Thankfulness

SO here is a small sampling of what I am thankful for at this very minute. My new housecoat LOVE IT! My son Nathan who is wondering if his shoes will still fit now that he's 5. Jonah, for his new trick of running to you with his arms up wanting to be held. Graces front tooth which is hiding behind her big one, and is finally loose, Ian for letting me take a bath after dinner, and changing a poopy diaper (rarely happens) and for then giving nathan a bath when I wasnt feeling well. My birthday coming up, my dishwasher, I went for so long without one, I shall never take it for granted. Getting my haircut tomorrow, the anticipation is great, lots of milk in the fridge. the frozen soup I found yesterday which meant I didnt have to cook. The doughnuts my dad gave the kids that they have been eating for b-fast. CHeck ups for the kids Fri when I will be able to ask about Jonahs possible raspberry allergy, My church, who loves us so much, my family, who make grace feel special by trying to come to all of her bball games. Ian for taking the kids out on a date tomorrow night. My trip to NY this summer. My house which looks pretty good, my laundry for being caught up. God for giving me peace and patience on some things, although my heart is always thinking about it, and is no longer my own. I have so much more to be thankful of, but my sweet son is asking to be blindfolded, so I'm going to be thankful about getting to go play with him!

Summer

So, I an beginning to plan my summer. I know, it's only January, but time gets away from me these days. We are joining Mascoutah Pool this year (yay) so we will be there a lot, but I also want the kids to get out. So in addition to the free summer movie series, I have decided we need to go on 1 field trip a week. Dont flip out , I am in no way transitioning to homeschooling, but the kids will drive me nuts in the house all day. So here is my list. Trying for free, but that can't always happen.
Pool- my kids need to learn to swim
Library- we have a great summer reading program
Soulard Market- I've not been there as an adult, but I remember it being fun, and a good experience
Zoo- We are Zoo friends, and always have a great time, planning on spending the night again
Botanical Gardens- Just for an adventure. the kids have never been there
Science Center- Grace will LOVE it!
City Museum-Pricey, but maybe they have a coupon day :)
Magic House- Again, going for the coupons. And this is iffy as the kids have been there a lot.
Arch/Museum-this one is for me. I have been wanting to go there for ages, I am an american west history freak and love this museum, but haven't been since like 3rd grade.
So, here are my thoughts o blog followers. I need people to go with! I can go along, but it's always more fun with friends. So, if any of this interests you, let me know! library, market, zoo, science center are all free. I'm always up for a picnic lunch and fun, I'll even just meet you at a park. If not, I'll just blog about how fun it all was, and make you jealous :)

One thing I love about Cornerstone

I am a pastors wife. In that one sentence lies several layers of feelings and issues. What do I know? What am I supposed to know? What can other people know that I know? That however is not the focus of this blog today. Cornerstone is much different than our other church, a small church in a small town where we lived in a fishbowl. And so here it is, my biggest pet peeve as a pastors wife, and also the thing I love most about where we are now. It really makes me mad when people get upset or mad, or unhappy with Ian or the church leadership as a whole, and suddenly that translates to being mad at me. It happens. A lot. But not here at Cornerstone. People here seem to have the uncanny ability to separate us. And I like it. Does the staff make decisions based on what is best for the church as a whole and not individuals? They have to. Does that make some people unhappy? Of course. But the wonderful people here dont take it out on me. And that makes me so happy. I love it here. My friends are my friends based on our relationship, not on their issues with the church. LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT!!!!