Nothing to be Thankful For?

Although it's the season of Thanksgiving, many are finding it hard to be thankful due to the many challenges of life, financial stresses, and relationship struggles. Yes, sometimes it can be difficult to find the good in our circumstances, but today I choose to be thankful!

- Hubby and I know quite a few people who have lost their jobs recently. Although hubby has been sent home many times because of lack of work, he still has a job. For this, I am thankful.

- I only have a few dollars in my checking account, but I'm thankful for that!

- We have bills past due, but I'm thankful we are able to keep our lights and water on.

- The trash didn't get taken out last night, but this morning that same trash reminded me we had to have something in order to make trash. I'm thankful!

- I awoke to dirty dishes in the sink, but we had food to eat and dishes to eat on. For this, I'm thankful.

- My to-do list is pretty packed, but I have my life, strength, and energy to do what needs to be done. For this, I'm thankful!

- Every room in my home needs cleaning, but I'm thankful to have a home for shelter.

- Being a wife and mother can be exhausting, but I thank God for realizing nothing can take the place of a loving family! For this, I'm thankful!

There are so many things I could complain about, but recognizing the good in my life allows peace and contentment to surface.

Someone would love to be in my shoes right now - someone would love to HAVE my shoes!

Regardless of our current circumstances, let's be thankful for our life, our family, and for the ability to simply BE.

Have a joyful Thanksgiving!

The Other Woman

I'm fully aware of the other woman in my husband's life. I've seen her on countless occasions and I can usually tell exactly what day she decides to surface. She's the most bold woman I have ever known.

I know it's strange reading this here, but writing is healing for me. Yes, it's time for me to be transparent about even this.

How can I remain so calm? Well, I'm not calm about it at all and her periodic visits with hubby upset me, but what can I do? Sometimes it scares me that she would actually try to take my place so close to the holidays, but I must be true to myself. I must remember the children hubby and I have together, and I must also remember that he chose to marry me - not this other woman. I try so hard to show love in spite of this other woman, but it's so difficult.

Do I blame hubby? Not at all. This other woman has pushed her way into his life and he has tried to avoid her, but she is extremely persistent. I've tried to find ways and even pray about this other woman, but I've finally accepted, after so many years, this is God's plan for my life - my marriage.

She's moody, mean, and to put it plainly - she's a b----. Thank God she only comes around once a month and her visits are short because although hubby loves her, I know he also loves to see her leave. Hubby and I aren't intimate when she comes around and hubby knows he better not touch me until she leaves. I might as well tell you her name. Yes, I know her that well. Her name is Flo - as in Aunt Flo.

Does your husband have another woman in his life?

600th Post Giveaway!

Home business, blogging, scrapbooking, reading, or just relaxing in peace.

If you're doing what needs to be done as a mother, it's often challenging to find time to do things you enjoy. I love to write and if I don't wake early to do it, I'm trying to fit it in somewhere between cooking, homeschooling, laundry, running errands, and meeting the needs of hubby. I even check my email between tasks.

There is no such thing as sitting down doing something I enjoy (for an hour) without being disturbed. Even with a teen and tween, when I sit down at the computer, they all of a sudden want to talk. What's is this about? Are they trying to make me feel guilty? I think children just hate to see mama doing anything that doesn't concern them.

Hmmm...if mothers have a difficult time finding free time to do things we enjoy, maybe we shouldn't be doing these things at all. If your baby or toddler is crying and tugging at your skirt while you're at the computer, it's time to get up! If you jump up from the computer or quickly end a phone conversation when hubby comes in the door, maybe you were supposed to be doing something else anyway.

Actually, it's all about time management. We all have 24 hours in the day and it's how we use those hours that will free up a little extra time for our own interest.

Speaking of free time, this post is my 600th post! I obviously found some time somewhere to blog 600 times! To celebrate this occasion, I'm giving away a prize. The winner will have the choice of the newly released "We Snap in Silence" or a $20 gift card from your choice of Walmart or Target.

You have five ways to increase your chances to win

1. Follow this blog

2. Invite someone to follow (let me know who you invited)

3. Add Mom's Peace Bites to your blogroll

4. Leave a comment on how you find time to blog

5. Follow me on Twitter although I rarely tweet.

Contest will close November 29th

Monday Meditation - May I Help You?

It was 8:30 P.M. last night, and I had nothing left to give – no energy, no patience, no compassion, no - thing.

I was about to retire for the evening and Hubby, in the room next to me, asked me to print a copy of his resume. I was so tired, after I printed it, I asked if he wanted me to get one of the boys to bring him the resume or if he was coming to get it. He asked me to bring it to him because he needed to ask me a question. Sigh…Is he kidding me? I’m tired!

I had helped and served my family all day and had the nerve to jump rope for exercise; my attitude was quickly headed south. I knew I should have been in the bed, but ignored my fatigued body and allowed Miss Flesh to surface. Big mistake!

Secondborn, my eleven year old, walked by with his comforting smile and the Lord reminded me of this sweet boy’s gift of helping. I always call him the Jesus in our home because he displays a true servant-minded spirit. He is always asking if we need any help and is constantly looking for ways to serve us. Saturday morning, he awoke early and cooked breakfast for the family while we slept. Hmmm...Did I give birth to this child?

Unfortunately, I don’t have the pleasure of simply reaping the benefits of Secondborn’s serving spirit, but God uses him as a constant reminder of how I should be or at least strive to be. I’m pretty good about asking hubby if he needs anything – when I feel like helping. If I’m tired, I try to disappear. Thank goodness we have a God who never tires of helping us!

Anyway, I survived the resume ordeal and the rest of the evening. The family had evening prayer on our knees and when the prayer was complete, Secondborn says, “Do you need help getting up?” Good grief boy, do you ever stop?

Needless to say, I was blessed with this ever so helpful child because this mama needed a live in Life Lesson for LaVender on being servant-minded. It’s overwhelming to think I have to serve 24/7, but there is comfort in knowing I have a never-tiring God to help me help my family!

Psalm 30:10 (NKJV)
"Hear, O LORD, and have mercy on me; LORD, be my helper!”