Thankful Thursday

This Thursday I am thankful for...

1. A PLAYING BABY: Even though he is still having diarrhea, he's eating and drinking better, as well as playing a little more than he was a few days ago, so hopefully this awful virus is almost over. (After 11 days, we've all had enough!)

2.SPRING BREAK: Need I say more?

3. TIMBERLAND HIKING BOOTS: I have some new ones, and I am hoping that I can break them in next week. Brent, Chandler, and I have plans to do some hiking if the weather cooperates.

Miscellany Monday & Guilt

* I spent Friday and the remainder of the weekend at home with a sick little boy, administiering liquids to him, cuddling him, singing to him, comforting him, and just being there for him. That alone was enough to make my Monday manic. I really hated to leave him this morning. GUILT...All you mom's out there can relate!
* Thank goodness I had morning planning. I normally loathe a morning planning time because I much prefer it in the afternoon (another post entirely), but today it was a good thing because it allowed me to catch up somewhat from being out Friday.
* Ungrateful individuals (no names mentioned here, as you notice- and I'm NOT talking about Brent)
* Meetings, Meetings, Meetings
* Chandler is still not on the mend like I was hoping he would be. My mom said he was very clingy and had low energy all day. He ate okay, and he played a little bit, but not like a 13 month old should. By 8:00 p.m., the poor little guy had thrown up again. This has been happening off and on for almost a week now. No, he doesn't have a "significant" fever (because someone decided that a fever must be at least 101 to be significant, although I feel pretty "ughhh" myself if my temperature goes over 99). No, he doesn't have any rashes or bumps on his body. No, he hasn't been diagnosed with having reflux. No, he hasn't been diagnosed with having a urinary tract infection. Yes, he's still having wet diapers, although they are not as saturated as they usually are. Yes, he is still interested in food and is eating fairly well despite how poor he feels. Yes, he still crawls, walks, and plays some. Yes, his sleeping patterns are the same. No, he doesn't have severe diaper rash. No, he's not having trouble breathing. BUT...something's not right! He's going to the doctor tomorrow. NO MORE PHONE CONVERSATIONS! All the nurses have been super nice, but it's time to find out what's going on.
* I'm tired, I'm worried, and I feel GUILTY for not taking him to the doctor before now, but all the nurses seemed to think he would get over it soon and that it's just a virus. If it were me, I think I could handle it, but when it's my baby, everything changes.

Facing the Giants

If you have never watched this movie, I highly recommend that you do. It's one of those movies that probably almost everyone can relate to in some way or another, and it is guaranteed to make you stop and think about all the wonderful things God does for his children on a daily basis. Too often, we throw ourselves pity parties and think that God can't perform miracles, but he can and he does. We just have to put our faith in Him.

I won't say it's an easy movie to watch, because it isn't. You'll most likely cry at least once, so you'll want to keep in mind who you watch it with. It's a perfect movie to watch with your spouse. I personally related to Brooke's character, and if you know any of my history, you will understand why.

I watched this movie tonight again for the first time since I had Chandler, and I can now look back on the events that took place to get me where I am today. I'm not going to say that it's been an easy road, because if I did, I'd be lying to you, but I can better understand the reasons that God allowed certain things to happen in my life. He is in control, and we must learn to have faith in Him. After all, with God, nothing is impossible.

Helpless

Just a little over a year ago, I gave birth to our son, and our world changed forever. We prayed for him and God took us on a journey that changed our lives before we finally found out that Chandler was on his way. I think this has made me realize even more how precious and special he is.I love every minute I spend with him, and I love how he knows just what to do to melt my heart. He certainly has me wrapped around his little finger!
Most of the time I feel pretty confident with the mothering skills I have learned, even though I know there are some people who might not agree with everything I do. I did have a good example, after all, and it's nice that most of my friends are moms, too. However, the last couple of days while Chandler has been sick, I have felt helpless.
He cries my name and reaches for me, I keep him hydrated and fed, I hold him close, and I give him Tylenol when I can to help ease some of the aches and pains, but it still doesn't work sometimes. He's so pitiful, and my heart goes out to him, but there is nothing I can really do but pray. So, that is what I am going to do, because on my own, I am always helpless.

Thankful Thursday

1. I am thankful that my mama and my mother-in-law are the ones who take care of my sweet little boy since things haven't worked out for me to stay at home with him like my heart desires to do. I know that he is with ones who love him and take good care of him. He adores both of them, and that makes my heart happy. They both really get extra stars this week because he's been sick and they have still taken care of him.

2. I am thankful for a husband who isn't afraid to clean up projectile vomit. He did it when I was pregnant and too sick to do it myself without vomiting again, and he did it twice tonight when Chandler was the sick one. Now that is love!

3. I am thankful that tomorrow is Friday, and that there are only 40 days of school left! I am ready for summer with my boys!

Miscellany Monday

* 6:00 a.m. alarm came too early for me
* Long hot shower and shave (can't forget that doctor's appointment this afternoon- does everyone love their annual visit as much as me?)
* Busy, busy nonstop day at school
* Message on my phone says doctor can't make my appointment- he's delivering babies- can I come Thursday morning? Uhhhh....how about Thursday afternoon instead?
* Nice workout at the gym
* Baked spaghetti for supper- sent Brent off to work
* 30 minute walk with Chandler around the neighborhood- very refreshing for both of us
* Early bedtime for little man- he only slept an hour the entire day!
* Clean dinner dishes (two hours after dinner was served- it was the first chance I had)
* Clean Swiffered floors (I love how they shine!)
* Clean laundry (But none of it is put away yet, and it probably won't be until tomorrow night)
* 9:00 p.m. CRASH!!!! Maybe I'll go to bed early, too!

Thankful Thursday

God had richly blessed me in so many different ways, and I could go on forever about the many good things in my life. Here are a few of the simple things I am especially thankful for this evening...

1. FURNITURE THAT DOUBLES AS STORAGE: I've always liked to keep my house neat and organized as much as possible, but I'm learning that it's not as easy as it used to be now that there's a toddler in the house, so I am so thankful that I have a few pieces of cute furniture in the house that double as storage like this leather ottoman. Chandler can open and close it easily, and I can quickly round up the toys he drags out when it's time to clean up before bedtime.

2. LONGER DAYLIGHT HOURS: I love this time of year when the days begin to get longer. I have been enjoying walks around the neighborhood with Chandler several evenings since the time changed last weekend, and it gets my heart pumping, too!

3. FELT TIP PENS: This may sound silly, but since discovering how easy they are to write with a few years ago, you'll rarely see me write with anything else. I especially adored them last year when I was having problems with my wrist. The coolest thing... You can get them in almost any color you want. My personal favorite is royal blue.

Miscellany Monday

1. MISCELLANY MONDAY BUTTON: Thanks to Kim, I have finally posted an image other than my own photos. I was making something simple way too difficult. Go figure! Don't you love this cute little button? I first saw it on Lindsey's page. Add this button to your page and join in on the Monday fun!

2. LOSING AN HOUR: Well, I didn't really miss that hour on Sunday because I get to sleep a little later on Sundays than I do during the week anyway, but boy did I miss that hour this morning when it was time to get up! It was especially hard to go to work in the dark. I had gotten so used to glancing back at Chandler in the mirror as I drove him to my mom's house in the mornings, and I really missed it today. The good thing is, it will be light again in the mornings soon, too, which means that summer break is just around the corner! (Can you tell I'm excited about that?)

3.

BISSELL STEAM & SWEEP: Well, this tool gets a solid 2 out of 5 stars from me. While I love that it steams to clean and sanitize the floor, I don't like that I have to hold the steam button in as I clean because it makes my wrist tired. It would be much better if the steam button came with an on/off switch like a clothes iron because I am the type of person that wants to steam the entire floor, not just the tough spots. Also, the cord gets in the way, and you have to take the entire bottom off to empty the dirt. I may just go back to sweeping, mopping, and swiffering!

Thankful Thursday

Okay, so I still don't know how to post downloaded images from the internet on here, but here we go! There are so many things I am thankful for...

1. MY HUSBAND IS OFF WORK TONIGHT! Okay, so a lot of you have the luxery of having your hubbies at home every night with you, but I don't. I am just thankful that he is here with us this evening and that duty isn't calling on this particular night.

2. MY NEW BISSELL STEAM & SWEEP! It came in today. I'll let you know if it lives up to my expectations!

3. RAIN BOOTS: Whoever invented them was a smart cookie, but I could never look as cute in them as this little guy does!

Manic Monday

I must say that, although today was super-busy, it was one of the best Mondays I've had it a while. Here's the short list of what happened!

1. SURPRISE VISIT- I was working diligently in my classroom while the kids were at Music, Art, and P.E, when Brent came by to see me for a few minutes. It was unexpected, and it really made my day!

2. A "LEAVE EARLY" PASS- I earned a 30-minute leave pass a few weeks ago for participating in a school activity that was above-and-beyond the normal call of duty, and I chose to use it today. It was an amazing feeling to leave at 3:00. I rarely leave before 4:00, but the extra time was awesome, and I used it for ME for once!!

3. A GREAT WORKOUT- I pumped some iron and ran my little heart out this evening, and it felt great! I will meet my fitness and health goals, because I am determined that I will.

My Testimony

I was raised in a Christian home. Mama took me to church before I was even born, and Mama and Daddy both did their best to teach me right from wrong. My Papa was a Baptist preacher, and I knew many of the Bible stories by heart at an early age. It wasn't until the age of 14, just before I started ninth grade, that things really came to light for me, though.

I went to visitation at a local funeral home to see the family members of a distant relative and to console them during their time of loss. It happened that there were actually four grieving families, and my dad discovered that I was actually distantly related to all of them in some way. (That's what happens when you live in a small town.) Anyway, the night we were at the funeral home, I remember that the power went out. I can't remember exactly why the power went out, but I remember how it really made me think. It made me wonder if all the deceased individuals were in heaven or hell, and then it made me stop and think about myself. I stayed awake much of the night pondering this.

The next day, I attended the funeral, and my Papa was one of the ministers who led the funeral service. His message was about making sure of your salvation before death. Again, I pondered the thought of heaven and hell.

That night, I attended a revival service at my church, and by the end of the sermon (which I don't even remember that much about), my heart was beating so fast that I knew the only thing I could do was go to the altar and ask Jesus to save me. My parents were there with me, as well as some of my good friends from the youth, but I asked Daddy if he could go get my Papa. I knew I had to pray for myself, but I really wanted him to pray, too. Papa came, and I stayed in the altar a long time because I didn't want to get up until I was sure that I had accepted Jesus in my heart.

Finally, I felt peace like I had never felt before, and I publicly announced that I was saved. I was baptised a few weeks later.

I continued my walk through high school and studied my Bible regularly. When I went to college, I continued to attend church, but I wasn't as close to God as I had been in high school. I wasn't doing anything particularly bad. I didn't drink and party, I didn't use vulgar language, I respected the curfew my parents gave me when I was under their roof, and I dressed moderately. Everyone around me would have thought I was a strong Christian, but I knew that I was doing some things that did not please God.

In July of 2004, when we were 23, Brent proposed to me, and soon after, I really became convicted of some of the things I had been doing (or not doing) that really hurt my testimony, even though most people had no idea of the things I had been doing. This is the point where I recommitted my life to Jesus, and ever since I have tried to be the Christian witness that God wants me to be. Yes, I have failed at times, but I know that God has forgiven me of my past mistakes, and when he saved me, He saved me for eternity. I thank Him that he loved me, although I was, and still remain, unworthy.

Recipe Share!

I have always enjoyed trying new foods, and I especially love it when I find something that is quick and easy to fix. I tried this recipe a couple of weeks ago, and it was a hit, so I thought I would share!


Black Bean & Pepperjack Burritos (Prep & Cook Time= About 15 minutes)

4 10-inch whole wheat tortillas
2 tsp. vegetable oil
1 small onion, chopped
1 14-oz. can black beans rinsed & drained
1 cup frozen whole-kernel corn
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
6 oz. low-fat shredded pepperJack cheese
Salt to taste

* Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Wrap tortillas in foil and heat until warm and soft-about 10 minutes; keep wrapped until ready to use

* Warm vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened- about 5 minutes; stir in beans, corn, and tomatoes; cook until heated through and season with salt

*Spoon 1/4 of filling into the center of each tortilla and sprinkle with cheese; fold and roll up to enclose; cut diagonally to serve

Thankful Thursday

There are so many things I am thankful for. Here are just a few of the things on my mind today. (Sorry there are no images. I tried for 20 minutes to figure out how to post some really cute ones, but it never worked. I need a tutorial!)

1. MY DAD- I am very blessed to have a wonderful Daddy. He is always there for me when I need him. I was especially thankful that I could call on him earlier this evening when I had a flat tire. I was leaving the PTO program at school when I realized what had happened, and I couldn't call Brent because he was at work. Daddy was there in ten minutes and he changed out the tire while I entertained Chandler. I am so thankful he could come...I never would have gotten the lugs off by myself!

2. CHILDREN'S BOOKS- There are some really good ones out there nowadays. I enjoy reading them to my first graders, but I especially enjoy reading them to Chandler. He already has a love for books, and that makes me very happy. Who knows, I may even write my own children's books someday!

3. YOPLAIT YOGURT- I mean, come on, who doesn't love Yoplait yogurt? There are tons of flavors to choose from, they are low in calories, and they help me keep my goal of eating healthy. I can even share them with Chandler!