Golden Acorn Homeschool

Today was not my favorite day, let’s just leave it at that.

1. I am glad that today is nearly over.

2. I am glad I did not murder my children today (I was tempted).

3. I am very grateful for good friends who are opening their homes and closets to give me stuff.  I feel very loved.

4. I am grateful for the idea of the Advent Conspiracy and focusing on something besides consumerism.

5. Today is the first day of Advent.  I am grateful that Jesus came, in the humblest of circumstances,  for me.  Nothing else matters!

Whew!  I feel SO much better now.  I would love to see more gratitude posts from readers.  What are you grateful for?

I am going to copy David Letterman this week and count down the top 10 reasons for enjoying time away from my husband.  I miss him already, so I thought maybe this list would help me focus on the “positives.”  :-P

10.  Lots of space in the bed.  I don’t have to worry about sticking my knee in his back, or getting an elbow in the face.

9.  Cleaner air.  I am sure I don’t really need to explain this one, do I?

8.  Having the car 24/7.  Some of you know this, but I used to wake up every day of the week and drop him off at the Metro, or go without the car.  I am looking forward to the break!

7.  Less cooking.  The kids are happy to eat cereal and ramen.  This means I get more nights off.

6.  Early homework submission.  I will be bored, so my assignments will be finished extra early.

5.  Binging on sappy, romantic chic flicks.

4.  Reading in peace.  There will no one trying to get my attention because he is being ignored while my nose is in a book.

3.  Less laundry!

2.  No Car Talk.  He drives me nuts by constantly asking me what I think about this car, or to make a list of dream cars, or driving by car dealerships.

1.  Full ownership of the “Scepter of Power,” otherwise known as the remote control.  I can watch whatever I want, whenever I want.  This means a LOT less “Stargate.”  ;-)

This week I have many things to feel grateful for, how about you?

1. Another week with my husband.  He leaves for Las Vegas next week and I won’t see him again for 70-90 days.  I am going to cherish every day of this week!

2. Good friends.  We had a really amazing going away party for Lonnie on Friday.  The people who came and spent time with us are so dear to my heart.  What an outpouring of love!

3. Paint!  I just put some paint samples on the wall and they look amazing.  I love the fresh, clean feeling a coat of paint can give a room.

4. Good books – enough said!

5. Diversity.  Where we live in the DC metro area is very diverse.  I have enjoyed living here so much for that reason and many more. I will miss it!

I know that technically I missed the deadline for this today, but I was absolutely buried with obligations and homework this weekend.  This was literally my first chance to write anything for my poor, neglected blog.  But since it is still November 8th in the Mountain and Pacific time zones, I say it counts!

This week I am thankful for the following:

1. My church.  Journey’s Crossing has been the greatest source of fellowship, growth, and blessing to me as a Christian.  Words cannot even convey how much I will miss the weekly services, but more importantly, the amazing friendships I have made!

2. My newest small group.  This ties in with #1, but Daniel & Vicki, thank you!  Your group is making me get back in the WORD and really study, study, study.  It goes beyond just daily reading time with God, which I cherish, but this group is really getting down and dirty with what the Bible really says.  :-)

3. New math curriculum.  The new math textbooks arrived on Saturday and I was so deliriously happy to poor over them and sniff the new paper smell.  (I never said I wasn’t weird, ok?)

4. My mother-in-law.  Saturday was her birthday and I am so glad that she is in my life and that I have been able to get to know her better than I thought possible over the last seven years.

5. My health.  I have a few odd things to get checked out in the coming weeks, but overall I am very healthy and strong.  I need to remember not to take that for granted.

So, readers, what are you thankful for this week?

It’s Sunday and I am going to attempt to make this my weekly day of gratitude.  Feel free to join me each Sunday if you want to inspire a little gratitude in your own lives.  Counting blessings is the best way I know to change an attitude and gain a little perspective.

This week I am grateful for a number of things, but here are my top five:

1. Fall foliage.  This is my last fall living in the East Coast (for a long time at least) and the colors this year are really beautiful due to some rain and unseasonably cooler temperatures.  It feels like a nice send off.

2. Pumpkin Spice coffee creamer.  My stores are FINALLY stocking it.  I will indulge until the last bottle is gone from grocery store shelves.

3. Gambling.  I know this is a weird one, but the people who go to Las Vegas and gamble just allowed my husband to get an amazing job offer and change things for the better.  I am excited for our future.

4. Love.  I am thankful for this all the time and I realize more every day what the Bible means when it says God is Love.  I get it!

5. Halloween!  It was last night and it’s one of my favorite holidays. I love dressing the kids up (me too!) and ransacking the neighborhood for candy.  What a fun day!

What are you grateful for??  Let’s start a gratitude movement!

Feel free to use my button, just please link it back here, if you don’t mind.  :-)

I turn 31 years old today.  I still maintain that I am happy to be in my 30’s and I feel that most days I live a blessed life.

So, in order to recognize that blessed life, I am offering up 31 grats.

1. My husband.  Babe, you mean so much to me and make my life complete.  Even when I want to strangle you, I am still glad that you are the one I want to strangle (99% of the time I am just overreacting.  I know, not ME).  You make me laugh and you still curl my toes.  ;-)

2. My children.  I love your adorable, mischievous little faces, your smiles, and your hearts.  You inspire me to be a better person and you often push me to be better when I least want to.  My life is forever altered because of you and I wouldn’t change ONE second!

3. My family.  Most of you are thousands of miles away, but there is not a day that goes by that I don’t miss you and wish we were closer.  When the going gets tough, your family are the ones who stand beside you.  Love you all!

4. My friends.  You guys are like a little extension of my heart.  We laugh, we cry, we share life together.  What more can a girl ask for?  I would be lost without the many friendships I am blessed to have.

5. My church.  Many of the friendships I depend on came from my church.  I am inspired, I am challenged, and I get to be closer to God.  It’s a beautiful thing and I love getting to love others through service in my community.

6. Maryland.  I love this state and the DC metro area.  It’s beautiful, it has 4 seasons, it’s happening.

7. Homeschooling.  I really never imagined myself saying this, but I love homeschooling and it has been a blessing to my life.  It changed the dynamic I have with my kids, it allows incredible opportunities, and I have learned so much.

8.  Co-op.  As an extension to #7, our co-op group is just the cat’s meow.  Great people, great classes, good times.

9. College.  Most of the time I gripe about this one, but I am thankful for the opportunity to learn and grow.  I hope to turn that knowledge into something productive in the future; not only for income, but for fulfillment of purpose.

10. The Army.  I really grew into the person I am from my experience in the Army.  It shaped it and forged a stronger character.

11.  GI Bill.  As an extension of #’s 9 & 10.  This pays for all my classes and books and so far I have finished nearly 54 credits without spending a dime or taking out a student loan.

12. Good health.  I am grateful for my good health and pledging to maintain my body better than I have in the past.  I am grateful that my husband and children are basically healthy, too.

13. Facebook.  I am connected to so many people from the past and I have made many new friends.  Love the facebook!

14. Internet.  On that note, where would I be w/o the internet??  It’s my connection to pretty much everything.

15. My lappy top.  It’s pretty and green.  It’s fast and pretty much perfection.  It does school work and browses the web with ease.  YAY Dell!

16. Good books.  I love to read and I am very thankful for writers who provide such stimulating text.

17.  Pumpkin Spice Lattes.  September means my favorite coffee beverage is back on the menu.  No birthday would be complete without one.  :-)

18. Cable TV.  Many of my favorite shows are only found on cable.

19. New shoes.  I love new shoes.  Cute shoes, sexy shoes, flip-floppy shoes.

20. Laughter.  I love to laugh and I love to make people laugh.  Baby laughs rank as one of the best things on the planet for me.

21. Chocolate.  All chocolate…milk, dark, white and everything in between.  Chocolate is God’s way of making up for PMS.

22. Jon Stewart.  I watched his 9-11 speech today and I am reminded why I love his show so much.

23. President Obama.  I loved his speech to students this past week and how he inspired my kids.

24. Small group.  The people I fellowship with in small group uplift me, encourage me, and help me grow in my faith.

25. Cheeburger, Cheeburger.  We are going here for dinner tonight and I am looking forward to lots of calorie-laden deliciousness.

26. Prayer.  I would not be able to face most days without prayer.  It’s my lifeline.

27. Hugs & kisses.  No explanation needed.

28. A-1 Steak Sauce.  I would drink it if that wasn’t totally ridiculous.

29. Thunder Storms.  I love them, that is all.

30. The ocean.  The beach is my happy place and even when I don’t get to see it very often, I feel an instant connection to it.  The ocean feels like home.

31.  My creator.  Not least at all, but saved for last as the best.  I am grateful for my life and all it’s quirks.  The good and bad, the blessings and the “not blessings.”  I love that I can worship so freely and be in relationship with my magnificent creator.  It fills the void in my soul and sets me at peace.  I pray my heart will always be in a mode of worship.

Today, I am grateful for my family – all of my family.  However, I am especially thankful for my husband who works hard to provide for us, and for my MIL who shares her home with us.  I am very grateful for my children who are a source of constant amusement, love, and challenges.  They make me grow and stretch and be a better person.

I am grateful for my good health, and that it allows me to do all I need to do.

I am grateful for my garden “project” this year.  It is hard work, but I am enjoying it very much.  I feel like a good steward of the Earth.

I am always grateful for my relationship with the Lord.  Walking with Him has been the greatest blessing to my days!

What are you grateful for?  Take some time today and ponder the ways your life is blessed, even in adversity.

Feel free to join me as I strive to make each Sunday a “Day of Rest, Day of Gratitude.”

I love pumpkin flavored coffee creamer, and it’s already almost gone from stores. What’s up with that? It’s not even Thanksgiving yet! I should have another two weeks at least people. Get with the program already.

I don’t “love” yet, but definitely “LIKE,” Peppermint White Chocolate Creamer from Lucerne. As with their Pumpkin Pecan, this is a cut above the average Coffeemate and International Delight flavors. PWC is yummy stuff and hopefully, in the absence of Pumpkin Pecan (or any other pumpkin flavor, ahem) it will get me through the holiday season before they pull it from shelves. “Like” could become “love” in this case. I am so not looking forward to a year of French Vanilla…..

I love November in Maryland. I really, really do! Cloudy, somber days with crisp, cool air and a riot of color on the trees. October might be peak leaf turning time in other areas, but here it is definitely early to mid November. I don’t mind the rain much, and it gets me in the mood for the holidays. I wouldn’t even mind a touch of snow for Thanksgiving. When the skies are not cloudy though, it’s even better. There is something shockingly beautiful about a blue November sky. Maybe because it’s rare? LOL!

I love Thanksgiving (usually)! I love the food and the family. There is nothing like the smell of turkey, sweet potatoes, apple pie AND pumpkin pie wafting through the house. Back home, Thanksgiving means good food, family and puzzles. My mom used to pull out a massive puzzle to do on her craft table after all the food was put away and everyone was too stuffed for pie. I miss my family. I wish I was going to be with them for the holiday. I love them so much!

I love my husband. Seriously, he is my modern day hero. That man got up and went to work yesterday at 8:30. He got home this morning around 3:30, and then had to be back at work again at 6:30. Yes, really. He works his butt off, and he won’t hear of my going back to work. He knows how much I love being with the kids and he is making sure I do it. The only thing he was worried about at 3:30 this morning was not disturbing my sleep too much. I couldn’t have asked for anyone more perfect. Mostly I cannot believe he puts up with my petty drama. I am so grateful and so blessed. Who can care about anything else when you have that?

Now, where did I put those tissues?