Thankful Thursday

This I call to mind

and therefore I have hopes:

Because of the Lord's great

love we are not

consumed,

for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.

LAMENTATIONS 3:21-23

I am first most greatful to the Lord for giving me this earthly life, that one day I will rest with him. I'm so very thankful that he called upon me to be a Christian daughter, sister, wife, mother and friend. For all I do in this earthly life will prepare a place for me in my Father's Kingdom.

I'm thankful this Thursday for the Fall season. As a family we have the most fun in the Fall. We visit local farms (3 times already this Fall), we pick our own apples, decorate wonderful pumpkins, which the kids love to do. We get to enjoy outside without blazing heat. I have to say I just love living in Indiana and getting to see the changing of the seasons. It is so peaceful to watch how beautiful it is to see the first blooms of flowers, to watch the leaves change to bright oranges, reds and yellows, to anticipate the first snow and then to be blessed all over again the next year. Although some days are colder then I prefer, it is such a blessing to experience it all every year with my family.

I'm thankful that I do not have to work and can experience days like today with Field Trips and School parties with my kids. I couldn't imagine missing out on these fun days with the kids.

I'm very thankful for my bible time. I keep my bible in my car and get to read it each day for about 30 minutes while I'm waiting on Trayj to get out of school. I love that time that is all mine to devote to God with no interruptions.

MEMORY BOX MONDAY

I absolutely love a wonderful families blog that on Monday's posts a Memorial Box Monday posting. Memorial Box Monday is a post that represents something special from times past. I have been wanting to begin a Memorial Box posting and have finally taken the opportunity to do so.

I wanted to make my first posting about a lovely little box that everytime I see it, it brings such fun memories back. My husband and I traveled many years ago to Budapest Hungary to compete in a World Karate Championship. It was the most amazing time for us as we were in our mid 20's and very active in competitions. We were both ask to compete on the United States Team. We had the most amazing time as it was our first time leaving the country. This little box holds all the foreign money we kept from our trip and also from many other trips we have taken. We always make sure to keep little coins from our travels. Our little box has coins from Budapest, London, Japan, and China.

I think this beautiful little handmade box from Budapest reminds me of my younger days and how active I was for so many years. I love karate and LOVE competing and haven't done so since I was 7 months pregnant with my son (7 years ago). Each time I see this little box, it makes me want to compete again. I take great pride in the many State, National and World Championships I have earned over the 17 years I have been in Martial Arts. It holds such a special place in my heart. I began taking Karate in 1992 and absolutly loved how it made me feel about myself. It still makes me feel like I could take on the world. It has given me confidence to do so many things in my life. Karate takes a seat as one of my greatest loves in life, after God, and my Family.

WE HAVE AN AUTHOR ON OUR HANDS!

Trayjan has been writing his little books for a couple years now, but now that he is beginning to sound out words the books are getting better and longer. He has been a lover of Goosebumps stories for a few years, I think we have read about 30 of their books over the last couple of years. He especially loves any of Goosebumps books with Slappy the Ventriliquest Dummy in them. He even got a Slappy for his birthday last year. He really enjoys all Goosebumps books. On Sunday, he decided he wanted to write a Goosebumps story and ask me if I would be the illustrator....I said of course, so he began to write, then he decided we would share in writing as well. This is his final little book and he is very proud of his story.

Trick or Treating EARLY.....what a fun surprise!

Sunday morning Grandpa Terry called to let us know that the kids were welcome to come to trick or treat at he and Grandma Diane's campgrounds in the evening time. The kids of course were very excited to find out they can get dressed up and go trick or treating on the 4th day of October....how cool is that!

Jie loved getting dressed up as Snow White and her favorite part was mommy putting blue eye shadow on her. She thought she was BIG STUFF. Every morning when I put my light pink eye make up on she asks for me to put some on her. I always tell her she isn't big enough, but she can use my big brush and put some on her cheeks. Needless to say she was so very excited.

Trayjan decided to choose his outfit he wore for his surgery (thankfully the hospital told us we could take it home). He decided to be a Zombie Medical Patient. He loved getting to dress up so early and had a wonderful time.

Eli joined the fun and loved trick or treating with the kids. It was so much fun watching the 3 of them trick or treating. The campground was a great place to trick or treat. Everyone gave out awesome candy....and lots of it!!