Multiitude Monday --counting my 1000 gifts #215-226

Last night we had a little potluck and caroling party. It is an annual event in our household, with the exception of last year, which was crazy nuts!( Last year, the holidays were not normal holidays...)

I'm thankful for neighbors and friends who enjoy the simple pleasures...

...for "old" friends who used to be new friends. And for Meg who makes me laugh soooo hard!

For my dancing children who dance fast to slow songs and find great pleasure in being dorks.

For pictures like this that I'll look back on someday and have sweet memories.

...for our most captivev audience during our caroling last night! He had the respect to not howl but had his eyes on the pumpkin bread loaves.

I'm very thankful for the simple pleasures that come from enjoying friends and family during the holiday. I love our tradition of caroling, as we ride around on hay bales with Christmas lights on them. I am very thankful that my children instigate what used to be my idea. I am thankful for memories of those who we used to visit on our annual trek, who are now dead and gone. I'm thankful for the holes in heaven that reminds me of them as we travel the village streets.

I'm thankful for new friends in a new place who become old friends in a familiar place. We don't "own" land...we just claim it while we walk our short walk on this earth. We are just passing through.

I'm thankful...today I'm just thankful for my family being close to me today and for hope. Hope for my hurting foster child. Hope that this is one Christmas in her life that will be a turning point in her family. I'm thankful for someone's pain that brings out more reasons to be thankful.

Catch-up...something we use lots in our home!

It is Heinz, the BIG bottle, usually! Today, it is generic "catch up", not ketchup!

This past week, the 15th, was my grandmother's birthday. She's been gone 15 years. I miss her. I think I'll miss her forever. I miss her humor, talking with her, her love of sweets, her hands, her eyes, her smile..her love of me! Happy Birthday, Grandmother!

One of my students was scheduled to get a cornea transplant last week. He didn't get the transplant and is, instead, completely blind in that eye now. He has very limited vision in the other. I was sad for him. I've talked to him a few times and he is in good spirits. The whole experience made me think NOT worrying about the small stuff. I could better spend my time praying for people who have BIG stuff going on.

It is difficult watching my foster daughter hurt. I want the tears to come, the anger, all of it. It has to come out. But is is hard to watch and just listen and hug. I wish I could fix pain and brokenness. I was told of a book that I plan to order soon. It is "The Middle Mom"and is about foster parenting. I love the rest of the title.."how to grow your heart by giving it away". So, maybe that is the plan here. Maybe God is growing my heart.

Today, we are going to church in another town. One of my students is getting baptized and asked me to please attend. I felt honored she would ask. I am also glad she knows I am a Believer. I love when my students talk about prayer, God, church, etc. I'm limited, by teaching public school, but I can sure share and encourage their conversations. If each of us takes Jesus in our hearts, school/work can be a wonderful, powerful, ministry. We can forget our lunch, our jacket, our lesson plans...but NEVER Jesus. It is all about Him no matter where we are.

We are happy to be out for Christmas break and are anticipating our family's arrival with great excitement! I love when we are all together though it goes by to quickly every time! Our family grows and things change. I'm glad the love is constant. Unconditional. I feel blessed today by so many things. I also feel the need to stop and be purposefully thankful for loving parents( Loving entails ALOT), for my children, my husband, my sisters, their families, family we have chosen thru our lives, happiness, and so much more.

Today, I'm going to live on purpose, with purpose.

Don't forget to remember them

It is said this poem was written by a soldier in Okinawa, Japan. It touched my heart when it was read on our school announcements this morning.

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS,
HE LIVED ALL ALONE,
IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF
PLASTER AND STONE.

I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY
WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,
AND TO SEE JUST WHO
IN THIS HOME DID LIVE.

I LOOKED ALL ABOUT,
A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,
NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS,
NOT EVEN A TREE.

NO STOCKING BY MANTLE,
JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES
OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.

WITH MEDALS AND BADGES,
AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,
A SOBER THOUGHT
CAME THROUGH MY MIND.

FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT,
IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,
I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER,
ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.

THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING,
SILENT, ALONE,
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR
IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.

THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE,
THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER,
NOT HOW I PICTURED
A UNITED STATES SOLDIER.

WAS THIS THE HERO
OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO,
THE FLOOR FOR A BED?

I REALIZED THE FAMILIES
THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS
WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.

SOON ROUND THE WORLD,
THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,
AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE
A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.

THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM
EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS,
LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.

I COULDN'T HELP WONDER
HOW MANY LAY ALONE,
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE
IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.

THE VERY THOUGHT
BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE,
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES
AND STARTED TO CRY.

THE SOLDIER AWAKENED
AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,
"SANTA DON'T CRY,
THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;

I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM,
I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,
MY LIFE IS MY GOD,
MY COUNTRY, MY CORPS."

THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER
AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP,
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT,
I CONTINUED TO WEEP.

I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS,
SO SILENT AND STILL
AND WE BOTH SHIVERED
FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.

I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE
ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,
THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR
SO WILLING TO FIGHT.

THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER,
WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,
WHISPERED, "CARRY ON SANTA,
IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE."

ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH,
AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND,
AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT."

This poem was written by a Marine stationed in Okinawa Japan. The
following is his request. I think it is reasonable.....

PLEASE. Would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our U.S. service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities.

Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us. Please, do your small part to plant this small seed.

Still Counting...Multitude Monday

201. Today we studied Mark 2. Would I care so much about someone's spiritual healing that I'd allow a hole to be cut in the roof to allow them to know Jesus? Hmm...it made me wonder how much I'm willing to sacrifice so someone can be touched by Jesus. It makes me thankful for the people who have sacrificed for me and been by my side in my relationship with God.

202. I'm thankful for being trusted by my foster daughter. For being one whom she can "throw up" from her heart, and trust with the gunk.

203. I'm thankful for the pain I feel when my kids hurt. Why? because I know the privelege of being a Mom with all the risks and benefits.

204. I'm thankful for quiet times in our house that stimulate conversations, laughter, closeness.

205. I'm thankful for this Christmas season. Yes, it is commercialized, it is stressful for many, but it is also a time when people open their hearts to the less fortunate. I like when I see small kindnesses.

206. I'm thankful for Daelena..my friend..who took the girls today and made candy with them. I'm thankful for good, God loving friends who are willing to help me mentor my children. It takes a village...

207. What would life be without a few growing pains in our family? We've never been a foster family and we feel some growing pains. I'm thankful though. Even the painful times, the tears, the adjustments...they help us grow. Growing hurts sometimes.

208. I'm thankful for the fullness and the feeling that comes from GIVING!

209. I'm thankful for Christmas cards from friends and family. I love the photos, the updates, the wishes. I love my mail at this time of year!

210. I am thankful for Christmas cards that say "Merry Christmas". (read my soapbox on that in last December's pile of posts!) Don't get me wrong, I love ALL cards.

211-213. We will host a potluck, a hayride and Christmas caroling next weekend. I am thankful for this tradition! I'm thankful for the simplicity of it and the big memories that are made. I'm thankful for good friends who love it too!

214. I'm thankful for little things like my foster daughter adding a Bible to her Christmas wish list. Oh..those are the BIG things in my week! I truly thank God for those little BIG things! His work is so subtle and surprising. I just cant wait to see what he does in my world tomorrow!

I hope your Christmas season is going well. I hope you are enjoying the lights, the songs, the smells of the season. Most of all, I hope you feel the touch of kindness in your life so strongly that you pass it on!

Confession

I haven't given you reason to laugh at me for a while, so laugh WITH me...

Today, I had a 3rd grade boy in my class who felt badly. My diagnosis is a sinus infection judging by the boogers and headache. I sent him to the nurse for tylenol for is headache about 10:45. At 11:15, when it was time for recess, I told him he needed to stay in from recess and just relax.He laid down on my couch and watched the other kids play. I had three others in, due to sickness, but they were playing with my Marbleworks on the floor right by the couch where Trenton was laying. They weren't playing quietly either!

11:45...I said, "okay, go to lunch!" and kept grading my papers in a quiet room for five more minutes.

12:20...I came back from lunch in the teacher's lounge and jumped at what I had previously thought was a pile of blankets on the couch that suddenly had a head and was snoring!!

Yes, I'd left this poor boy sleeping all through lunch time and part of recess. I thought he was a pile of blankets! I did get him a "to go" tray and it is here in the room. He is still snoring softly on the couch and his dad said that is fine, when I called him! Whew!!!

If you filled out a form suggesting we get approval as foster care parents, you might want to send in a rebuttal form!

Multiitude Monday --counting my 1000 gifts

Thanksgiving break is over and it is off to school again, tomorrow.

191. I'm thankful for family who fill my days and holidays with purpose and joy.

192. I'm thankful that my Bible has a heartbeat. It is living and new. It never ceases to amaze me how it can be such an old book and be so new!

193. I'm thankful for young wisdom. Oh sure, there is lots of talk about youth and their mistakes but sometimes, their profound wisdom is astounding!

194. I'm thankful for a safe, warm, loving home. Not only for us, for those who take shelter here. I pray God blesses us with giving hearts, overflowing kindness, and all things that give us the power to glorify him.

195. Leftover turkey...yes, I'm thankful! Turkey quesadillas and a Hallmark hall of fame movie. Sitting in a Christmas lit living room, in front of a fire. Ahhh...memories.

196. I love my love of decorating. Creativity makes me happy and makes our house a home!

197. For a phone call from Riley. He tugs at my heart strings and hearing his voice renewed my strong thoughts of him and his Army-mates.

198. I'm thankful for mistletoe and the silly, crazy, fun tradition this little ritual brings us. Kisses for doing the dishes!

199. I'm thankful for the cross. I don't prefer crucifixes because my Jesus is risen. But I'm thankful for the symbol of the cross....how far is the east from the west? (Refer to the Casting Crowns song....)

200. Tomorrow will be an emotional day in our household. I'm thankful that God isn' t a magic genie, but He knows us!! Each heart of every person in this home. I pray for the understanding, by every member, that God answers prayers, sometimes, by apparently NOT answering.

Have a good Monday. Don't let Thanksgiving be the end of blessing counting. Let it be the beginning of having a heart of giving...and full of thanks!

Our happy Thanksgiving day

Barry....we miss you! Barry takes our family pictures every year and we had to improvise this year to get some Christmas card possibilities....

I just love these kids!

Cody

Selina

Jessie

Goofy, fun loving, laugh attack sisters!

The kids table...outdoors in the GORGEOUS November weather! Cousin Tristan, Selina, Cody, Jess, Friend Nathan.

The grown ups...

What would ANY holiday be without a mean game or ten of PIT??

Terry thought pie sounded more fun than PIT.

Yellin' and a screamin'! We had a nice day. Riley called after lunch and we were able to talk with him. They had a Thanksgiving meal in Afganistan complete with ice sculptures. We are thankful for our men and women who are dedicated to the armed forces.

Family times are so meaningful! I love our family! Every last one whether blood related or chosen. Precious memories are made and that good ol' warm fuzzy feeling is felt time and time again!

Multitude Monday--Thanksgiving week

I'm thankful for together times...food, friendship, family, laughter..memories.

For silliness and simple pleasures...

For babies, and grandmas..for first words and joy that babies bring!

For Daddys. For the comfort of just being close to our Dads.

For siblings..for their support, their love, their built in friendship. Mine and theirs. And once again, for MY children!

For first times...new experiences..for courage, perseverance, ability...

Yes, it is Wednesday! Mondays roll around so quickly!

Thanksgiving week....a time to be thankful more consciously than normal. Also, a time to be giving. Thankful for those who give to me and giving to those who need something I have to give.

Above all, I'm thankful for family--my parents, sisters, grandparents, though they are no longer living, my husband, my children, my chosen family....Family...all those people who I love and love me, unconditionally.

Happy Thanksgiving all!

Multitude Monday thru Wednesday...running behind

Whew...I counted my blessings on Monday but didn't post them. I'll post some this morning to keep up my weekly count....

155. I'm thankful for health. I have a cold and I am very impatient with sickness. I'm very thankful I am healthy for most weeks out of the year!

156. I'm thankful for my friend, Pat, who has been a grandma/mom to Matthew for the last 12 years...waiting for his mom to return.

157. I'm thankful for "unanswered prayers".....because God knows best.

158. This world is NUTS. Crazy parents doing crazy things. Kids reacting to the world around them. Selfish people doing their own thing with their own agenda and affecting so many others. But you know....good things come out of some of this. That is a wonderful miracle and I'm thankful for those encouraging miracles!

160-164. I'm thankful for recess duty! Well...and for sunny days on my week of duty! Children's laughter, energy, carefee spirits...they lift me up! And the views of the lake, the mountains, the valley...the fresh, clean, mountain air...Wow!

165. I'm thankful for my view out my window today. The sunrise on the mountains is showing a different perspective than most days. The valley looks bigger, the foothills look more complex. Life is like that...all about perpective. I'm thankful for focus and keeping my eyes on the positive knowing God has a master plan.

Happy Veteran's Day

Yesterday was our Veteran's Day program at school. We share a band teacher so we had to do ours a day early. Really, everyday is Veteran's Day, especially when our country is at war. I'm thinking of Riley today and praying for him and all of them "over there".


Cathryn was one of our speakers yesterday because we also are celebrating, all year, our district's 100 year birthday. Cathryn attended school in the same valley, when she was a kid. She and her hubby have the best stories in the world! Everyone really enjoyed her speech and Bill said it was the first time ever she agreed to such a thing! We are honored. I love, love, love stories from "back then" and think they need to be told more! Thank you Cathryn! You were a sensational hit! She was introduced as "Jessie's grandma" at Jess's request. They truly are family and I was proud!

Bill was worried she was signing up as she spoke with Tony, the Veteran who spoke to us! Tony said she is probably tougher than the National Guard so he'd take her!!

Little Miss Student Council doing one of her parts...I am sooo proud of this girl and her confidence! She's awesome!

Jess, darkly, as she plays the Star Spangled banner, and as I cry. I wanted to bawl during the whole ceremony. Having a family member at war gives extra meaning to so many patriotic things.

A summary of thankfulness and happenings! Multitude Monday up to 154!

Guess who is driving?? Yes, driver's permit in wallet and ready to travel! Thankful for a cautious son and for safety. I'm praying for patience and safety! (141-142)

Obviously, Cody is a good driver..this is a view of the backseat on the way home from church! (sorry girls!) I'm thankful for quiet comfort....(143)

Dogpile on Cody! Olivia, Nicholas and Brayden pile on! Nothing is better than little kids you've known since they were knee high to a grasshopper! I LOVE kids of all ages and especially these kind....MINE (144, 145, 146, 147)(Even though only one is truly mine...well, God's but He loaned him to me!) I love having a houseful of kids and I love that God has given me the gift of nurturing. (148-149)

Sunday morning in the living room floor. A house is NEVER to full!! I love my house being full and filling my heart with love! (150-151)

Brayden, Daniel and Lorna...thankful for laughter and fun times! Relaxing memories made with us this weekend. I loved getting them all to ourselves. (152)

My great friend Kathleen(153) who was here to paint and did a side job of trimming Selina's long, beautiful hair!

And then there is this....living on the edge! The way he makes it sound, this is like a roller coaster! I love it! I am so thankful for the simple, wholesome pleasures of life. I love my simple life and wouldn't trade it for anything! (154)

Multitude Monday on a beautiful November day!

128. This morning I woke up thankful for sunshine, for fresh air, for seasons that bring change and new thoughts.

129. I'm thankful for wood heat and fire's' intoxicating dances and warmth.

130. For God's assurances in my heart about various things.

131. For the excitement of "first times" in our home and the memories they are making.

132. For TWO sets of grandparents to love my children. Yes, one set is borrowed but just as real and just as loving.

133. I'm thankful for my children's openness to their new sister. To their acceptance, patience, understanding, love. I'm so, so, so thankful they "get it". Love and kindness are so crucial to life and so important!

134. I'm really excited to go on a short overnighter with my kids today. Thankful, in advance for every moment, every laugh, every conversation.....and thankful for the fussing that is going on already about where to eat!

135. I'm thankful for today's breath. For heartbeats, for eye sight, for hearing...for all the senses I take for granted and for all the pleasure they bring me!

136. I'm thankful and prayful for the troops overseas. And most of all, as I remember them, I am thankful God knows the plan.

137-140. ...for amish friendship bread, shared by a friend.....for Charlotte who touched my life in small, barely acquainted ways and yet I remember her telling me, "I pray for you". She died with no family surviving her except her church family. I'm thankful for her......I'm thankful for a God conscienceness that makes my son know Biblical doctrine from man thought up ladders to heaven.....for the song, "open the eyes of my heart..".....for Sundays.

Thank you for stopping by. Let me know you were here, will you?

Happy Birthday, Cody!

The best birthday present for ALL of us!! Our woodstove is in and we had our first fire on Halloween!

Grandma, Cody and Grandpa

Bill, Cody, and Cathryn....

Blowing out his 15 sparklers!

The girls, in costume.

Basketball season begins this week!

Multitude Monday--belated (112-127)

I'm thankful for my clown...my Halloween hating, goofy, fun loving, silly joking, handsome, faithful, tall, self proclaimed awesome, kind, ornery, caring, teasing, affectionate, girl crazy, intelligent, athletic, wonderful, wonderful, wonderful son who turns 15 this week!

I'm thankful for my drive to school...for safe delivery to and from on so, so, so many days! I've made this drive over 1,000 times! And aren't I lucky?
Thankful for time alone with my Jess..
...for songs of praise that uplift me for the whole day.
....for the awesome beauty that soothes me, awes me, shows me greatness in the handiwork of the Creator....

For the clean feel/look of a fresh blanket of snow..washing and covering the summer playground of campers, fishers, tourists, locals who seek solace here.

For giggles and smiles!
For the first night in the upstairs rooms....
....for my husband's hard work, dedication and skill that gets it all done! YEA!

For teamwork...for shared excitement!

For all the hands that build and help so the goal is accomplished sooner.

Multitude Monday---counting my blessings

I love this song. I have loved it for four years. Everytime I hear it, I get a lump in my throat or I just cry because of the emotions it draws out of me. Read it, look it up and LISTEN to it. It is helping me count my blessings today, a day early.


"Stained Glass Masquerade"

Is there anyone that fails
Is there anyone that falls
Am I the only one in church today feelin' so small

Cause when I take a look around
Everybody seems so strong
I know they'll soon discover
That I don't belong

So I tuck it all away, like everything's okay
If I make them all believe it, maybe I'll believe it too
So with a painted grin, I play the part again
So everyone will see me the way that I see them

Are we happy plastic people
Under shiny plastic steeples
With walls around our weakness
And smiles to hide our pain
But if the invitation's open
To every heart that has been broken
Maybe then we close the curtain
On our stained glass masquerade

Is there anyone who's been there
Are there any hands to raise
Am I the only one who's traded
In the altar for a stage

The performance is convincing
And we know every line by heart
Only when no one is watching
Can we really fall apart

But would it set me free
If I dared to let you see
The truth behind the person
That you imagine me to be

Would your arms be open
Or would you walk away
Would the love of Jesus
Be enough to make you stay

101. the tears. I'm so thankful for tears. my tears, her tears, all tears. tears in church, tears brought to the surface by words of praise. washing our souls, revealing our naked hearts and needs to God, willingly.

102. I'm thankful for people who live "real". People who don' t live by habits or expected performances. People who hurt and fail and aren't afraid to say so. People who trust God and know failure is what drives us to Him.

103. I'm thankful for people who recite Bible verses when they offer advice, when it is appropriate.

104. I was deeply affected by a facebook post that said, "it this biblebook now?" referring to people who quote bible verses or put spiritual messages on their status updates. It made me thankful for the stranger who did it and apparently offended my "friend". We can read concert updates, meanness updates, whiney updates, poor me updates...why not PRAISE GOD updates? Stranger, I'm thankful for you!

105. I'm thankful for car rides with kids and the conversations that spontaneously erupt.

106. .....and for my kids. Yes, i've counted them before, but this is a new day and I feel the thankfulness in a new way.

107. for lemon pie yogurt. YUM.

108-110. for the familiar flecks and lines in my daughter's blue eyes. For the familiar markings on her face and the smell of her skin. For the fact that she still needs me that close when she is sick and I still get to see that face so up close.

111. for our new daughter/sister. for the hope of healing and for believing in miracles. for God guiding this decision and giving affirmation so many times.

I'm thankful. Thankful feels good in my heart and mind. Thankful feels right. I like when thankfulness comes by force as it is today. I'm thankful for REAL LIFE that stops me in my tracks and makes me feel heartbeats instead of plasticness. I'm thankful.....

A Saturday in October

This was such a sweet view out of my back door, I grabbed my camera. Cathryn called to say she was walking over. Cody met her and strolled with her. Lizzie knows her as the nice lady who gives her cookies and LOVES her!

Meet Selina...she is our new daughter/sister for an undetermined amount of time. We are so glad to have her in our home! She is a blessing to be counted!

I think this is Thing One and Thing Two out of the Dr. Suess book.....

Making churros for dessert.

the finished product and two pretty girls!

Lori, this one is for you. Cathryn gave me these cups today. They were her mothers. Aren't they pretty? They make me think of Grandmother. I just wanted you to see them because I knew you'd like them too!