Days 23 - 30th, I am thankful for...

Wow! Thanksgiving week through me for a loop! I completely didn't blog and I feel terrible about that...so here we go:

Day 23: I am thankful for laughter in our life. I know that things get crazy and yes there are days that I lose my cool, but we will always laugh during the day. I love hearing my children laugh, I love that my husband can make me laugh so hard that I cry. I am thankful that even through the hard times we can find something to laugh about.

Day 24: I am thankful for Thanksgiving! I am thankful for the ability to buy the food that we needed to celebrate this amazing day with friends and family. I am thankful that everyone that came to my house loves me and my family like their own. I am thankful that we were able to relax and have an awesome day of fellowship.

Day 25: I am thankful for COFFEE!!! Yes, you heard me. I got up around 6 am Thursday and didn't go back to bed until Friday morning about 3:30am! Target called my name and I had,  no needed, wanted to go so badly!!! I love to shop and I wanted to go and this was my first year ever joining all the crazies out that early. Had a blast and would definitely do it again but I am thankful for coffee because it helped me get through Friday:)

Day 26: I am thankful for rest. I know that I already mentioned naps but this is different. I am thankful that after all that we did over the past two days to just be able to be content and rest with my family. No deadlines to conquer, no have "to do" lists, just rest and enjoy my family. We don't get too many of those days and I am glad we had a chance to do so before the holiday weekend was over. I am thankful for rest.

Day 27: I am thankful for church. I am thankful that I can freely go worship where I want and when I want. I am thankful that I can go as I am ( I do dress up, but if I wanted to go in sweats they would still love me.) I am thankful that I can hear God's word taught to me. I am thankful that my family enjoys going and worshiping together.

Day 28: I am thankful for the ability to read and write. I love that my little girl will pull out books and look at me with longing eyes wanting me to take a minute out of my day to read to her. One day she will be able to read and won't need me, so I will take time to read with her. I am thankful that I can write, because I have to teach my children that as well. If you can write then you can jot down any thought that you have.

Day 29: I am thankful for this blog. It is an outlet for me to talk to other adults when I spend my entire day around my favorite little people. I need a place to vent my bad days, share in our triumphs, and hopefully connect with someone. I need this more some days than others.

Day 30: I am thankful that Christmas is our next holiday. I enjoy blessing others and I am so excited about this Christmas because I am having a Homemade Christmas. I am trying to make all of our Christmas presents and even a couple for my own children and I hope that everyone enjoys what they receive. I am so thankful that God has showed me all the things to be thankful for this month. I am thankful for more than what I tried to write down here. I hope you all saw new things to be thankful for as well...

Thanksgiving Day...

I practically begged my husband to allow me to host this most blessed event. For 13 years we have gone to someone else's home. Not that I really minded, but I knew that one day I would want to do it at my home. This year we purchased our home and even though we don't have everything the way that I want it...I want to host. All of mine and Mr.'s parents have had a rough year in one way or the other, so I wanted to host for that reason alone. I wanted to say thank you for all that they have done for us over the years. We should all grow up one day and hopefully do for our parents and this is my year.

I wished to have houseful and a ton of memories to fill our home for years to come. Unfortunately, I will not have all the family that I wanted here. So I tried desperately to fill our home...extended family made other plans so they were out, now what? We prayed about it and I asked for people to be sent my way. We decided to ask the Korean family that goes to our church and they said yes. Then they knew some that didn't have any family here and asked if they could come and we said yes!

So now I have a mix of my family and some that needed a family. Isn't that what Thanksgiving is all about? I wanted a housefull to make memories and these people will carry on that memory with them forever. I wanted to share God's love with everyone that I could and I can with everyone entering my home. I wanted to cook and host for people that I love and now get to and I am uberly excited! I am thankful for this opportunity that God has given to share our home with others.

What are you doing for Thanksgiving? Do you have any traditions that you'd like to share?

Day 21 & 22: I'm thankful for...

Day 21
I am thankful that I am not snooty! I think that I have a good attitude about everything and I am such a people pleaser that it would be hard for me to be snooty to anyone. I am a little shy and I pray that God will help me grow out of that and blossom a little more.


Day 22
I am thankful for everything that God has blessed me and my family. We may not have a whole lot but the blessings that we have received are miraculous and I will never take them for granted. In turn I am thankful that He has given me a giving heart as well. I want to bless others with things that they need. If I have it I want to give it to you. I can't stand for anyone to go without....

Day 20: I'm thankful for...

I am thankful for all of my family...Brothers, Sisters, Nephews, Nieces, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and really close friends that should be included in my family. I am grateful to have each and everyone of them in my life. I am thankful that they encourage me and they have taught me so much through the years. I hope they each know that they are special to me and hold a special place in my heart. I love them all dearly:)

Day 19: I'm thankful for...

I am thankful for rainy days. I love snuggling up with the kids and letting the house work slide for a moment while it pours outside. I enjoy taking time out and resting for a while and watching them grow. I don't want to miss this and I don't want them to grow up to fast. The rain seems to help in this and it seems to make time stand still, at least around here it does. It reminds me to take a step back and enjoy them for a minute longer, get a few extra kisses, laugh a little louder, give a couple of extra hugs, and just play a little more.

Day 18: I'm thankful for...

I am thankful for naps! I have mentioned it before, but my baby has not slept the night through as of yet. I am somtimes extremely jealous of the parents that have babies that slept through the night at 2 weeks...uuggghh! I have learned to accept this behavior and have learned to accept taking naps with my daughter. There are nights that I may only get a couple hours of sleep so I desperately await the nap time that day. She will grow out this one day and I will be extremely thankful for a full night's sleep with no need to nap:)

Day 17: I'm thankful for...

I am thankful for:

Christian music that plays during the day while we work and clean.

an air conditioned home when it's hot outside or the heat for when it's cold outside.

a fireplace so we can toast marshmallows inside this winter.

a washer machine that works really good and the dryer too!

a dishwasher to wash all my dishes so I have more time with my family.

an oven so I can prepare meals for my family.

comfy furniture so we don't have to sit on the floor.

clothes! I love hand-me-downs:)

shoes so we don't have to go barefoot.

electricity to run everything in the house.

clean water to bathe in or drink.

technology...my phone & the computer I'm typing on.

I am thankful for even the little things that I may take for granted everyday.

Day 16: I'm thankful for...

I am thankful for all the gifts that God has given me. I am thankful that I am crafty which helps when you home school because sometimes you have to come up with a cheap craft when you need one. I am also hoping to have a handmade Christmas this year,  (will post those later). I am thankful that I can sew and knit, yes I am myself how to knit!

I am thankful that I have the ability to cook. I love being in my kitchen and making meals that my family will enjoy. I love baking too! I am thankful that I am creative in the kitchen because sometimes you have to be when you are on a tight budget.

Am I failing?

I knew when I started home schooling my son that I would have struggles, good days and bad days, not so structured days and ones that go exactly as planned. A lot of people thought I was crazy to homeschool him with the Autism factor. I prayed and and prayed and our decision was yes and God would help us. I had thought about what if he doesn't pass this or fails that and had a plan. Yet, I don't think I ever thought about the days that I would feel like I was failing him. Today was that day.

Math, Art, Social Studies, and Science all seem to come easy for him and he enjoys those subject. Language Arts and Reading Comprehension is difficult for him to pick up and right now we are struggling with adjectives. I sat for 30 minutes each day last week and explained, showed examples, wrote sentences and prayed with him. Since we didn't have school yesterday we picked back up today and did the exact same thing. So I was frustrated when he took his quiz and scored a 42!

A 42!?!?!?!

Really? a 42?

I went into the kitchen and cried.

I really wanted to go hide in the closet but I wasn't going to make it that far.

What did I do wrong? Am I failing him as a teacher? Would someone else teach him better? Was this just a fluke? Tears streaming down my face quietly as I search for answers and prayed for strength because I was going to need it along with patience and understanding today.

So we sat there and tried again. This time he made a 72. Better but still not what I expected.

Side not: I am not one of these parents that expects all A's. I know that there will be things that he masters and somethings that are difficult. I do expect his best work though. If he had made a 72 the first time then I would have been fine.

So what now? Well, I am not allowing him to take the test, at least not yet. He will have a ton of worksheets this week until I am satisfied that he KNOWS how to identify adjectives. He will be drilled and drilled all day and asked to put adjectives into his everyday sentences. I have to conquer this one so when the next bump happens then I can stand up against it with confidence.

I've decided never again will I feel like this. It is by the grace of God that we have gotten this far with His grace we will finish. Just because we hit a bump doesn't mean that I am failing him. It just means I may have to find a different approach. There is always more than one way to learn something.

Do you homeschool? Any experiences you want to share?

Day 15: I'm thankful for...

We are halfway through!!! This is where it seems to get a little tougher for me. NOT that am not thankful I think I am just looking for BIG things and I need to remember that it's not always the big things but the little things too...

Day 15: I am thankful for my car. It is a couple of years old but it runs great and gives awesome gas mileage. I am thankful that we are able to afford it and can't wait until it's paid off. It gets us where we need to go. I am thankful that it has a radio that plays Christian music, heat when it's cold outside and air condition when it's hot. I am thankful that the tires are good. I am thankful that I am blessed to have car:)

Day 12, 13, and 14! I am thankful for....

I am behind on my own blog hop..that's bad...hehehe! So here I go:

Day 12: I am thankful for my job. I was able to pick up a part time job about a month ago and it has been a true blessing. I have a full time job as a mom, but to get paid to do something is awesome! I love going in to work knowing that I am going to be able to help my family financially, even if it's just a little. I get to help!

Day 13: I am so thankful that I can get up on Sunday mornings and go worship the one true God. I am thankful that I can get my kids up and we they are excited that we are going to church. We put on worship music, the one and only day I really don't want the tv on, and we dance and sing while we are getting ready to leave. I want my children to be excited about worship!

Day 14: I can't believe that I haven't posted this one yet....I am thankful for my grandparents. I only have one set still living and they are amazing to me. My grandmother (Bana) loves on my children like no one else can. We went to lunch together and I realized how blessed I am to still have her. I am thankful that I can call her up and talk to her...I love talking to her. My grandfather is funny. He always has a "joke" to tell you. I am super blessed~

Day 10 & 11: I'm thankful for...

Day 10: I'm thankful for my friends & my homeschool group. I am thankful that I have someone that I can call when I am just in the mood to talk. I am thankful that I always have someone praying for me. I am thankful that there is someone always in my corner. I am thankful that they all are different and inspire me in different ways. I am thankful that God has placed each one in my life. I am thankful that at least once a week I can get out of my home and socialize with other moms! :)


Day11: I am thankful for a clean house. It may not stay clean for long but at least I can enjoy while they sleep:)...lol!!!

Day 9: I'm thankful for...

I am thankful for my in-loves (aka the in-laws). I have heard that phrase a few times around and thought I would start using it as well. I love their son with all my heart and they are wonderful people so why not? I am thankful that he loves his mother, because I know that he will always take care of me:) I am thankful that they raised him to be a hard worker. I am thankful that they chose life for him too! I am thankful that they gave him good morals. I am thankful that they taught him great work ethic. I am thankful that they love my children.

Day 8: I'm thankful for...

I am thankful for restful nights. I have not slept the whole night through in over a year, but some nights are more restful than others. There are some nights that I don't get to sleep because baby girl struggles all night long. Then there are nights that I get something close to 5-7 hours of sleep. I have learned how to live with what I get and some days are better than others. I am so thankful that we have a warm bed to sleep in as well. I am thankful for the covers that cover us and the music that plays all night. I am thankful for the night light, even though I don't need it, it does give light in order to help her rather than doing it in the dark! I am thankful that we have angel's that guard our home the whole night through. I am thankful that I have a baby that wakes me up...even though I really can't wait to sleep all night:)

Day 7: I'm thankful for...

A day late....sorry.

I am thankful that I can talk to God...not just what He wants to hear but how I really feel. I don't want to water down my words or make them all flowery and pretty. I know that he KNOWS my heart and that means that I can share with Him everything. I can ask all my questions and the what if's. I can confess all my hurts, fears, and anger. He made a person not a robot & I definitely have thoughts, feelings and a ton of questions. Yet, He listens and guides me without judgement:) I am thankful that He loves me and wants to know me.

I dare you to join!

We started off the month of November blogging about all the things that we thankful for in our life. The first week is down so I challenge you to finish the month with me!  So hurry up and join in on this hop with me! If you want to join in then all you have to do is the following...it's never too late to join.



1. Blog each day in November about something that you are Thankful for in your life!

2. Put this button on your page:)




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That's it! Please join me and leave me a link of where you are and I will come visit you this month! Happy Blogging:)

Day 6: I'm thankful for...

I am thankful for the option to homeschool. We didn't start homeschooling until the end of last school year. I wanted to protect my son from things that were going on in his school. I believe that it is a personal choice and this is something that I had to pray long and hard about. I kept thinking...but he needs to be socialized and he needs interaction. Could I truly take this on with him having special needs and the whole deal? I was definitely scared and worried about "how I would do"...then I realized that I was going to be a tool for God to work through. He can help me do anything that He has put in my heart to do. I knew I could do this and we would be just fine.

So I am thankful for the ability to homeschool by the grace of God. I am thankful that I have found curriculum that works for us. I am thankful for the routine that has been established in our home. I am thankful that we can read our Bible and pray freely! I am thankful that I can teach all the pledges (the American flag, the Christian flag, and the Bible). I am thankful that my son is learning memorizing scripture and that will be imprinted on his heart forever. I am thankful for the flexible days when we just want to be a little lazy or stay in our p.j's. I am thankful for the jam packed days. I am thankful that he is getting the one on one attention that he needs. I am thankful that we can slow down and concentrate where he may need the most help. I am thankful for homeschool groups so he can have some buddies to play with & I get some grown up time.

Day 5: I'm thankful for...

I am thankful for finally having a home of my very own! After years of moving, (we have moved 6 times in like 7 years) and renting for just as long I finally have a home...

We have been here for about 2 months and it seems that it doesn't seem real. I have another little confession...I still have not hung one picture, not one! I think that I will be working on that this week.

I am thankful that we have this beautiful home that God provided for us. I am thankful that it sheilds us from the weather outside. I am thankful for all the hand me down furniture inside this home that we have something to sit on and lay in at night. I am thankful for the huge yard where the children can play and have fun, I hope to have a small garden next year(: I am thankful that it is fenced in and the dogs can run and play...no more walking them 3-4 times a day. I am thankful for running water and warm showers. I am thankful for a fireplace and can't wait to start one this winter! I am thankful for all the trees that provide shade during the day. I am thankful that we are in a safe neighborhood and God protects our home.

Day 4: I'm thankful for...

I am thankful that God blessed me with the ability to be a mother. Even more blessed to be a mother to the two most awesome children in the world! I may be a little bias...lo(: There are days that I take for granted and I may lose my cool but at the end of the day I wouldn't trade motherhood for the world. I don't usually use their real names on the blog all the time but today I will....

So meet my first born, Ethan...

I am thankful for Ethan for so many reasons: he has taught me that their is more that one way to do anything. I am thankful that I get to stay at home with him and get to see him blossom everyday. I am thankful that he his an awesome little man who loves God with all his heart. I am thankful that he is learning how to pray. I am thankful that she is healthy. I am thankful he is one of the most friendly kids that you will ever meet. I am thankful that he has a very creative imagination when it comes to Lego's and paper. I am thankful that he can entertain himself. I am thankful that he is an awesome big brother, he loves his sister so much!

Now lets meet Gianna...

I am very thankful that God blessed me with her after so many years of prayer. I am thankful that she is so happy, she has an amazing grin and you just can't help to giggle. I am thankful for the mornings that she sleeps in late. I am thankful that I learned about cloth diapers because she loves them. I am thankful that she has not had a hard time with teething...she's had her moments but they could have been way worse. I am thankful that I get to stay home with her and have been able to enjoy every minute of her. I am thankful that she is healthy. I am thankful that she loves her brother so much, she searches for him in the house...really its too cute(:

As you can see I LOVE my children and I am very thankful to be their mom. They are nine years apart and I don't know if I would have it any other way. They are great with each other. I am truly blessed by both of them...



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Day 3: I'm thankful for...

I am thankful for my husband. We have been married for almost 13 years...WOW! I really can't believe that it has been that long. It has been a roller coaster ride, we've had our up and our downs. We are not perfect but we compliment each other perfectly. We are both saved and we training our children in God's word as well. He is my best friend. I love him with all my heart.

I am thankful that God placed him in my life. I am thankful that he puts God first. I am thankful that he is the leader of our home. I am thankful that he works really hard so that I can stay home with our children. I am thankful that he is a little OCD because sometimes I get out of cleaning the floors...hehehe. I am thankful that he is active in our church. I am thankful that he has a huge heart for others. I am thankful that he loves me. I thankful that he is an awesome daddy to our two beautiful children.

Of course there is more but again that would a very long post so I will end it here... 

Wordless Wednesday...

the fairy princess & the baseball player

Day 2: I'm thankful for...

I am thankful for my parents. My parents married very young, (he was 16, she was 15) and they were married for a while before they had me. I am thankful the chose life for me:)

Even though they divorced when I was seven I am thankful for the following things given by either parent, (or step-parent): I never had to worry about food, shelter, or clothes, they raised me to be a good person and to care about others, took care of me when I was sick, they took me to church and shared Jesus with me, they love me and my husband and my children, I believe that if they could they would give me anything within their power that I needed, they have been my "rock" at different points in my life, they tried their best to be good parents in their own way, and they pray for me.

There is so much more and would probably take forever to write down. I love both of them very much. I am very thankful to be their daughter.

Day 1...I'm thankful for...

I am thankful for my Salvation. I am so blessed that Jesus was sent for me. I so did not deserve it, but that is why His Mercy & Grace are so awesome. He would have come if it was only for me. I am thankful knowing that my past no longer matters because it is forgotten. I am thankful that I don't have to worry about my future because He has it laid out for me as long as I abide in Him. I am thankful that I can come boldly, but humbly, before Him in the throne room and make my requests known or just sit for a while in His presence. I am thankful that He calls me His own, I am a co-heir with Christ. Praise God always and forever!