Gratituesday Archives | Page 19 of 40

Gratituesday: Exercise

January 30, 2012 by Laura 31 Comments

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If you’ve been reading my blog for long, you might be laughing after seeing that my title states that this week, I am thankful for exercise.

I’m the girl who doesn’t like exercise – and that’s putting it mildly. Exercise is painful. It also hurts and is sometimes fairly miserable – not that I’m a whiner or anything. ;) I’ve never really enjoyed exercise, and I’ve never understood people who do. Until now.

To say that I now love to exercise would be stretching it a bit, so I won’t go that far. But truly, I can say that I love how I feel afterward, and I love that I’m exercising with a great friend.

Ah yes, I’m pretty sure this exercise thing wouldn’t be happening if it weren’t for my friend Jen. She’s a basketball coach, so she knows a thing or two about proper exercise, which I have found very helpful. But more importantly, the two of us have so much fun together and have such great conversation that I sometimes forget I’m intentionally inflicting pain on myself…I mean getting a work-out. At this point, we are up to walking several miles at a time, with a tiny bit of jogging thrown in. Maybe we’ll start the Couch to 5K program soon? Yes, that’s what we’re thinking. Now that the muscle soreness has eased, I’ve gotta say that I am feeling really, really good.

So there you go. I’m actually thankful for exercise. Will wonders never cease? :)

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Gratituesday: Three in Double Digits

January 23, 2012 by Laura 24 Comments

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I have no idea how we got here so fast, but we now have three children in “double digits”. Yep, our third son, Elias, turned the big 10 last week.

What happened to all those long days of chasing babies and toddlers around the house – those never ending years of diapers, spills, potty training, and sippy cups? Yeah, they ended. I sometimes miss those crazy days of sweet little boy chaos.

And now, here we are in a new season with a houseful of four big kids who are eating so much food I can hardly keep up. Potty training and sippy cups have been replaced by biology labs and soccer practices.

I have loved every season in our lives (okay, maybe I’ve not loved some of the painful seasons – although God has taught us so much about Himself during those times too). This current season, with our teenager, pre-teen, ten year old and seven year old – it’s just pretty stinkin’ awesome.

I’m working to embrace every season in life, no matter what it brings. Right now? Bring on the big boys with their big appetites and big ideas. I’m lovin’ it. :)

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Gratituesday: The Wrestling Match

January 16, 2012 by Laura 20 Comments

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Wrestling matches with God aren’t very much fun. I’m not even sure why I choose to participate in the sport. But every once in a while I find that He’s calling me to do something that I really, really don’t want to do. And so, the fight begins.

It’s funny that I would fight the One who has all the answers. It kind of seems pointless that I would consciously choose to go up against the Ultimate Champion. And yet, I know that God understands that it’s hard for me to go down without a fight. I believe that He’s okay with me having to meet him over and over again for a knock-down-drag-out. He’s strong enough to handle it. In fact, if God were to talk smack to me, I’m pretty sure for the past few months He’d have been saying to me, “You want to fight? You want a piece of this? Bring it on, Sistah.” :)

The time of wrestling, arguing, being stubborn, being fearful – that is when God can teach me the biggest lessons. How can I fully understand what He’s trying to do with me if I don’t question what He’s telling me and struggle against trying to grasp and accept His will for my life?

You know what I learned during my latest wrestling match with God? I learned that He will never call on me to do something without also completely preparing and equipping me. I learned that His ways are bigger than my ways. I learned that humbly seeking answers, letting friends in to help, and getting on my knees is the best way to stretch and find the truth.

I also learned that when you wrestle with God, surrender is sweet. God won this wrestling match, but I didn’t come out the loser. I came out with answers.

Victory doesn’t get any sweeter than that.

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Gratituesday: Air Soft, Really?

January 9, 2012 by Laura 66 Comments

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Well, I’m just a little bit surprised that I’m actually posting about this, but here I go anyway. :) If you’re interested in learning more about my feelings on the subject of guns and other weapons, I’d love for you to listen to a podcast I recorded on that subject a few months ago to understand my perspective just a little bit more.

You are aware, right, that I live in a household of males? I am surrounded by toy light sabers, swords, knives, guns, and many other varieties of weaponry. Recently, our boys have been introduced to an awesome new toy – the Air Soft Gun. Oh yes, they are now old enough to play air soft. Using their own money, they each got themselves a small air soft pistol. Much to my surprise, Matt had so much fun playing with them, he got his own pistol too. Then, a friend of our family, who happens to be a gal who loves guns, joined the fun.

And long story longer, that very fun girlfriend talked me into playing air soft too. I tried to argue. I gave plenty of excuses. But she talked me into it anyway. Once the boys heard her trying to talk me into it, they joined the begging. What’s a girl to do?

I figure if I can’t beat ’em, I better get out there and join ’em. Or something like that.

Matt got a picture of me trying to figure the whole thing out.
I obviously don’t have a lot of practice aiming or shooting or loading or…

Well, terrible as I was at playing, I can’t believe how much fun I had. It was crazy fun. Exhilarating. I loved it. Unbelieveable.

Then I came back into the house, put down my gun, washed my hands, and continued to make dinner to feed all of us. It appears that I can go outside and shoot an air soft gun with my family and friends, then come back in and still be a homemaker. How about that? It didn’t kill me at all to take a break and have fun like that.

And I might just play again sometime.

Oh, and just in case you might be interested in this bit of information, everytime I open our dryer now, little air soft pellets fall out. They are everywhere in my house. My vacuum rebels. I love it. :)

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Gratituesday: Reflections

January 2, 2012 by Laura 25 Comments

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2011 was a year of brand new adventures for our family. If you recall, at the end of 2010, Matt resigned from his job – a job that kept him away from our family for way too many hours each week. It was a huge leap of faith for our family, bringing Daddy home. We knew God would take care of us, but in what ways specifically? Would our business ideas and dreams become the reality we hoped they would? Would our ministry plans take off like we wanted them to?

I can’t even put into words the joy we’ve experienced in following this path we felt God calling us to take. The year has not been without some stress. We’ve had to make some big decisions. We’ve had to make adjustments in our schedules and over all lifestyle, as we are now fully self-employed and running several businesses. But we’ve seen God working in mighty ways this year in our family, in our businesses, and in our ministries. He’s kept us very busy, yet allowed us to be very flexible so that we have been able to say yes to opportunities where we see He is calling us to serve. We’ve especially enjoyed holding marriage classes in our home and reaching out to couples in different ways to help encourage healthy marriages.

And our boys. It is amazing the growth we’ve seen in each of them over the last year. I feel that much of this is because they’ve been able to work with and spend so much time with Matt. I’m not sure there’s a better gift we can offer them than time spent with their daddy.

2011 was a great year. I love how God works to bring people into our lives, to love on us and to be loved on by us. He always meets the needs of his people. God is good.

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Gratituesday: Christmas Break

December 26, 2011 by Laura 19 Comments

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I love routines. I love home schooling my kids. I love staying busy and getting a lot of work done each day.

But today, I’m thankful for Christmas Break. Instead of routines and productivity, today I love pajamas, slippers, movies, and leftovers. I love saying yes to inviting friends over at all different times of the day. I love saying yes to playing an extra game of Uno Attack.

We’ll enjoy our routine again in a few days. This week, all schedules have been thrown under the couch. We’ll find them again when we decide to actually get out the broom and sweep this weekend. :)

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Gratituesday: House Full of Fun

December 19, 2011 by Laura 13 Comments

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Today, Matt picked up his brother and family from the airport! We’ve been looking forward to this day for months. The kids have been having a blast, playing non-stop since they got here. As you can imagine, our four year old nephew has found all kinds of fun boy toys to play with. And our two year old niece? Well, she’s holding her own as well.

We plan to relish every moment of this visit. I am so grateful God made this trip possible for them. It’s a perfect Christmas gift for all of us!

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Gratituesday: Simple Season

December 12, 2011 by Laura 18 Comments

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I have never found the Christmas season to be very restful or relaxing. I always love the holidays, but the preparations always make me tired.

christmasdecor0913sm Somehow, this year, without meaning to, I have apparently made a very short Christmas to-do list. We’re not making a big, long trip this year, we’re not trying to make Christmas goodies for the entire population, we’re keeping our meals simple, and our living room just holds a small tree and our stockings.

I realized today, after I finished the last of our gift shopping, that this has been the simplest Christmas season I can remember. Shopping online and making very few plans probably has something to do with it.

We look forward to hosting some much adored family members next week, and we look forward to seeing my side of the family after Christmas. We eagerly await celebrating this special day with our boys. This year, we’re celebrating in relaxed fashion.

I love it.

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Gratituesday: Folding Laundry

December 5, 2011 by Laura 24 Comments

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Funny thing about being sick – it offers you a new perspective on what it means to feel good.

How often have I looked at the laundry piles (dirty or clean) and felt overwhelmed, just wishing I could ignore them and instead go lay down, cozy up, and read a good book – or maybe even take a little nap? How many times have I stared at the menu plan, thinking that the meals sounded good, but just longing for the food to somehow magically prepare itself so I wouldn’t have to do it? How often have I just wished for a little break from the noise and needs of the kids? Don’t the boys see their daddy standing right there, available to answer their questions? Why is it that the first word out of their mouths is usually, “MOM!” when someone has a bloody finger or when there is another brotherly quarrel?

I just wish, sometimes. I just wish I could have a break from all the responsibilities, duties, thinking, planning, solving, and doing.

Be careful what you wish for.

Not that taking breaks is a bad thing. Taking time to be refreshed and renewed is a wise thing indeed.

But give me just a few days in bed, sick and unable to care for my family – and I am quickly able to realize the significance of my role, and more importantly, my desire to fulfill it. I loved how Matt stepped right up to do everything that needed to be done, both his jobs and mine. He gave our kids the instructions of “don’t bother Mom”, and sweet boys that they are, they obeyed. I didn’t have to answer their questions, help solve their arguments, read to them, or bandage their wounds. I was not in charge of the meals, I did not wash any dishes. Matt and all the boys worked together to clean the kitchen. The laundry was done by our eleven year old. Our oldest answered the phone and helped his younger brother with math questions.

All while I laid there and did nothing. I read a book, I watched some movies, and I slept. I was served breakfast in bed, and even had a bath drawn for me. Ah, it was a life of luxury, let me tell you. Except for the part with the fever and splitting headache.

It didn’t take me long to recognize how much I truly love taking care of my family. (Sounds cheesy? Yeah, well. Lying abed in a mountain of dirty kleenexes makes me reflective and sentimental. I can’t help it.)

Feeling healthy enough to fold laundry, wash some dishes, and cook a meal is truly a great blessing – not something that should be taken for granted.

Kind of makes you look at that muddy floor with a new appreciation, doesn’t it? ;)

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Gratituesday: The Tradition

November 28, 2011 by Laura 22 Comments

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Four trips to Walmart. One day.

Why? To carry on the fun tradition our family started three years ago.

All last week, our boys were working on their lists. First, they each wrote a “wish list” of possible gifts for others to purchase for them. Then they exchanged lists and spent time figuring out what they’d like to get for each brother. On Friday afternoon (after the morning crowd cleared!), I took one boy at a time to do their Christmas shopping for each other. I’d drop the one off at home, then pick up another and head back to the store. (Yes, the same greeter was there all four times. We’re like BFFs now.)

I love this time with each of my boys. I love having one-on-one time with each of them. I love the opportunity to talk with them about budgets, spending, and giving. With the exception of Malachi (who doesn’t yet have any source of income or receive an allowance yet), the boys spent their own hard earned money on these presents. I love seeing their generosity and thoughtfulness. (Even if, deep down, they’re excited to be able to play with whatever gifts they purchase for their brothers!)

This has quickly become one of my favorite family traditions. What are yours?

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