Attitude of Gratitude-11/09/2011

I thought I’d join my friend Sylvia this week for her Attitude of Gratitude series. As Thanksgiving approaches I can’t think of a better time to practice gratitude.

She talked about being grateful for the little things. I think we can take those little things for granted sometimes. So I’m going to try to focus on those today.

I’m grateful for….

• ….my family. I think we have a tendency to take them for granted. Like they are always going to be there. But I challenge you to treat each day like it were your last with them.  My 9 year old displays this best. He will always hug me and tell me good bye and that he loves me no matter where I’m going. I could just be going down the street to a neighbors house but he still does the same thing every time. 
• ….the ability to plant our own veggies. We experienced first hand not being able to grow a thing based on location. When we lived at the beach we couldn’t get anything to grow but since we moved we’ve had 2 plentiful gardens. Though we didn’t plant zucchini this time around. I’m sure our neighbors are thanking us right now.
• ….holding hands. I joked the other day at how goofy we probably looked to people, because aside from my daughter who just laughed at my observation (this is about the time I grabbed her and put my arm around her so she could look goofy too) we were all joined together hand in hand walking across a parking lot, talking and laughing. It speaks volumes but yet it’s such a small gesture. Now a days if you see a Mom or Dad holding a kids hand they are usually jerking them around in a store or something.
• This last one is will probably seem kind of weird but I’m thankful for Crayons. I’ve had (and still have) such precious moments with my kids based around coloring with crayons. Some of you remember this laugh I got out of coloring with my then 3 year old.

Well that’s it for today. Nobody likes a long post. LOL!

Don’t forget to enter my giveaway if you have time.

WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE TODAY?

Feel free to join in.

HAVE A LOVELY DAY MY FRIENDS!

Thankful Thursdays

It's been awhile since I've participated in Thankful Thursday. Not that I haven't had anything to be thankful for but I guess I just didn't think to post about it. But lately I've been so thankful that I was introduced to Christ and that He is my Saviour, that I had to post about it today.

I recently found this video again. And if I had to introduce Christ to you today I don't think I could do it any better! It gives me goose bumps.
I don't know much about Steve Harvey but I do know he has a way of introducing the Lord as if He were going to make a sudden stage appearance. But that's the thing, you never know when He's coming back. Are you ready?

John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

For more Thankful Thursday go visit Iris @ Grace Alone.
Love you my sweet friends!

Thankful Thurday- Looking Back

Happy New Year everyone.
Today's theme for this Thankful Thursday is "Looking Back".
Sometimes it's hard to look back but if you don't look back then you can't see from which you came. Looking back means you've made it through. Some of you can't look all the way back yet because you aren't completely through, but take a peek at what the Lord has brought you through thus far and you'll be surprised what you have to be thankful for.

I am thankful that no matter what we went through this year my family came through it with all their fingers and toes.

I admit it would be easier to make a list of things that happened that I wasn't thankful for but just because we look back it isn't healthy to dwell there.

I have had the opportunity to see my 15 year old daughter grow leaps and bounds in the Lord. Her ways are ways of the Lord and that makes her a target in the worlds eyes and it doesn't always get you a pat on the back but instead a slap on the face. She come against great obstacles, standing for what she believes in. I've had the privilege of seeing her grow so much and overcome these things. She is truly a blessing and her faithfulness will be rewarded some day with a wonderful Godly man who is crazy about her "because" of who she is.

My two sons are huge blessings and keep me on my toes or should I say my knees! My 6 year old has such a heart for people. Oh I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for him.

My husband is the love of my life. I am so thankful for his heart for Jesus and his passion for the word of God. He has not only been an inspiration for me but for those around us. He is an excellent leader of our lovely home.

I'm thankful for my parents who are still married after 55 years and who get to come down and spend all winter with us. My kids love their grandparents and I love getting to spend that quality time with them. Dad tells about world war 2 and how poor they were and I love listening to him. He never fails to get choked up which in turn makes me want to cry.

I am thankful for the friendships I have made. You know who you are. You have carried me through some tough spots by just letting me vent and being prayer warriors. I am thankful for this group of woman who visit my blog regularly and bless me with your witty comments and fun replies. I have attracted a bunch of weirdos LOL. I say that with all the love in the world and you know it.
I'm thankful for 2008 but am glad to see it go. I hope you stick out 2009 with me as I'm sure the adventure is just beginning.

For more Thankful Thursdays visit Iris at Grace Alone.

Hugs my friends.

Thankful Thursday- Life

John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Iris at Grace Alone is talking about Life this morning. It's so true that the older we get the faster time seems to fly. Are we doing what truly matters in the time that we are given?
When I became a stay at home Mom I thought I gave up so much. Freedom, money, status, friends.I lived an all about me life. But it can't compare with what I've gained. When Jesus died on the cross, He gave His life for us. When I look back, giving up those things doesn't seem so bad when you put them in perspective with that.
Make each day count. Love on your kids and your husband. Use your favorite perfume just because you can. Break out those special dishes and set a nice table. All these things will one day pass away, but the things that remain are the things that you did in Jesus' name. What are you doing that will survive the refining fire?

1 Corinthians 3:13
Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

• I am ever so thankful for my salvation!
• I am thankful that being a SAHM is right where God wants me and starting today I want to try harder and do it even better, for His glory.
• I am thankful for my marriage. There are so many hurting couples right now that it saddens me.
• I am thankful for the health of my family. I know so many kids that have cancer and have seen how it effects the whole family.
• I am thankful for the abundance of friends I've met in this blog land. I treasure your friendships very much.
  
• I am thankful that God is in control of EVERYTHING!

For more Thankful Thursday posts go on over to Grace Alone.
Hugs to you my friends.

Thankful Thursday- Special Friendships

Proverbs 17:17

A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.

Today Iris at Grace Alone is talking about special friendships. I actually posted not to long ago about my very best friend Kathy. I believe friendships like this only happen once in a lifetime. It's the let your hair down, no holds barred type of friendship. When we thought we were moving about a year ago and I realized I would be leaving my best friend in the world, I almost had a meltdown. It was like I was getting divorced. That's the type of bond that we have. She too was having a meltdown, it wasn't very pretty around these parts lol. But the Lord had different plans and here we are. We joke around and my husband says to tell Kathy "thanks" cause her prayers are probably why we're still here lol. There are other reasons we see now that we are still here but I believe the Lord wasn't ready for our friendship to be surgically separated lol.
Enough about her lol! I have also been blessed with some awesome friends from the blog world. I don't know who got me into blogging but I'm not sure if I should thank them or smack them lol. I started blogging about a year and a half ago on Homestead Blogger. I then discovered Blogger and changed over. I met one really great friend named Patti on homestead blogger and talk to her often still. When I came over to blogger and discovered Meme's, well that's all she wrote. I found my place in the blog world and the rest is history. I have grown very fond of my new found bloggy friends. I'm afraid to list you all as it's early and I don't want to miss anyone. If you are on my side bar you are a friend, if I follow your blog I consider you a friend. If I have ever commented at all on your posts, then I consider you a friend. Whew! That should cover every one. There are a special few and I know you know who you are. *WINK!*
Everyone should go out and get themselves a buddy. Husbands are great and mine is "really" my best friend but you gotta have someone of the same species who will "understand" and knows where you are coming from. You know what I mean?
Okay this is turning into a novel. I love you my friends and I expect all of you to comment on this poorly written post lol. I really need to work on my writing skills. Laura Lee can you help me with that my FRIEND!
Blessings to you all. Have a most excellent Thankful Thursday.

Thankful Thursday- Joy!

Psalms 28:7

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.

I believe that being joyful is a condition of the heart. An inward condition not based on outward circumstances.

• My kids bring me joy! All their unique personalities and quirks make for interesting and fun days.
• My husband makes me joyful. His love for me and his family just pours out in all he does for us. I love my hubbalicious.
• My best friend and all my new blogger friends have brought even more joy to my life. What a wonderful thing to be able to come together and laugh and cry and pray with or for one another.
  
• Man ,I really want to put that peanut butter ice cream brings me joy but that is more of an inward craving for an outward indulgence. Let's just say it makes me really really happy!
  
• Since we are on this road, COFFEE makes me pretty happy!
• When did this start heading south and I start talking about food? I was doing so well and then WHOOSH! What can I say, I write from the heart and THEN from the stomach! Those two organs aren't that far apart you know. You can't blame me!
  
• Now where was I.....oh yes JOY! Last but certainly not least. I am joyful that I am a child of God. Knowing my eternal destination brings me the greatest JOY of all!

See I managed to bring it all back together and end it on a JOYFUL note.
What are you joyful for today? Grace Alone has people that are sharing their thankfulness today. Go check some out.
Blessings.

Thankful Thursday- Laughter

Proverbs 17:22

22 A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

This week I'm dedicating this to what or who makes ME laugh! I'm usually the goofball making people laugh but I too LOVE to laugh so here are a few things that give me the giggles.

1. Barney Fife from the Andy Griffith Show
2. Christian comedian Chonda Pierce
3. My kids (DAILY).
4. My best friend and I when we get going on some tangent, (which happens almost daily, AT THE GYM, and usually involves chocolate!)
5. Comedian Mark Lowry
5. Okay this is a slight plug for my Meme but it's true, all the things that you all have linked up on Friday Funnies have cracked me up. I so look forward to it. You are welcome to join us here on Friday's. Come and check it out tomorrow.
6. My Dad, yup my Dad. He has some of the best one liners of any man I know. I think it's a New England thing. I told my husband when he gets down here I'm going to write them all down and publish them lol.
7. Some of my blogger buddies. I read some really funny posts from some of you and it's always such a joy.
This list could go on a long time because I so enjoy laughing and things just seem to find me that are funny.
Happy Thankful Thursday! To read others visit Grace Alone and check them out.

Blessings my friends.

Thankful Thursday

2 Timothy 1:77- For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Philippians 4: 19-But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Today I am thankful for:
1. Not having to worry about financial things in the face of an economy that is failing, because my God is way bigger than this economy.
2. That no matter what is going on in the world the Lord tells us not to fear.
3. My hope and trust is in the Lord not this world.
4. My fate is secure and my future is set by the grace of God.
5. I am so very thankful that my 6 year old has accepted Christ into his heart and is excited about his new faith.
6. I'm thankful that the gift of salvation is already paid and it is now a free gift for all to receive.

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Blessings my friends.

For more Thankful Thursday posts go to Grace Alone and check them out!

Thankful Thursday-Family

Mom's. What would the world be without them? Being a Mom I realize every day how important my role is within our family unit. Yesterday however "Mom" was unable to function properly due to a headache that came on like a ton of bricks. Everything started out fine but by the afternoon I had a headache that Tylenol couldn't touch and a nap couldn't cure.
This is where my most excellent family stepped in. My 2 youngest were a bit quieter, my daughter made dinner, and my husband rubbed my head AND my feet. I told him that I thought there was a pressure point on the bottom of the foot that would relieve headaches. I know that sounds like a line but I think there is lol. Either way he rubbed them and though it didn't make my headache go away it did feel good.
So today I am thankful for my family that rallied together when I REALLY needed them to. I don't think life could manage like that for to long so I am glad that my headache was gone this morning lol.

For more Thankful Thursday posts head on over to Sting My Heart and check them out.
Blessings my friends.

Thankful Thursday

We have a nice long window in the front of our house and I find myself looking out it very often throughout the day. Today I am thankful for things that I see out my ol' window.
I am thankful for:

• the squirrels who entertain me daily with their silliness. We find peanuts in some very odd spaces and I'm going to start taking pictures of the peanuts because it's quite funny. They make me laugh daily (the squirrels not the peanuts lol). The ones they bury actually become peanut plants and we are growing peanuts! It's actually quite neat. I can see it now The Wilson Peanut Farm (come pick your own)

• the rain that comes just when my flowers need it so I don't have to water them.

• the school buses that drive by and remind me that I am so blessed to be able to watch my children grow and learn here at home. (I'm not saying if your kids go to "school " that you aren't blessed. This is what God has called ME to do.)

• my deck that awaits the day when I will be able to sneak out there in the early mornings and have quiet time without the need of wrapping myself in mosquito netting.

• the palm trees swaying, to remind me never to bother doing anything to my hair because if you live at the beach there is ALWAYS an ocean breeze. On the up side though, there is ALWAYS a breeze!

• the people that walk by on their way to the beach to remind me to constantly pray for their salvation.

• I am thankful for those same people for they also remind me that I need to go to the gym as they walk by in their bikini's. :)

Well those are my thankful thoughts for this Thursday morning! There is a lot to be thankful for just looking out your window. Stop and take a look.
For more thankful thoughts go on over to Sting My Heart.
Blessings my friends.



I am especially thankful for all the men and women who have given their lives for this fight against terrorism. May we never forget what happened this dreadful day 7 years ago and be thankful for this great country we live in. God Bless America!

Thankful Thursday- Friendship

Coming up to each Thursday I often wonder what will my Thankful post be about this time. I knew right from the get go this Thursday's would be about my best friend Kathy.
Kathy and I met about 12 years ago and we've been best friends ever since. It was one of those friendships that just clicked. I have never in my life had a friendship like ours.
She thinks I'm funny, so that means she gets my sense of humor, and that's always nice. And she is very capable of making me laugh as well.

We laugh A LOT! I usually end up in tears and she ends up grabbing the video camera lol.

It's to the point now that I consider her more like family then just a friend.

She's my Tower of Terror riding buddy. I think our record is 11 times now.

She is a most excellent "Aunt" to my kids and she loves them like they are her own. To prove that go check out the little party she threw for my daughter's birthday here. She is always willing to kid sit so my hubby and I can go out on a date every now and again.
She has inspired me to do things that I probably never would have done. She taught me how to sew and crochet and since then I've sewn 4 quilts, 2 dresses, and about 5 purses and crocheted one afghan and 2 scarves. Something I probably never would have done had I not met her.

We are both health conscious, we both LOVE chocolate, we both adore our husbands, we both love the Lord, we both love roller coasters, we both don't know what we'd do without each other. I don't think I could ever find a better best friend then Kathy.

She bought me this Willow Tree figurine for Christmas one year and the name of it is
"Sisters at heart". And that is so true.

I could go on and on about funny stories we have but I figured I'd better keep it short.

So on this Thursday I am ever so thankful for my most excellent best friend in all the world.
I love you my sister!
Blessings my friends.

For more Thankful Thursdays head on over to Sting My Heart and check them out.

Thankful Thursday-Warning Serious Post from Me

As I was sitting here wondering what to write I am reminded of a post I read yesterday about a little boy who drowned in a pond. To read more about that and how to cope with loss go here for a great post. Tears streamed down my face yesterday as my heart ached so badly for this family and their loss. So today I want to thank the Lord for my 3 beautiful children. I pray that I never take it for granted that they will be here forever and enjoy them every day I have with them. I am so guilty sometimes of just going through the motions of the day and not "really" spending that quality time with my kids. Sometimes it takes a jolt like yesterday to open your eyes. So I am making it my priority to spend more time "really" being with my kids and paying undistracted attention with them. God has blessed me with my 3 treasures and I need to treat that as such while I have them.

Blessings my friends.



P.S. For those of you who wanted a demonstration of the thing I posted yesterday, I will be posting that later on today. Prepare to be amazed lol. Oh yeah and don't forget to have your funny joke or story ready for tomorrow! Remember laughter is good medicine.

Thankful Thursday-Peace Huh?

Psalm 4:8

I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

Wow how perfect is this topic for me today and a lot of us here in Florida.
Peace within a storm can be hard. But the Lord always gives me such a calm about it while I am going through it. Sometimes I look back and say,"Man I can't believe I held it together!" Well we all know who held it together now don't we? Every Thursday seems to bring about some specific thankfulness and this one is no exception. So here is my list.

For once I am thankful for living on a giant sand bar a.k.a. the barrier island, because the 20" of rain just sifted on through the sand. There are many a people today that aren't in there homes because of flooding.

I am also thankful to still have power and a septic tank. There are plenty of people over here who can't use there plumbing or water and are without power right now.

I am thankful that my husband has been able to stay home for two days with pay because they shut down the Cape FINALLY!

I'm thankful that my kids don't worry because they see that we don't worry. They know where our peace is and it's contagious.

Now I just want to leave you with a few pictures.
Here is my husband taking advantage of the pouring rain.... he decides to go out and wash the boat lol!

Here in the lull the day before yesterday, the kids got to go out and enjoy our new river front property. My daugher is standing at the end of our driveway lol.Thank the Lord we live pretty far back off the road.
I'm sure my friend will post these on her site but just in case you don't get to see them here is her husband on his bike in their neighborhood. They got it a lot worse over there as far as flooding. Darn that good soil that holds water lol.
And this is a 3 way stop in their neighborhood. There is about 2 1/2-3 feet of water standing there.
So as you can see I have plenty to be thankful for. I am also thankful for all your prayers that you sent out on our behalf. That means the world to me!
Blessings to you!

P.S. I'll be posting the winner to my giveaway in another post! I bet you can't wait can you? Hee hee!

Thankful Thursday

This morning I woke up very thankful for my parents. They have been married for 55 years last Friday.
I am thankful that they chose to adopt me. After having 3 sons of their own they really wanted a baby girl. I was a couple months old when they came to give me a look and regardless of the sores I had all over me from the whole milk I was given or the fact that I was busting out of the cute pink outfit they put me in to take me home, they chose me.
I am thankful that they raised me to love the Lord and showed me what marriage is all about.
I am thankful for my Mom for showing me what being a good housekeeper and wife was all about. For doing without complaining and sacrificing what SHE wanted, for us.
I'm thankful for my Dad for showing me what kind of man I wanted to marry when I grew up. A hardworking man who loves his wife dearly and would do anything in the world for his family.
I'm also thankful for my oldest brother, who when he knew that Mom and Dad were thinking about adopting a baby girl he came up with the name Kimberly. Though I never got to meet him I thank him for the blessings of my name. He was killed by a drunk driver 3 months before my birth at the age of 16.
I am thankful to the Lord for giving me a such a wonderful man who is a hard worker and loves me passionately and would give his life for any one of his family. I hope that we are able to set an example for our kids as my parents have set for me.
Blessings my friends.

Thankful Thursday- Hope

Romans 12:12 - rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;

The last couple of days I've been trying to give my blog a face-lift only to almost destroy this one in the process and have most everything deleted. As I was HOPING that I didn't permanently delete everything off of this blog I can honestly say I was not rejoicing in the process. Blogger started giving me error messages and I couldn't back up my blog. Needless to say I wasn't very patient in my trial but under my breath I was constantly praying , please Lord don't let this crash lol! So I obviously need to work on this verse a little bit more. Trying to revamp my blog probably isn't the best way to do it right now. I think I'll start small and HOPE that my kids don't wake up early LOL!
So to finish this off with some Thankfulness here is my short list.
I am thankful for:
My blog not crashing.
People actually reading my blog.
People who comment on my blog.
People who return to my blog.
People who have my blog as one of their favorites to read. (You guys rock!)

Okay I'm sorry. Not very mushy and gushy but hey I started out with a nice verse. You didn't think I'd be able to end that way did you?
If you want a good mushy one read last Thursdays....it's all about my hubbalicious husband lol!
I am very thankful for many things but seeings how I just got done messing with my blog, this is what was top of the ol' noggin this morning.
Thank you for reading and stopping by!
Blessings,

Thankful Thursday- Relationships

I'm not sure if the "actual" theme this week is relationships or if that is just what she chose to do but I thought it sounded good so I'm picking it too.
I am of course thankful for my personal relationship with my Lord and Savior. That's a given. For without Him I am nothing and have nothing, but this Thursday I want to dedicate to my MAN, my husband, my hubbalicious, my lover, my best friend. Yes that's all one person lol.
I was a victim of a divorce when I was in my early 20's. My ex said no one will want me with a kid and I'm not what I "used" to be etc.(you know all the uplifting things you want to hear after giving birth). Anyhoo, we got divorced, I had to move back in with my parents and get a job to support my new baby. A year went by (I did lose my pregnancy weight so that was a plus lol)and on Easter of 95' my ex came to pick up my daughter who was 1 1/2 at the time. It was a miserable experience but I was obligated to let her go against my better judgement. He left and I was alone and in tears. I called my best friend at the time Tammy and she said to come over. Her parents had a big Easter dinner on and to come eat. So I went over there red eyed and heart broken. Little did I know what awaited me. There sat my future husband. My friend introduced us and that's all she wrote. We went out on that Friday night and we were married 10 months later. I have since given him 2 sons and when my daughter was 10 he was able to adopt her.He had taken over Daddy duty since the day we got married. She was only 2 1/2 then. She is now 14 almost 15. To her he IS her Daddy! We have been married for 12 1/2 glorious years. This man can do anything in my book. He's an electrician by trade but since we've bought this fixer upper house he's, gutted and remodeled a bathroom, updated a kitchen, built a workshop, a greenhouse, a deck, a cottage out back, redone our electrical panel, updated our electrical outlets, replaced all our ceiling fans and more. I am so thankful for his talents but more importantly for the love he has for his family. I've never known a man so passionate about his family. He wants to be around his kids and spend time doing things with them. He loves to be with me. He have a blast together. We've climbed mountains and scuba dove the Keys together. He makes life an adventure worth living. He is the love of my life and the man of my dreams. Thank you Lord for my most excellent husband and a second chance at love and doing things right. Now for some fun pictures. You didn't think you'd get away without seeing pictures now did you. I mean come on, this is blog land man!

This is after we got engaged. Oh, how young!!!!

Our Wonderful Wedding Day!
This was taken before going to his 20 year reunion last year. Did I mention we went to the same High School? LOL! I wouldn't have even given him the time of day back then lol.

Here he is declaring his love for me in the sand across the street, for all to see....well at least until the tide comes in lol!

If you managed to read this far, I am also thankful for your patience and sticking it out with me. I'm off to read your thankful posts now. Have a most blessed day!

Thankful Thursday

This week I find myself thankful for the people you probably normally wouldn't find yourself thinking about.

I'm thankful for the tellers at the bank who recognize me and don't ask for my license every single time I cash a check. And for the Otis Spunkmeyer cookies they have on Friday in the lobby. "woot woot"

I'm thankful for my OB/GYN ,(yeah I know) we have a blast every time I "have" to go. She delivered my 11lb.2.5 oz butterball and still talks about it to this day. That's another story.

I'm thankful for the Hungry Howie's Pizza guy that stands at the corner and uses his sign as a guitar and makes everyone smile who goes by. I don't know if it's bringing in the business but he sure is entertaining while waiting at the red light.

I'm thankful for the lady at our local health food store who is always willing to share information and in return listen to things that I've discovered on health.

All and all I'm thankful for anyone who makes my life a little easier on the outside and who does it with a smile!

Blessings my friends.