GIVE THANKS:{THANKFUL} PHOTO-A-DAY

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Hey Ya'll!!!!!

I know I haven't been posting tons of things the past few months and the reasons for this would probably fill up an entire post!

Lots of changes..and its been good!

Please forgive my inconsistency..A blogger's "faux pas", I know! However, the greatest change regarding my blog was realizing that this blog is about me being a real person and part of this reality is that I am a very random person. I am not totally proud of this flaw, but that's me!

Random Nelly!

Readers deserve REAL people. Isn't that the beauty of the blog world?...or at least the way that is used to be? I was trying so hard to keep up with all the big bloggers that I admire SO SO SO much and I aspire to grow in this way...they are SUPER BLOGGERS!

Buuuuuut...

I. Am. Not. There. Yet.

:(

With all of that said...On with this post!

November is the BEST month of the year for A LOT of great reasons!

Cooler weather (most of the time), Yummy fall foods, pumpkin-flavored EVERYTHING (especially pumpkin spice latte), the aroma of cinnamon and nutmeg, putting out my sugar cookie candles and

numero-uno...

Thanksgiving!

Of course, the "politically correct christian like" thing to say is, "Well, I give thanks all year long!"

Yep! I know that is what some of you may have been thinking---No judgement here folks!

:))

And I agree! Although I have such great intentions to do this very thing (Give thanks allll yeeeaarr looonng), I fall short. A LOT. Every year.

So I enjoy the HARD FOCUS on giving thanks in November! I remember kinda feeling this way last Fall (you can read that post HERE). There's like a little nudge in my heart reminding me that all the mumbo jumbo of the year is just that...Mumbo Jumbo! I enjoy putting in perspective all the great things that God has done and how he has blessed me, my family and friends! 

Yep...I don't make the most money...but I'm thankful I have a job that works well with my life!

Sure...my clothes are a little tighter this year...but I am thankful I am healthy (and enjoyed all of those Mexican Restaurant work nights)!

Um, yes...my house needs A TON of TLC...but it's my house and it's a home full of laughter and love!

Mmm Hmmm...I do not have a perfect marriage...but I am STILL married going on 14 years which is a miracle in today's society! Whoop Whoop!

OK...I know my kiddos are balls of energy and a handful at times...but Golly...I love em and they love me and its AMAZING!

It's not about "settling" for what you have or where you are in life..it's about recognizing that where you are and what you have is a blessing and there is ALWAYS a silver lining!

So  yeah, if you are up for it...I will be posting my pics representing things that I am thankful for...whether big or small... on my blog and over on Facebook and Instagram!

Wanna join me?

THANKFUL THOUGHTS: {LIFE} THE BALANCING ACT {ORGANIZATION:POST 2}

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Have you ever been there...trying to balance out every area of your life so that priorities stay "in check" and every piece of you has to be chopped up into ITTY BITTY pieces so that everyone can be happy and everything can get done...and done right?!?
Trying to live organized in life and home is so challenging!

Exhausting just thinking about it!

*I NEED A NAP*

I have been there and continue to BE THERE over and over again!

I am so thankful for the freedom to CHOOSE to be balanced. Now, by no means am I an expert, but I am living out this endeavor and it's been a trial and error journey every step of the way!

I try to stick with this little formula:

1ST:GOD

2ND:ME

3RD:SPOUSE

4TH:FAMILY

5TH:MINISTRY/HELPS

6TH:EVERYTHING ELSE

TAKE NOTE: This is not a list of importance but a rank of investment.

EVERY layer is IMPORTANT! 

Now, I know everyone has their own formula but I'll explain mine for clarification.

1-GOD:

Why? Because for me, my faith in Him sustains me! He keeps me SANE! I struggle with keeping Him first more often than not, BUT when I am successful, there is so much peace in my heart, mind and home! By keeping God first, that keeps ME, technically first as well!

2-ME:

Some of us wives and moms have two view points on this.  Either you are thinking

A-" What? I am first, NOT second---"

OR

B-" Girl, I put myself last---Family ALWAYS First!" 

I have learned that If I don't have "ME TIME", then I will usually crumble under the pressure! 

Investing in yourself first makes your investment everywhere else of better quality, don't you think?

There IS two sides of this coin, though...

I ADORE my newest outlet, blogging, but have quickly followed the advise of other veteran bloggers to be consistent AND be balanced! Don't let this (or whatever you are "into" ) consume all of your time or energy! It's hard for me because I love it SO STINKIN' MUCH, but I love my fam MORE!

3-SPOUSE:

Honestly, most people put their spouse AFTER the children.  Why is it that we take our spouses for granted?  I FAIL ALL THE TIME in this area.  However, I have committed to be with my man til death do us part...my kids will grow up and leave me! SAD, but true! Therefore, shouldn't we work hard to keep the fire kindled and burning in our marriage? 

AND IT IS HARD WORK SOMETIMES... 

Just sayin'...

4-FAMILY:

It seems weird to put the very breath that you breath, your family, fourth on ANY list! I mean, really? I am not saying that the importance of family is fourth, what I mean is that all of the first three on the list make the family BETTER! I will say it again...This is not a  list of importance but a rank of investment.  Each layer makes the next layer even better.

5-MINISTRY/HELPS:

I am super involved in my church and PHEW...IT CAN GET HECTIC! I love everything that I get to do, REALLY, but (you knew there would be a "BUT" didn't you?) I know that this cannot take precedence over any of the above! The top four layers must overflow into this part of our lives so that it can actually be effective in other's lives! I have, at times, stepped away from areas for a season to readjust, and even recently had to reduce some time spent in ministry.  I don't like to say "stepped down",  just "stepped away".   It takes a wise person to know when enough is enough and things must get realigned!  I have ALWAYS had a hard time saying "NO" to anyone, and I don't think that is totally a BAD THING.  I was talking with a close and dear friend the other day about this, and like she said..."I am in a season of ,"YES"...but within my capacity"! That's the key!!!

6-EVERYTHING ELSE:

Yep, this is where the rest of it falls...

This post is really not to "rant" about how I have it all under control by following this little method. TRUST ME! That's not me! I am working this out on a daily basis! I merely shoot for this...it's the goal and goals are good, agreed?

Like I mentioned earlier...I am so thankful for the freedom to CHOOSE to be balanced.

Let me know how you keep your life "in check"!

Thinking thankful thoughts,

Linked up:

THANKFUL THOUGHTS: I {HEART} MY FRIENDS

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Last Week I talked about how thankful I am to have a LIFE FILLED WITH HOPE!

This week, my heart is SWOLLEN with love and thankfulness for my amazingly wonderful FRIENDS!

NOW, it goes without saying, that I AM OVERFLOWING with oodles and oodles of love for family members, and honestly, some of my CLOSEST friends ARE family!! So, I am certainly giving a HUGE shout out to all of the FAM! Mucho Love!!

BUT...

TODAAAAY, I wanted to focus on those who do not share a "blood bond" or something like that connecting them to me in some way!

I want to talk about my FRIENDS!

There are so many types of people that I adore surrounding me! When I was a kid in school, I was never apart of "clicks" or anything like that! I always felt like I could fit in somehow with every click or type of group.  It's kinda the same way now, as an adult! 

Do you know what I mean? Is that how it is with you?

I just wanna be buds with the whole world!!

I have some friends that I see ALL the time! Some of them are even more than friends...those who have chosen "Lil ole me" to spiritually mentor them on a weekly basis.  SERIOUSLY, that's a HUMONGOUS HONOR and I don't take it lightly!

Some of the girls from my weekly small group:) I love these chics!

There are some friends of mine that I have known for so long that I can't even remember how I met some of them! These are the ones that probably have all the "dirt" on me! 

NOT THE BEST PICTURE BUT THESE ARE SOME OLD SCHOOL BUDS!

Then there are those that I call my "Kindred Spirits"!

My girl, Kim! She makes me wanna exercise...I said WANT TO...not actually... DO IT! Wish I could see her more...

KELLE BELLE!!!!!!! Time with her fills my love tank!

Keeley and I go WAAAAY back! I miss her!

Technically, these are my adopted parents and sister in
law but it's impossible to not
 include these three people as kindred spirits
(but I get to see them all the time, LUCKY ME)

And I can't forget about my sisters (and brothers too)! These friends are the ones that you may not even have a whole lot of interests in common or even hang out with all the time, but you are teammates, gathered together for the same cause! Just like a team! Siblings in a "real" family are, most often than not, completely different, but there's a bond that ties them together!

Some of the TEAM! There's like 30 more!! 

This is MY "Trace"! She let's me annoy her and she STILL loves me anyway!

I love, love, love my brand new friends! .....the one's that just popped into my life and I wonder "Where in the heck have YOU been all my life!"

( Bummer, no pics of my new buddies)

I cannot forget about my new bloggy friends! Of course, I don't have any pictures with these new buds, but I am looking forward to the day that I will!

And I can't forget the Hubs!

HE IS THE BEST!

And then...

...there's a friend who sticks closer than a brother!  Jesus Christ! 

He's been the ULTIMATE friend to me! I can't see Him or take pictures with Him, but I have stories about how He has impacted my life!

I'm thinking one day I am going to have to share my "God story" with you!

SIDE NOTE: THERE IS NO WAY THAT I CAN INCLUDE PICTURES OF ALL THE AMAZING FRIENDS IN MY LIFE! These are only just a few....

So, In conclusion, I am so grateful for ALL of the amazing people that God has placed in my life. Through hurts, struggles, good times, and not-so-good times...

TRUE friends will be there,

THROUGH IT ALL!

And for this, I am thankful,

THANKFUL THOUGHTS: BE FILLED WITH HOPE

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What is it about life that steals away our ability to be thankful? 

Am I crazy, or does it get harder and harder sometimes to look past the obstacles

and constant road blocks that interfere with what we believe is the best plan for our lives? I know personally, in my family, this has been an obstacle! Financial struggles, physical

issues, employment roadblocks, loss of loved ones...just to name a few,

 have visited us within the past 5 years!

Yesterday morning, while encouraging a friend, I realized that the one thing that I am the most thankful for lately is 

"HOPE"

...even when it is hard, when it's uncomfortable and when it is inconvenient!

Feeling like we have been "dealt a bad hand in life" is normal, 

but believing that it can or will never change is only setting this situation in stone. 

 We must always have HOPE!

The man upstairs, you know

 ..."God",

He knows all things past, present and future and he knows what our future holds and yes, not all of our futures will have our 

names in lights, 

pockets overflowing with money, 

or even a life of complete health, 

but greatness isn't about the things that we have here on Earth. Greatness is about the legacy you leave behind when you have left this Earth!

I was moved with this thought...

Even Jesus expressed hope... 

...even in his last hour! He prayed "Lord, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me!"

I mean, really, we know that Jesus knew it wasn't possible and he had embraced his fate, but he demonstrated an example for the world in that simple prayer...

ALWAYS HAVE HOPE AND BELIEVE! 

It wasn't a happy ending to his prayer. As we all know, he died, and it was brutal, but his purpose was far reaching than a momentary unanswered prayer. 

What if God the Father had answered Jesus' prayer?

That would not be a good ending for us.

When we have expressed hope and then lost it because things didn't change, examine yourself and ask God to show you what you might need to change. That's what I do! Let's face it peeps, we all need some work, eh? 

Embrace HIS will for your life...whatever that purpose is...with peace of mind and contentment...

BUT ALWAYS BE FILLED WITH HOPE, even until the end!

Praise the LORD,

for he has shown me the wonders of his unfailing love.

He kept me safe when my city was under attack. In panic I cried out,

“I am cut off from the LORD!”

But you heard my cry for mercy

and answered my call for help.

Psalms 31.21-22 (NLT)

My thankful thoughts;)

 WHAT ARE YOU MOST THANKFUL FOR THIS WEEK?