30 Days of Thanks: Days 15-21

I am so far behind it's not funny! However, if you had been in my house the last 2 weeks, you would completely understand! The flu, strep, pregnancy, puppies...the list goes on and on. So I'm going to catch up on all my days now, and I am striving to stay caught up for the rest of the month.

Day15--I am thankful that God has given us nurses, doctors, ARNP's, and midwives. I'm thankful that the doctor Chris seen diagnosed him quickly and gave him medicine the effectively got rid of the flu right away. I'm thankful for our pediatrician. The whole office is wonderful and I am usually able to get Maddison a same day appointment, and I'm so thankful for that. Ann has been great from day one and there is no one else that I trust with my children. She's very personable, cares about me as a parent, offers great advice and take the absolute best care of Maddison. She was able to see her right away and had no issues with it being my mother in law who brought her in. I'm thankful for Cyndi, who is my midwife. She is awesome. She has taken great care of C.J. and myself and has not forced anything on me, but has listened and give the best advice. I believe the God is THE GREATEST physician and can cure anything quicker than any doctor, but I am so thankful that he has given our doctors the knowledge, and personalities that we need to fit us and our needs.

Day 16--I'm thankful for a family that still holds true to old family values and believes in coming together and helping one another out. There are many families today that never get help from one another. I would be in serious trouble if our families decided to no longer help. It just so happens that when Maddison got sick, the first appointment I could get her was on the same day and at the same time as mine. It was quite interesting to think about how I was going to be in Gainesville and Starke at the same time. Both appointments were very important and I didn't want to cancel either. Thankfully, my mother in law graciously said she would take Maddison to her appointment. I knew she would, but it's just so nice to know that no matter what, I have that help when I need it. Chris and I both have been blessed with families that have done and continue to do all the can for us in all aspects of life. We would definitely be lost with out them.

Day 17-- I'm thankful that God has allowed me to bear children. There are many people in this world who want nothing more than to be able to have children of their own and can't.  I always think and pray about two special families that have been brought into my life and who cannot have children. There have been times in my pregnancy when I have felt bad for talking about how great it is to be pregnant, or for inviting them to my baby shower, to share in something that they will never experience. However, these people have been great to us, celebrate in our happiness, and have never had a bad outlook. I know that in the comfort of their homes, tears have been shed and that the want for children will never go away, so I do my best to not take my children for granted. To enjoy, even the most rough parts of being pregnant, and I always say a little prayer for those who can't have children of their own. I am very thankful for the option of surrogacy and adoption so that my precious friends still have the option to parent children. I pray that God continues to bless them and that when His time is right, that they will have the children that they have wanted for so long.

Day 18-- I'm thankful for my jeep and Chris's car. Where would we be without these? My jeep is nothing special, not new, has some things that need work, but it's mine. There are no payments to be made, and it gets me from one point to the next. I can depend on it and it's plenty big enough for our family and our luggage for when we take a trip. Chris's car is also dependable, a little newer and we're still making payments on it. However, it has taught us a lot of responsibility and it will feel rewarding to him to know he has paid for the car on his own and that it's his when it's paid off. Many people don't have the luxury of owning or having cars like we do, and I'm thankful we have been blessed with them.

Day 19-- I'm thankful for my Bible. The Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. I'm thankful that when I have a question about how God wants me to handle something or how he wants me to dress, treat my husband and my children that I can go to His word and find all the answers. I'm thankful that when someone tells me what I believe is wrong or that my view on a controversial subject is not right, I can open my Bible and show them, that they might not agree, but that it's what the Bible says, and I do not have to argue the Bible. Everything in there is what God said, and what God said, is final, whether we like it or not.

Day 20--I'm thankful for such a great pregnancy. It has been rough, there's no questioning that. I am exhausted, I hurt all the time, I am never comfortable, I am always going to the bathroom and getting a good nights sleep....it out of the question. But, it could definitely be much worse, and I'm thankful that it's not. I'm taking it all with the best stride possible, and even though I tend to look as bad as I feel, I'm staying positive. I've had no issues with blood pressure, protein or glucose in my urine and C.J. has been active, had a great heartbeat and has been growing normally the entire time. I know I could be in a lot worse shape and I have watched many women go through steroid shots, induction and emergency c-sections because of issues they've had, and I'm so thankful that is not me. I do not take it for granted that things have been "easy" for me. I know when it's all over, I'll miss being pregnant and feeling the wonderful movement of a child inside me, so I'm doing my best to enjoy it. It won't be long and he will be in my arms...I cannot wait! :)

Day 21-- I'm thankful for Christopher's job. He's working over because of a little mishap, he'll be working tomorrow (Thanksgiving), he'll work Friday, Saturday and Sunday,which is usually his day off, but they needed people to work. If things don't work out...he'll work Christmas, and New Years too. It's rough and I do not want to spend my holidays without him, but I'm thankful he has a job. There are many people who don't have one and are struggling to make and to find a job. So until God opens another door, we'll continue to make this one work and just be thankful that it pays well and provides the things we need.

30 Days of Thanks: Days 13 and 14

I'm not really sure where day 13 ended and day 14 began for. It's been a crazy here in my house with Maddison getting sick...so I'm just going to group these two days together.

Day 13 & 14--- I am thankful for tylenol, prayers, a king size bed, DVR, luke warm baths and mothers who have great advice.
The tylenol and luke warm bath have helped Maddison break her fever, now it's just a waiting game to see if it comes back. Thankfully, I am able to call my mom and my mother in law and ask what the best the thing to do in this situation is. It's kind of scary, especially knowing she was exposed to the flu.
The prayers have helped me know that someone cares, and that with God, I will get through this. It has been one thing after another lately, and I just cannot seem to catch a break and I feel there is no rest for the weary...yet I know God will supply my rest and give me the strength to make it through whatever valley I come too.
A king size bed and DVR....we would be in trouble without these. There is NOTHING worth watching on at 2:30 in the morning when your sick child feels it's time to be in mom and dad's bed. We don't have a DVD player, but thankfully we have several of Maddison's favorite movies recorded on DVR. Beauty and the Beast, George of the Jungle, Scooby Doo, and Tangled to just name a few. The king size bed, well it needs to be bigger. As it turns out, no matter what, Daddy and Maddison are not giving up more of the bed than they have too. I have no idea where C.J. is going to fit because I cannot possibly slide over any more, or I will be on the floor. I guess it's just a mother thing, but I always sleep conservative when my baby is the bed so she has plenty of room and we don't feel squished. However, her daddy doesn't see things like I do and proceeds to sleep all crazy and take up a good chunk of the bed. I think I may just slide him to the inside so he can cuddle with the wall and be cramped and uncomfortable for a change. :p
Mostly I just like to give him a hard time...I know that when he's gone to work and the children are napping that my wonderful job allows me to nap where his doesn't, so I try not to pick on him too much. However, I'm thankful we gave of the queen and got the king because we would really be in a tough spot. I don't mind lounging out in one of the recliners in the living room with Maddison, but for now, the bed is the place I have to be and I'm thankful although it's tight quarters, we're close, and none of us mind that! <3

30 Days of Thanks: Days 11 &12

Day 11--- I'm thankful for Veterans; past, present and future. These men and women have willingly put their lives in danger defending all the things that I cherish in this life. My freedoms, the comfort of knowing that I can lay my head on my pillow and know the war is not on my back yard. They have sacrificed time with their families, their freedom, the luxuries we have, and some have even gave their lives. I can never thank them enough for what they have done. There are a few veterans in my life that are very near and dear to me: my one and only, Chris,and his battle buddy Danny...they seem to have helped each other a lot through the deployment. My uncle Steve who fought in the war on terrorism. He went over several times and thankfully made it back each time. He even sent me a a wonderful blanket from over there which I love and use each winter. The last two men were always veterans and I always had an appreciation for them like I do all the veterans but it wasn't until many many years after their service that I met them and they became so much more than just another veteran and those two men are Christopher's (and now mine) grandfathers, Papa John and Papa Jackie. I did not know them during their time of service, however, I am so very thankful for them because if men like them didn't do what they did, things would be very different today.

Day 12--- I'm thankful for my home. It's small and definitely not grand and to most people is just a house that has a lot of stairs. To me though, it's my home. It's full of all the great memories I had  growing up. The Christmases with mom, dad and Anthony, the many birthdays, Easters, and just family get togethers we had. This is the place where Chris asked me to be his wife, where we began our journey together, where we brought Maddison home to and where we will bring C.J.. It doesn't even compare to the houses that others live in, but it's home. It's cozy, welcoming, and if walls could talk they would tell you just how wonderful our home is. It's not perfect, it needs a little TLC in certain area's but I'm thankful we have it to live in. Many people don't have a house to call home and I'm thankful that after almost 19 years of living here, the house my mom made a home for us is now the place I'm making a home for our children.

30 Days of Thanks: Day 10

Day 10--- I'm thankful for extended family, great conversations, fires, s'mores, lots of food and corn hole. I'm thankful for the cool weather, the fall decorations and for time. Sometimes we take the "small" things for granted and never realize just how important they are until they're gone. I find myself wanting to be a homebody often, but I'm so glad that I make myself get dressed and go to the things that I could have easily skipped out on. I always leave feeling better than when I got there and I ALWAYS have a great time...no matter what the occasion is. One of my goals now is when I commit to going to something that I've been invited, is to go and not skip out at the last minute. Be sure to cherish the time with those who are important....everything can change in the blink of an eye!


Just a little pregnancy update: I have a doctors appointment on Thursday, but C.J. seems to be doing well...moving lots, has had the hiccups several times the past few days, he's an expert at punching my bladder, and seems to love Christmas music. We played some the other day and it looked like he was swaying back and forth in my belly listening to it. I am so anxious and I cannot wait to hold this precious little boy! Only three weeks to go before I am considered full term and time is going fast! I'm so excited to become a family of four. God has blessed me with WAY more than I deserve, and I'm thankful for ALL His blessings!

One last note....if you haven't read the article I posted, please do, especially if you are married. There is one for husbands and one for wives. It's very convicting, but I believe if we can put these things into actions our marriages, families and homes will be much stronger!
Here are the links-For the wife: http://lovinglifeathome.wordpress.com/2012/08/06/25-ways-to-communicate-respect/
For the husband: http://alltruthisgodstruth.wordpress.com/2012/08/14/25-ways-to-show-your-wife-you-love-her/

30 Days of Thanks: Day 9

Day 9---I'm so thankful that I have the opportunity to be a stay at home wife and mother. In today's time it takes two incomes for a family to survive, but God sure has blessed us and between the National Guard and the prison, we have made. It's a struggle and most of the time we live paycheck to paycheck, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm also thankful that God placed Scentsy in my life. It has helped a lot as well. I haven't done absolutely wonderful with it, but on the months we need it the most, it has the supplied the little extra we needed. I know I just need to put more time into my business and I would probably very successful.
Anyways, many people say why don't you just work and help your family out....you tell me where I can work that is going to pay enough to cover my gas and daycare for my children. It's almost impossible to find something like that. We also feel that until Maddison and C.J. start school, the best place for them to be is with me. I know what they watch on t.v., I know what they are eating, and I know the language that they are around. Maddison has done well out of daycare, we haven't had many sicknesses and even though she's not around children all the time, she still does well with them.
It may be hard, and we may struggle, but God has provided our every need and I have no doubt that he will continue to do so. I have no problem getting a job and am very capable of working, but I'm so glad that I can stay at home and I cherish the time that I get to spend with my children. I also love that when Chris gets home from work, I'm here, and when he has time off there's no hassle in me trying to get time off...we can just go and do as we please. Being a working mom/wife would be a completely different world for me. I'm so thankful that I have a husband that supports me being home and that is willing to work the less than glamorous job to provide for us.  

30 Days of Thanks: Day 7 and 8

Sometimes in the evening I am just so ready to go to bed that by the time Maddison goes down, I am ready to go with her. That makes everything I haven't done for that day get pushed to the next. I am, however, okay with this because I definitely need the rest. Little C.J. is kicking my butt and the more rest I have, the better I feel. :) At this moment, I can feel him hiccup, and I am cherishing this time I get to feel him move because I know it won't be long and he no longer be taking up residence in my belly!

Day 7-- I am thankful for my church. Our church family is wonderful, not perfect as no one is, but wonderful. They care about us, miss us when we're gone and pray for our needs. Our church is not extremely huge with a whole ton of people, but I like it that way. Our preacher is awesome...willing to do anything for us at any time of the day, regardless of what the need is. His wife is one of the greatest prayer warriors we know, and I'm so thankful that I go to a church where I can depend on them to help me out and I know that I can trust the advice they give.

Day 8--I'm thankful for my best friend Chelsey! She is absolutely wonderful! She has been with me through it all. We have been friends for more than 18 years and I couldn't ask for a better friend. She was at my wedding, stayed at the hospital waiting for Maddison to get here, has went to all 5 of baby showers for both of my children, has listened to me fuss about everything, and even spent several nights with while Chris was deployed. Many people think we're sisters...especially now that we have the same last name. Sadly, we tell them no, but she's the sister I never had. I pray for her and that God blesses her with all her needs and then gives her a little more. She is wonderful and I know that I can depend on her. We don't see each other often, but I know that she is there and all I have to do is call and text and she will listen to me. I'm looking forward to many, many more years of being friends with her! I'm thankful God placed her in my life. She has helped me in ways I can never explain!

                                            One of our very first pictures, this was 2nd grade

                                    Our most recent picture. Nov. 3rd, 2012 at my baby shower

30 Days of Thanks- Day 6

Today I am thankful for my freedoms. I'm thankful that I can go vote, I can choose and practice my religion and that I can openly share my opinions. I'm thankful to be a part of a family that has sacrificed to keep our freedoms. I hope that today you took the time to vote. I hope that researched each person and amendment and made an education choice when you colored in that circle. Your vote does count and you need to make sure you are heard. You cannot sit around and whine and complain if you don't do something about it. Take a stand and be confident in the decisions you have made.

Now, I must return to the nursery to finish getting stuff put away and to continue listening to the reports of how the election is turning out. I'm just keeping in mind that no matter who wins....God is still in control!

I hope you have a great night!