Thankful Thursday

Yesterday my kids came home from school singing the "Gratefulness Song" from school (Character First!). It's something about "When we all see, what we should see, all we would see, is the good we know that others do for us and show them all our gratefulness!"

Now I have it stuck in my head. But you know. . . it's true.

What are you "seeing" today? What you SHOULD see? What I see here:

1. Laundry getting caught up. For today.

2. Bathrooms wiped up. Not scrubbed, but clean enough.

3. Son #4 still home from school, but I think we are ALMOST there. Made it all day, yesterday, without fever, then started running one again, last night. Bummer.

4. A freshly dusted bedroom. The Coach thought he was in the wrong room last night! We could have been leaving each other notes on the dresser. In the dust. But it's clean, now!

5. Finishing up my z-pac today. I'm finally feeling better.

6. That the Son who has been sick the longest, is also the best sick kid ever. In the history of the world. Seriously. Not one complaint or request. This kids is TOUGH. A little bit of cabin fever going on, but he's doing great.

7. My sewing machine. Zig-zagging around some bath mats this morning and thinking about what a blessing that machine has been for the last 19 years. How much mending it has helped with, how many curtains, bedding, crafts and countless projects. So grateful.

8. Beautiful weather. Seriously. It's been amazing. The kids have built an entire hobo village in the woods that they have spent every daylight moment after school playing in. The Coach is tearing up our deck (which is in need of repairs) after school each day. It's sunny, cool, lovely. Little Man is all about jumping on the trampoline, digging in the dirt, playing in the ashes in the fire pit (yeah. THAT is fun to clean up) and running around after all of the big kids. Good times.

Blessings on each of you this Thursday morning! May the Lord fill you with knowledge of His power and wisdom. My you find new strength to trust Him and allow Him to guide your steps.

Happy Thursday!

Tea, Muffins and Thoughts

Happy Tuesday morning!

As I'm sitting here eating a chocolate chip pumpkin muffin and drinking Chai tea, I thought it might be a good time to check in.

Not that I am opposed to just eating my muffin and drinking my tea, but I'm all about multi-tasking.

And did I mention that Daughter #7 and Little Man are at BSF with Grandmother?

Which would make it REALLY quiet here, except that Son #4 is home sick (which is also why I'm not at BSF with my kids) and is watching his, oh, about 236th episode of "A Team" on Netflix online. Fortunately, I am quite entertained by the A Team. Not that I sit and watch it with him, but I do get a chuckle or two from Murdock as I'm washing the dishes. And I almost have the intro memorized. Which I'm sure will come in handy at some point in life. I know for SURE the education on 80's culture will be invaluable to my son.

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Reading through some old posts last night, I was struck by something obvious.

We are sick a lot.

Did I say a lot? I mean A LOT.

Or maybe it's just my perspective after being sick, myself, for over a week and caring for four sick kids, as well.

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In the meantime, you won't believe it, but the Coach has finished up his 2009 football season. Even after 15 football seasons with him, knowing it will end soon enough, I'm relieved when it actually DOES end. So nice to have him around, again.

It's such a blessing being married to a man who is fortunate enough to have a job that he loves. It is a busy Fall at our house. But as the kids get older, it's getting easier. And starting next year, we will have a son of our own on that highschool team (ugh - where does the time go?) and how awesome is that to have your dad as your coach?

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Praying that all of you are staying healthy and enjoying this beautiful FALL weather that we are having here in our neck of the woods. It's almost time for Family Pictures, Thanksgiving and finishing up my Christmas shopping (which would mean that I have to START, I suppose).

I probably should have skipped the muffin this morning since my current size is about to be documented for posterity. But I'm pretty sure it wasn't this morning's muffin that caused the problem to begin with. So why quit, now? There will be plenty of time for dieting when I'm not recovering from a flu-induced sinus infection and all of my kids are well and back in school.

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Well, the laundry and dishes are calling. Son #4 is about finished up with his third episode this morning. I don't know that watching the A Team on Netflix for 6 days straight has helped out with his private Christian school principle approach education, but it probably hasn't hurt it, either. I hope.

There will plenty of time for homework (and dieting) another day, right?

Happy Tuesday!

Thankful Thursday

What a week.

Daughter (#6) finally made it back to school, yesterday. The hives only lasted a few days, but a fever followed. She missed a whole week!

But before she went back to school she gave the virus to her sister, Daughter (#7). Who, in turn, gave it to me.

Yee haw.

I "only" ran a fever for three days. Nice. She's still running a fever, Little Man started on Tuesday and Son #4, this morning.

On the very day of our wonderful school's Fall Festival! I'm so sad for him.

But enough of that! It's Thursday!!

1. A wonderful family reunion with my dad's cousins on Saturday. What sweet memories! The kids had fun on the farm - riding horses (thanks, Cousin Glen!) playing with the puppies, swinging, climbing in the tree house. What an amazing Godly heritage we've been given. (Praying, too, that none of us were contagious while we were there! We got sick the very next day.)

2. All of my mother's wonderful help while I was sick. Dinner one day, lunch the next, picking up the kids THREE days for me. Taking Daughter (#2) to her hair cut. What a blessing!

3. Beautiful weather! How amazing to be able to open all of the windows and let the fresh air and sunshine in. Ahhhhh.

4. Daughter (#2) and Son's (#3) help making 12 dozen chocolate chip cookies, yesterday, for the Fall Festival Bake Sale. Go buy some! :-)

5. The last week of football. It's all over tomorrow night - hopefully on a good note. But over, none-the-less. Can't believe I survived my 15th football season with the Coach. Some years I haven't been so sure we would make it!

6. Life lessons. The self-sacrificing, thinking of others, pitching in to help without being asked kind. I would never chose to be sick, but I appreciate the opportunity that my kids have had to help out. Hard for me, hard for them, but good for all of us.

7. Two full nights of sleep. Sure does help. Even if it only happens when we bribe, I mean REWARD, our little girls for staying in THEIR room all night!

8. No school tomorrow. We need the extra time to recover from this week!

That's all of the energy I have for today. Still lots of cleaning and caring and "come sit with me mom" to be done here, today, with sick little ones.

Happy Thursday!

Thankful Thursday

I can't believe I'm actually on the computer at this time of day.

You know that time.

After school. Before dinner.

Homework. Notes to sign. Snacks. Lunchbags. Play clothes to change into. Dinner to get ready. You know.

Today? Doesn't seem so bad, really. Maybe because just my eight are here. And lately, that's unusual (although we LOVE having our cousins!).

Since I missed last week, I couldn't let the day go by without posting a Thankful List.

Here goes:

Ummmm.

(sometimes it's hard to get going. . . )

1. The rain. (I don't know why I should be thankful for it, but I'm just GOING to be.)

2. The falling leaves. So pretty.

3. Our cabinet full of hot delicious goodness (hot chocolate, chai tea, cappuccino, etc.). Comforting and yummy.

4. The end of Jr. High football season. It was fun. But Son #1 missed the last half because of his knee injury. And it just wasn't the same without him out there.

5. The Coach will be home on Monday nights, now! Yeah! (well, except for when Jr. High basketball starts in a couple of weeks - but some of the kids can go with him on those nights)

6. Laundry caught up (for today).

7. Dinner in the oven.

And while we're at it. Have I shared this recipe with you, before?

Chicken, Potatoes and Beans

(from my good friend, Laura - thanks, Laura!)

In a 9x12, fill one third with chicken breast (I cut ours into strips), one third with potatoes (peeled and chunked) and one third with green beans (canned or frozen).

Sprinkle 1 packet of Italian Dressing MIX over all.

Pour one melted stick of butter over all.

Cover and bake one hour at 350.

So easy and so good.

My version has to be made in two pans. One with chicken, one with beans and potatoes. I use two packets of dressing mix (one for each pan), but only the one stick of butter for the two pans.

You're welcome!

8. Grandmother and Granddad are back from California! We missed them!

9. Not sure if I missed this last week (or was it the week before?) - but Daughter #5 has her cast off! For good! So grateful. Here's the first cast:

Here's the second one (notice they are BOTH blue!):

10. Same orthopedic visit that Daughter #5 got her cast off, we found out that Son #3 has a broken finger. But he's OK and we're taping it ourselves. He's learning to be tough! Ha!

11. ALL boys clothes sorted, organized and cleaned out. LOTS to give away, LOTS being used and plenty saved for Little Man. What a blessing. And SO nice to have our playroom back. Ha!

And THAT, my dear friends, is all she wrote for tonight.

Blessings on each of you as you enjoy this wonderful season of color and cool weather and time together with family.

And while I'm here with you - would you pray for Daughter #6? She broke out in hives on Tuesday night and has had them (and a lot of misery) ever since. Took her into the Pediatrician yesterday, but it's kind of hard to tell WHY one gets hives. As some of you probably know. In the meantime, she's been home (missing school) and although she's been just fine overall, it's not a lot of fun.

Thanks!

Happy Thursday!

Just passing these along. . .

I've been meaning for quite some time to tell you about a few "new" blogs I've started reading. My blog reading is kind of a temperamental thing, here at the troops.

For one thing, there isn't really much time for reading other blogs.

And a mom only has so much time and I don't want to waste any.

So my blog list has changed a bit over the years.

And most of the time? I don't even get to those! But I wanted to share a few really good blogs that you might enjoy.

First off: My friend Shannon and her family of ten (just like ours!) - she's a bit further down the motherhood journey than I am (older kids) and I really enjoy reading what she has to say. And it's SO encouraging to read about how she does things and think, "I do that, too!" Her post about lists made me laugh out loud - because we do that! Huge help.

Another friend I've started keeping up with via blog, is Magnolia Mama. You'll love her recipes and household tips! I'm going to make her homemade laundry detergent. One of these days! :-)

When I need a fresh perspective on my own life - and a reminder to pray for others who are dealing with MUCH more difficult circumstances, I check in over here (I don't know them, but they are friends of a friend). This amazing mom has chronicled the care and death of their fifth son (their second to die of a rare genetic condition) and the healing and recovery of their other three boys. It breaks my heart to read it, but it is a privilege to pray for this family. And a reminder to find JOY in the daily life here at the troops. Because while I will never be able to understand what they have gone through, we ALL should have the eternal perspective that their sorrow and loss has given them.

What is your favorite "new" blog these days?

I'm going to quit here, because it's getting harder and harder to type with Little Man climbing all over me. Ha!

Happy Wednesday!

A day like today. . .

A day like today reminds me why I have the most wonderful life ever. . .

A day like today helps me forget yesterday (when I thought I could stay home all day, but in reality missed getting something really important taken care of - ugh). . .

A day like today makes me wonder why I get so discouraged. . .

A day like today makes all of my complaining seem so ridiculous. . .

Because today?

The Coach slept in.

Chai Tea in the morning.

The sun is shining.

The kids are playing with cousins.

Calls from good friends.

The laundry is caught up.

The house is *somewhat* clean.

My aunt came for a visit.

Beautiful hand-me-downs for the girls from a friend.

The Coach's little sis stopped by.

Cookies are baking (and being eaten as quickly as they come out!).

The Coach is coming home early. Woo hoo!

No football tonight (and they won last night!).

And best of all, everyone is WELL at this particular moment in time (although this fact is subject to change and probably will at any moment).

And did I mention the sun is shining?

(sigh)

All on a day like today. . .

Thankful Thursday

It has never been my intention to only blog once each week.

But life happens.

And lately at the troops?  A lot of life, happening a lot.

Today I'm so thankful for:

1.  A day at home.  First day in a couple of weeks that we haven't HAD to get out - so we are camping out here, today.  So much catching up to do.

2.  That my sick kids are improving.  In hindsight, we're pretty sure it's been the flu (our doctor said it didn't matter which one and no need to test - we've got it!), and depending on how far back we go, maybe six have had it?  I'm hopeful that they have because that only means 2 more to go.  

3.  Daughter #7's birthday this week.  She is sunshine and smiles and laughter and joy.  And LOUD.  Ha!  Love her.  And can't believe my baby girl is FIVE!  Ouch.

4.  A WONDERFUL visit with this sweet friend on Saturday.  SWEET baby and fun times.  And lots of chocolate and laughter.  Doesn't get any better!  Except maybe for the Coach who stayed home with the sick kids so I could go.

5.  Patriotic Program at school, yesterday.  Daughter #6 missed being there, but I so enjoyed watching Son #3, Son #4 and Daughter #5 participate.  Our wonderful school gives me hope for the future of our nation.  

6.  A new kitchen sink!  Woo hoo!  My Daddy gave us theirs (from their water damaged induced kitchen remodel) and I LOVE it.  How fun is that?

Here's what it looked like before:

And here's the much improved "new" one:

7.  Thursday night football game tonight.  Because that means we'll have Friday night at home.  Together.  On Friday.  All of us.  (it's been awhile)

8.  For a full night's sleep last night.  No little ones sleeping on the floor beside the bed.  No kids coming in and out and in and out.  I can handle three or four hours of sleep for a few nights, but I think I'd reached my limit.  And I'm pretty sure the Coach had reached HIS limit for dealing with me when I'm so grumpy and tired.  Ha!  And for those of you with new babies?  Who are up every night?  Getting very little sleep?  I'm so sorry.  I've done that a few times, myself.  

9.  That Little Man survived the "Febreeze Incident".  I did almost cry when I saw two whole bottles of Febreeze sprayed all over our breakfast room, kitchen, computers, desk chair, window, window sill and floor.  It was my fault for asking a flu-stricken daughter to watch him while I picked up the kids.  She fell asleep!  We keep him around because he's so stinkin' cute, though!

10.  For a day OFF school, tomorrow.  Ahhhhhh.  If only the Coach were off, too!  But I'm going to enjoy the fact that he'll be home with us on a Friday night.  The break will hopefully help everyone recover and catch up on rest around here.

11.  For e-mail and Renweb - such a blessing to have an easy way to keep in touch with teachers and get missed work.  And such wonderful teachers they are!

12.  For "Window Markers" - which sound awful, but have, in fact, been a lot of fun!

13.  For Playmobil - which has made these MANY rainy (and some sick) days go more quickly.  When the kids aren't fighting about who gets the treehouse.  Ha!

14.  Prayer.  I struggle a bit with knowing God is completely sovereign, yet knowing He asks me to bring all things to Him.  But when life gets overwhelming (like now) I understand more and more why I need to "continue in prayer".  I'm learning.

And now, my dear friends?  I'm going to take full advantage of our day at home (with two extra kids who are still home from school)  to get the bathrooms cleaned and some of the sheets washed.  And make something warm and comforting for dinner.  

Happy Thursday - may the Lord give you His grace for today.