Thankful Thursday

"Birthdays are good for you. Statistics show that the people who have the most live the longest." Larry Lorenzoni

Happy Thursday! Thank you to those of you who showed concern for me when they didn't see a post last week. I have been feeling a bit overwhelmed about some things and also wasn't on the computer much at all. When I thought about writing a post, I felt like George Costanza, "Hey, it's George. I got nothing to say."


Does it ever feel like you have a wave of birthdays in one month and then hardly any in others? I used to think April was my light birthday month. However, somewhere along the line, that has changed! Just this week, at least five people I know are celebrating birthdays. I am thankful for all those people--Olivia, Carolyn, Chris, Sherill...


Today happens to be the birthday of one of my FAVORITE friends, Diana...

Diana is truly a gem of a friend. We have "known" each other for about 2 1/2 years and she's been nothing but a source of encouragement and light to me. Diana exudes warmth and those who know her, love her. She always offers tremendous perspective, incredible support, and genuine enthusiasm about what is going on in my life. I am so thankful for her friendship and dedicate my Thankful Thursday post to her as she celebrates her birthday today. I love you, Di!!!

What are you thankful for today?

Thankful Thursday

I'll admit sometimes it is hard to be thankful when I consider the mundane tasks of everyday life. I love the sense of accomplishment that comes from knowing every single bit of laundry is washed, dried, and put away. However, that feeling of accomplishment is only for a moment because it isn't long before a new pile emerges. So long sweet feeling of accomplishment...

Then there are the tasks that really seem so futile, like dusting. I mean dust really never goes away does it? I loathe dusting and am not sure how people with bigger houses and far more knick knacky items cope...I dusted the entire house last week and within a day it seemed like I could write my name in the dust again. It is easy to think, "why bother?"

I could come up with a huge list of all the things like this that irk me and cause me to grumble. However, that is not the intention. I am trying to reverse my thinking and see the positive aspects of the mundane...

I am thankful for the mountains of laundry that develop because that means my family and I have clothes to wear...

I am thankful for the crumbs on the floor because that means I have food to eat...

I am thankful for the dishwasher I have to unload because that means I didn't have to hand wash all those dishes...

I am thankful for another trip to the grocery store because that means I have provision and convenience...

I am thankful for the hardwater spots and deposits because that means I have running water...

I am thankful for the little handprints on the mirrors and windows I just cleaned because that means I have a little one in the house...

I am still not sure I need to be thankful for the dust but it beats being completely exposed to the elements. Therefore, I am thankful for a having a house to live in to get dusty... :o)

Hoping you, too, can find thankfulness in the mundane today...

Thankful Thursday

Today is the second anniversary of Lindy's "Gotcha Day." The day I finally became a Mommy after years and years of painful waiting is indeed a fitting topic for Thankful Thursday. To "celebrate" this momentous occasion in my life, I have included some Mother/Daughter pictures of our first few days together in China.

Last night, as I watched Lindy prancing around naked doing the Chicken Dance (don't ask), I just couldn't believe that two years ago I was SCARED to pieces about the lifechanging event that was about to occur. I'm still SCARED but in a completely different way...

On a special day like today, I feel like I should be able to pour my heart out and say something eloquent. However, I often tell people when I feel like I should have the most to say, I have the least to say. What??? Lisa, without something to say? Impossible or "inconceivable" to quote a line from the Princess Bride...I just feel like the emotion is there so raw and strong but I just can't always get the words to line up as perfectly as I'd like for them to be assembled. Oh does that FRUSTRATE me!!!

When I think about Lindy, it doesn't take long for me to think about God. Sometimes (many times) it is a plea for help and guidance. Other times it is an amazing moment with my girl that causes me to praise Him. Then there are the times when I think about His unconditional love as my Father...I am thankful He is right there on this journey with me.

Here is my simple prayer to him...

Thank You, Father

Thank you, Father, for choosing me,
To wear this title of Mother.
I love this child so deeply,
I can’t imagine life without her.

Thank you, Father, for the gift of sight,
That lets me see this sweet child grow.
Help me to model what is pure and right,
I want to teach her to love you, so.

Thank you, Father, for my ears that hear,
“I love you, Mommy” all the day through.
What a comfort knowing you are always near,
Don’t let me forget you long to hear “I love you,” too.

Thank you, Father, for stretching my heart,
You continue to make it expand.
Please give me wisdom, please make me smart,
Help me be patient and to obey your commands.

Thank you, Father, for your love and grace,
So I can learn what being a parent is about.
I can’t help but praise you when I look into her face,
Remind me you are always with me and not to doubt.

Thank you, Father, for your only son,
Whom you gave up on a cross-shaped tree.
He conquered sin and bravely won,
What love you must have to have adopted me.

ldo

April 2008