Gratituesday!

My house FEELS cleaner! I finished most of the laundry room and kitchen chores today.

Reorganizing the cabinets, getting rid of the hutch altogether and moving everything around was a much bigger chore than I first thought. It took most of the day, but it feels so stinkin' good to have it done.

I don't have a lot of storage in my kitchen. So when my sweet aunt was redoing her kitchen, she gave me some of her old cabinets. Which Michael and his dad were kind enough to put up for me, LAST DECEMBER!

Although I had been using them, I wasn't maximizing their potential. So today, I worked on deciding what would go where, washed out all of my cabinets and then restocked them accordingly. Tomorrow I'll finish up in the kitchen and laundry room. It feels so good to get all of this done.

I am so thankful for the extra space and for all of the lovely people who made it possible!!!

Gratituesday

Michael has been out of work since November.

He's been going to school now, with a couple of breaks, to be a music teacher.

During this time of unemployment times have been difficult but God always provides at the very best time. I'm constantly amazed by his constant and abundant provision.

The unemployment rates in our country are sky rocketing which means a lot more people in the applicant pool, which makes it even more difficult for each applicant to succeed in gaining employment.

Job opportunities have been scarce with few opportunities to even apply.

But this week Michael has found tons of job openings to apply for.

I am thankful. I cannot tell you what it does to a man's ego to be unable to provide for his family. Just having the prospect of employment is something to be thankful for.

Gratituesday

Sometimes it's nice to turn off the phones, shut down the computer and turn off the tv. The lack of noise is so peaceful and allows for good conversation.

I am so thankful for our family time. Every Friday we try to have just our little family do a group of fun activities together. Sometimes we play games, sometimes we fly kites, sometimes we bake. It doesn't really matter what we're doing. It's just lovely to be together and enjoy each others company and to remember how much we like each other.

Gratituesday

I gave birth to my eldest son a little over seven years ago. Six years ago today, I gave birth to his brother, Nathaniel.

I am so thankful for my babies and for their spacing. I get a lot of comments about whether or not I believe in birth control and people asking whether I know where babies come from. My reply is always that the Lord knows what He's doing.

Today I celebrate the fact that I am a blessed Mama. He knew exactly what I needed and I am so glad that He blessed me with everyone of my babies. At exactly the right time.

My Dragon Slayer is a Man of Many Talents

A while ago I was in a group of women. They were discussing whether or not their husbands would eat leftovers. The one who answered right before me very smugly said that her husband would eat a pot of beans for a week.

Let me tell ya, not only will my husband eat a pot of beans for a week (not that I've ever made him) but he will make them first and then eat them for a week.

Seriously, I think Michael's stomach is made of steal. He can and will eat anything.

We had been married for six months before his mom politely told me, after I mentioned making it, that he doesn't like spaghetti or macaroni and cheese. We had had each one about once a week since our wedding day and he had never said a word. Seriously, not a peep out of him.

He also has this amazing ability to make leftovers taste better than they did the first time around. Some leftovers are like that anyway, but he can work miracles!

Yeah, my husband's pretty awesome! I'm so thankful that he married me!

Gratituesday

I love this time of year. It's so nice to be able to open up doors and windows to let in the lovely breeze. There are cool days, there are warm days and there are scorching days. And no matter what temperature it reaches outside during the day, it will eventually cool off to a very reasonable temp.

I am so thankful that in spite of the 103 degree weather we had today, that it is now in the mid 70s. It really helps in cooling costs for things to cool so much at night. That bay breeze is such a blessing!!

"But that is not all, oh no that is not all..."

Michael laid off last November. A while back his benefits expired.

About a month ago, there was a mix up and Michael didn't receive his check. Or the next one. We finally did receive them and were able to keep everything turned on. But we have been a little concerned about how we were going to deal with certain situations that have arisen.

Well, today we received 2 different checks and a Target gift card in the mail.

I am continually baffled and awed at God's goodness. I know in my heart that I don't deserve any of it, and I am so humbled that in spite of that fact he blessed us anyway.

Don't we serve an AWESOME God?