Friday, November 16, 2012

I'm Thankful 2012: Day 15




Today I am thankful for my job. I actually really enjoy my work. Especially since I get to do it from home.  I did recently apply for an office position (benefits baby!!), but I fully intend to keep my part time job too if I can juggle the work.  Anyway, I love the money and the work, so I think that's pretty awesome!  I am blessed in this area!!

Have a great day & God Bless!!

  Pin It

I'm Thankful 2012: Day 14


















This is going to sound crazy but I am thankful for thankfulness.  I guess i should say for the spirit of giving thanks and what being grateful and thankful can do for my spirit and attitude.  It is amazing how your perspective on life can change when you are looking for something to be thankful for.  You start realizing the many blessing you have, and while life isn't perfect, its far from being bad. It makes for a happier day and life and for better relationships and interactions with others.  
There is a trend on FaceBook right now to do what I am attempting to do here on my blog.  That is to post every day about something you are grateful for. Now its done on a much smaller scale since its a FaceBook post, but still its a moment of gratefulness everyday.  All of a sudden I am noticing those who are giving thanks have started smiling more when I see them out and about. They have a more positive attitude in their other postings on FaceBook as well.  There is an overall happier attitude and look about them.  Its amazing the transformation that has taken place in some.  I am loving all the thankfulness that's going on!!  Its biblical as was preached tonight, and I am thrilled to be a part of it.  

Lord let me express my thanks more not just to you but to those I meet and interact with daily. Amen!

Have a great day & God Bless!!!


  Pin It
 

Thursday, November 15, 2012

I'm Thankful 2012: Day 12-13






Well yesterday (monday) and today (Tuesday) I have been sick and i am greatful for wonderful family members who love to keep my babies and love them like they are their own.  (I know I have already been thankful for my In-Laws, but this is me being thankful for family that chips in taking turns to help each other out when you are down and out. From the ones who take three kids home to stay the night, get them up and dressed for school for another family member to go by and pick them up to take them to school. All so a sick mommy and injured daddy can get some much needed healing rest!!  Love my family they are AWESOME!!!

Have a great day and God Bless!  

Pin It

I'm Thankful 2012: Day 11















 
Today (Sunday) I am thankful for a wonderful 28 year anniversary for my Pastor and my church.  It was a wonderful day of Homecoming services.  We had a great time visiting with family and friends who have moved away and came back to celebrate the anniversary with us.  I am thankful for the grace God has shed on Calvary Tabernacle and the revival that is headed our way.
 
Have a great day and God Bless 

Im Thankful 2012: Day 10

I am thankful for my beautiful and healthy family!  Today (Saturday) we had our Christmas photo shoot and it was beautiful.  The kids were gorgeous and well behaved (why do they smile for anyone wanting to take their picture except me???).  Since I am a photographer  I requested to be able to edit my own portraits, and also posed a few of them.  Here were the results.  What do ya think?


 




The family portraits I'm saving for the Christmas card.  I'll put a copy on here so you can see it then ;)

Have a great day and God bless!!

 Pin It

I'm Thankful 2012: Day 9









Today (Friday) I am thankful for organ donors, medicine, doctors, and hospitals that give second opportunities at life.  Tonight we held a celebratory family dinner for my Uncle by marriage who just successfully came through a liver transplant.  He has went from being feeble of mind and body to being robust and healthy, having soundness of mind returned to him.  It is amazing to see the transformations that God has worked in his body since the transplant.  God is a Miracle Worker and the doctors are amazing. Thank You God for Your healing Power!!!

Have a great day and God Bless!

 Pin It
  

I'm Thankful 2012: Day 8




Today (Thursday) I am thankful for financial peace.  We are attending Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University at our church, and growing from it.  Originally I was going against my will, just to appease my husband, since I thought this could NEVER work for us. He sneakily got me into it by being the coordinator of the class, and since he's over it he knew I would support him all the way by attending.
Here's the back story: My hubby has a Bachelors in Finance so I let him handle every bit of our finances. By handle I mean I refused to have anything to do with it...AT ALL, other than spending that is.  Which I now see loaded the stress on him.  He has read and listened to Dave Ramsey for years and loved him.  Me not so much. I hated Dave Ramsey even though I had never met, read, or listened to him.  All because my hubby LOVED to quote him and sing his praises from room to room in our house.
Now I am the one singing a different tune, and I'm really enjoying the class.  Learning that this COULD work for us when we work together as a team is awesome.  Also its amazing my hubby that I'm more of a nerd than he realized, and he is more of a free spirit than I am when it comes to budgeting and keeping track of things (if you dont know about nerds and free spirits go take the class you will be AMAZED to learn new aspects of yourself).
So today I am thankful for the growing financial peace I am finding in our marriage and our lives.  It is so much easier to stick to the budget when its all written out in black and white and you know exactly where your money is going. Ummm I LOVE controlling my money and not having it control me!!! Now its me saying "Dave Say's" all the time, words I never thought I would say!!  Here are a few more words I never thought I would say: THANK YOU DAVE RAMSEY!

So now I'm going to prepare for tonight's Financial Peace class. I know its going to be fun, educational, and life-changing.

Have a great day and God Bless

Pin It


Friday, November 9, 2012

I'm Thankful 2012: Day 7


Today (Wednesday) I am thankful for the beautiful colors of fall. A couple of weeks ago I substitute taught at my daughters school, and we went on a leaf hunt,  First and second graders were running around finding the best most beautiful specimens of God's handiwork they could find. Then yesterday my children ran around our yard collecting pine cones for Fall projects at school, exclaiming over how cool they were and how unique and different each pinecone was. It was a joy watching these children enjoy Fall and all of Gods beautiful ever changing creation.

How have you embraced the change in season?

Have a great day and God Bless!

Pin It

I'm Thankful 2012: Day 6


Today (Tuesday) I am thankful for the right to vote for the President of the United States today. This is a right that our forefathers and the fathers of our children today are fighting for half a world away.  The right to choose our leaders and our laws through the power of the vote. Thank you for allowing me to feel a strong civic pride by and giving me a voice in my government. Thank You for fighting for our right to vote!

Have a great day and God Bless!

Pin It

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

I'm Thankful 2012: Day 5


Today I am thankful for friends.  I enjoyed hanging out and playing volleyball with a few of my friends to night and it made me appreciate the relationships I share with those who are special in my life.  I am blessed with an abundance of friends across the country and world and on blog-land too.  I have childhood friends from school, friends from college, friends from summer camp, friends from yearly summer visits to my grandparents farm, friends I've gained by moving here to North Alabama, and friends from writing this blog.  I cherish each and every relationship that has been forged.  I am so glad that the process of making new friends isn't something that stops at a certain age, but can happen each and every day when you take the opportunity to stop and get to know someone a little better.  I made a new friend just tonight and hopefully we will have the opportunity to get together again in the future. Friends are the spice of life making every bight unique and complex in flavor.

I hope you take the opportunity to be thankful for your friends this Thanksgiving season, and maybe even share with them how much they mean to you.

Have a great day and God Bless!!


Pin It

I'm Thankful 2012: Day 4


Today (Sunday) I am thankful for the freedom to worship my God.  I live in a wonderful Country where without persecution I can publicly worship my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  I have been blessed beyond measure, and through nothing I have or could ever do had my sins washed away and been filled with the precious Holy Ghost.  I do not have to hide that I devote my life to Christ nor is there any law preventing me from sharing that news with anyone and everyone I come into contact with. I am truly thankful for this freedom. 
I dont know where you may be as you read this, I do know that I have followers from across the globe, but wherever you are I hope you are at liberty to practice your religion as you see fit and as often as you choose.  

Have a great day and God Bless!

Pin It

Sunday, November 4, 2012

I'm Thankful 2012: Day 3


I am thankful for beautiful days like today (Saturday) when an Indian summer is upon us.  It allows me to get out in nature and explore the beauty that God has created.  Beauty is all around us from the fluffy white clouds floating through the beautiful blue sky to the gorgeous vibrant leaves falling as the wind rustles them free from their limbs.  My family enjoys spending these kind of days soaking up the sun and getting the most out of these days that are all too quickly disappearing as we ease into the cold wet winter season. Thank You Lord for the beauty of your creation.

I hope you have a chance to once more experience a gorgeous day before winter completely takes its hold.  I would love to hear how you have spent these kind of days!

Have a great day and God Bless!
Pin It

Saturday, November 3, 2012

I'm Thankful 2012: Day 2



Today I am thankful for the wonderful family I married into. For my Mother and Father In-Law, my Sister and Brother In-Law, My Grandparents In-Law, Aunt and Uncle In-Laws, and Cousins In-Law.  I can NOT begin to tell you how wonderful and supportive they are each and every day.
From Nanny and Pawpaw who refused to allow me to put me now seven year old daughter into what they called "the nursing home"  (daycare) when I had to go back to work after Maternity Leave.  Seven years later and that still means so much to me that they committed then and there to love, protect, and care for my baby while I went to work no matter how long that may be.  Turned out I only worked 6 more months before God stepped in and made a way for me to stay home with my baby, but they didn't know that when they came to me expressing their desire. They still love to keep my children for a day, and occasionally overnight.
Then there's MawMaw the Matriarch or the Rogers family who will suddenly appear on my doorstep wanting to know if she can help me out in any way. She comes in like a whirlwind folding the pile of clean laundry, hanging what needs hanging, and putting it away.  If I'm not watching she will sneak doing dishes and sweeping and mopping by me too.  Making it look as if little elves have been hard at work in my home, and one has: a tenderhearted kind lady who loves to help out a busy working mother of three, making my life so much easier.
Next is the Aunts and Uncle In-Laws, and they are all a fun and crazy lot.  One set in particular is more than just an Aunt and Uncle  In-Law they are friends, and great help.  At least once a week Nena has my girls or son to stay the night or they just take them out to dinner.  My kids love to spend time with them.
Next is my cousins In-Law who I love to get together with just to have fun.  One in particular has become more than just family, she is a best friend, and more like a little sister.  There are times she stops by and I know its going to be an all night gab fest just because we can talk anything to death, and part wishing we had more time.
Then there is my Sister and Brother In-Law and their sweet baby boy. What can I say other than I really don't have to add the "In-Law" tag to them DeAnna is truly a sister and Josh a brother. There is an ease of friendship and love between us that is deeper than just a bond forged by marriage.  We worry about, help out, care for, and love each other day in and day out.  We can completely be ourselves around each other, and know that there will be no judgments passed just acceptance. I would trust them with my children any day hands down, and know they would love them and care for them like I do, no doubts ever, and I'm pretty sure they would say the same about us for their son.
Finally there is my Mother and Father In-Law who also really don't need the "In-Law" tag.  We are family through and through. They have been there for Kenneth and I from day one. They have worried, prayed, and supported us through our many life and ministry decisions always standing by our side whether they completely agreed with us or not.  They are AMAZING!  If either of them sees a need we have, before we know it, they are working to provide it, or helping us acquire it.  I can honestly say I do not have to buy my children clothes because my Mother In-Law loves to shop.  Before I can even get to the store to get school clothes she comes in the door loaded down from all the sales she has hit.  It is an amazing blessing that I probably don't thank her enough for.  There is not a holiday or birthday of mine that can go by that they don't acknowledge, and want to celebrate with me, and I know that is not the norm.  I take them for granted far too often, but I am truly thankful for their love support, and for accepting me into their family as if I had always been a part.
So to say that I am blessed and thankful is an understatement.  I have cried through typing this, because it is a matter of the heart, theirs and mine!  That we are able to get along so well and love each other so deeply is a rarity.  I truly thankful for and blessed in my extended family by marriage, and I wish this blessing up every married family.

I would love to hear about your relationship and the blessings you have found in your In-Laws so leave me a comment!

Have a great Day and God Bless!!

Pin It

Friday, November 2, 2012

I'm Thankful 2012: Day 1

November 1st is the beginning of a new holiday season and a new month. This month I am going to blog everyday until Thanksgiving about something I am thankful for. I hope you enjoy reading about it as much as I will enjoy the journey of thankfulness.



As I stated before today is the first day of many things, but most importantly it is the first day of the 10th year of marriage with my adorable hubby.  We celebrated nine wonderful years together today.  So I am thankful for those nine years and what they have meant to me.  The security of knowing that there is someone walking side by side with me through this life.  Someone who shares my hopes, dreams, and goals in life.  Someone who makes me smile by walking into a room, giving me a sweet kiss, or with a simple quirky comment.  He knows me in all my silliness, craziness, and faults and still loves me, and knowing all his, I love him still.  It is a wonderful marriage that is blessed by God.  Notice, I never said it was perfect.  That's because God allows us to continually grow as individuals and as a union of one.  I am grateful for every day of life that I have to share in this marriage. 

If you would like to join me in this challenge I have posed myself, please feel free to. I don't have a button, or any large number of bloggers that are doing this with me as a group. Its just something I would like to do to remind myself each and every day how truly blessed I am, and would love it if you did to.  Please leave me a comment if you do join me in this challenge.  I would love to hear from you, and follow your thankful journey as well!!

Have a great day and God Bless!
Pin It

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Diaper Bouquet

Okay so I couldn't come up with a cute and catchy name for this post. I usually try for a play on words, but I am so not feeling it tonight. So it is what it is...
N-E-waaaay Today I attended a baby shower for a sweet cousin of mine who is having her second son very soon.  At her last shower, about 2 years ago, I gave her a too cute diaper cake. So this time I decided to do something a little different, and give her one of those super cute Diaper Bouquets I have seen popping up all over the place in blog land. I think diapers are one of the best gifts to get at a baby shower (voice of experience here!!) so I ALWAYS try to give them. But its so boring to just give a box of diapers and a card.  I like to put a little creativity , and a little bit of myself into my gifts!


Here's the result.  My version of the Diaper Bouquet!
Now don't crucify me for the lackluster photo quality here since I forgot my camera and this was created on the fly...Sorry!
Pin It
Basically I took the diapers and rolled them up, taped the edge down, and stuck them on skewers. I did about 10 like this then I put a soft package of wipes on its end and taped the skewers to it.  Next I gently set the wipes inside the gift sack on its end with the diaper flowers sticking out of the top of the sack.  Then I did about 10 or so more diaper flowers and attached them to skewers, sticking them in the sack until it was pretty full. Next I rolled the baby wash cloths up to stick on the skewers, and added them. Then I taped the baby spoons and pacifiers to skewers and added them along with the bottle brush (You cant see the brush in this photo but it is visible in the next one taken from the other side).  Next I cut tissue paper into squares and taped them to the end of skewers to give the pops of color. Finally I tucked the extra diapers around the edge of the top of the sack to make sure all the skewers were completely hidden (kinda like you would tissue paper in a traditional gift bag.  It turned out so stinking cute and it only took me about 45 minutes to do, start to finish!! 
I think I would've fixed a few things and froo frooed (yes, that's a thing) it up a little more if I would've had some extra time, but well I didn't. Anyway here is a full shot of the whole thing.


Cuteness Huh? 
And this is actually after it had been manhandled a bit, and I remembered that I hadn't got a picture of it yet!  Oh well!

Have you tried making one of these yet? They are pretty easy, and once I watched a few YouTube how-to videos I got the hang of it pretty quick. Also, did I mention I made this whole thing while sitting in my car at a Sonic drive in???? I actually got away from the house without the kiddos for a little while (The hubs was on kid patrol), and it was the perfect time to let my creative juices flow if not the perfect place. I would love to hear about your fun baby shower gift ideas and if you have tried something like this!!

Well I hope you have a great day, and God Bless!!

Friday, October 5, 2012

Kindle Freebies!!!


Hey everyone, normally I write about a craft I have done or an activity I have completed...you know just SOMETHING.  Well not today.  I have had my blog administrator page up for about 4 days just itching to write something, but between funerals, Church, Music Department responsibilities, kids, husband, and work it has been super crazy around here.  So this is just a quick update on something interesting I found...FREE KINDLE BOOKS!!  who doesn't love the FREE stuff????  So here ya go!  I came across these awesome freebies and just had to share. I hope you enjoy!



The first book is one I have seriously needed since I have been going through closets and under beds trying to get rid of all the clutter my family of five has accumulated in the last two years since moving into this house.  Its crazy!!!  I want bare closets again like when we first moved in!! So I am going to give this a thorough read and see what wisdom I can glean to help me in this quest!!

Clutter Antidote: The Ultimate Guide To Decluttering And Organizing Your Home



So you know what happens when you start going through closets and decluttering??  You make a MESS! and since your focusing on reorganizing the deep cleaning doesn't seem to get done as much as you would like.  So my next read is this one to deep clean after I have decluttered!

The Easy Way To Clean: How to clean your house using a three times faster method



Next is a book that I found fun and interesting.  Even though we don't celebrate Halloween I LOVE and anything about costumes since I have some VERY imaginative children who love to play dress up.  As well as a drama department in our church who is always needing costumes for the next production. So I was excited to find this free costume book that even has instructables!!

Easy Halloween Costumes (Instructables Halloween)



Then by the same authors is this free Halloween Food book.  Umm, FREE RECIPES??  LOOOOVE,  and I can use them for things other than Halloween.  so... SCORE!

Halloween Food (Instructables Halloween)


I hope you enjoy these freebies as much as I plan to. Please feel free to share in the comments any freebies you come across.  I love a good bargain!!

I hope you have a great day!  And God Bless!!!

Pin It