Giving Thanks for…

life. Jesus Christ. grace and mercy. adam. addie. topher. creativity. music. dogwood blossoms. mom and dad. my health. the freedom to worship. paved streets and running water. our church family. susan and sarah. my sewing machine. satsuma trees. friends that get me. friends that don’t get me and love me anyway. the creativity of my children. facebook (sad, but true). my in-laws. an incredible elementary school with teachers who love my child. nita. rose bushes that bloom in the fall. a favorite football team (win or lose, though winning is great). jane. ashley and ashley. my Bible. encouraging phone calls from friends and family. good books. teaching sewing. a full pantry. brainstorms. hot coffee. cars that run. teaching swimming. a safe home. BG’s reading ability and LM beginning to sound out words (such precious sounds). little jobs that mean i don’t have to get a real one. random funny text messages. creative aunts and witty uncles. the generosity of others. the wisdom of a few. a cup of tea. sock puppet shows and silly stories. doc. rex. coupons. past opportunities to grow. lsmsa. obu. friends and family who have died but left me with lessons and wisdom and memories. this blog and all my blogging friends who leave comments. second chances. jokes that really make me lol. rainy days. sunshine. hand-me downs. snuggles with my children. popcorn and movies. quiet moments to stop and reflect. crazy moments when Christ calms me. sad moments when Christ lifts me up. struggling moments when Christ carries me.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations. Psalm 100:4-5

Giving Thanks!

Counting My Blessings:

My salvation through Jesus Christ.

My husband who encourages and supports me.

The kids who are the most brilliant, creative beings.

My parents and parents-in-law, my sisters, and the rest of the gang.

Jane, Ashley, and Ashley.

And their little ones who my little ones love.

My imagination and creativity.

A warm home with plenty to eat.

Wonderful neighbors (Happy Belated Birthday Pam!).

Living in a country where I can speak up about

right and wrong and tell others, without shame, of my Source of joy.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Catching Up...

[No Monday Book Review this week.]

Okay, since my last real post was 2 weeks and 2 hurricanes ago (I'm not counting Hannah, because, praise the Lord, it didn't bother us!), I figure you're ready for an update. So here it is.

GUSTAV- He rolled in and out without leaving too much damage in my little neck of the woods. In fact, the S. Louisiana family fared better than the Central Arkansas crowd. What's up with that?

Anyway, my Nita came to stay with us, just in case the weather took her power for a few days. Well, it didn't, but a bout of vertigo sure knocked her (and me) for a loop. She woke up that Monday morning so sick that she actually asked to go to the ER. If you've been following along, yes, that trip does become our second annual Labor Day Hospital Story. Anyway, 1 ER trip and 1 MD visit later, she felt tons better. She stayed the week and we were so glad we could be here to help her. Plus, our visits are always a special treat.

While she was here and feeling better, I got a little sewing done. These orders went out after Gustav (except for the one to Houma, which we held onto because they got hit hard). [Note: I am not an Alabama fan, but I don't mind sewing for them:)]

Plus, I got the pattern to make these darling blocks. [Note: I am not an Arkansas fan either, but I have sweet babies that are being raised by sadly delusional parents that are :)]

The kids went back to school on the Thursday of that week, but it was almost like starting the year all over again. It was a wild and wacky week, but our Gustav experience was most definitely memorable!

IKE-This storm was a little more of a pain than Gustav. After finally having a normal week at school (including our 1st first grade science test-yikes) we holed up ready for the winds and rains of Hurricane Ike. And they came. We are far enough inland that these storms are usually no more than tropical storm force by the time they get to us, but those winds are still tough enough to cause damage. We had no damage here, only a few tiny limbs down (first picture), but Ike was kind enough to knock the rest of the pears out of the tree (second picture). Goody, something to do this week. (said with sarcasm)

We lost power for an evening with Gustav, but it was out for 14 hours with Ike. Not fun. Here's why: We were listening to the LSU game on the radio and the power clicks off right at kick-off!!!! I was not happy. Fortunately we found a weather radio to finish listening to the game. GEAUX TIGERS!

The power stayed off all night. I've always wanted to wear my N.O. Saints jersey to church and this finally gave me my excuse. Everything needed ironing and since we had no power, I just pulled my hair up and grabbed my jeans and headed to church Sunday morning, jersey on. Too bad it didn't do us any good during the game. GO 'AINTS! oh wait, I mean GO SAINTS!

Anyway, before the power went out, I got a little more sewing done. The Little Man talked his Momo into this great superhero fabric. Momo only bought 2 yards and he wanted "pants and a shirt and some shorts and some pajamas and some boxers and a costume and..." Well, since I couldn't quite make all that happen, he had to settle for a "Superhero Pajama Costume". He loved it! (I'll give you more details here in a future post.)

And for the Big Girl, a Whirly, Twirly Skirt and Matching top. (And if you didn't notice, I learned to make yo-yos! I love these things and they are great hand work during football games.)

And yes, the skirt really twirls!

So, that catches you up to date on our lives! We are blessed that our family and friends and their respective homes are safe. We are even more blessed that God timing was perfect and Nita was here (a half-mile from the hospital) when she became ill. What a week--or 2!

Why this?

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV)

Yesterday a friend mailed me a link to the funniest blog. Check it out yourself: mom2my6pack.blogspot.com. After reading of the mothering adventures this mom faces, I told myself I wouldn't complain about my 2 in the grocery store ever again.

Perhaps it was seeing myself in a few of her stories, maybe I was just in a reflective mood after a week filled with firsts...either way, last night I found myself so grateful for the blessings in my life. After praising God for my children and my husband, I began to reflect on his recent turn of events. I've already expressed the evidence of God's design through that circumstance. Yet, standing back, looking over the past 10 years, I can see so clearly that not only are we destined to be here right now, but we've been placed here deliberately and with a purpose. What an overwhelming and humbling thought!

God knows what He's doing!

"Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. 1 John 5:14-15 (NKJV)


For about 10 months, my husband and I have been asking for God's guidance and grace in our occupations. We discovered what we believed was His plan and took the next steps. Then, we waited and waited (mostly on the human side of things, believing that God would direct the situation within His plan). For the last 2 months, we have simply waited for an answer. And answer God did...with a resounding NO!!!!


How frustrating! We just knew that this was the plan, and then it wasn't. But God knows what he is doing...within 30 minutes of recieving our answer, He reaffirmed--in a big way. We are supposed to continue doing what we're doing; and we are supposed to continue trusting Him.