Thursday Thirteen

13 things I loved about yesterday-

1. Coffee and talking with Betty first thing.
2. The hug KSB gave me when I met her in her driveway to walk.
3. The easy, fun, real conversation we had as we jogged our own pace.
4. Green pancakes.
5. Green scrambles.
6. Browsing the monogram store, kidfree.
7. The trio of dips at On the Border for lunch.
8. Watching my babes roll down the hill at the Bonfire Memorial.
9. Reading some of the quotes on the memorial plaques and thanking God for each of my children.
10. Crawling under a bridge on campus and listening to the squeals of my kids as they touches algae.
11. A phone call from a dear friend who needed encouragement.
12. Pulling weeds in the front yard.
13. Falling asleep on the couch with the mister, knowing there was no work today!

What did you love about yesterday?
Happy Thursday~

Thankful Thursday

So, then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6&7

That last part describes me right now... overflowing with thankfulness. I have had a really great week and today in Bible study, as the teacher lectured, I was blown away by my place in this world. I have made some pretty major life changes over the last year or so and things just keep getting better and better.

I became a Christian in the summer of 1991. I have loved Jesus with all of my heart ever since. There were moments that I was head over heels in love with Him, and my actions reflected that. There were other times that He was on the back burner, always there, but sometimes I turned Him down to low heat.

I am reading in Genesis about Jacob and his sons and their choices. I feel a little like Jacob. Sometimes I looked to God, asked His opinions, sought wisdom from the Word. Many decisions I made were made relying only on my own knowledge.

While I have remained safe and healthy all these years, I wonder about the blessings I missed out on when my life was not in line with the Lord's plan for me. I grieve for the choices that were unhealthy, unsafe and just plain wrong. There are earthly consequences I will face on this earth, though I am forgiven in Heaven. I thank the Lord over and over again for His mercy and grace.

I am looking to Him these days. I am listening more, reading more, asking more, kneeling more. And I am hearing more. This week there have been two instances when I had a physical reaction while praying. I felt the Holy Spirit in my bones. It felt good.

And I am overflowing with thankfulness.

Happy Thursday~

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for:

*antibiotics
*rain boots
*text messaging {do I say that every time?}
*The Lord's Supper
*DVR
*pop tarts
*friends who trust me
*asics running shoes
*washable paint
*matches
*my crock pot
*picnic baskets
*home days

What are you thankful for?
Happy Thursday!

Thirteen on Thursday

It seems I need an attitude adjustment. I have been irritable, grouchy, short tempered and feeling sorry for myself. Get real, right? There is nothing big going on, just a lot of obligations and places I have to be rather than want to be. Doing things that must get done rather than things I want to get done. And quite honestly, just not wanting to get much done at all.

My boss wants me to tell her three positive things each week during our meeting. Last week they flipped right off my tongue. Yesterday I had to think a little harder.

Right now I am going to make myself think of 13 positives.

Ready? Go.

1. I met my dear friend at the track this am. She could read the desperation in my email last night and agreed to meet. I am selfish with my time with her and though we didn't get enough, we had some.
2. Creme brulee creamer. My sister finally found a doctor who had an idea about what was going on with her body. The bad news is that she has to cut out all forms of sugar from her diet. The good news is that the brickhaus benefited from her pantry clean sweep.
3. I am having fun with my preschool class. My assistant and I are getting to know each other more and more and we are laughing lots.
4. My foot isn't hurting anymore where it had been for about a week.
5. We have just enough $$$ to pay our bills. No more, but we don't need more.
6. I have made a new friend and texting with her has gotten me out of my own head a time or two over the last week.
7.Uh oh, barely half way there........um.....I felt very accomplished when I vaccummed under both couches in the living room on Tuesday.
8. The mister is on a serious healthy eating and exercise kick. Yea for him!
9. My mother in law is getting to meet lots of folks in the community and is so impressive with her drive and determination during her campaign.
10. A cute girl from church babysat for me on Tuesday for the first time and my kids loved her and I did too!
11. My friend Betty is holding my feet to the fire to get my work done. {I guess this is positive}
12. Some friends of mine are moving back to Texas soon! Well, the husband is already here. His wife and wee ones will be soon. I am so excited about this friendship and hanging out with my virtual friend in person!!!
13. Jesus loves me. Even when I am irritable. Grouchy. Short tempered. Feeling sorry for myself.

What are your three positives today?
Happy Thursday~

Thankful Thursday

When my first born was a wee babe I had a thing or two to learn about parenting. {ahem.....}

One lesson was how to get her to fall asleep. While I was confident that I would train her to fall asleep on her own, it did take routine and practice. Then the middle of the night times when I needed her to get BACK to sleep presented obstacles, as well.

One way I found to calm her down was to sing Amazing Grace. It was the longest song I knew all the words to. I know that this is proof positive that God allows newborns to attach quickly to their mommas. Because I have a terrible voice and any sane person would be more agitated by my constant singing, not pacified by it.

However, #1, did in fact enjoy Amazing Grace. At some point during a church camp experience I learned a different tune and that is the version I sang to her. Again and again and again.

I vividly remember the first time she tried to sing with me. She wasn't two yet and her words were garbled, but the tune was crystal clear. It made me cry then and if I think too long about it now I still get misty eyed.

I sang the same song to my #2. It had similar effects on his bedtime routine.

And I continue to sing Amazing Grace to my #3. I just laid her down for a nap and she asked me to rub her back before I left. This is a relatively new request, but I like it! And as I rubbed I sang my tune. The same tune I have been singing for seven years.

I hope that those words are deep in my babes' souls. I pray that if they ever wander they will know the truth deep deep down. I once was lost. Now I am found.

And I ask God to protect my children through the many dangers, toils and snares they are bound to walk through on this earth.

And I claim the Lord's grace for them until they feel it for themselves. My #1 has professed such faith and I am earnestly praying the same for #2 and #3.

And as long as they'll let me, I will sing Amazing Grace to them.

I am thankful for the opportunity.

What are you thankful for today?

Happy Thursday~

Thankful Thursday

Tonight was kindergarten orientation at #1 and #2's new elementary school. Mr. Brick was unable to come, so I sat in the brand new cafeteria by myself. Well, alone with at least 80 other parents ;)

The principal started welcoming all of us and I was suddenly very verclempt.

This was really happening.

My kids are really at the new school, the only school I would move for.

We really sold our house.

We are really moving into a brand spanking NEW house.

Several very sweet friends really work at this school.

It is really happening.

We have been praying about this, for this, around this, because of this for over 4 months. I realize that isn't very long in God's time, but it has been a big big deal in our lives and it is really coming to pass.

I can't exactly put into words my emotions. {Yeah, I know that is what it seems I am trying to do here on this blog} I know that God's answer isn't always yes. And often it is not in our timing. But this time it is a big Y.E.S. and it is right on time!

And I'm thankful.

What are you thankful for?
Happy Thursday~

Thankful Thursday

There are so many reasons I am thankful for my church family:

-6 weeks worth of meals after #3 was born
-running partners and confidants
-a job, or two, or three
-8 months worth of diapers when #3 was born!
-community of women to mentor me
-college girls for me to mentor
-knowing my doctor in a nonmedical setting and trusting him so
-an accountability partner
-more and more Bible based knowledge


and today I am thankful for my friend Erin who I met at church who designed this kickin' blog header for me..........YEA!!

barely hanging on......

these words do NOT describe my marriage. Though they easily could. In two different conversations yesterday people told me either they were barely hanging on or they intimately knew a couple that were barely hanging on. I mentioned that to my husband last night. We talked about how sometimes, in the busy-iness of life we can start just passing each other by.

Between practices, meetings, games and other commitments there can be days in a row we don't have an actual conversation. I have found myself saying more and more when asked about something to say that I hadn't yet talked with my husband about it. And that can be over a course of several days.

When these ebbs in our relationship happen I am very aware of it. I feel out of sorts, I am easily irritated and I get gloomy. If I wallow too long it seems almost too hard to make things right. To reconnect.

Thankfully I have made that effort every time. And that is exactly what it takes. Effort on both of our parts. Because life is hard. Marriage is hard. Parenting is hard. The windswept feelings of courtship and new love have faded. The desperate need to be together every moment has been replaced with grocery lists and laundry to fold.

It can be easy to let romance and intimacy fall further and further from the front burner. It takes intentional thought and action to maintain a lively marriage. And I don't always get it right. Heck, I don't even often get it right.

But I do think about it and I am aware of the effects on my children if their father and I are not living as husband and wife, but merely as a momma and daddy. A wise friend once told me to put God first, my husband second and my children third. That is hard to do and sometimes makes me feel momma guilt. But in the long run, I know that modeling a godly, loving relationship will serve my children much better than an empty marriage that focuses only on the needs of the children.

I do love Mr. Brick so very much. I am thankful for all that he does for our family and for the love he shows us each day. And I know that he loves me so very much as well. And as we travel on this road of parenting and daily life I pray that we intentionally demonstrate for each other the love that brought us together 15 years ago!

Happy Thursday~

thankful thursday

I haven't done one of these posts in a while. And though it doesn't mean I haven't been thankful, it will be good to focus on one of my many blessings for a minute or two.

I am thankful for Mr. Brick. He continues to amaze me, wow me, out do me and VERY unintentionally make me feel like a jerk. Now he doesn't really know about the last part, but let me explain.

Monday our #3 had to stay home from Mother's Day Out, she had run a fever over the weekend. Mr. Brick was ready for some out of office time as well, so he volunteered to stay home. He insisted, in fact that I go on in, I had missed enough with all of the flu we have been having.

At about 1:30 I had to bring #2 home, he too spiked a fever. When I arrived at my simple abode the washer was churning, the dryer was rolling and the floors had been vaccumed. Yes, vaccumed. The kitchen was clean and dinner was marinating. How is it that he can get so much done in one day????

Hence, the jerk feelings that occassionally roll over me.

He just does what comes natural, and for that I am SO grateful. This morning when I came home from the gym he had coffee brewing and was assembling breakfast tacos.

I have a LOT to be thankful for. And I need to get to work on an awesome Valentine's surprise.... what are you planning?

Happy Thursday~

Thankful Thursday

I totally forgot yesterday was Wednesday til I saw the grocery ads in the newspaper. That makes today Thursday. I have said it many times, this 3rd baby has sucked much of my brain away.

Not so much that I have forgotten to be thankful. First I am thankful for my babies that like to sleep. #3 is still down and it is 820. #1 and #2 slept til after 730. This doesn't always happen but today it did. I am thankful.

We went to church last night and had a scrumptious dinner with friends. Our church has started a new Weds night meal before the service and it was so fun. Plus because I work there I got $4 off. So for a mere $10 we all ate yummy fajitas...mmmmmmmm, good! I am thankful for that!

And finally today I am thankful I love preschoolers. I have decided to go back to the classroom for my 7th class of preschoolers, my 6th class of 3 year olds. And I gotta say I am excited! Completely surprised that my #2 is old enough to be across the hall, but excited nonetheless.

Wow, that is the third time I have typed nonetheless today.........weird!

Another thankful item......my best friend from college just called and wants to plan a joint family camping trip for October.............woohooooooooo! I am thankful for enduring friendships! It has been 11 years this spring.

What is your longest friendship?

Thankful Thursday

Today was spent moseying(is that how you spell it?) around the MSC with my 3 kiddos and 2 cousins. Needless to say #1 and #2 were not near so impressed with the stamp exhibit as we adults were. After peeling the bigs kids off the couches in the flag room we headed to the mall where Chik-fil-a was bound to bring back their energy.

Cousin Angela(not Angie) was gracious enough to watch ALL 3 while Sarah and I window shopped some. We tried on cute shoes at Payless, smelled yummy lotion at Bath and Body Works and checked out Sarah Jessica Parker's new line of clothes at Steve and Barry's. I was impressed.

We came home, all 5 of us exhausted. The kiddos are in bed and the grownup cousins are reading and perhaps resting our eyes.

Today I am thankful for my cousins and for their patience with my children~

Summertime, Summertime

Oh how my heart is sad. Not broken, just sad. Sad in the way only a parent can be. Sad because my dear little girl is sad. She came to my bed in tears this morning. Big, huge crocodile tears. She said "Daddy said I won't have my same teachers anymore. He said I wouldn't have my same friends anymore." She said it in such an accusatory tone, like Daddy was such a meanie.
When I told her that was a true story she kept the waterworks coming and was just heartbroken. She made me get up right then to send an email to Ms. Tera and Ms. Sarah. She loves those ladies and they love her back.
I am trying to figure out a way to break it to her that we will not be in preschool next year. We decided as a family it made more financial and emotional sense for me to stay home from teaching and 'homeschool preschool.' Paying 3 half tuitions plus getting 3 children up and ready 3 days a week as well as keeping my classroom running seemed a bit daunting for me and I figured I would still work in the nursery T/Th so that #1 and #2 could get their social fix.

Now I am second guessing that decision. #1 is such a sponge for knowledge and I don't doubt we could ge the 'school' part done. But she has tasted the fun of school and will definitely notice that our playroom is not like the center room. We will see how the summer goes. I hate to see her sad. I cannot protect her from life though I wish I could. And yet I am thankful on this Thursday that she is sad because school is over and that everything else is going pretty swell in her little life!

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful today. I am thankful for:

*my husband who is taking shifts with me and feeding #3

*lasagna; chicken, cheese & broccoli soup; spaghetti & meatballs; fettuccine Alfredo; poppy seed chicken : all of which have been provided to me by loving friends

*my friend who talked with me today about mentoring a college student in the fall

*watching my children play with said friend's children and get all hot and sweaty

*pain pills........though now I am down to my last one

*thunder storms

*the grace I feel as an exhausted mother of 3

What are you thankful for?

I am overwhelmed with thankfulness these days. I had a mini shower at work yesterday, some of my students and other teachers brought me and this baby to be gifts, including more diapers. I have cupboards full of diapers and everytime I look at them I cannot help but smile. After having #1 I decided that diapers would be my go-to shower gift. So practical, so expensive, so in demand. And here I sit with a full 6-8 months worth of diapers in my gargage...so blessed.

I am also thankful for the meals that have been coming our way this week. Our wonderful neighbor loves to cook, loves to cook large amounts and is so tiny that she and her family only consume a very small amount. That leaves the Brickhaus to benefit from her abundance. In the last 2 weeks we have had lemon salmon, shrimp verde pasta, homemade hamburgers, tiki chicken, shrimp and pancetta pasta. All including bread, sides, dessert........the works! Thanks neighbor!

I hope you have or are building a community around you that can bless you as my community has been blessing me. During this season: new baby, stressful job, two preschoolers, I feel like I am needing more than I am giving. I hope I am storing up enough to return the favors above and beyond in the future.

I am thankful.

Happy Thursday~

Today it's simple.......I am thankful for my washing machine. My son must drink a lot in the evening...he has wet thru his nighttime diaper two nights in a row. Meaning I am washing sheets two mornings in a row. I am also thankful this didn't wake him in the middle of the night, because wet sheets in the middle of the night are one of my least favorite things. I think I need to invest in another waterproof mattress pad, but then I would just put off washing the sheets, I guess.

I am also thankful for this beautiful sunshine and that I slept til 7:45!

What are you thankful for?

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday, dear Bean!

Happy Birthday to you!

4 years ago today someone very special entered our lives. She did so rather dramatically, and that is another story. However she has been such a blessing to us and I am more than happy to celebrate her all day today!

We have a tradition of the birthday door in this house which is crepe paper streamers hanging across the frame. They usually last a couple of days before they get torn down. She ran in to our room at about 6:45 and was so excited about her striped door. When her daddy got out of the shower she said "Daddy I am 4 now!" He said, "You are? When did you turn 4?" And she said "Just now!"

Priceless!

Then her daddy took her out for a breakfast date and she got to wear her pjs.....she was pretty pumped about that, too.

Bean is so smart, kind, inquisitive, sensitive, thoughtful, beautiful, caring, active, creative, affectionate and on and on and on! As she enters her 5th year my prayer is that she will continue to grow into the young woman God has planned for her. That she will stretch and move in places that cause her to search for God and to see the beauty in His creation. That she will continue to be healthy and happy and loving to all around her. I am so thankful for her this Thursday and every day.

Happy Birthday, Bean!

I love you! Love, Momma

I am thankful....

Easter is coming. As are my two beautiful children's birthdays. And for some reason I am really noticing the new growth on all of my trees and plants this spring. I honestly cannot recall ever looking at trees and bushes with such awe as I have this year. We have a crepe myrtle in our front yard that we thought really drowned last year....nope- it's full of baby green leaves. The previous owner had Mexican heather all over the yard, it got huge last year, died down to nubs and has bright green shoots all over it now. We had a great yellow and orange lantana by the drowning crepe myrtle and it also went down to the ground. Yet every morning when I look at it is has just about doubled in size.

Part of the reason for my observations is that this month will complete our first year in our first house. I am still amazed every day that God provided this wonderful shelter for me and my family. We were married for over 6 years, had 2 babies, moved 3 times before we moved into our present house. The house that we pay the mortgage on each month. And I think because we were so dependent on others for so long we have a huge appreciation for the independence and responsibility God has given us thru this house. Saturday will mark the 1 year anniversary of our move! (incidentally, it also marks the 13th annv of Mr. Brick and my first date...pretty funny!)

Back to why I am thankful. Easter has long been my favorite holiday because of the glorious news that Christ rose from the dead for me. I love church on Easter morning, I love the cross covered in flowers, I love white lilies and new dresses. I am thankful for this season and for all of the signs of new growth surrounding me and also for my eyes that can see the baby green leaves.

And in 27 days we will have another reason to be thankful.......baby #3!!

Why are you thankful?

Many of you know, I went to the hospital on Monday. I started to not feel well at work, it got worse and my boss called my dr who said to come in to the office. After we got there my dr said she would feel better if I was admitted for observation overnight and had some tests run. It wasn't a bad experience and apparently I was dehydrated because I haven't heard back from any of the other tests.

Today I am thankful for my boss and her ability to take control in situations when someone is sick.

Less than 5 weeks til #3 arrives and we are so excited! This baby is growing very large and #1 and #2 like to sing a little ditty about me having a "Booty in my belly". #2 then said he had a booty in his belly and I made a very stong argument that ONLY grown up MARRIED mommas have booties in their bellies :)

Today I am thankful that #3 will have such loving, caring, hilarious siblings!

Happy Thursday~

Thankful Thursday

There are definite advantages to having your children 369 days apart. #1 and #2 are such natural playmates. It makes my heart sing when I hear their verbal exchanges that are polite, kind and friendly. They are recently into making up games that only they really understand the rules to and point of and they will laugh hysterically at themselves. Their imaginations are soaring.

Of course there are moments of inflicting pain on one another, like yesterday when #2 just hit #1 on her back for no apparent reason. And I am not naive enough to think that those won't increase in years to come. However, it is my prayer that the positive interactions far outweigh any negative as they grow. And a built in best friend will come in handy in these next few months when #3 arrives and I am otherwise occupied......

So, on this Thursday I am thankful for my babes, a mere 369 days apart!