Gift #299- Messy Ponytails and Unbrushed Teeth

Today I am extra thankful for the morning chaos in my home.  I am thankful for Macy's do- it-herself mess of a ponytail and for the way that one little wavy strand never gets brushed back and gets tucked behind her ear.  I am thankful for that wiggly baby tooth of Sam's that gets brushed only after 15 reminders.  I am thankful for the pancake box that Jack left open on the counter and for the sticky syrup drops on my kitchen table.  I am thankful for the lunchbox that Josh left behind once again and for the big glob of Sparkling Crest toothpaste that he left in the sink.  I know that there are at least 7 mommas in Moore, Oklahoma today who are waking up and wishing for the same type of mess.  PB&J crumbs on their countertops and missing library books.  My heart is broken for them.

Gift #298- Josh's Fieldtrips

Josh at the Iwakuni Recycling Center

Josh still wants his mom to go on his field trips.   I love that!  I know that my field trip time with him is coming to a close.  Jack does NOT want his mom to go on a field trip with him and the two of them are only one school grade apart.  I will take every opportunity to hang out with him while he still lets me and will be grateful for the time that I have.  

(PS-  Jack, you are really missing out.  Your mom is so cool and tells the funniest jokes!)

Gift #297- Banana Bread

I heard a knock at my door this morning at 7:40.  Just after I had sent the last of the kids off to school.  I was a little frustrated to hear it I will admit.  It was so early and the kids had just left a tornado of a mess and I hadn't even brushed my teeth yet!  I grumbled on the way to the door and opened it slowly to see the teenaged son of Jack and Josh's baseball coach.  He was bringing me a loaf of warm chocolate chip banana bread that his dad made for us!  Earlier in the week, the coach had called to see if I could sew a name on a baseball jersey.  I joked that I would do it in return for some type of homemade baked good. I never thought that he would actually make me some type of baked good!  But he did.  I smiled when the son handed me the warm bread.  It reminded me how nice it was to be thought of.  I am going to do my best to return the thoughtfulness to one or two of my neighbors in the upcoming days.

If you have a chance, click on the link below to read an article about an 82 year old Connecticut barber who gives haircuts to the homeless in exchange for hugs.  It might just inspire you to do something unexpected for someone this weekend.  Taking someone a warm loaf of chocolate chip banana bread might be a good place to start!

Full story and slideshow here

Gift #296- A Housekeeper!

My new housekeeper started today.  She was sent straight from heaven.  I came home to a lemon pledge scented house and a clean stove!  I am so very thankful!

Gift #295- A New Stroller and Patient Dog

A friend of mine gave me a stroller today.  Macy felt like she needed to test it out and Turbo was the lucky guinea pig.  She strolled him along outside for a half hour or so.  He was a good sport and didn't try to jump out.  Maybe because she had him securely strapped in like a good little mommy should.

Gift #294- Being Called Mom

It was a happy Mother's Day here in Iwakuni.  Blessed beyond measure is how I felt as the six of us walked to the chapel together.

Macy and Sam gave me poem books that they made at school.  Sam said that I was as pretty as his sister!  And as sweet as Turbo!  :0)

Both Sam and Macy said that I like to be lazy.  That kind of stung a little.  But hey, I do like to be lazy. Macy redeemed herself on the next page of the book when she said that her mom was as pretty as an angel.

Josh spent his own money on a Yankee Candle and some Victoria's Secret Lotion.  Hank said that he did this without any prompting.  I think that meant more to me than the gifts themselves.

Jack chose the most beautiful heart shaped ring!  I can't tell you how proud I was to slip it on and wear it to church.  The gifts were so nice, but it was the thoughtfulness that meant so much.   I am so thankful that the Lord gave me the opportunity to be the mom of a Jack, and a Josh, and a Sam and a Macy!  I am one lucky girl.

Gift #293- Carnival Food!

Yesterday was the Spring carnival at school.  The kids had snow cones, cotton candy, and popcorn for dinner.  They were in heaven.  Between the four of them. they won 5 cakes at the cake walk!  I guess one of the benefits to having such a large family is that you can really stack the deck at a cake walk!  Sam's sugar high seemed to have lasted throughout the night.  He put on his red plaid shirt and his green plaid shorts again this morning.  He added a pair of swim goggles to enhance the look and then began running around the house saying "I am swimming and there is no water."  I usually try to post only our best moments, but sometimes I think that we need to be reminded of the snow cone for dinner nights and "swimming with no water" mornings.  :0)

Gift 292- My Lunch Date

Sam stayed home "sick" today from school.  He didn't seem so sick as he was eating his french fries and ice cream!  It is rare to get to spend time alone with each of the kids.  So today, we took full advantage.

Gift #291- A Salad from your own Garden!

Gift #290- Teamwork

Hank arrived home yesterday just in time to help Jack with his cardboard convention invention.  I was very grateful for his return.  Building a body and a ramp for a RC car is just not my area.  Sometimes a boy just needs his dad.

Gift #289- A Healthy Baby

GIRL!