I'm a little behind, so I'm doing two weeks today.
Sunday, 9/15:
The Selfs ventured to church, and it was a huge success! Tyler was a trooper the whole time, with nary a peep. I guess he loves being out of the house. I'm thankful for successful outings.
Monday, 9/16:
Another outing, this time to the grocery store. Another good boy!
Tuesday, 9/17:
Tyler managed to pee on his face not once, or twice, or three times, but FOUR times during the day! Poor little guy! He just looked up at me like "What just happened?" I'm thankful for life's little humorous moments and for embarrassing stories to share with my son's girlfriends in the future.
Wednesday, 9/18:
Today was not a good day. Without getting into too much detail, I was trying to implement some scheduling stuff from a parenting book, learning how to pump, and working with the plumbers, all the while dealing with a fussy baby. I am thankful for bad days because they make good days all the sweeter.
Thursday and Friday, 9/19 & 9/20:
I have no recollection of these days. Maybe I'm repressing something?
Saturday, 9/21:
I'm thankful for the sound of pouring rain outside my window while I'm up in the middle of the night feeding and tending to a fussy boy.
Sunday, 9/22:
Brian Frost was speaking at church about how Jesus calls the church His bride. He talked about how in love and enthusiastic Jesus is about the church. He said that out of all the weddings he's performed, in a few of them, the groom has been so enthusiastic to marry his bride that he jumps the gun during the vows. Brian Frost asks a long "will you" question and said that a few grooms answer "I will" after the first pause instead of waiting for the end of the question. MY groom was one of those grooms! I'm thankful for a reminder of the joy of our wedding day.
Monday-Wednesday, 9/23-9/25:
I'm sure things happened these days that I was thankful for. I'm sure my sleep-deprived brain has forgotten them now.
Thursday, 9/26:
Tyler and I had visitors on Thursday (look for a future post). I'm thankful for family, for advice, and for grandmothers that fawn over their grandchildren.
Friday, 9/27:
Tyler and I had a very minor household incident Friday morning. I'm thankful for God's watchful hand who protected us from what could have been worse.
Saturday, 9/28:
Saturday was Addison's birthday party, but the Selfs weren't quite ready to make such a long trip, so we had to miss it. I'm thankful for long phone conversations where I get enough details to feel like I was there.
Showing posts with label 365praise. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 365praise. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Monday, September 16, 2013
365 Days of Praise, Week 4
Sunday, 9/8:
There is going to come a time in my near future when I will go back to waking up at 4:45. Actually, I take that back. I'll probably have to get up at 4:00 to incorporate an extra feeding into my morning. Sunday, the Selfs slept in (after multiple wake-up calls in the middle of the night, of course) around 8:00. I'm thankful for sleep, glorious sleep.
Monday, 9/9:
Monday was a really good day. I'm thankful for UPS baby gift deliveries, meals brought to us by friends, family naps on the couch, and a loving husband who still makes time for the two of us (we are still husband and wife after all, not just "Mom" and "Dad").
Tuesday, 9/10:
We have these bushes in the backyard that I think are the world's fastest-growing plants. They grow shoots up to five feet tall, I kid you not. Tuesday, I went out and tackled those shoots with my hedge trimmers. After being cooped up in the house for the past several weeks, it felt cathartic to get outside, get sweaty, and get my hands dirty. I'm thankful for manual labor.
Wednesday, 9/11:
Tuesday, Jason noticed a leak out by our water box (is that the right term?). He called the water people to come look at it, and they said the leak is ours to repair (nothing wrong with the actual box, but somewhere between our house and the box). So Jason called a plumber to assess the problem. His estimate? $6000. What?!? Jason had the wisdom to call three other plumbers, whose estimates were all several thousand dollars less than the first. I'm thankful for my husband's wisdom and God's provision of funds to take care of this unexpected expense.
Thursday, 9/12:
"You're doing really well." These words came from Tyler's pediatrician. While I have felt we've been managing parenthood ok so far, it's so encouraging to hear this, especially from an expert. I'm thankful for affirmation.
Friday, 9/13:
On Friday, Jason and I were able to eat a quick dinner without a screaming baby in the next room. These moments are becoming fewer and farther between, so I'm thankful for peace and quiet.
Saturday, 9/14:
I couldn't resist the beautiful weather, so I urged Jason for some sort of outing (more on this in a later post once he edits his pictures). 45 minutes to feed Tyler + 20 minutes to get to our destination + a little boy that becomes fussy about an hour and 15 minutes after the BEGINNING of feeding = how do people do this??? I'm thankful for flexibility and learning the ropes as a parent.
There is going to come a time in my near future when I will go back to waking up at 4:45. Actually, I take that back. I'll probably have to get up at 4:00 to incorporate an extra feeding into my morning. Sunday, the Selfs slept in (after multiple wake-up calls in the middle of the night, of course) around 8:00. I'm thankful for sleep, glorious sleep.
Monday, 9/9:
Monday was a really good day. I'm thankful for UPS baby gift deliveries, meals brought to us by friends, family naps on the couch, and a loving husband who still makes time for the two of us (we are still husband and wife after all, not just "Mom" and "Dad").
Tuesday, 9/10:
We have these bushes in the backyard that I think are the world's fastest-growing plants. They grow shoots up to five feet tall, I kid you not. Tuesday, I went out and tackled those shoots with my hedge trimmers. After being cooped up in the house for the past several weeks, it felt cathartic to get outside, get sweaty, and get my hands dirty. I'm thankful for manual labor.
Wednesday, 9/11:
Tuesday, Jason noticed a leak out by our water box (is that the right term?). He called the water people to come look at it, and they said the leak is ours to repair (nothing wrong with the actual box, but somewhere between our house and the box). So Jason called a plumber to assess the problem. His estimate? $6000. What?!? Jason had the wisdom to call three other plumbers, whose estimates were all several thousand dollars less than the first. I'm thankful for my husband's wisdom and God's provision of funds to take care of this unexpected expense.
Thursday, 9/12:
"You're doing really well." These words came from Tyler's pediatrician. While I have felt we've been managing parenthood ok so far, it's so encouraging to hear this, especially from an expert. I'm thankful for affirmation.
Friday, 9/13:
On Friday, Jason and I were able to eat a quick dinner without a screaming baby in the next room. These moments are becoming fewer and farther between, so I'm thankful for peace and quiet.
Saturday, 9/14:
I couldn't resist the beautiful weather, so I urged Jason for some sort of outing (more on this in a later post once he edits his pictures). 45 minutes to feed Tyler + 20 minutes to get to our destination + a little boy that becomes fussy about an hour and 15 minutes after the BEGINNING of feeding = how do people do this??? I'm thankful for flexibility and learning the ropes as a parent.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
365 Days of Praise, Week 3
Sunday:
It's a cruel reality that one needs new underpinnings when nursing. I had tried to buy some during my last weeks of pregnancy, but you have no idea what size you're going to be. I was in desperate need, so Mom and I went to Target in search of some new clothes for my new body. The other downside of not knowing your size is that you either have to grab three of each item (in different sizes) or get dressed, leave the dressing room, and go get new sizes. I'm thankful that Mom went and found other sizes for me, which allowed this tired new mom to just stand still in the dressing room. I'm also thankful for Target's cheap prices, because I bought a ton of stuff!
Monday:
Mom and I ventured to the grocery store together to pick up a few staples while my men stayed at home. I had gone to Target the day before, and two outings in two days took it out of me. I'm thankful for my mom, who made me get in the car while she loaded the groceries and go inside the house and relax while she unloaded the groceries.
Tuesday:
Daddy came to visit and pick Mom up after her being here a week. He stopped by Subway and picked up sandwiches for us. I'm thankful for meals where I don't have to plan/cook/think about what to eat.
Wednesday:
This was our first day by ourselves with Tyler. I don't remember any specifics, just a general feeling of "Wow, this is our new reality." I'm thankful for more than having a baby, but for having a son.
Thursday:
Jason says it's my fault for bragging to my sisters how well Tyler sleeps at night... Well, he refused to go to sleep Thursday night. We tried everything we could think of (feeding, changing diaper, playing soothing music, rocking, swaddling), and finally, FINALLY, he drifted off. I'm thankful for sleep and for sweet sleeping baby coos and sighs.
Friday:
Jason went back to work today. I'm thankful for a mostly uneventful day (no crises!) and for the excitement of Daddy coming home from work.
Saturday:
We had quite a day of visitors. Nana and PawPaw Self, as well as Aunt Sara and Cousin Sawyer came to visit. Tyler was on his best behavior all day (he saved the tantrum for about thirty minutes after everyone left). I'm thankful for family.
It's a cruel reality that one needs new underpinnings when nursing. I had tried to buy some during my last weeks of pregnancy, but you have no idea what size you're going to be. I was in desperate need, so Mom and I went to Target in search of some new clothes for my new body. The other downside of not knowing your size is that you either have to grab three of each item (in different sizes) or get dressed, leave the dressing room, and go get new sizes. I'm thankful that Mom went and found other sizes for me, which allowed this tired new mom to just stand still in the dressing room. I'm also thankful for Target's cheap prices, because I bought a ton of stuff!
Monday:
Mom and I ventured to the grocery store together to pick up a few staples while my men stayed at home. I had gone to Target the day before, and two outings in two days took it out of me. I'm thankful for my mom, who made me get in the car while she loaded the groceries and go inside the house and relax while she unloaded the groceries.
Tuesday:
Daddy came to visit and pick Mom up after her being here a week. He stopped by Subway and picked up sandwiches for us. I'm thankful for meals where I don't have to plan/cook/think about what to eat.
Wednesday:
This was our first day by ourselves with Tyler. I don't remember any specifics, just a general feeling of "Wow, this is our new reality." I'm thankful for more than having a baby, but for having a son.
Thursday:
Jason says it's my fault for bragging to my sisters how well Tyler sleeps at night... Well, he refused to go to sleep Thursday night. We tried everything we could think of (feeding, changing diaper, playing soothing music, rocking, swaddling), and finally, FINALLY, he drifted off. I'm thankful for sleep and for sweet sleeping baby coos and sighs.
Friday:
Jason went back to work today. I'm thankful for a mostly uneventful day (no crises!) and for the excitement of Daddy coming home from work.
Saturday:
We had quite a day of visitors. Nana and PawPaw Self, as well as Aunt Sara and Cousin Sawyer came to visit. Tyler was on his best behavior all day (he saved the tantrum for about thirty minutes after everyone left). I'm thankful for family.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
365 Days of Praise, Week 2
What is 365 Days of Praise? Read about it here.
Sunday:
Ok, so not all my days are philosophical. Today, Jason and I picked up some stock-the-kitchen groceries on our way home from church (have I mentioned before that going to the grocery store with Jason is dangerous?). It was past lunch time, so we picked up some fried chicken from the bakery section of Kroger. Oh. My. Word. That was some delicious fried chicken! Today, I'm thankful for delicious, crispy fried bird meat.
Monday:
Monday was a break from the 90-degree heat, and Jason was able to do some yard work without passing out. I'm thankful for fluctuations in temperature that make you appreciate the cooler days.
Tuesday:
This one is a biggie, since it was quite an eventful day! I'm thankful for amazing nurses who are friendly, knowledgeable, and go above and beyond to help you. I'm thankful for a devoted husband who wakes up at 1:45am with me and stays with me all day, only leaving my side once to go eat a quick bite of lunch. I'm thankful for family who were just as excited about Tyler's arrival as we were. I'm thankful for modern medicine and epidurals. Oh boy howdy, am I thankful for epidurals! I'm thankful for my doctor's quick thinking which prevented some complications (you can ask me about this if you'd like... I just didn't want to write it publicly since it involves lady stuff). I'm thankful for ham and cheese sandwiches after 24 hours of no food. I'm thankful for my little miracle. So so very thankful.
Wednesday:
Wednesday was not a pleasant day. I have no idea how people have visitors in the hospital, because I doubt fifteen minutes went by without a nurse, nurse tech, OB, pediatrician, cord bank people, etc. coming by to poke, prod, or ask us a barrage of questions. I have to say, it was quite annoying. I'm thankful for the few peaceful moments we got to actually be a family of three and figure out this whole parenthood thing. Those moments were precious and too few and far between.
Thursday:
We got to come home from the hospital on Thursday. We had asked my mom to stay with us the first week home, to help with cooking, doing things around the house, and occasionally helping with Tyler. When we got here around 1pm, she had a pot of chicken rice soup bubbling away on the stove. I'm thankful for my mom and all the help she has been.
Friday:
By Friday, we were able to relax a bit and really start enjoying our son. Jason and I took about a million and a half pictures each. We can't help it, he's so photogenic! I'm thankful for our cameras, which will be able to capture moments of our little boy's life. I'm also thankful that he just lies there and can't really run away from the camera yet!
Saturday:
We went for our first pediatrician appointment on Friday. All babies lose some of their birth weight, but the doctor had been a bit concerned about his loss and asked us to come back in on Saturday. Well, not only had our little man not lost any additional weight, he had gained three ounces overnight! I'm thankful for milk, healthy appetites, and one less thing to be concerned about!
Sunday:
Ok, so not all my days are philosophical. Today, Jason and I picked up some stock-the-kitchen groceries on our way home from church (have I mentioned before that going to the grocery store with Jason is dangerous?). It was past lunch time, so we picked up some fried chicken from the bakery section of Kroger. Oh. My. Word. That was some delicious fried chicken! Today, I'm thankful for delicious, crispy fried bird meat.
Monday:
Monday was a break from the 90-degree heat, and Jason was able to do some yard work without passing out. I'm thankful for fluctuations in temperature that make you appreciate the cooler days.
Tuesday:
This one is a biggie, since it was quite an eventful day! I'm thankful for amazing nurses who are friendly, knowledgeable, and go above and beyond to help you. I'm thankful for a devoted husband who wakes up at 1:45am with me and stays with me all day, only leaving my side once to go eat a quick bite of lunch. I'm thankful for family who were just as excited about Tyler's arrival as we were. I'm thankful for modern medicine and epidurals. Oh boy howdy, am I thankful for epidurals! I'm thankful for my doctor's quick thinking which prevented some complications (you can ask me about this if you'd like... I just didn't want to write it publicly since it involves lady stuff). I'm thankful for ham and cheese sandwiches after 24 hours of no food. I'm thankful for my little miracle. So so very thankful.
Wednesday:
Wednesday was not a pleasant day. I have no idea how people have visitors in the hospital, because I doubt fifteen minutes went by without a nurse, nurse tech, OB, pediatrician, cord bank people, etc. coming by to poke, prod, or ask us a barrage of questions. I have to say, it was quite annoying. I'm thankful for the few peaceful moments we got to actually be a family of three and figure out this whole parenthood thing. Those moments were precious and too few and far between.
Thursday:
We got to come home from the hospital on Thursday. We had asked my mom to stay with us the first week home, to help with cooking, doing things around the house, and occasionally helping with Tyler. When we got here around 1pm, she had a pot of chicken rice soup bubbling away on the stove. I'm thankful for my mom and all the help she has been.
Friday:
By Friday, we were able to relax a bit and really start enjoying our son. Jason and I took about a million and a half pictures each. We can't help it, he's so photogenic! I'm thankful for our cameras, which will be able to capture moments of our little boy's life. I'm also thankful that he just lies there and can't really run away from the camera yet!
Saturday:
We went for our first pediatrician appointment on Friday. All babies lose some of their birth weight, but the doctor had been a bit concerned about his loss and asked us to come back in on Saturday. Well, not only had our little man not lost any additional weight, he had gained three ounces overnight! I'm thankful for milk, healthy appetites, and one less thing to be concerned about!
Sunday, August 25, 2013
365 Days of Praise, Week 1
What is 365 Days of Praise? Read about it here.
Sunday: God spoke to me during church service, inspiring me to have a heart full of thanksgiving and praise, which has led to me doing this 365 Days of Praise project.
Monday:
After a four-month search with lots of ups and downs, God provided a substitute teacher for me just in time. The search caused me to pray for understanding and pray words of faith in God's sovereignty, that He had someone in mind but just hadn't revealed that person to us yet. I am very pleased with my sub, especially when I found out she attends Providence! I was able to share with her all the people who had prayed for her, and she said she had been praying for a long-term position as well. It's almost like He knows what He's doing, isn't it? I'm thankful for God's sovereignty.
Tuesday:
I am thankful for a husband who cooks and cleans up the kitchen after he cooks. Jason made chili (yum!), which should get us through the week (did I mention it's a BIG pot of chili?) without having to cook another dinner. I was VERY thankful to have a set plan for dinner on a week where anything can happen. I'm thankful for peace of mind.
Wednesday:
I didn't have the best day at work. It began with parents (there for Freshman Orientation) parking in the faculty lot, which forced me to park much farther away than normal, and ended with a bunch of stuff landing on my plate, causing me to stay an hour and a half past my normal hours. Why am I thankful? Well, at 4:00 (end of the teacher workday), it was POURING outside! We're talking "Where's Noah with the ark?" kind of rain. And I remembered I was parked super far away. So, I'm actually thankful I needed to do more work, because when I left at 5:30, it was barely sprinkling. I'm thankful for God's timing.
Thursday:
Thursday was Open House at school. It was great to meet parents and a few students. There are few things as encouraging as parents smiling and nodding their heads in approval as I describe some of my teaching procedures. The only thing more encouraging? "We heard you're one of the best teachers, so we can't wait for you to return." I'm thankful for encouraging words.
Friday:
I really thought Lilhimself was going to come today. He didn't. Jason and I spent his actual birthday hanging out, ordering Papa John's, and watching taped tv. I'm thankful for the last few hours/days as a family of two.
Saturday:
Jason and I are doing a "Read the Bible in a Year" plan, and part of my reading for Saturday was Psalm 16.
Sunday: God spoke to me during church service, inspiring me to have a heart full of thanksgiving and praise, which has led to me doing this 365 Days of Praise project.
Monday:
After a four-month search with lots of ups and downs, God provided a substitute teacher for me just in time. The search caused me to pray for understanding and pray words of faith in God's sovereignty, that He had someone in mind but just hadn't revealed that person to us yet. I am very pleased with my sub, especially when I found out she attends Providence! I was able to share with her all the people who had prayed for her, and she said she had been praying for a long-term position as well. It's almost like He knows what He's doing, isn't it? I'm thankful for God's sovereignty.
Tuesday:
I am thankful for a husband who cooks and cleans up the kitchen after he cooks. Jason made chili (yum!), which should get us through the week (did I mention it's a BIG pot of chili?) without having to cook another dinner. I was VERY thankful to have a set plan for dinner on a week where anything can happen. I'm thankful for peace of mind.
Wednesday:
I didn't have the best day at work. It began with parents (there for Freshman Orientation) parking in the faculty lot, which forced me to park much farther away than normal, and ended with a bunch of stuff landing on my plate, causing me to stay an hour and a half past my normal hours. Why am I thankful? Well, at 4:00 (end of the teacher workday), it was POURING outside! We're talking "Where's Noah with the ark?" kind of rain. And I remembered I was parked super far away. So, I'm actually thankful I needed to do more work, because when I left at 5:30, it was barely sprinkling. I'm thankful for God's timing.
Thursday:
Thursday was Open House at school. It was great to meet parents and a few students. There are few things as encouraging as parents smiling and nodding their heads in approval as I describe some of my teaching procedures. The only thing more encouraging? "We heard you're one of the best teachers, so we can't wait for you to return." I'm thankful for encouraging words.
Friday:
I really thought Lilhimself was going to come today. He didn't. Jason and I spent his actual birthday hanging out, ordering Papa John's, and watching taped tv. I'm thankful for the last few hours/days as a family of two.
Saturday:
Jason and I are doing a "Read the Bible in a Year" plan, and part of my reading for Saturday was Psalm 16.
"You make known to me the path of life;
in Your presence there is fullness of joy;
at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
--Psalm 16:11
--Psalm 16:11
What a great verse to end my first week of 365 Days of Praise! I'm thankful for God's Word, how it encourages me and gives me insight in how to truly have a grateful heart.
Thursday, August 22, 2013
365 Days of Praise
This past week, my church held an event called Celebration Sunday, a chance for us to celebrate all the wonderful things God has done in our church body in the past year. Pastor Horner spoke from Psalm 145:1-4.
God blesses us every day, and we are to praise Him rather than focus on the negative aspects of our day. As Pastor Horner spoke about giving thanks and having a spirit of gratefulness, I decided to hold myself accountable to this. During service, I decided to challenge myself to 365 Days of Praise. I am going to purposefully take the time to give thanks every day for some blessing in my life. With the hopes of spurring on you faithful readers, I'm going to share these blessings weekly for the next year.
Is it crazy to hold myself to a post-every-week blog for the first year of my baby's life? No, I don't think so. I'm hoping this project will help me find joy on those sleep-deprived, frustrating days and create an environment of praise and thanksgiving in my house.
So stay tuned... it's 365 Days of Praise!
I will extol You, my God, O King;
And I will bless Your name forever and ever.
Every day I will bless You,
And I will praise Your name forever and ever.
God blesses us every day, and we are to praise Him rather than focus on the negative aspects of our day. As Pastor Horner spoke about giving thanks and having a spirit of gratefulness, I decided to hold myself accountable to this. During service, I decided to challenge myself to 365 Days of Praise. I am going to purposefully take the time to give thanks every day for some blessing in my life. With the hopes of spurring on you faithful readers, I'm going to share these blessings weekly for the next year.
Is it crazy to hold myself to a post-every-week blog for the first year of my baby's life? No, I don't think so. I'm hoping this project will help me find joy on those sleep-deprived, frustrating days and create an environment of praise and thanksgiving in my house.
So stay tuned... it's 365 Days of Praise!
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