A week goes by...

...and where did the time go? The daily chaos at the Viking Hus continued but in a good way...

*Lord, thank you for my new job. Even though it's part-time, even though it's temporary through the holidays, and even though the pay is not great, it was Your perfect timing for something to fill our recent "gap" financially.

*Thank you for the environment at work. The quiet, the mental challenge, the adult conversation, the wonderful people have all been a change of pace and a blessing this past week one way or another.

*Thank for our continued great weather. I can't remember the last time I wore flip-flops in mid-November in Michigan.

*And, God, thank you for the safe travel this past weekend. I was *so* tired but You got us home safely.

*Thank you for watching out over my step-mom who is in the hospital. Thanks for the people caring for her - help them to keep her in mind at all times. Mend her body quickly and guide the doctors' hand so that quickly happens as well.

*Thank you for DaHubby again, Lord. He's been wonderful taking over the "momma duties" and working as a "house husband" the last week. He's doing a great job. Help me to keep up with the standard he's setting once it's all back in my hands. And, remind me often to thank him and encourage him along the way because I know that eventually it'll begin to drag on him too.

*I praise You, Lord, for the situation You presented for DaHubby's living arrangement in Illinois. It's better than we could've imagined space-wise and money-wise. Just please keep Your hand over him during the longer commute than we anticipated.

*And, also for the conversation with a possible renter for next year if the house doesn't sell in time for the kids and I to join DaHubby. I've been trying to "let go and let God" with regards to my stress about the upcoming move and you've been answering each fear one by one. You are awesome that way! We are still without unemployment and food assistance but I have faith those things will work out in Your timing as well.

God's working things out for the good of those who believe! How 'bout you? What are YOU thankful for today??

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to [His] purpose.

Monday memories

Many thanks to my in-house uber-geek for whippin' this up today! A blast was had by all!

So what are YOU thankful for today?

Home sweet home

The Viking Hus is tired from our whirlwind road trip Saturday morning 'til tonight. So, I'll keep it short and sweet...

Thank you Lord for all the really nice people along the way.
Thanks for the traveling mercies and Your hand of protection through icky Chicago traffic. LOL
Thank you for the restfulness at the hotel. I may not have slept that well but being "off duty" from momma chores and the like was a wonderful break from the grind.
Thanks for your beautiful Creation and the wonderful weather!
Thanks for my hubby - a wonderful traveling partner.
Thank you for Your hand that kept DaHubby safe, as well as accident/injury free at his recent temp job which resulted in the bonus check that financed the trip.
Thanks for the fun that was had, the laughs shared, and the snuggles obtained.

God is great!

So, what are YOU thankful for today?

A slip up and catch up.

I generally write my blog posts after the Vikings go to bed. However, I missed the last few nights as our schedule left me falling asleep on the couch right after the kids went to bed.

So, to make up for lax blogging...

For Wednesday...thank you, Lord, for the people who work for the state of Michigan within the unemployment/job assistance office as well as the people at the food assistance office. In this economy, they work *really* hard under less-than-stellar circumstances while trying to maintain a positive and polite attitude. While we didn't get the answers we would have wanted, everyone was polite and helpful.

For Thursday...Lord, you sent us two God-moments...what others might refer to as coincidences. Lord, you sent me a part-time, temporary that fits *perfectly* into the next 8 weeks. And, then, as we were talking about our trip to Illinois this weekend and whether we should go, the phone rang and it was one of Mike's future fellow Exelon employees. It completely answered our uneasiness about traveling and, while it was a change of plans we didn't expect, we could see Your will!

And, for today...a day off! Finally! Flicka's off school today for end of card marking. We slept in, met a new friend of DaHubby's for breakfast, and have been hanging around the homestead getting things done.

So, what are YOU thankful for today?

Election Day

I am thankful beyond words that people I know...friends, family, and others...daily defend my right to have walked into my local ice rink and, within 10 minutes, cast my vote in the 2010 elections.

Whether "my" choices win or lose, democracy doesn't get much better than this! *big smile*

"Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost." - John Quincy Adams

"Freedom is when the people can speak, democracy is when the government listens." - Alastair Farrugia

Girlfriends

Despite what many might believe, I actually have a tough time making friends with other women. Being a non-shopping, clothes-hatin', non-wine-drinking, no-men-bashin', low-maintenance, no-make-up-wearing girl doesn't exactly make me the first person new female neighbors flock to. LOL

However, I have a few girlfriends that God's blessed me with that really "get" me...or find me silly enough to have put up with me for many years out of sheer entertainment value! LOL

At the top of the list...Lisa. We've been friends since we were 8. That would be nearly *cough, cough* years of knowing each other. While she began as the one who I was always with when I got in trouble, she became the one that lead me OUT of trouble in my adult years as I wander a bit after college. Her kids are perfect angels as far as I'm concerned and I'd walk to Northern Michigan to see them all at any time.

And, as for the one who really WAS the one I was always in trouble with...Jodi! Since junior high, I've been following her adventures through life, through her military service, through her family, through her work and have to say - NO ONE works as hard or plays as hard as she does!

As for Jill, I knew her in high school but we didn't become friends 'til she suddenly got placed across the hall from me in my dorm sophomore year at MSU. Jill and her brother are the ones that led me back to church and to Christ and I am forever in their debt. I should see her and her family more. I miss seeing her kids and her cool hubby...but we keep in touch.

Shelagh met me in a low part of my life. She proved herself to be more loyal, more patient, and a better listener than anybody I know. She also worked her tail off and continues to work for the University of Michigan in a much better, more prestigious job than when I met her! LOL

All the friends above are long-distance from me and have been in my life for 14+ years. But, I am also blessed to have two local buddies that I couldn't have made it through the last few years without them.

Mel and Amy are my momma-idols and sounding boards. They both have adorable kids who are some of the best little people I've ever met. No crazy idea, question, or thought I've had has ever made them laugh...unless I meant for it to. LOL

When I've been bummed out, overwhelmed, exhausted, or just plain lost, one or both come to my rescue. In a bind, they are the first ones I call for help. When I was an hour away from home last month and my child care plans unexpectedly fell through, I called them.

These six ladies have cried with me, laughed with me, drank with me, held me up, set me up (LOL), and came when I called. They bless my life beyond anything they can imagine. I hope I can be as good of a friend as they have been to me. A great big *MWAH* to you all!!

So what are YOU thankful for today?