never give up. choose joy.

Many thanks to my brother Joel for this picture that he took from a recent trip to Ireland.

Looks like life, doesn't it?

Too many things to do, too many places to go, directions, decisions, lists, expectations, dreams, and the day to day wrapped into one spot, one moment in time. Often it's little things - the black shirt or the blue shirt. Peanut Butter and Jelly or Mac and Cheese for lunch. Brewed coffee or a quick trip to Starbucks. And other times, huge decisions - where to send the kids to school, if you move, or go back to work. But honestly, often, everyday can feel like that picture above. Too much on the plate - all leading to sometimes almost doing nothing. But often? Often everyday, the ins and outs, and normal things can leave you sitting there not knowing what to do next.

There's laundry, dishes, cleaning, reading to the kids, driving them to classes, your time, your work, your dreams, homework, phone calls, emails, facebook status, blocks to pick up, cars to clean out, food to prep, fights to stop, kids who whine, bills to pay, relationships to deal with, expectations, and just way too much to do. Especially this week - this week of Thanksgiving here in America - I see it - when I'm at Target or Costco or driving about. Busy, busy, busy, busy.

All of that busy can rob of joy and can leave behind anxiousness.

Do one thing.

I know, I've written that to you before, but I'm writing it to you again this morning. There are certain reminders that we all need, and I need it as well, and today? Today it is to choose. Do one thing. Then do the next thing. And the next. And the next. Make a decision. Stick with it. Don't give up. Keep going.

This picture? On my fridge. I look at it every single day.

Put on your list, as the first thing, the idea of living choosing joy. When you adopt that strategy then every other item that is on your to-do list will go through the filter of joy. So when you're shopping and everyone is crabby and you're starting to get crabby and the cashier ahead of you is dealing with people who are less than patient you can choose to be joy to that person. Greet them, thank them, and be real.

It's the same with your family. Kids make messes. Kids test. Kids fight. Kids aren't perfect. Choose joy. Joy doesn't mean that you're faux happy - that's not real. Joy doesn't mean plastering a smile on your face when inside that's the last thing you feel. Honestly? Joy, to me, is living real. It's living awake, aware, and allowing one to be willing to allow the little moments, the little things, in life bless you. It makes those things, those times of simpleness, absolutely beautiful. I love you's from your two year old, sunrise, warm socks, a note from a friend from years ago, the sun streaming in through the curtains, holding hands, hot coffee, finished laundry, drawings taped to the wall - little gifts, joy, tucked into every single day. Life will simply keep moving and the little things will just pass by - look for them - practice gratitude.

Do your one thing, do it well, don't give up, and choose joy.

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Images and original content are sole property of Rachel Martin and may not be used, copied or transmitted without prior written consent.

four simple ways to teach kids gratitude

Gratitude is something that I believe needs to be taught. I think, by nature, we often see the things that need to change, be fixed, we don't have, and often looking for the good things, the thankful times, the moments of joy goes by without notice. As parents, we are entrusted with a special gift - the opportunity to teach our children to look for good in the midst of challenge and to live with a heart that is thankful and grateful.

Here are 4 Simple Ways to Teach Kids Gratitude.

1. It starts with You. They watch us. They watch all of our moves, whether we grumble, complain, and never seem happy. One time one of my little ones came up to me and asked why I wasn't a happy mom. Those words stung - and got me thinking. I didn't want them to see me living a life that was void of joy even though it was challenging. In fact, a great deal of my life has been full of challenges - finances, health, relationships - and yet, at some point I realized that my life would either be a life of bitterness or joy. There really isn't much space in between. So watch yourself. Be real, but also make sure that your children observe you being grateful. It is very profound when an attitude is switched in the home - instead of grumbling about what's not right instead thanking for all one does have. Children are perceptive and pick up on the slightest shift in attitude. Choose to be grateful.

2. Practice Gratitude. Make this part of your family's structure. Begin working in times throughout the week when family members express things they are thankful for. At bedtime, when I tuck my sweet little boys in bed, often I will ask them to tell me about the best part of their day. That simple question gets one thinking and looking for the good. Now, I'm not saying to dismiss the hard stuff - we all have it and our kids do as well. In fact, the last thing that kids need is for us to ignore or minimize the intensity of whatever they are going through. Acknowledge those moments, those fears, and those worries. Always. This is more about practicing gratitude in your home. Simply make it part of your daily routine. Gratitude - it's contagious.

3. Live a Glass Half Full Life. I'm serious. Start believing that you are this way. Optimism goes a long way. A dear friend of mine, Amy, once told me that we are not to be the thermometer in our home but are rather to be the thermostat. (thank you Amy - she's the one who makes those beautiful Legacy Bracelets). When we're the thermometer we simply reflect the mood of the home. If there's grumbling, discontent, anxiety, we're just a part of it. If we are the thermostat then we regulate the mood even with all of that is going on. That's hard. I know. But, think about us living with a Glass Half Full mentality the difference it can make in your own life, your children's lives, and the lives of others. Life can be hard. We need moments, we need people, who choose to smile versus scowl and those who embrace the right now and love others unconditionally.

4. Give Back. Don't make life all about self and the accumulation of goods. A couple years ago I was getting ready to have a garage sale and my daughter Grace asked me why I don't just give the stuff to people that need it. It got me thinking. How often do I cling to things for myself or forget to give of time to others? Teach your children to give back. Grab a roll of quarters from the bank during the holidays so that you can give a quarter of two to your child to put in the Salvation Army kettle each time you go to the store. Let them volunteer. Donate. Adopt a Compassion International child. Fill a shoebox. Encourage them to help their siblings. Shovel for your neighbors. Give without expecting anything in return. That is a gift.

Four Tips to Teach Gratitude. Simple, but life changing ways to cultivate a grateful heart in a world that needs more people to step back and simply breathe thanks and joy.

Here are some posts of mine directed at teaching thankfulness.
The Gratitude Choice - Looking for Joy
2 Minute Gratitude Challenge
10 Days of Intentional Parenting Day 2 Project
8 Reasons to Embrace Living an Intentional Life

What are ways you teach gratitude? 

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Images and original content are sole property of Rachel Martin and may not be used, copied or transmitted without prior written consent.

my crazy afternoon

in bullet points.

• snow finally falls, kids go out to shovel.
• Samuel naps, I make myself a smoothie.
• kids come in, tracking snow all over entry.
• samuel wakes up having an allergic reaction to who knows what.
• I peek at him, and he has some hives and his eyes are swollen.
• I  look at the benadryl -- it says if under 6 contact doctor.
• I contact his pediatrician, and I'm told to give him 5ml and come in.
• I cancel my physical therapy {I've only got 2 left}.
• Samuel and I go to clinic.
• Samuel falls asleep in the car thanks to the Benadryl.
• Doctor checks him over, tells me to continue giving Benadryl as needed.
• the facial puffiness is significantly less, red rim eyes still there.
• We're to start Samuel on Claritin.
• We're to get labs drawn in the next couple days for environmental allergies and to check his ferritin and vitamin d.
• Me, in a genius moment {ha}, decides I'll just quick run to Childrens now and get them done.
• I call Children's lab to verify that they're open on a Friday night.
• I thought it was smart as I was half way to Childrens already.
• I was wrong.
• Traffic going into Minneapolis was horrible.
• Thankfully Samuel loved looking at the lights.
• And going through the very cool tunnel. More mama, he told me.
• Get to Childrens, park, and find the out-patient lab closed.
• Luckily a kind worker led us through the tunnels to the 24 hour lab.
• Samuel gets his lab work done.
• And, lol, some Skittles at the pharmacy.
• Skittles are gluten free.
• We begin the long drive home and decide to pick up Grace at ballet.
• We're hungry.
• We stop at Target to buy Claritin, Clementines, and a salad.
• Samuel looks at the toys.
• We pay, and go out to the car.
• The car won't start.
• I try again. It won't start.
• I kick the car {yep, I really did}.
• Won't start.
• Try to call my family. No one is answering.
• Finally, after many many calls, an answer.
• It was cold outside so Samuel and I were back in Target.
• This was perhaps one of the only times where I didn't really want to go to Target.
• We sit in the Food Court. 
• Samuel decides he wants to sit on a chair by himself.
• I sit by him, waiting for my hubby to rescue us. 
• And Grace who is waiting at ballet one mile away.
• He comes. 
• I'm still cold.
• Thankfully both slots by the car are empty.
• I turn the Suburban around and we jump the car.
• Starts.
• We go home.
• I'm still cold.
• And exhausted.
• But, in the midst of all of it, I told myself to be grateful.

Grateful for - a car that did start eventually, that Samuel's allergic reaction was under control, that the pharmacy had Skittles, for the tech that led us through the hospital tunnels, a very easy lab draw, Samuel in his penguin hat {which I need to get a picture of because it's so cute}, that the car started in the hospital parking lot {so grateful for that}, the moments laughing at Target with Samuel while we walked by the toys, big blankets to wrap oneself in once I got home, my D'Amico and Son's salad that I purchased at Target, Benadryl, a pediatrician that really really really listens and cares, kids that shoveled my driveway, a very clean home thanks to my olders who cleaned while I was gone, Gracie being brave while she waited at ballet, good friends to listen to while I drove all over the cities, that it really wasn't all bad just crazy, and...

And that today,

today is a new day. 

waking up. the real grateful.

We were at Costco. It was bustling with holiday shoppers -- pushing carts, seeking the deals, moving around freely -- and I was watching them. Aware of how freely they moved their arms. Picking up their kids, grabbing boxes of oranges, paying at the register. I was so aware of how easily their arms moved and was so painfully aware of how mine hurt.

I couldn't even push the cart.

I wandered around telling Todd to grab those honeycrisp apples, and the gluten free granola, or the 3 dozen eggs. I'd stand by the cart waiting for him to return because I couldn't budge it. And in that place of humbling I became aware.

Aware that I took for granted that left arm of mine.

And in that awareness came a brief moment of the real waking up. Of understanding the real grateful. We live in a world that pushes things -- things that will make us happy, things that will make life ideal, things that determine success -- and yet, really, it's not those things that truly matter. It's our lives, our friends, our family. Our hearts. Our time.  I had forgotten -- just as I wasn't aware how much I valued that arm until I could no longer use it.

And that got me thinking as I wandered those crowded rows of Costco -- I started wondering who else in that store was looking around at those around them thinking about their own losses. Fears. Shortcomings. I wondered about the couple hoping for a baby. The parents counting pennies. The spouse whose spouse was just diagnosed with cancer. The elderly man who just lost his wife.  And so on and on and on.  It's easy to do the holidays when everything goes well. But, when there are losses and challenges the simple act of being out among others can tire. The facade of worldly  happiness has the potential to chip away at our own authentic joy.

I knew I was not alone.

I wanted to start to see others as kindred souls, and to complain less about my temporary loss --  instead to live grateful for this moment. This time with my husband and Samuel. Grateful for the gluten free food choices and for Samuel's health -- especially considering a year ago he was failing. Grateful for the resources to purchase what we needed today. Grateful for my family. Grateful for those around me. Grateful that I have that left arm even though it's working slow.

That means waking up.

Looking less at myself and my losses and my trials and more at what is good. It means being willing to fully live while things aren't perfect.  And in that fully living it means feeling the loss so that I can feel, can see, the good.

The real authentic grateful.

That's how I want to live.

little things to be grateful for

I'm writing this sitting in the Orthopedic Surgery Center waiting room. People are trying to be occupied, but you can sense that most of it is that false pretending kind of busy. The musak is playing songs from the seventies and eighties -- right now it's Send in the Clowns -- creating this strange mood in a room that is already underline tense. I keep glancing up at the flat screen tv waiting for Hannah's chart to flip to "in recovery." As I sit here it gives me some time to ponder things, because well, you know, that's just me and my heart. I'm determined to look around this room and be grateful.

For the coffee sitting next to me.
The free wi-fi at the orthopedic center.
Beds that recline when one's daughter gets light-headed from an iv.
Gluten free options at the deli.
Moms that are available and waiting to talk on the phone.
Friends that facebook "praying" to me.
Silly musak that preoccupies my mind while I write.
Comfortable chairs.
Surgeons.
Surgeons who care for their patients.
Moments to laugh with my daughter prior to surgery.
Nurses that care. Deeply.
Beautiful windows to stare out of.

You see, in the everyday, we should do that. We could take a moment, take a break, a breath, and look around and begin to see the great and beautiful things in the everyday. Maybe it's for the clean counters, or your coffee brewing in a pot, or the sweet four year old who wants to sit on your lap. Those are all moments that are gifts in our busy lives.

So as I sit here waiting to see my daughter, my daughter who I love dearly, who I shed a tear for as I left the room, I am grateful. I am blessed to be a mom, and am so blessed that I was the one who could be here, at the Orthopedic Surgery Center, for my daughter.

Life is a gift.

I know it sounds cliche, but life really is a gift. And more often than not it is not the huge events that make life great, but rather those little moments, the little things, that fill our lives with gratitude.

So do it. Grab a piece of paper, or a blogger screen, or a crayon and record the little things you are grateful for in life right now. You'll be grateful you did.

*** update 11/17 ***

First, thank you for your prayers. I am very grateful. Hannah is doing as well as expected. It took her a bit to wake from the surgery so we were there until 5pm. She's in quite a bit of pain right now as the nerve block has worn off. So I keep praying for her to sleep. Yesterday, the surgeon found that she had in fact broken off the piece of bone on the back of her ankle that she needed to have removed. He said that it was so good that we did the surgery so fast as he wasn't sure how she was walking -- having that bone loose causes a great deal of pain and can do damage.

I am so grateful for the quickness with which this all happened -- such a gift from the Lord and an answer to prayers. We had no idea the bone was already broken since xrays and mris are still and wouldn't have shown this to the surgeon.  God is good. In all things. Please pray for her today. Thank you.

keep up your courage.

I'm going to Relevant11.

This all came together so fast -- it was through the generosity of others and the prayers of many. But, I'm going. And honestly, truth is -- I'm a bit scared. Last night I went to bed {after this all got put together} and sobbed and sobbed and sobbed. I'm not even sure where the tears originated, but they kept on coming.

This is out of my comfort zone. I know I've written about it before, but I keep hearing the words keep up your courage from the book The Courage of Sarah Noble run through my head. If she can do it, that ten year old girl, then certainly I can push myself and be bold.

Truth is -- I know I'm to go. I know that the Lord needs to stretch some things in me, and that there are some things that I need to let go of. I've been holding onto these hurts and sadness for so long -- celiac disease, financial issues, health -- and all they've done is fester. I knew it last night when I went to bed. It was fear, but it was also acknowledgement of the need to surrender to God. To not cling so tightly to my earthly agenda and to begin to once again live in stronger faith and trust. To step out of the boat, not look back, and live courageously.

Keep up your courage.

I keep telling myself that -- as I think about switching planes {twice} to get there. Or arriving late {it was the only flight that I could afford and the only times that would work for our family.} Or walking into that room feeling vulnerable. It's of letting go of my selfish part  -- the part of me that would love to get some new nice things to wear, or have extra cash to spend, or come all polished and put-together. But, I can't. And I know I'm to just come. As I am. Just me.

So today, I have a very grateful and thankful heart mixed with a very nervous  and overwhelmed and blessed and excited and hopeful heart.

Keep up your courage.

an atypical fall.

1} We haven't had much of your traditional fall -- no cool temps, few blustery days, and no spotty rain showers. No, instead it's been a very dry September and October {we turned on the sprinklers because the lawn was so crunchy} full of unseasonably warm temperatures. The fall colors? They've been okay -- not as vibrant as years past -- but still beautiful.

2} Since it's been so warm we've had popsicles. Outside. These popsicles? Todd called them the Sharpie Permanent Ink brand of popsicles. I don't know what it was about them, but they stained the kids lips, clothes, and hands terribly.

3} We had those stain your face popsicles at my parents house on Saturday. After the boys soccer practice we made the short drive there and spent the afternoon picking apples, prepping apples, making sauce, and homemade cider. And see that pic below? Taken with my cell phone. I was pretty impressed.

4} Normally, when we process apples we're freezing. We'll huddle in the garage sipping coffee and taking breaks inside. This time? It was over 80degrees and we all had shorts on -- so cleaning up became easy with a hose and driveway. That part was awesome. Who doesn't like easy clean up?

5} My dad made his own cider press. The apples that we prepped were run through the press and gallons of homemade cider were processed. This is not your store bought cider -- we are pretty spoiled to have a freezer full of this homemade goodness lasting us through winter. If you'd like to see more pictures of our cider making day, Hannah has a beautiful post written about it on her blog Aspire.

6}Along with the cider making came a collection of yellow jackets that decided it was cool to hang out by the sticky apples. And, of course, that means of everybody there only I get stung. Any remedies for a still swollen site? {I'm sparing you a picture of that arm of mine...}


7} I've got a harverster type question for you -- what do you do with lavender? I've got two beautiful mounds of it in my yard. Do I cut it down and then dry it? Tell me what you've done with that lovely plant.

8} Now, today, Monday. I'm going to embrace the day and live fully. I've got a very full week -- homeschool classes, teaching, ballet, and some fun blogging things coming on -- including some great giveaways later this week.  I have to keep reminding myself that it's a blessing to be busy. I think when we start to lose that perspective it becomes easy to grumble about all that needs to be done -- and that just slows one down.

I've got a thankful heart.

I'm linking with my sweet friend Carissa today. 

see this sweet guy?

He's Caleb.

And he's independent.

And this morning -- I almost forgot to see the good, the strong, the independence.

Instead I saw what I thought was wrong.

We were in those last minutes before church. You know those minutes -- crazy times -- running around looking for that lone lost shoe, and rushing kids up to the bathroom {even though they'll ask to leave during the sermon}, and quick bites to eat.  Caleb was hungry so he decided to get himself a bowl of cereal. With sugar.

All I saw was spilled sugar.

I almost blurted out some annoyed words about the trail of sugar between the cereal bowl and the sugar bowl. But, for some reason I saw that face and had a moment of pause.

I was only seeing what I deemed a mistake, not the independence. The good. The growing up.

Why was that 1/4 teaspoon of sugar all I saw? Why did that become the important?

For that split second when I realized the truth my heart stung. I realized that instead of praising him I was so close to getting after him. He wasn't being careless -- he's five -- he was trying to help. Be independent.

So instead I told him great job, and that he's such a helper, and how proud of him I was.

Next thing I know, without me even asking or mentioning it, he went and got a paper towel and cleaned up the sugar {and yes, most of it's on the floor}. He sat down, looked at me, and smiled. A proud "I did it" type of smile.

Thank goodness that we as mothers get those moments of clarity.

I just need it more often.

****

When have you had that moment of sweet clarity?

get out the steel wool -- it's 59 degrees

{photo - hannah nicole}

That's what we woke up to this morning.  Inside our home.  Outside? It was a balmy -6degrees making the 59 feel like a faux heatwave. Yet, judging from the little ones wrapped in blankets and wandering around complaining about the cold, you'd know we weren't very comfortable.

The furnace wasn't working. 

And we were cold.

Immediately I began praying.  We didn't have the budget room to fix the furnace -- life was complicated and busy -- and we were cold.

57 degrees.

It was dropping.  The windows were starting to get ice on them.  I ran into the garage and found a space heater from my hubby's days in construction.  My little blanket wrapped babes gathered around the heater as if it were a glorious roaring fire from days long past.

We worked quickly downstairs in our utility room. Phone calls made. More prayers. More distracting myself trying to get all those loads of laundry folded in case a repair man came -- even though I was praying so hard that one wouldn't come. Socks, and t-shirts, jeans, and sweaters. The piles became higher as my worry tried to creep in.

55 degrees.

Now it almost seemed imminent - a repair man would need to be called. We called a friend -- who owned a hvac company -- and he told us to clean a sensor.  Fear crept in as I saw the bolts being unscrewed. Panel after panel coming down each with bold warnings about not messing around with the furnace. I heard the electric screwdriver whizzing and felt my heart racing.

I needed faith.  I needed to trust that my husband would be safe. Out came the steel wool.  Scrub, scrape, scrub.  More prayers. And we'd wait. Again. And again. We'd start it up, and hear it stop. More scrubbing and scraping.  More prayers from me as the piles of folded laundry grew higher.

Then we heard it. The furnace kicked in. And stayed on.

62 degrees.

The temp was going up. The little ones huddled around the once-intriguing and warming space heater gradually dispersed throughout the home. Life began to regain its normal rhythm.

I had forgotten to be grateful for heat.

It wasn't till it was gone that I realized just how thankful I am for that two inch sensor plate in our furnace.  It didn't look that dirty -- it just looked like a layer of white dust was resting on it. Yet, it took minutes and minutes of firm scrubbing and scraping to remove the film that triggered our furnace to shut off.

Isn't that like life? We get so wrapped up in our agendas and start operating out of ourselves that we forget to clean our sensor plates -- instead of resting and relying on God.  It becomes this time of self - until we burn out. And then we remember.

68 degrees.

The sun is pouring in -- the house is warm.  The boys are running around without shirts pretending to be on an expedition.  The windows are clear, and the laundry that was folded out of desperation is all put away.  But, I don't forget. It could be so different now - we could have had to pay hundreds of dollars. Our house could still be cold. In the end we just needed to take care of that sensor.

Just like my heart.

Thanks, Lord, for reminding me to look at my heart and pulling out the steel wool -- the truth in you -- to clean and scrape it and remove the grime so that it could be buffed clean of earthly lies and once again focused on you.

Warm.

i am going to give thanks. no matter what.

Samuel on Tuesday morning at Childrens

I could spend quite some time writing about my worries right now, and stresses, and fears.  I really could.  But, as I was driving from ballet to Trader Joes (again) the song - Here I am to Worship - came on the radio.  And I realized that even though I have that ginormous list of hard things that there are even more good and beautiful things in my life.  And that I was to worship in the midst of a storm.

With a heart that aches, I can still praise. Give thanks.

So here's my list of all the amazing things that I can praise and give thanks for this last week.  There was so much good interwoven with the hard -- beauty that needs to be shared.

::  Samuel.  Thank you for Samuel.

::  Amy. Thank you to my friend Amy for praying for Samuel. For sitting next to me. Listening.

::  Amy's father in law -- a pediatrician.  Thank you for caring, listening, and loving Sam.

::  Amy's pediatrician, who is now Samuel's pediatrician.  Thank you for telling me to go the hospital right away.

::  My nurses in the ER - Steph and Bonnie.  Thank you for believing and fighting for Samuel.

::  Dr. Rhodes - for listening to me, admitting Samuel, and truly caring.

::  Dr. Aru - the GI Doc.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.

::  Thank you for labs. Blood work. Medicine. How I forget to thank for these things.

::  Thank you to the lab techs who analyzed Samuel's blood.

::  Thank you for all the toys donated to the 7th Floor Children's Hospital Toy Room

::  Thank you for the volunteers who clean those toys.

::  Thank you to the Surgery Nurses, the Anesthesia Team and the volunteers.

::  Thank you to the doctor who smiled at me as they put me in scrubs in the surgery center. I needed his encouraging look.

::  Thank you to the anesthesia nurse, Beth, for caring for Samuel. Thank you for your hug.

::  Thank you to the receptionist at the Surgery Center for playing Christian Music.  And for your smile and laughter in such a hard place.

::  Thank you for my friends. For the calls, and the emails, and the gifts.

::  Thank you for my tulips from my friend Lori.  They make me smile.

::  Thank you to my blogging friends.  Every SINGLE comment has meant the world to me.

::  Thank you even more for the PRAYERS. I am humbled.

::  Thank you to blogger for providing this platform.

::  Thank you for writing.

::  Thank you to the countless people who have emailed with advice and encouragement.

::  Thank you that the hospital served Starbucks coffee.

::  Thank you to my husband for encouraging me to go to the hospital.  For managing the home with sick children. For providing for me. For letting me cry.

::  Thank you to my other children -- Hannah, Chloe, Grace, Brennan, Caleb and Elijah for loving Samuel so much and for having patience as we transition our lives.

::  Thank you, Elijah, for guarding your wheat toast in the morning.  Thanks for building the barricade and sounding your own sweet alarm when Sammy got close.

::  Thank you for vehicles that started in -21 degree temperature.

::  Thank you for facebook.

::  Thank you for peace even in the midst of worry.

::  Thank you for Trader Joes. For the employees who listen and really help.  Who care.

::  Thank you for after hour care calls.

::  Thank you for the resources to buy new food, a new toaster, and new dishes for Samuel.

::  Thank you for all the manufacturers who make gluten free products.

::  Thank you for making gluten free food taste amazing.

::  Thank you to the Mayo Clinic lab techs who are right now examining Samuel's biopsy.

::  Thank you for the ability to cope even with little sleep.

::  Thank you for hope even when my heart is heavy.

::  Thank you for joy even when there is sadness.

:: Thank you for the happiness it brings to watch Samuel eat.

:: Thank you for Larabars, and marsala lentil dip, and veggie chips and blueberries.

:: Thank you for Celiac support groups.

::  Thank you for dvr.

:: Thank you for insurance.

:: Thank you for my amazing parents.  Supportive, caring and fighters.

:: Thank you, Jesus, for being my strength.  Even when I had none.

:: Thank you for Philippians 4:12-13.

:: Thank you for always being true Jesus.

:: Thank you for wanting the children to come to you.

:: Thank you for creating Samuel, for caring for him, and loving him.

:: Thank you, Jesus.  I am blessed.

Blessed be your name.

late night reminders

blurry

On December 24 I drove to Walmart at 12:05 am.  In the midst of a heavy snow-storm on unplowed roads. I made that late night trek because I had realized I was short a couple presents for my boys -- and since we celebrate Christmas with our kids on Christmas Eve morning that was the only solution that Todd and I could think of.  It was interesting -- as I was reminded to stop looking at my own life and take a moment to see someone elses.

Here's why.

~As I was driving in 4 inches of unplowed snow I came up to a minivan struggling to get up the back-country roads.  I had noticed that cars were getting frustrated at this vehicle and would race around it irritated.  I came up, slowed down, and followed this van for the next 5 miles.  When it needed room, I made room.  When cars passed I slowed down so this van would have space.  As I was driving, with only the headlights illuminating heavily falling snow, I knew I was to be patient. To serve in a way that seemed so simple.

When the van finally turned right where I needed to go straight the driver waved, with a gloved hand out the window, thanks. I wonder if that was why I needed to go out.

Who was that man? Why was he driving through the snow? I wondered.

~When I was at Walmart -- by this time it was 12:30 -- I noticed all these people wandering around, checking prices, shopping, and looking downcast.  Really.  It was this energy in the store.  I had never felt it before, and I began to think about the reasons why so many people filled the aisles on Christmas Eve morning.

When I went to pay, I pulled out change for the 2 Toy Story 3 puzzles, a couple of  Lego sets, and a checkers game.  As I was fumbling for 65cents a couple of guys behind me loudly stated -- maybe next time I should just come here and pay with a bag of pennies.  I ignored them.  My cashier looked mortified.  She mumbled an apology, and a -- merry Christmas -- and then sadly turned back to deal with those guys.

Who was she?  Why was she working in the middle of the night at Walmart?

I thought about her the entire time I drove home.  I thought about how I needed to be reminded to remember others in the midst of the holidays.  Here I was just hours before frustrated that I had to leave my warm home to buy a couple more presents to add to the already wrapped stash under our tree.  How quickly I was humbled -- how blessed I was to add extra gifts -- and just as quickly my frustration turned to thankfulness.

~So I said a prayer for that cashier.  And those impatient guys.  And the mom with the 3 kids wandering around at 12:47 am.  And the lone man in the green minivan with the bad tires.

It was a reminder to me that Christmas really isn't about all that stuff.  All that stuff that so quickly irritates us as we have to find new homes for it.  Christmas is about Jesus -- His birth.  And in remembering that it brings eyes to see others. My vision was blurry.  All I could see when I left my house was my own needs. I was selfish. I wish that I could always have my eyes open.  I wish that I could do more. Give more. Not just look at me.  When I arrived back home at 1:16 am  I could only be grateful as I wrapped those new Walmart gifts.

And remember those I met on my snowy trip to Walmart on Christmas Eve. 

clear
(thanks to my daughter, Hannah from Aspire, for both of these pictures)

some of my rules

:: write down what your children say

:: if you don't write it down, then at least facebook it

:: snow days must become family days

:: there is never too much hot chocolate - or coffee

:: date verses in your Bible that you underline

:: Christmas music must include the music from Charlie Brown's Christmas

:: when you have a toddler expect that the bottom of the tree will get rearranged

:: snow boots, gloves, hats, and scarfs have the uncanny ability to multiply exponentially

:: snow gloves also have the ability to lose their match in the multiplication process

:: never make cookies too early -- you'll have to make them again because you ate them all

:: always let your kids end the hug -- they last longer

:: get to know the names of your coffee baristas

:: sometimes you just need to be silly with your kids

:: take time to serve and help others

:: build snow forts with your kids

:: thank the Salvation Army bell ringers

:: become a bell ringer

:: always water your live Christmas tree but don't leave the watering container by the tree

:: write a note in the front of some books that you give your children

:: link up with  my cookie recipe exchange



:: it's okay to use Ball canning jars as your glasses

:: purchase your Christmas wrapping paper AFTER Christmas

:: let your kids use the empty wrapping paper tubes as swords

:: remember where you put the Christmas wrapping paper in January

:: make up stories for your children

:: save your calendars as journals of your life

:: do not grocery shop while hungry or when you are in a rush

:: remember to bring in the 24 pack of water bottles in the winter

:: if you don't -- don't drop them or they'll explode

:: tell your kids or your spouse that you love them

:: sometimes you need to count to ten. or twenty. or thirty

:: coffee helps

:: pray prayers of thanks 

:: try to rest and enjoy these days before Christmas

:: breathe

:: and rejoice.

****************

there is a time to be thankful

5 years

Five years ago I was sitting, right now, in the Methodist Hospital Surgery Prep Waiting room with my husband.
Five years ago I had no idea what the future would bring -- all I could hear were the words, "I am truly sorry, but your husband has cancer."
Five years ago left felt so finite. Choking. I couldn't see beyond the day.

Here I am five years later.
Look at the beauty and thanks that can be said for these five years.

I am thankful for:

remission
two cancer scares both turning out to be benign
two new amazing sons - Elijah and Samuel - who the doctors told us would never be
the most supportive and loving family ever - thank you to our parents - thank you
our beautiful family - Hannah, Chloe, Grace, Brennan, Caleb, Elijah and Samuel.  We are stronger now.
our church family
great friends
five vacations to the lake -- we are blessed
the ability to mourn, to speak about trials.
sunrises and sunsets
blogging friends
faithfulness
our home
excellent neighbors -- who are now friends
five Christmases
five birthdays
ballet opportunities for my girls (and, yes, they did great)
healing for my heart
laughter
blackberries
green grass in the summer and snow in the winter
dinners around the table
coffee
trips to Duluth
family game nights
much more than I could ever list.
a faithful and healthy husband.

God has blessed me in these five years -- I see it -- and I remember.

There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under the heavens.

(Ecclesiastes 3)

such a sweet and smiley day

1) You know it's Christmas time when breakfast consists of the words, "just grab a couple cookies from the garage."  Why, garage?  Well-- we've got a deep freezer out there that works great as a storage table for keeping Christmas cookies cold.  Remember.  I live in Minnesota.  Land of lots of lakes. And snow. And, now, freezing temps.

a small sampling of my cookie tins. And Payday.

2) Speaking of snow -- we had our 3rd snowstorm within 4weeks.  Let me tell you -- this one was crazy.  Remember in the Little House Books -- The Long Winter -- where they had a rope between the barn and the house?  Now I know why.  There were certain points where I couldn't see my neighbor's house behind me because the wind was whipping the snow around like crazy.

3) So I stayed indoors and baked.

4) Always wear an apron when baking cookies.  I learned that lesson years ago.

yes, I'm using a tea bag holder to cut those cookies.  It's the perfect size.

5) The more variety of Christmas cookies the better.  Several years ago I started writing all the cookies we make on the chalkboard in our kitchen.  The tradition stuck.  And, by the way, this list is incomplete.  We've added some more. Brownie, Bark, Jam filled and more...

our chalkboard sans math problems

6) These are the Cherry Chocolate Kisses. Or #4 on the list.  My sweet and beautiful chef Chloe made me these.  By the way, those cookies were my breakfast this morning.  hee hee hee

cherry chocolate kisses

7) We have to frost several varieties yet.  I also have some to make.  However, today, I am incredibly burnt out from making cookies.  Get it?  Burnt out.  Okay -- I thought it was funny.

8) Hannah documented our entire cookie making day.  We'd have to redo things, move to better lighting, smile incredibly, look like we were having fun -- that was easy, add food coloring at specific times, and more.  I am so grateful to have a daughter who loves photography and who's documenting our lives beautifully.

any guesses to the type of cookie?  

and ignore my messy counter -- we were making cookies.

9) This weekend Hannah's camera broke.

10) I am so upset about this -- she's been saving for a DSLR for quite a while.  She's given some of her money for different things for the family, thus making her ability to get her camera longer.  And yet, she holds her head high and waits.  And now her camera broke?  My momma's heart broke along with it.

my beauty -- Hannah

11) Read her post here.  You'll be blessed. And offer her an encouraging word.  Please.

Okay.  Now, I must know if you make cookies.  And, if you do, what is your absolute fave?   Cause, you know, I'll be baking within a couple days....

Link up with my sweet friend, Carissa, with your own miscellany.  (I had to use the word sweet -- after all this was about making cookies....)

the domino effect

It's one of those days.

Last night, my Chloe felt awful before bed.  Gracie was already sick.

This morning my family fell like dominoes -- Hannah, Brennan, Caleb, Elijah, Chloe, Samuel, and myself.  We're coughing like there is no tomorrow.  The only one that feels okay, be it slightly?  Grace and my husband, Todd.

Sigh.

This is one of the reasons I don't like winter.  But, I'm not going to grumble anymore.  Nope.  Instead I'm going to list some beautiful benefits of dealing with a sick family.  Not that I ever want them sick, mind you, but if I looked only at everyone being sick, and feeling sick myself, I would end up in overwhelm.

So therefore, I give you some silver lining moments from this bout of illness.
 Twenty reasons to be exact. :)

1) I get many more hugs.
2) I get many more "I love you, Mom's"
3) There isn't any racing around our main level.
4) The fighting level drops drastically.
5) Many books get read.  (and yes, more television viewing...I've got to be real, right?)
6) I get a nap. Maybe.
7) It is not a vomit sickness.
8) It is not a vomit sickness.  (I had to type that twice.  I am SO grateful to have dodged that bullet)
9) My house stays clean.
10) We all realize how much we love each other.
11) We all realize how great it is to feel well.
12) I get to blog at 8:30 in the morning versus 5:30 in the morning or 11 pm at night.
13) Now, I get to go down in my family room, snuggle under a blanket with Eli and watch Curious George.
14) We learn about science when we discuss the benefits of a fever.
15) I finally can use the massive amount of Kleenex tissues that I bought at Costco
16) It is not vomit sickness.  I know, I know, I know.  Just had to mention it one more time.
17) The amount of running around I do in the Suburban will drop down to nothing.
18) We'll save gas money.  And food money -- since we're only eating chicken noodle soup
19) It only seems to last several days and Samuel's has NOT developed into croup.
20) Hopefully tomorrow we'll feel better - then I'll write a new list -- a list of health!

extra snuggle time

Do you have any "getting through the sick time tips" to share?  If so, please do.  I'd love to know.  Feel free to list your silver lining moments as well.  So often it's perspective, isn't it?

Blessings and health on your day!