Thankful Thursday

I have no idea what week I'm on.  My hiatus from blogging really threw me off!  But, I'm back, and as usual, I have a lot to be thankful for!

1.  New neighbors.  YAY!  I'm so excited to have a good friend close!  And a little boy Asher's age! BONUS!
2.  Advocare.  Jim has recently started their 24 Day Challenge and is doing great!  I'm excited for him.
3.  Fresh produce.  I'm loving the Farmer's Markets and fruit stands this year.  YUM.
4.  Being back in a routine.  I love my routine, and summer sure throws it off.  We're back into a semi-routine, I guess.  It's a good thing. (That totally sounded like Martha Stewart.)
5.  Shaker bottles
6.  Phone calls from old friends.
7.  Spark.  This is another Adovcare product, and so far, it's my favorite.  It's completely replaced my coffee in the morning!!!  Yep, you read that right.  I'm loving the energy that I have from Spark, and there's no mid-afternoon crash.  I feel good all day long!
8.  Tap shoes.  Haven started tap lessons last week.  She loves them, and it's fun the hear the taps as she walks across the tile floors in our house.
9.  Deep Blue.  This rub has been a life saver the past few weeks.  I was diagnosed with tendonitis in both of my knees, and along with my sciatica, it makes for long painful days.  I love this stuff.  It's relieving my pain and healing from the inside out.
10.  Jim's blog.  If you want to keep up with Jim's results on his challenge, follow him here: 24-Day Challenged  Not only is it great to see and hear about his results, but my man's a funny guy.  He'll definitely make you laugh.
11.  For his sense of humor.  I'm blessed to have a home filled with laughter because of him.
12.  Dojo points.  This is an app that my friend Abbie recommended to me.  Its awesome.  It gives the kids points for the good things that they do and takes them away for the bad.  I added a reward once they get to a certain amount of points, and I gotta tell ya, my kids are motivated to do the right thing!  They absolutely hate when I have to take points away, and they're constantly checking to see how many points they have.  It's awesome.
13.  Physical Therapy.  I had to go for a while for the problems that I was having with my knees.  I'm thankful for a good therapist as well as what I learned to help me feel better!
14.  My resistance band.  I used to just use this to work out, but it's great for stretches, too.
15.  Miracles.  My cousin, Allie was burned pretty badly at the beginning of June.  She's back to work as of yesterday.  That's pretty amazing.  Follow her story here: Prayers for Allie
16.  Windy days
17.  Letters from the boys' new school teachers.
18.  Sprinklers
19.  Back yard pools on hot days
20.  Hope.  Hope is an amazing thing....

If you're interested in the Advocare products, or just would like information, feel free to hit the contact me link!  I'd love to chat about it!

Thankful Thursday: Week 24 HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JAY!!

My Little Man is eight today.  I can't believe how quickly the time has gone by!  I'm so thankful for him, and today's Thankfuls are all going to Jay!

1. For the smile you bring to my face every day!

2.  That you're THE best big brother!

3.  You're a great friend!  And your friends LOVE you!

4.  You don't let others pull you along.   You're definitely one of a kind!

5.  For breakdancing.  That you're not afraid to "get down" anywhere.  

6.  I love your confidence!

7.  Your love for God and others grows everyday, and I love the way you show others.

8. You're always thinking of other people, making things for them, and looking for ways to be giving.

9.  On the day you were born, I became what I always wanted to be: Mommy.  

The nurses at the hospital teased me because I wouldn't put you down.  I love you, Little Man!

10.  That you look like your daddy.  So handsome.  I'm thankful that you have the example of a man who loves God and loves his family.  I know you'll grow up to be just like him.

11.  You're always taking care of other people.

12.  Your are SO persistent!  You don't give up, and that's SUCH A GOOD THING!  I pray that it always serves you well.

13.  That you think of your little sister and love her so much.  I may not mean a lot to her now, but I promise when she gets bigger she will appreciate it more than you know!

14.  You're a natural leader.  

15.  The color green.  You love green, and have it on, most days.  Here's to looking like a pickle!

16.  You have so much energy.  You never stop.  I know that you're out of bed in the morning when I hear you running down the hall.  

17.  You can always make me laugh.

18.  The way you try to include your brother in everything.

19.  The love you have for music.  From wanting to be a rock star, or a DJ, or a breakdancer.  You can do them all!

20.  That I get to be your mom.  God knew what he was doing when he gave you to me.  I love you, so much, little man!

Happy, happy, birthday!

Thankful Thursday: Week 20

We have company right now, and I absolutely love having them here.  My Mother-in-Law, my sisters-in-law, my brother-in-law, and my niece and nephew are visiting for a couple of days.  

1.  I'm really thankful for the way my inlaws raised my husband.  He helps so much around the house.

2.  Good deals.

I got this sticker maker for $1.98!  

 3.  Vinegar.  I use vinegar in almost all the cleaning products that I make.  It's awesome stuff.

4.  God's Promises.

5.  Days off of school.  We let our boys stay home from school so they could play with their cousins today.

6.  Donuts.

7.  Stickers

8.  Visits from family.

9.  My super star!

I'm so proud of you, Jay!

10.  Flowers

11.  Bug habitats.  Jay and some of his buddies made a habitat for some pill bugs.  They even named them.

12.  Dollar Store finds

13.  Paper cutters.

14.  Bubble refill station.

This is full of bubble solution.  That way when the kids run out, they can just fill back up!

15. Possible overtime for my husband.  Though I hate the time spent apart, overtime definitely helps the paycheck!

16.  Mozart

17.  The smell of old books.

18.  Time spent together.

19.  Cleaning

I convinced Haven to play "maid" with me.

20.  Cinderella.

The game lasted all of 5 minutes.  She transferred into a princess. :D

Thankful Thursday: Week 18

I just opened my office window at 8 AM to feel the fresh air and listen to the birds chirping.  I absolutely LOVE spring.  I love the morning air!

1.  The 80 degree weather we've been having.
2.  Haven dressing up my dress form.

This was only the beginning.  When she was done, there was also an apron and a tutu on it.  It was fabulous.

3.  Etsy.  I'm thankful to have a place outside the boutique to sell the things I make.

4.  Learning to make new things.  I love to challenge myself.  The dress that I recently made was just that: a huge challenge.  There was no pattern, and  I completely underestimated how much brain power it would take for me to put the dress together.

5.  Busy weekends.

6.  Nights out with the girls.

7.  Special days to remember things from the past.

8.  Gorgeous fabrics.

9.  That I have things to give to others.

10.  That it's May FIRST!

11.  My best friend ~ My husband.

12.  manicures.

13.  Good advice from those more experienced than I.

14.  Pinterest tutorials.

15.  Drunken donuts.  One of our local restaurants serve these, and they are A-mazing!

16.  Dark chocolate Hershey kisses.

17.  Friends' good ideas.

18.  Rainbows.

This kind.  Made by my oldest son.

19.  Rushed mornings.

20.  Praising in the storm.  This picture spoke so much to me:... And now I can't find it. :(  It was a picture of some of the devastation from the recent midwest tornadoes that had a sign laying on top of the wreckage with the words, "I will praise You in this storm." written on it in red spray paint.  It just was encouraging to me that someone who had possibly lost so  much would still look up and praise.  Just so cool...  I hope my attitude reflects the same thing.

Have a fabulous Thursday!

Thankful Thursday: Week 17

Ahem... I had just finished the post, and then lost it in it's entirety, for some reason.  I will be thankful in all things....  I guess there's a few things I can change up now, right?  Ugh.
Oh well.  The last few days have been really good, and I've felt really blessed with the family and friends God has given me as well as where He's put me right now.
There's some changes coming to En Vogue Pogue.  I've decided to re-open my Etsy shop and expand it to include the different things I make, and I have friends and family joining me in the shop.  We'll have a great variety of products to offer.  I'll have Filofax dust covers, clothing, jewelry, house wares, etc. along with the hair bows and tutus that I've had on there before.  I'm so excited!
1.  Growth and the changes it brings.
2. Re-opening my Etsy shop.
3. Reconnecting with people.  I have the same person who designed my "BabyDoll's Haven" logo working on an new one for En Vogue Pogue.
4.  Good deals at Goodwill.  I got this Mini Stack for $2!  It's perfect for storing my washi tape!

5.  Dollar Tree socks.  I found character socks for all three of my kids and they LOVE them so much, they've even been wearing them to bed!

6.  Haven sorting her Pullups.  She still wears them to bed and they're VERY organized in her cupboard.

7.  Friends and family joining me on Etsy.

8.  Baseball games finished early.  The boys only played four innings yesterday because of the rain and cold.

Haven and I trying to keep warm while watching the boys play.

9.  The boys' school bus drivers.
10.  Projects that are coming together.
11.  Supportive friends.
12.  Playing with Skittles.

Skittles helping Jay get ready for his game.

13.  Piano lessons.
14.  Jay playing catch with Papa-Grape.  (My grandpa.)

15.  Grandparents and great-grandparents.  I'm so blessed to have them in my life and in the lives of my kids!

Swimming with Grammy (not pictured) & Papa

16.  Haven sleeping with Jim's jacket.

17.  A clean house.

18.  Purple Daisies.

19.  Jim's sense of humor.  He can always make me laugh.

20.  Bubbles.  I love bubbles.  We've been playing outside with bubbles a lot recently.  I'm so glad it's Spring!

I'm so excited about the growth and the changes that are coming!  It's been a good week!

Thankful Thursday, Week 16

I had a busy, busy, morning!  Which is why this post is so late today!
1.  Pastries with Parents.  My boys' school offered breakfast to parents this morning for their Book Fair.  We had a great time!  And this is "Geronimo," a character from one of the books... Not sure which one, though.

2. Play dates

3. That my boys are playing on the same team this year!  Go Burger Ranch!

4.  Wild Orange Essential Oil in my diffuser.  It smells so good in here.

5.  Girl's group.  I'm so thankful for the amazing women God has placed in my life!

6.  Reese's.  They've been giving me my chocolate fix this week.

7.  Rainy April Days

8.  Hot tea with honey and lemon

9.  Making new friends.

10.  For the pile of bills on my desk.  Well, I'm more thankful for the services that I'm paying for than for the bills themselves, but I'm glad that I have electricity and running water, and trash pick up.

11.  For my kids' songs at the piano.

12.  My dress form.  I love that it's adjustable to anyone.

13.  Book fairs.

14.  Anticipating visits from grandparents.  Mine are coming this weekend!

15.  My new paper "toys" from Haven.

16.  Printer ink.

17.  Tasks crossed of my To Do list.

18.  Religious freedom.

19.  Sleeping in.  I don't get to do it often, but I love it when I do!

20.  Ladybugs.  It's springtime!

Have a happy week!

Thankful Thursday, Week 15

1. My new niece! She arrived yesterday, and she's just gorgeous!

2.  I'm an Auntie TEN times over!  I love each and every one of my nieces and nephews!  I love how God has blessed my family with our immediate families.

3.  Baseball season!  It just started, and I'm so glad that my boys are on the same team this year!  Their first game is on Saturday, and we're all excited about it.

4. My new serger!  I've wanted one for SO long, and here it is!  I'm loving it!  

5.  Beautiful weather.  It's been in the 70s every day this week!  

6.  Class pictures.

7.  Jim reaching for my hand in his sleep.

8. Springtime blossoms

9.  Haven fixing her own hair.  She does pretty well for a four-year-old!

10.  My upbringing.  As I'm learning more and more through my own kids, I'm so thankful for the way my parents brought me up.  I have a strong foundation there, and that means a lot.

11.  April Fool's Jokes.  My mother-in-law got me this year....  She's been trying every single year since my husband and I got together, and she got me this time.

12.  Dandelions in vases.

13.  Making old clothes new again.

14.  Kids' best friends.

15.  Scraps of fabric

16.  New neighbors.

17.  Glitter and rhinestones.  I love sparkle!

18.  Bright colors

19.  New sweatshirts.  I just love how soft they are when they're new!

20.  Joy.  Not happiness, but JOY.  It goes so much deeper, and isn't based on circumstance.

It's week 15, so that makes my list of thankfuls a total of 300.  I'm loving it!  Have a wonderful day!

Thankful Thursday Week 14

You may have noticed my absence this week.  Sorry about that.  It's Spring Break, so I've been relaxing.  Really relaxing.  And it's been nice.

1.  How Asher "carves" paper in the paper shredder.  (That's what he calls it.)
2. Spring Break.
3.  Extended family.  Some of my cousins came to visit from out of town last weekend.  It was so much fun!  And just GOOD to spend time together.
4.  Childhood toys. Haven has discovered a few of my Barbie toys and she loves playing with them as much as I did.
5.  Baby noises.  My cousin has 3 boys, and they are all absolutely adorable!  It was so much fun to have little ones that are smaller than mine around!

Luca giving Haven a hug.

6.  Baseball season!  My crazy time has begun!  Both boys are in baseball.  Thankfully, they're on the same team this year, so that'll definitely make it easier.  Last year, practices and games were at the same time and in different places quite frequently.  This should be much better.

7.  Board games.  We had a blast learning to play "Settlers of Catan" and using the expansion packs.  Good times.

8.  Easy weeks.  This week has been such a relaxing one.  I haven't had much to do or had to go many places, and I really needed some down time.

9.  Dandelions!  Haven keeps bringing me these "flowers".  I have several in a vase on the counter right now.

10.  Games of tag.

11.  Coloring boxes.  I'll do a post about these next week, but they've been really nice!

12.  Friends to laugh with.  (April Fools' Day was yesterday.  Need I say more?)

13.  Flavored water.  I've recently given up drinking soda completely, and I love carbonated flavored water.  I've been drinking a lot of it.  Not only is it better for me, but I feel a lot better, too!

14.  Past tense.  Doterra's headache blend.  This stuff is literally a life saver.

15.  Sleeping in.

16.  Jay's persistence.  This boy.  He doesn't know when to stop.  But, hopefully as he grows he won't lose his persistence, he'll just apply it to the things which he should.

17.  Lots of play time.

18.  My Christian education.  I've been really thankful for the books that I read about different church leaders and people that have made an impact in the Christian world lately.  Good old A.C.E. curriculum.  I didn't think I'd appreciate reading about John Wesley, John Calvin, D.L. Moody, and Corrie Ten Boom, but I really, really do.

19.  Baxter's snoring.  This little dog can out-snore a grown man.  It's ridiculous.

20.  3 Day weekends!  My husband works 4 ten hour days, so today is his last day of work for the week.  I love that we have an entire extra day to spend together!

I'd like to know who else is keeping lists of "thankfuls."  If you are, or would like to start, please leave me a comment!  I would also challenge you to read "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp.  This book changed my perspective on life.  It's SO good.  You can purchase it here:http://www.aholyexperience.com/one-thousand-gifts-book/

There are links to the book in every format there!  It will change your life!  

Have a fabulous week!

Becky

Thankful Thursday: Week 13

I've been a little under the weather this week, so it's been  a bit more difficult to stay positive.  But, hey, I think it's during the times that one doesn't really feel thankful that more effort should be directed toward being thankful.  Even when it's tough.

1.  Book lights.  I found one for my oldest son at the Dollar Tree, and he loves it.  I'm just glad to find something for him that gets him to read more.
2.  Blossoms on my tree.

Aren't they pretty?  Yay for Spring!

3.  Singing toothbrushes.  Seriously, why didn't they make those when I was a kid?  I think I may buy one for myself so I can rock out while I'm brushing my teeth.

4.  Washi tape.  I love the stuff.  And it's quickly becoming an obsession.  Here's my small collection:

5.  Mango lotion.  O.P.I. makes some that is absolutely amazing.

6.  A messy kitchen.  My family is fed and happy, my sink is full, and my counters have crumbs on them.  And it's a reminder that we are provided for.

7.  The periodic table. (this one is personal.  Only my husband will know why I'm thankful for it.)

8.  Inside jokes. 

9.  That Jay looks out for Asher at school.  Apparently he sees Asher's teacher everyday at lunch and asks her how the Asher-man did that day.

10.  BBQ weather!  We're having our first barbecue of the season on Saturday. 

11.  Swiffer.  

12.  Positive comments.

13.  Lessons in being on time.

14.  Gifts given.

15.  My laid back Asher-man.  I love how easy going that boy is.  

16.  Packages in the mail.

17.  My paper shredder.

18  Spring decor.  I put away all my winter decorations and put up all my spring time things.  It's so cheery in here now!

19.  Pretty paper.

20.  Colored pens.  

The last two are of course regarding my Filofax.  I'm finding it to be a constant companion, and I love making it pretty. 

I hope you all have a great day and are finding things to be thankful for.  The joy is in the journey!

Thankful Thursday, week 12

Thursdays are quickly becoming my favorite day to blog.  I LOVE looking over all my "thankfuls."  It just sets the tone for a great day!

1.  Sleepless nights.  An odd thing to be thankful for?  Well...
2.  Problems solved.  I couldn't figure something out.  It was driving me crazy.... To the point that I couldn't sleep last night.  But, hey, at 3 AM, the answer was there!
3.  Improved grades for both of my boys.
5.  Time off of school!
6.  Haven's fashion sense.  Check her out:

Those are leg warmers she has around her calves.  Awesome.

7. Parent/Teacher conferences.  It's so good to know exactly where my kids are at and how they're doing.

8.  Rental cars.  I had to get one last weekend when I went down to ID, and it was just nice to have something reliable and that got excellent gas mileage for the weekend!

9.  St. Patrick's Day recitals.

Jay had a ball!  And St. Patrick's Day is his favorite day because not only does he get to wear all the green he wants, but everyone else wears green, too!  

10.  To Do lists.  It just feels so good to check those things off.

11. Ceiling fans

12.  The weekend is almost here!

13.  Funny videos.

14.   Jay's FINALLY enjoying reading. (sometimes)

15. It's the first day of Spring!

16.  Jim's strength and stability.  I'm really blessed in the husband that I have.

17.  Fundraisers

18.  Lined clips.

Yes, these things.  When I'm making bows, they save me SO MUCH TIME!  I love that I can buy them already lined and I don't have to do it myself anymore!

19.  Picnics.

20.  Home sweet home.  I <3 home!

Thankful Thursday: In Loving Memory

Yesterday was a rough day.  My friend Amber, from high school passed away.  She fought long and hard against Ovarian Cancer, and it took her Home much too soon.  But, I know that God has a plan.  And we can already see the way that He has used Amber's life to make this world a better place.  Rest in Peace, my beautiful friend!  Until we meet again...

Amber Rumpel 1982-2014

1. I'm thankful for childhood friends.  All the memories in Jr. High and High School that I have of Amber are filled with laughter.  I honestly don't remember her being sad.  She seemed to always be laughing about something.  What a gift!
2.  The legacy of laughter left behind.
3.  A WONDERFUL sense of humor.
4. A life lived to the fullest, even though she was so young.
5. Happy Memories.
6. The nostalgic feelings that looking through old yearbooks brings.

7.  God's provision and hand through all of this.

8.  Trust without borders.  Those words keep playing in my head... Although it's impossible to understand why she's gone, I pray that I can trust God without borders.

9.  I'm thankful that we didn't move.  That I'm still close enough that I can go celebrate Amber's life with our friends.

10. Amber's family.  She has two little boys.  Her family has shown such as example of love and support through this journey.

11.  Her best friend Amanda.  Unconditional love right there.  The other friends that Amber was surrounded by.  She was one of those people that you just couldn't help loving.

12. Photographs. 

Homecoming 1998

13.  Facebook.  I'm so thankful that we all can keep in touch.

14.  That Amber is no longer suffering. She fought hard, but she doesn't hurt anymore.

15.  Funny stories shared between friends.

16.  Peace that passes all understanding.

Regional Competition 1996 (I think)

17. Regional competition.  This was such a fun trip!  Such good memories there!
18.  The weddings of friends.  Amber was in several more weddings. This is definitely a special group of women.

Stephanie Sherard's Wedding.

19,  Friendships that last a lifetime.

20.  Love that transcends time.  These girls are all dear to me.  Although the years have taken us in different directions, although life has thrown us some curve balls, even though some of us are no longer as close as we used to be, Amber will always be a part of us.  

Thank you, God, for sharing Amber with us.  She's free now.

Thankful Thursday, Week 10

I love this quote:

It's SO true!  And such a good thing to remember...

1. I'm thankful for my new embroidery machine.  I'm having so much fun with it and have so many ideas running through my head that it's kept me up at night!

2. Reimbursement checks.

3. Serenity.  This is an essential oil blend that I just ordered, and it's wonderful! It really helps me relax at night.

4. Homemade coffee creamer.  For the recipe, see this post.

5. Warmer weather

6.  For dr. appointments.

7. Big dreams and decisions to make.  I'm contemplating re-opening my Etsy shop.  I still haven't completely decided whether or not to do it yet, though.

8.  Dance competitions.

9.  Flowers and chocolate from my husband after a hard day.

10.  For my new hop punch for my Filofax.  It's awesome and it makes everything so much easier!  I got it here: Rakuten

11.  My new cleaning schedule.  I found this on Pinterest, and I love it so far!  (And so does my house)  Here's the link for the printable: Pinterest

12.  Glasses adjustments

13.  Sunshine!  FINALLY!

14.  That I don't have to wear my heavy winter coat to set foot outside!

15.  New shoes.  Both my boys got new shoes yesterday and they both think they're Olympic runners now.

16.  Haven's sleepy eyes first thing in the morning.

17.  Quick snacks

18.  The "Force."  I was sitting in the drive-thru at Starbucks yesterday, and Asher is convinced he used the force to make the car in front of us move. :)

19.  Flowers from my Jay-man.

20.  GREAT days at school!  Jay struggles with staying in his seat and keeping his mouth closed.  He had an AMAZING day yesterday!  I'm so proud of him!

Thankful Thursday, Week 9

Thursdays are quickly becoming my favorite day of the week.  Not only because I'm reminded of all the things I have to be thankful for, but for us, it's the beginning of a weekend.

1.  Flavored water.  I've recently completely given up soda, and I've been drinking carbonated flavored water instead.  I feel so much better!
2.  Crock pot recipes.  We're fairly busy in the evenings, so it's such a time saver to throw dinner together in the morning and not have to think about it for the rest of the day!
3.  Book reviews.  I was asked to read and review a marriage devotional.  It's a 30 day devotional, and so far, I'm really enjoying it.
4.  RAKs.  It stands for Random Act of Kindness... One of the Filofax Facebook groups that I joined does several of these, and one of the members sent me an envelope full of these goodies!  So much fun!

5.  Baxter's bed.  I made this several months ago, and since I've moved my office around, and it's closer to me, he's using it again.  I'm so glad he likes it!

6.  Being made in the image of God.  And learning what that really means.  No comparing myself to others, and having a positive self image.  Because I am His.

7.  For a husband not afraid to say what needs to be said.  

8.  For my new desk.  I'm absolutely loving it!  It's the perfect height, and I love having all the room!

9.  Piano lessons!  I've recently started teaching piano lessons to a sweet little girl.

10.  Guitar lessons!  The little girl's dad is giving guitar lessons to my sweet little boy.  Perfect trade off!

11.  Another bonus is that this little girl's dad is a friend from childhood.  We were once in a band together... Long ago.

12.  For losing teeth...

The Asher-man lost is first one!

13.  The bittersweet feeling that comes with little milestones like loosing teeth.  My babies are growing up.  And I'm so proud of them already!

14.  For happy mail.  I love getting things in the mail!

15.  For my 3 in 1 printer.

16.  My new planner charm.  This is something that came in the mail.  It's gorgeous, and it has some of my favorite things.  The Fleur De Lis, an Eiffel Tower, purple beads, and a Filofax charm.  Perfection!  I bought it from a shop on Etsy.  Check her out here! Filolove 

She made this just for me, and made sure I was happy with it.  I'll definitely be buying from her again!

17.  My husband's strength and commitment to our family.  I'm so thankful that I have a shoulder to lean on, and someone to go to that I know loves me unconditionally and just wants what's best for our family.

18.  Potato soup.  The perfect comfort food.

19.  My old piano books.  I love reminiscing my way through them.

20.  Drinks and talks with good friends.  There's not a lot that's better than that.  And I've really been blessed in the friendship area.  I'm so very thankful for my friends!

I'm loving keeping my list of "Thankfuls" with me.  It's really fun to look back over the last few weeks and be thankful all over again.  God is good.

Thankful Thursday, Week 8

I really need to be better about writing things down as I'm thankful for them...  It would make it much easier on me than trying to come up with 20 things every Thursday.  I'm going to make a note in my filofax to try to remember daily.

1.  New Tires!  on our trip down to Idaho, we had a flat.  I'm so thankful that it didn't blow out.    It looked like a part of a chain punctured the tire.  There was a pretty good sized hole in it.
2.  That my finger isn't broken.  The other day I was doing my dishes, and it sounded like something was stuck in my disposal.  I turned it off, but didn't wait quite long enough for it to stop spinning before I stuck my hand in it.  (oops!)  My acrylic nails definitely protected my finger from being cut and or broken.  It chipped my nail, and my finger is sore, but not broken... Then later the same day, I was helping move my new china hutch in the house, and a smashed the same finger against the door jamb.  It's pretty bruised and swollen, but, again, not broken.
3.  My new china hutch.  And the pretty dishes inside of it.  Isn't it gorgeous?

4.  I LOVE the light inside of it.  It's so pretty!

5.  My kids' developing sense of humor.  It's fun to hear their wit and how they tease each other.

6.  My dolls.  We got them out of storage while we were in Idaho.  I still don't have an idea what to do with them, but they make me smile.

7.  Good visits with old friends.  It was nice to see them, and I love how we can pick up where we left off.

8.  Sports cards.  This is my oldest son's new hobby.  It's great to see him flip through his book, and I love how excited he gets over them.

9.  Spray paint.

10.  My finished mudroom!  It looks awesome!  And the kids LOVE it!  They each have their own cubby, and it's just perfect!

11.  The trampoline park! FUN, fun, fun!

12.  That I can SEE!  I just got glasses for the first time in my life, and it's so nice to be able to see again!

13.  My new desk organizer!  I got a new thing to put all my filofax supplies in.  I'll show pictures tomorrow!

14.  The toys that are always on my floor.

15.  Little hats

16.  Four-10-hour days.  My husband's new schedule.  I love that he has every Friday off!

17.  Costco

18.  Good deals on cute little hamster houses

19.  Asher's new clock.  My sister-in-law got it for him, and it's the only one that will actually wake him up!

20.  Straw bowls.  My kids each have one for their cereal, and they're awesome.

Being thankful is such an easy thing to do when you think about it.  And it makes such a big difference in your life!  The joy is in the journey!