December 6th

The first Monday of December, was a Monday.

Hard to get everyone out of bed and moving.

But, we still managed to have breakfast together and pray before the boys got on the bus,
so I count it successful.

Mike and I had an IEP meeting at the school for Isaac that went much better than any meeting I have ever been in, (thank you to my prayer warriors out there).  And after the meeting we had a Subway lunch date at Mike's office.

The rest of the afternoon went by with loads of laundry, but the boys finished their homework pretty quickly and had time for drawing and video games before Mike got home for supper. 

Zion did fall out of his bed and poked his eye with a pencil which scared me half to death.
(you know, the cry that you know is serious)
and he is currently sleeping on the couch with a cold washcloth on his face., but I think he is okay.
(*more on that tomorrow)

Errands to run tomorrow with a scheduled power outage on Wednesday.
Sam is off for the day, so I think I'll hang out with her, and her electricity!

December 5th

The morning started early with the SEC Championship game coming on at 7am.

The Sunday morning Auburn games are something to get used to. 

Of course, they come on Saturday in the states, but what can you do with time change?

We left home at half-time for church, with a promise from my brother Derrick that he would text me scores.
(I promise, I didn't actually CHECK it during church, but won't say that I wasn't tempted)

By the time we got to church, the 3rd quarter had started and Auburn had scored again, so I felt pretty good about the game.

It was the first Sunday at church with Christmas decorations.  I would love to show you pictures, but you will have to wait for the ones that Sam took, because I didn't take a single one. 

I joked about it in a previous post, but really, seeing Christmas decorations really does make me feel happy.  I just love it!

Church was good and I am happy to say that Isaac has a friend at church that is also in his class at school. 
His name is Matthew and they invited Isaac to lunch and a movie after church.  Isaac has been having a rough few days emotionally, so this did my heart good.

The other boys played video games(again), while Mike worked on his class (again) and I took a nap (again).

When Isaac got home from the movies, we loaded up and went to the new pool on base.  It has been open just a week, and it is a REALLY nice pool.  (I'll have to remember to write the public works officer a note of thanks on a job well done.......)  The Gillams met us there and the kids had a good time playing.  Again, Sam was the one with the camera, so lucky for me, we are doing our December Daily stuff together........so I can steal photos.

Some people here in Guam are annoyed that it's hot for Christmas........but I am looking at my glass half-full and thankful that I can take my kids to the pool on December 5th.  Not many people can say that!

Last but not least, for those who live on another planet, Auburn did win the SEC Championship game against South Carolina and will face the Oregon Ducks in the National Title game on January 10th.  Mike and I have already figured out the time change and it will come on at 11:30am on a Tuesday morning the 11th here.  (He is thinking about taking the day off work)

December 4th 2010

Can it really be 20 days until Christmas?

WOW........

The Thorntons had a lazy Saturday, which in my book, is a good Saturday.

I don't care about getting up at 5am to run or something crazy like that.

The Bible says that in heaven we will have a new body.........so I'm counting on a fit one.

So, when Mike and I woke up and it was almost 8am, it was like a Christmas miracle.

I tried a bananas foster French toast recipe that was amazing.

seriously, YUM (the picture just doesn't do justice)

After breakfast, the laziness continued.
Mike and Isaac made a trip to the library.
The boys played some video games and then played with friends outside.
Later, Mike worked on the computer for some online class he is taking.
I got back in bed and read some of a crazy book I am hooked on.......
and then fell asleep.

Some more reading, frozen pizza and more video games in the evening and the day was complete.

Totally laziness = total peace

Tomorrow morning before church, the SEC championship game comes on.
Auburn vs. South Carolina
I'm a little annoyed that we have to play them, (we already beat them once this season..........) 
and I know that the game won't be finished by the time we need to leave for church. 
We are still adjusting to college football on a Sunday morning here in Guam.
Maybe Santa will bring us one of those DVR thingys.

Merry Christmas!

December 3rd

I realize that December Daily would lead one to believe that you post DAILY,

so, I blew it already on Day 3. 

I am thankful for grace on all levels.

Yesterday was Friday.  It was a good day.

The boys had school of course, but we prayed as a family before they got on the bus.
So happy that we have made this a priority again.  It makes for a better day all around.

I got Friday housekeeping done, in preperation for some weekend down time.

.

We were in all different directions on Friday night.

Michael had "Middle School Movie Night".

It is the first time that he has ever asked to do something social outside of church.

(*unless you count sports as social events)
So I dropped him, and two of his buddies from the neighborhood, off at the middle school.
It was a little bittersweet honestly.

Mike took Zion, Isaac and a friend to see the free movie on base, Secratariat.

And Sam came over and we worked on our December Daily albums.

I didn't feel well yesterday, but I drank about a half-gallon of Dr. Pepper and then stayed up way too late watching Parenthood on NBC.com  (seriously, I really enjoy that show - I think it's a good mix of real life and how extended families should support one another multi-generationally)

Again, it was a good day.

December 2nd 2010

I am doing a bible study called,  Jonah, a Life Interrupted" by Priscilla Shirer

this week in the video, she talked about things that happen in the "natural"

Things that...........through the course of day, occur naturally.

If you are reading this,

and you are a mother,

you will relate to the things that happen in my "natural" life

spilled milk

forgotten homework

pee on the toliet

sibling rivary

Those things happen naturally,

everyday

at the Thornton casa

But then, there is the supernatural

The things that sometimes surprise us

or shock us

or make us go, "what did he just say?"

Today was again a regular day

Mike had work, the boys had school, homework and then swimming

but the supernatural occured this morning

before my alarm even went off, I heard noise from the kitchen

All three boys were up, dressed and getting cereal for breakfast

Supernatural

No one to drag out of bed?

No one to find socks for?

Amazing!

Everyone was ready on time, and we were able to pray together as a family before the bus came.

Maybe it seems like a little thing to you,
and maybe, normally, I wouldn't think much about it either.

But maybe,

just maybe...........

I should be looking for little things that are supernatural in every day

Michael (and the ghost dog, don't know why it looks like that!)

December 1st, 2010

I wish I could say that the first day of December brought the winds of change and everyone has a cheery heart as the season of Jesus birth is celebrated.

But since that's not really true,  I found myself trying to think of the little things that made this day.........

........well,

............blog-able.

Mike was home this morning.

That's a plus. (*he is usually out in the mornings at PT)

He has a much better skill level at getting Isaac up on the "right" side of the bed than I do. 

So, Isaac being up in a timely fashion AND in a good mood is something I will take as a good start to the day.

Additionally,  somehow, everyone was at a similar level of "school readiness" in time to sit down together for breakfast, including Mike, and we prayed together.  I am sad to admit, that hasn't happened at breakfast on a school morning in quite sometime.  

No one missed the bus.

Everyone got their homework done in time for church,

and everyone is in bed with clean bodies and fully bellies.

It seems like a regular day, but I know the world is full of children going to sleep with no warm, cozy bed and with hungry bellies. 

I am thankful for regular days, with no worries about food and shelter. 

I am thankful for healthy children. 

It was a good day.

Isaac and Zion at breakfast (clearly, BEFORE Zion brushed his hair)

December Daily - introduction

Years ago, when the joys and struggles of parenting had me calling my own mother, laughing, crying or begging for advice,  she told me to "write it all down, it will be different one day, and you will want to look back on it and remember it"

Two reasons I didn't take her advice:

1.)  Finding the time seemed impossible.

2.)  I never thought I would forget the things that made me crazy, or the cute way my toddlers said words
in that new found skill of speech. 

Now my baby is 9 -
Isaac is pushing close in on 11
and Michael is a taller than me teenager, at 13.

I did start blogs for them all a couple of years ago,  thinking that I would try to remember and record some funny stories, but they have sat empty for the most part. 

Then we moved to Guam, and I decided to start a Guam blog to keep in touch with friends and family.  They just seemed so far away, that I wanted to do something to keep everyone closer, at least in thought.

My friend Sam and I, began scrapbooking together after we moved to Guam.  Something we had done at a previous duty station a few years back, and something that we both enjoy. 

She encouraged me to follow in the footsteps of the famous scrapbooker, Ali Edwards.
She has an album she does each year called the December Daily.
You can learn more about it by clicking this link

My goal is to not make a list of things accomplished everyday,
or a list of those things that I didn't,
but to remember the little things.

the cute things that were said,

the moments of joy,

the moments of laughter,

the love that brings everyone closer this Christmas season.

Merry Christmas