Day 30 in 30 days of thanks!

Today, I am giving thanks for everything I neglected to mention.  I have so much to be thankful for. 30 days doesn’t even begin to cover it. I have really enjoyed finding one thing to thank Him for every day this month. Although I have to admit, this month just flew by. May I constantly have a heart of thanks and not just be thankful at Thanksgiving time, but every day of the year.

Catch up...in 30 days of thanks!

Well, we got a little busy and sometimes the blog gets put on the back burner so to speak.  So let me catch up....

Day 23: Today I am thankful that I am able to stay home with the boys. Its a blessing to be able to watch them grow and mature into the little guys they are becoming. To teach them, to play with them, to care for them...its a blessing to me! 


Day 24: Today I am thankful for stain remover! I know...really...but if you are a Mom you completely understand. With three boys  and two in particular are very messy eaters...a stain remover quickly becomes your best friend. 

Day 25: Today I am thankful for sunrises and sunsets. Each a beauty and with each is a chance to start all over! 

Day 26: Today I am thankful for the beautiful weather we have been having, its a rare thing at the end of November to be out and about in just a sweater. 

Day 27: Today, I am giving thanks for God’s master plan.  It’s so funny. So many times when I talk to God, I find myself telling Him how I think things should be. I have an “I want it now” type of attitude that I am constantly working to change. I need to remember that God has a perfect plan for my life. When I let Him have control, that’s when things just fall into place – no matter what the situation. I read a quote the other day that perfectly sums this up: “even though the rest of my life is a mystery to me, God knows every word from once upon a time to the end.” It’s all in His control – just as it should be.



Day 28: Today, I am giving thanks for the luxuries of life… have food in my cupboards, a car that gets me where I need to go, a warm bed to sleep in, running water, clothes to wear, and so many little luxuries that I take for granted every day. May I be careful to give thanks for ALL things.


Day 29:  I am blessed to know many people that serve in the military. They sacrifice and give more than anyone else I know. I am so thankful for those who have given so much so that I can be free. Words cannot express how thankful I am to those serving in our military – and to their families for allowing them to go. 

Day 22 in 30 Days of thanks!

Day 22 in 30 days of thanks...

Music

 I am thankful for music! We have music going in our home almost all day long.  My boys love it and a lot of the time you will find them with drumsticks or an air guitar in their hand and dancing and singing along.  Music really can be calming when you are having a bad day, motivation for working out and cleaning.  I also love Christmas music and I confess we have been listening to it already.

Thank you Lord for the gift of music.

What are you thankful for today? 

Day 21 in 30 Days of thanks!

Today, as it's cold and raining outside, I am particularly thankful for my home,  for the roof and walls, and heat.  I am thankful for the protection it provides from the elements, and that it is a place to rest, connect, and rejuvenate. 

What are you thankful for today? 

Day 20 in 30 Days of thanks!

Day 20 in 30 days of thanks! 

Today I am thankful for memories.  I am thankful for memories made with those still in my life, memories we make and continue to make.  I am thankful for memories of loved ones who are no longer on this earth, as well. 

Memories can never leave our hearts.  Memories are precious gifts that we can hold onto and treasure for the rest of our lives.  God gives us precious moments, fun times, good talks, words of wisdom, and time with others as a gift.  

  Most important, live each moment of life completely and enjoy time with those special to you.  

Celebrate life!  

Build a treasure chest of memories for all in your life! 

Life brings simple pleasures to us every day. It is up to us to make them wonderful memories. 

Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose. 

Creating memories is a priceless gift. Memories will last a lifetime; things only a short-period of time. 

Memories are the most beautiful pictures our minds can paint, and nothing can ever erase them.  

Quote of the day!

Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious, do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it.

-Mother Theresa

Day 19 in 30 days of thanks!

Day 19 in 30 days of thanks series...I'm thankful for 

Nieces and Nephews

We love all our nieces and nephews.  

We enjoy the time together, watching them grow up to be the great kiddos they are.  

Its hard to believe how old they are getting, its making me feel old. 

What are you thankful for today? 

Day 18 in 30 days of thanks!

Day 18 in 30 days of thanks series...I'm thankful for 

for these words "Mommy can I cuddle with you?" 

Our boys are cuddly little guys.  The each wake wanting to be held in the morning and want to fall asleep with you. 

What are you thankful for today? 

Day 17 in 30 days of Thanks!

Day 17 in 30 days of thanks series...I'm thankful for 

for the absurd giggles of brothers who were fighting only a minute ago. 

What are you thankful for today? 

Day 16 in 30 Days of Thanks

Day 16 in 30 days of thanks series...I'm thankful for 

Dancing with my boys. 

The boys often ask for Mommy to dance with them. I love it, and its wonderful exercise.  This time of year we dance around the kitchen singing at the top of lungs Christmas songs. I love it, and am so thankful for my loving, sweet little boys. 

What are you thankful for today?

Day 15 in 30 Days of Thanks!

Day 15 in 30 days of thanks series...I'm thankful for 

Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte......Chick Fil A's  Diet Lemonade. 

I know I know.... really?  Well not everyday can I be sappy.  I am thankful for these drinks that quench my thirst. 

What are you thankful for today? 

Day 14 in 30 days of thanks!

 Day 14 in 30 days of thanks...today I am thankful for...

 Friends

I am thankful for good friends. Friends where if you happen to not speak to them for a while (because you are thousands of miles apart) or just busy that when you do meet up, you pick up right where you left off. No one skipped a step. Friends where if you need anything, they will just drop what they're doing and help out. Friends who you are lucky enough to have known since you were five and still have the privilege of calling them a friend and friends that you have known only a short period of time but they feel like sisters and brothers. It's amazing and a surely a blessing. 

What are you thankful for today? 

Day 13 in 30 days of thanks!

Day 13 in 30 days of thanks series I am thankful for ...

Weekends. 

Our weekends we cherish as its our "FAMILY time"  On the weekends we typically find time to relax a little, laugh, shop, and go on adventures. I love the time when my husband, boys and I are all together enjoying quality time. So today I am thankful for weekends... a time to relax, reflect and refresh. 

What are you thankful for today?

Road Less Traveled

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;


Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear,
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,


And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I marked the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way
I doubted if I should ever come back.


I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference. 


- Robert Frost

Day 12 in 30 days of thanks!

Day 12 in the 30 days of thanks series ...I am thankful for

Sweet-little Moments.

At 7 in the morning Owen requested making cookies.  Yes he's our sweet tooth boy; however, he knew he wouldn't be able to make them.  He just wanted to bake them.  So we baked some and after lunch enjoyed some delicious Christmas cookies.   The boys are each so loving and kind hearted.  I feel very blessed to be able to stay home and take care of them and watch them grow daily into the boys they are becoming.

What are you thankful for?

Dear Jesus

Day 11 in 30 days of thanks!

Day 11 in the 30 days of thanks series ...I am thankful for 


Aunt Vanessa. 

I'm thankful for Vanessa today. Her uplifting words, faith and strength in God is so uplifting and often inspiring to me.  I am thankful for her words of encouragement when going through a difficult time and for knowing when asked she will be praying with you until you get the answer. 

Thank you God for Vanessa and Steve. 

What are you thankful for today? 

Day 10 in 30 days of thanks!

Day 10 in the 30 days of thanks series ...I am thankful for 

Aaron & Kelly. 

The holidays are quickly approaching and the one thing I look forward to is our time together with Aaron Kelly and the girls.  I am very very blessed to have them as my brother in law and sister in law. 

 This summer I enjoyed the rare chance that Kelly and I got to get away and do a little shopping.  I cherish the memories I have of our times together and look forward to the many more memories we will create. I am thankful for their love and constant support for us, for the laughter we share, late night games.  We love you both. 

Day 9 in 30 days of thanks.

 Day #9 in continuing the 30 days of thanks...I am thankful for


Aunt Monica. 


I am very blessed to have Monica in my life. Before Andrew and I got married he shared how his Aunt Monica was always there for him, how she was there the day he wrecked his motor cycle and she was there the day we could have loss Andrew in the car accident.  This hasn't changed since we got married.  She has always been there for us as well.  Over the past few months I have admired her strength and faith in God.  Im thankful for her love and constant support. I honestly could not have asked for a better in law family.  "Maw-ica" as she is often called in our house is a blessing not only to Andrew and I but to our boys.  When we visit "home" the boys ask us on our way if they will see "Aunt Mawica".   


What are you thankful for today? 

Day 8 in 30 days of thanks!

 Day #8 in continuing the 30 days of thanks...I am thankful for

Laughter. 

There have been days when laughter is the only thing that kept my sanity. If you haven’t heard my boys laugh…You should. They all have laughs that are contagious. No matter how bad my day is or how sad I may be, if I hear my boys laugh then I will (without a doubt) start laughing. Sometimes (ssh…you can’t tell them) on my bad days, I do everything in my power to make my kids laugh (usually via tickling) just to put a smile on my face.  And typically when I’m tickling my laughing children, a smile forms and I start laughing. And suddenly my bad day doesn’t seem bad at all. Laughter can do that. And because of that, I will always be thankful for the power of laughter.

“The human race has only one really effective weapon and that is laughter.” -Mark Twain

What are you Thankful for today?

Day 7 in 30 days of thanks!

 Day #7 in continuing the 30 days of thanks...I am thankful for

Amanda

My sister in law, my best friend.

I am so very thankful for my sister in law.  I cherish our times together, emails, texts, and phone calls.    I'm thankful that I can be myself with her, I can share the joys and aches and pains of motherhood without being judge.  I'm thankful that in a time when I was emotional, going through a difficult time, just after suffering from the miscarriage that for whatever reason God directed us to start communicating more and now two little boys later she is still there for me. I'm thankful for her love, her constant support, her friendship and her kindred spirit. 

Thank you God for placing Amanda in my life, for allowing us to be as close as we are and for the wonderful Aunt she is to the boys.  

What are you thankful for today? 

Day 5 and 6 in 30 days of Thanks!

 Day #5 and #6  in continuing the 30 days of thanks...I am thankful for

My in laws. 

Mike & Debbie

 I am very blessed to be part of such a wonderful family.   I'm so thankful for their constant love and support, their willingness to always be there for any one of their children and grandchildren.  Our boys adore their Mommaw and Poppaw and count down the days until they see them again.  I'm thankful for the move back to Ohio that has allowed us to be closer and do more with our family.  We have really enjoyed the summer of zoo visits, cook outs, bike rides, birthday parties and we look forward to the holiday season.   Thank you for loving me as your own, thank you for always being there for me, and thank you for your constant encouragement to continue to always be a better person.  I love you!

Grandma Dorma and Grandpa George. 

I am thankful for the wonderful blessing that Andrew's grandparents are to me.   They are truly the ideal role model of what a Godly-Marriage should be.  Im so very thankful to be blessed to have them in our boys life's.  Owen adores his "Grandpa George, he loves his Grandma Dorma too...but there is not a day that goes by that he doesn't ask about Poppaw Mike, Grandpa George and Aunt Monica.  I cherish the memories I have of our times together...first time fishing with Grandpa, preparing our 1st Thanksgiving dinner with Grandma and the wonderful Lilly family Christmas parties. I love you both. Thank you for everything. 




Thank you God for placing these four wonderful people in my life.   I love them and hope that I can be there for them as they have always been for me. 


What are you thankful for today?! 

Quote of the day!

"Once the storm is over you won’t remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won’t even be sure, in fact, whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what this storm’s all about."

- Haruki Murakami

Day #4 in 30 Days of thanks.

Day #4 in continuing the 30 days of thanks...I am thankful for

Health. 

Each day I am reminded how truly blessed we are.  
Thank you God for the things I daily forget to thank you for. 

Day #3 in 30 days of Thanks!

Day #3 in continuing the 30 days of thanks...I am thankful for

My boys. 

Jacob, Owen and Carter....complete me.  

To think that a doctor told us just over eight years ago that the probability of having children would be impossible and to look at the MIRACLES that God has given us is one of the most amazing blessings I have. 

I am so thankful that God blessed us with three adorable miracles. 

I'm so thankful that I have been blessed to stay home and watch these little babies grow into 

such kind hearted, passionate and loving-cuddly little boys.  

Day #2 in 30 days of Thanks!

Day #2 in continuing the 30 days of thanks...I am thankful for

MY HUSBAND. 

Today, I am thankful for a loving husband Andrew. He has stuck by my side through ups and downs over the past 10 years we have been together. He always seems to have the right words to cheer me up when I am down, to encourage me and be the spiritual leader that I and our boys need. 

There are not enough words to describe how grateful I am to have Andrew as my husband, my soul mate. 

I am one lucky gal to have been truly blessed to marry my Prince Charming.  

He's my best friend, my comforter, my kindred spirit, my love, my constant, my everything.  

While I thought that this feeling would be impossible, I love him more today than the day I married him. 

30 Days of Thanks!

Please join me in my "30 Days of Thanks" series!

Sometimes we get so caught up in our daily life happenings that we forget or don’t always have the time to sit down and think about what we are thankful for.  I am guilty of this!! I feel like I am always so busy, trying to get ahead, trying to get caught up on laundry, trying to make improvements, trying to get things done, that I forget to be thankful for what I already have in my life.  

What is truly important to us? 

What brings us true happiness? 

What has God so graciously provided for us? 

These are questions I am asking myself, not only this month, but from now on.  

So in honor of Thanksgiving and the holiday season, I am taking the month of November to share what I am thankful for every day.  

Nov 1: 

My relationship with God. 

Over the course of this past year a lot of things have happened in my life and in each instance I could see God working in my life,  molding me to the person He needs me to be.  This year we found a church that has been a great fit for our family.  Our boys enjoy going to their classes and making new friends, even Carter is getting to the point where he enjoys his class.  I'm very thankful that God directed us to Vista.  A few weeks ago I found Owen quoting verses that he has learned, what a blessing that is to hear your little 2 year old say "Lord show me your ways and teach me how to follow You"!

What are you thankful for today?