Day 14 – 26 of Gratitude

 

I am going to count it backwards….. Sorry I got off here. I kept up on my personal facebook, but I haven’t been at the computer much, and blogging via the mobile app, just doesn’t do it for me. Be sure to click the banner for other Gratitude posts.

 

Day 26 - I am so thankful for the closeness I have gained, the openness, and friendship with my cousin, Lena. I hate we missed out on a lot over the years, but hope the 2 of us, never let that happen again! I love ya so much! More than ya know! Thank you for being such a blessing!

Day 25 - I am thankful for the Truck Drivers that keep this Country going. They transport supplies of all sorts. They get the goods from place to place, so that you and I can enjoy what we want and need! Without them delivering the goods, people would be without jobs in many areas. They are a vital part of what makes this country work! Not to mention in this crazy time we live in, the dangers and threats they face. SO thank you to all the Truck Drivers out there!!!!

 

Day 24- I am thankful for the Christmas Decorations. I get to sit and enjoy the twinkling lights, the pretty pieces, and the every so special pieces that can never be replaced! After getting rid of so much, I am really enjoying the simplicity of what we have out! I am thankful for the peacefulness and beauty I get to enjoy, as well as all the memories that the pieces spark!!! Likes though special gifts from those near and dear to us, or the pieces my hubby painted me, or those that were my dear Momma’s and Grandmother’s. What we have is full of special memories and lots of love!

 

Day 23 - I am thankful for hubby's time off and the time we get together. He works long hours and never complains, and misses out on so much that is going on with the girls and myself. I really couldn't ask for more. And it makes the time together so much more appreciated. It was great to have Thanksgiving yesterday, and then today and all weekend together. And in a month another 4 day weekend and a 2nd to start the new year!

 

Day 22 - I am thankful for the most awesome memories made this Blessed Thanksgiving Day. Our family cooked and baked and laughed together. It was one of the best days in awhile. Each of the girls had a special one on one time helping mommy! Just Mommy, Daddy and the 2 girls did the all the cooking, but it was wonderful. We had an awesome Thanksgiving together, plus our friends joined us for a nice visit and yummy food. I am so blessed and very thankful!

 

Day 21 - I am thankful, we caught our friends dog. We were dog sitting and he got out. We chased by foot and car. I cried so hard, I am sick. Ran faster than I ever have. No matter my battle scars and wounds, I'd do it a zillion more times. All that mattered is that sweet dog was caught and safe. It crushed me. And yet then was so thankful.

 

Day 20 I am thankful to have my Little Bit back home!!

 

Day 19 - I am thankful to the ones who took care of my sweet fur baby. as she was missing, and ended up in the city pound! I was beyond devastated that she got lost. My sweet baby girl is 12 years old and blind. So she was really lost.

 

Day 18 - I am thankful that my hubby supports and encourages me to do what i want, craft! He is awesome! And often joins in on the creations! We are a great team!

 

Day 17 - Today I am thankful for adoption, it made me a momma! Btw, it's National Adoption Day. Without adoption, i wouldn't have my girls. My heart would ache. I know so many that were adopted, and can't imagine them having other parents. And I know so many blessed to have their children via adoption. Most of these would never have known parenthood without adoption! We may not birth these children, but they are ours! We love just as much as biological parents do. It really is a beautiful blessing! And I am here to say it's a special gift from God. I am honestly thankful adoption was the route he choose for me. Happy National Adoption Day!

 

Day 16 ~ I am thankful for a special love I witnessed for many years! A love that was unconditional! It wasn't just a love between and husband and wife, it was a love between them and for their kids and later their grandkids. It was truly unconditional and real! There were never no labels, not step, not yours/mine, not adopted. We were all theirs and that is just the way it was! They stood by each

other through it all. It wasn't perfect, it wasn't fantasy, but it was real and true, and something I have and always will aspire to keep. I watched them hurt for each other, and for all of us kids and grandkids and great grandkids. And they were always there! For the good, the bad, and everything in between!! They took in their son in laws and grand son in laws, just as if they were their own kids and grandkids. And today I am really thankful of this great example of what love is and should always be!!! I can't ever say thank you enough to my Daddy, Bobby and my Angel Momma, Tommie. They really are the BEST and showed by example of that special love that is rare!!!! I always knew that I'd never marry unless I had that kind of love, and I am proud to say I do. We are really close to making 13 years of marriage, and it's been far from pretty and sure wasn't easy. We have faced some really hard times and lots of set backs, but we have always come through. And never gave up our love for each other, or our children! The 1st trip to the hospital that, James, stood by myside, and it was nasty, scary and icky.. He stayed right with me.. 17 long hours and then carried me home and cared for me, I knew that I had that special rare love that I had witnessed and dreamed of!!! We get on each others nerves, we are both hard headed, and we often both want it our way! You could say the hard to love song is both of our theme song at times, and as I said the other day She aint right, but she is just right for him, is true! I couldn't be with anyone else! There is NO OTHER that could make me this happy, love me the way he does, love our kids and my parents the way he does! I am truly double blessed to be part of that special kind of love! Once as a daugther, and 2nd as wife and mother!

 

Day 15 - I am thankful that my friend told me of what has been going on at our local wal-Mart. I am thankful of that, because i knew this morning, when the stupid guy tried to get me. I am thankful he didn't. I am thankful my husband came packing, to walk me out and protect me. ....  Beware and do not let your guard down. It was 9:15 in the morning!

 

Day 14 – I  am thankful for the littlest things in my life! The ones that mean nothing to anyone else, but mean tons to me.

 

Hugs and Blessings,

Pinned It, Made It Monday

Have you seen all the rave on Pinterest about the Sharpie Plates? Well he is one that I pinned......

What you do, is decorate the plate with sharpies. Then bake at 350 for 30 minutes................

So I had to try my hand at it....
I did these cups, after I did my first plate... These are mine and hubby's cups for our upcoming anniversary! Just something cute for us.




Then I did this plate with a recipe for a sweet and special friend....... She saw it today and was totally in love!!!




I also saw on pinterest the washer necklaces, they were layered with 2 washers and wrote on with a Sharpie, then baked, like the plates. I did a few up. But I added some beads, and only did one washer.



Hope you enjoy these projects! I can't wait to for everyone that is getting them to see them.

Hugs and Blessings,

Day 11, 12, 13

 

(click on button to be taken there)

 

Day 11  - I am thankful for our Brave Veterans. Without them, where would we be? Thank you is by far not enough. And coming from a family line that served, it is something huge to my heart! Thank you to all!!!

 

Day 12 - I am so thankful that I was home, and in the room, when the ceiling fan shorted out and started smoking. It was a terrible site, and more than that, my babies saw and it scared them. I am thankful my neighbor came and checked it out. I am thankful it didn't catch total fire. The burn smell was terrible. God was protecting us for sure. I hate to think of the what it would be like, had I not been right there!

 

Day 13 - I am thankful for the people God has brought to us, to share some deep rooted beliefs and plans with. It is great to have them in our lives.

 

Hugs and Blessings,

Day 10

Day 10 - I am thankful for the start of our Christmas time. Movies, music, and we  started decorating, then we snuggled up as a family watching Arthur Christmas tonight. It really brings a smile to my face and joy to my heart. I watch Christmas movies and even listen to Christmas music all year long.. I can't get enough. I love everything Christmas.

Hugs and Blessings,

Christmas Tree Decorating 2011 (lots of pics)

 

It was right before Thanksgiving, and since Daddy was at work, the girls and I went ahead and decorated their Christmas tree.

 

I just couldn’t resist their precious faces.

 

I made them each the bottle cap ornament, and the other one they picked out.

 

 

 

all finished, and 2 little cutie pies.

 

Then it’s time to do the main tree! I was so upset, but we didn’t do it Thanksgiving night, so we did it the day after Thanksgiving. But it was a really nice time for all.

 

  

 

They light up my life!!!

 

   

 

Each of the girls with their ornament for the big tree. Lil E picked out Hello Kitty and K Bug picked Dora.

 

 

 

 

 

In 2009, us 3 girls each got a dragon fly. So they were showing them before they hung them on the tree.

 

 

Daddy starts the tree and finishes. He always places our Angel on top the tree when we are done decorating it.

All finished.

 

 

Hugs and Blessings,

Day 6 – Day 10

 

Click the button and you will be taken to many more that are taking part in the Gratitude Challenge.

Day 6 I'm thankful that God will never forsake or leave me, and that he is my refuge! Tonight with the election results rolling in, I really have to be thankful that God is with me, because other wise I can’t imagine getting through this.

 

Day 7 ~ I am thankful for the FREEDOMS that I will not give up!!! That is first and foremost, my Bible will never be taken!!! My Family will stand firm on the word of God!!! My freedom to HOMESCHOOL my children!!! The right to my GUNS!!! Yes these are MY RIGHTS, and I will keep them!!!

 

Day 8 ~ I am thankful for the love of cooking and baking! But more than that, I am so thankful for the wonderful women who have taught me how to do such! My precious Momma! She always let me he help her and we cooked so much together! I miss the all nighters on Christmas eve cooking and baking! Or the fun we had preparing for all the gatherings. Or what about how awesome it is that she taught me how to stretch the food and dollar!  Or any of the other special memories we shared together. I also gained her love of feeding others! It’s truly my pleasure to cook for other people. So we often have people over.  My Sister, Laura, taught me to cook and eat and try different stuff than the traditional southern comfort foods.  We would make all kinds of stuff. And she was the griller! Growing up, my dad pretty much did burgers and hotdogs on the grill. And Laura taught me all the awesome stuff to grill out! I’d say let’s get together and grill this and make this for dinner! Great memories and times! A couple of near and dear friends (Melanie, Paula, and Tanya) have shared some pretty awesome and special recipes and taught me some tricks along the way! And my sweet friend, Nichole and I started canning together, and it has been a blessing to me and my family many times! Not to mention the fun we had doing so! I’ll never forget that first day of canning together! Boy howdy, were we in for a shock! You should have seen our to do list! And well into the night, we had to say, ok, we just can’t finish it all this day. But it was fun and taught us a lot! Aunt Bobbie Johnson taught me to finally make real gravy!!! And tonight was the first time I ever made it and it come out right! She taught me last month when they were visiting and I was so happy and thankful.  I am thankful for all the expertise and help along the way! It's really awesome and so special!!!! I'm truly thankful!!!!

 

Day 9 - I am so thankful for the laughter I had today! Watching the girls play in the leaves and boy did we all laugh! They were jumping and flipping and laughing! It’s one of my favorite things of fall. Then tonight while on the phone with my friend, there was the strange guy that was sharing his wild story (I havent laughed that hard in a long time!) The silliest things brought such laughter today! Laughter is truly the best medicine.

 

What are you thankful for? Are you doing the 30 days of Gratitude? I’d love to hear from all of you!

 

Hugs and Blessings,

Faithful Friday – Sometimes I Cry

 

 

I am here to participate in Faithful Friday’s with Joy. Click on the button to be taken there for more Faithful Friday posts.

 

This week has left me in a very different position. I am beyond saddened with the election, and disheartened by the lack of morals in this country today. So I have been in a very different place this week. Sad, worried, and even down right scared about some stuff. Enough that I have found myself crying. And even in some pretty heated conversations. I have been told I am crazy and much more. But the fact remains, I am the same person, and stand strong on my beliefs and convictions from the Lord. So this morning I saw Jason Crabb on the Maria show on the Hallmark Channel, and he sang this song. (click on song to see video and hear it) It moved me greatly. And I hope that no matter where you are, or what is going on in your life, that this help you know you are not alone, in your feelings.

 

“But sometimes I hurt and sometimes I cry
sometimes I can't get it right
no matter how hard I seem to try
sometimes I fall down
stumble over my own disguise
I try to look strong
as the whole world looks on
but sometimes alone I cry
I try to speak faith
never give the devil one inch to get in
I do worship and praise
let everybody know just where that I stand”

 

 

I am praying for all and for our country. I know that through this all, that God is here, and will not forsake us, we just have to keep calling on him, and stand strong on our faith.

 

Hugs and Blessings,

Day 4 and Day 5

Day 4 - I am very thankful for my family, those by blood and the chosen ones. I can't imagine my life without them. We may not always see things the same way, but we do love each other unconditionally. And the times we are together are spent making priceless memories. Like yesterday, my sister, her grandson and I sat and played skipbo while making a yummy dinner, here at my dad's. Or when Grandma and our Aunts visited us last month. We had so much fun. We didnt do much, but it was great to play games and hang out.  I am very thankful for them and our times together.

Day 5 - today I am very thankful for my parents. Yes my Mom is an angel watching over us, and my dad's health is fading fast, they still are and always will be a super huge part of who I am, and who I will always be. They have always taught me I am worth it, I could be what I wanted, and I could do anything that I wanted. They taught me to never give up, to fight for what I believe and wanted, and to always do the right thing. They were always my biggest supporters and cheerleaders. They have always been there through the good and the bad, standing by us.. They love their son in laws, just as they do their daughters. Not only are they the greatest parents ever, but they are wonderful grandparents. I wouldn't be who I am today without them.

Hugs and blessings,

Day 2 and Day 3

Day 2 - I am very thankful for the blessing of my wls. It really has saved my life. I did not realize how bad off I was. I thought I was doing pretty good, even though I was so sick. But never realized just how terrible shape I was in.  NOW I can do so  more with my family. I am able to be a better mom and wife. And I feel so much better.

Day 3 - I am so thankful for my precious girls.  They are our everything, and such a precious gift via adoption. They are what keeps me going and striving harder to make this world a better place. They are my greatest joy. They are why I do all I do. They bring us so much pride and happiness beyond yojr imagination! Its the littlest things. I love yall both with all I am. And I always will.

Hugs and Blessings

Day 1 of Gratitude

 

I’m have not been faithful in blogging and have wanted to get back into blogging regularly, but it has been out of my habit and not always what’s on my mind. But I am taking this challenge in hoping this will help me.

 

Today I am thankful that I am blessed with a husband that is all about our family of 4, and gives me a helping hand! He helps out so much without me even asking. He helps with the kids. Just this past Sunday, we were up getting ready for Church, and I had not been feeling so good for several days. Bless his sweet heart. Even though I had other outfits planned, he tried to select the outfit and get them all dressed, so that I could just finish off their hair. He is always doing stuff. I hear from many of my friends, if he could teach her hubby or if I could clone him. I mean I try to do so much for him and out family, but it’s so awesome that he will just do whatever he can for me or us without anyone saying a word to him.

 

Click the button and be taken to the Gratitude Challenge.

 

Hugs and Blessings,