Day 7

I am kind of feeling like my friend Gwen.

My four year old had shots.

My seven year old has the tummy aches and overall yucky feeling.

Three days in the house.

Whining.

Crying.

Stirring up trouble.

More whining.

I want to cry.

So, I did.

Maia is leaving tomorrow.

She has been my faithful running pal for 2 years.

I'm sad.

I cried.

Big booger cries.

I let it all out.

It felt good to get it out.

I already miss her.

But, here are a few things I am thankful for today:

1.  Amidst the house bound chaos I listened to my children have a conversation about God.

2.  As I was leaving Barnes and Noble I saw three people holding hands and praying aloud.

3.  We leave or vacation in 36 hours, 15 minutes and 22 seconds.

4.  We leave for vacation in 36 hours, 14 minutes and 48 seconds.

5.  I read this entry and walked outside, sat on the slide....took a deep breath and looked up, looked in and looked down.

6.  The cardinal I saw as I left Maia's house for the last time.

Has anyone read this book?  I read a little of it while I was in Barnes and Noble.  He is the pastor of my sister's church in Birmingham.  I might get it to read on vacation.  Oh, wait...we are now on a budget.  I will wait until it comes to the library or if someone let's me borrow:)  Or if I make some money tomorrow selling some of my jewelry......

Day 6

1.  I am thankful that even though some days it is a struggle to come up with all the things I am thankful for, I still do it.  Intentionally.  And it feels better.

2.  Good, long conversation with my sis

3.  I love that Lawson loves to wear her tutu everywhere.

4.  cleaning out feels so good....but I am exhausted:)

5.  thankful that i am about to crawl into my comfy bed:)

6.  Oh, and thankful for the beautiful rainbow we saw tonight after our last photography lesson from LO.

Multitude Monday.....1000 gifts

46.  being able to take my sweet girl to her four year old check up and get to see her be so brave when she got 5 shots.......broke my heart.  She was so brave, though.  SO.BRAVE.

47.  frosted flakes tasted soooooo good for dinner tonight.

48.  the homemade cinnamon roll bread was delicious for dessert. (i am not going to weigh in tomorrow.  i am going to run;))

49.  finding something to encourage my hubby with.....letting him know that his dreams are my dreams too.

50.  walking in faith is not being able to see, but knowing in your heart that Jesus is enough.  trusting in Him.  loving Him.  seeing Him in everything.  praising Him.  adoring Him.  in awe of Him.  glorifying Him.  enjoying Him.

51.  true Peace and contentment can only come from Him.

52.  little boys sleeping with their daddy's book beside them.....he sleeps with his eyes half way open and it is really freaky;)

53.  being able to reminise through old photos and realize that my babies are growing.  

HOW can this be my babies two years ago?

54.  Life.

Day 4

1.  thankful for the reminder that grace is not a thing it is Jesus.

2.  watching my girl sing her VBS songs with a serious beat going on:)

3.  listening to one of Mac's dreams.....

4.  listening to 5 things that Mac is thankful for.

5.  folding the laundry that has been waiting for 4 days......

6.  knocking out a few things on our punch list for selling our home:)

7.  now there are only 7 pages instead of 8.....

Day 3

1.  taking my girl to 2 girly birthday parties.

2.  the prospect of downsizing our home and debt.....

3.  all the cardinal's i saw today that made me think of Jesus.

4.  cleaning out 4 cabinets in my den and it only took 3 hours.

5.  only 10 more rooms to clean out.

6.  faith and confidence that the Lord has us in the Palm of His Hand.  No.Matter.What.

7.  i was able to build my hubby up after an upsetting phone call.

8.  a fun casual dinner with hometown friend and her precious fam....

9.  finding this refreshing. truth speaking. blog.

10.  surving a 4 mile run in extreme heat at 7 am.....:)

Day 2

Day 2

1.  the. best. coffee. ever. made. by. the. best. hubby. in. the. WHOLE. Wide. WORLD:)

2.  My friend, Lorien, for taking the time to teach a group of friends how to take pictures with our cameras.

3.  two healthy children.

4.  redeemed marriage.

5.  making my children's lunch today.

6.  scratching Mac's back when he got home from VBS.  (he spent the night out and stayed up until midnight.....ahhhhh)

7.  having affectionate children....La was rubbing my arm while she sucked her thumb:)

8.  hubby coming home for lunch.

9.  communication with my hubby

10.  sunshine.

11.  ceiling fans.

12.  Dave Ramsey.....I know we will be even more thankful for him when we get out of debt.

13.  Ecclesiates 3:9-15

30 days

Ok, I know I posted yesterday and listed my gratitudes...but I am going to attempt to do this

I am still going to do Ann's Multitude Monday.

But, I am committing to the next 30 days of writing 5 things I am thankful for.  

Even when I am on vacation.

Even with no internet.

I will write down 5 things I am thankful for.

1.  diet coke/tea time with this fabulous girl

2.  a phone call from my dad thanking me for his father's day gift

3.  being able to run. even in 100 degree weather. and being able to sweat (my friend's mil can't sweat...can you imagine?)

4.  brushing Lawson's curly hair this morning:)

5.  having more than I need or deserve.........

34.  Thankful that even though I fallen short on writing my 1000 gifts, I am continuing to concentrate on my blessings.

35.  laughter with three boys today at Guignard Park

36.  tiny life held in growing hands......

37.  we are nine days away from a ten day vacation.....ahhhhh:)

38.  even though life is hard, I still feel joy.  

39. thankful for my dear friend, Maia......I am going to miss her so much!

40.  hearing children singing God's Word:)

41.  the grace and mercy my sweet husband show me everyday....bless your heart:)

42.  i didn't lose it in the Kmart check out line.  

43.  thin everything bagels.  LOVE.
44. Proverbs 31 Ministry and today's devotion....if you don't get these devotions, click on link and sign up:)  They are truly a highlight of my day!

45.  last but not least.  the fact that my friend's son took a picture underwater of me and we laughed our heads off.  she deleted it very quickly...or atleast she said she did.  it was SCARY......:)  but hysterical!

Good, not perfect.

I am a good wife, not perfect.

I am a good mother, not perfect.

I am a good daughter, not perfect.

I am a good sister, not perfect.

I am a good friend, not perfect.  

Honestly, this past week or two has been kind of hard.

Father's Day is always kind of hard for me.

Ok, really hard.

I miss Joe.

I grieve over the loss of something he could never give me.

But, I am good.  Not perfect, but good.

And that is ok.

I of course have been doing all I can to stay busy.

I have painted three rooms in my house.

Desperately trying to complete these tasks.

To keep my mind off of my broken heart, instead of taking my broken heart to The One Who truly cares.

I got it done.  All three rooms.

But, I am exhausted.

Spent.

I talk to a dear friend tonight.

She lifted my spirit and encouraged me.

I went upstairs to lay down with Lawson.

I touched her sweet face and listened to her suck her thumb.

My heart just smiled.

Then I go into Mac's room.

He is asleep holding a picture of us.

The picture of his parents that sits next to his bed every night.

Tears.

I fall to the floor and sob.

I obviously needed to cry.

I knew I needed to....but was doing everything possible not to cry.

Relief.

Sweet relief.

It does not matter, even if I send Mac to bed early for bad behavior.

He still loves us dearly.

He knows we love him dearly.

He has something I did not have.

Security.

Unconditional love.

He gets to experience a way of life I never knew.  

Both of my children get to experience a life I never knew.

This is a gift from the Ultimate Gift Giver.

FOR sure.

So, tonight I am grasping on to The One Who "holds all things together." Col. 1:17

Remembering that I am "rooted and grounded in love."  Eph. 3:17

Desperately seeking "the strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."  Eph. 3:18-19

********************************

This is a side note.  My mom rocks.  My stepdad, who I call dad, rocks.

God's hand was in every aspect of my life.  

He knew that He would use this situation with Joe to draw me to Himself.

So, momma....no guilt.  "His blood commands my guilt to leave."  Ok?

Dad, you are a special gift from the Gift Giver.

*******************************

Joe,

I miss you.

I love you.

All I have ever wanted was for you to love me.

It is ok, that you were not able too.  

I am good.  Not perfect.  That is ok.

I forgive you.

I pray that one day you will realize the love of the Father.

I pray that He would heal you from your illness.

Love,

Allison

*******************************

I would have taken a picture of Mac, but I left my camera card at the store.

The store where I spent 2 hours trying to develop my pictures...only to leave with nothing.

Not even my camera card.

But, the picture of you, sweet boy with our picture in your arms will be permanently engraved in my memory.

Thank you, sweet Jesus.  

Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.

********************************

"A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up bones."  Proverbs 17:12

Love Your Enemies

 "But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,  bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.  To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either.  Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. 

  "If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.  Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.  Luke 6:27-36

 

D

D is for dinner date at Devine Foods.

Driving range with L.

Dessert at Fruiti Cup.

No pictures on this date.  

We talked about dreams.

I learned 2 new things about L.

I got to talk about my dream.
So, what is your dream?

18.  Thankful that I am now counting my 1000 gifts forward instead of backwards.   Whew it already feels better;)

19.  Thankful that my son is now the minature donkey whisperer after breaking his arm riding one of them.  He learned his lesson.

  20.  the beautiful wheat field in front of my parent's house in Alabama

21.  For the cardinal's we saw at Riverfront Park today.  Just me and my kiddos.  Sweet time.  Precious time.  I.  Don't.  Want.  To.  Forget.

22.  Cousins and sweet giggles.

23.  Smiles and laughter after getting both SUV's stuck in the mud at the Hot Air Ballon Festival......9 o'clock at night;)  Especially grateful for the 3 strangers that helped us (my dad and Scot) get them unstuck.

24.  thankful that God's mercies are new every morning........

25.  thankful for life...

26.  thankful that even though I am a sinner, I am dearly loved.  A new creation.

27.  thankful for a Gospel preaching church.

28.  thankful for amazing sisters in Christ....

29.  thankful that being able to give thanks instead of being anxious.

30.  for sweet time at "the farm."  driving back roads and thinking about old times....smiling.  seeing birds playing in mud puddles.  watching my dad do what he loves, selling cows....

31.  baby sisters

32.  Angels...

33.  thankful that I can post this on a Tuesday even though I was suppose to do it yesterday.  GRACE.  learning to accept grace.......

sister's, yogurt and good conversations

I just went to get yogurt with my sisters.  We had a blast.  But, seriously who ever came up with the idea of make your own yogurt and add whatEVER you want on top was a genius.  Way to make money on the girl who loaded up the yogo all the way to the top and added Heath bar on top.  Yep.  Pretty sure I will weigh 5 pounds more tomorrow morning.  It was worth.  every.  single. bite.  Thank you very much Yogurt Mountain.  No pictures because I literally inhaled the humongous yogurt moutain. 

I loved being with my sisters.  LOVE.  Them.  Time spent with them makes my heart smile:)

Walk with Him

So, I missed Multitude Monday.  I thought about it, even had my "c" date with my hubby:)  I will probably just post 10 things I am thankful for this coming Monday.   This month on Ann's blog "Walk with Him Wednesday" is The Practice of Spiritual Matrimony.  Reflecting on my marriage and the man I married.  Boy, the Lord has brought us through some really rough storms to a place where we content.  Peace.  Love.  Grace.  Mercy.  Love.  Love.  Love. 

I love Leighton.  Period.

"C" date night.

Chili's in Decatur, Alabama.

For some reason, Decatur is NOT known for fabulous restaurants.  It really is tragic.  

But, Chili's totally worked for us.

We had

chips at Chili's.

Then we headed back to my parent's house to 

 Chillax on the chammock......watching the sun set

and then went on a

Cow

Cruise:)

I love my man.  I desire Him more because of him.   I also miss him right now because I am still in Alabama and he is in Columbia.  I miss him.  I will be home tomorrow, baby.