Jillian got something new Monday. Somethings she has always wanted. Something that has made her the happiest girl in the world. (Blessing #1068)
I picked her up after school and said, "today's the day, Jillian."
In her excitement, she said, "I've been waiting my whole life for this." Yeah, Jillian . . . all 8 years of it.
Do you notice anything different? She no longer has to get her glasses at Claire's. She's got the real thing now! No more fake glasses for Jillian. A couple weeks ago, she got moved to the back row in class and noticed that the board looked fuzzy. We set up an appointment, and the eye doctor confirmed it. She needed glasses. You'd a thought she just won a life's supply of ring pops.
Yesterday, we celebrated Chad's parents 50th Anniversary with an open house, followed by a turkey dinner with his family. (Blessing #1065). Ken & Keron also moved this weekend (today) to retirement housing at the Good Sam Village in Hastings. It's a really nice place, with lots of activities for each of them. It even has a little golf course, which has all the guys chomping at the bit to get out there and swing their clubs.
My camera broke yesterday, so the pictures didn't turn out very well. I've been holding the battery compartment together with a piece of packing tape for months, and I'm thankful the tape squeezed a few more months out of a broken camera for me. (#1066) But now the flash has stopped working. Plus, if it actually did take a picture, it would take about 60 seconds after holding the button to finally snap the photo. I may get an early Christmas gift this week. There are so many memories to capture during the Holidays, right?
Here is a picture of Chad, his brothers, his sister, and his parents. Below is a picture of his parents with all their grandkids and even 1 great-grandchild.
I'm thankful for Chad, who came along as a result of their marriage. The best gift Ken & Keron ever gave me. (#1067)
I really can't believe that November is over half-way over and Thanksgiving is this week! Where, oh where, has the semester gone? I glance back at Jacob's high school years and think, man that went fast! And already, Jenica is closing in on her first semester of high school. I know these next 3 1/2 years will go by at record speeds for me.
Which is why I want to be intentional about looking for the blessings in each and every day. Being intentional results in blessings. (#1019) I printed off the November Joy Dare the first day of the month and am keeping up with my list. Are you?
I shared my list with you back on Day 3, but that was only a few days. So I thought I'd share the rest of my November Joy Dare list with you in hopes that it motivates you to search for the special gifts, whether big or small, that come your way each and every day.
Day 4 - A Gift Gathered, Given, and Good 1. Gathered - around the dinner table after church - all 5 of us! Doesn't happen much any more. (#1020) 2. Given - backrubs. Ahhhh..... (#1021) 3. Good - fellowship and laughter with our small group. (#1022)
Day 5 - Acorn Small 1. My wedding ring and the promises it represents. I lost it when Jacob was about 8, and went for 6 months without it on my hand, until Jacob found it. (#1023) 2. The tiny K-Love icon on my iPad, connecting me to positive and encouraging songs and short messages of hope. (#1024) 3. My secret stash (so they last longer) of Dove's milk chocolate squares and the "Promise" inside each wrapper. #1025)
Day 6 - In Government 1. It's both a gift and a priviledge to vote according to our own personal values. No one is forcing us to vote a specific way, and both men and women alike have the right to vote. Also, noticing a comment on facebook from a former student of Chad's, stating that she went out and voted for the first time this year. (#1026) 2. That God hand-picked our forefathers who founded our country on faith. "In God We Trust." (#1027) 3. No matter how the election turns out, God still reigns, and He's still on His throne. We can trust in His sovereignty. Completely. (#1028)
Day 7 - From My Window 1. A beautiful sunrise - the sun's reminder of God's presense as He filled the morning sky with His artwork. (#1029) 2. Country living - Am grateful I can see for miles from the windows in our home. (#1030) 3. Stars - driving home with my family after the "Silver Ring Thing" and noticing the star-lit sky in full view from my car window. (#1031)
Day 8 - Sweet, Salty, Sipped 1. Puppy chow - finishing off the last few pieces (for breakfast) (#1032) 2. Popcorn, the "healthy way", as an after school snack with the girls. Just put 1/4 cup of kernals in a small brown lunch bag, fold over the end a couple times, and pop for 3 minutes in the microwave on high. When it's finished, spray lightly with Pam spray and sprinkle with salt. "Easy peasy, lemon squeezy," as Jillian would say. (#1033) 3. Diet coke, ice cold. (#1034)
Day 9 - Harvest 1. Great fall weather, lasting a long time this year. (#1035)
2. The harvest of praying for and releasing my 20 yo son. Seeing his heart for the Lord. (#1036) 3. Shelves full of canned tomatoes from our garden, awaiting the next pot of chili. (#1037)
Day 10 - Bible Reading 1. John 15:13 - thinking about Veteran's Day (#1038) 2. Psalm 37:4 - count your blessings, and you will find joy. (#1039) 3. Ephesians 2:10 - it doesn't matter what others think of me; God vote is the only one that counts (#1040)
Day 11 - Rememberance 1. What Jesus did for me on the cross (#1041) 2. A life-long friend in Lincoln, whom I'll get to spend time with this week. (#1042) 3. The most treasured trip ever taken - our adoption journey in China that gave me 18 uninterrupted days with my family - as we celebrate our 6th anniversary of that trip this month. (#1043)
Day 12 - At Noon 1. scanning pictures (lots of them) for a project, remembering the years gone by. (#1044) 2. Sunshine bright, giving the impression of warmth, even though it's cold today. (#1045) 3. Grateful that the tomatoey stain next to the red stitching on Jillian's new white shirt came out perfectly. (#1046)
Day 13 - Behind a Door 1. My Curves fitness club, where everyone is accepted, flaws and all. (#1047) 2. The massage I've needed for weeks finally fits into my schedule. (#1048) 3. The faint sounds of Chinese Lullabies as Jillian drifts into dreamland. (#1049)
Day 14 - Silent 1. The setting sun, colorful and radiant, bursting of God's greatness. (#1050) 2. Quiet tears streaming down my cheeks as I recognize the hurt my daughter's dealing with, silently asking God for the right words. (#1051) 3. A quiet home, everyone else tucked in bed, while I search for wisdom in God's Word. (#1052)
Day 15 - Golden 1. Sharing my pain and praying with a friend, whom God put in my path at just the right moment today. (#1053) 2. Jillian's smile when I picked her up from school. (#1054) 3. My hope, being found in Jesus and not in people or things. (#1055)
Day 16 - Hard Eucharistos 1. Helping my child make sense of the pain she's experiencing because of the choices of others who have hurt her. (#1056) 2. The fresh reminder that people will always disappoint us, but God never will. (#1057) 3. Parenting. It keeps me on my knees and draws me closer to the One who provides Truth. (#1058)
Day 17 - In Laughter 1. Overhearing Jenica and Jillian "gut-laught" together. (#1059) 2. When Chad lightened the mood and said "it's good to see you smile again." (#1060) 3. An overnight guest for Jenica - a friend who includes her little sister - and the continuous laughter coming from the family room. (#1061)
Day 18 - Made, Shared, Passed On 1. Made - Glad I can make dinner rolls for Thanksgiving ahead of time, thankful they freeze so well. (#1062) 2. Shared - Crispix Snack Mix, shared with our small group tonight. (#1063) 3. Passed On - boxes of clothes that the girls outgrew, and grateful for the extra space it freed up. (#1064)
Day 19.........stay tuned. Make it a great week! And celebrate the Joy that comes from being Thankful.
I am lovin' days like today. I had a doctor's appointment scheduled with my rheumatologist in Lincoln today, and Chad was able to take a personal day and go with me. (Blessing #1010) I only have to go every 6 months now, which is really nice. (#1011) Plus, I got a good report, and everything's going really well. (#1012) We found good results on a biologic drug that I began with a clinical study several years ago . . . gosh, has it really been 9 years ago? For several years, I had to travel to Lincoln every 4 weeks. So I am really enjoying the less frequent trips.
Starbucks at York is always part of our routine when we travel that far. (#1013) I'm not a coffee girl, but I love-love-love their skinny chai latte with a pump of sugar free vanilla. It's heavenly.
Jenica dropped her iPod several months ago and has been living with a cracked screen ever since. And a few days ago, her button stopped working. Oh, no! How can life continue without her iPod? Well, you can, as she found out. She learned to live with it. But today, I took it with us on a hunch that I could find a place in Lincoln that would be able to replace the screen. Thanks to my friend Lanise, we found a place that could replace the broken glass, and the button, while we were in town. (#1014) She had earned enough money babysitting to pay for the repair, so she's a happy girl tonight.
Chad & I did a little Christmas shopping before my appointment. I love being able to use all my Bed-Bath-and-Beyond coupons at one time. Did you know that they never expire? Even though they have an expiration date, they still take them if that date has passed! And . . . get this . . . they let you stack your coupons, so you can use as many coupons as you want (1 per item though). (#1015) Save those expired coupons, girls!
It was a beautiful sunny day. (#1016) And so many blessings happened before lunch! Reminds me of this song. It's one of my favorite wake-up songs.
We met one of my best friends for lunch (#1017) at one of my favorite places ~ Macaroni Grill. (#1018) I have a favorite: Pasta Milano . . . It's A-MAZ-ING!! If you haven't tried it, you really should. It's incredible!
And when we got home, Jenica had finished making "Oreo Balls." Her sweet-tooth is very similar to mine. Especially when it comes to chocolate. She's taking a "Creative Living" Class, and they are doing a "foods" unit now. This is one of her favorite recipes from class. So naturally, she wanted to share it with the rest of us. (#1018)
What is it with kids and their electronics?! Notice that her computer is sitting on the counter beside her as she works? I think we may have a problem here. Anyway, she finished making them just as we walked in the door, and boy are they good!
Just in case you don't have the recipe, we thought we'd share it with you. Enjoy!
Using a mixer, combine crushed oreos and softened cream cheese and mix well. Roll into walnut size balls and chill for an hour.
Melt approx. 3/4 pkg of white almond bark. Stick a toothpick in an Oreo ball and dip it in the melted white almond bark. Allow to harden on wax paper. (Takes about 15 minutes)
While waiting, melt about 1/4 pkg chocolate almond bark. When Oreo balls are no longer sticky to the touch, decorate with drizzles of chocolate and white almond bark.
A few weeks ago, a friend shared some bakery-made pumpkin chocolate chip cookies with me (Blessing #1007), and Jillian helped me gobble them all down. They were so good! So at Jillian's request, I began to hunt for a similar recipe. I was excited to find one that sounded pretty close (#1008), and I decided that today was the day to bake them to share with our small group tonight.
Jillian doesn't typically like cookies with chocolate chips, but she LOVES these. And I have to agree . . . they are really good. They have a cake-like consistency, the pumpkin makes them really moist, the spices add just a touch of autumn, and just a heads-up: this recipe makes a really big batch. All the more reason to share them with your neighbors.
I've decided that tomorrow, I am going to leave a plate of cookies in my mailbox with a little note for our mailman to say "thank you" for delivering our mail every day. I hope he'll feel appreciated when he finds the little surprise. (#1009)
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 c. butter, softened
3 c. sugar 2 eggs 2 c. canned pumpkin puree 2 tsp. vanilla extract 2 tsp. ground cinnamon 1 tsp. nutmeg 1/4 tsp. ground cloves 5 c. cake flour 1 tsp. salt 2 tsp. baking powder 2 tsp. baking soda 1 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips Preheat Oven to 350. Beat butter and sugar for about 2 minutes or until smooth. Add eggs, pumpkin, vanilla, and the spices. Continue to beat for about 2 more minutes. Add rest of ingredients to bowl and beat only until flour disappears and all ingredients are combined. Using a cookie scoop, place dough onto greased baking sheet. Bake 10 minutes.
It was a year ago this month that I began my blog, in an attempt to see if I could count 1,000 Gifts in one year. It's almost 1 year, and counting these gifts has given me a greater awareness of the little ways God blesses me each and every day. Things I used to look past, I now see as a gift. (Blessing #1,000) Did you just see that? I'm at #1,000! I did it. God did it! He changed my way of thinking, and I can see Him in so many ways. He's been revealing Himself to me by giving me gifts. Things I didn't take time to notice before.
But what makes today a VERY special day isn't my blessing count. Today we are celebrating Gotcha Day #6! (#1001)
Jacob came home today to be part of our Gotcha Day celebration (and to vote). (#1002) We took the picture below mainly because Jillian is worried that our dog Rollie isn't going to live very much longer. And she wanted a family picture with him before it was too late. But it also works well as a memory from today's celebration.
(The t-shirt Jillian's wearing was actually Jenica's 6 years ago. It says "dance" in Chinese.)
It's so hard to believe that six years ago today, we were in China. It's gone by so fast! I will never forget the feeling I had when Jillian was placed into my arms and into her Forever Family. (#1003) It was love at first sight. When Jacob was our only child, I thought there was no way I could ever love another child as much as I loved him. Then Jenica came along, and I found out that I could! A mother's love never runs out. Next, God put the desire to adopt little Jillian into our hearts, and at times I wondered if this was the right thing to do. Nervously, we stepped out in faith and followed God's guidance through the entire process. He continued to show us His mighty hand every step of the way as He removed obstacles as only He could do. As a mother of three beautiful children, I have found that a mother's love never runs out. It only grows deeper and deeper. The love I felt for each of my children was instant. (#1004) Indescribable, incredible, unconditional love.
Adopting Jillian has helped me understand more fully what it means to be "adopted" into God's family. The love He has for me. God willingly chose me. It was nothing I did or could ever do. But rather, by God's grace and unconditional love, he adopted me into His family, and the moment I accepted Christ's mighty work on the cross, I became an heir to His throne. God's indescribable, incredible, unconditional love for me. He chose me to be His child, to which I am eternally grateful. (#1005)
I'll leave you with a flashback from China. It's one of my favorite pictures of Jillian.
God has blessed me more than I deserve, and I'm forever grateful that He chose me to be her mommy. (#1006)
Each month Ann
Voskamp provides a free printable for her continuing "Joy Dare", and I've begun my November list of the gifts I've been given each day. When you find the blessings in each day, you can't help but experience joy. (Blessing #990) Won't you join me?
Day 1 - 3 gifts EATEN: 1. Spending the day with my mom, traveling to Omaha for her dr. appt, and eating samples of banana nut bread during our stop at Starbucks in York. (#991) 2. A yummy chickenpanini at "Jason's Deli". One of my mom's favorite places to eat in Texas is "Jason's Deli," and when I recently found out that there's a new "Jason's Deli" in Omaha, I knew just the place to eat lunch after mom's appointment. (#992) 3. On the way home, a quick stop at Burger King for some sweet potato fries. If you haven't tried them yet, you really should They're the best! (#993)
Day 2 - 3 gifts WORN: 1. Slippers to keep my feet warm as I sipped my hot tea after everyone left for school. (#994) 2. Warm gloves on a cold November evening, as we enjoyed supper with Chad's parents. (#995) 3. A smile as I listened to my father-in-law tell me about certain tools and gadgets from his past. Ken & Keron are down-sizing in preparation for their move into a retirement village, which took Ken down memory lane as he organized the things in his garage. (#996)
Day 3 - 3 gifts that start with an "N": 1. New bridge on our road, which means no more detours . . . HAPPY DANCE! (#997) 2. Mac's Creek Vineyard, just North of Lexington, for a girls day out with a few other football coaches wives. It was "Christmas on the Creek" at Mac's, and the laughter we shared with one another was good for the soul. (#998)
3. A Nebraska Football win! Watching Chad & Jacob hoop and holler as the Huskers scored the winning TD with only 6 seconds left in the game. Excitement abounds! (#999)
