1/2 a year!

Yes, it has been over two weeks since Siena Joy turned 1/2 a year old. It is actually really crazy that I have a 6 month old babe and that today she is actually closer to 7 months.

Here is her little 6 month old profile:

- Continues to be shy about rolling over and her favorite spot to do it is in her crib after naps

- Is now eating peas, avocado, green beans, banana, and brown rice cereal

- Is FULL of smiles

- Very interested in toys and grabbing things (even pinching skin)

- Growing back her pretty hair & has her little hair swirl again!

- Says adadada

- LOVES being outside and going for walks

- Is super interested in watching bigger kids

- Can nap almost anywhere we go & takes 2, sometimes 3 naps a day for between 45 mins and two hours each time

- Sleeps from 6:30pm - 7:30am (waking up around 1 & 4 - crying for a little bit and going back to bed, and eating around 6am)

- Smiles huge when she sees daddy

I love my sweetie pie. She is a bundle of joy and is such a blessing to our lives. Her personality has totally changed since she was a newborn and she is SO easygoing and loves playing!

Thankfulness (FINALLY!) #23 Dwelling in Joy

As we pray and thank God, we are filled with joy, and as we express joy, our hearts again turn to gratitude. Regardless of what is going on in our lives, we can respond with a heart full of joy because we know that our redeemer lives, that all things work together for good to those who love God, that our Lord will never leave us nor forsake us.

Joy is the natural response to such jubilant promises!

Job #23 - What are you most joyful about? Pray and ask the Lord and write it down & pop it into your jar of blessing!

gRoWiNg...

My baby girl is growing. and growing! Tomorrow marks the 6th month of her precious little life. While we were on vacation, she rolled over for the first time from her tummy to her back, got her first tooth, and began saying dadadada. This week she ate brown rice cereal and held onto a rattle (for an extended period) for the first time! So many firsts!

Here is Siena eating for the first time!


My friend Sheree recently showed me a website that gives you tips, recipes, and lots more about feeding your baby solids. I made up the recipe for brown rice cereal and today is the 5th day Siena has been eating. It's SO easy and I would totally recommend doing it. It takes about 15 minutes from grinding the cereal to powder all the way to having your little one eat it. Today we are going to try peas!

Recipe for brown rice cereal:

1/4 cup brown rice powder - grind it up in a food processor or blender (I used my magic bullet)
1 cup of water

1. Bring the water to a boil.
2. Add the powder and stir constantly.
3. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring often.
4. Mix in breast milk, formula, or water to desired consistency.


Here is Siena shaking her rattle!



Sometimes it is difficult to not desire the next "greener on the other side" season/moment. I try daily to take all of it in and be content. It isn't always that way though. Sometimes it is a huge struggle. This verse speaks to my soul to desire to live life for HIS purposes not mine.

Psalm 37:23
If the Lord delights in a man's way,
he makes his steps firm.

Job 22: Thank the Lord for the places that he has moved and made your steps firm. Write it down and drop it in!
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If you desire to cultivate a heart of thankfulness & are willing to try it for 31 days (give or take - there is always grace here) - post a comment during any of my posts that relate to thankfulness. I will send you a gift at the end to show my thankfulness for you. If you are curious what the JOB is read my post here.

fear not.

It is definitely a typical Seattle day here. Rainy & stormy & dark. I actually don't mind it, to me it's kind of comforting. But that does not mean that I am not totally looking forward to next weeks vacation.

I am struggling though. Struggling with fear. We are not supposed to live in fear. However, every time I am about to fly - something just overtakes me. The enemy knows how to assail me that is for sure. I can't stop thinking about all the what ifs and my mind is bombarded with things that could go wrong.

Job 39:22
He laughs at fear and is not dismayed; he does not turn back from the sword.

Psalm 23:4
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

2Timothy 1:7
for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

I have to cling to these promises that God gives me. I have to listen, obey, and be sanctified to be more like Jesus so I won't fear this life. I have to yield my heart, mind, and soul to the Holy Spirit so I don't give in to lies.

My mind needs to be transformed.

Transformed into trust
Transformed into thankfulness.
Transformed into laughing at the time to come.
Transformed into love.
Transformed into grace.
Transformed into _______.

What does your mind need to be transformed into?

JOB Day 21- Write down two ways that the LORD has transformed you.

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If you desire to cultivate a heart of thankfulness & are willing to try it for 31 days (give or take - there is always grace here) - post a comment during any of my posts that relate to thankfulness. I will send you a gift at the end to show my thankfulness for you. If you are curious what the JOB is read my post here.

precious ones.

My thankful heart never left me during this break (maybe momentarily) but i am back to share it with you. We are 2/3 of the way done with this little heart change challenge. I definitely notice a difference with the way that my heart is leaning during trial. How's your thankful heart doing? Something that I am experiencing more fully now is the blessing that children are. Matthew 18 says,

Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

We are to take a look at the children in our lives. Look at their innocence and their precious beauty. Look at the way that they have faith without questioning. Look at the way that they are willing to be taught and are constantly learning. Jesus is saying if we don't turn from our prideful, selfish, all-about-me ways, then we cannot know him. We need to be teachable, humble, and malleable.

Isaiah 54:13

All your sons will be taught by the Lord, and great will be your children's peace.

This is a plea that rings out of my heart. Please Lord, help my children be taught by you. Help everything I do show them something about you. Then they will have great peace. They will know, rely on, and be comforted by the Lord. How peaceful is that? JOB Day 20 - Write down the names of the children you are grateful for and the reasons you are grateful. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you desire to cultivate a heart of thankfulness & are willing to try it for 31 days (give or take - there is always grace here) - post a comment during any of my blogs that relate to thankfulness. I will send you a gift at the end to show my thankfulness for you. If you are curious what the JOB is read my post here.

Downpour.

Some days I think it would be hilarious if a camera crew followed SiSi and I around. Some sort of reality TV show that was about the day in the life of a SAHM (stay at home mom). In reality, most days are full of the same ol same ol, but we try to make it interesting. I say we, by that I mean me. There isn't much planning that my almost 5 month old does these days.

Today would have been a great day for that TV show to start. But then I wonder what you all would really think of me. I do some pretty ridiculous things to get my little one to laugh. Probably because that laugh melts my heart. It is the cutest thing she does and she rarely does it. When I finally get it out of her I do whatever started the laugh over and over again.

Well, I hate to admit this but today what did it was hissing like a cat. I know. It sounds ridiculous. But something made me do it this afternoon and she laughed out loud each time. I've continued doing it all day and she loves it. The problem here is that everything that makes our dear one laugh is extremely ridiculous to show other people. I think she secretly knows she is making her mama look this way and can't help laughing at me.

The second reason why today would have been great for a camera crew, you guessed it: downpour. The reason why this word is the title of my post is because it caused me some good laughs today. Siena has finally gotten into a routine with naps which is great for time to get things done at home but hard when it comes to leaving the house. We have a longer window after her second nap to go out and do something; usually a walk around the neighborhood. Today I had coupons for Tillamook yogurt, which if you haven't tried... you really should. It's THE best yogurt & since it's made in the great Pacific Northwest it has to be good. I decided that instead of our normal walk we would head to the grocery store. I never take Siena to the grocery store because I have an amazing mom who comes and watches her when I need to go.

We left at 2:15 and it was not raining at all. I actually thought, "Wow, it's not raining." Right when we pulled out of the driveway it started sprinkling. A prayer was said that went something like, "Jesus, please make it stop raining before we get to the store." It started to really pour. He knew that what was coming was more fun than the alternative. When we got to the store it was really raining and we basically live down the street. I got out of the car to put the Baby Bjorn on since Siena is so much happier in it than in the car seat. As we were walking into the store, well - a little more like jogging, I had my hands over Siena's head to try to keep the rain from pouring into her little eyes and the woman leaving the store gave me a nasty dirty look. I couldn't help but laugh. I'm sorry... I didn't know it would be raining when I got here! I'm sorry, my baby would be screaming the whole time if she were covered up in her car seat! Multiple people looked at me crazily as I walked the isles & we got what we needed and left. Multiple times I just laughed, this is my adventurous side these days!

As I sit here and listen to Siena cry... it's nap time & she isn't having it. I am reminded of the way that my relationship with my daughter can image my relationship with my Father. Siena is choosing the lesser right now as she wants to be awake - obviously not the most healthy or necessary option. I have to let her cry to learn what is best. Sometimes I think that the Lord looks at us this way. The Lord loves us with an infinite love, he promises to and sometimes that means allowing us to learn as he guides us. He tells us that he will never leave us or forsake us. I cling to these promises because I know that I am a work in progress. I am not finished yet. The sanctifying work that the Holy Spirit is doing in my heart and life isn't done! Hallelujah! I am my Heavenly Father's baby girl and he is teaching me and molding me into maturity, the same way that I want to teach and mold my sweet Siena Joy.

JOB Day 19- What precious promises of our Savior do you cling to?

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**If you desire to cultivate a heart of thankfulness & are willing to try it for 31 days (give or take - there is always grace here) - post a comment during any of my blogs that relate to thankfulness.
I will send you a gift at the end to show my thankfulness for you. If you are curious what the JOB is read my post here.

Transform Me

It's interesting being sick as a mama. I haven't experienced it much & I really don't enjoy it. I love being able to get things done in a hurry and take care of my two loves. Last night though, I woke up with a terrible sore throat and was so exhausted I couldn't get up with CK. Thankfully... my mom lives within driving distance (as you have heard me talk about before) and she came to my rescue.














The funny thing is, I don't feel extremely sick. My throat just hurts and I am having a hard time doing anything that doesn't involve laying on the couch. I'm thinking that the old wives tale about moms never getting sick isn't true after all.














This morning the Holy Spirit helped me to realize something. Sometimes when we are sick it helps us to slow down. Normally I would have been doing things all day long. Go, go, go. Item checked off after item checked off. Today was different though and I was just plain exhausted after making my bed, doing a load of laundry, and fixing dinner.


















Today's reading on thankfulness was about sharing God's love. It was a great reminder of how the people closest to us show us God's love by their words and their actions.














In one place she says that no lasting transformation would happen apart from God's love.













That is SUCH a true statement. I look back over my life and all of the good that is there is only because of Christ. I have asked for change in areas and he has granted it because of his grace, mercy, and love for me. Thank you Lord.




















What are ways that you have experienced God's transformational love? How has he changed your life?
















Specifically, the Lord has allowed me to ask for forgiveness. Yesterday's reading was really powerful for me but I didn't have much time to blog. We all need to forgive because of the One that first forgave us. It is definitely not always easy! For example, I led a group of women through a book study. We were all different and at one point I let my pride get ahold of me with a relationship with one of them. Sadly, my flesh took over and I judged her for many things that were different than my more "perfect" ways. In my mind I was just joking and no harm was being done because I was just talking to my husband and a friend about those differences.















Harm WAS being done though. In my own heart. I was gossiping. I was putting a wedge in my relationship with the Lord and my relationship with the other woman. Within a matter of days I knew I had to ask for her forgiveness. I was so scared. Scared that she would in turn judge me for the way that I had acted. Scared that she wouldn't respond well. But I prayed. I did what I knew the Lord was calling me to do. I told her what I had done. All the dirty gossip and judgment. She had a right to be angry and she had a right to know. After I did it a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. I had responded to the Lord's calling in obedience. I am so thankful for his love for me and pushing me to ask for forgiveness. Not only did I obey the Lord but the woman responded with grace and love, telling me that she forgave me. It was beautiful.



















JOB Day 18- Where has the Lord shown his love for you and guided you in transformation?

Winner! &ten

Samantha Holland...

You are the winner!!!!
Congrats! Soon you will see a package of sweet cards in the mail! Enjoy!

On another note, I have wanted to blog all day - I have tons that I want to write about! But because I don't have much time & ten people commented on my giveaway post - I'll tell you ten things.

1. We spent the night on Thursday at the Lantings & they were simply amazing to us. Yummy tacos, Coug game (even though we lost & I went to bed before every one else), AMAZING pastries and coffee when we woke up... it was amazing!
2. I called out to Jesus about something Friday morning and he totally answered my prayer. It was so sweet.
3. My daughter is almost 5 months old! Wow!
4. Chris is completely healthy! Praise Jesus!
5. I am going to be posting some yummy recipes in the near future!
6. The JOB reading was about forgiveness today. I feel like I've had to ask Chris forgiveness many times lately. We've just been struggling to get back on track after the weeks of sickness. Blah. But it's getting better by the grace of God.
7. Our amazing friends Katie & Ryan came over the other night. To say it was amazing would not be sufficient. It was such a blessing as it always is and spoke to our hearts. We love you guys... and we hope some day we live much closer.
8. I hope to relax a little more this week. Last week was kind of a chaos fest. We'll see what Jesus has in store.
9. My prideful self was totally humbled today at church. Siena was VERY upset through almost the entire service. I will have to remember that Day Light Savings is not fun for little ones. I woke her up an hour early this morning to make sure that she would be able to take a nap before church.... then I had to wake her up early from her nap... I totally wanted to "look" put together today but Jesus had different plans. Thankfully those other sweet mamas totally understood.
10. I saved the best for last. If you are reading this ... thank you and you get the special treat. I had THE best experience I have ever had with Siena tonight. We went out to dinner with Chris' family tonight so Siena went to bed way later than normal. I was feeding her and she stopped and for five minutes cooed, laughed, and smiled at me for no apparent reason. It was the most fun we have ever had. I couldn't stop laughing. Love her.

JOB Day 17 - What has the act of forgiveness done in your life? Why are you thankful for it?
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**If you desire to cultivate a heart of thankfulness & are willing to try it for 31 days (give or take - there is always grace here) - post a comment during any of my blogs that relate to thankfulness.
I will send you a gift at the end to show my thankfulness for you. If you are curious what the JOB is read my post here.

Perspective

Sanctification is such a beautiful thing. During our time here if we yield our lives to the Holy Spirit, we will become more like Jesus. My soul shouts, "Praise God!"

But that doesn't mean that it's not rough. Sometimes sanctification hurts. You see your sin. You feel the call to change.

I feel that now. I am so glad that my mom gave me this book and that I started this journey with you to better thankfulness. It's funny though because every day when I come to read the book, my heart goes, "Woah, ouch." Primarily because I had already forgotten to be thankful in the few hours since reading the previous day. How tiresome it can become. But there is hope and for that I am thankful.

Today my heart has felt fleshy - yeah the dictionary says a different meaning for that word. What I mean is I feel led by my internal emotions not the Holy Spirit. The bible talks about when we let the Holy Spirit direct our path we get fruit such as self control, peace, and love. When we live out of our flesh, gross, icky things come out like hatred, anger, and despair. To top it off, I didn't just feel fleshy today, I acted fleshy. Please forgive me Lord.

Sometimes we need to just stop and ask for forgiveness. & that is today for me. Actually that is this moment.

I have been so wrapped up in how I wish certain things were different in my life, how I desire more time with my husband, and giving in to anxiety, that I was entranced with the weeds instead of gazing at the garden. CK came home for lunch today and instead of being thankful and happy I was depressed and full of anxiety. Boo. I ruined a fun lunch date. Today Karen reminded me that we need to ask God for his point of view so we don't stay trapped in our stare at the weeds mentality. When you ask, you will receive. How sweet is that. In the chapter she gave an example of a woman being at a Billy Graham crusade and hearing thousands of people singing praises to Jesus gave her a new perspective and a new vantage point.

Right when I read that, the Holy Spirit brought one of my favorite memories I have with my mom to mind. We both went to the Mars Hill Bellevue women's retreat last year when I was about six weeks pregnant. I remember being in the room with so many women singing Amazing Grace. We got to the verse that says,

When we've been there
ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun
We've no less days
to sing God's praise
then when we first begun.

I remember grabbing her hand and feeling so thankful that we both knew Jesus. That we were going to be spending an eternity together praising him. But I also remember being heartbroken for the people that we know that won't be there. & then feeling the urge to tell them the great news. What an amazing memory.
I am so thankful for it & the perspective that the Lord gave me in that moment.

You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning;
my God turns my darkness into light.
Psalm 18:28

JOB Day 16- Thank the Lord for the ways in which he has shared his vantage point with you.

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**If you desire to cultivate a heart of thankfulness & are willing to try it for 31 days (give or take - there is always grace here) - post a comment during any of my blogs that relate to thankfulness.
I will send you a gift at the end to show my thankfulness for you. If you are curious what the JOB is read my post here.

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The giveaway is open till Sunday - click HERE if you want to comment on the post & enter!

14&15

What a blustery day! If you are anything like me... you love this weather. The stormy, windy, rainy feel of a day makes me want to cuddle up with a blanket, hot cocoa and either a book or my hubby (too bad he's at work!). What's funny about this though is that I really love the sun too. I honestly love all types of weather and can feel joyful during it all. But, by the end of the season I am definitely ready for the next one. For example, I think that I really am enjoying this today because I know in three weeks I fly away.

Away to Palm Desert.

I have never been but I've heard it's wonderful. I cannot wait to relax by a pool & I just bought a cute suit. Scratch that, I bought two. But really just so Chris can decide which one he likes better. Who knows, maybe he'll let me keep both ;).

Since we took a break for the fun giveaway, it's actually open till Sunday - click HERE if you want to comment on the post & enter, I am back to my 31 day journey of thankfulness with you.

Day 14- Karen talks about something that I am not sure many people think about. Being thankful for what we don't have.... For example, I can thank God right now that I do not have twin babes to take care of. I am sure that if he would have blessed me with them he would have helped me survive. But at this moment I am thankful that I have one little precious angel to take care of and not two or three or four. Another thing I am thankful that I don't have is extremely petty. I am thankful that I don't have the version, paint color, interior "niceness" - yeah not a word but go with me - of my car. Now, I am SO thankful that I have a car and can go to and from the places I need to be. BUT if I had what my flesh desires in a car I could really become wrapped up in materialism and so for that I am thankful. What are you thankful for that you don't have?

Day 15- Seeing the big picture consists of not getting so focused on the itty bitty details in life that we fail to look around us. She describes it as staring at the weeds instead of gazing at the garden. My goodness! How I get lost in the weeds on a daily basis. I am definitely one for grace and I know that Jesus is as well. How grateful I am for his grace! Every day I get entranced with a weed and by the Holy Spirit am able to take my eyes off of it and look at the garden. This is definitely a work in progress as we all are - how I wish that I was always loving the sight of the flowers and veggies and beautiful dirt that nourishes. Currently, the detail I am focusing on too often is my daughter's schedule. It is healthy and good for her to take naps and go to sleep at the right time so her little body gets rest. But this is sometimes at the detriment of people around me; especially my husband. If I stopped staring at the weed that in turn creates so much anxiety, I would show my husband respect and thankfulness instead of freaking out over every noise. What details are keeping you from being grateful?

JOB Day 14- List at least five events or things that have not occurred and give thanks for them.

JOB Day 15- What is the most important gift God has given you?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------**If you desire to cultivate a heart of thankfulness & are willing to try it for 31 days (give or take - there is always grace here) - post a comment during any of my blogs that relate to thankfulness.
I will send you a gift at the end to show my thankfulness for you. If you are curious what the JOB is read my post here.

la HAPPY

50!! 50!! 50!!


50 blog posts that is! So exciting! I am loving this new hobby & decided after seeing my dear friend Shelby's giveaway that I should do one of my own. So of course, I first asked my sweet husband & he replied sure! I am taking a break from blogging today to do my giveaway which is a lovely set of cards called the Love Card Collection from my friend Sally. I am excited to have her posting today on my blog and to give away her adorable set of cards.

To enter the giveaway:
-Post a comment on this blog post telling me what you are thankful for & how you show that you are thankful for that
-Subscribe to my blog & write a comment telling me you did so; if you already do just tell me so!
-Subscribe to Sally's blog & leave a comment telling me you did so, if you already do just tell me so!
-Tweet/Update your status telling your friends about the giveaway
-Like Sally's shop on Facebook and leave a comment telling me you did so, if you already did just tell me so!

You heard me, 5 chances to win this! The winner will be announced Sunday night! Get commenting! But first... read this great post from my friend Sally! Thanks for posting Sally!


















(Photo courtesy of Sally Balt)

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I have been loving Megan's JOB postings. They are personally convicting to me, a self proclaimed “pessimist” or, if I were to be honest, a women who many times chooses discontentment and grumbling over praise and thankfulness. JOB day 12, “Write down something you're grateful for that you do not yet see the outcome but you know God is working...” was an especially interesting exercise for me. I have had many moments when I didn't understand what God what doing and instead of trusting that God was at work behind the scenes orchestrating, loving and working out the best for me, I chose to forget that he who had “formed my inward parts” and “knitted me together in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13) wants the best for me. He loves me so much that even the hairs of my head are numbered (Luke 12:7). He was and is at work. Why then do I so quickly forget all of that? I constantly try to take control of my life, as if I ever really had control in the first place; I try to control the hurt and then look accusingly at God saying, “Why aren’t things going the way I had anticipated and planned?!” Even writing it down makes me cringe, as I am able to see my selfishness and pride dripping off every word. I find that I do this in things big and small. I can think of many times in the past few years that I did not see situations as blessings, but now I could fall to my knees in gratitude; I am so thankful that the Lord showed me the grace that he did.

It’s so easy for me to say, “Oh, thank you Jesus for food; thank you for my MacBook; thank you for my cute new JCrew coat” (those things are blessings for sure, and definitely deserve their own thanks!), but the challenge for me is to say “thank you” for the difficult things and to recognize that God is working for his good (and my good) behind the scenes, which sometimes takes me an embarrassingly-long time to recognize. Some things that I have struggled with are: thanking God for a budget (a new thing since being married!), realizing that I was putting my faith in stuffand it was becoming an idol, thanking God for allowing me to go through a recent season of daily migraines (without that, I wouldn’t have realized how prideful I am when it comes to asking for prayer)... seriously, the list goes on and on and, as a self-proclaimed “pessimist,” the list gets pettier and pettier, believe me!

All that being said, I am really thankful for the way the Lord doesn’t give up on me and continue to work for my good even though I am extremely prideful and, I am sure, very annoying much of the time. His grace is incredible and his patience limitless. I am thankful for that. I am also thankful for people like Megan who remind to be thankful. I hope you all are enjoying her sweet little blog! Thanks for asking me to post, Megan!

SALLY

L A H A P P Y

Print & Paper Love

sally@lahappy.com

www.lahappy.com

etsy.lahappy.com

Straight Paths

Proverbs 3:6
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Instead of relying on our own strength, it is so important to rely on the Lord. So many times we try to rely on ourselves and end up walking back and forth not knowing where we are going. If, like this verse states, we acknowledge God in our days, he will make our paths straight to our destination.

Where are you relying on your own strength?

Personally, I've been relying on myself with my planning and "to do" lists. I plan so many things in my head, write down so many things, and have so many desires to do things and forget to include the Lord. Because of this I forget things, feel stressed, and upset when something doesn't work out.

On another note, be sure to check back here in the next few days... you won't want to miss the next post!

JOB Day 13- Write down ways that God has given you straight paths when you have acknowledged him

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**If you desire to cultivate a heart of thankfulness & are willing to try it for 31 days (give or take - there is always grace here) - post a comment during any of my blogs that relate to thankfulness.
I will send you a gift at the end to show my thankfulness for you. If you are curious what the JOB is read my post here.

In Faith

We are to thank God in Faith. We are to know that he will work. We are to know that he loves us deeply. We are to know that sometimes what we want is not the best for us.

And in that we thank him too.

Karen talks about thanking God for what he is going to do. We may not know the answer yet or the exact way that the story is going to play out. But he does. That is what is important. To be humble, faithful, teachable. To be used in God's story. To play the background as Lecrae puts it.

Psalm 31:21 says, Praise be to the LORD, for he showed his wonderful love to me when I was in a besieged city. This verse really brings joy to me. During the time of sickness and trial that we have been having over the past month, the Lord really has shown his love for us. Our amazing church body has surrounded us with prayer, friends have brought meals, and family has watched Siena. It has felt like we were in a besieged city. Satan was getting us at every angle. Communication was lacking, health was failing, sleep was nowhere to be found. But still there was light.

Colossians 2:6-7
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. We are to overflow with thankfulness. All the time. Not just in happy go lucky moments and easy seasons of life. In all circumstances and in all situations. Even the hard ones.

Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Sometimes we do not see the next act of the play. But we are certain that God loves us. We can most certainly ask him for things, sometimes getting a yes, sometimes a no, and sometimes a later.

JOB Day 12 - Write down something you're grateful for that you do not yet see the outcome but you know God is working

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**If you desire to cultivate a heart of thankfulness & are willing to try it for 31 days (give or take - there is always grace here) - post a comment during any of my blogs that relate to thankfulness.
I will send you a gift at the end to show my thankfulness for you. If you are curious what the JOB is read my post here.

11

A large part of where I need to be more thankful is in the hidden blessings. Many times these can be disguised as hardships, failures, or frustrations. But when we choose to look beyond the momentary trouble, God can reveal to us the immense blessing that pours from them. Sometimes this can be a trouble that we have in our own lives and other times it is when we witness someone else experience something which leads us to thankfulness and gratitude.

An example in my own life is CK's Papa Lee. I only knew his Papa for a short time - about two and a half years and met him around five or six times. But something in me was drawn to him. His nature to me was sweet, calm, and attentive. Although I am sure that other family members could tell me things that I wasn't aware of, this was my breakdown of the older man. He battled years and years of a few types of cancer that wore his body down from I'm sure what used to be a strong and able bodied man, to a weak and frail one. Two months before Chris and I got married Papa got very weak and we knew that it would only be a short time until he passed away. For years family members had tried telling Papa of Christ's love for him but he would look away and never understood it deep down.

It was getting close to the end so his children and grandchildren made the trip to Gresham, OR to tell him goodbye and have some good last memories. One afternoon Chris and his brothers and dad went through the Four Spiritual Laws booklet with him. If you don't know what this booklet is, it's the gospel in a few pages, a way to share Christ with someone. After they were finished the family headed outside for a walk, all but Chris and Papa Lee. Papa looked over at Chris and told him that what they just read he believed for the first time. A few days later, Papa went to be with Jesus.

This story, although heartbreaking because of disease and suffering, is joyous. If we were to focus on the loss of Papa, his years of debilitating disease, or the fact that he wasn't able to celebrate with us at our wedding or the birth of Siena... we would miss it. Because he was led down a hard road, his family members knew that time was short. They didn't have forever to share Christ's love and they took a step of faith - a hard one to take. But Papa is in heaven now, praising and glorifying God forever.

JOB Day 11 - Write down one of the blessings God has revealed to you through a painful trial

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**If you desire to cultivate a heart of thankfulness & are willing to try it for 31 days (give or take - there is always grace here) - post a comment during any of my blogs that relate to thankfulness.
I will send you a gift at the end to show my thankfulness for you. If you are curious what the JOB is read my post here.

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The List:

1. Your name and your blog's name

2. Your blog's url

3. Write "A quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog."

4. Favorite Quote

3. Favorite Song

6. Favorite Band/Singers

7. Something you want to say

8. Tag Friends

Whiny Highlander

What a week. Actually, it's been a pretty crazy month. All I can say is thank you Jesus for good family and friends - and complete strangers (who are praying for me & mine ;). I am so grateful. It has been hard to get on my computer in the last few days as we have been super busy. Days filled with lots of craziness.

Wednesday we got to sleep in. If you know about my sweet Siena Joy, you know she has been an amazing sleeper from week four. We had a few hard weeks in the midst of moving and the holidays but she got back on track and was sleeping ten hours straight through. Well, the last two weeks have been a back to newborn stage as she is constantly starving. She has been eating every three hours through the entire day. So... in spite of what others may think (fear of man is really an issue here) we are going to be giving her rice cereal soon. She needs more calories and we want to see if it will help her last longer through the night. I know that many people have differing opinions but I think if it may help, why not try?

Back to Wednesday - we slept in. She actually woke up at 6 to eat and seemed wide awake but boy was I not ready to get up... So, I laid her in her crib and miraculously (Thank you Jesus) she fell back asleep about ten minutes after talking to herself. We all got up around nine and a real evidence that Chris may be on the mend is his desire to go adventure is back. We decided to drive to Snoqualmie Falls to get out and see something in God's creation. I also have a favorite Irish pub in Snoqualmie that I was happy to get to go visit. We got sidetracked with the beauty of the falls and ran into a college friend while looking at Salish Lodge sooo we didn't get to eat the yummy food. We then hurried back to drop Siena off with a sweet friend and get to Chris' dr. appointment. The dr. told us after many questions and an examination that one of two things were true. Chris was either getting over a nasty virus or he may have an issue with his liver. So, please pray & thank you because I already feel your prayers in the way that my hubster is acting and feeling. That night we had community group, which was amazing as we haven't been to church in four weeks...

Thursday, thanks to my amazing husband for a great birthday gift (Yes, my birthday is in April & yes, I just got to use my gift) and for another sweet friend who watched my daughter, I was pampered. I had a facial (delightful!), an eye brow wax (not so delightful but the outcome was very necessary), and a pedi (simply divine). Afterwards I got to stay and hang out at my friends and have dinner with our families.

Aaand... today we had mom's group at my house. I made scrumptious blueberry muffins while I got SJ to sleep in just like the other day... till 10:30! Then, ANOTHER amazing friend watched Siena while I got to pick up my highlander. Ohhh haha. Can't believe I forgot to add that part of the post and it's the title I chose for it. If it's not your baby waking you up every three hours, or your sick husband every few hours, it's your highlander. The alarm went off about 20 times Wednesday night in increments of 5 mins, 20 mins, and sometimes it would wait 2 hours just until you fell into a good and deep sleep. Anyway, I took it in and they can't even figure out the problem. Hopefully it doesn't happen again.I got to spend the rest of the day with a friend who is becoming very dear to me. She is so real, welcoming, warm, and fun to be around. I'm excited to get to spend more time with her!

Very short summaries of the last three thankfulness days...
Wednesday (Day 8) - Being there: Sometimes we need to show our gratitude for people by being physically present for them in a time of need.
Thursday (Day 9) - Involving yourself: Investing your life in small and big ways in other people's lives. Caring for the orphans and the widows. Feeding the homeless. Bringing your sick neighbor a meal.
Friday (Day 10) - Grieving with Gratitude: When a hard thing happens, instead of being angry with God, be thankful for the time that you did have that person/place/thing. Be grateful for the behind the scenes work that he is doing in your life.

JOB Day 8 - List people who have showed you gratitude by being a part of your joys and sorrows
JOB Day 9 - List three ways that people have been kind to you
JOB Day 10 - Write down some things that you are grateful for as a result of a loss you've suffered

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**If you desire to cultivate a heart of thankfulness & are willing to try it for 31 days (give or take - there is always grace here) - post a comment during any of my blogs that relate to thankfulness.
I will send you a gift at the end to show my thankfulness for you. If you are curious what the JOB is read my post here.

Day 7

Good morning. It's not sunny outside but I am feeling accomplished and joyful despite our circumstances. I feel a desire to write as each day I read this book it relates to what I am going through. I've done the dishes, cleaned the kitchen floor, tidied the living room, and then sat down to read. But none of this really matters even though I've checked it off my "list". We have a more pressing item in our lives. Chris continues to feel sick each day. It has progressed to him feeling ill deep in his core and stomach. He finally had his phone appointment today with the doctor and she said she doesn't know anything more. His iron level is low and he has weird enzymes on his liver. This sound familiar to my host of doctor readers?

So... with that she is referring us to internal medicine. He has ultrasounds this Friday and an appointment with the doctor at internal medicine next Wednesday. I asked my sweet husband if he was scared and he said, "no... bummed."

Am I scared? If I sit here and think about it too long, yes. Yes I am. I am so tired of seeing my poor husband shivering on the couch wrapped up in both of our coug blankets. I am tired of seeing him take medicine every 4 hours to control his fevers. I am tired of him barely eating what I make for dinner because he has no appetite. I am tired of him not wanting to take anything for lunch because nothing ever sounds good. I am tired of him being so sick that coffee would make him nauseous and so I don't get to make it for him each night like I always did. I am tired of our relationships being different in this home because he is so tired. I am tired of so many things.

But that is not the point.
And I know it.

I don't know the point yet. Maybe I never will. Maybe this will turn out to be nothing & he will be better tomorrow. Maybe it will turn into something that will change our lives forever. I don't know.

But I know the one who does know.
Do you?

Today's section in the book is so fitting. It is about hoping in Christ. At this moment and at all moments that is all we have to lean on. Or it should be.

I will leave you with a lengthy excerpt from the book because I love it and I cannot write as well as she can. It is so worth reading.

One chilly morning in December 1982 as I was returning home from a walk along the beach, I came to the end of myself. Nothing made sense anymore. I sat down right where I was and sobbed.

"God," I cried out, "who are you? Do you care anything about me? I feel hopeless. I've tried to find you. I want to know you."

Seconds passed. Then, ever so gently, a stream of familiar words came to mind: "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me". I had read these words of Jesus Christ in John's gospel (14:6) dozens of times. Why did they sound so different now? I wondered. Then I knew. I had never let them in before. I had never heard them for myself.

That winter day I did hear them - for me. I jumped up. "Jesus Christ is the way to God!" I shouted to the waves and sky. And to think I almost missed him! Here was the hope I had been looking for. No higher power, life force, or spiritual guide had offered me such assurance. "O God, thank you for your Son, Jesus," I whispered.

Everything was new in that moment. I was no longer a victim of my husband's actions against me. All have sinned and all fall short of the glory of God. That included me. I had known that from Paul's teaching (Romans 3:23) but until today I had never taken it to heart. No wonder I had not fully received this gift before. I had not seen myself as a sinner because I was too preoccupied with the sins others had committed against me. But that day I knew I needed forgiveness as much as anyone else. How grateful I was to know from my own experience that Christ did not come for the righteous but for sinners to repent. I was a sinner, and I prayed that day for forgiveness as I put my hope and trust in Christ as my Savior.

JOB Day 7- Have you received Christ's gift? If so, write down why you are thankful for it. If you haven't, write down where you are on your journey toward Christ.

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**If you desire to cultivate a heart of thankfulness & are willing to try it for 31 days (give or take - there is always grace here) - post a comment during any of my blogs that relate to thankfulness.
I will send you a gift at the end to show my thankfulness for you. If you are curious what the JOB is read my post here.

Gigantic Tears

By 8:15 I had said goodbye to Chris, eaten breakfast, and sat on the couch to read my blogs. I thought for sure that Siena would wake up at any moment so I just sat quietly reading. Through a blog that I've been reading I was linked to another blog I'd never seen, which in turn brought me to Maddie's story. As I began to read I found out that 4month old Madison Paige had gone to heaven not even two weeks ago. I was in such shock as I read on and on and on. Our lives are so similar. We were married within three weeks of eachother, got pregnant two weeks apart, and our babies were born four days apart.

I sat on my couch crying gigantic tears.

I looked at pictures of sweet Maddie and could not even begin to understand what her parents were going through. I watched a slideshow that showed her parents getting engaged, married, getting pregnant, delivering her, and then each month up until a week and a half ago. So many pictures reminded me of Siena Joy. They have similar face structure, have chubby cheeks, even have some of the same clothes and blankets.

I never ever check on Siena. I have had some sort of peace about her sleeping since she was born and am more afraid of waking her up then what could happen.

But I had to see her.
& I had to see if she was breathing.

I stared at my baby's back rising and falling. I couldn't stop crying so I left the room. I sat back down and just cried out to Jesus. Please comfort that family Lord. Please. I pray that they know you. If they don't, I pray that they meet you through this horrific event.

Twenty minutes later Siena was still not awake.

I had to go in again. She started stirring and normally I would let her move around until she woke up.

But I had to hold her. I had to smell her. I had to hug her.
Because I don't know how long I get to.

This has changed my perspective. It has given me a thankful heart for even the times that are so frustrating and irritating. It makes me want to wake up a million times during the night and hold her close because right now I can. My heart aches for them. I don't know them but I know very well the love that they had for their baby girl. I don't know them but I feel like I do.

Today's portion of the book talks about gifts from the heart. Although I would have much rather learned this lesson in a different way, her mama and daddy's blogging has truly been a gift to my heart. I am overcome with emotion at their experience and I am so thankful for their honest writing. It has caused me to live today with a different attitude.

JOB Day 6- Write down a gift that someone has given you from the heart (not necessarily a physical gift, something that has touched you in a way nothing else has)

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**If you desire to cultivate a heart of thankfulness & are willing to try it for 31 days (give or take - there is always grace here) - post a comment during any of my blogs that relate to thankfulness.
I will send you a gift at the end to show my thankfulness for you. If you are curious what the JOB is read my post here.

The Joy that You Bring

Honestly, this morning I am torn. Torn between collapsing under the weight of weeks of sickness and exhaustion and turning from that and rejoicing in the Lord and the things he has done. I know what I need to do. But it's not that simple. I have a list of wants in my head that I can't stop thinking about.
-My husband back to normal/cooking us breakfast on days off/helping with chores/kissing me when he walks in the door
-My baby to give me back the 8hours of sleep that I was getting/not being sick
-Energy & the desire to go out and run
I prayed a short prayer this morning after having been up with Siena two times in the night and with Chris for about an hour. Lord, please help me yield to your Spirit. I do not want to have ugliness, pride, selfishness, and greed flow from my heart. I want patience, love, joy, and peace to flow from you into my life. I got out of bed shortly after that to get a shower in - which is a luxury that isn't happening as much when I am taking care of other people constantly. I know. Gross. But other things have been going ahead of my personal hygiene. What I realized was the Lord ordains everything. Even the fact that I am reading this book. When my mom gave it to me - it was not intended for me. Everything was going right & everything had been easy for a few weeks. Everyone was healthy. Siena was sleeping through the night. I had a schedule. I could make Chris breakfast again, make his coffee, and send him out the door with a lunch in his bag. All after having a quiet time & spending time on my blog. Wow. Those were some happy go lucky weeks. What I realize now, is that the Lord knew that those weren't going to last forever. He knew that a time of testing of faith and trial was about to begin. So he gave me this book for a specific reason - that turned out to be completely different than what I had intended. What a sweet sweet Savior we have. Lately I have been a part of a few conversations where we talk about trials and hardship. We have all agreed that those times and seasons in our lives are the ones that the Lord brings greater growth and sanctification. They are not fun. They are not easy. But the have a greater purpose. Now I just need to remind myself of that daily. Day 5 was about God's creation. I'll be honest. While reading this... I was not in the mindset of seeing beauty in God's creation. I was in the mindset of hurry and get your quiet time done before you need to get Siena up and fed. But what she said is so true. Look around. Look at the leaves on the tree, the rain coming down out of the clouds, the high mountain capped with snow. They are so beautiful and they show God's presence. Romans 1 says that everyone is without excuse when it comes to seeing and understanding him. He reveals himself through his creation. I love times of getting out of the city and into the country, hills, and mountains. It brings you back to simplicity and the sweetness of the outdoors, his presence is everywhere. But, this doesn't happen easily for everyone. Where have you neglected seeing God in his creation?

JOB Day 5- Consider the gift in creation that you most notice God and write down your gratitude for that gift


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**If you desire to cultivate a heart of thankfulness & are willing to try it for 31 days (give or take - there is always grace here) - post a comment during any of my blogs that relate to thankfulness.
I will send you a gift at the end to show my thankfulness for you. If you are curious what the JOB is read my post here.

Day threefour

Boy was I ever right. There is a need for a load of grace here. I am so thankful that we have it. Truly thankful. I've noticed something about myself lately. I start a lot of things & I start them really well. But, I leave most things unfinished. I could think of so many things silly and serious.

-Bible in a year (3/4 done)
-Every cup of cocoa or tea I make
-MANY bible studies and books
-EVERY new year resolution
-To do lists that I make practically every day

On and on the list could go. I know that some sound stupid. Especially the hot cocoa one. But believe me, I have gone to my mug so many times and realized that the beverage I wanted so badly has now gone to waste. I so easily turn to the next thing to do and forget about what I was in the midst of. Wow. This seems to me like a crazy revelation from the Lord.

Right before I started this little quest of gratitude I thought, "Oh MAN! It would be so awesome to blog every single day of the 31 days." I secretly knew in my heart that I wouldn't be able to. Now some of you would say that I could. I'm sure you are right and if I made myself somehow I could do something for that long each and every day. But I think that this lesson is bigger than that. I think that I get wrapped up in the things of this world so easily that the Lord doesn't want me to worry about finishing every little earthly project that I desire. He is just focused on the end goal. So with that, I will continue focusing my mind and heart and blog on Jesus and the thankfulness we should have for him.

Day Three: Appreciating Life

Here she talks about natural disasters, tragedy, and crisis in our lives. How we should appreciate the life that we have been given. After experiencing these things that our appreciation for our lives becomes even greater. Now, I haven't really been a part of something extremely tragic. Members of my family have died from terrible disease, friends I know have experienced great loss - but I haven't really been struck with a great crisis. On a small scale, my husband is sick. We need prayer. For weeks now his poor body has been fighting high fevers, dizziness, and pain. For what I hope will come a good ending and a good diagnosis - we really do not know. Without focusing too much on our circumstance, this is a perfect opportunity for being grateful. I can be grateful for the time that I have my husband because truly life will not be like this forever. I can be grateful that the Lord can use this circumstance for his greater glory and bringing people to a saving faith and knowledge of him. But boy is that hard. If I focus on what my body and flesh desire, I am sick of waking up 4-5 times during the night for two sick family members, tired of doing so much housework, and tired of not having my normal happy active husband around. But that is not what the Lord desires for this time and he is bringing me out of selfishness and self pity and into a greater selfLESSness and thankfulness.
What has made you appreciate life in a clearer way?

Day Four: Celebrating Friendships

We can all point to an event or experience that made us aware of the importance of giving thanks for special people. These occasions remind us that expressing gratitude is one of the most simple, yet most profound ways we can display our recognition of one of God's most precious gifts: the gift of friendship.

This comes at the perfect time for Chris & I. This week we have been shown God's love through the gift of friendship. We have many many amazing friends and for that we are so blessed. But this week in a week of barely any sleep, sickness, and emotional exhaustion some of our friends have gone above and beyond. Our friends the Deans watched Siena while we were at the lab, our friends the MacEwens brought us delicious dinner & dessert, and our friends the Lantings brought dinner, dessert, and breakfast for the next day. Thank you Lord. Thank you Lord for these amazing people who have blessed us in a hard time.
What friends do you have that have that you are thankful for & why?


JOB Day 3- Write down the thing you are most grateful for regarding the gift of life
JOB Day 4- Make a list of friends you are grateful for and why

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**If you desire to cultivate a heart of thankfulness & are willing to try it for 31 days (give or take - there is always grace here) - post a comment during any of my blogs that relate to thankfulness.
I will send you a gift at the end to show my thankfulness for you. If you are curious what the JOB is read my post here.

Day onetwo & a gift for you.

Day one was... yesterday. Before I get all teary eyed and tell myself, "I told you so!" about missing a day already let me turn your eyes off of my frustration and onto the project that we are starting.

Yesterday, I sat and read Day One of the Basket of Blessings in my living room. My baby was sleeping and my husband was laying sick on the couch. She first talked about how developing an attitude of thanks takes practice.

First we must choose gratitude; then we will begin to see everything in our lives as a gift, regardless of the circumstances or the appearance. That doesn't mean we're expected to shout "Hallelujah!" when a loved one dies or our home is robbed or we're struck with a terminal illness. That wouldn't be human. But when we foster the habit of giving thanks in all things, as the apostle Paul counsels us in Colossians 3:17, we are able to see how God uses all these experiences for our good. And for that we thank him.

The first question she asks is, "Are you willing to choose gratitude? What will it cost you?"

I think over my day yesterday and realize that my prayer was answered. My heart is already inclining toward gratitude in one day. I know this is not of my own doing because yesterday was not easy. CK is sick and so is little Siena. My sweet husband has felt ill now for about three weeks off and on. He has had intense fevers the past few nights where he is extremely cold and covered in blankets - even telling me to lay the couch cushion on him for more pressure, and extremely hot where he soaks through the sheets. We have already gone through a lot of testing and there is more to come. They cannot figure this out. My first reaction is usually panic mode. This time was different. I was worried if I focused on it, but my first reaction was, Lord, you are in control. Thank your for whatever you are going to do through this. Chris and I have had lots of prayer times over the last few days, giving this illness, our work, our finances, to him. Am I scared you ask? Well, if I give in to my flesh and listen to it instead the answer is yes. But I am choosing thankfulness and gratitude that only comes from the Holy Spirit.

Today is Day two. The portion today that I want to reflect on is something I really struggle with. She says, "Simplicity encourages us to be well, look well, feel well, and do well without making a statement about it." I find myself really struggling with desiring new things all the time. New jeans, new pillows for the couch, new kitchen gadgets ... on and on the list could go. It is not a sin to have nice things but when your mind becomes focused on it, it most definitely is. The apostle Paul says to be content in plenty or in need. Am I? Can I be ok with the "simple" things that I have. Even that statement is ridiculous. I may have "simple" things compared to some Americans - but I own a tv, a MAC, an Iphone, a bed & nice linens, live in a warm home, and have a lot of food in my kitchen. I am not saying this to boast. I am saying this because I think that most of us are this way. We have SO much and we still desire more.

I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
-John 15:11

Our joy is to be in him not what we own. Be thankful for what you have - big and small. But mostly, be thankful for knowing Christ. If you don't know him yet, he wants to know you. He chose to come to earth for you. He lived a perfect life so that he could die for your sins. He loves you. He wants a relationship with you. Our joy is to know him and know that our eternal life and salvation come from him alone. If you read this and you are questioning, searching, or wondering, please message me on fb or email me @ meganaliciaknight{at}gmail{dot}com.

Lastly, the reason that this book is called Basket of Blessings is because she talks about how someone she knew discussed with her about writing down her blessings. Her and her husband did this from January through November and on Thanksgiving morning they emptied the basket and read everything they had been thankful for over that year. This is such a sweet tradition to start and I am starting today - with a simple canning jar. My Jar of Blessings.

Heres the sweet part: if you decide to join me & I'm talking 31 days (give or take, there is always grace here) to start your own Basket or Jar of Blessings to cultivate an attitude of thankfulness comment on this post. If you do I will send you something at the end of my "31" days.

JOB (Jar of Blessings) Day 1 - One person in your life that has made an impact & why
JOB Day 2- 5 simple gifts you are thankful for

31 days

Soon I will write an entire blog post on my mom. If you have ever read my blog, talked to me, or known me at all - you know I have a wonderful, selfless, beautiful mom. She always knows what I need, is willing to help me, and prays for me constantly.

On one of her trips here last week she brought a devotional. We were talking about something the previous week and just like she does - she spent time looking for something that would fill that need that we discussed and came across a certain devotional that she was given at some point. The title of the devotional is Basket of Blessings; 31 Days to a More Grateful Heart by Karen O'Connor. I have only read the Introduction and I am hooked.

Hooked on pursuing and praying for a more grateful heart.

Here is an excerpt from the introduction.

A grateful heart is a gift from God. Left to our own initiative, we might never develop one. we can always find something to complain about or improve.

Criticism has its place. Change is often a good thing. But life is full of blessings as well ... from a warm pool of morning sun on a bedroom carpet to the shimmering lights reflected on a rain-soaked neighborhood street. From a little child snuggled in our lap to a brand-new car in the driveway.

We can be grateful for the unexpected: a note from an old friend with whom we have lost touch... or a word of encouragement from a person we hardly know.

We can be grateful for beauty: the fresh face of a baby after a long nap ... or water droplets resting on a red rose after a rain.

We can be grateful for pain: the death of a loved one, divorce, or illness ... each a gift in its own way if we take time to see it.

We can be grateful for the predictable: hot cereal with cinnamon ever morning at seven ... or a sunny day in southern California.

We can be grateful for the unpredictable: our spouse's mood, the weather, our own feelings.

People... places... experiences. All give us reasons to be grateful.

How different our lives would be if we turned our hearts toward gratitude - not just occasionally, as on Thanksgiving Day or Mother's Day. Not just a greeting-card kind of thanks but a genuine gratefulness that expresses itself in a hymn of heartfelt praise to God. What would happen if we cultivated a daily habit of expressing gratitude, one that helped us count all of life good, regardless of the circumstances?

Besides this journey in my own life; I've decided to journey along with you. Everyone can benefit from being more grateful; but if you're at all like me, you have to pray to desire to have that attitude. So join me if you like for 31 days.

Please Jesus make us more grateful.