Two weeks ago, I had an ARD meeting about Jack's progress with speech. He's been going twice a week for thirty minutes since September. He loves his sweet teacher, and he has made so much progress that he no longer qualifies for assistance. Here he is with his teacher last September.    And, here they are today. He hasn't been back in a couple of weeks, but we wanted to take her a small gift to thank her for all of her help and to say "goodbye!"     Jack asked her to eat his favorite bar 😂. He was only slightly disappointed she didn't rip right into that sucker and chow down like he does hahaha! Anyway, we are very thankful for her and wish her all the best!  I'm thankful for Jack's improved speech, too.  ~~~~~ While I was out running errands this morning, I picked up a three-pack of spray bottles. The kids have had the best time playing with theirs this afternoon.  I'm thankful for inexpensive fun.      ~~~~~ ...

How is it already Thursday?! I had great intentions of blogging this week, but a lot of things popped up and snagged my attention away from this space.   My mom showcased her new trimmer and leaner self .   You'd think she'd been doing more exercise than the 2 or 3 times a week mall-walking trips, but nope.  She just stuck to cleansing and drinking her protein shakes and eating healthy meals and snacks.  Her body did the rest.  Kinda phenomenal what the body can do when toxins are being removed from the equation.     I've been working with several people this week on getting them set up to succeed with their health goals, and I've been so ridiculously excited to wake up every morning (even on little sleep, haha!) knowing that I get to help people feel better just by loving, serving, and caring about them.   Bible study was wonderful, and I'm still super pumped I have the opportunity each week to attend with women from all over t...

I have four things in particular to be thankful for today. 1. I'm thankful for a warranty on our washing machine.  The transmission (did you know your washing machine has a transmission?!   I sure didn't.) had to be replaced yesterday.  But, the thing still isn't working correctly, so another technician will be coming out early next week to figure out what's going on. We're really grateful that we arent having to pay the cost to fix these issues.   2. I'm thankful that for the first time in over 4 years, I'm finally involved in a women's Bible study again. A friend I met at church invited me, and I'm so looking forward to being in God's Word daily and meeting with those gals weekly.  I'm thankful The Husband has off those mornings to be able to spend quality time with Jack and Ella.  I know it will become a sweet time for them once they get used to being with him and relying on him.  ;) 3.  I'm thankful that I was able to locate these for...

Today, I'm thankful for a really lovely and really productive day.  I snapped a few pictures of Jack heading to his third speech lesson since I missed his first one, and it totally poured buckets of rain on his second one.  Here he is with his sweet speech teacher. She brought him out to the car afterward, and he said, loudly and proudly, "Jack obeyed well!"  He showed me his sticker with glee :) She said he does really well for her, and he seems to really enjoy spending time with her on those two mornings each week. I hope his love of learning continues.  I came home to find The Husband and his friend and his friend's wife hanging out on the porch.  The two of them were a big blessing to us today, and we now have very heavy materials (walls and flooring) upstairs just waiting to be installed. So, so thankful for their help. They stayed for lunch, and we visited for a while. It's nice to make new friends :) This afternoon, The Husban...

Today, I'm thankful for a great first visit with my fetal maternal specialist this week.  He was so kind and gentle, and he had positive things to say. The baby looks great, I DO have two kidneys, and I need to take is easier, but I don't have to be on bed rest :)  I go back in six weeks to see him for another ultrasound, but I'm so glad everything looks good so far!  I'm thankful The Husband and my mother-in-law got to go with me, and I'm so thankful we all got to see his sweet face  😍

Today I'm thankful for my husband who is quick-thinking and caring.  I went into the bathroom earlier and a wave of dizziness and hot flashes and cold sweats came over me all at once. I ended up lying on the floor. The door was shut and locked. I called for help, but he couldn't hear me because my voice wasn't strong enough. So I found energy and kicked the wall. I heard him running. He tried to get the door open and found it locked. I tried to tell him where the key is hidden (you know, in case a kiddo locks himself/herself in there), but he couldn't hear me. So he busted the lock. And the door. And the door frame. But he got in.  He took care of me. He talked to The Bestie, who came over after seeing a patient. Low-blood pressure. Supposed to rest with my feet up. Must follow her orders :). So I tried. He went and picked up healthy lunches for all of us from a local restaurant run by a local family. They serve super healthy and very delicious meals, so that worked out...

I had my 16-week prenatal appointment this morning. I also had to have an ultrasound to check on cervix length.  The length looks good (something they want to monitor VERY often--ugh), but more excitingly (that's a word, right?), we found out the sex of the baby............... ....................Which we'll be sharing with friends and family (and with you all) very soon! I wish I could share a picture from today with you, but the technician labeled the sweet snapshot with "It's a _______," so that doesn't work ;) You'll just have to enjoy this picture of my growing belly and my super cute shorts . You're welcome.  Now to pick out the name. Sigh. The Husband and I struggle with seeing eye to eye on names.  In other exciting news----we got his box in!!!!  If you haven't checked it out yet or are still on the fence, go check out the great items they offer and chat with me on FB or drop me a text or email if we're in real life friends.  http://joy...

Today, I'm thankful for the giant stack of hand-me-down undies The Bestie gave us for Ella.  We're on day 4 of our potty training adventure, and we've used probably half of them. This is what's left. *side note -- little girl undies are the cutest thing! When she has accidents, I just throw them in the diaper pail, and they get washed when the pail is full of nap and nighttime diapers. Handy :) I'm thankful for having TONS of extra undies to help us out as she learns to do her business in the toilet and not on my floor. 

Today is Maundy Thursday.  It's the day that Christians remember the sacrifice Jesus made for mankind.  It's the day we reflect on the cross.   I talked to Jack a lot about the cross and Jesus today.  We read books about Jesus' death and resurrection.  The kids each painted a picture of a cross for our learning activity.  He's too young to understand the importance of that symbol, but he pointed to the cross he painted and said, "Jesus cross......happy? And I smiled and said, "Yes, buddy. The cross is a happy thing.  It's a wonderful reminder of what Jesus did for us."    Tonight, I read them God Gave Us Easter before bedtime.  This is my favorite part: Today, Dear Readers, I'm thankful for the cross of Christ. My sins and yours were the nails that held Jesus there.   And by that one  grace-filled , love-filled , mercy-filled act, my sins are forgiven.  Jesus didn't stay on that cross.  He ...

Today, I'm thankful for my momma. She's generous to a fault. She's loving and compassionate. She's caring and faithful. She's a wonderful mom and Nana. Happy birthday, Mom!  The kids think you're #1! You are very loved! 

Today, I'm thankful for the few men and women in my life who are honorable. I'm thankful for those people who not only make promises but keep them. Who are men and women of their word.  Because, when it boils down to it, people who talk big but don't follow through are dishonest. People who make promises and then don't come through affect others in ways they probably can't even imagine.  I'm doing my best to teach Jack and Ella that following through on something they've said they'll do or not do is important. That being someone who thinks of others first is important. That being honorable and honest is important. Thank you, reliable family and friends, for being people we can count on. You are setting an awesome example for these two little ones.  

Today, I'm thankful that even in the midst of trials, there are so many reminders of God's goodness if only I'm willing to look around me.  I've been blinded lately, and I have really just sort of taken a step back from my faith.  *Hope has definitely, and unfortunately, been on the back burner.*  It's amazing how fatigue and disappointment are such a feeding ground for the enemies of God. I have felt spiritually attacked the last month, and instead of clinging to God, I turned away and replaced faith with fear and His assurances with my anger. I placed blame instead of seeking help and direction.  But, just like a wayward child finding her way back to her home, I found my way back to Him.  Grace .  So thankful for that word and all it means.  I'm also thankful for these two cuties who like each other (and books) a whole lot. 

I'm thankful for Sonic "Happy Hour" on this gorgeous fall day.  I'm so glad I had child-free errands to run while the kiddos napped this afternoon. It gave me a great excuse to stop at Sonic while out! I, also, think it's fantastic that I only spent $1.02 for a medium Cherry Limeade.  Yum and hooray! I think next time I'll have to try that Strawberry Vanilla Sprite that looks so appealing!