First snow

Our first snow of the season was back in October.  Which is not that unusual, but what is unusual is that since then we haven't had any.  It's actually been pretty warm, in the upper 50's or low 60's most of the time.  When it's winter, and especially around the holidays, I want it cold and snowy.  If it wants to be 60 and sunny, then please save that for after Christmas, like in January and February.  Oh, it doesn't work like that?  Bummer!  I guess I'll just have to take the mild weather while I can then.

But anyway, back to the first snow.  This was the first snow that Ashten actually got to go outside and experience.  And she loved it.  After taking the boys to school, we came home and Preston really wanted to go outside and play in it.  So we got all bundled up, which took like, I don't know, 2 hours (haha!), and ventured out.  Preston got cold when some snow fell off a tree and down his back and wanted to go inside, but Ashten wanted to stay out.  She walked all around in the snow and wanted to touch it.  It took a lot of convincing to get her to go back inside when I was getting cold later.   

A Tale of 3 Trees

We have 3 huge trees in our yard.  Two in the front and one in the back.  I enjoy them for about 3 months out of the year.  In the spring, when the buds start forming on the branches, it will get windy or it will snow and then we have buds EVERYWHERE.  When the leaves finally come in, I love it.  The trees provide shade for the house and the deck out back.  We can be on the deck in the middle of the day and not feel too hot.  The trees actually protect our house a little from the hail storms we seem to get on a semi-yearly basis.  But then fall comes and our nice, mature trees drop an insane amount of leaves.  And they are EVERWHERE.  They are in the gutters and in the yard and in the rocks and on the cars and then every time we open a door, the leaves blow in.  It's crazy and messy.  I have to remind myself that not having the shade in the hot, hot summer sun would be much worse than having to clean up leaves and buds, but at this time of the year, I'm not so convinced.  At least the kids love playing in the leaves.  To them, it's not work, it's like a big play mat outside!  Watching them enjoy the leaves and have so much fun in them makes them almost (almost!) bearable.

24 Days of Thanksgiving - Day 24

I'm thankful for Thanksgiving

More specifically, I'm thankful for the first Thanksgiving that started as a celebration of thanks to God for his protection and provision for the Pilgrims during their first winter in the new country.  I'm thankful that the tradition has stuck all these years, even though the original meaning may be lost on many.  I'm thankful that the founders of our country were Christian and knew where their help came from (Psalm 121:1-2).  I'm thankful that our country is rooted in Christianity, a fact that no matter how hard some people try to disguise, will still be a fact nonethless.  I'm thankful for the opportunity to reflect on all the things I am thankful for. 

This little, unofficial "24 Days of Thanksgiving" exercise has been really fun.  This is by no means a comprehensive list, I could go on for the rest of my life and never fully enumerate my blessings.  But, I think thankfulness is a lifestyle and should not be relegated to one holiday once a year.  I hope that this exercise is just a springboard for an attitude of gratitude in my life!  Thank you for reading along, and for those of you who participated on facebook, I hope you were all as blessed as I was by it.

24 Days of Thanksgiving - Day 23

I'm thankful for my family

I am beyond blessed.  God intentionally placed 6, imperfect individuals together in one family that we call ours.  We grew from a family of two in 2000 to a family of six in less than 10 years. That's what I call blessing!  We support each other, encourage each other, sacrifice for each other and most importantly, love each other.  I'm so proud to be part of my family.

24 Days of Thanksgiving - Day 22

I'm thankful for the Bible

I know it is God's word to me.  I know it is alive and active.  I couldn't begin to tell you all the times I feel like I am being directly spoken to by a verse or passage in the Bible.  Usually it is a verse I have read over and over and am really familiar with, but then one day, it takes on a whole new meaning and really comes alive for my life.  I love it when that happens, it's just proof that the Bible isn't just a collection of stories written 2000+ years ago.  It was God's word back then and it is still God's word now, and it is one of the ways that God uses to speak to people.  Praise God that we have a letter from Him, how awesome is that? 

24 Days of Thanksgiving - Day 21

I'm thankful that Chris and the boys have this whole week off!

Can you say family time?!?!  We don't have a lot planned, but I'm looking forward to just being able to spend some down time together as a family.  No specific plan, just no homework, no planning, no schedule, just time.  It will be wonderful!

24 Days of Thanksgiving - Day 20

I'm thankful for our jobs

Chris and I are blessed to be able to do what we love, and what we feel God is calling us to do.  Chris, unfortunately has to work a lot of long hours and do a lot of extra work for me to be able to stay at home with our kids, but since it's something we both value very highly, he is selflessly willing to do it for our family.  I won't say it's not hard and there aren't times we wish we had more money or more time together, but we are extremely grateful for the jobs God has provided for us and ways that He has provided for us outside of our jobs.

Obviously my main job is full-time mommy.  As I have stated many, many times, this is a dream come true for me and I love my job.  And it is a job, that's for sure.  Not a paying job, but a job nonetheless.  Many of you may not know, but I also have a little part-time job.  I work at our old church as the bookkeeper.  I go in one morning a week for a couple of hours and bring the kids with me.  They eat snacks, play in the nursery or draw pictures while I do the deposit and pay the bills.  It really is a great job for a stay-at-home mom like me - flexible and kid-friendly.  Chris is in his 10th year of teaching and he also coaches girls basketball.  As we look back on our married years, we can see God's hand in each and every job, either well before He knew we'd need it, or right at the time we needed the extra income. 

Working is part of life, enjoying your work is a gift from God (Ecclesiates 5:19).

24 Days of Thanksgiving - Day 19

I'm thankful for our home

When we found out we were pregnant with Brayden, we knew we needed something bigger than our already-too-small apartment.  We searched and searched and almost bought a town house, but it just never felt right.  Everything in our price range was either too small, too far away or needed way too much work.  We ended up giving up looking and just resigned ourselves to apartment living with a baby.  Then, out of the blue, a couple of weeks later, an elderly man from our church called us.  He said he had heard we were house hunting and said he was wanting to sell his house. to us.  Wow!  Talk about a God thing.  I'm so glad we didn't buy one of those townhouses we had looked at (we'd probably still be stuck with that thing!).  He sold it to us "as is" for a great price.  One of his neighbors was a realtor and offered to do all the paperwork for free.  We didn't have to pay anything down or any closing costs, a real blessing to us in our first year out of college.  God really came through providing a house for us.  At the time it was way too big for us, but as we have grown our family, our house has been able to accomadate all of us. 

We have been in our house for 8 and a half years now!  It seems hard to believe sometimes.  We have redone a lot of it and it feels like ours.  There are days we think we'll be in this house forever and days we look forward to someday moving into another house.  But this house is home right now, and for that reason I love it!  It is the house we brought all 4 children home from the hospital to.  It is the house where we have spent countless hours painting, renovating and remodeling to make it our own.  It is the house where we spend most of our time together as a family.  Sure, it's not perfect, sure it needs some work, but it's much more than a house to me, it is our home.

24 Days of Thanksgiving - Day 18

I'm thankful for my phone

Up until a few months ago, we didn't have fancy phones.  We had the basic, flip phones with a prepaid plan.  And it suited our needs plenty well.  However, as we were evaluating our costs to have a home phone and our needs, we decided to get rid of our home phone and both get a better cell phone plan.  I love having a nice phone.  I have found so many uses for it and it has, in some ways, made my life a little easier.  I know having a phone is a luxury, one that I don't take for granted.  Thank you God, for allowing me to enjoy some of the frivolous things in life!  I pray that I would use it for Your glory.

24 Days of Thanksgiving - Day 17

I'm thankful for this blog

I am able to get so many of my thoughts out of my head and vent or make sense of what I'm thinking through this blog.  I love that I can update lots of family at the same time with one post (if they take the time to check in).  I love having a journal of sorts that I can look back on when the kids are all grown and remember back to this time.  I am thankful for opportunities like this, documenting what I'm thankful for and giving God glory for all He has done in my life.  It's awesome to have access to such powerful technology, I am thankful that God placed me in a time like this.

24 Days of Thanksgiving - Day 16

I'm thankful for seasons

I'm the type of girl who gets tired of the same thing all the time.  I like a little bit of change, at least in the weather.  I love each season, especially in the beginning, but by the end I am ready for it to be the next season.  I love spring because of all the new life.  Flowers are popping up, I can wear flip flops again, it's warm enough to be outside and get some fresh air.  I love summer for the warmth.  Going barefoot, swimming, sitting outside on the deck watching the kids play in the green grass, lots of sun.  I love fall because by the end of the summer I am getting tired of the heat and want it to cool off.  I like that I can start to wear pants and sweaters.  I enjoy watching the leaves change.  I love winter because of the snow.  I like the cooler weather and excuse to not have to be outside enjoying the nice weather all the time.  I love how snow glitters when the sun hits it, like God sprinkled the ground with diamond dust.  And then by the end of winter, I am ready for spring again.  I am so grateful that God has me living in a place that has all four seasons!

24 Days of Thanksgiving - Day 15

I'm so thankful for my friends

There was a time in my life, when I first became a stay-at-home mom, when I had no friends and I was super lonely.  I knew other moms, people from church, but they weren't the kind of people I could share much with or got together with on a regular basis.  I remember praying for 1 good friend, someone I could talk to and build a relationship with so I wasn't so lonely all the time.

God answered my prayer above and beyond a few years later.  Right now I have quite a few quality friends, friends who are true friends and who I know are there for me.  Each friend plays a different role in my life, but they are all important.  God knew I needed friends who I could be myself with, friends who I could share the most intimate details about my life with, friends who shared my love of coffee and shopping and coupons, friends who are in love with Jesus, friends who build me up and encourage me, friends who I could be a blessing to. 

I thank God so much for the women He has placed in my life to be my friends.  I know that God appointed these friends for this season in my life and I am extremely grateful.  I pray that I can bless my friends as much as they have been a blessing to me.

24 Days of Thanksgiving - Day 14

I'm thankful for our health

This is another one of those things that I tend to take for granted until I get sick.  I know that our family is very blessed to have no major sicknesses or health problems.  The worst we get is the flu, a cold or a stomach bug.  I know there are families who live with diseases and hospital stays on a daily basis.  I feel so much gratitude that God has chosen not to have our family go through that, at least not yet.  Thank you Lord for good health, I know that it is a gift from You.

24 Days of Thanksgiving - Day 13

I'm thankful for coupons

I am able to save upwards of 50% on my grocery and household/personal care budget because of coupons.  It is time-consuming some weeks, but it's totally worth it to be able to save our family some money and make the money Chris works so hard for go further.  I am thankful for stores (like King Soopers, Safeway and Target) who are pretty coupon-friendly and blogs (like Bargain Blessings and Denver Bargains and Money Saving Mom) that list out all the deals/coupon matchups each week and make my job so much easier.

24 Days of Thanksgiving - Day 12

I'm thankful for our parents

my parents

Chris parents (and his brother)

I am so grateful that both of our parents live so close and that our kids are able to get to know their grandparents so well.  Both Chris and I grew up far away from our grandparents, so it is special that our kids get to see their grandparents so often. 

Our parents are so helpful to us, whether it's helping with house projects, being our "tech support" (as my dad does quite often when our computer isn't working right) or babysitting.  Do you know we haven't ever paid for a babysitter?  Ya, I know we're spoiled!  I know we rely on our parents a lot and I am so grateful that tehy are so loving and generous to us.

I am also grateful that our parents are Christians and that they raised us in Christian homes.  Chris and I know how lucky we are to have had that kind of upbringing, it has made us who we are today.

24 Days of Thanksgiving - Day 11

I'm thankful for my freedom



I'm thankful for the men who had foresight enough to write the Constitution and for the men and women since then who have fought to protect it, some of them paying for my freedom with their lives.  I'm thankful that I can worship my God publicly and not fear being put in jail or killed for what I believe.  I'm thankful, for all the problems our country has, that it is still a democracy and we still have a say in who leads in our country and what laws are passed. 

And I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free

And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me

And I'll gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today

'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land

God bless the USA

--"Proud to be an American", Lee Greenwood

24 Days of Thanksgiving - Day 10

I'm thankful I get to be a stay-at-home mom

It has been my dream ever since I was a little girl to have children and stay at home with them.  I am so extremely thankful to God for placing that desire in my heart and allowing it to come true in my life.  I also am extremely thankful to my husband who works so hard to provide for our family because he 100% supports me and his desire is for me to be at home as well. 

This job is not always a "dream" job for me though.  There are days when I feel totally overwhelmed and underqualified.  There are times I wish I could just have a conversation about something other than bathroom humor with someone other than a toddler!  But the pros definitely outweigh the cons, even on the worst of days.  I get to do this!!!  I get to teach and watch my children learn new things.  I get to be there for their first steps, first words, first day of school, etc.  I get to know them so personally and spend so much quality time with them.  I am the one who dries their tears and gives them a hug when they fall down.  I get to do this!! 

Being a one-income family is not without its challenges.  We have had to make sacrifices and do without many times.  But, even in the lean times, God has blessed us so incredibly.  I could tell you so many stories when God has come through in a big way for us.  I believe that God is blessing our obedience to Him, our trust in Him to provide for us as we step out in faith and do something that, by the world's standards, is crazy.

24 Days of Thanksgiving - Day 9

I'm thankful for my sisters

This is not the best picture of the 4 of us, but it's the only one I have dating back to 2006, so it will have to do!  And to my sisters (if you're reading this): we need to get a new picture of the 4 of us ASAP!



Growing up with sisters was fun.  We could talk for hours about nothing boys and clothes and other girls, etc.  We could bond over painting our toes and doing our hair and makeup.  We could get on each other's nerves like the best of them.  Our relationships have changed over the years as we all have grown up and moved on with our own lives and our own families, but in some ways it has brought us closer.  I love you gals!

24 Days of Thanksgiving - Day 8

I'm thankful for our church

In early 2009 we felt led to find a new church.  It was scary and a little hard to venture away from the familiarity of our old church and find a new and better fit for our family.  God certainly blessed us when He led us to Riverside Baptist Church.  We visited there on our second week of "church hunting" and haven't left since.  We love it!  From day 1 we felt accepted and included.  The pastor himself called us to welcome us, which we thought was very unique and special  for a larger church like ours.  Our kids are growing so much spiritually due to awesome teachers who faithfully teach the Bible each week.  We have made many new friends, and been able to serve in several different capacities.  Thank you Lord, for our church.

24 Days of Thanksgiving - Day 7

I'm thankful that soccer is over

As much as I enjoyed watching the boys play soccer, I am so glad that we now have back the time that was being taken up by soccer, which by the way was 4 nights a week and half the day on Saturday.  We will have more downtime and more time as a family.  The boys will have time to play AND get their homework done AND get to bed on time.  We will all be able to sit down to a home-cooked dinner at the same time and the same place.  I am grateful that God has a time for everything in our lives (Ecclesiates 3:1-15).

24 Days of Thanksgiving - Day 6

I'm thankful for God's never-ending love



God loved me before I loved Him.  God actually gave me love so I could love Him.  He loved me when He knew how I'd act and how I would hurt Him.  He loves me even when I am unloving to others.  He will love me for the rest of eternity.  I don't deserve God's love, he just loves me anyway.  I'm so thankful to be wrapped up in the love of God, it's a cozy place to be!

24 Days of Thanksgiving - Day 5

I'm thankful for Legos



  

Wanna know why?  Because they provide the boys hours of fun playing with each other with little to no fighting!  They allow for so much creativity and imaginative play.  I've had my frustrations with Legos in the past (try putting together one of the Lego houses and you'll know what I mean), but for the boys, Legos come easily and they can build so much fun stuff.  And Lego now has all these "brands" within the brand, like Hero Factory, Heroica, Star Wars, Ninjago, etc.  So it's not just bricks anymore, it's all kinds of fun characters.  The kids love them and they play so well together with them, so color me extremely grateful!

24 Days of Thanksgiving - Day 4

I'm thankful for my children

Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him.  Psalm 127:3

I know my children are not here by accident, not by my choosing and not because of anything Chris or I did.  Our children are here because God placed them here, in our lives, at this time, in this order, for a specific purpose.  

I am so thankful that God chose to give us four happy and healthy children.  I often feel overwhelmed by God's goodness to us.  The fact that none of our children are sick and we have had relatively no problems with them is a blessing in and of itself.  I love seeing how each child is different from the next.  None of their personalities are the same.  How creative of God to use the same DNA to make four completely unique and yet similar children. 

I don't always view my children as a reward from God, but I know that is how God intended them to be.  I love you Brayden, Logan, Preston and Ashten.  You are special to me and your daddy and you are especially special to God!

24 Days of Thanksgiving - Day 3

I'm thankful for coffee

I was so good when I was pregnant or nursing, not one drop of caffeine, including coffee and pop.  Well, mabye I did have a sip of pop here and there, but basically I abstained.  But then this past July I stopped nursing Ashten and gradually got back into the habit of drinking coffee regularly.  It started innocently enough, just a cup of coffee every few days when I was feeling a little groggy.  Then I started trying different flavors of liquid creamers and even broke out my old drip coffeemaker that we got as a wedding gift that I had maybe used a handful of times.  Now I'm hooked.  I love coffee!  Not black or anything gross like that, but with some yummy creamer in it and at just the right not-too-hot-and-not-too-cold temperature! 

Coffee is a blessing in my life because I get up early every day and without it I would be yawning and groggy all day.  It gives me the boost I need to get going and it's so delicious.  I am so grateful God created the coffee bean with caffeine in it, maybe He had moms in mind?

24 Days of Thanksgiving - Day 2

I'm thankful for my husband!

God gave me a great husband, I think I married up.  Chris seriously spoils me.  He works extra hard so I can live my dream of being a stay-at-home-mom.   Chris supports me in everything I do, even when he doesn't agree with my decision.  I love having his approval and I know he will always take my side.  He is so smart, he usually always knows what to do in a situation.  He has a way of keeping me calm in a way that no one else can.  He knows me the best of any person in this world and he loves me in spite of all my faults and failures.  The scales are definitely tipped in his favor, I know I don't bless him as much as he blesses me. 

Besides all that, he is a wonderful father.  Our kids are seriuosly lucky to have a dad who does stuff with them and takes an interest in what they are interested in.  He's a good compliment to my mothering as well, he's the heavy when I'm too lenient and he's the soft nurturer when I've had a long day and just don't have a patient, cuddly bone left in my body!

God knew what He was doing when He matched me up with Chris.  Life isn't perfect, sure, but I like working hard for our marriage with someone who I know is also working hard and doing their best.  I know that I have a godly partner for life.  Thank you, God, for giving me a husband like Chris!

24 Days of Thanksgiving - Day 1

I'm thankful for electricity

Something so simple and something I definitely take for granted, but also something I rely so heavily on.  Last week on Thursday, we lost power due to the snow storm and tree limbs falling.  It went out at 1:30 in the afternoon, after I heard a loud "pop" sound outside.  When I called Xcel, they said it could be till Friday afternoon before it was back on.  At first it was kind of fun, adventurous, something new.  But I soon realized, being without electricity was boring.  I couldn't leave the house because my car was in the garage and the garage door won't open without electricity (or without a strong husband who can lift it up manually), so Chris had to pick up the boys from school.  Preston, Ashten and I did puzzles and read books, but quickly got bored of that.  It started getting dark outside and it was getting cold in our house and we were all hungry, so we made the decision to pack up quickly and head to Chris' parents house for the night.  Our power ended up coming back on at about 10 pm (I think that's when it did, based on the clocks), so praise God that we didn't have any food spoilage or major issues from the outage. 

I am so grateful to be able to just flip a switch and have light in a room, or to set my thermostat and have my furnace come on at any time to heat the house, to have music on in the background, or to be able to heat up lunch in the microwave.  I don't really think to notice these conveniences and blessings until they are taken away, but I am definitely grateful for them now!