Quick, before I get Sidetrack'd

So much for posting something every day! Believe it or not, I’ve actually had something to post each day and failed to take time to write. And I actually started this post on Friday, and here we are at Tuesday. So, here’s a catch up list.

Day 9 – I am thankful for the ability to buy food for our family and the resources to feed our family the way we believe we should.

Day 10 – I am thankful for beautiful weather in November and a fun morning with Aunt Lu and her gang

Day 11 – I am thankful for our church and the ability to worship God freely.

Day 12 – I am thankful for the men and women who have and currently are serving in our armed forces. Especially my favorite Air Force Major, my brother Jason.

Day 13 – I am thankful for Christ and the salvation, grace, and mercy he pours out on me.

Day 14 – I am thankful for the churches in our community that support BSF, homeschool activities, etc that are a continual blessing to our family.

Day 15 – I am thankful for healthy children. So many families are going through so much. We are blessed.

Day 16 – I am thankful for homeschooling. We have our fair share of rough days, but the good days are great days. It is so fun watching my kids learn.

Day 17 – I am thankful for days of rest.

Day 18 – I am thankful for our small group. God has surrounded us with a wonderful group of friends!

Day 19 – I am thankful for our justice and court systems. But I am praising God that I was not chosen to sit on the grand jury!

Today I am thankful for the grace of God. By his grace I have life, breath, and all good things. Praise God!

Today I am thankful for warmth – warm clothes, a car with working heater, a house to block the wind, and a furnace for said house, plenty of quilts and blankets.

We spent a couple of hours at the park this afternoon with a friend, and it was cold. My poor kids were shivering as they ate their lunch because I failed to realize how cold it would be and bring coats (instead of light-weight jackets).

And while it was great visiting with my friend, it was nice to get in our car and warm up and then come into our warm house.

By the way, we had to give in last night and turn on the heat in the house.

Today I am thankful that, regardless of the outcome of the election, Jesus is still and forever on the throne.

Today I am thankful for Bible Study Fellowship. There are so many things I could say about BSF and the place it has in my life and in my heart.

This year is the sixth year that I’ve studied God’s word in a BSF class and the second year that I’ve been a leader in the children’s program. A lot has changed in my life in these six years. E had just turned a year old when I started BSF, and Jack was born the Spring of that first year. But there is one thing that has not changed in the last six years – God.

BSF is an in depth Bible study that focuses on one book or group of books each year (30+ weeks during the school year). I have really learned how to dig into God’s word and have come to love reading and studying the Bible over the time I’ve been in BSF.

BSF also has a fantastic children’s program. I really can’t say enough good things about it. It has been such a blessing to have well-trained leaders come alongside Matt and I as we teach and train our children. BSF strives to provide parents with resources to help you train your children and allow the whole family to study together.

I feel so blessed to be able to participate this year as a children’s leader. I love teaching my sweet little three year olds every week and seeing them learn about Jesus and the character of God.

I also feel privileged to sit in the leaders circle with women of faith and study God’s word.

I am truly thankful for BSF.

Also known as Thanksgiving, Day 4.

Today I am thankful for these monkeys.

Well, really ladybug, kitty cat, giraffe, and spiderman, I guess.

You might get the idea that someone wasn’t happy about this whole situation.

Gotta love 2 year olds!

But, seriously, I love these four people more than I ever thought possible. They bring love, joy, and fun to my life. (Also headaches, heartache, and chaos; if we’re being honest)

So today (and every day), I am thankful for these four blessings God has given me to mother.

Today I am thankful for days of rest. By the end of the week I am exhausted, and our Friday afternoons and Saturdays with Matt around are such a blessing. Especially good are the ones when we can just hang out at home.

J ran through the house calling for E, “Hurry, E! Come and look, there is a robin in our backyard!”

They watched through the glass door in wonder as the birds frolicked in the yard.

“There’s a black one with a shiny blue tummy!”

“There’s an all red one, Mommy!”

I told them the red one is called a cardinal.

“A cardinal! A cardinal!”

“Now there are two robins. No, three!”

“Maybe if we’re real quiet we’ll hear them tweet.”

They watched intently until the birds flew on to their next destination.

Today I am thankful for the wonder on the faces of the children as they observe the beauty of the world God has created for us to enjoy.

Too often I get so caught up in the “things” of life that I forget to take time to observe and enjoy. Studying Genesis these last few weeks has been a great reminder of God’s loving provision in creating the world.

Take some time today to wonder at the birds.

I never got around to posting my menu last week, but here is what we’re feasting on this week…

Dinner:
Friday – pizza
Saturday – french toast, fruit
Sunday – life group: tacos and tamales
Monday – chicken pot pie
Tuesday – chili dogs, sweet potato fries
Wednesday – leftovers
Thursday – broccoli cheese quiche, baked cinnamon apples

Lunches:
homemade “lunchables” (for kids), carrot sticks
5 Guys (after church Sunday)
apple/peanut butter “sandwiches”, popcorn, cheese cubes
taco muffins, fruit
scrambled eggs, toast, grapes
pb&j or ham sandwiches, veggie straws, veggie or fruit
mac & cheese

Breakfasts:
apple cake (2 mornings)
breakfast cookies (2 mornings)
cinnamon muffins
pumpkin muffins
pancakes

Snacks:
fruit
raisins & nuts mix
cheese
cheese crackers
applesauce
popcorn
honey butter toast
popcorn
veggie straws
chocolate oatmeal cookies
muffins

I’m trying to do better about planning out all of our meals and snacks instead of just dinner. It seems like our herd cleans out the fridge and pantry days before it’s time to go back to the grocery. This morning Matt said, “Take everything on the grocery list and double it.”

Have a happy Friday!

Today I am thankful for November. The first of November comes as a reminder to be intentional about counting my blessings.

Each day this month I will post something for which I am thankful. It is both a challenge to be grateful and to blog daily.

I also hope to do a Thanksgiving memory book with the children recording the things for which they are grateful this month. Thanks for the idea, Lu!