Gratitude Challenge Day 24: Food!

I love food. I think I've said it a time or two in various posts. But, just in case you've missed it....

I

LOVE

FOOD.

Today I'm thankful for a God that provides. Not only does He provide for our family daily, but the creativity in which He does it just amazes me. We've been blessed by others when they never suspected that we needed it, and in turn we have tried to bless others when we were able. The creativity in God's creations amazes me as well! It may be because of my love of art, but my fascination with color is stoked when I think of the wide variety of food available to us. Ruby red strawberries... Deep orange pumpkins... Bright yellow lemons... The list can go on and on.

I'm thankful not only for the food that He has put on my table, but the food that groups and churches put on the table for others. God bless the workers in soup kitchens and food banks this holiday season.

My wish tonight is that you will each enjoy your Thanksgiving meals this week! We'll be celebrating a day later than most so that my mother can join us. Instead of having turkey on Thursday I'll be watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in my jammies while I rest and crochet. Oh, who am I kidding... I'll be cooking several dishes ahead (and sneaking tastes of all of the wonderful flavors as I go!)

Gratitude Challenge Day 22: The US Navy

Today is technically Day 23, but I've only missed Day 22 by about 20 minutes so I'm calling it good. :)

Tonight's entry is short, but filled with a lot of emotion. We buried my grandfather today. A lot can be said about a subject like that! But, tonight I am thankful for the U.S. Navy.

My grandfather proudly served during World War II. He once said that he had mixed feelings when the war ended... he was excited and relieved but saddened because he was out of a job. It broke his heart to be discharged. He talked proudly of his experience in the service all of his life.

Today he was buried with military honors. Three of the Navy's finest came to pay tribute to my grandfather. To see them salute the casket as he was taken by gave me such pause. To hear Taps played brought me to tears. They will never know the comfort that their words brought. Not completely. They will never know how truly grateful we are for their service. We will proudly display the flag presented to my mother. For some reason I feel the desire to grab a Navy sweatshirt for the winter. :)

I thank all service men and women past, present, and future. I thank all of the spouses, parents, and children who hang on in the home front while they serve. They sacrifice more than we will ever comprehend.

I'm thankful for the U.S. Navy because not only does it protect and serve our country, but it gave my grandfather such memories and pride.

Saying a prayer for our service men and women tonight...

Gratitude Challenge Day 20: Time with my grandfather

Welcome back, Gratitude Challenge. How I've missed you.

Things have been a little crazy around here. I'm trying slowly and meagerly to keep a bit of normalcy in the routine, but it's proving to be a bit of a challenge. As you know, we were out of town this week while my grandfather was in the hospital. He was actually in the hospital for five weeks but due to illness with my daughter and myself I wasn't able to make the two-hour drive until this week when we were told that we may be losing him. After a very short stay in hospice we did in fact do just that yesterday.

I'm still processing the entire situation so this post will be brief. But after starting and stopping I knew what I needed to do. I needed to be thankful for the time that we had together. The eyes that followed in conversation. The smile that tried to peek around the corners of his mouth at my daughter. The time that we had as a family sitting quietly in the room or laughing a little bit too loud for others down the hall. It's funny where good memories will sneak in.

Today I'm thankful for the time that we had together. And, I'm thankful for the time that we'll have once again in the future for I know where he is. God is good, all the time!

Rest in peace, Papa.

Lee Roy F.
Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather.
WWII Veteran, US Navy
June, 1925 - November, 2010

In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. John 14:2 (NIV)

Gratitude Challege Day 16: Kindness

Today I'm sitting in a hospital room with my mom and daughter. My grandfather has been here for 24 days. Unfortunately his labs and what not are improving, but he isn't. The infection he's been fighting is finally gone. Only he isn't doing better. He's just tired. So, we wait. We think we know what we are waiting for, but only God truly knows. It's in His hands and His timing alone.

This isn't an eloquent post. It isn't fancy or edited pretty. I honestly don't have time to look for many quotes like I would like. But, my heart tells me that I need to sing praises today.

My gratitude goes to those helping care for him. My mom is a nurse (as well as previously being a first grade teacher), so I've grown up understanding the sacrifice and diligence that goes with this sometimes thankless job. When you are in a doctor's office or hospital take the time to say thank you to the nurse! Say thank you to the techs. Say thank you to the people who clean or those in security. Their jobs are often thankless, and they see grieving more than most.

My gratitude goes to the other families who take the time to nod or smile, say a kind hello, or hold an elevator door. They are most likely having a stressful time as well. Take the time to say thank you.

My gratitude goes to the Lord, for I know that no matter what is in store my faith - and my grandfather's faith - is in Him. With Him all things are possible. With Him our future is secure. With Him we have no wants or needs. Sing praises. :)

Go hug someone. :)

For God so loved the ME AND YOU that He gave His one and only Son for US so that when WE believe in HIM we have everlasting life. John 3:16 (Stephanie version!)

Gratitude Challenge Day 15: Quiet Mornings

God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning--the first day. Genesis 1:5 (NIV)

Who would have thought that "morning" would pop up in a post about blessings and gratitude!? If you knew me you'd know that I am not a morning person.

Not.

At.

All.

However, I married a morning person. He loves mornings. Adores mornings. Craves mornings. And, it's rubbing off on me.

Over the years I've always looked for ways to sleep in. These days I set my alarm clock so that I'm up a little bit earlier than the kid. I haven't quite mastered the way of the organized ninja, but I'm getting there.

Things that mornings give me:

Time to start slow. (Though I'm a talker I'm a really slow talker in the morning. Don't look at me. Don't require me to speak in more than a grunt. Don't feed the animal.)

Time with God. (I'm not the best at morning quiet time, though I hope to be one day. I find myself giving an internal pep talk and pat on the back... it's not in the "when" but in the "do.")

Time to plan out my day. (I love to review my calendars: personal, homeschool lesson planner, blog plans.)

Time to exercise. (OK, so this more of a daily goal than something that always happens.... don't judge me. ;)

My point is that mornings can be so full of the things that I love doing - alone and without words - that I'm really trying to make it a priority to get up earlier. So far so good. I even wake up without prompting now. (Why do I have the Pull Ups "I'm a big kid now" commercial singing my head?)

In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. Psalm 5:3 (NIV)

 

Gratitude Challenge Day 14: Homeschooling

It's Day 14 of the Gratitude Challenge! I'm thoroughly enjoying this series - both the reading and the writing!

Today, I am thankful for the place that homeschooling has in our lives. It's a fantastic blessing that I could not have imagined in my wildest of teenage dreams, and I wouldn't change it for a second.

I've already written a bit about our homeschooling history as well as what we are using this year. This post will have a very different feel. But, it's where my heart is today.

* Psst.... Disclaimer Here *

In no way does my love of homeschooling or views on parenting mean that I am sitting in judgment of those who choose a different education for their children. I am thankful that we live in an age where we have choice... homeschooling, private school, or public school. No one choice is perfect for each family. Though we are committed to homeschooling we are more committed to following the Lord's leading. Our journey doesn't need to look like yours. Just a little side note for my non-homeschooling friends who read this blog!

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6 (NIV)

We firmly believe that it is our duty as parents to train our daughter: to be a strong Christian firm in her beliefs; to be an educated young lady with the ability to find the information she requires on the path the Lord gives her; and to be a polite and responsible member of society. Homeschooling is how we choose to do that.

To be a strong Christian firm in her beliefs...

How wonderful that we live in a country where we can still stand up for our beliefs without becoming a martyr! Granted, things have changed and continue to change, but this is a post about homeschooling not politics. ;) We believe that it is first our duty as parents to teach our daughter how to understand and respond to Scripture and the Lord's leading. I've beaten myself up over the years for not teaching this or that in such and such order. Then one day it hit me. I am not strong enough to take down God's plan for her! I can't mess her up if I am choosing everything through prayer. If we teach her to do all things through prayer she will also learn how to follow His leading in her future as well.

To be an educated young lady with the ability to find the information she requires on the path the Lord gives her...

I feel so blessed that we have so many materials at our disposal in this day and age! A big thank you to all of those moms and dad that homeschooled prior to the day of the Rainbow Resource catalog. Because of you and your desire to ferret out and request high quality information and materials for your children can those of us in today's homeschool community choose from an immeasurable amount of curriculum sources. (Ok, so we could could them. I don't want to try. And, I don't know who has yet!) Thank you, THANK you, THANK YOU!

To be a polite and responsible member of society...

Whoever thinks that homeschoolers aren't socialized needs to read a few articles or have a few conversations with a homeschooler or two! Yup. We're a chatty bunch. Though most expect us to be home all the time we actually beg for a home day or two a week! We are so blessed to have so many opportunities for our children. Art classes at the rec center... homeschool groups for a variety of needs... field trips all around town. That's just the start of it! I know that not all cities are likes ours. We have so many opportunities in our local homeschool community and though I frequently lament about how I miss the South where I grew up (and I do!) I have to remind myself that we have such a blessing in our local community. I am also thankful to have an active church community that can help her in that goal as well.

Homeschooling has blessed us during times of struggle and times of triumph. We are so thankful that we have the right to choose homeschooling for our daughter!

Head over to check out today's entries in Garden of Learning's Gratitude Challenge. You'll be blessed!

Gratitude Challenge Days 11 - 13 Catching up!

Welcome to the "Stephanie Catches Up" Gratitude Challenge Post! This has been a tough week!

Our daughter has been sick.

I've been sick.

Our dogs have been sick.

My grandfather is still sick.

I'm feeling like everyone is sick!

Needless to say, I got behind in the blog and challenge. I still thought of all of the things that I was thankful for, I just didn't have the time or energy to get them posted. So....

The Catch Up Post!

November 11: I am thankful for our service men and women! My grandfathers both served... one in the Navy, one in the Army. I am blessed with friends who have given their lives to protect our freedom. I am blessed with friends who wait at home while their loved ones give their lives. It's almost an incomprehensible gift that they all give to us. How can we ever know what each has given up? We talk about how they leave their friends and family, but they also leave their hobbies, passions, loves. They give up the ability to truly relax to serve their country. They give up the joy of doing something just because they want to for us - some appreciative, some not. They give up the mundane that we take for granted (and they probably miss more than they expected!) It's the big and the little sacrifices that make up the gift that they give us. My thanks to all those who have served, past and present.

November 12: I'm thankful for technology! My mom has been traveling to the hospital that my grandfather is in. A lot. She makes this two-hour drive as often as she can around her work schedule. (She's a nurse, so this means that she is able to go multiple times a week if her schedule allows.) She's been able to keep in contact with us as she needs to through cell phones and text messages. The hospital has been able to reach her at a moment's notice if necessary. How wonderful is this! Not too long ago one would miss an important update if they were running errands. Or they would have to find a pay phone (and hope that they had change in their pockets) to call family for support. It's a little thing, and possibly odd to some, but I am thankful that she has been able to reach us - and be reached - when needed.

November 13: I've said it before, but yesterday I was thankful for my husband and daughter once again. I was in bed or on the couch nearly all of yesterday, and they took great care of me! From making me food to washing all of the dishes and everything in between, it was all taken care of for me. I am thankful that I have a family that spends so much time together (and enjoys it!) I was able to rest and somewhat recover, and I know that when I need help today they will be there to lend a hand. :)

I'm staying home from church to rest today, but hopefully I'll be back to regular posting this week. I've missed it! I've been finding some great holiday blogs to follow... lots of foodie, crafty, holiday fun. Hopefully I'll get posts up to share that this week! I've learned to let go of the mommy guilt. We get sick. We get behind. And it's fine. (My stress level thanks ME for that one!)

If you'd like to join the challenge there are still many days of gratitude left! Join at the Garden of Learning linked above or on the right side of the blog.

Gratitude Challenge Day 10: My "take charge" husband

I'm thankful for my husband for so many reasons. He has many different sides to him. The knowledgeable side. The computer/IT nerd side. The funny side. The dependable side. (No worries... no multiple personalities. Just multiple talents!) Tonight I'm thankful for his "take charge" side.

We have four dogs. Yep. Four. It's been a stressful fall with our fur babies. One was diagnosed with an eye disorder similar to dry eye that has caused various decrees of blindness in both of her eyes. She was then diagnosed with diabetes. And bladder cancer. My poor little baby. We've had to adjust to schedules and meds. I learned to give a shot. (To know me is to know how amazing this is with my fear of needles. No. It didn't help with my own fear!)

In the middle of these diagnoses - which happened in about a week by the way - another dog started having seizures. Did I mention that it's been a little stressful? I have a tendency towards stress, so this has been hard.

I know that some disagree (and please don't tell me if you do) but I believe that God hears my prayers for my pups as well. They are His creation. I can't begin to imagine that He doesn't care for them as well. I've had to depend on Him during some stressful and difficult times of decision and events (have you seen a seizure in a dog?)

However, I've also had to depend on my "take charge" husband.

When we hear our pup fall during a seizure, he rushes to it when I freeze.

When we have to hold my pup as he cries and shakes, he sits down on the floor in the middle of - well - fluids and talks calmly.

When I'm nervous in the middle of the night because I'm afraid to sleep in case our pup has another seizure, he stays up and talks to me.

When I'm worried that our guy will have another during the day, he makes sure that he clears his calendar. (He works from home! And I love it, but that's another thing for which I'm thankful!)

I am better now because he's talked me through the seizures, but with only 7 under our belt I'm still very nervous when they start. I can talk calmly and compassionately to our little guy, but I still tend to be the one that moves furniture and cleans up messes instead of sitting on the floor because I still tend to cry. (I'm a big ol' tearing up weenie!) And my take charge husband lets me do what I need to do while he does what he needs to do. It works well, and for that I'm thankful!

Sophie the Blind Pug &

Asher the Twitchy Boy

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. Ephesians 5:25 (NIV)

PS - I missed yesterday's challenge! Whoops! I was playing mom to a sick kid. I'll add in one this weekend. Or, I'll give myself grace. ;)

Gratitude Challenge Day 8: Good Doctors!

Today I am thankful for good doctors!

We spent several hours today in the doctor's office with my daughter. Begin in the office again reminded me of all the things that they have done to help us in the past. This doctor has been a gift to our family over the years. My daughter had a run in with bad health several years ago. We didn't know what it was, and it was a terrifying time of specialists and tests.  Suspected diagnoses ranged from Lyme Disease to Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis to Psoriasis. Our family doctor could not have handled it better.

He was supportive.

He offered us prayer.

He cared enough to call us at home in the late hours of the night just because he had our daughter on his heart.

He rocks!

Luckily our daughter turned out to have a simple casein allergy. It's not simple to most, but when you have the other diagnoses as options I'll take it any day. :)

Through all of this we need to remember that we have a Great Physician standing by all of us...

"But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, in love and faithfulness." Psalm 86:15 (NIV) abounding

Gratitude Challenge Day 7: Netflix

Today is Gratitude Challenge Day #7! My first six days of the challenge focused on more meaty things, and today I'm going fluffy...

Today I'm thankful for NETFLIX!

We don't watch a lot of "live" network or cable television. There are a few shows that we like but they are rare. (Ok, so I love The Biggest Loser, but that's another post.) Even if we do find one that we like the commercials make it difficult to watch half the time!

Enter Netflix.

We love Netflix streaming video. We can watch somewhat current shows without the commercials, and we can watch all of our favorite older shows as well. We grab documentaries. We watch comedies. We toss in some movies for good measure.

Why don't we just use a dvr? That would require a switch in cable providers. I'm not the primary decision maker in that area. :) For now, we Netflix!

I love modern technology!

Gratitude Challenge Day 6: My daughter!

 It's Day 6 in the Gratitude Challenge, and today I'm thankful for my daughter! Excuse me while I brag...

She's challenging.

Our youngest daughter is 13, and she is a wonderful addition to our family. Just like her father, she is one to constantly challenge me (and mostly in good ways.) She makes me think. She makes me stay alert. She makes me hold myself accountable in the achievement of my goals. And, just when I think I have something down - like holding my tongue! - she gives me a situation to prove it or lose it. It isn't often that a parent will admit that they learn from their children, but I do learn from mine.

She's creative. 

She is a prolific writer. I don't remember a day passing where I haven't watched her write by hand, on the laptop, or at the very least in her journal. She's always loved to be elbow deep in art supplies. I think that her love and appreciation of art and music is one of my most successful accomplishments. (And I hope that doesn't sound conceited, but it was a goal that we're seeing come to fruition so I'm thrilled!) This year she has exploded! She's dancing several days a week and is taking two art classes... one focusing on the potter's wheel and hand-building of ceramics, and one focusing on drawing and painting. I've never seen her as dedicated to anything other than her writing as she is to her art this year. She's been tired and sore, sick and miserable, and she still fulfills her commitment to her dance schedule without complaints. She dresses in her own style and adds creative touches to her outfits whenever she can. I'm definitely seeing that side appear!

She's got a faith that will move mountains.

I can take no credit for this. God put a spirit of love for Him in her from the very beginning. As a toddler she would tell me about angels. As a preschooler she would explain to people that God loved them. As an elementary student she knew that one day she would work in missions, be it as a full time position or as something that she does with her life through volunteering at her church. As a teenager she volunteers as often as she can (though admittedly I could clear my schedule to allow her to do more.) She sings on the worship team during the student worship time. She loves to help with service projects with the youth group. She adores spending time with her church family. She is the first person telling us to get ready for church and the last person out the doors after we're finished on a Sunday (or Wednesday!) She gave her heart to God and meant it. She believes in modesty and courting.

She's also a normal teenager.

We have our moments (last night) and our conflicts (last night), and I try to remember that it is part of growing up. She listens to her music way too loud. She wants to spend too much time on the computer. And her room is a mess!

I love my kid, and not just because I'm her mom. She's a nut, and I wouldn't have it any other way!

Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. Psalm 127:3 (NIV)

Gratitude Challenge Day 5: Grace

It's been a hard week around these parts. My grandfather isn't doing so well and ended up in ICU yesterday. Honestly, I didn't want to write today's post. It wasn't that I wasn't thankful for something, or that I didn't want to participate in the challenge. I'm just plain tired! It was a long night ending with a very early start to the day with a sick puppy girl. I just haven't been able to think straight. So, I gave myself permission to just skip it this one time. I thought, "I deserve blogging grace after a night like last night."

And then it hit me.

Grace

That's what I'm thankful for! The grace that my child gives me when I get snappy because I'm tired. The grace that my husband gives me when I didn't get the dishes done (or when I tell him that he can pop a frozen pizza in the oven for dinner if he wants.) I'm thankful for the grace that my mother gives me when I am just too tired to talk more about the day's events.

Most importantly, I'm thankful for the grace that our Heavenly Father gives me when I mess up. And I do. It's that human thing. It just gets in the way! Without that grace I would be nothing, and I would have nothing. We are justified through His grace. We are redeemed through His grace. We are show love and forgiveness through His grace. It's truly a wonderful thing. So today I am so thankful for that Amazing Grace...

Side note - The hymn, Amazing Grace, holds a special place in our family. My granny sang it to each of us, and it was the first song that she sang to me as well as my daughter when we were both babies. It can calm me in a storm and make me smile even wider on a beautiful day. Such a wonderful gift to give us as a reminder!

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1:17 (NIV)

Gratitude Challenge Day 4: Country Roads

It's day four of the Gratitude Challenge. Check out more at The Garden of Learning!




Today has been a tough day. It started out pretty good. My daughter started a new session of art classes at a local community center. This session it's a day full, so not only did I have a home day, but it was a quiet all-by-myself home day. (Homeschool moms know that this rarely happens!) I got some blogging in, got some tweeting done, worked on some things for the WildCrickets etsy shop. It was fairly productive.


Then

chaos

hit.


My day ended crazy. Plans changed. Dinner didn't get made. We were almost late to my daughter's dance class.

Did I mention that my daughter's dance school happens to be in the country? Remember that I'm a country girl at heart. I think it has something to do with my family living in the country or my mother playing far too much John Denver (Country Roads!) when I was young but it soothes me. Actually, it does more than soothe me. It ministers to my soul! I don't care what season it is, or what time of day, a drive in the country makes me smile. There is always something to catch my breath. I see evidence of God in the creations around me. I love watching the animals in pastures and barnyards. The air just seems to be cleaner and smell fresher. I can forget about any trouble that aches or pains me even for a brief minute.

It's a tough night around here. I'm waiting for more information about my grandfather who isn't doing so well. I'm thankful for him in my life as well, but I realized after getting the call that he was being taken to ICU how different hearing this information would have been had I not received some good old fashioned country comfort from my Heavenly Father tonight.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)

And just for extra smiles... I know he's not "cool" but I do love John Denver! Though this will date me, I'll say that I grew up listening to him from the cradle as did my daughter. (And I did live in West Virginia for a few years, and it is beautiful!)

Gratitude Challenge Day 3: My uncles

It's Day 3 in the 2010 Gratitude Challenge. In honor of my uncle's birthday I've decided that he (and his brother) are what I am thankful for today!

Growing up I had the opportunity to have my uncles in the house for many years. I had so much fun with them! Double Uncle Tickles. Nicknames like "Wart." Getting to ride horses when one unnamed uncle dated a lady with several. (I think that might have started my love for them!) Being told of stories such as my uncle "losing" me in the dorm when he just happened to use me as bait for the ladies. Dancing together. Finally some two women came by and stole them! What did they think they were doing... wanting to get married.... didn't they know that they were MY men? ;) Soon their own children followed, and I had to share the limelight. What a way to end a good run. (Kidding!)

My uncles were also there for me during all of times when having an uncle is perfect. Bullies at school. Heartbreak. My first marriage ending in divorce. They were my protectors and even when they were off having their own children all I had to do was to tell them that I wanted to talk. I never doubted their love for me.

I don't get to see them as I would like to these days.

The older of the two travels quite a bit for work. He's spending his birthday halfway around the world with co-workers on a business trip. I remember the conversations that I with him when I was baptized. He shared his faith with me in such a way that I was inspired. He has been my protector in many situations. He's my strong one. And, he also looks like Kenny Rogers (before Kenny's failed attempts at plastic surgery!) which has brought him lots of funny stories. Evidently they love Kenny Rogers in Malaysia. I definitely need to call him more.

The younger of the two is now in heaven after losing his battle with lung cancer earlier this year. He was the one that stayed up late talking to me when I went to college and was afraid. He got me in trouble with jokes that went a little too far. He was just as emotional as I am so he could understand why I was crying when others might not. He could fight with me like no one else. And he made us all laugh. A lot.

My life is changed because of them. I am who God made me to be, but I show evidence of my uncles' influence in every area of my life. I've been uncle-fied. And, I love it!

What (or who) are you thankful for today? Today I'm thankful for my uncles, Don and Roy. I love you guys!

"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves." Romans 12:10 (NIV)

Gratitude Challenge Day 2: Do-overs and Good Samaritans

It's Day 2 in the 2010 Gratitude Challenge!

Today has been a wild day. It didn't really go as planned.

I woke up late. My schedule had to change due to my husband's schedule. (We're a one-car family.) My kid still doesn't feel well. I was a butter finger and dropped, chipped, and spilled way too many things when I was washing dishes. (Yep - dishwasher's broken so I'm doing it old school!) My wonderful husband was hurrying home to bring me the truck and ended up taking out the corner of the mailbox as well as the tail light.

It was truly a test of my attitude and outlook. It just didn't stop coming at me.

I was driving home after voting, and it hit me. I get a do-over! Just like it was back on the playground, we can re-do the whole thing! God has given us a fantastic thing in sleep. Not only do we get to rest and recover our body but we get to wake up to a brand new day with a brand new attitude. It doesn't matter what has happened today. Tomorrow is new! (This is also a fantastic reminder that we are given a new life in Christ... but I've promised myself that I wasn't going to get too wordy in my posts - not that you can tell in this long one!)

And, it gets even better.

It seems that after voting tonight I dropped my license in the parking lot. In the dark parking lot. Away from a light. During the last 30 minutes that the polls were open. I have no idea how they found it, but a good, kind, caring citizen turned it into the volunteers! I am so thankful. Granted, I had to stop cooking dinner for the fourth time to go get it before they left for the evening (told you it was that kind of day!), but it was a trip that I did gladly! 

This morning when I woke up I couldn't think of exactly what I wanted to write about today. Instead, I was given two blessings to share. Three if you count the fact that dinner actually tasted good after all the starts and stops. :)

What blessing did you receive today? Hop on over to My Homeschool Garden and join the challenge!

"We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." Romans 6:4 (NIV)

Gratitude Challenge Day 1

It's the start of the 2010 Gratitude Challenge!

I was so excited about this challenge that I actually fell asleep thinking about all of the wonderful blessings we've received over the years. My family is my main blessing. My friends are another. Having God in my life is the biggest blessing of all. But, do you know what was the first blessing that I noticed this morning? Blankets. It's not that it is specifically cold out today. It's only 39* F as I write. Chilly yes, but not unbearable. But still, my blanket was my first blessing of the day. It's what it represents to me -

Home.

Family.

Comfort.

Warmth.

Safety.

We don't have an overwhelming homeless population in our metro area like some, though it does exist and to those individuals who are in that situation it must feel horribly overwhelming. We went through hard times when the economy took a rather unpleasant roller coaster ride, and we easily could have been in that situation had things been different. We did lose our home, but we gained another when we combined households with family. We could have easily gone off the rails. Instead, I was able to wake up this morning snuggled in my blanket with one of my pups. (My husband is an insanely early riser so he didn't get to be part of this particular moment of blessing!)

As I lay in bed this morning my thoughts weren't about having been blessed with material items or abundant bank accounts. It was that moment in time where the house was quiet, all were safe and healthy, and I knew where my family was that I felt blessed. Safe. Warm. Snuggled. Together.

It's not a fancy blessing, but it's one that I am cherishing every moment that I can.

So, grab a blanket and get snugly. Leave me a comment about the blessing today brought to your life (or even your favorite blanket!) Hop over to Garden of Learning to read some more posts on gratitude. It will definitely brighten your day as it has brightened mine. Starting your day with thankfulness is a wonderful thing.

"I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving." Psalm 69:30 (NIV)