Today I am thankful for... (#4 & #5)

Since I missed a day yesterday I now have to find two things to be thankful for.  It's not a lack of things that makes this difficult... it's deciding which of the abundant options to choose for the day. ;)

#4)  I am thankful for technology that keeps me connected with friends and family even at a distance. Texting is one way that I keep in touch with so many people.  I text far more than I talk on the phone or email. I appreciate the convenience of a short sentence or two when I don't have the time for a full conversation (which every phone call turns into).  Those texts turn into full conversations, but if it needs to take all day for everything to be said... a short response here, a quick question there... it's okay. ;)  So, if you want to keep in touch with me on a more regular basis, feel free to send me a text!  If you don't have my phone number, email me at qfmama@gmail.com and ask. (I originally just posted my phone number but then decided perhaps that wasn't the smartest plan...)

#5)  In line with #4... I am thankful for Skype and the ability to keep Grandma visually involved with the kids even when she is in AZ for the winter.  We don't Skype often, but the kids always love it when we do.  I'm pretty sure Grandma enjoys it too. ;)  This year it has meant that she got to "meet" Temperance even though she was already in AZ when Tempe was born.  It also means that when she comes back in the spring Tempe may actually recognize her.

A bit of an update on Friday's post:  Tim came home from work for the day about an hour after I hit publish.  He went straight to bed (about 3:45pm) and didn't get up until the next morning.  He was feeling much better by Saturday morning and we were able to go out grocery shopping.  While we were gone Chase texted that Alex had gone to bed "for no reason".  Turns out that he had a reason (he was just being a stubborn teenage brother and saying "because" when they would ask why he was going to bed rather than giving them an actual reason)... he was feeling sick as well.  He stayed in bed from about 1:30pm yesterday until this morning.  Thankfully neither of them were throwing up, and it didn't last more than 1/2 a day, but it's still no fun to feel achy and miserable!  Still so many reasons to be thankful.

Today I am thankful for... (#3)

I had a few things in mind to post today, but I'm going with good health.  So many around me are/have been sick lately with really *yucky* bugs.  Even several of our kids were hit, though not nearly as bad as I've heard from friends... Through it all I have remained healthy (despite a bout of mastitis which left me feeling a bit *off*).

But that's just the small picture.  Looking at the big picture we (Tim, me, and the kids) have all experienced good health.  There are no *big* issues we've had to deal with.  I truly am grateful for the blessing of good health.

Back to the small picture... living in small quarters certainly increases the risk that we will all be exposed to a bug once it's brought in.  In 11 years living in this house, with only one bathroom, we have rarely had instances where an illness requiring frequent use of the bathroom hit, and when it did happen it was never more than one or two people at a time.  God knows our circumstances, and He cares -- even about GI junk. ;)

Thank you God for your provision for us in regard to our health.  My prayer is that even the "small picture" stuff would be minimal for the rest of this season that brings so much illness to so many.  We are reminded how blessed we are on a regular basis as we see the suffering of those around us.  My hope is that I will know how to be a blessing and a help to those who need it when they are ill -- whether it be with "small picture" stuff or the really big stuff.

(I don't feel like I'm doing a great job putting my thoughts into words here.  I hope that I am understood despite my lack of articulation.)

Today I am thankful for (#2)

Our house, while it is quite small, keeps us warm during these bitter cold days.  I look forward to the day when we can move into our larger home, but will miss this house too.

Thank you, God, for providing for our NEEDS and teaching us to appreciate the things we have.

31 Days of Thanks

According to today's edition of Our Daily Bread, which I receive in my inbox each day, January is National Thank You Month.  Today's verse: Psalm 136:3 "Oh give thanks to the Lord of lords!"

How good it is to thank the Lord,

And praise to Thee, Most High, accord,

To show Thy love with morning light,

And tell Thy faithfulness each night!

~Psalter

I will begin today by saying "Thank You" for the gift of parents who love me, love my spouse and children, and have invested in our lives.  They give unconditionally.  They love unconditionally.  I know we are so blessed to have them in our lives.  God's love shines through them.  I give thanks to Him for the gift of them.

New Years and Netflix

Last night was our big New Year celebration... I fell asleep with the baby on the couch at 8pm while Chase watched a movie.  Apparently Tim sent Chase to bed at 10pm and followed soon after.  I woke up about 12:15am and headed down to bed with Tempe.  And that was our big celebration.  LOL

Levi and Alex were at Grandpa and Grandma's.  Levi stayed up until about 10:30 playing games and putting together a puzzle with Grandma.  They all watched a Ken Davis DVD, and then Alex stayed up with Grandpa to watch the ball drop.

This afternoon Levi and Alex came home.  We had Subway for supper, courtesy of Grandpa, and then visited for a bit before Gpa and Gma headed home.  Then the kids sat down to watch "Turbo".  Most of them watched it yesterday as well, but Levi and Alex had missed out everyone watched again.

Several months ago we got rid of cable and just use Netflix for all our TV viewing.  It's a much cheaper option for us, and I love that there are never any commercials to deal with!

This is what movie viewing looks like with one couch and nine kids :)