Gratituesday Archives | Page 13 of 20

Gratituesday: Basketball Season

February 13, 2012 by Laura 41 Comments

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While we typically claim to be a soccer family, we’re loving basketball season right now too. From going to York College games to going to our oldest son Asa’s games – we’re sitting on many a bleacher these days. We love every minute of it and really appreciate that Asa (14) is a part of a wonderful homeschool basketball team. The friendships he has made by being a part of this group have been priceless.

Last week was “Parent Appreciation Night” during our Falcon home game. A friend of ours got some great pictures that night, so I thought it would be fun to show you my fun, smart, and sometimes goofy teenager.

Asa presented me with flowers during the Parent Appreciation part of the assembly. Don’t ask me what we were having a conversation about here. Yes, he and I often like to talk smack. ;)

Here, he decided to continue the goofiness, even though we were trying to get a nice picture…

Okay, finally. He decided to stop being silly. I love having fun with my teen. And yes, he has grown since I last posted pictures of him and yes, he is now several inches taller than I am.

Here he is later during the game, going up for a shot. I believe that one didn’t go in, but shucks, let’s just not talk about that and pretend that it did.

I’m thankful for basketball season. I’m thankful that my son has this opportunity to be a part of a great team of Christian boys. And I’m super thankful for the relationship I have with my teenager. What a gift.

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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: 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: Focusing on the Positive

November 14, 2011 by Laura 32 Comments

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Today was a great day! Matt and the boys spent the afternoon raking leaves for an elderly lady. I got a wonderful, encouraging phone call from a friend. I was able to get a lot of work done on the Gift in a Jar eBook. We’re making plans for a visit with far-away cousins at Christmas time.

Why is it then, even though there are many, many positives in my life, I find that it can still be easier to focus on the negative? Another marriage is in crisis. Our friend is going through radiation. My house can’t stay clean for longer than two minutes. The potatoes boiled over again, making the kitchen smoke and stink. I’m tripping over the jackets that didn’t get put away.

Instead of focusing on the delights on my life, this is instead where my thoughts dwell.

So I repent, and work to recall the joys that fill my life.

My life is full of blessing. By focusing my heart on the positive, I am better able to minister to others, meet the needs of my family, and even cheerfully clean the crusty mess on my stovetop.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8

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