"One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living.

. . . We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon - instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today." -Dale Carnegie
I'm thankful for:

1. oh my goodness! Thomas finally slept during naptime without me rocking him, without waking after 30 minutes, without screaming and getting his mitts off. It is truly a miracle!
   
2. Shea being so kind as to move our light fixture for us because we asked but not because it was put in incorrectly
   
3. my precocious little girl! Clara made a loud noise today and said "that's obnoxious!"
   
4. mowing the lawn. Because it needed it, because it gave me some quiet time to myself, because I enjoyed the physical labor
   
5. putting toys in Thomas' crib with him. He didn't sleep this afternoon, but at least he didn't scream the whole time
   
6. Thomas being so happy in spite of not sleeping
   
7. recognizing before it happened that Christian was taking the golf club for the sole purpose of hitting Clara
   
8. the sheer joy on the kids faces when they were playing in the pool
   
9. good conversations with friends
10. the knowledge that this crazy life is just a season and we will get through it and it wont last forever
    

"It would seem that something which means poverty, disorder and violence every single day should be . . .

. . . avoided entirely, but the desire to beget children is a natural urge." -Phyllis Diller
I'm thankful for:

1. this new ritual with the kids of a tea party outside in the morning
   
2. a reassuring conversation with Dr Mitra about Thomas' allergies
   
3. Christian giving Clara a hug when she was very upset after being disciplined. He told her "hugs always make me feel better"
   
4. Clara giving Thomas a pacifier to try to help him when he was crying
   
5. an impromptu play-date with Melissa, Christian and Mary
   
6. Melissa offering to keep Christian while I took Clara & Thomas home to nap. What a blessing!
   
7. Clara and Thomas finally falling asleep in the car and transferring easily back to bed
   
8. not losing my mind during the hour and half of crying from Thomas and screaming from the kids
   
9. Jeff taking the C's to the soccer park to play and fly a kite after dinner
   
10. Thomas enjoying rice crispies without choking on them

And we know that in all things God works for . . .

. . . the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. -Romans 8:28
I'm thankful for:

1. finding Clara & Christian giggling & cuddling together this morning when I went to get them up
   
2. having enough time to empty and reload the dishwasher before leaving for our crazy day
3. flattering comments from the ladies at bible study
4. seeing one way God is using Thomas' allergy problems to show me that I cannot solve or research my way through a problem but instead must rely on His perfect plan
   
5. a little break at home while Christian is at school and the others are sleeping
   
6. Christian's preschool
   
7. Thomas not having to undergo allergy testing today, for his own sake even if it would have been nice to have some more ideas of what's going on
   
8. going out to dinner as a family - that has been a long time
9. Christian and Clara wanting me to put them to bed and snuggle every night. It can be frustrating but it's nice to know how much they care.
   
10. Jeff helping Thomas to go to sleep tonight
    

"When the head aches,

. . . all the body is worse." -English Proverb
I'm thankful for:

1. Thomas sleeping until 5:00am; I was not optimistic of him sleeping well considering the way he looked last night
2. overhearing Christian giving Clara a hug on the couch and telling her he loves her
   
3. getting an appointment with an allergist for tomorrow afternoon. I'm hopeful the testing will reveal more reasons why he's been breaking out in hives so much
   
4. GREAT news for my dear friend and the court ruling in their favor
   
5. Thomas taking a good 2nd nap. I know this is repetitive but it has been such a problem and the poor little guy so needs his sleep!
   
6. for remembering that even though I have a nasty headache today there used to be a time when I had them several times a week instead of several times a year
   
7. Thomas kissing Clara and Christian today
   
8. seeing my children growing and changing in all ways. This gives me reassurance that they will outgrow their "issues".
   
9. the combination of Benadryl and fresh air helping Thomas to not scratch
   
10. Clara encouraging Christian to be brave while getting his haircut tonight . . . and he was!

"Sleep is the golden chain that ties . . .

. . . health and our bodies together." -Thomas Dekker
I'm thankful for:

1. surviving a very tough, sleepless night without feeling grumpy or completely out of whack and Jeff's help in trying to keep all the kids in bed or back to bed
   
2. pancake/rice crispies breakfast to celebrate the Lord's day today
   
3. sharing our day with Uncle Chad and Aunt Laurel
   
4. the turkey chili I made the other day so I could eat lunch without feeling burdened with figuring out what to eat
   
5. getting the big blind hung in our bedroom
   
6. the kids adoring their aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins so much
   
7. a delicious Mexican meal at the Brower house filled with things I can eat
   
8. playing Nertz! What a joy it is to play with the Wodrich/Brower and, this time, Culver family
9. the personal sacrifice Jeff made allowing me to stay and play Nertz, while knowing that he would have to stay up extra late tonight to get his work done
   
10. successfully transferring all 3 sleeping children from car to bed without waking any of them
    

"The informality of family life is . . .

. . . a blessed condition that allows us to become our best while looking our worst." -Marge Kennedy
I'm thankful for:

1. the kids playing so nice together more often than not lately
   
   
2. more tea time play with the kids
   
3. Thomas acting fairly well in spite of an increase in hives the last several days
   
   
4. this amazing late April weather for Phoenix! This must be the first time I've ever had windows open this late in the year.
   
5. the document my dad sent on Greek Easter. Very interesting and nostalgic. I'm glad I took the time to read it somewhat close to Easter.
   
6. Clara's spontaneous singing and Thomas chiming in with her. So very sweet!
   
7. Jeff getting some work done in the garage
   
8. Clara and Thomas helping me "cook" in the kitchen
   
9. Wodrich family get-togethers!
   
10. Uncle Chad and Aunt Laurel coming to visit
    

"Vitality shows in not only the ability to . . .

. . . persist but the ability to start over." F. Scott Fitzgerald
I'm thankful for:

1. having a good week and a half of sleep at night without Thomas waking up!
   
2. getting 6 loads of laundry folded and finished
   
3. taking a break from chores and sitting down to a tea party with the kids
   
4. Thomas playing so nicely by himself most of the time
   
5. each day is a do-over of the other one. Today I am anxious for tomorrow's do-over.
6. Christian's incredible golf swing and interest in sports
   
7. Clara trying to clean up after herself after her accident
   
8. snuggling with Christian at naptime and both of us catching a little nap
   
9. catching up on emails and bills because I stayed focused!
   
10. my mom