You know what, I am not a particularly grateful person by nature. It's easy for me to dwell on the negatives (part of why I started this blog many years ago; to help me record God's blessings in my life -- which I hope to get back to more and more). Feeling thankful doesn't come easily, so I have to choose to be so, sometimes on an hourly basis. When I am feeling resentful and ungrateful, it's not because God hasn't given me good things or provided for my needs, it's because He hasn't done it the way I want Him to(!). What foolishness.


I do actually have a lot to be thankful for. I'm thankful for the memory of a special Thanksgiving day, three years ago, when our firstborn son entered the world. He has been a delight to us ever since. I'm thankful for his good health, his quick mind, his sweet spirit, and yes, even his boyish energy. :) I wanted a son named Edmund and God graciously gave me the desires of my heart. He is so hilarious; I can't even tell you all the funny things he says that crack me up! Here are a few recent funnies:

• At naptime, I put him down in his crib and covered him with his blankets. He looked up at me and sweetly asked, "Mommy, where are my pocket-handkins? Where's my pinnie?" (The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle reference, for those of you who are too far removed from Beatrix Potter books.)
• the other day at lunch: "On your marks... get set... GO! PRAY! Lord Jesus, thank you for this day..."
• I was walking past the (closed) bathroom door and heard a little voice inside practicing the "Minuet in G": "La, de, da, de, da, de, da, de, da. La de da. La de da." etc. He was using the Think System from The Music Man, hahaha.

I'm thankful for our lovely daughter, who just turned six months old. I can't wait to see the beautiful person she will become. I am also thankful for her good health and her sweet temperament. She charms people everywhere we go with her ready smile. We're often asked, "Is she always this happy?" (For the record, no.) She has the cutest mannerisms, from sucking her thumb to making adorable "ba ba ba" noises to squirming and dancing in the most fetching way. What a sweetheart!

I'm thankful for my husband, who has worked so hard to provide for our children and me. I'm proud of the steps he has taken to create his own business, and amazed at his multiple talents in creating websites, brochures, marketing, creativity, etc.! That on top of his talents as a musician and a teacher. He has stretched himself out of his comfort zone (and mine) again and again, all for the sake of his family. He keeps persevering in the face of setbacks and discouragement. What a man! He is my best friend. He is the funniest guy I know -- once in a while he'll come up with something that has me literally crying uncontrollably with laughter. That's a good feeling.

There's more, but I'll stop there and keep the rest in my heart (or for another blog post). ;-) I wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving meditating on God's blessings!

We have been having the most beautiful spring here in Indiana that we've ever experienced since moving here three and a half years ago! It feels like a gift from God as this will be our last spring to enjoy here.


God has opened a small door for us after we have been praying and waiting for one for the past three years. We'll be moving back to Nebraska shortly after our baby is born. At first we will likely have to live with my parents for a short while, but then we'll be moving to a house only a few blocks away once it is ready for us.


I'm excited to have some of the things I've been missing the past three years of apartment-living -- a yard for Edmund and the baby to play in, a place to take walks with the kids without having to drive anywhere, space for some gardening, and less cramped living quarters! Not to mention ready-and-willing babysitters just a few blocks away. ;-)


Meanwhile, Douglas will have the opportunity to work on some entrepeneurial endeavors. There's no knowing where the next few years will take us, so it is especially a time to trust God for provision, care, and guidance.

[Dutchman's Breeches -- a favorite springtime flower from my Illinois girlhood that does not grow wild in Nebraska as it does here in the eastern Midwest.]
Of course, we will miss our Indiana church and friends. We're trying to savor the things we enjoy about living here these last few months. Douglas likes the taller trees that you find in the eastern part of the Midwest. It seems silly, but I'll miss the grocery stores I frequent. :) (Though it will be fun to coordinate shopping trips with my mom or grandma, to have an extra hand with wrasslin' two babes and a shopping cart.)


"Have I not commanded you?
Be strong and courageous.
Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged,
for the LORD your God will be with you
wherever you go."
--Joshua 1:9

I've been procrastinating writing this post -- I'm sure you've noticed the neglect my blog has suffered of late! Douglas and I decided to get rid of our home Internet connection for a season, which went into effect at the beginning of this month. This is partly to cut out an unnecessary financial expenditure, and partly because we both felt we were too addicted to the Internet. It's been a few weeks now, and I'm truly surprised at how little I miss it -- mostly the convenience of looking up a recipe, checking the weather forecast, or things like that.

I initially thought that if we got rid of our Internet connection, I would give up blogging altogether -- but when push came to shove, I'm having a hard time severing something I've enjoyed so much over the past five years. So, I decided to semi-retire instead. My posts will be much more infrequent, since my Internet time is so limited, but I hope to continue posting from time to time, especially my sewing projects.

I will also be changing the comments so that all comments need to be approved by me before they show up. I've been blessed not to have to deal with much spam or unkindness through the comments feature, but this will just give me an extra measure of peace about the content of my blog when I'm not around to check on it every day.

Thanks for hanging in there with me! It's a blessing to be able to share the small beauties with which God has enriched my life at home. I'm always glad to hear from you, either in the comments or by e-mail (my address is in my blogger profile). God bless you, dear friends!

• Edmund sleeping in 'til 8 AM
  
• answered prayers
  
• snuggling with my son under a wool tartan blanket, reading Marguerite de Angeli's A Pocket Full of Posies: A Merry Mother Goose
  
• a full refrigerator
  
• a little extra time to put dishes away, wipe down counterspace, and sweep the floor in the kitchen while Edmund entertained himself nearby
  
• a moment of Joy
  
• a new autumn candle ("Mulled Cider" from Mainstays brand, found at Wal-Mart)
  
• leek and apple cream soup and most delicious spinach salad for supper
  
• a country drive in the rain afterwards