Better Than An Oreo

I love Oreo cookies but just can't allow myself to eat that stuff.  This week Reagan found something so beautiful at Trader Joe's...Candy Cane Joe-Joe's.  They taste just like pepermint oreos without all the HFCS, bleached flour and hydrogenated oils.  Trader Joe's, I love you and this product is just another reason why.

Making Memories

What are your fontest childhood memories?  My include making homemade taffy, cooking, riding my bike to the pool, going to summer camp, being with my grandma and aunt and playing in the big dirt pile to name just a few.  When I think about the people who made me feel special I remember my Aunt Delma.  Through the years she has remembered special days, sent me letters, taken an interest in the things I care about and most importantly she loves my children and Chris.  The last couple of weeks have been very stressful for my aunt (me too) but I am so blessed to be right here beside her all the way. 

This year our family was able to share Thanksgiving with Aunt Delma.  Just look at her, she really enjoyed her time with us.  I am so thankful to be sharing special moments with this wonderful woman.

Joy In The Little Things

I am so thankful to have children who teach me to find joy in the little things. 

 Fall is my favorite time of year for so many reasons but once in a while I start to dread the winter weather that is sure to follow this beautiful season.  We've had a little taste of cold with some 10 degree temps at night, oh how that brings back ugly memories of last winter.  However, when my youngest says things like, "Mommy, now I can jump in the leaves because the cold made them all fall on the ground," it is difficult to focus on the negative.

Today we are enjoying a day of relaxation.  I am so thankful that God gently reminds me to find joy in the little things too.



Sabbath Living

Do you know people who are over scheduled, over committed and just barely hanging on by a thread?  Well if you know us, then you do.  We aren't always like that but it is so easy to over commit, even when everything on the calendar is a good thing, it can be too much.

Today we heard a great message on the Sabbath.  Pastor Mark didn't pull out all the laws or try to make everyone feel guilty, no he told us about the gift God gave us in the form of a day of rest each week.  It doesn't have to be Sunday, it doesn't have to be Saturday.  It does need to be about God, family, friends and rest for 24 hours.  Chris and I have not been good about this command and we are excited to start living a life that teaches our children God wants us to rest.

I just had to capture this image of Chris as we were enjoying some quiet time in the living room. I am so thankful for God's gift of rest.

Thankfully Tugged

I know I have blogged about Random Acts of Kindness in the past, infact I have a list of 25 Random Facts on my facebook page that also comments on my love for RAK.  There are many things that make the "world go 'round", I believe one of them is the practice of RAK.  Just a simple note, hug, gift or kind word can change a person's entire day and when passed on to the next person the simple act is multiplied.  There are certainly people who are not Christians who partake in this practice however I know it is God who tugs at my heart when I suddenly decide to pay for a stranger's cup of coffee or offer to pray for a guy's wife in the elevator at the hospital.  Every time I listen to that tug, I am grateful that I have a personal relationship with a Savior who cares about people so much that He knows it's the small details like a hug that can change the world.

The last two weeks have been not only physically exhausting but mentally draining as well.  Each and every day I have tried to find a silver lining, some days are easier than others.  A few days ago a friend from several years ago surprised me with a RAK in the form of a Barnes and Noble gift card.  How cool is that?  This was a complete unexpected surprise...just what the doctor ordered.

I am thankful for precious people who listen to that tug from God

Get Moving

The last week has been exciting, exhausting and un-explainable.  Seeing a loved one begin to fail is difficult, no matter if it is their health, wealth, faith or something else.  For as long as I can remember I have had a close relationship with my Aunt Delma, so it is not at all surprising that I would step in when she needed help.  I feel blessed to have her moving close to us however the process has been very involved.  The people in the picture above gave of themselves and had nothing to gain.  I am so thankful for Aunt Helen, Ryan-Dean, Marianne, Rachel and my very hard working hubby who missed his birthday to help my aunt relocate.

Certainly, it is Christ who compels us to offer love to others.  Not because we are good or they deserve it but because HE loved us first.  I serve a great God!

Conan O'Brien

Yes, I am thankful for that tall red headed guy, Conan.  Tonight is his first show since the big NBC debacle.  This guy makes me laugh!!

Short post tonight cuz Conan just started...

Naturally Thankful

There is so much joy to be found in the great outdoors.  Several years ago I bought some beautiful red mums from Sam's Club and I am still enjoying their beauty.  These incredible plants return every June and by October I have stunning red blossoms in my front yard.  Love it.  Love it. Love it.

It's not just my red mums that bring me joy and amazement.  I am in awe of the variety God created in plant life.  Some of it provides food, some of it provides clothing (think Adam and Eve in the garden.  :) ) and some of it is just for our enjoyment.  Thank you Lord God for your beautiful creation.  Could this really happen by chance?  No, I think not!  I am so thankful for the beauty found in nature every day.

Love Me Some HUsKeR Football

It is Game Day in the great state of Nebraska.  The Huskers will match up against the Iowa Cyclones.  There's nothing I would love more than a replay of last weeks first quarter...let's beat ISU and do it big time!

It's not so much that I am thanful for Nebraska football as much as I am thankful for the tickets we get every year.  Chris' grandfather purchased 4 tickets about 55-60 years ago, the family still has those same 4 seats.  Every game at Memorial Stadium is like a reunion.  Everyone around us knows us, remembers grandpa and inquires about the family.  Tickets are (in my opinion) extremely expensive at $54 per seat.  GEESH!  Then add on the donation at the beginning of the season, it's a big investment for Nana and Papa.  This year I have been to 2 games, Chris has gone to 2 games and Emma just attended her first ever UNL Husker football game.  Thank you Nana and Papa for being so generous with our family.

Thankfully Clean

I love to vacuum!  It's not really a fetish or anything weird like that but I get a joyful rush when I see those clean lines in my carpet.  The sound of dirt, rocks and filth being sucked up into my Dyson almost makes me giddy.  Probably 4 or 5 years ago I was in Omaha shopping for a Dyson.  I don't make purchases like this on a whim, it was well researched.  Chris and I had saved up, I had found the best possible deal and I went into Kohl's, coupon in hand, ready to make a purchase.  A very special person was with me that day and when I checked out, she whipped out the cash to pay for this machine.  I had no idea she was going to do that, I know I dropped a tear or two.  What a blessing K & R were to us that day.  Every time I use my Dyson (at least twice a week) I think of them and hope to pass that kind of blessing on to someone else one day.

I am thankful for my Dyson!

So Thankful

I grew up in a family that attended church almost every Sunday.  As a child I was proud of my near to perfect Sunday school attendance record.  I sang in the choir, learned my bible verses (usually cheated with the help of my partner in crime Abbey), was baptized and went through confirmation in middle school however it wasn't until I was married and living in Arizona that I learned what a relationship with Christ looked like.  Our new church was intentional about 1. Winning People to Christ 2. Training People 3. Sending Disciples out to spread the Gospel.  Chris and I began to realize that if we wanted to tell others about our Loving Creator we really needed to understand the love letter He gave us...the bible.

After years of bible studies I know I have grown closer to the Lord.  It's my prayer that I will never take my faith for granted and will always have a thirst to know more.  My greatest desire is to be more like Jesus, our King and Savior.  I want to see others as He sees them.  I want to love others as He loves them.

Thank you God for sending your perfect Son to live amongst us and while we were still sinners die for us so that we will one day live eternally with our Father in Heaven.

Attitude of Gratitude

As we enter the month of November, we naturally start talking about being Thankful. 

This month I will be posting pictures of things I am thankful for.

My beautiful family certainly deserves an early vote.