Blessings 181-198

181. Oh, TobyMac, what would we do without your music filling our home through the CD player in Jake and Sam's room so often during the day... Today a new phrase was loud and clear:

No matter how lost you are, you're not that far, you're not too far
No matter how hurt you are, you're not that far, you're not too far
No matter how wrong you are, you're not that far, you're not too far
No matter who you are, you're not that far, you're not too far
From forgiveness
Ask for forgiveness.

182. A great day with my kids yesterday - so fun, just the 4 of us. We found the movie, Holes, at Family Video in North Muskegon, and went home after church, curled up on the couch and watched it. Then, we played in the yard - me pulling the kids on sleds behind our 4-wheeler. I'm thankful for days with joy.

183. Jake chose to go to Awana last night! I've already included my sweet girl and her sweet and solid faith. She encourages me to be strong in my faith -- faith like a child. Seeing Jake choose to go and learn his Bible verse and coming home happy and glad he went was a real blessing yesterday.

184. Plus, I didn't have to leave the house; my sweet friend, who is also Jake's Awana teacher, was ALSO our transportation last night.

185. A lazy but still productive morning. 10:36, and Claudia has practiced piano, done 5 Awana lessons (she gets going and doesn't want to stop), and is working on math. Jake has done math and has been playing Legos with Sam for about 45 minutes - in my opinion, more important than any lesson I might try to cram down his throat (and anyway, it's still early - time for cramming later).

186. Accomplished all I wanted to by 12:15. Time to head to my bro and sis-in-law's house for the day. Yay! Even left with my bathroom clean.

187. Ticket to Ride w my sis.


188. Claudia, Jake, Sam, and Trey played, strangely, very nicely all afternoon... No screaming!


189. The delicious smell of my niece, Marley.


190. Marley's perfect little cheeks, so kissable.


191. Trey's busy hands. So stinkin' cute.


192. Trey's prayer for our dinner, and thanking God for me (granted I was kneeling right next to him so he saw me first as he looked around the room mid-prayer).


193. An encouraging text from Ed.


194. Heard some great lyrics from Tenth Avenue North on my way to GR today:
Oh Father, give me grace to forgive them
Cuz I feel like the one who's losing.

195. Jake, who just came down to my bedroom, all smiles, looking for one more goodnight kiss and hug.


196. Claudia, such a sweet girl, who passes up a game of TTR w her mom and aunt bc her mom instructs her to go play w the kids and keep them happy in the basement.


197. Sam, who wore his Batman sweatshirt (which includes a cape), underwear on backwards (he insisted on putting them on himself), and Trey's tool belt full of tools for much of the afternoon.


198. Claudia: that Jesus died on the cross for us.

Me: uh, YES.

Claudia: what?

Me: did you just ask if Jesus died on the cross for us?

Claudia: no, I mean I saw you were on the blog and I wanted you to include that.

Me: OH! I thought you were asking me out of the blue if Jesus died on the cross for us! I wondered, did I not teach you anything?!

Claudia, laughing: that would be funny! You taught me a lot, mom. Now put that conversation on the blog!