GIVING THANKS!

A Whole Lot'a Family

It's been a super long time since my family has been in the same house.  Unfortunately not everyone was there, but there were many gathered rather tightly in my home this Thanksgiving season.  Lets see.  There was my sister Dawn and her son Alex, both in from Texas.  Then there was Kristy in from Idaho, Michael, Melissa and their baby boy Austen from Utah,  Mom and step-dad Bob from Arizona.  Finally and most importantly to me, my babygirl Jessica and grandson Ryker.  Oh how I wish Josh would've been here but he is at that "I can't stand to leave my girlfriend" stage that many of us can relate to from when we were teenagers. 

The Fam Bam 2012

 I was thankful to share such a special day with many special people whom I love so dearly.  Life is so short and I think it's important, no matter how chaotic it can seem, to spend as much time with our families and friends as often as the opportunity presents itself.  It was almost the perfect day for Pete and I...would have been great to have had Josh, Kassi, Samantha and her family here too.  Maybe someday it'll happen. 

I have been so blessed by God and I have so very much to be thankful for.  I hope I never take for granted any of the many blessings in my life.  Thank you Lord, for these, my loved ones.  Bless them and keep them safe in your arms, anointed with your love and guided by your light.  Amen

Dawn, Michael, Mom, Kristy, yours truly

 

 

 

Bunch of turkeys waiting to dig in.

Thanksgiving Blessings Abound

Really, really STOP and count your blessings...

How many times do we hear the phrase, "count your blessings" ? But do we really?  It is soooo easy for us to focus on the things we DON'T have.  I mean we know in the core of our heart we have MORE than enough and we'll flipently think or even say we are thankful.  However, we catch ourselves whining or complaining or simply wanting more of this or more of that and if only I _____....  We're all human and we all go through this, but this year I want to TRY very hard to REALLY TRULY count my many blessings, because I DO have SO much to be thankful for.

First and foremost I'm ALWAYS thankful that I have the Lord in my life.  I'm thankful He loves me, thankful He died for me, thankful He forgives me for my ugly side, thankful that He has never given up on His oh-so-pathetic servant, thankful for His grace, mercy and almighty power!

I'm also VERY thankful for my PRECIOUS children and grandchildren.  I'm thankful for my LOVING and CARING husband who loves me so much.   I'm thankful I got to spend this Thanksgiving with my son.  I missed everyone so much BUT I am thankful Josh got to be here with us.

Thank you Lord, for ALL things big and small, seen and unseen...THANK YOU!

Friday Favorites

God's Majestic Works

Everyday, all around us, there is beauty, matchless beauty that only God can provide us.  Here's a prime example of His handiwork.

Habakkuk 3:4 His splendor is like the sunrise. Rays shine from his hand, where his power is hidden

Sneak Peek

WE DID IT!

On May 29th Pete and I had our wedding.  We were surrounded by almost all our loved ones.  We had friends and family come to share in our special day.  As many of you already know,  Pete and I were legally married in December in a little civil ceremony room downtown.   But we knew we wanted to share our day with friends and family, the dress, the tux, cake, dancing etc etc...and NOW it feels real!!!  What a beautiful evening it was.  My bestest guy of all, my son, Josh, walked me down the aisle, our kids stood up for us, and the room was filled with people we love, who in turn, love us back.  Heather Way, Pete's niece and professional photographer captured our night with her expertise but we'll have to wait for those to come.  In the meantime, I'm posting some pics taken by some of our guests.

Moving right along...

The Countdown Begins

Less than one month to go till the wedding!  I can't believe it's almost time.  We are so excited but nervous at the same time.  I have all the major stuff i.e. photographer, D.J., menu, hair appts, etc...scheduled and set.  Decorations, cake, tux, bouquet, and yes the dress is finally bought.  I procrastinated long enough.  I did it!  I didn't realize there was so much to do, to buy, to sample, to decide on.  Wowzers!!!  I just hope the bridal party is working on things from their end.  It's hard to coordinate wedding arrangements from one state to another but surprisingly it's worked out quite well...so far!

Today I even got most everything packed securely in boxes for the long drive to Idaho. I've invaded my guest/craft room with boxes galore.   I still have a few more odds and ends to tie up, but THANKFULLY I see light at the end of the tunnel.

I feel so fantastically blessed to be celebrating this special day with so many of those I love with all my heart...I have the man of my dreams, the love of a lifetime and a family I cherish with all my soul.  Thank you precious Lord for giving me the desires of my heart.

Just in time for a new year.

Hi all. First I'd like to say that I hope everyone had a beautiful Christmas. My prayer is that we will all have a healthy, happy and blessed upcoming year. May God's blessing pour down upon us and may we find and travel the path He desires us to follow.

For me the past few years have been rough to say the least. I chose not to follow the path that God had wanted me to stay on and therefore I have been reaping what I sowed. Thankfully, God is a loving God, a merciful God and a God of endless "second" chances. Although I have suffered greatly for my disobedience I have also learned so much and have grown closer to God in a way that I've never experienced before. God is love. God is hope. God is strength. I know these to be true with Him because I've experienced all these attributes of God so powerfully in the past year.

The end of the year is approaching quickly, just a few days away. I think maybe this will be a great time for me to start this blog site. A new year, a new start. I'm glad this year is closing. I welcome a new beginning.