Showing posts with label days of thankfulness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label days of thankfulness. Show all posts

Friday, April 24, 2015

It's just a house... with SO many memories.

A friend posted 10 things she loved about her house right before they moved out. I thought it was the most amazing idea and a great way to put it in writing so as the years fog our memories about this beloved place, we will be reminded of how amazing our time here truly was.

{Oh, sorry! Did I forget to mention we are moving? Yep. That's right... onto a new adventure. We decided to put the house on the market and within 6 hours we received our first offer. This was great and all, except the fact that we needed to find a new house and we hadn't quite figured that out yet. With the way the market is, we had to put this house up, get under contract and then a seller might, just maybe, take us seriously. Stressful you ask? No, not at all... especially with a 2 year old and 8 month old. I WAS FREAKING OUT! This whole time we knew God wanted us to take this leap of faith and trust him. We felt him pushing us to our knees and surrendering all of the details to Him. It wasn't easy by any stretch of the word, but when He speaks... you better listen! Long story short, we accepted an amazing offer on our house and within 24 hours God provided a beautiful new home for us. We had sold our home, and were under contract on another all in one weekend! INSAIN!}

It is so hard to pick just 10 things that I love about our home, but in order to keep this post relatively short and avoid having to re-do my makeup (if I don't already have to... from crying) I'll keep it to 10.

One. 
This home brought a new chapter in our lives as we build it from the ground up and started our grown up life in it. We began big people jobs and came back to our oasis.



Two. 
The joy (and sweat&tears) of making it home. From laying sod to planting trees to creating a garden space with yummy fruits and veggies.


Three.
It's the place we found out we were pregnant with both of our sweet babies. We also brought both of them home from the hospital here.


Four.
Where our strong boy learned to sit, stand, crawl and walk and where our sweet girl found that sitting wasn't so bad after all...

Five. 
Our covered back patio allowed for baby pool playtime, summer patio dinners, and lunchtime fun.


Six. 
The front porch where we sat on our porch swing and waited for Daddy to drive in. It was also the perfect spot for morning devotionals and watching the storms roll in. (oh, and I can't forget the calming effect on screaming newborns!)



Seven. 
Our driveway acted like a racetrack to see how fast Lightning MacQueen and Tow Mater could speed down it.

Eight.
In the Winter our backyard became the perfect toddler sledding hill (wasn't too steep or fast and gave our boy all the confidence in the world).



Nine. 
The yard became an oasis for our puppy to get away from loud kiddos and a great place for a nap in the sun. It was also home to a crabapple tree, burning bush, and rhubarb plant that was gifted to us by family.

Ten. 
The neighbors surrounding us and the blessing that they have been in our lives. We will forever cherish the conversations over the fence and the graciousness that each one of them has shown us.


This house has become so much more than we ever imagined it would and we are forever grateful for the opportunity to have taken care of it. The memories we made here first as a couple and then a family are priceless. We learned how to become parents here and love each other through it all. It became home.

(I made it through... only went through a few kleenex boxes! ha)

We are so excited for the next adventure and the memories we will make in our new home. God is so good and we feel extremely blessed by it all.

Saturday, November 30, 2013

Week 5

Wrapping up November thankfulness. This was so good for me in so many ways. It can be so easy to get caught up in the mundane and forget about things you are thankful for. Or, for that matter see the thankfulness through trials. Tough stuff. Not easy to be thankful for things that hurt.


Thankful for pre-naptime cuddles and stories with my boy

Thankful for dinner with great grandparents, who made the trip from Pennsylvania to meet Levi

Thankful for family and sharing a thanksgiving meal together

Thankful for alone time with my hubby

Thankful for God's creation and beautiful weather to cut down our Christmas tree


I hope you continue to join me in a mindset of thankfulness. It has totally changed my mindset on the way I go about my day. 

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Week 4

Thankful for 16th birthday's and family to share it with

Thankful to connect with overseas missionaries for lunch

Thankful for Grandma and Auntie's willingness to babysit, so I could have a coffee date with a friend

Thankful for days at home to snuggle with my boy and get a few things done

Thankful for warm coffee shops to catch up with friends after signing carols and lighting Castle Rock's Star

Thankful for quiet Sunday afternoons

Thankful for productive days

Monday, November 18, 2013

Week 3

Thankful for quiet mornings to be with Jesus
looking for a Bible study to get plugged into, check this one out. 

Thankful for beautiful fall days to enjoy with friends

Thankful for my hubby who truly values time with his family


Thankful for 16th birthday surprise parties 


Thankful for relaxing Saturday's to spend as a family


Thankful for a church family to share life's joys are hardships with
looking for a church to call home? check out Pathmakers Church for more information

Thankful for quality mommy time with my little man

Monday, November 11, 2013

Week 2

A few days have passed, but that doesn't mean I am not thankful. 
From now on I am going to post weekly instead of daily November thankfulness posts.


I'm Thankful for...

Time to get away and enjoy life without the everyday grind
God's creation, watching my boy experience new things and sunset walks in the corn fields




Restful Sunday afternoons to recharge before a crazy week.
Warm blankets and hot cider to keep me warm, as the next storm rolls in.

Thursday, November 7, 2013

The day a boy stole my heart... forever.

I am thankful for him. 


Thankful for this moment.


Thankful for a year of memories.


Thankful for a growing personality.


Thankful for a boy who changed me forever and taught me more in a year that I could have dreamed.

Happy Birthday! I love you buddy.

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Day 5&6

Thankful for three hour naps and time to get a few things done!

Thankful for beautiful fall walks and friends to share meals with*.


I am making this dish for dinner tonight! Can't wait to try it. I tweaked it a little and added chicken and peppers. But, you get the idea. Super simple, healthy and a great meal for a chilly fall night!

Blow your MIND" Tomato Basil Pasta! - No Straining, just Stirring 

(Please click on pic then click SHARE so recipe saves to your timeline. You can refer back to it later!)

Pasta, Tomatoes, Veggie Broth, Olive Oil, and Seasonings (details below)

Throw it all in the pot, INCLUDING the uncooked Pasta, and cook! - Bring it to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. The starch leaches out of the pasta and makes a rich, warm sauce for the noodles. The other ingredients cook right along with the pasta

Ingredients

12 ounces pasta (I used Linguine)
1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes with liquid ( I used zesty red pepper flavor)
1 large sweet onion, cut in julienne strips
4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves
2 large sprigs basil, chopped
4 1/2 cups vegetable broth (regular broth and NOT low sodium)
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Parmesan cheese for garnish

Directions

Place pasta, tomatoes, onion, garlic, basil, in a large stock pot. Pour in vegetable broth. Sprinkle on top the pepper flakes and oregano. Drizzle top with oil.

Cover pot and bring to a boil. Reduce to a low simmer and keep covered and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes or so. Cook until almost all liquid has evaporated – I left about an inch of liquid in the bottom of the pot – but you can reduce as desired .

Season to taste with salt and pepper , stirring pasta several times to distribute the liquid in the bottom of the pot. Serve garnished with Parmesan cheese.
Photo: Blow your MIND" Tomato Basil Pasta! - No Straining, just Stirring 

 (Please click on pic then click SHARE so recipe saves to your timeline. You can refer back to it later!)

 Pasta, Tomatoes, Veggie Broth, Olive Oil, and Seasonings (details below)
 
 Throw it all in the pot, INCLUDING the uncooked Pasta, and cook! - Bring it to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. The starch leaches out of the pasta and makes a rich, warm sauce for the noodles. The other ingredients cook right along with the pasta
 Ingredients

 12 ounces pasta (I used Linguine)
 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes with liquid ( I used zesty red pepper flavor)
 1 large sweet onion, cut in julienne strips
 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
 2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves
 2 large sprigs basil, chopped
 4 1/2 cups vegetable broth (regular broth and NOT low sodium)
 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
 Parmesan cheese for garnish

 Directions

 Place pasta, tomatoes, onion, garlic, basil, in a large stock pot. Pour in vegetable broth. Sprinkle on top the pepper flakes and oregano. Drizzle top with oil.

 Cover pot and bring to a boil. Reduce to a low simmer and keep covered and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes or so. Cook until almost all liquid has evaporated – I left about an inch of liquid in the bottom of the pot – but you can reduce as desired .

 Season to taste with salt and pepper , stirring pasta several times to distribute the liquid in the bottom of the pot. Serve garnished with Parmesan cheese. 

Simply The Best You...Healthy and Happy

Monday, November 4, 2013

Day 3&4

Yesterday turned into a crazy day between our boy getting up early, running off to church, lunch and nap time and then coming home after a great event... the day got away from me. Now, I'm playing catch up. Here we go.


I am thankful that 6 years ago today the man of my dreams got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I truly am the most blessed woman in the world. My man is the best!

engagement photo. November 2007

Thankful for a warm, dry home during these blustery late fall days. We take for granted what we have when it is at our fingertips all the time.

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Day 2

I am thankful for friends and family to share life with. God has truly blessed us with awesome people that love us well. I am overwhelmed by the generosity and encouragement they have shown us over the years. My prayer is that we can love and encourage them like they have us.


Friday, November 1, 2013

November Thankfulness

I will admit, when November 1st rolls around, I so easily get caught up in all there is to be done before the holidays. Gifts to be made. Parties to be planned. Treats to be given. I forget about the true meaning of Thanksgiving and Christmas. My mind races with the million things that
have. to. be done.

I want this year to be different. That is why I am committing to posting things that I am thankful for. Care to join me?


day one.



I am thankful for the opportunity to stay home with my boy. I love to watch him grow and learn new things from him. This wouldn't be possible without the hard work of my amazing husband who is letting me live my dream. Thank you my love.