Thanks Tank #23

Gonna make this short and quick cause I've only got a few hours of sleep time before we are up and at them and starting on a very busy day! My thankful thoughts for this week are as follows:

• i'm thankful that my hubby was able to get away for a couple of days and relax, chill and hang out with his really close friends.
• i'm thankful for my daughters help in cleaning the house this evening. they did an awesome job and with minimal amount of complaining.
• i'm thankful for the fun next couple of days we (the girls and I) have planned.
• i'm thankful for the extra helpers we had in MOPs today. and the reminder of when I was younger and only wanted to be around babies!
• i'm thankful that the girls are older and i can do things like take them to scrapbooking with me.
• i'm thankful that i'm going to be an aunt again!
• i'm thankful that i was able to fall asleep and sleep well w/o having keith here.
• i'm thankful that when my husband is gone - I miss him terribly.
  

Wednesday Why's

A couple of things I've been pondering today -

Why do I miss my husband more today than any other given day when it's been the same amount of hours since I've seen him? Is it because I know that I won't actually be seeing him til Saturday? Or is it because I won't have his help with the girls for the next couple of days?

Why do your taste buds change as you get older?

Why is it that when you are prepared for the rain it doesn't make an appearance but when you aren't - man does it dump?

Why is it so important to me to receive comments on my blog posts?

Why do my two closest friends have to both live in Oregon - hours and hours from me but only 1 1/2 from each other? It hardly seems fair!

And I'm still wondering why not only the smell but even the thought of coffee, makes me smile?

Tuesday's Teachings

I'm so incredibly wiped out right now. I should be in bed and yet I really wanted to post something today for Tuesday's Teachings. I have now been into my study on Joy for a week now and I've got to tell you - I've been learning some pretty profound things. But I don't have the energy tonight to put it all down on "paper" (or should I say screen) for you. So I will just leave you with this one thing that I learned this evening.
I had a very good friend call me to let me know that her grandmother was in the hospital and not doing well at all. The doctors have said they need to call all the family to come. As I stood on the other end of the line while my friend was trying to tell me this through her tears, I thought - What do I say? I feel as though I've been through my fair share of tragedies. I've grieved over lost loved ones and felt the sheer fear of not knowing what a doctor's prognosis might hold. I've been the person on the other end of the line reaching out for any speck of hope and longing for words that will comfort and heal and yet knowing - nothing that anyone says can really make it any better. This evening it was abundantly clear that TRUE PEACE, TRUE COMFORT, TRUE JOY comes ONLY from our Creator - the One who knows the plans He has for us - all of us.
The only thing that was left for me to do for my friend and her family was to pray diligently for His peace and His comfort to be with her during this time and that His perfect will be done in this situation.

All the Leaves are Brown . . .

All the leaves are brown (all the leaves are brown)
and the sky is grey (and the sky is grey)
I went for a walk . . . . . .

I'd be safe and warm (I'd be safe and warm)
if I was in L.A. (if I was in L.A.)
California Dreamin' on such a winter's day

We leave for Callie in 2 weeks. I'm SO looking forward to the vacation with the whole family; being down in the sunny, warmer weather; taking the kids back to Disneyland; being able to do the San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld; and taking Anah on her first plane ride! I'm also excited to spend a little bit of time with my grandparents. I wish we could stay longer than 8 days to be able to spend even more time with them. I'm realizing more and more that they are getting older and won't be around for much longer. I want the girls to be able to remember them clearly when they are older and their great grandparents have passed on.

So today on this blustery, rainy, typical Pacific NW day - I'm California Dreamin'!!!

Wednesday Why's

A couple of things I wonder about -

Why isn't the soap as sudsy when it gets to the bottom of the bottle or the end of the bar?
Why do I feel as though my husband is attacking my parenting skills when he comments on others peoples well-behaved children?
Why can I be so sleepy throughout the day and then once it is late at night - I'm wide awake?
Why does the smell of coffee make me smile?

Tuesday's Teachings

Today our Ladies Bible Study started back up again at Bethany. The study is called Enjoy - A Thirst-Quenching Look at Philippians by Tianne Moon. The study focuses on joy - where does it come from? And how can we get more of it? It's a study that just seems to be SO applicable to my life right now. I'm looking forward to all that I can and will learn through this study. I'm looking forward to forming friendships with the ladies who will be in my discussion group.
So I thought that since bible study is on Tuesdays, I would try and dedicate a post each Tuesday to what I learned or what stood out the most to me that day. Since today was more about getting started and the introduction, it was very easy to pinpoint what stood out as significant to me.
"Joy does not come from a change in our circumstances. It comes from a change in our perspective on those circumstances."
This is just a wonderful reminder to me that it is ALL about my attitude. If I choose to look for the good in a bad situation or focus on what the Lord is trying to teach me, I am instantly more joyful. This is the example I want to be for my children, husband, family and friends. When people look at me, I want them to see someone whose life is centered on Christ and who radiates - JOY!

If it's not one crazy thing, it's another!

After waking up a week ago to temperatures in the mid 30's and finally turning up our heat (it's set at 65*F), we are supposed to be getting back up into the 80's in a few days. Now I'm not complaining about the sunshiny days and the beautiful weather. It's actually a huge blessing to have a couple of warm days in a row because Keith is staining our back porch as I write this. But you have to admit - this weather is crazy!

I scream, you scream, ice cream!

WHAT WILL THEY THINK OF NEXT?!?!?! You have to check out this article featured on the MSN home page regarding PETA and Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream. PETA is proposing that instead of continuing the practice of using cow's milk to make ice cream that Ben & Jerry should use mother's milk. As in HUMANS!!! How disgusting is that???? Speaking of ice cream, that makes me want to scream! Anyway it was too odd of a story not to share so check it out!

Thanks Tank #22

It's been a little while since I've posted a Thursday Thanks Tank. I have so many things to be thankful for, not only this week but throughout my life in general. Thanks for taking the time to come check out my blog and listen to the things that I write from my head and heart. Blessings to you this week! Please take the time to think on the things that are filling your tank with thanks!

1. I'm thankful for my Mom and all that she means to me and does for me. Two weeks ago she was diagnosed with a recurrence of cancer. Six years ago was when we first found out that she had breast cancer. It's really hard learning that the cancer is back (or that it wasn't all removed the first time around). And it's hard to be thankful for this situation but even in its ugliness there are some things to be thankful for. The fact that her doctor demanded that she have a biopsy even though two other doctors told her it was nothing. The fact that at this point it appears to be contained only in this lump. The fact that she already has a working relationship with the doctors at Cancer Care Alliance in Seattle, which just makes it a little bit easier on her in getting appointments and meetings with the different doctors that she needs.
2. I'm thankful for my faith in Christ. With all the things going on in the world (and in my little world), I don't know how I would be able to handle it without the knowledge that I am sheltered in the palm of His hand and nothing happens that He does not know about. He has a plan for me and for those I love, who love Him. I HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR!
3. I'm thankful for the ladies bible study that is starting up next week. With the busyness of life, I have a tendency to let my relationship with the Lord slide. I'm excited and eager to be getting back into His word and to be fellowshipping with other ladies who share my beliefs.
4. I'm thankful for the power of prayer and the people who have been praying for me, my mom and my family.
5. I'm thankful for the babies I get to rock and hold while helping out at MOPs and for the little kids who let me comfort them in place of their mom for a little while. It makes me feel really special.
6. I'm thankful for wonderful friends who worry about me when I'm sick and check up on me. I've truly been blessed with amazing friends.
7. I'm thankful for the chance my husband and I have had to go out on a couple of dates. It's wonderful to feel pampered and loved!
8. I'm thankful for my new tennis shoes that fit and don't leave my toenail beds bruised!
9. I'm thankful for the changing of seasons from the warm days of summer to the crisp days of fall.
10. I'm thankful that Sammy is now old enough to play volleyball at her school. She started practices last week and this Saturday she has her first game. Volleyball is my all-time favorite sport. The one sport that I actually did fairly well (besides for cheerleading ;}) at. I'm excited to be cheering her on from the sidelines!
11. I'm thankful for my girls and how mature and responsible they are becoming.
12. I'm thankful for laughter and silliness and my odd friends on Facebook. I laugh so much at them and that really helps lift my mood when I'm down.
13. I'm thankful for a common bond shared with others that know Christ as their personal Savior.
    

Smokin' Fine that Hubby of Mine

So my amazing, wonderful husband planned a date night with my brother-in-law about a month ago. Last weekend my Mom had our girls overnight so Keith and I got to have a little mini-date last weekend as well. We went up to Kohl's in Covington and did some clothes shopping for our date to The Phantom of the Opera. Keith wasn't planning on wearing a tie but was planning on getting a blue dress shirt and black slacks but then we happened upon this gorgeous blue and chocolate striped tie. I made him get it and he graciously changed his game plan some and went with chocolate colored slacks. Plus he wore a tie and suit jacket out on our date. He is always gorgeous to me but last night - that man was SMOKIN' HOT!!!

Keith and I outside Ruth's Chris Steak House.
What did I tell you? SMOKIN' HOT!
At dinner at Buca de Beppo's.
I LOVE THIS MAN!!!

A Treasure

Today wasn't the greatest of days. It wasn't bad necessarily but it wasn't all that great either. I wasn't feeling very well and I didn't end up getting many of the things done today that I was hoping to. But as I was folding and hanging up some laundry a thought occurred to me that made me stop and pause.
How blessed I am to have two beautiful, wonderful children.
Laundry is one of those household chores that I dread. But tonight I just kept looking at their little shirts and pants and shorts and thinking they are growing so fast. It seems like yesterday when I was folding those pajama's and putting them in Samantha's pile. Now they are going in Savanah's. Tonight those clean clothes coming out of the dryer were so precious to me. They were a reminder of a treasure that I have. Two little girls that are growing so quickly. But who are still small enough to pick up and hold and to rock in my arms when somethings not right in their little world. And yet their worlds are getting bigger and bigger by the day. They impress me daily with how intelligent and responsible they are becoming. I look at them and am constantly amazed. And oh how they make us laugh! We are blessed!
I am blessed with two treasures and I'm so thankful for that reminder this evening in the little shirts hanging in the laundry room!

Believe it or not . . . .

So, slightly funny story! I was contacted the other day by a gal I've casually known through MOPs the last couple of years. She was wanting to know if I was still willing to work as a babysitter during their steering meetings and other meeting (don't really know what it's called as I've never actually been a part of the MOPs program besides for watching kiddo's). She was explaining to me who she was and reminding me of conversations we'd had about bum ankles and her adorable son Tate. She then proceeded to tell me a hilarious story about her not "knowing" Kim McCoy. Apparently she had heard some stories or things about this Kim McCoy person but did not know who she was. Then Melissa told her to give Kim McCoy a call about helping out at MOPs. She told Melissa she didn't know who Kim McCoy was. Melissa assured her that she did but she was certain she didn't. She did not remember someone named Kim who was married with any children. The only gal she remembered was a young girl who at her oldest was in her early 20's!!!
I can't begin to tell you how hard I laughed at this. WOW! Believe it or not . . . someone thought I was too young to be married and have any children! That is WAY TOO FUNNY!

BTW - I posted this story solely for Jane Anne because she was getting tired of singing En Vogue in her head!

Back to Life . . . Back to Reality . . . Back to School

Well, the girls started back to school today. It was a bit of a rough morning but we made it through and got to school on time even after taking pictures. When the girls got home (their bus didn't arrive until 20 minutes after it was supposed to), they both said they had a GREAT day. I'm looking forward to this school year and I think the girls are too. Savanah has Sammy's teacher from last year, Mrs. Milke. Sammy's new teacher is Mrs. Scott. So far, we've been very happy with the teachers the girls have had while here at Graham Elementary. (On a side note - At church on Sunday we ran into one of Sammy's teachers from 2nd grade. She no longer works at Graham Elementary so Savanah didn't get a chance to have her. But it was really great seeing her and finding out that she and her family are now attending Bethany!) Savanah will be getting a new teacher in November though as her teacher is pregnant and due around that time. We are praying that the new teacher will be a great fit for not only Savanah but for the whole class and that it will be a smooth transition for the kids and new teacher once she starts.

Thanks Tank #21

This is going to be ANOTHER short thankful list but since it's my last official thankful post of the summer I'm assuming that my lists will get back to normal starting next week.

I'm so thankful for the chance I had to go to Oregon with my girls and spend time with my two closest friends. The second half of our trip was spent with the Owen's who are more like family than friends. Unfortunately the first part of the week was a bit rainy and dreary outside so for lunch one day we took the kids to McDonald's and they played for a long time. It was really nice having the chance to just chat with Jane Anne about life and get caught up a bit since the kids were so busy running around screaming and having fun.
I'm thankful for getting off the beaten path and beautiful surprises while "lost". (We weren't actually lost we realized right away we had drove past the driveway we were supposed to turn at.) The drive out to Brownsville was just gorgeous and then we were able to take some pictures overlooking this magnificent view! So fun!
I'm ALWAYS thankful for the opportunity to scrapbook but it was extra special scrapbooking with JA. We had a very fun day celebrating Jane Anne's birthday (belated). We had Chinese food for lunch. Shopped at this adorable little store and got awesome candles. Then stopped at Safeway for chocolate and coffee! Nothing much beats that!
I'm thankful for child-like fun!
I'm thankful that the weather got nicer and we were able to take the kids to the "pool-park". All the kids had a blast and the adults too! Even Seth - I think???



I'm thankful for pedicures . . . .
and manicures!!! (Can you guess who went white and who went black?)
I'm thankful for dear, dear friends who my kids call Auntie and Uncle. Everytime we get together we have such a blast whether we are being wild and crazy (please see posts on Anah's birthday party) or just hanging out doing nothing!
I'm thankful for Elsie Jane who helps me get a bit of my baby fix. I love that I've been able to be "around" (I use that term pretty loosely since we don't live that close anymore) for so many of her "moments" from being at there house after Seth and JA found out she was a girl to spending 5 anxious days waiting for her to make her big arrival and then her not coming til the day after her due date. She is such a doll and I love her to pieces!
The McCoy girlies and Owen boys - getting along, hanging out, just spending time together.


I'm also thankful for being home. For all the work my husband got done while we were away. I'm thankful for the chance to meet our girls' teachers this evening at the Open House. I'm thankful that the girls are looking forward to school starting and that they do so well in school. I'm thankful for the chance to get together tomorrow night with Keith's family to celebrate his parents anniversary. And sleepovers with little girls (who aren't so "little" anymore!). I'm thankful that I'm going to be getting my hair cut tomorrow because it has been driving me buggy for weeks!

Olympic moment

While at my friends house in Oregon I was flipping through a book she had that was a "conversation starter". I found a couple of questions that I thought I would use to generate some comments and conversation on my blog. I thought it was very appropriate considering we just finished up the Summer Olympics. I've been alive for 9 Summer Olympics but am not really sure how many different years I remember. I do believe that for as long as I've been old enough to realize what the Olympics are that they've excited and fascinated me. I remember watching them diligently even while I was in school. The year that the Olympics were held in Los Angeles, my Grandparents brought us a ton of Olympic paraphernalia. Shirts, hats, binoculars and such. I'm a true fan of the Olympics. I would literally sit and watch for two whole weeks if I could. So this brings me around to my question.

What is the most awe-inspiring Olympic moment that you've seen during your lifetime?

For me it would have to be when Kerri Strug clinched the gold medal for the United States Women's gymnastics team in 1996 - sticking her landing on her second vault after seriously messing up her foot/ankle on her first vault. I remember watching and bawling my eyes out. It was a very memorable moment for me.

This year I was able to watch (non-stop) for the first weekend of the Olympics and then also a couple of days after that. Watching Michael Phelps win 8 gold medals was awesome and it makes me excited for athletes and events that we've yet to see. The girls watched with us some on that first weekend and I'm hoping that they will grow to love the Olympics as much as I do.

So . . . . What is the most awe-inspiring Olympic moment that you've seen during your lifetime?

Thanks Tank #20

This is going to be another short thanks tank just because I'm still really busy filling it!!!!

I'm so thankful for the time I was able to spend with my friend Kristi, who I met while at Ecola, last week. We had a blast together! It was also really fun having our kids play together. This was the longest we've had the kids together and they had a lot of fun too!

Parker, Savanah, Mason, Cole, Samantha and Annabelle
Me with all the kids! What fun they were!!!
All the kiddo's in front of the scary, yet totally cool, 13ft crab!!!


I'm thankful that the girls and I made it safely to the Owen's on Sunday. I'm thankful that even though we've had a lot of unexpected rain we've kept the kids fairly happy with indoor activities. I'm thankful for our trip to the community pool (where we didn't get any pictures ;(). I'm thankful for McDonald's Playland where we took the kids today and let them play for a couple of hours! I'm thankful for chocolate ice cream, RED box DVD's, Starbucks and friends that are absolutely WONDERFUL!!!! (Hopefully next week I'll have lots of pictures to post of my time with the Owen family!)

I'm thankful for an incredibly fantastic summer filled with SO MUCH FUN and lots of great memories! It's hard for me to believe that we only have 11 days until school starts again! I really think that this has been one of my funnest summers for many, many years!

Thanks Tank #19

This will be a fairly short thankful list, not because I don't have much to be thankful for but because it's so very late and I'm fading fast. So without further ado . . . .

1. travel safety - the girls and I made it down to Toledo, OR safely and quickly yesterday evening
2. lasting friendships - it's hard for me to believe that Kristi and I have been friends for 16 yrs but I'm so thankful for her friendship and the chance we have to reminisce over old times and yet are also able to daily create new memories that we will one day laugh over
3. a hard-working, supportive husband - my hubbie encourages me to take time to come to Oregon to see two of my dearest friends and then stays home to work so hard on our house and property
4. learning new things - today at the Aquarium we learned about crabs that live in the ocean between Japan and the Pacific Coast that can grow to roughly 13 ft in size. We saw babies that were over half the size of Lacy, our lab and they were 9 months old. It was a bit eerie and yet totally cool
5. my parents - my parents are celebrating their 35th anniversary on Sunday. I'm so thankful for the home I was raised in and the amazing example that was set for me and my sisters. my mom came and picked up the girls for a sleepover this week before we left on our "mini-vacation". she has always been so thoughtful and helpful not only with her own family but with all the people she has come into contact with throughout the years. i'm just very thankful for her (and them!) and all the ways she shows her love for her family!

Thanks Tank #18

Wow, it feels good to be back to the land of blog! Tonight at dinner my oldest daughter asked me if I had posted my Thanks Tank yet. I just want to know when she got so grown up AND how she even knows about my Thursday posts of thankfulness. It makes me wonder just what else they are picking up on that I'm completely unaware of. Hopefully this will be a great reminder for me that I have two little sponges who soak up EVERYTHING - the good, the bad and the ugly. So in my words, attitude, speech and actions, I need to always be leading with a Christ-like example. So on to my thoughts of thankfulness!

• I'm thankful for my husband who notices when I clean the house but so lovingly doesn't notice when I don't. Who bathes the dogs (not once but twice - all within a matter of days) after they've rolled in poop, after a long day at work. And then helps me make dinner to boot! He's a keeper!
• I'm thankful for a wonderful day spent with my Momma. We went shopping and spent 6 hours in ONE store. I'd bet at least 2 of those hours were spent in the dressing room trying on clothes after clothes after clothes and talking, talking, talking! It was so much fun!
• I'm thankful for my dear friend Heather who offered to watch my daughters w/o me even asking and then who kept them ALL DAY, while I shopped with my Momma!
• I'm thankful for friends who are as close as family!
• I'm thankful for the cheap theater in Federal Way and the chance to take the kids to see some really great movies for a really cheap price!
• I'm thankful for quiet evenings spent on the couch next to my hubby watching TV and just chilling but feeling loved beyond measure!
• I'm still thankful for the kittens we were able to get for the girls. We all have been having a lot of fun with them.
• I'm thankful for family that loves us unconditionally.

Well, this is just a small list of things that I'm thankful for. I do truly feel as though this whole summer my heart has been filled to the brim and then spilling over with thankfulness and happiness. I have been wonderfully blessed!

For the love of a child or FOR THE LOVE OF PETE!

Today was a bit of a "rough" day in our household. It actually probably started a bit yesterday but that was SO LONG AGO who can remember! We McCoy girls had been invited to a friends house who have a swimming pool. Since the weather was going to be so warm we thought we'd let the kids hang out in the pool and possibly even dip our toes (whole bodies) in as well. (Breathe JA - I actually do like swimming!) But it was glaringly apparent first thing this morning that there was going to need to be a major attitude adjustment before this would happen. And let's be honest - the attitude adjustment needed to happen in all three of us. I was very short on patience and the girls, well, they were short on obedience. Which then turned into outright - naughtiness. This brings me around to the point of my post. In the beginning the girls absolutely could not get along with each other. After getting in trouble numerous times and having practically all of their privileges taken away, they finally decided to start getting along. But then they turned on me. And I was now up against TWO little evil monsters, instead of battling one on each side. (Now don't get me wrong - I love these little monsters to death but a dungeon was looking pretty good today!) So, how is it that they can go from constant bickering and arguing and not getting along to being the best of friends and ganging up on Mom, the one they were just turning to, to get the other in trouble? I don't get it and frankly I'm too worn out to speculate any longer.

More Thankful Photo's