Snapshots of our walk

Steps

I'm making some changes in my life and the lives of my kids. We need to establish roots in our community and form friendships here. This is where I want to raise my kids and it's important to me that they have full lives and know they are part of this community. Getting to that means changing churches from one I have loved but is too far to really access often. It means taking steps to meet people and find friends in our own town, both for my kids and myself. Getting to this jumping off point took a lot of prayer and thought and some council with my parents. I am so encouraged by what lies ahead of us and the people we will meet. I am thankful, today, for always having the ability to reach out and expand our lives in many different areas. 2012 is going to be a blessed year!

Stuff

Stuff gets in the way of me remembering to post. My week started slow but picked up speed and a hint of crazy. Thinking back a couple of days I am thankful for my health, even with days like Friday when I didn't feel good but didn't know why. I'm thankful for the surprise gifts from friends to remind you that you are loved. And I am thankful for Chinese food. After 2 weeks or more of craving it, the kids and I went yesterday for a lunch/snack date and I got my almond chicken I wanted so much. It was delicious.
As for today, I am thankful for a good nights sleep for both kids and myself. The day seems so much better when you start out feeling rested and revived. :)

Sputtering

My car is doing a weird sputtering/missing/I don't know what kind of thing and it's not the first time. Today I am thankful for having a good mechanic who is also a family friend. I know I can trust him and the work he does on my car. He has gone out of his way more than once to help me and also my parents. That makes all the difference in the world. Tomorrow morning I have an appointment for my car. :)

Knowledge

Yesterday I was thankful for the things I am learning in my classes. I have always loved school and I appreciate it even more as an adult. I have a very different perspective now than I did at 18.
Today I am thankful for Awana. My kids love to go and I love to help there. I loved going as a kid and it's fun to see my kids embracing it the way I did. The program itself is a wonderful way to teach kids about God and His love for us all, in a fun and engaging way.
This is the first year that both my kids are in it and it's a very exciting time. :)

Shopping

I forgot to post yesterday so it's catch up time again.
I am thankful for school being back in session today. Zane was so happy to go and see his teacher and friends. He came home with lots to report about his day. :)
I'm also thankful for surprises in shopping. More specifically, surprises in sizes! I went to buy jeans today and had to buy a small size! Yes!! I haven't even trying to lose weight but apparently I did somehow. Awesome. :)
Also, how cute is she? She and Zane both got new sunglasses today. Fancy stuff. :)

Sun

Today I'm thankful for sun! I so badly wanted snow and I am not complaining but seeing the sun glistening off the snow is pretty nice. :)

Sweet

I was thankful for Hostess chocolate donuts yesterday. Seriously. We have been snowed and iced in since Monday. My dad and I ventured out yesterday and I bought some chocolate donuts...after thinking about them since Monday. They were delicious! Sometimes it's the little things, ya know? ;)

Ice

We've got it.

Side note

You know what rocks? Blogging from my phone. I so love my iPhone. Best.purchase.ever. I think my laptop feels left out. Ha!

Cleaning!

It feels so good to have spent most of my day cleaning, de-cluttering, and organizing a ton of stuff in my room, my kids room and on my computer! I'm not quite done with some computer stuff, but it will be a nice way to spend my evening after the kids go to bed.
Today I am thankful for spaces to call my own and my kids. It's nice to have a place to be alone, to study and to just be.
Here is a picture of something I worked on today. This is where my jewelry resides. It was all cluttered and full of stuff that got tucked away into a cute pink basket today. I love the colors I have chosen and how well everything is coming together. Let's hear it for fun, girly and hand made decor!!

Snow!

We finally got some snow! That is what I am thankful for today. I just wanted enough snow to go play in with the kids and that is what we got!

Crafty

I made this earring holder last week. Just used an old rusty cheese grater, spray paint and some beads for the knobby legs. I love how it turned out!

Waiting for snow

We are still waiting for snow at our house but Claire and I went to town to run errands and we got to see some snow. :) She is adorable.

Behind again

Being sick really gets old fast and I hate being out of our routine. Here we go again for 3 more days worth of thankfulness
I'm thankful I am better now and have my strength back. I hate being sick and I hate feeling so physically weak. I'm glad I could get back into our daily routine today!
I'm thankful thy even on my grouchiest days, like today, my sweet girl can make me smile and enjoy my day. She sure is cute!
And finally, I am thankful for the Internet. Haha seems funny but it's true! I'm glad I have access to stay in touch so easily with so many people I love and also to discover new things everyday. I heart the internets. ;)

Behind

I'm behind thanks to being sick the past two days. So here we go.
I'm thankful for my parents who help me so much with my kids. I have been sick and not able to do anything and my dad took care of everything with them. I am blessed to have such awesome parents!
I'm thankful for good communication with Zane's school. The staff knows me and it's good to know they take good care of my kiddo when he is not with me. I couldn't be happier with the schools here.
I am also thankful for Words With Friends. So much entertainment in a little game. And, right on my phone! I love it!

Giving

I gave my time today. I loved it! I volunteered in Zane's class for the whole morning and was able to work with students one on one practicing letters and numbers. It was so great! I also started helping at our local Awana club on Wednesday afternoons. I am working with k-2nd graders; learning scriptures, playing games, etc. I so enjoyed today and having the opportunities to help kids grow and learn and have some fun! I'm thankful for the gift of time to give. God has blessed me and I want to bless others!

Friends

Today I'm so thankful for my close friends. You are my handful of favorite people and I love you each so much. Thank you for brightening my days with our texts and emails. <3

Kindle

Today I am thankful for my Kindle. It may not seem like a big thing but it makes me happy. I am a book worm and I love the instant access. I can shop for books from my bed! Yay technology!!

Church

I'm so thankful for my church family. The people I get to see every week are loving and fun and super awesome. I love the support and encouragement each person in the church body gets from one another. We get to gather and worship in so many different and unique ways, I love the freedom to be yourself! God has blessed us all with the gift of this wonderful spiritual family!

Cutie

This is too cute not to share. She ate about 10 or 12 bites of this...

6 & 7

I forgot to post yesterday so I'm catching up today. :)

I am thankful for my car. It was recently tuned up and given some much needed TLC. It runs like a champ and I'm thankful I have a dependable car to get me and the kids around in.

I'm also thankful for impromptu "dates" with my kids. We went to a thrift store, craft store, the library and for ice cream today. It was really fun to spend time doing out of the ordinary things with them. They are both so adventuresome these days and I love that a trip to a thrift store becomes a treasure hunt. I'm so in love with my kids!

Crafts

Today I am thankful for crafts and craft stores. I love getting my creative juices flowing. I have a list that is a mile long that I want to try, but a lot of them aren't kid friendly so my time is limited. I don't usually feel crafty at 8pm after they are in bed and I have had time to wind down some. In addition to this, I am also thankful for finally finding the will to stop when I feel overwhelmed or my heart isn't in it. I no longer feel guilty when I don't finish something...it just wasn't my "thing".

Parents

I'm so incredibly thankful for my parents. I'm so fortunate that they are the type of parents who welcome their kids back home, at any age. I love living with them and my kids. It means a lot to me that they care for me this way and now my kids. They are truly a wonderful example of unconditional love and I am so happy my kids get to witness it everyday. My dream has always even to live close to them so my kids would grow up having them around all the time. I got my dream and then some. I know this living arrangement won't last forever but I will cherish it while we have it.

Smarts

I'm so thankful for the opportunity to go to school. I ended my fall term with an A and a B; a 3.43 GPA. I am happy that my hard work paid off. It's a tricky thing to be a single mom and balance school, kids, kids extra-curricular activities and church. I owe a big thanks to my parents for providing child care each week so I would have some study time during the days instead of doing everything at night when the kids are in bed.
I start winter term in less than a week and I am looking forward to it. I'm just so blessed to have this chance to do something to better myself.

My loves

Today I am thankful for my kids. I'm thankful to be their mom. I'm thankful I have a close relationship with each of them. And I am thankful I get to spend my days with them. They make me so happy, frazzled, proud and loved.

Day 1

My goal, not resolution, this year is to end each day with something I am thankful for from that day. I want to keep it here and in a journal.

Today I am thankful for God's love. His love for us never ends and it is wonderful to feel that in a very real way in my life. I look forward to pursuing an even closer relationship with Him each passing day. I have declared 2012 the year I let go of all my fears and rest in Him. Psalms 34:4 says "I prayed to the Lord and he answered me. He delivered me from my fears." This is my verse of the year.