Gladitude Monday

Hey, Ho, and Howdy Do,







No time for formalities, as I'm gonna be biiiiizzzy today. All week, actually. Drama Girl and I have tech rehearsals tomorrow and Wed, and opening night on Fri! Ack! Plus, all that stuff like running kids to school, cooking, cleaning, and preparing for Christmas...I'm getting sweaty, just thinking of it all. And Lord knows I do.not.like.the.sweatage!




10. Glad for a lovely time in CO, visiting my husband's parentals and his sister, BIL, and our nephew. Our very loud and boisterous adorable nephew. He's nearly 4. Because of my sensitive hearing, I realize that my poor kids were raised from the cradle with my finger to my lips in a "shhhh!" position. No such child-rearing for little J., I'm afraid. Alas, he's allowed to be a child. :) We also managed to squeak in a visit with some folks from my side of the fam. Didn't stay too long, but it was nice to connect.




9. Glad for the absence of static electricity. Let me explain: CO has no relative humidity whatsoever. It's D-R-Y! I stopped counting the times I shocked someone, or was on the receiving end of such a shock. WA is a bit more...damp. While I miss the sunshine, it's sure nice to not have to ground myself before giving affection.



8. I hope I can be glad for an understanding teacher this morning...sigh. I forgot I had volunteering for Drama Girl's class (the ominous "auction project"--I'm making a quilt with the kids) and David's ortho appt at the same time. Ooops. Thankfully, I can totally be glad that the project has not even been started, so I can make up for lost time next Monday. Yeah, that's the ticket!



7. Glad about Advent.



6. Glad that we still have one working computer. Alas, it's not in the coveted, private, away from kids office, but rather in our family room. Did I ever mention that I'm distractible? Sensitive to noise? Where was I? Oh, yes...I'm glad this one works. Glad for the bit of inconvenience, too. Perhaps I'll manage my time better? Perhaps.



5. I'm so glad our play is f.i.n.a.l.l.y. here. We've been thinking about it since July. Rehearsing since September. I'm not convinced we're ready to perform, but I am tired of it. Getting to rehearse with costumes did breathe a little bit of new energy into my attitude, though. Make no mistake--I love theater and performing, and combine that with church which I also lurve, and it's a win! But...all of us get tired, right?



4. Glad about God's mulligans. How I need grace and mercy every day. Every minute. Mostly, I need forgiveness for pride. My god, why does it always come down to pride?



3. Grateful I was down a couple of pounds so that I didn't feel to gawdawful about having a bacon egg and cheese biscuit from you know where. Sometimes, you just gotta--and another excuse: I don't have any Thanksgiving left-overs. *said with righteous indignation*



2. Glad for Christmas lights. To be honest, I wanted to get our tree yesterday, since there was a modicum of space and time which would've accommodated said activity. However, Big wanted to string the lights. He didn't tell me this, of course. Not till I saw him putting up the blow up Charlie Brown/Snoopy house and Blow up Santa did I realize that tree plans were off. "Well, the weather was good. Thought we should get these up." I pouted for about 20 minutes, and then started detangling and decorating. Couldn't bah humbug for long. The Christmas tree will dry out if we get it too soon anyway.



1. Absolutely glad for my son's red and green bands on his braces. For what shouteth the celebration of the Good News more than red and green on silver?



And...because it's the season: a bonus! I'm glad about Monty Python Fluxx. Ahem, I may be tired of playing it, but it still rates a glad.





SDG!!!

Gladitude Monday

Howdy, howdy, howdy! Hey y'all, and hi!

Top o' the mornin' to ya.

I'll be busy taking planes, trains, and automobiles over the river and thru the high altitude to parents'-in-law I go this afternoon, so I'm using the handy autopost.

I used to scoff at all my midwestern family members who hacked and wheezed and wheezed some more when they would come visit us thin-blooded mtn types, living nearly a mile high in altitude. Then, I scoffed some more the higher we moved. Let me just say, I won't have those midwesterners to kick around anymore, as I re-acclimate from 300ft above sea level to over 6,000 feet. God has a mighty funny sense of humor.

Anyhoo...Here's the Gladitude 10...

10. Glad that we got screeeeeamin' deals on tickets so that we could sup in the homeland with lurved ones.

9. Glad snow is not in the forecast for said trip. Friday's flight home might be dicey, but I can assure you that we in our little plane seats, with seatbelts securely fastened, will be more safe than early morning shoppers at Walmart.

8. Glad for the Body of Christ, both in my own local church and in the world. There's some really rough $h!t going on for a great many people right now, not only because of the economy, but all manner of personal little hells which aren't necessarily revealed upon first handshake. How very grateful I am for folks with which to pray, to lean on, and for receiving the lean every now and then. How grateful I am that I can not only ask others to pray freely for me, but that they can and do ask for my prayers, as well. What power and joy in lifting others up to God! Even if joy comes in the midst of pain and tears...Jesus bring the rain.

7. Glad that my pantry is barren when it comes to nummy sweet treats for desserts. No cookies. No fun food. I suppose I'm glad in a very grown up way, though. Not with my usual perky gladnessiosity. I guess gladness comes in more than one form.

6. Glad for a coffee date with one of my favorite moms on last Friday. Our kids are now at 3 different schools, but we're trying to commit to a monthly or every 6 weekish coffee together. Oy, but we need our girlfriends. She's one with whom i did a swap last year (2, actually). I made a quilt for her, and she made a painting for me. Voila! Bartering is alive and well.

5. Glad to see our church decorated all festiv-y and stuff. As Drama Girl and I were at an all day rehearsal for our play on Saturday, we noticed no fewer than a million people raking leaves, patching paint, and generally, just giving the old girl an overhaul before Advent.

4. I'm so dearly glad that the weeds/grass are now finally deciding to slow their growth for winter. Now, it's moss the rainy season. I hope we get snow at least once. Oh, there i go again...talking about the weather. boooring.!

3. Glad I finished my baby quilt! Yay! I probably bit off a little more than I wanted to chew, but I think it's pretty cute. I dearly hope they'll be happy with it.

2. Glad for a little levity: Another Big story. Big was shopping in Shanghai when a sales person said, "Ah, You an American...like beer!" and proceded to pat Big's tummy. Poor guy had to admit to just liking American food, instead. And Pepsi. Kinda like those days when I wore empire waisted jumpers...Yeah, about after the 3rd time you hear, "when are you due?", and have to respond with..."Huh? Oh, no...I'm just fat."...as you skulk away, trying to smile...it's time to burn that jumper and buy a belt.

1. Glad for Thanksgiving this week. I'm so thankful for my husband, I think I'll focus on him. Beer belly and all, he's loving, puts up with me, provides well, puts up with me, supports the kids and me in church, and one day i know he'll go. Puts up with me. And, one of my favorite things? He never complains about what I serve for dinner. Seriously. This makes my heart so glad because I'm often a very non-motivated cook at 5 p.m., whether I have meal-planned or not. It's so nice for at least one person in the family to look forward to my viddles and eat them with if not pleasure, no grimaces.

Sending you love, my bloggy peeps, for you all make me glad. SDG!!!

Gladitude Monday

Howdy, howdy, howdy!



Time for some glad attitude for the week:



10. Glad that one of my bluddies (blogging buddies) has decided to preach again. The Dirty Shame is a fave of mine. I'm excited to get to know The Spoiled Priest, too. The chief thing that impresses me about John's writing and his voice is his lack of pretention and his touching transparency. This lack of pretention and transparency lead me to trust. Caint listen to a preacher if I caint trust 'im. I trust him...not because it's about John, but because it's about his leading me to God on my own path. Lurve.

9. Glad that my hubby got to go to a golf tourney in...S.h.a.n.g.h.a.i. Yep...He even saw "my other husband", Phil (Mickelson, that is), and since golf isn't as big in China as it is here, he got to be quite close to the players. The other gladdy thing about this is that I actually found this tournament on the golf channel, and DVRd the dang thing. We'll see if I can make Big out in the audience. He's white and he's big, so I have a good chance. :) Somehow seeing what he's doing, even if we're thousands of miles away, makes him feel closer. Weird, I know. Also weird: Phil doesn't know he's married to me. Same as Bart from Mercy Me. It's okay...Big is free to marry Cameron Diaz or Kristin Davis...I'm not bitter.

8. Glad that said Big will be home on Tue p.m. Just in time for Drama Girl's women's suffrage play on Wed. We'll try to give him a few Pepsis to see if he can make it till 8 p.m.

7. Glad that the kids and I enjoyed a game night on Saturday. Today, I was glad that David had an afternoon goofing off with his youth group leader and the rest of the 7th grade knuckleheads boys at the leader's home. I bet it just smelled like boy...Meanwhile, Drama and I went to lunch and then for ice cream. And didn't eat dinner! I figure with the tiny breakfast I had, all the shuckin' and jivin' I did at church for 3 hours, and not eating dinner, I broke a.l.m.o.s.t. even. Also, no glass of wine. But that pasta and ice cream with my best girl: worth it!

6. Glad that 2 people that God had brought to my church through me were baptized today. Hooray! I never thought I might be used in that way, and you know...I did so little. God did the rest. SDG!

5. Glad for answers to my theological questions. As a later-in-life believer, I'm thirsty and feel like I have to make up for lost time! I know I don't. I'm right where I need to be. But still. I get excited and things get in my craw, and I have to ask or I might combust. I have so many spiritual mentors which just bless my socks off. Thank You, God.

4. Glad it looks good for a transfer sooner than later for little Ashley.

3. Glad I have some extra apples. Time for some oatmeal, apple muffins, dontcha think? With whole wheat flour of course--and lots of butter. Oh, I kid. About the butter. I'll probably use a healthy spread. Oh, again I kid. A little bit of butter. There.

2. Glad I finished these for Knit One Save One. I am not a great knitter. I can knit, purl, increase, decrease, and cast on and off. That's it. These were so fun, and fairly quick--probably about 2-2.5 hours for each one for me. But I'm fairly new at this. I hope the little ones who wear these live long, prosper, and love Jesus.

1. Glad for eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to receive. Blessings on your week!

SDG!!!

Gladitude Monday

Howdy! Better never than late, I always say...almost doing Gladitude Monday on a Tuesday...so, without further ado:

10. Glad for dinner-plate sized bright yellow maple leaves on my path as I walked the hounds today.

9. Glad I could walk sans wheezing today. Now, don't misunderstand--I'm still no lover of the exercise--but I know I (and the hounds) need it, and because of the "crud" and some reactive asthma, I literally haven't been walking for over a week. This doesn't make me feel guilty one bit for our geriatric Dachshund, but for our 2.5 year old Golden Retriever, my down time was quite the trauma. Every time I would go near a door, it was like I was yelling "Psyche!!!" to poor Annie. She just knew that one time the door would open and we would go out. Always the optimist.

8. Glad I was able to procure Drama Girl's costume for her suffrage play for under $12.00 at our own Value Village. Not so fortunate in finding my Christmas Carol costume, but all hope is not lost...I'm sure there are other 2nd hand stores in my future. BTW, DG's costume pieces are actually pretty cute--she can probably wear them as separates with the rest of her clothes.

7. Glad that David is making dinner tonight. I'm working with the kids on life-skills and making dinner is one of them. Sometimes, too, I know I'm the only one who goes through this , I feel a little abused underappreciated in the dinner making arena. Times like these call for folks to miss some of Mom's cookin' and make something tasty themselves. The parameters were that we had to have a balanced meal, with veggies. Tonight's fare: peanut butter and jelly/honey sandwiches with carrots, an apple, and milk. It's a start, anyway.

6. Glad for a Halloween care package dropped off by my sweet, sweet friend. Even on Halloween, I was feeling so puny and coughing so much that to see such a thoughtful gesture: wine, candy, and cute fall-ish note paper, was so dearly welcomed.

5. Glad I'm nearly finished with my first cap for the Save the Children's Knit One Save One campaign. You can learn more about it here. Thank you, Barb for the heads up on this one.

4. Glad that, even though my hubby is once again off to Asia, that he's still the cutest, awesom-est, kindest, most hardworking-est, greatest husband I could ask for. I am blessed, indeed.

3. Glad I got to go to a sweet baby shower for a friend having her 4th baby. This one is their first boy, so it was fun to make a dragonflies/forest quilt for his little body. Of course, not wanting to be overly prepared, I only finished up the quilt hours before the party. Right before church. Always on top of it. Don't even get me started on hunting for a gift bag, five minutes before we needed to leave...sigh...I know...

2. Glad for sunbreaks in the midst of our rain.

1. Glad for yet another chance to treat my body well by eating properly. Let's just say that a week of not feeling good leads to comfort eating. Throw in Halloween, and I'm up a pound. I'm sure it's just water weight. :)

SDG!

Back to Our Regularly Scheduled Gladitude:

Howdy...Without further ado, here are some happy-doggone-good-glad-making things in my week:

10. Well, I know I'm the very last person on board, but I lurve these little free bloggy backgrounds. Even I could cut and paste that. Not bad!

9. Glad that we're back home and our weekend was filled with crispy cool fallness. Beautifully sunny days with brrrsy temps in the mornings. Big even had frozen dew on his car this morning.

8. Glad for a kick-butt church service, discussing Luke 5:27-32. Our pastor goes r.e.a.l.l.y. slowly because he really wants us to understand the 1st Century history--e.g. what being a tax collector really meant in that society--and the Greek undertones of the text. He also ended with us thinking about how we might judge "sinners" in our lives. Get it? We're all sinners. There is no salvation by segregation (his words, not mine--I assure you. LOL).

7. Glad for the very superficial fact that my nails are all about the same length. Yes, short! But all the same shortness. I even have a sassy daaaaark plum on them.

6. Glad that God is prompting me towards some more self respect. I have really been feeling the nudge to shower and make up and dress nicely (even if my nicely is somebody else's ick) as I start my day. I've been a bit more intentional about my quiet times, too. Now, I know (because I read this great post) that I don't h.a.v.e. t.o. do those quiet times. But I do think there's nothing like starting your day with them if possible. Sometimes as I read thru my Bible, I tell God I just don't get what he's saying, and I apologize for being distracted or (ahem) bored at times. But it's funny. The second I repent and ask for help, I see something incredible in the text. Right now I'm nearly finished with 1Chronicles. As I've mentioned before, I've never read the Good Book from one end to the other, so this is an exhilarating challenge. I don't get very far in each setting--I started this in July--but it's so very cool. I guess I really hit a rabbit hole on this #6. Oh, well.

5. Glad for the beginning of a feeling of settling into a new routine. For the past two months, we've been in process and upheaval. While Stella Gretchen still doesn't quite have her groove, it's coming. That's comforting to an anxiety-ridden former control freak.

4. Having new visitors to this blog has made me glad. I have to admit, I'm like a kid waiting at the door for a visitor on her birthday, so when I see new folks and my more regular blog friends, it makes my heart sing.

3. Glad that Big and I are going to challenge each other for fitness. Tomorrow, we're picking weightloss goals for the next 2 months. We can both win. If we achieve our goal, we get a massage. If one person does it, s/he gets the massage, but we thought we'd both be incented to encourage each other if we weren't directly competing. Plus, if you know anything about how men lose weight...sigh...it's just one of the many things which is unfairly biased and slanted in this world! :)

2. Glad that Big and I have voted! Woohoo! We only cancelled each other out on a few things, but voted for the same president and governor. I'm thrilled to have the rhetoric and meanness behind me. I don't have to listen to one more political ad or commentary. Done! Glad for the right to vote my conscience and my heart in a free country.

1. Had breakfast with one of my dearest friends on the planet on Saturday. We met at 7 which is a testimony to how much I love her to avoid conflict with child activities. But it was glorious. All manner of pig and chicken fatty goodness from the earth now courses through my veins. And never forget the bean of life: coffee. This is probably the direct reason for #3 on the list. But I don't care. Good eats. Good chats. It was awesome.

Hope you have a t-double-e-double-r-double-i-double-f-double-i-double-c-c-c week.

Soli Deo Gloria!
Gretchen

Gladitude Monday

As I shared before, things aren't so easy-sneezy-lemon-squeezy right now. However, it's especially at these times when it's important for me to gain perspective by looking for blessings.

10. We've found summer. It's here in WA. Today will be 80 degrees. Not a cloud in the sky.

9. The sun makes my mood brighter, and that of my hounds. They dislike walking in the rain, but around here, if it rains, we still walk. Otherwise we wouldn't walk. Speaking of which...I should get going before it gets too hot. We Pacific Northwesterners are used to + or - 15 degree change, so when that mercury hits 80, we do feel "hot". I know...wimps.

8. Glad His mercies are new each morning-each moment, for that matter.

7. Glad for my incredible church family. I sang on worship team last Sunday, and I know it's my job to focus on the Lord and give my all to Him in leading his church to worship. But He blesses me so much every time, it's like His gift to me. Even when I'm giving to Him He give to me. Amazing.

6. Glad Big arrives home tomorrow p.m. It's been a long trip this time. Not so long days-wise--only 8 days. But heart-wise. I miss him.

5. Grateful for the prayers and emails on my and my family's behalf. Mwwah! I kiss you with radical force.

4. Glad that I got some makeup which really makes me feel pretty. I've had these awful hyperpigmentation spots, and i just can't stand them. Call me vain. But, I sat down with a woman, had her "make me up", and bought nearly everything she suggested. Guess what? I've been able to recreate what she did, and I'm so pleased. I can't help it--I don't have to have the fanciest clothes, etc., but I do want to look in the mirror and like what I see. In a way, it simplifies my routine, too because I can throw out all the "also rans" in my bathroom and makeup bag.

3. Glad for the Grey's Anatomy season premiere and all my sweet television shows.

2. Glad I'm blogging again. Feels good. Taking myself off the hook for staying "caught up". I need to remember that this is a hobby; I can't feel badly if I don't get to every blog. Nor will I take it personally (okay, I'll try not to!) :) if folks give my posts a rest. Everything has its time and season.

1. Grateful for traditions. One of our traditions is going to Taco Bell on Sunday after church. Another that we're back into is reading aloud together on the Big Blue Bed (ours). Right now we just started a book called The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart. We've only just begun to read it, but so far, I think it's excellent. It's a thick book, so we'll probably be reading for quite a while, but it's fun for us to squeeze all 600 pounds of us on our bed and read together. Also interestingly, it's protagonist (so far) is a verrrry bright boy who doesn't fit the norm in school and life. Hmmm...feels a bit close to home, and I like that.

What are some traditions your families do? Either for fall or in general?

Blessings! Soli Deo Gloria!

Gladitude Monday

10. Glad we're having November weather because at least we're not having Gustav weather. We're warm and safe, and I'm enjoying a colon-blow blueberry muffin with natural peanut butter and hot coffee, and life is good. Prayin' for the Gustav-ers.

9. Glad that McCain, et.al supported the folks bracing for the hurricane and ratcheted down the RNC. And glad to see, yet again, the presence of a woman on the ballot. No matter how one votes or whether we "like" these women or not, Clinton and Palin are trailblazers for our daughters. Our daughters can truly say, "I want to be President", and have it mean something.

8. Glad for all the upcoming TV opening seasons. Giddy, actually. Hey, I never said I was deep.

7. Glad I had a most enjoyable hairapy appointment at noon on Saturday. Too bad I was hobbling into the salon, because...

6. Glad I walked 15+ miles (from 6 a.m-11 a.m) in training for the 3 day, which is (hyperventilates) in less than 2 weeks. I can walk with aches and pains and be fine. It's getting out of the car after I drive home from our walking spot and trying to walk then. All the muscles seize up and I just want to die. Thankfully there is an amazing drug called Ibuprofen. I'm mightily glad for some of that. :)

5. Glad to see my dachshund attacking a bone which is (the retriever's) as big as he is. I love that he doesn't realize he's small, old, semi-continent, and neutered.

4. Glad to have shared an iconic, high-brow movie with our children: Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure. Thankfully there were only a few "teachable moments". Hard to believe it's 20 years old! Also loved to see David chortling at all the historical figures. Drama liked it, too. At ages 10 and 12, we are getting to the point that we can enjoy movies other than those made specifically for kids together. Glad for forgiveness, too. We saw Batman's the Dark Knight with the kids, because after watching Batman Begins together on DVD--Big had even previewed--we thought it was borderline, but a good story, and felt that with the same story writers and director, we were pretty safe in taking the kids to the new one Lord, forgive us. That movie should have been rated R. Period. Glad my kids would avert their eyes even w/o my saying to do so. Also glad that we discussed all questions and put it to rest.

3. Glad that we made Mill Creek-Opoly. We were given this build-your-own Monopoly game a year ago and finally, during Big's staycation, finally put it all together. Mill Creek is the name of our town, so we got to personalize all the parts on the board to match our town, or our whim. We still need to make the bills, but our Free Parking is Quiet Time (my favorite part of the day), and the Go To Jail is Poop Scooping in Poo Alley. Again, we're the high-brow folk.

2. Glad for this post from John at The Dirty Shame. If you haven't read him, I heartily recommend his writing. I never come away from one of his posts without either thinking about something in a different or deeper way. And sometimes, he makes my eyes leak.

1. Glad that the anticipation of all the first day of school stuff is nearly finished! I met with all of David's teachers last week, and really was impressed with a) the fact that they all met with me, and b) the fact that not only are they seemingly very supportive and wishing for him to be successful, but they also set the stage for us to have a great collaborative relationship. We are much poorer today, as our son now has a laptop with Dragon Speak Naturally software, but if he's able to get a handle on his dysgraphia and live with his strengths and liabilities more easily with these tools, then they are worth every sacrificed cent. We've done neurologists and therapies out the wazoo--mostly out of pocket. What's a laptop? Thank You Jesus for the means to help him be successful in school. Thank You Jesus for Drama Girl's amazingly non-selfish behavior the day of the purchase. She wants a computer so.very.badly., but was so gracious. I want to have her maturity and grace when I grow up. We do a lot of things for her, as well, but nothing feels even about your brother getting a laptop, right?

Bonus: Glad that the auditions for our Christmas play are over. We're doing A Christmas Carol (the disney-esque Hallmark version with Kelsey Grammer as Scrooge). I don't much care which part I got, but I pray that Drama Girl got something cool for her. I'll keep you posted because I know you're all on the edge of your seats. ;)

Gladitude Monday

10. Glad my bloggy friends understand my being behind in catching up with them. :)

9. Glad that school starts in a week and 2 days. Yeah, I was a hater of the change a week or so ago, but now...r.e.a.d.y.

8. Glad that even though I only lost 1 measley pound, I'm eating healthier. I suspect that, since I weighed in the morning after high salt intake, I might even be truly lower. But, it is what it is.

7. Glad that eventhoughtheinterruptionsdrivemecrazy, my children are learning skillz in the kitchen and in the house which will serve them well (and me, too) as they get older and more independent. However, for now, there is no such thing as finishing a blogging post paragraph without several stops.

6. Glad that Big and I are d.e.c.l.u.t.t.e.r.i.n.g. the house room by room. I'm not so glad as I am relieved. We really have gotten ourselves into living like a dump, and that's not what either of us wants. While I don't heart so much that we're utilizing his staycation this way, I'm grateful that we are working as a team and are committed to being a better example to our children in the old "you get it out, you put it away" and "a place for everything and everything in its place" departments.

5. Glad that my son's 7/8 youth group sounds so supportive and welcoming for the kids. I was really encouraged after the parent meeting yesterday. I realize that we're facing the years where I might not be his first choice when discussing "important stuff", so I'm glad he's set up with kids his own age, plus high school and post high school aged volunteers and staff.

4. Similarly, glad that my dtr's 5/6 church group is a great fit for her. She's beginning to feel so big, and since David has to go to 2nd service and she has to go to 1st (because of room constraints), she's going to volunteer as a helper for our preschoolers in 2nd service. I love it when these kids can make a difference within their own communities. It's a small step, but it's service. And I'm all about service.

3. Glad that I serve a loving and forgiving God when I really, really, really want to strangle my children. I need only remember that there are times when He'd like to do the same with me. Well, not really (as not really with me), but...close. I was born without the patience gene. And it's killing me.

2. Glad that I'm finished exercising today. For I don't love the exercise. Glad I'm relatively healthy to be able to complete said un-fun exercise. :)

1. Glad for old M*A*S*H reruns which we can enjoy together as a family.

Bonus: I lurved the Olympics, but I'm glad they're over for a bit...I can only take so much of the post hype hype and the mispronunciation of Beijing.


Soli Deo Gloria!

Gladitude Monday

Howdy! Time for my weekly dose of gladitude. I should have just enough time to complete this post since my children have both been sent to their rooms for being mean to each other. Ah, motherhood: it's all glamour.

10. Glad for the rainy Monday. Yes, yes...but even in Seattle, it gets summery, and though I'm not rip-roaring excited for the grey doldrums of winter to be upon me, I love the clean smell of the rain. I love the cozy feeling of just knowing my house is warm and my family is safe.

9. Glad for the pancake breakfast at church. And David is glad they allowed 2nds. :) We're volume eaters here, I guess.

8. However, I'm also glad that I had some eggs and sausage instead of filling up on pancakes and syrup. I'm embracing a healthier eating plan, and by God's grace alone, am doing okay.

7. Glad that sugar addictions do pass...Not sure when, but they do. :)

6. Glad for my sense of humor. Inappropriate as it sometimes is, it gets me through the day.

5. Glad for Michael Phelps and all the Olympians, no matter how they placed. But for Michael? Especially glad.

4. Glad that my kids will be in school and I'll be able to look at some volunteering opportunities. I hope to work a few hours for our church every one day, every other week. We'll see. Need to pray about it, but I'd love to do it if it works out.

3. Glad that Big and his luggage made it safely to Shanghai. NO, I'm not glad he's there, but if he has to be there, I'm thankful he's safe and that things are going well for him.

2. Glad I was able to walk 15 miles on Saturday (12.7 with my group and the rest with my dog, after the walk with them) with little ill effect by Sunday. Sure, I was hobbling a bit and had some hot spots--no blisters, thankfully--but by Sunday, I was walking like the old me and was pain free.

1. Glad that we put a premium on how we speak to each other in this house--even if it sucks when we have to sort it all out when we're mean to one another. We have our house rules posted --signed by all of us--in our kitchen. They're a bit old (4 years), and I'm not a parenting guru of any sort, but here's a look:

As members of this family, we agree to love and respect each other. We agree to abide by the following rules:

1. Respect each other's bodies, property and personal space.

• We won't hit, pinch or otherwise physically harm one another.
• We will knock before entering each other's rooms.
• We will ask for permission before touching or borrowing each other's items.
• We will ask for personal space or time alone politely (oh, am I a rule breaker here!)

2. Respect each other's feelings

• We will speak kindly to one another, the way we would like to be spoken to. (ack!)
• We won't tattle.
• We will try first to work out disputes with the person(s) involved before seeking help from Mom or Dad.

3. We will remember that kindness and love are more important than being right or getting our own way. (Oh, I'm killing myself, here!)

4. We know mistakes happen, and so we agree to apologize immediately and ask for forgiveness when we violate any of the above rules.

I shall leave you with this...it has nothing to do with this post, but I thought it was a gem. Perhaps you can relate...

"My wife and I like to carefully wrap and refrigerate our left overs before we throw them in the trash." :)

Okay...gotta go enforce the rules...sigh. Humility and grace and teaching really suck sometimes. I mean, when I have to extend them. :0)

Happy Monday. Soli Deo Gloria!

Gladitude Monday

Howdy!

I hope your weekend was fab and that you're refreshed for the week. My kids go back to school the day after Labor Day, and it seems so soon! Not sure if I'm glad about that or not. Some days more glad than others, to be sure. I know some of your kiddos have already started back. I hope that the re-entry has been smooth and full of (good) adventure.

Without further ado:

10. Glad that we had TV dinners in front of the Olympics coverage last night. I had tuna noodle casserole, David had mac and cheese (surprise), Drama Girl had a corn dog meal, and Big had a Claim Jumper meal. Yes, we a.r.e. the house of nutrition. Life is short, no?

9. Glad that Drama Girl is home from Girl Scout camp. Oh, boy--the 1.5 hour ride home wasn't nearly long enough to hear of all the adventures and secrets that this 10 year old had to tell. It was as if I had gone too. Really. No...really. I jest about her chatter, and sometimes, it's plain annoying, but I'll keep this any day over her being tight-lipped and secretive. I know those days may be down the pike, but for now, we're very close, and she insists loves to tell me everything. No, everything.

8. Glad that Big has been home for about 2.5 weeks. It just feels more like family when he's here. I know his travel is necessary, and we do okay without him here, but we don't thrive as much. He's just part of the package.

7. Glad that I got to meet a dear, dear friend of my local best friend's (get that?) this past weekend. They were best friends in Boston, and have been friends for nearly 15 years. I love getting to see a glimpse of her past and enjoying all the special things about this friend. She still lives in Massachussets, so I felt very included to be invited to a BBQ while she was visiting.

6. Glad that my 3 day is about a month away. I love, love, love it. But I'll be honest. My training waxes and wanes, and my attitude is fairly burned out at this point. I want it to be over, not because I don't love and respect it, but just because it's been so long in coming. I know it will be a fantastic experience though--it already has been.

5. As much as I love summer, I'm glad that quilting/scrapping/knitting weather is around the corner. How I love to cozy up in my house! I know I can do these things all year round, but something feels wrong about having a huge quilt on your lap, sitting at the machine when it's 70's/80's outside and the sun is shining. We see true summer for such a fleeting time that I want to enjoy every second.

4. Glad I had some of our first ripened blackberries last night. Big and I were weeding at the beach house, and in our back yard are some huge blackberry weeds brambles which are starting to produce the most beautiful berries. I ate several right off the plant before inviting Drama to join me. Because I'm a pig like that. :)

3. Glad I am mentally and spiritually preparing myself to take some weight off. I really need to, and I want to. I am the health example, like it or not (NOT!) in my house for my kids to see. I found 20 pounds last year, and it's time to say g'bye. I confess here and now that I am a faith eater. Yep, I fill the God-sized hole in my heart--whatever it is on any given day--with food. Please forgive me, Lord, and help me again to discern physical hunger from God-hunger. Thank You for preparing the way for me and for Your great plans on my behalf. I am humbled, and love You so. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Didn't know I was going to pray there. So be it. :)

2. Glad I can spontaneously pray. And read my Bible. And talk about my faith. Without fear of retribution or imprisonment. The Olympics in Beijing remind me about how blessed I am to live in this country.

1. Glad it's Monday, and that (shhh...competitive self coming out) once again, I beat David to the computer. Booo Yah!

So what about you? Are you glad about anything in particular today?


Soli Deo Gloria!