"I Get To" Tuesdays

The thought behind this is to list a few things that could come under the category of "Ugh...I have to (you fill in the blank)." However, I want you to look at these "have to's" as blessings of "I get to". We all take for granted such things as our health, jobs, family, friends, etc. and sometimes don't appreciate them or see them as blessings as we should. So here are a few things for me this week.

Like most of you, I got to "spring" forward this weekend. I also got to get up extra early Sunday morning because I needed to be at church an hour and a half earlier than usual! I ended up taking a nap after dinner Sunday night!

I got to go to the chiropractor unexpectedly yesterday. I had had a headache for three days, so my husband got me an appointment. I hadn't been to the chiropractor since before I was pregnant. It usually feels good, but this time it hurt!! My headache has subsided though. I get to go for a re-check on Friday.

I get to walk five miles today...HA!! I mentioned a few weeks ago that I'm participating in a walking program through my church. I'm supposed to walk five miles a week. Our weeks go Wednesday through Tuesday. Due to my three day headache, I haven't walked even a mile this week, so it's all come down to today!

I've also mentioned before that my oldest son got his permit. I've ended up riding with him a few times, and I know I'll continue to get to do this. Every time I have to ride with him I feel as if my heart is in my throat!! It's not that I feel he's a bad driver; I just don't like not having any control over the car!

Well, that is my "I Get To" list for this week. Remember, try to find the blessings in your "I Have To's" and turn them into "I Get To's"! Please feel free to post your own "I Get To" list and link up here. I would love to hear how you're being "blessed" this week!

"I Get To" Tuesdays

The thought behind this is to list a few things that could come under the category of "Ugh...I have to (you fill in the blank)." However, I want you to look at these "have to's" as blessings of "I get to". We all take for granted such things as our health, jobs, family, friends, etc. and sometimes don't appreciate them or see them as blessings as we should. So here are a few things for me this week.

I'm posting this later than usual just because I'm a mom! If you're a mom, you know that your schedule has to revolve around everyone else's day! This week my "I Get To" list includes the following:

I got to take my oldest son to the dentist for a check-up today and pay out of pocket for the appointment...no dental insurance. But at least we're able to pay for this, even if it does hurt the checking account a bit. Plus, he didn't have any cavities!

I get to be a single parent for the next two nights, and Daniel usually is not a happy camper in the evenings. On the flip side, I get to go do something fun with friends on Thursday night! I'm blessed that my hubby is willing to share the child-rearing duties.

We will be "springing" the clocks forward this Saturday night! YAY! On Sunday morning I need to be at church 1 1/2 hours earlier than usual. BOO!

Last night, I got to spend the evening doing our grocery shopping. Ugh...food prices are killing me!! However, I did get some deals like free milk and free oranges! Since CVS is right next door to our grocery store, I went in there first. I actually made $2 buying a bottle of Olay Body Wash! I had a coupon to get the body wash free if I bought an Olay cleanser. Well, I needed cleanser & it was on sale. If you're familiar with CVS's extra bucks, you may have noticed that this week you can earn $2 extra bucks if you buy Olay Body Wash. Even though I had the coupon to get it free, I still technically bought it, so I got the $2 extra bucks too! WOO HOO!! After I went to the grocery store, I went back to CVS and used my $2 extra bucks to buy a 24 pack of water bottles. I only had to pay 44 cents for them! I also made a penny a box on three boxes of tissues due to coupons...go me!

Remember, try to find the blessings in your "I Have To's" and turn them into "I Get To's"! Please feel free to post your own "I Get To" list and link up here. I would love to hear how you're being "blessed" this week!

"I Get To" Tuesdays

The thought behind this is to list a few things that could come under the category of "Ugh...I have to (you fill in the blank)." However, I want you to look at these "have to's" as blessings of "I get to". We all take for granted such things as our health, jobs, family, friends, etc. and sometimes don't appreciate them or see them as blessings as we should. So here are a few things for me this week.

I probably should have prefaced last week's "'I Get To' Tuesdays" post by explaining why my "I get tos" have more meaning for me now than when I first began listing them. Originally, I started this because when I saw the trials of others, I knew I should consider the mundane or the irritations in my life as blessings rather than taking them for granted or wishing they'd disappear altogether. Now, after having gone through the past year, I appreciate these ordinary things even more.

Being pregnant at 46 was much harder than being pregnant at 30 and 32! The "morning" sickness was about the same, but once the baby and my belly began getting bigger, the harder it became for me to get around or to do everyday things. The bigger I got, the slower I walked and the more I huffed and puffed. Going up and down stairs was the worst. We only have one bathroom in our house and it's upstairs!

I was told early on in my pregnancy not to lift anything heavy. I couldn't lift laundry baskets, so my husband and boys had to take all the dirty clothing to the laundry room for me. If they brought the baskets of clean clothes to me, I could fold everything while sitting on the couch or on my bed. I couldn't empty the kitchen trash can let alone lug the trash outside to the cans by our garage. We have a portable dishwasher that has to be pushed over to the sink and hooked up to the faucet. By October, I could no longer do this. I also couldn't vacuum because that motion really bothered me. I couldn't walk our dog, take him to the vet for his check-up, or even play tug-of-war with him. (The poor guy kept bringing his tire to me and bumping me in the belly with it!)

My husband works from home and one of our three bedrooms served as his office. With the baby coming, we had to play musical bedrooms. My husband moved his office to the attic (which had to be cleaned out); he & I moved our bedroom into his old office; the boys moved into our old bedroom; and then we made the boys' old bedroom the new room for the baby. As you can imagine, I was of no help, so my three men had their work cut out for them.

In November, the day before my 47th birthday to be precise, I began getting sick. My doctor said I had an ear infection and put me on an antibiotic, but it didn't help. I ended up with congestion, clogged ears, and a cough for the remainder of the month. I was pretty much in bed for the entire month. Then I went into labor on November 28th...3 weeks early!

Between being sick and then having a c-section, I was out of commission for almost 10 weeks! Recovery from a c-section at 47 is a lot harder than at 30! During those weeks, the only time I left my house was to go to the doctor or to the hospital. I didn't drive at all during this time, so my husband had to take me to all of my appointments.

As you can see, I have every reason to be thankful for being able to take part in the ordinary, even boring, details of everyday life! So, in light of this past year, I'm thankful that I GET TO:

• Do the dishes
• Do the laundry
• Drive to the grocery store by myself and push the cart around the entire store without having to rest
• Run up and down the stairs every time I need something (or have to use the bathroom!)
• Take out the trash
• Cook & bake
• Walk the dog
• Scrub the tub
• And MANY, MANY MORE DULL, PAIN IN THE NECK TASKS...PRAISE GOD!!!

Remember, try to find the blessings in your "I Have To's" and turn them into "I Get To's"! Please feel free to post your own "I Get To" list and link up here. I would love to hear how you're being "blessed" this week!

"I Get To" Tuesdays

The thought behind this is to list a few things that could come under the category of "Ugh...I have to (you fill in the blank)." However, I want you to look at these "have to's" as blessings of "I get to". We all take for granted such things as our health, jobs, family, friends, etc. and sometimes don't appreciate them or see them as blessings as we should. So here are a few things for me this week.

I get to wake up each night with an almost 3 month old baby! (But what a blessing he is!)

I get to change diapers and wash baby bottles again today. This routine gets tiring, but it's worth it!

Our oldest son finally got his driver's permit last week, so I get to worry each time my husband takes him out driving. (I'm not ready to do it myself yet!) It's another step toward independence for him!

I get to begin a walking program tomorrow that will officially last 12 weeks. Our church is participating in a Lenten/Easter activity called Walking to Jerusalem, hence the walking. (We're taking it through Mother's Day though.) I'm hoping to lose a pound or two.

Well, that is my "I Get To" list for this week. Remember, try to find the blessings in your "I Have To's" and turn them into "I Get To's"! Please feel free to post your own "I Get To" list and link up here. I would love to hear how you're being "blessed" this week!

An Emerald Covenant

I mentioned in my last post that I discovered I was pregnant on Palm Sunday last year. I took the home pregnancy test early in the morning and didn't wake my husband up to give him the news. He didn't even know I was taking the test, and I figured it wasn't news that he would want to wake up to. Plus, I needed to digest this info myself.

For reasons I can't remember now, I went to church alone that morning. I sat in the pew with my right arm resting across the back of the pew. As I listened to the sermon, out of the corner of my eye I caught a glimpse of the ring I wear on my right hand. The ring has a heart shaped emerald on it.

At that moment, my heart sank a bit as I wondered if I'd be adding another heart shaped gem to my ring. My emerald ring represents the baby I miscarried in 2008. The baby was due in May and emerald is the birthstone for that month. I had calculated that this new baby would be due in December. I sat wondering what December's birthstone is.

In the book of Revelation, the apostle John describes a throne set in Heaven:
"At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne." (Revelation 4:2-3 NIV ) From what I understand, the rainbow which God sent after the flood is a covenant, or a promise, that He will never destroy the world by flood again. (Read Genesis 9:9-17)

I find it interesting (and comforting) that John saw a rainbow around God's throne and described its appearance "like an emerald". My emerald ring...a covenant from God that he wouldn't take this baby too? That I actually would have another child here on this earth? After all, when my oldest son was about 5 years old, he had said that I would have another baby because "Jesus told me so!" (My own brother had told my mom the same thing, and I was born a year after he died.)

If you have read my last post, obviously I have since given birth to another beautiful son. I thank God everyday for this newest little gift...for the fulfillment of his covenant with me.

A New Normal

A new normal...that has been the story of my life for almost a year now. Our family has had to make several adjustments since last April. On Palm Sunday, I discovered I was pregnant again. This news was met with mixed emotions by my husband and I and our two teenage sons. We feared another miscarriage, and there was much trepidation about what a new baby would mean for our household.

Don't worry, this story has a happy ending, but getting there was a challenge and resulted in our future (the one we had planned anyway) being rewritten. (I know it's what God had planned for us all along.)

I've been wanting to continue with this blog, but for several reasons, I was unable to write any posts while pregnant. Since giving birth, I've just been too busy and tired, but now I'm finally ready to give it a try. I'm also toying with the idea of starting a third blog but thought I should first ease my way back into writing on this blog.

I know I need to update some things on here in addition to posting and am hoping to start doing that over the next few weeks. I'll also fill you in on my pregnancy and the changes we've had to make around here. I've missed writing and blogging and hope you'll join me as I muddle through my new normal!

Daniel Finn

Thankful Thursday

I don't have a lot of time to blog today, so I'm just going to get right to my list!

I am thankful that we've been able to pay out of pocket for my first two graduate classes. That means going into less debt!

I am oh so grateful that I got an A- overall in my first class!!! (Makes the tuition worth it!)

I am thankful that my hubby is fine with me quitting my job to return to school. He just left to go interview a bookkeeper for his business. I didn't even know he was looking for one. I asked him if he wanted me to do it, and he said he'd rather me not be stressed out and wants me to just concentrate on school!

My kids are finally learning to clean up the kitchen after they have cooked for themselves!!! (And with not a lot of complaining -- BONUS!)

Otto seems to be past his illness. I'm so very glad that it wasn't anything too serious. I was afraid he had eaten something he shouldn't have and had a blockage. Now if we could just decide on some new carpeting! Too many choices out there!

I should be getting my jeep back soon. Our mechanic has finally figured out what is wrong with it. Not a terribly cheap fix, but at least we'll be a two car family once again! Our jeep is 11 years old and has a few idiosyncrasies but I still love it. I will drive it until it is dead! (But Lord it can't die for at least another 2 years, okay?)

That's it for me this week. Please stop by Greg's General Store to join in on Thankful Thursday!

Happy Independence Day!

FreeFoto.com

Thankful Thursday

I have been out of the blogosphere for so long that I didn't realize Greg over at Greg's General Store is now sponsoring Thankful Thursdays. I am glad someone has picked this up! If you have a Thankful Thursday post, please stop by Greg's blog and join us this week.

I am thankful for my Easter break! I had today off and don't go back until Tuesday. Our kids have the same break. Oh, and that we're having actual spring like weather makes it a double blessing!

Eric doesn't have today off. In fact, he's having a stressful busy day. However, I am thankful that he is taking a little time to go over to the baseball field with Cooper and throw the ball around. (Although Lord, please give me the strength to be nice despite his stressed out mood!)

I am thankful that I'm 1/3 of the way done with my student profiles for my upcoming parent/teacher conferences.

I am grateful for the mom of one of my students who brought her month old daughter up to me this week and said, "I thought you might like to hold a baby."

I am especially grateful that my nephew and his girlfriend decided they will have the baby that they are expecting together. They decided against other alternatives. I'm looking forward to having a great-nephew in July!

By the way, I'd be REALLY thankful if someone stopped by to clean out my rabbit's cage. I'd give you a Reese's Easter egg! Yes, I'm resorting to bribery.

And God, thank you that my pizza dough is rising for tonight's dinner!! (He is even in the small things!) Amen!

Hyacinths

The Hyacinth is my favorite flower! I can look at this photo and imagine the fragrance coming from them.

On Sunday, I was at the grocery store for the first time in weeks (since I hadn't been able to drive). As soon as I walked into the store, I was bombarded by the fragrance and beauty of the Easter flowers...particularly the Hyacinths. I was actually taken aback because I had forgotten that it was the time of year for them. I couldn't believe that I had forgotten about something that makes me happy! I was tempted to buy one but didn't because I knew my grocery bill was going to be quite large. Maybe I'll treat myself this weekend.

Thank you God for the beauty and delicious scent of my favorite flower!

Photo from FreeFoto.com

"I Get To" Tuesdays

The thought behind this is to list a few things that could come under the category of "Ugh...I have to (you fill in the blank)." However, I want you to look at these "have to's" as blessings of "I get to". We all take for granted such things as our health, jobs, family, friends, etc. and sometimes don't appreciate them or see them as blessings as we should. So here are a few things for me this week.

On Wednesday night, I'll get to go to choir practice. It will be our last one prior to our Good Friday and Easter services. This means it will probably be a long rehearsal. I know I'll be anxious to get out of there because I'll have the next 5 days off from work. Plus, based on the different personalities of our choir members, I won't be surprised if some tension is felt if practice goes on too long. However, I do think that this rehearsal will help me to focus on what this week really means to Christians.

Not only will the choir sing at the 10:30 AM Easter service, we get to be up bright and early to sing at the 8 AM service, too!! I don't do the early service very well! I need to look at this as an opportunity to bless others with our music. Most likely there will be people in attendance who don't go to church on a regular basis. It will be one of the few times they hear the Gospel.

I only have to work three days this week. Since it's the last week of the month, I need to get my classroom changed over from March to April. Due to the short week, I get to do this in 3 afternoons rather than 5. At least it will be all done when I get back from our Easter break!

I get to start going to school next week. I wasn't planning on doing this until the fall, but I found out last week that I need to begin in April. I'm not thrilled with school overlapping with work, but I'm glad I should be able to earn my master's under the current certification requirements. I am also thankful that my husband is being so supportive of me returning to school!

Well, that is my "I Get To" list for this week. Remember, try to find the blessings in your "I Have To's" and turn them into "I Get To's"!

Thankful Thursday

I haven't written a Thankful Thursday post in a while. I've just been too busy! So let's get to it!

1. I'm thankful that my family got to spend a splendid long weekend in the Outer Banks for Thanksgiving! It was cold, but sunny. The kids and one brave adult from our group of 16 actually went in the water!



2. I'm glad that our friends who went with us for the first time got to see lots of dolphins and horses and were able to go to the lighthouse. (My hubby was the "horse charmer". You only saw horses if you drove up the beach with him!)



3. I'm thankful that God (and Andrea) have encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone. I've begun sharing my blogs with some people I actually know in person and have received positive feedback from them!



4. I'm grateful to have our home decorated for Christmas. Although, Sam is disappointed because we have no outside lights up this year. Our porch is going to be ripped apart next week, so there is no point in putting up lights.



5. I'm thankful that I may be getting 24 hours to myself this weekend while the guys go on a fishing trip! Please pray for safety for them, good weather, and no illnesses. Oh, and lots of fish!

Please join Sonya at Truth 4 the Journey by posting your own Thankful Thursday list!

Living in a 1 Bathroom House in a 2 1/2 Bathroom World

Until I was 6 years old, I lived in a house with only 1 bathroom. My poor father had to share that bathroom with his wife and four daughters, three of whom were teenagers! Then we moved to a house with 2 1/2 baths. That must have been a dream come true for my dad!

Since then, I have always lived in a home that had at least 2 bathrooms. Even our townhouse in Virginia had 2 1/2 baths. That ended nine years ago when we moved into our current home. One bathroom. Three "men". And me.

My typical weekday morning goes like this: I get up and hop in the shower. While I'm in the shower, my husband comes in and uses the bathroom. Our bathroom happens to have a front door and a back door. As dear husband goes out the back door into our bedroom, my youngest son knocks on the front door so that he can come in to use the bathroom. I'm still in the shower. No one can flush the toilet while I'm showering because I'll either be scalded or frozen to death.

I finally exit the shower and get dressed. By this time, my oldest son is knocking on the front door so that he can come in and take a shower. While he's getting undressed, I'm at the sink with my back to him to ensure his privacy. As he gets in the shower, I open the back door so that the mirror doesn't fog up while I'm trying to do my make-up. (No fan in our bathroom.) As I'm drying my hair, my younger son comes back in to brush his teeth. I step away from the sink & mirror to let him brush, all the while still drying my hair. He leaves. I'm done drying my hair and my older son is done with his shower. Again, I keep my back to him as he dries off and gets dressed, and I work on fixing my hair just right. Then I have to step out of the bathroom to put on my hairspray because he has lots of allergies. Finally, I'm done.

I go downstairs to eat breakfast, have my coffee and take my vitamins. I then go back upstairs to brush my teeth. Now if my dear hubby has an early meeting to go to, he's in the shower by this time. So I go in the back door, leaving it open to combat the steam, and I brush my teeth.

This whole routine can really annoy me at times. I'm actually embarrassed to tell people that I live in a home with only 1 bathroom. After all, we live in America. The land of plenty! How is it possible that I live in a house with fewer than two bathrooms?

Then one morning last week I began thinking about Paulo, the little boy we sponsor through Compassion International, and about Andres, whom I'm still trying to find a sponsor for. What are their bathrooms like? Do they even have indoor plumbing? Do they have toilet paper and clean towels? How about soap and other toiletries that we consider necessities.

These thoughts were very humbling for me. How dare I complain when I am blessed to have hot water and a toilet in my home? (Even when that toilet doesn't stay very clean because my men have bad aim!) I have a shelf in my linen closet stocked with extra soap, shampoo, hairspray, cotton balls, lotions, etc.

My dear friends, remember to thank our Heavenly Father for your blessings. Especially for those things that you take for granted and that actually may irritate you from time to time. As the saying goes, "What's one man's junk is another man's treasure." Remember those who don't have what you do. Pray for them and be grateful for your "junk".

"I Get To" Tuesdays

The thought behind this is to list a few things that could come under the category of "Ugh...I have to (you fill in the blank)". However, I want you to look at these "have to's" as blessings of "I get to". We all take for granted such things as our health, jobs, family, friends, etc. and sometimes don't appreciate them or see them as blessings as we should. So here are a few things for me this week.

This past Saturday, I got to get up early to go to church choir camp for 2 1/2 hours. We're getting ready for our upcoming Christmas concert and needed the extra practice. Despite the hard work, it was fun. Our director let us go a half hour early, and I was able to get some errands done before going home.

On Sunday, I got to decorate our house for Christmas. What made this task unattractive to me was that I had to dust the downstairs and straighten up a bit first. But I got the cleaning done and am now enjoying my decorated house.

Last week I got to come up with a behavioral incentive chart for my 4-year-old class. I have NEVER had to do this before, but several kids in this class are little stinkers. I have to do something to get them under control. I'm happy to say that they're starting to understand it. Although, at the same time I hate it because I feel like I'm having to bribe them to behave.

As usual, I get to do all of the Christmas shopping for our family. As our sons get older, they are harder to buy for and, of course, their "toys" are more expensive. I did, however, find a cool gift for my mother-in-law. I went to Wal-Mart's website and discovered that I could order a fleece blanket with our pictures on it! You can put up to 30 pictures on the blanket, but I only chose 15. My MIL has not been in good health for several years. She pretty much goes from her bed to the couch and watches the Game Show Network all day. She and my father-in-law live outside of Chicago, so we only get to visit them around once every 2 years. I figure this blanket is something she can use, and she can be reminded of her grandchildren.

If you decide to post your own "I Get To" list on your blog, use Mr. Linky below. Remember, try to find the blessings in your "I Have To's" and turn them into "I Get To's"!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I love the very last part of this prayer....thanking God for our freedom and justice. We really need to pray for these two things.

Have a Blessed Thanksgiving!

Something to Think About

"I Get To" Tuesdays

The thought behind this is to list a few things that could come under the category of "Ugh...I have to (you fill in the blank)". However, I want you to look at these "have to's" as blessings of "I get to". We all take for granted such things as our health, jobs, family, friends, etc. and sometimes don't appreciate them or see them as blessings as we should. So here are a few things for me this week.

Yesterday, I got to lead my 4-year-old class in their Thanksgiving program. They sang several songs for their parents and then everyone ate the pumpkin bread and applesauce which the kids made in class. Now this particular class is very difficult. I have several kids with special needs plus quite a few that do not behave very well. So it was a challenging morning for me, but the parents enjoyed it just the same.

Even though this class is the hardest one I've ever had to teach, there are still enjoyable moments. Yesterday, one of my special needs students raised his hand, and when I called on him, he said, "Teacher, I like your hair. It looks very handsome." This cracked me up! I had a little boy in my other class tell me that he hides his trash at home. I asked him where he hid it, and he replied, "Behind the couch!" At least he was truthful! When I laughingly told his mom what he had told me, she already knew about it!

Today I have a busy day ahead of me. I've got to teach my morning class, lead my Moms in Touch group, and then go back to work to prepare for Wednesday's class because....I'm taking that day off! Which means I also have to pack for our trip. Despite my hectic day, I am glad to be having our Moms in Touch meeting because we've had a hard time getting together with all the illnesses floating around.

On Wednesday we'll be leaving for the Outer Banks! We'll have a nice long ride ahead of us, but at least we'll be at the beach for Thanksgiving!

On Monday I get to go to work for an in-service day. My kids have the day off from school, but I can't stay home with them. I'll be decorating my classroom for Christmas. It's a lot of work, but it's worth seeing the look on my students' faces when they come back to school!

If you decide to post your own "I Get To" list on your blog, use Mr. Linky below. Remember, try to find the blessings in your "I Have To's" and turn them into "I Get To's"!

"I Get To" Tuesdays

The thought behind this is to list a few things that could come under the category of "Ugh...I have to (you fill in the blank)". However, I want you to look at these "have to's" as blessings of "I get to". We all take for granted such things as our health, jobs, family, friends, etc. and sometimes don't appreciate them or see them as blessings as we should. So here are a few things for me this week.

I haven't posted my "I Get To" Tuesdays the last two weeks because I've been busy and sick. Thank you for not giving up on me!

1. As of yesterday and going through Thursday, I get to be someplace other than home after work. Two doctor's appointments, a dentist appointment, my younger son's parent/teacher conference, a Moms In Touch meeting and choir practice are all keeping me running this week. I'm just thankful that I'm feeling better and should be able to keep all of these appointments. When I was sick last week, it really made me think about how important my health is to me and my family.
2. This morning I get to be out the door extra early in order to be over at my son's school by 7:15. He made Honor Roll this marking period, and there is an assembly recognizing the students who made this list. I am so thankful that he will be a part of this and is doing so well in school despite his hearing disability!
3. Last week my husband and I got to sit through 90 minutes of conferences with our older son's teachers. He didn't make Honor Roll, but it was good to be able to have one-on-one time with his teachers. Having a child in high school is new to us! All of his teachers told us what a nice kid he is...and quiet, too, which made us laugh! He talks our ears off at home!
4. Speaking of talking our ears off....even though Sam drives us nuts with his incessant talking, at least he does still talk to us! He'll be 15 soon, and it's good to hear what is going on in his life. Most teens clam up. Not "Sir Talks a Lot"! We tease him by asking if he has a daily word quota to fill!
5. Also last week, we got to participate in a fundraiser for our Youth Group at Friendly's restaurant. I really didn't want to go because I still wasn't feeling 100%, and I think Friendly's is expensive considering the quality of the food. The service was awful, and we had to wait forever. My dinner wasn't that great either. However, we got to spend some quality time with our kids, they got the experience of helping with the fundraiser after we ate, and I didn't have to cook that night! So I guess it was worth it!

If you decide to post your own "I Get To" list on your blog, use Mr. Linky below. Remember, try to find the blessings in your "I Have To's" and turn them into "I Get To's"!

Thankful Thursday

1. I am thankful that I'm feeling better and coming out of my funk after being out of circulation for 4 days. I'm also thankful that Eric and Cooper have been spared any illnesses so far.
2. I'm grateful that the bad weather which has hit the Outer Banks due to Hurricane Ida has occurred now rather than in 2 weeks when we're down there for Thanksgiving! (Just praying for no damage!)
3. I am thankful for our administrative assistant who served our school for 16 years. She knew everything! I really had to lean on her when I served as the school's Director for 2 years. I pray for success on her new job. We will miss her immensely!
4. I am thankful that my children have no school tomorrow. Although, I have no idea why they have the day off! I like it when they're home.
5. I am so glad to have my jeep back! It was in the shop for 6 days. Thankfully, it wasn't anything serious and didn't cost us a horrendous amount of money. I'm also grateful that when the jeep broke down on me, I had just made it to the Target parking lot!

Please join Sonya over at Truth 4 the Journey and share your list of thankfulness!

It's My Birthday and I'll Cry If I Want To!

Today is my birthday. I'm halfway to 90! (You do the math!)

It has been a beautiful weekend here, but I've been too sick to go out and enjoy it. This is where the crying part comes in. I've been either in bed or on the couch since Friday night. I'm sick enough that I'm not going into work tomorrow but not so sick that I'm oblivious to what is going on around me. I know what I'm missing which makes me feel even worse! BOO HOO!

I have been trying so hard not to get sick. I got my regular flu shot, I've been taking my vitamins faithfully and have been constantly washing my hands and using hand sanitizer. None of this did any good. I may not have the flu, but I'm very congested and have lost my voice. I'm sick just enough that it has blown my birthday weekend and will mess up my work week. I can't very well hold parent/teacher conferences when I don't have a voice!

All of this reminds me to be thankful for my health. I was lamenting last week because I didn't have time to write my usual two posts due to my schedule. However, at least I was physically able to do all the things I needed to do and had promised I would do. I was able to go to work and to choir practice; I was able to run errands and take care of Sam while he was sick; and I was able to attend a farewell lunch for one our staff members. There were a few things, such as posting on my blog, that I wanted to do but couldn't get to. At least I was healthy enough to do what was important. And I'm thankful for that.

Tomorrow is Monday. When your alarm goes off and you're tempted to hit the snooze button and pull the covers over your head, remember that at least you're blessed enough to be able to get up and do what you need to do tomorrow. We need to remember this every day, even when we're going through trials and our days are hard. At least we have the choice to get up and get moving. I pray that we can each use the days God has given us to do His work and to do what is pleasing to Him.