Day 11 - Veteran's Day

He is the God who keeps every promise - Psalm 146:6

My favorite soldier (my Papa) never really spoke about his service.  He never told about his time in Italy, and never pushed any of us to join the military.  He did, however, teach his whole family to trust in God.

I don't have much to say today, but I want to for sure thank every veteran who has served.  Even if I don't agree with the conflict, I still appreciate your willingness to put your life on the line so that I can continue living mine.

I appreciate your sacrifice and every thing that you have had to endure.  

Day 6 - Direction

In everything you do, put God first, and He will direct you. - Proverbs 3:6

This time last year, I was finally coming to terms with my gestational diabetes.  The only way I could get through giving myself nightly shots was to pray before.  Prayer to calm my nerves, to remind me of WHY I was going through this, and to give thanks for the opportunity to even be where I was.

Today, I find myself praying daily for guidance not just in parenthood, but in every aspect of my life.  When I find myself struggling with anxiety, I try (because I don't always in the moment) to remember that He is guiding me even when I am panicked.  When I find myself questioning, I am reminded that He is guiding my every step!  

Our bedtime routine is very simple - book, songs, prayer, bed.

Book - usually 1 or 2 depending on the length and how sleepy she is acting (lately, it hasn't been any thanks to her falling asleep early...)

Songs - Always old southern gospel songs that I grew up singing.  She seems to enjoy the Goodman's, but the one she that always makes her lay still is There's Just Something About that Name.  

Prayer - Always starts with thanking Him for safety and guidance through the day, asking for angels to watch over us while we sleep, asking for protection over daddy as he is at work and driving home, and to guide us through tomorrow - either by keeping us safe or giving us an opportunity to be the Hands and Feet to someone else.

I doubt Diana understands what we are doing, but I know that I am trying to raise her to keep God first in all things.  Pray about each opportunity, blessing, and situation to do the right thing.  My Ninny ALWAYS prayed over me - I am convinced that her prayers are why I am still here today.  

Even if Diana grows up and chooses not to be involved in church, I want to give her a firm foundation to stand on.  I want to give her every opportunity to allow God to be first in her life.  While I fail every day, I always try to keep God first and allow Him to direct and guide.

How do you keep God first?

Thankful November

I am challenging myself this November... to try and blog on something I am thankful for every day.  Using my desk calendar as a helpful guide, I am going to do my best to list how the daily words apply to my life... Maybe you could leave a comment on how the daily words apply to yours?  Or just read along and let my daily entry make your heart smile.  It's entirely up to you!  I am just hoping to get people involved in discussion and turn negative daily thoughts into positive ones!!

day 1 - November 1, 2018:

Lord, with all my heart I thank you - Psalm 138:1

Last year, according to facebook, I was gratefully complaining!  I was posting about how I was eternally grateful for the opportunity to be pregnant, after years of trying and doctors telling me that it would never happen.  I was also complaining because I spent most of my pregnancy in pain and at the doctor's offices 4-5 times a week... 

I wouldn't trade any moment for the world, and if I had to go through it all again to get Diana here I would do it without question.

This year, these words mean just a tiny bit more to me!  I am eternally grateful that Diana got here fairly uneventfully, safely, and there are no residual issues with either of us.  Things could have gone so much worse than my just having gestation diabetes.  Especially with my diagnosis of PCOS and the various issues that come along with it.  

I am thankful for my husband who still maintains sanity in our household.  He takes care of Diana so wonderfully!  I love watching him with her.  He takes care of me when my anxiety makes life unbearable.  He takes care of himself when I am taking care of Diana and my forever long list of things to get done on given days.

I am thankful for our parents - for giving us the knowledge and support to handle parenthood with some sense of style and huge helping of grace.  When we don't know, they do!  When I panic about things, they remind me to laugh, take a deep breath, and that I am handling life beautifully!

I am thankful for my "village" (you should know who you all are!!) for loving Diana as their own.  Who never say "no" to a last minute "can you hang with her for a bit" Who are forever bringing her clothes, toys, or just time for baby hangs and hilarious pictures!  She is one loved little lady - I hope she never forgets that or takes it for granted.

Finally, I am thankful for my little girl.  She has taught me so much about myself in the last 6 months of her earth side life.  She taught me how much I can handle.  She taught me that I sure don't give myself enough credit - as a wife, mother, or woman in general.  She loves me unconditionally - even on hard days when my anxiety is too much.  Her little smile makes my world stop spinning out of control and I focus on the important things right in front of me.  I am learning new and beautiful things by watching her learn and grow (hey already in 12 months clothes... that won't last long!) And we still have a whole lifetime to go!

Today, I got to work FURIOUS about traffic and things that I watched people do (READING A BOOK WHILE DRIVING!!!!) Then I got to work and saw my desk calendar... and then I started thinking about this challenge to myself.

Lord, with all my heart I thank you. Psalm 138:1

What are you thanking the Lord for today?

#ThankfulNovember