101 Reasons to be Grateful

Of course there are many more.  We are just particularly grateful today because Matt started his new job!  AND we finally have health insurance again!  AND a paycheck will be coming soon!  In a market where the average person takes six or seven months to find a job, we feel very blessed to have that time cut in half. 

Although I never expected this trial, I'm grateful for it.  I'm grateful for the ways I've seen my children grow.  I'm grateful for their understanding every time we said we can't afford something.  Really, they have been amazing!  I'm grateful for the reminder that everything I have and am is a blessing that I never again want to take for granted.  I'm grateful for the people that have sacrificed their own resources in one way or another to help us.  And most of all, I'm immensely grateful and humbled at the love and mercy of our Father in Heaven that is so real.  I've learned that that love and mercy is frequently shown through others which makes it all the more important to be the kind of person that recognizes and acts on His promptings.

I'm pretty behind on my blogging so bear with me as I try to catch up.  During Spring Break this year we were trying to think of something we could do that would be fun and free.  Our plan of going to the tulip festival was shot due to the never ending rain and wind.  One day Matt had a job interview in Tukwila so we took the opportunity to go with him, spend our time at Borders during the interview, then head to IKEA.  We had a picnic out of the back of the car.  As usual, the kids finished their food before we got a chance to start so they kept themselves busy for a few minutes.  Matt and I tried not to look.

Lucy of course was ecstatic about playing in the play place so after dropping her off, the rest of us got started on our task at hand.  Before we left, Miles had put together an IKEA bingo sheet complete with pictures from the online catalog.  We each had a paper and we got started on our search.

We always knew Emily was strong...

Miles and I were trying to figure out what this piece of furniture was designed for...

Eventually we all got bingo but Emily had three so we declared her the winner.  Miles was a close second.

We had a great time!  See, another reason to be grateful.  I have a family that can have fun together without spending a penny.  I love them.