Thank Yous!!!

My Dad and I were having a conversation about my maternal grandparents a couple of weeks ago. He said, "I remember when your great-grandfather once told me, 'Always remember to have an attitude of gratitude.' " And my Dad said, he never forgot that advice. I never knew this great-grandfather, but hearing his wisdom years later is part of a precious legacy.

So... as I start this week, finding myself wishing once again that I was a stay-at-home Mom who would wake up and make her kids breakfast, then take them to school, then come BACK HOME to tackle managing my household...

instead, I choose (inspite of myself!) to be grateful...

*That my computer that was going so slooooooooooowwww.... I mean, I had actual thoughts o having it worked on... and it fixed itself!

*That my garage door now opens and closes again - thanks to my stepdad!

*That John lives so close, and can chop wood and build fires and set up tents and roast the perfect marshmallow and/or hotdog and protect his kids from creepy sounds... for a wonderful bday party & campout! That after the campout that same Daddy made time to play "lightsabers" and legos with his kids. Thank you sweet, Lord.

*That 6 years ago this treasure of a friend was there for the birth of my precious boy. And has been my friend now for 10 years and celebrated her 28th bday this week. (love you katie!)

*And that I am a momma to some amazing kids, the daughter to Believing parents, and most importantly part of Abraham's seed and an heir to the King.

f

Free trip!

Well, pretty much free.

The kids and I had a great Saturday at the Ripley's Aquarium in Myrtle Beach. It truly is fanastic to be only 2 hrs. from the ocean, AND it was "Teacher Appreciation weekend" there, so we got FREE tickets and things like this pic (that normally would have cost $20!!! - gasp)

They even gave me that little gift bag with a mug and coupons. I felt truly appreciated! :) Don't my kids look so old!? That handsome guy in the red shirt has a bday on Tues. He also currently would like to be a scuba diver when he grows up, so this was perfect for some pre-bday fun. We did the whole petting the stingrays thing... which wow! who knew you could hand feed them?

Then we spent the rest of the day here...

@ Myrtle Beach State Park. I spent $4 to park and the weather was gorgeous. We walked down the pier, had double scoops of ice-cream, played with other people's kids and made something that looked like a sand sculpture of a seaturtle. (what else do you do with collapsed sandcastles?)

AND, we made it back in time for the football game! ahhhhh. Really really great day.

Feelin like a Monday, but lovin these...

Alas, no working camera... not yet anyhow!

But, I'd like to potentially waste the next 5 mins. or so by sharing my top 5 most recent faves:

1. one-on-one kid time: football with Christian and shopping/doing nails with Belle

2. neti-pot... life changer

3. new 7 min. bedtime devotional with kids. We're only on day 3, but this is soooooo helpful with the consistency and application when my brain is sooo tired all three of us need some guidance.

4. NO MORNING DUTY. Also life-changing. I love the extra 15 mins. or so that this equals. Also, my babes are at the same school, so we're just not in quite the rush. Which, means most importantly that I can spend a little more time with my sweet Lord. How did I ever survive without Him starting my day!!!!? oh wait...

let's think back on those years - yeah, that explains it.

5. Getting my friend fix. Like I did 2 weekends ago with these fabulous ladies, who made my bday rock.

And this one who I got to see in back-to-back weekends. And three more wonderful phone calls with more favorites who I've been playing phone tag with for a month. Love love love my friends!

And, yipee tomorrow is Wed. and soon will be Friday and SATURDAY. And that leads me to #6:

I still heart Gamecock football. And confess that I'm thoroughly looking forward to this game: