Thankful for.....

A messy kitchen that has produced goodies with love...

 The internet (where I can find all the recipes I would ever want to attempt)

A dishwasher

 An oven that works (when so much of the world still has little modern conveniences)

money to buy groceries to feed my children

hot chocolate (a true pleasure and delight)

 My Children (wearing PJ's and with uncombed hair)

My husband (my companion, my friend, my better half,  the one who keeps me glued)

Gracious and good friends

Things great and small...So much to be thankful for...

Our project for spring...

I have been trying to include "giving" projects throughout the last couple of years in our homeschool and family... I really want my kids to grow up knowing they are a part of a "bigger" whole and that the blessings God has given us should be shared with others. I also want them to know that it is our responcibility as human beings to care about the welfare and health of others.

Now when there seems to be so much destruction due to natural causes and increased poverty and need in our own country and around the world, it is only fitting that we should try and do what we can for who we can...

That's one of the reasons I was so thrilled when I found this opportunity to do something for others... It's inexpensive (which my budgets needs) and it is also a way to help others and be active in giving ~ exactly what I am wanting to instill in my kidlets. 

It's called "Heart to Heart Care Kits".  It is merely collecting some minor toiletries (the list is included on the site) and packaging them...Every item in the Heart to Heart Care Kit is used to bring comfort, health and peace of mind to those around the world who receive it. The organization relies on volunteers to acquire, prepare and send the kits, which are shipped from their Global Distribution Center in Kansas City. With each kit that is put together they ask that a minimal donation of $1 be sent to help with shipping...

If your interested in doing something that is inexpensive but can help others around the world, you can check this project out HERE.

Operation Christmas Child...

Every year my church has a drive for Operation Christmas Child..  Our family loves having the opportunity to fill boxes and send them to brighten the world of children around the world... For the last 2 years, my best friend, Tracy, has came over and we have packed our boxes together to include in my church's ministry drive...

    My friend Tracy with the kidlets...

 Operation Christmas Child is a shoebox ministry of Samaritan's Purse...  The mission is simple ~ 

To demonstrate God's love in a tangible way to needy children around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Just last year over 8 million children received gifts from Christian families through the shoebox ministry... and since 1993, 130 countries have been blessed with these small gifts.. Through these small gifts, children come to know the love of Jesus Christ and the love that we have for them... Imagine what a wonderful sight to see a smiling happy face on a small child who has know more suffering and heartache that most of us will never know...  Here is a video about the ministry...



I truly believe that God will see that each of these boxes will go to the one child that needs it's contents...

A Beautiful Autumn Afternoon....

Just enjoyed spending the afternoon with the kidlets, walking along the lakeside, admiring the beauty of God's handiwork... Truly the two things I am most thankful ~ my salvation from my great creator and the love  and forgiveness I have in my family!!  Even on days when I am unforgiveable, my children never see it and always give me unconditional love and forgiveness... I am so thankful that I have that in them... and so thankful that my father above forgives me in the same way...

Multitude of Blessings...

11.  My health

12.  the health of my children

13.  a warm bed to sleep in tonight

14.  a cool house in this horrible summer heat

15.  food to fill my children's bellies

16.  happiness a family brings

17.  a wonderful church family

18.  a job (one that I love) with good hours

19.  to have been born American

20.  to be a Child of God

Monday, Monday, So good to me. Monday, Monday It was all I hoped it would be

Monday!! A great start to a new week, a great start to our new 2010-2011 school year... It started out sluggish, (mainly because I was slow to get out of bed this morning) but ended with the 3 of us having a blast in th pool...

What a great way to start with "One Thousand Gifts"... So here goes my list for today:

1. the blessing of being home with my kids

2. being able to watch them learn and grow

3. a wonderful husband who supports my efforts

4. my wonderful kids who without, life would seem empty

5.  my arms, to wrap around them

6. my ears, to hear their giggles

7. playing with them

8. watching DD make a mess of the eggs while helping me make French Toast for dinner

9. the opportunity to kiss them "Good Night"

10. my father above who makes everything possible