Days 22 - 24!

Day 22: I am thankful for the missionaries who are overseas spreading the Good News!

Day 23: I am thankful for the military and how they are serving us by being over there keeping our freedom.

Day 24: I am thankful for our country and the all the freedoms that we have.  We have the freedom to worship together at church, read our Bibles, pray, etc.  I pray that our country turns around b/c all those freedoms will start diminishing if not.

I hope that you have a Happy Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!! 

We're actually going to be celebrating with our families this weekend.  Today we're celebrating my b'day with my parents by having homemade lasagna!!!

Absent for awhile....yes, I know!

I want you all to know that even though I haven't been able to blog what I am thankful for; I have been writing them down.  We were out of town from the 7th - 17th.  We were camping at Caddo Lake State Park.  We had a great time, but as you probably know; not many people knew we were going to be gone AND for such a long time.  Les was out deer hunting and actually shot 3 while we were gone.  So, for him this year; he has 4 deer.  He's allowed 1 more for the state of TX, but we'll see if he's able to get another one. 

Here are the things that I am thankful for:
Day 7: Rain - whew, this is much needed for Texas.  We had just set the pop-up up at the park and within 10 min; it was POURING!!

Day 8: Heat - there was a cold front that came through and it was just flat out cold, but thanks to heaters; we were able to stay cozy and warm.

Day 9: Shelter - we have been sheltered through the rain/cold.  I would say that this also goes for our house when we're home. 

Day 10: Burp Clothes - Sadie LOVES to hold them when she's going to sleep.  It's crazy; I can be rocking her without it, but the minute she has one in her hands; she's sound asleep!

Day 11: Internet - we were basically without any type of service (phone/internet).  So, when we actually had service for a moment; then it was nice.  HOWEVER, it was also nice to not have any of those things and just focus on each other.

Day 12: Owls - we went on a Owl Prowl with one of the park rangers.  This was very informative and enjoyable for us.  Now Sadie didn't really know or care what was going on, but Les, Zachary and I enjoyed it.  They are such beautiful animals!  On our Owl Prowl, we did get to hear an owl "talk" back to the tape that the ranger had. 

Day 13: Nature - Zachary and I were on a hike one morning and while we were walking; the leaves were falling all around us.  It was such a beautiful sight.  I was thanking God for all that He has created!

Day 14: Laundry Mats - this one is crazy b/c we take for granted our machines at home, but when you don't have them; they're such a blessing!  I only packed for 5 - 6 days and knew that if we stayed longer; then we would need to do laundry.  This particular day; I took a break and went and washed our clothes. 

Day 15: McDonalds and their $1 Sweet Tea - oh man, this was the best glass of sweet tea b/c I had been drinking water and some kool-aid.  YUMMO!

Day 16: Nice Neighbors - this particular day I was thinking of our neighbors at the state park.  The couple that was staying next to us were so sweet and friendly.  One of things is that they let us borrow their internet card thingy to check the weather that was about to change (storms coming in) and another thing was bringing us homemade peanut butter cookies..........can I just tell you how good they were?!?!  I ate several immediately.............HAHAHA  When the kids and I went to tell them goodbye; Margo had made me a red, white, and blue hotpad holder.  That was so sweet & I was so thankful for that.  In fact, it's on my counter right now!

Day 17: Knowledge - the kids and I had taken a walk down another trail.  Well, while we were walking, I came across a smell that I identified as butterscotch.  I went to the rangers office and explained to them the smell.  After researching, the ranger decided that it was a Ponderosa Pine.  It was so cool learning something, both me and them!

Day 18: My own bed - it was wonderful to be sleeping with just Les.  Zachary slept with us the whole time we were gone b/c we had Sadie on the other end by herself.  He is a snuggler, so it was nice to be able to stretch out on my side of the bed....HA!

Day 19: Homemade goodies - I have already begun a few yummies for family/friends.  I made a treat today and can't wait to share it!

Day 20: ME!  I was actually born on this day; it was my 32nd birthday.  :)

Day 21: God's Healing Hand - as I was thinking about today's blessing; I was quickly reminded that this time last year, I was at the doctor with my mom.  She was very sick and had to be hospitalized (she was on chemo).  I was thanking God for healing my mom and giving me (all of us) more time with her.  I don't know if He has healed her permanently or just temporary, but I am still thankful for this extra time.  Thank you, Lord for being the Great Physician.  I love you, Lord!

There you have it, folks, I am all caught up on my days now!!!!!!!!!!

What are you thankful for?????

Day 6

My Parents!!!!!  I chose to do them today b/c today is their 41st Wedding Anniversary...........YAY!!!!!!!!!  :)

They are such a blessing to me & have helped me so much over the years.  Now that I have my own family; they still help me, but in different ways.  They baby-sit, fix meals here and there, encourage us, etc.

I pray that Les & I will be alive long enough to even see 41 yrs together; I would be 69 yrs old and Les would be 77 yrs old or so.  :)  That seems REALLY old!!!!!  LOL

Anyways, thank you mom and dad for setting an example to us & I pray that God will draw you both closer together more than you can imagine & that God would remain in the center of your marriage.

I love you both so much!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here is a picture of my parents, Les, me, Zachary, and Sadie at a rodeo from this past summer.  FUN TIMES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Day 5

I am thankful today for the meat that God provides for us.  Whether it is from the grocery store or shot!  Here is a picture of the doe that Les shot this morning.  :)  So proud of you, Les!  Thank you, God for the meat that you put on our table. 

This is the doe, his rifle, and his tree stand.  She was shot around 6:55 AM, so not a bad way to start the morning off!!!!  He hunted the spot that I hunted last year.  I saw around 8-9 deer last year at this spot.  WAY TO GO, LES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Day 4

Today, I am thankful for the newest member of our family, Sadie!  She has been such a blessing to our family.  She is so much fun, has the BEST smile, has awesome hair (like myself), is very curious of people and her surroundings (another characteristic of me).  All in all, she's just the BEST daughter!!  When I was pregnant w/ Sadie, I was kind of hoping that it would be another boy, but the minute they said it was a girl (at 13 wks); I was like," OH MY GOSH, I WANT A GIRL........YAY!!!!!!!!"  I was so excited and knew that my dreams of piercing her ears, big bows, etc were going to come true.  For as long as I can remember; I have wanted to piece my daughters ears and this was before I was even married.  :):)

Today she is 8 months old and for her b'day present; she got the 2nd round of her flue shot.  What fun is that?!  :)  Let's see, she is rolling every where, she army crawls all over the house now (no part of the house is off limits.....she crawled into the bathroom where Les was showering and was there on the little rug when he opened the door to get out.......too cute!).  She has 2 teeth (bottom front) and 2 more teeth that are just about to cut (I give it a day or 2 days at the most till they cut through the gums).  Those 2 teeth coming in are the top front.  She eats like crazy!  Loves straws.......she will FIGHT you for your straw.......HA!  I keep her hair either in a clip or pony-tail most of the time b/c it's now in her eyes.  It's gotten sooooooooo long!  I could continue, but overall, she's doing GREAT and lovin' life!

Here are some pictures of our sweet little girl:

The night before she was born!

1 month old

2 months old

3 months old

3 1/2 months old

4 months old

5 months old

6 months old

7 months old

8 months old - this was just take a few days ago and she was LOVING that lollipop.  Zachary got a lollipop for her while he was Trick-Or-Treating!!

Sadie, I love you so much and couldn't be any happier that you're my baby girl.  I look forward to seeing you grow up.  I pray that you rely on God and that you follow His will for your life.  I love you, Sadie Jewell!!!!!!!!!!!

Day 3

I have been out all day, so I am finally getting to the blog!!!

I am thankful for my son, Zachary, today.  He's a huge blessing in my life & just love that little guy so much.  He's 2 1/2 yrs old and just growing like crazy.  He talks so much and has a huge vocabulary!  Of course, I think he's just the smartest little thing around....HA!

He's very good with Sadie; which melts my heart.  I'll see him kiss her on the head and then rub her hair.  Awwww!!!!!!!!!  He's such a sweet little boy.

Zachary, I love you so much and I'm so thankful that God gave you to us!  You have blessed my life so much; I don't even know where to begin.  I pray that you'll grow up to be a godly man and will follow God's plan for your life.  Always look to Him for guidance; He'll never guide you wrong.  I love you, Zachary!!!!  :)

Here are some old pictures, but I thought it would be fun to see him change of the last 18 months or so.

12 months old

13 months old

14 months old

15 months old

16 months old - I was about 6 wks prego here

17 wks old

18 months old

20 months old or so - not sure of the exact date

This was the day that my OB/GYN confirmed that I was pregnant - July 28, 2008

Here is Zachary holding Sadie for the 1st time - I think it was the 1st time that he had seen her too.  :)

Day 2

For what I am thankful for today, that would be my hubby, Les.  We have been friends for 6 1/2 yrs now and we just celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary on October 6.  These first 4 yrs have gone by soo fast!  We have had a great marriage and I just love this man so much.  He's really been challenging me even though he doesn't know it.  He reads his Bible everyday and I am striving to do the same too.  I'm so proud of him!!

Les, I am so thankful that God crossed our paths and brought us together.  You're the LOVE of my LIFE and my true soulmate.

I love you, Les!!!!!!!!!

This is one of our engagement pictures!!!!!!!!!!!

30 Day Challenge

I have challenged myself (dare to join me???) to post everyday for something that I am thankful for.  I decided to do this for Thanksgiving!!!
Day 1:

I am thankful for Jesus Christ, my Lord & Savior.  He died on the cross for my sins and your sins.  All it takes to get it Heaven is to accept His free gift!  The changes that come along with accepting Jesus is amazing.  However, God never said that it would be easy to follow Him.  However, well worth it in the end (read Revelations and you can see it doesn't turn out well for those who don't accept Jesus).
Jesus, thank you for all that you do for me, how you prove yourself to me, and overall accepting and loving me no matter how I behave.  Which is not always good, but I strive to be like You!  I love you, Lord!!!!!!
This is one of my FAVORITE pictures!

To me, this picture represents that Jesus will never force His way into our lives, but we have to open the door and let Him in (notice there is no door knob for Him to use).