Thankful Tuesday

Since I've been back to my thankfulness routine, I have noticed a shift that has occured. I am now more intentional about being thankful.  Here's my list this week:

1. Intentionality

Several times during the past seven days I've paused and said to myself, "This. This is what I am thankful for." It's different because instead of appreciating life in passing, I am stopping and recognizing it.

2. Birds in trees

Every morning I walk the kids to school.  It's only a block, and it's an important one. On the way there, they debrief me on the social dramas as well as academic news. On the way back, I walk alone and take deep breaths, enjoying the space, silence, and birds singing to me. Yesterday I heard a particularly beautiful song, looked up, and saw a bird at the very top branch of a tall tree. Had I been driving, I wouldn't have heard or seen that bird. I love our morning walks.

3. Harry Potter

On Saturday night, the entire family donned black robes to be characters in the Harry Potter stories.  We went to the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History and enjoyed several themed activities before watching Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in the Omni Theater. I've been a long-time fan of the books and am loving sharing them with the children. Every time we finish a book, we watch the movie. This weekend's film was the one we were due to see this week, so it worked out perfectly.

4. Cub Scouts

Few scenes are cuter than Paul in his new Cub Scouts uniform, wearing it with pride and repeating all his important Cub Scout mottos. I'm so glad that Adam can experience this with him, because my schedule and plate are full.

5. Money for writing

Yesterday I recieved my first royalty check from a small book I wrote last year. $15.40 means that 22 people purchased my writing. It's not a lot of money, but it's exclusively for something I created. I'm humbled. So often my writing skills are used in other avenues, to communicate for the church, to update friends or family on life, to remind myself of how lucky I am. But apart from all those needs, I created something on my own that people purchased. Amazing.

6. Back massages

Last night I received a fabulous back massage from Paul.  It was a "Weeble-wobble-bouncyball-whoopee-cushion" massage. Only an exclusive group of people receive this specialized massage, and I was honored.

7. Places to pitch in and serve

I have a variety of settings in which I am able to help in a tangible way, even with my tight schedule. I'm even able to volunteer in one of Claire's classes multiple times a week.  I just go in with my friend and we tear workbook pages out again and again. It's both a small task and a huge task (75 copies of each workbook).  

8. First Grade Reading

Paul is now reading aloud to me daily. I love hearing how his intonation is developing as he begins reading real stories fluently. The expression in his voice makes me laugh.

9. Hot water

Several years ago, for my Mother's Day present, Adam installed an instant hot water tap. I use it every single day.  

10. Pinterest

For an additonal Sunday School craft, and for group games and lessons on Wednesday night, I turn to Pinterest. I love finding new, creative, and exciting ideas there and bringing them to life. Tomorrow night we'll be playing Angry Birds at church, thanks to Pinterest.

Thankful Tuesday

We're swimming along merrily right now! Here's my thankful list for today:

1. A reason for thanks
In one of my classes at seminary I have to come up with some "rules of life" to help me maintain a healthy spirit. I selected my Thankful Tuesdays as an activity that helps me keep on track.  So for this semester at least, I have to do this every week, without fail, for a grade.

2. Claire's independence
Last weekend Claire was away for her first overnight experience. She went to Glen Lake camp with hundreds of third and fourth graders to learn about the Bible, have adventures, and celebrate independence.  She had a blast!

3. Having one child for the weekend
With Claire gone, Paul was king of the castle. He relished in the attention and we also had a lot of fun

4. Fascinating zoo exhibits
We took Paul to the Dallas Zoo where they have a cheetah named Winspear, who is being raised with a Labrador Retreiver named Amani. The cheetah came to our side of the fence and snarled and put his teeth on the fence but was docile with the Lab and his handlers.  We also saw koalas and an anteater for the first time in our lives. All three of us walked around the zoo in a state of excitement and wonder.

5. Teachers that hold me accountable as a parent
Paul's teacher has known us since Claire was in kindergarten.  Last week she told me that Paul had missed two on his spelling test and she knew he could do better. Yesterday she asked me to up his reading aloud. I love that she recognizes his ability, knows what needs to be done to help him reach his potential, and asks me to help him do it. I have been reading the kids Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, so I hadn't been having Paul read to me every single day.  I will now so he can stay on track. I am grateful that his teacher and I have the kind of relationship where she can be honest with me about his strengths and weaknesses and how he can do better.

6. I still love seminary.

7. TV time with Adam
About twice a week I get to sit on the couch and watch some television with Adam.  I love watching with him because no matter the show, we always have a running commentary that adds to what plays out on the screen. He makes me laugh.

8. Having a place for my ideas
I'm always finding new ideas for games/crafts/activities for the kids. Sometimes, though, I feel frustrated that some of the ideas are only used on two children.  Now that I'm interim children's minister, I've pulled out the list and we're checking it off.  Throwing cheetos to a person with shaving cream on their head is much more fun with 13 than it is with two.

9. Hugs
I'm a hugger and recieved several good hugs this last week.  In fact, one person hugged me twice.  His name ends with a 2, so by Adam and my count, it was actually four hugs and not just two.

10. Inside tents
Paul slept in a tent last night.  In his room.  It was adorable.  The night before that, Claire did it.  Also adorable.

Thankful Tuesday

It's the third week of school and we've fallen into a nice rhythm.  The school year looks good on all of us.

Today I am thankful for:

1. Pawn shops
Saturday I introduced Claire to the world of pawn shops.  We drove around Fort Worth going into everyone we could find, looking for a keyboard and a stand.  We found a nice keyboard for $50, but are still looking for a stand.  She was fascinated with the concept of pawn shops and I was happy to get a deal.

2. Quiet mornings
Every morning I have 60 minutes to myself while the house is silent.  Experiencing the world when the day is fresh and new sets me off on the right foot.

3. Fascinating reading
This week for homework I had to read an excerpt of Howard Thurman's book, Jesus and the Disinherited.  This book inspired Martin Luther King; apparently he carried a copy in his briefcase at all times. I love reading writing that challenges my worldview. Not only is this expertly crafted prose, it is thought-provoking and challenging.  I love it.

4. Organization days
I spent the entire day yesterday organizing my office and fall children's curriculum.  I feel so much more equipped to deal with what comes my way when I'm prepared.  My house is not a model of organization, but my office is.  (It's smaller than the house and I'm the only one that messes it up.)

5.  Classic toys
Adam and I both preserved some of our favorite childhood toys.  Claire has some original Cabbage Patch dolls in her room and our back room is currently littered with He-Man figurines.  Paul's been having battles.

6.  Orthodontics that aren't scary.
Claire got her first portion of braces yesterday.  Her orthodontist prepared her and she entered the office with zero anxiety. She left with a giant expander on the roof of her mouth. I was so happy that she was so willing to be a patient.

7.  Do overs
This past Sunday I sang and danced in front of a roomful of skeptical children. It was my first Sunday leading children's ministries and I obviously have some growing room.  Apparently my singing and dancing wasn't compelling enough to overcome a need for intentional transition. That's okay.  I'll do it again next week with hopefully better results.

8. Places where I'm not in charge
One day a week I arrive at my designated elementary school ready to do whatever is needed. It is different every time. I might spend the day teaching children how to read or testing their fluency or organizing storybooks. I'm always eager to help however needed. It is so refreshing for me to have a place where I can be helpful and contribute but am not looked to be in charge.

9. Snoring hounds
When I roll over at night, I have to take into account everyone else in the bed, which would be Adam and our two dogs. They like to sleep at my feet and I have to make sure I don't accidentally kick them off. We have a Yorkshire Terrier and a Chihuahua. Both snore loudly, which makes me giggle.

10. The magic of Harry Potter
I'm reading all the Harry Potter books to the children.  We're on book 3.  I love that the world of Harry Potter has jumped out of the pages and is part of our daily lives.  I never know when a topic about the books will come up.  I'll be making dinner and a child will come in and ask me to explain Hogsmeade or why Harry can't go.  Or we'll be walking to school and I'll need to recount the reason Hermione is a wizard when her parents are Muggles. I loved the stories the first time I read them, but living them with the children is even better.

Thankful Tuesday

Tonight I attempted to read part of our Harry Potter book to the kids, but they were more interested in acting crazy and hyper. I sent them to bed early and now, at 7:35 p.m., they are both snoring soundly.

So, here's my list today:

1. Children who are asleep early so I can finish homework and write.

2. Homework. I love learning new concepts, and so far, my homework this semester has been fascinating.  An excerpt from Thomas Merton's New Seeds of Contemplation had me nodding my head and shouting "Exactly!" to an empty room.

3. Podcasts
I have really enjoyed working in Weatherford because it gives me a reason to listen to a variety of podcasts.  I've enjoyed listening to interviews on pursuing your dreams, motherhood, and self-care by Lisa Grace Byrne.  I keep up with some friends through their sermon podcasts.  Today I listened to one from Church Marketing Sucks.  Do you have any favorite podcasts? I'd love to add them to my list.  (Want to hear one from my church? Listen here.)

4. My support team
I simply cannot work, go to grad school, and be an effective mother by myself.  I am so grateful for my support team.  My husband Adam is number 1, followed by a host of others who babysit, check on me, pray for me, help with my tuition, or even read my emails that sometimes border the length of a Tolstoy novel.  Thank you for being part of that team.

5.  Patience
Since I am in a brave new world of graduate school and new job responsibilities, I've been a little bit confused at times.  I am so grateful for patient professors as well as compassionate coworkers and friends who kindly wait while I connect the dots.

6.  Labor Day weekend in the past
Labor Day weekend was a blast. We had so much fun with skating on Friday night, family over all day on Saturday, a date night on Sunday, and a family day at the movies on Monday. We had a lot of fun, but I'm also glad it's behind us now and we have a little more wiggle room in the calendar.

7.  Neighborhood piano lessons
Our across the street neighbors are Mr. and Mrs. Abbott.  When Claire was small, she couldn't pronounce their full name, so she called them Mr. and Mrs. Rabbit.  Mrs. Rabbit is a talented pianist, and she has agreed to start teaching Claire some piano lessons. Claire starts Thursday and we are very excited!  (I'm also excited we won't have to drive anywhere. I can stay home with Paul and send her across the street!)

8. Good teachers
Claire is so excited about third grade and her first binder, which is full of new responsibilities. She is so proud of being in charge of her own assignments and keeping everything organized. Her new teachers are already sainted in her book.  I am just as big of a fan of Paul's teacher, who expertly dealt with a brief misbehavior last week. She corrected him in a way that didn't shame him, but at the same time, ensured he wouldn't do it again.

9. An empty laundry couch
At our home, we have a designated couch where I place all the clean laundry. Really, that's where I dump the laundry baskets after the clothes come out of the dryer. On a busy week, we might have to fish clean clothes out of the mound. This week we won't have to because Adam and I folded and hung every single piece of laundry last night.  We've actually been able to sit on that couch today.

10. Time to breathe
Last Friday I was home alone, so I was able to complete all my work, all my housework, cut all my coupons, and go grocery shopping for two weeks' worth of food. By the time I picked up the kids, I felt like I was wearing a super hero cape.

And now....off to finish my homework!