Thankful Thursday. [on Friday!]

So... I've really neglected this thing lately, for many reasons.  There have been a lot of changes and hiccups happening around here recently and I haven't really had much desire (or time or energy) to blog.  BUT... I realize I need to get back into it, for my children especially.  I want them to be able to, in 10-20 years, look through this blog and be proud of themselves and proud of me.

Without further ado... my Thankful Thursday list one day late because that's how I roll :) (in words and pictures - but unfortunately separate because my blooger is acting up and I don't have the patience to make it all pretty and perfect!) 

• I am thankful for curly hair and long eyelashes! (love you Gage David!)
• I am thankful for family time watching Gavin's tball team walk in our local Memorial Day parade!
• I am SO THANKFUL for all the men and women (past, present and future) who serve our country; your bravery and sacrifice blow me away. 
• I am thankful for beautiful weddings!!!
• I am thankful for my gorgeous nieces and nephews and special family time!
• I am thankful that I live in the country and can appreciate God's beautiful creations every single day. 
• I am thankful for my husband and his daily drive to provide for me and our kids.
• I am thankful for the simple things in life, like fruit, a sweet baby doll, a flower, an ice cream cone, a funny picture of my children, a pretty cloud, a sweet card or a funny joke.
• I am thankful for my job, my inspiring clients and my supportive and amazing coworkers.
• I am thankful for my health and the health of my children.

peace.

So thankful for my new camera and my strong faith… two things that have been helping me through a lot of ‘stuff’ lately.  (more things I’m thankful for coming tomorrow!)

well hello there mr. canon.

I’m so behind… on everything it seems… but here are a few photos I’ve taken over the past week with my new friend Mr. Canon :) :) :)

   

   

“Surely you have granted him unending blessings
and made him glad with the joy of your presence” – Psalm 21:6

anyone home?!

yep… still here… just super busy with, well, life.

Gavin just graduated preschool Monday night - next step is kindergarten!!!

   

Gage is talking ALL the time and repeats almost everything I say.  He is still absolutely terrified of the bath, which cracks me up!  Gabrielle is living up to the term “terrible twos” – she is a rascal.  She’s a little smarty pants and insists on doing everything herself… strong-willed I guess!

I took this before Gavin’s 1st tball game on Wednesday night… Go Cougars!!! [check out the red cleats – all because the Phillies wear red cleats!]

 

In the games they pitch 5 balls to the boys, if they don’t hit any pitches then they pull the tee out for them.  Gavin was up to bat 3 times and got a hit on the first pitch of each at bat, needless to say he was one happy hitter!

be back soon.. I hope.. I’m getting a new camera and will likely have millions of photos to post =)  [yes, my Nikon has finally croaked, it’s been slowly fading for a while now and a couple of weeks ago it went kaput.  I have my heart set on a new canon – my parents are getting me one for Mother’s Day and my birthday… I know, my parents AWESOME!!! ]

Road Rage Gage.

classic.

- 5 Question Friday -

- Mama M’s Five Question Friday -

1. Who mows your grass? – Steven.  Hate to admit this, but I’ve never mowed the grass.  I’ve used a lawn mower for a total of about 30 seconds my entire life.  Growing up with a dad and two older brothers and now a husband who is pretty picky about the lawn, I’ve never mowed any lawn.

2. Do you have a picture wall or picture gallery in your house (show us! <--- my addition to the question)? nope – sure would like one though… I’d love a color one and a black and white one… maybe someday

3. What book has influenced your thinking the most? Or, what blog? (I want to read what gets people thinking!) – the bible.  Truthfully, I’m not a big reader – but my bible is my go to book when I need inspiration, advice, encouragement, wisdom, grace, mercy… pretty much anything!

4. Do you have allergies? If so, how do you handle it this time of year? – nope.

5. What's your go to meal to cook in an hurry? – grilled cheese and soup!

T(cubed) – tball, talking, thankful

I have been so inconsistent with my blogging but I really do want to get back into the swing of things…

Speaking of swinging – Gavin starts tball on Friday :)  He is SO excited!  We signed him up a couple of months ago and he has asked at least once a day, if not more, when baseball is going to start.  I’m really looking forward to watching him play; he has loved baseball for a few years now so I’m eager to get him on that field!!!  It will be tough managing two practices/games a week plus two other little ones plus two full time working parents - - but I guess I’m up for the challenge!

 

Talking – Mr Gage David is talking like crazy!  He repeats almost anything you say and thinks it’s hilarious!  I got a short video of him talking last night but I’m not exactly sure how to get it from my phone to the blog… so stay tuned!!!  Here’s a list of some of his favorite words – hey, dude, hot dog, awesome, roll out, I rock, momma, dadda, meemaw, grammie, poppop, sister, Gage, kitty, Lucy, excuse me, please, thank you, milk, eat, peepee, dog, cow, Pennsylvania, dance – I’m sure I’m missing some but you get the idea!!!

Thankful – the Lord has shown me recently how truly blessed I am and I need to share my thanks for some things here.  First, I am thankful for three healthy kids.  They may not listen to me all the time, they may fight and hit and talk back, they may not sleep in their own beds, they may always ask for more toys, they may push the boundaries, they may frustrate the bejeebers out of me – but they are healthy and that is blessing.

I am so thankful for family.  We’ve been in some tough situations lately and our family has really come through for us.  Our family is always willing to help out in whatever way we need them and for that, I am so grateful.  Life with 3 small children and two full time (well, truthfully, Steven and I work way more than 40 hours a week…) working parents can be pretty darn tough to manage – not to mention the everyday tasks of being home owners – laundry, cleaning, grocery shopping, yard work – blah blah blah – all this to say – THANK YOU to all of our amazing family who’ve been SO great to us and to our kiddos – you guys rock!

I am so thankful to live where I live.  Lancaster County is absolutely beautiful.  I’ve known this for a long time but really realized it a few weeks ago while in New York City.  Steven and I were standing in Times Square and he said to me, “isn’t this beautiful?” – and I thought for a moment – to me, Times Square is just bright, it’s not really beautiful.  Don’t get me wrong – it’s beautiful in a bright, busy, crazy kind of way but that’s not my true idea of beauty.  I love the beauty of the country.. the beauty of fields and hills and trees.. the beauty of clear skies, sunshine and stars.

and, in honor of Easter, [yea, I’m late.. no surprise there] I’m thankful for my faith.  I’m thankful I work for a Christian agency where I can share and pray with coworkers and clients.  I’m thankful for Jesus and His ultimate sacrifice...

“But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed. 
We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.” – Isaiah 53:5-6

Love & blessings!!!