It's not difficult to decide what I'm thankful for today.  Christ is risen!

It's impossible for me to fathom giving my child as a sacrifice for the people of this world.  It's beyond my comprehension.  Our Lord watched His son suffer and die.  Jesus died for us.  What an amazing gift that we, as Christians, are aware of and thankful for every day!

We went with Ray's parents to St. Ann's Catholic church in Canyon this morning.  Reece didn't cooperate so Ray was in and out with him the entire service.  Regan was cranky.  And honestly, I was missing my family and the church I grew up in.  However, I was in a beautiful place of worship.  The music was so pretty and it was wonderful to see the church packed with families for the Easter holiday.  We survived with the little ones and we were home early.  Everyone took a nap before lunch!  We had lunch at Ray's parents house.  The kids are now hunting eggs with their older brothers and sister with the other side of their family.  It's quiet around here.  I sat on the back porch and read.  I needed some time with God.  I was falling into the trap of feeling sorry for myself and what I imagined this Easter to be, that it hadn't become.

God quickly put me in my place.  Thanks God!  I am blessed we had a church to go to this morning.  I am blessed my kids are healthy enough to be disruptive in church.  I am blessed Ray's parents are married and welcome us into their home at any time.  I am thankful my little ones have the big ones to pick them up to go have a BLAST!  I am thankful my God loves me, forgives me, and is always there.

Easter seems to mean more to me each year.  What a beautiful day to celebrate our Christian FAITH!  No matter the "details" of the day.

Ephesians 1:7-10
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.  And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment-to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

Today I am thankful for several random things...

I am thankful for the gorgeous weather at the district track meet yesterday.  It was a great day for athletes to compete! 

I am thankful for lunch with my grandma today.  She's my world, my hero, my best friend.  She'll have a nice long post of her own when I have a chance to sit down and give her the words she deserves.

I am thankful Reece wasn't seriously injured when he ran into a pole yesterday.  He has a nasty black eye but that's it!  Praise God!

I am thankful for the quiet time Ray and I have together tonight.  So I'm signing off to enjoy my time with him!

1 Chronicles 16:34
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.

A Super Friend

Today I am thankful for a very special friend, Heather Ladd.  She amazes me, she is superwoman!  She does it all and more.  I am always stunned at what she can accomplish in 24 hours.  Maybe she doesn't sleep? 

Heather inspires me spiritually.  I am extremely thankful for her in my life.  I am so proud to call her my friend.  She does everything with such passion and purpose.  Her ideas are creative and she has such a giving heart.  I am a better person today because of Heather's influence in my life.  I love you precious friend!

Jude 1:20-21
But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

Regan

My first born turned five yesterday!  It's such a joy for me to watch my children grow up.  We had a wonderful weekend with family and friends.  She told me it was the perfect birthday. 

I am so thankful for Regan.  She made me a mom, which is an amazing blessing in itself.  She has taught me so much about myself, about love, about life, and about who I want to be.  She is a very strong-willed child and is very passionate about everything she does.  There is a certain way to do things in her mind and she has a hard time understanding when others want to do it differently.  :)  Her heart is precious.  She loves to read, color, paint, and play outside.  She also likes tv a little too much so we have to monitor the time she spends watching "her shows".  Regan is quite the fasionista!  She loves dresses and cowgirl boots. 

Thank you, my awesome God, for this amazing blessing!  It's an honor to be her mother, knowing God trusted us enough to bless us with her.  My hope for her is that she will love God and put Him first in her life always.  I pray she will always have the passion for life that she does now.  I pray she will always come to us when she needs us and our relationship with her will be comfortable and open.  I pray she will always do what makes her happy, always be kind to others, and live a long and blessed life.

I look forward to experiencing life with Regan!  I can't wait to see what she does each day with the blessings God has given her.

Romas 15:13
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Sprirt.

He did it!

Today I am thankful for Ryan.  He made the WT football team and we are so proud of him!!!  Ryan had a great senior football season at Canyon High School last year.  He decided to walk on for Spring football at WT.  He prepared very well and worked very hard once he was given this chance.  And his hard work paid off!  This picture is from Ryan's high school football banquet last year.

Ryan has always been a very determined young man.  He has a great personality and is always respectful. He likes to have fun and amazes me with his responsibility.  He is a wonderful brother, treating all his siblings with so much love and respect.  He is always thinking about other people and their feelings, putting others before himself.  Ryan works hard in the classroom and made the Dean's List his first semester at WT.  He makes friends easily and is always loyal. 

Ryan's heart is golden. 

I feel honored to be Ryan's step-mom.  He has always been accepting of me and has made me feel like an important part of his life.  That is such a gift and blessing to me.  I pray I have been there as he has needed me and that I can play a constant role in his life in the future.

It's an amazing experience to see your child have a dream, work extremely hard, and achieve their goal. Thank you Lord for blessing Ryan with his abilities and his wonderful heart!

James 1:12

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

I'm thankful for a fairly productive Monday and Tuesday, considering I have a Spring Break hangover.  Not the alcohol kind people!

I'm thankful I get to see my best friend when she comes to town at the end of the week.  I'm excited to spend time with her and her kiddos!

I'm thankful my children continue to grow and remain healthy.  Praise God!

I'm thankful for my dad.  He's been on my mind a lot.  He would have been 60 this last week.  I'm thankful for the time I had with him on this earth but I ache when I think about what could have been... 

I'm thankful that I can "let go and let God".  What a comfort.  When I can't carry things, He can.  Actually, I probably carry way too much when I should let Him help more.  Even when I can't seem to express my feelings in prayer, He knows my heart and hears my thoughts, needs, fears, and emotions.  Wow!

I'm thankful for the wind.  Yes, I said it.  The wind is nothing compared to what people across the world are dealing with today. 

And I'm thankful for you!  I believe God led me to write this blog and I believe He speaks through His people.  Thank you for reading my thoughts today.  I feel honored that you are here.  God bless you and your family today!

Psalm 18:46
The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock!  Exalted be God my Savior!

A wonderful week!

I am so thankful for this last week!  It was a perfect combination of family, friends, fun, and relaxation.  Did much get done around the house?  Nope!  And I'm perfectly fine with that.  Earlier in the week we celebrated Ray's birthday.  Then Monday we went to Taos with friends and had THE BEST TIME!  We drove home through Albuquerque on Thursday and took the kids to the zoo.  We haven't done much since we've been home.  But I'm thankful the house is clean, the laundry is done, and there are groceries in the kitchen.  We are prepared to tackle our routine again in the morning.  I am so thankful, as educators, that we get this week off to relax and spend time with our family and friends. 

Today was the perfect ending to this week.  Regan and I went to Hereford to go to church with my grandma.  There was a guest preacher and he did a great job!  He spoke about healing from God.  Before today's service, if you mentioned healing to me, I would automatically relate it to physical healing of an illness or injury.  Not anymore!  I now have such a broadened idea of God's healing power.  He can heal my mind, my tongue, my heart, my emotions, my financial situation, my family, my relationships, my attitude, etc.  He can make me whole again through His healing powers.  This was eye-opening to me and it gave me so much hope.  Maybe a new way to view things and a new way to pray...

I am thankful for the gorgeous weather today!  I am thankful my kids played outside all afternoon.  I am thankful I have a great job to return to tomorrow! 

Jeremiah 17:14
Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.