2853

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

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?

2814

2814. Mashed cauliflower.

2813. Filling up the van for $1.98/gallon.

2812. Kix.

2811. Going to a bridal shower for a rock-solid Christian girl who is going to marry a rock-solid Christian guy.

2810. Good cake.

2809. With coffee.

2808. I was in charge of the games for the shower, but hadn't had time to work on them until this afternoon. I thought of something quickly, found the info I needed, and was able to print it off easily. YAY!

2807. Lainee remembered to give me the message that Karen gave her yesterday. Karen told Lainee "Tell your mom that I am praying for her!"

2806. Meatloaf.

2805. Bethany was manageable at the shower tonight, even though I wouldn't let her eat any "junk" until she finished her dinner (that I brought with us. Oh, yes I did.) I held firm. She did too. So, she ended up not eating any junk at all. Fine by me.

2804

2804. God's love is high, long, wide, deep. (Eph 3:18)

2803. I can know his love that surpasses knowledge. (Eph 3:19)

2802. He is able to do immeasurable more than I ask or imagine. (Eph 3:20)

2801. His power is at work withing ME! (Eph 3:20)

2800. Deena

2799. Libby

2798. Kristy

2797. Elisabeth

2796. Ami

2795. Andrea babysitting.

2794. Karen's prayers.

2793. Beth Moore

2792. Unselfish weeping.

2791. God's power.

2790. Safe travel to and from Beth Moore conference.

2789. Watching a movie in a hotel.

2788. While eating Chinese take-out.

2787. A group of people to talk to about what God is doing in my life.

2786. Bearing burdens.

2785. A refund for overpaid parking.

2784. Free coffee.

2783. A chicken philly.

2782. Breakfast casserole.

2781. Vouchers for prescription refills from the pharmacy such that I haven't paid a dime for my last two refills, and I won't pay for the next one either.

2780. Stuff I needed was on sale at the grocery store this week.

2779. Paul.

2778. Lainee.

2777. Jonathan.

2776. Bethany.

2775. Bethany singing the B-I-B-L-E song. It sounds like "B-I-B-I-B-I-B-I."

2774. Hearing Jonathan say "Cincinnati."

2773. A hot tub.

2772. A swimming pool - with no kids to watch.

2771. A pool workout.

2770. Laughing. Hard.

2769. Crying. Hard.

2768. Bagels: 4 for $1.

2767. Consistently exercising.

2766. Staying in a hotel that's all about service.

2765. Bennigan's "Death by Chocolate."

2764. No worries over Paul having the kids while I was gone.

2763. Finishing another book.

2762. Praise songs on my lips.

2761. The program feature of my coffee maker that lets me have hot water ready for my tea when I get up in the morning.

2760. Being loved by God like a mom would love her infant child. (times infinity.)

2759. Milky Way Midnight.

2758. Pears.

2757. Sleeping until 10 a.m.

2756. Staying up late with friends.

2755. Having people at home who miss you when you are gone.

2754. Getting some work done when you thought the day was a wash.

2753

2753. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. (Romans 8:26-27)

2752. Saving $15 on groceries yesterday.

2751. A sweet response to an e-mail from on online friend.

2750. A better day of homeschooling.

2749. Ice cream from Maggie Moo's.

2748. Patience from my family when I forgot to plug in the steamer and they had to wait for the broccoli to get done, even though dinner had already started.

2747. And then when the timer went off again, I realized that I never filled the steamer with water. So they waited even longer. Patiently.

2746. Cool, fall weather is upon us in the Buckeye State.

2745. Pumice stones.

2744. Seeing Bethany dance tonight.

2743. Bethany ate some meat tonight. Yay!

2742. Chicken salad lettuce wraps.

2741. Helen.

2740. Getting a few things done that are on the ever growing "to do" list.

2739. Paul grilled the steak for dinner. Not only did it taste good, but it also made things easier for me.

2738. Buy one, get one free groceries.

2737. Being silly in the store with the kids.

2736

2736. We sang "The Wheels on the Bus" the other day at story time. I had Bethany on my lap, and she really enjoyed it as I made her hands do all the motions. It was the first time I can think of that she's heard that song. Later that day, it just happened to come on while the kids were watching Barney. She ran to get me, all excited, because she recognized it. Now, it is a sure winner to entertain her. I especially like to watch her when she does the verse about the mommies who go "sh, sh, sh."

2735. Bethany likes to try to jump. I like watching that.

2734. One of the ladies in the nursery taught Bethany to hold up her finger when asked "how old are you?" It's cute.

2733. Watching Lainee as she "read" us a Bible story this evening. It was the familiar passage from Timothy chapter 2 where God was on the road to Nazareth with his disciples, Paul, James and John.

2732. A brisk walk every night for the last 5 nights.

2731. Not craving sugar as much.

Hmmm, you think those last two are related?

2730. Andrea happily agreed watch the kids for me this week when I leave for West Virginia.

2729. My kids love Andrea.

2728. And she and Chris sang a beautiful song this morning. Good stuff, those two together...

2727. Being invited to Melissa's favor-making party on Monday. (I can't go, but I am flattered that she asked.)

2726. My boy, happily explaining the poster that illustrated his Sunday school lesson. (He used the word "scroll.")

2725. Lainee, it seems, is quite the slugger. Paul has been teaching her to hit a ball, and she can hit it pretty well.

2724. Time alone to talk with God while I am out walking.

2723. Getting to pray with someone at church today.

2722. Reading and enjoying A Separate Peace again.

2721. Remembering to write things on my calendar.

2720. Getting two bags of clothes/shoes for Bethany from a friend at church today.

2719. Getting the major portion of this week's lesson plans done yesterday.

2718. Omelettes.

2717. A good nap.

2716

2716. Found a slew of stuff for Jonathan at the second-hand store. He really needed some warmer clothes.

2715. As I was driving to the store, I was making mental notes about what I needed to get for him. I thought to myself "he only has two pairs of pants that fit him." Then I thought about how blessed we are. He has two pairs of pants that fit him. And we were on our way to buy some more!

2714. Also a HUGE blessing, was that both Lainee and Jonathan found costumes for Halloween at the store. As we walked in the store, I told the kids that I'd buy them a costume if they found one they liked. Jonathan said, "I want Batman." I told him there might not be a Batman costume, but we'd look. Wouldn't you know that we found a Batman costume complete with cap and bat-mask in JUST HIS SIZE! Yahoo, God! That boy was so excited!

2713. We went out to the arboretum again tonight. Frog watching has become a big thing in our family. Tonight, Paul actually caught one! The kids were SO excited. But they screamed when they tried to touch it because it tried to jump out of Paul's hand... and almost made it!

2712. Tonight on my walk I could smell a wood fire burning somewhere. I love that smell wafting through cool fall air.

2711. I got a call today from a friend who was concerned that she'd said something that upset me. She didn't, but I still thought it was sweet.

2710. Bethany gave me the biggest, longest hug tonight.

2709. The kids were wiped out tonight and went to bed pretty quickly.

2708. Lainee read a book today.

2707. We planted bean seeds today so we can study plant development. The kids love to plant stuff.

2706. We also enjoyed tomato & cucumber salad this evening. It's one of our favorites, but this time it was better because the main ingredients came from our garden. (It took this long to get a tomato ripe enough at the same time that a cucumber was also ready.) It was very tasty.

2705. The neighbor kids have each been able to harvest a cucumber from our plants.

2704

2704. Three little kids who want to play in a sprinkler, even though it isn't that hot out.

2703. And even though Paul got home late and couldn't entertain the kids while I made dinner, I didn't have any problems. Because the sprinkler was entertaining them for me.

2702. Bethany in a bathing suit.

2701. English muffins.

2700. Putting an outfit on Bethany that Lainee wore when she was that age. Why do I like that so much? I don't know, but I do.

2699. Watching Bethany eat her Kix and yogurt this morning. The kid knows what she's doing with that spoon!

2698. Doing Lainee's lesson outside today.

2697. Scrapbooking on Tuesday night.

2696. Getting some time alone beforehand and have a quiet time, writing a letter, and eating some ice cream.

2695. Blueberry muffins.

2694. Learning about the prophecy that Daniel gave when he interpreted a dream for Nebuchadnezzar.

2693. Blueberry bagels.

2692. Colby-Jack cheese.

2691. Walking at night for the last two nights.

2690. Cooler weather.

2689. Friends, like Libby, who care enough to call when they think I might be down and encourage me.

2688. Shaking my sillies and wiggling my waggles out with my entire family.

2687. Singing "If You're Happy and You Know it" with the family tonight, where each person got two chances to make up a movement. For both of Bethany's turns, she pointed both of her index fingers and started shaking her hands. It was so cute.

2686. Jonathan says "GREAAAAAAT!" a lot.

2685. And he thanks me for things like buying them strawberry toothpaste.

2684. We put the kids to bed a little early tonight.

2683. Oh the excitement over dinner when you serve homemade waffles with POWDERED SUGAR on top.

2682. The smell of freshly cut grass.

2681. And never having to actually MAKE the freshly cut grass, because your husband has mowed the grass every single time. Yup. I've never mowed it once.

2680. The laughs that can be had when you mistake a mosquito for a tadpole.

2679. Being told that something I said, though hard to hear, was what someone needed in a situation she was struggling with. The glory goes to God there for sure, because on my own I'd never have much wisdom or insight.

2678. Thursday morning Bible study.

2677. Seeing Jonathan in his AWANA vest. Very cute.

2676. Seeing Lainee in her newest AWANA vest. She is one of the "big kids" now. And she was very proud of how she looked.

2675. Good theological conversation with Paul last night.

2674. That Paul doesn't teach stuff from Scripture that he's heard from someone else - only what he has determined from his own study of the Word. I like that muchly.

2673. My headache is gone.

2672. I accidentally did more than I'd planned to do for Lainee's math lesson yesterday. This was a good thing because today I didn't have to do her math lesson with her while I had the headache.

2671

2671. Realizing that the "tadpoles" were really mosquitoes before they started flying themselves all over my house.

2670. A great trip to the arboretum today.

2669. Got the M&M's that I didn't know I needed (until it was too late last night) after our trip to the arboretum. Lainee and Jonathan really liked the craft/snack that went with the lesson today. Couldn't have done it without the M&M's.

2668. Lainee is getting big and can be so helpful. I can asked her to do several small things today. She happily did them and it made things a little easier for me.

2667. Lainee has been requesting prayer at children's church for our neighbor's spider problem, and that the neighbors would come to church. She said that our family could me missionaries to them!

2666. Bethany slept through the night last night.

2665. And she didn't take a long nap today, so I am hoping she will sleep through tonight too.

2664. Praying for our missions team during our school day. Lainee seemed surprised by this, but happy to do it.

2663. Lainee began concocting a dessert this afternoon consisting of sugar, cinnamon, brown sugar, and those sugar crystal sprinkles. (She said she was making "sprinkledy pie.") I was able to help the kids (Jonathan eventually joined in) make some adjustments and it turned into a fruit crisp.

2662. Chipmunks.

2661. Frogs.

2660. Turtles.

2659. Caterpillars.

2658. And seeing your kids delight in seeing all of these things.

2657

2657. I don't have to agree with everything another Christian presents to me in a teaching situation.

2656. I can still be doing what is right in the eyes of God even if some other Christians don't approve, understand, or support me.

2655. We just got a bunch of visuals handed down to us from another homeschooler.

2654. God enables me, somehow, to not jump out of my skin and S.C.R.E.A.M. when I have a young child pulling at my legs and screaming.

2653. Eating dinner with Joel and Andrea. Then Melissa showed up.

2652. Andrea sang a beautiful song this evening at church. Her singing seems to bless me every time.

2651. Hearing my kids trying to sing the song that Paul has been practicing all week for his special music at church.

2650. Casting anxieties on God.

2649. Our church just sent a missions team to help rebuild two homes for Katrina victims.

2648. Taking my name off the mailing lists of all the catalogs I have been receiving.

2647. The iron fell on the kitchen floor twice last week. It still works.

2646. A nap.

2645. My kids' Sunday school teachers weren't late this morning, so I wasn't either.

2644. Last night Jonathan kept telling everyone that he was the coach. When I asked him what he was coaching, he named the local high school. So I asked him what sport it was, and he said something like "running children."

2643. Lainee asked me to take a different route home from church today so she could show me something. It ended up being a pink toilet sitting in someone's yard. She thought it was hilarious.