Counting Our Blessings 1.18.11

88. Starbucks with a friend

89. 3 months of going to the gym for a super cheap price

90. A place for L. to be before school starts in the mornings (friend MWF )

91. An air purifier (our allergies have been so much better!)

92. A sermon on time (and an honest reflection on how I use mine).

93. Good smelling lotions!

94. An opportunity to work with L. on how to study his Bible (my best time spent for sure!)

95. A three day weekend (including a day to sleep in, lunch out with Aunt and boys, visiting Dad, grocery shopping and laundry for me and yogurt and a movie for the boys with Aunt - basically time to do what we want).

J with the air purifier (it's the only picture I had of the blessings I listed!)

Check out more blessings at A Homemaker's Heart.

Daybook - January Week 2

Outside my window… ???? This doesn’t really change a whole lot. There’s a wood snowman that probably should be put away soon and I noticed today that there are weeds in the flower bed. How’d that happen in this cold, cold weather?

I am thankful for… lots of fun activities, opportunities, provision and a day to sleep in.

I am wearing… black corduroy pants, black cashmere sweater with black, gray and red argyle pattern

Some plans for the rest of the week… tomorrow off school and to see Dad, L’s pinewood derby and M’s basketball game.

I am hoping… to exercise Tuesday and Thursday morning.

On my mind… The Toby Mac concert Friday night. I’m not too old to enjoy his music. However, Brandon Heath was much more my style. I loved it that even though TM’s style is hip hop it was always clear that his focus is God.

Hearing…. M practicing his trumpet, dog sighing, Hubby’s keyboard clicking

I am praying for……. A friend’s upcoming surgery, another friend facing a transition

From the kitchen….. ham, stuffing, broccoli, and cantaloupe for Saturday night dinner and chicken and wild rice for our small group dinner.

Around the house…Those Christmas decos did make in to the totes thanks to Hubby! There’s countless loads of laundry in the hallway outside the laundry room and streaming into the dining room.

One of my favorite things… a wonderful weekend visit from friends and being a part of a small group at church.

From my picture journal…


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Counting Our Blessings 1.11.11

This is part of Counting Our Blessings hosted by Tamara at A Homemaker's Heart. Check out her blog and consider joining in every Tuesday!


This is my first Tuesday back since Christmas. Wow, are we abundantly blessed every day and even more so throughout the Christmas season or what?!!

83. God's grace is immeasurable and He pours it out on us every day.

84. The ability to walk. I'm wearing a pedometer now and I'm amazed at how many steps I can get in on a regular basis (though it's not an excuse not to exercise - just a little encouragement along the way!)

85. A wonderful supervisor. Last week when Dad was in the hospital she let me leave right after my children left instead of waiting for 30 more minutes until the end of our day.

86. A fireplace.

87. The Christmas decorations did jump back in all those totes sitting around the house! The blessing is Hubby - his willingness to serve and his dedication to keeping our household going.

A New Blogger in the Family

My sister started a blog for the New Year. From time to time I've written about our Dad here - she posted an excellent post about him at her new blog, Requirements. It said:

"I visited my dad at the hospital today. He was doing much better since his blood transfusion on Monday. I've been posting updates on his progress on my facebook page. Tonight, one of my cousins posted a very encouraging comment and I wanted to share part of it. She wrote "He knows you, you're part of him and the heart never forgets no matter what the brain says!" Dad has Alzheimer's. Most of the time he doesn't remember who I am or thinks I'm one of his sisters. Tonight when I asked him if he needed anything he responded, "Just you." I asked, "Who am I?" He replied, "You're you!" I said, "You're right! I always have been!" I know he's still "Dad" in his heart. I really appreciated my cousin's post. It brought to mind a verse I remember studying several years ago. It is Proverbs 4:23, from the New International Version. "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." Dad is confused a lot and sometimes what he says may not make sense, but I know his wellspring is still flowing."

Often times, my sister will post about what she's reading and studying. She's a voracious reader. You can also see the NASA photo of the day on her blog. Please check it out sometime.

Daybook - Jan. 7

Outside my window… darkness. Weather’s getting ready to change. Do we have any hope of a snow day Monday?

I am thankful for… Dad being out of the hospital. Dinner out and conversation with Hubby.

I am wearing… jeans, black turtleneck and school tshirt (yay! for Fridays)

Some plans for the rest of the week… a small group leader meeting, 3 soccer games, a concert and a weekend visit from wonderful friends!

I am hoping… to get a little more motivated and excited about the new year.

On my mind…the past week with Dad. He ended up at a local small town hospital for an emergency blood transfusion. Some who heard he went there were concerned, but I’m thankful he went there. They actually took the time to run further tests and figure out what was wrong (he had a transfusion at the big city hospital in September). The nurse he had really cared – she asked what branch of the military Dad served in and when she figured out it was his grandsons he was asking for, she suggested I sign the “waiver” and bring the boys to see him. He’s back at the VA now. Aunt went to visit (and took the boys) tonight.

Hearing…. the dog stretching, Hubby clicking and tapping on the computer.

I am praying for…….Hubby’s safety as he continues to pursue dream of flying (working on instrument rating). Also praying that I work up the courage to fly with him (I’ve been twice and it really isn’t something I’m that crazy about).

From the kitchen….. My favorite deli tonight. Chicken and sweet potatoes tomorrow night.

Around the house…The totes are still waiting for Christmas decorations! I promise I’m going to work on it as soon as I finish this post – and now I have the motivation of company coming.

One of my favorite things… a good night’s rest, cards in the mail, playing games with my boys.

From my picture journal… One of the highlights of our Christmas trip to ABQ was getting together with old friends.

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Happy Birthday J.

Yesterday was Hubby's brother J's 40th birthday. However, this post is about our dog J. Six years ago yesterday J. came to live in our house. We decided that was the day we would celebrate as her "birthday".

We got J. at the animal shelter in Albuquerque. We were especially excited to find that she was already house trained! J. was a great dog right from the beginning and always very protective of the boys. Don't get me wrong, she gets into her share of normal dog mischief. Like last night for instance. The boys and I went to hear Danny Cahill, Biggest Loser Season 8 speak. Since we were only going to be gone a few hours, I left J. in the house. This is what I came home to...

She had about 7 lollipops for her birthday "dinner"! Last year, I posted birthday pictures of each boy so they thought it would a great idea for me to post pictures of J. too.

Right now, J. is snoring - asleep in the office floor. That's usually where she is and what she's doing when I blog. We love our baby girl. Happy Birthday J!

Daybook - Jan. 2

Outside my window…a breeze, dry winter grass, sunshine, the boys playing basketball in the driveway.

I am thankful for… 16 whole days off work (including weekends). Why is it that 7 o’clock used to be normal, but in a short break it is now “early”?

I am wearing… sorta black pants, purple/gray sweater

Some plans for the rest of the week… boys’ activities, a class starts for Hubby. For me – putting away Christmas decorations.

I am hoping… that all the Christmas decorations find their own way back to the boxes!

On my mind…A new year – the need to get back on track in many areas including eating right and exercising.

Hearing….M & L arguing about basketball

I am praying for…….Dad – didn’t get sick from being at our house, but a few weeks later is ill. He’s been on IV antibiotics for an infection and IV liquids for dehydration.

From the kitchen….. a new chili recipe with black beans, white chipotle corn and bbq sauce!

Around the house…All the totes for the decorations. Newly painted dining room, master bath AND kitchen!

One of my favorite things… when the boys don’t argue.

From my picture journal…

The Plaza, Old Town Albuquerque. Christmas Eve.

To view more daybooks visit Simple Woman's Daybook.