Here's the question I've been asking myself. To blog, or not to blog. What would I write about? Family? Food? Our life? Little bits of "wisdom"? Things about scripture? That burning topic on my heart? But anyway, I took a teeny step and created a blog site. I'm praying that God would lead me in my writing. That it could encourage or bless someone who stumbles across it.

A little about me... first of all, I'm 'wife' to an amazing man. We've been married for 10 wonderful years. I'm 'mom' to 5 littles. Luke is 9, Jason, 6, Sara 5, Ethan will be 2 on Monday & Abigail is almost 5 months old. These are the days that everyone with adult children tells us are "the best days of our lives"! Somedays I'm wondering if they remember the chaotic, crazyness of it all! However, I trust that because they've been where we now are, they're probably right! :) And yes, these are the days. The days full of life and chatter and laughter. And the days of sibling spats, but where forgiveness is usually freely  given. The days of seemingly endless bickering, wild boy moments, shrieks and peals of giggles. Days when sitting in a chair can mean feet and legs anywhere but down! :) Days of dollies, and playing Sunday School, and days of backyard baseball, football, or soccer games, depending on the season. And days when I just want to hide with my coffee and that secret stash of candy. (Yes, I'm one of those moms who hides chocolate from her kiddos. I've gotten pretty creative! :) Grocery bag tied to a clothes hanger, placed way back in my closet is a lasting favorite!!!! For those of you who need new ideas.) Mornings that start too early, nights that are way too short. I had no idea being a mom would be so challenging and yet sooo sweet!  ("Oh God help me to "mom" with joy, with grace, with love. Not just for the "good" times, but the "hard" times too.") 
 And That's where the title for my blog comes in. A few favorite quotes from Ann Voskamp.  

"Gratefulness is not what you feel after times of joyfulness. Gratefulness is what you do to get times of joyfulness."

I'm a firm believer that Joy is a choice. Thankfulness is a choice and Praise is a choice. Do I always choose it? No, sometimes I don't FEEL like choosing gratefulness or to be joyful. That's where I need Jesus. I need Him to give me the strength to choose, when I'd rather have a pity party, or when I'd rather wallow. A friend of mine told me a little while ago "God's grace is always there, we just need to reach out and grab it!" Amen!!!