A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings (2nd Post Today)

Judy over at A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings, hosts this meme every Wednesday. Simply list five things (or a prayer or any thoughts) for which you are truly thankful this week. Voicing my thanks helps put my life in perspective & realize that, no matter how bad things might be, there is still MUCH good surrounding me.

1) I am thankful for the bountiful apples from my parents' trees & for my parents' generosity in giving us a BUNCH of them. So far, I've made several batches of Crockpot Applesauce that is easy & DELICIOUS!

2) I am thankful for my dear college friend who sent me the Crockpot Applesauce recipe at the PERFECT time & for Judy who sent me an Apple Butter recipe that I plan on using very soon.

3) I am thankful that Casinodad's car ONLY needed a new battery & it was not the alternator or something horribly expensive. It wouldn't start for me on Friday afternoon & when we tried to jump it, it wouldn't start. AAA came out, tested the battery, & jumped it enough to get to the battery store.

4) I am thankful that The Princess has emerged from the shyness shell she's been in the past few years...just in time to start Kindergarten PSR & to join the Little Flowers program. She LOVES both. Almost every day she asks how many days until Sunday for PSR or for the next Little Flowers meeting.

5) I am thankful Casinodad has this whole week off of work. Originally he was only taking off Wed.-Fri., but then found that he had extra vacation time & took off Mon. & Tues. too. So, we're having a fall break from school this week while we spend quality family time together.

A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings

WOW! Is it Wednesday already?!?! Where is the time going?

Judy over at A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings, hosts this meme every Wednesday. Simply list five things (or a prayer or any thoughts) for which you are truly thankful this week. Voicing my thanks helps put my life in perspective & realize that, no matter how bad things might be, there is still MUCH good surrounding me.

1) Thank you God for my wonderful family...immediate & extended! Sure we have many ups & downs like everyone else, but we are happy, healthy, & blessed!

2) Thank you God for all my dear friends, both in real life & here in the blogging/online world! Friends are so important & have so many...each inspiring to me in a different way.

3) Thank you God for this world you've entrusted with us! There is so much beauty surrounding us each & every day.

4) Thank you God for the jobs Casinodad & I have to help support our family! It never seems enough, but when I look at the bigger picture, I know that we are happy & the sacrifices we make are worth it.

5) Thank you God for the opportunity to homeschool! It's stressful at times, but when I hear so many stories of violence, bullying, peer pressure, behavioral problems, etc. in the public & even private/Catholic schools these days, I'm thankful my munchkins are able to learn at home in a safe environment. Plus, we can go at their pace not the average pace of a classroom full of 25-30 students. I could go on & on about the benefits, but I won't at this time!

A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings (2nd Post Today)

Judy over at A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings, hosts this meme every Wednesday. Simply list five things (or a prayer or any thoughts) for which you are truly thankful this week. Voicing my thanks helps put my life in perspective & realize that, no matter how bad things might be, there is still MUCH good surrounding me.

1) I'm thankful for the extra hours of work Casinodad & I were able to pick up on Monday. I will be paid double time for my four hours & he will receive an extra five hours of work at regular pay.

2) I know this was on last week's list, but again I'm thankful for the past few days weather which enabled us to open up the house & this time, even sleep w/ the windows open. Usually it's way too hot upstairs for sleeping, but these few days were perfect...almost too cool. (Did I just say that?!?!?)

3) I'm thankful for shoe sales! In the past few days, we've gotten new sneakers for all four munchkins & new dress shoes for The Princess & The Prophet...all total under $100. The Saint still needs some dress shoes, but he's been a bit picky lately & wouldn't let me try any more on his little tootsies!

4) I'm thankful for snuggly toddlers! I rested this afternoon & The Saint came upstairs to rest w/ me. He snuggled w/ me, patted my cheek, smothered me w/ little kisses...he was too sweet!

5) I'm thankful for a night out w/ my dear friend, Angela (of Pretty in Orange). We went out for an early dinner Friday night & walked around several shops...including Trader Joes, Crate & Barrel, and The Container Store (& I held such restraint, not buying a single thing!)

A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings

Judy over at A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings, hosts this meme every Wednesday. Simply list five things (or a prayer or any thoughts) for which you are truly thankful this week. Voicing my thanks helps put my life in perspective & realize that, no matter how bad things might be, there is still MUCH good surrounding me.

1) I'm thankful for the beautiful weather we had the last two days. The munchkins were able to spend a lot of time outside.

2) I'm thankful for dear friends who love to talk, pray, laugh, cry, eat, & just be together.

3) I'm thankful for Casinodad...the sweetest, most supportive, loving husband/father. Sometimes I wonder what I did to deserve such a wonderful man in my life.

4) I'm thankful for each of my dear munchkins, even when they're driving me crazy (like they've done lately)! Just when I think one of them is going to push me over the edge, they do something that is so sweet & loving, I wonder why I was upset to begin with!

5) I'm thankful for the beauty of God's creations all around me in my family & in nature. How can there not be a God w/ all that splendid beauty & detail!

A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings (2nd Post Today)

Judy over at A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings, hosts this meme every Wednesday. Simply list five things (or a prayer or any thoughts) for which you are truly thankful this week. Voicing my thanks helps put my life in perspective & realize that, no matter how bad things might be, there is still MUCH good surrounding me.

1) I'm very thankful for great college friends who still love to spend time together! There are three of us couples who get together at least 3 times a year & alternate houses (Memorial Day, Labor Day, & New Year's Eve). Since college, we've grown quite a bit. It started w/ four of us (two were a couple in college), then the other two spouses were added, & now there are eight kids between all of us.

2) I'm very thankful that our school is over for the summer. It's been a bit of a rough year, so this break is desperately needed. We'll still do a lot of reading (especially w/ all the great reading programs offered around here) & some daily math drill practice to keep up our skills, but this week is all about fun & just being kids.

3) I'm thankful for a little extra time spent w/ the munchkins last night. I decided to tape Glee so that I could let them stay up just a bit later while I read to them.

4) I'm thankful for answered prayers & (to quote Garth Brooks) "I thank God for unanswered prayers" too!

5) I'm thankful for the great men & women who have bravely fought for the freedoms we have today.

A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings (2nd Post Today)

Judy over at A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings, hosts this meme every Wednesday. Simply list five things (or a prayer or any thoughts) for which you are truly thankful this week. Voicing my thanks helps put my life in perspective & realize that, no matter how bad things might be, there is still MUCH good surrounding me.

1) Thank you, God, that Casinodad's best friend has made a miraculous recovery! He came home from the hospital on Monday.

2) Thank you, God, that our neighbor was able to install a new sliding glass door for us. He still needs to do a little work on the inside, but the outside is done AND we can now open the door to enjoy the fresh air.

3) Thank you, God, for a nice Mothers' Day visit to my in-laws. My SIL made dinner for all of us & the munchkins got to enjoy a lot of outdoor time at Grandma's

4) Thank you, God, that The Prophet is now old enough to mow the law & help us out. He does a great job, too!

UPDATED TO EDIT: The Prophet mows the LAWN...NOT the LAW!

5) Thank you, God, that we are winding down the school year. We have about 2 1/2 weeks left. I'm not sure who's more excited...them or me!

A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings (2nd Post Today)

Judy over at A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings, hosts this meme every Wednesday. Simply list five things (or a prayer or any thoughts) for which you are truly thankful this week. Voicing my thanks helps put my life in perspective & realize that, no matter how bad things might be, there is still MUCH good surrounding me.

1) I'm thankful for all the prayers for Casinodad's best friend this past week. He's doing so much better than expected. He was taken off the ventilator Monday & has been talking.

2) I'm thankful for a great visit w/ my friend & her kids yesterday. Our kids gathered up any toys they didn't want anymore & traded. Then any leftovers are being donated.

3) I'm thankful Casinodad has Thursday & Friday off this week. We're going to spend a lot of family time together!

4)I'm thankful for my mother saving us a lot of money. I mentioned last week that I was looking at buying new comforter for our bed. She had one that fit our bed perfectly & is a great match for our walls.

5) I'm thankful that a potentially stressful situation did not happen. It worked itself out!

A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings

Judy over at A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings, hosts this meme every Wednesday. Simply list five things (or a prayer or any thoughts) for which you are truly thankful this week. Voicing my thanks helps put my life in perspective & realize that, no matter how bad things might be, there is still MUCH good surrounding me.

1) Thank you, Lord, for opening my eyes & ears to Your Word each morning. I've struggled for a long time, trying to hear You. While I'm not anywhere near 100%, the more I read the more I seem to find You in the day to day things.

2) Thank you, Lord, for The Prophet learning to use my coffee maker. He makes a great pot of coffee for me to enjoy!

3) Thank you, Lord, for the sunshine finally appearing (even though it's raining today). It's been a long, snowy winter & I am ready for Spring.

4) Thank you, Lord, for a quick physical this morning. (I pray my tests come back w/ good results.) The nurse came out to get me while I was still at the window paying my co-pay. Although, I was looking forward to getting a little personal reading time in! (Why is it that we wait a LONG time for the munchkins appointments, but when it's just me, I get right in?!?)

5) Thank you, Lord, for reconnecting w/ a long, lost friend through Facebook. She moved suddenly in 3rd grade & I never knew what happened to her. She found me & we've been corresponding lately.

Small Successes

"It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So on Thursday of each week, we do exactly that."

1) I went to a combination Tastefully Simple, Pampered Chef, & Lia Sophia party on Sunday & DID NOT PURCHASE A SINGLE THING!!! I was very tempted, but knew we just didn't have the money at this time. It was nice to visit w/ my best friend & some other ladies for a few hours. With our busy schedules, we don't see much of each other.

2) I kept to our meal plan for the last week & a half. Any alterations have just been trading nights for meals.

3) I've been trying to make an effort to avoid yelling at the munchkins. I hate the fact that I'm a "yelling Mom" & have been working at doing better. When I catch the urge to yell, I just close my mouth & put my head in my hands to let the moment pass or I try to talk firmer, yet softer. I'm nowhere near perfect & still find myself yelling at times (like today), but I've been trying...does that count?

So how's your week been? Check out Faith & Family Live's weekly Small Successes.

Small Successes - One Day Late

"It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So on Thursday of each week, we do exactly that."

I didn't get around to posting my successes yesterday. It's been a rough week on the homeschooling & parenting front! Any prayers you can spare would be very welcome & much appreciated!

So, here is what I did manage to succeed at this past week:
1) On Sunday, I spent a few hours w/ my dear college friend, Lawgirl. I went to her apartment first & got to meet her wonderful fiance! Then we went to lunch at a nice little restaurant on her side of town. After lunch we went out for ice cream. They have some of the best, yet odd, flavors of ice cream. I got Goat Cheese w/ Roasted Red Cherries in a waffle cone...VERY GOOD! I tried a few others: Wildberry Lavendar (good, but just a tad too much lavendar), Riesling w/ Poached Pear, Salty Caramel, & another that I can't remember. We ended the afternoon at her apartment watching several episodes of Glee. I had not seen it yet & she's always talking about how good it is. Yes, despite my resolve to not start any new TV series' I got hooked on it too!

2) Survived a week so far w/out our microwave! It finally died on us last week (it was a hand-me-down from my sister who got it when she was first married 12 years ago).

3) I got back into my morning prayer routine. I had gotten away from it for a while & it definitely feels good to be back into it.

Join other wonderful ladies at Faith & Family Live to share "Small Successes" each Thursday. No success is too small or too big.

Small Successes

Recognizing those little successes can really make a big difference. That's why I participate in Faith & Family Live's Small Successes each Thursday. Here are my successes from the past week:

1) Finally organized the shelf at the bottom of the stairs. There were coloring books, crayons, markers, etc. all over the place & all jumbled about. Looks much better...for now, at least!

2) We met up w/ another homeschooling family at the park yesterday. We mothers sat, talked, & nursed our babies while the other kids played on the playground. This was the third time we've gotten together w/ our new friends & we had a wonderful time! The kids get along so well & we mothers never seem to run out of things to talk about.

3) I said, "Yes!" to The Princess several times this week when she wanted to help me out - even though it would slow down my progress. After all, how will she develop a love of cleaning & cooking if I never let her do anything!

What are your successes? Share & see others at www.faithandfamilylive.com.