So Blessed and Thankful

1. I'm thankful for full tummies and everyone tucked into bed. 2. I'm thankful for new magazines that are found in the mailbox each month. 3. I'm thankful for a place to call home and it's more than I thought I could have by myself. God is so good. 4. I'm thankful for this Spring weather! I love the rain, cool nights and warm days. 5. I'm thankful for lessons learned from other people's journeys. Life is complicated at times, painful, lonely, exciting, new, sad, and eventful. I'm not always excited about the hard times or the unexplained times, but I know that God's Will is perfect. And I know that nothing happens in our lives unless God allows it.

I'm in a new season. And it's not particularly fun all the time. But I know that I'm growing. I know that my God loves me and that I'm not alone. That's such good news, but I do get sad from time to time. But it's when I compare my life to someone else's or when I take my eyes off of my Lord and start wanting what this world offers. How easy I forget. I feel like an ADHD child who can't slow his brain down, when I find myself in left field reflecting on the world instead of Heaven.

I want to be superwoman, trying to be the best employee, best mama, best schedule juggler, best everything...but I how I forget that I'm supposed to be shining for God's Glory, pointing everything I am and have to Him, not me. Why do I forget that? My sin nature. Inflating self is so much easier. Lord, forgive me when I want others to see me instead of You.

We are here for such a short time. Life is but a vapor. I want to make everyday count and point to Him. Because His Mercy and His Grace saved me. Christ took on my due punishment and yours, so we could be reconciled to the Father. I pray for moment by moment transformation. I want my thoughts and motives to be pure in His Sight. I want to become less of me and more of Him. I want to be merciful and kind, generous and forgiving, and loving like He loves. I can't do any of that without allowing Him to transform me and remembering it's ALL about Him.

Be blessed!!!! =)

Saying our turtle goodbyes, Tennis and Teens

We let our pet turtle, Rocky, go in the local lake today. We've had him since Christmas of 1999. He was such a sweet little guy, but he had outgrown his third tank and I wasn't investing in another one and I didn't want him to be miserable any more!!! So, we waved goodbye to him today. Of course, my youngest cried! Bless him, he's so dramatic. Bye Rocky! I hope you get to eat lots of fish and make some new turtle friends!

My oldest had her last high school tennis match of the season. She played doubles and singles. She won her singles match 8-4. I was so proud of her. =) And speaking of my oldest, she has had a boyfriend for a month now. He's a doll, good student, awesome athlete and comes from a great family. The catch is, he's two years older and he DRIVES. I've never let her ride with ANYONE under the age of 25 and I'm even picky then. And I've let her ride with him a few times now and it's so strange to think that she's growing up. And that I'm making different decisions than I've ever made before. He's still bummed that I won't let her go on dates until she's 16. They have a good six months before that! Maybe they will cherish it when it finally comes! Life is good!

Saying goodbye to a sweet pet, watching my daughter play a sport when she swore she wasn't athletic, and watching her make good decisions and really love someone for the first time! I'm so thankful for these times in my life.

1. I'm thankful for sweet welcomes from our lab, Bo Henry. 2. I'm thankful for voice mails from my nephews telling me something new! 3. I'm thankful for kisses directly on the mouth in front of everyone from my seven year old! 4. I'm thankful for the times I had watching sweet Rocky swim and wave his little front legs when I touched the aquarium glass. 5. I'm thankful for the talks that I get to have with my oldest, 15 year old daughter. I treasure her honesty, her openness and her opinions! I'm so blessed.

Things I'm thankful for

1. I'm so thankful for the smell of rosemary. It is one of my favorite smells. And it makes the most beautiful house plant. 2. I'm so thankful for the rain, thunder & lightning. I just want all of my family to be safely inside to enjoy it!!! =) 3. I'm so thankful for the opportunity to meet new people. At church, the ball fields, the tennis courts, soccer fields and at work. They're are so many amazing people that inspire me. 4. I'm so thankful for decorating blogs. I love peeking into other's worlds and seeing how they furnish & style their spaces!!! =) One of my favorite blogs is Isabella & Max Rooms found here http://isabellaandmaxrooms.blogspot.com/ 5. I'm so thankful for cameras. I love taking photos of my family and my little life. Documenting my short time here!!!

Little Bear got the game ball tonight!!! He was so proud. It was the first hit off the pitching machine this season.