I don’t always have it all together, but most of the time, to the casual observer, I at least LOOK like I do.
Today?
I wore two different earrings to work.
And didn’t notice until 2:45.
Yikes.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Monday, March 1, 2010
Behind, as always.
I’ve been a terrible blogger lately. I mean, wow. Honestly, it’s because I have felt really overwhelmed by everything that’s been going on in our lives. I feel like I’m constantly going and doing and making lists… but that I’m never really done with much of anything. After awhile, that just starts to really overwhelm me and bog me down. Sometimes, it is a tremendous blessing to be so detail-oriented… and sometimes I feel like I’m missing the forest for the trees.
One of the things that had really been keeping me down was just feeling like I couldn’t ever get our house clean or keep up with the laundry. I’ve been trying really hard to cook dinner a lot (like usually about 4 nights a week), and sometimes that puts me in the kitchen from the minute I set foot in the door from work until we eat (which sometimes isn’t until 7:30 or so)… and then dishes… and then a little time to unwind/veg/watch TV/check the ol’ facebook… and viola – it’s time for bed. I collapse into bed pretty exhausted… and then get up and do it again the next day. Anyway, last week, my sweet husband just said, “I want you to know – I feel guilty that I don’t do more housework when I get home from work. I know I could help more, and sometimes I just don’t.” He proceeded to tell me that he doesn’t always know what needs to be done, so I’ve been sending him a list of things that need to be done each day, and he has them done before I get home from work. It’s just wonderful! It feels like magic (more to me than him, I’m sure)! I’m hoping that his contributions will help me feel like I can get a grip on what needs to be done and make some progress.
We actually got a LOT done this weekend. Our house is cleaner than it’s been in a good long while, and I’m hoping to get a bit more caught up and feel slightly less overwhelmed. I’m also hoping it warms up and gets sunny… I think it will help me to be able to exercise outside again. That releases a lot of stress for me.
I did make some super cute bulletin boards to go in our office. Maybe I will post pictures soon… I don’t think I’ve even posted any since we got our new camera. I’ll have to tackle that very soon. Maybe. We shall see.
One of the things that had really been keeping me down was just feeling like I couldn’t ever get our house clean or keep up with the laundry. I’ve been trying really hard to cook dinner a lot (like usually about 4 nights a week), and sometimes that puts me in the kitchen from the minute I set foot in the door from work until we eat (which sometimes isn’t until 7:30 or so)… and then dishes… and then a little time to unwind/veg/watch TV/check the ol’ facebook… and viola – it’s time for bed. I collapse into bed pretty exhausted… and then get up and do it again the next day. Anyway, last week, my sweet husband just said, “I want you to know – I feel guilty that I don’t do more housework when I get home from work. I know I could help more, and sometimes I just don’t.” He proceeded to tell me that he doesn’t always know what needs to be done, so I’ve been sending him a list of things that need to be done each day, and he has them done before I get home from work. It’s just wonderful! It feels like magic (more to me than him, I’m sure)! I’m hoping that his contributions will help me feel like I can get a grip on what needs to be done and make some progress.
We actually got a LOT done this weekend. Our house is cleaner than it’s been in a good long while, and I’m hoping to get a bit more caught up and feel slightly less overwhelmed. I’m also hoping it warms up and gets sunny… I think it will help me to be able to exercise outside again. That releases a lot of stress for me.
I did make some super cute bulletin boards to go in our office. Maybe I will post pictures soon… I don’t think I’ve even posted any since we got our new camera. I’ll have to tackle that very soon. Maybe. We shall see.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
hernia.paris/rome.taxes.details.
A week ago yesterday, Lance had surgery to repair a hernia in his tummy. It was an outpatient procedure, but it knocked him pretty flat for a bit there. This was my first experience with a surgery center (as opposed to a hospital), and they cranked him in and out of there pretty darn quick. We got there at 7:00, they took him back at 9:20, and we were home by 1:45. I have pictures from the surgery… but I’m figuring those wouldn’t be super popular if I posted them on here. He apparently tried to get up out of bed as he was coming out from under anesthesia, so several nurses had to hold him down… and the process of him trying to get up caused his stomach to hurt, so they gave him Demerol (or however you spell that), which then made him nauseated, so they gave him Phenegren (or however you spell THAT). Anyway, he was SUPER sleepy for the rest of the day. He fell asleep WHILE I was talking on 5 separate occasions… but he also fell asleep while HE was talking a couple of times, so I guess I can’t be too upset.
He slept a lot Friday (read: ALL DAY) and then rested Saturday and Sunday. I went back to work Monday, but he stayed home and rested some more. By Tuesday, he’d return to work and stopped taking the Hydrocodone, and he’s been doing really well the rest of the week. He’s a bit more easily tired, but even that is getting better.
I have basically spent every waking moment away from work taking care of him, doing housework, or organizing our taxes. I've been feeling a bit stressed/frazzled/overwhelmed by all that I need to do, so I am ready to actually accomplish some of those things and stop worrying about them. I did actually make it to my parents' house and do our taxes today... so I guess I should heave a big sigh of relief. (We're getting money back! HOORAY!)
Some good things: We found a really good sale on the Flip HD camera we’ve been eyeing, so Lance purchased that little beauty yesterday. We booked our flight from Paris to Rome a couple nights ago, so all the big things are done – transatlantic flights purchased, hotel booked and paid for, and intracontinental flight purchased. I have lots of tours and passes to book and buy… but those are much smaller in the grand scheme of planning the trip. Oh, also, my Chi went out (tragedy!), so I ordered a new one less than a week ago, and it arrived a couple of nights ago! (I would love to tell you that my hair looks fabulous and straight the next day… but I was lazy and haven’t even opened the box. Instead, my hair ended up in some weird messy-bun thing that I hoped was cute enough that people wouldn't notice that I didn’t fix my hair.)
Oh, also, I’ve lost about 5 pounds… but I seem to have stalled here. Maybe I will just learn to be friends with those last 2 pounds. They seem to like me a lot…
One final story. I’ve talked quite a bit about how much I love kids and how kids love me and how excited I am to be a mommy someday (still not pregnant. Don’t get ahead of me.). Well, Monday night at Bunko, my friend Brittany was there with her 3-month-old, and her baby was crying to be held while Brittany tried to eat. I offered to hold her while Brittany ate, and she not only stopped crying… she stayed calm and content in my arms for an hour and a half – all the way through Bunko. My Bunko-mates called me the baby whisperer. I love it. Baby love warms my heart.
He slept a lot Friday (read: ALL DAY) and then rested Saturday and Sunday. I went back to work Monday, but he stayed home and rested some more. By Tuesday, he’d return to work and stopped taking the Hydrocodone, and he’s been doing really well the rest of the week. He’s a bit more easily tired, but even that is getting better.
I have basically spent every waking moment away from work taking care of him, doing housework, or organizing our taxes. I've been feeling a bit stressed/frazzled/overwhelmed by all that I need to do, so I am ready to actually accomplish some of those things and stop worrying about them. I did actually make it to my parents' house and do our taxes today... so I guess I should heave a big sigh of relief. (We're getting money back! HOORAY!)
Some good things: We found a really good sale on the Flip HD camera we’ve been eyeing, so Lance purchased that little beauty yesterday. We booked our flight from Paris to Rome a couple nights ago, so all the big things are done – transatlantic flights purchased, hotel booked and paid for, and intracontinental flight purchased. I have lots of tours and passes to book and buy… but those are much smaller in the grand scheme of planning the trip. Oh, also, my Chi went out (tragedy!), so I ordered a new one less than a week ago, and it arrived a couple of nights ago! (I would love to tell you that my hair looks fabulous and straight the next day… but I was lazy and haven’t even opened the box. Instead, my hair ended up in some weird messy-bun thing that I hoped was cute enough that people wouldn't notice that I didn’t fix my hair.)
Oh, also, I’ve lost about 5 pounds… but I seem to have stalled here. Maybe I will just learn to be friends with those last 2 pounds. They seem to like me a lot…
One final story. I’ve talked quite a bit about how much I love kids and how kids love me and how excited I am to be a mommy someday (still not pregnant. Don’t get ahead of me.). Well, Monday night at Bunko, my friend Brittany was there with her 3-month-old, and her baby was crying to be held while Brittany tried to eat. I offered to hold her while Brittany ate, and she not only stopped crying… she stayed calm and content in my arms for an hour and a half – all the way through Bunko. My Bunko-mates called me the baby whisperer. I love it. Baby love warms my heart.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
The title is the hardest part...
Wow… I’m sorry that I’m failing at blogging. I keep telling myself to do better… but that positive self-talk seldom results in any kind of action. Oops.
Well, good news since the “hungry” blog – I have lost almost 4 pounds (so far – I weigh myself again tomorrow!), which means that I am halfway to my weight loss goal. I’m adjusting to my new level of calorie consumption, so although I definitely GET hungry, I am not CONSTANTLY hungry any more. And THAT, my friends, is a vast improvement! I also went and bought some good running shoes on Saturday, which was an interesting experience. I went to FW Running Co., and they had me run on a treadmill like 8 different times to try different kinds of shoes. It turns out that I pronate really badly when I run, so they found me some shoes that correct that. They were a bit expensive (which is why I have talked about but put off buying them for like a year now…), but they definitely help my ankles and knees a lot. They are substantially heavier than my old shoes (largely because my old shoes had no support in them whatsoever), so it is kind of an adjustment. (And just to be clear – they’re still normal shoes. They’re Saucony running shoes, not like Dr. Scholl’s orthopedic ankle support shoes or anything. I just wanted to clarify in case someone got a really skewed mental picture based on my description.) I got up and ran Monday and Wednesday, but I needed Tuesday and today to recover from actually exercising. I am excited because it’s starting to feel good to eat better and exercise. My pants already fit differently in the waist, which is fabulous. (I mean, granted, they just fit like they’re supposed to instead of being really tight and uncomfortable… but still!)
We’ve also done really well about eating at home instead of going out to eat all the time so far this year. I’ve been trying new recipes a lot, and Lance has even been eating leftovers! (Hallelujah!) I know it’s definitely easier for us to eat healthily at home, plus it saves a LOT of money, so I am pretty excited about it all the way around. I shared my enthusiasm with Lance over how much better we’re doing, and he responded, “Well, but it’s only January. It’s probably going to go downhill from here.” That little boogerface. I really want to do better all year – not just January. Anyway, we have a budget that we try really hard to stick to, but last year, we went over our out-to-eat budget by at least a little bit pretty much every month. I really want us to do better about that, so I’m excited to see some improvement in that area as well.
We’re also making progress on our trip (HOORAY!). Our plane tickets are “on hold” from the American site right now, and we are planning to book them tonight. We’re staying with our friend’s parents in Paris, so that’s taken care of, and we have already booked our hotel in Rome. It’s exciting to have the really BIG things taken care of. If you know me and my OCD tendencies, you won’t be surprised to know that I already have a journal wherein I’ve been taking notes for almost a month. I have a list of tours I want to take, monuments/museums I want to visit, restaurants I want to eat at, flights that might work for us, things to do before we leave for the trip, etc. I’ve also learned to say, “Do you speak English? Sorry, I don’t speak French.”, “Where are the toilets?”, “Will you take our picture?”, and “Check, please!” I learned some other REALLY basic phrases too, but I think those are the ones I’m most proud of.
For those of you who have been to Paris and/or Rome, what was your favorite/least favorite thing that you saw/did/visited/ate/took a picture of/thought about later/would do again/would never do again/etc.? Also, what did/would you wear/not wear again, and how much do you recommend packing? (Those are some of the most open-ended questions ever asked, but I would love to get some more direction! Then I can write it down in my journal!!)
~~~~~~~~~~
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Exodus 14:14
Well, good news since the “hungry” blog – I have lost almost 4 pounds (so far – I weigh myself again tomorrow!), which means that I am halfway to my weight loss goal. I’m adjusting to my new level of calorie consumption, so although I definitely GET hungry, I am not CONSTANTLY hungry any more. And THAT, my friends, is a vast improvement! I also went and bought some good running shoes on Saturday, which was an interesting experience. I went to FW Running Co., and they had me run on a treadmill like 8 different times to try different kinds of shoes. It turns out that I pronate really badly when I run, so they found me some shoes that correct that. They were a bit expensive (which is why I have talked about but put off buying them for like a year now…), but they definitely help my ankles and knees a lot. They are substantially heavier than my old shoes (largely because my old shoes had no support in them whatsoever), so it is kind of an adjustment. (And just to be clear – they’re still normal shoes. They’re Saucony running shoes, not like Dr. Scholl’s orthopedic ankle support shoes or anything. I just wanted to clarify in case someone got a really skewed mental picture based on my description.) I got up and ran Monday and Wednesday, but I needed Tuesday and today to recover from actually exercising. I am excited because it’s starting to feel good to eat better and exercise. My pants already fit differently in the waist, which is fabulous. (I mean, granted, they just fit like they’re supposed to instead of being really tight and uncomfortable… but still!)
We’ve also done really well about eating at home instead of going out to eat all the time so far this year. I’ve been trying new recipes a lot, and Lance has even been eating leftovers! (Hallelujah!) I know it’s definitely easier for us to eat healthily at home, plus it saves a LOT of money, so I am pretty excited about it all the way around. I shared my enthusiasm with Lance over how much better we’re doing, and he responded, “Well, but it’s only January. It’s probably going to go downhill from here.” That little boogerface. I really want to do better all year – not just January. Anyway, we have a budget that we try really hard to stick to, but last year, we went over our out-to-eat budget by at least a little bit pretty much every month. I really want us to do better about that, so I’m excited to see some improvement in that area as well.
We’re also making progress on our trip (HOORAY!). Our plane tickets are “on hold” from the American site right now, and we are planning to book them tonight. We’re staying with our friend’s parents in Paris, so that’s taken care of, and we have already booked our hotel in Rome. It’s exciting to have the really BIG things taken care of. If you know me and my OCD tendencies, you won’t be surprised to know that I already have a journal wherein I’ve been taking notes for almost a month. I have a list of tours I want to take, monuments/museums I want to visit, restaurants I want to eat at, flights that might work for us, things to do before we leave for the trip, etc. I’ve also learned to say, “Do you speak English? Sorry, I don’t speak French.”, “Where are the toilets?”, “Will you take our picture?”, and “Check, please!” I learned some other REALLY basic phrases too, but I think those are the ones I’m most proud of.
For those of you who have been to Paris and/or Rome, what was your favorite/least favorite thing that you saw/did/visited/ate/took a picture of/thought about later/would do again/would never do again/etc.? Also, what did/would you wear/not wear again, and how much do you recommend packing? (Those are some of the most open-ended questions ever asked, but I would love to get some more direction! Then I can write it down in my journal!!)
~~~~~~~~~~
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Exodus 14:14
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
the long and short of it...
I’m hungry.
That’s the short version of the story.
Long version: Lance and I both realized at the beginning of December that we’d put on some weight that we wanted to lose, but I knew that I would just fail at that during December. We had 4 Christmas parties, 3 Christmases, constant baking and fudge-making, clients sending tasty treats to the firm, etc. With so much deliciousness, I knew I would absolutely fail at losing weight during December… so we decided to just enjoy December without worrying about it.
But now it’s January.
I started back being uber careful what I eat yesterday… and I have pretty much been hungry ever since. It just takes a few days for my stomach to adjust to this. I had been snacking like crazy—actually, “snacking” probably doesn’t even encompass what my life has been like for the last month. More like “grazing.” Yeah, probably grazing. It was a constant, slow eating… typically of chocolate. I don’t have as much to lose as I did the last time we did this (it was 15 pounds last time; this time, it’s more in the 7ish ballpark), but making the choice and the change is still pretty darn hard.
I also stopped running when it got so frigidly cold out, and I am going to start running again… but probably not this week since it will stay in the 20s for like two whole days. (PS – this weather gives me some MAJORLY strong opinions on global warming, but I will hold my tongue. Maybe. At least for today, I will hold my tongue.)
The main thing I’m trying to prepare myself for is the fact that I will probably only lose a few ounces this week… even after being starving all day. At least, that’s how it was last time we did this. After that first week, the weight started coming off fairly easily, but at our first weigh-in, I cried. Yes, cried. Pretty hard. (It did not help that I was STILL hungry, mind you.) Anyway, I’m trying to emotionally steel myself for stepping on the scale and seeing the same number I saw the last time I weighed. Even after being hungry for days on end.
I know it’s everyone’s New Year’s resolution, but I really want to get healthier. I’m not overweight at my current weight, but I can/should be less. I also want to eat healthier, drink more water, start running again… and hopefully lower my cholesterol by doing all those things. Yes, I already have high cholesterol. Not terribly high, mind you, but I want it to be lower, and it will only get harder for me to lower it as I get older. I just like feeling good, having my clothes fit well, having energy, sleeping well at night, etc. Oh, plus, I like looking good in pictures and not looking at a picture and going, “Is that my face? Why’s it so round?!”
Lofty goal(s), I know. I must be making progress though. I AM stinkin’ starving, after all. That MUST mean something…
That’s the short version of the story.
Long version: Lance and I both realized at the beginning of December that we’d put on some weight that we wanted to lose, but I knew that I would just fail at that during December. We had 4 Christmas parties, 3 Christmases, constant baking and fudge-making, clients sending tasty treats to the firm, etc. With so much deliciousness, I knew I would absolutely fail at losing weight during December… so we decided to just enjoy December without worrying about it.
But now it’s January.
I started back being uber careful what I eat yesterday… and I have pretty much been hungry ever since. It just takes a few days for my stomach to adjust to this. I had been snacking like crazy—actually, “snacking” probably doesn’t even encompass what my life has been like for the last month. More like “grazing.” Yeah, probably grazing. It was a constant, slow eating… typically of chocolate. I don’t have as much to lose as I did the last time we did this (it was 15 pounds last time; this time, it’s more in the 7ish ballpark), but making the choice and the change is still pretty darn hard.
I also stopped running when it got so frigidly cold out, and I am going to start running again… but probably not this week since it will stay in the 20s for like two whole days. (PS – this weather gives me some MAJORLY strong opinions on global warming, but I will hold my tongue. Maybe. At least for today, I will hold my tongue.)
The main thing I’m trying to prepare myself for is the fact that I will probably only lose a few ounces this week… even after being starving all day. At least, that’s how it was last time we did this. After that first week, the weight started coming off fairly easily, but at our first weigh-in, I cried. Yes, cried. Pretty hard. (It did not help that I was STILL hungry, mind you.) Anyway, I’m trying to emotionally steel myself for stepping on the scale and seeing the same number I saw the last time I weighed. Even after being hungry for days on end.
I know it’s everyone’s New Year’s resolution, but I really want to get healthier. I’m not overweight at my current weight, but I can/should be less. I also want to eat healthier, drink more water, start running again… and hopefully lower my cholesterol by doing all those things. Yes, I already have high cholesterol. Not terribly high, mind you, but I want it to be lower, and it will only get harder for me to lower it as I get older. I just like feeling good, having my clothes fit well, having energy, sleeping well at night, etc. Oh, plus, I like looking good in pictures and not looking at a picture and going, “Is that my face? Why’s it so round?!”
Lofty goal(s), I know. I must be making progress though. I AM stinkin’ starving, after all. That MUST mean something…
Monday, December 28, 2009
Oopsie daisy...
Wow… over a month. That may be the longest I’ve ever gone without blogging. Since November 25th, I have (in roughly chronological order):
-Attended the Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Day game
-Celebrated Thanksgiving with my family and Lance’s family
-Braved the Black Friday crowds to do some shopping
-Put up my Christmas tree/decorations
-Went to the firm Christmas party and won a $100 DSW gift card
-Shopped with one of my friends from work (first outside-of-work thing with a work friend)
-Helped hostess a baby shower (and held Levi while he took a sweet little nap in my arms)
-Hosted Bunko at my house
-Had dinner with a friend that I hadn’t seen in months
-Attended a junior high Christmas party
-Took a day off work to do all my Christmas shopping (and yes, dragged Lance along too)
-Went to a friend’s graduation party (for his masters)
-Made 8 batches of fudge
-Went to the Legacy staff Christmas party
-Wrapped every single gift under our tree… except for the 3 Lance wrapped on Christmas Eve (Yes, I did indeed wrap many gifts for myself.)
-Attended the Legacy Family Christmas program (while Lance went to a Cowboys game)
-Participated in Secret Santa at work
-Bought a Snuggie for my Secret Santa person (it was on her list!)
-Attended the UT/UNC basketball game at Cowboys Stadium
-Planned/hosted the young marrieds Christmas party
-Purchased a DSLR camera (waiting for it to be shipped…)
-Had a white Christmas!
-Watched It’s a Wonderful Life with Lance (it was the first time he’d ever seen it!)
-Celebrated Christmas with my family and Lance’s family
-Saw Avatar in 3D on Christmas Day
-Purchased next year’s Christmas necessities (boxes, tissue paper, wrapping paper, bowls to send fudge to Lance’s office, etc.) the day after Christmas… and let me tell you – the Christmas spirit ends at midnight on Christmas night. Walmart was full of Negative Nancies that morning!
-Played with the day-old puppies Lance’s brother’s dog had on Christmas morning
-Came down with some kind of ugly allergy/sinus/cold thing that I am not enjoying in the least
-Returned to work after a splendid 4-day weekend
I am incredibly sad that Christmas is over… but I had a wonderful holiday and am so thankful for all of my precious friends and family. I just feel like I have so many things to be thankful for! Anyway, sorry for the blogging hiatus, but it has been a very busy time! Hopefully I will do better soon…
I guess I could make it a new year’s resolution… but I always fail at those…
-Attended the Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Day game
-Celebrated Thanksgiving with my family and Lance’s family
-Braved the Black Friday crowds to do some shopping
-Put up my Christmas tree/decorations
-Went to the firm Christmas party and won a $100 DSW gift card
-Shopped with one of my friends from work (first outside-of-work thing with a work friend)
-Helped hostess a baby shower (and held Levi while he took a sweet little nap in my arms)
-Hosted Bunko at my house
-Had dinner with a friend that I hadn’t seen in months
-Attended a junior high Christmas party
-Took a day off work to do all my Christmas shopping (and yes, dragged Lance along too)
-Went to a friend’s graduation party (for his masters)
-Made 8 batches of fudge
-Went to the Legacy staff Christmas party
-Wrapped every single gift under our tree… except for the 3 Lance wrapped on Christmas Eve (Yes, I did indeed wrap many gifts for myself.)
-Attended the Legacy Family Christmas program (while Lance went to a Cowboys game)
-Participated in Secret Santa at work
-Bought a Snuggie for my Secret Santa person (it was on her list!)
-Attended the UT/UNC basketball game at Cowboys Stadium
-Planned/hosted the young marrieds Christmas party
-Purchased a DSLR camera (waiting for it to be shipped…)
-Had a white Christmas!
-Watched It’s a Wonderful Life with Lance (it was the first time he’d ever seen it!)
-Celebrated Christmas with my family and Lance’s family
-Saw Avatar in 3D on Christmas Day
-Purchased next year’s Christmas necessities (boxes, tissue paper, wrapping paper, bowls to send fudge to Lance’s office, etc.) the day after Christmas… and let me tell you – the Christmas spirit ends at midnight on Christmas night. Walmart was full of Negative Nancies that morning!
-Played with the day-old puppies Lance’s brother’s dog had on Christmas morning
-Came down with some kind of ugly allergy/sinus/cold thing that I am not enjoying in the least
-Returned to work after a splendid 4-day weekend
I am incredibly sad that Christmas is over… but I had a wonderful holiday and am so thankful for all of my precious friends and family. I just feel like I have so many things to be thankful for! Anyway, sorry for the blogging hiatus, but it has been a very busy time! Hopefully I will do better soon…
I guess I could make it a new year’s resolution… but I always fail at those…
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
the thankfulness post
Since I’m 25 and Thanksgiving is right around the corner, here are 25 of the things I am the most thankful for:
- The love of my life. I keep thinking that I couldn’t love him more if I tried… but then I end up loving him more anyway.
- My wonderful family. I’m so blessed to not only love but actually LIKE my mom, dad, and sister!
- My cozy house. I’m loving making it ours. I never seem to be done with it… but I’m enjoying the ride… and the progress.
- Our little pup. We rescued him four years ago now, and he is just a great little dog. Until we have babies, he is a great substitute baby!
- Our church family. We are so blessed to have friends of all ages (most miraculously – our own age!) at our church. It genuinely makes it feel like family.
- My now-paid-off car. It keeps the rain out (the Saturn did not) and gets great gas mileage. Everything else is just icing on the cake.
- The basics. I am thankful that I never question whether I will have anything to eat for the next meal or whether I will have a place to sleep that night or whether I could get very sick and not have access to healthcare or anyone to take care of me. As much as I complain about the costs of food and housing and healthcare, I wouldn’t trade it for the alternative.
- Our health. We have gone through seasons of poor health, and I am thankful to be healthy and strong.
- Music. There is something about music that just speaks to my soul… and nothing blesses me more than a Rich Mullins/Third Day/Casting Crowns/Mercy Me/Nicole Nordeman/Caedmon’s mix.
- My job. Although still trying to determine my trajectory in life, I am incredibly thankful for my job. I am a happier, less-stressed person because of it.
- Opportunities. I feel like the Lord is really putting me in positions where He can use me. I’m certainly a flawed instrument, but I am thankful He is using me!
- My friends. I feel so blessed to have friends that genuinely care about me. Some are college friends, and I am pretty much positive that we will be pals forever. I love that.
- The holidays. I am thrilled to have a few days off work to spend with family and doing fun holiday-ish things like I love. Plus we have like 4 or 5 different Christmas parties this year.
- Our upcoming trip. I haven’t taken a vacation in about 16 months now (it will be almost 2 years total by the time we leave), and I am looking SO forward to our trip to Europe . It gives me something to hope for and dream about.
- Chapstick. I would be absolutely miserable without it. When my lips get chapped, I purse them and stop talking. Without Chapstick, I might be mute. (Others might be thankful for that, but I would certainly not be.)
- Affection. I don’t think I would survive in a world without hugs and physical touch. It is absolutely essential to my existence.
- Other ministry families. It has been an incredible blessing to spend time with some other youth ministers/wives that understand what this crazy life is like. I am so thankful to have that network and support.
- Kids. I really love children… and most of the time, they love me back. I love that. That blesses my heart.
- Sunrises and sunsets. I think they are just incredible evidence of God’s creativity. Every one is unique.
- A happy marriage. (I know this seems tied to #1, but bear with me.) Lately, I have been saddened to realize how many marriages include putting each other down and treating each other badly… even in public. Lance and I are not perfect, but we are happy… and we try to reflect that in the ways we talk to each other and about each other. I am thankful for that.
- Acts of service. I love the opportunities that arise even in small acts of service. For example, last week, I took dinner to some friends that just had a baby. I ended up talking to them for almost an hour… and I put that sweet baby to sleep in my arms about 10 minutes into the visit and just snuggled her for the rest of the time. I went to bless them but ended up being blessed myself!
- Modern conveniences. I am so thankful to have a nice washer and dryer and microwave and cell phone and computer and DVR (oh, I love DVR!) and a Scentsy pot and a dishwasher… my life would be even more complicated without the little things I sometimes take for granted. (Okay, my life would not be any more complicated without a Scentsy pot, but it is a nice addition anyway.)
- Maturity. In no way am I through growing, but I am thankful that I can see progress in myself. It lets me know that all of the things I experience really are shaping me.
- Others’ sacrifices. I’m thankful that soldiers have given their lives to protect me and shield my freedoms. I’m thankful that my parents sacrificed to put me through Christian school and through a private college. I absolutely would not be where I am today (or who I am today) if others had not paved the way for me to be here.
- A lot of things about God:
- His faithfulness.
- The way He listens to my prayers and answers them specifically.
- His sense of humor.
- The way He pursues and romances me. His grace.
- The way that He knows me intimately and desires for me to know Him intimately.
- His Son.
- The way He speaks to me.
- His love.
- The fact that He gave us the Bible (and the fact that I have access to it).
- His justice.
- The freedom we have in His Spirit.
- The fact that the Spirit intercedes (I know the Spirit has had to intercede for me a LOT).
- There’s more. I am thankful that there is even more than THAT to be thankful for about God!
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