Heart Reflections

  • Counting My Blessings: Week In Review

    It was a busy full week of school, work, activities and appointments, but a productive week as well.  Thankful for some many opportunities and the ability to get things done, meet new people, and do activities that help us grow as individuals and as a family.  There are so many blessings to pick from each day this week.  Grateful for all that the Lord has done through me and continues to work in my heart and life.

    I want to be accountable to you so the following are snip-its of some of the things I am thankful for this past week.

    Counting My Blessings – Week In Review:

    Monday –Thankful Karlie was able to get into the pediatric eye Dr. today to get her eyes re-check, her prescription had changed which is why she was having more difficulty seeing the chalkboard at school

    Tuesday – Thankful for a job that allows me to come in a little earlier so I can make up time missed while at Karlie’s appointment yesterday and for the people I get the privilege to work alongside.  It is nice being part of a time and accomplishing task even though today was an incredibly busy day!

    Wednesday – Thankful for a few minutes outside enjoying the fresh air with the kids after getting home, spending a little time with the pets, picking up sticks in the yard, and soaking in some sunshine after being inside most of the day

    Thursday – Thankful that Jake was willing to watch the girls, help with homework and dinner so I could go to ladies Bible Study.  It was a crazy day at work, running errands, appointments, picking up the kids, and the Bible Study was a nice end to the evening to help me refocus on truly what is important in life and spend time with other ladies who are wanting to grow their faith as well

    Friday – Thankful that Jake and I were able to relax for a little bit at the end of a very busy week and have a couples massage.  Love any extra time with him and the massage felt amazing too.

    Saturday – Thankful for having a day with my family.  Although Saturdays are a different kind of busy from the work and school day they are relaxing, enjoyable, yet productive around the home and more opportunities for special activities and fun time with the kids.

    Sunday – Thankful for a day of rest and worship with other believers.  Grateful that the girls enjoy church and are learning as well as interacting with kids their own age.

    What are you thankful for today?  I encourage you to take the time to write down a few blessings that you have in your life today.  It will help cheer you up and turn your focus on the amazing blessings you encounter each day.

  • Counting My Blessings: Week In Review

    It was great having Labor Day off of work and school so got an extra day together.  Thankful for our time to celebrate, relax, and have fun.  We are blessed, look around you and think about the good and positive blessings all around you.

    I want to be accountable to you so the following are snip-its of some of the things I am thankful for this past week.

    Counting My Blessings – Week In Review:

    Monday –Thankful we were able to spend the extra day together on Labor Day

    Tuesday – Thankful for an extra day off with the girls since they did not have school today due to Professional Teachers Work Day – the girls and I got some stuff done, but had a fun day together

    Wednesday – Thankful the girls had another day off from Professional Teachers Work Day again even though I was not able to spend the day with them they had a good day

    Thursday – Thankful that Jake is willing to take the girls to school so I can head into work in the mornings and only have to pick them up after school each afternoon

    Friday – Thankful that Jake split the errands with me to help out – he went to one store with its list and I did the other store with its list and we got home at almost the same time

    Saturday – Thankful for an opportunity to work in the yard – Jake mowed while the girls and I picked up sticks, did a bonfire, refilled Skipper’s bin, filled the goats water, and many other outside activities

    Sunday – Thankful for a chance to go to church as well as spend some time Hiking on the Appalachian trail with the family.

    What are you thankful for today?  I encourage you to take the time to write down a few blessings that you have in your life today.  It will help cheer you up and turn your focus on the amazing blessings you encounter each day.

  • Relationships: Friends Like You

    • A friend is someone who listens without judging you right or wrong, good or bad, and gently helps you define your thoughts to regain perspective.
    • When you’re feeling bad about yourself, a friend is there to remind you of all those positive qualities you may have forgotten.
    • When you share with a friend, decision-making becomes easier and problems seem less critical.
    • A friend gives you the priceless gift of time; time to share, to try out new ideas and rethink old ones.  No matter how often you’re together, you discover dimensions of yourself through the bonds and the mirror of friendship.
    • A friend loves you for who you are, not what you do.  Feeling so accepted, you are able to set higher goals, try harder, and achieve more.
    • Through close friendship, you learn the fine art of giving.  You expand, become more selfless, feel more deeply, and help more effectively.  See the happiness you bring to another person gives you a greater sense of well-being and increases your capacity to love.
    • Wherever you go in life, whatever stage or place you reach, a friend who has entered your soul is always with you, gently guiding, faithfully following, and ever walking beside you.

    – Sandra Sturtz Hauss

    Developing the deeper friendships take time energy and commitment.  The first and ultimate relationship we should focus on is with our heavenly father followed by our relationship to our spouse and then trickles down to our kids, extended family members, friends, and others in our lives.

    Sometimes our friends are close enough to our hearts that they are like family.  We feel comfortable around them.  We share laughter as well as dig deeper into the fears and struggles of life.  They are the people you know pray and encourage you no matter what that day brings.  Make sure you are continuing to be the kind of friend who allows your friends to celebrate and grow!

  • Counting My Blessings: Week In Review

    It was a busy day especially with Jake traveling for work, but we got through it safely and thankfully are back together again.  Always happy to have him back home.  Other than one of the girls fighting a cold we have nothing to complain about.  We are blessed, look around you and think about the good and positive blessings all around you.

    I want to be accountable to you so the following are snip-its of some of the things I am thankful for this past week.

    Counting My Blessings – Week In Review:

    Monday –Thankful we were able to talk with Jake on the phone a few minutes on the way to school.  Even though he was away on a work trip it is always great hearing his voice and chatting even if it is for a few moments.

    Tuesday – Thankful for opportunity for the girls to go to an After School program that they really enjoy so I can get in a couple extra hours of work each week.

    Wednesday – Thankful to have Jake back home again! 🙂

    Thursday – Thankful that Jake is willing to not only pitch in around the house, cooking, but also helping the kids with their homework.

    Friday – Thankful that we were able to have a Family Fun Night and a chance to relax a little bit as we head into the weekend!

    Saturday – Thankful for an opportunity to catch up on some projects around the house and yard.

    Sunday – Thankful for a chance to spend some time on a family adventure!  Looking forward to working together and having fun “along the way”!

    What are you thankful for today?  I encourage you to take the time to write down a few blessings that you have in your life today.  It will help cheer you up and turn your focus on the amazing blessings you encounter each day.

  • Counting My Blessings: Week In Review

    I have to admit some days were just exhausting this week.  Thankful for a family that loves me even when I am wiped out and pitches in when/where they can.  The girls are doing well in school.  Jake and I were able to get away for a little bit together and we had fun at a work event this weekend too. There was a lot of good blessings that surprised me this week, but thankful for them all the same.

    I want to be accountable to you so the following are snip-its of some of the things I am thankful for this past week.

    Counting My Blessings – Week In Review:

    Monday –Thankful that Jake drove the girls into school so I could leave for work and get my day started.

    Tuesday – Thankful that the Hot Water Heater is NOW FIXED!!!  After 2 weeks without a hot water heater you really do appreciate it! 🙂  I am grateful that it was the hot season when it decided to break down.  The part was recalled so we had to wait for the company to order it before it could be repaired.

    Wednesday – Thankful that for an opportunity to use my work skills and be part of a great team of professionals.  Not everyday is perfect, but we are able to get a lot accomplished during our time at work and are continually learning from each other.

    Thursday – Thankful for a chance to meet a friend and catch up over lunch!

    Friday – Thankful that the girls had a fun game night with their church youth group and I got to go on a spontaneous DATE NIGHT with my Handsome Man!!!!!! 🙂  Love spending time with him!

    Saturday – Thankful for a chance to hang out with my family and co-workers at the lake.  Grateful to Jeff and his family for their gracious hosting of the whole group at their beautiful place!

    Sunday – Thankful for some relaxing time with my family before we hit the super busy week ahead.  It was good to recharge and hang out together!

    What are you thankful for today?  I encourage you to take the time to write down a few blessings that you have in your life today.  It will help cheer you up and turn your focus on the amazing blessings you encounter each day.

  • Counting My Blessings: Week In Review

    It was a crazy fun week as we spent fun time with friends visiting from Maine, the girls starting Middle School, and adjusting to the new work schedule.  Thankful for the amazing blessings in my life.  You don’t have to look very far or hard to find something to be grateful for in your life.  It can be a simple smile from a stranger to sharing laughter with a friend or spending quality time with someone you love.

    I want to be accountable to you so the following are snip-its of some of the things I am thankful for this past week.

    Counting My Blessings – Week In Review:

    Monday –Thankful day off work and spend the morning with our friends from Maine.  In the afternoon I was able to hang out with the girls and have fun on their last day of summer.

    Tuesday – Thankful that Jake went with me to take the girls to their first day of Middle School.  Glad that their first day went smoothly for them.

    Wednesday – Thankful that when Jake travels he takes the time to talk with me and catch up.  It’s not the same as having him at home, but it is always great hearing his voice and chatting about our days.

    Thursday – Thankful picked up the girls right when school got out and went “clothes” shopping for new school shorts.  Grateful they are growing, but it doesn’t take long for them to grown out of their shorts.

    Friday – Thankful for safety as we traveled, it was rainy and was slowed down multiple times by car accidents, but everyone arrived back home safely.

    Saturday – Thankful for a quiet and productive day at home and around town with the family (first Saturday in a long time that we were not traveling or running around with a lot of activities going on).

    Sunday – Thankful for a husband who enjoys and is a great cook.  Love it when he pitches in around the kitchen and house.  I am one spoiled chick with him around.

    What are you thankful for today?  I encourage you to take the time to write down a few blessings that you have in your life today.  It will help cheer you up and turn your focus on the amazing blessings you encounter each day.