Thanksgiving Challenge: days 12-14

Days 12 - 14:  I am thankful for hot coffee with peppermint mocha creamer, warm coats and mittens on cold mornings.  I am thankful my kids still want me to walk out to the bus stop with them.  I am thankful for dear friends who listen to me, pray with me, and love me for me.

Thanksgiving Challenge: Days 10 and 11

Day 10:  I am thankful for Eagle Brook.....for the opportunity to worship with my husband and oldest son....for the relevant, life-changing messages that we hear every week....for the kids' programs that my children can't wait to go to....and for the reminders to remember what is most important in life that I get at just the right moment.

Day 11:  I am thankful for all the men and women who serve our country faithfully and for their families that are left at home.  I will never fully understand the sacrifices you all make so I can have my freedom --- but I will always be thankful.

Thanksgiving Challenge: Days 7-9

Day 7:  I am thankful to be working in a career where I can positively impact my clients' lives everyday.  At times they let me into their private struggles and emotional pain and I take that responsibility very seriously.  Other times, I am there to celebrate the most exciting times in their lives.  So incredibly thankful.

Day 8:  I am thankful that even when money is tight, I am able to feed my family nutritious food.  We are not starving....even though my kids will argue that sometimes they are.  :)  We are able to eat 3 meals a day and snacks in between.  So much of the world cannot say that.....I am thankful.

Day 9:  I am thankful for water -- clean water -- that I can get from any faucet in my house.  I don't worry about walking miles to get water.  I don't worry about my kids getting sick or even dying from contaminated water.  Parents in many areas of the world do have those worries every moment of every day.  I am thankful.

  

Thanksgiving Challenge: Day 6

I am thankful for so many things today.  First, I'm thankful for the men and women who have fought so hard over the years -- some losing their lives -- so I can have the opportunity.....no, responsibility.....to vote.  I get to have input in how this country is run.  How amazing is that?!?!?!

Most importantly, I'm beyond thankful that, no matter what the outcome of this presidential election is, God is still God.....unchanging, all-knowing, and still "in charge".  I put my hope and trust in that.

Thanksgiving Challenge: Days 4 and 5

Day 4:  I am thankful for my home.  We may not own it but I am thankful we are able to rent it and have a comfortable place to enjoy our family.  I am thankful for the space we have because in so many countries it would be considered a luxury.  I.Am.Thankful.

Day 5:  I am thankful for veggie noodles that up the nutritional value of my lasagna casserole!  Seriously!  I am even MORE thankful that my kids LOVE them!  hahaha  This challenge never specified that you had to be thankful for something serious and deep each day!  :)

30 day Thanksgiving challenge: Days 1-3

I have seen a thankfulness challenge going around Facebook so I figured it was perfect timing for me to participate.  Focusing everyday on something I am thankful for is exactly what I need.  Some posts may have pictures....some may not.  I would love to hear what others are thankful for as well --- please feel free to leave it in the comments section.

Day 1:  I am eternally thankful for the personal relationship I have with Jesus Christ.  He is ALWAYS there for me.  There have been many nights that I am awake at 2:00 am unable to sleep.  Being able to use that time for sweet moments with the Lord gives me a peace that is unexplainable.

Day 2:  I am thankful for the blessing of being a mom.  The responsibility is overwhelming at times but the blessings are infinite.

Day 3:  I am thankful for my parents who willingly take care of my children while I'm at work.  They pour themselves into their grandchildren.  They are prayer warriors and share Jesus' love in all they do.

Amazingly yummy chicken

So supper was a HIT tonight!  I had my 4 kids and one of their friends over for supper.  3 out of 5 of them LOVED it....and I consider that a big hit.  Plus they all asked me to make it again.  Score!  What's so funny about that is tonight was "clean out the freezer and pantry" night.  Double score!!  Hahaha

Here's the recipe.......

frozen chicken breast (I used an entire 2.5 lb bag)
apricot preserves (18 oz jar)
2 teaspoons dried onion flakes
2 Tablespoons dijon mustard
2 Tablespoons soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes (this could be left out)

I dropped the frozen chicken breasts in the crockpot.  In a separate bowl, mix the rest of the ingredients together.  Pour mixture over the chicken.  Cook on LOW for 6 hours.  I served this with rice and cheesy veggies.  Sooooooo yummmmmmmy!!!!!  Enjoy!

Adjusting

Noah has been home from the hospital for 5 days and I couldn't be more thankful!!!  There is always an adjustment period but the first night having all 4 of my kids under the same roof again was an incredible feeling.  I went into the boys' room several times just to check on them and smiled.

We don't have any answers....that would have been too easy.  I understand that the main objective in the hospital is to make sure the child is no longer feeling suicidal, learns new coping strategies, and has the opportunity to practice them.  But, since this is where I am completely honest about things, it would have been really nice if the psychiatrist would have finished the testing/evaluations that we had started prior to his hospitalization.  I had been promised that they would do that....but they didn't.  Instead, they put him on meds because the few disorders he MIGHT have would be helped by this medication, made sure he didn't have any immediate side effects, and told us to follow up with his therapist.  Fantastic!!! (said dripping with sarcasm)  It's a frustrating process but no one said parenting was easy, right?!?!?!

Right now I'm thankful my son's moods are stable and he's home where he belongs!

It doesn't get easier

Noah is still in the hospital.  He will be until at least the middle of this week.  He doesn't like being there but he's making the most of it -- learning as many coping tools as possible for dealing with his anger and practicing them.

I have been able to see him everyday for about 30-45 minutes at a time.  I treasure our times together...the hugs he gives, the stories he tells, the things he tells me he's learning....and I struggle to keep my composure when it's time to leave.  It never gets easier to say good bye....to not be the one tucking him in at night....to see his eyes well up with tears....to know that he still cries at night....to hear him say "take me home with you" and know that I can't.  We all know this is the best, safest place for him right now....but it doesn't make it any easier.  I pray with him when I'm there and share Bible verses.  I made him a notebook with notes from his brothers and sister, from me, from my parents, and a few Bible verses.  It's something he can look at when he feels lonely, scared, sad and he loved it.

Thank you for all the prayers and support for our family.  We definitely still need it.

Prayers and support for Noah

It's interesting that the last post I made on my blog was celebrating Noah's 12th birthday.  I have started so many posts with pictures from the summer that I just haven't finished....but this way you can read all about what an amazing kid my oldest son is and how much he is loved.

Noah has been struggling with anger, fits of rage, and even off and on thoughts of suicide.  He's been receiving help and has connected with an amazing therapist.  But, last night, he was transported via ambulance to the hospital because of suicidal thoughts and actions.  The doctors felt the best course of action was the admit him inpatient to a different hospital.  So at 11:00 pm he was transported again, via ambulance, to a different hospital.  We got him checked in and settled.  But this time is incredibly different from any other hospitalization any of my other kids have had.  This time I didn't get to bring him in myself.  This time they didn't bring a cot in for me to sleep on.  This time I had to turn and leave, listening to him cry and not want me to leave.  This time, they locked a door behind me when I left.  This time, I only have certain hours I can talk to him or see him.  This time, I'm not the one he can turn to for comfort.

I know this is the best place for him to be.  He's safe.  He's around people who can help him.  And I am praying nonstop for him.  Will you please join me?

12 years old already!!!!

My dear, Noah....you are my baby that made me a Mommy.  That was truly one of the greatest moments of my life....hearing Daddy whisper to me "it's a boy!".....the best birthday present I could have ever received.  And now you're 12 years old!  It's so hard to believe since I'm only 29!  (hahaha)  Today we celebrated you -- the amazingly tender heart you have, the ways you make us laugh, the smiles you bring to our faces, the joy that can be seen in your eyes, and the way you love Jesus.  I pray this next year is one of the best ever.  I love you sooooooo much!

The birthday decorations -- there are 12 balloons!

The birthday boy chose his favorite supper -- taco bake!  I'll share the recipe another time.  It's very easy and  oh so good!

We had to start eating before Daddy got home from work.  He made it just a couple minutes after I took this picture. 

The goofy cake!  Noah loved it -- looked just like a grill with hamburgers and hot dogs!

PRESENTS!!!!

Pop Rocks and bubble gum from Eli and Joey.

Crunch bar from Abby (favorite candy bar!)

The movie "Short Circuit" -- one of his favorites.  (Super good deal because I found it for $5 at Wal-Mart!  Woo hoo!)

A Wind Flyer -- obviously VERY excited about it.  

A batting helmet for baseball

Awww.....such sweet moments.  It was a fantastic day all around.  WE LOVE YOU, NOAH!!!!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY!