So I was scouring my Facebook feed this morning and saw the status of a friend. It had the heading "30 Days of Thankfulness." What a good idea! Leading up to Thanksgiving and till the end of the month to post something you are thankful for. This inspired me to do my own 30 Days of Thankfulness! And away we go!
Day #12 - I am thankful for the job my husband has that allows me to be at home with our children. It isn't easy living on one income and some days I contemplate the need to go back to work, but I know that my God provides! He always has provided for us. A little more than 5 years ago (shortly after the birth of Jordan), my husband was let go from his job. I was also on my 5th week of maternity leave and had just applied for the FMLA so I could spend another 12 weeks with our 2nd son. It was a shock! I was upset, frustrated and extremely hormonal. The worst part was that we both worked for the same company! I felt betrayed! I couldn't even imagine how Darren felt. He had devoted nearly 9 years to the company. However, we were struggling to make ends meet with both of us working. In the end, it was 5 months before Darren got a new job. We had a paycheck! PRAISE THE LORD! He also provided for us in the way of family and friends. God knew our needs and He has met them each and every time. The job is a good one and it provides what we need. God is Faithful!
Day #11 - I am thankful for my Father, Grandfather, Father-in-Law and all the other veterans who have fought and are fighting to preserve our freedom. The sacrifice made not only by these individuals, but their families as well, will never be forgotten in this house. It seems today that so many people think of freedom as something that is a free gift, but actually there are those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for this country. More than two-hundred years have passed since we first signed The Declaration of Independence. We let the King of England know that we no longer wanted to be under his rule. We wanted Freedom. (insert William Wallace scream of "Freedom" here) Freedom is not free! We must NEVER take that for granted!
Day #10 - I am thankful for my 4th blessing, Cordelia Abigail. She was such a surprise and when we found we were expecting. Then the boys kept telling me that the baby HAD to be a girl. So at the ultrasound the tech said she was fairly certain it was a girl, the boys yelled with joy. I think it was probably the loudest crew she might have had that day. We were so thrilled! Cordelia is almost 1/2 year old and has already stolen our hearts. She is loved and adored by all of us and her extended family.
Day #9 - I am thankful for my 3rd blessing, Josef Micah Gerald. He is such a big boy, though he was my smallest in birth weight. He is a muscle man and our little Hulk. :) He loves to run, climb, jump, swing, cuddle and dotes on his sister. I can't believe it has been almost 3 years since we were blessed with him. He is as smart as can be and I can't wait to see what he is going to do in this life!
Day #8 - I am thankful for my 2nd blessing, Jordan Matthew Gideon. You are so full of energy and loving and caring. You make everyone smile and can make me laugh even when I don't feel like it. You have grown so much! I remember the day you were born like it was yesterday. I can't wait to see how much more you grow in personality, love of God and love of family. I love you Jordan!
Day #7 - I am thankful that God blessed me with my oldest son, Jonathan. Two months into our marriage, I found out we were going to be expecting our 1st child. He was born 10 months after we got married. I was forever changed by becoming his mom. He is smart, sensitive, artistic, loving, caring and has grown into a great young man. I love you Jonathan Michael Gabriel!
Day #6 - I am thankful for the Right to Vote! The men and women who fought for that right would not want us to sit idly at home and not vote. The elected officials make laws and decisions that effect us all. If you don't like the way something is being done, VOTE THEM OUT! If you just sit and do nothing then you have no right to complain. So please, Vote. Don't waste what was given to you.
Matthew 25:14-30
14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’  |
| At Grotto Falls, Gatlinburg, TN | |
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Day #4 & #5 - I am thankful that in October of 1998 I met Darren in an online chat room. From that starting point we started talking on the phone and our relationship grew over the year. We met in person in 1999 (gotta love long distance relationships). He continued to either bus or fly down over the course of the next year. In June of 2000, he proposed on my Birthday. I was 19 years old. A little over one year later we got married on my Grandparents Anniversary. Just a 2 short months into our marriage I found out I was expecting our first child. Jonathan was born in April. 5 years later we added our 2nd blessing, Jordan. Josef was born less than 3 years later and this year we had Cordelia. While the road has not been easy, I wouldn't have changed my partner at all. I am so thankful that my crazy family didn't scare him away. (should have known he'd be ok as he was #4 out of 6 kids) He made me his wife, he gave me the blessing of having his children. He is the leader of our household and a wonderful husband! So thankful to God for providing this man in my life.
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| Meri & I when she was approximately 9m. |
Day #3 - I am thankful for my sister! Yes, you heard that right folks, I am Happy for my Sister! She is my only sibling on this earth & I love her dearly! She has been there through thick and thin. Even after our fights. I am thankful that my parents decided to have another child after losing 2. The saying is true. Your sister is your best friend! I am thankful that she fed me Jell-O when I was dehydrated. I am thankful that she doesn't hold the alleged flyswatter incident against me. ;) I am glad that she is always there when I have needed a listening ear. I am glad that she is my sister. Thank you Lord for this blessing in my life.
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| Daddy's safe hands holding me. |
Day #2 - I am thankful for my parents. I am thankful that even after losing 2 children that they still tried again and had me and my sister. I am thankful for the example of Christ's Love that they have shown to me and how they set a great example for us. I am thankful for their support. They have always been there for me. Thank you Mom & Dad for everything. Thank you for knowing that all children are blessings and for trying after 2 losses. We will be reunited with Anna and John Michael one day.
Day #1 - I am thankful for the Love of my Savior, Jesus Christ. I am thankful that even though I am still a sinner, He still loves me! I am thankful that when I repented of my sins, He forgave me. I am thankful that even though I will still continue to mess up, He will forgive me when I confess and repent. I am thankful for the Gift of Eternal life I have through Him!
This month I got to review and utilize the Cooking Extravaganza bundle from Eternal Encouragement. :) This bundle made me very excited as I love to cook! I have been cooking since I was a little girl and my mom taught me the biscuit recipe she learned from someone who won a biscuit making contest.
