Just My Simple Pleasure

I have a friend named Rachel who is one of the sweetest people you will ever meet. She was talking last week about how her and her friends in high school used to play a game called "Simple Pleasures" where they would list things that were just "simple pleasures" like warm socks out of the dryer or hot chocolate on a cold day. I got tickled because that is SO her but I've been thinking this week about the simple pleasures in my life.

I was thinking about it today because last night Cort and I experienced what to me is probably my BEST simple pleasure these days. It may seem silly to you - but I literally had to run out of David's room last night with my hand over my mouth because I was so happy I thought my heart would burst. Why?

Because David suddenly wants to sleep with a "blanket". Every time he goes to bed lately - I hand him his blankie and he squeezes it close to his chest and flashes the biggest smile and that may seem like nothing to you but to me it's just precious. I just love having him a blankie and love it like I love him!

This cute little boy is one of my favorite simple pleasures!!!! He can make any bad day a good day! I love this boy so much!!! How can you not love that cute face!?!?!

Spending the day with family

A clean house and an empty laundry basket

Hearing one of your favorite songs on the radio

Having a good hair day

Waking up an hour before your alarm goes off and realize you can still get more sleep!

A sweet note in the mail from a friend

Phone calls and e-mails from your friends on your birthday

Going to bed at night with a quiet dark house and the sound of the dishwasher running

Freshly mopped floors - even if I'm the one who just mopped them!

Reading books

A Sunday with nothing to do and staying in your PJ's ALL day!

Lunch with a friend

Finding change (or dollars) in your pocket or purse

The whole family cuddling up in bed together and laughing

These are just a few of my simple pleasures!!! When you list all the small things that make you smile, it really makes you realize how good life really is!!!! I guess that is why they it's the small things that count!

LIFE IS GOOD!!!!!

An Unceratin Future

A friend sent me a message today that dealt with our future...and how uncertain it is. But the Bible addresses three principles that we can use when facing our future:

1. Set Goals According To God's Direction
2. Live One Day at a Time
3. Don't Procrastinate

It's foolish to make plans without first consulting God. The Bible says, "We may make our plans, but God has the last word." (Proverbs 16:1) In other words, planning without praying is presumption. So we should start by praying, "God, what do YOU want me to do in 2010?"

Most people spend so much time regretting the past and worrying about the future, that they have no time to enjoy today. But Jesus said, "Don't be anxious about tomorrow - God will take care of your tomorrows. Live one day at a time." (Matthew 6:34)

Procrastinating wastes today by postponing things until tomorrow. But we should not "boast about what you're going to do tomorrow, for you don't know what a day may bring forth." (Proverbs 27:1)

So although my future is uncertain, God is certain and He has my trust.

Focus on being THANKFUL...

I had a really rough week, personally. I sent a message to my best friend and asked her to stop what she was doing and pray for me. Not only did she pray for me, but she sent me about 24 text messages FULL of praise and encouragement.

She is in a Bible Study right now that talked about thanking God for all the things we DO have. We need to focus on being thankful for what we have right now instead of focusing on what we DON'T have. The Lord knows the desires of our hearts...we've already presented those to Him, but instead praise Him for all the things we are thankful for.

I am thankful...

* that I have a church that I adore.
* for a marriage that is strong.
* for a family that loves me unconditionally.
* for the roof over my head.
* for the clothes on my back.
* that I can get up in the morning and walk, see, and hear.
* to have a nice car.
* that I am able to afford electricity, gas, and groceries.
* that I have determination and will to get up each morning and exercise.
* that I am able to have the luxuries of cable, a DVR, and a cell phone.
* for coworkers (from the past), friends that love me and respect me.
* that I have a college education.
* for my son and the way he makes me smile every single day.

This list could go on and on...

But what I liked about this focus the most, is I didn't realize how blessed I truly am. And I can't tell you how wonderful I felt after mentally listing ALL the things God has already done and is doing in my life.

"We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and
who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign."~Revelation 11:17

A Little Compassion

My heart is heavy for Haiti tonight. It was last night also. I went to bed so sad. I can't bear to imagine what the people of Haiti are going through.

All day today as I put a diaper on David or fed him or just held him - I thought about all the mothers in Haiti who are looking at their babies and children and not knowing where they will sleep, what they will eat or if they will have clean water. My heart is so tender for those mothers.

I know you have all seen the devastation and I pray you realize how blessed we all are and that your hearts will be open to help those who have been destroyed by this earthquake. Even if all you can do is pray for them - God loves the people of Haiti and hears our prayers.

"If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." 1 John 3:17-18

David - you are Six Months Old

I can't believe you are half a year old!!!! I hope the next 6 months don't go by so fast. We are going to be celebrating your first birthday WAY before I'm ready! I love you so much Precious Boy!!!!

He is an absolutely joyful little boy.

I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW FAST YOU ARE GROWING!

So much to look forward to. We are blessed beyond measure. God is so so good to us.

Weekend recap

Well - the day has come. Yesterday was another milestone - David got out for his first time to a Birthday party! And it was great! I was so nervous about how David would act but he did great.
Okay - David is taking a nap and I have a LONG list of chores to get done before he wakes back up! Have a GREAT day!!!!

2010 So far...

I am so crazy about him. Can't believe how much you have grown and changed over the few months. I wonder what you will be like at 2 years old and 5 years old and (gasp) thirteen! I know that no matter what I will love you with every thing inside me and you will always be the joy of my life. And no matter what you do or who you become I will be SO proud of you because I am your mother and you are the greatest thing that has ever happened to me!

Cort sent me these pink roses before he left yesterday. Only they didn't arrive until Today. I thought it was sweet. He used to send me flowers all the time when we were dating (way back when I was still in the Philippines) but quit once we got married. Which was okay by me. He had planned to send me flowers when David was born and well - nothing ended up like we planned with his birth. So I think these are what he would have sent me on January 6th (on the day he left me and David for a job in New Jersey). And I think he just wanted me to have a nice day. And I did!