Its been awhile.

ok...so.. it has been crazy busy.... and therefore very quiet around here (on my blog)... First I am bummed I wasn't able to keep up with my posts on Thankfulness... I got sick and then life got crazy..

That happens... right?

Well as we close out November in 50 degree weather... I am sitting at home listening to Christmas music while balancing our check book.... and as always its a little depressing when your bills take up most of your pay check... But I am so thankful for mine and my husbands jobs so that we can live where we do and enjoy the simple things we do have...

Its not quite December and I am pleased to announce that.....

We are DONE with our Christmas Shopping!!

YAY I am going to spend my December making cookies and doing the things that often get shoved aside due to the hustle and bustle of gift buying....

One of my favoirte parts of Christmas is wrapping Gifts!! I am pretty sure that is weird... but what can I say... its fun!! I have wrapped most of my gifts and my mom's gifts... David and I will be going over to my parents house this evening for a "Christmas Part"... My papa will be making his famous fudge and we will all trim the tree :D 

I hope everyone one had a great thanksgiving... Until next time

Month of Thankfulness: Day 9 & 10

This is a picture I took in Glacier National Park in August of 2007.
I thought it was a beautiful and something to be thankful for... Living in Montana.

ok... So apparently I am really bad at making my goal of a post a day... I didn't know I was going to get sick and super busy! So here is my catch up day!

So when I woke up on wednesday I was like a million-trillion times better so that is good... BUT being that I work all day on Wednesdays.. I was completely worn out when I got home and decided that I would not be posting anything... And now its Thursday and I am behind again...and feeling worn out from a long day of work yesterday... and I have an even longer day ahead of me...

However, no matter how tired I am feeling there are always things to be thankful for. Like my netty pot and Mucinex DM Expectorant ... Can I say LIFE SAVERS!

or my beautiful friend Justyne who went to the story for me while I was at work today to find me the Mucinex DM Expectorant because no place was open when I was hading to work! I LOVE HER.

or my wonderful husband who went to the store last night to get me lotion infused kleenex so my poor nose could have a little break...

But most of all I am thankful that even though I don't feel like I am moving fast enough... I know that God is in control and the whole world isn't going to fall apart because I am moving so slowly.

I am excitd that Thanksgiving is only a few weeks away and that means BLACK FRIDAY Shopping! Last year was the first time I ever went and experienced the chaos of the day AFTER Thanksgiving... but I did find some awesome deals that I am glad I went out at midnight last year and shopped the town...

 yes it was madness and I was exhausted afterwards but I guess I am attracted to the excitement of the beginning of the Christmas Season!

I AM A CHRISTMAS JUNKIE!

Some of the things I got were:

• my prelit christmas tree for sale $40 at Target.
• the fossil makeup bags that I gave to my Bridesmaids at Herbergers
• As beautiful black & white pe-coat also at Herbergers
• 5 seasons of HOUSE at $5 each!! AMAZING

Month of Thankfulness: Day 7 & 8

So I have home sick the past two days... YUCK!  And that is why I am going to make this short ... (and also why I am behind a few days)

I don't get sick very often...so when I get sick it takes me out BIG TIME....
Yesterday I woke up and had a fever and was achey all over...

Which led me to the Health Food Store where I bought some medicine and placed myself on my couch for the past 48 hours....

My wonderful Husband brought me home Chicken Noodle Soup and I was only able to eat like 3 bites and then I went to bed at 5:30... WHO DOES THAT?  This girl does!

So I slept really good until 11:00....and then I slept off and on until 7 this morning.... that is a LOT of sleep!

but the good news ...I DO FEEL BETTER...... not awesome yet, but the fever is gone and that is  an improvement.

Which brings me to the point of all of this...

I am so thankful for getting sick on my days off so I could rest up without having to take off work!

And I am Thankful that I have an awesome husband that cleaned up the whole house last night while I was asleep!

Well now I am going to take a nap and maybe when I wake up this time I will be all better!

Month of Thankfulness: Day 6

If you are just joining in with me and my Month of Thankfulness you can check out my previous posts here.

Well this is being posted late... because Sunday was crazy busy... and I was extremely exhausted. David and I woke up and went to church... where we received some shocking news that I wish I could write about more... but this is not the place....

The service was all about Grace & Forgiveness and it was very moving and good...Reminding me that I didn't earn my Salvation nor God's LOVE.... But he gave it anyway... and I don't Deserve it...

And that is what forgiveness is... Right?  Extending Grace when we don't have any reason to deserve such a gesture.

Today (sunday) I am remembering what my life would be like with out Christ and I am overcome with emotion and gratitude that God...the Creator of the WHOLE WORLD.... would LOVE ME

Sorry this is a short post.... and I feel like I should have lots more to say.. but today I have run out of words...

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves it is the gift of GOD--not by works, so that no one can boast."

Ephesians 2:8-9

Month of Thankfulness: Day 5

As I sit here watching the first snow fall of the season..  listening to the Pandora Christmas Station and breathing in the sent of my new "evergreen" Candle from Bath & Body Works,
I am excited because its beginning to look like christmas!

Yesterday when I got off work I decided to stop by the mall to use my Bath & Body works coupons.... and I still had a gift card from last christmas to use up..

when I got there I was instantly put in the Christmas Spirit!!! (if that is even possible because I was already there)! but anywho.... I spent 15 mins at least smelling all of their new candles.... I TOTALLY Gave myself a headache!

While I was overstimulating my sense of smell... I couldn't help but notice this trio of people doing the same thing!  There were two women and then one of them had a son who was 4.. (I know this because they mentioned it at one point(

Anyway... the little boy really wanted this "gingerbread" candle and the mom did not like that smell at all! And told him no because they were only going to get one.

The little boy, who is wearing a bright read hooded sweatshirt and jeans... perseeds to throw a big fit and yell how he wants and needs this said "gingerbread" gingerbread candle!

My Favorite part of this story is that the mom was so Cool and Collected! She explained that they were not getting it and if he really wanted it that badly he could ask for it for Christmas. Hahaha...

I wanted to tell her!!! YOU GO MOM!

because too many parents these days allow their kids to get anything & EVERYTHING they want just to prevent a "Scene"

The mom's friend leaned over to me while the Mom was talking to her son.... and said "I am NEVER having kids!" haha

Sometimes I wish that situations would make me question if I want to have kids or not... but usually they make me want kids even more!

I Can't wait to be a MOMMY!
To have the opportunity to Raise up a child in the ways of the Lord and teach them about the important things in life!! Oh man!.... I get all giddy inside when I think about having a baby... but now is not the time, and I will eagerly wait for when I can tell everyone that I am going to be a mommy!

OKAY... back to being THANKFUL (because thats what this post is really about) So here I am watching the snow and obviously reflecting and anticipating things.... and Its SNOWING!

If you know me at all... I am not a fan of the SNOW... because in my mind SNOW = being COLD and WET and BAD ROADS!!!

But there is something so beautiful about the first snow... The way it blankets the earth in white.. and suggests a time for stillness and rest. So I am going to appreciate the first snow and be Thankful for its calm and quiet suggestion to everyone that Christmas is right around the corner!

I will chose to see the good things about Snow and try my best not to complain every time it snows this year.... because God is the one who makes it snow... it provides the earth with moisture to sustain life in the Spring....

And it is REALLY BEAUTIFUL!

Month of Thankfulness: Day 4

If you care to read my first post on Thankfulness you can do that here & here

When I think about being thankful and the question... "what are you thankful for?"

I feel like my answers tend to err on the side of superficial and (for a lack of a better word) "not deep" or well thought out.  Do you ever end up thinking that you are not really thankful for what your say you are.... I mean really.... do you really FEEL Thankful?

Well I am not sure that I always do.

But I want to... I want to be Genuinely Thankful for the things that I have and I want to quit taking simple everyday necessities for granted. Always feeling like I need more stuff.. that needs to stop! Right now because I HAVE MORE THAN I NEED.

So Today.. I am thankful for some of the simple things like that...

Like the clean air I have to breathe..

Warm/Hot Showers every morning....well more like every other.. But I have the option of Warm water whenever I want it... I don't have to shower in Cold water or wonder if there will be any water to drink.. Because I know that it is a guarantee that if I turn on my faucet water will come out! That's a GIVEN!

But that is not the case for everyone around the world....

Grocery Stores Filled with Food... I don't have to go hungry! But there are many people who do... EVEN IN AMERICA.... EVEN IN OUR TOWN!! This month is the beginning of the Holiday season.. and our Church (Faith Chapel) is having a food drive so that we can help supply our local food bank with food for families this Holiday.  Join us in making sure no one has to go hungry this Thanksgiving!! If you are in the area... Please bring in non-parishable food items to Faith through out the week or durring one of our weekend services...









We are also doing a Coat & Blanket Drive... this is Montana and winter here can be pretty brutal...epically if you don't have the means to stay warm... Drop of your extra blankets and coats so we can help those in need this winter season!


Yes.. I know that was a little off topic.. but these are thinks I take for granted A LOT! and I want to change that and maybe help someone else out in the process!


Today I will leave you with a passage from Ephesians 4: 19b-20

"..Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing to make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for EVERYTHING, in the name of the LORD Jesus Christ."

Month of Thankfulness: Day 3

So its day 3 of my November: Month of Thanks posts.... and if you haven't read the first two days you can do that here!

When I first started writing about what I was thankful yesterday and the day before... I was mainly going off of things that were very current on my mind... such as the Christmas commercial and the pictures from Ethiopia.

But this post is not exactly like that....

This post is dedicated to my Husband! Whom I love and Thank GOD for everyday!

David is probably the most encouraging person that I know and I couldn't be more thankful that I get to spend the rest of my life with him!

One of my favorite things about Him is the way he leaves me notes around the house for me to find... or he will text my family or friends and encourage them in ways that are so simple yet so genuine!

look at this cute note he left me this morning!! LOVE HIM

I wish I was more like HIM... 

but I think that is why we are so perfect for each other.... he is Literally my other half and we are a perfect match...

When I am stressed he is my calm and reasoning voice... and brings me back to God's promises
when I am sad he is my comforter...
when I am happy he rejoices with me...

And he can be all of those things ... only because GOD is at the center of our lives.

And I am so happy that that's the case! 

I love that David lets me be crafty and is going to leg me put up my Christmas tree this week even though he things its still too early!

I love how he shares his faith with people at work and calls me out when I do something that is more selfish (and even though that kinda sucks in the moment) I know he is usually right and I am glad that he isn't afraid to help me become a more Godly gal.

I could go on and on....

But for now I just want you to know how thankful I am for my best friend & husband

I love you DAVID GENE!

A Month of Thankfulness: Day 1 & 2

***** So I have been trying to post this for 2 days now and have come to the conclusion that I must start completely over...well almost....the internet/my computer would not have anything to do with letting me post anything!!

I have been wanting to do a themed post... or a scheduled post... and I have been thinking a lot about what November represents and Thought that this would be a good time to start. So I am going to be posting something that I am thankful about every day in the Month of November..... Plus it helps me keep perspective of what the important things are as the Holiday Season approaches.

DAY 1:
November 1st happened to land on a Tuesday. Which is the day David and I go over to my parents house in the evening to watch the Biggest Loser! I think its my favorite show because its so Motivating.

This is a picture of my sister (Arianna), Anna and me if front of our churches
Christmas tree a few years back!!

First of all it reminds me of what happens when you no longer care about yourself and let your weight get out of control.. so I am motivated to stay healthy so I don't get to the point where I am so big I no longer remember how I got that way...

And 2... I love the way it is so inspiring! These people are truly changing their lives and doing the hard work that is necessary to make a difference!

Well enough about that...(this is not a post about the Biggest Loser!) its about what I am thankful for....I guess I could say I am thankful for that but What I really want to write about is a commercial I saw during that show!... or more like commercials.

It was the beginning of CHRISTMAS commercials! I know that is crazy to most of you but I got so excited and lit up inside because its that time of year!

Don't Judge!!

I just love Christmas....and I like to start early because as it gets closer, the more busy and stressful the season seems to get! And I want to be able to enjoy every second of it!  SO.. I am excited to announce that I will be putting up my Christmas tree this week!! Probably on Friday after I get off work....

******** Yesterday when I was trying to post this the first time.... David looked over my shoulder and say..."What is going up this week????" HAHA... What can I say... I LOVE CHRISTMAS!

So I guess, to tie it all back in.. I am thankful that I get to start enjoying the Christmas Season.... The season of Generosity..and remember that its all about CHRIST and how HE came into this world with a purpose...to save the lost!

AND THAT IS WHY WE CELEBRATE!

DAY 2:

Now on to the second day of Thankfulness!

I have been looking through my pictures from my Trip to Ethiopia last October and God has been filling up my heart with Love for these kids all over again!  I have also been looking at my friend Larissa's pictures because she and her husband just got back from there this last weekend!

A group from our church got to go back in October and help build up a church in Ambo, Ethiiopia and hold a Vacation Bible School for the kids many of us sponsor at NEW HOPE Orphanage. And orrigionally I was really frustrated that I wasn't able to go back.... that my timing and God's timing wern't the same!....

Uggh...I know that there is a reason for everything but sometimes its really tough being on the "human" time-line and time perspective!

I kept thinking... doesn't God know how much I want to be there?.... well of course he does! He is GOD! So eventually I came to the conclusion that there must be a reason that I had to stay here this year.

So I started focusing on that... and thinking that At least someone is going back.. And the children will still be loved on and hugged a million times!!!  I am so glad and thankful that even though I wasn't the one who got to go back... they did. And the kids there were able to be loved on and, God willing, I will get to go back next year. 

I am thankful that I get the opportunity to sponsor precious Arague and shower her with prayers and letters! And I am thankful that this world isn't about me...

Even though I act like it is sometimes and get caught up in things that have no value.... But this life is about a bigger story.. and I am glad that I get to be a small....very small...Part of what God is doing!


So those are the things that have been on my mind and heart as of late and I am so thankful that God has allowed me to LOVE Christmas so much... and also given  me a heart for Ethiopia...

Sorry for the delay in the post... technical difficulties..

Stay tuned for more Thankfulness!!

October in a Flash!

Can you really believe that is already November? October was so busy and went by so fast!! And because of that I am having to do a "October Recap" Post because it flew by before I got to write about any of it!!!

On Friday night.. 2 weeks ago a group of us got together and carved pumpkins!! we called in the"Pumpkin Maina" It was loads of fun. I love doing holiday related crafts and activities, so I was all excited about this!  However, there is something about the pulp in the pumpkins that makes my hands hurt and get all red.  So I decided to paint my pumpkins.  Here are some pictures of that evening.

Ryan and Janine

Leslie had just had surgery earlier that week so she took on the job of cleaning out the seeds so we could roast them later! WAY TO GO TO! 

Kevin did a realistic face

Giant Pumpkin Seeds 

Molli didn't carve pumpkins but she carved zucchini

Kelsey carved in the kitchen

I decided not to carve so I had been looking on Pinterest and here is what I did!

David and Ryan are serious about their pumpkin carving! 

Amber & Candace teamed up to carve!

Molli made me laugh out loud when she started carving fruits and vegetables!!

These were the pumpkins of.. Ryan and Janine... David... And Candce and Amber!

 

***** I forgot to tell you all about my Carido Fusion Class on Thursday!! it was so crazy fun!! In the Spirit of Halloween we all decided to dress up in 80's Work Out Attire and come to class ready for a fun time!!   There was a prize for the best dressed and... yes! I won. It was a pumpkin and ginger spiced candle that now sits on our end-table/filing cabinet in our living room! haha.


We all thought that we would have an easy work out... WE WERE WRONG! The spandax that I was wearing was thick and it made every movement I tried to do 100 times harder!! I was sweating so much by the end of that class and sure I wasn't going to be able to walk the next day!!

Then on Sunday October 30th we were hanging out at my parents house because thats what we usually do... its Family Day and Football Day... we don't have cable or satellite television so we go to my parents to watch.  And we like the Amazing Race too!  So inbetween the football game and the Race we decided to carve more pumpkins.

To be completly honest, I really wanted to carve them just so we could eat the pumpkin seeds. And I would have been able to eat some of the ones we had from the last carving party but I left them at Leslie's....Stupid me!... 

And as I was geting ready to post some pictures of those cute pumpkins I realized that I took them with my phone and don't have my iPhone cord with me so I will have to fininsh this post later tonight.. lame haha.

********** Updated with Pictures now :D

Shea (my sisters boy friend) carved this one!!

David carved this one

This is the one I carved... look He has teeth!

And Finally.... but not the least... Monday October 31st was HALLOWEEN!    

David and I volunteered at our church for our annual CANDY RUN and this year it BIGGER than ever! The church was divided up into eight different zones... 1 Enchanted Forest, 2 Star Wars, 3 The Farm, 4 Pirate Ship, 5 Candy Land, 6 Land of Oz, 7 Up (the movie) and 8 Mario Cart.

I am not sure how many people we estimated would come....but I am sure there were more than what we thought! I have never seen that many people in our church EVER!!! It was so neat to see Faith filed with people from the community.  I can't wait to see/hear how many people did show up!  

**************** UPDATE!!! I talked to the staff at faith and they said the people counting at the doors tallied up 1900 + kids that came through our church doors on Halloween!!! HOW AWESOME IT THAT!  and when you think about it..that doesn't include the adults that came with the kids... so they are estimating that we had 5000-7000 people come though!! Woo HOO!!! ****************

 

David and I were stationed in the "Family Farm" Zone! Dave dressed as a "farmer who's pigs got out in the middle of the night so he ran out in his long johns!" HAHAHA... 

I dressed up as a Fairy... And I know you are thinking that there are not fairies at the farm but here is the back story.  When I had first heard about the CANDY RUN I was under the impression that the whole church would be decorated like the "Enchanted Forest" So I started looking at fairy costumes and got really excited about that....then when I heard that the High School ministry would be the Family Farm I still wanted to be a fairy...

Yes.. it would have been less work to just wear some jeans and a flannel and be a cast member at the farm but I was already committed to a fairy! Also, we had  another party to go to after the Candy Run and I didn't want to be a cow girl there.... ok enough about that... Here are some pictures from the Farm!

Frankie on the Banjo... we had a barn band!

Jake on the Guitar

David and I outside at the Petting Zoo (part of the Farm)

The Barn Band!! They let me sing along too :D

On of my favorite costumes.. Lions, Tigers & Bears...OH MY

Brenden, Savannah and Kim... friends we go out to dinner with after church. They looked great! 

 The Place was packed and I still can't believe how many people came through there last night!  David and I left the church at 7:00 so we could make it to our other party! 

This party was going to be a surprising one for my good friend Emily! Her wonderful boyfriend planned it all out and it was the night he was would ask Emily's hand in marriage!! HOW AWESOME IS THAT... We all got to Orrin's house before they did so we could witness the whole thing. 

Orrin had carved pumpkins on Sunday that spelled out  "WILL U MARRY ME" and set them in the yard... so when they walked up to the house he pointed them out and got down on one knee!! Emily's hands were full and she was so shocked!!! 

When they came in the house we all cheered! I think it was a bit overwhelming for all of us to be there but it was really fun too!!! Emily ran off into Orrin's room (probably to process what happened) and then started call/text EVERYONE and let them in on the Good NEWS!  IT was such a fun way to Celebrate Halloween and get us all excited for the months ahead! They plan to tie the knot on June 3rd, 2012! I cant wait! 

This is an instagram photo I took with my phone of the pumpkins and cake! SUCH A CUTE IDEA

So this is the really moment! as you can see... a stupid tree kept me from getting a really good shot

Right after!!!

Emily is Engaged... and SO EXCITED

Beautiful Ring that Orrin picked out!!

Emily Telling everyone about the news

Katie Emily and Me

David found Orrin's Gnome beard and tried it on!

The Happy Couple

Becky made this wonderful cake that tasted ..oh so yummy!

THE GNOMES

Kelsey and Jim!

Becky and Katie