Thankfulness: day 6!

I am so blessed and thankful to be part of a great church family. Tonight we started our new small group and it's made me think how great it is to be surrounded by fellow believers! I am thankful that we live in a country that we can openly believe in Jesus Christ! Ben and I are truly thankful that we have found a such a great church full of wonderful people. We feel like we are apart of the church and not just weekly church goers that visits with a few people here and there.  I have started to become friends with some of these people, and I know God has placed them in my life for a reason. It is so important to have a strong church family, and I honestly think, for the first time, I can really say that we do.

Thankfulness: day 5!

Tonight, I have been enjoying some quality quiet time, and lets just say that doesn't come often with two young ones. Both kids are asleep (for now) and Ben is off at a friend's birthday party. I am thankful for quiet time! I love my loud, busy, wonderful days with my two kiddos (and now hubby since he is home from work this winter), but today I see the how a few quiet minutes or hours of peace can be rejuvenating (especially in the midst of having a headache). I am thankful for my loud, lovely moments with my friends and family, and I am thankful for times of quiet and peace!!

Thankfulness: day 4!

While many days, I am thankful for technology (which I totally am or I wouldn't be a blogger on this blogosphere), today, I am thankful for the old-fashion way of life. You know, actual books and not e-readers, a letter sent through the post office and not an email, a real live picture and not a facebook album, a face-to-face conversation and not a phone call, text, or skype (side note: I do love skype, otherwise I wouldn't be able to see my family out of the country). Although, I heart modern-day technology and its usefulness! I also enjoy a good conversation with someone in person, an actual birthday card sent in the mail, or a wonderful book I just got from the library. The kiddos and I visit the library one to two times a week and get all sorts of books to read. I love sharing my passion of books with Alivia and Nolan. And, even though I go through no-reading phases, I still love to read a good book. Ben and I are going through a book right now, reading are first book together: Heaven is For Real. It's good, check it out for yourself. Reading this book with my awesome hubby has made me realize that some things are just good the old-fashion way (...and others things are better updated, but for this day of thankfulness, I'm sticking with a good book, a comfy couch, and a snack in hand)!!

Thankfulness: day 3!

 Alivia and Aida playing!!

 Alivia and Drew playing!!

Today, as I sat with friends at Focus at the Family, I pondered what true friendship means to me. I am realizing that: there will be some friends in my life that will come and go, others that our a constant, and still others that I just need to let go. I used to think of friendship merely as a person that I could connect with based on similarities in life, but now I focus on developing friendships on a deeper level. With saying this, I am thankful for the friends I have had in my life and what they have taught me. I am thankful for the friendships that I have today! I am thankful in knowing that God will ALWAYS be my friend! I do cherish my friends. I know that God puts the people in my life for a reason, and I am thankful for each and every friendship that I have.

I am also thankful for Alivia's little friends. I love to watch her interact with her little pals and am excited to see her relationships grow as she grows.

Oh, Pumpkin!

Here’s some pictures of  Alivia’s first ever pumpkin carving experience! Delightful, messy, and a sweet experience. She thought it was gross, yet she insisted (scratch that, we insisted) in partaking in the pumpkin carving madness. Really she just pulled the goo out and pushed faces in her pumpkin, like Mr. Potato head. She’ll have to wait to actually carve her pumpkin in the years to come. Traditions in the making!

Gearing up for pumpkin love with her pumpkin bib!                  Ben working his magic!                               Dad trying to figure out what he wants to make!(Please excuse the mess in the background)    Whoa, the lid comes off! :)     My dad really disliked this part!     She doesn’t know what to think of the mush.          Doing it on her own, but still saying “yuck”.         "What’s on my hands? Napkin!!”    Putting her face on Mr. Pumpkin Head!      Alivia and her pumpkin!          Nolan and me just working away on our pumpkin.Nolan slept through the whole thing!Alivia and the finished products!    Alivia also loved this little pumpkin that papa bought for her at the store. She put it in our basket and didn’t want to leave it at the store. She played with it for days before it went all mushy, and I had to throw it away during one of her naptimes.

Have I mentioned that I love fall!! Well, I heart this time of the year and all the festivities.

Thankfulness: day 2!

Today, I am thankful for shelter on a cold, stormy day! I know how blessed we are that we have a roof over our heads. Even if it is not my dream house or some days I feel like it's not what I want. All in all, I know that this is the perfect place for us right now and that it is more than a lot of people have in this world. I love having my comfy clothes on, in the warm heat, under blankets with hot chocolate or tea in hand, looking outside knowing I am safe, cozy, and warm! Thanks be to God!

Thankfulness: day 1!

I'm thankful for my wonderful family of 4! God has given us 2 healthy, beautiful children. Ben is the best husband for me, and I truly love him!! He is my best friend forever. :) I am thankful that I have this family to share life with. I grew up dreaming of having a family; being a wife and a mother and this reality is far better than my dreams. I am blessed to live out my passion as a home-maker and I give my thanks back to God!