331.Last Friday, due to the flooding in our town, we had an impromptu birthday party with Noel and Elise's friends who are usually in school during the day.  I am thankful for this funny face, which pretty much sums up Elise's personality that day.

332. I am thankful for "big girls" who have befriended Elise.

333. I am thankful for cupcakes, icing, and decorations.

334. I am thankful for another year of life for Elise.

What are you thankful for?

322. I am thankful for these funny faces.

323. I am thankful for trips to Fazoli's.

 324. I am thankful for good friends for my kids.

325. I am thankful for the fun of a new birthday gift.

326. I am thankful for sweet baby smiles!

327. I am thankful for Elise getting to have her first "girls' spa day".

328. I am thankful for sweet smiles from my birthday girl.

329. I am thankful for Elise's friend, Ella.  They love being together!

 330. I am thankful for a friend recommending a place where they paint little girls' nails really cheap!

What are you thankful for?

The rains cam down

313. I am thankful that we are safe and dry.

314. I am thankful that, because of some school cancellations due to flooding, we are having an impromptu birthday party for Elise this afternoon!

315. I am thankful for blog posts from old friends that remind me of how important it is to get out there and love on people.

316. I am thankful that I am (slowly) learning that change is not always bad. 

317. I am thankful for a free cup of Starbucks coffee today.

318. I am thankful that almost 10 years ago, a flood (and God, and some friends and family) finally pushed David and me together.

319. I am thankful for police, firemen, and all other emergency workers who risk their lives to keep others safe.

320. I am thankful for childlike faith to remind me that God is in control, no matter what.

321. I am thankful that this weekend I get to celebrate my parents' 50th anniversary.  They are such an example of perseverance, faith, and loyalty.

What are you thankful for?

302. Today is the beginning of the week-long celebration of Elise turning 4.  I can't even remember what life was like before this little ball of fire, energy, love, humor, and sweetness came into our lives.

303. I am thankful that she has some buddies she can spend the afternoon with.

304. I am thankful that Elise has a big brother who is also her best friend.

305. I am thankful that 4 years ago God was watching over us as we found out Elise had to come by emergency C-section.  I don't think I've ever been so scared in my life. 

306. I am thankful that God is shaping me through raising a daughter who is, in many many ways, just like me.  Nothing like a little mirror to find out what you need help on.

307. I am thankful that I get to spend these years at home with her and Noel to watch them grow, learn, change, and become who God has made them to be.

308. I am thankful that Elise has a great father.

309. I am thankful that Elise has wonderful grandparents who love her and encourage her.

310. I am thankful for the 12 cousins (and aunts and uncles) that make life more fun for Noel and Elise.

311. I am thankful for the upcoming fun we have planned this week to keep the party going!

312. I am thankful for all of the ways seeing life through a child's eyes changes you.  She reminds me to stop and look at the squirrels.  To have fun walking into the grocery store.  To play and dance more.

313. I am thankful that, even though it is scary raising a child, not knowing what their future is going to be, fearing for their safety as I read the news and watch events unfold around us, that OUR GOD IS GREATER.  His light will shine in the darkness, and so we hold onto that even tighter.

What are you thankful for?

Good news/Bad news

 The good news about deciding to write about what I'm thankful for this year is that it forces me to avoid complaining.  I have some things that I kind of want to rant about, but since they aren't with a thankful heart, I am avoiding them.  This is hard for me, but a good lesson.

The bad news is that I have some other thoughts rolling around in my head that I'd like to share on my blog but aren't necessarily "thankful", just observational.  So maybe today I will try and form those observations into my thanks.

296. I am thankful for frequent reminders that I need to make every moment count.  We are not promised tomorrow.  Anything could change in a split second.  And while that can sometimes keep me awake at night full of stress and worry, what that truth should do is motivate me to make every single moment of my life count.  Life is too short to get all bothered over somebody's actions that I take way too personally.  Life is too short to be crabby with the cashier.  Life is too short to go to bed angry at your spouse or kids.

297. I am thankful that I have finally got my crap together (sort of) and got on the healthy wagon.  I'm not saying I'm 100% good-to-go or anything, but I have been making baby steps towards better eating habits for the past 6 months, and it has paid off.  I feel good, and I'm back to my wedding weight.  I'd like to lose about 15 more pounds.  But more importantly, I want to live a healthy life, and I am learning little ways to do that.  Let's face it:  I'm no spring chicken anymore, so I can't be living on junk food like I tend to do when nobody is looking.

298. March and April have been rough on my kids, physically.  First, we had Noel's ordeal in the hospital.  And for the last three weeks, Elise has had some sort of on-again/off-again virus, which has come in the form of high fevers and one week of nasty coughing.  It has been very discouraging.  BUT (here's the thanks) God is using this time to teach me a)I need to slow down and love on my kids, seeing them as blessings instead of responsibilities b)no matter how far I have come, I am still so incredibly selfish, and God has a lot of work left to do on my heart.

299. I am thankful for appliances that work.

300. I am thankful for kids who (usually) sleep through storms.

301. I am thankful that God is the ultimate healer.

What are you thankful for?

It's Here! It's Here!

Welcome, spring!!!  Please stay for a while!

I am thankful for . . .

290.  Getting to be outside!!  We have spent the majority of the week outside, and it has been so much fun! (Plus, my house doesn't get near as dirty!)

291. Watching Noel and David fly a kite last night in the back yard.  We have a field right behind us, and Noel decided to run out as far as he could.  It was hilarious.  And then he and a neighbor boy hunted for golf balls.  I love it.

292. My dear friend Cara inviting the kids over yesterday to play so I could have a break from them.  I love my kids, and I love staying home with them, but spring break was A LOT of time together, not to mention Elise being sick the week before, giving us even MORE time.  So it was nice to take a breath and get a few things donw.

293. getting started on several back yard projects.  New trees, new plants, garden, etc.  It's work, but it's fun, too!

294. a perfect view out my back window to watch a thunderstorm roll in.

295. moments where I hear God's voice.  Even if my first response is, "Really?  Are You SURE You want me to do that?" 

What are you thankful for?

Photo Dump

According to my calculations, I should be around the 300 mark in my thanksgivings right now.  I'm about 40 shy, so the best way to share my recent thanks is through a big old photo dump!  Get ready!

254. Noel saved up all of his Christmas money and savings and bought a Lego kit.  Can you see his excitement?

255. Aren't we all a little thankful for Amazon packages?

 256. I could say a lot about what I am thankful for just by looking at this picture, but I was most thankful that Elise was finally well.  She had some nasty virus the whole week before Easter, and she was finally feeling better in time to put on her new dress and "high heels".  We love our Leesy Jo Jo!

  257. This picture shows each of their personalities so well.  I love how different they are, and how much they compliment each other (kind of like their parents!)

 258. I am so thankful for my family.  For so long I prayed that God would lead me to the right person, and my prayers were answered more than I ever dreamed.

259. Our nephew, Tye, carved this beautiful wood piece for David's parents for Christmas.  Linda had seen one just like it and wanted to buy it, but it wasn't for sale.  He took a picture and worked for hours and hours to replicate it.  Amazing!

 260. This past weekend we took a couple of days to visit Cincinnati.  One of our first stops was the Newport Aquarium

 261. The kids learned all about different sea creatures, and even touched a horseshoe crab.

 262. One of the exhibits lets you talk to scuba divers while they are in the tank with sharks!

 263. Aren't God's creatures amazing?

 264. Getting up close and personal with an alligator.

265. my little comedian.

 266. my little picture queen.

 267. How can you not love the penguins?

 268. balloon creations!

 269. He is growing up right before my eyes.

 270. My friend Jackie recommended a park to visit, and it was great!  Such a beautiful spring day.

271. My guys.

 272. On Saturday we visited the Cincinnati Zoo.  We were fortunate enough to meet up with our friends Brian and Ashley Craw, who live near Lexington, and hang out with them and their little boy Hudson.

273.  Seeing a mountain lion at the zoo makes me thankful that David wasn't hurt by the one he ran into in Oregon on a trail 2 years ago!  Crazy!

 274. Why, hello, there, Mr. Tiger.  What nice breath you have!

 275. The gorillas are always fascinating.

 276. Merry go rounds.

277.  If you look closely, you will see Noel on the zebra.  He isn't looking at me because he is inspecting the entire merry go round, trying to figure out how it works.  No doubt whose kid he is.

 278. They both loved the flamingos.  Noel couldn't get over how they stand so balanced on one leg.

 279. Noel found a new buddy.

 280. Elise, Noel, and Hudson.

 281. Hugs all around.

 282. The long anticipated train ride!

 283. This might be my favorite picture of the whole weekend.  I was trying to explain to Noel that there is joy in every journey as he waited and waited for the train ride.  He loved it.

 284. The elephants.

 285. My favorite girl with my favorite animal.  Perfect ending to our zoo trip.

  I am also thankful for . . .

286. getting to see our nephew Aaron while we were down in Cincinnati.

287. hotel swimming pools.

288. green grass.

289. sleeping in my own bed after a trip.

What are you thankful for?