Thankful Thursday

I am trying something new this week. In my recent blog surfing I have come across a bunch of wonderful blogs. One of them hosts a weekly meme called Thankful Thursday. I know I don't tell God often enough just how grateful I am for all of His blessings, so I am going to try to participate weekly in this meme.

Today I would just like to say how thankful I am for:

• My children's health. So often I hear about some child that is afflicted with some horrible disease, and is suffering because of it. I don't know if I could bear seeing one of my children suffer.
• The opportunity God gives me to start each day fresh with Him. To know that God wipes the slate clean each time I confess my sin to Him is something to truly be grateful for.
• My prayer warrior friends. I have been blessed with several close friends that really know how to pray without ceasing. I know that all I have to do is ask and they will immediately go to God in prayer about any situation in my life. To know that they are praying for me even when I don't ask is an even greater blessing.
• A family that's not afraid to say "I love you." Each time one of my kids voluntarily tells me that they love me, my heart swells (even when they are doing it to get out of trouble). I still love to hear Brian tell me that he loves me. It is a blessing to know you are loved. I know I need to work harder about telling my parents, sister, and in-laws that I love them. I know they know that I love them, but just as hearing those words blesses me, I imagine it would be a blessing for them to hear it from me.

OK - that wasn't so hard.

Gone Fishing

My parents took all the grand kids fishing yesterday. Reading my mom's blog about the adventure really took me back to my childhood. Most of our fishing trips, camping trips, and other adventures turned out much like this. I remember going camping exactly twice as a child. One time my grandma and aunt took all of us grand kids to the lake. The only thing I remember about the trip was that it rained. The other time my parents took my sister and me out in the national forest. It was roughing it style. I remember not liking going to do my business in the woods. And chiggers. If you have never had the pleasure of getting into a "mess of chiggers" as they are called around here, trust me, you don't want to. There is nothing quite like the itch of a few dozen chigger bites, to make you want to scratch your skin off.

I also remember many fishing trips to my grandparents ponds. I was always afraid of snakes and bugs, and I did not want to touch the worms or even the fish I caught for that matter. Honestly I haven't got much better about this. We lived in a house with a pond for a while and did a lot of fishing then, but even as an adult I am constantly watching around my feet for critters and hearing things in the bushes. Even though I am not much of an outdoorsy person, I want my kids to have the experience of camping in a tent, and catching a real whopper. I may try to talk Brian into an overnight camping trip to the lake this fall once the weather starts to cool off. I know the kids would love it, and the fresh air would do us all good.

Staying the Same

Well my first official week of maintenance went pretty well. I was actually a little surprised that I didn't gain. I pretty much spent Saturday and Sunday eating whatever I wanted. We had Chinese Saturday, and then Sunday was potluck at church. Even though I took some healthier choices, it is hard to pass by some of my favorites without getting a little taste.

I also have to praise God for an answered prayer. First let me say that we have been blessed that both of our children have never had to stay with anyone other than family while we work. My mom has provided a loving place for them to stay ever since Stephen was born. Then after Skylar was born, and Brian's mom retired they have had the opportunity to spend a day or two a week with her. Well now that Brian's dad is sick, we have been praying for someone trustworthy to watch then a couple of days a week. My mom is just not able to keep up with them and my 4 year old nephew five days a week. Last night we got the answer to our prayer. Our next door neighbor, and long time friend said she would be happy to keep them. She and her husband are like family. In fact the kids even call them aunt and uncle. The kids will love spending the extra time with them, and I won't have to worry that they are being cared for in a loving yet disciplined manner.

Happy Camper

Last week Stephen spent 3 days and nights at church camp. I was really afraid when he left that he would get homesick and want to come home early. Boy was I wrong. We went to camp Friday night to attend church with him, only to find that he not only didn't want to come home early, he was having such a good time that he wasn't ready for it to be over on Saturday. I am so glad that he enjoyed himself. His counselors said he was well behaved and other than falling of the top bunk the first 2 nights he had no problems at all. In fact he was nominated by his cabin for Honor Camper, and though he didn't win overall Honor Camper, we were very proud of him. He is already looking forward to going back next year.

Skylar really missed her brother while he was gone. She kept asking if this was the day he was coming home. It was really odd for him not to be there to tuck in each night. And Skylar had no on to argue with (other than me and her daddy).

Thank You

So I was checking out the hits on my blog today and couldn't figure out why there were so many - the only day I have more than one or two is Tuesday when I post on the challenge at Tales from the Scales. Well I got to looking and the links were coming from there so I checked it out and imagine my surprise when I found they were writing about me. Thank you so much for all of your support and I pray that each of you comes to a point where you are happy with where you are.

A Happy Medium

I had a revelation this weekend. As I was standing in the dressing room trying on clothes at Sears, I looked in the mirror and realized - I am happy with the way I look. Right then and there, probably for the first time in my life I was comfortable in my own skin. This leads me to my second revelation - while I haven't reached that magic number on the scale - that goal that I set almost 80 pounds ago and haven't wavered from - I am happy at my current weight. I know I could say that it's only 8 more pounds, but if I am happy, why push myself toward a goal that was set when I was so unhappy with my body that I didn't think I could ever be satisfied with the way I looked. So rather than continue to push myself toward an arbitrarily set number on the scale, I am changing my goal. I am within a five pound range where I will maintain. And I can honestly say something that few people can say - I am happy with my body.

Lost Highway

So my favorite band Bon Jovi has a new cd coming out next week. I have been looking forward to this for awhile now. I have loved their music since junior high, and they aren't bad on the eyes either. I am hoping to get to see them live on the tour for this album. I have seen them once way back on the Keep the Faith tour, but I would love to see them again - and Kathy if you are reading we WILL be going this time!!! If you are interested you can preview the new music over at VH1. I like what I have heard so far and even though what I have heard has a much more "country" sound than their previous stuff they still ROCK!- hope they don't disappoint...

Ready for a Vacation

I am very ready for a vacation. While we don't have our plans nailed down completely, we do have a destination and hotel reservations already. We don't know what we are going to do when we get there, but we are ready to go. Honestly, I don't care if we do nothing more than let the kids swim in the hotel pool and just hang out. I know we are both in need of a little R&R. I even splurged on a little more expensive hotel than I usually go for (being the cheapskate that I am) and I opted for three whole nights away from home. Now the countdown is on...

Challenge Update

Well I had hoped to have more progress on this challenge than I have, but I guess not gaining is progress in a way, especially after that cheesecake last week. I lost a pound this week which makes my total for the challenge at Tales from the Scales a whopping 2.5 pounds. Guess I will take what I can get. There is still plenty of time to make my goal before the challenge is over.

Not Too Bad

Well, the class reunion wasn't that bad - even for us antisocialites. I tried my best not to just blend into the background, but to make an effort to get into the conversation. There were probably 20 or so classmates that showed up for family day. It was nice to get to visit with some old friends and just to see everyone's families. It always amazes me how much everyone's kids have grown. It starts to make you feel old when you see your classmates twelve year old kids, especially when the last time you saw them they were just seven. Maybe it won't be another five years before I see them again.

15 Years and Counting

Tomorrow is my 15 year high school reunion. I was really excited about going for a while. I have even been involved in the planning process, but as the actual reunion approaches, I really don't want to go. I have come to realize over the last few months that I am anti-social. It's not that I don't want to socialize, but when I get in a situation with a lot of people, I become a wallflower. I try to fade into the background and not be seen. I never know what to say to people, and no matter how hard I try, I feel like a big, old dork when I try to make small talk.

Don't get me wrong, I look forward to seeing a few of my old classmates. Some were close friends that I rarely talk to anymore. I have not been the best at keeping up old friendships. I don't know why that is either. I think it stems from the same reason I don't make small talk well - I am afraid that people just don't really care what I have to say, or what is going on in my life, and I don't want to bore them with the details, so we just end up drifting apart.

I was the same way in school. I had a few close friends, but I never felt any real ties with most of my classmates. I think it is that way for a lot of people. I always felt like everyone else was more popular, richer, smarter, and just plain more exciting than me. As I later learned, that really wasn't true about most of them. They all had the same insecurities that I had. The ones that I thought were rich really just had families that were deeper in debt than mine. Those that were more popular were just more outgoing than I am.

Anyway - I will go to my reunion, I will talk to my old friends, and I will attempt not to try to make myself fade into the background - but I am not making any promises.

Good Eats, Nap Please

Today a certain client, who shall remain nameless, treated our entire office staff to lunch. Now I have been doing really good here at work when it comes to lunch. I have been bringing pre-portioned, nutritious meals from home, saving not only calories but money too. I have also been packing snacks so that I don't get too hungry before heading home to fix supper. So knowing I needed to make good decisions, I scouted out the menu to Mike's Place BEFORE we ever left the office. I made my selections beforehand so I wouldn't be tempted to choose unwisely at the restaurant. I did really good - I chose the blackened chicken with a baked potato - butter and sour cream on the side. I finished my meal satisfied. Then they brought the dessert menu...needless to say I am a sucker for cheesecake - man it was good. While it wasn't the best decision I could have made, but I made it and now I need a nap. I am soooo not used to eating that much. I really hope the kids have already eaten when we pick them up because there is no way I will want to fix supper tonight.

Psalm 23 Explained

Occasionally I get an email that really speaks volumes. The following was one of those so I thought I would share it here.

The Lord is my Shepherd (That's Relationship!)
I shall not want (That's Supply!)
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. (That's Rest!)
He leadeth me beside the still waters. (That's Refreshment!)
He restoreth my soul (That's Healing!)
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness. (That's Guidance!)
For His name sake (That's Purpose!)
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. (That's Testing!)
I will fear no evil. (That's Protection!)
For Thou art with me (That's Faithfulness!)
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me, (That's Discipline!)
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies. (That's Hope!)
Thou anointest my head with oil, (That's Consecration! )
My cup runneth over. (That's Abundance!)
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. (That's Blessing!)
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord. (That's Security!)
Forever (That's Eternity!)

Challenge and Weekend Update

Well I guess I should be glad I lost 1/2 pound this week. I was an emotional eating wreck last week, and the birthday cake didn't help matters any at all. For that matter neither did the church cookout. But back on track yesterday and all will be good this week.




We had our annual F.R.O.G. Day (Fully Rely on God) for the kids at church Sunday. We took them all to the Ozark Conference Center for an afternoon of swimming, eating, and frog racing. The kids really seemed to enjoy it. I know mine were completely worn out by the end of the day. I even kissed a frog (thanks a lot Bro. Wayne) - and no it didn't turn into a prince.

I Wish...

...the rain would stop pouring from the sky. Yep we are 2 for 2 this year for rainy birthday parties. The thunder started rolling about 45 minutes before Skylar's outdoor party was scheduled to start. The rain itself held off until time for everyone to arrive. First there were a few sprinkles, then a slow drizzle, then as if right on cue the bottom fell out of the sky at 2 o'clock.

We still had the party under the pavilion at the park, but needless to say it was a bit damp. We had a time keeping the candles lit long enough for Skylar to make her wish and blow them out. She had a wonderful time even though it was too wet to get out from under the pavilion and play with her friends. Actually, we were kind of surprised that anyone even showed up with the weather like it was. A special thank you to those of you who braved the rain and thunder.

Checkup Time

We took the kids to the doctor today for their annual checkups. All is well. They were none to happy to find out they needed booster shots though. Skylar had 4 and was definitely not happy by the time they had stuck her 4 times. She was very brave though, holding back most of the tears as she clung tightly to daddy. After seeing Skylar be so brave, Stephen had to be brave to, but you could tell he didn't really want to. He only had to have 2 shots, and it is a good thing because I don't think I could have held him for anymore. He is getting so big.

Tomorrow is the big party. I have the cake almost complete. Just a few finishing touches to finish up in the morning. I know all day we will hear, "Is it almost time for my party?" "How much longer until my party?" It almost makes me wish I had scheduled it for early morning instead of afternoon.

Brian made it home fine yesterday. Other than a bad headache, he had no ill effects from the flight home. He took off work today to recouperate. I hope that by tomorrow his headache is gone, and he is good as new.