Thankful Thursday

I haven't done a Thankful Thursday post in awhile .... a LONG while, ahem ....

But when I saw another blogger list the things she was thankful for today, I thought it would be a good idea to revisit Thankful Thursday and rip off a list.

Today I am thankful for:

* that in this uncertain economy, the hubster landed a good job after graduating last year that provides for our needs.

* that the #1 son is in 2 hours of summer school, getting back into the school mode which begins in earnest after Labor Day.



(just love this sign)

* that we've had some fun family time this summer. We've been able to go to the beach, spend lots of time around our firepit, enjoy a movie in the park, and do some bar-b-q-ing and dining outdoors on our porch.

* that its been 6 months since my surgery and I seem to be doing well. Only a few minor aches and pains. So glad I was able to have the surgery and that it was a success. And so glad its over and in the rear view mirror!

* that I got to see my sis and mom a couple weeks ago. We met halfway for lunch at a mexican restaurant and then headed to starbucks for more laughter and chit chat. We plan on meeting up every couple months.

So how 'bout you? What are you thankful for today?

Til next time ....

Gratitude Friday

Lots of things going on at the home of Challenges and Adventures, but nothing to report yet. So instead of going on and on about what isn't finalized yet, and what I can't discuss yet, let's talk about what we're grateful instead. How does that sound?

Today I'm grateful for:

* that Michael has graduated with flying colors. He is finished. No more classes, no more studying during family time, no more complaining about class assignments and other things. 3 long years (or was it more?) are completed. And a new chapter beginning ...

* sunshine, blue skies, fluffy white clouds. I really need my sunshine!

* that we have had no bugs in this apt. Having lived in a drafty old house (which I loved!) before moving here, we had all kinds of bugs. I love being in a bug free zone.

* lattes in the afternoon with my honey. Time to slow down, savor the moment and the memory and the company.

* hubby's willingness to dig right in and pack boxes with me this week.

* our son's love of anything lawnmower related. He becomes glued to the window when a lawnmower shows up.

* having fun with my hubby after all these years. He's still my best friend and favorite playmate. We went and saw a matinee yesterday just like we've done for the last upmteen years. It never gets old to have fun with my man.

So how bout you? What are you thankful for today? Let me know in the comments.

Til next time ....

oh give thanks to the Lord

i love this verse for thankful thursday. "oh give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples" ps 105:1 not only the part about giving thanks, but making known what He has done. spread it around! and thats exactly what we do here on thankful thursday--we share what we're thankful for--what God has done in our lives. isn't that great?

for me, i'm so thankful for my family. my son is funny, giggly these days and so fun to be around. he comes home happy and even if we're not having his fav, pizza, he still laughs and smiles. my husband and i are best friends, we enjoy one anothers company. we have great talks and pray together and spur one another on to love and good deeds. and i'm thankful i can be a stay at home mom. i'm a homebody. i love being here, whether blogging, reading, crafting or in the kitchen. i also love getting out and shopping for my family, taking walks, meeting with friends and going to bible study. all this the Lord has allowed me to do and i am thankful.

i'm thankful for my extended family, my mom, sisters and brother and their spouses and kids. i love having a tightknit family who keeps in touch, visits as time and money allow and are pursuing their faith in Christ. i'm thankful that they have taken our son with all his idioscincrisies and needs, into their hearts and lives.

and i am thankful for our church and church family who have embraced us. our pastor who preaches the Word. for our worship that adores the Lord. for all these things i am thankful to the Lord Jesus Christ who has made all these things possible in my life.

how bout you? what are you thankful for? want to join us thankful bloggers over at grace alone ... you'll be blest

Thankful Thursday

i know i'm not the only one who deals with stress on a daily basis. i think everyone these days does. one of the ways i combat stress, is to look to the eternal God and remember to be thankful for all the good. i remind myself often that this world is temporal, and what lies ahead is eternal. so with that intro, here's my thankful list.

~~~i'm thankful that this world is not my home. that i have a future and a hope that does not include this earth. that someday i'll be with my heavenly father and have a brand new body that doesn't creak, ache, or break down.

~~~i'm thankful that my Lord and Savior not only has taken care of my eternal future, but also takes care of me here in this life.

~~~i'm thankful for my husband, who loves me and has stood beside me nearly 25 years.

~~~i'm thankful for my son, and how he has grown in showing me that he loves me.

~~~i'm thankful for friends. for their care, encouragement, laughter, joy and fun they bring to my life. those who laugh with me and cry with me, who eat chocolate with me and exercise with me, who shop with me, and craft with me. and esp those who listen to me and talk to me.

~~~i'm thankful for the seasons, including the wintertime with the cold air and white stuff on the ground. how pretty it looks up on the hills.

~~~i'm thankful that i have lived long enough to celebrate another b-day tomorrow. that God has kept me safe, (reasonably) healthy, and breathing for His glory and His purposes.

this is just a small part of what i'm thankful for. and i'm glad to be reminded to remember my blessings and share my thankful list with you. i'm glad that iris over at grace alone ... hosts this every thursday, so that the rest of us have a platform to share our hearts and be reminded of how much we have to be thankful for.

Thankful Thursday

i'm thankful to be back again participating in "Thankful Thursday". its good to be back. and its good to stretch my mind to remember what i am truly thankful for.

* i am thankful for my Lord and Savior, His eternal plan that allows me to have relationship with the Almighty One, Ruler of All.

* i am thankful for this season when we get to remember and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. knowing that by his birth, life, death and resurrection, we too can live forever.

* i am thankful for a hot mocha in the mornings and warm slippers to keep my toes toasty.

* i am thankful for medicine that allows my special son to fall asleep (see tues post for more explanation).

* i am thankful for bloggy friends who give me things to ponder, make me laugh, or steer me to a great deal.

* i'm thankful that God created snow and that we're suppose to get some this weekend. love me a winterwonderland!

iris over at grace alone .... is our hostess for thankful thursday bloggy goodness.come join us and write out your thankful list today.

What am I thankful for?

its another thankful thursday here at challenges and adventures. if you want to join others hop over to grace alone ... check out what others are thankful for or write a list of your own.





i am thankful for the challenges that God has brought into my life. i dont' think i could always say that. we went thru years of infertility that i wasn't much thankful for, and then when we had our son, i was so thankful for him. but when we found out he had a disability my faith crashed against the rocks. how could i be thankful for that? but it was having a son who had a disability and learning deeper who God is and what His plan is for this earth, my life included, that i am thankful for. if i had not had Josiah, i don't know if my faith would have been tested like that or that i would have grown in my faith. God used my son as the melting pot to refine what little silver there is in my life. he used the trials i have endured to be the chisel to scrape off the gunk, not fun when it happens, but oh so needed to see what lies beneath. God has used trials to prune me and shape me, and for that i am thankful. i am thankful that he didn't leave me in the condition i was in 10, 15 , or 20 years ago. He loves me too much to leave the gunk on me. i am thankful that He cares that much about me. and i'm thankful that He knew what it would take to mature me, but not break me.

so what about you? what are you thankful for today?

Thankful Thursday

its thankful thursday during the the thankful month challenge---double whammy!









so today, i am thankful for my God. for knowing Him as my Savior and leader. for His sovereignty in this universe. for His all knowing, ever lasting presence, and all powerful power. there is no one like my God.

i am thankful for being included in His family. for His guidance, wisdom for me. for giving me His Word so that i can know Him more fully each and every day. for His comfort and love. words cannot express my gratitude for the Lord God Almighty.

"Whom have I in heaven but thee? and besides thee, i desire nothing on earth. my flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever ....but as for me, the nearness of God is my good; i have made the Lord God my refuge, that i may tell of all thy works." psalms 73: 26, 28

The Thankful Month

In honor of the month of November, which boasts a most wonderful holiday, Leah over at South Breeze Farm is hosting her 2nd Annual Giving Thanks Challenge! i haven't done this before but its not too late to join in now.

Leah writes: All you have to do is post one thing you're thankful for each day somewhere on your blog. It doesn't even have to be an actual thought-out post. Just start making a list on your sidebar - somewhere you can see it every day to encourage an attitude of thankfulness.It doesn't matter if you start now, November 1st, or sometime mid-month. It's never too late to acknowledge God's love for you and His faithfulness to you!

head over to leah's blog if you're interested in joining and come back here and see what i'm thankful for. i'll be posting one thankful idea each day for the rest of November.

Thankful Thursday

i'm late with this post (seems to be a theme here this week), but after missing it last week being sick i was determined to post my thankful thots today.

It's always so good to remind myself of what i have to be thankful for:

~~~i'm thankful for God's faithfulness to me and my family

~~~i'm thankful for the creative juices flowing and the ability to create things of beauty for my family and friends

~~~i'm thankful for my health, and that God has kept me healthy thru the years

~~~i'm thankful that the last presidential debate is over and the election will so be here and gone. can we say "enough already!"

~~~i'm thankful for the love my hubby gives me everyday and our strong friendship after all these years.


if you want to read what others are thankful for or want to join in the fun, head over to Iris' blog "Grace Alone". You'll be blessed.

Thankful Thursday

its time to rattle off my list of thankful items for the week. i just love this exercise in gratitude. it really does help my focus and mood. i'm thankful that iris hosts it every week. and she has set up a new blog called grace alone ... where it happens. love that title.

so what, may you ask, am i thankful for this week? oh, i'm glad you asked.

i give thanks to the Lord for:

~~ the wonderful season of Autumn, the crisp cool mornings, the beautiful reds, oranges, yellows and other colors that grace the trees and bushes. and football! college football of course. Go Broncos!!!

~~ Gods goodness and faithfulness to us. no matter what we are going thru and need, God meets us there. i am in awe of how He cares for me.

~~ good friends who cheer one up when one needs it, who come alongside when going thru tough times, who laugh with you when you are silly, and who encourage you to keep going when you would rather quit.

~~ for the new church that we have found. the biblical teaching, the exuberient worship time, the friendly people, and the awesome class they have for special kiddos like our son. we are so thankful for the Lord showing us this church and hope to be apart of it for a long time.

~~ for my mom who is my cheerleader with my writing. as an accomplished, published writer herself, and where i must get any gift of writing i have, she takes time out of her busy writing time to encourage me and ask my opinion of her writing. which is an honor for me. tho our styles are different as well as our audiences, i hope her self discipline and love of rewriting will rub off on me.

~~ for my family. the Lord knew what i needed and gave me 2 great guys who are so special. who encourage me, challenge me, support me, and love me. thank you Lord!

so how bout you? what are you thankful for today?

Thankful Thursday: My Men

it must be thursday, cuz i'm contemplating my list of thankful things. today i'm going to go with the theme of what i'm thankful for with my hubby and my son.

~~ i'm thankful that my hubby is a hardworking, hardstudying student. he puts alot of effort into learning and into getting the best grade he can. even with his limited eyesight which makes reading laborous, he doesn't whine or play the victim. he's a great student and i'm so proud of him.

~~ i'm thankful that even while being a student and having limited time, he makes time to be with us. to play with josiah, to be a loving husband and helping out when he can with the household.

~~ i'm thankful that he has taken over the bill paying and budgeting and keeps us on track. he is much more gifted in this area than i am.

~~ i'm thankful that he works out with me on fridays at the YMCA. just being able to go together helps me not bag out on exercise. and its fun to be together.

~~ i'm thankful that josiah is in a good school and has a great after school aide. it has been a good transition and the Lord has answered our prayers.

~~ i'm thankful that josiah loves to swim and we can go to the Y as a family and have a fun time in pool as a family.

~~ i'm thankful that josiah is becoming more independent in his life skills and can also watch tv/videos by himself with minimal supervision.

~~ i'm thankful for josiah's happy dispostion and his infectious laugh that brightens my day. he is a joy to have around.

i could go on and on, but i think i'll stop here and save some thankful thots for next week. if you're curious why i love participating in thankful thursday every week, go visit sting your heart, where iris has explained better than i can why having a thankful heart is a good thing. then join in the fun!

Thankful Thursday

Iris, over at sting my heart, is once again hosting this weeks thankful thrusday. what a great gal, and faithful one to do this week after week. kudos go out to her. if you haven't done so, join us over there and add your list of thankful things today.

so for this week i want to share what's on my thankful heart.

~~~i'm thankful for a firm foundation. that the Lord is my foundation. that there is no wavering with Him.

~~~i'm thankful that i have a family who loves and cares for me. and that i have a family that i love.

~~~i'm thankful for the friendships that i have here in boise, that at least i know someone! as we get settled into this area we are not alone. and that i am meeting people who may become friends.

~~~i'm thankful for the Word of God that gives guidance and instruction. that i can know the will of God and that He leads me daily in my life.

~~~i'm thankful that the Lord loves me beyond my imagination and has a plan for this life and beyond. that He is preparing a place for me when i leave this earth and that i will be with Him thruout eternity. wow! that is such an awesome thot!

so, what are you thankful for today? leave me a comment or come join us over at iris' blog. you'll find lots of thankful bloggers there.

Thankful Thursday

Sept 11
what a day to write my list of thankful thots! in some ways hard, as this day reminds of a dark day in our history. yet, a great day to be thankful since we have not had another attack in 7 years! come join me today as i express my thankfulness to a Great God, who is Sovereign. others are also thankful today and joining up over at Sting My Heart. go visit and you'll be blessed.

Lord, first off on this infamous day, i am so thankful for your protection. on me, on my family, on our nation. thank you for keeping us safe from other attacks in the last 7 years.

Lord, thank you for the faithful soldiers who are fighting far from home, to ensure that our world is a safer place. thank you for their sacrifice. and thank you for their families who endure so much hardship in their service to this great country.

Lord, thank you that we can worship you when and where we want, in freedom. thank you that we can share about you freely with others without fear of reprisal.

Lord, i thank you for the date nite that hubby and i were able to enjoy last weekend. thank you for our friendship with each other as well as with others.

Lord, thank you for the little boys in joe's class who invited him to play tag this week. thank you for their tender hearts towards my non-verbal son. thank you that joe was included and all the boys had fun. Lord, i pray that this will be the beginning of some true friendships for my son.

Lord, i thank you that we are finally feeling like we are getting settled here in boise. it always takes me some time, but i really am starting to feel like this is home.

and Lord, thank you for our friends who are bringing up a few more things from our house this weekend. help us to find space for the items, or new owners for them.

isnt' being thankful great? it just lifts your spirits, calms your soul, and energizes you throughout your day.

on another note, go over to a celebration of our journey and read her tribute to 9/11. it touched me mightily. she also has a video on her site. now i'm not a big one for watching videos. i never seem to have the time, and my computer's sound system is flaky, but this one is worth it. take the extra moment.

Thankful Thursday

wow--where did this week go? its thursday already and that means its thankful thursday day. is that redundant?

Lord, we have so much to be thankful here in America. i often wonder how my life would have been different had i been born or grown up in a different country. i am thankful to have been born to christian parents in America. to have grown up attending church and hearing the Word of God preached. it is a privilege i never want to take for granted.

Lord, i'm thankful for the beautiful fall weather we are having here. i'm thankful that where i live i don't have to deal with hurricanes, tropical storms, tornadoes, or floods. i pray that you would be with those people who have been displaced and have suffered loss.

Lord, i'm thankful that my hubby is enjoying his college classes and is focused on going forward with his new career. i'm thankful that the commission for the blind is footing most of the bill to allow us, a couple with limited resources, to pursue this new track in our life. we don't take it for granted that we are being helped by our govt's generosity. and i'm thankful that my hubby studies hard and wants to get straight A's.

every thursday Iris over at Sting My Heart hosts this thankful thursday. if you'd like to join in, or see what others are thankful for, head over to Iris' blog. you'll be blessed.

What I'm Thankful For

for todays thankful thursday, i have a million thots going thru my brain. this may be kind of random, but here goes!

** thank you Lord for my boys new school year. how energized michael is going back to class and studying. for joe's new teacher and aide and their willingness to do their best with him.

** thank you Lord, that there are so many good churches in boise and that you know just the right one for us to attend.

** thank you Lord for our YMCA and being able to use our bodies as you designed them. for machines, and pools and people to help us get fit, stay fit and treat our temples wisely.

** thank you for the beautiful park right down the road from us where we can take family walks in the cool of the evening.

** thank you Lord for the internet to stay connected with family far away and friends we've left behind. thank you for telephones and longdistance plans. for snail mail and for prayers that know no distance.

** thank you Lord for the great sofa we found on craigs list and for the dirt cheap price that fit into our student budget. thank you for the way it fits into our living room, how comfy it is, and the neutral yellowish-beige color that goes with everything.

** thank you Lord for taking care of us. taking care of our physical needs, and caring for us as people, children of You! and blessing our lives here on earth and giving us a hope for an eternal future with You! what a wonderful gift You are and You give. words fail to express my gratitude to you for all that You are, and all that You do.


for more thankful thursday blogs, check out Sting My Heart. what are you thankful for today?

What I'm Thankful For Today

i'm back again with my thankful thursday post. the last few thursdays have been crazy with the move. but i was determined to post my thankful thursday this week.

so without further ado, here's what i'm thankful for.

** i'm thankful that the move is over and we are somewhat settled in our new dwelling, that it went somewhat smoothly, that we had friends who helped on either end, that we have found what we have needed immedietly and besides not finding our hammer we have pretty much all we need.

** i'm thankful that our son has been able to go to his program a few times, giving us, his parents, a much needed rest and time to get things done without having to watch him.

** i'm thankful that we have joined the Y and have already had hours of fun in the pool, and hubby and i have worked out together producing sore muscles.

** i'm thankful that my son and hubby are both starting school on monday!! woohoo!!! and i will have some time alone to get my cozy apt organized.

if you want to see what others are thankful for, go visit iris over at sting my heart. and join in the fun by adding your list of thankful things

Thankful Thursday

Today i want to focus my thankful heart on being a Christian in America. we had the head of a ministry come to our church a couple weeks ago. he and his team minister to the refugees and displaced people in sudan and uganda. he shared what is happening over there which we never hear about in the western media. the awfulness is overwhelming.

then i think about how I, through no ability of my own, was born here in America, into a Bible believing, God loving family and have known the truth since a child. i am soooooooooooooooo blessed. i have soooooooooooooo much to be thankful for.

i want to burn this on my heart and soul forever and never forget. and allow it to spur me on to reach out to the rest of the world who need to know Jesus.

so what are you thankful for today? if you want to see more of what others are thankful for head over to Iris' blog. and you too can join in the fun. for as the veggie tale song says "...for a thankful heart is a happy heart ..."

Thankful Thursday

i have actually found who started the Thankful Thursdays and am joining in today with the rest of the bloggers. Thanks you Iris for starting this. Go over to Iris's blog at Sting My Heart (isn't that a great name?) and see what others are thankful for.

today i'm thankful for:

*** Free Boxes!!! as we pack up to move, i love finding free boxes.

*** My Helpful Husband, who is packing up a storm. I hate packing and would much rather unpack than pack. Hubby is a great packer.

*** My Lord and Savior, who is going before us on this move and making everything come together for us. We still have a few loose ends but I choose to trust in Him, that He has it all under control.


*** Air conditioning and popsicles during our heat wave.

So, what are you thankful for today?

Thankful Thursday

i haven't done a thankful thursday post in awhile and i thot it might be a good time to remind myself of what i have to be thankful for:

i'm thankful for ---

--- my sewing machine and the creative endeavors i'm able to work on with its help. i was just thinking how time consuming and tedious sewing would be if it had to be done by hand. thank you to whoever invented the sewing machine!

--- my hardworking, studious hubby who is studying hard to get a good job to provide for our family for the rest of our lives.

--- for running water; hot and cold, for heat and AC, for electricity and other modern marvels. i guess i'm just glad i'm living in the 21st century with all its technology.

--- for freedom of religion here in America and freedom to worship.


--- for my family, my friends i've known for years and for fellowship with other believers. connection is so important.


--- books to read, information to discover, the ability to read and libraries. knowlege is such a great thing.


what are you thankful for today?

Thankful Thursday

this week i thot i would highlight several bloggers that i am thankful for. tho i started my seed story blog back in '06 i didn't find out there was this huge bloggy community of christian wives, mothers and gals until last summer when i was surfing around one day. i felt like i had found a bunch of kindred spirits who live all over the country and even the world! what a treasure the internet is.

so i want to introduce a few of these kindred spirits to you:

carrie has a great title for her blog. "with all that i've been given" isnt' that great? she is a young mom with a one year old son. she loves her family, practices hospitality and shares some great recipes. she ministers to young girls, which gives her extra brownie points in my book. go visit carrie's blog

another blog title i love is cindy's at "still His girl" referring to both the Lord and her husband. her husband has his own blog and they are both a hoot. cindy is that girl back in highschool that you wanted for your best friend: fun, cool, nice, funny, extroverted, coming up with lots of great ideas and has tons of energy. when i grow up i want to be cindy! besides her fun side she also has a serious side which endears her to me. she's willing to be real and doesn't pretend to be perfect (even tho i know she must be!)

monica from the homespun heart has a heart for her family, home and hospitality. i love reading about her 2 little ladies (ages 3 and 18 mo) and her newborn son. plus they live in south carolina and since i would love to move to north carolina i get to live down in the south thru her blog. monica shows her strategies for feeding her family well on a budget, cleaning up the clutter that accumulates, how she makes her home more homey with her feminine touches. she is serious about her walk with the Lord and makes balancing all her demands look (almost) effortless. maybe we can move to south carolina and i can be her n'bor???

kathy and her husband, tim,co-write their blog "the duckabush blog." they live in western wa, my stomping grounds growing up. when i need a reminder of what i'm missing i just have to wander over to their blog and be reminded of the rain that i got away from, the beautiful pics of mt rainier that i miss seeing on a regular basis. kathy homeschools her brood, which i had always planned to do if we had had the brood we had planned on, instead of our special boy that God gave us. so i get to homeschool vicariously thru her blog. one of the reasons i like kathy's blog is that she includs lots of photos and she posts every day. and if she doesn't blog, she has bribed her husband to blog with added computer time for his obsession. i'm so glad my husband doesn't read my blog. if he knew that tim had a set amount of computer time and had to do something to earn more time, well, just say it wouldn't be pretty around here if something similiar was instigated.

there are a ton more that are in my fav file, but those are the ones i go to regularly to catch up on their lives. go visit these wonderful blogs and let me know what your "must view daily" blogs are.