Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but . . .

. . . only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. -Ephesians 4:29
I'm thankful for:

1. Thomas waking with happy noises and not screaming for me - the first time ever!
   
2. Thomas' first (it's really come through this time) new tooth
   
3. Josh's sermon really speaking to me this morning about how we are to have a different way of thinking that affects how we interact with others
   
4. that I was actually able to listen to and concentrate on a good part of the sermon
   
5. Clara getting to go on a date with Daddy
   
6. having a nice conversation with my Mom & Dad
   
7. making Orange Creme Shake with/for Christian
   
8. enjoying time with just the boys and how the dynamic changes when one of the kids are gone
   
9. how excited the kids were to share what happened in their day with each other
   
10. planning for the week ahead
    

"Weekends are a bit like rainbows;

. . . they look good from a distance but disappear when you get up close to them." -John Shirley
I'm thankful for:

1. the weekend and not having to go it all on my own
   
2. Thomas' amazing week of sleep. I think we are turning a corner!
   
3. fresh air mowing the lawn
   
4. being able to laze around a bit and not feeling too guilty as my dishes pile high on the kitchen counters
5. ordering curtains for our sliding glass door - finally! And finding ones I like at a great deal on eBay
6. Christian attending Sam's birthday party at a bowling alley and having a blast!
   
7. Christian and Clara having fun their first time on a slip 'n slide
8. being able to eat with less restrictions
9. enjoying a nice glass of wine and homecooked leftovers
10. Clara returning to her big girl bed and hope that she does better staying in there from now on
    

"Independence"... [is] middle-class blasphemy. We are all . . .

. . . dependent on one another, every soul of us on earth." -G.B. Shaw, Pygmalion, 1912
I'm thankful for:

1. feeling a lot better this morning
   
2. finally getting around to letting the kids paint the critters my sister sent and playing in moon sand
   
   
3. not getting very angry (there were a few minutes of serious grumps at the end) when looking at the mess from the moon sand
   
4. even hearing some happy squeals when I've been putting Thomas to bed (or when he's woken up) the last few days. That has never happened before!
   
5. Thomas successfully retrying carrots and oats with only a contact reaction to the carrots
   
6. finding a cool father's day gift for my dad at Etsy.com
   
7. my new Franklin Covey weekly planner arriving!
   
8. mmmmm! Clean sheets!
   
9. neighbors are moving in next door!
10. getting to meet neighbors at an ice cream party and seeing the space station fly overhead
    

"In the sick room, ten cents' worth of human understanding equals . . .

. . . ten dollars' worth of medical science." -Martin H. Fischer
I'm thankful for:

1. the tylenol working to bring down my fever so I could function most of the day
   
2. Christian being helpful and kind for at least part of the day
   
3. Clara saying with utmost sympathy "I hope you feel betta Mommy"
   
4. more ways that God is convicting me to grow. Especially being a good example to my children and using my words for good no matter how I'm feeling
5. the Hahne's watching my kids while I went to see the Dr
6. the Dr seeing me even though I got lost on the way there and was 20 minutes late
   
7. getting on antibiotics - please God may it work quickly!
8. getting the kids to bed without throwing up. Thank goodness they can do so much for themselves now!
   
9. Jeff coming home and taking care of me
10. not every day being like this
    

" If there is any deficiency in food or exercise, the body will fall sick." -Hippocrates

Please pray this mastitis goes away on its own. Jeff is gone tonight and tomorrow and my fever is increasing.
I'm thankful for:

1. having a totally ideal morning. Cooking, cleaning, playing, reading and most importantly - no grumpy mommy!
   
2. trying new foods for Thomas - little pieces of banana and strawberry
   
3. Thomas sleeping well this morning and this afternoon
   
4. Thomas not acting very itchy
   
5. everyone behaving better - particularly me
   
6. more ideas of things I'd like to do during the day like music time and art time
   
7. a plan of action for helping Thomas with his itching
8. only one night that Jeff will be out of town this week
9. a yummy dinner at the Hahne's tonight!
10. visits with old friends
    

"Don't worry that children never listen to you;

worry that they are always watching you." -Robert Fulghum
I'm thankful for:

1. not getting angry or even in the least bit irritable when getting out of the house in a rush this morning
   
2. interesting theological questions I've been having lately with Christian and Clara in the car
   
3. better behavior from the C's today
   
4. Thomas having a good 9 months checkup today at his pediatrician's office - 9 MONTHS!!!
   
5. Thomas handling shots, bloodwork, and allergy testing as well as could be expected and recovering quickly
   
6. spending long overdue time with the Brower's
   
7. good news at the allergist that Thomas tested negative to several foods we thought were positives. Also, that having hives on his chin does not necessarily indicate an allergic reaction but rather a skin sensitivity so we can re-introduce all foods that are negative and slowly introduce foods that were mildly positive to see how he handles it
   
8. Jeff being home to help bathe and put the kids to bed
   
9. feeling refreshed after the long weekend and able to handle the norms of life with more ease
   
10. eating one of my favorite dinners tonight since I can now eat beans again!
    

"They fell, but o'er their glorious grave . . .

. . . Floats free the banner of the cause they died to save." -Francis Marion Crawford
I'm thankful for:

1. the sacrifices made by the brave men and women, both past and present, in order to maintain living a blessed life in a free country. May our current and future administrations remember what and why we continue to fight for our freedom.
2. Thomas finally falling asleep at 5am
   
3. Jeff having an extra day off and being able to sleep until 7
4. finding a possible new cause of hives - gelatin (marshmallows, jello)
   
5. encouraging words from Melissa to clear my perspective
   
6. cooking some foods for the week
   
7. Jeff taking the older kids out for the whole morning
8. Thomas sweet and easy going demeanor when he's not itching and overly tired
   
9. enjoying delicious food and great company at the Harding's Memorial Day party
   
10. opportunities to teach our children about patience