Being Thankful.

The Boy in return challenged me to name some of the things for which I am thankful so in no particular order . .

I'm thankful for my family. David makes me laugh, makes me want to pull out my hair, understands my need for COLD, pushes my buttons, brings me chocolate and Dr. Pepper and loves me despite my many annoying traits (organized chaos, always hot, need to take pictures at all occasions). I love him a fat ton. The Boy is the best thing that ever happened to me and while he, too, can push my buttons? I love him with every square inch of my heart. He brings me joy, he makes my heart smile. And each time I want to pull out my hair I remember there will be a time when he doesn't want to hang out with me. I'm thankful I have been given the privilege of being his mom. Jethro is awesome and I so love him more.

I'm thankful for my parents, who are always there when I need them. Who take joy in The Boy and have him over for sleepovers or Early Release Days or random Wednesdays I have to work late. Who bring me a coke every Sunday morning to make my morning's go smoother. They are awesome and I love them, too.

My brothers (and their wives) - because I know that right this minute if I called and needed them they would help. Except Matthew might make a fuss about it but deep down I know he loves me, too. And I'm crazy thankful for them giving me awesome nephews. Tyler and Kaleb make life even more fun and I can't wait for the day they call over to Auntie Shan and Uncle Dave and ask for a sleepover. We are So There.

I'm incredibly blessed and thankful that we had a family vacation to the beach with awesome friends. It was a wonderful week of relaxing and laughing and fun. I look back over the pictures and see how carefree that week was and I'm thankful we had the chance to do it. I've always loved the beach and it's my Happy Place. Makes it even more awesome to go to your Happy Place with friends that are like family.

I'm thankful for my job. While I don't know what the next week, month, year holds? I am doing something I Love and I'm thankful that Monday through Friday I am able to do it. I am thankful for the families I am allowed to work with and help. I'm thankful that some days I do make a difference.

I'm thankful for coworkers who've become friends. I'm thankful that I laugh each day. I'm thankful for Friday lunches and long trips with Paternity Test Tuesdays. Listening ears when I need to vent. Help when you need to phone a friend. I'm thankful that some coworker friends have become like family.

I'm thankful for cars that have heat and air & run each day. I'm thankful for a house, my bed with my favorite covers. For the dog that alerts me when something is amiss (but not for the same dog when she gets in the trash and shreds it all over the house *ahem*). I'm thankful for my red chair. And the freezer full of rice socks that help me make it through the night.

I'm thankful for books to read to get lost in a story - and I'm thankful Dee Henderson wrote a new book. I'm thankful for my Kindle on which I can read the awesome books. And for the awesome apps like Words with Friends and Diner Dash which allow me to pass the time and detox from a rough day.

I'm thankful for my camera and the gift of being able to take pictures. While I sometimes wish it was in the plans for me to do it More or even as a side job, I take joy in knowing that I have managed to snap many memories over the past 8+ years. I love looking through the drive and seeing the images captured.

I am thankful for my kids at church. For the now 3rd Graders that were in our first class and the kids we have now. For the joys I have each Wednesday night in Awana. For the group of kids that faithfully come on Sundays to sing in the musical. I'm thankful that they love and accept me even though I'm far from perfect.


I'm thankful Christmas. It's my most favorite holiday in the world. I put the tree up the first week of November and enjoy it for two straight months. The hymns and songs at this time of year are The Best. I cannot imagine what it was like that first Christmas many years ago. How Mary felt knowing that her son was here to save the world. I'm thankful for traditions and magic and hope and love.

I'm thankful for miracles. For the fact that I am here but even more recently for the fact that my friend's daughter was Healed. I'm thankful for community - for knowing that sometimes it is bigger than you can imagine.

I'm thankful for chocolate and for Mojo's that makes good chocolate. I'm thankful for Dr. Pepper and fountain cokes. I'm thankful for water with Propel. And Moe's burritos. And Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs. Amen.

I'm thankful that Kleenex put lotion in the tissues so I don't rub my nose raw. And that there are products that help tame my hair from being an out-of-control-nest. And vanilla-scented sanitizer.

And for a Heavenly Father, His Son and the empty tomb that third day.

Happy Mother's Day: On Rocketships & Jesus

It's Mother's Day! I had grand intentions of busting up in here with a post about Mom. I was going to thank my mother for being the one that picked up the trash we hid in cushions, who washed all our clothes and made our dinner. The mom that painted my toes when I was in a hospital bed, who took care of my own son when I was unable to. I had intentions of blabbering on about What The Boy thinks of me and to include a drawing of Me as a Lego Ninjago as depicted by The Boy just this afternoon. But what I think I will do instead is leave a gem from 2009. It touched my heart today and I hope it touches yours, too.

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Originally posted September 2009:

Wednesday night after church we caught every single red light on the ride home. This means Prime Thinking and Talking time for The Boy.

Him: Mommy? I keep praying and praying for a brother and Jesus keeps saying no. And Daddy said it was because your body is broken. Why did your body break?

Me: (pause thinking do we really have to have this conversation now?) Well I got sick when I was at the hospital when you were born.

Him: But HOW did you get sick?

Me: I got an infection. (As soon as I said it I knew the next question)

Him: What's an Infection?

Me: When you get a germ and it makes you really really sick. I almost died and went to heaven but then I got better.

Him: But if you died then I wouldn't have a mommy. And that would be sad.

Me: But I didn't die and you do have a mommy. But my body is broken and you can't have a brother.

Him: But HOW do you know it is broken?

Me: Because the doctor told.

Him: But HOW did he sound when he said it.

Me: (wondering why this conversation tonight) He just sounded like a doctor son. He just said "I'm sorry but there isn't anything we can do you're broken"

Him: But I really just wanted a baby.

And then he starts to cry. And, well, my heart breaks. But he quickly stops.

Him: Mommy is heaven just beyond the clouds?

Me: What?

Him: Is heaven higher then the clouds and right before the outer space?

Me: Heaven is where Jesus is baby. I don't exactly know Where it is and you can't See it until your battery dies and you go live with Jesus.

Him: I think it is higher than the clouds and right before the outer space and the meteors. And you know what mommy? I am going to get me a rocket ship and I am going to fly up to heaven and you know what I am going to do? I am going to find Jesus. And I am going to talk to him. And I am going to ask Him where my baby brother is.

Me: Are you now. Well baby God knows what is best for you and it isn't always what you think is the best for you. Just because you want something doesn't mean it is the best thing.

Him: Mommy is that my verse for next week?

Me: Um No.

Him: Then can you tell me that one more time please?

Me: Just because you want something doesn't mean it is the best thing. God knows what is best. And right now he thinks it is best for it to be is a Mommy, a Daddy and you.

Him: Yeah. But I still want that crazy baby.

And what I wish I could do a million times over is grant that one wish the little boy who wants to get on his rocket ship to fly to Jesus wants.

But, you see, these? These are the conversations I am having with my 5 year old.

And I can't help but think to myself that someday?

Someday this little boy is going to do great things.

Bye Little Luci

This morning around 10:38 a.m. Luci (aka Little Luci aka Lu aka Luce) went to be with Jesus and Grandfather in heaven. It was a very sad morning for the Hardegrees. She was buried in a private ceremony behind the shed. Luci was the best first guinea pig we ever had and we will really miss her tons