taking {3} days at a time.

November 25

- a snowy world … still.
- a high of 20+.
- all of the cooking … done a day early.
- cranberry salsa … a family favorite.
- a husband that is a kid at heart.
- a 4 wheeler, sleds, tubes, baling twine … and brave children.
- laughter.
- mini sparkling apple ciders.
- turkey, prime rib, ham … and all the “sides” one could dream of.
- the best pumpkin roll … ever.
- whiskey, lemon & honey … a huge help for my sore throat.
- memories of Bama.
- remembering 2010 through pictures.
- entertainment provided by watching others play the wii.

November 26, 2010
 
- clear roads.
- sales at local stores.
- toys by ERTL.
- boys that were really good shoppers. really, really good … like deserve a medal “good.”
- flannel sheets with skiing polar bears.
- presents bought and $ saved.
- white turkey chili.
- another book finished.
- the ability to gargle … without gagging.
- cough drops.

November 27, 2010
 
- sleeping in.
- hunters with gifts.
- more snow, freezing rain … and another reason to “stay put.”
- jell-o made with 7-Up.
- 25 books wrapped for 25 days of reading.
- Christmas decorations un-boxed and on display.
- a growing collection of snowmen.
- my favorite nativity scene/set.
- only one boy for the day.
- Richard Scary books and Mack’s sweet voice.
- dinner at a reasonable hour.
- circle punches and trees created.
- a Christmas 2009 picture frame with the perfect picture for it.
- our first “home” to decorate.
- childhood memories and old toy barns.
- learning to be humble.
- ideas for Mason’s birthday coming to life.

getting caught up ... or trying to.

they say that some of the best way to "lose" your followers is to stop posting frequently ... or post the same stuff over and over again ...

change is good.

variety is better.

and can you believe there isn't one thing in the rules of "how to keep your blog alive" about posting about gratitude - day after day after day?!.

ha ... I'll show them.

November 19, 2010 

- the first of my childhood girlfriends turning 35 today … it’s going to be a big year for all of us!!
- pizza, a piece of pie and water for $2.50.
- toothless grins.
- discussions about the tooth fairy … or is it tooth fairies?
- cute farm animals – excited about their play.
- awards assembly day – one of my favorites each month.
- inventory for Family Day and time with Judy.
- help from Jenny.
- family movie night … and the Brownings.
- relatives that love my kids as much as their own.
- brownies, caramel, and apple slices … YUM!
- the opportunity to just sit and visit.
- friends that invest time and energy in knowing and understanding me … and loving me anyway.

November 20, 2010
 
- clean bathrooms.
- two of my cattlemen leaving to spend a day in the cow truck – coffee cups in hand and coveralls on.
- a quiet morning with Mack.
- the preschool bazaar and the goodies I couldn’t resist – including new scensy bulbs and Christmas smelling goodness!
- lunch at La Palma & the best guacamole I’ve had in months.
- moving furniture and changing the feel of a room completely.
- Starbucks ... delivered.
- leftovers that still taste great!
- popcorn, lots of butter and a good movie.

November 21, 2010
 
- worship, the word compassion and a sermon I needed to hear.
- a boy who loves to see people and say hello … some of his traits do come from me … shocking, but true.
- my mother in law and her willingness to take the boys for a couple of hours.
- a fun photo shoot just as the snow started to fly.
- lunch from McDonalds.
- an afternoon in sweats.
- another Starbucks delivery.
- reading time with Mason.
- a long nap for Mack.
- puzzles, UNO, and a kitchen table clean enough to play on.
- tuna melts, jell-o, and apples.
- the Bucket List.
- organized folders and sharpened pencils.
- an unloaded dishwasher.

November 22, 2010

- a slow and safe drive to school.
- the first snow of the season.
- excited first graders.
- Tom Turkey’s Thanksgiving and an audience filled with families and classmates cheering for a great production!
- trees made with love and a Christmas gift almost complete.
- snowmen with baseball caps.
- snow boots.
- 5 successful parent/teacher conferences.
- a message to go home NOW.
- a brother in law with a scraper and gloves.
- a very slow & safe drive home.
- 4 wheel drive and working headlights.
- friends to laugh, live and learn with.
- a “snow day tomorrow” text … followed with “seriously.”
- rest … good, quiet, warm rest.

November 23, 2010

- the weather channel, a warm blanket, hot spiced cider and “made from scratch” bran muffins.
- laughing with my husband early in the morning.
- “oh yeah baby” shouts from the boys bedroom as they watched the snow fall.
- good book to read.
- homemade pizza.
- sledding, gloves that won’t stay on, and snow angels.
- tortillas, paints, pretzel sticks = Thanksgiving teepees.
- hot chocolate.
- snowflakes falling – all. day. long.
- rice pudding.
- naps … I love them as an adult … why are they no fun as a child.
- advent ideas.
- inspiration from magazines springing to life.
- all the right ingredients for a good dinner.
- NCIS and foot rubs.
- clear, bright night sky reflecting on the blanket of snow .

November 24, 2010

- a lazy morning on the couch with a warm quilt and a good book.
- a counter large enough to roll out lots of dough for rolls and pies.
- Pioneer Woman pie crust and Libby’s.
- the smell of pumpkin pie baking in the oven.
- sunshine streaming through the windows.
- the white winter wonderland we’re surrounded by right now.
- peaches … canned with love … eaten with appreciation and joy.
- tubing, red cheeks, gloves that fit this time, and the snow crystals blowing through the air.
- hot cocoa … my boys are as addicted as me.
- my mom … on speed dial.
- pictures … capturing the “moments” that take my breath away.
- heavy eyes.
- a package from Amazon.
- time spent with Jesus.
- a boy who loves sunsets as much as his mom.
- homemade rolls – that look almost “perfect.”
- Pioneer Woman’s mashed potatoes.
- Mack’s sweet, sweet voice and his love for his mama.
- jigsaw puzzles & a card table.
- heat – especially when the temperature reads 10 and continues to drop.

.............................

Happy Thanksgiving.

May blessing be found in every corner of your world!

the 18th of November.

It's early.  Like 3 a.m. early.  The wind is blowing outside and it's raining.  I just cut out 12 pilgrim hats, unloaded the dishwasher and folded a load of laundry.  I'm tired, but I can't sleep.
I've read through some of the book of Romans and the verses I keep going back to are these:

Romans 5:3-6
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.  And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.  And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.

And then in the margin in my daily walk Bible it says this:
"make a Christmas list of 5 people that I know who need to receive God's free gift of salvation, and boldly share Jesus with them."

The word "boldly" scares me a bit ... but it puts excitement in my heart as well.

And then for just a second or two, (I'm ashamed to write) I even thought "when will I be able to "fit" that into my daily routine and busy life?"

Reality check Lindsay.

I'm here to be used by God.

And it's not about whether it's convenient or not.

I'm here to add some "spark" to the world - or at least that is what I want to do.

And if I live intentionally, and share Jesus in a real and authentic way through what I say and do ... well, I'm on the right track and hopefully off to a good start.

My friend Michelle posted this the other day & it spoke volumes to my soul.

"It's not how much you're in the Bible, what really counts is how much Bible is in you!" -John Wimber

I'm a character in the lives of many of your stories ...

and my prayer is that as our stories unfold and intertwine ... that you will see and believe and know the power of Jesus in your interactions with me. 

You'll feel his love, you'll recognize his grace, you'll receive his forgiveness, and you'll have a peace that others will want too.

....

so ... rather than just reading something and thinking about it ... I'm going to apply what I've read to my life.

I'm going to pick 5 characters in my story ...  and I am going to share the best gift of the season with them ... God's free gift of salvation. 

I want Romans chapter 5 to be one of their favorites too.

You want to join me??  ... our "stories" will be better than ever!

.........................................

- a camera I'm still borrowing.
- my favorite orange sweater.
- hot chocolate in the morning - some people need coffee ... I need hot chocolate.
- supportive families and the cutest pilgrims around.
- clean desks.
- math facts.
- tissue paper and it's many different uses and reuses.
- saying "no" to good things and having an easier, much needed, night at home.
- a phone call from Mason's principal - his first rough housing incident ... not really happy about the call, but thankful for the lessons he is learning.
- Family Day entertainment - all lined up.
- coffee mugs with tractors on them.
- delicious dinner.  (browned hamburger, salsa, black beans ... served over rice ... topped with avocado, sour cream and cheese)
- bags of "thankfulness" ready to deliver.
- homework time with Mason and not fights or fits about it.
- my dad's wisdom about school playgrounds.
- rest.

the 17th of November.

- tech people - oh how much better life is with them in it.
- memorized lines.
- accident insurance and cancer insurance - being prepared for anything the future may bring.
- Mason's school, his teacher, his friends, his principal and his superintendent.
- a hug for no reason.
- a voice that works as a whistle.
- Christmas songs.
- Pilgrims & Indians ... and the Mayflower too.
- readers and writers in the first grade.
- Subway $5 foot longs.
- BUNCO.
- uncontrollable laughter and tears in my eyes ... so good for the soul.
- friends who love you for who you are - SERIOUSLY.
- shopping with Lindsay without a cart.
- birthday invitations.
- peppermint kisses.
- a quiet house.
- sleeping boys.
- great, helpful, and understanding friends for my husband.

the 16th of November.

- first graders that missed me.
- a sub that did a great job.
- excitement about a play ... and getting the parts "right."
- helpful co-workers.
- blogs post after blog post = gratefulness for all to read.
- finding the reason for the computer "virus" attack.
- quesadillas, corn and apples = dinner of champions.
- Mason's first "yellow' warning and the 48 "green" days before that.
- I'm sorry notes.
- a visit from Lindsay.
- more words practiced and read.
- an earlier than usual bed time for Mason.
- NCIS - I love that show!
- a warm blanket to cover myself with.
- Mack missing Clint and Darcy ... who am I kidding ... we ALL do.
- a train whistle echoing through the canyon.
- a productive day.
- an album filled with family pictures in my mailbox at school.

the 15th of November.

giving thanks for ...

- falling asleep after 6 for another hour.
- Little Bear movies - cute characters, a good message, and the light in Mack's eyes when he watches them is something I never want to forget.
- a hot shower - seriously - I'm so thankful for clean, warm water to just stand in - especially when your body aches all over.
- Pine-sol.
- Jell-o ... so easy to make and enjoyed so much!
- note cards, stamps and words of thanks.
- recognizing giants for what they are and choosing to focus on God instead ... not easy, but necessary.
- hot tea and lemon.
- a husband that is almost as good as new.
- Mason jars filled with change.
- a clean car seat for Mack.
- chicken noodle soup from Roosters.
- property taxes paid.
- saltine crackers.
- feeling better myself.
- getting a picture card of Boden in the mail.

the 14th of November.

- waking up refreshed – God know I needed it for the day ahead.
- extra sets of clothes.
- blankets to give warmth and reassurance.
- history and my husband’s love of it.
- air museums, paper airplanes, and happy boys.
- dreaming of being Maverick and Goose.
- room in the back seat and a stuffy nose – so I didn’t have to really “smell” the stench of sickness during the 4+ hour drive home.
- “it’s ok buddy – you’ll feel better soon” from Mason to Mack
- an excited puppy and a great niece that took care of her for the weekend.
- only one load of dirty laundry... it didn't last long.
- sub plans from last week that were easy to “fix” for this week.
- 7-up, Gatorade, saltine crackers, and jell-o.
- caring friends and family.
- sickness – it really makes you appreciate being healthy the majority of your life.
- mail from Andrea – just what I need to read after a not-so-fun trip home.

and this last picture ... well, it's my favorite ... the imperfect way it captured my life with these 3 gentlemen.