Day 10 through 14 of Thanks

Ok ok, so I stink at keeping up on my blog, what can I say...so I'm compiling all my missed days so I can be up to speed for once on my "Day's of Thanksgiving" posts.

So here goes...the abridged version that is...

Day 10 - Fall leaves So unfortunately being in So. Cal we don't have the splendor of the leaf colors like other states. But, every now and again there are certain trees that understand the need to change color and allow us So Calians to experience the seasonal change.

Day 11 - Freebies - So those of you close to me know that I am a crazy couponer and always in search of the best bargain out there. Well, free seems to be the best I can do and I love that CVS, Walgreens, & Rite Aid are continuously throwing free things my way. I'm grateful for those extra freebie blessings.

Day 12 - Hand Me Downs Both my sister and my sister in law have blessed us with an abundance of the cutest clothes ever from their kids. I felt like a kid at Christmas going through one cute out fit after the next!!Thank you sis's for sharing the love!

Day 13-My new camera Yes, it's true, we've finally purchased a new camera. And thanks to my sis in law who hooked us up, we were able to get an even better one for a steal. I'm so excited to getting back to posting pics instead of having to do all this writing on my blog ;-) j/k

Day 14- Foster Family Agency - Koinonia I am so grateful for an agency like Koinonia that provides us with the support we need as foster parents. They have been a blessing to us this year with both sets of girls and have brought us the biggest blessing this year - our daughters.

Day 9 and 10 of thanks

9:Health
We made it this far {since all our other crazy episodes with the girls several months ago} with no colds, flus, fevers or any other type of sickness...up until last night. I realize how grateful I am for health when this morning I awoke dead tired after being woken up, oh, I don't know, 5 times last night, with crying, coughing, sneezing and runny noses {from both girls}.

10: I'm grateful for all my free Rite aid cold remedies from last month b/c they're sure coming in handy ;-)

Day 8 of thanks

My BFF {he he} Traci. I happened to finally stop by her blog and again am reminded of what an amazing women she is. If you haven't already, check out her blog, Milk and Honey and you will be blessed by her insight. I'm trying to encourage her to write a devotional or just plain write anything at all b/c she's so dog gone talented but alas we'll just have to be content with her blog for now. Here's to an amazing woman that I am so proud and blessed and very very grateful to call friend.

Day 7 of thanks

So....I'm a bit behind - doesn't mean I'm any less grateful :-) just a little behind...perhaps I'm going to have to briefly "list" what I'm thankful for and leave it at that instead of trying to be profound {not that I'm all that great at being profound}.

Today, I'm grateful for the crazy weather we have here in So. Cal. It's the middle of Nov. and we're having record temperatures of 90 plus degrees. While most of us are grumbling that we'd really like to have some cooler weather so it "seems" like fall, I have to admit it sure beats dealing with blizzards and shoveling snow from driveways. Not that I've ever experienced either of those but I can just imagine. Here's to still be able to wear tank tops and shorts...don't be jealous.

Day 6 of thanks

My job
Greg was doing just a little bit of whining about having to go to work today...ok that actually happens just about everyday...and I find that I do the same thing. Most likely we're not alone in the fact that there is a bit o' grumbling before heading out to the workplace.

However, during one of our grumble sessions, Greg pointed out how incredibly blessed we are with our particular jobs. Our jobs have allowed us to be foster parents, to be home owners, to be able to vacation, to have time to pursue outside passions...and while we might complain about having to go to work we are both so grateful that God has blessed us with our jobs.

{The picture is of our missions team in Mexico last year. Greg (in the red shirt) and I were able to take a week off and help build a much needed bathroom - they previously had a hole in the ground with four walls around it - ah yes, an out house.}

There are a number of people at our church who are wrestling with trying to find jobs... and our church has been praying a season of work for our congregation. It convicted me to be ever so grateful for the work God has given Greg and me and the fact it has allowed us to do so much. So many others would be delighted to be heading out to jobs... period.

I am grateful for my job.

Day 5 of thanks

Homemade Baked goodies
So I know what you're thinking...what a random list of things you are thankful for. Obviously, this list isn't exhaustive and it is definitely not an order of the things I am most thankful for...it's just a time for me to reflect on whatever happens to pop into my mind at the moment.

And at this moment, I'm eating homemade scones.

Just about on a daily basis my mom bakes something. Literally. From muffins, to cookies, to todays fare - cherry scones. And my mom doesn't cheat a recipe. She does it the very old fashion way, from scratch. Even her frosting is always...from scratch. No store bought goodies from her home. And it made me think how I'm usually rushing from one thing to the next and only have time to "buy" the goodies for my family instead of baking them. On the rare occasion that I do bake I derive such pleasure from the aromas that fill my home to the smiles on the faces of those devouring the sweet treats.

I'm so grateful for a mother who delighted in putting the extra time and effort to make things for her family...and she continues to do so. What a blessing to have my mom just a few short blocks away so my kids {and me too} can still get the homemade goods {even if it's not necessarily me that baked em'}

Day 4 of Thanks

Freedom
Today is a big day for Americans as we choose the next leader of our great nation. I am grateful that I live in a land of democracy that allows the people to govern. I am thankful for the freedom to worship as I choose, to have rights as a woman, the ability to turn dreams into realities.
The freedoms we have have been paid for with quite a sacrifice from the men and women who have served our country and to them I am forever grateful for their protection of our freedoms.

Day 3 of Thanks

Church
In reflecting back on today I am so blessed to be a part of a church family like I have at Light & Life Christian Fellowship- Halogen. Today at 11 Greg played bass for the very first time at our bilingual Spanish service "Norte". Here I walked into a service where I virtually didn't "know" anyone and by the time service started several different people were holding the baby and helping me with G. Later that evening Greg's sister came to the house to visit us and babysit the girls so Greg and I could sit together through service (a rarity for us since one of us is usually doing something during the service).
We are so blessed to have our church family. They have been an incredible support to us and I am so grateful to have an extended family I can go to for anything.

30 days of Thanks

{As I was wandering others blogs I noticed a few people started what they called "The 30 days of thanks" post. I find that I often get so busy I tend to forget what I'm truly grateful for...so for the 30 days of Nov. I'm going to try to commit myself to blogging about what I'm grateful for (so I'm starting on day 2 but better late than never.}

Baby's Laughter
My husbands sitting on the couch practicing bass guitar {yes, he just picked the thing up and managed to figure out how to play in a day}. Sitting across from him is our littlest one {9 months old} and she's literally giggling with delight. I can't help but smile with every squeal I hear. It reminds me of the wonder of life through a little one's eyes and to allow myself to laugh with abandon and be more childlike.

Happy Halloween!

...from one cute fairy...