A Month of Thankfulness........So it turns out, I'm married to a Sheriff Deputy.

Well, technically this is my last day to post something I am thankful for. Though, a thankful spirit should not stop with the month of November. I thought posting something everyday would be easy peasy; but it's been rather difficult. Maybe it's because November has proved to be the most hectic and surprising month of my year! And quite honestly I've had some days where I have felt far from thankful.

A month ago, I thought Andy was graduating from the academy and I would finally get my husband back. We'd take our trip to Disneyland and things would go back to some sort of normalcy.

But, as I've posted earlier, things did a complete 180. An academy final, agility test, all day Psych evaluation, a completed background check and 2 polygraphs later and Andy was offered a job with the sheriff's department. In a time when people are needing jobs, God practically handed this one to Andy. Don't get me wrong. He's worked his tushy off for a year. But the timing and the way everything fell into place was screaming "This is all God!!!!".

I'm so thankful and feel so blessed; but our lives our changing.....and I don't like change all that much.

He graduates on Thursday, we leave for DL on Friday, have to come back a day earlier than planned because he starts work Monday morning. Whoosh! I think I just got whiplash!

As he greeted me last night in his uniform and told me today about how he got issued his gun, bullets, pepper spray and shotgun (yes, I said shotgun!!) I realized that I think I'm still in a bit of shock. It hasn't quite sunk in.

It will be a crazy 6 months as he begins his field training. And while I'm so proud and excited for Andy and our family, I'm nervous, scared, (Did I mention they gave him a shotgun??) apprehensive and missing the life that was mine just a year ago. A way of life I'm never returning to.

So, what am I thankful for?

I'm thankful that my husband is going to do something he can be passionate about.
I'm thankful for so many family and friends who've supported and encouraged us throughout this past year.
I'm thankful for family living nearby. I couldn't have done this year, working full-time, without them.
I'm thankful for a sweet daughter who is about the easiest two-year old I know. (Most of the time:) )
I'm thankful that God gives us abundantly more than what we ask for or can imagine.
I'm thankful that things may not be super easy over the next few months because it will teach me to trust God more.

Did I mention the shotgun????

Much To Be Thankful For: Days 18-25

Yeah, so I'm just a little behind on my month of Thankfulness and the month is almost over. Brace yourselves. Here's the catch-up:
Day 18: I'm thankful that Lily likes to cuddle with me on the couch and watch cartoons. I love to spend that time with her.
Day 19: I'm thankful for Ibuprofen and heating pads.
Day 20: I'm thankful that mine and Andy's parents get along well and we can share holidays together.
Day 21: I'm thankful that God's timing is better than my timing and that He doesn't give me everything I ask for.
Day 22: I'm thankful for the petite section at JCPenneys and jeans that are "short" so I don't have to hem every pair of pants I buy.
Day 23: I'm thankful for my mom's sweet potatoes and that I have some in my refrigerator right now.
Day 24: For in-laws. They had Lily spend the night Thanksgiving Eve so Andy and I could sleep in Thanksgiving morning. One word: Marvelous! Christmas came early this year.
Day 25: My salvation. None of these things would even matter if I didn't have Christ in my life. I'm amazed, befuddled, grateful, blown over, and deeply thankful that He called me to Him and at a young age. Without Christ my life would have no meaning and purpose.

The Beautiful Sky: A Month of Thankfulness..............Day 17

I was walking out into the parking lot after leaving work today. I was focused on how fast I could get to my car and get to my in-law's house to pick up Lily. I've been getting home late these days and sometimes it is dark by the time I get home. I was determined to get home while it was still light out.

And then I looked up.

I saw the most amazing sky. The bright blue was darkening. There were twinges of pink peaking out behind an immense blanket of marshmallow clouds. It was amazing.

Then my eyes began to take in everything else around me. The beautiful fall trees with their changing leaves lined up like perfect little soldiers. I stopped for just a minute and thought, "I almost missed it. Thank you, God, for making me stop and see your beautiful creation.

My life has been so busy lately. Since Andy started the police academy last January while working full time, our lives have been hectic. Sometimes I just want to stop and do nothing. Or I just want to stop and absorb things. But, do I? Not very often. I'm glad I did today.

As I said in yesterday's post, Andy broached the subject to me about a year and half ago of wanting to become a police officer. I immediately put up my invisible, sound proof shield. I basically said, "Talk to the hand!" There was no reason to continue the conversation because it just wasn't going to happen. It was that simple!

But when you are called to do something, that desire just doesn't go away. That darn Andy wouldn't stop talking about it. I eventually had to listen and at least pretend to be open to the idea. I said what I say to a lot of other people. "If it's not meant to be, God will close the door." I guess I was hoping He'd close the door.

Well here we are, more than a year later, 2 weeks shy of his graduation from the police academy and God has not just opened the door; He's flung it wide open. And beyond that door is a runway with flashing signs and arrows pointing and saying, "Yes, this is what you are supposed to do. Come right this way!"

As of today, Andy has officially been offered a job with the Sonoma County Sheriff's Department as a Deputy Sheriff. How that all came about will be shared in my next post. A month ago we thought he'd be waiting around for a job after graduation just like most of his other classmates. In a matter of few weeks, though, everything has changed. It's a bit like a whirlwind. It's still sinking in for both of us, especially Andy. But amid the chaos, I know I need to stop and look up and notice the great things that God is doing in the life of my family.

This verse immediately came to mind:

Proverb 34:8 Oh taste and see that the Lord is good. How blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

Change......I 'd rather have the kind that you find in your pocket: A Month of Thankfulness........ Day 17

I like to think of myself as easy going and up for anything.

"Want to take an impromptu road trip?" "Sure, I'll go."

"Sorry, the plans have changed last minute." "Oh, no big deal."

"Oops, I forgot to bring the money I owe you." "Don't sweat it. Pay whenever you can."

I like to think of myself as that kind of person. But the truth is, I don't like change. At least not when I don't know exactly how things are going to change.

I have a certain dish I get at every restaurant I go to. I hardly ever waver. I get the same thing at Starbucks EVERY time I go. I have the same few favorite movies that I watch over and over again. I'm pretty predictable. And I like it that way.

Well, life is about to change in the Bauer house. So many things are happening. It's quite exciting and nerve wracking all at the same time. But this story is rather long with twists and turns. It's a real page turner. So I can't possibly tell this story in one blog post. So consider this part one.

Once upon a time there was a boy named Andy. He said to his lovely wife one day, "I think I want to be a police officer.........."

Change is scary; but when it comes from the Lord, it's all good. He gives good things to us and for that I am very thankful.

God's Word: A Month of Thankfulness.........Day 16

Proverbs 3: 5,6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.

Have you ever traveled on a road that was so bended and curvy you couldn't see more than a few feet in front of you? You drive on high alert, constantly anticipating what is coming around the next bend.

That's how I feel these days. I'm not quite sure what's up ahead; but I know things are changing. I don't feel prepared. I honestly don't feel up to the challenge. I want to see all the way to the end of the road; but I can't.

For someone who rarely freaks out about anything; I've been having some freak outs. I'm worrying.

Doesn't God say not to worry? Doesn't he say that his yoke is easy and his burden is light? Doesn't he say that he will direct my paths, my family's paths?

Trust in the Lord. Just trust.

God is good. He is faithful. His Word is true. It lights the most curviest and darkest of paths. I know I've already written a post about God's Word this month. I figured another one was okay because that is what I'm truly thankful for today.

Lord, when I worry, help me to turn to your Word to guide and comfort me. Amen.

Books and Coffee; A Month of Thankfulness......Day 15

I love books. All kinds of books. Especially children's books. I guess me being an elementary teacher for the past 13 years has something to do with it.

Tonight I got to browse through Barnes and Nobles and purchase (with money from our school library) some books for my classroom. Maybe browse is not the right word. Having an almost 3 year old who constantly needed to go to the bathroom does not lend itself to browsing; but it was still fun. Plus, I got a free coffee! Score!

I'm so thankful for books. Books take you anywhere you want to go. They inspire you. They teach you. They enable you to look at life through someone else's eyes, to walk in someone else's shoes. You can laugh, cry, or be scared all from the comfort of your own comfy couch.

I love to sit on the floor of our public library and just pull books off the shelf and read. Just read. I have many favorite children's authors; but my most absolute fave is Patricia Polacco. If you've never read any of her books, I strongly recommend it. I would start off with my favorite, Thundercake. We actually made Thundercake in class last year.

I had fun tonight, just sitting on my couch and reading through some books I want to read to my class this week. And reading Spot Bakes a Cake to Lily. I'll end this post the way I begin our Book Nook time in class. "Get lost in a good book."





Another all time favorite.

Who Would Have Thought?: A Month of Thankfulness Day 13 and 14

Who would have thought a getting a new refrigerator would make one so happy? I should have known this would be a thrilling event since 3 of my top 5 gifts of all time were when Andy installed our dishwasher 2 1/2 years ago, when Andy bought me my very first washing machine, and the day our driveway was paved.

The new frig is awesome. A little large for our cozy kitchen; but so awesome. It has the freezer on the bottom with a bin that slides out. Nice feature.

This is worth two days of thankfulness, don't you think? But that would be cheating. So today's thankful thought is for days of rest. Today was a nice day of relaxing with my family. Those days have been few and far between lately so, I'm very thankful we had time together today.

TGIF: A Month of Thankfulness.........Day 9

So, it's driving me crazy that my day of thankfulness is not matching the actual date. I was trying not to be OCD about it; but I can't help it. I must catch up.

Day 9: I'm thankful for where I work. I love going to work and I love the people I work with, too.

Day 10: I'm thankful for God's Word. To have something that is 100 percent true, all the time, without fail is astounding to me. I can go to it anytime. It's God talking to me. I'm so thankful for such an amazing gift.

Day 11: I'm thankful for cozy fall nights, like tonight.

Day 12: I'm thankful for Fridays which means the weekend. TGIF!!! It's been a long week. Enough said.

My Dad: A Month of Thankfulness.....Day 8

A girl will always need her Dad. No matter how old one may get, you never outgrow that strong arm to hold you, the lap to sit on, or that voice that says that everything will be all right.

Case in point: The other night I came home with Lily and it was dark, really dark. I'm used to working late on certain nights because my mother - in - law has Lily and Andy is at school. I use that time to catch up in my classroom. Well, this darn time change has thrown my schedule out of whack. Now, coming home at 6p.m. is like coming home at 10 p.m.

I was mad at myself for not leaving any of the outside lights on. For being right off the highway, my little house on the hill is rather secluded. As I drove up my driveway, I noticed that an outside light was on and Lily's light in her room was on. I didn't leave the light on in her room before I left for work this morning.....or did I?

Of course, it took about 2.2 seconds for my mind to go there. You know where. A crazed burglar was in my house, no doubt, and waiting for me. My mind continued to race. If I went upstairs with Lily and there was an intruder, we were both done for; but I couldn't just leave her in the car to check things out armed only with cell phone. No, wait. I'm overreacting. Everything is probably fine. I left the light on by mistake. No worries.

But what if..........No, I couldn't risk it. I couldn't go in. I'll just go back to Chris and Lorri's. But, what about Jackson?!? He hadn't been out to go to the bathroom since 7 that morning!! I didn't want to come home to a puddle on my floor!! What was a girl to do?

Call her dad. What else?

He was over in 15 minutes, mom in tow. He had a thick wooden stick and charged ahead. I followed close behind my 6 foot 4 inch, silver haired hero. Mom stayed in the car with Lil. After checking all five of my rooms (Remember how small my house is from the last post? It didn't take long.), I could rest easy. No crazed burglar. Just a forgetful mom, trying to get out of the house and get to work on time.

Even at the age of thirty-......well, that's not really important. Even at my age, all grown up with a career and family of my own, I know I can count on my Dad in the most dire of moments.

So on this Veteran's Day, I want to say to my Dad, who also happens to be a Marine-Sempre Fi!!, .....thanks. Thanks for being my Dad and for always being there for me. I love you.

Now I have to make sure he knows I'm writing a blog so he can actually read this!!

My Little House On The Highway: A Month of Thankfulness......Day 7

Usually I have to check my attitude when it comes to my house. I live in a small house. Tiny actually. Built in 1951, I think it was meant to be a little bungalow hideaway back when Santa Rosa was all country and farmland. When Andy and I moved in back in 2006, it was fine. But throw in a kid and well, it's a little crowded.

I have a house, though. A roof over my head. It's cute and cottagy. It's how God has provided for our family and for that I am truly thankful.

When I say my house is tiny, I'm not exaggerating. There is this one spot right between the living room and hallway (and by hallway, I mean the 3 feet of carpet that connect our bedroom, Lily's bedroom and the bathroom) where if I stand and make 360 degree revolution, I can see almost every room in my house.

This is no joke.

I was feeling a bit under the weather this morning and had a headache. I was laying on the couch, drifting in and out of sleep. I never really fell asleep, or Lily would have free reign of the house! But I knew if she got into anything I'd hear her. The nice thing about my house is that Lily can never really go anywhere or get into anything without me knowing. It's great! I did rouse out of my semi-sleep to find Lily chewing on Jackson's leash. Or "lesh" as Lily calls it. I again asked Lily the question that has become quite common in our house. "Is it food? If it isn't food, we don't put it in our mouths."

Having a small space does make it easier, in ways, to keep track of a 2 year old. I'm thankful for that. It is mine and Andy's very first house, which will always make it a special place to us.Our First Christmas in the new house.

Before the fence.

Laughter: A Month of Thankfulness.....Day 6

Well, I've already failed in my quest to post one thing a day that I'm thankful for. That's okay, though. I'm just going to pick up from where I left off.

I laugh a lot. I feel so blessed to have friends who are funny and make me laugh. My family is pretty funny as well. Whenever I visit my sister in Colorado, I'm sure to get one of my leadaches. (I just made that word up. It comes from the words laughing and headaches. Definition: a headache most commonly brought on by a lack of oxygen due to intense and repetitive laughing.) I laugh everyday at work. I work with some very funny and silly people. And I teach 7 and 8 year olds. Enough said.

When life is busy and stressful, I'm so thankful for laughter. It makes the load seem lighter and easier to carry.

My Faithful God: A Month of Thankfulness.....Day 5

Today I was reminded through this morning's sermon about God's faithfulness. Exodus 16 recounts the story of how the Israelites grumbled against Moses when he led them out of Egypt because they didn't have enough food or because they didn't have the kind of food they had in Egypt.

I'm always amazed at how quickly they forgot their lives as slaves in a foreign country. They were oppressed for over 400 years! Yet, they complained and whined and wished they were back making bricks. Let's not forget the great sea of water that miraculously parted for them so they could walk across on dry land!

How pigheaded! How ungrateful! How much am I like the Israelites?!?!

Even though God was trying to give them rest from their opressors, they still grumbled and complained and thought Moses was leading them out to the desert to die. They were not exercising faith that God was truly delivering them and would provide for their every need.

When he gave them manna, they complained that that was all they had. They were tired of manna, they wanted meat. When he gave them meat, they complained about that too.

This really hit home for me today. God has been so faithful to my family in so many ways. So why do I worry? Why do I complain when He provides? Because it's not all packaged as perfectly as I've imagined complete with a pretty bow? He is at work all around me, providing what I need for each day. Sometimes He provides above and beyond what I could imagine.

And for that, I'm truly thankful.

That's My Girl !: A Month of Thankfulness...Day 3

On January 18, 2008, my life changed forever. It's funny to think of life before Lily came. Time to myself..... sleeping in........ these things are hazy, faint memories. And you know what, I wouldn't go back to life before Lily for a million bucks. As I said in yesterday's post, Andy makes me laugh every day. But Lily makes me laugh several times each day.

When Lily wakes up, she hits the ground running. I always wonder, "What crazy, funny thing is she going to say today?" There is no down time during the day for my little dynamo. But I love that about her. As her Pre-K teacher said yesterday. Lily loves life! Boy is this true. She's made me love life so much more.

Here's a few of my favorite pics as of late. They really capture my sweet girl's fun personality.

She loves to hide in our closet!
This was not staged!!
She loves to dance.
She's all sass!!
Silly girls.

A Month of Thankfulness...Day 2

I hope this is what we'll look like in 30 years!!


Well, I have about 17 minutes until it's Nov. 6th, so I'm making this post by the skin of my teeth.

So, what am I thankful for today? My dear husband. Today is his birthday. He spent the morning sleeping, which he is desperately lacking these days and the afternoon relaxing and eating my birthday treat bag I made for him last night.

The birthday treat basket has all his favorite treats: Salami, some sort of cheese, and peanut buttter m & m's. Somehow I forgot the mountain dew!!! Not sure how I forgot that one, but I did.

Then we got to take Lily and Allison to a place called My Gym. That was a blast to see them tumbling, climbing, jumping on the trampoline, and having so much fun. Then off to a birthday dinner at this parents. It was day.

With all that said, this is a perfect day to say why I'm thankful for Andy. I'm thankful for so many reasons. But the first one that pops into my mind is that he is such a helper to me. He helps with Lily, cleaning up around the house, and he's so good about last minute trips to grocery store. He's an attentive and loving husband and dad. He always makes me laugh. Everyday. He's the funniest person I know and I just like being around him. I really could go on and on, but I must post this by midnight.

He makes me so happy. I'm so thankful for him. Happy Birthday to my best friend!

A Thankful Thought Each Day Keeps The Pity Party Away

So, I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed this week, for many reasons. Above the water I look cool, calm and collected. Underneath though, I'm pedaling......hard. All I could think to blog about was how tired I am. Then I moseyed on over to my friend Jamie's blog and saw that each day she was going to post something she was thankful for. What a great way to get the focus off of me and on all the good things God has done and is doing in my life.

So, I'm swiping her fabulous idea. I'm sure she won't mind.

Nov. 4th.- I'm so thankful for family to watch Lily while I'm at work. I've had to leave Lily with someone every day since she was 7 months old (just during the school year, not summer) while I go to work. It's always been a real struggle for me to do this. God has always given me amazing people to watch her and lover her, though. This year she has had her grandmas to watch her. Who better to care for her when I can't? Thanks, God.

Lily's First Day Of School......and the Giants are World Series champions!!!

The Giants won!!! Whooo Hoooo!!! Okay, enough said for now.I will be making a baseball post in the very near future. But, this post is about Lily.

My girl has officially begun her school career. She had a very good first day of school.

I teared up and my throat tightened but, I didn't cry. Andy and I walked her in her classroom and she acted as if she'd always been there. Granted, she's on campus at least twice a week and knows all the teachers by their first names. I could see I had nothing to worry about. After I hovered for a bit and Andy took enough video, it was time for us to leave. She gave me a kiss and barely a sideways glance. (Though, she asked Andy if he could stay and play with her. Sweet!) Then I was off to work.

Sigh...........

I thought about my girl all day. Will she tell her teachers when she has to go to the bathroom? Will she sit on the carpet and be a good listener? How will she nap? The report at the end of the day was great and she was so happy. I think she would have stayed if I had let her.

I got to see her several times today, which is wonderful. It helps me not to miss her as much.

God is good and I'm very thankful.