30 Days of Thankfulness

November 10, 2010

Today I am thankful for Alive!, the praise band my husband is part of currently.  The door opened "oddly" about 4-5 years ago.  Darryl had been searching for several years to find a Christian Band to play in and express his musical talents.  He had several groups ask him to play but as he asked questions, he learned that many times they played in the bars on the weekend and that is something he did not want to do.  Instead, he spent hours jammin' in the basement and we just kept praying.  We even searched out churches with music opportunities hoping that would meet the need but instead the doors kept closing.  Through his job at Clothing Care, he met a guy at one of his stops named John.  John invited us over for a music night at his house.  Darryl had fun playing guitar with both John and his son, thinking this might be his new outlet.  Well, John happened to work with this guy named Paul and he knew that Paul was looking for a guitar player for his group.  So John mentioned that he should talk to their delivery guy.  Paul invited Darryl out to check the group out and the "rest is history".  It has been such a blessing to get to know the people in the group, to attend the concerts, and to see my husband get to stand on stage and do what he loves more than anything else - play music.   Some days, honestly, it is a struggle, when he has worked a 12 hour day on a Wednesday and barely has time to change clothes before making the 45 minute drive to practice, getting home often after midnight only to get back up at 5:00 Am to work a 14 hour day on Thursday.  Or when Sunday is the only day he has off and it is taken up with a concert yet we are always blessed in end and are so thankful that God worked out the details.  

Song of the Week - "In My Arms"

Sometimes, I hear about an Artist by chance and this is one of those time.  I had never heard of  "Plumb" until I asked someone about a song that they sung for their child's dedication.  This is just a beauitful song and I just love the words

Your baby blues

So full of wonder

Your Curly Que’s

Your contagious smile

And as I watch

You start to grow up

All I can do is hold you tight

Knowing

Clouds will rage in

Storms will race in

But you will be safe in my arms

Rains will pour down

Waves will crash all around

But you will be safe in my arms

Story books

Are full of fairy-tales

Of kings and queens

And the bluest skies

My heart is torn just in knowing

You’ll someday see

The truth for lies

Clouds will rage in

Storms will race in

But you will be safe in my arms

Rains will pour down

Waves will crash all around

But you will be safe in my arms

Castles they might crumble

Dreams may not come true

Cause you are never all alone

Cause I will always

Always love you

Clouds will rage in

Storms will race in

But you will be safe in my arms

Rains will pour down

Waves will crash all around

But you will be safe in my arms

In my arms

In my arms

This song has taken the number one spot on my playlist this week so unmute your computer and take a listen :-) 



30 Days of Thankfulness

November 9, 2010



Today, I am thankful for my brother Jeff.  Jeff is the middle brother.  He is the smart one :-)  (Seriously - he really is - not that the rest of us are dumb, but Jeff is REALLY smart!)  I used to call him when I had to take a Statistics class in Grad School.  He would have to explain whatever the teacher taught every day because I was so lost.  He is also very caring and encouraging.  Jeff is an administrator at a Christian school and, plain and simple, he is GREAT at what he does and it makes me very proud to hear what he does.  He loves his family more than anything and is a wonderful example to those around him. 

My Favorite Things Challenge

One of the blogs I follow, the "High Heeled Housewife" is hosting a blog challenge - only once a week (much easier to keep up with!)  I love the fact that she is focusing on the positive - it really is so easy to see the negative in things but when you change your mindset, you find that you are also happier in your daily life! Starting next Monday, this little link-up party will begin!!  

The High Heeled Housewife

Hi ladies! It's time for a challenge & link-up. On Mondays over the next six weeks, let's share about our favorite things. So often we spend time dreading or complaining about what we don't like to do. Instead, let's get excited about what we enjoy! Here's the schedule:


November 15: My favorite part of being a wife (or woman)
November 22: My favorite thing about my husband (or family)
November 29: My favorite household chore
December 6: My favorite part of the holiday season
December 13: My favorite part of my home
December 20: My favorite encouragement from the Bible

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 30

Day 30 - A picture

Just "a" picture?  Do you have any idea how hard that is for me? LOL  Well, it just so happens that we had family photos taken on Sunday and I have a couple of "sneak peeks"!!

. 

Well, this is the end of this challenge.  I must admit, anytime I do one of these blog challenges, I'm kinda glad when it is done . . it frees me up a little BUT I still enjoyed it and had fun with it!

Too Cute Not to "Toot"

Another week of some awesome things!  Some holiday and some not but all fun!

Click here to Learn how!

Check out Lemon Tree Creations - an awesome tutorial on how to make a pillow.  I like it because, as a novice on a sewing machine, even I feel like I could make these.  I'd love to do it for holidays to cover up my sofa pillows!
Over at Oospey Daisy, she gives this really cute Thanksgiving Tree/Advent Calendar Idea.

See How! Click Here

This Toilet Paper Turkey is a great craft idea from A Glimpse Inside

Click here to find out how!

Advent Calendars for Thanksgiving seem to be popular - here is another option

click here for the tutorial

I am always looking for new ideas to use with my boys both now and as they grow and I came across this great Fall Leaf Lesson Plan for preschool at Roots and Wings.  They have lots of great ideas listed!

This is just one of many ideas she has in this post - a matching game

Over at Sassy Sites, she listed several different sites that have some really cute Pilgrim crafts to do - some even come with free printables, which is always nice. 

This is just one sample of the links she has - check them all out!

Also at Sassy Sites, she shows how to make this really great "Thankful" plate for kids to make

Click here for the full tutorial.

Then, there is this really adorable Turkey over at Young and Crafty

Here's a great Christmas Idea for making a unique Advent calender which would also be a way to teach your children and have some fun too.  Not sure I can pull this one off by December 1st - I may have to put this on my list for next year!

Click here for a full explanation.  I do wish she had instructions for the bags but I'm sure I can find a tutorial somewhere!

I really like this give thanks pennant banner from over at Paint it Sew Thrifty.  It is really easy and would look really nice hanging just about anywhere.  Plus, just alter the fabric and you could make one for every holiday.  If it was hanging on a flat wall, I bet you could make it reversible - one side fall fabric and one side Christmas fabric!

I hope you enjoyed this great ideas!  There are many I want to make - I need to add them to my craft folders before I forget :-)

30 Day Blog Challnege - Day 29

Day 29 - Wishes

This is another one of those that I've thought about the whole 30 days and still am not sure what to write.  I'm a realist so wishes aren't something I really have.  Sure, I say "I wish that person would drive faster . .. ", or "I wish I was independently wealthy" but I'm not sure that is what this is supposed to be!  So . . I think instead, maybe you should check out Katie's Journey (Just click on her button on the side of my page) and see what OTHERS are wishing.  I think that is what I'll do and maybe, just maybe I'll get inspired to wish some more!

Happy wishing :-)