30 Days of Thanks: Day 18

I truly can't believe I've been doing this for 18 days. I will not sit here and lie and tell you that it's not hard some days to be thankful. I will say that when I want to gripe and complain, my thoughts are redirected (most of the time) to how I can be thankful in this situation.  What can I find to be thankful about today?

Instead of griping, because my son has to wear an eye patch again...I'll be thankful that both times he's had surgery it's been taken care of mostly through insurance.  I'll be thankful that we have to drive only 30 minutes to see the only specialist in this area.  That through this treatment my son will not grow to adulthood with vision loss.  I can be thankful that we don't have to make the hard choices of whether or not we can afford treatment.

Instead of getting upset, because my husband is tired all the time from working 60 hour-6 day weeks...I can be thankful that God gives me the strength to pick up the slack.  I'm thankful that my husband takes his responsibility to his family seriously. I'm thankful that he is a hard worker. 

Instead of focusing on the pretty bad exam I had yesterday, I can be thankful that with new testing options...I won't have it again for 3 years.  Let me tell you, my friend, that is something to be thankful about. 

I read a quote this morning from an Adventure in Odyssey episode:  "The Bible doesn't say all things are good. It says God works all things together for good. And sometimes that process takes a little time."

I do my share of griping and complaining, don't get me wrong.  But I feel a whole lot better about life when I can be thankful in all (well, most)  circumstances.  When I know there is "good",  even if I can't see it. 

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

 Romans 8:28

30 Days of Thanks: Day 17

I'm thankful for who I am in Christ:

I am God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.  Ephesians 2:10a 

The Lord "my" God is with me, he is mighty to save.  He takes great delight in me, he quiets me with  his love, and rejoices over me with singing.  Zephaniah 3:17

All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.  Psalm 139: 16

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart, " says the Lord.  Jeremiah 1:5

If anyone is in Christ, he is a NEW CREATION; the old has gone, the new has come!!!  2 Corinthians 5:17

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God!  And that is what we are!  1 John 3:1

It's easy to forget who God says we are, I'm so thankful to be reminded every time I read the Scriptures!  

Jason Gray - Remind Me Who I Am (Official Music Video) from jason-gray on GodTube.

30 Days of Thanks: Day 16

Today is one of those days...I've been running since early morning. Everyone is tired and cranky. Including me. It's days like this that it's hard to think about being thankful.  That's when it's even more important to express thanks anyway! 

So here goes!!

I'm thankful for:

• living in a place where fresh fruit and vegetables are readily accessible.
• having an old, but dependable car that's been paid off for years.
• a little boy that says- "li-berry and hoc-topus"
• great music teachers for my kids.
• chapstick
• knowing and believing that everything in this life happens for a reason--for a greater purpose than I'm aware of in this moment.  
• being medication free and controlling my IC with diet and lifestyle changes.
• children who ask questions about the Scriptures (especially when they ask their Daddy)
• avid readers.
• slower days ahead that will be spent at home.
• God being in control and never changing!

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

30 Days of Thanks: Day 15

Today, I exercised my right to vote. I'm thankful that we live in a free country. 

I'm thankful that as a woman I have the right to vote. 

I'm thankful for my small town that has a group of lady citizens that want to help other people especially around the holidays.  I'm thankful Tera and I finally made it to the first meeting.  There was another girl there that Tera hit it off with and it just so happens they home school.

I'm thankful after voting, taking Daniel to flute lessons, and attending the community meeting that now I am home.  With a headache, but home nonetheless.  

I'm thankful this is our last crazy, insanely busy week.  

30 Days of Thanks: Day 14

I'm thankful that my husband loaded the dishwasher last night!

I'm thankful for crockpot meals made the night before on busy days.

I'm thankful that daylight savings time ended.  (I know I'm weird, but I like daylight when I get up in the morning)

I'm thankful for GRACE!!!  I need it a lot!

I'm thankful that God's presence goes before me, just like it did for Moses and the Israelites.

I'm thankful for the old hymns that are based on the Scriptures and remind me of God's unfailing love, mercy and compassion.  "He hideth my soul, in the cleft of the rock that shadows a dry thirsty land..."

I'm thankful for promises like this:

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

Deuteronomy 31:8 

 

30 Days of Thanks: Day 13

Today, I'm thankful for my husband who works so hard for his family.  He's been working 60 hour weeks and is so tired.  Besides practicing his guitar, everything he does revolves around us.  He sacrifices things other guys wouldn't even think about giving up.  Even when we argue or have disagreements, I can't think of any other person I'd want to be with more.  He's seen me at my worst and best, loving me in spite of it all.  He's sees the best in me, when I can't.  He is truly my soul mate and best friend.  Thank you, Lord for giving me this godly man!  

30 Days of Thanks: Day 12

When I just can't seem to shake that anxious feeling, You're still there with me in the midst of all my unknown worries. There wanting to speak peace to my heart and reality to my irrational fear. There telling me to just be still and know that YOU are God.  That YOU are in control.  I thank you, Lord!

 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 

1 Peter 5:7

 

Lord, I thank you for making me the way I am.  In the times of my distresses, (real, imagined or felt)  I am drawn closer to You. 

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.  

 How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
    How vast is the sum of them! 

 Were I to count them,
    they would outnumber the grains of sand—
    when I awake, I am still with you.

Psalm 139:14, 17-18 

Just funny!

Charlie Chaplin and a bedbug at the dentist!

This child stayed in character the entire time...

and this one is just a character!

"L"

We worked on some motor skill activities this week...passing objects through a roll of tape without knocking it over. 

Paperclips

Tongs

 

Michael does lots of learning activities with Tera and Daniel throughout the week.  Counting, colors, alphabet work and games.  

Notebook work (Tera did all these with Michael this week..I love that girl!)

Working on patterns

Tera pretending she's got a little sister!

30 Days of Thanks: Day 11

I'm thankful today that...

I'm alive! 

God never changes, He's the same yesterday, today and forever! 

I can use the internet to help find solutions to problems, answer questions, connect with other home schoolers, bloggers and old/new friends. 

today, is the first day all week...we've all been home!  It feels good!!! 

the sun is shining through my windows. 

there are lots of people everywhere being thankful this month.

God is my provider, my peace, my comforter, my Heavenly Father, my Savior and so much more.

Yet this I call to mind
    and therefore I have hope: 

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.

I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
    therefore I will wait for him.”

Lamentations 3:21-24

30 Days of Thanks: Day 10

Today, I'm thankful for: 

good doctors and health insurance

having the ability and resources to make good, healthy choices

innocent fun

kids who love to read

a daughter that is trustworthy, dependable and one of the best helpers in the world

neighbors who invite you in to "sit and talk a spell"

a mom that calls and checks to make sure I'm in for the night on Halloween

a husband that thinks the best of me

beautiful sunsets

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

James 1:17

Full Moon Art Project

I saw this idea a few weeks back and thought it looked really neat.   I used the tutorial on drawing a tree from this website.  

Draw a tree on black paper and cut it out.

Then, starting with a white oil pastel, draw concentric circles, gradually using darker shades of blue.  Finish with black on the very tips of the corners of the paper.

Take a q-tip dipped in baby oil to blend the oil pastels together.

Glue your tree to your moonlit background. 

Finished products:

Michael's (with help, of course...but he had to do a tree, too) 

Tera's 

Daniel's 

I love this project!  It's simple and the results are just stunning!