A Life of Gratitude

Dylan slept until 9:00 this morning! This has never happened before! Our trip to the zoo yesterday must have really exhausted him. I was able to sleep until 8:00, take a shower, and start my quiet time before he woke up. Today I am thankful for those few extra minutes of much needed rest.

Today Bryan, Dylan and I went to the Zoo! This was Dylan's first time. We had a great time. It was hot and Dylan hurt his finger but overall the trip was a great one! Today I am thankful for the NC Zoo and the fun time it offers for families!

Freedom is something I often take for granted. Living in the United States is so easy and safe for my family. I can't imagine living in an environment where violence is prevalent or food is scarce. We have so many rights and freedoms that others around the world only dream of. These rights and freedoms aren't cheap, they come with a price. Many have paid the ultimate price. Today I am thankful for those men and women who have served in the armed forces. I'm also thankful for the sacrifices their families have made. Without these men and women and their families, our lives would be very different. Happy Memorial Day weekend!

I had a hair appointment this morning so my hair finally looks decent! I had to wait for my first trimester to pass before I could I get my hair high-lighted so its been a while. Today I am thankful for my hair stylist, April White! She always does a fabulous job. My hair looks so much better now!

Today I am thankful that I have started feeling some little kicks from Baby Shaw #2. Its not often or hard enough for Bryan to feel yet but I love feeling it! Its so reassuring! I can't wait to feel it all the time.

This morning Dylan and I went with the Norwood's to "All-a-Flutter" Buttefly farm. We had a really nice time. Dylan and Ayden had fun playing together and watching the butterflies flutter all around. Dylan wasn't crazy about the ones that landed on him but overall I think he enjoyed the experience. Today I am thankful for these fun, educational experiences that are available to us. Over the years, I hope to take advantage of all of these lovely places!

This morning I took Dylan to the childcare at the YMCA while I did Water Aerobics and walked on the treadmill for 30 minutes!! This may not sound like a lot but because of my back pain and pregnancy, this is a big deal for me. I was given this YMCA membership through worker's comp so that I could use the pool and exercise equipment for my back. So, today I am thankful for this membership! Its free to me and Dylan loves going in the childcare area. I'm so excited to be a part of the YMCA!

Last night Dylan, Bryan, Mitch, and I went for a walk on the High Point Greenway behind our neighborhood. It was such a nice evening and that Greenway is really wonderful. I had a great time walking with my boys. Bryan and Dylan would run ahead and then run back to me. It was so cute to watch Dylan running around. Today I am thankful for these beautiful spring evenings to spend quality time with my family. I'm also thankful for the Greenway, it really a beautiful place to walk.

Today I am thankful for home videos. Yesterday we watched several clips of Dylan when he was a baby. It warmed my heart to watch that sweet little baby splashing in the bathtub, rolling on the floor, and playing in the baby pool. These precious memories and many others get lost in the hustle and bustle of life. I'm so grateful to have them on video to help me remember. I can't believe how big my little guy is getting so I love watching videos of when he was a baby!

During church this morning our choir sang a song that really touched me. I'm not sure what the name of it was but the chorus bodly said "But God!" This phrase made me think about the obstacles we face in life. Regardless of the situation the answer has always been GOD! Problems in relationships...But God! Financial problems...But God! Health concerns...But God! Hopelessness...But God! Death....But God! God is always the answer. No problem is too big for Him. He always comes through even though it isn't always the way we would choose. Today I am thankful that no matter what I have faced in my life or what I will face in the future, God has and always will be capable of handling it. Life is hard...BUT GOD!

Today I am thankful for date night with my wonderful husband. We went to the Grasshopper's game tonight and had a lot of fun. It was nice to spend some quality time together. A big thank you to the Stowe's for sharing their tickets with us. Another big thank you to my Mother-in-law for babysitting our precious little boy. It was a nice night!

Today I am soooo thankful for my wonderful husband, Bryan. He has been scrubbing our oven already this morning! Since I've started having so many back problems, Bryan has become "Mr. Clean" around our house! He vaccums and scrubs bath tubs and now he's been cleaning the oven! I am so thankful to have the help because my back will not allow me to do those things anymore. Thank you Bryan!! I love you!!!

Dylan has started swim lessons at the YMCA. He absolutely loves it!!! He is doing pretty well too. Today I am thankful that we are able to take him to these lessons so that he can learn to swim. I think every child should learn to swim for safety reasons plus, most of them really enjoy it. I'm so glad my sweet boy is learning to swim !

Some of you may not know that I have a Neurostimulator implanted in the back, left side of my head. It controls nerve pain that causes horrible headaches. I had it implanted in 2007 and it has truly been a miracle! Today while shopping at Harris Teeter, my stimulator turned off. I immediately got a horrible heahache with lighting pain in the back of my head. I can usually turn the stimulator back on but today it wouldn't turn back on. Once I got home I was able to charge my battery and the stimulator finally turned back on (Thank God!) Today I am thankful for those moments while my stimulator wasn't working. I was reminded of horrible that nerve pain was. I live with this pain every day but I don't know it because of the stimulator! God truly blessed me when He lead me to the doctor that could implant the stimulator. I need those moments without the stimulator to remind me of what God has done for me. Precious Heavenly Father, Thank You for modern medicine and the way you

I got to hear our sweet baby's heart beat today! It is always so incredible to hear the heartbeat of an unborn child. I haven't started feeling the baby move yet so hearing the heart beat means so much to me! Today I am thankful for the technology that allows doctor to check for an unborn baby's heart rate.

Today I started Water Aerobics at the YMCA. My physical therapists suggested that water aerobics would be a good way to get exercise without putting much strain on my back. I was pleasantly suprised today. So, I'm thankful to find a way to get moving again that doesn't hurt my back too bad. I'm excited to go back again. As an added bonus, Dylan absolutely loved the childcare area. He didn't want to leave. That makes it so much easier for me!

A couple of days ago Shadybrook Elementary's Principal died suddenly in his home. I didn't really know him but he did interview me for a position at Shadybrook while I was pregnant with Dylan. He was only 38 years old and has 2 little girls. His death is shocking to all, I'm sure. I can't help but wonder, "where is he now?" We never know which moment will be our last...are you ready? Where will you go? Will your children be assured that they will see you again in Heaven? Eternal life and true salvation can ONLY come through surrender to Jesus Christ. True surrender means more than saying a prayer at some time in your life. It means giving your life daily to the Creator of the Universe, making HIM the Master of your Life. Today I am thankful that even though life is short and death can come so unexpectedly, I know where I will be when I go! My children and loved ones can celebrate my home-going because they will know, without doubt, that they will see me agai

This afternoon I went to see the movie Bridesmaids with my friend, Amanda. It was hilarious! I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. Its said that laughter is good for the soul. I think thats probably true. Today I am thankful for laughter and fun times with friends. I had a great time this afternoon!

Lately my sweet Dylan has been saying "Mommy, I love you sooooo much!" Those words just make my day every time I hear them. Today I am thankful for the love my son and I share. I am such a blessed Mommy!

A year ago today I had L5S1 Disc Decompression and Spinal Fusion Surgery. I cannot believe its been a year already! Although I'm still in daily pain, I am thankful that I had this surgery. Before I had the surgery I had horrible nerve pain down both legs, my toes were numb and tingly, and I could barely do anything without being in horrific pain. Since healing from my surgery, I no longer have the nerve pain (which was terrible!) and I can feel my toes. YAY! I still have pain with most activities and I still consider my heating pad one of my best friends but I am better than I was. This experience has been a 2 year process that doesn't really have an end in sight but I'm so grateful for the opportunity to go through this. Even though it hasn't been easy I believe that God's blessings sometimes come through pain and difficulty. He has used this experience to forever change my life, my family, and my relationship with Him. I am so thankful! I also want to thank my pr

Today I am thankful for such a healthy little boy! Dylan had his 3 year check-up today and did so well. He passed his developmental test with flying colors and did well on his eye test too. He didn't enjoy the doctor looking in his ears but other than that, he did was the perfect little patient. He is growing like a weed and as healthy as can be. I am so grateful for my healthy three year old!

I was given the most beautiful Lilies for Mother's Day! (Thanks Bryan and Dylan!) Only one has blossomed while the others are still closed. I can't wait to see when they are all opened up! I am amazed at the wonderful smell coming from these Lilies, especially since only one is open. Today I am thankful for these beautiful flowers and how they brighten up my kitchen! Only God could have created something that is so gorgeous and smells so good!

Today I am thankful that God has blessed me with the opportunity to be a mother! Becoming a mother has been one of the greatest joys of my life. I absolutely love taking care of my little sweetheart, Dylan. I love teaching him and kissing his booboos. I love rocking him and giving him baths. I love watching him play and listening to him talk.  I wouldn't change a thing about being a Mommy....I love every minute of it. I also love carrying this sweet baby in my womb, which of course makes this Mother's Day extra special. Precious Heavenly Father, Thank You for allowing me to experience motherhood. I consider it one of my greatest blessings. Please use me in the lives of my children, that I may direct them toward YOU! Amen.

Tonight my family is coming over to my house to celebrate Mother's Day so I thought it would be appropriate to share how thankful I am for my Mom. It wasn't until I had a child of my own that I truly begin to appreciate my Mom. Now that I am a mother I can see how much she did for me over the years. My mom went through a lot when she was pregnant with me (very similar to what I've been through these past few months) then she held me as a baby, chased me around as a toddler, taught me to be a little lady, always took such good care of me, made sure to be every dance recital, showed me love when I thought no one else loved me, made sacrifices, cheered me on through every stage of life, and a few years ago she beat me to the hospital when I was about to have my own child. Of course, the list could go on and on! My mom has always been my biggest fan and for that I am eternally grateful. God truly blessed me when he gave me to my Mom. I love you Mom! Thank you for all you'v

This is going to sound a little silly....today I am thankful for Strawberry Salad. Not just the salad itself but what it represents. Yesterday I was craving this unbelievable Strawberry Salad. The recipe came from my mom's friend. So, since I wanted it I went to Wal-mart and bought the ingredients along with all of the other groceries we needed. I came home and made that Strawberry Salad! I guess what I'm really thankful for is the ability to go grocery shopping, to have the utensils necessary to make food for my family, and to enjoy something that I'm craving! I take these things for granted all the time but not today. Today I am so thankful for the simple things in life like being able to make a salad when I want it!

Everyone needs a compliment now and then. Today I am thankful for the sweet compliment Dylan gave me this morning. I was holding him and out of no where he said "Mommy, you're so pretty!" That just made my day plus, its something I needed to hear since my body is starting to change quite a bit. Sometimes I think God speaks right through Dylan's little mouth!

Today I am thankful to be 14 weeks pregnant! This week I have felt so much better, which is soooo wonderful! According to BabyCenter.com, the baby is growing like a little weed. It is now about 3 and 1/2 inches long. My sweet baby can squint its eyes and suck its thumb. Its wiggling all around and has started producing urine. I can't believe how fast this miracle happens!

"Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes." Ephesians 1:4 In my bible study this week, I've been learning that I am valuable to God. One of the passages I've read this week is Ephesians 1:4. I've had to read this verse numerous times because it just amazes me. If we are born again, we are WITHOUT FAULT in God's eyes! Thats the way He sees me? WOW! I've spent years thinking that He must be so disappointed in me but that isn't His way. He loves me so much that even though I have messed up so many times, even though I continue to fail Him, I am still forgiven and blameless in His sight! Today I am thankful that God loves me unconditionally and that I am without fault in His eyes. What a precious gift that is!

Yesterday was Dylan's 3rd birthday. We had a wonderful day together! We went to church, had a party at Feeney's Frozen Yogurt, ate dinner at CiCi's and then rode the boats and go-karts at Celebration Station. Dylan had a fabulous day! Today I am thankful for these special days that we will always remember. I'm also thankful to everyone who helped make his day so special.

Today I am incredibly thankful for my sweet baby boy, Dylan. I can't believe its been 3 years since he was born. These past 3 years have been so wonderful! I have loved every minute of being his mother and I'm looking forward to many, many more years to come! Dylan is a sweet, thoughtful, energetic young man with terrific manners and an enormous heart! He has been such a blessing to me and the perfect addition to our family. Father, Thank You for blessing our family with such a precious little boy. Thank You for forming him in my womb, watching over him, and loving him. Please continue to protect him and help us as parents to lead him to YOU! Amen.