Giving Thanks

1.Listening to Brandon read Brown Bear, Brown Bear to his sister.
It was so sweet

2.All the Crazy and Fab women who are in Boot Camp! I can't believe so many are getting up at the crack of dawn!

3.I am still alive after a week of boot camp!

4.Trish and I did not get into an accident when that yellow mustang did not stop at the stop sign.

5.Black Raspberries and the cobbler we made from them! YUM!

6.My husband who makes me breakfast almost every morning.

7.Chris's parents who made it home from work camp safely. And brought home all 13 kids who went with them! (I might have been tempted to leave a couple, LOL!)

8.Swimming

9.Yard Sales and the Great deals!

10.Picking berries with Brandon and Felicia. For every 5 berries I picked the kids ate 4!

11. Clothes fitting better after the first week of boot camp! Can't wait to see what the results are after 6 weeks! Girls we are going shopping!!!!

12.For a God who loves me even when I don't deserve it!

13. For great friends who get up early and see me at my worst!

Love to All!
Jill

Giving Thanks

It is hard to give thanks when your week has been filled with sickness, everyone in the house including me has been sick this week. I missed a night out without children due to my sickness!
However....
1. I woke up at 5am this morning feeling much better!
2. Watching Brandon place a band aid on his sister's knee when she had a boo boo.
3. My wonderful husband who is a fantastic father!
4. Chris finished the siding yesterday while I was sick.
5. Trish and Tara who are going to boot camp with me! Yea!
More mornings of getting up at 5am!
6. All the blackberries that Brandon picked and fed me to help me feel better.
7. Brandon is thankful for his new Star Wars Wii game.
8. A great MOPS steering team meeting, I am soo excited to be working with such fabulous ladies.
9.FUN at the pool with Michele and kiddos, even though I forgot to put on sunscreen and am extremely burnt, OUCH!
10. Brandon putting medicine on my sunburnt back. I told him he would be a great doctor one day and he said "that's the plan" :)

What are you thankful for?

Have a great day!
Jill

Giving Thanks

This has been a BUSY week! So much to be thankful for...

1. A wonderful day at STL Zoo. The weather was perfect and all the animals were out playing!
2. Chris almost has the siding complete!
3. Girls Night Out! Lots of FUN!!!
4. Kenny, Chris's brother who has been helping with the siding.
5. Children who are so innocent and sweet.
6. Fellowship at the church picnic, even though I spent most of the time chasing my kiddo's.
7. Talking to my dad on the phone.
8. Proverbs 31 for the great encouraging emails
9.All the birthday wishes and gifts.
10.Brandon and Felicia singing "Happy Birthday" to me!!

Love to All!
Have a Blessed Week!

BIG

Today is a BIG day for me. Today I am 30. This has been hard because I have never thought about being 30. It seems like such a BIG deal and yet no one has made it into a BIG deal. For most of the day I have felt sorry for myself because I will never be in my 20's again. As a matter of fact when I went to bed last night and I thought this is the last time I will do anything when I am in my 20's. Now you may think this is silly and I suppose it is but this is how I feel.

Now my intent was to write all the things I thought were BIG in my 20's instead I am going to make a list of things that will come in my 30's. Especially this year...
A look into the future instead of dwelling in the past.

1. Felicia will officially be potty trained sometime this year.
2. Brandon has one more year of preschool.
3. Chris and I celebrate our 9th anniversary.
4. Chris and I go on vacation to NYC!!! (by ourselves)
5.I am part of the steering team for MOPS
6. Growing new friendships and strengthening old ones
7. Growing in God
8. Celebrating Brandon's 5th Birthday and Felicia's 3rd and Chris's!
9. Becoming more organized. (we can hope!)
10.Creating wonderful family memories!
11. Teaching VBS and bringing more children to Christ.
12. Spending time with the ones I love!

I could go on and on but I will stop there because I feel better and I don't want to bore you too much!

Love to All!

Giving Thanks

Ok, so it has been awhile since I last blogged...
Here is my thankful list
1. Felicia is finally getting the whole potty thing. YEA!
2. Brandon's T-ball is finished. He is VERY thankful he is done! LOL!
3. Chris's brothers who have been helping him with the siding. Our house is almost complete.
4. All the upcoming vacations and outings we have planned. This week we will be heading to STL Zoo and later in the week a girl thing with Tara!
5. My birthday...I am kinda excited about this new decade that I will be entering. What adventures lie ahead???
6. Chris's mom for taking care of the kiddo's so I work. I am so thankful to have such a wonderful mother in law who loves taking her grandchildren!
7. God's Grace
8. Teaching VBS this week and Brandon learning how great God is!

I thank God for everyone of you!
Jill

Music

This morning while I was doing laundry I heard Brandon singing. I stoped to listen to the song and was surprised by his choice. We hadn't heard the song in a while and was amazed by how well he knew it. I asked him if he would call his grandma and sing it to her and he said "No, it will make her cry." Funny thing is he is probably right!
I want to video tape him singing it and when I do I will post it but until then I will just leave you with the link to the song he was singing.
http://www.johnwallermusic.com/
click on the video!

I hope this song touches your heart as it has mine.

Giving Thanks

My Thankful List....

1. My laptop, because I am sitting in bed with it right now!
2. Jelly Belly's because as I am sitting in bed with my laptop I am also munching on JB's! YUM!
3. Listening to the sound of the spring rain.
4. Running into an acquaintance at Pizza Hut today. I hope she can make it to MOPS this week!
5. Meeting my Grandma's new husband. She seems very happy! My grandparents were married close to 60 years when grandpa passed away. I am happy for my Grandma who has found someone to love, share life and travel with.
6. My new "health freak" ways. There is seriously nothing to snack on and the fridge is full!
Yes, I have Jelly Belly's put what will I do when they run out?!?!?!
7. Spending time with family.
8 Visiting a preschool for Brandon next year. Don't know what we will do but am glad we have several choices.
9.Celebrating Felicia's 2nd birthday. How did my baby grow so fast? And why did she start sucking her thumb? Seriously, have you ever heard of a 2 yr old starting that??
10. Brandon who wears his heart on his sleeve and continuously amazes me with his thoughtfulness.
11. Chris's first week at his new position worked out.
12. The hundred of loads of laundry I have because I have a clothes to wear.

Oh by the way I went to the Amish store this week and was AMAZED by how cheap everything is! I bought whole wheat flour, 9lb 8oz, for $5. Anyone wanting to check it out let me know and we will go!

I feel so blessed by all of you!

What are you thankful for?

Giving Thanks

As I sit here reflecting this past week I find that I am surprised how thankful I feel. It has been a hard week; full of tears, memories and laughter.

I am thankful...
1. For being able to know Grandpa Metternich. He will be dearly missed.
2. Lots of family time this week.
3. The many Easter Egg hunts week.
4. Buds on my lilac bush.
5. Christ IS RISEN!!!!
6. Getting caught up with a friend over lunch.
7. My neighbor who loves to iron and took time to iron my husband's shirt this week.
8. The 15 year old boys who hang out at our house; maybe we can make a difference in their lives.
9. Warmer weather.
10. All the cousins my children were able to play with this week.

I am tired and am still amazed how long this week has been. I should have more on this list however it is just not going to happen tonight. So this week I am going to try to write down all the things that I am thankful for as they happen.

Have a Blessed Week!

Giving Thanks

Wow! Can you believe it is April?!?!?
This month has started a little shakey for us. Chris's grandpa passed away this week, I have been very sick and the house is a total disaster. So with all the has went wrong I need to find something that has went right....

I am thankful...

1. Healthy children!

2. I am starting to feel better.

3. My son who sewpt and mopped like a champ today! What a great kid :)

4. A wonderful friend who takes care of my children and lets Christ shine through her. My children are blessed to have her and so am I.

5. My husbands new job, hopefully he will have less stress.

6. MOPS cookout, the fabulous treats that were provided and the customers who came out and showed their support!

7. My mother in law

8.A house that keeps us warm and all the appliances inside that work wonders! Aren't you glad you didn't live in the 1800's? I am!

9. The time Brandon and Felicia got to spend with cousins playing.

10. Visiting with family even under these circumstances.

11. Chris's cousin who is expecting! They have waited a LONG time for a little one.

Have a Blessed Easter week!
Love to All!
Jill

Giving Thanks

I do believe that this has been a very long week. Soo much has happened. I am honestly feeling kinda drained right now and am hoping that this fills me up!





1. I am thankful for the "HOPE" message at MOPS this week. Motherhood is a roller coaster with its ups and downs and God always is in control!

2. I have been praying for a dear friend for a long time and this week she contacted me via email. I am glad I was able to share my heart with her. I am still praying.

3. Felicia is started being potty trained. Let's see how long this takes :)

4. I am so thankful for a Brenda and her growing family! Welcome to the world Jocelyn Elise, God gave you to the perfect family!


5.I am thankful that the kiddos got to go to church with Grandma and Papa on Saturday night. Papa doesn't make it home often and it is nice for the kids to reconnect.


6. The warm days that I was able to play in the sun with the kids and hubby.


7. Chris is thankful for "Friends and Fishing" He hasn't had a guy night out in a while, I think he really enjoyed it.


8. Fireproof


9. Facebook, great time chatting with friends with week. (I'm beginning to sound like Tara, LOL)

10. Brandon has been a BIG helper this week! He is growing up so fast.

11. Seeing God at work and answering prayers!

Psalm 28:7 (NIV)
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.
My heart leaps for joy
and I will give thanks to him in song.

Our Day at the "Beach"

I am so thankful that the warm weather has arrived! We spent the day outdoors and loved every minute of it.

First we warmed up with a four wheeler ride.

I say warm up because I had to run to keep up with them and Brandon's driving about gave me a heart attack.

As you can see Felicia is just sitting back enjoying the ride.

Then we drove the wheeler to the sand beach. The kids loved it. And we had a hard time keeping Felicia out of the water.

This is a waterfall that the kids are playing in.Builing a dam

Look at the buds on my lilac bush!!!! Yea! I love spring!!!!

Giving Thanks

It has been a couple weeks since I have done this. You would think I would have lots to be thankful for... I guess I will see how many things I can come up with!

1. My mom being here this week. She cleaned and took care of the kids so I could sleep! Thanks Mom!

2. The warm weather. I am so thankful to be able to open the windows and let the fresh air in.

3. Being able to prepare a meal for a friend who just had a baby.

4. My husband and our commitment to Fireproof our marriage.

5. My new friend Elisa, who has some unconventional health advise but it worked! Felicia is feeling much better.

6. Felicia no longer has yellow crud coming out of her eyes.

7. Brandon, who is somewhat willing to turn of the Wii and enjoy the outdoors.

There is a short list. What are you thankful for?

Giving Thanks

This has been an interesting week, I have much to be thankful for.


1. I really enjoyed having lunch with friends this past week. Trish, Tara & Dawn, we should do that more often!


2. Attending Growing Kids God's Way. I have so much work to do and I look forward to see how God will change our family through this ministry.

3. Getting away to conference this week. Great time to reflect and some "me" time!

4. My presentation went well and I received great remarks.

5. Touring Trish's new house. It is going to be fab!

6.The great couples who are in Fireproof with us. One couple has been married 62 years! I think they could teach the class.

7. My beautiful daughter and her diva ways!

8.A wonderful mother in law who stepped in and took the kids while I was in Springfield. The kids had a blast fishing and riding their four wheeler!

9. My son, who may be addicted to Zelda, I love him.

I also am thankful for girl scout cookies, shopping w/out children, finding awesome buys, and coming home to a family that missed me!

Blessings to All!
Jill

Giving Thanks

My fabulous friend Tara always post a thankful list on her blog and as I read it last week something grabbed my attention. Tara wrote "every time you write down what your thankful for it changes your attitude." Well after the week we have had I need a new attitude!

1. I am thankful for Tara who always post what she is thankful for!

2. The movie Fireproof, Chris and I watched it again today and it always seems to put things in perspective. I am really excited to see what is to come from this 6 week class.

3.Everyone in my family is finally healthy!!!!

4. Getting away for 3 days this week! Even though I will be at conference and giving a presentation, I am hoping that I will be able to sleep through the nights!

5. Being able to be part of VBS and meeting with the wonderful women who put it on!

6. To all of my wonderful friends, when the times get tough I have you to lean on! God Bless all of you!!!! :)

“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord…” (Psalm 92:1)

Happy 200th Birthday, Abe!

Saturday we celebrated Abe's 200th b-day at Family Fair. What a fabulous event! We had a great time! Brandon loved running around and making all the crafts at the different booths. Abe arrived before 11 and Brandon, Felicia and I greeted him as he walked into the courthouse. Wow! He looked just like President Lincoln! It was amazing. Here is our picture with Abe.


The kids were a little nervous so I got in the picture to!

Can you find Tara & Drew?

Felicia just posin!
Brandon creating Lincoln
The kids and Kathi, my sitter, learning how bricks are made.



I had to take lots of photos of the event. I am doing a presentation on Family Fair in Springfield at the Spring Conference in March. I am soo nervous. I really do not like to speak in front of lots of people. But it will be fine, my boss will be doing it with me and Melita will be a help as well.

I will let you know how it goes.

Difference

This may be more serious than what you expected on my blog but I have been thinking about this lately and want to express my thoughts. I have been seriously thinking how I can make a difference. I doubt I am the only one who has noticed that the country is heading the wrong direction and away from God. With all of the special interest groups who have agendas that is not in the countries best interest it is hard not to notice. Here are a few things that are bothering me. I have also listed websites so that if you are more interested in something you can click on the link and explore.

· Protecting Tradition Values
· The Hate Crime Bill http://www.traditionalvalues.org/pdf_files/S1105_HateCrimeReport2007July18075.php
· United Nations treaty –http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=383378
· Pepsi’s agenda http://www.afa.net/boycottpepsico/pepsionemillion.htm
· The government restricting resale shops http://www.narts.org/SaveKidsResale.htm
· Teaching homosexuality in the schools

These are just a few things that concern me; so what can I do about it…. Well I spent one afternoon emailing my government officials on variety of concerns. I doubt they even read them! However, so many of these things are so off the wall that I can not believe that anyone in office has common sense. And guess what WE (the American People) voted them in.
So the next time we go and vote. Do some research on the person you are voting for. Are they truly doing what is best for this county or are they meeting the demands of a special interest group?


Did you hear that Pres. Bush released the Border Agents today? President Bush received close to half a million faxes, letters and phone calls on these men’s behalf. We can make a difference!

Tips for 2009!

I got this list as an email from my friend Gaby and thought I would blog it for all of you to read. Of course what fun would it be if I didn't add my own personal thoughts!
You will find my thoughts in color.




23 TIPS FOR A BETTER LIFE - 2009: And Beyond!!!


1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.


2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.

A time to pray and be in God's word :)


3. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement,

'My purpose is to __________ today.'



4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.




5. Drink green tea and plenty of water . Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts. Does this mean I have to give up my coffee?



6. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

Lord, let me never enter a life, except to build.



7. Don't waste you precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.


8. Eat breakfast like a king/queen, lunch like a prince/princess and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card. Aww... so that's what I am doing wrong.


9. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.



10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.!!!! I love all of you :)


11. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.


12. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree. Really????


13. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present. I am so thankful for God's grace and that He has forgiven me for all of my mistakes and loves me no matter what.


14. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.


15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.


16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'


17. Forgive everyone for everything, ALWAYS!!!!


18. What other people think of you is none of your business.


19. GOD heals everything. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16




20. However good or bad a situation is, it will change and then change again!!!! "Praise God even when you don't understand what He is doing". Henry Jacobsen


21. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your family and friends will.
Stay in touch!!!!

22. Envy is a total waste of time. You already have all you need. In my case too much junk!



23. Each night before you go to bed, pray and complete the following statements:

I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________.




GOD Bless YOU!!!!