.::This and That to be Thankful for::.

First of all... GLORY BE the sun here today is just about the most beautiful thing I've ever seen! One entire half of my house has rays pouring into it. It's a beautiful thing.

I found my camera. This poor little beat up ol' Kodak that's covered in scratches and sticky fingerprints. She has served me so faithfully from the birth of our first born on up until a few months ago when I "lost" it. She was crammed in an old purse so now there are crumbs stuck under the view finder and more scratches. Ugh. But, the most fun about finding your camera after a few months is to turn that thing on after a good 24 hour charge, and seeing what you were taking pics of. I love that surprise. :)

Here's what I found:

On our way home from Ohio - breakfast @ McDonalds. My girls were in the footie jammies and I want to treasure that memory.

My selfless and loving husband who made Christmas in Ohio happen. We were so broke and borderline depressed...life was heavy. But in the 11th hour {from our perspective} the Lord provided and my husband was a road master to get to me to my family {after an ice storm!}. I treasure him and that memory, too.

Daughter and nieces snuggling new Christmas teddy bears from Aunt Cindy. I remember getting my first big teddy bear from my Uncle and how I had that thing with me until I was married... no joke. There is something precious about a little girl and her teddy bear. :)

Before the "C" word was a part of our lives... Grammy snuggling the youngest baby. She's amazing with her grandkids - just like she was with her own kids, and still is... and will continue to be.

It's so fun to look back over these pictures and relive Christmas 2012. We really are so very blessed.

Today Thanksgiving is just washing over me and I suppose it has to do with many things going on in life. For starters, upon arriving to church this morning for playgroup - I came across our family ministries pastor standing in the foyer. He had a major heart attack last week...and yet, here he stood. Ready to work. We thank God for Kevin and continue to pray for his recovery.

Then there's these goobers - who just knock my socks off every day. August is really coming into her own little self and the expressions are endless.

And big sister is just growing up so very fast. {sniff}

{see the bear back there?!} 

This whole season reminds me that even if life in every area is hard and miserable and difficult - we can rejoice and be thankful, because Christ died for our sin! But He didn't just die.. He is Risen! I whipped up this little thing this week as a visual reminder to all who walk into our home. Right there in the entry. It's not exactly how I wanted it to look, and I might try another kind...but, even today it has been encouraging. 

Now... can someone tell me how to control that house plant?! :)

So much to be thankful for! What are the things on your list today?