So much to be thankful for

   The alarm went off at 5am.  I shuffled out to the dining room and turned on the light.  I spotted it immediately.  There, on the dining room table, lay a collection of papers that represent many hours of study.  It was a sort of climax to all the time spent working on it.  I was surprised to see it.  I felt like a child on Christmas morning, who awakens to a big amazing gift lying under the tree.  I read the cover sheet in awe and wonder.  I smiled as I flipped through it.  I plan to read through it of course.  But come to find out, there is still more to fine tune.  This is just the rough draft.  But still...I feel such a sense of accomplishment for my husband.

   Here he is in classic "study mode" with his venti cup of coffee close at hand :)

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Just a few blessing from my day..

~my husband making Manny and Javi laugh hysterically as he held them up in the air and then tossed them onto the couch one at a time and over and over again.

~Javi telling his sisters "God never sins" and "God is bigger than the moon!" in a very matter of fact and serious manner.

~the happy cheers of my children as they hurried outside to play before it got too dark this evening.

~sitting with my children on the couch, close to bedtime and telling them about the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ.  I was happy to see that they remember some things from their classes at church.  We talked about how God spoke and said "This is my beloved Son, listen to him."  And how God wants us to listen to him too.

~Praying with my children, (I don't do this enough!)  Trying not to laugh as Clara begins every sentence with "Thank you that..."  Even when praying for someone who hurt her knee or some other sad thing.

~relishing the thought that my eldest daughter Amera is on a special date with her dad this evening.  He wanted to take her out after picking her up from an all day youth activity.  I'm sure they're having fun, although I am anxious for their return.  I miss them!  :)

~Clara's enthusiasm for being in Kids 4 Truth and memorizing verses.  I hope she never loses it.  She is such a sweetie.