thankful #2

{individuality}

thankful that this boy still wants to dress himself in his own way and not how everyone else is dressing - he is definitely his own person (yes, that's a hole in his sock!)

{creativity}

thankful for the energy that this boy puts into creativity - whether it's Lego creations, drawing, making posters, etc.  This is something he truly enjoys and I'm thankful for that (and that it keeps him from constantly wanting screen time!)

thankful #1

Taking a challenge from another blogsite and focusing this week's Picture of The Day(s) on things that I am thankful for.  Of course I'm already behind so here's Sunday's....

{family}

The boys and I got to spend time with every single member of my dad's side of the family (with the exception of Brian) over the weekend - love spending time with them (poor Kevin is under there somewhere!)

{Grandma}

Thankful that my grandma was not only able to be at Thanksgiving but to also be able to interact with us and be her witty self even though her body doesn't want to keep up with her right now.

got a good memory?

Not a good memory as in laughing with your sisters or getting hugs from your kids.  I mean, are you able to memorize things easily?  I used to be able to do this at least through college (that was my favorite method of studying - making the material into an acronym or something easy to remember).  But I can't say I've tried to memorize much lately, besides names, phone numbers and schedules.

Earlier this evening I prayed to God for a scripture to come into my head that would help me at that particular time.  I came up blank.  General thoughts and knowledge came into my head, like God loves me, He'll never leave me, there's a plan in this, etc. (Maybe a little too much pre-school worship time, huh?), but for the life of me I could not remember a single specific verse!

So, I've decided to start memorizing a verse every week.  Anyone else up to it?  I got the idea from Beth Moore's blog so you can read how they are doing this or join them over there.  From what I understand they just have a group of people who have committed to memorizing 2 verses each month - not the same verse for everyone, but whatever you feel is speaking to you at that time.  I just decided to do one a week cause that's want I want to do .  If you're up to the challenge, do it however you want, but it would be great if you would share your verse in the comments to inspire the rest of us : ) 

I'd love to have company - keeps me accountable!  Here's the verse I'm going to memorize this week:

What God has said isn't only alive and active! It is sharper than any double-edged sword. His word can cut through our spirits and souls and through our joints and marrow, until it discovers the desires and thoughts of our hearts.  

Hebrews 4:12 (Contemporary English Version)

OR

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12 (New International Version)

(I haven't decided which version I like better, but it will be one of these)

I first really saw this at the conference we went to this past weekend, and it's referenced on the t-shirt I bought there.  It really kind of sums of the importance to me of memorizing scripture and having it "logged" in my mind and heart to refer to at any time.

So that's where I'm starting.  I know I'm going to print this verse out and put it on the fridge - haven't figured out other strategies yet.  Maybe a little notecard in the car?  I know someone has good ideas out there.

Charmed

This is a very proud 1st grader showing off his charm that he received last week by earning 5 "Screeches".  The kids at his school get a "screech" from their teachers when they are seen displaying great character traits and then get a charm every time they earn 5 screeches.  They are also congratulated by the principal during morning announcements.  Elliott was so incredibly excited about this that on the morning that he was going to receive the charm he was up and dressed by 7:30 asking if he could go to school yet!

We are so so proud of you Elliott!!!!!!!

Over 8000 ladies....

spent Friday evening and Saturday morning worshipping together and listening to Beth Moore speak live at the convention center in Springfield, IL.  Our group altogether made up about 17 of those ladies.  What a weekend! 

I've done only one study by Beth Moore, but loved every minute of it and this conference didn't disappoint me.  She had an awesome worship team with her, too.  At one point I just looked around at all those ladies in there and heard those voices singing and thought "....this is only a tiny taste of what it's going to be like surrounded by people praising God in his presence someday"  Wow.

Even beyond being spiritually refreshing (which I really really needed), it was a much needed girls weekend - eating late night Italian at Saputo's, trying desperately to find breakfast with 8000 other ladies at 6:30 am (don't recommend it), great road trip company, late night laughs......just wish it could have lasted longer.

Thanks for coming with me girls!!!  When's the next outing???

yumminess

Not sure if that's a word, but that's what I'm saying about the pumpkin pancakes that I mentioned a few days ago.  We did make them on Halloween and they were very yummy!

trick-or-treat