think that is the longest sentence I have ever written. Wait, I don't even think it IS a sentence. But it is a blessing, so it stands!)

3324. The great benefit of doing all five of the lessons in a row is that there were no breaks in the material that would have likely made me forget something.

3323. Bethany playing with her brother and sister today, not even mindful of where I was.

3322. That Lainee child. Smart little girl. Smarter, probably, than I give her credit for.

3321. Seeing how biblical prophecy that was uttered thousands of years ago has come to pass.

3320. The life lost to Christ is won. What a life-altering blessing that is.

3319. The smell of ginger.

3318

2006-10-31T14:05:00.000-05:00

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

2006-10-30T22:56:00.000-05:00

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

2006-10-29T21:56:00.000-05:00

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

2006-10-29T01:01:00.000-05:00

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

2006-10-27T22:59:00.000-04:00

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

2006-10-27T00:33:00.000-04:00

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

2006-10-26T00:33:00.000-04:00

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

2006-10-24T22:27:00.000-04:00

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

2006-10-23T22:42:00.000-04:00

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

2006-10-22T22:44:00.000-04:00

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

2006-10-20T23:05:00.000-04:00

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

2006-10-19T22:56:00.000-04:00

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

2006-10-18T23:05:00.000-04:00

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

2006-10-16T22:05:00.000-04:00

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

2006-10-15T21:15:00.000-04:00

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

2006-10-14T23:12:00.000-04:00

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

2006-10-14T17:21:00.000-04:00

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

2006-10-13T23:33:00.000-04:00

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

2006-10-13T01:59:00.000-04:00

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

2006-10-11T21:09:00.000-04:00

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

2006-10-10T22:00:00.000-04:00

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

2006-10-10T13:10:00.000-04:00

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

2006-10-09T21:31:00.000-04:00

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

2006-10-09T14:50:00.000-04:00

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

2006-10-08T22:06:00.000-04:00

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

2006-10-07T21:09:00.000-04:00

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

2006-10-07T00:12:00.000-04:00

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

2006-10-06T16:55:00.000-04:00

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

2006-10-05T23:00:00.001-04:00

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

2006-10-04T22:27:00.000-04:00

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

2006-10-01T23:20:00.000-04:00

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

2006-10-01T16:38:00.000-04:00

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.

2853

2006-09-29T23:23:00.000-04:00

2853. A box of clothes for Bethany from a family at church.

2852. I never have pop in the house, but I needed some for an experiment I was doing with the kids. I was trying to figure out when I could fit in a quick run to the store, when it just so happened that someone at church had some leftover pop that they were offering to anyone who wanted it. It was cola too, which is just what I needed.

2851. And they even came after me with it when I almost left church without it.

2850. I live in a safe neighborhood.

2849. I live in a country that is not ravaged by war.

2848. I finished another book. Without having to renew it... (!!!)

2847. I snuggled with Lainee this evening.

2846. I read Guess How Much I Love You to Jonathan tonight. Then, as we snuggled in the bed, we played "nut brown hare." It consisted of us making up big things to describe how much we love the other.

2845. Bethany was so animated when we went out tonight and I loved seeing that.

2844. Last night, I had no idea what to make for dinner. Then my in-laws called and asked if they could take us out.

2843. And then they paid for us to get into the soccer game to watch the team coached by Paul's brother.

2842. And Bethany actually ate some chicken nuggets instead of just fries for dinner. YAY!

2841. Today, when I asked Lainee what was most important in her life, she said, "My Bible."

2840. The rain held off so I could walk tonight.

2839. Chicken.

2838. Played a silly game on the floor of the living room tonight with the kids.

2837. Watching Jonathan smooch Bethany when he gives her a kiss goodnight.

2836. I am so glad that God's Word is true, and He doesn't change his mind about what He's said in it.

2835. Grapes.

2834. Biscuits and gravy.

2833. Lainee has been asking me to read her certain Bible stories.

2832. We were singing the B-I-B-L-E song the other day, and I got into a discussion with the kids about what it means to "stand upon the Word of God." We talked about it, then we read a story (about the blind beggar) and figured out a way we could stand upon that story... in that case it was simply asking God to work a healing for someone.

2831

2006-09-27T23:34:00.001-04:00

2831. Fruit smoothies.

2830. Remembering to refrigerate Bethany's milk when she left it laying around last night. That's ONE sippy full that won't be wasted!

2829. Telling my husband I need to talk, and he just makes time.

2828. And the talking itself is a blessing too.

2827. Especially when it helps me to get my thoughts straight in my head, which it did tonight.

2826. And then him praying for me afterward.

2825. God has given me some wisdom lately about possible situations Satan might use to attack me. I think that is insanely cool that He does the "heads up" thing like that.

2824. Watching Lainee do cartwheels on the lawn today - over and over and over. Reminded me of ME when I was a kid. Paul and I just watched from the living room window and chuckled.

2823. Home made chicken noodle soup. It tasted so good.

2822. I read a peek-a-boo book to Bethany before bed tonight. I asked her if she could say "peek-a-boo." She said "pee-pee-boo." Cute, cute, CUTE!

2821. Lainee can't say "ridiculous." So I find it funny, whenever she gets frustrated with something and says "this is reedikleeus."

2820. Lainee many not like to work on her reading (hmmm, I wonder where she gets that from...) But OH MY, let that child measure something and it's like you are the best teacher EVAH!

2819. Got my lesson plans for this week done last night. Yeah, I'm behind. But I am so glad to have them done.

2818. And I am glad that as I was doing my lesson plans, God reminded me that I can ALTER things to suit Lainee's needs. That was a needed reminder.

2817. I got some time to work with Jonathan on a few letters and numbers today. That hasn't happened in a while.

2816. And I got some time to read a bit of my book today too.

2815. Paul suggested that we go to a marriage enrichment seminar next month. How cool is that?