3 reasons I am glad to be alive today-

electricity- for all my comforts- washing machine and dryer, dishwasher, hairdryer, lights for my holiday decor, power tools

running hot and cold water-inside toilets, again washing machine, and dishwasher, showers, ability to keep things clean

technology- photography (digital capability) , internet, email, cell phones

What are 3 reasons you are glad to be alive today?

Christmas Decorating
I had to "self-correct" pretty quickly yesterday while putting out the Christmas decor. Notice I said putting out and not putting up. Our house is in a state of "out" not "up". Lots of decorations out , but not much "up".
The kids all wanted to dig and dig and find, and "Help"- Thats one of the reasons each of the kids has their own trees. SO they can put it up, change it, take it down, turn it around, lay it on its side, put the ornaments on, or under, or behind. Whatever they want.
Luke could hardly stand it- I had bins, with things hanging out of them. Stuff on the floor. Lights in the bathroom, in the hall, on the floor. Things everywhere. Tucker did not want to be left out either. Luke kept running from one thing to the next, putting ribbon that we had used to tie the branches together for storage onto the tree, that had not been lit yet. ( or shaped) He was so excited- and kept saying- "I want to help, I just want to help"- with a happy smile on his face. He was so happy, and he kept touching my face, and hair- and after another " I want to help" and one more box crashing to the floor, I mumbled
"you can help- by not helping me for a minute"
AND I had a moment.. you know where you hear yourself. I could not believe I said that. I don't want Christmas decorating to be remembered by my family as grumpy. Or as- Mom had to have it her way- (although who doesn't want the perfect tree)
I had to quickly change my attitude. How long will my children want to help? How long will my children want to be with me to decorate and get excited for holidays?
And here is where the music starts playing, and we all sit down and have hot cocoa, and read christmas books together and then finish decorating.
Well- not really- There was some crying about being teased upstairs, and how nobody would stay out of anybodys room-but I did grab Luke and give him a big squeeze. And felt oh so grateful that for this moment, he was "happy" and not being one of the ones upset. And I asked him to "help" me some more. I smiled. And I reminded myself to keep smiling.

I am thankful for a car that runs...and honest people at Cherokee Auto to fix it when it doesn't.
I am thankful for those that pick up our trash cans, and even come and take it from the side of the house when we forget.
I am thankful for the lady in our neighborhood who walks every day-no matter what time of year, and how she is always picking up litter along her way.
I am thankful for Sundays.
I am thankful for my children's hands. I love to hold them.
I am thankful for chocolate.
I am thankful for good friends.
I am thankful for unconditional love.
I am thankful to have a baby in our home.
I am thankful that there is an almost 4 year space between Tucker and Luke!
I am thankful for our Dr.s who we trust to help us.
I am thankful for the care that Luke has received.
I am thankful for music.
I am thankful for Christ, our Savior.
I am thankful I am not finished learning.
I am thankful for "self-correction" as Jay calls it.
I am thankful for our children's teachers, that I trust them.
I am thankful that our floors are stained, and not just bare concrete.
I am thankful to have baseboards, and cabinet doors.
I am thankful I can see.
I am thankful for the family I have now, and the family I was born into.
For my mother, my brother, my two sisters, my father.
I am thankful to be a mom, and be home with my kids.
I am thankful.
For many more things.
I am thankful.

For all the work family is-
when the day is done, its all worth it-
I love them all-
the family I came from-
the family Jay and I are creating-
the friends I am lucky to consider family-
I love them all-

Today was Tucker's blessing day. I was so grateful to have so many of my family there. Before, when we lived away, and Jay and I did not have family around- I missed everyone. But today- we were able to have my family, and Jay's family there.
The kids love being around their grandparents at church- and all of the rest of the family. Something so satisfying of attending church together- I feel it too. Its unifying, even if we all don't agree on beliefs. I can remember growing up- that was so fun to me- all attending church with our cousins when we would get together for holidays, or events.....
So much work- our family's- but worth it.

Today- between 4&5 on channel 9-
I will be on the afternoon news-
with our certified nurse midwife (cnm)
that delivered Tucker.
It will not be for very long-
only a couple of minutes..
so don't blink, or you might miss it!
Wish me luck!

(whenever I write the word "luck" it reminds me of right before we had Luke-Whenever I would write his name I would accidentally spell "luck"-still do sometimes)

I read something today. Actually a few somethings. I love when I read something and it stops me and I re read it to remember what I feel when I read the words. It was on other blogs that I have made it a funny habit to check out.
From Rebecca Sowers blog- stop saying you don't have time. Time is made.
From Liz Eaton - if not now, when?
We all have the same amount of time in a day- just not the same lists and priorities.

I was talking to Jay this morning about my friend Kim, and how absolutely creative she is. And I was thinking about how I compare myself to all of my friends good, and maybe, some of their best qualities. And how I kind of have made up an unreal person- one who has the best of everyone I know. Kind of like a "best of" person. Anyway, I compare myself to this unreal person way too often. She is not real- but she reminds me of so many people I want to be like!
I need to not compare, but be inspired.
I can be inspired-
Wow- its already 2:40-
where has the day gone already? Time to go get kiddos-
hows that for a first hodge-podge of a post?

ps- I used to really not like the word "hodge-podge"
In fact I used to really feel offended when I heard it- thought it made fun of my last name, sounded negative- but now- doesn't bother me too much- seeing as I go by a different last name...does it bother any of the other "hodge-kin"???????