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These are a Few of My Favorite Things (100 to be Exact)

November 6, 2020 by Lauren 38 Comments

Jami Amerine, one of my favorite writers, said recently, “If I am losing it beyond the normal parameters of losing it, I write out or say 100 things I am grateful for.”  I don’t know about you, but the losing it thing describes me more often than not.  Especially in light of 2020.  And even this week!  Good grief.

 

Jami calls this exercise a gratitude blitz.  You can read what she said about it here.  Well, today this sounded like just the thing to kick off a month when many focus on giving thanks.  So I am taking a crack at it.  Hopefully something you read here will touch you, encourage you, entertain you or motivate you to make your own list.  And maybe we will decide – at least for a moment – that things really aren’t that bad.

 

Today I am grateful for:

  1.  Cheddar cheese flavored Garden Veggie Straws.  The bag is sitting right here in my line of sight, and they are delish.  Cures my chip craving for 30% less fat.  That’s what the bag says anyway.
  2. A husband working hard in the next room to provide for our family.
  3. My children.  I forget why right this minute, but I love them.
  4. Jesus.  Yes, He should have been first.  But my snack tasted so good.
  5. Beth Moore bible studies.  Some friends and I are currently working through Chasing Vines.  She is just so good.
  6. My cute Yorkie Meg.
  7. Facetime, without which I would not still be able to have long “face to face” conversations with my best friend.
  8. Noom and the determination to finally start losing some weight.
  9. A good check-up with my oncologist.
  10. A mom and sisters who are more like friends.
  11. Teachers and school administrators who have the hardest job in the world right now.
  12. The democratic process – even though I still feel conflicted about the vote I cast.
  13. The Bible.  That I can read God’s word every day in more translations than I can shake a stick at (that’s redneck for a lot) is such a gift.
  14. Half price Sonic drinks when I order on the app.  Not a paid advertisement, just a daily refreshment for me.
  15. Date nights.  A chance to get out of the house (socially distanced, of course) and leave my blessed children behind.
  16. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.  Without it Shelby would get into a lot more trouble when I’m otherwise engaged.
  17. Sweet, Christian friends for my youngest.
  18. Four youngsters that call me Lolli.
  19. Zoom.  Whoever knew I would use it so much?
  20. My Yoga Lite students who meet with me virtually twice a week.
  21. A spin bike given me by my mother-in-law that keeps me cardio’d up without wearing a mask at the gym.
  22. That these Texas temps are getting a little cooler.
  23. A comfortable bed – even if I don’t sleep as well since menopause.
  24. This blog, which gives me a creative outlet to talk about Jesus and other things important to me.
  25. Spellcheck, without which the aforementioned blog would be a dung heap.
  26. Fellow bloggers, from whom I learn so much.
  27. Books.  I will not reach the bottom of my reading list before heaven.  And maybe one day I’ll even write a book – the Lord and publishing houses willing.
  28. Romantic comedies, because they just feel good.
  29. My Papa, who is a very good girl daddy.
  30. My sister’s hand me down car for Allie to wreck.  I mean drive!
  31. Shelby’s unconditional, child-like love.
  32. Allie’s singing voice.
  33. My one year old niece.  Everyone needs someone or something that cute and sweet to remind you of what’s good in the world.
  34. Special educators and therapists.
  35. Fenfluramine, which has worked wonders for Shelby’s seizures and given her better quality of life.
  36. A wonderful marriage.
  37. Tylenol and Sudafed for sinus headaches.
  38. The cute way Shelby pronounces “skunk” to sound like “stunk” and squirrel without the “s”.
  39. Vegetti made from zucchini to put pasta sauce on.
  40. Iphones.  I can talk, text, post, take pics and videos, read the bible, check my calendar and do my banking all from one little incredibly expensive device.
  41. My friends, who are often my sanity
  42. Pretty clothes.
  43. The Baylor Bears and the Dallas Cowboys.  You lose some, you lose some.
  44. A pastor whose teaching is excellent.
  45. Podcasts.  So informative.  So entertaining.
  46. Bark, that helps me keep an eye on my kid’s digital activity.
  47. Medical insurance.  Since paying for Allie’s broken leg and surgery we owe zero dollars for drugs or doctors for the rest of the year.
  48. Christmas.  I don’t know what it will look like yet, but it’s still my favorite time of the year.
  49. Air conditioning, ’cause Texas.
  50. Family hand-me-downs that remind me of sweet family history.
  51. Fast food.  We aren’t using it as often these days, but it’s nice to know it’s there.
  52. Allie’s smile.  It cost a small fortune, but it’s beautiful.
  53. Plants I have managed not to kill yet.
  54. The direct avenue I have to God through prayer.
  55. Hoka tennis shoes.
  56. Massages and ice packs.  Getting old is a you-know-what.
  57. My hometown.
  58. A lazy boy recliner that I used to nurse two babies and recover from a double mastectomy.  It still supports me every day (please don’t break!).
  59. A warm cup of flavored coffee.
  60. Stainless steel tumblers that keep the coffee warm and the water cold.  What a modern miracle!
  61. My Macbook Pro.  She was hard to get used to, but once you go Mac, you never go back.
  62. Hair dye and a talented colorist.  No one wants to see me without either.
  63. Nail salons.  Connecting mothers and daughters when nothing else can.  (If you own a salon, you are welcome to use that slogan!)
  64. Hamilton.  If you don’t know why, WATCH IT!
  65. An old, flawed and outdated home.  But it’s mine (and the bank’s).
  66. No car payments.
  67. Saving daily Facebook memories in my camera roll to reminisce over dinner with family.
  68. Funny memes
  69. Laughing out loud.
  70. Everything bagel seasoning.  It…is…everything.
  71. T-shirt dresses and cozy joggers.
  72. Sleeping late.
  73. Word search puzzles.
  74. Balderdash, PassWord and Taboo
  75. The unlimited grace God gives to me, a sinner.
  76. The hope of heaven.
  77. My wedding ring, second edition (I lost the diamond from the first.)
  78. My charm bracelet.  So many gifts.  So many momentos.
  79. Opportunities to cheer my kids on.
  80. Fall.
  81. Getting presents.
  82. Papermate Flair Pens in multiple colors.
  83. A new crockpot that cooks at the proper temperature.
  84. That it’s homemade chicken noodle soup season.
  85. Clearance racks.
  86. That I get to “wife” and “mom”.
  87. A family legacy of faith.
  88. The unmerited love of God.
  89. The beauty of creation.
  90. A second generation of the same family that is now serving as caregiver to Shelby.  The help is much appreciated and these ladies are a blessing.
  91. 80’s pop.
  92. 90’s country.
  93. Kitchen gadgets I don’t even know the name of that help me brown ground meat and finely dice onion.
  94. The Keurig
  95. Blog link-ups.  To share my work and engage with others.
  96. Online shopping.
  97. Also, boutiques and thrift stores.
  98. Do not call lists.
  99. Charities like The Tim Tebow Foundation, International Justice Mission, The Epilepsy Foundation and Make a Wish
  100. You, the reader, if you are still here!

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.  James 1:17 NIV

 

And now for this week’s featured post!

 

What Do You Mean When You Say You Believe? by Michele Morin is an important post.  As a writer, I put a lot of importance on words, but the weight we put on the word “believe” when it comes to God has eternal consequences.  Visit Michele at Living our Days.

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3. Every host features one entry from the previous week. To be featured, include this button or link back here on your post (mandatory to be featured, but not to participate).

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It Must Have Been the End of July

July 25, 2019 by Lauren 26 Comments

Teach us to number our days,
     that we may gain a heart of wisdom.Psalm 90:12 NIV

 

How is another month already drawing to a close?  Before you know it, the kids will be back in school.  (Shhh.  I whispered that last sentence as not to accidentally cast my youngest into the pit of despair.)   I started the month off by gettin’ my hair did.  If you don’t think that’s blog worthy, then your beauty operator (oh I’m giggling at myself now.  That’s what my grandmother used to call herself back in the day.) isn’t as good as mine.  I shouldn’t brag – or maybe I should.  She’s the talented one.  Not me.  And I am so fortunate that she is also a sister in Christ and a fabulous friend.  So appointments are anointed girl time.  I look AND feel good afterward.

 

The same day (a day of appointments)I had to start a brand new professional relationship.  A doctor I have been with for 16 years moved out of state.  She delivered Allie, she operated on me and Shelby, she went through breast cancer the same time I did and gave me the good advice.  Sigh.  Sad to see her go, but I’m starting over with one of her partners and praying for a fruitful association.

 

My little family celebrated our country’s independence with my in-laws.  My husband’s parents have a great house and property on a lake where the kids enjoyed skiing and tubing.  We ate good food, had great conversations with Chuck’s brothers and wives and played games.  The best part, though, is the fireworks show over the lake.  We can sit on the back deck or even in recliners in the air conditioned living room and watch the spectacle.  No heat, no crowds, no crazy drunks.  Just the show.  God Bless America.

 

Spider-Man:  Far From Home and Toy Story 4 drew us into the theater.  I give two thumbs up to both.  Or certify them fresh or whatever.  At home we watched A Little Bit of Heaven with Kate Hudson.  I had never heard of it. Probably because it has a few really cheesy scenes of an imagined heaven.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen this done well in a movie.  But it made me laugh and in the end bawl like my heart was broken.  So I guess it’s not all bad.

 

Our oldest baby Shelby turned 19.  My parents, sisters and their families came to celebrate with her and a Minnie Mouse cake.  I’m not sure how she has blessed this earth for that long already, but we don’t take it for granted.  Every time I hear of another child losing their battle with Dravet Syndrome I’m thankful for each and every day we get with her joy and laughter.

 

As a couple, Chuck and I are usually pretty socially lame, but we had 2 double dates this month.  Two!  And from one of them came this nugget:  “When your teenager comes home, always be happy to see them.”  You may be thinking that sounds simple and maybe even – duh.  But it was such a good word that I needed.  My friend also told me about complaining of  her teen’s attitude to another friend once who said to her, “Oh.  I didn’t know she was pregnant.”  My friend said, “Say what?”  The reply – “I didn’t know your girl was hooked on drugs.”  The point?  So your teenager has an attitude?  Whose doesn’t.  There are bigger fish you could be frying.  So I can be happy to see my girl.  Attitude or not.

 

I’m so thankful for new friends and growing friendships and wisdom and laughter and sharing. 

Community in Christ is where it’s at.

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It’s not always easy to come by and have time for.  So I’m eternally grateful.

 

I am currently reading free kindle books of funny memes because that is the extent of my current mental capacity.  My husband has worked a lot.  And I have worked a little for pay and a lot as volunteer uber and family activity coordinator (come quickly school year, come quickly).  Chuck is getting some intensive training right now for his new job and Allie is fully immersed into tryouts for high school volleyball.  May we all survive both and find ways to glorify God along the way.  Love you, thank you, and pray August treats you well.

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About Me

I love Jesus, my husband and caffeine. The order of these can change depending on how tired I am. When my two daughters, stepson, and 4 grandchildren get to be too much, I practice yoga. God graciously allows me to share our adventures, victories and flub-ups from my laptop. May He be glorified here.
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