Thankful for my Washer and Dryer Day 16

     I am so thankful to have a laundry room!  When we worked on our house last year, we designated an extra bedroom as the new laundry room.  Installed new linoleum, shelving and washer dryer hookups!  So very thankful that I have this room now.  It is sunny and bright and warm!  It also holds a desk area where I can do my scrapbooking and be creative!  I do love that room and having clean clothes; even if they do come out looking like a twisted mess sometimes!

Thankful for my hairdresser Day 15

     So thankful that I have had the same hairdresser for the last 13 years!  Angel Larose is a great lady.  She always makes me feel welcome in her salon.  She cuts, colors and styles my hair beautifully.  She also usually throws in a free facial or makeup session.  She dyes and waxes my eyebrows and I always leave there feeling as pretty as a soap opera star!  So grateful for the fun talks we have and the sharing of family stories!  Thanks Angel!

Thankful for Mousetrap Pediatrics Day 14

     Today I am thankful that when I called Mousetrap Pediatrics to get Faith an appointment, I did not have any trouble getting through on the phone line.  That in itself is unusual.  Often I have to be on hold for a while.  Today, we were able to get right in! Poor Faith had an infection, a cyst under her arm.  When we got there, Karen and Dr Chip brought us right in and got to work fixing Faifer up.  Poor kid had to have it lanced.  It was very painful but she was a trooper.  She did not shed a tear until we got into the car.  So very thankful for Dr Chip's kindness and gentleness.  Praying now, that the infection is not serious and that the antiobiotics work to heal her completely!

Thankful for my new car Day 13

     Paul came home from work early with a picture of a Dodge Avenger.  He said, come on, lets go pick up your new car!  So we drove to Burlington, to Goss Dodge where we checked out the Avenger.  However, there was a sweet looking black Chrysler 200 next to it just calling my name!  I took it for a test drive and really liked it!  So thats what we picked.  It's the newest car I have ever owned!  I surely am always grateful for what I drive.  Paul has always got us used cars that run fine!  But it was pretty exciting to get this new, shiny, elegant looking car!  I am so very thankful to have a dependable car to drive especially after having had so many transmission problems in the last month.
     Thank you for providing for this need of a car in our life Lord!!

Thankful for my son Jake Day 12

     Whenever anyone asks me how many children I have, I always say 5.  I gave birth to four but when Paul and I got together, I was privileged to gain another son.  Jacob was 11 when Paul and I met and moved in with us shortly after.  He is a brother to Nolan who otherwise would have only had sisters and an extra big "bubba" to my girls.

     Jake is light and laughter and funniness!  He is athletic, strong and loves to play.  He makes adventure out of the simplest things and even going for a run with him, you'll find him leaping fences, dodging obstacles and spinning in circles.  He loves the outdoors and especially snowboarding!

 

 He is creative, stubborn and a "bit" resistant to authority.   But he is, above all, loyal and a lover of family.  He has given us some rough times.  Some things have happened which maybe someday I could share here.   Definitely some challenges.  Not quite ready to divulge those secrets.  He and Faith have a special bond!  He takes her on hikes, bike rides and out for ice cream.  She so looks up to him and Nolan too. 

Jake and Nolan both showed up for Faith's play Saturday night with boquets of flowers for their little sister!  Boy was she thrilled! 

 

Jake has always jokingly called me "x-Mom".  One time, years ago, instead of saying step mom, he said x-mom.  He must have been thinking of x-wife because of the divorce.  Anyway, the term stuck.  I am Janet ~"X -Mom"!  Kind of funny.  Thanks Jake for all the joy you have brought to me.  I have two sons and three daughters and I am so very, very blessed!

Once again, I could go on and on about this boy of ours but this bragging X- mom will stop.

 

Our boys!

Thankful for my lesson on driving a standard car Day 11

     Today, Paul drove me to Hannaford to pick up some groceries.  He then drove me to the school to drop off food for the food drive for victims of Hurricane Sandy.  Then he told me to get in the drivers seat to have a driving lesson.  You see, we have been having a multitude of car problems lately.  Truck is in the shop.  The car has transmission problems and I just borrowed my sisters Sues car, Thursday and that broke down too.  I could cry, but I guess I will laugh at the unfortunate circumstances until we buy a new one.   It has certainly been an interesting few weeks of break downs and rescues by my hunny. 
     He very patiently gave me a lesson on how to drive the one remaining car we have left to drive - a standard.   Many chuckles as I stopped, started, stalled, revved, and jerked my way around Enosburg Elementary School about 20 times.   I am learning.  It was very frustrating and not coming too easily for me.  But we kept on.  Clutch in, start, on clutch, on gas, off clutch on gas, go, clutch in brake, stop start, round and round.  I am sure Paul was dizzy and bored but He is a great teacher.  I'll keep trying till I get it right! Thanks for the lesson Hunny!

Thankful for my job! Day 10

     So thankful that I have a good job that I love.  I have worked as a dialysis technician for 15+ years.   Although sometimes I long to do something new or different I realize that there is great security there.  Good benefits, good pay and people who need me.   So grateful that I am comfortable and competent at what I do.  It has taught me not only professional skills but also people skills.  There are always lessons to be learned.  I am able to take care of the same people for sometimes years at a time.  I strive to always love each patient where they are at and make dialysis the most comfortable, painless and secure treatment possible.  Working with my husband is another bonus.  We work well together ~ a rare thing for most people I am sure.  We can drive in to work together, troubleshoot, complain, commiserate and be eachothers best confidantes!  We also have a lot of laughs.  So very thankful for him and my job!

Thankful for my daughter Faith Day 9

    My daughter Faith is 10 years old and has brought so much joy to Paul and I.  She has always been a busy girl.  Content with any kind of plaything, imaginative, athletic, sociable, and easy to get along with.  She makes friends easily.  She is sensitive to others moods and loves hugs, back scratches and foot rubs. I  certainly could go on and on about her! 
     Today we were especially blessed by watching her in her second play.  She played the Mad Hatter in the after school program play Dorothy meets Alice in Wonderland!  We ordered her costume on Friday and it hadn't arrived yet.  Faith was getting very worried.  However, it came today just in time.  They have been practicing for this play twice a week for 2 months.  She loved the idea of it but had many anxious evenings worrying and wondering if she was brave enough to perform.  She had many lines to memorize.  I helped her practice and was thrilled that she could remember them so well.  I coached her to speak loudly and encouraged her by telling her that she would bring so much joy to the people in the audience by being her funny, silly self.  Many nights we prayed for God to give her confidence to do the job well!
     I guess it worked because she wasn't nervous; she was excited about her costume arriving on time and she brought so much joy to me, Paul and the audience.  It was thrilling to see her acting confident and to hear the praise of other parents and friends!

    

Some of her lines:       Alice:  Excuse me, must you speak in rhyme? 

 Mad Hatter.  "All the time.  That's my speciality - riddles, reasons and rhymes. 

I also do jokes for special occasions. 

 I work hard at being a bard.  My card."

"I'm so mad I could tear a tomtit to tatters."

"I really need some tea.

  Even when I'm not mad, I need some tea. 

 But I'm always mad,

so I would always need some tea anyway, wouldn't I 

That's a riddle.  My special-tea!

"It's not part of my contract. 

 I do rhymes, reasons, riddles, occasional jokes and tea.

  That's it for me."

"He can join my tea party. 

That'll keep him awake. 

 Every time he starts to doze,

I'll pour tea upon his nose."



And she spoke  all with a British accent.  She was adorable and clever and I guess I'll stop bragging now!

Anyway, so thankful for this special daughter of mine as I am so thankful for each of my children and their unique personalities!

 

"Behold children are a heritage from the Lord. 

The fruit of the womb is a reward. 

 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,

so are the children of ones youth. 

 Happy is the man who has a quiver full of them,

 they shall not be ashamed. 

 Psalm 127:3-5

I certainly am blessed and happy because of my children.



 



Thankful for my Lord Day 8

     Today, I am thankful that the Lord has chosen me to be his daughter.  That He has my name engraved on His hand.

He says in Isaiah ~ "Yet I will not forget you.

See, I have inscribed you on the palms of MY hands."

 

 That He has forgiven me and clothed me with righteousness.  That I can come to Him with all of my needs, big and small.  With all of my thankfulness.  With all of my worries and concerns.  And especially that I can intercede for my loved ones, by placing their needs in your hands Lord.
To be held by YOU, by YOUR hands is all that I could ask for.  Thank You Heavenly Father!
Love your daughter, Janet

Thankful for America and the right to Vote Day 7

     Today I am thankful for so many things.  This exercise is wonderful because God has commanded us to give thanks in all things. I have only to look around me and see what I have been blessed with.  I read once that ~ "A single grateful thought toward heaven is the most complete prayer!"  How true this is. So this is a continuous prayer of thanks to you Lord.
     Today, I was able to go downtown to vote in the election. This is a right and a privilege.   I am so very proud to be an American, the daughter of a Marine who served and still serves our country faithfully.  I am also the mother of a son who serves in the Air National Guard!  He joined at the age of 17 and has grown up to be a responsible, strong, capable man!  For this I am proud and thankful!
    

"Be joyful always, pray continually. 

 Give thanks in all circumstances. 

 For this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 

 1 Thessalonians 5:16

Thankful for our Home Day 6

     Enjoying the day off today.  The kids are at school.  Paul is at work.  I enjoy the quiet morning when I can have time to do my devotions and spend time in prayer.  Putter around, putting things in  place and cleaning my newly remodeled kitchen.  It is cozy and warm with the pellet stove going while outside it is spitting snow.  Maybe I'll change the curtains, rearrange photos, do some scrapbooking.  Plan dinner, exercise or maybe bake something.  The day is mine and I so enjoy making this house a home for my family.

Thankful for my cozy home!