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It's easy to have a thankful heart when things are going well. It's in the trying times we struggle with having thankfulness. We shouldn't, though, for I am a firm believer that things could always be worse. Therefore, there's always a reason to be thankful!

Momma's with help from the boys

This week we are reminded of that as Thanksgiving fast approaches. It's a bit bitter sweet for my family as we had a bad incident last night. It's easy to dwell on the negatives but together as a family, as a team, we're trying to lift each other up. Things won't be like this forever. Meanwhile, lets focus on some good.

Zeke's

So, the kids and I took to the drive way with our side walk paint. The boys helped me with mine and each did one of their own.

Asher's

No matter the circumstances we face, we must always remember -

Family Night Mission: Generosity

I love my church. Have I ever mentioned that? Well, I absolutely do. I believe that we go to the best church around and for that, I'm thankful! (It's probably the ONLY good thing about the state in which we live!)

We received this top secret folder with instructions. We had to go in the car, and Asher got to give us directions as we discussed times of giving/receiving generosity and how it made us feel.

Then we were instructed to stop at a local store (Wally World, no doubt) and to do something generous and bold for someone.

Walking into Wal Mart, Asher suggested we give money to the Salvation Army.

The boys picked out a box of chocolates and a bottle of water to give to the man standing outside in the cold. It took him back, but I think he appreciated it ;-)

We got back into the car and continued to follow instructions. This time, Zeke got to direct where we went! We ended up making a random phone call to Perry's step sister and we each took turns saying something kind to her!

We then ended up back at Wal Mart where we shopped for our Operation Christmas Child! Afterwards, we read Matthew 25:40: "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." We discussed what that meant to us. We said a prayer for our OCC and then got to open our TOP SECRET PRIZE from the top secret envelope! The boys got gift cards for free ice cream at Chick-Fil-A!!!

These are the moments...

I wouldn't change having a sleepless night with these bed hogs for anything in the world! =)

Asher and Macie fell asleep holding hands...WOW!

It was just one of those days and I just so happened to pick up a random book and open it to a random page and got this...JUST WHAT I NEEDED AT THE MOMENT.

Sibling affection, help-ful-ness!

Working together on a common goal!

Using our imagination - "it's a time machine!"

Learning team work by experience!

Helping daddy change the oil in mommy's car! Being little-big helpers!

Those cheesing moments that melt mommy's heart!

There's always a reason to smile!

These are the moments that make all of life's struggles worth while.

Silly moments ((:

Enjoying new experiences! (First time in the big girl tub.)

Enjoying creation!

Encouraging words

I was feeling a bit discouraged this morning about our current situation. Well, I came across this verse during my God time and it really spoke to me:

"DO NOT BE ANXIOUS ABOUT ANYTHING, BUT IN EVERY SITUATION, BY PRAYER AND PETITION, WITH THANKSGIVING, PRESENT YOUR REQUESTS TO GOD. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Jesus Christ." Philippians 4:6-7

As I was in the process of typing this, I got a phone call, the one I was waiting on. An answer to prayers. Seriously got a case of the goosebumps right now!

"...Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 5:19-20

To God be the glory!

Cubmobile Race

Zeke had his first Cubmobile race today! I was unable to attend due to Macie being sick but Perry took a lot of pictures for me.

He did very well! His whole den did very well! Zeke is turning into such a brave young man, trying new things, I'm incredibly proud of him!

The name of their Cubmobile is Fire Blazer (could ya tell a bunch of 7 year old boys named it? lol) It won 3rd place Best in Show. Every kid also received a certificate. Very cool :) So proud of my little man and the young man he is turning into!

A trip to the hospital

Today was Macie's first trip to the hospital. Yesterday, she woke up from a cat nap not acting like herself, and sure enough she came down with a low fever that night. We gave her tylenol but she was up almost all night. We got up super early this morning because Zeke had a Cubmobile race with Cub Scouts. Her tempt was 101.9. The plan was to take her to a Childrens Urgent Care but it didn't open til 9am and she was just not breathing right. At all. In fact, I told Perry I thought she had croup or RSV or something. Deep, struggling breathes that went under her ribcage, croupie sounding cough, it was terrible. I was convinced she would be admitted.

I dropped Perry and the boys off at the race and took her to the Childrens Hospital in the city. She was coughing in the car, and it really scared me that she would choke or something so I started praying for her healing. She never did cough again.

At the hospital, we were in and out pretty quick as it had not gotten busy yet. She still had a temp (101). Her ears were clear, oxygen level good, and they did an xray and her chest was clear! (The whole xray-taking-process sucked. She was in tears and I was told to hold her arms above her head, arms pressed against her head, to "squeeze". I hate seeing my kids in any kind of discomfort.) I am so convinced God healed her. I kid you not, she was in bad shape before, but once I sent up that prayer, there was improvement!

She is still a little ... not herself. But she's much better than she was. I give all credit to God and I'm just thankful she's is going to be okay.

His love

Sometimes it's hard for me to imagine God's love. All I know is what I've personally experienced, and what I've personally experienced is very conditional love. It's hard to believe that I can be loved through my bad times, that my sins and mistakes can be forgiven, that someone can find me beautiful in my darkest hour, that someone can see the good in me, that I am simply lovable. This concept blows my mind. I think it's very important for parents to be conscious of how they parent because how we are or how we treat our children affects how they view God. That's part of my struggle sometimes. :-/ But also, I feel so honored and privileged to be given children (and especially the ones I've been given) because I get to raise my children with unconditional love! I get to encourage these little people, build them up, show them mere glimpses of how their heavenly Father loves them. I get to plant seeds in their hearts. And that gives me hope for a bright future, and fills me with purpose and happiness. :-)

This song below makes me cry. I can't even to begin to fathom His love for me, for us. As a parent, I have a little idea, but I believe His love is so much more greater than we know.

"He is jealous for me, loves like a hurricane, I am a tree
Bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy
When all of the sudden I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory
And I realize just how beautiful You are
And how great Your affections are for me

Oh, how He loves, yeah, He loves us
Oh, how He loves

And we are His portion and He is our prize
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes
If His grace is an ocean, we're all sinking
And heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest
I don't have time to maintain these regrets
When I think about the way

He loves us
Oh, how He loves, yeah, He loves us
Oh, how He loves us"