Thankful

     Here I is sit. In my beautiful living room surrounded by these gorgeous Christmas decorations. There is a fire in the fireplace and the smell of pine fills the house. Of course, the smell of pine is from the plug ins I bought because the trees are fake, which I'm ok with. And since we are getting real here, I must confess the conflict I'm having when checking out at Hobby Lobby with a cart full of Christmas decorations and still feeling compelled to say Happy Thanksgiving to the clerk. I just wonder what she must be thinking. It's obvious I'm already celebrating Christmas and yet, it's still Thanksgiving.
     It's here that I have stop and just laugh at my life. This conflict of what to say to the clerk at Hobby Lobby is the biggest issue happening right now. Sure there are always kids situations, could always use more money, would like to have a little more space in my house but seriously, the most pressing issue is the Merry Christmas/Happy Thanksgiving one. Wow! What a blessed life I'm living.
     What a blessed life we are all living! We all have homes that are warm and provide shelter, our children are healthy, there is money in the bank and anyway you look at it, it's the most wonderful time of the year!

     Thanksgiving is a time set aside for us to give thanks to God for His hand of provision on our life. We can do that! What provision we have! Even the poorest of poor in our country is better off the wealthiest people in other countries! So, seeing how tomorrow is Thanksgiving, regardless of being surrounded by Christmas decorations, I will be thankful and enjoy this season and everything it means.

     One of the things I am most thankful for is this beautiful place I call my home. I never get tired of seeing the fall colors on the trees and looking out my windows at the amazing views.

This tree is my favorite tree! It's at my grandparents house.

When I moved back from my time away, I lived in a trailer

outside my grandparents house and this tree was right outside.

It became a symbol of my life in so many ways. Every year, I

make a point to drive up there and see this tree after it has changed

colors and before it looses it leaves. I'm never disappointed

in the beauty.

 This is the tree in my backyard. I love it!

I love watching it's leaves change colors in the fall and snow

covered in the winter. It makes such a statement

sitting so tall and strong outside our house.

 

 

This tree is everyone's favorite. It is at our church between the buildings and it is the most beautiful tree I've ever seen when it changes colors. This tree changes slowly too so you can actually watch Fall creep in. It's amazing and I never get tired of seeing it.

     It is my prayer that you are able to find beauty in your life. No matter what you are going through. Fall is a beautiful time and Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful for all of the things that make your life beautiful. The Lord took my life, broken, in pieces, the wreckage from my past, hurts and fears and over time, made it beautiful. Sure I have hopes and dreams for my future and my family, who doesn't? But I find so much contentment in the blessed, beautiful life I enjoy every single day.

From our Thanksgiving table to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!

Catching Up

Well, it seems like my blog has taken another hit due to my schedule. It's not because I don't want to blog nor is it because I have nothing to say (shocker). I have found myself writing a lot for several others things that my blog just seems to get  left behind. However, I am here to catch up.

Since we last visited, Campbell has been doing wonderfully in school. She has gone on a couple of field trips with her class and they were both so much fun.  

 

 We went to the crystal mines and the pumpkin patch. Both were a lot of fun. She is so animated and just like me so everything she does is a lot of fun.

She has fun in everything she does. That makes like a lot of fun with her.

 

The Christmas play has been all consuming also! I have been writing it since June so to see it coming together is so rewarding. Right now, I'm in the middle of band auditions. The cast has been set and the stage has been drawn. We are moving it right along!

 

One of the funest things I have done was go to the Legislative Conference in Dallas, Tx.

I haven't been anywhere by myself in I'm not sure how long. Everyday was packed full of amazing speakers and every night was a fancy dinner. I have never experienced such service! The wait staff found out that I didn't eat meat and they made me my own dish. It was unbelievable!

Dad spoke during the nights and I sold his CD's at his CD table. It was so much fun! I loved the break from my "normal" life, to say the least.

 

Just like all good things, they come to an end. However, on my way back, I found a In N Out! The first time I ate at an In N Out was in California. I love California and so seeing  the In N Out was a good surprise for me! Of course, I didn't get the burger but the Diet Coke was fantastic!!!!

 

 

As of right now, I am enjoying the last few minutes of fall before Christmas descends on us! Turkey Day Retreat is just around the corner as is the Christmas Play so we are as busy as ever!

 

I just love this time of year. I love fire in the fire place, hot tea, fall tree and family time. I love the leaves that blow across the street. I love the way my house smells when my candles are lit. I love the secrets that this season keeps. I love the music and Hallmark movies. I love drizzling rain and overcast days. This is a beautiful season and I love every single minute of it.

It is my prayer that as I enter into the whole Holiday Season, from Thanksgiving to Christmas, that I never loose sight of why I celebrate. It's because of Jesus and His grace, mercy and forgiveness.

I have so much to be thankful for but I will save those for another post.

 

No matter how you spend this wonderful time of the year, I pray that you enjoy every single minute of it! It's mean to be enjoyed!