30 Days of Thankfulness- Day 17

By Cathy Smith

What I love most about this 30 days of thankfulness is how much it has made me take a step back, pause, and focus on all the blessings in my life.  The list below really made me think how lucky I am.  How many of these do we take for granted?

Top 10 Things Americans are Thankful For

1.  Good health
2.  Money in the bank
3.  Family
4.  Good friends
5.  Safety and security.
6.  Having a home.
7.  The ability to read.
8.  Plenty of food.
9.  Opportunity to get an education.
10.  A bed to sleep in.

30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 16

Today and everyday, I am thankful for my first born baby boy, CJ.
CJ was born on November 16th, 2002.  He was born sleeping.
I had a first trimester miscarriage with him.
His body was so tiny, and nowhere near full development,
so I wasn't able to actually determine the sex.
However, before he was born, and for years after his birth,
I always imagined him as a boy.
A miniature version of my then boyfriend.
A big head full of curls, big brown eyes, and black eyelashes a mile long.

Today marks CJ's 14th birthday.
Over the past few years, I've been able to imagine him growing up.
I'm honored to share my precious boy with you all.

30 Days of Thankfulness-Day 15

By Cathy Smith

Today I am thankful for my local MOPS group.  For those of you who don't know what MOPS is, it stands for Mothers of Preschoolers.  There are local groups all around the country.  Mine is at New Life Church in New Lenox, IL and meets Friday mornings.

I have been a part of MOPS for 4 years now and I know I'm a MOPS "lifer". MOPS is a place where moms connect, eat a nice breakfast, enjoy a craft or motivational speaker, and form a community.  There is childcare during the meeting so I actually get to enjoy a HOT breakfast.  Reason enough to join!

These are my people.  These ladies will pray for you, bring meals to you, and share in your struggles and triumphs as a mother.  These women have seen me and guided me through financial difficulties, family deaths, and bed rest in pregnancy.  They have encouraged me when I applied to midwifery school, laughed at my kids conundrums, pushed me to be patient, and made me feel like I truly have a safe place to be me.

To all the fabulous MOPS moms in my groups over the years, and especially to the Steering Committee, I want to say thank you.  Thank you for crying with me, coaching me, laughing with me, and continuing to guide me.  I love you all and consider myself to be beyond blessed to have you in my life!

30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 14

Today I am thankful for the ways that my church serves our community, and the opportunity to serve with my church.  I attend Crossroads Christian Church in Joliet.  In the past year, I have seen them continually support our community in a multitude of ways.

On February 10, 2017, Crossroads is hosting Night to Shine, which will provide an unforgettable prom night experience centered on God's love for people with special needs, ages 14 and older. This event is a worldwide movement changing Valentine's Day weekend from simply a celebration of love, to a celebration of God's love for people with special needs. I'm super excited to be volunteering at this event!

Warmly,
Andrea

30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 13

Today I am thankful for new opportunities.  
Opportunities to rekindle old friendships.
Opportunities to start new friendships.
I definitely thrive when I am around people.
Although I have learned to appreciate time by myself, 
I also appreciate the unique relationships that I have with different people.

Warmly,
Andrea

30 Days of Thanfulness: Day 12

November 12th.  12 days of Thankfulness.

I got the heartbreaking news around 10:30 tonight, that our friend Sheryl's son Remy had passed away.  For two and a half weeks, I saw more people praying for this sweet boy than I've ever seen before.

All, I keep thinking is how are they supposed to go on living, while missing a child?  I know many families who've lost babies and somehow, over time find strength, peace, and even happiness in their lives.  However, right now, I'm filled with deep sorrow for Remy's family, and I know that the sorrow that they are feeling is 100 times greater than what I can imagine.  I pray that they are filled with so much peace and love and strength in the coming days, weeks, months, and years.  

I met Sheryl, John, Hazel and Remy when Sheryl was pregnant with their youngest child, Tru.  I pretty much instantly fell in love with the whole family.  I loved their awesome sense of humor and lightheartedness.  Remy was just so full of life.  After becoming friends with Sheryl on Facebook, I enjoyed seeing new pictures of Remy, his big sister Hazel, and little brother Tru, all causing mischief together.  I'm grateful to Sheryl and John, for sharing these special moments with us.

I'm thankful that although Remy's life was far too short, he's impacted so many lives in these four short years that he was here.

Rest in Heaven Remy.

<3 So much love to the Kincinas family. <3

"What if the miracle was even getting one moment with you?"

Taylor Swift- Ronan

30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 11

Today, I am thankful for my pets.
I have 3 chickens, a cat and a dog.
They each bring their own unique relationships with each member of my family.
I love watching my dog TipToe chasing my girls around the yard as they yell, "Run from TipToe!!!" (promise, it's a game).
I love how TipToe is such a herd dog and is a fierce protector of our home (even though the barking is super obnoxious when we actually have visitors).
I love seeing my cat Pepper snuggled up on my oldest daughters bed with her at night.
I love the excitement that the chickens bring (their names are Sky, Sophia & Birdie) when my 6 year old checks for eggs in the morning and finds one.
Also, chicken feathers are the softest things ever!

Warmly,
Andrea

Veterans Day-Day 10 of Giving Thanks

By Cathy Smith

I don't know about you, but I have barely been able to look on Facebook the last 2 days.  The hate that has been spewed everywhere is too much for my sensitive heart to take.  That is why I am so thankful today is Veterans Day.  It's time to switch the focus from the election, back to the people who have helped to keep our country whole and safe.  Yes the President no doubt does this.  But it's the grunts, the people at the bottom, the people willing to give their life for their country, that truly deserve my thanks.

 Thank you to all the brave men and women who have served in our military.  We have always offered our military families a 25% discount as a thank you.  We wish we could do more.  If there is something we can do to make your day a little better, please let us know! It is our honor to serve those families who have helped to serve us.  God bless you and keep you always.

Thank you from everyone at A Joyful Journey.

30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 9

I am thankful for quiet moments. 
Life can move way too fast sometimes. 
We run around from one activity to the next, barely getting the chance to sit down together for dinner some nights. 
Things turn into such a routine it feels like I blink and a year passes. 

I am so thankful for the moments between all the craziness, where I can stop and treasure things where they are, in the here and now. 
Some of my favorite quiet moments are sitting in bed snuggling with the whole family on Sunday mornings, middle of the night nursing sessions with the baby, doing art projects with my oldest and appreciating her creativity, and just sitting by myself curled up with a cup of coffee and a good book.

For all the moment where life slows down a bit I am SO grateful!

~Caley

Day 8 of Giving Thanks

By Cathy Smith

This is a tough day for many to give thanks.  In an election, there is always a winner and sometimes it's not who we would prefer.  I would like to give thanks that we as women have the right to vote. Without the 19th amendment, I would not have been able to vote.  I am thankful our foremothers worked so hard to give us that right.  I am working for my generation and future generations in Illinois to have the right to have a  CPM attend their home birth.  It is currently illegal in our state.

We may not have the final say in who leads our country, but we can always work hard to make changes in our world, large or small.  I am thankful for the strong women in my life, and thankful that we have a democracy in our country.  We can always do something.  We can instill in our daughters strength and dreams. We do this with the women we serve at births.  I choose to raise up my daughters to be strong.  After all, "little girls with dreams, become women with vision."-Unknown

30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 7

Today, I'm grateful for the opportunity to start over, start new things, and face giants.  

It is pretty terrifying, doing things that are unfamiliar, things that you never thought you would be doing.  I'm thankful that God shows me in big ways that he's by my side.  This song from Francesca Battistelli has been popping into my head all day, and these particular lyrics just reach out and grab me.  Enjoy!

We could really live like this

Can't you imagine it

So bold, so brave

With childlike faith

Miracles could happen

Mountains would start moving

So whatever you may face

Don't you be afraid

Of giants in your way

With God you know that anything's possible

So step into the fight

He's right there by your side

The stones inside your hand might be small

But watch the giants fall

Warmly,

Andrea

30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 7

Today, I'm grateful for the opportunity to start over, start new things, and face giants.  

It is pretty terrifying, doing things that are unfamiliar, things that you never thought you would be doing.  I'm thankful that God shows me in big ways that he's by my side.  This song from Francesca Battistelli has been popping into my head all day, and these particular lyrics just reach out and grab me.  Enjoy!

We could really live like this

Can't you imagine it

So bold, so brave

With childlike faith

Miracles could happen

Mountains would start moving

So whatever you may face

Don't you be afraid

Of giants in your way

With God you know that anything's possible

So step into the fight

He's right there by your side

The stones inside your hand might be small

But watch the giants fall

Warmly,

Andrea

30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 6

In a world where we are taught that "practice makes perfect" and we strive to always focus on being the best versions of ourselves, I am thankful for my mistakes and my flaws.

Sometimes we may feel that we have everything together, and then the world seems to think it's just about time to knock you down a few notches.

While it's so hard to see through the regret and disappointment, I'm thankful that my mistakes give me the opportunity to learn and grow. Without these experiences I would never evolve to be that best version of myself.

Life sure takes a lot of practice, and I guess this journey does get us as close to perfect as we can hope for. No one is perfect, but we are all perfectly flawed.

Keep on living and learning,
Marissa

30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 5

Today I am thankful for unconditional love.  I'm not talking about romantic love.  Not that exciting, new love when you first fall in love.  Although, that love is pretty great... but that's not the kind of love I can really appreciate today.

I'm talking about the kind of love that a mother (or father) and child have for one another.  The kind of love that we have for our siblings.  The kind of love that very best friends have for each other, that they support one another, no matter their differences.  The love that Jesus Christ has for me, for us!

I'm continually overwhelmed with love when my daughters run to me and love on me when I feel like I've been neglecting to give them the attention that they deserve.
I'm overwhelmed with love when my brothers, sister, and their spouses reach out and ask me what I need, and are willing to carry my burdens, alongside me.
 I'm overwhelmed with love when I pray for a forgiving heart because I'm feeling bitter, and Jesus sends me love, healing, and new friendships to take away that bitterness.

I'm so very thankful for unconditional love!

Warmly,
Andrea

30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 4

Tonight especially, after truly enjoying sharing some laughs with my girls I am thankful for the healing power it holds. It can jolt you out of a funk in no time. 


This week has been a difficult one filled with worry and stress, but in moments of laughter everything can freeze and we are able to experience only that moment of pure bliss. 

Whether it be tickling tiny bellies until they are squeaking and squealing with giggles, or the gut wrenching, tear trickling, 6-pack growing laughs with your best friends, there really isn't much better medicine for your soul than a good laugh, and that I am grateful for!

~Caley

30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 3

This blog came from Marissa, on the night that The Cubs WON The World Series:


As I sit with my family, watching Game 7 of the World Series, I am struck by the overwhelming support Chicagoland is giving to the Cubs. 


 No matter if you are a Cubs fan or not, or even a baseball fan at all for that matter (like me), people everywhere can be seen wearing Cubbie blue and be heard singing, "Go, Cubs, go!" 


 This unbiased support reminds me of the amazing job we have at A Joyful Journey to support a laboring woman in her choices, no matter what. 


 Tonight I am thankful for the unconditional love and support we are blessed to give and receive. It is so very important, and it is something everyone can benefit from.  

With love and support to you all, 
Marissa

Day 2 of Giving Thanks-GO CUBS!

By Cathy Smith

Oh my goodness so much to be thankful for.  Where do I start?  I'll start with the current events for this week.  I was so thankful for yesterday's lovely weather.  It felt like a last chance opportunity for me to take a break from work and school work and just enjoy my kids.  We went to the park, went for a hike, and used up the last of summer's chalk on our driveway.

The other thing I am so thankful for is the Chicago Cubs winning their 3rd game last night in the World Series.  My husband, his family, and my whole family are die-hard Cubs fans.  Tonight's game should be a nail biter.  I am thankful to see another Chicago sports team on their way to victory.  Go Cubs Go!!

30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 1

Day 1:  Today I am thankful for my family and friends. 

I have recently become a single mom, and I knew that it was going to be a big leap of faith. 

These last few months, I've felt like I've been pulled and stretched in so many different directions. 

Yet, through it all, my family and friends have been there lifting me up and cheering me on.

From helping with my yardwork when I've been on the go for days, to watching my kids so that I can go to work, classes, consults, or do homework, to hugging me and telling me how happy they are for me, or telling me that I'm amazing.
I'm so very grateful for all of it, for all of you!

I know that I could do it on my own if I had to, but life would be a heck of a lot harder without the love and support of my family and friends.
So thank you all!

Warmly,
Andrea