A Time for Thanksgiving: Day 24

Day 24:  Score!!!!  HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

Today, I give thanks to God for my sweet family of four.  As the saying goes, we may not have it all together, but together, we have it all.  The best decision I ever made was to marry the most incredible man in the world.  And the biggest gifts, other than my salvation, which I've been given are the two most beautifully crafted children, made by God.  I am blessed. 

Here's a picture of a past Thanksgiving.  Bless you all. xxxooo

A Time for Thanksgiving: Day 23

Whoopie!  Day 23

Today, I'm celebrating gratitude for my Grum.  I know I've written about her on Ye Olde Blahg before, but it bears repeating:  my Grum is incredible.  And I'm so blessed to not only have a grandmother who is still living, but to have THIS one.  She's 85 years old.  She lived with me and helped my mom raise me from the time I was 12. She moved back to Iowa when I was in my mid-20s, and we've spoken pretty much weekly since then.  Grum is fiercely protective of those she loves, independent, and never lets an opinion go to waste.  She taught me how to eat with the correct fork, how to use a soup spoon, how to bone a chicken, and told me when it was time for a new bra ("Honey, you about gave yourself a black eye coming down the stairs.").  She taught me about both people who were who were "1/2 a bubble off", and how to hang pictures so they aren't "crooked as a dog's hind leg".  She taught me to go with "good enough" when perfect was not only elusive, but silly.  She has walked through the valley of the shadow of death with two of her four children, and one fiance--who died on their wedding day...and has done so with grace, dignity, and quite a bit of pluck. 

Is she irreverent?  Sometimes.  Is she stubborn?  Ahem.  Yes.  Is she strong, intelligent, artistic, and able to make a dollar stretch into next year?  Yes. Yes. Yes.

To me...she is practically perfect. 

Thank You, Jesus, for my Grum. 

July 2011

A Time for Thanksgiving: Day 22

Peek-a-boo!  Day 22
Today, I give thanks for words from the Lord, and from others, which lift up and encourage.

Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing. 
Proverbs 12:18 (NLT)

Worry wears a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.
Proverbs 12:25 (NLT)

 Kind words are like honey--sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.
Proverbs 16:24 (NLT)

May you be especially blessed this week whether you travel to be with others (you know, to be with the ties that often bind and gag, despite our best intentions and because we are flawed, but love well), or whether you stay home with the (in our case) 4-pack + canines. 

A Time for Thanksgiving: Day 21

Day 21:  This is Totally Fun.

Today, I give thanks for friendship.  I am a woman richly blessed by many friends.  How grateful to God I am for those who lovingly put up with my quantum leaps of thought, my dirty car, chatty-mcchatterson-itis, boldly stated opinions, scattered attention span, and love for all things music or movie related.  I love to quilt, and frankly, I feel like God has blessed me with an amazing "life quilt", made up of people--some whom I see daily, while others I see mostly never.  All are intrinsic to the color and patchwork of my life.  All keep me warm, and all bind my heart in His love for me.  Some friends live in my computer, while others go to the places I go:  church, his school, her school, and back to his school and her school.  ;)  I give thanks for my bestest friend ever--my ever-patient husband.  I give thanks for my girlfriends.  I give thanks for all the men in my life whom I love in the most appropriate way.  I definitely "get by with a little help from my friends". 

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."  John 15:13 (NIV)

A Time for Thanksgiving: Day 20

Day 20:  Not even funny!

Today I give a hearty thanks to God for the Sabbath rest.  It's been a grueling week, and resting in Jesus, both at church in worship, and at home during naptime, is just what the Great Physician ordered. 

Blessings.

A Time for Thanksgiving: Day 19

Day 19:  Still Thanking... :)

I know...my rhymes are getting a little ridiculous.

Speaking of ridiculous, I want to give thanks for my sense of humor.  I've already covered the olfactory sense in this post, so I don't want to be redundant.  And I realize that I often talk about humor or laughter.  Perhaps this post is redundant, too. 

I don't care. ;)

I am grateful for not only my own sense of humor, but for others' senses of humor, as well.  Lemme simply cut to the chase.  I love to laugh.  I love to make others laugh.  Why?  Because, children, life is hard and then we die.  Some days are just.plain.nearly.unbearable.  Enter:  laughter.  It really is the best medicine--for me, anyway. 

Some people would say that the following is a terrible, horrible, no good way to be, but here's a little insight into my sick mind...My mother died when I was almost 30.  I miss her terribly, but am glad she's in Heaven, where I don't have to worry about her ummm...self destructive and needy tendencies.  Truth is, I'm glad she's in a place where God can take care of her because she didn't do that very well for herself.  Long story long...she used to call me all.the.time.  The conversations weren't often pretty. And, as a young wife and mother, I was often in the midst of something when she called.  As you can well imagine, when she died, the phone calls stopped.  Of course, I grieved for her immensely, but to be honest, I didn't miss the phone calls.  When she'd call, my husband would look at me with dread (for me) in his eyes, and say..."It's your mother."

Shortly after she died, I wanted things to be normal between my husband and me.  I didn't want him to feel like he was on eggshells, or like I was on-the-verge-of-snapping, so I implored him to joke around with me and act as normally as possible. 

You guessed it...the phone rang, and I asked who it was.  He deadpanned:  "It's your mother."  Oh, how healing that was for me. 

Lord, thank You for a sense of humor.  Thank you for Your own sense of humor in making me directionless and focus-free.  I'm sure we'll laugh together in Heaven. In Jesus' name.  Amen.

A Time For Thanksgiving: Day 18

Day 18:  Not Losing Steam.

As I've been working my way down the list of my senses, today I want to give thanks for my sense of touch.  It's actually one of my favorites.  Well...I guess they're all favorites.  I've learned to embrace my sense of touch, despite its quirkiness.  Touch is one of my senses which God has wired differently than He did in many other people.  I have some hypo- and hypersensitivities to touch.  Either too much or too little pressure drives me c.r.a.z.y.  This quirkiness means that sometimes, I feel my clothing all day long.  And sometimes a little light, friendly touch will make me shiver and giggle or recoil. Most often, I enjoy deep touch.  Lurve hugs, massages, cuddling with my kids on the couch and my hubby in the covers.  Love holding hands. Love laying hands upon another to pray.  Mostly, I am thankful for my sense of touch because it's presents one of the most intimate forms of communication.  When we touch another in a conversation, for example, usually we're giving eye contact, and are very much "in the moment" with that person.  I guess, that's sort of a cornerstone of who I am.  I always wanted to be popular, as a kid.  Who didn't, at one time or another?  But as an adult, I've realized that due to how I'm wired and how I communicate best, that I prefer not dozens of "minions" but that I cherish 1:1 or few:1 time.  I get overwhelmed in groups where I need to pay attention to a lot of different people--perhaps because I can't go deep in conversation (and life) with them. 

I know this thankful post is starting to make me sound like a creeper, so I'll stop here...Your children are safe.

Thank You, Jesus, for touching my heart.  Please give me a heart, mind, and loving arms to touch others in accordance with Your will. In Your name.  Amen.

A Day for Thanksgiving: Day 17

Day 17:  Cheeeeese, Grommit!!!

Today, I give thanks for my sense of taste.  Perhaps it's fitting because the gustatory holiday of holidays is a week from today.  Mmm...taste.  And not just my taste in clothes and decor. ;)  God has built me with an amazing ability to enjoy taste sensations.  Here are my top 10 favorites:

1. Macaroni and cheese
2. Garlic, cheddar mashed potatoes
3. Vlaskaas cheese and avocado on a garlic Triscuit (are we sensing a trend)
4. Cheese fondue--well, any fondue at The Melting Pot
5. Perfectly pan popped popcorn with butter and a dash of (you guessed it) Parmesan cheese
6. Bacon.  Enough said.
7. Homemade chocolate chip cookie dough
8. Reeses
9. Cinnamon rolls (Cinnabons with extra cream cheese frosting)
10. Roasted pumpkin seeds with hot cider

Favorite drink taste sensations:  coffee with half & half; white or red wine; Diet Coke; iced lemon water

How about you?  Do you need to break up with cheese, too????  :)

A Time for Thanksgiving: Day 16

Day 16:  Beauty Queen 2

Today, I give thanks for my hearing.  Though I tend to have verrrry sensitive hearing, my ears have been witness to so many incredible sounds.  Here are a few:

• My "Susan Sings Sesame Street" album from when I was wee
• "I love you" from my parents, husband, children, and friends
• "Will you marry me?"
• First words from my babies.
• Laughter
• M.U.S.I.C!  Have been a music lover since I could listen, I think. 
• Distant, rolling thunder
• Big ol' jet airliner taking off and landing
• Waves crashing on the beach
• Tone of voice--knowing when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em
• The sweet slumber of my peeps.
• Language...I'm a wordy mcwordster.  Lurve the spoken word, as well as the written word.  And I tend to be a "words of affirmation love language" girl. Shocker. :)
• The middle of the night chime of a text message, telling me that my husband made it to China safely

Thank you, God, for giving me ears to hear.  I pray that I'll hear your still, small voice, today.

A Time for Thanksgiving: Day 15

Day 15:  Beauty Queen

Most days, unfortunately, you might overhear me sigh or kvetch or openly diss upon this body I've been given.  Generally speaking, I could stand to lose about 30% of my current weight, and I suffer the aches and pains associated with that, as well as a myriad of other "you're not 25 anymore" complaints.  But you know what?  I'm not going to complain about my body today.  Today, and for several days to come, I'm going to be giving thanks for my body.  My body has intact nerve functioning.  My muscles work.  I can breathe.  I have borne two beautiful children and fed them well.  I have walked 60 miles over 3 days to fight breast cancer. I can swim, do the elliptical, and sit up to feed myself.  I can read, write, speak, and listen.  I can cry, laugh, wince, carp, and titter.  I can pray.  I can imagine.  For the most part, my outside goes along with what the inside tells it to do.  I am blessed.

Today, I give thanks for my eyesight.  With my eyes, I've been privileged to see so many amazing things.  Here are a few:

• The eyes of my beloved, as we were married, and every day since then.
• The births of my children, and all of their milestones to date.
• The death of my mother.
• The beaches of Maui--with whale tails slapping, and baby/mom whales breaching
• Whidbey Island
• Movies!  I am such a movie girl.  Of course, I celebrate hearing in watching movies, too.
• The living Word of God in Scripture.
• Parts of Europe, and other amazing travel adventure spots.
• The myriad of movements in a single facial expression.
• My friends and family. 

Looking forward to one day seeing the eyes of Jesus.  For now, however, I'll thank Him for giving me His eyes to see.

A Time for Thanksgiving: Day 14

Day 14:  God save the Queen...

Last night, we watched the Duggars travel to Scotland and Ireland.  We're not typically Dugger Family aficionados around here (not that there's anything wrong with that), but we do love to travel.  And their trip brought back fond memories of our trip to England, Scotland, and Ireland in July 2010.  It also tickled us to think that they moved their family probably faster and more efficiently than we did in airports, etc.  I find it fascinating to see how others travel.  Another fun note:  we happened to stay in the Holyrood Aparthotel a year ago, so imagine how our collective jaws dropped to see them there on their recent trip.  Yeah...we're trailblazers.  Trendsetters. 

Yes, today, I give thanks for travel.  We are so fortunate to have had the opportunity to see many amazing places and people.  The more I see of the world, the smaller it seems.

Where would you like to go next?  Or do you have a favorite travel destination?

A Time for Thanksgiving: Day 13

Day 13: Givin' thanks for the wien.

"Smiling"

Today, I give thanks for our little almost 15 year old wiener dog, Murphy, whom we about 4 and 1/2 years ago.  Neither my husband, nor I are small dog lovers.  Our other dog is a Golden Retriever.  I won't go into the circumstances of how Murph came to us--another long post--but let's just say it was meant to be.  I'm not sure how much longer Old Murph will be with us.  Time is definitely catching up with him, and it saddens me.  We're committed to loving him as long as we can, as best as we can, and he's such a character that it's not hard to do.  But eventually...eventually is coming sooner than I would wish...I know we'll have to say g'bye.

But for now...I celebrate this quirky little dog who gives me joy and who forever has made me a champion of all dogs, whether large or small. 

A Time for Thanksgiving: Day 12

Day 12--Can hardly believe myself! 

In addition to gratitude for follow thru (holla!  day 12!), today I give thanks for:  a night at home.

This time of year has been so busy, and last night, it was d.e.l.i.c.i.o.u.s. to be home with my homies, on the couch, watching Tom Wilson.  He played Biff in Back to the Future, and we streamed his stand-up routine on Netflix.  HIGHLY RECOMMEND.  He's reasonably clean, and so stinkin' funny--especially if you've ever played in the band...Here's a clip:

I hope you enjoy! 

A Time for Thanksgiving: Day 11

Day 11:  Thank a Veteran (or several)

Today, I am so thankful for all of the men and women, past and present, who have worn the uniform of freedom for the United States of America. 

In particular, I want to give thanks to God for my sister, Lydia, who serves in our Navy.  I was raised as an only child, having just a handful of visits with Lydia (and our other sisters) as we grew up in separate households--me with my mother, and her with our father.  The fact that I'm also nearly fourteen a few years older than her has left us with a lot of catching up to do.  In recent years, we've phoned, occasionally visited, and now IM each other on Facebook (because I am not out of touch with technology).  In a way, it's very cool that our friendship/sisterhood is growing now, rather than when we were kids; we get all that rivalry and "it's not fair" stuff out of the way without ever having to go through it in person.  It's also kinda weird, to be honest.  The dad she had IS much different than the dad I had.  I mean, aren't we all different parents at 28 than when we're 42?  This isn't a bad thing--it just means our memories are similar, yet different.  And we have few shared childhood memories just because I was out on my own and married before she was in 3rd grade.  However our family fits together, and whatever we call ourselves--I treasure it.  I'll also always be grateful for the memory of the 7 year old, adorable flower girl at my wedding.  So fun!

But more than that...I treasure Lydia and all that she is:

• Funny and wayyy witty.
• Compassionate
• Independent (even though...it IS okay to ask for help, Lydia. :) )
• Fiercely loyal
• A friend to animals
• Brave
• Clever, clever, clever
• She unapologetically marches to the beat of her own drum
• tall (pray for me--I'm jealous)

(Haiti)

(With our dad) 

 All sorts of cute, sexy, adorable, and Navy-like in uniform.

 God bless you, Lydia.  I am so proud of you.  And God bless all of our veterans.

A Time for Thanksgiving: Day 10

Today, I'd like to give thanks for what my husband has labeled:  my mobile office.  Her first name is RHonda, and she's about 126,000 miles and 7 years old.  The last few years, the need has steeply increased for RHonda's services.  As a mobile office, she's needed to travel from Mill Creek to Woodinville and back and Mill Creek to Lynnwood and back nearly each day.  She has been to numerous volleyball, track, Christmas play, therapy, coffee, and lunch sessions.  Additionally, she makes a run to at least one grocery store a week.  RHonda really does provide all I need in terms of an office on the go.  Plus... 

She acts like she doesn't notice when I haven't the time to put on make up or style my hair. 

She includes a trash bag for our convenience, but never mentions that there is more trash on her floor than in the trash bag.  She even provides whole grains for her passengers, and holds my coffee for me. 

 She doesn't nags about the forgotten lunch bag (filled with yesterday's leftovers and not brought into the kitchen for re-filling).  Nor does she feel ashamed about her latte/cocoa/soda stained rugs. She has at least 6 seats for heavy backpacks, cast-aside sweatshirts, and busy children.  And she holds the world's record in rolling empty bottles.



Yep, she's a treasure.  She knows she'll never make it to Maui, but she's its #1 fan.  All she requires of me is...well...money. 



A Time for Thanksgiving: Day 9

He's sooo fine!  Day 9.

At the risk of sounding snooty or untruthful, I have to say, I have the best husband ever.  I just do. I  have known this man since well before I could drive (some might say I still can't drive, right, Sus?), and we're 21 and 1/2 years into our version of wedded bliss.  Our marriage isn't perfect, but God is, and He has been so gracious to us.  I am so thankful for a man who loves me inspite of my mouth.  Who puts up with petulance on rare occasion, and who always makes me feel pretty.  He's my best friend, the smartest person I know, and one of the most elegantly principled people I've ever met.

I know I don't deserve him, or our marriage, or our amazing children.  I stand in awe at all I've been given.   Thank You, Jesus, for my husband.

A Time for Thanksgiving: Day 8

Oh, great!  Day 8.

Not to be too predictable, but I do have another family member worth a day's thankfulness:  my son.

Again, God out-did Himself in the amazing department.  I'm so thankful for the close relationship I have with my son.  He's:

• tenderhearted
• funny as all get-out
• educable in the hygeine department--"Stay on target!  Stay on target!"
• a gamer, extraordinaire
• taller than me, and most of humanity.  6'4.5" and growing
• forgiving
• so very sweet and compassionate to animals, especially dogs
• a champion macaroni and cheese and peanut butter and honey sandwich eater
• a lover of Hendrix, Pink Floyd, Rush, and a host of other classic rock artists 
• as logical as Spock

In short...he's all I could ever hope for and more.  I'm so proud of him, and so blessed to be his mom.

A Time for Thanksgiving: Day 7

Thank Heaven!  Day 7. 

It's apt that I thank Heaven for day 7.  Or, rather thank God, who in all of his glorious generosity and mercy gave me the daughter of my dreams.  Actually, I don't dream that big.  He has graced me with a daughter who is everything I could have hoped for, and more.  Here's a glimpse:

• She's funny, intelligent, clever, and witty.
• She's patient with her mom and with others.  Far more patient than I was at her age.
• She's kind--does the right thing most of the time--because it's the right thing to do.
• She champions the underdog.
• She has a beautiful voice and great acting chops.
• She's sweet with just the right amount of sass (usually) ;)
• She doesn't keep accounts of wrongdoing by her friends or family.  Unfortunately, I think it often surprises her when they keep records.  But she amazes me with the fresh slate she affords others. 
• She loves Jesus. 
• And, most selfishly, I'm so grateful that she still needs her mom--if only as laundress and chauffeur.

Thank you, God for the daughter you have loaned me; for I know she's Yours.  May we do her upbringing justice as her father and I lean upon Your wisdom, mercy, and grace. 



A Time for Thanksgiving: Day 6

Funky Kicks!  Day 6.

You may have noticed that there is no rhyme, nor reason to my thankful essays.  If this is news to you, then you probably don't know me well.  Though I do not understand quantum physics, I am a quantum leap-er when it comes to thoughts and writing.  And yes, I still do like Scott Bakula.  You're really missing out if you haven't watched Quantum Leap on Netflix, recently.  I promise that the theme of thankfulness will carry through each of my posts, however.

Today, I'm giving thanks for the smells of the season (pleasant ones need only apply).  This time of year reminds me how important my olfactory sense is to my overall mood.  Apple-cinnamon  or vanilla-caramel scented candles, crisp fall air, damp fall air, the aroma of a crockpot dinner filling the house, and pumpkin spiced anything lattes.  Filling my home with candles and other things that smell good make my house feel more cozy to me.  They make it a treat to walk in the door after a busy day. 

What aroma is pleasing to you this time of year?

Man-alive!  We're on Day 5!

To say I'm grateful for the weekend is both an under- and over- statement.  I'm soooo happy when Friday night gets here, but believe it or not, I usually enjoy every day of the week (at least to some degree), no matter where it falls, and as tempting as it often is, I don't like to wish my time away, pining away for Friday ("Friday, gettin' down on Friday"). But, Friday DOES bring me closer to something I like to call, "sleep in Saturday", a.k.a. B.L.I.S.S.  Sleep in Saturday only occurs on Saturdays without play rehearsals, soccer games, or other fun activities.  So you might think that I would suggest that my children not participate in extra-curricular activities.  Tempting.  But, alas...I support their endeavors, coffee in hand.  However, there really is not much better in this world than a SiS--unless we're talking about Sunday nap time.  Without wishing to sound too sloth-like, I must say, I luuuurrrrve, hanging out in bed, and napping, watching TV, reading, etc.  I think that even though I tend toward the extrovert on the MMPI scale, there's a LOT of only child in me who likes things veddy quiet and soothing.  Perhaps hanging out in my bedroom is a sanctuary amidst the hubbub (most of it good) of the week. 

Wow, so I guess on Day 5, I'm thankful for:

1. Weekends
2. Sleeping in on Saturday
3. Sunday Naps
4. FALLING BACK TO STANDARD TIME  :)  (even tho it gets dark early)
5. Lounging in my bedroom w/a good show or a good book or whatever...

Bless you on this first weekend of Thanksgiving.

A Time For Thanksgiving: Day 4

Score!  Day 4!

I'm thankful to have four days worth of follow through for gum.
 
"Well, normally, I'm a gum chewer..." (Violette Beauregard)

These two are my favorites:

Big Red was my first love.  Does it surprise you that I love Atomic Fireballs, too?  Evidently, happiness for me during my childhood was a raw and festering tongue after indulging (constantly) in either Big Red or Atomic Fire Balls.  Is it fireball?  or fire ball?  Where was I?

Oh, yeah.  Big Red.  Love it.  Have always loved it.  Enjoy and appreciate the long-lasting flavor.

However, lately I have been chewing Extra Spearmint, or "Extra Green", as I like to call it.  Extra Green is a common resident in the bowels of my purse. 

Wait.  That didn't sound very appetizing. 

What I mean is that I have left my old, mouth-burning stand-by for a cool, refreshing, sugar-free gum...er...partner.  I am thankful for Extra Green's help in giving me fresh breath.

But I'd like to thank all chewing gums for their help in focusing my mind during heavy traffic and test taking situations, and...during church.  Not that our sermons are boring--I lurve our pastor! BUT...I'm a fidgeter.  The gum keeps me quiet.  And my mom rode me hard about keeping my gum in my mouth, so I don't pop it in church, either.  Just quiet chewing. 

A Time for Thanksgiving: Day 3

Today, I am thankful for a sink which works well.  For about a year, we've had duct tape on our kitchen faucet because we are classy, classy people.  Yesterday, we engaged the services of a plumber to switch out our fixtures.  I know this is such a little thing.  And such a first world convenience.  But I do appreciate not being sprayed in the face whilst doing dishes. 

A Time for Thanksgiving: Day 2

Woohoo!  Day 2.  Follow through!

Today, I give thanks for...my early morning quiet time.  I would be lying if I told you I read my Bible and get to everyone on my prayer list every.single.day. with fervor and (ahem, again) follow through. 

But...I try to.  My early morning quiet time does not always look like a Hallmark/Lifetime movie with candles burning and coffee with most excellent creamer. In fact, the pilot is out on the fireplace, and to have truly Hallmark worthy quiet time in November, a fake fire in the fireplace is essential.  All kidding aside, I like to make a little event out of my time with the Lord for two reasons.  Since He's truly the most important person(s) in my life, I like to prepare a bit for my time with Him.  Also, having a bit of time set aside with hot coffee, my favorite blanket, Bible, dogs, and fire (in the form of candle or fireplace) gives me something to look forward to.  I'm an undisciplined clod most of the time, and setting myself up for success is key in getting my bum out of bed after a late night episode of Castle.

There are days when I don't get to my EMQT at all.  I try to repent and move on w/o too much guilt-heaping.  But the focus He provides, and the peace known in my heart when I do take the best part of my day and give it to Him is, for me, the gift that keeps on giving.  Thank You, Jesus.

A Time for Thanksgiving: Day 1

(Blows in to mic...) Hello.  Hello.  Is this thing on???

Hi, it's me.  A sometime-blogger.  I've finally reconciled myself to the fact that if I had more hours in the day, a non-shared computer, and 1000 other excuses, I'd be more consistent at blogging.  Also, a while ago, I decided I couldn't just write something for the sake of writing it.  I've tried that before, and usually it rings hollow for me--sort of seems an attempt at just gaining a readership.  I think I'll plunge ahead and state the obvious:  I don't have a readership. I have several lovely commenters and lurkers who stop by when they have a moment.  I have a platform on which to delve into substantive or less substantive thoughts.  And this is enough.  I am grateful.

If you've read my blog for any length of time, you know that I LOVE GRATITUDE.  In fact, I think it's pretty close to our duty every day to find SOMETHING for which to be grateful to our Almighty God. 

On the heels of Linus' sincere pumpkin patch is my sincere little challenge to myself:  Write a post of thanksgiving for each day in the month of November.  I've seen this done on FB and in one way or another on other blogs, and I want to join in.  Why?  Well, there is nothing more gratifying to me to write about than...well...gratitude.  Nothing sets my heart and mood where it needs to be quicker than this.  So...without further ado, I invite you to see if I can do this thang...

Day 1:  I'm grateful for swimming.

I hate exercise.  I do.  I'm sorry Denise Austin and Richard Simmons and all of you who actually love it.  But I hate it.  Like...I'd rather have a crown seated than exercise. 

But I'm grateful for swimming. 

I have a son who is a sheer delight, and an utter puzzle.  He is overweight, and because of the way God has wired him, sweat on his body drives him c.r.a.z.y.  He also has motor planning difficulty, poor self confidence in sports, and less balance, strength and tone than the average bear.  Couple these challenges with texture difficulties with many foods and the fact that he's a growing teenage boy and ALWAYS hungry, and the equation balances out to too many calories in and not enough calories out. 

But..we need to turn this bus around.  Must.get.healthy. 

So...we swim.  Together.  Because he doesn't want to swim alone.  I don't blame him.  We're going to the pool at least twice a week and swimming together.  And even though I hate exercise.  Even though I have to wear conditioner on my processed hair and two gorgeous caps as I swim...I'm grateful. 

Grateful for our "races".  He always wins, especially when we walk in water. 

Grateful for perhaps a hint of increased self confidence in him. 

But mostly, "The water feels good on my joints, Mom."  Mostly, I'm grateful for that.  And for each fleeting moment with my son.   I don't want to spend any more energy loathing exercise when I can support him the way he needs to be supported for a healthy lifestyle. 

Because...I want grandkids. ;)