Thankful

When we sat down for our Thanksgiving dinner today, Girly asked if we could go around and say what we were thankful this year.

At first I was hesitant.  I know we all have a lot to be thankful for, but it didn't seem right to be voicing it.  Today had a bittersweet air to it.  

As we went around, it became clear that even in our sorrow we could still be thankful.

We're thankful for our family.  

We're thankful for our time together.  

We're thankful that papa isn't in pain anymore.  

We're thankful for the friends who have gathered around us during this time.  

We're thankful for the laughter we can share with our tears.

The Blessing Jar

I sat in my last MOPS meeting on Friday and our devotional time was spent making a blessings jar.  

It's a small Mason jar with a printed piece of paper taped to the lid that says, "I'm So Blessed Because..." and you wrote down blessings on scraps of paper and stuck it in the jar.  

A simple act. 

A moment to focus on your blessings. 

I struggled to think of a lot of things besides the usual; shelter, money, family, kids, husband, jobs, etc. 

It's not that I am not blessed.  Take a stroll through my house and it shows the abundance of blessings.  

Spend time with my family and you can see the non-tangible blessings.  

Yet, I was struggling.

I have so many friends this year that are being hit with loss right before Thanksgiving which rolls into Christmas.  Several of my friends have family that were just diagnosed with Cancer or other serious health problems.  

Placing those scraps of paper into that jar felt trite. 

I have wandered through the month of November trying to focus on my blessings but have felt guilty for having "too many" blessings and things to be Thankful for. 

Don't get me wrong, we have had our own roller coaster ride throughout November. 

We are waiting on a closing date so we can move to Austin, our car has been in the shop twice, my daughter is cutting teeth and so very fussy, we are having our first Thanksgiving without my husband's grandmother, my kids are struggling with saying goodbye to friends and family. 

Yet, in that list I see much to be thankful for, those blessings that I finally wrote on the scraps of paper. 

We have a house with a roof and heat, we have a good car and we bought the extended warranty, I have a daughter and she is healthy, we have family to spend Thanksgiving with, we have good friends, our friends are already planning visits to Austin, we have family.  

There is so much that we are all blessed with and those friends that are being hit hard this month...I am blessed that I am here and get to wrap my arms around them as they walk through these trials. 

I pray that each of you takes a moment today and focuses on your blessings in spite of your trials. 

Health- Elderberry Syrup

As the weather starts turning colder, my kids are starting to sniffle and cough.  Every cough reminds me that I need to get my winter arsenal ready.  And it reminds me that I'm thankful to have the knowledge and the resources to help keep my kids healthy this winter.

The first thing I use daily is elderberry syrup.  One tablespoon a day as a preventative, upping it to at least 2 tablespoons when coming down with something.

The syrup is very easy to make.  This is the recipe I like to use.

1/2 cup dried elderberries 

5 whole cloves

1 cinnamon stick

1 tablespoon grated ginger

2 cups water

1 cup honey

Combine all ingredients except the honey, in a saucepan.  

Bring to a boil and simmer 20-30 minutes, or until the liquid is reduced by half.

Put the honey in a clear pint jar- or other glass container that has a lid.

Strain the mixture and combine the liquid with the honey.

Stir and let cool.

Store in the refrigerator.

I hope you enjoy this as much as we do =)

This post contains affiliate links.  Mom 4ce uses the money we receive to help run our blog and to hopefully one day buy more workout gear.  We do not endorse any products that we do not use or would use in our homes. 

A Legacy

As many of you know, we moved to OK to help take care of my father- in- love.  

As his time draws near, I'm reminded of the legacy he leaves behind.  And I'm thankful that I can count myself in that legacy.

Painting my mother- in- love commissioned

My father- in- love won't leave behind any earthly riches; no possessions for family to squabble over; no land to be divided between the children.  But that's okay.

What he leaves behind is far richer and more important than that.  He leaves behind a legacy of faith and perseverance.  A Godly legacy that is far richer than any earthly possession.

It started 34 years ago when he knew something had to change if his marriage was going to last and his family would stay together.  On a cold and misty day, on an island in Washington, he surrendered his life to Christ.

Throughout the last 30 years, he has been planting seeds of hope that are blooming into a beautiful garden.  Some he may never see, but the most important are seen in his family.

In his wife who has stood by him through thick and thin.  Who remembers that she promised to be there in sickness and in health.

In his children who have sacrificed to be near him in his final days.

In his daughter- in- love who was given hope that marriages do last and children don't have to grow up with divided loyalties.

In his grandchildren who are beginning to serve with a servant's heart.

In his grandson who willingly puts the money he's earned reading books in the offering because someone else needs it more.

In his friends who have watched him remain faithful even in the bleakest of times.  Who have seen his strength and know that it doesn't come from earthly things that perish.

We, who will soon say good bye, can take comfort in the Promises that there will be no more pain, no more suffering; that every tear will be wiped away.

I'm thankful for this legacy.  For his faith that has supported and grounded his family through countless trials.

I'm thankful that he took the time to share the Promises of a future and a hope with me.

  

Sometimes...

Sometimes I struggle with being thankful.  There are those days that are just rotten and it's hard to find the little things or even the big things to be thankful for.  Everybody has those days, it's not just me...Well at least I hope it's not just me!  

Today was one of those days.  

I am honestly, quite thankful that all of the kids are in bed.  It is totally silent in my house as I write this and I am contemplating going to bed at eight o'clock. 
 As I wandered through my house picking up after bed these are a few of the things that I'm thankful for today. 
I'm thankful for these shoes because I can run fast in them (fast for me) and my feet don't hurt afterwards.

Thank you Amazon for the picture. 

 I'm thankful for games and puzzles that my kids enjoy and will challenge them.  It helps that these keep them from watching television too.  Let's face it, a mom can only watch so many cartoons! 
I'm thankful for all of my kitchen toys so that I can feed my family healthy nutritious meals. 

Again, thank you Amazon!

I know that this is all "stuff" that I am thankful for tonight but as I wander through my house and look I am honestly overwhelmed by how much I have.  I was asked for Christmas idea lists for our family and I currently can't think of a thing that any of us need! 
We have much to be thankful for, even on a crummy day. 

This post contains affiliate links.  Mom 4ce uses the money we receive to help run our blog and to hopefully one day buy more workout gear.  We do not endorse any products that we do not use or would use in our homes. 

The Shoebox

Every year since my firstborn was itty bitty and had no idea what we were doing we have put together a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child.  We have always tried to do a box from each child and pick a child that was the same age and gender as the child packing the box.  We have hit the dollar bins, the sales, used coupons, and tried to pack that box as full as possible!  It's not a big gift, definitely not as big as we Americans are used to but for a little girl or boy that has nothing it is everything to them.  

My husband and I have tried to instill a spirit of giving in our kids.  We have fought against the feelings of entitlement, greed, and selfishness that we all have.  We haven't always succeeded but every year before Thanksgiving these little shoeboxes remind us of how much we have and how little others have.  My kids have already started spotting items at the store that they want to fill their shoeboxes with and can't wait to go shopping this weekend, it makes this momma thankful to know that these lessons in selflessness and giving are sinking in.

This year as we pack up our house and get rid of items that we don't need, use, want, or whatever other reason I can come up with to get rid of; I am reminded of how good we have it!  We have been blessed by a lot and I am so thankful that we can share how much we have with others.  I will probably never meet the kids that receive these boxes that we pack but I am thankful for each one of those children.  I am thankful that they are teaching our whole family what it means to give selflessly.  

Yes, I am thankful for a shoebox and not because it means I get another pair of shoes.  

Rest

In the last couple of years our family has been extremely busy.  The boys played soccer, our oldest was in Boy Scouts, all three boys were in AWANA, we tried karate for a very short season, we had homeschool co-op, piano lessons, soccer camp, MOPS, swimming, and the list goes on.  Quite honestly, it was exhausting!  Our calendar was full and we were TIRED! 

Then, we found out we were moving and I slowly cut out activity after activity.  I thought that we would be bored, but the exact opposite happened my kids have THRIVED on having free day after free day.  

I have never felt more relaxed and my house is quickly being packed up.  I'm not stressed out at all.  

I am thankful for this season of rest.  It has allowed my kids to be creative and all of us to grow closer as a family.  Once we get settled in Austin I know that we will add in some activities but they will be quality ones, not just stuff to fill up our calendar.  

 It's so nice to have a moment or two or three to stop and enjoy the beauty around us instead of just running through it as we head off to another activity. 

Our Veterans

Today is the day that we take time to honor the veterans in our country.  But do you know why we celebrate on this day?

In 1938, November 11 was designated Armistice Day, which celebrated the end of World War I (November 11, 1918).  It was set aside to honor the end of the Great War and to honor those who had fought.  In 1954, after World War II and the Korean War, the  Act of 1938 was amended and changed "Armistice" to "Veteran" to honor those who had fought in the wars since World War I.  

I want to take the time today to honor veterans and the sacrifices that they have made.  It's not easy to leave your family behind, not knowing when you'll get to see them again.

And I want to thank those families who are left behind to wait and carry on while their loved ones are gone.  Their job isn't any easier.

Please excuse the scrapes and bruises on Sarge's face.  He had tested for his black belt the day before the dining out =)

Thank you Sarge, my father- in- love and countless friends who have served.  Your sacrifices are greatly appreciated.

F Is For...

I love November.  In Texas that means things are finally cooling off so that you can enjoy being out.  

I also love giving thanks for all of our blessings.  I have a thankfulness journal and try to stop and write in it often, not just in November!  I hope that you all are encouraged as Lynette and I share what we are thankful for throughout the month and then continue on with our Thankful Thursday's on our Facebook page.  

Last Friday I got to meet up with some of my friends for a going away party for me and a birthday party for my friend Holly.   It hit me then food and friendship go hand in hand and I am so thankful for both.  I got to have sushi and conversation mixed in with laughter and truly enjoy myself.  This group of women holds a special place in my heart.  For the last year we have gotten together once a month and enjoyed each others company.  We have encouraged and supported one another, listened to our struggles, laughed away our problems, and just talked.

Do you have friends that encourage you?