Day 30 Gratitude Challenge 2011

Today is the last day of the Gratitude Challenge 2011 and today I am thankful for the challenge and for Brenda for hosting it.   I think if we all remembered every day to keep our focus on all the good things in our life that we have to be thankful for, we will have much happier lives!

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus  1Thesallonians 5:18.

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Day 29 Gratitude Challenge 2011

Today's school day some how started with a conversation about what I did, did not have when I was a kid.  One of the boys wanted to know if there were telephones when I was little.  I explained that yes there were but they were attached to the wall and had a rotary dial (I showed them Emelia's play phone so they would know what that was.)  The conversation went on to cover whether or not I had other things too.  It made me think about how thankful I am for the technology we have today.  Information is literally at the tips of my fingers when ever I need it.  When the children ask me a question I do not know like what a peanut plant looks like or what kind of spider is more venomous a black widow or brown recluse.  When studying birds we can hop on the web and watch different kind of birds hatching and map their migration route.  If we forget where to find information on the Bible, we google it.  I can access audiobooks and download them in moments for my son to listen to (the one he downloaded today made him so happy!)  Technology is truly an amazing thing.

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Day 27 and 28 Gratitude Challenge 2011

Day 27-  I am so thankful for our country and the freedoms we have here that we take for granted everyday.  Sometimes I think we forget how good we have it.


Day 28- Pancakes.  I am thankful for pancakes on a day when I completely forgot to take meat out of the freezer for supper.  The children love breakfast for supper and they enjoyed it even more with the leftover whipped cream and strawberry pie topping!

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Day 26 Gratitude Challenge 2011

I am so thankful all of the good desserts are gone!  Birthday cake, pie, fudge, and birthday cake again was just a little too much of the sweet stuff this year.  I need to stock up on fruits and veggies tomorrow.  Holidays are a terrible time to loose those last few pounds of baby weight, but I will admit the fudge was delicious!

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Day 24 and 25 Gratitude Challenge 2011

I can't believe that after posting every day so far, I forgot to post on Thanksgiving!  I don't even really have an excuse except I forgot until almost 11:00 last night, and by then was way too tired to string a thoughtful sentence together, so I am combining yesterday and today into one post.

Day 24-  I am so thankful to have had a wonderful Thanksgiving with my family!  We had the best fried turkey ever and a mountain of other foods for our afternoon meal, and then a light supper with lots of different pies and fudge for dessert.  It was a great day of food, family, and of course football!

Day 25-  I have finished my Christmas shopping and did not have to fight one single crowd!  I really did all of my shopping online this year.  Besides Walmart, Target and Kohls, I also got some fantastic deals yesterday and today at Vision Forum and Bass Pro.  Although it technically wasn't a Christmas gift, I even got a fabulous deal (what's better than free) on a cell phone upgrade for my husband.  I am hoping he will love his new Droid 2 when he gets it this week.

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Day 23 Gratitude Challenge 2011

We got to pick up our checks today from the 4 H Livestock auction.  I am so thankful for the members of the community that donate money to the children to help them pay for and raise livestock.  Any amount of money helps pay expenses and encourages the children (who are our future farmers.)  The price of chicken feed has gone up so much this year, I cannot imagine the cost of raising some of the larger animals.  I am thankful that the money the children received this year will pay their expenses for next year.

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Day 22 Gratitude Challenge 2011

I am so thankful for our house.  When we were house hunting 5 years ago, it seemed like we would never find a house that suited us that we were willing to pay for after not getting our first choice.  Then in God's perfect timing we were shown this house that actually suited us better than the one we had wanted!  It is not perfect and there is always something that needs work but it is the perfect house for us.  Not only did I get a schoolroom inside, we got a large shop for all of Art's tools, and plenty of space for the children to grow and play outside.  We can raise our chickens (and bigger livestock if we chose), observe all kinds of deer and other small wildlife, and the children can play outdoors without having to be concerned about who is walking by.  I am so thankful for our home!

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Day 21 Gratitude Challenge 2011

Warning (in case you'd rather not see)! There are photos of deer and deer meat in this post!


I had written a blog post recently about trying to gain control of my grocery budget.  A day or two later, Art was out hunting and got his first deer of the season, a seven point buck.  Having the deer meat will make a big difference in our grocery bill, so today I am thankful for deer meat, and also for Art teaching the children about being a responsible, safe hunter and taking the time to teach them how to process the meat.

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Day 20 Gatitude Challenge 2011

My sweet Alexander is 8 today!  I am so thankful for 8 year old boys and their birthday smiles!

Alexander Adolphus 11/20/03 8 lbs 7 oz 

Alexander Adolphus 11/20/11 

For his birthday meal, Alex chose take out pizza, so we ordered it while we were leaving church and ate in for lunch.  His cake will be strawberry with vanilla icing (Walmart didn't have strawberry.)  He really wanted a new bow he could practice with.  He was so happy to get this one and that it looks like his dad's complete with a whisker biscuit.  Alex is such a sweet boy and so easy to please.  I am so thankful for him and his birthday smiles!

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Day 19 Gratitude Challenge 2011

I am so thankful for our county 4 H program.  My children have had so many fun and educational opportunities through being involved with 4 H.  One of the best things about it is that most activities are free or low cost and 4 H is something the whole family can participate in together.

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Day 18 Gratitude Challenge 2011

I am so thankful for my blog readers!  I read and appreciate all of your comments.  One of the reasons I write this blog is to be an encouragement to others, but those of you who read and comment are a huge encouragement to me!  Thank you for taking the time to read and comment!

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Day 17 Gratitude Challenge 2011

I am so thankful for my Nook.  I love to read and being able to read on my Nook (especially while nursing) is so much easier than balancing a book.  It is much easier than taking a stack of books with you and I can read my favorites over and over again without damaging the binding or bending pages.  I have read a ton of books on it, but have never bought any of them.  It is the my most favorite gift ever!

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Day 16 Gratitude Challenge 2011

This is a picture of my brother holding baby Alex the last time I saw him, Thanksgiving 2003.   I am thankful for all of the time I had with my big brother and the memories I still have to cherish.

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Day 15 Gratitude Challenge 2011

Today I am thankful for the rain.  After being so dry for so long we are finally getting some much needed rain.  The children were so excited to see it raining, they wanted to go out and play in it this morning.  When the big boys were out feeding chickens, I found Christian (4) outside in the pouring down rain wearing shorts and a tank top and splashing in a mud puddle.  He was having a great time!  I did make him come in though since it was not that warm and we started getting some thunder and lightning.

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Day 14 Gratitude Challenge 2011

I am very thankful for my handy husband's ability to fix things!  I am so glad to have my computer back!

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Day 13 Gratitude Challenge 2011

I am so thankful today for those who see a need and step up to fill it!  Children's Church was much less stressful for me today thanks to someone helping out even though it wasn't "her turn."  It made my day much easier and was very helpful to a new volunteer.

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Day 12 Gratitude Challenge 2011

Today I am thankful for nice relaxing days I can stay at home with my family.  It is so nice to be able to be at home without rushing around to get everyone ready to go somewhere.  I even managed to take a 15 minute nap today while the little girls were napping and the boys were watching Cars 2!

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Day 11 Gratitude Challenge 2011

Today I am thankful for all the men and women who have served our country past, present, and future in many different ways in all branches of the service.  Our country could not be free without you.  Happy Veterans Day!

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Day 10 Gratitude Challenge 2011

Today I am thankful for the opportunity and ability to serve others, even when it is in a small way, and I am thankful that my children do it willingly also.  Another homeschool family and my family prepared brunch , took it to a local assisted living facility, and served the ladies that live there today.  It was such a small thing, but it made a big difference to them and also brought joy to us.

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Day 9 Gratitude Challenge 2011

I am so thankful that the children and I made it back home safe and sound today and without the baby crying at all!  It was a beautiful drive home through the mountains with all of the beautiful leaf colors!

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