Thankful Thursday

This week I am thankful for….

~when I get a sweet heartfelt message from my husband that makes my day. Also that he makes me get new tennis shoes for myself. 

~ all the many things our oldest is doing now. He’s so busy. We are proud of him. 

~ our DIL asking our youngest to help with her plants, it’s a fun little project for them together. 

~  that our boy can mow and help out with that big job at our new house. 

~ being able to donate blood. 

~  getting the table and chairs that my Mom redid for us. She put a lot of work in this project. I was excited to see it in that space. 

~ the feeling of making progress on several tasks at the house. 

Have a day of blessings! 

 Bethany

Thankful Thursday

It's been such a difficult week emotionally. The stories from the Texas floods make me so sad.  Also I think of those first responders and volunteers seeing such unimaginable scenes.

~  being able to talk to my husband when I need to cry or laugh or just talk.

~ our oldest son's response to items stolen from the non profit (looking for the good and praying for the people that stole the stuff) and also talking to him on the phone.

~ being able to take our DIL to the eye dr.

~  time with my boy....doing a painting project at the library program with lots of laughs, looking at goodwill and finding some pants for him, Chinese for supper while Daddy is gone.  

~  getting to go with my aunt to a musical and lunch this past weekend!

~ having our front door fixed (repainted) and new insulation put in the attic this week. 

~ the things we got rid of this week...donated as well as in the trash.

Have a day of blessings! 

 Bethany

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What's an adult problem nobody prepared you for? 

It was interesting to me how my eye dr. told me that changes with my vision were normal after 40 and then how many other friends that age also started talking about vision changes.

2. How tuned in are you to all the recent food related health news? Have you gotten rid of your scratched cookware? Did you pay attention to food additives before they made the news? What's one healthy eating/cooking/food shopping habit you need to adopt? 

I am somewhat tuned in to some of the food related health news.  It is a plus that companies are getting rid of artificial dyes.  We have personal experience with our youngest on the reaction he had after red dye 40.  It was a behavior thing for him so we have avoided it for him for years. It was surprising to me how many items have red dye 40 (and other dyes).  

We have started using freshly milled flour.  My husband makes bread for us.  Also cinnamon rolls, pancakes, tortillas, rolls, buns.  Since our move we have not made the bread but he's made other things. Now that we are a little more settled he will start making it again.  There are so many health benefits to milling your own flour.  I'm glad we have learned about this and can incorporate it in our lives.  Search Sue Becker Staff of Life on YouTube for a good intro.   

3. What's getting worse and worse as you get older? How about better and better? 

Related to question 1, I would say my vision is getting worse but not really bad.  It hasn't changed drastically in recent years, but I do know I had to get a Bible with larger print.

I'd say our marriage is getting better and better....our relationship and all the things we've learned together through the years. So thankful for this! 

4. Are you more of an indoor person or an outdoor person? Elaborate. 

Indoor.  
I don't mind being outside if there is shade, no mosquitos/flies, not too hot and not for long periods of time!

5. If you had an expert personal assistant today, what would you have them do? 
Unpack more boxes!

We brought more in from the garage because we are having insulation put in this week so wanted to give them more room to work.  I knew if I saw the boxes in the house I'd be more motivated to empty them more quickly.  

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

We are all hurting and sad over the loss and destruction from the flooding here in Texas.  We are 3 hours from that, we don't know anyone directly involved.  It has beeen heartbreaking to see it all and hear the stories and all weighs heavy on my heart.  Also, it warms my heart to see the many people who are helping and volunteering their time and resources.

Have a day of blessings!

 Bethany

Thankful Thursday

Happy July!

This week I am thankful for....

~ a little date night with my husband.

~ when our oldest eats supper with us.

~  when our DIL calls to ask T to help her plant some new things in her planters. 

~ our youngest baking this week.  He made bread and another night made blueberry cobbler.  

~ cooler temperatures this week.  It's July in Texas and not 100 degrees.  It's a blessing!  We've gotten a little rain too. 

~ tasty cookies made by a girl at church.  We got some cookies & cream and Twix thumbprint cookies!  Fun treat!

~ free CFA chicken minis added to my rewards account made for a fun breakfast treat this week when we did a couple errands.  

Have a day of blessings! 

 Bethany

Thankful Thursday

It's been a difficult week and felt heavy for so many because of the news we've heard both in the world and for friends/family.  It's important to find things to be thankful for every day.  

Here's my list this week!

~ my husband working so hard on all the things at our new house after he gets off workig his job.  And his encouragement to me that we will eventually get it done!

~ getting to take lunch to our oldest.  

~ time visiting with our DIL when she comes over with the dog.  

~ moving limbs one evening with our youngest.  It was a pretty evening out and nice to work together on the task.

~ that I have a crepe myrtle right outside my kitchen window.  It is blooming.  I wasn't sure that is what it was when we moved here and I've always wanted one!  I'm so excited to see it in bloom.  It's going to be so pretty!  Also I bought one on my trip and my husband/son got it planted for me.  

~ having knowledgeable workers that have helped with various repairs we are doing.  It makes a difference when they know what they are doing and seem to care about the customer and not just making money.

~ being able to pray for others when you feel helpless to do anything for their situation.  We know God hears and answers our prayers.  

Have a day of blessings! 

 Bethany

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What does adventure mean to you? 

Adventure means doing something or visiting a place that you don't typically do.  It may be a little bit (or a lot) out of your "comfort zone" but could just be something out of the ordinary.  I guess I'm thinking with young children having an adventure can mean so many things that just add a little specialness to the day.  And they create memories together.

2.  What are your thoughts on tipping? What businesses or service providers do you regularly tip? Do you resent being asked if you'd like to add a tip? What about when a suggested amount is presented? 

I do not like it when tips are just expected.  I want to give someone more if they do a better job and less if they don't provide good service.  We tip at restaurants and for hair cuts and massages.  I do not tip at fast food or drive thrus.  I don't like them to ask me if I want to add a tip.  The suggested amount is helpful, but I pick my own amount.  

3. I scream you scream we all scream for ice cream...do we? Is ice cream a favorite treat at your house? What's your favorite flavor? Regular, soft serve, gelato, sherbet, or some sort of non-dairy version of ice cream...what's your pleasure? 

Yes!  I love ice cream and we all do at my house!  There's a new ice cream shop here (Braums).  We used to only get to have this treat on road trips, but now that there is one here we have it all the time!  

I like chocolate chip or rocky road.  Hot fudge sundaes are a favorite!  

4. What's your 'back in my day, we____________________ ' story or saying? 

Back in my day, we......
took pictures with cameras and had to get the film developed to see the pictures.  

5. Somehow this is our last Hodgepodge in the month of June. Next week's Hodgepodge lands in July. Wow. Sum up your June using three adjectives. 

educational (school board trip)
productive (unpacking boxes)
restful (not having an alarm to set for school)

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

We are making more progress on the garage and boxes.  I am proud for what we are getting rid of as well and not keeping everything.  People ask me if we are settled in.....We are going at our own pace I guess so there are still boxes and messes everywhere. I continually have to remind myself of that and how much we have gotten done and not let myself feel I'm not doing enough or fast enough when I am asked this question.

Have a day of blessings! 

 Bethany

Thankful Thursday

June is speeding right along.  This week I am thankful for...

~ my husband taking off work to drive me to my school board conference.

~  when I get to see my oldest when he comes to the fence to get his dog.  

~ when my DIL comes to borrow some milk.

~ getting to volunteer at a book sale with my boy.  It's a tradition we've done for many years now.  The others like to see him coming to help each year.

~ having gutters installed on our house.  It was one of the things we knew we'd want to do when we bought it and glad to get that marked off the list.  

~ finding a crepe myrtle to plant in the yard.  

~ good dr. visit to get an RX refill.

Have a day of blessings! 

 Bethany