Happy Thanksgiving!

We hope that you have enjoyed your Thanksgiving this year as much as we have! We are with family and I just love the process of cooking and conversation that takes place.

I am ever so grateful for my family and friends, for my son in law and the other soldiers stationed around this great world of ours. I am thankful for a sweet boy who is spending his first Thanksgiving ever with his forever family. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!


Psalm 107:1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;his love endures forever.

Thankful Thursday

Today I am so thankful that Shauna & Isaiah are going to be home! Words cannot begin to describe my joy. In a matter of hours this family will be reunited and Isaiah will meet his brothers and sisters for the first time. Praise GOD!!

I am also thankful today for modern medicine! After nearly 20 years without real asthma trouble I have been hit hard..come to find out it is that way for so many this year. After starting a new medicine regimen and feeling run down because of it..I went to the Dr. again and now have bronchitis. Thankfully I have been started on antibiotics and should feel better in a day or so.

Just had a visitor..Judee from our church stopped by with something for Cassie. I am thankful for this wonderful woman and her example of Christ in her daily life. Oh we are blessed by so many everyday.

I am so thankful for my sweet blessings in Grace & Jeffrey. I love how these two even though they do argue at times still love to be together and ask each other how their day was. It's just so cute! Thank you Lord for all the blessings in my life, thank you for letting me be a mother to three amazing children and a Grandma to the sweetest little guy!

What are you thankful for today?

Thankful Thursday

Be Thankful
By Author Unknown

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire.
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don't know something,
for it gives you the opportunity to learn.


Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations,
because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge,
because it will build your strength and character.


Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you're tired and weary,
because it means you've made a difference.


It's easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who
are also thankful for the setbacks.
Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles,
and they can become your blessings.

Thankful Thursday

Oh my I have not written on a Thursday in quite some time. It's amazing how busy life can get and especially with a new baby in the house. It's all these things that make up the thankful moments in life. Today I am thankful for all things fall

The crispness in the air..Oh how I love Fall!

Cinnamon pumpkin candles

Cassie's streusel coffee cake..yummy!

A hot cup of coffee on these cold mornings and making the kids hot cocoa with lots of cream!

The changing leaves..they are so pretty

And, so very soon pumpkin patch pictures!!

I hope you are enjoying the changing season. I feel so blessed to be surrounded by dear family and friends. And today and houseful of kiddos!

Thankful Thursday

*I am thankful for the friendships I have..I love my church family!

*I love waking to "good morning Momma".

*I love that Jeffrey is so tender with Cassie contracting. He rubs her arm and tells her, "it will be alright".

*I am thankful the doctor had something good to tell Cassie today! 1.5 cm and 90% effaced!

*I am thankful for all the little hugs I got today from Jeffrey and the Vaughan kiddos. Just love them all!

*I am thankful that tomorrow is Friday and I get to pick Grace up from camp!

*I am thankful and love the thunderstorm we are getting...smells so good outside.

What are you thankful for today?

Thankful Thursday

Wow what a day! I got to spend the entire day with my oldest! I am so thankful to have a great relationship with Cassie. I am thankful to watch her belly grow and look forward to watching her mother her sweet baby once he arrives.

I am thankful for my dear friend that kept Bub today so we could go and play in Medford. He had such a great time with his buddies! He came home tired and happy.

I am thankful for my Grace who has been at camp the last few days. My girlfriend and I were talking about how we don't realize how much the girls help till their gone. I hope Grace has forged new friendships in the last few days and pray she has grown in her walk with the Lord.

I am thankful for quiet moments like these where I can blog and read the blogs I follow. I am thankful to all you other bloggers out there! You have touched my life and encourage me.

Thankful Thursday

I am so Thankful for this beautiful part of the country I live in. We took a drive to Medford today and it was so nice just taking in all of God's creation. So beautiful!

I am thankful for all the blogs that I read daily. They have all touched my life in one way or another. But, to be praying with these people all over the county and to see God working is amazing!

I am thankful that my son in love is safe today and seems to be getting into a groove over yonder.

I am thankful for my church family. I love you all so much. Thank you for always lending a word of wisdom, a smile, a prayer or hug.

I am thankful for my children. For years after Cassie was born we wanted more but it was not to be until we gave it all to the Lord. To see what others go through with adoption....I am ever so thankful my two babies came to us so easily. Thank you Lord Jesus! I cannot imagine my life without them!

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for afternoon naps.
I love it when Grace and Jeffrey laugh.
I love it when I feel David kick in Cassie's womb.
I am thankful for our military.
I am thankful that my son in love is safe today.
I am thankful to have been a part of VBS this week.
I love my church family.
I am blessed.

Thankful Thursday

Don't you just love summer? I love that my kids are home and while sometimes they bicker for the most part they laugh and play together. I love ice tea and lemonade on a hot summer day. I love the abundance of fresh fruit we seem to go through so quickly. I love reading a good book and watching my kids do the same. I love how we can all get so lost in Evangel like we did yesterday..I love that store! I love how the sweet woman at the counter took the time to pray over Cassie, RW and their lil' David to come.

We all have so much to be thankful for and though it's easy to get caught up in the world we live in, I love taking time once a week to jot a few of the many things I have to be Thankful for.

Thankful Thursday

I have not blogged on a Thursday in a bit..what with our travels and all. Today with my house filled with kiddos I am ever so thankful for mine and the other ones I am so blessed to love. I love the giggles and just the noise of kids..it makes me happy.

I am also thankful that RW is doing well and is safe.

That Cassie's belly is getting bigger by the day and that she has been able to talk to her love as often has she has.


And most of all today...I am so glad it's SUMMER VACATION!

Thankful Thursday

Just got off the phone with my Mom and as most of you know she has been in and out of doctor's offices and hospitals this year. Well, a few weeks ago she had her routine mammogram and of course there were six spots that they didn't like. She had them biopsied on Tuesday and we just found out praise the Lord that while they were not cancerous...they can turn that way. So..Mom will be meeting with an Oncologist and having from what I understand more tissue removed.

My Mother is such a strong woman..which is where my sister and I get it and I see it in Cassie as well. We do not like to be fussed over. We may cry on each other's or a friends shoulder from time to time but when it comes right down to it we buckle down and deal! Ultimately what that means really for us..is we put our trust in the Lord. As Mom just said, "I'm leaving it the Lords hands". I am so grateful that I have a heavenly Father I can give my troubles to. I am so thankful for having a Mother that taught me to love the Lord and trust in Him.

Proverbs 3: 1-6

1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.
3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck,write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

6 in all your ways acknowledge him,and he will make your paths straight.

Faith life's lesson..may we all one day get it...that includes me!

Thankful Thursday

I sit here in a quiet house at the very begining of Friday morning. I should be in bed as I have a field trip with Grace's class in the morning..but I didn't want today to go by without my thankful list.



I am thankful for...



For giggles that come from my kids..all of them playing together.

For our health..so thankful to have a healthy family.

For quiet times like this where I can reflect on my Lord and Savior.

And, for my rig that allows my to transport a load of Grace's classmates on field trips! :)

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for Cassie being home and watching her belly grow! Feeling little David kick is a joy for us all.

Last night was the last AWANA till the new school year...I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve in the AWANA program. I love my girls and though I am losing a couple to youth group next year I am excited about the Sparky's that are up and coming! Grace and Jeffrey both got awards last night...Grace for finishing her book 1..she is working on 2..and Jeffrey for completing his Cubbie book! He will be moving up to a Sparky in the Fall. My how time flies.

I am thankful for our soldier's that serve this great country of ours. My son in law will soon be depl**ing again and being there for that moment is sure to bring up a lot of memories..however I am thankful for having lived the Army life it prepared me for many things over the years and now I will be there for Cassie.

Thankful Thursday

Happy Thursday! I want to start off by saying... I am so thankful that we are just a day away from starting Easter Break! Yeah!!

I am thankful for friends that listen and help keep me grounded and focused on the Lord...Thanks Michelle and Shauna!

I am thankful for my new haircut..I love it! Thanks Michelle!

I am thankful that I am seeing an end to the mess in Cassie's room..your room is almost yours again my dear!

I am so thankful and looking forward to our trip to Sacramento and then to San Francisco...we are excited that the Clem family is coming with us!

So my friends what are you thankful for this Thankful Thursday?

Thankful Thursday

Today I have been spring cleaning! It feels so good to get rid of things. I am finally after two years of living here putting my room together. I have had my bedding and such but I want to create my little own sanctuary again.

I am so thankful for the sunshine and the use of my Pa in law's truck! Like I said clearing out the clutter...and it's going to the dump!

I also want to mention Connor...He is doing well and breathing on his own. Carol sent me the sweetest picture that I will post.

Oh..and we are so excited Cassie will be home mid April and we can hardly wait! She is busy packing their house up to go into storage....she has the spring clear out bug also!

Thankful Thursday

I am getting this in just under the wire. What a crazy busy week it has been and it's only going to get busier! Although I am tired I wouldn't miss any of this craziness for anything!

I am so thankful for all the parents that take the time to volunteer with sports, awana, etc. You all make it come together and create memories for our children. I am ever so grateful! And...a special note..to Justin..he is helping the kids..three of theirs and my two put five cars together for the Awana Grand Prix on Sunday. Thank you for always being such a great surrogate Dad to my kids. I am so Thankful for this special family. Shauna has had my kids a lot this week and they could not have been happier.

I am thankful though it seems crazy at times..for my full plate of activities. The coffee shop at church is really coming along and I am excited to see where God will lead me on this journey.

I am thankful for the time I was able to spend with my friend Karol yesterday. She has such a great spirit about her and she is just so much fun to be around. I drove her up for an appointment with her Oncologist (may I say..very cute) and to get chemo but we had a blast!!Just two girlfriends having fun! I love you my friend!

Thankful Thursday

It never ceases to amaze me how fast the weeks fly by. Today Cassie had her 18 week ultrasound and all is well ..Lil' David is growing has all is parts and is healthy.

I am also thankful for my friends Michelle and Ruthann and the time we are able to spend together. We have really forged a bond between us and it is nice to share our Love for the Lord together.

For our military..you hold a special place in this former Army wife's heart. I pray for your safety and well being. My son in law will be deploying again this year and I could not be more proud of him. Though sad he will not be here for the birth of his first born... it is part of the job. God Bless our Troops both far and wide.

It's Thursday already??

Wow the week just flew by! This is the first chance I have had to sit down today and write. I am thankful for....

My Mom's surgery going well and her spirits being lifted in the process!

For good friends that take the time to listen and give Godly advice..Thank you Shauna!

For well behaved children..Oh I pray they continue on this road through the teen years!

I am thankful I get to take my friend to radiation tomorrow. I love how she was once a patient in Sacramento and that we were brought together again all the way up here! I love you Karol!

I am thankful for quiet moments like right now that give me time to reflect on such blessings.

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful that my Mom may have found the doctor to remove the stones from her bile duct. She goes to San Francisco on Monday I will update as soon as I know something. Oh and we finally have a name for her condition....Mirizzi Syndrome. I am also thankful for dear friends both near and far you are all blessings to me. Philippians 1:3-4 I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy.

Thankful Thursday

On this Thursday I would have to go straight to my Grandson on the way! I am so thankful that I get to be a Grandma! I look forward to reading and telling this little one about Jesus.

Psalm 127:3-5
Sons are a heritage from the LORD,
children a reward from him.

Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are sons born in one's youth.

Blessed is the man
whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their enemies in the gate.

The best gift we can give our children is not in anything that we buy them but in the gift of Jesus. Nothing else matters without him. I sit here thankful that I came from parents that raised me to know and fear (respect) the Lord. I am thankful that I have two daughters that have gone on to accept Christ and want to serve him. I look forward to the day that Jeffrey does and then goes on to follow in baptism.

A heritage of Lord is the best gift of all. I hope that someday my children look back and say that the best gift they every received was that of knowing Christ as their savior. I also hope they look back and see that they had a Mom who loved him with all her heart as I strive to be that Proverbs 31 woman.

Proverbs 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.