Day 30 of Being Thankful

Day 30

This is the last day of my thankfulness posts, but surely not the least that I am thankful for.

The thing that I am thankful for the most is...

MY GOD

who sent His son to die on the cross for My sins.

Who raised Him from the dead so that I might have everlasting life through Him.

Without God's love for me, I would spend eternity in the lake of fire. I would forever be tormented. Yes stuff like that is real, and yes it does scare me. But only because I know it is real, and I know that I could possibly go there. My family and friends can go there. I don't want that for anyone.

I fear the Lord, not because He is evil, but because He deserves to be feared.

I love the Lord, not because He is all good, but because he deserves to be loved.

I honor the Lord, not because He gives me everything I ask for, but because he deserves to be honored.

I have Faith in the Lord...

That He knows what's best for me.

That He will provide what I need.

That He will heal me.

That He has saved me.

That He knows my name!

Everything that I have listed for these 30 days is things that I am thankful for because of God.



Day 29 of Being Thankful

Day 29

Today I am thankful for my Mister.

Derreck is such a great man.

A great son.

A great brother.

A great husband.

A great father.

A great man of God.

A great leader.

A great provider.

A great friend.

A great adventure taker.

A great source of wisdom.

A great wood worker.

A great business man.

A great worker.

A great Uncle.

A great Great Uncle.

A great ideals man.

A great man of Faith.

A great man of Joy.

A great man of Love.

A great man of Patience.

A great man of Meekness.

A great man of Long suffering.

A great man of Gentleness.

A great man of Goodness.

A great man of Peace.

A great man of Praise.

A great man of Integrity.

A great man of Hope.

A great man of Kindness.

And last but definitely not least...

A Man after God's own Heart.

And because I know he is going to read this come tomorrow...

I love you Mister.



Day 28 of Being Thankful

Day 28

Today I am thankful for I.

He is so smart at school.

He is so quiet.

He rarely gets into trouble. And usually when he does it's because he has forgot to do something.

He helps out so much with S and M when Derreck is gone.

He has taught me the importance of distinguishing between the roles of male and female according to the Bible.

He has turned out to be pretty funny and pretty often.

He has been the hardest to figure out, and we haven't really gotten anywhere on that. He seems to be the most well adjusted, but I can't figure out why? I know he has seen and remembers a lot more than the other two about their lives before Foster Care. He has more memories with his mom, dad, and grandma. So maybe that's why he is so reserved. Maybe one day we will find out how to get to the whole I.

I know his is a lot shorter than M's and S's, but I think it's because he is so much more reserved than them.



Day 27 of Being Thankful

Day 27

Today I am thankful for S.

She is such a pretty young lady.

She is does a great job at school.

She is very athletic, and can often beat the boys at most things.

She thinks of others, when she has allowance to spend. Most of the time she spends her entire allowance on gifts for others.

She tries so hard to be liked by everyone, I just pray that she learns to be herself and to please God and not others.

She has made me want to try to me more "girlie" because I don't want her to act like a boy, I want her to be a princess, like she deserves to be.

She is the one that God is using to change my heart and my patience and my tone of voice.

She wants to be loved so bad. And I know that sometimes I don't show that love like I need to. She is the one that God is using to help me through that.

She is sooooo crafty. I love to do crafts with her, to teach her how to make new things. I think we need to work on this more often, and build on some love for each other.

I also think that I am going to print this post out for her and give it to her. This is stuff that she needs to know.

I am also going to write letters for the kids on December 26th (it will be a year that they have been with us) because of her. I want these letters to tell them about our year together as a family, I do want them to know the struggles that we all faced, but I want them to see that they are wanted in this house.  I will put these letters in their life books ad write one for each year. I thought of this the other day, and I thought of it mainly for S, but have decided to do it for the boys to.

Day 26 of Being Thankful

Day 26

Today I am thankful for M.

He's so full of energy. 

He's always on the go.

He always makes the craziest noises.

He's a true kid at heart.

We are finally getting to see him be a little boy.

 He takes everything apart, and always has extra pieces!

He does not like to be picked at or be left out of anything.

And he says stuff like this...

Mrs. Ginger how long do we stay at school?

And when I reply about 8 hours, he says,

"Whew, that's a long time to try to stay on good job."

And it really is a long time for him! But you have to give him props on the days that he does stay on good job, because I know know that is an awful long time for him to try to be good!



Day 25 of Being Thankful

Day 25

Today I am thankful for Foster Care. I know that sounds crazy to say, and many people haven't ever even needed to think about Foster Care.

Foster Care is so important to the children. They are taken from dangerous situations and hopefully placed in better homes. I know that this causes issues in itself, but at least they have the chance at a family that will love them and take care of them.

Foster Care is also important to the Foster Care parents. Those especially that can't have biological children. It gives them a chance at becoming a parent to very special children, that otherwise would be alone in this horrible world.

Day 24 of Being Thankful

Day 24

Today I am thankful for the Bible.

Without God's Word I would be lost. I wouldn't know anything about Him or His son or the Holy Spirit. His word has taught me so much about who God really is, about His likes and His dislikes. It has taught me so much about how much this world has twisted and changed His ways to suit them. If only more people would read the Bible and apply His ways to their lives, things would be so different.

God has destroyed the entire population except a few because they had turned away from Him. He can do that today. He has also showed mercy on countries because of one faithful person. He can do that today.

Read His Word, don't try to change it to make it fit your life style.

Let it change your life style to fit HIM!



Day 23 of Being Thankful

Day 23

Today I am thankful for being able to praise God with songs. I like to sing and most of my favorite songs come straight out of the hymnals at church. Too bad most churches don't even use them anymore. I love hearing the kids and Derreck singing these songs together in the car, or even in the house without any music.

I also love Christmas songs! Especially "God is with Us" I think it has became my favorite Christmas song this year.



Day 22 of Being Thankful

Day 22

Okay, so remember that as I am writing this post, it's not really the 22nd, and that it's actually the 30th. We have already decorated the inside of our house and I have winter smells all over.

Now I have a stuffy nose right now. I can't smell these smells, but I know what they should smell like and I can't wait until I can smell them.

A real Christmas tree: so we have the scent of pine. (The kids haven't ever has a real tree, and I've wanted one for awhile, so I was really excited when Derreck suggested it! I'm telling you he's great!)

Homemade ornaments: Spice smells

Clean Cool Air: Fresh Breezy air

Candles: Apple, Cinnamon, and Peppermint are my favorites for Christmas!

I love a house that smells clean, and homey and yummy.



Day 21 of Being Thankful

Day 21

Today I am thankful for our dogs. Now don't think I am a crazy animal person. I do like our dogs, and honestly I do think of them as part of our family. But they stay outside, except on really cold nights and they might get to go in the shop with a heater.

They are good dogs, they protect us. They give us entertainment. They play with us. They love us.

How do I know they love us?

Because after being gone for a week, and finally getting home, but still not getting to spend a whole lot of time with them, they are looking for ways to get our attention.

Ripping up whole bushes.

Eating multiple pairs of flip flops.

Ripping up boxes.

Tearing up their toys.

And I'm sure I haven't seen all of it yet.

All they need is a few pets on the head, and a couple of balls thrown out in the yard and they will be fine. All will be back to normal!

Crazy dogs.



Day 20 of Being Thankful

Day 20

Today I am thankful for flowers. I love to see pretty flowers blooming outside. Even in the winter there are beautiful flowers that bloom.

Roses are my favorite (yellow in particular). I usually get a rose bush every year for our anniversary, and I loved having them bloom even in the winter! Since everything is so dry this year, the ones that I had left all bit  the dust though so I won't be seeing any of those for awhile. Hopefully this year I can get a good rose bed built up with accessible water and away from crazy dogs.

But in the mean time, I am working on getting some plants going for the inside of the house. I have a Christmas Cactus that I am really excited about from my Nanny. It is even starting to grow new leaves so maybe it will put off some buds for me! I also have an amaryllis from her that has two buds. Very exciting.

Now my grandma can grow flowers, and so can my mom. I kept my roses alive for 8 years until they started dying off, but other than that, it is really hard for me to keep things alive. (Derreck is really great at keeping them going for me, especially the roses!)

I also love to receive flowers from Derreck. It just makes me smile, to see them sitting there all pretty and know that he was thinking of me when he ordered them.



I love that man!

Day 19 of Being Thankful

Day 19

Alright I made a promise, and I plan to keep it, so I will be doing 12 posts tonight and all before midnight! Now I realize that I was apologized on Day 4 for being late. Day 4 folks. I know that seems a little bit ridiculous, but I can't take it back now. All I can do is try harder next time. (I will to, I promise. And since I just made a promise I will be a liar if I don't keep it!)

So for this 19th day of November 2011, I am very thankful for my brother. We have always got along pretty well with each other, no real big fusses or anything like that. He has four of some of my favorite kids. His wife is a pretty close friend of mine. I do pray for him to get to know Jesus personally though. As mentioned in the post about my dad, they both really need to turn their lives over to Jesus in order to receive the peace only that He can give.

Day 18 of Being Thankful

Day 18

Okay, I know that y'all are tired of hearing this but I refuse to give up. I will have 30 things listed that I am thankful for by November 30th at midnight. I will.

I do have a very good reason as to why I haven't posted this past week. We were gone all week on a family trip to Pennsylvania! I will post more about the trip and our adventures once I at least get caught up on my Thanksgiving posts. We had a lot of fun though!

So for this day I am very thankful for our safe travels. I know that God has never promised that we would be safe, in fact He tells us that we will be persecuted for His name's sake. But I am oh so thankful for the safety that He does provide for my family and me. (Especially with my driving.) Derreck even made a epitaph about my driving abilities that he said will be on my tomb stone! I don't remember it, but I will see if he does.



Day 17 of Being Thankful

Day 17

Today I am thankful for my little sister, Cassie. We haven't always been very close. In fact at one point we probably hated each other. I know that's a little drastic but it's true. We weren't close at all. She was so demanding ALL the time. I'm sure most of my resentment came from the lack of attention I got because of her getting all of it.

Things have changed soooo much. She has changed and so have I. When she got pregnant with Kaleb she changed completely. It wasn't about her anymore. She became a mother, even before he was born. She did things that I thought she would never do. It was so amazing to see the changes that were happening in her life, just because a baby was coming.

Once she had Kaleb she continued to become this wonderful woman, that was now a mother. It was so sweet to see her with him. To see her dress him, even in shoes. He was so little and she was so gentle.

After he passed away, she changed even more. I know that his passing is the hardest thing that she has had to deal with. I also know that she has had to turn to God in this time, more than she has ever had too before. She has amazed me at how strong she really is. I know she still hurts though. Who wouldn't?

She is know pregnant again, and she is still amazing me at the woman she has become.

I thank God that he is helping my little sister so much!



Day 16 of Being Thankful

Day 16

Today I am thankful for...

My Nanny, my mother's mother. I love that woman. I think she is the only "constant" person that I had to look to while I was growing up. She never changed (anything)! Ever since we got married and wanted kids, the thing that would make me the saddest would be the thought of Nanny never getting to know my kids. Or my kids never getting to know my Nanny. I know that her other grandkids aren't as close to her as my siblings and I are, but they don't know what they are missing!

I can praise God know that I have kids that know my Nanny, and my Nanny knows them!!

Thank You JESUS!

Day 15 of Being Thankful

Day 15

Still catching up from the past few days! (Am I the only one that gets behind on things like this?) Anywho...

For this day I am thankful for my dad. If anyone has read my posts from last year, they know that we almost lost my dad in a motorcycle wreck. That was a scary time. It would have been so much easier if I knew if he would make it to Heaven, but I didn't. I knew that his actions weren't bearing righteous fruits, and that leas me to think that he would be going to Hell. (It's real people!) So it was really scary, to think that your dad would be going to Hell if he didn't live through the night is REALLY hard.

I am thankful that the Lord saw fit to spare him, to give him more time to get his life straight. (I just pray that happens, before it's too late!)



Day 14 of Being Thankful

 

Day 14

Since everyone was still sick, I kept M out of school, and quarantined everybody else to their rooms. They did not like that at all, in fact S got into trouble for not staying in her room when she was told to. By the end of the day everyone was able to eat solid food without throwing up though!

We also had our Sister's of the Lord meeting. We ended up having it at Pizza Hut since our house was still covered in virus germs. It was a wonderful night with all the girls and some of their kids. We are currently doing Beth Moore's bible study on David.

Today I am thankful for girls that I can hold myself accountable to. If I want to teach them the truth of the Bible, then I have to live out those truths. So a lot of times they are my source of encouragement, even if they don't know it.

Day 13 of Being Thankful

Day 13

Sunday was a good day. We went to church both morning and evening services. When we got home, everyone S, I, and Derreck decided it was time to start throwing up. Yep. It was very gross. enough said on that right?

For this day I am thankful for the health of my family. We have had the kids a little over 10 months and we haven't had anything major than a couple of colds up until this point. A little old stomach virus is nothing for God to handle!



Day 12 of Being Thankful

Day 12

Okay so I'm not proud of it, but I got behind. Again.

But I'm back to catch up. Again.

This past Saturday, we had some deliveries to make for our business. We got those done and then got home and began working on Christmas Plays for our church. So much fun! I love Christmas, every little detail about Christmas is so magical but not magical because we don't do magic around here. If that makes any sense at all.

For this day I am thankful for my mother. She is always there to help me out when I need her. We have hardly ever had cross words with each other and I am so glad. She worked hard when she had to in order to provide for my siblings and me. I love that woman!

Day 11 of Being Thankful

Day 11

First I just want to say that I am horrible at taking pictures when there is lots going on. Today we had our family Thanksgiving Dinner at our house. Derreck and I ended up watching miss Pippa today, because Piper was in the hospital with a virus. Piper is doing a lot better now though. Pippa is such a easy baby, I don't know if I have watched a baby before that was as easy as her. Today was just a great day.

Today I am thankful for the abundance of food that the Lord always provides for us. ALWAYS!

For instance...

When everyone lost food because of power outages during Hurricanes Rita and Katrina, we lost absolutely no food. I had just went grocery shopping, but we didn't loose anything. NOTHING! WE even cooked for us, and others for almost a week and had plenty to eat for every meal. God provided!

Any holiday that we have ever had we always have an abundance of food. I always cook the same things and the same amounts. It doesn't matter how many families show up to eat...we always have enough!! God provides!

Even when I am baking cakes and it looks like my oil is running out, some how I always have just enough oil to finish the cakes I planned on making. Even if its 6 cake mixes! God provides.

Now I know these stories don't even compare to when Jesus fed the five thousand with just some fish and bread, but he does provide. That makes me so thankful!

The kids are already asleep, so I will just catch theirs up on tomorrows post!



Day 10 of Being Thankful

Join us over at Becoming a Stron Woman of God to see waht others are thankful for today!

Day 10

I love fall. I love the colors of all the decorations. The yellows, red, and oranges that are in all fall decorations are just gorgeous. Most of the time in Louisiana we don't get to enjoy very much of fall. I can't remember a single fall that I actually saw trees that were green, yellow, orange, red, and brown all at the same time. Except this fall!

Usually we go from this...



to this...

in what seem like over night.

But this year I am seeing all kinds of color, and for someone that gets distracted easily while driving it can get pretty dangerous!

This year I am seeing trees like this...

And I am sooooo thankful, that God made colors like these!

Today the kids are thankful for...

M is thankful for the animals that God created.

I is thankful for the Bible.

S is thankful for her fish.

Day 9 of Being Thankful

Day 9

Today was a great day that was spent with my wonderful husband. I love spending time with that man. I don't know of anyone else that can make me laugh as much as he can. I know he is gone for three weeks at a time, but when he is at home, he is at home. We get to have him to ourselves and don't have to worry about him having to leave for work every single day. That my friend allows us to have a lot of fun!

Tonight is a church night and we help with Royal Rangers and Missionettes. These are two great programs that teach kids about God and life skills, while separating the boys from the girls. There are also different classes for the different age groups, so everything is very age appropriate. (I love to hear the little girls in the rainbow class say prayers!) Maybe I will record their prayers one day and post them.

Today I am thankful for church activities. To be able to gather together with like minded people and learn about God. I love being able to teach kids and they love to learn fun things about God.

Today the kids are thankful for...

M is thankful for his principal.

I is thankful for me and Derreck.

S is thankful for clothes.



Day 8 of Being Thankful

Day 8

Finally caught up!

Today I am very thankful for...

Yep that's rain folks!

And we need it really bad!

I love the sound of rain on a tin roof!

We are in the drought area of the south and have been under heavy burn bans ALL summer long. Our water levels were really low and many areas had water restrictions. When you drive by the lakes, they are so low that you see the old roads.

We really need rain!

So thank you GOD for this rain you sent our way!

The kids are thankful for...

M is thankful for ME!

I is thankful for his brother and sister.

S is thankful for the Bible.

(It's so hard to keep up with what they have already been thankful for! I think I need to keep a list by the computer!)



Day 7 of Being Thankful

Day 7

Almost caught up!

So yesterday I was thankful for my Mother-in-Law. Mammy is what all of her grand kids (and great-grand kids call her!) This woman is amazing to me. She had 11 kids and husband that was abusive and hardly around. She has 6 girls and had 5 boys. She lost her oldest son in a car wreck in 1998 or 1999, I'm not sure which.

She is the grandmother to 23 grand kids. Including our 3 who we hope to adopt soon and one who passed away at just a few days old. And more on the way!

She is the great grandmother to 8 great grand kids! And more on the way!

I know that most wives don't like their Mother-In-Laws, but I have no hard feeling against mine! I love her just as much as my mother and wouldn't have it any other way!

I wish we had a picture of everyone together, but that's just crazy!

The kids were thankful for...

M is thankful for his dad (he pointed to Derreck).

We are making a lot of progress with each of the kids, but it seem like a lot more with M.

Adoption can't come soon enough!

I is thankful for his friends.

S is thankful for school.

Day 6 of Being Thankful

Day 6

I really hate getting behind on something!

On Sunday I was thankful for some of our family to come over to visit. Mike is Derreck's brother. He is married to Rose and they have two cute little girls...Piper Pixie Perry and Pippa Presley Perry. Fun names huh! I helped choose Pippa! Both are really fun to be around and are pretty easy going! Pippa loves her some uncle Derreck! Rose also happens to be D's aunt!



Don't they look fun! We found these hats at a Cracker Barrel and I couldn't resist! They have the perfect personalities for them!

The kids are thankful for...

M is thankful for his preacher.

I is thankful for his teachers at church.

S is thankful for Sunday School.

Day 5 of Being Thankful

Day 5

Still playing catch up!

For this day I am thankful for relaxing Saturdays. It's not very often that we get a Saturday off from our business. Which I don't think I have posted about yet! When you rent inflatable slides and jumpers for parties, your weekends are pretty busy. Since the weather is changing thou we have slowed down on the rentals and we got a little break Saturday.

As a family we went to the Florien Free State Festival. They have a parade, booths, food, games and a skit every year. We didn't stay for the skit. S & I rode a mechanical bull for a few seconds. M rode a pony that was just his size. I didn't bring my camera so we don't have any pictures. We had some relaxing fun while it lasted.

The we came home and watched Cars 2 and I fell asleep soon after it started. The best time for me to catch a nap is always when everyone else is watching a movie!

The kids are  thankful for:

M is thankful for light.

I is thankful for his clothes.

S is thankful for her parents.

And Derreck is a man of his word!

Day 4 of Being Thankful

Day 4

Sooooo...........

I am extremely behind, but I didn't want anyone to think I had gave up! I don't like defeat to much. Friday we went to the airport to pick up my husband who was coming home from work. When he gets home it always takes me a few days to get the routine going again. When I was growing up I never pictured myself being married to someone that was only home for half the time. Who does?

It is really hard at times for Derreck to be gone so much. It also seems that when he is gone everything out of the norm happens. He works hard for our family, and has worked for everything that we have. So today I am thankful for...

My husband having a wonderful job.

That he likes.

That he knows how to do.

That he wanted.

That God blessed him with.

That he deserved.

The kids are thankful for:

M is thankful for his teacher.

I is thankful for his animals.

S is thankful for her house.

And Derreck is sticking by with what he said the other day!

Day 3 of Being Thankful

Day 3

Today I am thankful for the life that I have been given. It hasn't always been the greatest. There were times when I was younger that I wished things were different. As I have gotten older I have realized everything that has happened to me, is what has made me into the person I am today. I'm glad God allowed me to go through some of the things in order for me to become closer to Him. If it wasn't for God I know I wouldn't have made it through some of the things that I did, especially with the hope that I do have that He has so freely given to me!

Today the kids are thankful for:

M is thankful for his brother and his sister.

I is thankful for his friends.

S is thankful for the Bible.

D is thankful for friends who will stick by you no matter what.

I was informed by a very practical man in my life that I did not ask him what he is thankful for. When asked his response went like this...

First and foremost Derreck is thankful for his salvation.

Second his wife.

And he said that is enough to last him his lifetime!

That's what he calls eternally grateful...

Except he's eternally THANKFUL!

I love that man because he takes pictures like this...

and kids love him because he is so fun.



Day 2 of Being Thankful

Day 2

Today I have two little fellas on my mind. I know both of them are in Heaven and healthy and as happy as can be. But my heart breaks for their mamas. Both went to Heaven young but touched so many hearts before they left this Earth.

First our little nephew Kaleb. I know his mama misses him very much and wishes he could be here to welcome his little brother or sister here next May.

And Dawson Lowe

I did not know this little man personally, but when you live in a small area like ours and a family is battling something so scary you hear about them. This little boy passed away yesterday from his battle with cancer. I know his mama, who is also has breast cancer, is hurting and heart broken.

Please pray for these two mamas.

So today I am thankful for kids...

My "soon" to be kids...

My "not yet" kids...

My nieces...

My nephews...

My "like" nieces...

My Sunday School Kids...

All the kids in my life...

They are all blessings from GOD!

Today the kids are thankful for...

M is thankful for His God.

I is thankful for food.

S is thankful for her friends.

and

D is thankful for her loving family.

(D is S's friend who rides the bus home every Wednesday and Thursday in order to go to church with us. Since I don't really know her mom that well I'm going to treat her privacy like M, I, and S's!)

Day 1 of Being Thankful

Over at Becoming A Strong Woman of God they are encouraging everyone to be more thankful during this time of the year. This is a great way to encourage me to be more thankful for even the small things in my life during this crazy life of having children that aren't quite ours yet.

DAY 1



Today I am thankful for the house that the Lord has provided for our family. It's not a mansion, but it has really become our home.

And just to get the kids involved I am going to list what they are thankful for each day also!

M is thankful for his family.

I is thankful for a good house.

S is thankful for her church.