Thankful Thursday (for REAL!)

So I have been having a difficult time doing Thankful Thursday posts on Thursday (instead of Friday) but today is the Day!

With Thanksgiving being only .ONE.WEEK.AWAY. it seems only fitting that everyone is suddenly thankful for everything in their lives.  There is a challenge of sorts on Face.book. right now that you need to post something you are thankful for every day through the end of the month.  It is encouraging to see so many positive status' instead of the regular negative ones (I am guilty too) but it makes a person wonder what we need to do to make sure that we remain thankful throughout the year, not just in November!

Thanksgiving is my FAVORITE holiday...the warm colors that go along with it, the great smells, the together time with my awesome parents, brother & his wife, and of course Handsome, Princess, and Boo; along with so many other things.  Time off from work, a trip as a family, talk time as a couple (this year we will be discussing how to handle the son and his sudden need for NO sleep) but there is just so much to be thankful for!

On the flip side I could look at the fact that a 14 year dream of mine was within arms length and seemed like a very real possibility and just as quickly as it jumped into my lap it jumped out just last week...it isn't out forever, but for the time being and let me tell you that stunk!

I could also look at the fact that it seems that something is up with my 'good ear' (I cannot hear out of my right ear for somewhere around 4 years now) and am all of a sudden having a hard time with my right...to the point it is effecting my singing, my balance, and several other areas of life.  Will be getting this checked out right after Thanksgiving!

I could look at the fact that we were very much hoping to have added our E or O to the family by this Christmas...

Or that my daycare went from being full and receiving calls every week to having openings and no takers...

Or that this year it seems that while the holidays will bring us together with much of my family, my husbands family and us are 'seperated' and we will not be with them at all.

But that is not what it is all about.  God has blessed us as a nation greatly.  100 years ago if I lived a state away from my family I would have been lucky to seem them once a year...if that.  I can be thankful for the fact that I can by the shampoo at Wal.mart for 5.97 instead of the 0.97 stuff.  I have two (mostly) great children, a husband that is 100% commited to me, and I have parents that love me.

You look at a good chunk of this country and they have homes, with food, and clothing.  I know that isn't the case for everyone, but it is the case for most.  I am thankful today that God is in control and that He knows what is best.  My 14 year dream maybe isn't what is best for the family at this time, or maybe God has something better!

Give Thanks!

Pumpkin Patch with Grandma!

After the party Grandma thought it would be fun to go pick pumpkins for the kids...Boo had no trouble finding one for himself!The Princess on the other hand needed a little help"Thank you Grandma!"

Our Little Angels

Due to a few different reasons, I have been thinking of our little angels...both the ones that are here with us and the four that are in heaven with God. And when I get to thinking of the four precious lives that were with me for 6-8 weeks each and the impact they have had on the rest of my life I go back to a certain CD that helped me cope with the hard times after each of them were called to heaven. The CD is called 'From Heaven With Love' by the Hooker.Family. This is a great Christian family with six daughters that sing very beautifully together! The CD itseld was made in memory of two children that passed away in a train wreck and another that passed away in a car accident.



This is what the back of the CD says:

'When tragedies occur in our lives, it is hard not to question, 'Why Lord?' This is especially true when tragedy involves the Home-going of a precious child. Recently, God took RL (10) and LL (8) Home with Him via a train wreck in Illinois. They were the children of dear friends of ours, M&CL, from Tennessee. Both girls had received assurance of their salvation from their parents just a few weeks before the accident. It has been a great source of comfort to them to know their children were saved. Within a week's time of the train accident, our preacher lost his grandson JDH (5) in a car accident. Our church was heartbroken for his parents, D&BH, and the H family. Both sets of the children's parents have exhibited unbelievable strength, courage and faith, in spite of exruciating pain. To them and all who have ever lost a little one, we dedicate this tape. The poem, From Heaven With Love, and the two songs, The Touch of Angels and Never Fear, were written especially for them. How about you, dear reader? If tragedy were to occur to you or someone you love, do you know where you or your loved one would spend eternity? There are verses from the Bible included on the inside of this recording that can help you know." It ends with the verse Hebrews 13:2, "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertaied angels unawares."


The songs are each just wonderful songs to have!

But the two songs they speak of are FANTASTIC!


"From Heaven With Love" is spoken by a young girl:

Mama, Daddy, don't cry for me
I'm not so far away.
I'm having so much fun, you see,
All I do is play.
The streets are of the purest gold,
Amazing just to see.
And the gates of Heaven are of pearl;
Hard to climb - even for me!

There's a stream of crystal and water.
I love to splash around.
Only, Mom, there's no snakes or worms to dig,
Not a spider to be found!
I got to sit with Jesus,
On His very knee!
I didn't burp or squirm too much,
You'd have been so proud of me.

Don't worry 'bout my clothes either,
They do a trick up here that's neat.
Our clothes don't get dirty or full of holes
And the shoes grow with our feet!
There's lots of other boys and girls
For me to have to play.
So I'm not lonely, not a bit,
And, oh Dad, by the way,

Since there is no night here
I don't get scared at all.
I can't look up and see the shadow
Of a monster on my wall.
And I get to help groom horses
Jesus has up here in stalls.
He says we'll get to ride them
When the angel Garbriel calls.

So, you see, you shouldn't worry
Or cry or be so sad
If you can pretend that I'm at camp
I know you will be glad.
I love it here! It's an awesome place!
There's so much to see and do.
I'd like to stay and not come home
If that's okay with you.

Tell everyone I love them,
Can't wait 'til you all get here.
'Cause Heaven is a real neat place
I sure am glad I'm here.


And then is goes into the song, "Touch of Angels"

♫Sometimes God lets us see a bit of Heaven't shore,
By sending little angels down to fill our lives with joy.
Innocent laughter, smiling eyes,
The touch of cherub hands,
Unmarred faith, unwavering love,
Untainted trust that firmly stands.

Little angels missed so much
Your message still was clear,
Heaven't real and I'll be there
One day to share it, dears.
So, until we meet again,
I'll tell everyone I know
How we were touched by angels
And the path to Heaven show

Though not ours on earth for very long, Jesus we did see.
And Heaven is a sweeter place, than e're it used to be.
We're more caring, loveing too,
Because of your sweet lives.
We've learned to live beyond ourselves
And you are the reason why.

Jesus, tell my babies please, their lives were not in vain.
For they showed us how to love you more
And bear sweet sorrow's pain.
I'll never take another day for granted, oh you see,
For a day with a loved one is a gift
More Precious now to me.♫


It is amazing. You can get the CD here...if you know someone who has been babylost or you yourself...this is a great way to be reminded that God is taking care and knows what is best!







Tomorrow: "Never Fear!"

The Minnie Mouse Party

The wonderful Heather made the fun and YUMMY cake!Happy Birthday to you...♫

She blew all the candles out!

Lots of fun gifts from family & friends!

Ethan even opened some!

The great doll house from Grandpa & Grandma!And a kitchen from Mommy & Daddy!

Eric eve got in on the fun!

Thankful Thursday

So today it is a little more of a challange to write this, for some reason I kind of have a grumpy heart today and while trying to fix it I am just getting bogged down farther...so bear with me.

But in the midst of this down spirit, I am reminded that God is always there, always working, and always faithful.  That is something to be thankful for.  It seems God is working in our lives even now and while we do not know the out come, we look forward to what it will be...

A wonderful blessing...an Aunt!

*Please other Aunts & Uncles do not feel left out, each of you have special moments and things in my heart that some day, too, will probably come out on this blog...but today....today is for Aunt C!


Today is one of my Dad's sisters birthday, AuntCarolyn was brought into this world today and she has been a blessing to me many MANY times over. There are times I didn't always realize what kind of impact she has actually had on my life...but it has been great. There are things I probably do not even realize...but I know alot started when her and UncleDave would allow my brother and I to stay with them and go to VBS at their church. It was their church where I realized I didn't want to live my life without Jesus and in my small little mind knelt beside my bed and asked Him to come into my heart and take me to heaven when I die. Now, as a 26 year old, it seems that is way to easy and there should be more to it...but that is why we are to have child-like faith!

Anyway, I know they prayed for me, and they have always encouraged me. And when it was time to go to college they really encouraged Bible College, and I am thankful for that. But I have a wonderful letter that she shared with me just before I was going to have a pretty major surgery for a scared High School girl. You see when I look back at many of my 'big' things in life...somehow Aunt Carolyn and/or Uncle Dave were there...surgeries, plays, graduation, wedding, preparing for both graduation & wedding. It is amazing. The really cool thing is that my children have already had the blessing of spending some fun & quality time with them when they stayed with us overnight in July of this year!

Something that used to bother me (mostly because I didn't see it, but so many other did) was when people would tell me that I resemble Aunt Carolyn. And I do, I laugh like her and I do carry traits of that side of the family. But as I realized yesterday that today was her day I realized that now when people say that it is a huge compliment...one that I need to strive more at really following, because she is a very godly lady. If I could only watch and learn from her in any and every interaction I have with her there are many things in which I could take and use in my own life to have a better relationship with God. So thank you Aunt Carolyn, thank you for stepping in to make mints for our wedding because I didn't have Grandma to help, thank you for allowing us to stay with you, thank you for sitting in the hospital while I was in surgery...it was still good timing on my part, but most importantly thank you for your prayers and your godly example!

And with that I want to share the letter that I have kept for going on 12 years...the letter that pops up at just the right times here and there when I need a reminder that God is good! I hope it is okay, Aunt Carolyn, that I share:

"Dear Ashley, I want you to know that I have been thinking of you lately regarding your impending surgery. While I have never been in your position, I can easily imagine that you are apprehensive about the surgery and subsequent recovery. We all have fear of the unknown, especially when it involves medical procedures. I am remembering back several years to something you told me when you stayed with us during Bible School. On the way to the program practice you told me that you had put your trust in Jesus. That trust is the only way to have real peace bout your surgery. God will watch over the surgeon and guide him as he corrects your problems. We don't know the end form the beginning like God does, but we can trust him to work things out in the way that is bet for us. Wednesday night I intend to mention your upcoming surgery to the people who are at prayer meeting. We will all be praying for you that night, and I will be praying for you every day. Dave's dad has both of his knees operated on some time on Monday, but I plan to see you in the hospital on Monday as well. Love, Aunt Carolyn"

Now I know this can sometimes be misunderstood...so don't get me wrong here, but when I received this letter in the mail from her back in May of 1998, for my surgery that was on June 1st, if I remember right, it was almost as if God was wispering in my ear that everything was going to be fine. I am greatful for this letter, there were many times laying in waiting between when I received it and when the actual surgery happend less than a week later that I reread it...knowing it was all going to be okay! God did take care of me, and the doctors we amazed at how fast I recovered from such a big sugery. I was actually able to try out for the summer muscial and do some of the dancing in scenes that I was told before hand wouldn't happen! So Aunt Carolyn, I pray you have a wonderful and blessed birthday....thank you for being such a godly example in my life.