Five Thanks on Thursday

Source: bitsotruth.blogspot.ca via Joanna on Pinterest

Happy THURSDAY! :) We have almost arrived, people!

Ok, so, a LOT of good things going on in my life and heart lately, besides all the blubbering I have been doing on this here part of the internetz. and... I am going to share it with you guys. That quote up above really hit me on the head and reminded me that I truly need to be more grateful for things and express them as well. so, here we go!

1) I am SO thankful for my sweet sweet husband. guys, he is made of GOLD. I cannot express to you the amount of times I have literally mental breakdowns and he is there, helping me during and after the mess of it all. He supports me in literally everything I do and want to do. For instance, I mentioned staying home and being a stay-at-home dog mom and he was all for it. See,  G O L D E N! Last weekend we watched 3 of our niece and nephews. They were a lot of work for me to handle in my mind because I am just not used to kids and kids sort of just overwhelm me sometimes... Aaron was amazing through the entire weekend, and even allowed me some time to just stay at home. Yeah, sure I cleaned, but still.... I LOVED IT. I could go on... but I will save that for another day :)

2) I am thankful for this job I have. Yes, it isn't my dream job by any means, but honestly, my boss is great and I get to work in a Christian environment. It's really awesome. And, it has taught me a lot about myself.

3) I am thankful for the Lord. I am thankful for the work He does in my heart. My heart sucks. I just am really bitter and hateful sometimes. I am pretty selfish and greedy (maybe those go hand in hand?), and I am sometimes very rude and very boastful in a certain setting. The Lord is truly accepting of me at this stage in my life... and He is working with me to help me get from this place to better things. I wish I thanked Him more...

4) I am thankful for friends. Sometimes I feel like I am not a good friend, so it is amazing that I even have friends (read #3 to see why!). I am just grateful for those friends who have stuck through life with me. Even if they are far and few between, they are my friends, my very best friends, and I love them all :)

5) I am thankful for our apartment. We seriously are living in a steal. It has character, lovely wood floors, and it v e r y cheap! I need to be more thankful for it, so here it is. Aaron and I have been house-hunting since probably November 2011, and.... nothing. Any time we are trying to put in an offer or something, someone else has put in an offer or something else happens... We feel as though God is just not ready for us to buy a house. We are trying to PATIENTLY and OBEDIENTLY accept that... but, it sucks sometimes. Instantly when the most recent house-fail happened I couldn't help but think, if God cannot trust us with the small things (keeping our little apartment cleaned and lovely and making it a home...) then WHY oh WHY would he trust us with the big things. So, here we are. We are so grateful we have a place to live. We are learning to appreciate our 'home' and all that it is.

So, there we are! What are YOU thankful for? :)

Weekend Recouping: Camping w/ Youth 2012

Whew! Last weekend was so fun, but wore me out!!

Husband and I took the youth group on a camping trip! It was so fun and the youth really loved it. 

Aaron and I had Friday off so we were able to get some organizing together. We cleaned our sleeping bags, bought the supplies, etc. We were so excited! 

On Saturday we got to the farm earlier to set things up and I was taken back at how BEAUTIFUL it was there!! I have always been captivated by nature and how God created it. So, I really enjoyed views like this:

When we had things set up, food put away and psyched up... we headed down the road to the church to pick up the kids! It was about a 20 minute drive on the most beautiful Saturday this year. I wish I had pictures of it.. but, I kind of can't drive AND take pictures especially on hilly, curvy roads!

We picked them all up, and one of the youth made the rule, "no technology allowed!!" So, that was awesome! Usually at youth group or Bible study we have to hound them to get off their phones and ipods, so that was really refreshing to see!!

We packed up and left for the farm! When we got there, they had to set up their tents and everything... but once that was done, they definitely jumped right in... literally:

They then got out, played some ball:

 

Aaron and I as well as one of our youth, Andrea, played a game Aaron and I both learned at camp called "Mao". One rule... you DON'T discuss the rules of Mao. haha 

 

And we ate some food!!!!

Once it got dark enough, we played some hide 'n go seek in the dark.. uhm, let's just say, I cannot be the seeker when it is so dark out!

The next day we woke up pretty tired and prepared ourselves for the sermon one of our YOUTH was going to give by eating this:

 

Next, we sang some worship songs, prayed, and Andrea gave the sermon! She spoke so passionately about how Satan is out to get us and if we don't keep our guard up and follow God, we will easily be distracted. She was awesome!!

Once the sermon was over, we all split up to spend some alone time with God. aaaanndd... after that, they were back at the swimming, fishing, everything!

We had a great weekend! What did YOU do this weekend??

Thursdays are the bomb

Something you may not know about me is.... I love Thursdays. I have no idea why exactly, but I just love love LOVE them. I think I just love the anticipation in knowing the weekend is coming :) I usually plan to not do much on Thursdays as well, which I think is the first real reason I love them. Husband and I would usually set that day apart to spend time with each other.  Speaking of which, have you SEEEEEENNN "Friday Night Lights"?! Yeah.. I know.. we are waayyy behind on things, so what? We are in love with it.. so by "spend time with each other" I really mean watching Friday Night Lights... all night... like losers.

Well, tonight was a little different and I loved it! We were asked by two of our best friends to come over for a cookout at their place tonight!! It was awesome. I made a cheesy potatoe dish my aunt usually makes at family gatherings (I was hoping to post the recipe and step by step post tonight, but... people, I am tired. and so are my hands from typing all day long at work.. so, Friday it shall be for that post! WEEE!) Mike grilled out and Lacey made the beans... mmm! Oh, and Aaron played with the dogs :) Can't forget how much he helped ;)

It is so refreshing to take time out of your normal routine and see friends, or family or just to spend the night a different way. I wish I had gotten some pics of our lovely walk we took looking at some houses with the 3 pups and all of us.. but, honestly, we just had too much fun enjoying each other (and... I forgot my camera. I am not surprised by this...)

I hope everyone had a lovely Thursday :) It was beautiful around these parts! What did YOU do on Thursday!?


OK, going to bed now because I am an old lady.