Sunday, September 02, 2007

Gratitude

After a week of hearing about tragic accidents involving children--many life-altering, some fatal--I felt an overwhelming need to express gratitude towards God for blessing me with my kids.

Last night, all of my teens were home by 11pm. Kristin was safely ensconced in her room, IM-ing with her friends. Kayla and Dylan were on the couch, battling it out on "Guitar Hero", having a ball. David...well, I was hoping he was safe, being that he and my husband were camping at that dreaded "13th Lake" (http://acomforterisnotabedspread.blogspot.com/2006/10/first-and-last-time-for-everything.html). But they brought so many cans of baked beans with them, I'm sure the bears had no desire to go anywhere near their tent.

I love my children with all my heart, and I thank God that he grants me each day with them. I may have a messy house; I may have financial woes; I definitely have some annoying health issues. But I was blessed with a wonderful family, and to me, that's all that really matters.

Special blessings to Annie (http://mylifeasannie.blogspot.com/), and my friend Vinnie and his family in Oregon.

If anyone can remind me how to rename a web address to just say the person's name, please feel free to tell me.

22 comments:

Carine-what's cooking? said...

Yes, I had all the little chickies in the coop last night. Daughter and son-in-law in our son's room, son on a camp mat in the family room and grandson in the den. It was a wonderful feeling to know we were all in the horrid heat together under the same roof.

Shimmerrings said...

Lisa, I've been reflecting on much as the days go by. Last night when I was at the grocery store it occured to me, for the umpteenth time, that the most precious moments in my life were when my kids were small in still at home. Enjoy them as long as you can. They are precious moments. I loved being a mom.

Constance said...

Lisa,
Very sweet blessings indeed. Your family is precious, and I am glad that you have them to enrich and sweeten your life.

And Annie has a great blog ! Such an amazingly busy, capable, nice lady and loving mother !

*cyber hugs and smiles*
Loving Annie

Dust-bunny said...

Dear Carine,

One of my concerns in life is that there are so many kids, with such varied tastes in climate and surroundings, that I'm afraid we won't always live around each other. That's why I always hold onto the dream of a large country home or cabin where, no matter how far away they are, all of them can come and stay at the same time! That must be a great feeling...you're so lucky to be able to experience it!

Dust-bunny said...

Dear Shimmerings,

I loved being a mother to little ones...it was a much simpler time, that's for sure. They were so sweet and innocent, so funny and such characters...and they certainly didn't answer back! Teenagers are a very different breed, but I love them just the same (well, I may not love their MOUTHS as much, but I still love the people that they are)!

...What is all this reflecting we're all doing lately?? Everyone around our age seems to be going through it. Unless this happens to everyone as they enter the realm of middle-age!

Take good care,
Lisa

Dust-bunny said...

Dear Loving Annie,

I read one of Annie's comments on your blog, and to be honest, her picture intrigued me because the child looked as though she had some sort of disability (I work in the field, so sometimes I spot things that others don't notice, like the way the child's mouth was open and her eyes were shut, for example). I clicked on it and was led to her sites. She's an amazing person...just the hope and gratitude that she has is enough to shame anybody who complains about nonsense after all that she's been through!

Take good care,
Lisa

Spicy said...

Lisa,
When you are writing your post...you type in the person's name then highlight it and click on the froggy icon..thats where you type in the http..if you know what I mean.
I guess I'm fortunate...had a ball bringing up my 2 sons..teen years were a little hairy...now I get to do it all over again with the grandkids.
Have a great week!

Dust-bunny said...

Dear Matty,

Thank you!! My goodness, that's easy.

You know, sometimes I write these things to snap me back to reality. I grew up alone (my brother graduated HS when I was 1), and I've always been very comfortable in total "quiet". I don't have very much peace these days, but when I get overwhelmed, I try to stop and thank God that at least my kids are HOME making all that racket...they're HEALTHY, and we all know how precious that is (especially you)...and they seem pretty HAPPY most of the time!

Take good care,
Lisa

Annie said...

Lisa,
Thank you for the special blessings & for visiting my blog.
I feel very blessed to have so many people lifting Izzy up. God is good, all the time.
♥~
Annie

Mark said...

You are truly blessed and it is right to express your gratitude!

Big Dave T said...

Good thing Matty knew because I didn't. I just patted myself on the back because I successfully added a new blogging buddy to my blogroll (I think).

You mean there are some people who DON'T have a messy house? Ewwwwwww.

My wife says I should appreciate our grown boys more. I do, but maybe men don't show it the same way.

Dust-bunny said...

Dear Annie,

Thank you for stopping by. I truly hope that God leads you down every path that will help Izzy to progress and that He holds you up and keeps you strong.

Take good care,
Lisa

Dust-bunny said...

Dear Mark,

...And I know it every day! Thanks for stopping by.

Take good care,
Lisa

Dust-bunny said...

Dear Big Dave,

Unfortunately, I think Matty and I have two different blogging accounts, because I didn't have any luck doing what she said to do (I didn't see any "frog" thing, and it didn't give me any options that I could understand to help me do what I wanted to do)!

I think that "Y" chromosome causes men to act a lot differently than women, but it doesn't necessarily mean that they feel any different! I'm sure you adore your boys and you're happy and proud that they can take care of themselves! I'm sure a punch on the arm can go just as far as a bear hug, depending on who's giving it!

Take good care,
Lisa

Constance said...

Hope you are having a good Tuesday, Lisa !

Shimmerrings said...

Lisa, I even loved it when my kids were teens. Their friends called me mom and I loved running them around, doing things for them. I don't know what it is with all the reflecting. I think that people sometimes circle together who are going through the same energy cycles, perhaps.

Helen Burton said...

Hi Lisa:

I love reading your blog today and realized how beautiful it is to express how grateful we are for our circumstances instead of complaining.

Helen

B.S. said...

Dear Lisa,

I've been thinking of you a lot, and if I'm not mistaken, your surgery is over now. I'm keeping the prayers flowing!

Your attitude, as shown in this post as well as all others, will serve you well in your recovery. You are surrounded by love from your family, friends and virtual friends.

Healing hugs,
Betty

CuriousC said...

What is interesting about your post today, not only just that I have been lurking and hoping your surgery goes well, I have enjoyed reading your blog and the friends who always give great comments, but today, I was frustrated with the link issue that you, too, expressed wish to learn (relearn?) Anyway, I figured it out after reading Matty's instructions. Thank you both of you. :)

Dust-bunny said...

Dear Loving Annie, Shimmerings, Helen, and Betty,

I made a special post above to give thanks to all of you who wished me well!

And to CuriousC, I'm glad that you figured it out, because it still didn't work for me for some reason! I'm not that computer-literate...I'll have to keep trying! Thank you for stopping by...when you set up your blog, let me know so I can come and visit!

Take good care,
Lisa

CuriousC said...

Thanks Lisa! Does that mean that you can't hover over my name on my comment and get the link to my posts? That is how I jump all over this crazy blog world and how I can't ever remember where I started... Anyway, I'm at www.ideajump.wordpress.com... Thanks again. So what are you reading?... ARe you taking it easy?

Dust-bunny said...

Dear Curiousc,

I didn't see a link to your blog, only a profile! But I do know that a lot of people create profiles just so they can comment before they take the plunge to blog, so that's what I thought you did. I'll add your site to my blog roll today!

I'm reading "Rococo" by Adriana Trigiani. Being that I'm Italian, the book is that much more enjoyable because I already can identify three of the characters with members of my own family! I'm not quite sure if non-Italians would get as much humor out of it, but if you happen to be Italian, it's a fun read!

Take good care,
Lisa