Why I Count it all Joy Wednesday

Welcome to Why I Count It All Joy Wednesday!! To join in on all the JOY, grab my button, make your own JOY list, it doesn’t have to be long, one thing, one hundred things, it doesn’t matter, just find your JOY and come back and link up so you can share it with us.  Remember JOY is contagious!!

I am filled with JOY because it is almost Christmas!!

I am filled with JOY because of the way my house looks when I round the corner and can see all the lights!!  Thanks honey!!

I am filled with JOY because I am getting to spend so much extra time with my kiddos!!

I am filled with JOY because Shane is an awesome dad to Slaid!!

I am filled with JOY because I get to see both my grandbabies daily!!

I am filled with JOY because Drew finished another semester of college with a 4.0!!  You are amazing Drew!!

I am filled with JOY because it’s almost Christmas Eve and one of our favorite traditions is we make a huge bed on the floor and we all sleep together so we can wake up together on Christmas morning!!  It is always so silly and fun, even our big kids still really enjoy it.

I am filled with JOY because Adam and Isaac made Christmas beanies for the newborn babies at the hospital!!

I am filled with JOY because I took a month off from book reviews and have been able to read a few I have been dying to read that I don’t have to do reviews on.

I am filled with JOY because we got to go to Rhema (a huge light display) and walk around and see the lights and then stop for a hot drink with the kids!!  

I am filled with JOY because I got to go to dinner with three of my favorite ladies Monday night!!

I could just go on and on this week!!  JOY is in the air!!  I know for some it is a season of  heartache and sadness.  It’s such a hard time if you have lost someone special, I know I sure miss my mom, but the Lord gives us great JOY even in the bad/hard/sad times, we just have to stop and look for it.

For to us a child is born,  us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Isaiah 9:6

What is bringing you JOY this week??

Love you all and I am Joyful believing you will a have a JOYfilled Christmas!!

Counting it all JOY!!

Why I Count it all Joy Wednesday

Welcome to Why I Count It All Joy Wednesday!! To join in on all the JOY, grab my button, make your own JOY list, it doesn’t have to be long, one thing, one hundred things, it doesn’t matter, just find your JOY and come back and link up so you can share it with us.  Remember JOY is contagious!!

I am filled with JOY because Jesus LOVES me!!

I am filled with JOY because we went to the Christmas Train on Sunday and even though we about froze to death, we had a great time with friends and family!!

I am filled with JOY because every night my kids gather around and we pray together for all the things we all have to pray for!!

I am filled with JOY because we drove around and looked at Christmas lights last night.

I am filled with JOY because we are on Christmas break and I love just hangin’ with my kids.

I am filled with JOY because I am almost finished Christmas shopping.

I am filled with JOY because even though Shane has to deploy in February, we still have 2 months with him and we are going to take advantage of every minute!!

I am filled with JOY because I have two precious grandkids and I get to spend lots of time with them!!

I am filled with JOY because Adam and Isaac are constantly hilarious and keep us all laughing!!

I am filled with JOY because even though my posts have been few and far between and I have been too busy to get around to even my favorite blogs, you guys still come visit me and some of you even link up!!  I love my bloggy friends!!

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.  Psalm 16:11

What is filling you with JOY this week?

Counting it all JOY!!

Update on Dad

Dad’s procedure went well this morning.  The valve problem wasn’t as bad as they had first thought so they feel treating it with medication and watching it is a way better solution right now then going back in to fix it.  The blockage they thought was in the main arteries is actually in the small ones.  The good news, they are too small to do a bypass or put in stents.  The bad news, they really can’t do anything about them.  They will treat him with medication for fluid retention but say his risk of Congested Heart Failure is really high.  His heart contracts good (pumps in) but the relaxing part (pumping out) is really weak.  They are hoping to be able to treat this with medication and diet.  

So we are thrilled they aren’t going back in to do anything but hate that what they found can’t really be fixed.  We are now continuing to pray for complete healing and that he can adjust well to the new diet, (no salt, no fast food, nothing out of a can at all, etc).  

He’s only 67 so prayerfully we can get on top of this before it gets any worse.

Thank you for the love and prayers!!

Counting it all JOY!!

Prayer for my Dad!!

Oh how I miss visiting you all and hearing what is going on in your worlds and also sharing what is going on in mine.  We have so many huge things going on right now!!  I will be back as soon as I can.

In the meantime, I wanted to ask for prayer for my dad!!  He will be having exploratory surgery this morning on his heart.  They have found a major blockage on the front of his heart and a bad valve.  They don’t feel he can withstand the amount of time it would take to assess the damage and repair it all in the same procedure so they will go in, make a plan, and then go back in at a later date to try to repair it.

After losing mom a year ago, this news has been hard to hear!!!  I know the Lord has a plan though, and I am trusting Him completely!!

I will try to update this later in the day!!  Thank you so much for your prayers!!

Counting it all JOY!!

Why I Count it all Joy Wednesday

Welcome to Why I Count It All Joy Wednesday!! To join in on all the JOY, grab my button, make your own JOY list, it doesn’t have to be long, one thing, one hundred things, it doesn’t matter, just find your JOY and come back and link up so you can share it with us.  Remember JOY is contagious!!

This week I decided to change it up a bit!!!  

I am always filled with JOY during the Christmas season because it seems we are constantly reminded of all the JOY surrounding us and we don’t have to look too hard to find it.

  The pictures aren't the greatest because I took them with my phone, 
but it sure made me smile, and it was fun!! 

The boys even got into it!!!

What’s reminding you to find the JOY???

Counting it all JOY!!

Why I Count it all Joy Wednesday

Welcome to Why I Count It All Joy Wednesday!! To join in on all the JOY, grab my button, make your own JOY list, it doesn’t have to be long, one thing, one hundred things, it doesn’t matter, just find your JOY and come back and link up so you can share it with us.  Remember JOY is contagious!!

I am filled with JOY because at this time of the year, everywhere you go you can find things that say JOY!!

I am filled with JOY because we only have one more week of school and then CHRISTMAS BREAK!!

I am filled with JOY because it feels like Christmas in my house!!

I am filled with JOY because my dad has been having some trouble with his legs swelling lately and after multiple tests, they have found a large blockage on the front of his heart.  The JOY - they are going to be able to fix this and if his legs hadn’t swelled, they wouldn’t have found the blockage and he could have had a major heart attack.

I am filled with JOY because I ate a TON over Thanksgiving weekend but I didn’t gain any weight!!

I am filled with JOY because Shane’s birthday is this weekend and even though he is getting deployed at the first of the year, he will be home for us to celebrate with him!!

I am filled with JOY because we bought tickets to the Christmas Train and I can’t wait to go, I haven’t been in years!!

I am filled with JOY because I have been able to catch up with several old friends lately!!

I am filled with JOY because I found time to do my JOY post!!

I am filled with JOY because I have a few wonderful JOY friends who love helping me spread the JOY!!

I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.  John 15:11

What is bringing you JOY this week??

Counting it all Joy!!

Why I Count it all Joy Wednesday

Welcome to Why I Count It All Joy Wednesday!! To join in on all the JOY, grab my button, make your own JOY list, it doesn’t have to be long, one thing, one hundred things, it doesn’t matter, just find your JOY and come back and link up so you can share it with us.  Remember JOY is contagious!!

I am filled with JOY because it’s the most wonderful time of the year!!

I am filled with JOY because tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I will be cooking and eating and playing and relaxing and praying with all husband, all my kids, and my grandkids!!

I am filled with JOY because we got our Christmas tree up and decorated last weekend and I LOVE IT!!

I am filled with JOY because a lady stopped me in the grocery store when I was shopping for Thanksgiving dinner just to tell me that one of the twins had been a real gentleman and how wonderful it made her feel to know there are still people training up their boys to be gentlemen!!

I am filled with JOY because it is Thanksgiving break and the kids won’t be doing school!!

I am filled with JOY because Loren and I got to have coffee/lunch Monday!!

I am filled with JOY because Dan’s boss is a wonderful Christian man who isn’t afraid to pray with his employees!!

I am filled with JOY because tomorrow we will sit around the table and everyone will tell the others why they are thankful for them.  Yes, there will be tears, but oh, the JOY it brings me!!

I am filled with JOY because the Lord has blessed me with an awesome husband, wonderful kids, 2 beautiful grandkids, and so many things to be thankful for!!

I am filled with JOY because I have wonderful bloggy friends that I didn’t even know last year, and for that I am Thankful!!

Isaiah 55:12 - "You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands."

What is bringing you JOY this week?

Counting it all JOY!!

Why I Count It All Joy

Welcome to Why I Count It All Joy Wednesday!! To join in on all the JOY, grab my button, make your own JOY list, it doesn’t have to be long, one thing, one hundred things, it doesn’t matter, just find your JOY and come back and link up so you can share it with us.  Remember JOY is contagious!!

I am filled with JOY because even though it has really been a trying week, I have been comforted by my Lord and the knowledge that this too shall pass!!

I am filled with JOY because last week my computer croaked, which was bad.  We took it to the Apple store only to find out that the hard drive, logic board, and something else were bad and needed to be replace, total $1100.00.  I still don’t have it back but the JOY - I have 52 days left on my warranty so it will be like a new computer and it won’t cost me a dime!!!  Praise Jesus!!

I am filled with JOY because I got to take my sweet little granddaughter with me to get our nails done!!

I am filled with JOY because my wonderful husband put up our Christmas lights last weekend.

I am filled with JOY because we are putting up our Christmas tree this weekend!!

I am filled with JOY because my husband loves me as much as I love him all these years later and he isn’t too macho to show it!!

I am filled with JOY because my sweet baby Slaid is finally gaining some weight and getting over his jaundice. 

I am filled with JOY because the boys are working real hard at school so we can have a month off for Christmas break!!

I am filled with JOY because the Lord puts people in our path to challenge us and then He helps us make the decisions He wants us to make, if we only listen!!

I am filled with JOY because Jesus is the Lord of Lords and He brings peace and love and JOY!!

Romans 14:17
God's kingdom isn't a matter of what you put in your stomach, for goodness' sake. It's what God does with your life as he sets it right, puts it together, and completes it with joy. Your task is to single-mindedly serve Christ. Do that and you'll kill two birds with one stone: pleasing the God above you and proving your worth to the people around you.

Counting it all JOY!!

My Son, My Soldier

Thank you to all the Veterans who have served or are serving our country!!  I know for me, it wasn’t until my son joined the Army that I even got it.  I always appreciated Veterans/soldiers, but from a distance.  When my son joined, my whole world changed.  When he left for Basic Training his life changed, he became a man while we were missing him.  When he was deployed to Iraq for a year, I wasn’t sure my heart would survive.  Now that he’s a daddy and he is scheduled to deploy again in February or March for 12-18 months, the true impact of what our soldiers sacrifice to serve us and our country has become so HUGE in my heart.  Please keep him in your prayers as he prepares his heart and mind to leave his family, especially that sweet baby boy he loves so much!!

If you know a Veteran, say a special thank you!!

If you know of a Veteran, find a way to send a special thank you!!

If you love a Veteran, hug them, love them, and say thank you every chance you get!!

This is my favorite Soldier!!

If you say, “The LORD is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.  “Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.  He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.  With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

Thank you Jesus for my precious son!!  Thank you for the servants heart you have given him and thank you for always keeping him safe.  Continue to help us all prepare our hearts and minds for this upcoming deployment.  Thank you for loving him and for the plans you have for his life!!

Counting it all JOY!!

Why I “Count it all Joy” Wednesday

Welcome to Why I Count It All Joy Wednesday!! To join in on all the JOY, grab my button, make your own JOY list, it doesn’t have to be long, one thing, one hundred things, it doesn’t matter, just find your JOY and come back and link up so you can share it with us.  Remember JOY is contagious!!

I am filled with JOY because Jesus is so amazing in my life!!

I am filled with JOY because baby Slaid is here and ADORABLE!!

I am filled with JOY because even though he was 3 weeks early and tiny, he is healthy and already home!!

I am filled with JOY because we had his baby shower last night and I got to see several old friends!!

I am filled with JOY because my kids love me and aren’t afraid to show it!!

I am filled with JOY because some of the neighbor kids came by and asked my son to come to their Veterans Day concert because they want him to be honored since he is a veteran. 

I am filled with JOY because even when I can’t see the answer to life’s little issues, I know that God has a plan and it will all work out!!

I am filled with JOY because while I sat here typing my JOY list, my boys started singing, “I’ve got the JOY JOY JOY JOY down in my heart, down in my heart, down in my heart...”  So glad they have learned to see the JOY!!

I am filled with JOY because I am going to start putting up Christmas decorations this weekend!!  I love the Christmas season!!

I am filled with JOY because even though my posts have been few and far between lately, you guys still come back and show me love!!

Psalm 118:24 - "This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."

What is filling you with JOY this week?

Counting it all JOY!!

The JOY of a Grandson

On Friday afternoon, with grandparents, great grandparents, aunts, and uncles present and anxiously waiting, Slaid Daniel made his debut.  

Our first grandson!!  He’s a tiny little thing!!  Weighing in at 6 pounds 8 ounces, he stole all our hearts.  Smallest baby in our family for sure.  My kids weighed 8-9 1/2 pounds, so this was definitely a new thing for us.  Three weeks early, but healthy and ready to be here.  

After a long night and day, he is finally here.  Dad proud of son and Pappo proud of son and grandson.  I just love my guys!!

Love this picture of my four boys in such awe of this little blessing!! 

Nanny lovin on that baby!!

 Loren came to visit!!  Pretty amazing having grandkids together after all these years!!

Adam and Isaac made him an oversized beanie to wear home!!   The hospital nursery nurse asked them if they would start making them for all the babies, how exciting!!

 Two days old and already changing so much.  He’s home and weighing in at 5 pounds 13 ounces.  

It is truly amazing to witness the JOY of a baby, knowing the Lord has a plan for his life and now being able to watch it play out.  I can’t wait to see how the Lord uses Slaid for His purpose!!

I sure hope your weekend was filled with lots of JOY!!

Counting it all Joy!!

Why I “Count it all Joy” Wednesday

Welcome to Why I Count It All Joy Wednesday!! To join in on all the JOY, grab my button, make your own JOY list, it doesn’t have to be long, one thing, one hundred things, it doesn’t matter, just find your JOY and come back and link up so you can share it with us.  Remember JOY is contagious!!

I am filled with JOY because Jesus loves me even when I don’t deserve it!!!

I am filled with JOY because Dan is home from China!!

I am filled with JOY because it’s almost time to put up the Christmas decorations!!  I can’t wait!!

I am filled with JOY because it’s basketball season for my kids!!  I love watching them play!!

I am filled with JOY because Shane and Drew are going to help with the boys basketball team so Shane took them to practice tonight and I got to go get my nails done!!  Been way too busy to fit that in!!  Thanks Shane!!

I am filled with JOY because the last few weekends have been packed and have left me feeling like I needed a weekend when they were up, but this weekend is completely unscheduled!!  Yay for some quiet time with my family!!

I am filled with JOY because our new grandson should be making his debut in the next 2 or 3 weeks!!

I am filled with JOY because I have the best husband in the world!  He is so wonderful to do things for me when I run out of time and don’t get them done.  Even when it means running to the store at 10:00 at night!!

I am filled with JOY because I have bloggy friends who love to spread the JOY!!

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. John 15:16

What’s filling you with JOY this week??

Counting it all JOY!!