In Everything Give Thanks

I have been thinking, lately, that I need to be more thankful. Maybe this is because my five-year-old is so UNthankful! Kelsey has been giving me fits, constantly whining and fussing and getting angry. Scott and I are nearly at our wits' end trying to figure out the best way to deal with her. I think its time to dig out our Dr. Dobson books and re-educate ourselves on parenting.

Anyway. Her whining has started me thinking on what I am thankful for.
So, here's the list:

I am thankful that I know Jesus. There is nothing better than Him.

I am thankful that I have a loving husband. Many women don't.

I am thankful that I live in a free country, where I can raise my children up to be Christians. (although, Kelsey hasn't acted particularly Christian-like lately)

I am thankful that my husband has a good job, and can support us.

I am thankful for my home.

I am thankful for my 7-year-old vehicle, because it runs and has heat.

I am thankful for my church and my pastor(s).

I am thankful for good Christian parents.

I am thankful for loving in-laws.

I am thankful that all of my family is in good health.

I am thankful that I am cancer-free.

I am thankful that my life is peaceful.

I am thankful ... for everything.

"A Christmas t o Remember"

I put up my Christmas tree last night. Yes, I know its kind of early to do such a thing! However, the way the next two weeks are looking for me, I just had to do it. I couldn't figure out another time to put it up before the middle of December, and who wants to mess with a Christmas tree that late in December?
I decided to change things up a bit this year, and pretty much totally redid our tree. Previously, our tree had a lot of purple and gold and cream because those are the colors of our living room. I am tired of purple and cream. So, I bought red and green and gold ribbon and ornaments for the tree. I put colored lights on the tree. Now, I am strictly a white lights kind of girl, but my hubby likes the colored ones, so I caved. I like it...maybe its not quite as elegant as the purple and gold theme, but its nice. And the girls were SO excited last night! They danced around the living room and hung ornaments on the tree and told me that they just HAD to have cocoa and cookies before bed.

My Christmas banquet is coming together quite nicely. Just a few more things to tweak. I am relieved that people are starting to RSVP. I was sort of worried that we would only have 30 or so come, but its looking more like 60 right now.
The theme of our Christmas banquet is "A Christmas to Remember". I pray that we remember this holiday season as one of peace and joy and unity.

Kendra

Its HOW MANY Days Until Christmas?!?!?

So, I hear there are only 44 days until Christmas! Say, WHAT?
I, so far, have only purchased about three Christmas gifts. Yep, that's right, folks...I am holding off until there is money in the bank! No credit card purchases here!

Seriously, though, Scott just mentioned to me that just once he would LOVE it if we had a Christmas where I didn't have to plan, execute and clean up after a Christmas program. I think I am beginning to agree that I have too much on my plate.

Most years, I am responsible for planning and running our church Christmas program. That program usually takes place on the second or third Sunday in December. THIS year...well...I am in charge of a big Christmas Banquet, complete with a hall rental and invitations. I am also in charge of the Christmas program at church, which happens to be on the first Sunday of December. And...guess what? The program and the banquet happen to be on THE SAME DAY!
I am finding that this is far more stressful than just planning ONE event. My plans are all jumbling together in my head, and I am just dreading Sunday, December 7th.

So, if you don't mind too terribly much, please say a prayer for me, my husband and my mental state.

Things You May Not Know About ME!!!

The phrases that are in a bold are true….

Appearance:
- I am 5′4 or shorter.
- I think I'm ugly.
- I have many scars.
- I tan easily.
- I wish my hair was a different color.
- I have friends who have never seen my natural hair color
- I have a tattoo.
- I am self-conscious about my appearance.
- I have/ I've had braces.
- I wear glasses. (Or contacts.)
- I'd get/have gotten plastic surgery if it were 100% safe, free, scar-free.
- I've been told I'm attractive by a complete stranger.
- I have had more than 2 piercings.
- I have had piercings in places besides my ears.
- I have freckles.

Family/Home Life:
- I've sworn at my parents.
- I've run away from home.
- I've been kicked out of the house.
- My biological parents are together.
- I have a sibling less than one year old.
- I want to have kids someday.
- I have children.
- I've lost a child.

Embarrassment:
- I've slipped out a "LOL" in a spoken conversation.
- Disney movies still make me cry. I love Disney!!
- I've snorted while laughing.
- I've laughed so hard I've cried.
- I've glued my hand to something.
- I've laughed till some kind of beverage came out of my nose.
- I've had my trousers rip in public.

Health:
- I was born with a disease/impairment.
- I've had stitches.
- I've broken a bone.
- I've had my tonsils removed.
- I've sat in a doctor's office with a friend.
- I've had my wisdom teeth removed.
- I've had serious surgery.
- I've had chicken pox.

Traveling:
- I've driven over 200 miles in one day.
- I've been on a plane.
- I've been to Canada.
- I've been to Niagara Falls.
- I've been to Japan.
- I've been to Europe.
- I've been to Africa.

Experiences:
- I've been lost in my city.
- I've seen a shooting star.
- I've gone out in public in my pajamas.
- I've pushed all the buttons in a lift.
- I've been to a casino.
- I've been skydiving.
- I've gone skinny dipping.
- I've played spin the bottle.
- I've crashed a car.
- I've been skiing.
- I've been in a play.
- I've met someone in person from the Internet.
- I've caught a snowflake on my tongue.
- I've seen the Northern Lights.
- I've sat on a roof top at night.
- I've played chicken.
- I've seen the Rocky Horror Picture Show.
- I've eaten Sushi.
- I've been snowboarding.

Relationships:
- I'm single.
- I'm in a relationship.
- I'm available.
- I'm engaged.
- I'm married.
- I've gone on a blind date.
- I've been the dumpee more than the dumper.
- I have a fear of abandonment.
- I've been divorced.
- I've had feelings for someone who didn't have them back.
- I've told someone I loved them when I didn't.
- I've told someone I didn't love them when I did.
- I've kept something from a past relationship.



Honesty/Crime:
- I've done something I promised someone else I wouldn't.
- I've done something I promised myself I wouldn't.
- I have lied to my parents about where I am.
- I am keeping a secret from the world.
- I've cheated while playing a game.
- I've cheated on a test.
- I've driven through a red light.
- I've witnessed a crime.
- I've been in a fist fight.
- I've been arrested.
- I've shoplifted.

Drugs/Alcohol:
- I've consumed alcohol.
- I smoke cigarettes.
- I smoke pot.
- I regularly drink.
- I've taken painkillers when I didn't need them.
- I've taken cough medicine when i wasn't sick.
- I've done hard drugs.
- I've been addicted to an illegal substance.
- I can't swallow pills.
- I can swallow about 5 pills at a time no problem.

Mental health:
- I have been diagnosed with depression.
- I shut others out when I'm depressed.
- I take anti-depressants.
- I have had an eating disorder.
- I've slept an entire day when I didn't need it.
- I've hurt myself on purpose.
- I'm addicted to self harm.
- I've woken up crying.

Death:
- I'm afraid of dying.
- I hate funerals.
- I've seen someone dying.
- I have attempted suicide.
- Someone close to me has attempted suicide.


Random:
- I can sing well.
- I've stolen a tray from a fast food restaurant.
- I open up to others too easily.
- I watch the news.
- I don't kill bugs.
- I hate hearing songs that sacrifice meaning for sake of being able to rhyme.
- I swear regularly.
- I am a morning person.
- I paid for my mobile phone ring tone.
- I'm a snob about grammar.
- I am a sports fanatic.
- I play with my hair.
- I have/had "x"s in my screen name.
- I love being neat.
- I love Spam.
- I've copied more than 30 CD's in a day.
- I don't know how to shoot a gun.
- I am in love with love.
- I am guilty of tYpInG lIkE tHiS.
- I laugh at my own jokes.
- I eat fast food weekly.
- I believe in ghosts.
- I am online 24/7, even as an away message.
- I can't sleep if there is a spider in the room.
- I am really ticklish.
- I love white chocolate.
- I bite my nails.
- I play video games.
- I'm good at remembering faces.
- I'm good at remembering names.
- I'm good at remembering dates.
- I have no idea what I want to do for the rest of my life.