I'm so grateful to be back online . . .

. . . and now I should be back to updating daily!
I'm thankful for:

1. Clara being the master treasure hunter and finding Jeff's wallet
   
2. Jeff home all day, and helping disinfect the house!
   
3. Christian returning to his old self, even if it was just for a few hours
   
4. only a few small pity parties instead of the big shin-digs I wanted to throw
   
5. Thomas working at eating cereal more at lunch
   
6. online shopping!
   
7. my boys' love for each other
   
8. having nice renters who pay on time!
   
9. Christian talking nicer to Clara
   
10. not having my computer for a week because it allowed me to not once miss time to work on my bible study despite having a high fever the last 4 days
    

"When a mother bird wants her babies to learn to fly . . .

. . . she begins to tear the soft lining out of their nest. . . God often makes our nest less comfortable in order to move us into a new place." -CBS Genesis Lesson 21
I'm thankful for:

1. Christian having a little more energy, laughing at the TV
   
2. Thomas not reacting to the flu shot in spite of his egg allergy
   
3. Jeff being able to help me take care of the kids for part of the day
   
4. Clara's sweet, caring heart
   
5. Jeff being able to run some errands for me
   
6. more time for reading
   
7. being able to go to the Dr without the kids with me
   
8. antibiotics!
   
9. kind neighbors offering food and help while I'm sick
   
10. friends calling to check in on me
    

Day 5, no computer. Doesn't stop the need to be thankful!

I'm thankful for:

1. Tom and Mary Kay unexpectedly coming up to help me out!
   
2. Jeff coming home from his trip
   
3. taking time to rest and read
   
4. Mary Kay reading, playing games with and dressup with Clara
   
5. Tom going far out of his way to take Thomas to his 6 month checkup
   
6. Clara praying for Christian to feel better
   
7. Mary Kay helping me by cleaning the kitchen and taking care of the kids
   
8. Thomas growing so big and strong! 15lb 11oz, 27"!
   
9. the sweetest love a baby has for his mama and his mama alone
   
10. a completely uninterrupted nap
    

Day 4, no computer. The list keeps on keeping on.

I'm thankful for:

1. not being sick very often
   
2. being able to squeeze in a bath while the kids played nicely together
   
3. Christian sleeping on the couch - his little body needed it!
   
4. sleeping a little bit myself
   
5. tylenol
   
6. Clara reading quietly to herself in my room while I napped
   
7. Jeff not being here to get sick
   
8. not losing the data on my hard drive
   
9. a day to just be sick and not have to cancel plans
   
10. Thomas looking terrific today!
    

"The less I act on a feeling . . .

. . . the less I feel it" -Dr Laura
I'm thankful for:

1. seeing Dhondi and Lariate for the first time in a long time
   
2. being told Clara was a good girl at bible study
   
3. Jeff hating being out of town as much as I hate it
   
4. Dad enjoying his new art class
   
5. Christian feeling so comfortable with his preschool class that he danced during chapel singing
   
6. kids behaving nicely at the store
   
7. Clara letting Christian get on the stool to brush his teeth instead of battling him
   
8. Community Bible Study and the perspective I always get from it
   
9. not having my computer - I enjoyed reading "books"! What a novelty!
   
10. being able to share my plight with others for good result
    

Day 2, no computer. But the list keeps going.

I'm thankful for:

1. not having my computer because it changed my focus for the day
   
2. finding Thomas rolled on his belly in bed
   
3. each child cooperating as I cut their finger and toenails
   
4. Thomas' happy chatter and smiles at the kids
   
5. Dhondi coming to the rescue, willing to help me with my laptop
   
6. playing basketball with Christian
   
7. Clara re-learning how to get herself on the "potty"
   
8. having a nice backyard for the kids to play - what a blessing!
   
9. Christian and Clara calling each other, Thomas, and me "friends"
   
10. modifying a recipe for cookies . . . and it worked!!!
    

Hurray! I have my computer back! So . . .

Now I have to go back in time to 2/22/2009 to recreate my lists. Thank goodness for old fashioned pen and paper!
I'm thankful for:

1. getting the house clean
   
2. our new church home
   
3. long talks with friends
   
4. being involved in the young adult ministry
5. old memories
6. experiences I can share to show Jesus working in my life
   
7. getting to take a nap
   
8. clean laundry
   
9. getting back to my prepregnancy weight
   
10. that my parents are just a phone call . . . or email . . . away
    

"I know I want to have children while . . .

. . . my parents are still young enough to take care of them." -Rita Rudner
I'm thankful for:

1. my parents spoiling us all with taking care of me, the kids, our home, cooking, hanging pictures, painting furniture, potting plants, blessing us with date nights, and just overall having a great time together. We miss them already.
   
2. Jeff getting the hoop up!
3. Thomas trying solids (rice cereal) for the first time
   
   
4. Clara feeling better and returning to her silly self . . . for the morning at least
   
5. was that a tooth I felt in Thomas' mouth?
6. Thomas' skin being pretty clear for 2 days!
   
7. keeping cool with Clara's nearly hour long fit and a new strategy to keep the door closed when they're throwing fits so we're not all punished by the disruption
   
8. Christian playing so well by himself in the back yard
   
9. Jeff making the kids dinner and giving them a bath
10. having friends with whom I could have an hour long phone conversation and still feel like I have more to talk to them about

"Happiness is . . .

. . . having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city. " -George Burns. This is included in jest since I've had the best time with my parents being here this week, however, there is something to be said about absence making the heart grow fonder.
I'm thankful for:

1. sleeping in until 6:30
2. Thomas' skin looking great today!
   
3. Thomas getting a little more mobile
4. joining my Mom for a fun day playing games with the "4 sisters"
5. Pei Wei gluton-free spicy
   
6. Dad having special time with the kids and taking good care of them for me
7. going to see a movie with Jeff by ourselves! That makes 2 dates in one week!
   
8. a whole week with Mom and Dad here
   
9. one less poopy diaper to change
10. being sad that Mom and Dad are leaving tomorrow. Not everyone would be as sad to see their parents go.
    

God's perfect timing . . .

. . . has once again been made clear, even in such simple things as when my parents came to visit.
I'm thankful for:

1. being in a position to help some dear friends
   
2. everything going so smooth this morning for Christian Hahne
   
3. Clara getting in to see the Dr and getting on antibiotics
4. changing my sweater because it made Thomas' rash improve
5. Christian's total love of school
6. having special one on one time with Christian
   
7. Dad feeling much better with Claratin
8. Mom being there to help me so much in a crazy day
   
9. Dad hanging some pictures in the house
   
10. Clara finally falling asleep

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. -Romans 8:26

I'm thankful for:

1. Thomas sleeping in while I took care of my sick girl
2. medicine
3. getting my hair cut
4. silly aunts coming to visit
5. playing Scattergories with the aunts and mom
   
6. a more peaceful house
7. my parents being here
8. exploring Moon Sand with the kids
9. mom making dinner (I love being taken care of)
10. Jeff safe in Vegas
    

You will always reap what you sow. -Galations 6:7

I'm thankful for:

1. Mom & Dad taking care of us
   
2. fresh flowers in my house
3. taking Christian to preschool without lugging, um . . . I mean bringing, the other 2 with me
4. going to the grocery store without kids (such a blessing!)
5. finding dark chocolate that I can eat!
6. a long needed date night with Jeff
7. furniture shopping
8. missing out on the big poopie diaper
9. my kids missing me when I'm not here to tuck them in
10. Clara's fever helping her to bond even more with Yia-yia while we were gone
    

There's not much sweeter than holding a sleeping baby,

but I'm also thankful for:

1. Christian and Clara staying in their room until 7
2. Mom & Dad being here
   
3. Mom and Dad (their Yia-yia and Papou) taking them out for pancakes and errands
4. a quiet house
5. cleaning the kitchen without distraction
6. the kids getting spoiled by Yia-yia & Papou
   
7. the yummy smells from the kitchen
8. friends to share dinner with
   
9. the kids all playing well together
10. not having to clean the kitchen . . . again!
    

Whew, what a day!

I'm thankful for:

1. my parents arriving safely last night
2. Thomas baptism
   
   
3. sharing the day with family and friends
4. a nice meal to enjoy together
5. all the kids getting along so well
6. a break away to look at model homes
7. willpower
8. help with food and kids
9. Clara being a good girl
   
10. sleep
    

"I am as bad as the worst,

. . . but, thank God, I am as good as the best" -Walt Whitman
I'm thankful for:

1. Jeff giving balance to our home
2. a new approach to help Clara stay in her bed
3. the Intentional Living broadcast on Family Life radio
4. getting my long overdue spare tire replaced
5. not hurting Clara, because at one moment, if I did what my sinful heart desired, it may very well have happened
   
6. room time
7. reheating leftover pizza for Clara's dinner
   
8. a rest to help my migraine
9. Jeff taking over for bedtime
   
10. my parents arriving in town tonight!!!
    

"God has two dwellings: . . .

. . . one in heaven, and the other in a meek and thankful heart." -Izaak Walton
I'm thankful for:

1. Christian not having any nightmares last night
2. Clara going back to sleep after her early morning trip to the "potty"
3. a long, uninterrupted workout this morning
4. inspirations and insights from Dr Laura's book Stop Whining, Start Living
5. my sweet friend Melissa bringing me a basket filled with a new variety of things I can eat, including homemade corn bread and cookies for the kids
   
6. getting some cleaning done today
   
7. Thomas making progress sitting up in his Bumbo seat
   
8. Jeff coming home tonight!
9. not having to worry about dinner for the kids tonight
   
10. Jeff putting the kids to bed
    

I am so pleased with . . .

. . . the progress I'm seeing in my life. I spend so much of my day appreciating moments I wouldn't have been able to before. My life no longer seems filled with frustrations but instead feels remarkable in all the little things I notice throughout the day (well, at least until I hit the wall when it's time to get ready for bed).
I'm thankful for:

1. a few challenging days regarding my kids behavior because it's shown me that I can keep my temper in check and discipline at the same time
2. Clara getting up so early recently because I've been able to exercise 3 days in a row
3. Thomas not having hives for a whole week, even if we do have a new crop today. At least he had some relief for a time.
   
4. Christian and Clara playing so nicely in room time today
5. Clara doing a good job cleaning up toys
   
6. Thomas recovering quickly from his hives
7. Christian giving a little girl at preschool a hug (this is a huge feat for my child with personal space issues)
   
8. being able to eat those little Valentine's candy hearts in spite of my crazy diet restrictions
9. Thomas finding his feet
10. Jeff being able to get some rest staying overnight in LA tonight instead of the crazy 5 hour drive home

On a side note, here's one of the little "remarkable" things I encountered today. On the drive to pick Christian up from preschool Clara told me she needed money (did I mention, she just turned 2 in December?). I asked why she needed money. She told me she needed it to buy something. I asked what she needed to buy. Apparently a fork. She thought she needed to buy a fork to eat her snack in the car. What an amazing gift from God my children are!

"One of the most amazing things about God is . . .

. . . His ability to use anything and everything - even bad circumstances and our wrong choices - to bring about His own good and perfect will. We may have to suffer the consequences of our wrong choices while God is working out His plan, but His will cannot be thwarted." -CBS Genesis Lesson 19, part 2
I'm thankful for:

1. exercising this morning in spite of wanting to stay in bed
   
2. happy coos coming from Thomas' room when I went to get him up this morning
   
3. the funny things my kids do, like finding Clara in room time with Christian's underpants on her head
4. not getting upset when I found blue marks all over the wall from Christian drawing on the wall with his blue wooden block like a crayon
   
5. resisting the nearly impossible urge to eat cookies even while knowing that it could make Thomas sick
   
6. Thomas going back to sleep on his own after waking mid-nap
7. working on getting the guest room in order because it means my parents are coming!
8. a 30 minute nap today
9. Jeff being able to spend a few minutes playing with the kids before leaving for LA
10. Captain Crunch since that will have to do while I'm jonesin for something sweet
    

"The people and circumstances around me do not make me what I am . . .

. . . they reveal who I am." -Dr Laura Schlessinger
I'm thankful for:

1. not getting frazzled when rushing us out the door to bible study, as I usually do
2. signing Christian up for preschool next year
3. my circumstances being a blessing to someone else by trading days for CBS childrens duty
   
4. everything seeming to work more smoothly today even though I don't think things are any different than usual
   
5. Thomas taking a nap without socks on his hands . . . and he didn't scratch himself!!!
6. all 3 children falling asleep in the car on the way home from picking Christian up from preschool
   
   
7. spending a few peaceful minutes snuggling said sleepy children on the couch
8. a few minutes to chill on the couch while being entertained by Dave and the Giant Pickle
   
9. going out tonight without any children!
10. a yummy dinner at Pei Wei with my dear friend Taun
    

"Father, I thank you that you have heard me. . . .

. . . I knew that you always hear me . . ." -John 11:41b-42a
I'm thankful for:

1. having a peaceful start to the morning
2. keeping my temper in check during our outing to the grocery store
3. watching the hail coming down in tiny balls as it bounced all over the lawn, and being able to share that moment with Christian
   
4. curling up under a blanket on the couch during the kids rest
5. an acknowledgment from a dear friend
6. cuddling with Thomas on the couch
7. reading classic Winnie-the-Pooh stories while cuddled under the blanket with Christian & Clara
8. seeing Christian & Clara with their faces pressed against the window with concern as I take down the volleyball net in the windy rain
9. that little Alexander Dorman has gained weight!
10. a long overdue cleaning of my bathroom
    

"And we know that for those who love God . . . "

. . . all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28. I'm thankful for:

1. Christian sleeping in
2. snuggle time in bed with Clara and Thomas
3. Thomas sleeping well and keeping his "mittens" on in spite of his rash and itchiness
4. a delightfully rainy morning
5. having friends over tonight so I'm forced to get my house in order
6. taking a break from cleaning to chase Christian & Clara around the house
   
7. the smell of baking cookies
8. a terrific turnout & discussion with our young adults
9. Christian & Clara staying in their beds even though they wanted to hang out with their "big friends"
10. Jeff's passion for studying God's word and his amazing intellect
    

"Gratitude is born in hearts that . . .

. . . take time to count up past mercies." -Charles E. Jefferson

1. being able to go up to Flagstaff to see our new nephew Alexander, as well as Brad, Sarah, Mary Kay and Will
2. everyone behaving themselves pretty well on the long car ride
3. enjoyable conversations with Jeff in the car
4. the beautiful ride to northern arizona
5. Christian, Clara and Will playing so nicely and even going off to play by themselves
6. all 3 kids falling asleep in the car on the way home
7. that Thomas stopped scratching while I held him
8. Jeff having such a love for and taking such good care of our kids
9. the beautiful rain
10. cooler weather on it's way

I'm at least a little frightened . . .

. . . that it seems caffeine helps me handle things better. It was a good day.

1. Christian looking to me to console him when he has a nightmare
2. silly bathtub antics
3. Christian making efforts to use his words nicely today
4. pretending we're dinosaurs and flying Thomas around like a terradactyl
5. rocking with Thomas
6. our first trip to the library
7. how smart my kids are! (Clara said she saw a fish outside. Christian said "There's no fish out there! We're in the desert!")
   
8. the sweet cooing noises from a generally mute baby
   
9. spending time reading to the kids on the couch
10. Jeff coming home!!!!
    

WOW, this was a rough day . . .

. . . the worse since I started my Thanks journal, but I'm reminded of Paul's struggles in Roman's 7:18-19: ¹⁸ And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.^[d] I want to do what is right, but I can’t. ¹⁹ I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.

I'm thankful for:

1. Thomas waking up early - it gave me time to do my bible study uninterrupted
2. having a few extra minutes to use shampoo and conditioner in the shower this morning . . . and blow-dry my hair
   
3. Christian and Clara being in time out at the same time because it gave me the opportunity to steam my kitchen floors
4. playing pretend that I was a baby. It allowed me to lay down and rest and at the same time play with the kids.
5. Thomas' skin looking almost miraculously better today!
6. making good headway on my blog design
   
7. Clara kept safe when she ran into the parking lot at Christian's preschool while I loaded Thomas in the car
   
8. the reminder that yelling at Christian to talk nice to his sister is less affective than being a good example of talking nice
   
9. my headache going away
10. that this was the first awful day since starting the blog. I think that's a serious accomplishment considering initially most days were "awful" prior to focusing on my thankfulness
    

The bottom line is that I cannot afford to be selfish when I have 3 kids 4 and under and a husband who travels every week. This is the time in my life for sacrifice and I kid myself if I think I can do things I want to do and be a "good mommy" at the same time. Once I can fully grasp that I think I will be less unhappy and resentful that I can't do the things I "want" to do. I sure hope that I grow wiser this 34th year of my life!

As I celebrate this day . . .

. . . I look to God and give Him thanks for each day I've been able to spend on earth. Today, I am thankful for:

1. having another year to spend with my children and loved ones
2. playing ball and running around with the kids
3. Thomas rolling from his front to back for the first time!
   
4. the numerous calls and messages from friends and family
5. not seeing a single hive on Thomas today!
6. the kids getting better at occupying themselves, like pulling out coloring books and markers as they so desire
7. having a little time to work on my blog design (not quite done yet).
   
8. the ability to have chocolate cake in spite of the diet restrictions
   
9. the scavenger hunt for presents that Jeff somehow, despite working so many late hours, managed to put together before he left on his trip this morning
10. my fuzzy new pajamas
    

So, this wasn't one of the better days . . .

. . . but it certainly could have been worse, and 10 days ago, it probably would have been. I'm thankful for:

1. the knowledge that I am forgiven and that I have a new start with every tomorrow
2. yelling at my kids first thing this morning, since it gave me the opportunity to humble myself before them and seek their forgiveness. Oh, but please, I don't want this to be on the list often!
3. Community Bible Study which always helps me to regain focus and blesses me in so many ways
   
4. Christian wanting to cuddle with me and the sheer joy on his face when I say yes, I do have time
5. Thomas' test revealing he's not allergic to rice or corn
6. fritos and guacamole - something yummy I can eat!
7. Jeff taking the kids to dinner and giving me some time to myself
8. being able to eat Pei Wei gluton free Spicy with Chicken. Yummm!
   
9. the amazing things Christian is learning in preschool and his overall sponginess
   
10. Clara not being nice at bible study because it gave me the opportunity to teach her the right way to treat others
    

One week . . .

. . . and going strong! Today I am thankful for:

1. Christian's honesty, even when it meant he was going to be punished
2. Clara giving Christian such a big hug that they both fell down
3. Christian telling Clara she's a "nice girl" for sharing her markers so well with him
4. a walk on a beautiful day in our peaceful neighborhood
5. my cake baking helpers
   
   
6. Thomas' happy smile and wiggles when I get him up from a nap
7. cuddle time with each of the kids today
8. Jeff putting my drawing table together
9. a little bit more energy to get some things done around the house
10. the positive affects I'm seeing for myself and my family from keeping this list
    

"Don't waste your time . . .

. . . feeling alone." (Heather Nations' in "Nobody likes change - but God says it's for my own good!"). I'm thankful for:

1. wearing a new outfit to church today
   
2. one on one time with Thomas
3. the Cardinals making a valiant effort at the SuperBowl
4. Thomas' steroid cream helping him today
   
5. making Thomas laugh just by giving him kisses
   
6. being able to eat Jello
7. creating the word "valvules" in Scrabble for 178 points
8. "help" making pancakes this morning
9. being loved!
10. the experiences of others to help guide my paths