5, 5 dollar foot-long.......

1. I'm thankful that Aleah and Bruce look forward to going to school. Although Aleah loved being home, she was glad that she got to go back to school on Monday.

2. I'm thankful that the "snow" day this week fell on a day that Scott and I were both off from work. It made for a nice family day.

3. I'm thankful that a friend was able to watch the kiddos for an hour while we toured a hospital. The two hospitals close to us have both remodeled their newborn baby area so we are checking them out to see which one we will go to.

4. I'm so thankful for a husband who wants to spend time with us. He always has something to do for work/church, but he is very considerate and wants to make sure he is spending time with his family. He never thinks it's enough, but I know that he is doing what he needs to do and I'm not feeling neglected and the kiddos get quality time with him even if the quantity isn't what he wants it to be. That is a great thing. Love you, Babe!!

5. I'm thankful for my job. Today, Aleah is sick. Usually on Fridays, Scott has the day off. Today is his first rotation for working on a Friday (Imagine that!!! People like to have Fridays off so they have to take turns.) I have things that HAVE to be done today. Usually, the VP can do it, but she has a big dinner tonight that she is finishing up things for. So, what is going to happen? I am able to go pick up some work and work from home. I can't believe that this is a possibility. I'm so thankful.

My New Year 6

1. I'm thankful for the time we spent with all the families over the Christmas week. We really enjoyed our time.

2. I'm thankful my kiddos weren't too sick. They both had fevers on Tuesday, but those were gone by the next day!!!

3. I'm thankful we had a wonderful time for supper at Mom & Dad's for New Year's Eve. Then a GREAT Komets hockey game with the last win of 2008. After the game, we headed back to Mom & Dad's for great snack and a lively game of Win, Lose, or Draw. We didn't even pause to watch the ball drop. I haven't missed that for about 10-12 years. Oh well. Aleah and Bruce even got to draw on the white board for us to guess. Aleah's was a bit easier to guess than Bruce's. We were back home and in bed by about 1:30.

4. I'm thankful for the kiddos to sleep in til about 8:30 on New Year's Day. Then it was off to the races.....not really. But it was off to our friend's house. We got there at 1pm, the gals put the supper in the crockpot, and then the gals went off to take back returns and shop. We had a wonderful time. The guys even had a great time catching up amidst the four kiddos who were ALL very tired. We got home to supper almost done, ate supper with them and then the guys headed down to the basement play with the new Wii that Santa brought to their downstairs Christmas tree. I never did get to see it or play, but I'm sure I'll get to eventually. It was a great day/night had by all.

5. I'm thankful for a friend who passed along a BUNCH of her boy clothes for Bruce. I now have 3 bags of clothes waiting for him to grow into. Thanks Friend!!

6. I'm thankful for the time Scott has had off in the past two weeks. We have really enjoyed our family time together. However, I'm really looking forward to the next few months. This is our agenda:
Take down Christmas stuff
Go through the kiddos stuff (toys)
Combine the kiddos to the same room
Pick out a new crib (since ours was recalled, just need to turn in our voucher)
Set up the Baby's room
Go through all the baby girl clothes to see what is needed
Pick out a girl's name
Not too shabby considering we have 3 1/2 months before she makes her arrival.

My Christmas 6

1. I'm thankful that all three Christmas Eve services at church went well. I've never actually been to a Christmas Eve service before. Amazing, huh? Growing up, we went on Christmas Day. I liked that Aleah sat in the service with me. Thankfully, Bruce had a class to go to. It would have disastrous if he had been in the service with me. The service was really nice, but the only thing I missed? I would have liked to have more carols and congregational singing. I think 1 hour just isn't long enough for a service like that. :)

2. I'm thankful for sleeping in on Christmas Day. Thankfully, the kiddos didn't wake us up until 7:30 and we actually went to bed at a decent time. (No staying up til 2am this year to wrap the presents.) Once we had festivities done, I popped the turkey in the oven and started getting ready for dinner.

3. I'm thankful that Scott's parents came over for dinner. They had unexpected company for 5 days with Jeff & Sara's power out. So, I'm glad that we were able to serve them Christmas dinner.

4. I'm thankful our kiddos LOVE to play games. Aleah received Monopoly Jr. and Bruce Jenga. Before bed on Christmas Day, we played a game of Monopoly Jr. It was really fun and it lasted just long enough that the kiddos didn't get bored with it. Can't wait for the Jenga game. :)

5. I'm thankful for our time with my family, yesterday. Things changed a little this year. Since Scott and Mom had to work on Christmas Eve, we did our festivities on the 26th. We started about 2:30 with presents. Aleah and Bruce made out like bandits. It was very fun complete with the exchange of Victoria's Secret boxes/bags between Scott and Caleb. That tradition started 8 years ago, I think. After presents, we ate dinner. The traditional cold meat sandwiches with all the trimmings and sweets for dessert after the singing and reading of the Christmas story. Unfortunately, our extended family from Warsaw couldn't make it. Since it was going to be so warm, the fog was sure to come. And come it did. I'm sorry we didn't see them, but thankful that everyone stayed safe.

6. I'm thankful for the work that Dad does putting together the Christmas story for our reading. I'll include the references, and let you look them up. He always starts at the beginning:
John 1:1-12
Genesis 3:1-15
Genesis 12:1-3
2 Samuel 7:11-14
Isaiah 7:10-14
Isaiah 9:2-7
Micah 5:1-5
Matthew 1:1-17
Luke 1:26-38
Matthew 1:18-25
Luke 2:1-20
Matthew 2:1-23
Galatians 4:1-7
Amazingly enough, I was struck this year how many evil kings were in Jesus' lineage through Joseph. I think it is such a wondrous story how the man to save the world, came through a lineage of such evil and good men. I'm thankful that He came as a baby to ultimately save us all, no matter what our lineage.

My 5 on my anniversary!

1. I'm thankful for 10 wonderful years of marriage to my soulmate.

2. I'm thankful for 2 wonderful children and one on the way that God has blessed us with in these 10 years.

3. I'm thankful the weather didn't keep us from our little get-a-way and for safety on our way here. (Yes, I'm blogging from the hotel room. Thank goodness for in-room wireless internet.)

4. I'm thankful for parents who live nearby who graciously have our kiddos for the weekend.

5. I'm thankful for the wonderful report that we got at the ultrasound on Monday. Only one baby, and it looks like a little girl. Aleah is so happy and Bruce doesn't have an opinion. Our opinion as parents? We're thankful she is healthy, and now we have to find and agree on a girl name. Wish us luck!!!

My 5

1.  I'm thankful that Scott had a chance to be with Bruce for his "I am Special" open house.  This is a time when the kiddos at the preschool invite a special person for some fun.  Bruce was so proud to take his Daddy.

2.  I'm thankful that the kiddos are doing well in AWANA, even when I forget to help them with their lessons and memory verses until the day before or day of.  

3.  I'm thankful that Aleah had a chance to be with my mom today.  Normally, she doesn't get to go because I pick her up from school after I pick up Bruce from my mom's house.  Since she had no school today (teacher inservice day) she was able to enjoy oatmeal at Gramma's.  She was the one who requested oatmeal at Gramma's.

4.  I'm thankful I was able to join my mom and the kiddos for lunch at Burger King after work.  Even more glad that the kiddos earned back the treat of going out to eat.  They didn't obey Gramma at the first store.  :)

5.  I'm thankful that I was available this afternoon to take care of my cousin's son for a few hours so she could get her Christmas shopping done.  He's been a very good boy and a great playmate for my kiddos.  All three of them just love to get together.  :)

I missed Friday, so it is SIX!

1.  We had a wonderful dinner at Biaggi's with other missionary church people.  It was nice to sit with my parents and Bill & Ronnette Armstrong.  We had great conversation.  Dessert was especially nice when the electricity went out and we ate it by candlelight.

2.  Tuesday night we had the annual Christmas dinner with my Grandpa.  His nursing home provides the meat, potatoes, and bread.  Then all the relatives of the residents take sides, salads, and desserts.  It is always a nice time together as family.  Unfortunately, Grandpa can't think of our names on cue.  If he doesn't have to think, then he will say the name.  By the end of the evening, I don't think he remembered who we were.  Hopefully, he knew we were there because we love him.

3.  At Bible study on Wednesday morning, there was a couple who came and spoke about finances in  marriage.  It was all stuff that I had heard in the Crown Bible study before, but it lit a fire to make sure that I communicate with Scott about the checkbook, bills, and money stuff.  So, we had a short date Wednesday night with the budget.  I think he was a little nervous about it.  But things are okay, and we are praising the Lord for his continued guidance and provision.

4.  Friday night, Scott worked sound for a concert at our church.  Thankfully, my parents kept the kiddos and I was able to attend also.  In fact Scott's parents were also able to attend.  It was a really nice Christmas concert by Steve & Maria Gardner and they praised Scott for all his help in setting up and for his great attitude in doing what needed to be done.  Way to go, Babe!

5.  Today, I went to my mom's for Christmas baking/cooking/dipping.  We baked about 12 batches of snowball cookies/Mexican wedding cakes/Russian tea cakes (which ever you prefer to call them), cooked 3 batches of fudge, and dipped 15 pounds of buckeyes.  We (my SIL, Lisa was there, too) started about 10 am and finished about 4 pm.  This year, we even had some time to relax, have a snack and water before heading for home.  We are all very tired but made great memories!!!!

6.  Aleah did great at musical practice this morning.  She didn't really want to go, since she knew we were doing the cookies.  But she got to Mom's in time for lunch, played with Bruce, then helped with the snowball cookies when Bruce went down for a rest.  Bruce did excellent playing by himself, which hasn't happened too often in his life since his sissy has always been there to entertain him.  Thankfully, Grampa was around to play basketball with a plastic ball and trash can, then on to Chutes 'n' Ladders.  A great day was had by all!

I'm thankful!

1.  I'm glad that Aleah's Thanksgiving Feast went well at school.  I was able to take a couple of hours off from work and attend/help out.  It was very nice and I think the 125 kindergartners had a wonderful time.  I think their teachers did too, not having to man their kiddos for lunch.

2.  Bruce did great at his Thanksgiving Program.  Of course, he thought it was his job to make sure the other kiddos didn't touch the mics.  Then, he thought it looked so fun, he decided to take the foam off the other mic.  Overall, he did really well.  He sang his little heart out and did the motions great.  Never mind the jumping he did at the very end.  :)

3.  I'm thankful that we will have the day together today with nothing planned except to put up the tree and decorate for the season.  The kiddos have been counting down the days til we put up the tree.  I really wanted to go shopping today, but what should I buy when the shopping is mostly done?

4.  I am so glad that the kiddos did well ice skating with my brother, Caleb.  They had a grand time and I believe Bruce did better this time than last January.  He actually was on his feet instead of being carried by Uncle Caleb.  I'm glad that Caleb's friend, Tonya, was able to go with so that I could stay home for a couple of hours of quiet.  Thanks, guys.

5.  I can't believe that Aleah is starting to read.  She is standing next to me picking out the words that she knows.  I'm so amazed that it happens in Kindergarten.  She does so well in school and I'm very proud of her.

5 things...

1.  I'm thankful that we had a great time on our girls only road trip.  Even more thankful that we had safety in just enough snow to make things dangerous.  It turned out that about 9 hours after we got home, there was an accident in part of the road we were on.  Thank you , Lord.

2.  I'm thankful our church is available to hold the viewing and funeral for a teen girl who pulled out in front of someone and was killed.  Her four siblings in the car were hurt but will be okay.  Pray for the funeral tomorrow morning, for all the students that this makes an impact on, and for the family who lost their daughter.

3.  I'm thankful that when I pick up a burden, God is there to take it back.  I had some fears return this week.  Thankfully, I was able to lay them at the feet of Jesus before my doctor's appointment.

4.  I'm thankful for a great doctor's appointment.  Aleah was jumping up and down when she heard the heartbeat.  I think Bruce just stood there.  Not sure what he was thinking.  Of course, they were most excited with the toys in the room.  :)  I'm so thankful that my blood pressure is good and the heartbeat is strong at 146 beats/minute.

5.  I'm thankful for family with whom we get to spend this evening celebrating the Thanksgiving season.  Our kiddos love to play with their only cousins and they get along fabulously.  Especially when one is only 7 months old.

Friday is here!!

1.  I'm thankful for Scott who does such a great job of caring for a sick child.  She was sick early this morning, thankfully, this is Scott's day off and I was still able to go to work.  They played Go Fish, Chutes & Ladders, and Monopoly on the computer.  No wrestling today were the strict instructions.

2.  I'm thankful that I was able to offer two of our tickets to the Komets game tonight to coworkers who were not planning on attending.  Because of the sickness, only Bruce and I will be attending.  It should be fun since it is with a group of coworkers.

3.  I'm thankful for the invite to head to Frankenmuth for Deer Widows Weekend.  This is the beginning of deer season and two other ladies and I are heading to Bronner's (the HUGE Christmas store) and then the big outlet mall nearby for AWESOME sales.  HOW FUN!!!

4.  I'm thankful Scott is letting us borrow his iPod for the trip.  He even spent time last night loading Christmas songs just for us.  Thanks, Babe.

5.  I'm thankful that my mom can keep the kiddos overnight on Saturday so that I am able to go on my road trip.

Hmmm....I'm not excited about the road trip at all, huh????

Five + One

1.  I'm thankful for a GREAT week at work.  I love assisting the HR person.  She is a believer and we are having a good time talking while I'm training.  It's great to see the relationship she and her husband have with their kiddos who are two years apart but 17 & 19 years old.  Something I have to look forward to, but not ready for.

2.  I'm glad to reconnect with co-workers.  It was really fun telling them that I was pregnant.

3.  Bruce's parent/teacher conference went great.  This is the first one of the year, and they don't test for anything yet.  He is finally listening, obeying and participating.  I guess the little monkey treats help him participate.  He is one who has trouble sitting and working on something or listening for long periods of time.  Hmm...but he has no problem watching a movie without moving.  :)

4.  I'm thankful that I've been able to help Scott with outside work this fall.  We decided to mulch our leaves this year since our leaf blower wasn't working.  I was able to get the back yard started while Scott trimmed the bushes.  The last time I was pregnant, I was more pregnant than 15 weeks in the fall and just couldn't manage the raking.  We didn't have the leaf blower then, either.

5.  I'm thankful for the beautiful weather we've been having this week.  We got the icicle lights up last weekend and I'll get the bushes lights done today.  Then they will be ready for the "lighting ceremony" the weekend before Thanksgiving.  We started to put everything up the weekend before since Thanksgiving weekend and all our December weekends are usually busy.

I love seeing Scott spending time with the kiddos.  He is a kid at heart and LOVES to do the things they love to do.  Last Saturday, as I was heading for preggo clothes shopping, he got the kiddos together so the three of them could play playstation games.  It makes my heart happy.  The kiddos always look forward to time with Daddy and they always want to play games.  Love it!!!  And love you, Scott!!

5, one day late

1.  I'm thankful for pregnancy induced insomnia so that I can play on the computer at weird hours of the day.  I know, I'm stretching for this one.  Usually, I stay in bed and ask the Lord to guide me in prayer.  But this morning, I had a bunch of things running through my head that I ended up emailing a friend about it.

2.  I'm thankful for a friend and sister-in-law who are kind enough to share their preggo clothes with me.  The ones I wore six  and four years ago just aren't cutting it.  They are now the "stay at home" clothes.  :)  

3.  I'm thankful for Halloween when my kiddos get tons of candy.  Thankfully we've taught them well...they each dump their stash in ONE pile and share with momma and daddy.  :)

4.  I'm thankful that when I go back to work (next week), that I can still volunteer in Aleah's classroom.  Her teacher and I are both pregnant and due within weeks of each other.  How fun is that!!!!

5.  I'm thankful we got a GREAT report for Aleah's first Kindergarten parent/teacher conference.  She is in the advanced reading group, she is looking bored in language group so her teacher will start challenging her more, working quickly in math (sometimes too quickly that her work suffers for it), and she is listening and obeying.  Something every parent loves to hear.  Aleah tends to get squirmy in the afternoon, so she is either tired and fighting sleep or she's just done for the day.  Something to work on.  We also need to work on her writing skills.  They draw a picture then write about it.  However, she tends to spend soooo much time on her picture that she doesn't have time to do the writing.  This is typical for Aleah.  She is soooo creative.  Takes after her father.  She also has about 4 letters that she doesn't know the sounds for.  Not too bad.  We can take care of those.  Anyway, next week is Bruce's meeting with his preschool teacher.  Now that one, I'm worried about.  :)

Have a wonderful day!!!

Five for Friday

I'm thankful...

1.  That I had my first doc appointment.  We were able to hear the heartbeat.  Yeah!!!  He thinks it's only one but we'll have the regular ultrasound sometime in early December.

2.  That Aleah and Bruce have had good weeks at school, despite having Scott gone a lot right now and they are missing him.

3.  That we get to fill shoeboxes for kiddos in other countries.  This is the first year we've done this with our kiddos.  I'm excited for the conversations we will have about helping and praying for others who have less than we do.

4.  For the time I've had at home the last four months and that my morning/all day sickness is pretty much done before I go back to work.  God sure knew how he was working this all out.

5.  That I'm looking forward to starting the new position for me at the credit union.  Fifteen hours a week isn't bad at all.  Plus I've missed my coworkers.  Go Figure!!!

5

I'm thankful that...

1. "Everyone" knows about the new baby so I don't have to pretend anymore. They already know that I'm tired and have no energy. :)

2. I'm feeling better and my sick times are getting farther apart. Now I have some energy to sit at the computer and resume my weekly blogs. :)

3. Scott's first month on the job is under his belt and he now has a computer to use. Yeah!

4. For our family's annual tradition of going to the first Komets home game of the season. Tomorrow night we will indulge in an Indonesian meal at Mom and Dad's then head to the game. These are the few times that the kiddos get to stay up waaayyyy past their 8 o'clock weekend bedtime. (weeknight bedtime is 7pm)

5. Aleah had a wonderful day today at school.

3...

***Update:  Last week, I mentioned some answered prayer requests.  I was not at liberty to disclose it last week, but Scott has accepted a job working for our church as the Technical Director.  His first day is September 15.  We are very excited at how God is working in our lives to bring us to a 180 degree turn to accept this position.  What a great God we serve.  

I'm thankful for...

1.  A great second week of Kindergarten for Aleah.  She loved her craft club where she painted a birdhouse.

2.  Bruce feeling better.  Although that means that Aleah and I are now coming down with his cold.

3.  Great friends who share their Colts tickets with us.  Our friends, Tom & Brenda, usually get a four set of preseason tickets.  They are always gracious to invite us although we've not always been able to attend.  Last night was a good one.  So what if they lost.  It is just preseason, and the last time we attended a preseason game that they lost against the Bengals, the Colts went on to win the Super Bowl.  GO COLTS!!

5 things...

I'm thankful for this Friday...

1.  Aleah's first week of school has gone great!!!  She was disappointed that she hasn't done too many crafts, but I signed her up for the craft club that meets every other week.  That should help her creative side!!!

2.  My friend, Kendra, who is gracious enough to clean my house every 1, 2, or 3 weeks depending on my schedule.  She loves getting Mary Kay products as payment!!  :)

3 - 5.  Specific and unspecific answers to prayer.

It's Friday!

Well, since I missed last week, I'll incorporate some things from the last two weeks.

I'm thankful for...

1.  ...a great resale we have in our area.  It is basically a glorified garage sale where I can volunteer two-and-a-half hours the week of the sale, shop on Friday night (instead of EARLY Saturday morning), and save a ton of money when buying my children's clothing for the upcoming season.  I walked out spending less than $64.00 for both kiddos.  Thankfully, I planned ahead and shopped only off of my list.  I had bought some things for Bruce at a friend's garage sale last spring, so I really didn't need a whole lot.  For Aleah, her school wears uniforms and between my mom and I we had school stuff figured out and I only needed a few things for when she isn't at school.  What a blessing for the resale, moms, and provisions from the Lord.

2.  ...the friends who love to get together with or without kiddos.  It makes the week go faster when I can get play dates and visiting done.  Thanks to my ladies Bible study group, Brenda, the worship team picnic and my small group at church for the times together the past two weeks.

3.  ...the pool that I can visit with my "extra" kiddos and that Karla humors me enough to venture out even if it is supposed to rain.  Thanks friend.

4.  ...that we got to spend last weekend at the state park camping in a cabin.  It was a wonderful day on Saturday that we could cook out, celebrate Mom, Josh and Scott's birthday, and have wonderful family fellowship.  The cabin was great!!!  Hopefully we'll be able to visit it next year as well.

5.  ...for swimming lessons.  Aleah and Bruce have done wonderful and spent lots of time in the lake with and without rings and Aleah looked like a fish.  I'm just amazed for the progress they have done this year.

5

1.  I'm thankful that we have wonderful relatives who will host a family reunion each year and share their house, lake, boat, jet ski, fellowship, and cheese.  :)  We will be going tomorrow!!

2.  I'm thankful that Aleah was enrolled in the school of choice.  She is going to be attending Imagine MASTer Academy which is a charter school in it's second year.  They have a great way of teaching reading skills that will encourage her to want to learn.  God completely worked everything out in this regards, because there were so many applicants that we were afraid that she wouldn't get in do to having a lottery system pick the students.  We are meeting her teacher and seeing her class room tomorrow as well!!!

3.  I'm thankful for the public library where I can check out books that will help me in my walk with the Lord, strengthen my relationship with Scott, challenge me to be bold for the Lord, and encourage me to be a better parent and wife.

4.  I'm thankful that I'm able to stay home this summer.  God orchestrated everything to work out not only for me, but for my friend who was needing child care.  One month down, and everything is going great.

5.  I'm thankful that we were able to attend a Crown seminar and small group study last spring so that we are prepared now and are saving money we didn't think we had to save.

Thank you Lord for another week.  I praise You for the memories we've made.

Five for Friday

My friend started to blog five things she's thankful for on Fridays as a way to reflect the happenings of the week and to give thanks to God. I love that idea! So, I am stealing her idea and trying it for myself. We'll see how dedicated I am to writing every Friday. I am hoping though, that this will be an exercise of bringing glory to God and dwelling on Him instead of all the falls, discouragement and disappointments - which are so easy to remember!

1. I'm thankful for God's grace. I had a day that I was reverting to the old Rachel...before April 20, 2008...and He graciously let me hit the restart button.

2. I'm thankful for great outings with the kiddos this week, and that my friend let me take along my two "extra kiddos" to her son's birthday party. We all had a blast.

3. I'm thankful for Scott's job. Even though he goes out of town (like this whole week), he actually has a job that he absolutely loves.

4. I'm thankful for a wonderful husband who will clean up after me, when I forget to clean up the clutter, toys, cushions, dishes, etc. and I've really missed that and him this week. Love you, Babe.

5. I'm thankful for a great friend who will lovingly point me in the right direction and keep me "at it" when I am just exhausted from correcting my kiddos. Thanks, KDH.