Thirty Days of Thankfulness Day 13

Today, I am so very thankful for my three children. I am so thankful that exactly 21 years ago today, God chose to make me a mom by blessing me with this amazing young man!

His sisters would soon follow and though it hasn't always been easy and I have definitely made some mistakes, I am so very proud of all three! They may not be "perfect" but they are perfect to me and I'd put them up against anyone any day! They are truly great. I love them and am so proud of them. I have enjoyed every minute of being their mom.

Thirty Days of Thankfulness Day 12

Yesterday, I was thankful for my LIFE Group. Every Tuesday night this semester, I have been blessed to meet with a wonderful group of people of all ages, races and both genders, some single, some married to dive DEEP into the Word of God.

This is my third attempt to finish a LIFE group. The first time, Jeff and I were still married and we took a couples group as part of our recommended marital counseling. But in the middle of it, I had to have knee surgery and we sort of got out of going. I have wished many times over that we had stuck with it.

The second time was last Fall and I did a women only group. It started out okay. But I trusted people too soon and I learned a valuable lesson. That is all I will say about that.

This time, I LOVE this group. I have been very careful with what I share about my personal life but I do feel a genuine and mutual love and support among the members. They have prayed for me and with me and have been so encouraging.

Last night it became clear to me why I've had such a difficult time completing a LIFE group all the way through to the end when we discussed Chapter 11 and Demons. I won't go into a great bit of detail on the topic because that isn't the intent of my post. But every other week (if not every week) of this semester, something has attempted to keep me from attending. Last week, I had to wait on my electricity to be connected after a freak accident with the power lines, meter and pole to my townhouse. Some weeks, someone's car has had trouble. Others, someone had been sick, in the hospital or had some kind of drama going on.  But it's always something with me or my family trying to keep me from growing spiritually. But I will not give up and my LIFE group members will not give up on me.

I am so thankful for them and am so looking forward to the retreat coming up in a few weeks!

Thirty Days of Thankfulness Day 11

It's Veteran's Day and I know I am supposed to be thankful for the service and sacrifice of those who have served, are serving and will serve in our military and I am.

But pardon me for being more thankful for my nieces and nephews. Particularly today because it's one's 2nd birthday! And I am so thankful for this cutie!

Happy Birthday, Chloe aka Sissypants! Chel loves you!

Thirty Days of Thankfulness Day 10

Sunday, I was thankful for lessons I have learned in the past few months. I got upset with someone today but I did not respond the way I would have six months ago. I attribute a large part, if not all, of the change within me to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and to the amazing peace He brings.

I was so excited about the message Pastor Chris brought yesterday through the movie, The Guardian that I SO wanted so many people I love to hear it. But I think the most important part of that message for me is that I have to just save the ones I can and let the rest go. I can't tell you how heartbreaking that is to not be able to help the ones you love most. But like my very wise best friend told me, I am who I am and that will help some. And for that I am thankful.

Thirty Days of Thankfulness Day 9

Saturday I was thankful to live in the state of Alabama (even though I may leave someday) and that my son is a student at the University of Alabama. I am also thankful for his roommates and their parents. Because of them, my daughter Kayti got to attend her first Alabama football game and what a game it was!

I was so proud of my Tide and very thankful to be in Tuscaloosa and feel a part of the amazing atmosphere down there! ROLL TIDE ROLL!

Thirty Days of Thankfulness Day 8

Friday, I was thankful to have reached a point to not only be able to sit peacefully next to my ex husband at our daughter's football game (she is in the Colorguard and the football team is in the 6A playoffs--also thankful for both!) but that I had the peace within me to offer to share a blanket with him because it was bitterly cold! Forgiveness is a gift you give yourself!

Thirty Days of Thankfulness Day 7

Thursday I was thankful for having a late day work schedule because I'm able to schedule appointments during the morning on that day without having to take off work or miss time.

I was also thankful to take my daughters to a new orthodontist, Dr. Christy Savage! After such a terrible experience with Birmingham Orthodontics and then meeting Dr. Savage and being able to witness her evaluation of my daughters' needs and thorough examination, I have realized the old adage is true--you get what you pay for!