10 Things Tuesday

Hey guys! I've neglected posting 10 things I'm thankful for for a while now. After a morning like I've had though I think it's important for me to reflect on the positive - NOT the negative. So, here it goes:

1. I'm thankful that XBOX WIFE is back to encourage us all to be thankful and to remember what we are thankful for.
2. It's suppose to be above freezing for at least the next 10 days. We haven't had any significant snow accumulation in over a week.
3. My kids truly love each other. They are best friends. I love over hearing their conversations and the joy they share in playing together.
   
4. I have the "best of the best" friends. They laugh, crying, pray, and support me. My life would feel incomplete without them. God has truly blessed me with friends that are more like sisters than just friends.
   
5. Technology is a wonderful thing. I love that despite being snow bound for the better part of December all my friends and family were a click or phone call away.
   
6. I am thankful for my children's health. In years past we have been to the doctor a hand-full of times. Winter is usually hard on us, but we've been blessed with good health so far.
   
7. My kids creativity is so exciting to watch. They love drawing, building things with play-doh, role-playing, etc. They love things like Wii, Nintendo DS, and computer time, but also know when enough is enough and get back to the basics.
   
8. My hairdresser finally gave me a hair cut I love! Thanks go out to my dear husband who finally agreed to have me cut my hair above my shoulders!
   
9. I'm thankful for the two cups of coffee I had this morning. They helped bring me out of my bad mood.
   
10. God is GOOD.
    

How about you?? What are you thankful for? I'd love to hear about them! Check out what other people are thankful for at : 10 Things Tuesday

What?! I can't hear you. It's too loud in here!

Lately, it seems like our house is uncontrollably loud. Maybe it's cabin fever - everyone and everything is expressing it's pent up energy by being 10 times louder than a "normal" day. The kids are loud - yelling, banging, singing. The dog is loud - barking at anything that moves. Anything that plugs in is loud because it can't be heard over all the previously listed cast of characters. The mom (me) is loud because it seems that no one can hear me. "What?! I can't hear you. The _______ is too loud!" It's exasperating!

In the midst of the the chaos, it's easy to get overwhelmed. This week I'm starting The Love Dare. It's geared towards improving your relationship with your spouse. Day one has spoke to how I react to my family and it's current volume. The key verse is "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." Ephesians 4:2 The authors go to say that "when you choose to be patient, you respond in a positive way to a negative situation."

So, I've asked myself, "Does raising my voice to be heard over the chaos show gentleness and patience?"

Obviously, the answer is no. Today is my goal is to speak with gentleness and patience to my entire family. The Love Dare authors remind its audience that "few people are as hard to live with as an impatient person." I want to be easy to live with.

How about you? How do you react in the midst of chaos? What goals do you have for yourself today? What would make you easy to live with that you currently lacking?

Sunday Morning

Micah 6:8 (NIV)

He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.