My list

I missed church again last Sunday. It's becoming a frequent occurrence now, and I really wish it weren't. The first obstacle I have is that there are six people in my house. We leave for church at about 8:45 in the morning, so that gives me two hours after the kids all wake up to make sure everyone is fed, cleaned up, dressed, etc. before we walk out the door (and this includes myself, of course). Usually, what happens is that Nathan and I get everyone through breakfast, bathroom stuff, and we get them dressed, then we look at the clock and realize we only have 20 minutes before we have to leave. At that point, it's pretty common for me to still be wearing pajamas and no makeup. Sometimes, it just doesn't happen. Other Sunday mornings, we all manage to be ready to go on time, and we get there just the way we're supposed to. However, my second stumbling block is Miss Anna. She does NOT like going into the nursery. At all. She hates it, in fact. If I go in there and sit on the floor with her, she's fine (as long as she keeps one hand on me at all times). The few times that I've tried to leave here there have been disastrous. Either she screams her head off until someone comes to get me, or she makes herself sick (she threw up all over one of the nursery workers one morning). If I take her to Sunday school or worship service with me, she gets bored, starts babbling (loudly), and I have to take her out and walk the halls with her until it's time to go home or she falls asleep. Needless to say, even when I'm able to make it into the church building, I still haven't heard a Sunday school lesson or church sermon in months. It's very frustrating.

Anyway, I didn't make it this week - again. A good friend of mine, upon learning that I was at home on a Sunday morning, gave me an assignment. She wanted me to make a list of 50 things that I was thankful for (thankful to God, that is). She told me that I had to be pretty specific - no "stating the obvious," as she put it. At first, I thought, "I have so much to be thankful for! This will be super easy!" Well, I do have a lot to be thankful for, but it turned out to be much more difficult than I originally anticipated when it came to actually writing it all down!

So, here is my list. There are a few "obvious" things on there, but they are truly my biggest blessings. Some are a little silly, too, but if you can't laugh at life, then you're just never going to have any fun.

1. Nathan
2. Ethan
3. Nicholas
4. Zoe
5. Anna
6. My miscarriages - the babies I lost. I loved them, too. They helped to put things in perspective for me and remind me that I should never take my children (the ones I have and any more that may come) for granted.
7. Love - even when my kids make me insane and Nathan and I irritate each other, we always have love here in our home. So, so much love.
8. My family (immediate and extended) - we might be strange, but we're all we've got!
9. Nathan's family - they all accepted me as their own, from the moment Nathan proposed. I couldn't have hand-picked better in-laws!
10. The fact that our entire family (both sides) lives close by and we see everyone so often.
11. Godly examples of marriage that we've been given (and are still given) in my parents, Nathan's parents, and my grandparents.
12. That our parents had us in church from an early age, were continually faithful, and were (and still are) wonderful models of Christianity for us. That they've instilled a knowledge of right and wrong within us.
13. Financial freedom because of Nathan's practicality and frugality, through Biblical principles and the incredible guiding hand of his Dad. We are debt-free!
14. Nathan's business. He is our breadwinner, the backbone of our family, and he did it all himself. If it weren't for his unfailing commitment to bust his butt all day, every day, we wouldn't have the life we have now.
15. My stay-at-home mom status. This is through God's constant provision of work and income through my incredible husband. I might complain sometimes, but I know that I have an incredible opportunity that others don't, and I'm trying so hard to appreciate it (even when the kids are destroying my house and punching one another in the face)!
16. Our home. Not only did we design and build it ourselves (well, Nathan did), it's completely paid for. It really is OURS.
17. Our vehicles. Again, we are debt-free, and we have several working vehicles so we can go where we need to go! So many people don't have a car, or they're slaving away to pay for a car, just to go to work and make more money for the next payment. 
18. My education and my ability to learn. I might be a stay-at-home mom, but I do have a college degree (with honors)! I really appreciate the sacrifices my parents made to help me realize that goal, and I am so grateful that I was able to go learn and better myself.
19. Our health. Neither Nathan nor I have any health conditions or problems, we don't have to take any medications, and we rarely get sick. Our children are also extremely healthy and haven't ever had any major health problems.
20. Fertility. Where so many couples have horrible struggles, we are immeasurably blessed.
21. The ability to carry a baby to term and deliver without medical intervention, and the fact that I've been able to do this four times without any serious problems.
22. Modern medicine (mostly epidurals, although I did have one birth without drugs!).
23. FOOD! Enough said.
24. The fact that I can prepare decent meals for my family, from scratch, without completely screwing them up or killing anyone.
25. Free will. God knows I'm going to mess up, but He lets me make my own choices anyway. I'm glad to know that He's still there, waiting with open arms, when I come crawling back.
26. Mistakes and failures. See above. These things aren't fun, but they've made me the person I am today, and I wouldn't trade that for anything.
27. The fact that God is not done with me yet! I'm still growing and changing!
28. The ability to take control of my health and my body. Here's to making them better!
29. The gift of common sense. Thank you, Lord, that I am not as dumb as others.
30. Our church. It isn't perfect, and we've had our share of trials, but we're part of a family, and it's a really important piece of our lives.
31. Ministry opportunities in church, such as Vacation Bible School, where I can be involved, have fun, and be a servant.
32. My ladies' Bible study group. I'm really looking forward to the next study in the fall!
33. The gift of discernment, and the ability to use it without being judgmental.
34. The internet.
35. My BN's. Those girls ROCK!
36. Friends old and new, near and far.
37. Scrapbooking - instant stress relief.
38. Chocolate.
39. Texas! I love living here.
40. Flip flops, especially the cheapies from Old Navy.
41. My sense of humor.
42. Those that can appreciate my sense of humor.
43. My musical ear, so that when I sing in the car, my children's ears don't bleed.
44. Sonic Happy Hour. Half-priced drinks can never be wrong.
45. Family trips and vacations.
46. The ability to express myself through writing.
47. Bath and Body Works.
48. The ability to use my limited artistic ability to make cool things for others.
49. Pajamas!
50. My mommy body. After seven pregnancies and four babies, it's not the most attractive, and some things don't work like they used to, but every mark and dimple is there for a reason. I'm proud of how far I've come, and that I'm still here to tell the stories!

This was not an easy exercise for me, but it was one of the greatest things I've done in a long time. I would encourage all of you to sit down and list your 50 as well. It will really wake you up and make you very aware of just how much you truly have to be thankful for, in detail! The funny thing is, I had such a hard time starting this list, but now I can think of lots more! Maybe I'll keep going?

Amanda, thank you so much for making me do this!

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"Count Your Blessings"
A hymn written by Rev. Johnson Oatman, Jr.
Published in 1897.

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings. Wealth can never buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be disheartened, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Getting Crafty

I've almost always made birth announcements and birthday invitations for my kids. I like doing it, it's fun, and it's super cheap (extra appealing reason). Basically, it costs nothing to make them, and then I just have them printed as 4x6 or 5x7 pictures at whichever photo lab I choose. If you order customized invitations, you'll be spending a lot more money than that, and it's usually way over $1.50 per invitation. No, thanks. (I actually did order birth announcements for Anna and spent almost $60.)

*Shameless plug for Creative Memories: I use CM's Storybook Creator 4.0 software to do this. It's a one-time purchase, and its uses are completely endless. Basically, Photoshop for Dummies. Me = Dummy. It's digital scrapbooking software with limitless applications (I rarely scrapbook with it at all). Check it out on my best friend Andee's page HERE. Also, I usually either make my own elements or snag them from the interwebz, which means they're FREE. :)

*Shameless plug for myself: If you need any kind of printable, please let me know! I love doing this, and I can do my best to make what you want! We can work in trade - my Suburban is currently covered in pollen, and I'm always looking for a babysitter. (Okay, I'm joking on that last part.)


Anyway, I recently started making them for other people, and I decided to show off some of my work. Obviously, I've blacked out the personal information, as I don't want you to stalk my buddies. Enjoy!

Chop, chop!

We're going for a new look around here. Hairless.

A little while ago, I posted pictures of Nathan's drastic haircut. He donated his hair to Locks of Love, which I thought was great. Well, I've been needing to go get a haircut for a really long time as well. I was finally able to go (thanks to my in-laws' willingness to babysit!). I hadn't planned on cutting it to be super short, but changed my mind once I learned that I also had enough hair to donate. The result? Well, it's shorter than it's been in a long time!

The lady that cut my hair (Stephanie) also cut Nathan's! She actually took pictures of Nathan's cut, and when I went in for my haircut and she figured out who I was, she offered to send them to me. So, here's what we have:

Stephanie and Nathan (and his donation) .

 My donation.

Guess Anna didn't like my haircut.

I'm glad we were both able to do something constructive with our hair, rather than just have it swept up and thrown in the garbage.

My BBC girlies!

There are very few moments of sanity during any given day at our house. I've had so many people tell me that I need to take time for myself and enjoy this pregnancy just as I enjoyed the first one. Right. These people don't live with me, obviously.

Anyway, I randomly went to the Babycenter website one day while the kids were napping, and was checking out information on Baby's due date, size, and all the things that were going on in my belly that week, when I noticed the "Community" feature. Once I was inside, I found a group of ladies that were all due in the same month I was! 

To make a very long story much, much shorter, after some time in the main group, I ended up finding a much smaller number of women that I got along with really well. Our personalities mesh, and we all have a great sense of humor (and a healthy grasp on reality). No, your baby is not going to die if you eat unheated deli meats. No, your baby will not get the umbilical cord wrapped around its neck if you lift your arms above your head. Most likely, your kid will be fine (until you manage to screw something up). Quit stressing and go eat some sushi, right, girls? Oh, and have some caffeine while you're at it.

Our little throng has about 50 members now, and we like it that way. We come from all backgrounds and all walks of life, we're various ages and in different stages of our lives, and we're scattered all over the place (mostly in the U.S.). Some of us already have kids (of all ages), and others will be first-time moms in May. It is so much fun to communicate with these ladies, and it helps keep me somewhat sane. I don't always get to spend much time online with them (I do have to be a mom and a wife occasionally), but when I do, it's very rewarding, and I usually end up laughing hysterically at some point.

The best thing that's coming up? Our baby gift swap! We were each assigned another group member, and we're making something for her baby. Sometime before Baby comes, I'll get a gift from Jenn, whom I've never met, made especially for my little one! I made my gift for Kelli already, and I can't wait to send it to her! Super fun!

So, here's an official nerd shout-out to my BCFC girlies! I love you all! Thanks so much for the little bits of "me time" that you've given me!

Bible Study!

My Friday schedule once again includes Bible study! I'm so excited! I haven't been able to make it to the last couple of studies for a number of reasons, but I think this one is finally going to work out. I hope so...it's going to be a good one, I think.

Daniel is fascinating, and I can't wait to get in-depth! We're focusing on living a life of integrity in the middle of a modern-day Babylon. Loose translation: Be in the world, but not of the world. There are going to be a lot of days where I'm going to have a hard time hearing the things I need to hear, and I can already feel it, but I desperately need this. Nathan was excited to learn that we're going to study the prophesy in Daniel, because he finds that particularly interesting. I get a little (okay, a lot) uncomfortable talking about end-times prophecy, but I think it'll be good for me.

The best part about Friday's first session? All three kids marched down the stairs to the childcare area and immediately went to play with the toys. No protests, no tears, no whining. Thank you, God! That was a huge source of stress with the other studies I've done...the kids did NOT want to go (especially Zoe). I think we're going to make it this time. Let's just pray that this does not become an issue in the coming weeks.

I love Beth Moore! This is the third (fourth? fifth?) study I've done that she's written, and I've loved them all. I wish I had been able to participate in the last one, because I really wanted to do it, but there were just too many obstacles and I couldn't make it. I hope I don't miss any days for this study...it'll be intense! Wish me luck!

The chopping block

No, I did not lose my head today. Well, not physically, anyway! :) I did, however, lose about nine inches of hair. Good riddance, and I am so happy to be free! Unfortunately, my hair grows super fast, so this will only last a couple of months. Oh, well...I'll enjoy it while I can.