couples

Today I find myself really thankful.

Of course I have been trying to focus on 1000 gifts and appreciating the little things in life...

But I really feel blessed to have the people in my life that I do.  Especially "couples"

SIDENOTE... and a MUST read for you blog lovers...
I found a blog today www.lilblueboo.com and wowsers...  Talk about a thankful person who "CHOOSES JOY" in the midst of a pretty tough year for her & her family.... and celebrates life in every moment.

It made me think about the "couples" in my life and the friends and people I have in my life.

My grandparents... years and years ago (think before me)

(my parents - - just last night... I love this btw)

Josh and I -- Over Christmas...

My Grandparents were amazing. (and I miss them) They were loving & generous, tough & compassionate, they sacrificed and they were hardworking... (50 years, till death do us part)

I think the same thing of my parents.. loving, generous, compassionate, tough, hardworking...
(I could go on with this btw) (42+ years, and counting)

Josh & I... well our story is still in the early stages (17 yrs) but I can only hope that we give the kind of foundation that the couples before us did.  I know that we have the advantage of learning from them and trying to set a positive and loving example for our own kids.  To be hardworking, giving, loving,  compassionate & generous... to teach our kids how to have a personal relationship with Jesus... and to stay faithful and true to each other.

These are the things that matter.  Life can be taken from us at any moment.  What message will we leave behind?  What will we pass on to the next "couple"?  Am I showing Thankfulness daily?  Even during the tough times?

Today I am thankful for couples... and good friends.

If you are reading this, I am thankful for you.

p.s.  All the girls are currently full speed ahead with their own 1000 gifts journals...

Here is a snipet from one of the girls who will remain unnamed...

1. Mommy (I am not making this up people!!!)
30. healthyness
32. time with family
34. math
42. chickens
47. bags
50. talents
60. slippers
67. tramalene (trampoline I am guessing)
70. fuzzy chair.

This makes me happy... seriously happy. :)
Blessings to you all this Friday.

14 years ago....

14 years ago my precious baby girl was born...

Her arrival into the world wasn't what we thought it would be,
and ours was never going to be the same again...

I could spend hours sharing photos from her childhood..
but I will spare you the details and share just a few.

Here's a flashback

about 12 hours old

3 wks old with Oma, who ended up coming down and living with us to take care of Sam when I went back to teaching.

2 yrs old... and too adorable for words.

Sam on her 3rd bday... with Emma and me

3rd birthday party crowns & cupcakes

First day of school at MG - 6 years old.

11 years old.

This past fall - 13 years old.

Josh and I are blessed beyond measure with such a beautiful daughter on the inside and out.

always the big sister...

Scenes from today...

Sabbath School
Church
a fabulous lunch with friends
an ASB movie night at the school...

a birthday cake...
that fell apart last night... 

the birthday girl :)  Wearing her new Tim Tebow T-shirt.
(She had a Tebow Birthday Board this morning when she woke)

great story to go along with it... something about me not wanting to bring the cake I made because parts of it fell apart... and their were going to be two "martha's" at lunch... but I swallowed my pride and brought the lemon pound cake crumbles and all... it actually tasted pretty darn good.

God has blessed our family for the last 14 years with a beautiful & kind daughter.  Sometimes when I watch her leading out with a worship service, stepping up with something regarding our family or her friends, her organization, and her ability to exceed whatever is placed in front of her, I can't believe she is my daughter!  I can't wait to see what God has in store for her during her 14th year and I pray for the ability to be the exact type of mother that she needs.

Happy Birthday Samantha!
I love you, and I am so proud of how you are growing day by day!

ABL {Adventist Basketball League}

ABL - Also known as "The cutest event in town!"

Here are Sydney (8) and McKenna (10) right after their first game!

I can't tell you just how much fun watching all the kids from MG was.

We left our Jr. High Varsity practice and drove to PAA where all the games are held.

Got there in time to watch almost the entire 3-5 grade boys team play.  

I have taught every single one of the kids that were out there... and so does Josh.

I tell you this is a great opportunity for our young ones to start playing basketball in a safe environment.   I feel very fortunate and thankful that the girls are getting this chance.

Every kid had the biggest grin on their face during the games... and after they were still smiling.

Here is a small glimpse of the girls in action.  McKenna #15.  Sydney #14.

Then the sister to sister pass :)

one thousand gifts...

It is Judy's fault I say...

She got me started on this whole {gratitude} thing.

So I guess I must say thanks Jude for kick starting a change in my life.

Tomorrow I am giving out 8 copies of this book



it's a small token really for all the things that they do...
but they are going to love it... and I guarantee you they will be counting all the gifts that are hidden within each and everyday, and they will come to a closer walk with God.

So a gift for Shelly...

its number #30 - feet touching under covers

and in case I haven't sold you on it... a few quotes from my worship times from Ann's book

pg. 70 "I will not desecrate this moment with ignorant hurry or sordid ingratitude."

pg. 21 on changing events in our lives "maybe just maybe you don't want to chance the story, because you don't know what a different ending holds" and refers to a story about Hezekiah & Manassah.

"it's accepting there are things we simply don't understand.  But He does"

pg. 29 " Will I have lived fully -- or just empty?"

pg.33 "As long is thanks is possible, then joy is always possible.  Joy is always possible."

pg. 47 "Learn how to be thankful whether empty or full"

pg. 64 "  I know you, the busyness of your life leaving little room for the source of your life.  God gives us time.  And who has time for God?"  (ouch I know but so powerful..)

There is more so much more but I dont' want to spoil it for you.

Happy Sabbath my friends...

Tomorrow we honor 2 wonderful people who loved their Lord & their families, and in our minds we lost them too early.  Prayers for those hurting and missing their loved ones.

2012, Ducks, Death, 2012 Verse, & Gifts

2012 started off fantastically...

Staying up until 12:00 a.m.  with dear friends the Dickinsons... and celebrating the 1st with them as well.

including that first cup of coffee at Old Town La Quinta Coffee Company :)



and who could forget my DUCKS????
2012 Rose Bowl Champions... and we were there to see it happen!

and those helmets... loved them.

Then there was the 15 hour drive home straight into school and the girls first basketball game of the 2012 season.  (we got back at 10:30 am... showered and got to school asap!)

Unfortunately surrounding all this fun... there is sadness and lots of it.  Grandma of course passed away on 12/29, and my dear friend lost her dad on 12/15, and another dear friend lost her mother 1/7/12, and yet another lost their mother 1/10.  Some good friends are getting divorced... I really have no words except that I know the Lord is in control and that is all I can trust in.  I am reminded to ALWAYS tell your loved ones that you love them... ALWAYS.  You never know when it will be for the last time.

Also, the little things are just that, little.

Somehow God always finds a way to work things out for His glory in His time.

I just need constant reminding of this fact!

Our family decided on our verse for the year 2012...

"Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong.  Do everything in Love."
1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Each one of those things could be their own theme for the year... but we are taking the whole 2 verses and claiming it as a family in 2012.  We will draw closer to God and in turn each other.  Satan will not gain control of this family.

Lastly, (since I am trying to be brief here...)

I have be pouring over the book "one thousand gifts"

I would like to say that this book is a MUST HAVE for your book shelf.

I have taken the Joy Dare and I have encouraged my daughters to join me in keeping their own journals  containing 1000 gifts... I am on my 22nd gift of the year...  I am also keeping a photo 1000 gifts on my iphone (btw, in LOVE with my iphone!)

Here is a snipet from my personal journal:

#6 - Reading through the family prayer journal and seeing that Oma's final entry in there was
"God Bless this Family"

#12 - Waking up to a little boy cozied next to me.

#20 - A glorious sunrise!

Not only is it a way of recording life... it is teaching me to focus on all the (good and bad) things that I have to be thankful for.  So often I find myself focusing on the little "annoying" things, instead of the little "blessings" that the Lord has have given me.

So watch out 2012... :)