Wednesday, November 21, 2012
A Month of Thanks: A hard working man...
Day 21:
I am so thankful for a husband who works incredibly hard so that I can stay home with our daughter. It has been a sacrifice and is not always easy, but I love this opportunity. I treasure these moments with my little one. Days full of quality time & making memories are priceless! I would not trade it for any amount of money in this world! Thank you honey for making my dreams a reality!
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
A Month of Thanks: My Soul Sister
Day 20:
Today I am thankful for lifelong, steady, faithful friends. You know the ones who you could see everyday, or you could go for years without seeing each other; but when you get to meet you pick up where you left off. I am blessed to have a couple of these friends, but there is one that is my 'soul sister'. We have known each other for a really really long time, not sure if it was junior high or my freshman year of high school but we became instant friends & still are amazing friends after almost 15 years! (man we are getting old! shhhhh. don't tell anyone!) We have lots of good giggly memories, heart felt stories, shared many parenting & beauty tips :) I am so thankful for our friendship, that can withstand bad boyfriends (mine, not her's!), hideous "Madrigal" dresses, different colleges, marriage, babies, job transfers & new states, and yet our friendship never changes! I love you Becky! YOU are a GEM my friend!
Today I am thankful for lifelong, steady, faithful friends. You know the ones who you could see everyday, or you could go for years without seeing each other; but when you get to meet you pick up where you left off. I am blessed to have a couple of these friends, but there is one that is my 'soul sister'. We have known each other for a really really long time, not sure if it was junior high or my freshman year of high school but we became instant friends & still are amazing friends after almost 15 years! (man we are getting old! shhhhh. don't tell anyone!) We have lots of good giggly memories, heart felt stories, shared many parenting & beauty tips :) I am so thankful for our friendship, that can withstand bad boyfriends (mine, not her's!), hideous "Madrigal" dresses, different colleges, marriage, babies, job transfers & new states, and yet our friendship never changes! I love you Becky! YOU are a GEM my friend!
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| 14 yrs ago! |
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| last year :) PS-(I think we've aged well- those beauty tips must be working!) ;) |
Monday, November 19, 2012
A month of thanks: Me Time, My Disgruntled Elf & Answered Prayers
Day 17:
I am so thankful to have time alone. It doesn't happen often for me, but when it comes it is so appreciated! I have days, or moments in my days that I just need to be by myself. Jason & I have attend a few marriage conferences & there is always talk about how women talk more vs men & so on... well not the case in this house. In fact the other day in the car I said "I need no talking for like 5 minutes, I just do have anymore words left in me today!" I don't really get it but I am not an articulate person, it exhausting to me, I can write til I'm blue but speaking is just not my thing. Its how I'm designed. I love those around me & I love people but without time to myself its harder for me to love those things. Saturday I got to spend a couple hours antique shopping by myself & I was amazed at how after just a couple hours I felt refreshed, rejuvenated & ready to face the world. I am so thankful for a mother & husband that will come to my rescue when they can see I'm running on fumes & need alone time!
Day 18:
My most favorite day of the year is my husband's least favorite. It's kind of a joke, but I think I married The Grinch. (yes he will kill me for this blog;) My husband is not a holiday person & me, well I am over the top with holidays! Typical of our relationship- we are complete opposites about everything! I love love love to put up the Christmas Tree & decorate, it is a very nostalgic experience for me. However every year there is a bit of a disgruntled elf in my house because he is not a fan. I am thankful that every year my husband (though he's not the 'Merriest' of fellows, he helps me put up the tree & decorate.) He sees how important it is me & he wants to create these memories for our children, so he puts his own thoughts & feelings aside & joins the party. I am so thankful for my disgruntled Elf, I will turn him merry one of these years!
Day 19:
I am so thankful for God provision. As I have mentioned we had have a rough week last week. That being said, I was starting to stress about money. Then again, who doesn't at this time of year?! The thing is we have Christmas, with over 20 people to buy for, not including our own kids. And 5 days later is Karly's birthday, & a bunch of other birthday's shortly following... It can get a little overwhelming for a budget planning gal like myself. I had just been praying this morning for God to bless us, that He knows the needs we have & the desires of our heart-- I came home to find a big fat check in the mail. Just the reminded that I needed that His timing is perfect!
I am so thankful to have time alone. It doesn't happen often for me, but when it comes it is so appreciated! I have days, or moments in my days that I just need to be by myself. Jason & I have attend a few marriage conferences & there is always talk about how women talk more vs men & so on... well not the case in this house. In fact the other day in the car I said "I need no talking for like 5 minutes, I just do have anymore words left in me today!" I don't really get it but I am not an articulate person, it exhausting to me, I can write til I'm blue but speaking is just not my thing. Its how I'm designed. I love those around me & I love people but without time to myself its harder for me to love those things. Saturday I got to spend a couple hours antique shopping by myself & I was amazed at how after just a couple hours I felt refreshed, rejuvenated & ready to face the world. I am so thankful for a mother & husband that will come to my rescue when they can see I'm running on fumes & need alone time!
Day 18:
My most favorite day of the year is my husband's least favorite. It's kind of a joke, but I think I married The Grinch. (yes he will kill me for this blog;) My husband is not a holiday person & me, well I am over the top with holidays! Typical of our relationship- we are complete opposites about everything! I love love love to put up the Christmas Tree & decorate, it is a very nostalgic experience for me. However every year there is a bit of a disgruntled elf in my house because he is not a fan. I am thankful that every year my husband (though he's not the 'Merriest' of fellows, he helps me put up the tree & decorate.) He sees how important it is me & he wants to create these memories for our children, so he puts his own thoughts & feelings aside & joins the party. I am so thankful for my disgruntled Elf, I will turn him merry one of these years!
Day 19:
I am so thankful for God provision. As I have mentioned we had have a rough week last week. That being said, I was starting to stress about money. Then again, who doesn't at this time of year?! The thing is we have Christmas, with over 20 people to buy for, not including our own kids. And 5 days later is Karly's birthday, & a bunch of other birthday's shortly following... It can get a little overwhelming for a budget planning gal like myself. I had just been praying this morning for God to bless us, that He knows the needs we have & the desires of our heart-- I came home to find a big fat check in the mail. Just the reminded that I needed that His timing is perfect!
Friday, November 16, 2012
A Month of Thanks: Great friends, Caffeine & Eye cream
Day 16:
Yesterday was one of the worst days I have had in a long time. I won't get into all the details, but it started with my Dad pulling the door knob off our front door, apparently the man does not know his own strength! lol. Now our front door will not open or close... the day progressively got worse, bad news after more bad news; ending with a police officer in my kitchen writing a police report because Noelle's car was broke into & things stolen from it. The day got so ridiculous that by 1:00am everyone was in my kitchen just laughing-- we had all had a horrible day! Thank God for a dear friend who let me just unload on her, you know that ugly cry where your face hurts afterwards. I'm a bottler, I like to hold it all in & keep things to myself, and its all fine & good until a day like yesterday hits, when it just becomes too much to handle on my own & I lost all my composure. Needless to say I woke up this morning with swollen puffy eyes & felt like I'd been hit by a truck! Thankful for a new day, but realizing that I had to take Karly to school in 30 minutes & I looked like someone just beat me. I found the biggest coffee cup in my house & my eye cream. Thank God for great friends, caffeine & eye cream!
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Day 15: Parenting with Grace
Month of Thanks: Day 15
Thursdays are one of our less busy days of the week here in the Courtney family, however they are still busy. Dance class, grocery shopping & worship practice, nothing unbearable. Today on the way home from the grocery store I looked in my rear view mirror & my little Karly with her head buried in her elbow being silent (this child is never silent- that was my first sign that something was wrong). I asked her if she was ok, She looked up at me with big teary blue eyes & a quivering chin and said, "Mommy, its just too much!" as I continued to ask questions; I discovered that my little one is feeling maxed out. As a mom, I want to raise a well rounded child, I want her to know her strengths & succeed in the areas God had gifted her in.
Once I asked a friend, who is also a mother of 3 very well rounded children what is the best advise she could give me? Her reply was, until she is 8 lets her try everything that she shows an interest in, then at 8 sit down & choose 1 or 2 things that she is going to stick with & dive into those activities. I took this advise to heart. it is my favorite piece of parenting advise!
Over the years Karly's schedule has gotten fuller & fuller. Gymnastics, Dance, Piano, Basketball, Soccer, play dates....I know the dangers of overstimulating but I never saw the signs. She seemed to love the actives & bounce back & forth really well. Today was a HUGE wake up call. We had a really "deep" long talk, she told me what she liked, what she didn't, that she just wants to play at home and not always have to go somewhere. It hit me really hard & at one point we were both crying. Here I was doing everything in my power to create this well rounded little person that I forgot to ask her what she liked. I failed her as a mom, Hearing "mommy I was afraid to tell you I didn't like it" felt like someone shoved a knife through my heart. I am so thankful for her ability to articulate her feelings. I do not always get it right as the mom, everyday is a new learning experience. We've had a lot of changes this year and as much as I think kids are super adaptable, every kids is geared differently and I'm learning that my daughter loves to be at home, she wants time to read & color & play with pets... and that is ok with me! I love her crazy side & I love her quiet spirit.
I am so thankful for grace. Grace & Mercy to make mistakes & start new again. Sometimes I make small mistake & sometimes they are huge, but I love that God sees them all the same.
Thursdays are one of our less busy days of the week here in the Courtney family, however they are still busy. Dance class, grocery shopping & worship practice, nothing unbearable. Today on the way home from the grocery store I looked in my rear view mirror & my little Karly with her head buried in her elbow being silent (this child is never silent- that was my first sign that something was wrong). I asked her if she was ok, She looked up at me with big teary blue eyes & a quivering chin and said, "Mommy, its just too much!" as I continued to ask questions; I discovered that my little one is feeling maxed out. As a mom, I want to raise a well rounded child, I want her to know her strengths & succeed in the areas God had gifted her in.
Once I asked a friend, who is also a mother of 3 very well rounded children what is the best advise she could give me? Her reply was, until she is 8 lets her try everything that she shows an interest in, then at 8 sit down & choose 1 or 2 things that she is going to stick with & dive into those activities. I took this advise to heart. it is my favorite piece of parenting advise!
Over the years Karly's schedule has gotten fuller & fuller. Gymnastics, Dance, Piano, Basketball, Soccer, play dates....I know the dangers of overstimulating but I never saw the signs. She seemed to love the actives & bounce back & forth really well. Today was a HUGE wake up call. We had a really "deep" long talk, she told me what she liked, what she didn't, that she just wants to play at home and not always have to go somewhere. It hit me really hard & at one point we were both crying. Here I was doing everything in my power to create this well rounded little person that I forgot to ask her what she liked. I failed her as a mom, Hearing "mommy I was afraid to tell you I didn't like it" felt like someone shoved a knife through my heart. I am so thankful for her ability to articulate her feelings. I do not always get it right as the mom, everyday is a new learning experience. We've had a lot of changes this year and as much as I think kids are super adaptable, every kids is geared differently and I'm learning that my daughter loves to be at home, she wants time to read & color & play with pets... and that is ok with me! I love her crazy side & I love her quiet spirit.
I am so thankful for grace. Grace & Mercy to make mistakes & start new again. Sometimes I make small mistake & sometimes they are huge, but I love that God sees them all the same.
God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out,
his merciful love couldn’t have dried up.
They’re created new every morning.
How great your faithfulness!
I’m sticking with God (I say it over and over).
He’s all I’ve got left. Lam. 3:22-23 (msg)
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
A month of thanks: Day 14
Day 14:
I am so thankful for Karly's teachers. Finding a preschool for Karly was a very big deal in our house, when you are raised in a family of educators and you have directed preschools, your requirements can be a mile long, and mine were. I originally had no intentions of sending Karly to preschool, only because I knew I could teach her everything she needed to learn at home. I have curriculum coming out of my ears. It seemed like a waste of $ to me, and I was not impressed with any preschools I had seen. Over the summer Karly went to Faith Lutheran VBS & loved every minute of it. I happened to be introduced to the director and she was not at all frightened by my list of 100 questions & requirements. After lots of discussion we decided to try it out- and we could not be happier. I love this preschool. I love her teachers SO much! Today we went on a field trip & seeing teachers who truly love to teach & love the children is so refreshing. They fully understand my daughter & love her dearly. I have watched them bring out the best in her. I am so thankful that she loves school & that I am fully confident in leaving her in their care!
I am so thankful for Karly's teachers. Finding a preschool for Karly was a very big deal in our house, when you are raised in a family of educators and you have directed preschools, your requirements can be a mile long, and mine were. I originally had no intentions of sending Karly to preschool, only because I knew I could teach her everything she needed to learn at home. I have curriculum coming out of my ears. It seemed like a waste of $ to me, and I was not impressed with any preschools I had seen. Over the summer Karly went to Faith Lutheran VBS & loved every minute of it. I happened to be introduced to the director and she was not at all frightened by my list of 100 questions & requirements. After lots of discussion we decided to try it out- and we could not be happier. I love this preschool. I love her teachers SO much! Today we went on a field trip & seeing teachers who truly love to teach & love the children is so refreshing. They fully understand my daughter & love her dearly. I have watched them bring out the best in her. I am so thankful that she loves school & that I am fully confident in leaving her in their care!
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
A month of Thanks: Day 13
Day 13:
I am thankful for the opportunity to give & bless others! I am thankful that God has blessed us so that we can bless others. There have been many times when we have been the ones receiving a blessing. There was a time when even though we wanted to, financially we could not, and during that time people continued to bless us; buying our lunch, dropping $ in the mail, dropping off a dinner and now it feels really good to be able to return that blessing!
One of my top priorities as a parent is to raise a generous child. A couple years ago we started getting involved with Operation Christmas Child- It is a super simple way to bless another child who has very little & allowed me the opportunity to teach my daughter what it means to be a blessing. We got our box & picked a day to go Christmas Shopping for our Christmas Child- my heart was over joyed to watch my daughters excitement this year. I had set a limit on how much we could spend filling our box, but Karly found so many things she thought our child would love that she decided to use her own money to buy them- literally brought tears to my eyes. Isn't it a treasure when you see all your teaching & hard work pay off!
I am thankful for the opportunity to give & bless others! I am thankful that God has blessed us so that we can bless others. There have been many times when we have been the ones receiving a blessing. There was a time when even though we wanted to, financially we could not, and during that time people continued to bless us; buying our lunch, dropping $ in the mail, dropping off a dinner and now it feels really good to be able to return that blessing!
One of my top priorities as a parent is to raise a generous child. A couple years ago we started getting involved with Operation Christmas Child- It is a super simple way to bless another child who has very little & allowed me the opportunity to teach my daughter what it means to be a blessing. We got our box & picked a day to go Christmas Shopping for our Christmas Child- my heart was over joyed to watch my daughters excitement this year. I had set a limit on how much we could spend filling our box, but Karly found so many things she thought our child would love that she decided to use her own money to buy them- literally brought tears to my eyes. Isn't it a treasure when you see all your teaching & hard work pay off!
Deuteronomy 16:17
Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you.
Its not too late... you too can be a blessing to a child Operation Christmas Child
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