5 blessings on Friday....

It is so easy to get caught up in the stressfulness of life and miss out on all the good things that surround us. The glimpses of Jesus in everyday life, the signs of His grace, the beauty of His love. So this year, I am going to attempt to devote time every Friday to listing 5 blessings that I am currently experiencing. As parents, we seek to build a spirit of gratitude in our children and that has to begin within ourselves. We are not entitled to anything. God does not owe us a single thing. It is only through His mercy and redeeming love that we get to experience the blessings of this life and the ultimate gift of salvation. We need to give Him the credit he so rightly deserves. A simple "thank you."

1. My sweet, compassionate, people-pleasing first born was chosen as a "Terrific Kid" for his class for this semester. Two other students chosen at his school were 2 of his best friends. It was a special day for our family. We are so proud of Manning and his buddies.

2. You see my puffy cheeks, squinting eyes, and overall swollen face. This a sign we are getting closer to meeting our very first daughter. 3 out of 4 pregnancies this is what my face has looked like as they 3rd trimester progresses. Ironically, with Myers, my largest baby to date, I did not swell the least little bit. As much as I don't like looking like the marshmallow man- I am so incredibly excited to meet Ruby Katherine Hatchell. I saw one of our neighbors out today and she asked me how many days I had left. Days? How about weeks? I have 9 more weeks, it merely appears that I am ready to give birth like....tomorrow! Thank you, Jesus, that pregnancies do not last longer than 40 weeks.

3. We started working on her nursery. It's painted, curtains are hung, and even a few accessories are in place. It's crazy how things change. When I was pregnant the first time around, EVERYTHING in the nursery was ready by 20 weeks and by 30 weeks all of Manning's clothes had been washed, pacifiers sterilized, and bassinet was in place. Yeah, right. As much as I am looking forward to washing teeny, tiny pink clothes- it's just not going to happen today (and probably not tomorrow either.) When you are constantly 5 loads behind on laundry- drowning in a sea of super hero pajamas and grass-stained jeans- you become a realist. Wash what has to be cleaned and don't stress over the rest. (Even if they are pink and absolutely precious!!) Don't worry though. It will get done. She will have freshly washed clothes laundered in (generic) Dreft when she arrives. I contemplated getting the swing, bouncey seat, and car seat ready but I know as soon as I do that 3 little bottoms will be quick to "try" these things out. So, if by chance baby girl comes early-someone please come over and get her things ready. =)

 I thank God for the blessing of all 4 of our children and all the laundry they create.

4. I spent 2 delightfully wonderful hours with my dear Sunday School friends last night. Man, we have fun when we get together. We surely missed those who could not come and we are already planning when we can do it again. I love these women so much. They are all God-fearing, husband-loving, true to the core ladies. I thank God for placing them in my life.

5. Kevin does not start back to school until Jan. 20th. I am so thankful for this break God has given him and I pray that this will be an easy semester for him. He ended up making A's in both of his classes last semester. I call that success especially since he worked, helped with the boys, and put up with a pregnant wife-AND still made A's.

It's a great day to be alive- remember to thank God for his blessings today and always! He is so good to us and deserves our endless praise.