Reflections on the Year

It is the very last day of 2011.  I can't say I'm extremely sorry to see this year go. It hasn't been the worst of my years, but I can surely say it has not been the best either.   I am hoping that 2012 has good things in store.

Day 30

Wrapping up the month, and the 30 days of gratitude...I could not have asked for a better day to say goodbye to November.  What a day to be grateful for.

Day 29

Throughout the month of November, I've received several sweet gifts from people, whether they be words, or objects, in regards to our baby, Adaiah.
While I am so grateful for the gifts in and of themselves, I am even more grateful for what is behind the gifts.

24 thru 28

I'm a little sad to be wrapping up this 30 day gratitude project.  I am so blessed that for 28 days now, I've been able to come up with something that I am grateful for.  Really, I could do this project for the rest of my life, and never have a day where I can't find something.  And what's really cool, is that often, my gratitude isn't just for things.  I want to keep that in mind, especially moving into the Christmas season. It's about so much more than just things. (I'll save that for another post though)

Trouble Keeping Up

I seem to be having difficulties with this posting every day thing. If I'm slow on here, you can keep up on my facebook if you want. I've managed to post there everyday at least.  Anyway, here we go:

Day18

Today, I am grateful for good health.  I know that most days, I take my health for granted. It's just not something I think much about when I'm feeling "normal."

I'm also thankful that I have a healthy family.  I don't have to worry about administering medications, or keeping on track with therapy routines, or making alterations to the house to accommodate any illnesses/special needs. I would gladly do so for anyone in my family if the need for it were there, but today I will just be thankful for the good health we have been granted so far, and make the most of it.

Day 17

I know this post will sound a little shallow, but I'm going to go ahead and say it anyway.

Today, I am thankful for websites like Pinterest which inspire my creative side. In looking through the boards, I've found so many fun ideas for Christmas. I cannot wait to decorate the house, make Christmas cards, and get gifts put together!  There are so many good ideas out there, and I'm feeling pumped for the holiday season!

Is anyone else getting excited yet?

Day 16

Ian and I left for a weekend in Ohio early Friday morning.  Ryan left for a week of job training in Iowa City early Monday morning, before we got home. Not so fun to go an entire week without our family being together.
So today, I am thankful that Ian and I were able to go and spend an evening with Ryan.

Catching Up: Days 12, 13, 14, & 15

I have been out and about over the weekend, and unfortunately, unable to post my gratitude daily on here.  So, this post will be quite a bit longer, but please bear with me.

Just as a side note though, for those of you who are practicing the expression of your gratitude, isn't it a good feeling?  I really just love how it gets easier and easier, and how being grateful can really put a positive perspective on the day.  So cool.  Anyway, here we go.

Day 11

In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce man, and brave, and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot.       

- Mark Twain

Day 10

Today I am thankful for my Burlington neighbors.  We've received a loaf of zucchini bread, a fruit basket, and many many kind words.  It's nice to have neighbors that I would be completely comfortable going over and asking for a cup of sugar. I haven't really experienced neighbors like this too much in the past, so it's a nice change.

It's also pretty neat to just be able to stop over and have a nice conversation any time we see the neighbors doing things outside. Equally, I enjoy being a good neighbor back.  It's a good sense of community.

So yes, I'm thankful for my new little town with the great neighbors who live there.

Days 8 & 9

I've fallen a little behind, but that doesn't mean I'm any less grateful. So please, allow me to catch up on yesterday, and post for today too.

Day 7

Today, I have been very grateful for my little home.  And when I say little, I do mean it.  I can't say it's the house of my dreams, but it is warm, and comfortable, and it is a nice little place for my family.

Day 6

A few months ago, I was reading Proverbs.  I came across chapter 30, specifically verses 8 & 9.

Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say "Who is the Lord?" or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.  (ESV)

Day 5

This weekend, my brother Ben and his girlfriend, Krissi came to visit.  I've chosen to be thankful for them today.

Day 4

Today, I am thankful for another "first" for Ian. It seems like they're getting fewer.  I mean, we've been through his first year. He's gone through all his "first" holidays. We've had first step, first word, first birthday... I know there are lots of "firsts" still to come, but it seems like a lot of the biggies have come and gone.

Grateful

I've seen a few people doing this, so call me a bandwagon jumper if you must, but I think being grateful is a great idea. So, for the 30 days of November, I will post each day about something I'm grateful for.

Getting Settled

It's been just under a month since our move.  Although my little home isn't exactly the way I would love it to be, it is feeling like home nonetheless.  So many people have prayed for us in our transition, and I have no doubt those prayers have had a tremendous impact on this whole experience, particularly my own heart and attitude.

Remembering Adaiah

October 15th is national day to recognize and remember babies lost to miscarriage, still birth or infant loss.
Adaiah would have been 17 weeks today.  We would have been just a couple weeks from finding out if we were having a boy or girl.  I ache for the baby missing from my womb.

Scriptures for Hope Mommies

This was posted by Sarah Erwin on her blog. I'll let her post stand for itself. I just wanted to share. This is what she wrote:

Some Hope Mommies friends and I compiled a list of Scriptures for anyone who is facing a difficult situation.  They are especially hopeful to a family experiencing the death of a child.  They are listed in order they appear in the Bible.  Please feel free to share!

Starting Fresh

It's been a rough week, but a good week too, which sounds odd but is none the less true.  I've been at a point where I really wish life had a pause button, just so I could catch my breath a little bit.  But it is not so. Jesus, be my breath.

One Day at a Time

An acquaintance of mine made the statement, "Grief is unpredictable."  This is so true. One moment I will be doing ok, then for no apparent reason, I think of what has been lost to me, and I'm overwhelmed.

New Chapters

It's pretty incredible how much things can change in such a small span of time. And sometimes those changes can really just turn your whole world upside down.  In the midst of changes like that, you've got to choose what you're going to do; how you're going to respond.