New Year's Eve

These young ones melt my heart. We are so blessed to know the Scalia Family. I can't wait to celebrate many more years together!

Being silly...

No matter the mood I am in, little g can brighten my day. He is creative, mischievous, and oh so cute. I love seeing his imagination at work, and I love that he can turn anything into a fun game.

Grayson, The Hulk

Even The Hulk needs his sleep.

My heart aches...

My heart aches, and I choose to steal words from my friend, Catie Kastan.

"I believe with everything in me that Love wins. But the fight is very, very ugly. I send wordless prayers (because, tonight, I don't have the words...) for CT and all those who grieve. Also, I pray for schools of all nations; schools should be places of dreams realized and nothing less."

Learning to Spell

Griffin is a perfectionist when it comes to school. He longs to get every. single. spelling. word. correctly. Even the challenge words. So here he is, practicing away on a Friday night :)

Blessed 12-13-12

1. My new purse :)
2. Received official word from Gallup...I can use some of their questions in my dissertation survey!!! YAHOO :)
3. Grayson ate multiple servings of multiple items at day care.
4. I ate the most delicious cookie at lunch. 
5. A parent thanked me for working so hard with her son.
6. I got to witness crazy shake his booty. Cutest thing ever!

Two Thumbs Up!

10,000 Reasons

As I reflect on the here and now (from yesterday's post), I am reminded of one of my favorite songs: 10,000 Reasons. Each and every time this song is sung at church, my heart fills with joy. I read on a blog (surprise surprise) the other day that a way to focus on the true meaning of Christmas is to write down things we can praise God for each day leading up to Christmas. Take your mind off of parties, crafts, gifts, traveling, and focus on what God has blessed you with. I plan to take two minutes every day (setting a timer my friends) to make a quick list of how I was blessed that day.

Reasons to worship on 12-12-12

1. Griffin and Grayson have fantastic swim instructors. They both love going to swimming lessons.
2. My students made me laugh.
3. I was able to "escape" life for a bit and read.
4. I have a treadmill that allows me to run in the middle of the night.
5. I was thanked for doing a something I have been doing for a while now. It feels good to be acknowledged.
6. Griffin LOVES school and is so enthusiastic about learning.
7. We have a day care that is so perfect.
8. I have the help of two paraprofessionals who are fantastic

Words to Remember: Courtesy of 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) by Matt Redman

You're rich in love, and You're slow to anger
Your name is great, and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find

[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

Blessed

A few days ago, my friend Krissy posted a blog entry on FB written by Steven Furtick titled "How to Trust God in the Good Times."  It is pasted below...(original link: http://www.stevenfurtick.com/spiritual-growth/how-to-trust-god-in-the-good-times/)

Most of us have heard countless sermons based on the premise that we need to trust in the character of God when we’re going through trials. 

But we also need a basic and innate confidence in God’s character in our times of blessing.

If you’re suspicious of God’s intentions in your life, not only will you struggle to trust Him in the hard times, you’ll find it nearly impossible to enjoy the good times.

When you operate out of a basic framework of spiritual suspicion, when God blesses you financially, you’ll receive it with a heavy dose of guilt, rather than responding with gratitude and generosity.
Suspicion assumes that even if all your kids are healthy and doing well in school, sickness and struggle are lurking just around the corner. You’ll squander your entire season of peace and favor worrying about the stormy weather that you’re sure to encounter soon.

In other words, being suspicious of God means believing that His blessings are too good to be true. And they’re on the verge of slipping away any moment.

The truth is, God’s blessings are too good to be true. That’s what grace is all about. You didn’t earn it. You don’t deserve it. But He gave it. So enjoy it. And give all the praise to Jesus in the process.

Stop squandering your season of blessing by living in a state of suspicion.

Enjoy the favor of God in all its fullness-and trust in the Lord with all your heart. Not just in the bad times. But in the good times, too.

This hit home with me. I can't tell you how many times I have said, "I am just waiting for the other shoe to drop." I am afraid to praise God for fear that it will be taken away; I can't believe how blessed we are at times, so I think something bad is bound to happen soon. As I enter the final weeks of the Christmas season, my goal is to take time each and every day to remember that while "bad" things might come my way, they aren't going to happen because something is too good to be true. I serve a Father who answers prayers and blesses me in ways I never thought possible. I need to respond to these blessings with gratitude and praise; I can't waste my time worrying when they will be taken away. I praise Him here and now. 

He's only six...

Griffin is a smart little man. He is kind. He is generous. He brings so much joy to our family. All of this, and he is only six.

Sometimes I forgot how young he is. He can spell words like property and evidence. He understands the meaning of Christmas. He is thoughtful and a fantastic big brother. He can run a 5K and swim 25 yards. He remembers the names of his medicines when I forget them. I need reminding that he is only six.

Tonight, Griffin woke up crying. He had been coughing all day, and he woke up after sleeping for a few hours with a splitting headache. It was during his sobs that I remembered he is only six. As I stroked his back and brushed tears away from his face, I was reminded that he is only six.

Six doesn't last forever.

Today, I cherish that he is only six. I cherish that despite his big vocabulary and heart, he still needs his mom. Because needing me won't last forever.

He is only six.

Congrats, Griffin!

Griffin loves school, but he loves doing well in school even more. He started spelling tests this year, and he gets two challenge words at the end of every list. Of course he HAS to learn those too :) He came home today pretty proud of himself.

My Christmas Cuties

Just a little accident..

We had to take Grayson into the doctor today; he was horsing around on the couch and fell into the filing cabinet. He got away with just dermaglue, but you could tell it was painful. Thankfully he seemed to forget about the whole thing by the end of the evening.

Day 30

Today I am thankful to have a job/career I truly love and am passionate about. Inspiring others to read or teach reading provides me with so much joy. I can't imagine doing anything else with the talents God gave me.

Day 29

Today I am thankful for people who share my love of running. I joined the "running club" a few years ago, and I am thankful for the bond running creates among friends. I look forward to the many races I will run with friends and family over the years.

~Melinda Goedeke, Holly Johnson, Kelsey Dunigan, Nikki Stromme, Anny Bowman, Kelly Lindahl,  Deb Holmgren, Bradley Hofbauer, Jenn Mesko, Holly Oberg, Jessica Snyder, Catie Kastan, Christopher Rash, Andrew Rash

Day 28

Today I am thankful for blogs like this one. 

http://www.rachelmariemartin.blogspot.com/2012/11/dear-mom-during-holidays.html

Day 27

Today I am thankful for Holly Johnson and her ability to speak my love language. Not much beats a surprise note found at the perfect time. #wordsofaffirmation

Day 26

Today I am thankful for Cyber Monday. I just registered for four races (two for me and two for Griffin) for half the normal price!

Day 25

Today I am thankful for Christmas songs. I love listening to my boys sing a little Michale Buble in the car.

Day 24

Today I am thankful for crafts that keep my kiddos busy for hours. Who knew foam stickers could be so much fun?

Family Game Night

The four of us played games together on the XBOX last night. If you can't read the screen, I dominated in Bowling :). As much as it pains me to admit, I am a fan of this whole gaming system. My arms are a little sore today from playing Fruit Ninja, and I got out of breath a few times playing other games as well. Griffin is having a blast with the soccer games, and Grayson is quite good at Boxing. The best part: the picture flashbacks at the end!

5x7 Folded Card

Wonder of Wonders Christmas Card

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View the entire collection of cards.

Day 23

Today I am thankful for Christmas music and books that keep Griffin entertained during allergy shots. I am also thankful for online shopping.

Run Streak 2012

Last year I committed to a Run Streak between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I had to drop out because of my blood clots. I promised I would do it this year.

So here I am. Thanksgiving Day. 10:30PM. I can barely breathe, and my chest feels like I have an elephant standing on it. But I WILL not let sickness stand in the way.

One Mile. (sometimes more)

Every Day.

From Thanksgiving.

Until Christmas.

I am committed.

Day 22

Today I am thankful for a full belly and time with family.

Happy Thanksgiving 2012

Day 21

Today I am thankful for days off with the kiddos.

Cuddles

The only benefit to my kiddos being sick...CUDDLE TIME!

Fall Family Photos 2012

Courtesy of E. Korbel Photography