thankful for..

I'm thankful for...

...the sight of my small-boned, petite toddler frolicking in her new swimsuit--gift from Auntie Lorrie, who noticed that it's hard to have a clean swimsuit ready for daily swimming, when there's only one per girl.  I tried so hard to take a freeze frame of Beth running through the grass, exuding joy and abandon, giggles escaping.

...my husband's interview today for a twenty-hour cleaning position, which won't conflict with school or with his second and third-shift cleaning contracts.  No benefits of course, but we apply for everything, not knowing what God's plans are.  Saving the house in any piece-meal way we can is the goal. We prayed leading up to and before, and I prayed during the interview.  We also perused interview tip sites.  Then, we put it all in God's hands.  Interviews are very hard for him, as first impressions aren't his strong point.  Some days it seems like everything is stacked against us.  Is that because when we finally get out of this, God wants it clear that it was HIM, and not us, who did the rescuing?

...my husband, and his reliance on God.  He knows not to pray for a particular job.  God might have something better in mind, no?  Instead, we pray that he will do well, relax, and be quick on his feet.  His resume includes his education, which exposes him as a Christian.  Sometimes having that out there hurts his chances.  Once he saw an interviewer change expressions drastically, upon hearing of husband's Bible education, when the co-interviewer brought it up in a question.  Husband knew it was all over after that, for that particular job anyway.  In some cases the degree makes him look overqualified, but his resume consists of custodial/building maintenance positions, and direct-care (with the mentally challenged) positions.  So the degree is just there, not fitting in anywhere.  To leave it off feels dishonest.  And besides, no one should shy away from claiming a devotion to God.  What would be the point?  God is the author of our biography--our days were decided before we were even born!  It's good to be reminded of that sometimes, when we get caught up in what ifs, or in what-should-I-dos.

...a toddler who isn't sleeping through the night, by a long shot.  The more hundreds of times I go in there to nurse her back to sleep, the easier it will be, many years from now, to return to the blessing of cradling and nourishing a sweet-smelling, eager-for-Momma baby.

...my sons, who know how to vacuum well and who happen to love it--same as they do windexing everything in sight.

...the time to sit and write, to create, to reflect, even though it means my house is less than neat.  My husband could take serious issue with the lack of progress on the laundry folding, but he never does.  I'm learning to delegate a bit with the folding, by the way.  The kids process their own socks/underwear and pajamas now.  No, the process is not neat, but the items get put away in a timely manner.

...online friends, who bless me with the gift of friendship.  Your comments and prayers mean so much!  Thank you!

...this post about contentment.

...this post about preparing five essential things from scratch, for the nutritional boost and for economy.  I'm not in a position to prepare all these things myself yet, due to caring for a toddler, but I am still blessed by the education.