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.

Looking Back on 2008

January:

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Our first snow family built to ward off the winter blues.

February:

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The hubby and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary at the Rock City Grill.

March:

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Easter egg hunting is done in the snow this year.

April:

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We are blessed with good weather and family starting to visit after a long winter.

May:

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After a long winter, the rivers rise and rise and rise....

June:

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Birthdays are celebrated with friends.

July:

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Look who's THREE!!

August:

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We travel to Boise, ID for the Phifer Family reunion.

September:

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Look who's starting school! Time flies...

October:

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Finally FIVE - he was so excited!

November:

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This year we celebrated Thanksgivingmas, since we weren't going to see family over Christmas.

December:

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December has been spent digging out of record snow, spending time with friends, and celebrating Jesus' birthday!

Merry Christmas From Our Family to Yours

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An Update

Good evening friends, family, and acquaintances!

I was reminded my a dear blogger friend that it's been nearly a month since I last posted. While I've stayed current on reading all of my friends' blogs, I've neglected mine yet again.

Let's see where to begin...

Weight watchers is going okay. I'm currently at a total loss of 5.4lbs or so. Honestly, I wish it were more. It's coming off, though, that's truly what matters. My friend, Michelle, and I have also been going to the gym. It's been good to get exercise. We've set a goal to lose 10% of our (own) body weight by Valentine's Day. After that I hope to do Bloomsday. In the 4.5 years that we've lived here in I've never done it. It's just over 7 miles - at a brisk walk I know I can do it!

Thanksgiving was lovely. My parents came over from the west side of the mountains. We actually celebrated "Thanksgivingmas" since we won't be seeing them for Christmas this year. It was good food, good fun, and good company. We are very sad to not be around family this holiday, but it's the safest thing for our family with the condition of the passes unpredictable.

My life is also kept busy with working (9-12 hours a week), serving at the coffee bar, leading a knitting group, shuttling Little Man to and from school 2 times a week, and attending a parenting class on Thursdays.

Life is crazy, but it's our life - beautifully chaotic.

How are you?

Here I Go Again!

This morning I finally did IT. What is IT you ask? Well, I finally went back to Weight Watchers (WW). This is not the first time, obviously, that I've been there. WW and I are good friends. The last time I joined was a year and a half ago (or so) in anticipation of a summer trip to Nevada and California.

This time I've hoping it will be different. I'm hoping this time it's in anticipation of enjoying the rest of my life. That's where I think I was at a disadvantage last time. I had a short term goal and once it was accomplished I went back to my old bad ways. This time my goal is long term.

I don't have a lot to write about in regards to all of this. This is more of an accountability tool. Having you all out there knowing I'm taking this step will keep me motivated. May the future be full of SUCCESS posts.

Cheers!