Tune with my father

I am off of work this week. My father was admitted to the hospital on Monday for tests to try and figure out why his diarrhea hadn't stopped for more than the weeks.

I sat in the hospital with him for the majority of yesterday and today, and am spending most of the night in the hospital with him tonight.

While it is nerve-wracking and feels like I am doing nothing but sitting around I am grateful to have this time with him. I am showing love and caring to him and my mother, and hopefully song a good example for my two youngest children.

Time with my parents

It's been nice as I have gotten older to be able to spend time with my parents. As they get older I know that they will be gone before I realize it, so I get the time with them that I can. Their knowledge and wisdom is amazing, and I enjoy being with the people that raised me to be who I am.

I'm grateful for this season with them!

Ability to build things

I continue to work on the bathroom i tore out a couple of years ago. I'm grateful that i can do the work, even though i don't know what I'm doing. It's an adventure!

Great marriage

My wife and I saw someone at dinner tonight that we haven't seen for a while and were saddened to hear that she and her husband are getting divorced after 26 years of marriage.  She talked about mental illness, anger, and insults, and not wanting to live with that for the rest of her life.  Then she talked about how she had finished her degree, had her children grown and out, and was moving to a new job in a new town because God had cleared the way for her.  

I'm so grateful my wife and I are going strong after 33 years of dating and 28 years of marriage.  We're friends, confidants, partners, lovers, and all that.  We have a great relationship and have grown so much together!  I'm looking forward to what the Lord has in store for us as we go into the future together! Woohoo

Good job

I've been blessed with a great career, with consistent work, good pay, fun people to work with, and exciting opportunities. I get to travel sometimes, I get great training, and I enjoy almost everything I get to do. Woohoo!

My son's finger

My son cut his finger with a bush trimmer as he used it to trim the bushes in the front yard. The Lord protected him and the cut only required 7 stitches. I'm grateful that his finger is still attached and that he had this opportunity to learn about being careful!

My oldest son

As a child he was so much fun. As a teenager it was hard to see him change. As an adult he is so responsible and grown up that it makes me nearly burst with happiness. We have a good relationship now and it is growing better.

I'm grateful for my oldest son!

I'm living the dream!

I told Sue and the boys that I always dreamt that I'd be successful and have a good family, and that I was living the dream. Woohoo!

My freedom

I am blessed with the freedom that was bought with sweat, blood, and commitment. Thank you, founding fathers of the United States of America, and all the people giving their lives to protect this freedom I have been entrusted with!

My son Stephen

Stephen is a joy to me! He makes me laugh, challenges my beliefs, and listens to what I say. His enthusiasm for the physical sports is amazing and I enjoy his prowess at whatever sort he is doing. His wit makes me laugh and his hugs make me want to cry. I Ann very thankful for my son Stephen!

Challenging job

I continue to be frustrated at some of the things I have to do but I really enjoy my job.  I work in a challenging high-tech environment where I get to solve all sorts of puzzles throughout the week.  I work with intelligent people that keep me on my toes and provide with camaraderie through challenging situations.  And I'm paid a nice amount for all the time I spend at work.  Woohoo!  

 

Wonderful fires

It's 33 degrees outside on it's way down to 19 degrees. This is a little early for the winter season, but then all of the forecasters are saying that this winter is probably going to be colder than last winter with a more extended period of coldness.  Something about the polar vortex and all that stuff.  

I'm very grateful for fire, for firewood, for having the resources to be able to have a fire in my hearth, and the time to be able to enjoy it.  Fire is good!  

My oldest son

He's doing so well! Calm, thoughtful, fun, able to carry on a conversation. He makes me proud! I'm truly blessed.

Thank you, Jesus

It's wonderful to know that through you I am going to heaven. It's humbling to serve you through my little efforts. I love how you keep me thinking and moving. Thank you!

Made it to 50!

Well, I'm grateful to have made it to my 50th birthday - woohoo!  After surviving being hit by a car last week, some skin cancer here and there over the past few years, and helping to raise some fine children I am looking forward to the coming year.  I know there will be some hard stuff in the coming weeks and months - my father has lung cancer and is going through chemotherapy and will have radiation treatments in the future, my mother is getting up there in age, and my mother-in-law is becoming more and more forgetful, but I am thankful for the chance to give back to them in their time of need.  The future is still bright and I look forward to serving God in the ways He wants me to!  

My health after a car accident

I was hit by a car while walking across the parking lot at work the other day.  Didn't see it coming at all - she clipped me with the right front corner of her car.  I flew through the air and landed on my left knee and left shoulder.  After a rush to the hospital in an ambulance I have no broken bones but lots of soreness.  It's interesting how the soreness continues to develop in new places the next day!  

I'm grateful for my good health.  I am heavy but continue to work out and jog on a regular basis.  I am grateful for my strength - I bounced off the car and wasn't too badly hurt by my banging on the pavement.  

I'm grateful for my friends and family that are checking on me, giving me good wishes, and looking out for me.  Very grateful for the kindness shown by them brining lunch over the day it happened, the many calls and texts, and the facebook posts.  It's nice to be part of a community that cares.  

I'm grateful for my wife.  She was amazing through the whole thing.  I called her while riding in the ambulance and left her a voicemail saying I was on my way to Henry General ER; she got there very shortly after I got there.  And she never cried, was strong, let me get through it but was there helping.  

I'm very grateful for my oldest son.  He was at the hospital, too.  He was strong, didn't push but was decisive, took me home, and watched over me while I relaxed and slept.  He makes me proud of the man he has become!  

So much to be grateful for...  Thank you, God, for blessing me.  Help me to bless others when I have the opportunity!  

Diversity of people in my area

It's so nice to be able to go to a farmer's market near my home and hear languages from around the world.  Eastern Europeans, Russians, Indians, Chinese, Mexican, and more all in one place shopping for food that has been brought from around the world.  Awesome!  

Wonderful wife

My woman takes care of things for me, fixes really good meals, makes me feel special, and looks beautiful through it all.  She is good with my parents, is good with her mother, and is great with our kids.  She is fun to be with, even while we are asleep.  I am grateful for my wonderful wife!  

Good kids

All of my kids are good, even when they're not so good.  Kevin was not thrilled with having to write more sentences about taking the dog out but dutifully went to do it and was crying at his desk when I went to discuss it with him.  Jacob doesn't ask for anything, which is kind of bad, but I'm glad to see that he is doing his best to make it on his own.  Megan continues to do great with everything she does.  Stephen is like a rocket fully fueled and ready to take off with all that he is involved in.  I am very grateful for all of them! 

Warm place inside while it snows

I am saddened that so many people are having such a rough time with the snow that fell and all their issues dealing with the icy roads.  But I am very grateful for my warm house, the heat, the wood in the fireplace, our fresh food and pantry, my warm bed, my family around me, and a working Internet connection.  God has truly blessed me with these things and much, much more!  All of this snow stuff has happened on my "weekend" so I have not had to get out in the mess at all!  What a wonderful blessing :-)