My Thanksgiving Post

Blogging has not been a priority around here lately, but that doesn't mean I've been sitting around doing nothing. :)

Being grateful has been on my mind a lot lately and rightfully so with the holiday we enjoyed yesterday. When I take my eyes off of my blessings I become cynical, discouraged and just plain grouchy. I know that Ann Voskamp is onto something. Often it's being thankful for the little things, the ordinary things, that helps my attitude the most. Seeing God move in little ways in my everyday life is a huge gift. I may never even tell you about it, but it strengthens my relationship with Him so much. I deeply regret all the years I missed seeing God in the little things.

Here are a few photos of a few of my favorite things:

Our 1905 farmhouse

(I have such a love/hate relationship with it but most days I am truly grateful!)

My 'sleeping' garden

Spinach from my 'sleeping' garden :)

Chocolate Crinkle cookies 

My 4 healthy, creative children

Our funny chickens that finally started laying eggs

My Bible and devotional book

my washline

My wonderful husband- who encourages me to go Black Friday shopping at midnight, because people are more important than sleep, and then laughs good naturedly at me all day long for making so many mistakes due to a fuzzy brain, and even surprises me by folding all the laundry when I'm out getting groceries. He's a keeper, and I don't know if they make any more like him.

Thanksgiving Day memories with my family

Happy weekend!

What Our Country Really Needs Is...

This was the beginning sentence for my children's writing assignment in their journals this morning. I thought it was a very appropriate one for Election Day 2012. Here are my children's responses to this:

Logan, 5th grade-
"What our country really needs is a good leader. Our country needs God. Our country needs to be a Godly country. Our country needs revival. Our country needs lots of love."

Jamison, 4th grade-
"What our country really needs is God. I say it is not a Godly country. It used to be a Godly country but now it has wicked leaders. Our country needs a revivil. Our country needs Godly leaders. It needs help from God."

Annika, 1st grade-
"What our country really needs is God. God could help so that the people that don't love God could come to Him. Our country also needs love. Love would change people's hearts. Love would heal people's hurts."

What can I add to this? Nothing more needs to be said.

My Happy List

• the Farmer is finished with harvest!! Yay!


• happy 6 year old girl who 'made' breakfast with Mom

• fall pretties outside my window

• lots of school work being accomplished
• pumpkin cookies with cream cheese frosting
• friends who encourage my relationship with God
• a date night with dear husband
• funny, healthy children who love having Nerf gun fights

(This is only allowed for short periods of time, because it always gets out of hand!)




• a clean house, thanks to me hosting ladies Bible study last night
• laundry all finished for the week
• an empty fridge (which means I get to cook fresh food)
• our special youth group, that we are enjoying so much
• a cleared garden
• a skirt that I re-made for Annika that turned out great
•           family pictures that are ordered for Christmas
• kind brothers who 'dance' with their princess sisters

• memories of the whole family being in the pig barn- Leon & the boys vaccinating, the girls just playing
• 
• 
• the goodness of God
• the weekend ahead of me
• 'someone' unknown bringing supper in tonight.....???????