learning to be grateful

I need to take a lesson from Hudson's drawing he did the other day during rest time...

I have been quite the queen of complaints this past week and have been so selfish and impatient...especially when it comes to our housing situation. I am so ready to be in our new home, and it is far from ready. We were hoping to be in before Christmas, and now we're not even sure if that is a possibility. So I've been "woe is me"-ing all week, saddened by the fact that we may not be settled in time for Christmas. Meanwhile, we're "camping out" (with our stuff, blanket pallets, and suitcases scattered everywhere) in the house behind ours.

So let me take a hint from my boys and their turkey of thanks we made at playgroup the other day and start being grateful.

It's the simple things in life I should be thankful for...like Texas and Toot&Puddle, according to Nate. Or farms and zoos, according to Henry. Or toys and brothers, according to Hudson.

Instead I'm complaining that we don't have an oven. One of the few quirks of the house we're staying in is this vintage gas stove (without a working oven).

I'm a bit intimidated by the stove, not to the mention the boys keep pulling off the knobs, so we've been using the crockpot, electric griddle, and toaster oven quite a bit.

And of course, I'm feeling great now; the weather is nice and cool - just calling out for warm apple pies, cakes, and muffins; and I'm in the mood to bake up a storm...but we don't have an oven. Patience is something I don't seem to have right now.

And patience with my boys is growing slim. They, however, have done great with our moving transition. Brian and I have been pretty emotional at times about leaving our Crawford house, and they have handled it without shedding a tear. And now they're just enjoying the adventure of our life right now, while being typical rough and rowdy boys, and I'm having to figure out a way to keep them from (unintentionally) destroying this sweet couple's house (which is for sale, I might add). It can be a bit overwhelming at times.

But on to being grateful. I'm thankful that...

1. We officially sold our house!!

2. We have a beautiful home to stay in (rent free - only paying for utilities!!) while we work on our Martha Street house.

3. We were able to go to my Grandpa's funeral in Oklahoma, in the midst of moving and closing on our house. It was such a sweet, sweet time of being with family and rejoicing in the fact that my Grandpa is home. A good reminder to me that this is not my home. (So why am I worried about a house???) Can't wait to share pictures of that special time...

4. We have food to eat, clothes to wear, a car to drive, and a house to live in...and a job to pay for it all.

5. We have family who loves us unconditionally and serves us sacrificially in so many ways.

6. We serve a God who is faithful to us even when we are so unfaithful to Him.

7. We serve a God who continues to provide for us in miraculous ways!!

8. We have a great yard to play in, not to mention the church parking lot right next door that is perfect for riding bikes and throwing the football. The boys have loved it!!

9. We have sweet friends who have blessed us with dinner invitations, moving help, borrowed trucks...just being available and willing to help. Amazing!!

10. Brian and I were able to enjoy a (very) late night with the 3 older boys at Peter Pan last night at the Shakespeare festival....for FREE!! The performance was amazing, and the boys loved every single second of it, especially the fighting scenes and Peter Pan flying right over our heads!! They were also quite excited about collecting the "fairy dust" that was left at our feet.

I needed that. A moment of being thankful. Just praying that my complaining and discontent spirit will turn to a joyful gratefulness for what the Lord has done in our lives. Yet again, another way my boys are helping to sanctify me. And my gratefulness for them and Brian is just a given. I couldn't imagine my life without them!!