Spill Proof Sippy Cups

Give thanks #7

Really...who invented these?
















They deserve a medal of honor.

My mom still has one of my sippy cups from when I was a toddler, but it is not spill proof. How on earth did moms of yesteryear survive without the spill proof kind? Well...it's ok. I don't want to know. I'm glad some BRILLIANT person decided to create a way for me to fill up a cup of milk and know that it will not end up all over the floor.

Genius I tell you. Pure genius.

Our Two-Car Garage

Give thanks #6

When it's cold and the wind is blowing hard, or when the rain is pouring down, I am very (very, very, very) glad that we have a garage. It was not so bad running out to a car and getting in quickly when the weather was less than great pre-children, but now that we have three kiddos, it is really nice to be able to load them into the van without the rain pounding on my back. Well, at least on one side of the trip anyway. Once we arrive at the desired location, it's a different story. But at least half the battle is less stressful!

I also am fond of my garage when the weather gets colder and frost begins to form on windshields. We do not have to warm up our vehicles ahead of time. They are just ready.

We were married for four years before we finally bought our first house and it had a two-car garage. While I wish I had a basement, the two-car garage was on the top of my list. Next time, we'll have a basement and a fire place! ;o) But I do remember not having a garage. And now I find myself thankful on many occasions that I have one now.

Lord, I am reminded that it's ok to thank you for the little things in life. You deserve thanks for all things!

Student Loan Forgiveness

Give thanks #5

A few weeks ago, something big happened for me and Josh, and I actually can't believe I didn't write about it the day it happened. But it is fitting to include it in my 30 Days of Thanks, so I'll just mention it now!

Right after Josh graduated from SBU, we knew that it would be a possibility for (a portion of) his student loans to be forgiven if he taught in a school district that met the guidelines set by DESE: teach in a teacher shortage area (content area like math, science, special education, etc) and in a school that serves low-income families. He did not set out to find a school district that fit this, but I was working in Rolla at the time, and we were so excited to learn that there would be a math opening in St. James. This would mean we could live close and neither one of us would be driving far to work.

After he had been teaching a few years, I asked him if he had looked up the loan forgiveness information so we would know exactly what to do when the time came. He did. He had to wait exactly until the last day (last hour, last second, you get the picture) of his fifth year of teaching. So he filled out all the paperwork and faxed it off on the day after his last day of school this past spring.

And then we waited.

We hoped for the best. Of course we hoped that the maximum amount would be forgiven, but anything would be nice. Sixty days went by...we heard nothing. Ninety days went by...and Josh finally called AES to see if they had any information. After a few rounds of phone tag (with someone who was basically impossible to get a hold of) he heard the words that we were so hoping to hear: "You were granted the maximum amount. $17,500 will be taken off of your balance."

HOW. VERY. EXCITING.

I did a happy dance. I squealed with joy! What a HUGE financial blessing for us. After working so hard to pay down debt and knowing that our student loan was the last leg of our journey, we just knew that we could knock out the remaining balance - about $12,000 - by June. Then we will be debt free except for our mortgage. I can't wait to see what that feels like.

Thank you, Lord, for this amazing financial blessing. We know that You worked it out so that we would be right where we were supposed to be so this would happen. We pray that we continue to honor you with our finances.

This Generation of Women

Give thanks #4

Being a woman born in this generation is a huge blessing. I could go on about the right to vote, the right to own land/property, women in the work force and making the same amount of money as men, or the ability to have a career that in ages past would have only be done by a man. I've read stats that say more than 55% of those who graduate from a university are now women.

All of these things are amazing.

But.

What I really had in mind for today is something less spectacular when compared to the above. Because really, what I am thankful for is...


Are you sitting down?


Modern feminine products.

That's right. I said it. I'm thankful for tampons.

I mean, come on...can you imagine what it must have been like before the invention of the current maxi pad or the tampon?

I know, I should have warned my two male readers. Sorry. I'll do better at warning you next time.

And usually this is where I write a brief thank you message to God. I think He's rolling His eyes at me right now, so I better not write one this time.

:o)

My Birthday Surprise

Give thanks #3

On Tuesday morning, Josh handed me an light blue colored envelope with my name on it. He would be gone on Wednesday - my actual birthday - so I figured he just wanted to be able to give me my card ahead of time so he could see me read it and I could tell him thank you. The adventure that began with that card was something I could have never imagined, and it was by far the best birthday gift/surprise that anyone has ever pulled off for me!

Inside the card was a small piece of paper...with a short poem written:


To make this day special
I'll send you on a quest
To make you feel special
Because you are the best

Be careful of time
And don't forget the clues
Or you won't know
Just what to do

To start: drop off Caleb at preschool and leave the car seats and kids with Sarah H and pick up your next card.

Wow, I suddenly felt a huge smile come across my face. The fact of the matter is, Josh isn't exactly the best at planning ahead or keeping a secret when it comes to gifts/surprises! I don't know, maybe it's a guy thing?! :o) But I could already tell that he had something big up his sleeve with this one!

I did what the card said. I got the kids all dressed and ready, and we headed to Caleb's preschool. I dropped him off, gave him a hug, and then proceeded to drive to Sarah H's house to leave Sarah and Gabriel with her. What a sweet friend. I stood in her kitchen and asked if she had another card for me? She smiled and said, "Of course!" I read the next clue.

A common symbol for marriage
Means more than people know
A good place to start as any
Because to me, it's not just for show

This symbol started our marriage and could use a good cleaning. Find a place to make it sparkle and get a gift. Be there by 10:00 am. Don't forget your next clue.

I thanked Sarah and left for Rolla. Again, I just couldn't stop smiling. I knew where to go. We had just gone through some local "birthday freebies" that I received in the mail, and I knew that Kent Jewlry was the place to be. When I walked into the store and told them that I was Chrissy, the girl just smiled and said, "Right this way," and before I handed her my ring, she handed me another card! After I gave her my ring, I stood at the front desk and read my next clue.

They made your ring shine
Now it's your turn
Your smile is often beaming
And sends me the extra mile

"Make this birthday truly special
By starting with a beautiful new smile"
A checkup, a cleaning, and stuff to make it white
After today, you will be just right!

You received a slip of paper for a special gift so bright, just go there and get a checkup and your smile will be white. Be there by 11:00 am SHARP. Don't forget your next clue.

Oh, I was so excited. The girls at the jewelry store asked me where I was going next, and I said, "If I tell you, it will sound weird! But I have a dentist appointment, and I've been wanting to have my teeth whitened for so long!" The girls agreed that it sounded like a great idea.

I left the store with a sparkling ring and a hop in my step. I just wanted to drive back to St. James and give Josh a big hug, but I had to stay on track. The clues said to be there right on time after all! :o)

So I drove across town to Forum Dental, smiling the entire time. I pulled up, got out of my van, and energetically entered the dentist office in a way I'm sure most people do not approach the front desk! I saw two girls standing there and said, "Hi, I'm Chrissy...I have an appointment at 11:00." Both girls smiled really big (this is a pattern with this adventure) and a girl with dark hair named Melissa said, "Yes, everything has been taken care of (forms, insurance, etc) and I have a card for you." I took the card from her and had a seat in the waiting area. I wondered where I'd go next...

Tara is not just a place in Gone with the Wind
Days go by where you do not feel
Spa-cial

Today that will change
It will take a little while
So no need to rush
You'll always be my sweetie
You'll always be my crush

Find a place that is relaxing...the name is in the clue. You're appointment is at 1:00 pm but get there a little early to enjoy lunch before you start.

No. Way. Oh. My.

I'm not sure the day could get any better.

But...I must admit, I had a set-back in my day. While this was bad news, I am SO GLAD Josh made me finally go to the dentist after...ahem...10 years. (Remember my "judging blog"? Yeah, go ahead. It's ok. Bad, Chrissy.) No, I did not have any cavities, but because I've had three children (and that can take it's toll on a woman) I had some minimal bone loss. The dentist said it was caught early, no big worries. He also said it's time to have my wisdom teeth cut out.

Yuck.

And while this news would normally be dreadful, I'm just glad that I finally got in to the dentist. I did not get my impressions for my whitening trays. I will have to have those fitted in 4-6 weeks after I have my "extensive" cleaning next week (because...you know...10 years of not seeing a dentist is not a good thing).

ANYWAY.

While most people might hang their head after such news, I briskly walked out of the building knowing that my day was not done.

I drove to Tara Day Spa. When I approached the front desk, I told them my name. The massage therapist smiled and said, "We have lunch set up for you back here...let me show you." Really? That's not something they do. How'd he pull this off? She took me to a room where my favorite sandwich from Panera was sitting, complete with a brownie and a Pepsi! Later I asked one of the girls if she knew who brought it in for me, and she said she thought it was my dad. It was actually Josh's dad!

While I was there I had an aroma bath, massage, manicure, pedicure, and a facial. I have never ever had all of those at once, and I've actually never had a facial!

My last card said...

Unfortunately your day is over
Time to come home to your family
I hope you had lots of fun

This is a special day
No reason to be sad
Your family loves you
So that is a lot of reasons to be glad!

The reference to being sad, of course, is because I hadn't wanted to turn 30! ;o) But I must say, the day that Josh put together for me was simply the best. It was so thoughtful, and so me.

Thank you, Lord, for giving me a husband who knows how to make me feel special.

And to those who played a part in the day (even the ones at each location...I wish I could tell them thank you) thanks so much. It meant the world to me. Oh, and even my mom played a part...she watched the kids last Friday so Josh could drive all over Rolla and get the cards to each location.

It was a great day.

Wordless Wednesday (with thanks)

November 4, 1979.

Give thanks #2

(I know this day is supposed to be "wordless" so just consider this a long caption!)

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart." Jeremiah 1:5

I am thankful that God created me and knew me before I even took my first breath. What an amazing thought. He made me to be just as I am. He knows my every thought, my every step, my everything. And He loves me and cares for me enough to send His only son to die for my sins. Jesus came to pay a debt He didn't owe, because I owed a debt I couldn't pay.

Thank you, Lord, for loving me. For sending your son for me. For healing my broken heart when no one else can, giving me strength when I feel weak, rejoicing with me in times of gladness. You are the Creator of all things, and yet, you know me and every detail about me. I am humbled.

30 Days of Thanks

I saw this idea on a few other blogs, and I thought it would be a great way to redirect my thinking (boo hoo I'm 30) ;o) and realize that I have so much to be thankful for. So, during the month of November, I will give thanks. I will link each post back to this one, just in case someone stumbles upon my blog and sees "Give thanks #13" (or whatever number it happens to be) and wonders where that came from! :o)

***

I am a couple days behind, so I'll add in an additional thankful item within two other posts in the month. Some will be deep, meaningful things like maybe a relationship. But I must warn you...some might seem silly! I mean...aren't most people thankful for a remote control?

Give thanks #1

I am thankful for close friendships. I believe people can go throughout life and never find a TRUE friend. One who loves you for the real you. I can be quirky, moody, ornery, and snippy sometimes, but deep down, I am a caring and compassionate person. The people who know me best know that I love the Lord and seek to further His kingdom, and with certain people in my life, I am a stronger person and can do just that.

I don't want to make a "list" of the people I am most thankful for because I'm sure they know who they are. Maybe I'll email them just to be sure! :o) But I thank God for the people in my life who make me a better Christian mom and wife. Those who life me up in prayer. Those who have seen me cry (or heard me cry over the phone)! Those who know things about my life that I'd rather keep private, and who honor that request to do so.

Thank you, Lord, for giving me some of the most wonderful friends. I cannot imagine my life without them. When I wonder why my life has lead me to this exact place, I can know for sure that it is because I was supposed to meet these people. And I am blessed.

I am one of THOSE moms...

As hard as I've worked to be a non-competitive mom...one who doesn't compare her children to others and rejoices in their own accomplishments (not rejoicing because they "did better" than someone else) I found myself becoming someone else the other day. I'm not sure where she came from.

One Sunday afternoon, I had just finished with hand bell practice, and Debbie (the hand bell director...and...also Caleb's Sunday school teacher) reminded me that there will be a Christmas program for the children this year, ages 4 through 6th grade. I told her I thought that was great, and I was so excited that she and Kristen would be working with the kids on this! All I knew was that it would be a traditional program, full of wise men, shepherds, and angels.

Then she mentioned that there would also be speaking parts, and the kids would be "trying out" for them.

Oh. My. Goodness.

I immediately asked her what kind of lines and if I could work with Caleb on it. I proceeded to tell her that he already had acting experience because he played the role of Jesus as a 4-month-old!





























Furthermore, I told her that he was the only boy to complete his AWANA Cubbies book last year, which obviously means he is good at memorizing.














She just smiled at me and said, "You know, he'll be the youngest one. The older kids will probably be doing the speaking parts!"

I nodded. "Sure, maybe next year," I added.

But secretly, I hope he gets a speaking part. Of course, I'll be ok with it if he doesn't. Yet...somewhere inside me is the mom who just knows her son would be the best little wise man!

:o)

A Brief Letter

Dear Youth:

Thank you for many wonderful years. Tomorrow is the last day I will be in my 20's, and I know that marks the end of my time with you. You have given me some of the best memories, and I hope that everything I did with my time with you has made you proud.

I'm told this is just the beginning of my life. But the truth is, I know I'll miss you. I'd like to write more. You're worth it after all. I just can't bring myself to say what is on my heart. Tears are already forming.

Love,

Chrissy

My Trick or Treaters

I hope that everyone had a fun evening of harvest activities last night! We sure did. Here is a picture of my sweet little costume-crazed kiddos. I just loved the Ninja Turtle/Princess/Scarecrow combination...













And you know I like to compare photos of my children, so here you go:













Below is Caleb...he is a little "older" than Gabriel in this picture since their birthdays are three months apart, but I think they look similar. Of course, Caleb has the lighter skin tone and red hair, and Gabriel has darker features. Nonetheless...they are cute scarecrows! :o)


















Happy November!!

For more pictures, click here.