Being Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Throughout this month, a lot of friends have posted something everyday that they are thankful for on Facebook.  We have been dealing with a family crisis and so I haven't participated.  So today I will list 30 things I am thankful for.  I hope you have a blessed day and remember to thank God for all of the things in your life!

1.  My wonderful husband, who is so completely understanding with my FM
2.  My lovely girls, who make life so much fun
3.  Our house and the fact that we are able to own one
4.  Hot water
5.  Electricity
6. Awesome parents who are so supportive
7. Great in-laws who are very supportive
8. Wonderful friends
9. My cry and prayer friend (you know who you are)
10. Cars that work (even if they are on their last leg)
11. My daughters teacher and school
12.  Our great church
13.  Our pastor who only speaks the truth
14.  That my hubby has a stable job
15.   That at the moment, we are all pretty healthy
16.  That we have food in our fridge and pantry
17.  We have clothes and shoes to wear
18.  All of our bills are some how being paid for
19.  The computer and internet, without which I would have no blog :)
20.  Our backyard, we spend so much time out there and have created so many memories
21.  My brother and his new wife (can't wait to meet you Nadine)
22.  That ML and I get to go to S. Africa for my brother's wedding celebration in July
23.  My physical therapist, she is working wonders with my body
24.  For insurance, that pays for my physical therapist
25.  That the Lord gets me through my pain (along with wonderful pain pills)
26.  That God is constantly watching over us and protecting us
27.  That God never gives us more than we can handle
28.  That we get to praise and worship God whenever and where ever we want
29.  That the Lord is ALWAYS in control
30.  That we never have to want or worry about anything since God has it all taken care of

Have an absolutely blessed day!

Not again!

All I can say is "Not again????"  Why does it always seem that around holidays I happen to be in a flare-up or start one?  I started a pain flare-up after physical therapy on Friday and have been in so much pain since then.  I have taken more pain pills in the last few days than I ever have.  And now Thanksgiving is only two days away, ugghhh!

I am thankful that I am alive, but just feel so bad for ML, girls, and family.  I wish I felt better.  There is nothing like waking up on a holiday morning and being able to only last an hour or two before I need to go back to bed.  It can be so frustrating at times.

I have been trying to get some extra rest these few days leading up to Thanksgiving in hopes that Thanksgiving Day won't be too bad.  And thankful that I have a completely understanding husband that is working with me and giving me the rest I need (thanks ML)!

If you are struggling in some way right now, hang in there!  Focus on what you have and just pray that the people in your life will be understanding and accomodating.

Kid Funny

While leaving the mall in our area, our 8 year old said:

                    "Look Daddy, there is a big dick!"

(this was in reference to the Dick's Sporting Goods store at the mall)

Fibro Friday: Physical Therapy Update

I have been doing physical therapy now for about a month now, going 2 times a week.  My evaluation of it at this time is that it is TOTALLY working.  When my physical therapist started working on me, all she could say when she tested my muscle was "Oye Beckey."  My muscles were so extremely tight, on a scale of 1-10 I probably started out at a 9-10.  But she has slowly been stretching them and I can totally feel a difference.


Now I still have had a pain flare-up, but the stretching and exercises helped me get through it.  My hope is that it will help lessen the pain flare-ups and reduce the time of a flare-up.  And for over all life, it is helping me be a more flexible in everyday life.  I can stand longer, play with my girls more, and move better.  Now it hasn't taken away my FM, just made life more bearable with it.


Thank God we have great insurance and I have no co-pays.  Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to even go.  So if you are suffering from FM, talk to your doctor about the option of physical therapy.  It may be good for you too!

Three Gifts

As a way to help cut down on Christmas gifts expenses and also teach a lesson at the same time, we have started the "3 Christmas Gifts."  As most everyone probably knows the story, after Jesus was born, 3 Wise Men or Kings came to look for Jesus.  They brought with them 3 gifts of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh.  Based on this, we only buy 3 gifts for each girl. 


After hearing of a few friends that follow this, we decided that it was a great idea for our family.  On the financial side of things, it really helps to not go overboard with gift giving.  This is our second year doing this and I am really loving it especially since we are even more financially strapped than usual.  It helps us financially plan out exactly what 3 gifts we are buying them and how much they are (sometimes you can bundle a few small ones together as one gift too).  Another reason we went with it was because our girls always get spoiled from their Grandparents and Aunt and Uncle, so we don't need to spoil them.  They don't need tons of presents and they are remembered that Jesus received 3 special gifts when He was born.

Whatever Works!

I have a 2 1/2 year old that is obsessed with wearing shoes and socks to bed. 

              Go figure, whatever gets her to bed works for me!

Christmas Help

Christmas stress has already started for us, well, financial stress I should say.  We are spending the least we have ever spent on Christmas before and are having to make each penny count.  This year we will be buying gifts for our 3 girls, and maybe my neice and nephew - THAT'S IT! 

In order to help us spend what little money we have the best, I wanted to pass along a great website.  Want to actually make money this season?  Try Ebates!  Ebates is a website that you sign up with, and then you can search hundreds of stores to get specials and cash back discounts (fyi, if you do sign up under me I get a credit, but that's not the reason why I am telling you about this).  You can also refer friends and get a credit if they sign up. 

So here's how it works:  I got some birthday money and wanted to buy a designer purse.  I found my purse on Nordstrom.com.  So I went to Ebates and pulled up Nordstroms on their list of stores and went to Nordstroms through Ebates (they set up a tracking ticket).  You then do your shopping and each store is set up with a different percent of money you get back from your purchase.  You can also get deals for free shipping, etc. with the different stores.

With my purse, I got back $3.60  (I know, doesn't seem like a lot, but they add up).  Today, I ordered stocking stuffers for the girls from Avon (a friend is a rep).  They have them really cheap and I will get 5% cash back on my purchase.  They have tons of stores like Walmart, Kmart, Shutterfly (15% cashback), Snapfish (10%), Old Navy, and the list goes on.  Since I usually do a lot of my shopping online and Christmas pictures, I figure why not make some money in the process.  I already have almost $15 in my account and I am not done yet. Wonder how much I will get back just for the holidays???  I'll let you know.

Storm

Something to encourage you through the troubles and trials of life.  This is my favorite song right now, hope it speaks to you.

Praise you in the Storm by Casting Crowns  (click for video link)

I was sure by now,
God, that You would have reached down
and wiped our tears away,
stepped in and saved the day. 
But once again,
I say amen
and it's still raining
as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away.


Chorus:
And I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm


I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You
and raised me up again
my strength is almost gone how can I carry on
if I can't find You
and as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who give and takes away


Chorus


I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth


Chorus

Shout Out!

I just have to say that I have the bestest neighbor EVER!!!!  She is more than a neighbor, she is my friend.  She is there to bail me out when I run out of eggs or start a spaghetti dinner and have no sauce.  She has helped so much with my girls and her hubby has come to my rescue a time or two.

I am glad that we are neighbors and better yet, that we are friends.

Happy November!!!!!

November is here!!!!!  That means Thanksgiving time, family get togethers, turkey and mashed potatoes.  I love Thanksgiving.  Not sure exactly why, but it is my most favorite time of year.  The weather here in AZ is finally cooling off, this last week we got to where jeans and jackets.  It was so nice. 

What Thanksgiving traditions do you have?  How do you share with your kids about the meaning behind Thanksgiving?  I would love to hear what other people do to celebrate.