let's combat the anxieties that start to creep up this season

It's now officially the holiday season! You wanna know how I know this? Oh, it's not just the calendar, silly! I'll tell ya, if we lived in a hole, we would have we discovered that Thanksgiving is a few days away when the littlest littles and I went to the grocery store today and EVERYONE in Memphis was there! Holy moly! I was thinking people might not be crowding the stores until tomorrow or at least Wednesday! I was wrong.

A little disclosure. . . I'm praying that I can savor this week. This week of being thankful. Not that every week can't be a week of giving thanks, but I'm praying to push back the anxieties that pop up once the Christmas season really starts. The ones that come along when people ask if you've finished your shopping (I haven't even started mine) and if you've ordered your Christmas cards (we haven't even taken our photo). Or the anxieties that arise when you take a look at the December calendar and don't see a lot of white space or you peruse Pinterest and see all these beautiful holiday decorations but it's December 14th and you feel like the season is too far in to attempt them. You know the ones?

I've not really felt the anxiety of Christmas until we started having children, and even more so the past few years. There's so much to do now to fill up the holiday season with memories for your family. And honestly, lots of them are good things.

But I'm tired of feeling the way I have, this that I've brought on myself. Because really, what is this season all about? This last week of November I want to be full of thanks and contentment! I want to prepare my heart for the Advent season. The coming of Christ!

The magic of Christmas is coming soon, but this week I want to look for joy and hope and love . . . all while giving thanks to the Lord and being content in Him! Are we all in agreement?! 

Here's to being thanks-filled!

4 boys + 1 man = the lights of my life | Day 25

Life isn't always perfect. Sometimes, life is hard. But I recently heard it said, that if life is hard, but the relationships in your life are good, then really, life is good. But if life is good and your relationships are bad, then really, life is bad.

I'm thankful my life is good. Not without problems, or issues to be worked through, but good. The Lord is faithful and never leaves us and he has blessed me with a husband who is the same. Faithful and loving. He has made our quiver full, and even when life with 4 boys seems so loud and crazy, we wouldn't change it for anything! Even when Hubby and I work through difficult times, the Lord brings us out stronger. I would not want to do life without my man!

Thank you Lord, for my boys and my man--my pumpkins!

The lights of my life!

I love my family!

I am truly blessed!

a thankful mess

We've been kind of a mess the last couple of days. But that's life, right? A little sickness has made it's way back into our home. Sinus infections and fever, nothing too serious, but things that make you feel like crawling into bed and sleeping them away. That, and Hubby's grandfather passed away last night. I usually don't really address things like this in my little space, because I like talking in person about these things, but then this hasn't happened too often with us. It is a sad time for our family, but a joyful time too. We know all about his strong faith in the Lord--one that has encouraged Chad and me in so many ways. His devotion to Grandmom was like nothing I've seen before. What an example they have been for our marriage! So while he will definitely be missed here on Earth, we rejoice that we will be seeing him in heaven!

And on the note of being thankful, because we are called to be thankful in everything. . .I've joined with my friend, (and fellow Baylor alum) Liz, of Lark and Bloom, on Instagram to post a something I am thankful for each day during this month of Thanksgiving.

This is how she snagged me. . .wanna join us?

And if you aren't on Instagram, the first four days of November I've been thankful for. . .

God's beauty--sunlight and leaves on fire. . .

a fun Saturday and time to soak up my precious buddies

a beautiful worship service at our church led by the Getty's

and comfort food

God is good. I'm so thankful!

And maybe I can get in the groove and get a November header up! And Disney pics. And birthdays, and. . .lots of catching up to do too! Hang tight!

counting blessings

“Joy is the realest reality, the fullest life, and joy is always given, never grasped. God gives gifts and I give thanks and I unwrap the gift given: joy.” --Ann Voskamp

Just feeling thankful this wet, soggy morning! Hope you are too. And if you aren't, I encourage you to open your eyes and just look around. Maybe your kitchen is already a mess. Mine is. Maybe it's raining like cats and dogs and even flooding and you have to go to the grocery store. I do. Maybe you woke up late and had to cancel an appointment only to reschedule it and have it kinda mess with the rest of your week. We did. Maybe you have a child who screamed his little heart out because he was still hungry (even though his bowl was still full of Cheerios and he didn't want to eat them) and you felt frustrated with the lack of contentment around you. I can relate.

And as you look around, this Monday, maybe you can see the gifts you've been given. Your messy kitchen because you've been given a precious family to feed and nurture. The pouring down rain because it's beautiful and the earth has needed it. The extra little bit of sleep you were given and the appointment you can still keep this week. And that little angel, who can be comforted by a hug and a book--all are gifts from God!

 Counting blessings. . .

--a carport to shield us from the rain

--one on one time with little Miles and books

--our PT who was happy to reschedule Way's appt.

--my hubby who sacrificed his time this morning

--a napping baby

--laughing and playing with new friends

--happy texts with my Biffer

**And just a little side note, 10 years ago today, we experience Hurricane Elvis in this good ol' city of ours! I remember it clearly, sleeping at my parents house, waiting for Chad to arrive from Indiana as we moved back to Memphis. This incredible storm hit, that knocked out power for days and weeks. Straight line winds that tore down trees hundreds of years old. If you were here, you remember! But here's a snapshot from The Commercial Appeal and recount of some of the damage. . .

Photo credit: A.J. Wolfe/The Commercial Appeal

thankful perspective

I've heard lots of different coughs during my adventures in mothering. The dry cough. The cough that produces all of the yuck. The incessant cough and more. But in all of my 7.5 years of motherhood, I had never heard the "barking seal" cough people talk about. . .until last night. Around midnight. My first reaction was, "Are you kidding me? No, of course! Chad is out of town, and things always happen when he's gone!" I started thinking about how I was planning on dropping Miles at his Parents Day Out tomorrow because I had to take Way downtown for a hearing test at LeBonheur and how this was going to interrupt my plans. My expectations. You may remember my word for the year from this post! Clearly, I'm still working on it! But, God! Praise be to the Lord for giving me perspective and wisdom at that moment when I needed it most!

With Chad out of town, I easily could have panicked, but I didn't. I grabbed our handy little pediatrician guide, that our doctor gives us when a new baby is born, and read up on Croup. I turned on the steamy shower and went to get Miles, who was a sad little thing! That cough truly is a barking seal cough! We cuddled, in the dark, steamy bathroom for 20 minutes and I loved it. I hated that he was miserable, but I loved that he just wrapped his arms around me and laid his sweet head against my chest. He felt safe and content and I didn't want to be anywhere else. I had nowhere else to go (except sleep) and I was thankful! An opportunity to cuddle my little one, who's often busy running to keep up with his older brothers, was given to me, and Oh!!

This morning was wonderful too! I ended up not having to scratch Way's appt., but nervously charged forward with my 3 youngest, and we all survived his hearing test with no meltdowns! It doesn't always work out that way. Hardly. I was thankful. And, though one of Way's little ears, still doesn't have a big enough canal to hear, his other ear hears wonderfully! I'm told we just need one ear for speech and hearing. Not ideal, but we have one ear that is working! I am thankful!

I am also thankful for LeBonheur Children's Hospital in Memphis. They've been with us through neurological tests when Luke was a baby, tubes and adenoid surgery for all of our boys, eye surgery, and all kinds of heart testing for baby Way. Not to mention how they've helped so many of our friends! I am thankful!

And, I'm thankful the Lord doesn't give up on me and keeps on teaching me. . .

"The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." Proverbs 16:9

counting blessings

It's been a doozy of a week, hasn't it? For our family, in our world, it's been non-stop with a birthday, a small surgery, an eye injury, non-stop rushing around, some kind of event at school for all 3 of our littles who go to school, the invasion of allergies, meetings for this and that, and fumes trailing us from pure exhaustion!

Then there's Boston and West. I can't imagine the week people in those communities are having. I know that we all have our own rough weeks and we shouldn't compare. To us, something may seem like an ocean to cross without a boat, while someone else may see that ocean as an easy task to tackle. To us, someone else's current situation may not seem like a crisis to us, yet that person may be gasping for air. But, Boston and West.

Just feeling the need to count some blessings like the old hymn says. . .

Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one,

Count your many blessings, see what God hath done!

In this doozy of a week, some of the blessings I am thankful for. . .

--our little Chuckles and the 5 years of joy we've had with him

--a successful surgery for one of Baby Way's ears

--Baby Way's sweet demeanor and smiley self throughout the day

--our marriage conference at church

--sweet friends we've spent time with

--my hubby, who just keeps on serving and loving me

--doctors who've instilled confidence in us

--friends who have checked in on us

--grace from Charlie's teacher

--my Biffer and Kevin, who love our wild family and don't seem phased by us (in front of us) :)

--the giggles from Miles being pushed on his swing

--the way Luke held my hand while we walked in the parking lot as he shared his day with me

--a friend who served us in need on a moment's notice

--our (Way's) OT who is a breath of fresh air and truly enjoys working with our angel

--our Sunday night church service

we are thankful

This Thanksgiving we are thankful for. . .

geckos, elephants, our boys, my husband, my wife, school holidays, playing choo-choo, Mommy and Daddy, my brothers, sweet attitudes, beautiful sunsets from work, God's love, Fernando, Mommy taking naps with me, God, our country, sports, our President, family, everyone in our extended family, our friends, fall leaves, the ocean and its beauty, our newest addition, lovies to sleep with, the sunrise on the way to work, the boys school, our church and church family, that Jesus died on the cross for us, friends who loves us, when friends play with me at school, praise music, snakes (seriously?), time to play Mario with Mommy and Daddy (i know, i know), laughter from my boys, date nights, sleep, doctors, warm blankets, special treats, grace and forgiveness, baby snuggles, the boys teachers and so much more!

Happy Thanksgiving!

full circle

Today started out so well! The boys were off from school today because of a teacher inservice day, so there was no morning rush to get out of the door. For that, I was thankful! I truly think that is one major reason I love holidays and summer days---just a laid back morning! And the boys, oh they love it too! We lounged in our jammies on this dreary, cold morning and read together, made muffins, had sweet conversations. So thankful. The boys played well together and were encouraging and thankful and thoughtful. It's days like these that make me want to homeschool! There's just something about all of our attitudes when we're together. We're just better! I even made our first trip to Target with just my 4 littles and me. And they were awesome! We came back, played more, ate, had rest time and we watched a movie this afternoon (a super special treat since tomorrow is a school day) with yummy popcorn and then sent the older 2 off to shower up before dinner.

Then, it went downhill. I have no idea what changed from the entire rest of our day, but the simple instructions of "Go get undressed, put your clothes in your dirty clothes basket and get in the shower" proved to be much too difficult this day. There was all out silliness (which I expect some of), and then arguing, and then screaming (while baby is taking a late afternoon nap) and it was taking forever for them to accomplish anything in the shower! I was monitoring it all, in between monitoring little Miles trying to take all of the toys out of the big boys room or removing everything from the bathroom counter. And basically, my attitude went downhill fast. I was snappy and yelling, "Boys stop!" "Don't do that!" "Do you hear me?" "Stop screaming (as I'm yelling it)" and they were pretty much oblivious. My whole plan was to have them bathed before dinner so we could spend more time reading together tonight. Chad's been out of town for a funeral the past couple of nights and I know, in order to get the boys tucked in at a reasonable time, I have to start early. Bathing before dinner just seemed like it would help. But then, the boys were wound up at dinner, and me trying to get everything on the table to feed them and answer every question being shot my way, and everyone talking over everyone, sent me spinning. At one point during dinner, after one of our littles blatantly disobeyed, I put my fork down and went into the kitchen. I heard Luke and Charlie discussing what was happening. One of them said, "She's going to get the wooden spoon!" The other said, "Or maybe she's just going to pray in private!" And in fact, the latter was right. I had to remove myself from the table in order not to scream, but more importantly to pray! The Lord is my strength and I'm so thankful for that!

Later tonight, Chad and I talked on the phone and I relayed a lot of the day. I spent the majority of the day feeling incredibly thankful for lots of little things, and then an hour and a half of craziness just about ruined the rest of the day. But, my sweet husband in all his wisdom reminded me of how he and I want so badly for our littles to have perfect hearts at their young ages, when we, at 36, don't! And never will. However, we have a Savior who is our refuge and strength and joy and song and Shepherd. He is made perfect in our weakness. If we were perfect, why would we need Him? If our children are perfect, why would they need Him? Tonight I am thankful for struggles. It's the eucharisteo thankful. Have you read her book? Ooohh, it's my favorite and full of truth and full of pondering and encouraging on how to be thankful for the hard things.

Sure, it's easy to be thankful for sweet moments with my children, and cold, snuggly days, and I should be thankful for those. It's harder though, to be thankful for struggles. But tonight, I am. I am thankful that I had opportunities to apologize to my boys for snapping. I'm thankful that I had a chance today to tell them about how far from perfect I am (it's not the first time they've heard it, nor will it be the last), but that the Lord is perfect and He loves and forgives perfectly. I'm thankful this day has come around full circle!

FYI--fun for the weekend Friday!

Here's a little of what we will be up to this weekend. . .

It's a new month! I always love November and it's creeping up in rankings right up there with October and December on  my faves list the past couple of years. Not that everyday of every year isn't a time to give thanks, but naturally, with Thanksgiving being in November, this month just creates the perfect atmosphere for being thankful! Last year, we made our thankful tree and loved sharing our reasons for being thankful and hanging our leaves everyday. We started our list of thanks last night and plan to start adding it to our leaves on our tree this weekend (just gotta get those leaves made)!

Last year when there was talk of pumpkin shortage in the grocery store, I was thankful I already bought my cans of pumpkin. This year, I remembered and bought even more cans of pumpkin and have yet to use them! So, I have some littles who are in for a treat! They love these chocolate chip pumpkin muffins! Check out the recipe if you didn't catch it last year. Delish! I love having helpers in the kitchen and my helpers will do just about anything for chocolate chips--ahem, me too!

Hope you have fun this weekend! Don't forget about Daylight Savings. . .is it just us, or do you have a harder time (if you have kiddos) with fall back than spring forward?

an announcement of sorts. . .

My hubby asked me a couple of days ago, what date it was. I told him the 16th. He informed me that at the time, it had been 11 days since I last blogged! Ahhh, yes, my blog! I do sooo enjoy blogging! I love sharing our adventures, my thoughts, memory keeping, etc. I have no plans to desert this spot! And I do appreciate how Chad loves to follow along (even though he experiences most of it daily) and gives me a little nudge here and there!
So, let me recap what in the world has kept us so busy! In no particular order. . .

#1 Little Lukey had eye surgery last week. It pretty much consumed me the few days before and the several after. The surgery, at this point, seems successful according to his dr. Praise the Lord! However, it was much harder on Luke and us, as parents, than any of us thought it would be! The anesthesia was a bear, the pain after coming out of it was rough, and now the keeping him from running and jumping for another week may do me in! It's hard to keep a 6 year old down, ya know? He's recovering quite well now, but his eyes are quite red and bloody looking. He thinks it's cool because he "looks fierce!" I'm really thankful for his perspective!!

#2 For the first time in a month and a half, we are sick. Poor little Miles is the worst. A raging ear infection and some viral something or other has him down. He can't breathe and his precious lips are dry and cracked. He has so much drainage that he is choking and throwing up. He is exhausted and just miserable. When I took this picture,

we were looking out our kitchen window at the wind chimes, which were ringing steadily, due to the wind advisories we've had over the past several days. I noticed that when it is cold and cloudy and rainy outside, the wind chimes sound melancholy to me. Yet, when it is sunny and the wind chimes are tinkling, I think they sound cheerful and they appear to look like they are happily dancing in the breeze. Ahhhh, isn't that a perspective on life? The first day Miles was sick, I remember telling Chad, "Wow. I know he's sick, but praise the Lord that no one has been sick for a month and a half!" The very next day, I was bummed out because Miles was so miserable. I wasn't feeling thankful at all. I'm re-reading, my very favorite book, One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp, with a couple of friends. In it, she ponders how often we are thankful for only the good the Lord gives us (how easy it is), and not thankful for the bad (what a sacrifice that can be). I'm thankful to be reminded of this, because in the trenches of life (and ours isn't too deep) sometimes I forget!

#3 I think I mentioned in my last post (13 days ago), that we have decided to move. We want to be closer to church and schools. It's been in our thoughts for a while, but what put a fire under us, is actually what's in us (or who's in me, rather). . .

#4 and yes, I saved #4 to announce that our #4 is on his or her way!!! Shocker of all shockers, but we are beyond excited! He or she is obviously in the Lord's plan for our family, and why would we want anything different? So we think life is a little crazy and a LOT blessed now, but imagine what life will be like at the beginning of August?? A whole lot crazier and blessed more than we can dream!!

stuffin' it in and wrapping up, now that we are stuffed and about to wrap. . .

Wrapping up Thanksgiving before the real wrapping begins. . .

This year we went over the river and through the woods to Mimi and Grandpa's lakehouse in SC. What a fun trip it was! For starters, we were able to celebrate Thanksgiving together and with my sister and Kevin--their first year as a married couple! Over a few short days in SC we stayed up late playing Catch Phrase, watched some good (Baylor) and some sad (Penn State) football games, ate lots and lots, went on a couple of hikes, made s'mores, celebrated Mom's birthday, watched movies, and enjoyed some wonderful quality time together! Because we all live in the same city, you'd think we would get together often and this would be a regular occurrence, but it's not. We all have busy lives and different calendars and are in different stages of life. Sure, we get together, and it's great when we do, but sometimes it takes a trip away together to soak it all in! And that's just what we did!!

We loved going on the hike to the waterfall in NC. Luke was so excited about possibly seeing a bald eagle. He didn't, but did see 7 birds of prey on the trip up and back! 

And one of our favorite parts of the trip was making s'mores for the first time with our boys! I might have enjoyed them the most--not sure if you can tell with my BIG open mouth!!



We are so very thankful for our entire family! The Lord has blessed us beyond belief!



we are thankful for. . .

This Thanksgiving, our family is thankful for. . .

God's love, instruments, friends of Luke and Charlie, Mommy & Daddy, the rainforest, hymns & praise music, winter, date nights, God giving us a new creation, God's grace, my family, the great and first commandment, my wife, lovies that sing to the Lord, the ocean, Jesus' forgiveness, Mimi & Grandpa, my brothers, Joel & Cal, my Bible, Tracy going to India to tell others about the Lord, time with friends, 2 Cor. 5:17, work, Joshua in the Bible, food to eat, God's grace, Fernando, Poppy & Nana, God & Jesus, my friends, Fall, birds of prey, our church, Sarah & Autumn, Aunt Mary & Uncle Kevin, Chris & Martin Kratt (Wild Kratts), my friends spread over our country, Miss Gwen & Miss Lydia, God's love, teachers, my husband, owls, our house to live in, all of our family everywhere!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

thankful

Our family is thankful for. . .

Mary Poppins, Cars (the movie), rain, my family, football and foot balloons, a warm house, toys, my devotional, Diego, the beach (with Mimi and Grandpa), good friends, sunsets, Mommy, Orca whales, sunsets again, friends again, the color blue, the colors gold & silver, the Word of God, Jesus saving us from our sins, our family, the house we live in, brass instruments, all God has given us, stars & lightning, servant friends, music, God, Bo and CC, speed boats and jets, Lightning McQueen, being part of God's family, sleep, Fall leaves, wonderful Fall landscapes, Daddy, Mimi & Grandpa, God & Jesus, my parents, good food, Miles, stars, Christian schools, Mocha & Sparky, doctors that take care of my dad, pickles, Purell, Penn State, milk, lollipops & cookies, special quality time on Saturdays, being a stay at home Mommy, my wife, Nana & Poppy, my husband, Aunt Mary & Mr. Kevin, Aunt Kristen & Uncle Patrick  (all of our extended family) and SO so much more!!!

This week has been such a treat! We were able to attend the JK Thanksgiving feast at Luke's school. Adorable in every way! Luke's Indian Brave name was Lightning. We heard the kiddos sing and tell us all about Native Americans and Pilgrims AND they served the parents beef stew they made in class! It was yummy!

Luke's Thanksgiving feast



My boys (minus Miles--he's a little young still) had fun raking the leaves--a Thanksgiving week tradition!

And we were blessed to spend time with both sides of our family for Thanksgiving! Chad's parents (Nana and Poppy) joined us for the Thanksgiving holiday and enjoyed seeing Miles for the first time! My Mom celebrated her birthday on turkey day--a perfect way to celebrate her! What a fun and special way to share and give thanks to the Lord for ALL he has blessed us with!



The Jacksons



Mimi, Grandpa and the Jacksons



And finally, our Jackson 5!

Hope you and your family had a very Happy Thanksgiving!!!

thankful

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100:4-5

This Thanksgiving we made our way to Houston via Southwest airlines (my new favorite airline) to see Chad's grandparents, aunt and uncle and Chad's parents (who also flew to Houston). We truly had a wonderful time visiting, playing and soaking up family time with Chad's family. It had been a while since we had seen Chad's grandparents and aunt and uncle. They had never met Charlie until this past week and Luke was really too young to remember the last time we had seen them. Well, after 4 days of quality time, Luke and Charlie did not want to leave Houston! The boys soaked up the attention and love and Chad and I felt very blessed to have shared this time with his adoring family.

Charlie, Nana, Luke and Poppy

As I'm sure you did, we ate lots of yummy food, watched football and chatted with family. What you might not have done was headed to the Downtown Aquarium in Houston! Yes, our little Luke is still declaring he wants to be a marine biologist when he grows up. We thought, an aquarium, a shark tunnel via train ride and a restaurant in an aquarium would be a great adventure for our boys! We actually had no idea how enthralled little Charlie would be. He just loved watching the fish and ooohhed and aaahhed the whole way through! We may have two marine biologists in the future!

Poppy and his scuba diver!

I am actually disappointed with my pictures from the trip. I was so excited to use some new skills and get quality shots of Chad's family with the boys. Turns out, most of my pictures were taken on a setting I had been playing with for my photography class homework and I never changed it back!!! Bummer!! However, I do have one photo for which I am really thankful. It may not be the best quality, but it's the subject that means a lot. It shows the 4 generations of Chad's family: Great grandparents (Chad's moms' parents), Chad's parents, us, and our boys.

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Know that though we weren't with many of you, we are thankful for ALL of our family and friends. We love you!!