Gratitude can transform ordinary days into Thanksgivings...

Happy Thanksgiving, y'all!  I hope today is centered around gratitude for you--both in the joys and the struggles, the highs and the lows, the big and the small.  I hope that in whatever plot mark life has you in right now, that you are ale to see through eyes of gratitude.  Those lenses will change Thanksgiving from the last Thursday in November to a constant state of being,  And that will bring more peace and joy to you than you could ever dream.

A small list of things I'm grateful for today, in my right now:

--my husband.  I could not have ever dreamed that I would find my match at 15 years old.  Or that I would snag him and he, me, so quickly and completely.  He is my other and often better half.  He works harder than any other person I know.  He serves, protects, and provides.  His heart is passionate and his brain is eager.  He loves fully and fiercely.  He is tender-hearted and hard-headed.  He has blown me away as a daddy.  I could not ask for anything more in a husband and I will forever be grateful for everything he is to my life.

--my children.  They are the most beautiful creatures I have ever laid my eyes on and they hold my heart.  They have taught me that I am stronger than I ever imagined I could be.  They have taught me how to be extremely patient and how to love so much it literally hurts.  They have shown me what absolute joy and innocence are.  They have made me worry and fear more than anything else in my life before; yet they have also made me happier and more carefree than anything else.  They amaze me every single day, and I still struggle to understand how I was chosen to be their mama.  They are my best gifts and I am beyond grateful for that grace.

--my Hunter's job.  I absolutely cannot stand the hours he's working and the stress he's under and how much of him they've stolen from me and our kids this year.  But.  It is a very good job that supports our family very well; and it is a job he is very good at and usually loves.  So, while I don't like it right now, I am extremely grateful for it.

--our families.  Since Hunter and I started dating so young, our families really aren't "in-laws" to us...each other's families helped raise us; each other's siblings are like our own; a lot of each other's family memories include the other...  The upbringings we had and the love we live in is just incredible.  We owe so much to our families, and we are so very grateful for each and every member.

--my two best friends, Rachel and Dajuanna.  Rachel's birthday is today and Dajuanna's is Sunday--and I just find it so fitting that these two beauties share "their day" with a time of year centered around giving thanks.  These girls are my rocks, my advisors, my people.  They are my go to for my biggest excitement and my deepest heartbreak.  They've seen me at my worst and completely loved me through it.  They know me better than almost anyone else, including myself.   They've both shown me precious glimpses of Jesus, and there is not a single day that goes by that I am not utterly grateful for each of their friendship.

--our church family.  We have been loved so well and so fully by our home congregation here.  They have served as a safe place of embrace as Hunter and I establish our own faith walk as a married couple and young family.  They love our children as they own (my kids have SO many "aunts/uncles" and "grandparents" there) and are helping us raise them to know and love Jesus.  Our youth group has completely stolen our hearts and our passion...serving alongside those teens and being allowed to witness their growth is truly one of the most incredible things we've been able to do.  We are so grateful for the experiences we've had, the lessons we've learned, and the people we've loved there.

--our home, laughter, music, crafting supplies, creativity, good books, second (and third, fourth, and fifth) chances, hope, family pictures, Colic Calm (miracle medicine...seriously), blog world, Cajun food and my beautiful home state of Louisiana, memories, chocolate chip peppermint shakes from Chick-Fil-A, education and learning, chilly weather, football,  soft pillows, road trips and vacations, movies, love stories, Pinterest and Facebook, my stamp club, giving gifts, secrets, bubble baths, Sonic ice, tears, childish giggles, fans, Shutterfly books (love/hate relationship...but the love usually wins out), good kisses and warm hugs, big fuzzy blankets, sleep, each and every one of you...

And none of this gratitude or joy or hope or peace would be full in my heart without the promise of freedom provided by the blood of Jesus.  His perfect love is the lens I pray my heart to use.  That I will be able to see every person, opportunity, and even struggle as a chance to rejoice and offer thanks.

Find the good in every day.  Be grateful every day.  And allow every day to become Thanksgiving.

But for the sake of today and the holiday, I hope you get to get your grub on surrounded by your best people :)

Happy Thanksgiving, y'all!
love, angie

Thankful Thursday

Today I'm thankful:

--that I feel like a human again!  My schedule has calmed down tremendously (for now...) and my hormones are figuring out where they belong too.  Woo hoo for the second trimester!  It's been so nice to have the time, but also the energy, to get some things done that have really been needing my attention for a looooong time now.

--speaking of a freed up schedule, I've had the past two days off...and I SO needed that!  My students were state testing this week, so I didn't even attempt pull out sessions; and little Miss had shots yesterday, so she stayed home to snuggle with daddy today.  I have been able to sleep, clean up the house room by room, and get some very much needed paperwork/communication done.  It has felt so great to recharge!  Not to mention, I got two whole days with just me and my girl :)

--for doctors and medicines...and most of all that my tot feels so much better.  Monday was TER-RI-BLE.  She had run fever all weekend and we found the culprit was likely a UTI...which meant a diaper catch (by basically gluing the little catch back to her tiny hiney...terrible).  And then when those results came back abnormal, they had to do a catheter to obtain a clean catch to send to the lab. Terrible doesn't even touch that experience.  But she's feeling better now, she's on antibiotics (which are no fun, but hopefully they'll fix her up), and hopefully we'll never have to do this again...  Fingers crossed?

--that the end of my boy's turnaround is in sight!  Hopefully...

be grateful, give thanks.

love, angie

thankful thursday...

Today I'm thankful:

--for good friends who keep and love my baby girl for me since I've gone back to work (only one days week).

--speaking of going back to work, I'm thankful for all three opportunities that found me in January.  Each one has given me the opportunity to learn and grow in areas I love.  I'm exhausted most of the time, and much busier than I probably should be most of the time...but we're making it work, and I'm thankful.

--for our weekend trip to Houston for SoulLink.

--that even though all three of us have had the sinus crud this week, it didn't turn into anything major and it hasn't lingered excessively long.

--for my precious girl's prayers at dinner and bed time.  She used to repeat after one of us (and still does occasionally), but within the past week or two, she has started saying them completely on her own.  She goes through her list of thank you's which is usually based on who she saw and what she did that day.  She also prays to have a good day tomorrow and to make good choices.  Absolutely priceless moments that bring me to tears almost every time.

--that this week has been much calmer than last.

--for an aunt who is an event planner and has decorations galore!  So helpful for party, ahem wedding shower, planning :)

be grateful, give thanks

be a noticer of the good

don't miss the chance to rejoice

love, angie

Thankful Thanksgiving Thursday!

Today I am thankful:

--for our congregation hosting an area wide church service held this Tuesday night in place of Wednesday services in the community for the holiday.  It was a wonderful time together and such a blessing to visit with special people and friends we haven't seen in a while!

--for life.  Sometimes situations serve as a wake up call, and I have been reminded I need to wake back up to how precious life itself is.  And to make the most of every second!

--for Lysa Terkeurst and her book, Unglued, and for my dear Dajuanna coming to me with the idea for a ladies' day based off of it.  That book and study time changed my heart and I am daily trying to increase my walking in grace, gratefulness, and gratitude... {and that we were asked to lead the same ladies' day at another congregation!}

--that our Thanksgiving will be pretty calm and fairly low key, but spent with all kinds of family and eating all kinds of yummies.  How can we not be thankful for that?

--for my precious and priceless gifts, Hunter and Arabella.  These two hold my heart and make this life ride SO much fun and refocus me during the un-fun times.

~Happy Thanksgiving from my little family to yours~

take time to be grateful today...and every day

love, angie

Thankful Thursday

I'm going to focus on one thing in particular today because my heart settled in on this little tie bit last night as my husband drifted off to dreamland...and I laid there wide awake.

I am so thankful to have my boy back home.  Between all of the traveling we've both been doing, all of the traveling he's been doing for work, and the 8 day hunting trip he just went on, we haven't spent much time at home together lately.  So for us all three to be home this whole week has been so very, very nice.

I am not a snuggler when I sleep.  I want my space, I want to be curled up in my covers, I want to bend and twist and turn comfortably, I don't want to be touched.  This is much to my boy's dismay as he usually tries to sneak a hand or a foot over to my side...  Negative.  I'm reminded of Ross's "hug and roll" technique on Friends...except I'm the roller.  This girl needs her space to dream!

But this week, I have noticed my feet drifting over to touch my sweet boy's legs.   After sleeping in that big old bed alone more nights these past few months than I prefer to count, his presence is so comforting.  {although you can bet your biscuits that I curl right on back over to my side before I actually fall asleep...}

This is all a long, possibly too detailed way for me to express how thankful I am to have my husband home.  Even the smallest moments together make me realize how lonely I had been for him.  We've giggled and played with our sweet little petunia a lot this week.  And it has been grand.

So enjoy the time you have with your spouse or your significant other or you kids or whomever your love(s) may be...  Even give them a little extra snuggle every once in a while :)  Because you'll miss it so bad when you can't...

love, angie

Thankful Thursday

I haven't done one of these in so long!  Sadly, this year has been one of our craziest as far as traveling and what not...my blog even got to the point where all I was writing were "Thankful Thursday" posts (which isn't a bad thing...if I'm going to only write about one thing, I think thankfulness is a pretty swell option).  However, eventually those even waned away.  So here's to hoping I can get back on track with my gratitude!

Today I'm thankful:

--for my sweet and dear friend, Dajuanna, and our opportunities to teach together.  We, along with my husband, are starting a class with our youth group next week covering the Not a Fan study (it is going to be pretty incredible).  We're also planning a ladies' day that focuses on, what do you know, gratitude :)  We'll be using Lysa Terkeurt's book Unglued as inspiration, and it too is going to be great.  Studying and preparing with this sweet lady are something I treasure and truly enjoy.  I am so thankful that my God led our hearts together.  I'm also specifically thankful for our ladies' day on gratitude...I need that reroute of my thoughts pretty badly these days.

--for sweet little Maddox (my best friend's baby who was born a week ago and has been in the NICU with complications since).  He is a little warrior and making progress every day!  And through his life and his struggle and his story, so many, including myself, are learning and remembering to lean completely into the loving arms of our Jesus.  And I am SO thankful for the progress he is making!  He's a miracle.

--that I get to go see sweet little Maddox's parents and big brother next week and hug their necks!  It has been difficult to have to love them from a distance, and I'm so ready to see them!  Their friendship is a treasured gift.

Kickin' it old school in this picture. But it was a great day...and we've loved them for a long time.

--that we've had a few cooler days sneak their way in recently.  It's coming...oh, it's coming.

--for everyone who came and helped celebrate sweet Bella's 2nd birthday!  Her party was a lot of fun and we are so thankful for all our friends and family who love our sweet girl (I'll have a post about her party sometime next week!).

--that even though my sweet girl won't get to trick or treat this year (and thankfully she's not old enough to know what she's missing!), we are getting some incredible amounts of rain that our earth could definitely use.  And also, that since we knew it was going to rain, she was able to wear her little costume to Bible class last night with her friends.  And finally, since Hunter was out of town for Halloween anyway, he won't have to feel guilty about missing her trick or treating.  So really it's all working out.

I mean, seriously?!  Cutest clown EVER.

--that Christmas is starting to be in the air!  Christmas albums are releasing, decorations are flooding the stores, shopping has begun, and the cheer is starting to spread.  This is my absolute favorite time of year (really September through New Year's...but with a heavy focus on December!).  I love the weather, I love the soft lights of my tree and garland, I love keeping up with friends through Christmas cards, I love driving through a sparkly and lit-up town and neighborhood, I love the music, I love the smiles that can't help but be on most people's faces...and although there's no way to prove its accuracy or whatever other issues you have with celebrating Christmas--there's no reason not to be excited with how many people are thinking about our Savior and celebrating his life.  I love that.

--that we settled on a theme for our youth rally this year and plans are definitely in the works!  I'm also extremely thankful to have more time to plan it this year!

--for life.

be grateful, give thanks.

love, angie

Thankful Thursday

Today I'm thankful:

--that I was given the opportunity, with my teen girls' class, to teach the wee ones on Wednesday night.  Our topic was God'd BIG Spirit--what a challenge to teach to kids ages 1, 2, 4, and 7!  Things went well though, although I have no idea if they had any idea what I was talking about...  Preparing and planning for that class made me realize how much I love working with the youngsters.  I've been so focused on the teens for such a long time (don't get me wrong--I adore them and would not trade my work with them for anything); but I had forgotten what it was like to teach the littles.

--for my NEW CAR!!!!  My boy is so good to me.  I mean really, sometimes it's just unreal.  Through an unexpected string of events, we ended up trading in his beloved truck for me a mama mobile!  It's a 2013 Ford Explorer Sport--and it is amazing.

--that my dad's surgery went well last week (rotator cuff repair).  {and that he'll be off for a while and able to just be...he doesn't get to relax often}

--for a best who is completely honest with me and with whom I can be completely honest.  We just get each other.  It's fabulous.

--that I get to host a baby shower for some sweet friends this weekend!  It'll be a fun time, and I just love hosting a shower :)

What about you?  Take a little time and reflect on your week/month/life.  What are you thankful for?  Recognizing those things makes life a little fuller!

be grateful, give thanks.

love, angie

Thankful Thursday

Today I'm thankful:

--for last week at Encounter with our teens.  I am hoping to get a full blog post up about it soon, although I'm not sure that I can even begin to sum it all up in words.  It was an incredible week and I am honored to have gotten to be a part of it.

--for my sweet girl and the lessons in patience she teaches me daily.  She's my reminder to slow down (which I'm not always the best at) and enjoy my life right now, in the present.

--for the incredible dads that my incredible Father has blessed my life with.

--for group texting.  These kids keep me giggling all day long :)

--that although I'm crazy busy the next few weeks/weekends, at least it won't involve traveling.  I'm ready to be a homebody for a while...

Thankful Thursday

Although it's technically Friday to all of us Central and Eastern time zoners...  Happy Thursday to y'all on the West Coast!  Let's get to thankin'!

Today I'm thankful:

--for a full day of friends!  My mother-in-law and soon to be sister-in-law came over today for us to spend some time learning how to work a sewing machine (and all of the measuring and folding and ironing that goes with it).  Then, our friend Jacob (whose wedding we just went to a few weeks ago) stopped in to stay the night.  Tomorrow, my best friend and her momma are coming for the night...seeing her face and getting in a little visit gives me quite a boost in the soul.  These two days have been packed with people I love and I've love it!

--for my parents.  They are graciously and selflessly keeping our sweet doodle while we are with our youth group at camp.  So incredibly thankful...

--that we are able to go to Encounter with our kids this year.  This camp changes them--we've been blessed to see the results of that in the year's past.  We're anxious and excited to get to experience their testimonies first hand with them, work through those changes with them, and get some quality time with our Jesus in with them.  It's going to be a blessing!

--that a new demonstrator joined my Stampin' Up! team!  Being an SU demonstrator has been so fun for me, and I just love it when other people are excited enough about crafting and the product to join--especially with me!

--that Wal-Mart stays open 24 hours.  There is something refreshing about going grocery shopping in a calm and quiet store, late at night, and without a wee one.

be grateful, give thanks.

love, angie

Thankful Thursday

Today I'm thankful:

--for a quick weekend trip to go visit my grandma.  She had to have her other leg amputated on Sunday (making her have both legs amputated in three weeks).  So my middle sister and I are loading in the Suburban with all of our wee ones to go get in some visiting and help my mom with a few things she needs up there (and provide her some moral support...).

--for my oldest sister.  She has been a HUGE help this past week, helping me organize two really big events that I'm in charge of.

--for nights and nap times without tears.  As well as modern medicine for helping my toddle tot feel better.

--that I got a little motivation this past week and actually got quite a bit accomplished!

be grateful, give thanks.
love, angie

Thankful Thursday

Today I'm thankful:

--to be home for a few weeks!  We've been some major roadrunners this month, and it is so refreshing to know that we have a few weeks to just be...

--for snuggles, new tricks, and a really cool kid.

--for a soon-to-be new sister-in-law!  Hunter's baby brother proposed.  And then they both graduated from Louisiana Tech last weekend!  Super thankful for that too--and oh so proud

--that in the course of six days, we were able to spend some quality time with six of our closest friends from college whom we don't get to see near often enough.

--for The Office.  This may seem cheesy or odd to some of you, but that Hunter and I love that show and its characters and are so thankful for the giggles and grins it gave us over the past nine years.

--that my motivation finally kicked in a little and I'm starting to get a handle on my house again.

--that I get to hold and hug my baby and my husband tonight, especially after the Oklahoma tornado repricks my heart to the fact that many people do not.  That as a teacher, I was never put in the position of having to be with my students in terrifying times that could be their last.  That in the middle of absolute destruction, I can have hope in my heart because this world is not our home.

be grateful, give thanks.

love, angie

Thankful Thursday

Today I'm thankful:

--for our girls' class over communion last night.  The boys have been studying it for the past several weeks and will be leading the service Sunday morning to share what they've learned.  Our girls met Wednesday for a lesson on it as well as the chance to prepare the bread we'll break together as a family Sunday.  It was and will be a special time.

--that my grandmother came through surgery well today.  She had to have her right leg amputated up to the knee due to poor circulation.  The surgery went well and she's in recovery, but she still has a long road ahead, especially with her age.

--that although we're both a little bummed that our weekend together got cancelled, my mom was in town and able to go be with her mom and family today during all of this surgery business.  She's where she needs to be, and I'm thankful she lives close enough to them to do that.

--for an impromptu weekend with my BFF!  Since plans with mom got changed, I'm opting to spend a little time with my Rachel and her boys.  Some time with her usually gives me the boost I need to cure the blahs (which I've been having a bout of here lately...).

--for all of the upcoming excitement we've got going on!  These next few weeks to a month are going to be hectic and busy and crazy, but there's going to be a lot of great things that happen in the midst of all of that.

--that our congregation is banning together for our auction fundraiser this Sunday!  I'm also very thankful for all of our people who volunteered (or got volunteered!) to be auctioned off :)

--for cool weather in May.  I know it's crazy, but like I've said before, I would so much prefer the chilly lasting a little longer than our 100 degree weather (which is inevitable) getting here sooner...

--for a special day next Tuesday thanks to Hunter's dad and stepmom!  Yay for special treats!

be grateful, give thanks.

love, angie

Thankful Thursday

Today I'm thankful:

--for worship music.  I am a very lyrically driven person {as should be obvious from my obsession with words} and song is my favorite method of worship.  I love how poetic the words are written, yet how they are able to express so eloquently what I never could in 1,000 words.  I love that it can echo through the walls of my home and vehicle, allowing me to be in a near constant mind state of worship.  I love that it can move me to strong emotion and action.  I love it.

--for a pretty incredible group of youth group girls {I adore the guys too, but this week, I'm especially thankful for the girls}.  I love getting to teach them on Wednesday nights, and I'm thankful that they all come to that class.  They have some things in the works too that exhibit a Jesus heart and they make me proud.  They are truly a blessing to me.

--that the youth rally planning is going full steam ahead!  I am also beyond thankful for a congregation of people who are excited to share in mine and my sister's dream {as well as our husbands who got on board without question}.  The glory is the Father's!

--that my boy finally had a little free time and was able to mow the lawn.  It was getting a little jungle-esque out there...

--to be a Stampin' Up! demonstrator!  I love their products and am so excited about the new catalog about to be released!  I get to do something I love and make a little money at the same time...that's just grand.

--that Grey's Anatomy is a new episode tonight!  This may sound a little ridiculous, but after two weeks of reruns, I'm ready to snuggle in with my Seattle peeps and find out what they've been up to.  {Don't you love how I think they're real people...so I get attached to fictional characters, what's the big deal?}

--for the blessing service that our Elders and minister performed on Sunday for our kids.  I'm hoping to get a whole post up about that soon, but for now, I'll just let you know how thankful I am to worship with a family who blesses our family's efforts to raise our daughter as a child of the King--and who helps us do so.

be grateful.  give thanks.

love, angie

Thankful Thursday

I missed last week's Thankful because I was traveling, so now I have two weeks of thankful expressions for you!

Today I'm thankful:

--that one of our guys in our youth group put on the blood of Christ in baptism last Sunday!  He is a very special young man to Hunter and I, and that decision was such a blessing.  We are so proud of him and excited to make this journey with him.

--for mine and AJ's long weekend trip to Branson!  We flew up Thursday to spend a few days with my sister in that fun little town (thank you Southwest for uber cheap tickets)!  We had a really fun time, and that trip will get its own full post soon.

--that we are having a ladies' retreat this weekend.  I am so ready for some time away with the girls (and quite honestly, I'm needing a little break from mommy duties...not a long one, but a break).  It's going to be a great time in the Word and in the woods. Mmm.

--for the birth of sweet little Jaxson!  A dear friend of mine {whom I've mentioned on here before}, after years of struggles, prayer, and faith, was blessed with her miracle this week.  It's just a beautiful story.

--for my monthly Stampin' ladies.  They're my form of therapy :)

--for Dove (the company).  I am so grateful that they have taken a stand to push natural beauty as opposed to what society pushes.  Their ad that has been circulating is extremely powerful--girls and women of all ages need to watch it and take its message to heart.  Boys and men who struggle with self worth and beauty need to do the same.

--for my best friend, Rachel.  I've been missing her pretty bad here lately.  She seems to make my days a little better and I just love her.  I need to see her face soon...

--that there are still decent cartoons that teach values and necessities, but don't drive me crazy {i.e. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse--my tot loves her mouse!}.

--that my boy was safe after a fire at the refinery yesterday.  It was a brutal reminder to me of the danger that my boy and my dad walk into every day.  I am so thankful for their safety each day it is gifted.

--for hope.  In the middle of the massive tragedies that have hit our country this week, hope arises.  It can be witnessed as people reach out to one another; as people pray mightily; as our nation comes together.  Our heart aches for the people in Boston, MA and West, TX and for the families affected by those fears, injuries, and losses.  Our prayers for peace, healing, strength, and hope are covering them.

be grateful, give thanks.

love, angie

Thankful Thursday

Today I'm thankful:

--that I was able to restart my girls' class last night.  We are going through the book Secrets about Guys {that shouldn't be secret}, finding out what Godly guys are really looking for in a girl and how to see our beauty as God sees it.  I'm really enjoying my time with them.  Not only am I thankful for the opportunity to teach them, but I am beyond thankful for each of those girls.  I love them more than they'll ever know.

--that while I'm teaching the girls, my hubs is studying through communion with the guys.  I'm proud of him and thankful for his leadership.  And I love those boys more than they'll ever know too.

--that our Chorus got a GOLD at LTC this year!  That weekend is so much beyond the medals...but in my five years here, they have been trying SO hard to make that accomplishment.  They got it the first year as mixed chorus (meaning they had more young ones than old ones), but this was their first time to get it after moving up a bracket.  They worked hard, they worshipped, and they made a joyful noise of praise.  It was a fantastic feeling to be able to present that award to them this week.

--that this time next week, my bug and I will be on a plane to spend a long weekend in Branson with my sister!

--for this little cold snap.  I have no idea where it came from, but I'll take it.  I know pretty soon that our temps will be unbearable, so I'll take windy and 50 in April no problem.

--to be able to be a stay at home mama.

--for our garage sale this weekend to raise funds for our trip to Women of Faith in Dallas!  It's a great weekend, and I love that our group does fundraising to help offset the cost of the trip so that more ladies are able to go.

--for a messy kitchen and living room.  I may have just cleaned them today, but those messes means that my family ate dinner at home together and that my toddle tot has been playing her heart out tonight.

be grateful, give thanks.

love, angie

Thankful Thursday

Today I'm thankful:

--to get to visit with my sweet Brooke!  She is a special friend to me (we were teacher neighbors and crafting pals) who moved far, far away a while back.  Well she came into visit this week and I was lucky enough to get a lunch date :)  It also gave us both the chance to visit and catch up with our other teaching buddies.  I just miss her so!

--that my sister amazingly found a stuffed Fievel during a consignment sale just like the one Hunter had growing up!  It's been so special to see the light in his eyes remembering his childhood friend (and singing that sweet little song!); but a new little light is added seeing his little girl play with and love on his childhood friend.  He's a little (or actually pretty big!) stuffed animal our little family will treasure.

--that even after all of the disasters of Easter last year (lost dresses, burnt lunch...), my family loves and trusts me enough to host it again this year :)  I have a lot of fun things ready for the kids, and it'll be a grand family day all the way around.

--to be so involved with such a fantastic youth group.  We're headed off to LTC this weekend for them to showcase their leadership skills and talents in multiple categories.

--that Hunter finally gets to go back to Easter with his family at the camp.  Because of LTC being on Easter every year, we've missed his family at the camp since we've moved.  He's missed it so badly, and this year, he decided he's going to go.  I'm thankful for his time with his family, for he and Bella to have some time together, and for Bella and I to have some time apart :)  (Don't take that wrong at all...I adore my sweet daughter.  But being a stay at home mom, and really just a mom at all, I don't get much time to not be on duty.  It's going to be nice to have a couple of days "off".)

--that I learned how to make royal icing and pretty cookies!  I had a good time making them for Easter this year--even though my kitchen is a complete mess from it...

--for a husband who tries.  Back to LTC--that requires a lot of hours and planning and practices.  So Sunday, I had to go up to the building early to work with our kids on their events.  Hunter stayed home with Bella who was still napping.  When he walked in for services, this is who came with him...

First of all, check out those bows!  Second favorite:  stockings AND socks.  Third:  last thing I told him before I left was that it was supposed to be chilly out so to put her in long sleeves or a jacket; he opted for sleeveless.

Now, although I may be poking fun at my boy's fashionista skills for our wee one (and he will probably kill me when he finds out I did so on here), I will have you know that I didn't touch a thing!  A lot of moms would rush to change her and "fix" her outfit--and had we been somewhere else, I may have been more tempted to do so.  However, I did not.  My sweet baby was bathed, dressed, and to church on time.  And daddy did it all!  I just don't want to forget this silly, special memory :)
(and he didn't just throw something on her, he really tried!  He was so proud of getting pink touches on everything down to the socks and shoes--even though none of the pinks matched, haha!  Love it.)

--for my sweet, loving Jesus.  The perfect sacrifice who not only died a horrific death to pay the price for my horrific ways, but also rose again to offer me life everlasting with Him in Glory!  Thankful doesn't cut it, but it's what I have to offer, so I do.

be grateful, give thanks.

love, angie

Thankful Thursday

Today I'm thankful:

--that Hunter and I were able to come to the Tulsa workshop this year!  He has never been and I haven't been in years--the week is filled with lessons and worship and fellowship.  Such a blessing.

--for my sweet husband.  There is childcare offered at the workshop, but tonight's keynote was Francis Chan (hello!) so it was extra packed and the childcare room filled up before I got her in there.  She has not slept much at all these past two days--remember this is my child who sleeps 12-14 hours a night and  takes a 3 hour nap--so she is ex-haus-ted.  This meant we had to keep her with us during the worship service, AIM presentation, and lesson--and she wasn't havin' it.  I had her out walking the concourse for a bit, but my boy came and took over the parenting duties when Francis began his talk.  I am so incredibly grateful for that selfless act.

--that childcare is offered at the workshop!  Even though we didn't get her in tonight, she was in there Wednesday night and most of the day today.  It allows us to be able to really focus and absorb the lessons, and also allows her freedom to play and make new friends!  Win, win, win.

--for my laptop!  I have been wanting one for about as long as I can remember.  Then Hunter and I jumped on the Apple train full steam ahead about 3 years ago--so now, I've specifically been wanting a MacBook (which made the price range higher and the reality further away).  Well, today, we decided that we would make the plunge.  So during our lunch break, we scurried off to BestBuy and got my long awaited prize.  Fun!

--for the changes occurring in denominations (particularly our tribe, the Church of Christ) which are somewhat leading to some unity under the blood of our Jesus!  This was made blatantly apparent tonight as Francis Chan spoke (or that he was even invited).  His talk wasn't even a planned out lesson, but rather a guiding of the Spirit on what this audience needed to hear from him.  And it was just that--one of strength and unity.  Powerful.

--that Arabella did so well on the long drive up here!  She didn't sleep as much as I had anticipated she would (I'll chalk that up to the front facing car seat...), but she kept herself pretty well entertained and happy.

--for some major doors being opened for us as we trudge through the planning of this youth rally!  This has been a true step out in faith for us and our whole congregation, and it's exciting to watch it all play out and come together.  We are praying strongly for this event, specifically to be an outreach to the youth in our community.  We covet your prayers of agreement with us over this.

--that my Otterbox is slim and hard enough to slip in my pocket, and that the charger flap tucks tightly into itself.  I know this may seem odd, but those are the two major reasons I hated other people's Otterboxes and swore I wouldn't get one unless I had to.  I'll probably still opt for the LifeProof case eventually, but this one was SO much cheaper and could be delivered to me the next day, in time to leave for our trip.  Plus, it's lime green with some dark plum purple so it has enough pizazz to make me smile :)

--for each and every one of you.

be grateful, give thanks.

love, angie

Thankful Thursday

Today I'm thankful:

--for the announcement that one of the boys in our youth group has committed to a 12 day mission work in Brazil this summer!  We also have another, one of our college girls, who is returning to the field in Haiti!  We could not be more proud of these kids stepping out in faith and dismissing their fears, willing to walk straight onto the foreign field in the name of our great and mighty Savior.  It's just incredible to witness.  I am beyond thankful for them and their willingness to live our the Gospel.

--that I get to visit a very dear friend this weekend, whom I haven't seen in quite a while!

--that Hunter and I (and our Arabella) get to go to the Tulsa Soul Winning Workshop next week!  I haven't been able to go in years, and Hunter has never been.  It is a fantastic conference, full of worship to our sweet Lord and Savior, challenging lessons that inspire growth and action, and fellowship and togetherness with thousands of other Christians.

--for toys to pick up, dishes to wash, and laundry to fold...  I have a very active family who loves me and needs me.  How could I not be thankful for those signs of reassurance to that sentiment?

be grateful, give thanks.

love, angie 

Thankful Thursday

Today I'm thankful:

--that I live close enough to my sister to help her out when she's in a child care bind.  And also that Bella and I get to have my littlest niece, KK, for a slumber party and a special fun day!

--for The Office...it has kept me entertained again these past couple of weeks, but especially the past few nights when Hunter's snoring banished me to the couch.  Watching it made that much more bearable. {not to mention I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to relive the days of Michael Scott...}

--for elders and leadership in our congregation who are excited about and ready to let the Lord work through us!  We're praying and preparing for BIG things to happen through our congregation this year--it's exciting to be a part of!

--that I discovered the CocoPPA app.  Granted, not all of the shortcuts work all that well... BUT I love, love turning my phone on and seeing that happy little homescreen!  Even if I do scroll over to the next page to use my original home screen anyway...  The new one is prettier and happier.  So it wins :)

--for my pajama pants.  And the fact that unless I leave the house, I'm able to stay in them at all times.  Pure Bliss.

--for a weekend with family and friends celebrating some special birthdays.

be grateful, be thanks.

love, angie

Thankful Thursday

Today I'm thankful:

--for the opportunity to have lunch with some special ladies from church.  It's so nice to catch up with them when we have a little more time and freedom to visit.  I'm also very thankful that AJ was very well behaved during that lunch so I could participate in conversation and enjoy myself!

--that the turnaround is -are you ready for it?- OVER!  My boy has still been working later than normal these past couple of days trying to get caught up on his normal day tasks and machines (that he hasn't been able to focus on as much because of the turnaround), but each night is earlier than the last.

--that we get to have dinner with some sweet friends of ours.  Hunter works with John, and his wife, Sky is also a teacher--so we all four hit it off pretty well :)  On top of that, they're expecting their first sweet tot this summer and they just found out this week it's a girl!  It's fun to get to share this journey with them.

--for those crazy teens at church, whom I love dearly.  I know I brag on them a lot, but it's because they deserve it.  Our youth group kids (and all of the adults who work with them with us) are just plain awesome.  And I'm thankful for them opening their eyes and hearts to the thought and action of what we can do to make the world more awesome.

--for my sweet father-in-law.  Sunday is his 50th birthday and his wife is throwing a party for him Saturday.  We're looking forward to spending the day with family and some old friends, celebrating the life of such a respectable man.  (Plus, his middle son {Hunter's brother} and his stepson {Hunter's oldest step-brother} also have their birthday on Sunday, and they will both be 25.  We think it's pretty cool that Frank and Shawnette got twins by marriage!  It'll be a day of milestones all around!)

--that Duck Dynasty premiered again last night!  It may sound silly, but we love the show and look forward to giggling through the episodes together.  Plus, I grew up going to youth functions at the church where they attend and minister, so it's neat to see them up on the big screen.

--for the trips we have coming up and the fact that we've somehow been able to make them all happen.  They'll all be unique and meaningful in different ways and we didn't want to have to miss out on any of those opportunities.

--that my grandmother got a good report from the specialist she saw earlier this week, and will hopefully not be having to have surgery for the issue!

be grateful, give thanks.

love, angie