I am thankful 28 day challenge

Thanksgiving 2013

Day 1 I am thankful for my Lord Jesus. His amazing grace, forgiveness
and unconditional love. I can’t imagine my life without Him.

Day2. I am thankful for for my husband, Randy. My soul mate, my love...my best friend. With the exception of God...no one knows me better than Randy. He makes me laugh, he calms my fears...he encourages me. There is nothing we can't do or get through together. He is wonderful father to our children. They are confident of his love for them. Thank you God for blessing us with Randy.

Day 3: Dear Matthew, Stephen, Caleb and Shelby, I am thankful for you! Each one of you represents an answered prayer. When you were born...your dad and I knew we would love, nurture and care for you We knew we would have to be the best people we could possibly be...because you would learn from us. I still love watching you learn. What we didn't know then is how much we would learn from you. I love you more than anything in this world! You have made my life complete.

Day 4: I am thankful for my parents! For giving me life. For loving God and teaching us to do the same. For always praying for me. For loving me even when I didn't love myself. They made me a better person by their example. Even when I disappointed them...I knew their door was always open and that I was welcome. My dad getting up every morning and going to work...even when he was sick. My mother for taking care of our home, and making sure our bellies were full. For the many scarifies they made so that my brothers, my sister and I would have what we needed...and wanted. For staying together through better or worse, richer or poorer, sickness and health....and teaching us that though love and marriage is not always easy...it is definitely worth fighting for. For their sense of humor. For their compassion for stray animals...and making our pets part of our family. For making birthdays, and holidays special and all the pictures my mother made us pose for...so we wouldn't forget a moment of our time together.
I am blessed beyond belief to have Stan and Rose as parents. Parents don't come any finer than the set God gave to me

.Day 5: I am thankful for my pets! They are here for me, in good times and bad. They keep me company, snuggle when I am sick, protect me, drive me nuts, make me laugh, cost a fortune, and don't do their share of the housework (much like the human children). They fit right into our crazy life. They require so little, yet give back so much. I'm so thankful we are blessed with each of them.

Many of these babies were abandoned and starving. Please have your pets spayed or neutered. Remember the homeless, hungry and unloved animals. Not just during the holidays.....but through out the year. Make a donation to your local humane society. I like to go to my vet office and donate a spay or neuter.

Day 6: I am thankful for my siblings! I sure wish mom and dad would have had me sooner...so I could have grown up with them. I always loved listening to their stories and memories of growing up together. I suppose that might be the reason why I was always in such a hurry to grow up.
I have been blessed to watch as they fell in love and married their life mates.... Karen, Theresa and Pat. As they began and raised their families...and now adoring their grandchildren.
They probably don't know this...because I am pretty sure I have never told them. So I will tell them now. Stan, Joe and Gina... I love you all very much. I admire the lives you have built and I am very proud to be your little sister.

Day 7: I am thankful for all of my nieces and nephews! Brandon, Amy, Travis, Misty, Micheal, Carrie, Daniel, Jared and Justin. A few of them grew up with me and were more like little brothers and sisters. They made me laugh, got on my nerves, made me proud and made the holidays so much fun! They grew up way too fast. Now they have children of their own. The GREAT ones: Bradley, Nicholas, Abigail, Wyatt, Ellie, Gianna, Mason, Morgan, Max, Piper, Stella, Rose, Dillion, Darin, Evan, Sadie. and one on the way! I love them very much! All of them own a huge spot in my heart.

Day 8: I am thankful for my friends. The chosen sisters who walk my life with me. Other than my family and my faith in God, nothing is more important to me than my friends. Some are funny, some full of passion, some flighty, some rock-solid, some are kindred spirits with me. Some are right where they want to be, and others are still finding their way. Some are far away or have walked out of my life. I still love them and miss them terribly.


Day 9: I am thankful for my home. I knew the moment I laid eyes on this old house...it would be our home. The memories we created, and the lessons we learned as we worked together to renovate. I am also grateful for the friends who gave their time to help us.
"The Greene House....Home is where they love you!"

Day 10: I am thankful for my camera...and the memories I create with it. Not only for myself...but for others. With it...I view everything up close and personal. I see things I may not have ever noticed before. The details of a flower. A just hatched butterfly drying it's wings before taking its first flight. The innocence of a child at play. Sunrise...sunset. Altering life by holding it still.

“Sometimes I arrive just when God's ready to have someone click the shutter.”― Ansel Adams

Day 11: I am thankful for our Military and Veterans. I salute you. I thank you for allowing me the opportunity to live a life unfettered by fear. I thank you for the right to speak my mind without fear of retribution. For standing proud and defending America each and every day of your lives - and ours. I am proud to be an American. I am thankful today and always for the millions of men and women who dedicate and have given their lives so that I may continue to live my life - freely, honestly, and without fear.


Day 12: I am thankful for Teachers. To all teachers (past, present, and future) You will be remembered this Thanksgiving Day and beyond. Thank you for your endless patience, and unrivaled dedication.

Day 13: I am thankful for the many challenges. Whether planned or unplanned, the challenges and difficulties have made me stronger. Without them, I would not know gratitude for the many blessings of life


Day 14: I am thankful for facebook! I know there are some negative things about facebook. But I am thankful for being able to connect with old friends, new friends, aunts, uncles, and cousins...near and far. To be able to share the good times, laugh at jokes, remember the old times or to take a moment to relax and play a game together. To congratulate the proud moments, to grieve with each other during our losses. It is truly a blessing.


Day15: I am thankful for music!
It is so powerful! Music makes me happy and sometimes makes me cry. It can take me back in time, and remind me of certain people, places and things. Music makes me want to get up and dance. It often helps me to relax. My oldest son is mentally disabled, and cannot speak...but I can always connect with him through music. I believe there is music in Heaven, and is a gateway to the soul


.Day 16: I am thankful for all of nature. The birds, the bee's the flowers and the trees....and of course the butterflies


Day 17: I am thankful for the City of Vidor, and our community. When we left the military...we had the option of moving anywhere. We chose to come back to Vidor. It is one of the best decisions we ever made. Our little city is often the subject of cruel jokes and criticisms. Every time I hear someone putting Vidor down...it really hurts my feelings. There is no such thing as a perfect person or place....but our citizens are friendly and loyal. We come together when our fellow Vidorians are in need. Our schools are awesome and I feel our children are blessed with a top notch education. Unfortunately in this day and age...crime is always a possibility...but in Vidor I feel my family is as safe as they can be. I am really proud and thankful to be a member of this community.


Day 18: I am thankful for the morning. The sunshine. Breakfast...my favorite meal. For Hazelnut coffee, and a hot bath. All I need to start the day!


Day 19: I am thankful for Randy's employers, and coworkers. I am thankful that he is able to go to work, do his job...come home and not stress about what tomorrow will hold. Having a job at all these days is enough to be thankful for...having a job you love and coworkers you enjoy is a blessing.

Day 20: I am thankful for doctors, nurses, and all who devote their lives to helping the sick, and injured. Thank you for your kindness, your wisdom, and humor. I know the work you do is not always easy. I am grateful that in spite of the many challenges you face, you still do what you do every day.

Day 21: I am thankful for the peacemakers. Those who have chosen to take the path of peace. They choose and respond to situations with love... rather than anger or hatred.

Day 22: I am thankful for books. When I need a little break, a little quiet time for myself...I simply pick up a book. Books take me to other worlds. They help me see life from another’s point of view. They help me to think.

Day 23: I am thankful for peaceful sleep. My warm cozy bed, and fluffy pillows. Wonderful, mouth open and slobbering, waking up with hair looking like Don King sleep!

Day 24: I am thankful that my son Stephen is home for a whole week! All my children home, under one roof!

Day 25: I am thankful that I am finished shopping for Christmas! Every year I promise myself that I am going to start early and avoid the crowded stores. This year I did it! Now, I can spend the month of December, enjoying the company of friends and family, spreading holiday cheer through random acts of kindness, and reflecting on the true meaning of Christmas.

John 3:16-17 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." The true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of this incredible act of love.

Day 26: I am thankful for Smiles. Ever have a baby look into your eyes and smile? It’s priceless. When you go out today, tomorrow and the next day...make a point to smile at everyone you see. Even if they seem rude or look angry. Some will smile back at you, and some won't. You may change someone's entire day. Just watch how it makes you feel!

Day 27: I am thankful for the church of my childhood. For the Pope, the Priests, my CCD teachers, the choir directors, our CYO groups and even the sweet little old ladies – they all played a part in my spiritual growth. The church of my childhood helped make me who I am today. Peace be with you!

Day 28: I am thankful for our food and our many blessings. Thank you, Lord. Wishing you all a Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving!   

    

Blah Humbug

Has Christmas Really Changed...Or Is It Just Me?

I just cannot seem to get in the holiday spirit this year. Come to think of it...I have said the same thing for the last several years. I just feel so blah, so lost and so very sad. It annoys me that the stores begin putting up decorations and playing Christmas music before Halloween under the guise of “Holiday Spirit."...and before Thanksgiving even arrives...the madness begins.

I know how this sounds and truly...I do not hate Christmas....but I do not like how commercial this holiday has become at all. It breaks my heart to hear that it makes sad people feel even more sad, lonely people feel even more lonely, poor people feel even poorer and even the moderate-income folks are pressured to keep up.

It is pathetic how we suddenly remember poor people and homeless people for two weeks and then promptly forget about them again. I look all around and I see greed, commercialism, and hypocrisy all over the place. I cannot stand the profoundly tragic irony of increasing materialism in our children as part of the celebration of the birth of the Child for whom this very materialism was anathema to the will of God.

I confess... I do sometimes resent all the expectations and demands placed on me at Christmas. I’m not poor but I’m certainly not rich either, and I have bills to pay. There is an endless list of things I am expected to spend my money on - gifts for everyone, tips for all, food, Christmas Cards, It is financially irresponsible to buy gifts for everybody but if I don't... then I feel Cheap and guilty.

Christmas has become the antithesis of itself. It is supposed to be an attitude from the heart of sharing, reflection, and spending time with the ones you love. For those who believe in Christianity it is supposed to be a quiet remembrance of the Biblical Christmas story.

Instead, so many rush around going through the motions out of a sense of duty. They want to appear as though they have the Christmas spirit but instead are just mindlessly complying with all the demands and obligations that bombard us from every direction.

I love Christ, I love my husband, our children, our family and friends and I love spending time with them. But the fake “cheer” the hype, the buy buy buy mentality just makes me feel... BLAH humbug!

Mary's Dream
I had a dream, Joseph.
I don’t understand it, but I think it was about a birthday celebration for our son.
The people in my dream had been preparing for about six weeks.
They had decorated the house and bought new clothes.
They’d gone shopping many times and bought many elaborate gifts.
It was peculiar, though, because the presents weren’t for our son.
They wrapped them in beautiful paper and stacked them under a tree.
Yes, a tree, Joseph, right inside their homes! They’d decorated the tree with sparkling ornaments.
There was a figure like an angel on the top of the tree.
Everyone was laughing and happy.
They gave the gifts to each other, Joseph, not to our son.
I don’t think they even knew him.
They never mentioned his name.
I had the strangest feeling that, if our Jesus had gone to this celebration he would have been intruding.
How sad for someone not to be wanted at his own birthday party!
I’m glad it was only a dream. How terrible Joseph, if it had been real!’
~Author Unknown

My Cup Runneth Over!

I really have a lot of reasons to be thankful. Last year, one week before Thanksgiving, Randy was laid off. I remember sitting with my family at the table having a wonderful dinner...feeling really thankful and really scared! It was all I could do to smile, and with each bite of food I felt as if I were trying to swallow a rock. For the first time in many years we were without health insurance and I really wasn't sure what would happen. Would one of our children get sick? Would we lose our home? The year did bring quite a few rough spots...but we came together as a family and we made it through.

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Today, my thoughts and prayers are with all who are still struggling through hard times and loss. Those who worked very hard... but lost their home anyway. Those who go to work sick or have a sick child and no health insurance. Those who fought with all they had...but lost their lives anyway.Those who would gladly give away their home and all of their belongings if only they could have their child/grandchild/or loved one back.

I am grateful for this past year...not only because we made it through...but because we made it through better and stronger than before. Our struggles this year reminded my family and ME just how much we have...the love of a family, treasured friends, support when times are rough, good health, a comfortable home.

We were also reminded of the many material things that we do not need. Just giving up eating out not only helped our budget, but also lead to cooking healthier meals, eating together as a family and....the six of us lost between 19-44 lbs.

I believe that everything happens for a reason. I believe that there is a lesson in everything that happens. Good things sometimes fall apart so better things can fall together. Things go wrong so that we learn to appreciate them when they're right.

Thank you Lord for always watching over this family... and for the countless ways you bless us everyday.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

"For flowers that bloom about our feet;
For tender grass, so fresh, so sweet;
For song of bird, and hum of bee;
For all things fair we hear or see,
Father in heaven, we thank Thee!"
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Miracles Do Happen

And I witnessed a very sweet one this morning. Just last night I wrote a blog "Life Goes On" with a bit of a heavy heart. After weeks of watching, photographing and hoping to witness the miracle of not so much "new life" but more of a "Reborn life"... I had given up, lost hope, decided to move on and put the disappointment behind me. When I photographed the butterfly releasing her eggs on the milkweed plant in early October, I wasn't trying to capture anything special...I just thought she was pretty and I wanted a picture of her with wings open. As I looked through the lens...I noticed that she had a pretty good size hole in her wing. She wasn't perfect...what is? In my eyes she was very beautiful and she brought something special to my day.

I have always been fascinated... AMAZED even by nature...but this whole process had me completely captivated. I went outside daily to photograph the caterpillars, and then the Chrysalis. I looked forward to blogging about this....but waited patiently until I could capture the new butterflies busting out of their cocoons and taking flight....heading off on their long journey to Mexico. My heart sank when that first cold snap hit...and again and again with each one that followed. But, I continued to watch and hope. But as some of them began to crack... I could see that they were dying before they even had a chance to change. Normally they are only in their Chrysalis phase for about 10 days....it had now been well over a month. I read that the fourth generation butterflies happen between September and October. We are now nearing the end of November. I quit watching a few days ago...I just gave up. I felt frustrated and that there was no longer any reason to hope. So last night I decided to go ahead and write the blog...it just wouldn't have a happy ending.

Such is life.

This morning as I checked my e-mail and sipped on my coffee...I noticed that my cat was looking out the back door. She had the look that she gets when she see's a bird on the porch. My daughter came over to have a look at whatever was on the porch...sure enough...it was a bird. She said..."mom, its a bird and it is eating a butterfly" I asked her what kind of butterfly...and she said "Monarch". Honestly...I didn't pay it much attention...because in my mind the Monarch Butterflies were gone. A little later we went outside and I realized that my daughter was right...it had been a Monarch butterfly that the bird was eating. I found the empty cocoon and what the bird had left.

Another disappointment. One had actually made it through the cold... and more than a month inside it's cocoon and not only had I missed it...it would never take flight. So we're looking around the milkweed plant and I notice another empty cocoon!

and just as I told my daughter what I had found she shouted "LOOK MOM!" And there he was at the very tip top of the milkweed plant...drying and pumping life into his wings. I stayed outside for a long time and watched until he flew away. Very gratifying.

I realize that some may not view this as a miracle...but I do...and I also believe that I was destined to witness every detail of it. I feel that God found a way to make me pay attention so he could speak to my heart. I listen...but I don't always hear. I suppose like everyone else...I take in what I want or need to hear and block out what is uncomfortable. I have been going through many changes over the last few years. I had a total hysterectomy two years ago...talk about "CHANGE"! I know that doesn't really change who I am...but it does seem like all of my flaws...physically, mentally and spiritually are becoming so much more noticeable. So in a way... I guess feel a little like a butterfly with a hole it is wing. Not all of the changes have to do with me individually. My children are no longer babies...and while I have truly been blessed with four very good children...it is quite different parenting and sometimes uncomfortable dealing with them on a more adult level. My parents...both 79 are changing as well. Many health issues and watching as my mothers memory slips away is sometimes more than my heart can bear. Life is constantly changing...it has always been that way and I have always embraced what each new day brings. In the last few years however... I have begun to view change as almost too painful accept.

The butterfly had a hole in her wing...but she was not broken and even though she had noticeable flaws .... she still had something precious to give. The Caterpillar remained a chrysalis much longer than it should have. Sometimes the process is long, and it is often painful. Change is what life is made of and is necessary for growth and accomplishment...and whether we choose to accept it or not...it is inevitable.

and the message that God put in my heart... though we, life, family, friends will continue to change... never give up...always hope and never let go of your faith. Miracles do happen!

"Change is inevitable, and nothing represents metamorphosis like Butterfly. Within the egg lies a being or thought stirring into life; with birthing, the larva or caterpillar voraciously absorbs all nourishment, thought, and knowledge, manifesting all into the physical; then one “goes within” the chrysalis, allowing inspiration, that connection to oneself and to all there is, to rest and develop; finally the Butterfly emerges and flits and dances from one colorful flower to the next, tasting the sweet nectar's of Life and sharing its gifts with the World.

All of life’s processes take us through these four transformative steps, including conception, birth, growth, and wisdom of old age, but also in our daily thoughts and activities. How easily we change is determined by how thoroughly, creatively, and beautifully we move from one stage to the next." ~ Jan Wright, artist

"We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty." ~Maya Angelou
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Learn more about Milkweed.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asclepias_curassavica
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milkweed

For more information about Monarch Butterflies...please visit the following websites.
http://monarchbutterflyusa.com/MBUSA.htm
http://monarchbutterflyusa.com/Cycle.htm