Counting the Blessings...

I am really not planning on turning the blog into a "gratitude only" blog.  Nor do I want it to be a "post once a month" blog. Life has just been extra busy, extra tough, extra challenging. When I finally get a minute to st down, I seem to fall asleep. :)  Maybe with spring break coming up next week, I can catch up on reading and writing blogs...

But since I have just a few extra moments of energy left, I thought I would catch up on some of gratitudes for the past few weeks.  Trust me, I will only share a small portion.

I am grateful for...

• watching my former students (now first graders) perform in their Dr. Seuss program
• a cold Coke after a long day
• reading a Bible verse at just the right time
• a husband who goes to the grocery store for me in the snow
• the legacy of my grandparents
• dancing freely around my bedroom to my favorite songs
• afternoon naps
• the friendship of co-workers
• a peanut butter chocolate shake made by Child 2
• seat warmers in my van
• watching Child 4 crack open eggs for dinner
• waking up with the dog stretched out next to me
• a snow-covered lawn
• late breakfasts
• new recipes
• the prayers of friends for my children (and me)
• a snow day with my husband
• yoga pants
• Scripture cards
• sunshine
• the Psalms
• a day in the woods
• a butterfly
• a partial rainbow in the sky
• waterfalls
• large icicles hanging next to a waterfall
• large boulders
• a new friend
• an encouraging e-mail
• reminders of God in the hard times
• a surprise cupcake from my love
• Chocolate peanut butter ice cream (Haagen Dazs)
• late night shopping with my children
• time to talk to my mom (rare)
• snacks in the lounge
• watching birds play in a puddle
• the messages on our new message board (at home)
• the gift of Google maps
• friends who take pictures for me when I can't be there
• a surprise McDonald's Coke from a co-worker/friend
• three days of peace
• mercy and grace
• bunnies hopping across the lawn
• the sound of tree frogs
• the opportunity to serve others
• a friend who truly understands
• beauty from ashes
• lobster tails dipped in butter
• new devotion books
• the sweet spirit of a child
• renewed friendships
• parents with generous hearts
• cooking time with child 3
• a work out in a light rain
• the trees budding
• a husband who gets up early to fill my car up when my gas light is on

So...what are you grateful for today?

Reba

More Gratitudes...

Oh, goodness. I have not shared any gratitudes for 2 and a half weeks.  I have written down approximately 75 in that amount of time.  Don't worry...I won't share them all. I will just share some highlights. :)

• picking Marley up from the Doggy Hotel on a recent trip
• room service
• chocolate covered strawberries
• getting lost in a good book
• a toddler's crooked grin
• watching cousins hang out together
• a Valentine Prezi from my husband
• freshly fallen snow
• staying in pj's all day on a snow day
• birds singing outside the window during my quiet time
• the sound of ice melting off of the roof
• a child's fervent prayer for salvation
• a newly painted bathroom at school
• story time with my students
• hugs from sweet students after snow days
• a daughter who steps in to help
• a tear-faced apology
• seeing my students all grown up
• a God who loves me and is there in the hard times
• a family night out for pizza
• a teacher who goes above and beyond
• a puffy coat on a cold day
• a stranger that lets me (and my car) in during busy traffic
• a friend who thinks of me and brings me a treat 
• shakes and popcorn night
• my daughter getting up and going to church even when feeling exhausted
• a warm pup curled up at my feet on a cold day
• an unclogged toilet
• baked potato soup in a bread bowl
• watching snow drift across the street as I drive
• an empty Goodwill box
• looking through old pictures of my kids
• working out right after school
• blueberry pancakes
• glimpses of the sun on a cloudy day
• a clean sink
• child 4's creativity with his Legos
• a happy dog when I come home from work
• a love note on the mirror from my husband
• dinner out with a friend
• watching the eagle cam

What are you grateful for today?

Reba

Thankful Thursday Thoughts...

It was a long week. I really hoped to share some other thoughts this week but I should have known it was too ambitious a dream.  We had parent/teacher conferences this week (which means staying about 10 hours after hours then coming home to do home stuff throughout the week).  It was a challenging week as a parent.  It was a tiring week as a teacher (kids get a bit rowdy for Valentine's Day parties...).  But somehow I made it through.

And even in the midst of all the stress (and there was lots), I found some things for my gratitude journal...

• watching my daughter with her friends, all dressed for the semi-formal dance
• pizza night- no cooking!
• my camera
• holding my husband's hand
• sweet hugs from students as they leave for the day
• my reading room
• a drive through the Boston Mountains on a beautiful January day
• watching my daughter play her game (volleyball) with passion
• listening to the giggles of teenage girls in the backseat of my car
• a gas station off the exit right after the gas light comes on
• the breathtaking view of the University when we top the hill on I-49
• an "I love you" from my youngest child before I leave
• the smell of banana nut muffins drifting through the house
• the big yellow moon in the sky
• answered prayers during parent/teacher conferences
• a husband who picks up the kids from school so I can do conferences
• thinking about the beach
• a Sonic drink surprise from a friend
• sitting down after a very long day
• comfortable shoes
• new books from a book order
• a quick evening snooze
• a beautiful bright pink sunset at the end of a long week
• Valentines from my sweet students
• cooking dinner with my oldest child
• finishing my last parent/teacher conference for the week
• watching my students write
• an understanding e-mail from a friend

So I have a few things to be thankful for.  What about you?

Reba

Gratituding...

It was another busy week. (And next week will be even busier with parent-teacher conferences)  There were a lot of sad things this week (friends facing loss) that I could easily allow to consume me.  But even in the hard times, I must remember He is faithful.  There is much to be grateful for.

Things like...

• a husband who fills my car up with gas
• a chilled Ghirardelli dark chocolate square with sea salt caramel filling
• a friend who checks in on me
• a glass full of cold water
• laughter among friends
• getting seated at a restaurant much earlier than expected
• an evening out with my family
• a salted caramel cupcake
• a handwritten thank you for a dear friend
• Souper Bowl lunch with my colleagues
• lesson plans turned in early
• a cross country/track coach who encourages yet challenges my child
• a fluffy dachshund blanket on a cold night
• the weekend
• a car that lets me in on the busy interstate
• dress shopping with my daughter (and agreeing on a dress!)
• baked potato soup in a bread bowl on a cold night
• coming home to find my husband and youngest child watching Star Wars together
• dress shoes on sale
• a day of rest
• Razorback red
• watching the snow fall from the sky
• Super Bowl Sunday with my family
• watching my youngest speak loud and clear during his school performance
• a happy half-birthday wish from my sister
• friends who open up their hearts and homes to foster
• safe travels
• hitting 10,000 steps for the day
• an organized pantry
• former students who remember me
• sharing parenting struggles with my sister
• the brightness of a full moon
• reading a testimony that glorifies God, even in the sadness
• a sweet e-mail from the mother of a student
• thirty minute faculty meetings
• a good medical report for a good friend
• group text messages (with my "team")
• listening to my youngest read to me
• snow covered bushes
• cooking with my daughter
• a warm house on a cold day
• the prayers of our children

So...

What are you grateful for this week?

Reba

Another Week, Another Gratitude

I really do plan on getting back to Thankful Thursdays (rather than Thankful Fridays which just doesn't sound the same).  And I really DON'T plan on only posting once a week.  It was just a week. Not a bad week.  In fact, it was a fairly good week. Just a busy one.

I don't want to just skip over sharing some gratitudes for the week, so here we go...

• Jamming to 80's music with my co-workers during our workout.
• God's word-finding that right verse at just the right moment
• Finding out one child was generous with a sibling (without prompting!)
• Playing with playdough with my youngest child
• Teachers who let me know when my child isn't feeling well or seems sad
• Airplanes that safely bring my love home
• Watching robins hop across the grass in search of food on a January afternoon
• Friends who encourage my children
• Hearing something good about my child from his teacher
• The way Marley rolls onto her back for a tummy rub
• Jean day!
• My favorite pond at sunset as a horse slowly walks behind it
• Finding an unopened bag of pistachios at the back of my pantry
• A child who does his/her chores without complaint
• The Lord's Supper
• My Bible Fellowship class
• Curling up with a good book
• Friends who deliver packages for me
• Walking laps with a good friend after school
• A day of sunshine after a cloudy day
• A trusty van with heated seats
• Laying on my exercise mat under the bright blue sky with the warm sun shining on my face (in January!)
• The funny things my kinderkids say
• My new dolphin necklace from Guatemala
• Beautiful flowers delivered to school
• Time alone with my oldest as we drive to and from church on a Wednesday night

So, how about you? What are you grateful for this week?

Reba

Thankful Thursday (Even Though It's Friday)

I had such good intentions of writing this post up last night. I really did.  I got to this page (the blank post) and pretty much fell asleep at the wheel. Or in this case, the computer. Hubby has been out of town the last couple of nights, so I have been the sole chauffeur, cook, disciplinarian, etc. on top of my daytime job.  I am wiped out. 

But even in my exhaustion, I have much to be grateful for.

Here are some highlights from my gratitude journal for this past week...

• The bare trees silhouetted against the endless blue sky, not a cloud to be seen
• Buds on the bare trees that remind me new life will come again
• Walking around the track after school, enjoying the 50 degree temperatures (in January!), enjoying the solitude after a busy day
• A stack of good books to read
• Answered prayer
• Fellowship with other Christian ladies
• Turning my alarm off on a Saturday morning
• Waking up next to my husband
• A meal with my mom and my kids
• My oldest child's sense of humor
• Doing my quiet time with a chocolate/peanut butter shake in one hand while the stinky dog gnaws her elk bone next to me
• Rocking a newborn baby as he sleeps
• Reaching 10,000 steps in a day
• Family game night
• My husband's fingers brushing against mine
• Pastel ribbons of light stretched across the sky as the sun rises
• Walking in the sunshine with a friend
• The American flag (and all it represents) silhouetted against the blue sky
• The whole family gathered around the table for dinner
• The brilliant colors of the sky as the sun sets
• Watching birds soar in the sky
• The soothing sound of our dishwasher cleaning our dirty dishes 
• The glowing lights of a cross sign peeking through the brush alongside the highway
• Finishing a puzzle with my daughter (even though we still can't find three pieces)
• The shimmering sight of the frost against the earth in the early morning
• A love note left by my sink, left by my husband before he went out of town
• A bottle of white sand representing a promise
• A mom who helps with the kids when my husband is gone
• Finding out about a couple of random acts of kindness performed by some of our children (with no fanfare)

So....
what are you grateful for this week?

Reba

A Gratitude Journal Begins...

One of the goals I have this year is to read more, both for pleasure and for growth (of myself). 

For whatever reason, I found several books all at the same time I want to read. So I broke one of my own rules and started reading them all.  I typically only read one at a time.

One book is called The Best Yes.

Another book is called Live Well, Spend Less.

And the third book is called One Thousand Gifts.

So far I am enjoying all three, though I have a feeling there will be some growing pains (for me) as I read more of them.

Anyway, in the book One Thousand Gifts, the author keeps a gratitude journal.

I started thinking about how I love my Thankful Thursdays.

And then I realized a gratitude journal was just what I wanted to do to.

Partly because I do have so much to be grateful for.

And partly because I need to be reminded of what I have to be grateful for.

Because I sometimes struggle.

With discontentment.

Maybe not sometimes.

Maybe a lot of times.

Anywho...

Here is a sampling of what I have added to my gratitude journal thus far (and is my Thankful Thursday post as well):

• Fun notepads (a Christmas gift from Child 3) to use for a gratitude journal
• A clear and organized kitchen counter
• Fuzzy warm slippers on my feet on a cold night
• Reading glasses that magnify the words on a page
• Pressing the snooze button for just a few more minutes of rest
• Outside recess
• Sushi dates with my husband
• The quiet of the house when I am the first one awake
• My new Wow Hits CD
• Journaling with my daughter to learn more about who she is
• A sweet memory text from my sister out of the blue
• The look of complete adoration of Marley's face as she waits for me to pet her
• Melted butter on a warm roll
• The sweet spirit of forgiveness
• A gift of medicine samples from the doctor

So...

What are you grateful for this week?

Reba

Family Goal Week 2

I just started reading a book yesterday called One Thousand Gifts.

I had heard others rave about it so I took the plunge.

And I started reading.

And reading.

And reading.

I am only partway through and have enjoyed every word. Even the convicting ones.

The book is all about gratitude.  Even in the tough times.

If you have read any of my Thankful Thursdays, I am pretty big on this topic anyway.

But the book has stirred a new passion in me for gratitude.

Which inspired our family goal for this week (all centered around our family word "considerate").

Week 2 Rule:

It is considerate to use manners. When you do, you are thinking of others. This week’s goal is to say thank you daily, whether it is for small things (someone sharing a pencil, someone opening the door for you) or for big things (someone being your friend, someone listening to you when you are upset).  Make sure to say thank you to two people each day this week.  Be prepared to share each night.

Knowing I have to share every night sure does inspire/motivate me!  Out of my crew, only one child could only think of one "thanks" for the day on our first day of sharing. Everyone else had at least two people they had thanked and could share why they thanked them.

So I want to challenge you.

Make a point to say "thanks" tomorrow.

Today I said thanks for little things (like someone letting me make a copy of a paper I needed) and for big things (like e-mailing one child's coach to say thanks for pushing my child to do his/her best).  

Not only is it considerate.  

It also shows gratitude.

And, really...can't the world use a little more of that?

Thanks for reading today!

Reba

Thankful Thursday 2015

If you knew the kind of week I was having, you might be surprised that I am writing a Thankful Thursday post. :)

I am kind of surprised myself.

But, no matter what, there ARE some things to be thankful for this week.

Things like...

• Heat!  Because, baby, it is cold out there!
• supportive administrators
• my workouts with co-workers after school. I get to work out a lot of stress.  And the workouts (or maybe it is my workout companions)  provide some laughter in my life.
• butter. It makes everything taste better.
• thank you notes/messages.
• the beach. 
• journaling with my daughter.
• quiet times.
• a hot shower.
• my kids' teachers.
• watching child 4 snuggle with his dad. 
• watching a movie with my two older children.
• new pajamas (especially with dachshunds on them)
• baked potato soup on a cold day (even better in a warm bread bowl)
• ibuprofen.
• prayers of friends.
• organized kitchen drawers.
• music as I fall asleep.
• a beautiful moon in the sky.
• colorful sunrises; it is like the sky is painted just for me!
• my trusty van (with its heated seats).
• my new Wow Hits CD, all my favorite songs of last year in one place.
• Marley pup. It is like having my own personal heater.
• dinner dates with the Hubs.
• sunshine. After the dreary month we had in December, I treasure the sunshine.
• dehydrated pears. Yum!
• clean clothes.
• medicine samples from the doctor, an incredible blessing.
• life.  No matter how challenging it is.

What are you thankful for this week?

Reba

Thankful Thursday...Happy Summer!

Sorry to be MIA.

Three words for you.

End. Of. School.

That means lots of late nights, little sleep, and little fun time on-line.

But even in the midst of all this craziness, and there is plenty, I have a lot to be thankful for...

Things like...

• Summer!  Okay, it isn't officially summer until June 21st I think. But MY summer has started. I finished packing up my room last night. Woohoo!
• My husband who came with me to the school four late nights in a row, serving as both a bodyguard (schools are spooky after hours :) and as a helper in the classroom.
• A special award for one of my kiddos (and a husband who took video of it)
• Air conditioning. Especially this week.
• Magnolia blossoms. They make my heart happy.
• Beautiful sunsets.
• Baby birds.  We have four this year in our entryway outside our front door.  They make a mess but they are so cute!
• Gift certificates for a pedicure
• Notes of thanks from students' mommas
• Finding out a friend is praying for us each time she passes our street
• Sleep.  Maybe eventually I will catch up on it. :)
• A flower delivery at my school on my last day from my husband.  
• Chocolate.  'Nuff said.
• Workouts. They are my stress relievers.
• Rain.
• No alarms to set, no lunches to make (at least in the wee hours of the morning), no homework to check.  
• Sweet texts from co-workers
• Good news about the pup (we had some worries about her back)
• An upcoming trip with my sister and her family
• Bunnies.  (I saw two of them playing the other day when I was running/walking the track)
• Leftovers for lunch
• Amazon.  Especially for moms who need quick gifts for their daughter's birthday but it is the last week of school...
• Unexpected lunches with my husband
• Sweet hugs from students
• Good report cards
• Afternoon naps on rainy days

And so many more things...

How about you?

What are you thankful for today?

Reba

Thankful Thursday!

It is another Thankful Thursday.

And today I have a lot to be thankful for.

Well, every day I do.

Some days I just see it more clearly than others.

Our biggest thanks?

Two words.

Cavernous Hemangioma.

I have been practicing how to spell that.

And ophthalmologist. 

Today we went to the ophthalmologist on the recommendation of the MRI specialist.

He pronounced that my husband has a cavernous hemangioma.  It was probably always present though it has grown a little in recent months. And it should be treatable.

I cried.

A little.

Okay, a lot.

You know what?

Even if we had heard different words, I would still have things to be thankful for.

But we didn't.

And I am so thankful for the words we did hear.

Other things I am thankful for?

• An opening in the day so the Hubs could get into the ophthalmologist today.  After waiting for over a week for results, we were so grateful to get some answers.
• Our ophthalmologist who has a sense of humor
• Encouraging texts and messages throughout the week
• A teacher who understands the anxiety of one little boy (who senses things going on even if he doesn't fully understand them) and knows how to comfort him
• Rain. Lots of rain.  And 8 o'clock baseball games that are canceled due to the rain. :)
• Lunch with Moms. Because I ended up taking off the afternoon so I could go to the appointment, I was able to enjoy Lunch with Moms with the two younger kids (it is really hard to do when I am teaching).
• A furry dog who loves on me when I am scared or sad
• A protective daughter who may not say much but carefully guards me when I am stressed
• A husband who stops at a specialty foods store on his way home from out of town so we can have some things we need
• A Mother's Day hike to a beautiful waterfall
• Getting to watch a robin splash in the puddles this week and having a child who was just as mesmerized as I was
• Watching a groundhog pop up out of the ground on our hike
• Butterflies
• Life cycles (we are watching caterpillars change to butterflies at school)
• Administrators who genuinely care
• An almost clean garage
• Cooler weather while we get some a/c issues straightened out
• Scriptures of hope, comfort, and love
• Friends of Child 1 who encourage him
• Watching Child 3 cross the finish line at her 5K
• A reunion with my graduating seniors...always a joy to see my kids grown up
• The gift of texts (and texts that come at just the right time with just the right message)
• A new perspective
• A faculty that comes together for our teachers in times of trials
• A sense of humor
• Chocolate
• Coke. Lots of coke.  That is one of the few things I have been able to "stomach" the past two weeks
• "Couch time" with the Hubs (usually curling up next to him while we watch Shark Tank or home improvement shows)
• A flower for Mother's Day (and it is still alive)
• Stars
• The source of all hope...God.

What are you thankful for this week?

Reba

Thankful Thursday

It has been a tough couple of weeks.  As I mentioned last week, my grandmother passed away.  Just two days before that, my husband found out that he has a mass growing behind one of his eyes.  He had an MRI yesterday; we are currently waiting for results. Throw in little things like whiny children, a mom recovering from surgery, a leak in our garage, etc...well, it has just been a heavy load.

But.

And this is a BIG But...

There are still things to be thankful for.

Even in the midst of trials.

And tribulations.

Some things I am thankful for today are...

• unexpected time with family when they came in for Grandma's burial.  It was not the reason we wanted for gathering but I treasure those family times.  They just go too quickly.
• Mark's CT scan last week. The whole reason we know about this growth on his optic nerve is that we scheduled the CT scan based upon some family history.  Looking back, we now see some "symptoms" (like blurred vision in that eye, a visual change, etc) but we had just attributed a lot of that to our age...
• my dear high school friend Melissa who showed up at my Grandma's visitation (unexpectedly). Not only did she just hug my neck but she also gave me a ring of Scripture cards.  Very blessed.
• Prayers and encouragement from many.  We had told some people what was going on but Mark felt like he needed to share the day of the MRI scan...on Facebook.  We have been overwhelmed with the responses.  So many praying for us.
• our God. He is good. All of the time. And tomorrow if we get bad news, He will still be good (even if it is hard for me to feel that for a while).
• no regrets.  I will admit I have some regrets with my grandmother. I let the busyness of life keep me from talking to her as much as I should have.  At the same time, as I face uncertainty with my future with my husband, I have no regrets.  Not that we have had a perfect relationship. But I can say that he knows I love him. I try to show him daily. 
• time.  We are treasuring time.  And even if the results are better than I hope, I don't want to lose that.  A couple weeks ago, I deleted Facebook from my phone. I still get on there (via computer) but I am more and more putting my phone to the side and just enjoying the moment.  (I was actually doing that before this but this has just confirmed my resolve)
• the furry dog that knows when I need some extra love.
• Child 2 for making me a milkshake the other night that just hit the spot. Food has been a problem for me recently...I want it but then it doesn't settle well with me.  That milkshake hit the spot.
• Child 4's teacher who has given him extra love and hugs the past week. He is scared. He knows something is going on.  It is heartbreaking.  But she is taking care of him.
• A friend who has "been there" and sends me just the right words, who listens without judgment, who understands where I am.
• A principal who has supported me and helped me with an issue the past week when I didn't feel strong enough to do it myself.
• Sleep. Well, it is kind of evading me at the moment. But I have had some rest in the past few days. And when I do, it helps me face the day.
• Teacher appreciation week
• listening to my girls sing praise songs.
• my husband.  I love him.  Forever and always.

Reba

T.T. (Thankful Thursday)

I am not really sure how I ended up on hiatus. It wasn't intentional. In fact, I have started (and stopped) numerous posts.  I guess I just needed a break. 

But I am back.

Ready or not.

And I figure the best way to come back is with a Thankful Thursday. I am doing this post in spite of the fact that it has been a very difficult week. I don't really want to say why.  Emotionally, it has just been tough.

But there is still a lot to be thankful for.

Like...

• our house renovation being completed! (A few weeks now)
• having the girls upstairs...it is so much quieter and peaceful around here. I am not saying they don't argue but at least when they do, they can retreat to their own rooms. :)
• my van. It has been a week of running kids around. I may not love driving a minivan but I am thankful it gets me where I need to go.
• "gentle" reminders from God 
• our "trainer" for G-Fit (my exercise twice a week). He has the patience of a saint to work with us old out of shape teachers. :)
• e-mails from former students sharing their successes.
• hugs from students (both past and present)
• a sweet e-mail from your child's teacher telling you about something good your child did...
• our birthday boy! (Happy birthday, Child 4!)
• our local Christian radio station
• Pup's new haircut
• getting to see my mom earlier this week...it had been a while
• calling my mom for parenting advice. Even if she doesn't have any to offer, she listens.
• a little time alone to converse with child 1 on one of the "driving around" days...such a neat kid.
• a husband who is willing to go out for pizza when I just don't have enough "oomph" to cook
• a husband (same one :) who fills my car up with gas when my gas light comes on
• sweet words from sweet friends
• prayer
• watching child 3 find a new passion
• text messages from child 2
• taxes done and paid for
• hubby's flexible schedule so he can help attend to a sick child
• a full pantry and fridge
• green, green, everywhere (on the trees, on the ground...SO ready for a real spring)
• shopping time with the kiddos
• hearing my kinderkids read and watching them write
• seeing the blood moon. Wow. That was amazing.
• grocery shopping with my main man
• my bed.  Which is where I am headed right now. :)

What are you thankful for this week?

Reba

Thankful Thursday is Back!

I have had a Thankful Thursday post brewing for a little while.  Except then it wasn't Thursday (Thankful Monday didn't sound right).  And then I wasn't so thankful. Now, here we are. Back to Thursday. And today I am thankful.  Mostly. :)

So, what am I thankful for today?

• Heat.  Definitely.  We got our heat back early last week.  We are enjoying every minute. It is still not fully functioning (and we are dreading the gas bill) but it is so wonderful to be warm once again.
• A prayer. A simple but life-changing prayer from a child of ours.
• Heated seats. Oh, how I love my heated seats.
• Safety this morning. The roads were icier than I thought (as we returned to school after three snow days this week). I did a little slipping and sliding but managed to stay mostly on the road.
• A sweet friendship for one of our kiddos.
• A full pantry and fridge on snow days.
• Progress with the house.
• Sweet notes from dear friends.
• Vacation possibilities.
• Sunshine. Even on extremely cold days.
• A good workout.
• Deodorant. (See above :)
• A fuzzy dog who warms my toes when she falls asleep at my feet.
• My job. Today I was a little late to school due to an appointment.  This was after three snow days following the weekend.  The kids all yelled, "Mrs. Cloud is here!" and jumped up to give me hugs. Like it had been 2 years rather than 5 days. I love them. 
• My kids' teachers. They are incredibly patient, incredibly loving, incredibly understanding.
• Warm blankets and fuzzy socks.
• God. I am thankful for God in my life. A God who loves me in spite of myself. A God who invites me to cast all of my cares (and lately that feels like a lot) at His feet.
• Accomplishments for the kids.
• Renovation shows. They entertain us to no ends. And make us realize how fortunate we are.
• The MANY workers who are working on our house. They have all been so nice and have worked hard.  
• A fitness challenge that keeps me moving on days I would rather not...
• Pistachios. A handful a day does my heart good.  Or at least my taste buds.
• Snow. If you know me at all, that seems like a crazy thing for me to be thankful for since I dislike winter and winter weather immensely.  And I still do. But I am not totally cold-hearted. :) I do see the beauty in snow falling from the sky.  And the white blanket on the ground. Especially now that I have heat.  I just wish it didn't interfere with my school year so much. 
• My husband. I love watching him with our kids. He is an amazing father. He meets the kids where they are and teaches me a lot about raising our kids in the way they are bent.
• My co-workers.
• Lotion. Especially this time of year.
• My washer/dryer. Which are working overtime this week.

How about you?
What are you thankful for this year?

Reba

Thankful in 2014

I have so many pictures and posts I could share.

But it is Thursday.

And it is a new year.

I need to start this year out right.

With thankfulness.

And when I say that, know they aren't easy words to write. I do have a lot to be thankful for but my house is in chaos right now. And this "break" has been hardly not a break at all...rather a lot of work and activity. That stresses me out. Sometimes stress blinds us to the things we have to be thankful for. 

Thus this post.

I need a reminder.

Or two.  Or three.

So what am I thankful for? (This encompasses the last couple of weeks)

• A good visit with Mark's family in Mississippi. Our children were pretty well behaved. I can't say that they have all stayed that way but I am thankful at least for a bit they were. :)
• A vehicle for Mark.  In December, he was hit by another vehicle while sitting at a stoplight.  The insurance company decided to total his vehicle which was highly disappointing. It was paid for.  But in the end, we found a very good deal (thanks to Mark's mom) and now have a "new" used vehicle for Mark to use.
• The house renovation has started (thus the chaos).  I am not that excited about the process BUT I am trying to keep the end in mind. Trying.
• A visit with my family this past week.  We finished celebrating Christmas (and New Year's, all in one) yesterday.
• A full pantry. I am working on an "inventory" so we can save on some groceries this month. We have a lot of food to eat. And I don't need to buy pasta for a few months at least.
• Our G-Fit trainer who has been coming to the school even over break to lead our workouts. Otherwise the first workout after two weeks would have been REALLY rough.
• Another holiday down with clean eating for the chemical sensitive kiddo.  It does require extra cooking on my part but it is worth it.
• Heat. Our heat hasn't been shut off yet. We had snow this morning I am thankful that it won't get turned off (for the renovation) until next week when I am back in school.
• Packages...they all arrived for Christmas.  Mostly on time. And thankfully none were stolen from our porch.
• Our little fuzzy face pup.  We left her behind when we visited Mississippi. I missed her like crazy.
• Lego sets. They keep little busy children busy. In a good way.
• Facebook.  It has its challenges. And I need to limit my time on there. But I am thankful for the connection it brings me to several people I wouldn't have contact with otherwise (including college friends, high school friends, and even some family members).  Not to mention, it has helped us find some heaters and electric blankets for our upcoming "no heat" period. :)
• A "living locket" necklace from my husband. I wasn't really expecting a gift. I got that AND a new phone. 
• Speaking of new phones, I am thankful for my new phone. I didn't realize how much my other phone wasn't working until I got a new one that works wonderfully. 
• A gift I didn't get.  Not that I wouldn't have appreciated the gift, but Mark's mom told me about something she really wanted to give me but just couldn't. (It is something really pricey) I am so touched that she thought about me and took clues from FB posts to even think about it. (I was never asking for one...usually people contacted me to tell me where they had seen specials on it)
• A time for giving.  I won't elaborate but giving truly is as rewarding (if not more) than getting.
• New tennis shoes (thanks, Mom and Dad)
• A temporary storage unit to hold all of our displaced items.
• Running into a former co-worker (from my very much younger days) at a rest stop in Lake Village, Arkansas...very random but so fun!
• Meeting with two friends this week just to share about life and our roles as followers of Christ.  The icing on the cake was when a lady near us stood up and told us that she wasn't trying to listen in but it was obvious we loved the Lord. Then she proceeded to utter a blessing for us all for the new year AND reminded us to pray for those who are lost no matter how hopeless it seems. Apparently she is living proof that God hears those prayers!
• Chocolate.  Dark chocolate. Just because.
• Blueberry pancakes. Yum.
• My children. Even in all of their orneriness.  They make me laugh. Often. When I am not pulling my hair out.
• Crayons and a coloring book. A wonderful way to relax AND connect with my kiddo.
• Our candelight service on Christmas Eve.  
• A little baby who came to earth to grow and later die for me.  Me, a sinner. Me who is undeserving.  Just so I an have eternal life.
• Another day to share things I am thankful for...

What are you thankful for this week?

Reba

Thankful Thursday, Yet Again (or Finally!)...

I am still here.  Alive and kicking.  Just really busy.  Even though evening activities have slowed down, I am finding I still haven't. And when I do slow down, I fall asleep.  And with the time change, my whole sleep schedule is way off.  The perfect storm.

I have so much to share including a tribute to a dear friend and a weekend getaway.

But I thought today was a good day to remind myself what I am thankful for this week (and last)...

• The beautiful colors of fall
• Sunshine when I wake up in the morning (though I do NOT like the early darkness in the evening)
• Chili on a cool day
• An "untomato" recipe that allows me to have chili on a cool day
• The opportunity to hold a sleeping baby tonight. Every care in the world just slipped away.
• Heat.  We have been holding off turning it on but tonight I couldn't take it anymore.  Now we are toasty.
• A weekend getaway with the Hubs (last weekend).  Loved every minute.
• My mom for giving up her weekend to take care of the kiddos so we could have that getaway.
• Nature.  On our hikes last weekend we saw a snake, some frogs, some birds, squirrels, etc.  I am always amazed by God's creation.
• Love and forgiveness.
• My co-workers.
• Our after school workouts.
• Chocolate.
• The teachers of my children.
• The progress of my students. I would love to take credit but they would learn with or without me. I am just the one privileged enough to get to be there when it happens!
• A short reprieve from after school activities.
• Amazing sunsets
• God's timing (even when I don't understand it)
• A hot bath and a new magazine...perfect way to end a day
• Renewed strength
•  Possible changes in our life...

What are you thankful for today?

Reba

Thankful Thursday...

I have again written blog posts in my mind this week.

And somehow I manage to fall asleep each night before I post them.

It is a miracle I am still awake right now other than the fact I just drank caffeine. 

Anywho...

I can surely manage a few things to be thankful for.

And maybe next week (my intern will be teaching for solo week), I might just actually type out a few posts that are going round and round in my head...

Maybe.

What am I thankful for this week?

• my kids.  I am thankful for my kids.  Even when they drive me crazy.  And they do.  BUT they also make me laugh.
• workouts.  Okay, I am not always thankful the day after (or the night of) but I am actually somewhat enjoying them. They are hard.  Harder than anything I have ever done.  But with co-workers, they are also fun.  
• my puppy.  She tickles me.  (Both literally and figuratively)
• a good hike last weekend .
•  the teachers of my children.
• even the principals of my children.  One of them has sent me texts just to tell me good things about my kiddo.  Warms a momma's heart.
• showers (especially after the workouts I mentioned again)
• my mama who does the kids' laundry. I am pretty sure they would be wearing pj's every day otherwise.
• blue jeans.  Just because I like wearing them.
• sushi dates with my husband.
• fall.  I love the colorful leaves, the beautiful background.  
• watching my kids do the activities they love.
• my co-workers.  
• my students.  They truly make my heart happy.
• baked potato soup (which I am anticipating eating THIS weekend).
• the "Halloween" pictures my youngest has created and placed all over the house (because apparently I didn't decorate early enough for him)
• a promise for a getaway weekend
• dark chocolate.  It makes me happy.
• half a cow.  In my freezer.
• good neighbors.  Even when they move away.
• nature.  Our God made an amazing world.
• solo week. It is always hard to give up a week teaching the kids.  BUT it is an opportunity to catch up on some paperwork, some planning, and some assessing of students.
• time with a "long lost" friend.
• my bed. Which is where I am headed. :)

What are you thankful for this week?

Reba

Thankfully Thursday

Here I am, a blog post I started over a week ago just sitting waiting to be finished.

Life has been busy.

But no matter how busy it is, I still have things to be thankful for.

Things like...

• rain, no matter how little (and it has been little). At least it brought cooler temperatures.
• Fridays. And nowhere to be for that one night.
• dinner out with a friend to share in the ups and downs of adoption.  
• two workouts under my belt. And I can almost walk now without moaning and groaning.
• a hard-working husband.
• my mom who came to my rescue not once but twice this week with my kiddos.
• guilt.  Yes, guilt. Not for me but for one of my children who expressed feeling it for the first time (that I know of).
• my crockpot.  It was the only way we had dinner (in about 15 minutes tonight before the shuttling of activities).
• our sweet puppy who greets us each day with a wagging tail and obvious excitement to see us.
• time with a book.  I may not be blogging regularly but nearly every day I find time to read just for fun.
• watching my students "get it" (whatever "it" is...).
• finishing up some paperwork at school that has been consuming my time and energy.
• getting to watch my kiddos play their sports. This week I have watched Child 2 play volleyball, Child 3 "cheer", and Child 4 play baseball. Child 1 will run cross country.  It keeps me busier than I want sometimes but I love seeing their passions unfold.
• laughs.  This week Child 4 woke up feeling ill. He told me that after he finished breakfast, he would go take his "blood pressure".  You know, with a thermometer.  Thankfully I got a laugh out of that because I wasn't laughing later when I found out his temperature was too high for school.  I guess I can also be thankful for short-lived viruses...
• dinner out with my parents and grandmother earlier this week to celebrate my mom's birthday.
• my mom.  I could write a whole blog post about her but won't. At least not today.  :)
• Alleve and Advil.  (Refer to the workout post above)
• a new Razorback shirt. Yep, totally treated myself...
• the fact that my kids follow me around the house to tell me about their day. I can't always say I enjoy it (when I am trying to do other things to) but I am thankful for those time!

How about you?

What are you thankful for on this Thursday?

Reba

Thankful Thursday, Thursday Thankful

I better type this while I am still awake.

That is an issue with me lately.

I keep reminding myself that I am this tired EVERY year at the beginning of school.  That I am not just getting old.  That eventually I will be back to my night owl old self.

But I fall asleep reminding myself.

I wake up usually long enough to take my medicine (hubby brings to me) and fall back asleep. Usually fully dressed on TOP of the covers.  Meanwhile, a little dog is getting spoiled because she falls asleep with me and may or may not get to her crate.

But I digress.

Again.

It has been a busy week, a bit hectic at times.  But I have plenty to be thankful for (besides the allergy stuff, the cold sore on the corner of my mouth, and that darn fatigue).

This week I am thankful for...

• a new garage door!  Okay, a pricey thanks but a much needed one.  It is SOOOO quiet and even better, it goes up and down when we push the button. Our old one was kind of finicky. It went up fine, not down so much. And that was usually when I was in a hurry and trying to leave the house quickly.
• Speaking of garage doors, I am thankful that our old one never came crashing down on us or our cars.  Apparently it was much more broken than I realized!
• another good week of school for the kids.
• our oldest child's initiative.  He went (on his own) to his school counselor and asked for a more challenging class in one of his least favorite subjects. It changed his whole schedule. But he is happier. And I am so proud of him for taking care of it himself!
• the cool nights.
• beautiful sunsets.
• a four day work week. I love school but after a very busy few weeks prior, I was ready for another day at home.
• bears.  There is a bear on the loose not too far from our house.  I have ALWAYS wanted to see a bear and look for them when we are hiking.  I haven't seen the one spotted yesterday (at the Tyson Headquarters) but I saw pictures.  And that made me smile.
• new babies.  I have a few friends who made announcements of little bundles to be.
• cheese stuffed rolls.  I just wish I wasn't SOOO thankful for them (and could stop eating them).  
• evening walks with my hubby and pup (especially on cool evenings with bright shining stars).
• a sweet class.  
• a delightful visit with friends from church.
• my parents' swimming pool (which we used a lot last weekend).  
• Ghirardelli dark chocolate squares with sea salt caramel.  Chilled.
• entertainment via my children.  When they don't make me cry, they make me laugh. :)
• family dinners.  It gets hard this time of year. And it doesn't always happen. But more often than not, it does.
• listening to my youngest read books to me.  He is such a confident reader.  I can't wait to see what he learns this year!
• Child 3's servant heart.  She will just take out the trash or help with laundry, all without being asked.
• my mom who faithfully washes kids' laundry throughout the school year.
• my sister. I don't get to talk to her or see her nearly as often as I would like but I am still thankful to just know that she is there.
• Child 2's positive attitude.

I better stop for now.  I still have to exercise (refer to the cheese stuffed roll comment above for why...).

How about you? What are you thankful for this week?

Reba

Thankful Thursday...

Earlier today, I was gung ho on writing a thankful Thursday.

Now a few hours later, it is a little harder...got hit with some hard news on a friend of mine.

But I know that in spite of her difficulties, she is thankful for each day.  So I am going to be also.

Today I am thankful for...

• the gift of prayer.
• God.  I don't understand His ways, especially today, but I am thankful He is there.
• shaved ice with good friends.
• a "double date" with my parents...a rare treat.
• a beautiful lightning show earlier this week.
• rain!
• late evening walks with my hubby.
• Stoby's cheese dip (brought home by my hubby after a trip)
• paid for vehicles (which we hope hold up a while longer)
• air conditioning
• sundresses (which make warm summers tolerable :)
• new air conditioners at school
• good friends
• good days which are that much nicer after a hard day
• a new door handle (the other one was stuck 80 percent of the time)
• new school supplies
• watching t.v. with my hubby
• blog comments
• an upcoming road trip with my husband
• beautiful sunsets
• a husband who listens to my honest heart, no matter what
• friends who let me be honest and lay it all out on the line with NO judgment
• opportunities to serve others
• sleep (which seems to evade me this summer)
• lazy mornings
• visiting with family
• comic strips...they make me smile!
• cardinals. They have a special meaning to me and lately, I am seeing them everywhere!
• Youtube videos that make me smile
• Child 1 who helps a LOT around the house without complaint
• Child 3's servant heart
• Child 2's enthusiasm for life
• Child 4's wit and humor
• beach pictures from friends
• my dishwasher...it works overtime all the time
• my parents' pool...it has been such a blessing to us!  We can go swimming for just an hour without any hassle.  We are treasuring it!
• honest "parent" talks with friends
• full moons (even if they make my kids a bit crazy)
• a little black dog that curls up with me when Mark is out of town

I better stop for now and get some sleep.

Hope you have something to be thankful for this week...feel free to share!

Reba