Thankful Thursday...Once Again

I have tons of of pics to post from the girls' party and our summer events.

But not yet.

It is Thursday.

Thankful Thursday.

And I have a lot to be thankful for...

• spending the evening watching the kids chase fireflies in the dark
• beautiful sunsets
• God's promise (as evidenced by the rainbow I saw last week)
• bunny rabbits (Child 2 and I watch two bunnies chase each other the other night...)
• baby birds (above my doorway again...three this time!
• electricity and air conditioning
• a dryer that no longer squeaks (though it was quite an ordeal getting it fixed)
• shaved ice dates with the hubby (I know, I am thankful for that a lot...what can I say? I love that time)
• a new pair of pajamas (on the bucket list)
• seeing the world through my children's eyes
• raw honey...YUM.
• a fun visit with Mark's family last weekend
• my son safely home from church camp
• a dog that loves to take walks
• Hallmark movies that make me cry
• a new book
• comic strips that make me laugh out loud
• magnolia flowers/trees (I have heard they are a pain to have in your yard but they are SOOO pretty)
• a clean kitchen
• Google maps
• thank you notes from former students
• hot baths after a long day at the zoo
• compliments on the kids from a stranger at a restaurant
• all natural lemonade packets (I made the switch...and actually like it!)
• my parents' pool (getting put in)...can't wait to do a little swimming!
• the giggles of my youngest as he listens to stories on CD
• the helpfulness of child 3 who actually asks to help with the laundry and cooking
• the spirit of child 2...she is full of passion and love
• the faith of child 1
• not setting alarm clocks
• my digital camera

I am sure I could think of a few more but I need to head to bed...

What are you thankful for this week?

Reba

41 Reasons to Love

him...

1. He is handsome.  Still makes my heart swoon when I see him.  
2. His humor.  We need that humor to get through this cray adventure of life.
3. His dedication to being a father. Not just a father but an involved father.
4. He does laundry.  I really try to stay on top of it. I feel like it is "my job" but times when I can't, he doesn't say a word. He just throws a load in.
5. He keeps the sink clean.
6. He is self-motivated.  I am proud of him for starting his own company and for getting up daily and working even when the rest of us are snoozing!
7. His love for Christ.  He is sold out. Completely.
8. His sense of adventure (evident in marrying me, adopting not once but twice, etc)
9. He grills a mean burger.
10. He is safe...nowhere I feel safer than in his arms.
11. He is romantic.  Flowers.  Love notes.  Etc.
12. He is honest.
13. He is wise.
14. He is completely head over heels for our little pup...he completely lights up when she walks in the room.
15. He is laid back (about some things).
16. He is a leader...at home and in the community.
17. He is organized.  Well, at least for work.  We are still working on some spots at home. 
18. He is a "do it yourself" man.  Ice maker isn't working?  We figured it out.  Vacuum was broken. He fixed it.  He is currently making me a compost pile...all on his own. Much like he did with the loft in my classroom.
19. He is loyal to God, to family, to self.
20. He takes Child 1 golfing.
21. He takes Child 2 to the movies.
22. He laughs and humors Child 3 on the roughest days.
23. He takes Child 4 to baseball games (if anything, to give me a break).
24. He is my favorite "co-cook" in the kitchen...he browns ground beef and fries up chicken while I work on the other stuff.
25. He drives. And drives. And drives.  With mostly no complaint. :)
26. He gives of himself daily...just for us.
27. He apologizes...with heart.
28. He sends me random love texts for no reason at just the right time.
29. He expects nothing.  
30. He gives great hugs.  
31.  He runs errands like quick trips to the grocery store for us.
32. He takes me on late night sushi dates.
33. He plays in the backyard with the kids.
34. He is fun.
35. He is a good friend.
36. He keeps secrets/confidences.
37. He is trustworthy.
38. He loves me in spite of myself.
39. He is comfortable in social situations...doesn't think a thing of attending events with me even if he knows no one.
40. He takes us to the beach every year without complaint. :)
41. He is love.

I am a blessed woman.

Happy birthday to my main main...

I LOVE YOU!

Reba

My Summer Bucket List

My daughter told me a few days ago that one of her friends had made a summer bucket list and that she was going to do the same.

I think I laughed and thought, "Kids."

But then yesterday she showed me her list.

I LOVE it.

It is just a fun mixture of simple fun ideas and a few outrageous.

It is carefree.

It is so her.

And it got me to thinking...

Why don't I have my own summer bucket list?

The funny thing is that I have been contemplating this for about 24 hours now and it is not easy.

I have to work really hard to separate "bucket list" and my "to do" list.

The "to do" list is easier for me to think of!

When did I become so boring, so practical?

I think it was the day I became a mom.

But I am determined to come up with a list.

I am trying to think of fun out of the ordinary things for me but also somewhat practical/attainable.

I mean, a week long getaway to an exotic location with just the hubs is a dream of mine but that doesn't mean it is going to happen this year or next or even the next.  I mean, who wants our four kids for a week? And we just started paying for braces.

 Or spending a day eating just chocolate...that would be a dream come true. But I can't do that to my body; I have worked too hard to get where I am at now.

Or a week at the beach with my parents and my sister/her family...it is a HUGE dream of mine.  Not happening this year. And probably not next either.

But I have come up with a few things, though this list is a work in progress.  There are a few I won't share, just for modesty's sake...

My summer bucket list:

• to say "yes" more than I say "no" to my kids. You have NO idea how hard this is for me!
• to nap anytime I want (every day if I want to) without feeling guilty about it
• to go on a float trip (this one may be happening soon!)
• to eat lobster and shrimp ravioli and Joe's incredible rolls without an ounce of guilt or regret
• to dance in the rain with my daughter
• to spend just one day ALL day on my computer whether it is playing games, cleaning out my cache, or organizing my bookmarks
• to read at least one (if not more) book just for fun...not for parenting or teaching!
• to wear eye shadow (a little odd but I just don't do that typically)
• to get a new camera
• to go to the farmer's market at least once (if not more)
• to slow dance with my husband (love to but it is rare)
• to make homemade ice cream (no, don't have a maker...)
• to do a random act of kindness
• to find a shark tooth on the beach (but not IN the shark's mouth)
• to watch a meteor shower with my husband...even better, outside of the city limits/lights!
• to see a waterfall that takes my breath away
• to watch the sun rise at least once (I am usually snoozing)
• to visit some local "swimming holes" with the kids
• to not set my alarm clock as much as possible
• to make smores with the kids 
• to visit with friends...you know, the ones we always say we need to get together with but don't!
• to ride a bike trail
• to learn how to grill
• visit a state park
• to pay off something I have wanted paid off for a long time
• to buy a pair of fun summer time pajamas
• to eat a Chicago pizza
• to feel God's presence in a MIGHTY way, something that can only be experienced, not explained
• to go to the zoo

Well, it's a start.

I am sure more will come to me with time.

I know I won't do all of them but it has been fun to think about.

So...what is on your bucket list for the summer?

Reba

What a difference...

a year makes.

Last summer was NOT my favorite summer.

My husband had just been "unhired".

We were living in limbo.

We were dealing with some kid struggles.

Major struggles.

As in dreading to wake up every day struggles.

I felt like a prisoner in my own house.

Fast forward to this year...

Hubby owns his own company.

Okay, in some ways, it is like limbo.

We don't have that set paycheck.

But he is doing what he loves to do.

And our bills are paid.

It isn't perfect. 

Lately we have had a lot of "expenses".  It is easy to panic a bit. Or a lot.

But still, God is faithful.

(Just for the record, He was faithful last summer too...just feeling it more this year I suppose)

And the kid struggles?

Well, with four kids, there will always be struggles.

But so far our summer is off to a great start.

The kids are getting along.  Even playing together.

Meltdowns (both child and mom) have been pretty nonexistent.

And I have even run a few errands, leaving the oldest in charge.  When I come home, NO complaints.

I am actually looking forward to this summer.

So many other things have changed in the past year...

Our eating habits.

My weight.

Our house (though it is still a work in progress).

Our children.  (I am going to do a special post about them this week)

Our health (both good and bad :).

Who knew what a difference one year could make?

Reba

Thankful Thursday...Hello Again!

I know, I know.

It has been a while.

My friend Randy asked about it not long ago.

"Thankful Thursday?"

I haven't forgotten.

I think of it actually every Thursday.

All I can say is this time of year, I am in complete survival mode.

The end of school is about as hard (and maybe AS hard but in a different way) than the beginning of school for teachers. So much to do.

In fact, I have been "out" one whole day now and I am STILL not done.  That is after working most of Memorial Day weekend on school stuff.

No pity parties here, just 'splainin my self.

I will admit, thankfulness has been a bit more difficult lately.  Nothing major, just seems like every time we turn around, there is another unexpected expense waiting to be paid.  And just the craziness of life.  And the challenges of parenting.  And the restless spirit of mine confined to the house with these crazy people.  You know, that kind of stuff.

But I think I can find a few things to be thankful for...

• School's out!  Okay, not completely since I still have to finish my classroom. But I am 80 percent of the way done. :)  
• No lunches to pack, homework to check, papers to sign!  For a couple months anyway.
• The alarm is OFF.  I can sleep in every morning if I want. I won't because my body automatically wakes up but I can linger in bed if I want.
• A possible raise.  
• A good end to the year for all four kids.
• Miss Marley.  We went for a hike last weekend (which she LOVES to do).  Unfortunately, when we got home, we realized that Marley's harness had rubbed her raw under her "arms", and she was COVERED with ticks.  For a few days, she was very reclusive. She would hide under the bed, not eat or drink much of anything, just lay there.  Yesterday I was ready to take her to the vet/doggy hospital but they couldn't get her in until Friday.  I came home for lunch feeling defeated; we somehow lured her into eating.  And since then, she has transitioned back to her normal self.  I am still keeping an eye on her though.
• Safety.  Two times now in the past couple of week we have had severe weather in our area.  And thankfully, both times it has passed us (as I write in the midst of one of those storms :).
• T-ball.  Coming to an end.  Don't get me wrong. I love watching my little guy play.  And he really enjoys it.  I am just ready for some lazy evenings.  This is the one time of year we don't have a bunch of activities going on at once (other than some v-ball camps for child 2).  I like the slower pace.
• These cooler days.  It has not been the warmest May. In fact, most days it has been near perfect.  High 70's, low 80's. And once the sun sets, the temps drop even more.  Last night I went for a walk with the girls around the neighborhood. It was perfect out.  Not too hot, not too cold, a nice breeze. I love it!
• A prescription card.  My insurance has decided not to pay for a monthly prescription that one of us uses.  But thankfully that medicine's company is having a "rebate" type of special for the rest of the year so that we pay a minimal amount.  At least until December.  Then I may be selling plasma or something to pay for it... :)
• Time with cousins. My sister's kids are visiting right now. They are staying with my mom but we get to see them every now and then.  My kids want to see them ALL of the time. :)  We try not to overdo it.  But I love that they all have so much fun together.
• A calm dog in the midst of storms. Doesn't faze her at all.
• The imagination of child 4.  He keeps us in stitches (if he doesn't have us crying :).
• The helpfulness of child 3.  She will just decide to unload the dryer and will fold clothes just because.
• The patience of both child 1 and child 2 who have been so helpful with their younger siblings while I have dealt with school things.
• Surprise sweet texts from the hubby during the day
• A fixed ice maker/fridge.  And we figured it out all by ourselves! (with the help of FB friends and Google)

I am sure there is more but I am ready to get a little sleep.

It is good to be back!  Hopefully with the carefree days of summer, I can get here more often. :)

Reba

Expect Nothing...

and you will never be disappointed but you might be pleasantly surprised.

My mom used to say that to me.  A lot.

For good reason.

I tend to plan and think and hold ideas about how things will go.

And they rarely do.

At least how I think they will.

My first years of teaching.

My engagement.

My honeymoon.  (The wedding was actually what I pictured for the most part :)

Motherhood.

Mother's Day.

I really don't try to dream up stuff.

It just happens.

My mind is always going.

And I am a romantic at heart.

Gifts is one of my love languages.

So when I knew Mother's Day was this weekend, I had in my mind how it was going to go.

A hiking trip away, planned by anyone but me :). (We have hiked a lot of the trails here; there are others around the state I am itching to try) With or without kids.

Maybe a new camera.

Instead, yesterday late morning, hubby asks, "Wanna go for a hike today or tomorrow?'

My heart sank.

Don't get me wrong, I like hiking.  It just wasn't a weekend away.  And it wasn't planned.

To top it all off, one child wasn't sure she really wanted to go and seemed to be going just because she felt like she had to. Another one rolled out of bed right before we left and insisted there was no reason to go.  And the ones who did end up in the car with us argued. A lot.

Happy Mother's Day to me.

I actually said at one point, "Let's give up and go home..."

But we didn't.

We drove out to the middle of nowhere.

And we hiked.

And it was nothing like I had pictured for "my weekend".

Nothing at all.

But I was pleasantly surprised.

We had fun.  (A post/tons of pics to come)  One child, after claiming to not be a "girly girl", fell into the mud...right at the beginning of the hike.  Another one, tripping over a tree branch or his own feet, hopped up and said, "I am okay!" and took off running.  Marley pup had a ball.  She is fearless on a hike.  Rocks, water, logs...they don't stop her. Oh, and she can outhike us (even with legs mere inches long) any day.  The kids got along MOST of the time.  In fact, it was one of our better hikes.  We even decided to do one more hike and there were no complaints. I think we got about 4 miles in all together.

It was a beautiful day.  We were surrounded by beautiful scenery. And we saw no snakes.

When we got home, we grabbed some pizza from one of my favorite places.  And devoured it.

This morning, Child 2 brought me breakfast in bed.

Child 3 gave me a beautiful booklet all about me.

I think Child 4 had a gift for me from school; I just haven't seen it yet.  He will think about it in a few days.

We got to have dinner with MY mom and dad which is always a treat.

And then Child 1 bought me a shaved ice.

Oh, and I got a gift certificate for a pedicure. 

Nothing like I had "planned" or expected.

But I was pleasantly surprised.

Maybe those moms know a thing or two after all...

Reba

Wishful Thinking...

I had all intentions of doing a Thankful Thursday post.

I got as far as the title.

Not that I am not thankful...though maybe not as much this week as some weeks.

I just fell asleep.

Besides, I have been more in "wishful" thinking mode recently.

I probably should stick with thankfulness.

I wish...

• that I could wear flip flops. SOOO many cute flip flops.  But, alas, they kill my feet.  I cannot stand for that strap to be between my toes.  So I am in the not as cute slides for the summer, should summer ever arrive.
• sometimes I could just buy food without reading the label or checking a list.
• sometimes we could just have a spontaneous meal out that required no planning on my part.
• I could find more time to blog.  Too many thoughts swirl through my brain endlessly.
• we would have a nice weekend for either hiking or cleaning out the garage.  Hiking sounds more fun.
• I could get "caught" up on life.
• we had a family counselor always on call for the many parenting moments I have where I wonder, "What on earth do I do now?"
• one child would be more humble, another more positive, another softer spoken, and another respectful...
• I could visit some of the waterfalls around Arkansas.
• my tooth would stop hurting...I don't have the time or money for a root canal.
• it felt like spring.
• avocados weren't so high in fat and calories (I know it is a good fat but it is still high cal).
• I could Zumba without having to stop every few minutes to deal with a wayward child.
• I could spend an hour or two snuggling with my parents' new pup.  It is like therapy in a little ball of fur.
• insurance companies were easier to deal with.
• my family was more in tune with my needs and wants (without me having to spell them out). 
• I could figure out how to cook hashbrown potatoes correctly.
• that flour were low calorie.
• my house always smelled like homemade bread.
• I could sleep in.
• people could spell and use "lose" and "loose" correctly.
• I were better about my quiet times.
• our shower wouldn't drip.
• I weren't using heated seats in the month of May.
• my former students knew how much I cared...doesn't matter how old they get.
• my eyesight wasn't changing (for the worse).
• my sister lived closer.
• we could have a big beach vacation all together (parents, sister/family, us).
• I could get caught up on laundry.
• I had a compost pile AND a little garden.
• I had a green thumb.
• that more foods were "natural".
• my attic were organized.
• my snaggletooth children would lose their other front tooth. I love toothless grins.
• I had a swimming pool (which would require a much bigger yard).
• some days that time would speed up...other days I want to stop it.
• I knew why some friendships just end without warning.
• I could sing...on key.
•  I wish I had a normal life.  Please, no comments about "What is normal anyway?"  I grew up living a fairly normal life. The life I have right now is not so normal.  

I am sure I could wish away the night but I must get a little sleep.  (refer to the one above about not being able to sleep in :)

What are you wishing for these days?

Reba