Mother's Day 2013 (a day late)

I always write about how I love being a mom, so I feel like there is nothing more to add to it... not today anyway.  I'm just taken aback at how blessed this "Mommy Journey" has been.  I have so many wonderful Mommy photos that I know I will always treasure, so this Mother's Day I'd like to remember how God has blessed me.  He is good and gives good gifts  :)

 

Mother's Day 2010

Napping on Mother's Day 2010... just a few hours before I went into labor with Siah. 

Very real and not-so-polished Mother's Day 2013 pic :)

Giving Gratitude to God

I'm a couple weeks late on this ... again.  Ooops.  Okay, well this is what I'm thankful for:

• • Sweet worship this morning.
  • That His love never changes.
  • That He works all things together for my good.
  • That He knows all the details of my life and has them planned out for me to walk in.
  • A pastor who feeds us MEAT every Sunday.
  • Precious friends to live life with.
  • Fun visits over Christmas break.
  • Christmas traditions.
  • The GREATEST Christmas gift.
  • Smiling & excited little boys Christmas morning.   
  • Homeschooling.
  • A break from homeschooling.
  • Organization. 
  • Husbands new job of kitchen duty.  (Hip, Hip, Hooray!!!)
  • Handyman husband.
  • Sleeping in.
  • Pausing to watch and giggle over Zeke's speed crawling down the hallway.
  • Laughter at the dinner table.
  • Little boy cuddles.
  • A clean and vacuumed van!
  • Prayer.
  • Bills paid and money left over!
  • Scrabble with Nona.
  • Games with my boys.
  • Peek-a-boo with Zeke.
  • Heat and warm blankets!
  • Beautiful, clear blue winter sky.
  • Crossing things off my "To Do List".
  •  Good report after Grandma's surgery.
  • Living in a great place to raise a family.
  • That we had a wonderful year with our precious 4th boy, Jonah Zeke Oelkers!
   

 

Giving Gratitude to God

How sad that the month of Thanksgiving, the month that most of America is listing thoughts of thanks, I neglect to write out my "Giving Gratitude to God" post.  Shame on me!  

I do have so much to be thankful for...

• A God that is always there
• A God who forgives... over and over and over and over and over
• Grace-  God giving me what I don't deserve
• Mercy-God not giving me what I do deserve
• My health 
• My amazing boys
• My husband
• My own personal handyman!  (So cool how he can just fix things!)
• Ice cream
• Our homeschool community
• Our wonderful church
• A precious, beloved friend
• My boys' friendships
• That we live in such a great area to raise our kids
• The library
• Reading books with my munchkins
• Christmastime!
• Christmas cards
• Christmas music
• Traditions
• The internet  :)
• My grandma
• Cozy sweatshirt and sweatpants
• A good movie
• Naps
• Rainy days (early on in the season I enjoy the rain... by March, not so much)
• God's Word- quiet times have been real sweet lately
• Seeing so clearly how God's Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path
• Seeing my boys repeat verses they've learned and use them in life situations
• Giggling babies
• Teaching my boys
• Cuddling my boys
• Tickling my boys
• Doing puzzles with my boys
• A clean house
• Husband's new job to have kitchen duty after meals that he is home for (initiated by him!!)
•  Foot massages 
• Laughing with my sister
• Just enough money in the bank account
• That I am not a cosmic accident
• That there is purpose to my days
• That there is hope in my life 
• That there is a TRUTH in life (one way) and He (the TRUTH) is so worthy of our praise
• That I have a God who is good, does good, and works all things for good for those who believe and are called according to His purposes.   
• This crazy baby  :)

Giving Gratitude to God

Thankful for so much!!

• A job for my husband for next year!
• Jehovah Jireh!
• A clean kitchen
• Cuddling with my boys
• Movie night with Eli & Noah
• Grocery shopping with Siah, watching him get excited over simple things
• Zeker slobbery kisses
• Zeke sucking on my hair- I take it as a sign of love :)
• Reuniting with my husband after a week apart
• YL kids getting saved at camp!!!
• My mom being SOOOO helpful while Jonny was gone
• Classical Conversations
• 8 years of marriage!  Praying to be one of those sweet 80 year old couples walking hand-in-hand.
• Zekey coos
• Siah giggles
• Noah's silliness
• Eli's funny comments.  For example; Me:  "I hope she didn't find out, I don't want to spill the beans."  Eli:  "What beans?  You're not holding any beans."
• A lovely home
• Working vehicles
• Shampooed carpets
• Psalms
• Wonderful friends
• Flowers blooming
• Full calendar
• Fun visit with relatives
• Exciting news for someone dear to my heart
• Pretty smelling lotion
• Ice cream
• Naps
• Pastor Rob
• Cindy Rodgers
• Excitement over summer ministry event
• Yummy chocolate coffee drinks
• Running with my son
• Cuddling with my husband
• Prayer
• Healing
• Brothers treating each other with kindness
• Brothers showing empathy
• Feeling appreciated
• New recipes
• Park Days
• My new camera
• Talking with my grandma
• Remembering what God has done for us

Giving Gratitude to God

"Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,"  -Ephes. 5:20

The book, One Thousand Gifts has really impacted me and the way I think and react.  I'm trying to be more thankful in all things.  It's amazing how applying this simple little discipline, of always being thankful, can radically change my attitude and behavior.  So here's my end of the month thankful list:

1. little boy laughter
2. reading stories with warm little bodies surrounding me
3. a good nap
4. hot tea on a rainy day
5. an encouraging word
6. a sweet visit with dear friends
7. good conversation with my husband
8. support and love from my husband
9. helpful little hearts
10. repentant little hearts
11. family game night
12. Zekey giggles
13. SIAH!
14. food in our pantry
15. sanctification
16. God's Word penetrating deep
17. chocolate chip cookies
18. worship
19. sleeping in
20. being sharpened by great friends
21. a clean kitchen!
22. pink nail polish- picked out by a son
23. brotherly love
24. my sister's voice
25. sunshine
26. rain too  :)
27. flowers starting to bloom
28. slow-cooker chicken tacos! 
29. a good book
30. FORGIVENESS of my sins