This morning I thought I would ask you to pull up a chair Buttercup,and to ask you to grab yourself your favorite beverage, and then come and sit a spell because I’ve got a lot on my mind this morning. And if we’re going to be friends, the kind of friends who sit on the front porch and talk about life, then you’re going to get the good, the bad, the ugly, and everything in between. Because that’s real life, and that’s what Greatful Moments is all about.
Yesterday was one of those days that didn’t go quite the way I had planned, but somehow, in the end, God still found a way to give me some beautiful moments to be grateful for. The night before, Charlie stayed up all night. We had plans to go to the North American Crptid Museum and he was supposed to go with us. Bradley had already wigged out, which, unfortunately, is nothing unusual with that child. He’s just been making me so mad lately.
Then Charlie tells David, “Oh, I’m not going to. I don’t like horror. I pick up the phone and call Charlie who is in bed. I ask him what he is doing. Charlie says I told you that. I’m not going to go.” Instead of making me mad or causing me to cry I just picked up my backpack and walked out the door.
As I was walking out the door I thought about the even when I accepted the tickets both Bradley and Charlie wanted to go . Because I knew David would enjoy the Museum and you boys wanted to go I accepted the invitation to come out. If you was working and invited me to your job I would go even if I changed my mind.
That is what Charlie should have done and its how he was raised but he has changed and at times I do not like the man he is becoming. Yesterday as much as I hate to admit it was one of those days. We left to go get Joseph and it looks like he isn’t going to answer the door.
Thank the LORD he does and even though Bradley and Charlie aren’t coming Joseph says he will. Thank the LORD for that. We headed toward the Freeway and into Plano and on the way David stopped to get us drinks even though he didn’t need to. I thought we was going to be late but the LORD got us there early and we had time to go to the restroom before we went inside the Museum.
And that’s one of the things that frustrates me so much. When I’m trying to arrange things for Greatful Moments, I need to know who’s going and who’s not. There are plans to make, tickets to arrange, schedules to work around, and sometimes people on the other end who are expecting us.
David, Joseph, and me headied into the Museum and the staff was waiting to meet us, and we had a really fun time together. Both Joseph and David enjoyed going through the exhibits and found so many things they didn’t know. It was fun to see David excited. Before we left we even went into the Haunted House which I will let you know had the lights on but it was fun.
On the way home, around noon, we stopped and had lunch. We got to spend some one-on-one time with Joseph, which was something special. We visited a new café, and I’ll have a review of that coming to Greatful Moments. Then we stopped at Half Price Books in Plano, where Joseph got himself some books.
He was really happy, and that made me happy, too. He doesn’t usually get to do these kinds of things, and seeing him enjoy himself reminded me that sometimes the best moments happen when our plans change. We brought Joseph home, and then David and I came home for about an hour to an hour and a half. I needed to rest because my foot was hurting, and let me tell you, this morning it’s hurting something fierce!
But we weren’t done for the day. We had plans to head out to Denton, Texas for 31 Days of Halloween, and honestly, I really didn’t want to take Charlie. I was still hurt and disappointed about him blowing off the museum earlier that day. Sometimes, when you spend time making plans and looking forward to doing something together, it hurts when the other person decides they don’t want to participate after all.
Before we left we ran to the Store to pick up Hot Links for Gerald even though David didn’t want to. David, kept asking me what about food for Charie but I was still so upset with him and had plans I wasn’t worried about what he was going to eat or drink. Even though we was going to have Charlie’s car I told David he could fend for himself.
David and I got ready to go to Denton and was walking out to the car when Charlie says Joseph isn’t going and that was okay because by then I was done with the boys. But Charlie had dressed up and he was ready to go. As we was walking out the door Charlie says we need to go get Joseph because he had changed his mind. Thank God he lives close by. Of course, Bradley wigged out again.
By that point, I was about ready to throw my hands up in the air and say, “Lord, what in the world is going on today?” We head into Denton and the boys go there way and David and I go our way. While walking around I had thought about reaching out to one of my friends but it was so nice being with David.
I decided to go back next Wednesday to see here and to check out the Scary Chair Library just David and I. Sorry, Buttercup this time were not asking anyone to go with us. Because I will be meeting Jennifer LORD willling and the Creek doesn’t rise
Joseph had the absolute best time. He got to visit another bookstore and pick up some more books. Charlie walked around about four or five different times, enjoying himself, and David and I got to walk around together, talk, then we all meet at a new place and had dinner and I even had a new drink I invented and man oh man was it good.
While in Denton, Texas we even got to see some of the Beetlejuice decorations, and so many other fun decorations that I’m not sure we saw everything because we ran out of time before I could. But that is the fun part of going to Denton during Halloween you have 31 Days to see everything.
And that, my friends, is something I’m looking forward to! We didn’t even get home until 10 o’clock last night. Poor David had to get up at 3 o’clock this morning to go to work again. And you know what? He didn’t bitch. He didn’t moan. He didn’t gripe. He got up, went to work, and continued to support me and my business.
That’s one of the many reasons I’m grateful, thankful, and blessed to have him in my life. He may be tired, and we may have a million things going on, but he still shows up for me. He supports my dreams and helps me get out there to experience the things I want to share with all of you through Greatful Moments.
I don’t take that for granted. And even though yesterday didn’t go the way I expected, the boys eventually stepped up in their own ways, too. Charlie reminded us to pick up Joseph, and Joseph got to enjoy a day and an evening that meant something to him and that means the world to me when my blog brings a smile to someone’s face like it did Joseph’s.
Sometimes, even when people disappoint us, things still work out in ways we didn’t expect. But that doesn’t mean I’m not frustrated this morning. Because here we are, starting another day, and Charlie is still sleeping instead of getting up to go do DoorDash. The car payment is due, and we don’t have the money for it.
This is an ongoing argument, and honestly, sometimes I wonder if anything is ever going to change. I can’t keep worrying about the same things day after day and expecting a different result. I have a business to run, bills to worry about, responsibilities to take care of, and my own dreams that I want to see come to life.
I love my family, but I also have to be honest about how I’m feeling. I can’t keep carrying the weight of everybody else’s choices on my shoulders. So, going forward, when I have events to attend, Charlie, Bradley, will be the last people I ask to go with and Joseph will be one of the first people I ask.
I’m not saying I don’t love them. I’m not saying I don’t want them to be part of things. I’m saying I can’t continue making my plans around whether they’ll decide to show up. That includes Six Flags, because now Charlie isn’t even sure they’re going to do that. And you know what? It’s okay.
I can make other arrangements. I can figure things out. I can keep moving forward. I don’t need to depend on everybody else to make my dreams happen. I can do this. I will do this. And with God’s grace and the support of my husband, I am going to do this. Come hello or hight water.
I’m going to work on Greatful Moments. I’m going to keep finding stories to share, places to visit, books to read, products to introduce, and experiences that might bring a little happiness into somebody else’s day. I don’t care if it hair-lips the governor. I’m going to get my blog going, and I’m going to put my heart into it. Because this is something I believe in, and I’m not ready to give up on it.
And then, as if I didn’t have enough on my mind this morning, I woke up and the first thing I saw on Facebook was tha John Anderson had been called home. Now, for those of you who may not know, John Anderson was one of those singers whose music was part of the soundtrack of growing up.
He’s another one of those icons from my younger years who has now passed away, and that’s something that hits a little differently as we get older. On one hand, I think about how blessed he is to be at the feet of the Lord. What a beautiful thought that is. But on the other hand, I’m going to miss him and his music.
Every time another familiar face or voice from our younger years passes away, it reminds us of just how much time has gone by. The music stays with us, though. The memories stay with us. And sometimes, one song can take us right back to a time when life seemed a little simpler.
If you’ve never heard John Anderson’s song Swingin’, I hope you’ll take a few minutes to listen to it. I’m not saying it’s some big, complicated, iconic piece of music that everybody has to analyze. I’m saying it captures a feeling, a time, and a little bit of what growing up in the ’60s and ’70s was like.
Sometimes music doesn’t need an explanation. Sometimes it just needs to be heard. So today, I’m going to turn on a little John Anderson, a little Dolly Parton, and I’ll probably throw some Jelly Roll into the mix somewhere along the way. With Rachel Platton this is my fight song and I’m takin back my life.
I’m going to let the music play while I work, because I’ve got things to do, a blog to build, and a business that needs my attention. And I’m going to keep going. Not because every day is easy. Not because everybody always does what they say they’re going to do. Not because I don’t get frustrated, tired, disappointed, or downright aggravated.
But because I still have faith. I still have dreams. I still have a husband who stands beside me. I still have friends who will do events with me. And I still have another day that the Lord has given me. So today, my prayer is simple.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for waking me up this morning and giving me another day.
Thank You for yesterday, even though it didn’t go according to my plans. Thank You for the time David and I spent with Joseph, for the lunch at a new café, for the books we found, for the laughter, and for the memories we made together.
Thank You for the opportunity to discover new places and share those experiences through Greatful Moments. Thank You for Jennifer and the friendships that continue to bring joy into my life.
Thank You for my husband, David. Thank You for a man who works hard, gets up early, and continues to support me and the dreams I carry in my heart. Please watch over him today, protect him at work, and give him the strength he needs to get through his day.
Lord, You know the frustrations I’m carrying this morning. You know the worries about our finances, the car payment, and the disagreements that seem to keep coming back around. You know how much I want my family to work together and how disappointed I feel when plans fall apart.
Please help me know when to step in and when to step back. Help me love my family without taking responsibility for every decision they make. Give me the wisdom to establish boundaries, the patience to handle difficult situations, and the strength to stop carrying burdens that aren’t mine alone to carry.
Help me remember that I can care about my children and still allow them to make their own choices. Let me release the anger and disappointment that weigh on my heart so I can focus on the work You have placed before me.
Lord, please bless Greatful Moments.
Lord, you know how much I want this business to grow. You know the hours I put into it, the plans I make, and the effort it takes to keep going even when I’m tired or discouraged. Please open the doors that are meant for me, guide me toward the right opportunities, and help me create something that brings value, joy, and encouragement to others.
When I feel like I’m doing everything alone, remind me that I am not alone. Give me the determination to keep moving forward and the wisdom to know that I don’t have to do everything in one day. I have proof of that with TheMommiesReviews.com and if I could make it work I know I can do more with this site.
Please help me take care of myself, too. My foot is hurting, and I know I need to listen to my body. Remind me that resting isn’t quitting and that I can work toward my dreams without forgetting to care for the person doing the work. Keep Charlie out of my room once he gets up and make him take responsibility for his dog.
And Lord, today I also lift up John Anderson and his family everyone who is mourning his passing. Thank You for the music he gave us and the memories that will live on through his songs. Comfort his loved ones and all those who feel the sadness of losing another familiar voice from their younger years.
Help us appreciate the people we love while we have them. Help us make memories, enjoy the little things, and never become so caught up in our frustrations that we forget to recognize the blessings right in front of us. Lord, I don’t know what today will bring. I don’t know how every problem will work itself out, and I can’t control the choices other people make. But I know I can keep doing my part.
I can keep working. I can keep loving. I can keep praying. I can keep believing that there is still good ahead of me. And I can place the things I cannot control into Your hands. Just like the Little Engine who could I think I can. I think I can. I know I can and I will with the LORD’s help.
Please guide my steps today, protect my family, strengthen my faith, and give me peace in the middle of the things I haven’t figured out yet. Thank You for another sunrise, another chance, another opportunity, and another reason to be grateful. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Today, I’m choosing to turn up the music, get to work, and keep moving forward. I’m choosing to appreciate the husband who stands beside me, treasure the memories we made yesterday, and trust God with the things I cannot change. I may be tired. I may be frustrated. I may have a hurting foot and a whole list of things weighing on my mind. But I’m still here. I’ve still got dreams. I’ve still got faith. And I’ve still got another day to make something of the life God has given me.
So, friends, if you’re having one of those mornings when everything feels like too much, I hope you’ll remember that you don’t have to have all the answers today. Do what you can, love the people you can, set boundaries where you need to, and let God handle the rest.
Life isn’t always easy, and family doesn’t always do what we hope they’ll do. But there are still beautiful moments waiting for us if we leave a little room to find them. Today, I’m going to count my blessings, turn on some music, and get back to work. Because no matter what yesterday brought, the Lord has given me a new day. And for that, I am Grateful, Thankful, and Blessed. ❤️🙏🦋
What are you grateful for today? I’d love to hear from you. Pull up a chair on our digital front porch, share what’s on your heart, and let’s remind one another that even on the hard days, there is still something to be thankful , grateful and blessed for.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
