Thank You Thursday

I just love Thursdays...almost the weekend! I haven't posted a Thank You Thursday for a while (sorry!), but I thought I really needed to get back to it starting today.

If you're like me (I'm a dirty rotten sinner, people!), I can get so caught up in the presents and drama of Christmas and forget about the important things. Things like...CHRIST (helloooo! the Reason we celebrate Christmas!!) and just how many things I have to be thankful for.

So, here I go, my Thank You Thursday post (long overdue!).

THANK YOU to God. Thank You for all of the wonderful ways You bless my life every day. Every Thank You Thursday post is just a list of your many blessings to me. I am so blessed.

THANK YOU to my Emily-Friend. She inspires me to make my house a home.

THANK YOU to Shanty2Chic. She hosted an amazing giveaway which I won. WOOOOHOOOO!! (Thank You, Lord!!)

THANK YOU to Silhouette for giving away their wonderful, awesome and amazing machine...to ME. (I can't wait for it to come!!)

THANK YOU to Amber of Amber's Antics for the stamp set she is sending:


I will be able to use this for so many of the cards I make for people with cancer! I am really excited about this set, since I know so many people with cancer (unfortunately).

THANK YOU to the mail man who keeps bringing packages for my husband (*groan*).  I am so thankful for a husband that orders Christmas gifts for me, but I. hate. waiting. And my husband gets such delight in making me wait! lol

THANK YOU to my awesome kiddos that like to make cards with me! I LOVE that they enjoy one of my favorite things. *smiles*

THANK YOU to my FIL, who hates to travel. He endured many hours in airports and in planes just so he could be with us for Thanksgiving. I certainly appreciate his willingness to come and stay for a few days. We really enjoyed his visit!

I could go on and on...but I have laundry to do, hee hee!

I hope you all are having a thankful week. Being thankful sure cures a lot of those "grumpies" that I can feel during this stressful time of the year. And I have so much to be thankful for!

*smiles*
debbi

Thank You Thursday...FINALLY!!

Well, here I am again...after a very short and VERY busy summer!!

Since I have been MIA since June (gasp!), I am uncertain as to whether or not I should try to fill in the gaps...try to explain what has kept me so busy for so long. But since my Fall schedule is shaping up to be even busier than my Summer schedule was, I've decided to just press on ahead.

I will mention, however, that my summer included fourteen different states, four weeks of various camps (all of which we worked at), and two weeks of a really awesome vacation!

Now on to my Thank You Thursday...

(Just a reminder that this is not my idea...I linked up with Debra over at Our Imperfect Life.)

Thank You to my dear blog friend Emily for, first of all, still being my friend after so long an absence from blog land, lol. But also for being the inspiration that she is to me to begin blogging again. You really need to check her out here. She is so inspiring!


Thank You to my dear husband for walking the puppy tonight. It may seem like a small thing, but it freed me up to attend to other things.

Thank You to America for the freedom to worship the One True God without fear of persecution or peril.

 
Thank You to the awesome Missionaries who give up so much to take the Truth
to places that don't have that freedom. You are true heroes!


Thank You to my daughter's doctor, Jeanie. You took the extra time to treat my dd as your own and to put our fears at rest. Thank you for treating us like people.


Thank You to God for my too busy, crazy, absolutely insane life! Thank You, because it is Your grace that sees me through each day, Your strength that keeps me going, Your wisdom that helps me to make the right decision at least 1,000 times each day. Thank You, because it is all of the wonderful blessings that You have blessed me with that keep me so busy...my husband, my children, my church, my friends, my school...and so much more. You are so way beyond what I deserve!

Thank You for the few quiet minutes that I found tonight to write these words. Everyone is asleep...even the puppy. *phew*!

Stay thankful!
*smiles*
debbi

Thank You Thursday

It's time for Thank You Thursday...finally! I can't really say that this past week has dragged--but it does feel as if a year or so has passed since Friday when my dh left, lol. But, Praise the Lord!, we are under 20 days now until his return!! YAY!

Even with my dh away, I have so much to be thankful for. God is SO good to me! Which is why I take time every week (not always on time, lol) to post Thank You Thursday.

Thank You to the airline pilots that got my dh and his team safely to Ireland, inspite of delays and cancellations and (of course) a very large cloud of volcanic ash. (I hate to mention it, but, could you please bring him home safely, too??)

Thank You to the wonderful people that are housing my dear dh and his students. You have gone above and beyond to make them feel welcome and to ease their separation from home. You are truly making this trip a wonderful experience!

Thank You to my dear friend Christina for staying over the other night. You have been our babysitter for almost nine years (!), but you are also a dear friend and part of our family. Thanks for loving my children and for being someone that I can trust completely to care for them when I am not home. And thanks for being my friend. I always enjoy our time together so much.

Thank You to my wonderful neighbors for watching out for us while dh is away. Thanks, Gerry, for mowing our lawn! And thanks, Debbie, for making sure we get to bed on time, lol! :-)

Thank You to Serena for the awesome pics you posted on the Team Ireland blog. It is so great to actually see where dh and all of you are. I can't wait to see more pics!

Thank You to Mike for answering my questions about what to do when a piece of siding fell off the trim of the roof (I think it's called the soffit? And, no, I don't know how to spell it, lol!). It was great to have you put my mind at ease (especially with all of the rain we're getting!).

Thank You to my dd's BFF's mom for letting B come over so often this past week. I appreciate all of the distraction so much!! I simply cannot stand a quiet house right now, and B keeps us busy and laughing. So thanks, B's mom for sharing your dd!

Thank You to Deb for having us over this afternoon. I enjoyed our time with you so much! You are always a blessing, and I'm thankful that God brought you here this past summer!

Thank You, God, for the daily reminders that You are with us and that You care. You are so amazing, and I am so thankful for Your love! And Thank You, too, for taking care of dh. I know that You are with him just as much as You are with us, and I'm so glad!!

Thank You to Dorian Holt, author of A New World of Adventure home school curriculum. You have been so helpful in answering all of my questions, and your knowledge is so vast! I l.o.v.e. this curriculum, and I can't wait to use it next year!!

I could go on and on, but it is late (1:30am! Oops! Sorry, Deb, ha ha!) and I really should try to get some sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a busy day--I need to clean!! My parents and my big brother are coming in just four days...can't wait!! ;-)

Have a Thankful day!

*smiles*
debbi

Thank You Thursday...on Friday (oops!)

Oh, My! I am not sure if life is just busy or if I am just rapidly losing brain cells (or both!), but I TOTALLY forgot that yesterday was Thursday! I look forward to my Thursdays so much, because it is always so good to take time to reflect on what I'm thankful for...but somehow, yesterday, I forgot!

Okay, it could have something to do with the fact that I was helping my dh pack...and it could have something to do with the fact that he left this morning for 3-1/2 weeks *gulp, sob*...or it could just be that God knew I would need to take time today to reflect on all the good in my life. It has been a rough morning, and this is just the thing to lift my spirits.  So, here goes!

Thank You to my BFF who called me this morning to see how I'm doing now that dh is gone. It was such a lift to talk with her! And I really appreciate the fact that she cares.

Thank You to my sister-in-law, who also called. You're so sweet to remember, with all you have on your plate!!

Thank You my Emily-Friend, who surprised me with this amazing award...today--just when I needed the encouragement! You're so sweet!

Thank You to Brenda-Lea, whose package arrived today. It was another surprise that lifted my heavy heart, and I so appreciate it!

Thank You to my wonderful dh for all of the work you did before you left, and for how you took so much care to make sure that I would have to do as few "extra" things as possible while you are gone. I love you!

Thank You to my parents, who are coming in a week, for giving us something to look forward to. Thank you also for being willing to stay until it is almost time for dh to come home!

Thank You to the wonderful (NOT!) volcano in Iceland, for cancelling so many flights. Please, please, PLEASE don't delay the flight that will bring my dh home to me!! (Pretty Please!?!)

Thank You, God, that I can rest in the assurance that You are in control of the wonderful (NOT) volcano, and that I know that You will be here with us and there with dh at the same time.

Thank You to all military families. I cannot imagine having dh away for a whole year (or longer). You sacrifice so much, and I thank you!

Well, that's my thank you's for this week. I hope you all are having a wonderful week and that you are being thankful!

*smiles*
debbi

Thank You Thursday

I just don't know where the time is going!! How is it that life speeds up as we get older...when we're slowing down?? Something's wrong with that, People!

Anyhoo--it's time for Thank You Thursday hosted by Our Imperfect Life.  Be sure to stop by Debra's blog, and join in on the fun!

My post will be short today, since I am battling with tendinitis in...of course!...my right arm. :-( Boo hoo! We finished school yesterday, and I am dying to get to my stamping...oh well. Maybe tomorrow!

Each Thursday, I have trouble deciding just what to say Thank You for...not because I can't think of anything, but because I think of too much! I have so much to be thankful for!

So, here goes...

Thank You to my mom and dad, who agreed to come spend two weeks with us while my dh is out of the country.

Thank You to my dear hs-ing friends that met us at the park. It is so nice to get out with other like-minded people.

Thank You to my friend Deb, who drove us to the park because I couldn't move my arm or turn my head (ouch!).

Thank You to my friend Cindy, who volunteered to help people that she doesn't even know just because they have a need. You are a wonderful example to us all!

Thank You to my wonderful family, who are being (literally!) my Right Arm while I battle through one-handedness. :-)

Thank You to God. I'm a so grateful that I have two healthy hands/arms that I can use 99.9% of the time! I'm so thankful that this a temporary condition!

Well, enough for now. I hope you all have a thankful week--that's always the best kind!

*smiles*
debbi

All photos are courtesy of photbucket.

Thank You Thursday

Time for another Thank You Thursday! It seems like I was just posting for last Thursday...where does the time go??

I have been so challenged lately to use my time more wisely (you all know I'm a procrastinator!), and to be more thankful, and this past week I've been making a concerted effort to be more aware of the needs around me.

But, as I have made this effort to give something (time, material goods,encouragement, etc.) every day I have become overwhelmed with this fact:

You can't out-give God.

Did you really hear that? You can't out-give God. WOW!

So, for my Thank You Thursday post this week, I want to focus on what God has done for me this week.

Thank You, God, for the awesome blog candy that you have allowed me to win recently. I am so excited for all of the fun ways that I am finding to use it for others! (Besides, it's just plain wonderful to get a package in the mail, lol!)

Thank You, God, for the blessing of caring for our friend's baby on Monday night. We were able to use it as a time of learning for my oldest dd, who will be able to start babysitting soon (*gasp* Can she really be that old already??). And we had so much fun!!

Thank You, God, for the special time with my best friend yesterday. We used the time to make cards of encouragement for others, but we were the ones who were the most encouraged. Aah, the blessings of friendship!

 (look for individual posts about each of these cards later today or tomorrow)

Thank You, God, for the bea-u-ti-ful weather we're having this week! Oh, the sunshine is so awesome!! Love that special blessing from You!

Thank You, God, for these:

I was busy making a meal for a friend in need, and here come my kiddos with these gorgeous babies from our neighbors. WOW! Thanks for the special reminder that You are the Creator of all things beautiful!

And the week's not even over yet! :-D

I can't wait to see what the rest of the week holds...

Happy "Thank You Thursday" to you all! Until next week...Stay thankful!

*smiles*
debbi

Thank You Thursday

Thursday again! How'd that happen??

I'm hooking up with Our Imperfect Life's Thank You Thursday again.

This week, Bookworm is having a giveaway! Click here to read about it. She is giving away an autographed edition of the Tyler Florence cookbook! Awesome! The giveaway ends April 12.

So, here's my list for this week:

Thank You, to our wonderful weatherman who predicted snow (yes, snow!) and was actually right for a change.

Thank You, little birdie, for singing so loudly outside my window this morning. You were a much-needed reminder that our beautiful, warm weather will return...soon.

Thank You, Nancy, for the awesome blog candy that you are sending my way. I'm so excited!!  I hardly slept last night, and my kiddos are so tired of hearing me giggle with glee. Did I mention that I'm excited?

Thank You, dd's Piano Teacher, for your loving patience and persistent encouragement of my dd. You know--the one that practices only when forced, who forgets her piano books, and would rather talk with you than play her pieces? Somehow, you manage to help her perform beautifully when it really counts. You're awesome!

Thank You, dear dd for being a good friend to R.  I am so proud of you!

Thank You, to my kiddos for getting excited when I'm excited, for caring enough to look at (and even admire) my crafting, and for just being the special kiddos that you are! LUM!

Until next week...Stay Thankful!

*smiles*
debbi

Thank You Thursday

Here's my Thank You Thursday for this week. If you don't know what all the fuss is about, check out Thank You Thursday over at Our Imperfect Life.

Thank You, Jesus Christ, for dying on the cross to take the penalty for my sins. How can I ever thank you enough?

Thank You, God, for turning Your back on Your Son as He "became sin Who knew no sin", so that You would never have to turn Your back on me.

Thank You, Jesus Christ, that You rose again!! Thank You that we can celebrate your Resurrection on Easter Sunday. Thank You that we "Serve a Risen Savior"!!

Thank You, God, for our health. You allowed us to help out a friend in need this week, Lord, and it was a vivid reminder of the gift of life and health.

Thank You, God, for Your healing hand on Theresa and her dear baby. May they continue to stay safe!

Thank You, God, for the glorious sunshine and warm weather! What a wonderful thing to be outside in the sunshine and warmth. YAY!

Thank You to all my wonderful blogging buddies. :-D I pray you will have a wonderful Easter!!

Thank You Thursday

Time for Thank You Thursday! If you are new to my blog, check out the details at Our Imperfect Life and join in!

Thank You, God for the sweet birds that are singing outside the window and for the sunshine! They are a much needed reminder that Your "mercies are new every morning. Great is Thy faithfulness"!!

Thank You to Ellie at One Crafty Mother for the beautiful necklace she gave away...and sent to me. YAY!

Thank You to my blog friend Emily at Too Blessed to Stress. Your posts give me great ideas, inspire my creativity, and most of all, make me laugh! :-D Thanks, too, for featuring me this week...what an honor!

Thank You to the dust bunnies, and the laundry heaps, and the dish piles, and the dirt monsters (I could go on) for always being there. I can always count on you to keep me busy, to make me feel needed, to be a constant reminder of responsibility and example to my children. You are, also (and more importantly!), a reminder of the wonderful blessings I have been given...the authors of the dust bunnies...and laundry heaps...and dish piles...and the dirt monsters. I am SO blessed to have such a wonderful (and active!) family.

Thank You to our Founding Fathers. You gave everything to achieve the freedom that we have enjoyed for so long in our great America. Thank You for making the ultimate sacrifice to allow us freedom of religion and to establish a Democracy. You are true American Heroes.

Thank You to our wonderful Congress and President for forgetting our Founding Fathers, for taking all that America stands for and flushing it down the toilet. Please remember that you are elected BY the people, and FOR the people. Thank you, too, for forgetting the lessons we have learned in history. It is always beneficial, I'm sure, to repeat past mistakes, right?


Thank You to the Americans that still fight for freedom...our Armed Forces, the few leaders that take a stand and still speak for the public, and those citizens who still speak up to defend things like Right to Life, Freedom of Religion, and other things that so many of us take for granted.

Thank You, God, that we can rest in the knowledge that You are still in control, that our economy and our politicians are not a surprise to You, and that You can bring good out of even this seemingly impossible situation. YOU are amazing!

Thank You Thursday

Another week has gone by...SO fast...and it's already time for another Thank You Thursday. This is hosted each week by Our Imperfect Life.

Thank You, God, for the be-yoo-ti-ful weather you gave us this week! I have loved every minute of the Spring-Teaser, and I promise not to complain (too much) when it snows this weekend.

Thank You to Lisa Swifka, the creator of One World One Heart.  If it wasn't for her, I would not have begun seriously blogging, and I LOVE BLOGGING! It has changed my life by rekindling the creative side of me that has been buried for far too long!

Thank You to my wonderful dh for doing such wonderful things...like cleaning out the silverware drawer and ironing his own dress shirts (I hate ironing!). You are too wonderful (but don't stop!)!

Thank You to my Homeschool Mom friends, Linda and Carmen. You are such an inspiration to me! You give advise and help me along my homeschooling way just by being who you are.

Thank You to the Bookworm for the wonderful package of goodies that she sent to us all the way from Japan. My children and I had a wonderful week studying and celebrating Japan (will post about that soon). It was all so much fun, and your blog candy started it all!

Thank You to Stampin'Up! (no, really!) for making such great stuff that is so fun to play with. However, I do wish you included a housecleaner with each order...(I need more time to play!)

Thank YOU for reading my blog! And a special thanks to all of you who are kind enough to leave a comment or crazy, er, wonderful enough to actually follow my blog!

Have a thankful week!
*smiles*
debbi

Thank You Thursday

Time for Thank You Thursday again. Check here, if you don't know what I'm talking about.

Thank you to my wonderful dh, who has put up with me and taken care of me for the past six days while I have been sick.

Thank you to my dear Dad, who promised to teach my six-year-old (not too patient and not very good at following orders) son how to build something with wood.

Thank you ds, for agreeing that we do not need a dog house or another shed, and that building a tool box with your Grampa will be okay. :-)

Thank you Marie Segal for making me a wonderful "angel" brooch. It arrived today, and it is so special!!

Thank you to my wonderful mom, who sent me some money to buy stamping stuff!! My order should arrive Friday, and I CAN'T WAIT! Thanks, Mom!

Thank you to the not so nice lady at the cable company who was upset that I was asking questions about pricing. Your professional manner (not!) made sticking with Satelite an easy-peasy decision.

Thank you to the wonderful people who comment on my blogs. Your comments are always rays of sunshine in my day. *smiles*

Thank you to our Firefighters. My dad and brothers are/were firefighters, and I am so proud of them and all who follow in their footsteps. Firefighters are an under-appreciated group of dedicated people. I applaud you all!

That's all for now. :-) My head is too blocked up to think anymore, lol.

Until next week...Thank You!

Thank You Thursday

Here's another Thank You Thursday post!

In case you're new here and don't know what I'm talking about, check out the details here.

Here goes:

Thank You to the man at AT&T who finally listened to me today and actually helped me! After talking with three other people during two different occasions, I had almost given up.

Thank You to my ds' Pediatrician, who answered my phone call at 11:00pm, and who put my fears at rest! He didn't even make me feel foolish for worrying about my ds' 104.3 degree temp. What a nice man.

Thank You to my dear friend Christina who ran out to the drug store to buy liquid Ibuprofen after I spoke with our Pediatrician, so that I could stay home with my kids (dh was out of town still!). What a blessing!!

Thank You to whomever created a preservative called Benzoate and decided to add it to every form of liquid Ibuprofen even though some people are allergic to it (like my ds!). And Thank You to our lovely FDA for not requiring that it be labeled on everything that contains it.

Thank You, God, that my ds' allergic reactions are not life-threatening!

Thank You to Midwest Airlines for not only bringing my dh home safely, but for getting him home early! A minor miracle!!

Thank You to all the men and women who serve our Country in the Armed Forces. You are unsung heroes, and I am SO thankful for the sacrifices that you and your families make every day. We take so much for granted!

Thank You to my blog friends. You are so special, and I really enjoy hearing from you (especially Emily and the Bookworm.) *smiles*

Thank You to Black 'n Decker for making a coffee maker that goes off on a timer. I can wake up to fresh coffee every morning, and that makes me a happy camper!

Thank You to my dear friend, Michelle, who came over to demo Stampin'Up! at my party Friday night, even though she's nine weeks pregnant and only wanted to go to sleep. Zzzzzzz.....We had a great time, Michelle!

Thank You to the local thrift store for selling roller blades to my two dd's. I am so thankful for all of the exercise they have been getting, and so thankful for a toy that doesn't require a keyboard!! (I am also thankful that they sold knee pads and helmets, too! lol).

Thank You, once again, to the Bookworm for hosting this wonderful Thank You Thursday. I look forward to this all week!

Hoping you are all thankful too!

*smiles*
debbi

Thank You Thursday

 I just love Thank You Thursday! This is my first time entering in (I couldn't wait for Thursday to come this week, since I only just heard about this last week--after Thursday!)

In case you're wondering what on earth I'm talking about, see Our Imperfect Life.

So, here goes...

Thank You to my wonderful neighbor who came over and shoveled for us on Monday, since he knew my husband is away!

Thank You to my many blog friends who left me encouraging notes after reading my post "Blogging Past Midnight."

Thank You to the super people who made my husband a birthday cupcake and sang to him while he is far away on his 40th birthday. That was an answer to my prayers! I didn't know how to let anyone there know that it was his birthday, so I was so pleased to know that somehow they found out. Thank you, God!

Thank You to the dork who left a random inquiry at the end of my post about my dear Mom-in-law, who passed away one year ago this week. Heartless! (I deleted it.)

Thank You to The Bookworm for the wonderful blog candy that she is sending my way. The kids and I can't wait, and it certainly was a bright spot to our week!

Thank You to my dear friend who is coming over tomorrow night to keep me company while my dh is away. I'm looking forward to all those "chick flicks" and a fun night!

Thank You to my wonderful Savior, Jesus Christ, for dying on the cross for my sins. Thank you for forgiving me just because You want to, not because I deserve it or have earned it in any way! You are amazing!!

Thank You also, God, for stopping our van just in time today when the roads were slippery. I was so sure we were going to hit that other van, but you kept us safe. Praise Your Name!!

Thank You for my blogging friends. They are a bright spot in my days!

Thank You to my wonderful dh, for all of the little things you do that I too often take for granted. You are so amazing, and I love you!!

Thank You to the birds we heard singing one morning recently. Surely that means that Spring is coming!

Thank You to The Bookworm for starting this awesome blog hop. It is SOO good to be thankful!!