Thankful Thursday

December is here!  We have a cold day.  I've been keeping my robe on and enjoyed some hot cocoa. 

Today I am thankful for...

~ my husband putting out and checking the mouse traps (and emptying them as needed)....getting rid of them and making sure all the outside holes are sealed up.  

~ that our oldest got to go hunting as he loves to do after Thanksgiving.

~ another yummy bowl of soup for me from our DIL.

~ grin and excitement on the face of our youngest when he was decorating for Christmas.  

~ having things I've made to hang and use during the holidays as decorations.  I guess each year I add a little more.  

~ fun surprise in the mail from a friend who sent me things she makes....crochet and painting.

~ getting to order Christmas presents online and having the boxes start arriving! 

Have a day of blessings!

 Bethany

Giving Thanks Challenge 2025

A tradition I have in November is to post one thing I’m thankful for each day on Facebook.  

Giving Thanks Challenge

November 2025

1 ACU memories

2 the Bible

3 washing machine and dryer

4 my Dad

5 the moon

6 my van

7 our school

8 to have a phone

9  colorful fall leaves 🍂

10 marvelous Monday

11 ladies’ class

12 early dismissal day and porch talks with my sweet daughter in love

13  getting our family pictures back

14 new donations for OS dinner silent auction.

15 yummy lasagna dinner (and the lovely people we got to share it with)

16 the people who have helped with the goats

17 warm sunshine in the middle of November

18 the library

19 the sweet baby girl I got to hold

20 that my husband got a paycheck

21 Caleb…..for the days I get to see him and he unexpectedly comes in the house….for the blessing he is to us all and that he is helpful big brother. 

22 Titus….I’m proud of him for trying something new with showing goats….for his caring heart….for the joy he brings.

23 Sydney…for her love and support of Caleb….for the ways she is such a great “big sis” to Titus….for the encouragement she is to me. Thank you for being you, Sydney. 

24 for my husband ….. the way he takes care of me…prays for me…supports me in everything I do….makes my dreams come true…tells me I’m beautiful….asks me daily “how can I help you?”

While the shutdown was stressful, having him home was time I wouldn’t trade for anything.

25 getting to visit my Dad.

26 yummy treats from the bakery

27 my Mom fixing good food for lunch and the leftovers.

28 a day at home

29 to listen to Christmas music while I worked on Christmas things.

30 new battery for my van

Have a day of blessings! Bethany

Thankful Thursday

Happy Thanksgiving!  Hope you have had a nice day.  

This week I am thankful for...

~ my sweet husband driving me to see my Dad and helping to work out the plan for that.  

~ our oldest helping his brother get the goats ready for the show and give him tips.

~ that our DIL liked her birthday presents!  

~ that our youngest felt better after having a stomach bug on Sunday.  I was glad I was able to take care of him.  We missed going to a family Thanksgiving though. Also, that I got to see him show his goats Saturday.  We are so proud of him doing something new and the things he has learned.  And that the goats cooperated.  

~ getting to see my Dad and spend some time with him in the rehab place this week.  I'm thankful he is doing well.

~ getting fun treats at two different bakeries while we were on our little trip.  

~ the good food my Mom made for Thanksgiving.  And the leftovers.

Have a day of blessings! 

 Bethany

Thankful Thursday

~ that my husband got a pay check today after the shutdown.  I think it was October 14 we got the last partial one.

~ when I see pictures of our oldest from his sessions with the non-profit.

~ another birthday for our sweet DIL.  She is a blessing!

~ our boy being able to attend a goat clinic and learn new things and get some practice. 

~ that it was just wax in my ear and not an infection or something when it was feeling weird this week.  

~ working on Christmas picture card!  I'm already seeing sales so I'm going to get them ordered.

~ fruit pizza we had at church this week.  So good!  And they are pretty to make.

Have a day of blessings!

 Bethany

Children's book review: Kid the Goat Won't Wear His Christmas Coat

About the book:

This romping Christmas tale is a kid-approved reminder to wear your winter coat! Lana Stenner of the Grace-Filled Homestead (which is also filled with goats, chickens, and sheep) shares this hilarious story about a young goat who would rather stay in his pajamas than wear his coat at Christmastime.

Kid the Goat runs to the Christmas tree to open his presents and saves the biggest for last. What could be inside such a big box? After ripping off—and snacking on—the wrapping paper, Kid opens the box and finds . . . a winter coat. Clothes for Christmas? What a bu-u-ummer! When Kid refuses to wear his coat, Maa-a-a makes Kid stay inside while the rest of the family enjoys Christmas Day outside. How can Kid make ice skating, building snowmen, sledding, and caroling just as fun while inside the house by himself?

Filled with cute and cuddly artwork, this relatable and laugh-out-loud rhyming story

• is for ages 0 to 4,
• shows kids the consequences of not dressing for the weather, and
• is a perfect gift for Christmas and Advent.

Grab a copy for your coat-averse children today. They will Totes McGotes love this book!

My thoughts:

The goat on the front and in the title caught my eye on this one.  How cute is the little goat in his pajamas!

The illustrations are fun in this board book that will be enjoyed by toddlers and preschoolers.  It has rhyming text.  

I feel like there could be several different lessons to create conversation with this book.  It is unclear which lesson the author is aiming to get across though in my opinion.  As a parent I would definitely want to talk about how Kid the goat was sassy and disobeyed.  I feel like the book would be better if it wasn't a board book and had a few more pages to draw out the story.  It felt rushed and in a hurry to end.  While the illustrations are cute and it could be a fun story with great Christmas time lesson, it feels like something is missing for me. 

It would be a cute stocking stuffer for a little one that likes goats.

I received a copy of this from the publisher and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

Have a day of blessings! 

 Bethany

Children's Book: Jesus Listens for Christmas

About the book:

Prepare your spirit for the Savior's coming and magnify your joy this holiday season as you spend the days of Advent and Christmas with your heart and mind intentionally fixed on Jesus.

Enjoy more peaceful moments this holiday season with Jesus Listens—for Advent and Christmas. This devotional collection of prayers and reflections from Sarah Young's bestselling Jesus Listens® and Jesus Calling includes Scripture verses, and words of hope from God's heart to yours.

This inspirational holiday devotional is ideal for:

• Anyone longing to draw closer to Jesus during the Advent and Christmas season.
• Those who are looking for comfort, calm, and peace in place of the holiday bustle.
• Families who want to cultivate a tradition of Advent prayers and devotions together.

This full-color prayer book includes:

• Prayers, reflections, and Bible verses based on the Christmas story and prophecies of Jesus' birth.
• Stunning seasonal illustrations, making this holiday treasure a beautiful gift or keepsake.

As you pray Scripture throughout this holiday season with Jesus Listens—for Advent and Christmas, you'll experience not only God's answers, but also how prayer connects you to God, changes your heart, and brings peace and joy to one of the greatest celebrations of the year.

My thoughts:

I am familiar with Sarah Young and the Jesus Calling devotional books.  This is similiar to that format and is designed for families to read with their children through the advent season.  Each day has a prayer, Bible reading, and activity to do together.  

The illustrations have a peaceful sense about them and add to the beauty of this book.  This is a beautiful book to add to your personal library to help focus your heart on the true meaning of the season.  

I am looking forward to using this devotional with my family.  

I received a copy of this from the publisher and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

Have a day of blessings!

 Bethany

Thankful Thursday

I always think how fast time is going. This week has been busy.  Here is my thankful list.  

~ my husband getting to go back to work today as the government shutdown ended.  We missed being together!  He got to come to the Thanksgiving feast at school too.  

~ that our boy got to have some time hunting. 

~ our sweet DIL sharing some soup she made with me.

~  having a nice Thanksgiving feast at school with our boy and the event at school tonight.

~ the kittens seeming to adjust to being at our house.

~ getting back our family pictures.  We love them!

~ enjoying time at home while the boys were gone hunting.

Have a day of blessings! 

 Bethany