Deck the Halls!

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Since getting back from our trip back home for Thanksgiving, I have been gearing up for my favorite season of the year.  CHRISTMAS!!  I've been a little bit Pinterest-obsessed these last few weeks and have attempted to make a couple of the neat ideas I have found on there (makes the time feel a little less wasted - hahaha!).  So I thought I'd share some of the decorations we've put up so far.  I still have a few more things I want to make, and some cute craft ideas to do with Miss K.  Enjoy!

Miss K's very own Nativity Set - Fisher Price Little People

Our tree

Longaberger Hurricane full of beautiful ornaments (from the Dollar Store!!)

Christmas Ball Wreath - Pinterest Inspired - I made it!

 

 

There are SEVERAL places you can go online to find information about making these Christmas Ball Wreaths.  This is the tutorial that I used. 

Close-up of the Christmas Ball Wreath

Miss K's Christmas Tree

Backwards Advent Calendar -- Each day of December it's my goal to do something Christmas with Miss K.  Then we keep track on the "ornaments" for this tree.  It's hung up on her Creative Memories Everyday Display Board.  I'm thinking future scrapbook page for this Christmas!

Subway Art hanging in the hallway.  I found it here.

Mantel decorations - "M E R R Y" are foam letters cut out with my Cricut and hung on 3M hooks.
It's Pinterest inspired from here.

More Christmas Longaberger - Interested in purchasing your own Longaberger products?
I'm a consultant!  Feel free to place and order with me!

The other side of the fireplace.  The first time I have ever had a mantel to hang my stockings!

Hutch decorations

Beautiful *LIVE* Christmas centerpiece from Mother-in-Law.  I love it!
Managed to keep last year's alive all season... here's hoping I can do it again!

The bulletin board half is just waiting for a new picture by Miss K!

Work in progress!
Love that sign from BFF - it says "WE BELIEVE Jesus is the reason for the Season"
I've got a couple things in the works to finish this up.

Ikea lantern with rusty bell ornaments stuffed inside & my favorite Longaberger Tree Trimming basket.

Nativity Set on the bookshelf.

Cute little sign from Kirklands thanks to my BFF.  Hanging on a kitchen cabinet door.

I love decorating for Christmas and Miss K has been a great help.  I've found some fun things for us to make and even though she's still little for crafts, she does like to paint and use glue.  If anything, it will be fun to play.

30 Days of Thankfulness - Day 30: Christmas Season

WHEW!  30 days already?  What a great challenge.  My eyes have been really opened to just how much I have to be thankful for a daily basis.  I feel like I've only scratched the surface in the last 30 days.  God is so good.

To finish off my last "Thankfulness" post, I'm going to bring in the next season - my FAVORITE season - The Christmas season!  I am so thankful for the Christmas season.  I love the music, the lights, the presents, the family time, the decorations, my list could go on and on.  It's really easy to get swept up in all of that, I'm super guilty of it, that's for sure.  The best part about Christmas though is the reminder of Jesus' birth.  Without that, Christmas would mean nothing, as would life.  My next challenge to myself is to enjoy this Christmas season, but to also take every opportunity to remind myself of what this season really is about. 

30 Days of Thankfulness - Day 29: Our Thanksgiving Vacation

Today as I sift through the laundry, catch up on mail, and recover from a short but oh so long flight last night, I am extremely thankful for the past week and the great time that we had with family and friends during our Thanksgiving Vacation.  Instead of a recap of words, I've put together some pictures instead.  Enjoy!!

Chuck E Cheese night with friends of mine & K's.

Thanksgiving Dinner at my Sister's!

Family Time with Tim's family.

Japanese Steakhouse dinner with BFF & our families.

30 Days of Thankfulness - Day 28: Child Safety Items..

Had a thought yesterday about how thankful I am for K's carseat.  It makes this mommy feel a tad better about driving down the road with all the other crazies out there, knowing that she's safer in it, than without it.

So then I started looking around and kept thinking of other child safety things out there that help to keep my baby girl even just a little bit safer.  Things like plug covers, baby gates for stairs, cabinet locks, closet blocks, corner covers... even the newer designs of cribs and changing tables.  I know that they didn't have all that stuff when I was a kid - and I turned out fine contrary to popular belief ;) - but still, if someone came up with it, there was probably some kid, somewhere that taught someone that we needed safety measures in place for all those things.  Honestly, I'm not happy those kids and parents had to go through that, but I'm glad that the safety items are in place now, to help me prevent it with my little bit.

30 Days of Thankfulness - Day 27: Tylenol...

I've got a bit of a headache tonight.  I've had a great day and have many things to be thankful for (Japanese Steakhouse, family & friends time, visiting my family church, giggles from my baby girl, etc etc)... but now that the day is over and I begin to think of the flight home, my head is starting to ache.  Could be the cold I'm fighting, my nerves for the upcoming travel, or the always ongoing list of things to do beginning to overflow.  Whatever's causing it really doesn't matter, and I'm just thankful that somebody, somewhere, a long time ago came up with Tylenol to make my headache go away.

30 Days of Thankfulness - Day 26: Photographs

I'm drawing near the end of my month of Thankfulness.  I'm pretty proud of myself for keeping up with this for so long.  I've really had to stop and think some days, but all in all, I have really come to realize just how much I have to be thankful.  I didn't even get into being thankful for food, clothes, and shelter (even though I really am very thankful for those as well!!).  This challenge has helped me to realize just how blessed we are.  I also want to challenge myself to be thankful everyday, not just because it's Thanksgiving, or the month leading up to it.

So today, while I was enjoying yet another family gathering and yummy food, I thought about how few times we get to do this now.  I grabbed my camera after dinner and tried to snap some pictures of my little K and her aunties and Gamma.  I realized, that aside from Skype and telephone, those photographs are going to be how we not only remember the fun times with family and friends, but also will be great for helping K get to know and recognize the people that mean so much to us. 

I also want to add how thankful I am for the great camera that my hubby gave me as an early Christmas present.  It takes such great pictures and I feel really blessed to have it.

30 Days of Thankfulness - Day 25: Black Friday!

This might seem obvious, but today I'm thankful for Black Friday shopping!!

I got a great start on my Christmas shopping, got in the Christmas spirit, and got to hang out with some of my favorite MD girls in the process.  Black Friday shopping is a holiday tradition for me.  I know some people hate it, some people get ridiculous, some people get rude... me, I'm along for the ride.  I don't go with expectations and sometimes you walk out with nothing.  Who cares?

I'm also really thankful for the folks that worked last night and today in all those stores.  I know it couldn't have been easy to go to bed early, maybe miss some of their Thanksgiving time with family, and get up to go to work and deal with all those crazy people.  If their employers are going to make them do that, then the least I can do is tell them thank you, give them a smile, and not be a jerk.

Finally, I'm thankful for my sister, and best girlfriends who tolerated the crowds and kept us all smiling and laughing the whole time.  It's not a shopping trip without your girls!! :)

30 Days of Thankfulness - Day 24: Family Gatherings

My tummy is FULL!  Today I'm thankful for family gatherings of any kind.  We have had a great time today cooking, goofing, and eating tasty food.  I want to get back to the fun, but I just wanted to share how thankful I am for the great family gatherings I have had through the years and all the ones to come!  Dessert Time!

30 Days of Thankfulness - Day 23: Time

We went here, there, and everywhere today.  Just trying to get around to see everyone and spend quality time with the people that mean so much to us.  (That doesn't mean you don't mean anything to me if you don't see me this week... there's so many hours in the day)

In fact, that's what I'm thankful for today... Time.  Sounds funny because so many times we say we're rushed or don't have enough time to do something, but how many times do we sit down and take a moment to be thankful for the time we do have?  This trip has already made me so thankful for the time that we have here.  It's only a few days and I'm on a mission to make the most of it.  I want to savor each minute with the family and friends that we left behind when we moved. 

With that said, I made time to post on my blog today... now I'm going to make time to have some fun in the kitchen with my sister... and I'm going to enjoy every second of it (here's hoping we don't burn the place down!).

30 Days of Thankfulness - Day 22: Teaching

We're on vacation visiting home, but I don't want to miss a day.  So while I have time and the hubby entertains K, I figured I'd share the 22nd thing that I am thankful for this Thanksgiving.  Today I am thankful for my teaching experience.

Before moving to Florida and staying home with K, I was a second grade teacher and I LOVED it.  I'm very proud to say that I have five years of teaching experience under my belt, and I feel that I'm a better  mom and person for it.  I taught Kindergarten, First Grade, and Second Grade all within those five years.  You leave college thinking you're completely ready for your first class of 25 kids and then they get there the first day.... and yea, it's a learning experience that I don't think you're ever ready for.  However, through the years I learned so much about child development, how you learn to read, and how to build positive relationships with even the most challenging student.  It's funny to step back and think that while you were teaching kids all they needed to know, they were teaching you just as much!  I'm so thankful for that!

Right now, I am REALLY enjoying my time as a Stay at Home Mom and I plan to do it as long as I can, so long as it works for our family.  I do, eventually, plan to get my teaching certificate in Florida and return to the classroom in some form.  I'd also like to keep my Maryland certificate in good standing as well (you never know...).  But for right now, I'm going to keep all those lessons I learned tucked away in the back of my mind, using them when appropriate with my kids, and living in the moment.  All the while I know that once you're a teacher, you're always a teacher.  And, that my friends, I'm extremely thankful for.

One last final thought: Not only am I thankful for my teaching experience, but I am also thankful for all the other teachers that have made a difference in my life.  I'm talking about my former coworkers (who are still some of my close friends), college professors, and all my teachers from when I was kid trying to find my way.  If it wasn't for each of them, I wouldn't be the person I am today!

30 Days of Thankfulness - Day 21: Blogger App

Okay, so we're on our way to the airport and my to do list is complete, except my blog post for today. I'm sitting here from the passenger seat feeling blue because I've done so well showing my gratitude to God for the big things and the little things in my life everyday this month. I just didn't want to miss a day. Then a thought pops in my head, "I wonder if there's a Blogger app for my droid" and sure enough, there is!

So today, as silly as it sounds, I'm thankful for the Blogger app (and all the other great apps I have), that will now make life just a little easier!

30 Days of Thanksgiving - Day 20: Air Travel

"I'm leavin', on a jet plane... Don't know when I'll be back again...." (Ok, yes I do).

Today I am thankful for Air Travel!  We're packin' up and headed home for Thanksgiving and I cannot wait to get some quality face-to-face time with my family and some of my friends.  Traveling by airplane cuts a 14 hour trip down to about 2 hours --- such a relief when there's a 19 month old along for the ride.

K's been on an airplane more in her not quite 2 years than I had by the time I hit 18 years.  This is good.  I hope that means she'll be comfortable riding on airplanes and will not have much anxiety when it comes to flying.  I have some flying anxiety, but have gotten better over the years (all bets are off when we hit turbulence though). I have to say, they try to make flying with a child as easy as possible on you, and if your prepared (internet research -- thank you babycenter) and calm (because your kid can see right through you), flying with a baby can actually go smoothly.  Each time we get on a plane I do get a little more nervous about how K's going to act.  She's older now and way more active.  I found some great toddler "busy bag" ideas on pinterest last night and made a few today, so hopefully she'll either sleep or play quietly with Mommy's new inventions.

Daddy & K on our way to house-hunt in Florida
April 2011

To sum it up, I'm thankful for airplanes, airports, flight attendants, and all the airport workers that make Air Travel possible.  Without it, could we get home? Sure... but this way is so much easier, faster, and can be kind of fun.

30 Days of Thankfulness - Day 19: Coupons!

I love to shop!  Even more, I love to save money when I shop!  I'd like to think I'm a pretty good bargain hunter and I feel great satisfaction to see a decent amount of money on the "You saved:" line of my receipt. 

I have always been pretty good about catching coupons for clothes shopping, even as a teenager.  But recently, I've taken to collecting coupons for everything.  I signed up for a paper and I created my little organized notebook (thanks to my BFF for the suggestion) and I try really hard to clip coupons for the things we need and want from the grocery store and elsewhere.  I'd say I'm still pretty novice at it... I probably could save more money by paying closer attention, but I'm satisfied thus far by saving the amounts I have in just the short amount of time I've been doing this.

Am I an "extreme couponer?" No, not yet anyway, but I'm thankful for the companies that put their coupons out there for consumers.  Yes, in the long run it helps them by enticing me to purchase their products... but at the same time, it's saving me a few extra dollars to put towards other important things.

30 Days of Thankfulness - Day 18: Music

Today I am thankful for Music!

Psalm 98:1 - "Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things"

I don't even know if I can begin to explain how much I love music.  Singing, dancing, listening to the radio, making up silly songs with K, hearing live music played, playing the piano..... I love it all.  I grew up singing in church and then in school.  I took piano lessons (and wish I never quit).  The radio is always on in the car (country & contemporary christian are my favs).  K and I turn on Pandora or the Kidz Music Channel on TV just to have a dance party in the middle of the family room.  My hubby teases me and sometimes wants to know if there is ever a country song that I don't know within the first few notes.

The thing is, many songs bring back memories... from years ago or from yesterday.  I relate a lot of things to music.  Music can snap me out of my worst mood and get me laughing if you find the right song.  It can also help calm my nerves and bring me confidence in many situations.

I think the funniest part about my love for music is when something happens and I want to instantly burst out in song... like my life is a musical or something.  My sister and I laugh sometimes because not many people will walk through their houses and just start singing crazy, silly songs, but we do... and we always have.  If I don't have anything else, I'll always have music.  It's something I carry with me everywhere I go.  What's that saying?... "A spring in my step and a song in my heart..."  Yea, that pretty much sums up how I live my life. 

Momma's little country girl... ?

Making music!

30 Days of Thankfulness - Day 17: Scrapbooks

Today I am thankful for my scrapbooks and for the hobby of scrapbooking itself.  I've been scrapbooking now for the last 7 years.  I love to take pictures and put them together with the story behind them.  I also love sitting down with family or a friend and watching them enjoy my memories.  Unfortunately I don't get to spend a lot of time doing it, so I'm several years behind in my books, but that's okay - I just enjoy the time when I get it.

Scrapbooking gives me "me" time during naps or on Friday nights when hubby's consumed by a video game.  I love putting on some tunes and just letting the memories take me back to fun times and fun people.  Every time I take a picture now, I get excited that this fun memory will end up in a scrapbook someday to share with anyone who opens my book.

Grandma, Mom, & Me taking a Cricut Class

My mom and grandma also scrapbook, so it gives us something in common to do together (when we're close by) and something to share when we visit.  Not only do they appreciate the memories but they're also interested in the layouts and how I put the pages together.  This leads to even more quality time spent together and who doesn't love that? 

Scrapbooking is not for everyone, and that's okay.  But I'm thankful that I have found something that I can be creative with and enjoy whenever the mood strikes.

30 Days of Thankfulness - Day 16: Playgroup

Today I am thankful for the amazing playgroup that I found when we moved. 

Teddy Bear Picnic

 When we decided to move and hubby suggested I might like to stay home with K instead of getting a teaching job here, I was totally excited.  I love teaching, I do, but I was over the moon about actually getting to spend my day playing, loving on, and laughing with my baby girl.  As we started telling our friends and family about our plans, the advice I kept hearing from everyone was "find a mommy's group."  Once we got here and into the apartment, it didn't take long before K and I were sitting there staring at each other and I thought, oh boy, what do we do now?!  So I got online (man, I love the Internet!), and did a google search for Mommy's groups in Orlando.  Next thing I knew, I was asking to join a group on www.meetup.com (soooo out of my box), and was welcomed into this wonderful group!

One of many park playdates!

We have SO MUCH FUN with our new friends.  We go to the library, parks, craft playdates, brunch, Chuck E Cheese, and so much more.  The Mommas even take a night out to unwind and get to know each other better.  K has so many little buddies that she looks forward to seeing every couple of days (sometimes several days in a row) and I do too! I don't know where I'd be (mentally) without this fantastic group of mommies and kiddos.

Baby Jar Pumpkins

Making Scarecrow Cookies

30 Days of Thankfulness - Day 15: Recipes

Might sound pretty silly, but today I'm thankful for recipes!

I love food, there's no question about that.  I also love to cook.  Here's the thing about cooking though, I don't consider myself extremely creative to make up something new when I step into the kitchen.  Okay, well I've never ever done that (my sister's the one that's good at that).  So I rely on recipes to help me create my cuisine masterpieces.  Finding new recipes has somehow become a hobby of mine.  I have several cookbooks that are my go-tos for recipes and how-tos... The Better Homes and Garden Cookbook is my all-time favorite. 

However, more often than not these days, you're going to walk in on me with my laptop sitting on the counter because I love to find recipes online.  Websites like www.allrecipes.com and www.skinnytaste.com are my favorites!!  Friends that share their recipes on Facebook and through email are even more inspiration.  Might sound crazy but some of the cooking blogs I visit regularly are part of my inspiration to have a blog of my own!

So today, I am very thankful for recipes, cookbooks, and all the other ways that I find to try something new in the kitchen.  (My family thanks you too... otherwise it would be the same old boring stuff day after day!)

30 Days of Thankfulness - Day 14: K's Glasses

Today I want to take some time and be thankful for my daughter's glasses. 

At 15 months old, we mentioned to the pediatrician that we'd been seeing K's eye turn in occasionally for a while, and that it was getting to be more frequent.  He suggested we see a Pediatric Opthamologist once we got settled here in Florida.  So we finally got in to see a doctor right around 18 months here and they determined that Miss K is extremely far-sighted.  (By the way, that doctor was amazing and probably deserves a gold medal for working with kids that little -- K screamed through the whole exam and he didn't even flinch -- totally thankful for him!)

So now, my beautiful angel is even more beautiful with her cutie-pie glasses and she can see the world so much better!  The doctor showed me what she was seeing and I can't even imagine what went through her head when she saw her real reflection for the first time.  They tried warning me that getting her to wear those glasses would be tricky, but not Miss K (another thing to be thankful for!!).  I think the glasses make that much of a difference that she doesn't want them off.  Don't get me wrong, she has her moments, but I'm very thankful to not have to fight her every minute.  She even reaches for them in the morning and after naptime.

I'm truly thankful that doctors have the ability to test vision at such a young age.  I can't imagine what kind of problems we might be facing if we had waited until she got to school to look into possible vision problems.  Not only that, but today as I was talking to some of my Momma's Group friends, we were commenting on the increase in K's confidence with walking, climbing, sliding - even running in just the last two months.  She studies things so closely now and takes so many more risks (has a few bumps to prove it too).  But even now, when she takes the risks and might fall down or stumble, its not as earth-shattering, she gets up, shakes herself off, and keeps on moving.  I'm just so thankful for that new confidence and I attribute so much of it to those amazing glasses.  I'm proud of my big girl!

30 Days of Thankfulness - Day 13: Church Families

Matthew 16:18 - "...and on this rock I will build my church"

Today, I am taking some time to be thankful for the wonderful church families that I have had the pleasure to be a part of and for the church families of my future.  To date, I've been a member of two wonderful church bodies.  I grew up at MBC and spent my married life (until we moved) at SCBC.  I learned so much attending these churches -- about God, about worship, about God's plan for my life and my family.  I was blessed to be a part of different ministries and loved the other members of these churches so much (still do!).  Leaving both of these churches was a hard thing, but God has taught me something each time.  We're currently on a mission to find the church where God wants us to be next and I'm so excited to see what God has planned for us.  While we search I'm taking as step back to be extremely thankful for the churches of my past and now of my future.

30 Days of Thankfulness - Day 12: Relaxing Weekends

Recently, I have really come to appreciate the value of a quiet, relaxing weekend.  So today, I am thankful for those weekends!

You know the kind: wake up without the alarm... lounge in your pjs... make a yummy breakfast... play with kiddo... read a book... sit and talk... bake something tasty... fiddle in the garage.. etc...

It's the kind of weekend where there's no agenda, nothing major you need to get to, where you just kind of look around and say: "What can I get myself into?" or "I think I'll just lay here and take a nap - because I can."  The square on the calendar is empty and you just chill.

Today, I am thankful for these weekends and I'm even more thankful that we're so lucky to be having one of those weekends right now!  Its so nice to rest and recoup from the business of the week.  Unfortunately we don't get them every week, which makes them that much more valuable when they do come around.  Basically, I am thankful for the blessing of rest today.  It won't last long.  Monday comes back, oh so quickly, but that's okay because by the end of that relaxing weekend, you feel recharged and ready to take on the world again.

One of our favorite things to do on a lazy weekend:

Make dinner on the grill & eat on the back porch - just because.

30 Days of Thankfulness - Day 11: Our Military

2 Chronicles 7:14 - "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

 

Today seems to be a fitting day to be thankful for our military - the brave men and women who put their lives on the line to protect our county and its citizens.  Without their willingness to serve, there wouldn't be the United States of America.  Who knows where we would be or what we would/would not be allowed to do.  Freedom is something we take for granted, but thanks to our military, we have a country where we are free to do many things that others are not as fortunate to be able to do.  I am proud of the many servicemen and women in my life that either have, are currently, or will serve in our nations military.  I thank you for your service.

These are a few pictures of my husband, Tim, 

who proudly served in the United States Marines 

and is currently serving in the Air National Guard.

God Bless America and Thank you Veterans!

30 Days of Thankfulness - Day 10: My Salvation

John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, 

that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Today, I am thankful for God's love for me and YOU!  Here's the thing, I didn't do anything to deserve it, but God gives it to me anyway.  The Bible says that the "wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23a) and lets face it, we're all sinners even though we try to be 'good people', "but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23b)  I'm so thankful that I know this and have accepted this wonderful gift. I'll never live up to or be able to earn on my own but that's okay because God loves me and gave it to me anyway.  I know where I'm headed when I leave this place, it's called heaven, and it's all because of God's love for me.  Thank you Lord, for my salvation!

30 Days of Thankfulness - Day 9: Naptime

Today I am thankful for naptime!  My little munchkin is a bundle of energy and, boy, do we have fun.  We love going to playdates, playing at home, grocery shopping, cleaning house and cooking together, and of course reading books.  Everyday I am so thankful that I have the opportunity to be a Stay-at-Home-Mom and enjoy those fun moments.  Then there comes that time, after lunch, when the house gets quiet and I get to sit (even if its just for a second) and take a moment for me.  Most of the time I jump on the computer to chat with a friend, I might tackle a cleaning project that I don't like to do around K (bathrooms... yuck), or I might read a book, do a little craftin', or even just veg on the couch in front of Grey's Anatomy reruns.  Some days it lasts longer than others but however long it is, I appreciate the break and then comes another great part of the day.... when I get to go into her room to her smiling wakey-baby face and spend the afternoon having even more fun together.  

Motherhood is such a wonderful thing, but Lord, thank you so much for the little break that makes me enjoy her even that much more!

30 Days of Thanksgiving - Day 8: Technology

Psalm 100:1 - Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth!

Today I am taking time to be thankful for something a little more lighthearted... technology!  It sounds funny to say, but I am a technology junkie.  I am so glad to have things like Facebook, Skype, and texting, especially after moving 800 miles away from everyone and everything I've ever known.  Not only is technology helping me "see" and talk to my family and friends on a very regular basis (probably more than I did when I lived up there!), but it's also helping meet new friends here in Florida (Thank you meetup.com!).  I probably spend a little bit longer than I should on these technology devices (did I mention reading great books on my Nook after K goes to bed?), but instead of letting anyone make me feel bad about that, I'm just going to be thankful that I have access to such great tools and remind myself gently that the toilets have to be cleaned at some point (that's what the timer app on my phone is for right?).

30 Days of Thankfulness - Day 7: Friendships

Proverbs 17:17 - A friend loves at all times...

Today I am thankful for the many wonderful people in my life that I call my friends.  I found a beautiful poem that describes friendship in a way that I would never be able to put to words.  I thought I would share that in honor of EACH and EVERY one of my friends.  You know who you are.  I thank God for each of you and I thank each of you for accepting me for me.  Love you all!

A real friend...
	Accepts you as you are Believes in you Calls you just to say "hi" Doesn't give up on you Envisions the whole of you (even the unfinished parts) Forgives your mistakes Gives unconditionally Helps you without reservation Invites you over for no particular reason Just to be with you Keeps you close at heart Loves you for who you are Makes a difference in your life Never gives up on you Offers support Prays for you regularly Quiets your fears Raises your spirits Says nice things about you Tells you the truth when you need to hear it Understands you Values your input Walks beside you X-plains things you don't understand Yells when you won't listen Zaps you back to reality       -Anonymous

30 Days of Thankfulness - Day 6: God's Perfect Plan

Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, 

"plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Today I am so very thankful for God's plan for my life, my family's lives, my friends' lives, and even for the lives a perfect strangers.  The verse above is one that I live by, I always have.  But it never ceases to amaze me how God just seems to take it one step further every time I reread it.  I am also so thankful for answered prayers... and yes, by answers I mean "Yes," "No," and "Not right now."  God is so good and He does know what He's doing... even when we don't have a clue.

30 Days of Thankfulness - Day 5: My Extended Family

Today I am thankful for my ENTIRE family.  When I stop and think about it - I have a HUGE family and I am thankful for each and every one of them.  I have six grandparents.  Pop-Pop & Grandma - Grandpa & Grandma Shirley - Grandma Gray & Papa (I miss both of them terribly). I have aunts, uncles, cousins galore!  I also have wonderful in-laws from my hubby's family (lets face it, his sisters were sisters before we even started dating... and I hold them (and my BFF) responsible for Tim & I even happening). Finally, when my sister got married in January I inherited yet another part of my family - a brother-in-law, his sons, and his family. 

Some of my most favorite memories include members of my extended family, from childhood, teenage years, and into my adulthood.  Each member is different and special to me - yet we all have at least one thing in common.  I love each of them in their own way and I am thankful that each of them has a part in my life.




Trying something a little different with the pictures today - I hope it works.  I tried to get everyone in at least one picture but there are sooooo many people that I'm sure I probably didn't get them all.  If you're not in here, it's not because I love you less but because I haven't seen you recently to take pics or I forgot my camera!  I love you all and I thank God for placing each of you in my life. :)

30 Days of Thankfulness - Day 4: My Sister

Colossians 3:17 - And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, 

do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Today I am thankful for my sister!  They say that a sister is a friend for life - I couldn't agree more.  We are only a few years apart.  When we were growing up we were best friends one second and enemies the next... but there wasn't anything that could break our sister bond.  We've had our ups and downs but I know that I can always count on her and she better know that she can do the same with me.

Some of my favorite pics:

Mel & me - Thanksgiving 2006

 Mel, Mom & Me - Christmas 2006

 Maid of Honor Mel & Me - Wedding 2008

Mel & Me - Tea Room for Grandma's Bday 2009

 Mel holding her niece Baby K - March 2010

Beautiful Bride Mel & Me - Her Wedding January 2011

Mel is an amazing woman.  She takes pride in her work, loves her step-son as her own, and has built a wonderful life for her own family.  I couldn't be more proud to call her my sister. We have shared so many wonderful memories and I know we have many more ahead. I am so thankful for my sister and I hope she knows just how much she means to me.

Love you Bink! ;)

30 Days of Thankfulness - Day 3: My Parents

Proverbs 22:6 - Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Today I am thankful for my parents.  I feel so fortunate to call myself their daughter.  My parents are an inspiration to me.  I was raised in a Christian home with parents who loved my sister and I unconditionally.  It's funny, you really do take your childhood for granted until you're an adult - a parent yourself, trying to figure out exactly how they raised you the way they did because you want the same thing for your child.  And now, I just love watching them be grandparents to my little one.  

Some of my favorite pictures:

(recent pictures -- I don't have any from when we were kids on the computer)

 

 Mom & Dad - Thanksgiving 2007

 Mom, Dad, Tim & I - January 2008 (Tim and I's Wedding)

 

  Nana holding Baby K minutes after she was born.  I was so grateful that Mom spent all day (both days) that I was in the hospital waiting to have K.  I don't know what I'd do without her!  I know that I can call my mom about anything (my favorite topics being K, crafts, or cooking), even stupid questions that I really should already know the answer to.  After we laugh about how stupid the question is, she always has the answer.  Even though we aren't in the same state anymore, I know she'd be here in a heartbeat if I needed her to be and I cherish every phone call - long or short. :)

Grandpa holding Baby K when she was one day old.  Such a proud Grandpa - and such a teddy bear when it comes to Miss K.  I love my Dad for so many reasons but mainly for his support in just about everything I have ever set out to do (advanced placement classes in HS, teaching, starting/continuing/not quitting/finishing my Masters, getting married, moving 800 miles away).  Dad always has the most realistic advice and outlook on life (even when I really don't want to hear it).

As I sit back and proofread what I've written I don't even feel like I have scratched the surface of my gratitude to my parents.  My examples seem childish and simple, but they are much bigger and more complex than you could ever imagine.  I could spend my whole life trying to repay them for what they've done for me - but that's not why they did what they did.  They did it because they love me.  I don't need to repay them.  I just take it as my personal challenge to raise my children they way they raised me and pray that my children "get it" someday like I do.

I love you Mom & Dad!