Thank You, Lord!

  Grace and mercy. That is what I'm thankful for today. Last week was rough and I have no one to blame except myself.Last week I raised my voice more times than I care to count. Last week I forgot to give 3 people in my family a compliment on 2 separate occasions. Last week I don't think that there is one time that I can give myself credit for responding to a sticky situation with a smile and I definitely didn't keep the "front area" of the house clean and presentable. See what I mean. Last week was just plain yuck. The best part is that the Lord is full of mercy and grace! So, now He has given me a brand new week to try again! There's some of that mercy and grace I was referring to! Man, He is so good to me! 

   At first I was going to type out this long list of reasons why last week was so rough. Then I decided....who really cares? Last week is over! Here is a brand new week to focus on. A brand new week to get it right! 

    Last night as I was laying in the bed drifting off to sleep I prayed, "Lord, please help me to start a new week the right way. Help me wake up on time and get my day started right...focusing on You in all that I do." My alarm went off at 5:10 this morning and I was in the shower before 5:20! Lately, that has been very tough for me. This morning, no problem. Yep, mercy and grace yet again - thank you, Lord! I was out of the shower and dressed, had a load of laundry started and the dishwasher unloaded by 6:00. Now, I know this seems crazy, but, because I had all of that done by 6:00 - it meant that I had time to pack the kids lunches, get their bookbags ready for school and start their breakfast. (Typically, Scotty does all of this) However, since I was done and not rushing around I was able to do it so that I could let him sleep in this morning! While I was packing lunches Madi comes into the kitchen to say good morning and I was so eager to give her a compliment that I told her she looks so beautiful in the mornings when she is just waking up! (Her response was not one that I can go without telling you!!!! She looked at me (like I was crazy) and said, "Mom, my hair isn't even brushed and I have my jammies on....what's wrong with you?" That girl is a trip!) Okay, back to my story! I get everyone at the table for breakfast and now I get to go in and wake up Scotty!! He was so thankful for me letting him sleep an extra hour! (and I was so grateful that I was able to let him sleep an extra hour!) The morning went so smoothly and the boys and I got lots of laundry and housework done today!

   Today is the day before Dustin turns 3. Today is also the day before Dustin looses the services that he has been getting through the infant/toddler program. (Speech, OT and developmental therapies) Today is also the day that the Lord provided a huge blessing! (there's that mercy and grace again! wink!) I went to an IEP (Individualized Education Plan)  meeting for Dustin today that would determine if the public school system would pick him up and continue our speech therapy through them or if we were going to have to go private. Private services are very expensive and our particular insurance plan doesn't cover them. They would cost us around $225.00 per week. Speech therapy is not something that Dustin can go without right now because of the diagnosis that he has been given. He needs speech at least 3 days a week and will probably continue to need it for at least the next 3-5 years. Today the school system not only offered us speech each week, but they also offered us continued OT (occupational therapy) each week AND....drum roll please.....a FULL time preschool position at a close by elementary school until he starts kindergarten! Paid for. In full. Must I repeat....THANK YOU, LORD!!!!!

    I'm so thankful for a new week to start fresh and put last week in the past!

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8