Day #21 I am thankful for

being on vacation! See you in a few days!

Day #20 I am thankful for

realizing that my camera's card is bad BEFORE going on vacation! I just went to clear it off for vacation & I got nothin! I know I had some pictures on there but I can remember what of.. Hmmm.. Planned on hitting Wal-Mart this afternoon anyway. Praise the Lord I didn't discover this after we got back from vacation.

Wonder if I should get a different kind? This one holds around 600 pictures. I have a Canon Rebel XT. Any recommendations?

Day #19 I am thankful for

the week of Thanksgiving & our annual mountain vacation!

In a few days we will be leaving for the mountains. Three years ago we started taking the boys to the mountains the week of Thanksgiving. The first year we went to Chimney Rock, NC.

Last year we went to Blue Ridge, GA.
This year we're going to Maggie Valley, NC and we can't wait! I start packing tomorrow! Gammy usually goes with us but will be staying behind this year. She'll have our whole house to herself! We're heading out early Saturday morning & coming back Wednesday. We like to have a big Thanksgiving lunch at our house on Thursday. Then there's shopping on Friday with Gammy! Saturday we'll spend the day decorating for Christmas. I LOVE these traditions we've started.

Day #18 I am thankful for

birthday blessings!

I turned 37 yesterday. I am not real big on birthdays. I like to celebrate other people's birthdays & I go all out for my kids, but as an adult I think a simple Facebook birthday wish, or a phone call, email, etc., is just fine. But I have to say that I felt very blessed yesterday. Monday my boys had the most beautiful card, a dozen yellow roses & a four pack of Reeses cups for me when I got home. So we all four (Nick was at school so the gifts were courtesy of Gammy) had a Reeses cup. Tuesday morning I woke up to three more gifts on the kitchen island, from the boys courtesy of Daddy this time. Two adorable nightgowns & dark chocolate covered pomegranats. My sweet mommy gave me a Snuggie & a pretty topaz necklace & earring set. Received a special birthday phone call from a sweet friend early in the morning. Then when I got to work there was the most beautiful pot of mums on my desk with a card & this jar.

(Not sure why the 2nd pic, of the other side, is smaller.)

I thought this was especially sweet because this person had obviously been following my blog. Thank you Bro. Wayne & Michelle (Pastor/Boss & Wife)! (Michelle being the especially thoughtful one there, lol.) I received a phone call from a new, older couple from our church inviting myself, Gammy & Rocco over for lunch. How sweet is that?! That made such an impression on me. I want to be more like that. I started thinking about it & I have known them for such a short time & they have had me in their home. We have lived here for almost seven years and I can count on one hand the people that have invited us in their home. I'm not talking fellowships, I'm talking personal invitations! THAT'S what I want to be like. (So pray that Nick would get motivated to complete these home projects so I can invite people over!!) Later a friend stopped by with a sweet birthday balloon & two slices of my fave = CHEESECAKE! I can't believe I have forgotten them two nights in a row! There they sit, in the fridge in the office at church. Maybe I'll remember tonight.. Had a sweet birthday, full of blessings! I told Nick not to do anything because we're heading to the mountains in a few days. I can't wait!!

THANK YOU for reading.. I love comments!

Day #17 I am thankful for

the way the sun shines through the trees in the morning!

On my drive home this morning, from taking Roman & Dallon to school, I couldn't help but notice the beautiful display. The sun was shining bright through the trees as I traveled down W Fourth Avenue. I like how the trees come together over the road. Small things like this point me back to my Savior. Thank you for smiling down on me this morning Lord! Thank you for your new mercies this morning!

Lamentations 3:22-23

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Day #16 I am thankful for

my new oven!

Our oven went out during the summer. We were planning on replacing it soon but not this soon. The stove top still worked but not the oven. So I have had to be creative with my cooking, sticking to the stove top, grilling or the crock pot. I can't wait to make a chicken pot pie! My boys can't either! So the box is here, arrived today, it's unopened. I pray that it is not damaged from transport & Nick can get it hooked up tomorrow night. (Tonight he has school.) Here's a picture of what it is supposed to look like. It's our first stainless steel appliance. Next will be the refrigerator.

Day #15 I am thankful for

God being a God of today!

Twice this week I have heard from the Lord. No question, undoubtedly, a word from the Lord. How does this happen? Through His Word (the Bible) and His Spirit that lives within me. Most days I go through my routine, knowing all the while that God is with me. He promises He is & I believe Him. But these two messages were different, they were two times in one week that I knew He had a special message for me. The first one was Wedneday night in my Bible study class, which I shared in a previous post. God reminded me that He has given me the strength needed to live a life of freedom, Glorifying to Him. The second time was today. Wow, what a powerful message this morning that God delivered through our pastor. It was on Praying Powerfully. Going before God boldly asking for the desires of our hearts. Asking mostly for more God all over our lives. Have you ever had a time when the Lord was impressing you to do something & you just knew it was Him? So much so that you can't sit still until you do it? Even if it makes you uncomfortable & you'd rather just stick to your normal routine of showing up, Worshiping, praying & going home? That was me today. I knew there was something He wanted me to do and I knew I would not be able to move forward with my day until it was done. The last time I felt this same urgency was about four or five years ago and I still see how God worked in that situation and is to this day still using the person it involved. I do not take any credit and don't seek a pat on the back. I am simply thankful that my God is a God of TODAY. He is alive & well & uses sinners like me to accomplish His will. He doesn't have to, he could accomplish His will by simply thinking it in to happening. But He includes us, His children, made in His image. Isn't that amazing?

God of all creation, I am a sinner, I make bad choices everyday. I probably cause people to stumble by my judgemental sinful heart. Please forgive me for this sin. Thank you for loving me, forgiving me & helping me to love others. Thank you for still speaking to me today, through Your Spirit that you have placed inside of me. Please help me to look to You and see people the way You see them, love them the way You love them. I praise You & thank You for Your Grace. In Jesus Holy name!

So you may be wondering what it was that God impressed me to do today. Or if I did it? I did & He has blessed me with joy. Does it really matter if I share the details? Or does it matter more that He still impresses upon His people & rewards them with joy for their obedience?

I am thankful for God being a God of yesterday, today, tomorrow & forever. Amen

Day #14 I am thankful for

being born again!

Music has always been a big part of my life. Unfortunately I have no musical talent, but it has always been an influence. When I was a little girl I was influenced by Styx & Kiss because that's what my big brother listened to. When I was old enough to choose my own music I gravitated towards Shaun Cassidy, Duran Duran & Pat Benatar. As a teenager I opted for hip hop & rap. "It takes two to make a thing go right........It takes two to make it outta sight." I had the ultimate 'boom' in my 300zx as a young woman, turning heads as I drove by. Then I fell in love with a bass player for a metal band and followed him from club to club as they did cover tunes for Pearl Jam, Yngwie Malmsteen, and others.. I stayed in that mode for 3 years, until that boyfriend of mine asked Christ in to his life in the middle of the night watching Jack Hagee on tv. At the time we lived together in an apartment in Baymeadows. There was quite a change in his life, none of which I understood. I moved home with my mom. My boyfriend quit the band & continued to share the message of Christ with me for a year. The day he gave up & told the Lord it was His problem now (unbeknownst to me) I bowed down in my bedroom, alone, & asked God to help me understand the plan He has for my life. To forgive me & make me new. That day I was born again. This song reminds me of that time. Isn't that what music does? It takes us to a place? What kind of place does your music take you to?

John 3:3-8
You Must Be Born Again Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him." Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?" Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."

Born once = Die twice, Born twice = die once

Day #12 I am thankful for

Seriously.. It's the little things that make me smile. (I do use the liquid creamer though, just didn't see that pic.)

Day #12 I am thankful for

second chances over and over and over in Jesus name!

Last night's Bible study group video (on self control) was AMAZING. We're at the end of our Bible study, Living Beyond Yourself by Beth Moore. It's actually my second time doing this one & I have to admit I haven't really done it the second go around. But God's faithfulness is not dependant on my faithfulness & He had a message for me. I'm still processing everything I heard and the Scriptures. Thank you Jesus for second chances seventy times seven times! Here are a few of the Scriptures from tonight:

1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

DO I BELIEVE IT???

Romans 12:1-2 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

I learned last night that being at a comfortable place with my body (not that perfect size, nor being neglectful of my body) is more about freedom than it is about size.

Thank you for that word Lord.

I LOVED the story Beth told about the former Miss Kentucky that had been as small as a 4 & as large as a 14 and proudly announced she was a 10. (I was at peace when I was a 10 too.)

Thank you Father

Day #11 I am thankful for

Veterans!

Thank you all who have served and are serving in the military! Deepest thank you to all who have given their lives. My heart breaks when I pause to remember you. You're never far from my mind. Freedom is not free.

Yesterday was the 234th birthday for the United States Marine Corps. I kissed my Marine. I am so proud to say I married a Marine. He is my real life hero.

I also remember my grandfather,

Lawrence R. Cooper, who served faithfully for many years and retired from the Airforce.

I will be in prayer for Matt Roberts, who is leaving Sunday from Kuwait to Iraq. Matt is in the Army & volunteered to go in to a war zone so a married soldier, with a family would not have to. Matt, you are upheld in prayer by your church,

First Baptist Hilliard.

Day #10 I am thankful for

my friends!

I am thankful for the friends that have come...........and gone from my life. There is a season for everything and I have enjoyed so many seasons of friendships. My hope & joy rests in that these friendships are eternal. I look forward to meeting new friends that will also come...........and go. But are never completely gone..

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.

Here are just a few friends that have blessed my life through the years. Some in the past, some in the present.. (Again, in no particular order & not limited to.)

Angie Smith

Brian & Sara Calhoun

Deanna Richard & Trisha Thomas

Darlene Brown & Pam Coco

Pam Ash

Maite Rey

Alana Isham (maybe this will convince her to get more pictures)

Sean Weaver

Aren't they beautiful?

I love them all.

Day #9 I am thankful for

my husband!

Remember, these are in no particular order. Didn't want anyone to think I am more thankful for naps than I am for Nicky.

I met my husband at Calvary Hill Baptist Church about fifteen years ago. I had a boyfriend at the time & Nick was dating someone, so while I noticed Nick, I didn't NOTICE Nick. Make sense? A few weeks passed and my boyfriend & I broke up, Nick quit dating the girl he'd been seeing and we started NOTICING one another. He first caught my eye when he was in a Christmas play at church. He played a General, that's all I remember about the play. Well, and that our pastor's daughter curled up next to me with her head in my lap and fell asleep. Which was sweet but strange because I was new to the church & didn't know her. Gosh, she's probably married with kids now! OK, back to my story. Nick was so handsome! I quickly learned that several girls at church had their eyes on him. I wasn't interested in being a part of that. My mom ran in to him in the hallway at church one day and asked him if he had ever considered asking me out. He said, "As a matter of fact I have been thinking about doing that." She responded, "Stop thinking about it & do it." He did, we did and here we are. Wow.. So much in between but I doubt you all are interested in that. Here are some things I love about my husband. (Again, in no particular order & not limited to..)

• His desire to be like minded w/our God
• His sense of humor
• His legs
• His hair, especially the super man curl that falls on his forehead
• His intelligence
• His ability to fix things that are broken
• His smile
• His strong hands
• His laugh
• His love for our children
• His love for me
  

Thank you Lord for Nicky!

He is a blessing to me & I love him with all my heart.

Day #8 I'm thankful for

Sunday naps..

This is the one day every week that I take a nap. From time to time I may sneak one in somewhere else during the week, but I always get a nap on Sunday. I absolutely love it!

This picture of Rocco sleeping is from 2 years ago.

Good night.. ZZZZzzzzzz

Genesis 2:2

And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done.

1st 9wks 2009

Dallon made A Honor Roll, received Accelerated Reader & Citizenship Awards. Should have gotten Perfect Perfect Attendance, means he was at school on time everyday & never left early, but they ran out of those ribbons so nobody in 1st Grade got them.

This is Dallon with his pisan Lincoln.

Roman made A/B Honor Roll, received the Accelerated Reader & Perfect Pefect Attendance Awards. He was bumped from the top Math spot by Reagan Ritsma. Until now Roman has held the highest Math score in his class since 2nd Grade. Gives him a challenge to work towards. I told him to watch out for Amy & Reagan this year, they're two smart girls!

Roman & his pisan Trey.

Way to go boys!!

Day #7 I'm thankful for

my boys!

As a young girl I pictured myself as a married woman with one boy & one girl. Don't we all? Ten years ago when I became pregnant with our first baby I called 'it' "Gabby", short for Gabrielle Nicole, after Nick of course. Then we found out we were having a boy. Our plan was to name him Gabriel but decided on Roman Gabriel. We fell deeply in love with this boy God had given us. Our precious Roman, smart & adventurous.

A few years later we decided it was time to add to our family & we prayed for another baby. God blessed us quickly and again, I was convinced I was going to have a girl. That's how it goes right? A boy then a girl? That's how it happened in my family growing up. This time we decided to name her Sicily Bianca. Then we found out we were having another boy. Not disappointed at all, we were excited. Then came along our Dallon Vincent & another love story.. This boy was painful coming in to this world but a bundle of joy when he arrived. He quickly grew to be a massive sized baby with rolls upon rolls and the curliest hair. Now he's our small little man, so thoughtful & caring.

For a while we decided we were complete. But I had a restless stir a few years later and started talking about trying one more time for our Sicily. That curly redheaded girl with freckles. Or would she have Daddy's thick wavy black hair? Well, Nick went on his 2nd missions trip to Brazil with our church and when he returned I hit him up to try again. We got pregnant right away. I mean, within two weeks we had tested positive and were telling people. Overwhelmed with joy we knew we would be ecstatic with a boy or a girl. We agreed on Sicily Belle for a girl or Thadden Rocco for a boy. Rocco (goes by his middle name according to his brothers) was born 35 minutes in to March, 2006. This boy has completed our family with the endless love he has brought to us. When I was pregnant I felt God telling me over & over that this child would be a 'Reconciler.' I don't know exactly what that means yet. But I know it was strong enough to know that it was coming from our Maker. I'm interested to see. Maybe he'll grow up to be a Marriage Counselor?

There is just something uniquely special about being a mom of three boys. Can I get an amen?

At times I feel overwhelmed, other times unworthy, most of all thankful.

Raising Boys

Roberta I. Teague

I scrub the wall of fingerprints,

Pick up the mounds of clothes.

I sweep the dirt that shoes track in-

Wish I could use a hose!

Meals are served from dawn to dark,

Dirty dishes crowd the sink.

Just when they’re washed and put away-

Everyone wants a drink!

The washer pulls the dirty grime from pants worn thin and patched.

They look so very neat and clean-

Yuck, look what the pockets hatched!

Broken bones and bloody knees,

I should have been a nurse.

I take it all in shaky stride-

Just grateful it’s not worse!

Screams and shouts and arguments test the keeping of my cool.

They left the neighbor’s faucet on-

See their new front yard pool!

A soothing bath is ecstasy,

A reward at the end of my rope.

Raising boys isn’t really bad-

But first I must wash the soap!

A rose can say I Love You, Orchids can enthrall;

But a weed bouquet in a chubby fist,

Oh my, that says it all!

**I should take this time to be thankful for Dr. Dobson's book 'Bringing Up Boys' because I lean on the things I have learned through it daily.

I'm late in starting this but here goes.. Day #6 I'm thankful for

I am thankful for the seasons.

I know, I could be more spiritual or focused on family. Today I choose to focus on one of the things in life that God has blessed all of us with. No matter if you're big or small, rich or poor, dark or light, young or old. It's something that He gave to us for our pleasure. Thank you Lord for the seasons! I particularly like Spring & Fall the best but am thankful for each one.

They truly do something for my soul.. Welcome Fall!

Welcome back little pilgrim salt & pepper shakers. I've missed you!