(Flashback to November 2015...)
I love this time of year. I became particularly fond of Thanksgiving. It is by far one of my very very favorite times of the year. I love to spend time with our little family really digging in to what it means to experience and feel gratitude. I think gratitude transforms you. It gives you quite a different outlook. It's often easy to identify things that are wrong or things that we don't like, but when you start to really examine what's good, it seems to change ordinary things, moments, and relationships into more. I won't even pretend that I will blog once a day, every day in November, because that won't happen, and I would already be really behind, but I want to just take a moment to recount some of my dearest, most treasured gifts. The ones that show me the meaning of Thanksgiving. The ones that fill my heart. They of course will be in no particular order of importance, I just think it's important to take the time to do it. :)
Things that put Thanksgiving in my heart:
Our Creator. The Creator of all things. God. The very One who puts breath in our lungs and gave us life. And not just life, but abundant life! Abundant is also defined as plentiful. Plentiful life! What a beautiful image.
My Rock. My person. The one He made just for me. Chris has been by my side for 15 years and made me better just by being there. We have shared an amazing 10 years of marriage and pray for as many more as God will allow! He found me when I needed him most and hasn't left my side since. He leads us, he provides for us, he loves us, and he puts up with us. What more could I ask for? ;) I could try forever to find words that would say enough, but there just aren't any. For this man, I am so very very grateful.
My oldest son, Grayson. My strong-willed, handsome, entertaining, quirky, boy. The one who introduced me to motherhood, and each new season that comes with that. He's intuitive and curious. He's wonderful and bright. He questions everything and has great faith. I am so thankful for the opportunity to mother him, school him, and learn with him.
My daughter, Ada Grayce. My beautiful, gentle, loving princess. She lives in her own little fairy tale and I love it! She has shown us how deeply a daughter can love and deeply we can love a daughter. She sparkles and shines. She's the bookworm, the studious one. She loves art and rainbows, butterflies and nature. She's our girl!
My baby boy, Grady. He's wise and quiet. He speaks up when necessary and observes the world around him with great purpose. He seems filled with an old soul. Common sense seems his virtue and what a wonderful thing to have! His smile runs right away with your heart. He's our baby and we love every stubborn toddler bit of him! ;)
Running. I never thought I would be thankful for such a thing, but yall! It's so wonderful! It's changed so much in my life, for my sweet and I.
Homeschooling. This has been such a surprise blessing in our life! We had NO idea when we started on this parenting journey that we would be where we are today, but I am so glad that God nudges us to go where He wants us. I can't imagine my life without the experience of homeschooling. It has taught me SOO much. So much about my children and so much about myself. It is an honor to have this opportunity and I can't wait to see how we learn and grow over the years.
Opportunities. My mom always called a problem an opportunity. I like that. It's a chance to dig deep see what you're made of! And I guarantee, no matter how great the opportunity is, you come out better, stronger, and changed for good, when it's all over. Life is full of them, that's a fact. Some we see coming and some we don't. This year actually proved to include one of the worst days of my life to date, and we made it. We survived and we are stronger. We love a little deeper. We understand life just a little more. And we know that God is good. Ever present.
Faith. Faith to face those opportunities with hope and grace. Faith that God has already worked out His mighty plan. Faith to allow Him to lead the future. I am so thankful I don't have to be responsible for all of this, but it was a gift given to me by Our Heavenly Father.
My mom. Though we live a good distance apart now, I am forever grateful for the life she gave to my siblings and I. We used to see each other multiple times a week and talk on the phone many times between visits. She was right there, without question, any time I needed her. She helped me through my early years of being a wife and mother. She was everything a daughter needed when I needed it most. The phone calls may be once a week and the visits every two or three weeks, but they are cherished!
My mother and father-in-love. They are angels. Truly. They have put up with me for many many years! ;) God knew I needed them! He is the one who showed me how a daddy can love. The hugs, text, advice...a real daddy! And my mother-in-love is nothing short of an angel. Their love for one another is a beautiful example for their children and grandchildren.
My church. Our church is just a building. The building where we met, got married, and our children were baptized, but it's just a building. It's the people. The people inside that make it so special. There are some who have adopted us and the children as their own. When people love your children and show them Jesus day and day out, you can not ask for a single thing more! There are some who live so beautifully and are such wonderful examples. It's filled with people I have been honored to know and pray my children will reap the same benefits from knowing them as I have.
Family. Grandparents, brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles and everyone else. The generations that went before us and paved the way. The current generations that we share our lives with and the future generations that we have began to mold. Family is such a treasured gift. Such a wonderful network of people connected by a common bond.
Sewing machines. Sewing is a sweet release for me. I absolutely love to sit and make a fun little dress or some other project. I am so thankful for the ability and the love He gave me for it. Sewing room is definitely one of my happy places!
Friends. The ones who pick you up when you're down, encourage you when your running out of steam, laugh with you and cry with you. I'm an introvert, so my circle is small, but each and every one is so cherished.
Chocolate! Although this year I have gotten much more control over my love of chocolate, let's be honest...I LOVE it! Anything dark chocolate and I'm in! It makes the world a better place! ;)
And while we are on food, I must not leave off Diet Dr. Pepper. Yep! It's true, it's not even close to being on my clean eating list of foods, but it's my one guilty pleasure! ;) I have very few now, but haven't quite been able to give them up completely! They make me happy!
Church. Our church and church family is awesome! These are the people who nurtured us and helped us grow into the adults we are. They fully supported and celebrated with us as we began our marriage journey and have welcomed each of our children with such open loving arms! They are absolutely a wonderful bunch of people!
Freedom. I think we all too often take this for granted because we have not lived in a time when our freedom was limited. We have all the freedom to worship, celebrate, and live how we see fit, and there are some who will never ever know what that feels like. I am grateful to live in such a place that this is possible and pray that it is something we will never see end. We may live freely for Jesus and that is a gift.
These are just a few of the things that everyday fill my life with Thanksgiving. They remind me of God's goodness and grace. And for that, I am so thankful!
So, there it is! My January Thanksgiving post! May you continue to celebrate Thanksgiving in your heart and mind, even now, months later, and as this year continues on! Happy Thanksgiving! ;)
Running. I never thought I would be thankful for such a thing, but yall! It's so wonderful! It's changed so much in my life, for my sweet and I.
Homeschooling. This has been such a surprise blessing in our life! We had NO idea when we started on this parenting journey that we would be where we are today, but I am so glad that God nudges us to go where He wants us. I can't imagine my life without the experience of homeschooling. It has taught me SOO much. So much about my children and so much about myself. It is an honor to have this opportunity and I can't wait to see how we learn and grow over the years.
Opportunities. My mom always called a problem an opportunity. I like that. It's a chance to dig deep see what you're made of! And I guarantee, no matter how great the opportunity is, you come out better, stronger, and changed for good, when it's all over. Life is full of them, that's a fact. Some we see coming and some we don't. This year actually proved to include one of the worst days of my life to date, and we made it. We survived and we are stronger. We love a little deeper. We understand life just a little more. And we know that God is good. Ever present.
Faith. Faith to face those opportunities with hope and grace. Faith that God has already worked out His mighty plan. Faith to allow Him to lead the future. I am so thankful I don't have to be responsible for all of this, but it was a gift given to me by Our Heavenly Father.
My mom. Though we live a good distance apart now, I am forever grateful for the life she gave to my siblings and I. We used to see each other multiple times a week and talk on the phone many times between visits. She was right there, without question, any time I needed her. She helped me through my early years of being a wife and mother. She was everything a daughter needed when I needed it most. The phone calls may be once a week and the visits every two or three weeks, but they are cherished!
My mother and father-in-love. They are angels. Truly. They have put up with me for many many years! ;) God knew I needed them! He is the one who showed me how a daddy can love. The hugs, text, advice...a real daddy! And my mother-in-love is nothing short of an angel. Their love for one another is a beautiful example for their children and grandchildren.
My church. Our church is just a building. The building where we met, got married, and our children were baptized, but it's just a building. It's the people. The people inside that make it so special. There are some who have adopted us and the children as their own. When people love your children and show them Jesus day and day out, you can not ask for a single thing more! There are some who live so beautifully and are such wonderful examples. It's filled with people I have been honored to know and pray my children will reap the same benefits from knowing them as I have.
Family. Grandparents, brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles and everyone else. The generations that went before us and paved the way. The current generations that we share our lives with and the future generations that we have began to mold. Family is such a treasured gift. Such a wonderful network of people connected by a common bond.
Sewing machines. Sewing is a sweet release for me. I absolutely love to sit and make a fun little dress or some other project. I am so thankful for the ability and the love He gave me for it. Sewing room is definitely one of my happy places!
Friends. The ones who pick you up when you're down, encourage you when your running out of steam, laugh with you and cry with you. I'm an introvert, so my circle is small, but each and every one is so cherished.
Chocolate! Although this year I have gotten much more control over my love of chocolate, let's be honest...I LOVE it! Anything dark chocolate and I'm in! It makes the world a better place! ;)
And while we are on food, I must not leave off Diet Dr. Pepper. Yep! It's true, it's not even close to being on my clean eating list of foods, but it's my one guilty pleasure! ;) I have very few now, but haven't quite been able to give them up completely! They make me happy!
Church. Our church and church family is awesome! These are the people who nurtured us and helped us grow into the adults we are. They fully supported and celebrated with us as we began our marriage journey and have welcomed each of our children with such open loving arms! They are absolutely a wonderful bunch of people!
Freedom. I think we all too often take this for granted because we have not lived in a time when our freedom was limited. We have all the freedom to worship, celebrate, and live how we see fit, and there are some who will never ever know what that feels like. I am grateful to live in such a place that this is possible and pray that it is something we will never see end. We may live freely for Jesus and that is a gift.
These are just a few of the things that everyday fill my life with Thanksgiving. They remind me of God's goodness and grace. And for that, I am so thankful!
So, there it is! My January Thanksgiving post! May you continue to celebrate Thanksgiving in your heart and mind, even now, months later, and as this year continues on! Happy Thanksgiving! ;)
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