Thankful Thursday

The day is getting closer...

Africa is in our reach now.

I keep waiting to have a "freak out" moment, but it is not coming.  And let me just tell you...that is nothing short of a miracle.  There is a lot I could be freaking out about and every time I think to myself, "Why am I not freaking out?"  I feel an overwhelming peace from the Lord.  I know this trip is totally in His plan for our family.  For many reasons, one of them being my sense of peace.  It may seem crazy, but I am a very paranoid, anxious person.  I worry and get freaked about many things.  But I really am not. 

Rob's mantra (if you will) has been the a Chris Tomlin song called Whom Shall I Fear.  One of the main lyrics is,
I know who goes before me.
I know who stands behind.
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side.

Part of my peace comes from that very lyric.  God has already gone before Rob and before me in this journey.  He is already preparing the way.  Isn't that exciting!

Today I am thankful that the

Lord goes before us!

Thankful Thursday

As I mentioned yesterday my in laws were in town over the weekend.  It was great because the kids had Friday and Monday off school.  We got to sleep in (well, I did anyway), play games, talk, drink coffee, shop, go to the aquarium, eat lots of yummy food (like Ooey Gooey Butter Cake), stay up late, and just enjoy each other.

I love days with no agenda.  Days we don't have to rush out the door.  Days we can stay home with a fire all day.  It was a great weekend!

I am thankful for long weekends!

Thankful Thursday

On Tuesday I got to spend some extra time with my nephew, Jamison. 

If you know him, you know he is a hoot and a half!

He was making me smile all afternoon.   He kept saying, "I love you" and "you are pretty" and "Can I just sit with you."  Sweet right!? 

As I was sitting on the floor playing with him, I was thinking about the days that Broderick was 4 and Carys was a baby.  The days we would have play dates, and stay home, and go to the mall to play, and watch the Wiggles. 

I have said this before, but it is true.  When you are living those days they seem difficult, but in the moment of playing with Jamison I remembered really how simple they were.

Not that things aren't fun now because they are.  There are just different issues.  I even said to Rob that night that I am sure I will look back in on this time in 5 years and think how simple these days are.

So for now, I am finding the joy in these days.
I am soaking up every moment my kids want to cuddle or play.
I am being content in this moment.

Today I am thankful for the fun I had with Jamison and the fun I have with Broderick and Carys!

Thankful Thursday - not a fan.

 I started this post yesterday, when it was Thursday and never got around to finishing it.

So can we pretend it is Thursday?

Ok, Thanks!

 

Rob and I started reading this book about a month ago.

It is call not a fan, by Kyle Idleman.

Rob first bought it back in July when we were in Pikeville.

He read a few chapters and was really intrigued.

When we got home from Pikeville it sat on his night stand for a couple months.

Then we decided to read it together.

I thought, I might learn a thing or two.

But the subtitle is Becoming a Completely Ccommitted Follower of Jesus.

If you would have asked me a few months ago if I was a completely committed follower of Jesus I would have confidently said yes.

If you would have asked how I knew I would have said because

I go to church,

go to house church,

read the Bible,

and love the Lord.

While all those things are good and evidence of someone following Jesus this book, along with scripture, is showing me so much more.

 

It has been life changing.

 

It is not a deep, theological book.

But it cuts straight to the point and the heart.

 

We started doing it with house church last night and I am super excited

 to watch the Lord continue to work.

 

I would love to share this great book with all of you.

So I am going a giveaway!

All you have to do is comment to this post.

Then Monday I will pick one lucky winner!

Good luck and have a great weekend friends!

Thankful Thursday

With a new year upon us I am reminded of what a great year 2012 was.

It was full of fun, love, challenges, grace,vacations, growing, laughter, serving, and changes.

I am truly excited for what 2013 will hold. 

Somethings I am aware of.  Like becoming and aunt again!  Super excited!

Somethings I am not aware of, but I still wait in anticipation for what the Lord will do this year.

As we start to settle into a new year,

I am thankful for 2012!

Thankful Thursday

Today I am having mixed emotions.  You see, The Twilight Saga movie series will come to and end for me this evening.  I have hours and years invested in this series.  I am excited to see the movie, and fankly, kind of excited for it all to be over.  But I am a little bummed because well...it will be over. 

I can remember the first moment I told my mom I would never read the books no matter how good she said they were.

I can remember seeing the first movie for the first time.

I can remember Carrie telling me she started reading the books and I thought she was nuts.

I can remember going with Carrie to see New Moon in the theatre.

And I can remember the moment at the end of New Moon when I decided I had to read the books!

I remember staying up for hours to finish just one more chapter.

I remember going to see Eclipse.

And who can forget this...

When Ricki, Carrie, Maria and I went at midnight to see Breaking Dawn!  (A night I will never forget!)

So tonight, I will put on my "Team Edward" shirt, sit in a theatre for hours before the movie starts, and watch the Breaking Dawn part 2.  (tear) 

Today I am thankful for great books and good movies and goofy friends!

Thankful Thursday

Tomorrow is a BIG day! 

Not really for me, but for my babysitter, Liz.

She takes her driving test.

I am super excited.  For her...and me.

I have known Liz for about 7 or 8 years.  I used to work with her mom at our church and I remember telling her mom, "when she is old enough to babysit, she is mine!"  When she turned 12 she started babysitting for us.  She is the best and she comes from a great family. 

It is hard to believe that she is going to be driving!  Last night I was talking to her mom and we both started laughing because I was sounding like the mom.  Talking over with Liz what the safest way to get from my house to hers would be.  That she shouldn't be driving late at night.  The truth is...I feel a little protective of her. 
(Would you all say a prayer for her safety?  The roads can be dangerous.  Thanks!)

Why am I so excited about her getting her license?

You see, this means, when she babysits, she can drive here and home!  AWESOME!  (That seems selfish, doesn't it?)

Well, today,

I am thankful for Liz and that she is going to be driving!

Good Luck Liz!

Thankful Thursday

The last couple of days it has been chilly and rainy.  You might think I would complain about this, but to be honest.  I love rainy, chilly days.  (I mean, after a long time of this it would get old.)  At this point, I am still loving it. 

Days like this remind me fall is here.

Days like this are great for hoodies, movies and an afternoon cup of coffee.

Days like this are good for sitting on the porch.

Days like this are good for snuggles.

Days like this are good for reading a good book.

Days like this are just good!

Today I am thankful for rainy chilly days!

Thankful Thursday

Last week I had some blood work done because I wasn't feeling good. 

Turns out I am anemic.

Now, if you have talked to me in the last week you know this.  Because it is kind of consuming my thoughts.  I have posted before about how I worry, so as you can imagine I have been well...a little worried. 

Remember last week I posted about always being thankful. 

Today, I am choosing to be thankful I am anemic.  (I mean let's be honest, it could have been a lot worse.)  I don't want to sound super spiritual by being thankful for this, because I am not.  In fact, I was talking to my hubby last night and he was the one who encouraged me to thank the Lord for this.  (First I had to confess my doubt.  Because the Bible says, "Do not be anxious about anything."  and I was, so I needed to confess that.)

All that being said, I am also thankful I get to go see Needtobreathe in concert tonight!!!!

Thankful Thursday

The first 4 words of Colossians 1:3 are, "We always thank God..."

Think about that.

Always.

There are times when things are really sucky, quit frankly, and you may not feel like being thankful.  Your job could be really busy and crazy.  (Or maybe you don't have a job.)
You could be dealing with illness.
Maybe you just lost a loved one.
You could be discouraged by other people.

Whatever the reason there is something to be thankful for. 

Today, I am thankful for...

teachers.
chilly mornings.
my hubby.
the great talks I get to have with my adolescent son after school.
hugs from my sweet girl.


What is something you can thank God for right now?

Thankful Thursday

Spring is in the air.

Thunderstorms. Flowers. Warmer Weather. Green grass. School conferences.

All the signs of spring and new beginnings.

I love Spring. It is my favorite season.

I love the bright colors.

The weather is perfect.

The kids get a break from school.

What is not to love?

(The thunderstorms!)

Today I am thankful for Spring!

Thankful Thursday

It is a rainy day.

I love the sound of rain.

It is peaceful. Relaxing. Calming.

For some reason the rain reminds me to slow down and relax.

So this morning I had a little time to do just that.

Naturally I got on Pinterest.

This may seem crazy to some of you, but I love it. I am sure you have heard people say this. But seriously...it is amazing. Rob needed an idea for the boy scouts to make bird feeders. I simply got on Pinterest and searched bird feeders. 100s came up. Now...I understand I can Google bird feeders and kinda of get the same result. Notice I said "kinda"? It is not the same. If I googled it I would get bird feeders to buy and all sorts of things. But for the most part, on Pinterest, they are feeders we can make. Amazing! It really can make my life a lot easier when it comes things like this. (Sometimes it can make it complicated and expensive! Ooops!)

Today I am thankful for Pinterest!

So tell me...What are you thankful for today? Or what do you love about Pinterest?

Thankful Thursday

{Me and my sis}

Yesterday you got to hear how my sister came to know the Lord. As I shared yesterday it was a very special day for me as well. Kelly and I haven't always gotten along. Growing up we fought, a lot! When we were really little we didn't like playing the same things. I liked Barbies and playing school. She didn't. As we got older I would always borrow her clothes and that would drive her crazy! When her friends were over I was the annoying little sister that would bother them. As we got into high school we started to get along a little better. Neither one of us were home much so we didn't have time to fight. And as I mentioned yesterday I was "preaching" at her all.the.time!

After she graduated she moved out. We really didn't see each other much but stayed in touch. By the time I graduated and moved out my mom lived in Alabama and my dad didn't live in town either so Kelly and I only had each other. This was when our relationship started changing. We both were engaged and got married 6 months apart. Once she had my nephew we hung out a lot. Once I had Broderick we were together almost everyday.

Now...she is the person I call if I want an honest answer. She is the person I call to keep my kids overnight. She is the person that makes my hair look fabulous. She is the person who helps me scrapbook. She is the person that, I know, would do ANYTHING for me and my family.

Today I am thankful for my sister, Kelly.

Thankful Thursday

Quiet moments.

Do you ever get them?

I am sure for most of you they are few and far between.

This morning my alarm went off. I got up. Turned it off. Laid back in bed.

Quiet.

I laid there. Thought for a moment. It is quiet. Everyone is still asleep and there is no noise.

I laid there. In the quiet. Soaked it up. Enjoyed it.

It was a great start to my day.

I have found a few more moments throughout this day to turn off the sounds and enjoy the quiet.

Today I am thankful for quiet moments.

Thankful Thursday

Tonight, I am going to go see a movie at midnight. Yes, you read that right, MIDNIGHT!! I am the girl that falls asleep during the opening credits of a movie, so a late movie is unheard of for me. (Just ask my husband.)

This is not just any movie...this is Breaking Dawn, Part 1. It will be well worth the tiredness tomorrow brings. My journey to becoming a twilight fan might be a little different than most.

My mom started reading the books when they came out. She kept telling me about them, and I kept saying, "I will never read those. I don't want to read about some vampire love story for high schoolers!"

What does Justin Beiber say? "Never say, never!"

Anywoo...

I of course saw the first movie. It was fine. Then my bestie decided she was going to read the books and wanted to go see the second movie. (She is always getting me wrapped up in all kinds of nonsense!) So, I went with her. That was all it took. I was hooked! I had to know what happened next. I read all four books in 4 weeks. Have you ever seen the books!? They are thick! And I don't read...like ever! I could not put them down.

There ya have it...my journey to becoming a huge fan! Now...I am wearing a Team Edward shirt and going to a midnight showing. All I need is my vampire teeth and I am golden! What!?

Today I am thankful for (as shallow as it may seem)
movies that take me to make believe places with vampires, werewolves and everlasting love!
(and crazy girlfriends that will go with me!)

Thankful Thursday

I kind of, okay...really, have a love/hate relationship with food.

Ya see, I love, love love to eat it!

The hate part is...I make really bad choices. (As I sit to blog eating a bag of peanut M & M's)

Do you understand my problem!?

I like to cook, but hate the meal planning and grocery shopping part.

I love to bake, but hate that I then eat all the cookies, cake, or whatever it is I baked!

Last night Rob texted me on his way home from work and said, "Do you want to go out to eat?"
Of course, I said, "YES!" (I don't ever pass up that opportunity!)
I wasn't feeling great and thought, I will just get a salad or some soup. Did I do that! NO!
I picked something that looked and tasted amazing, and was a portion big enough for the whole family. (Especially, after the 2 baskets of chips and salsa.) I didn't have any trouble eating almost all of it!
After wards, I felt horrible! Horrible!

The funny thing is...I still wanted ice cream! Who does this?

Me. And my best friend, Carrie. (That is reason #64 she is my best friend. Alright...maybe reason #3)

Are you wondering how this has anything to do with being thankful?

Here's how:

While I love to eat a ton...to much...food, there are people that don't even get the choice of what they will eat. We all know about the people in Africa and Haiti that eat rice and soup once a day. Did you know there are people, kids, that go home everyday that may not get dinner? There is an organization in our community that sends food home in kids back packs every Friday just to make sure they have something to eat over the weekend.

All the while, I am 2 blocks away gorging myself on whatever I want. (By the way, I just grabbed bag #2 of peanut M & M's. You think I am kidding...I am not. I wish I was, but it is the flat truth people! I have a serious problem! That is for another time though!)

Today I am thankful for food.
(In all seriousness!)

Thankful Thursday {Friends}

Friends just have this way of brightening my day.

Calling to see how I are.

Asking me to go get a cupcake.

Having a crazy party with me.

Watching silly movies together.

Not caring to be seen in public with me if I have no make up on.

Bringing me a coffee just because.

Listening to me ramble about nothing.

Helping me with a project.

Encouraging me in my walk with the Lord.

Teaching me how to be a fashionista.

Fixing a wig for my Halloween costume.

Doing anything I need!

Today I am thankful for friends. I don't know what I would do without them.

Thankful Thursday

Friends, I can not tell you how excited I am about this post! It literally had me in tears this morning!

My friend, Jeni, is heading up an effort to give gifts to all the foster kids in the county she lives in. Now, I don't know Jeni super well, but there are a few things I do know about her.

She is humble.
She is caring.
She is compassionate.
She is generous.
And she has a huge conviction for foster care!

I would love for you to go read the story of how God gave her this brilliant idea.
Did you read it? If not, go do it now and then come back.

Ok, are you thinking, "Why do these little girls need American Girl dolls?"
If so, STOP! What girl does need an American Girl doll, or 2, or 3? None.
That is not the point. Why shouldn't they have something special too!? Are only our little girls entitled to get expensive things? I don't think so.

Think back to a time when you were little and there was one thing you really wanted for Christmas. Do you remember the excitement when you opened it! I do!

One year my sister and I got leather bomber jackets (I know...sweet! Hey, it was the 90s!) and TVs for our rooms. We were so excited!

Think about bringing that kind of happiness and excitement to a child this Christmas that has nothing!

So now, go back to Jeni's blog and donate, please! I can not wait to hear how God is going to work through this amazing opportunity!



So in all this you might be thinking, "What is Amy thankful for today?" (Does it really matter?)

Today I am thankful for foster parents and the love they have for children that may only spend a brief part of their lives with them.

Thankful Thursday

Look at this adorable face...


And this one...


And this...


Seriously, does it get any cuter!?

I started to do a different post entirely and then I came across these pictures.
They brought a smile to my face.

Don't get me wrong, I have no desire to have anymore children.
I do however, love looking back at these old pictures.
I really want to just squeeze those rosy red cheeks!

It really is hard to believe that those little bambinos are now 5 and almost 8!
There are days that I think, "I wish the kids were little again."
But there are also things I absolutely love about where they are now.
I really do need to remember to cherish and enjoy the moment.

Today I am thankful for pictures!

My friend is doing a thankfulness series over at the momma bird...go check it out!

Thankful Thursday - Carys addition

I thought today we could get a little "perspective" from a five year old about being thankful.

I asked Carys what she was thankful for and her first response was, "That you could come to my school today." Now, don't get me wrong folks, I am thankful that I can go to her school too, but I really don't want to right a post about myself, so...

I asked again.

"Our house."

"Why?"

"Because we have beds to sleep in, I like it and we need somewhere to live."

"What do you like about our house?"

"That we can watch shows and movies. I like our playroom."

I think we do take our houses for granted. (At least I do anyway.) It is so easy for me to forget, or not think about, the people that don't have homes.

Sunday at church we had the privilege of listening to a choir made up of homeless people. It was truly a blessing to listen and watch these people sing and worship the Lord. They really have nothing else. When we walked into church I told Broderick that all the people singing had no homes. He was shocked! Understandably. He has never been exposed to homeless. He can not comprehend what it would be like to not have a home, food, clothes, toys. He has never gone without. While we have talked about this subject and gave to the poor, I don't think he...shoot I can't...comprehend this matter.

Today, Carys and I are thankful for our house!

What are you thankful for?