KJ's Ladies: March 2015

Fighting March Madness Day #31

Welcome to my new series... Fighting March Madness... similar to the Days of Thankfulness in November this me finding the joy amid the madness. If you want to know more click here

So here it is... Reason #31 why winter isn't so bad.

March is over

I know, I know... I did this so that I could make it through March with gladness .. and I did! I made it but I am glad it is over. April is tomorrow and the opening scene of the month is the most glorious... Easter. For me this year it is even more meaningful as it is the end of a long season of darkness. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Things are growing again and snow is melting. The blustery winds of change are blowing in... I can feel it in my soul. So yes I am glad the month is over! Just as the disciples were glad the long night of Good Friday broke into the glorious dawn of Easter. So as this series comes to a close, while this started out as therapy for me I also hope in some small way it pointed you to the real purpose in all things.... in remembrance of Him

Today and forever I am thankful for the glorious dawn of Easter

Fighting March Madness Day #30

This lady here...

We have been friends for a long time... going on 10 years! She has helped me a lot this winter. She checks in on me making sure things are good. Lets me text during the day to just say "pray for me". She asks me to get out now and then. Basically just keeps up with me so that I don't drift of into the oblivion of darkness. She has been a Godsend... probably more that she will ever know. Her daughter has even taken my sweet princesses in under her wing. (ok enough gushing)

Today I am thankful for good friends both young and old

Fighting March Madness Day #29

Even though this happens every Sunday I purposely waiting until the last Sunday of the month to say this....

Worshipping with this family

I look forward to coming here each week. I look forward to the people I will see. I look forward to the message I will hear. I look forward to the ministries I participate in. I look forward... my faith constantly causes me to look forward. It is the core of who I am and why I am.

So today I am thankful for the hope of what is yet to come and a family of believers who join together to celebrate that hope together.

Fighting March Madness Day #28

Swim Lessons

Yes, you read that write... swim lessons. I found swim lessons in the winter! YAY! It is really fun to be able to go to our "sorta" local community center and take swim lesson while there is still about 6-8 inches of snow outside. (melting fast into mud) Even still the girls are enjoying being able to swim each week. I have also found a new craft... embroidery... be on the look out for Easter gifts!

Today I am thankful for what would be a summer thing in the middle of winter.

Fighting March Madness Day #27

Warm snuggles in my bed

Prince Charming was off to work and these three bed bugs came in to take over... ahem... snuggle up with me! We of course had to put on a girlie movie... Princess Diaries. They enjoyed the time to just being girlie with mommy.

Today I am thankful for lazy mornings with girlie movies and extra large bed bugs!

Fighting March Madness Day #26

Free Ballet Lessons

Now true this isn't my ballet dancer... but still... I found free ballet lessons for 2 of the 3 princesses and they love it. What I a blessing to be able to get out and do something fun during mud season. Not only that but their really good friends are part of the class. It is a beautiful thing.

Today I am thankful for people who give of their time so that we can have beautiful things.

Fighting March Madness Day #25

Homemade Pizza, all the family in the house at the same time, and Avengers...

Family movie nights! Beautiful! I love them and what they mean. They are never the same night and they are never the same from week to week. But I cherish them still the same. They are my favorite in the photo album of memories stored in recesses of my brain.

Tonight I am thankful for good movies, good food and good people to share it with!

Fighting March Madness Day #24

My newest bible study and Starbucks gift cards

I got to start a new study this week and it has started off just were I needed it. A dear friend got me a new journal for Christmas and I am finally getting around to using it and for Christmas I got TONS of Starbucks gift cards that are still going strong... so on this cold and blustery day I a get a triple thankfulness

Studying God's word with Beth, a new journal and Starbucks!

Fighting March Madness Day #23

I am thankful today for dinner with the WHOLE family tonight for the first time in more than a week

Prince Charming has been working a whole bunch and hasn't been home for dinner most nights... tonight was different and boy did it feel good. It is not just that I have stuff for him to do or things to talk about (not that I don't) it is all about him just being here. I love it and our family is complete

Today I am thankful to have a normal day with my loved ones.

Fighting March Madness Day #22

Today is easy...thankful for this gentleman who chose my sister for his lady.

He was the first to join our family in marriage. I was only 11-12 when he joined our family so he has been there as long as I can remember. He paved the way for all the other in-laws who followed. He is gentle, patient, and loving husband who has been a good example to all who follow.

Today I am thankful for in-laws who joined our family and extended it into an even bigger loving unit.

Fighting March Madness Day #21

Good friends and birthday parties

One of the things that gets me through these long grey cold days of winter is fun with good friends. Look at this gang... ain't they cute? We are very thankful for the fun and company they provide us. Oh and belated happy birthday to the boyos.

Today I am thankful for good friend both young and old.

Fighting March Madness Day #20

Wood Fires

I love the smell of wood burning. I love the heat of the fire and the sound of the crackling wood. Today is the first day of spring... technically... there is no spring around here other than buckets on the trees collecting the sap that say the ground is unfreezing way down deep... but I don't see it. As a matter of fact we are gonna get snow today... YAY! NOT! Anywho this is supposed to be finding joy... so the joy is there will be another fire in the fireplace (not really our's is not working but a woman can dream right?)

So today I am thankful for the thoughts of smelling the wood burning in a fireplace on a cold afternoon.

Fighting March Madness Day #19

Tea... Lots of hot tea!

In winter it is cold (I get it, no kidding Captain Obvious) but it also means I drink lots of hot drinks to keep warm. I like tea a lot. And the little things keep me happy this season like finding my favorite, hard to find tea in the grocery store on sale.

Today I am happy for a hot cup of tea.

Fighting March Madness Day #18

Dunkin Doughnuts just opened up this month right near me.

This is a big deal way out here in the middle of no where. Other than your local gas station.... this is the only coffee shop now within 20 miles. So ya, it's a big deal! You can actually say to someone "ya wanna grab a coffee?" and not mean you have to make it yourself or drive an hour to do it. Which reminds me of this Jeff Foxworthy little spot... and yes I have actually had most of these things happen to me...

Today I am thankful for a little spot to "grab a cup of coffee!"

Fighting March Madness Day #17

March is maple syrup season. YUMMY!

I didn't realize until recently that maple syrup is not readily available to everyone outside the northern states. I just assumed it was one of those things that everyone did. Now I am not talking about Aunt Jemima maple flavored syrup, I am talking "real from the tree" syrup. I have always had the "real stuff" because it has always been available to me. As a kid I had a distant Uncle that owned a maple syrup farm and now-a-days Prince Charming works with a guy who has a maple syrup business on the side. So whenever I need it... I just get it... right from the farm.

So today I am thankful for the thaw, which of course causes the "juices" of trees to begin to flow, which means yummy-in-my-tummy maple syrup.

Fighting March Madness Day #16

Well truth be told this isn't a reason why winter isn't so bad... but more reflective...

I am having a hard time to find something specifically about winter to be thankful for today. It is just one of those days... it's a monday, I haven't left the house, Prince Charming is working a ton, I am tired.... yada yada yada...

BUT I am today I am thankful... not truly thankful for winter today but I am thankful for a godly heritage. I am thankful for my grandparents who have gone on before me. I miss being able to call and say "can you pray for me today?" here on earth but I think they know in heaven and are praying for me even still.

So today... while not the best of days.... I am still thankful for a godly family tree!

Fighting March Madness Day #15

No lawns to mow!!

I was thinking about this as the wind blew today and temps were not so high. But at least we don't have to mow the lawn and allergies are not in full swing and gardens do not need to be tended. Yes, Yes I know we have to deal with snow removal... but I choose not to think about that today... Today we do not have to mow the lawn.

Today I am thankful that there is a break from the lawn mower (and thankfully the snowblower today)

Fighting March Madness Day #14

National Pie Day!!

More importantly though was the people we got to share it with tonight. We enjoyed a nice dinner with Prince Charming's parents and got to catch up on the West Coast News since they have just returned from a 6-week stay. The big news is that we are going to be an Aunt and Uncle again! Woohoo!

Today and I am thankful sharing good news with family both near and far.

Fighting March Madness Day #13

These finally made it to shelves.

Truth be told they are not my favorite but it brought joy to my heart to bring them home to my sweet friend who loves them! And since we are on the honesty train I really brought two bags home but Prince Charming has claimed one for his own. So unintentionally I was able to bring joy to not only a sweet friend but the hard-working man who is starting another 60 hour week...

So today I am thankful for the little joy I get to bring to people.

Fighting March Madness Day #12

Grass! You can actually see some

This past week in our area has seen temps of 40-50 degrees and a lot of our snow has melted. So we are seeing the ground (brown as it) for the first time in months. It means hope! It means crocuses soon, it means maple syrup season soon and it means buds on the trees soon. Now to remain patient until that really happens 'cause it could be awhile yet. But there is hope!

So today I am thankful for the promise of things to come!

Fighting March Madness Day #11

BUGS!...There AREN'T any!!!

These are the months I get a break from tick checks, mice in the traps, mosquitos eating me alive, flies in the house, ants on the counters, beetles in my garden, and stink bugs in the windows.

In God's great wisdom He knew the earth needed a break during winter months and all these things go into hibernation or die off. We also get a little bit of a break from having to keep these creatures out of our home. That's kinda nice.

So today I am thankful that I get a break from creatures that I am not horribly fond of.

Fighting March Madness Day #10

Meet the foreign builder and family....

During the winter when building isn't so busy they get to come visit. They live half way across the world and so obviously we don't get to see them often. But we always love it when they come home and we get to catch up and have playdates. They have to leave soon and I will miss them but for now I am enjoying catching up!

Today I am thankful for cold weather that causes a break in building so that they can take a break and visit.

Fighting March Madness #9

Thankful that these wonderful people return FINALLY!

Remember when I told you back in day #1 that some people leave for warmer weather. Well, these folks go to the warm waters of CA to avoid the coldest part of winter and since it was so cold they got stuck there for a little bit longer than they planned but today they finally make it home. So I am thankful that they are around again.

Today I am thankful for a family that I wasn't born to but is family just the same!

Fighting March Madness #8

The garbage doesn't stink

Ok, ok we are not as good as we should be taking the garbage to the dump but in the winter it is not as bad when it takes weeks for us to get there because it just freezes and doesn't stink! (hey it's true!)

So today I am thankful that it takes longer for things to decay than it does in the summer.

Fighting March Madness Day #7

Antibiotics...

Yup today I needed them today for the 3rd time this month. Nothing serious, but... I got to go to my doctor's office that day, was able to show a little piece of plastic, pay a small fee, the rest was paid by my insurance company. I was also able to get quality healthcare, I was treated with respect, handed a slip of paper and able to get high quality medications within an hour and at barely no cost to me. I started feeling better within hours. This is not true for a lot of the world who die of conditions that could be helped with simple and easily available medications all because of their place or status of birth.

So today I am thankful that I have quality healthcare and medications available to me.

Fighting March Madness #6

See this handsome Prince right here? I am really thankful he works super duper hard for us!

Remember when yesterday I said that I was thankful that we were able to redo our master bath this winter? That takes $$$$ and this guy right here has worked some 60 hour weeks recently to provide for that and I REALLY appreciate that. He is the most faithful, hard-working, supportive husband any woman could want... but back off ladies... he's all mine!!!

Today I am thankful for a faithful, hard-working, supportive man in my life.

Fighting March Madness Day #5

Time to work on indoor house projects.

We decided to redo our master bathroom (need a major update from the teal blue walls and pink appliances) this winter. So with no lawn to mow, cars to wash, garage to clean, garden to tend to, and pools to upkeep it leaves more time to work indoors. (and really who wants to be inside when the weather is nice?) Isn't this shower head really nice? I really thought so to but we didn't end up getting it as it cost nearly as much as the entire shower itself... but one can dream right? Anywho...

Today I am thankful for the time that is available to do those "pretty" projects around the house.

Fighting March Madness Day #4

The birdies are really pretty against the snow.

The birds who stick around for winter are really pretty against the white snow. And they really eat from my feeders since a lot of times I am there only food source. They are also my indicator of a storm coming, when there are tons of birds at my feeders it is a sign that a big storm is coming.

So today I am thankful for God's natural storm warning system and beautiful creativity.

Fighting March Madness Day #3

Catching up on all the TV shows or movies that I never watch in warm weather cause I'm too busy

Since warm weather is in short supply around here when it does happen I use it to it's max which means late nights out on the porch, swimming at the pool, or bonfires with fireflies. So when it is cold I tend to be "in" early and snuggled down which means I can catch up on some of my favorite TV shows.

So today I am thankful for the extra time to just "chill out" (pun intended)

Fighting March Madness Day #2

Snow clothes... (haha! you thought I was gonna say sledding didn't ya?)

Where else is it required to have two completely different wardrobes? Now this isn't just a want it is a requirement here in the great Northeast. Round about October or November we "put away" all our shorts, tee-shirts, flip flops, sandals, and bathing suits and exchange them for sweaters, scarves, hats, gloves, winter coats, boots and flannel pjs. Who doesn't want two complete wardrobes? There are some places in this world where they only own one or two outfits and I own two completely different wardrobes... God is good!

So today I am thankful for the opportunity to completely change my wardrobe twice a year!

Fighting March Madness Day #1

Welcome to my new series... Fighting March Madness... similar to the Days of Thankfulness in November this me finding the joy amid the madness. (I will catch up on the first 11 days as I go)

Winter in the northeast means bitter cold! I mean nose hair freezing, eyeball sticking together, wind-whipping COLD! It also means shoveling, snowplowing, snow tires, layers of clothing, with tanks and tanks of oil plus fires burning plus slippers plus blankets in hopes of feeling slightly warm. It also means most activities and programs "take-time" off because nobody wants to go out in the cold. And if you do happen to participate in an activity always plan that about a third of the days just won't happen due to weather and illness.

So as you can see this social bug stay-at-home mom DOES NOT LIKE winter months.

My least favorite it March... why do you say? Well... January is hard no doubt but we have a few birthdays in January so that helps with getting out and something to do. February is short and has Valentine's Day and winter break.

March?

Nada.. Nothing...B.O.R.I.N.G!!!!

Ok here is where confession time comes in... my heart is not in a very good spot right now....see this right here from Philippians 2:14-15:

""Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world

That's not me... not even close!

So... what do I do? Move? Turn up the heat? Go on a long vacation? Well....

No, No, wait... not what I was thinking...back on task...

None of those choices are available to me right now and instead of stewing over why not... I choose to be thankful right here instead... I choose to lead my heart...

So here it is... Reason #1 why winter isn't so bad...

Ice skating

True... winter is cold but it is cold enough to walk on water! My kiddos got ice skates for Christmas and have enjoyed ice skating this year. Most of the country never gets cold enough to use these but we do every year and my kiddos really like it. It is good exercise, free to us and right in our back yard.

So today I am thankful for fun things to do with freezing water.