Day 25 - Positivity/Gratitude

Day 25. Today I am thankful for our monthly Bible study group. A group of us younger, married ladies get together once a month, share a meal and study through the book, "A Wife After God's Own Heart." It has been so great to get together with fellow christian women, in a similar situation and study what God's will is for us in our role as a wife. I gain a lot of encouragement and support from then. I really do appreciate and love each of them and the time we are able to spend together. Thank you Tanis, Catherine, Ashlee, Candice, Ashley and Jessica!

Acts 13:22

"And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’

Day 24 - Good news!

Day 24. I am so thankful that my friend, Angie, got some good news today. She has been waiting for some biopsy results to determine if a lump was cancer returning or just some scar tissue. THANKFULLY, it is just scar tissue. We can all breathe a little easier now. Praise the Lord for good news! Also, remember to live each day with thanksgiving and not take your health for granted.

Day 23 - Fall food

Day 23. I know I said I was thankful for Fall already. But today I am really happy about Fall produce. I just love the variety that is available at this time of year. I just love having a good soup or stew or some spaghetti squash. And you can't beat a crisp, delicious apple.

Yum!

Day 22 - Gratitude of others

Day 22. Today I'm grateful for the gratitude of others. Today everyone at work planned a belated Boss's day celebration. SURPRISE! It was quite impressive. They really put a lot of time and thought into it. First off, they planned it on a day that schools were closed so we could all enjoy a celebration together. There was a potluck with some pretty spectacular food. Each supervisor/manager received a beautiful fall bouquet, a coffee mug, a coffee cozy, some office supplies and a special treat, mine was plantain chips and salsa. I thought it was so sweet that they took the time to get me something I could enjoy on Paleo. I think the thing that was most special was the card/booklet they put together that everyone signed. Reading what people had to say hit a special spot with me.

I think we've all been in that situation where we feel like we are trying hard but start to wonder if anyone notices or if it is good enough. Today gave me a lot of energy to keep going. It also reminded me how important it is to tell people why you appreciate them. It may be just what they need at just the right time. I appreciate everyone that I work with so much. We do some great things together and I know I don't tell them enough how much I appreciate them. I'm going to try to do better at that!

Positivity/Gratitude - Day 21

Day 21. Today I'm thankful for all the many brave men and women who put their life on the line to protect the freedoms we hold dear in this great nation. Thank you!

Positivity/Gratitude - Day 20

Today I'm thankful for my crazy little dog. Even when I'm not my best and not feeling so great she is always excited to see me. Sometimes she drives me crazy, but she always makes me smile. :)

Positivity/Gratitude - Day 19: My In-laws

Day 19.I love lists! I love to make lists. I love to mark things off lists. They make me happy. One thing that I have been trying to do lately if I start getting stressed or upset about something is make a list! I know I shouldn't worry about things. It is one thing to say, "Don't worry about it," but when I try that...before I know it I'm thinking about the thing I just told myself I wasn't going to worry about! What I have found to help is praying (of course), but to also focus on all the things that are going well and all the blessings I have and the things that make me happy. Before I know it what I was worried about or stressed about is long gone..I can breathe easier...and have an instant better attitude.

Today I am grateful for my in-laws. They are coming up to visit this weekend. We don't get to see them as often as we would like so I do appreciate the time that we have together. Keeping with the "list" theme...here is a list of ten of the many things I appreciate about my in-laws:

10- Hard-working. They are a great example of being driven and working hard for what they have.
9- Growth. They are both very well educated and are always looking to learn and grow as individuals and encouraging that in others as well.
8- Easy-going. I tend to be a little up tight from time to time so I really admire and need to emulate the easy-going nature of my in-laws. They are truly content in any situation; that is an amazing quality.
7- Supportive. I'm so thankful that my in-laws are always supportive and interested in what we are doing, but never in an overwhelming or meddlesome way. They really "put their money where their mouth is" and offer genuine interest and support in the things that are important to us.
6- Patience. Sometimes my shyness and insecurities can make it very difficult for people to get to know me. I appreciate that my in-laws are very patient with me.
5- Adventure. I'm not the most adventurous person, but I appreciate that my in-laws have a sense of adventure in their life. They are good about turning obstacles and detours into "adventures."
4- Generosity. My in-laws are some of the most generous people. They get involved in their community, and the world around them and are very selfless.
3- They give the glory to God. I respect that my in-laws are interested in seeking God's will for their life and give the glory to God for their blessings and opportunities.
2- Example in marriage. Marriage is forsaken by so many these days. I know Kyle and I are very blessed to have both sets of our parents together and we are very thankful for their example.
1 -Of course the top thing I appreciate about my in-laws is they gave me such a wonderful gift - their son! I love Kyle so much and the life that we have built together and I know I owe many thanks to them as parents for the values they instilled in their son, my husband.

Thank you Jim and Vicki. I know I don't tell you or show you as often as I should that I do truly love and appreciate you.

Day 18 - Having fun with people at work

Day 18. Today I am grateful for the people that I work with. I love that we can have a great time together at work, but we work hard, pull together and get the work done.

Day 17 - The Great Northwest

Day 17. Today was just an amazingly beautiful day. The sun was shining through the clouds, the leaves were bright on the trees. I am so grateful for where I live and the beauty that surrounds me every day! Sometimes I look around, even on my drive home from work, and am in awe of the beauty. I often take it for granted, but sometimes it just really catches me off guard and makes me stop and think:God is so good!

Day 16 - A Heavenly Country

Day 16. Sometimes you just have to be thankful that this life isn't what it is all about!

Hebrews 11:13-16

^"These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them,embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return.

But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country.

Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them."

Day 15 - Conveniences

Day 15. Today I am thankful for the conveniences of life. Having said that...sometimes they can be a curse too. I know I all too often take things for granted and become complacent. Have you seen anyone post "First World Problems." Here are a few of them. They are kind of funny...but sad too! Sad...because it is true sometimes! I'm thankful for everything I have...and will try to do better about not taking them for granted...and always remember there is someone out there who would love to have "my problem!"

My hand is too fat to shove into the Pringles container so I am forced to tilt it.

I didn't have a wasteful childhood, so I can't turn my pain into art.

I had too much food for lunch and now I'm tired.

I'm kind of hungry, but my roommate has guests over, so if I go into the kitchen I'm going to have to introduce myself.

I accidentally clicked iTunes and had to wait 2 minutes for it to open before I could close it again.

I'm trying to text while at a red light, but I keep making all the greens.

I can't hear the TV while I'm eating crunchy snacks.

The Domino's pizza tracker is not working. Now I don't know when to put my pants on.

My laptop is low on battery, but the charger is over there.

Day 14 - My brother

Day 14. Jordan led a beautiful prayer at the end of worship services this evening. He prayed that we would never forget to tell the people we love that we love them and are thankful for them. I know I don't tell you enough Jordan, but I love you very much and am thankful for you. I'm thankful you are my brother and for all the memories we share together. I'm thankful for the man you've grown to be. You are a smart, caring, confident guy and a great example. I'm so excited to see all the wonderful things you do with your future and I'm glad I get to be a part of it.

I love you brother!

Positivity/Gratitude - Day 13

Day 13. Kyle is on kind of a strange schedule right now which makes me thankful that usually our jobs allow us to be able to spend most evenings together; we are very blessed!

Positivity/Gratitude - Day 12

Day 12. You know what makes this "challenge" so difficult? It is all day, every day. Most of the other challenges up until this point have just been setting aside some time during the day to accomplish the task. With this one you have to constantly be on guard for something that might get you off track and consistently be in the mindset of gratitude and positivity. I'm constantly having to stop and think, is this constructive to say? I catch myself starting down a negative path of thinking and have to stop and turn it around. But it is so true, the more you focus on the positive, the more positive you start to see. So rewarding!

Today I am grateful to have a nice warm home, and a nice warm bed tonight. There are a lot of people out there who aren't going to have that tonight; shame on me for taking that for granted!

Day 11 - "You're hired!"

Day 11. Today is pretty short. I'm headed to bed in just a couple minutes. (Yes...it is only 7:30...don't judge!)

Today I'm grateful for the ability to create and fill some new positions at work. It is so amazing to be able to tell someone, "You're hired!" There is a lot of background and emotion tied in with this one...but we'll just leave it at that.

Day 10 - Don't take yourself so seriously

Day 10. Today I am grateful for pushing myself a little (okay...a lot!) out of my comfort zone. For those of you who know me well you know I don't like to bring attention to myself. For those of you who share my sentiments the actual dressing up for Halloween is the most TERRIFYING aspect of the whole day! But in the vein of trying to be more positive and fun at work I decided I better go ahead and go for it....really go for it! There were many times I almost backed out. Walking up the stairs to enter work was painful...but I did it. And you know what...I'm glad I did!

1 - It really pushed me outside of my comfort zone. They say "it is good to push yourself," and "you'll be a better person for it"...or whatever!

2 - It made people laugh...and laughter is good for the soul. (Except for that poor elderly lady at the 4 way stop I think I confused driving home this afternoon.)

3 - It forced me not to take myself so seriously...I need to do that more often! It is okay to have a little fun once in a while.

So there you have it...I was SHOCKED (get it?!) it wasn't as painful as I had anticipated. Don't get me wrong...it was still painful...especially when pictures started circulating throughout the company...but not SO bad.

Who knows...if I keep this up maybe I'll be known as the fun, confident one. Yeah, you're right...still a long way to go on that one!

And no...I'm not a zombie (common mistake today). I was "struck by lightning!" I'm missing my fried umbrella in this picture.

Happy Halloween!

Day 9 -Companionship

Day 9. What got me through today was the quote,

"Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today."

 Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that was a Thomas Jefferson quote. I feel like I'm coming down with a bit of a cold and it was an emotionally exhausting day at work. All day long part of me was pulling to go home, put some PJ's on and just "relax." This quote was in the back of my mind and helped me get some things accomplished at work that really needed to be done.

After getting out of work a little later than I was hoping the quote once again encouraged me to get the grocery shopping done. Yay - now that is no longer hanging over my head.

Today I am grateful for God, in His wisdom, arranging for a companion in life through marriage. You always have someone in your corner who has your back. Sometimes one of you has to step up a little more, but you know the favor will soon be returned.

Thanks Wilson for having the house vacuumed, getting dinner ready and being just so sweet and supportive on a day when I really needed it. Thanks for being my companion in life, my partner in crime, my encourager, the one who calls me out when I need it, my best friend, and the love of my life! Love you Wilson!

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Two are better than one,
Because they have a good reward for their labor.
For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.
But woe to him who is alone when he falls,
For he has no one to help him up.
Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm;
But how can one be warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.
And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Day 8 - Celebrating a Birthday

Day 8. Today I am grateful that I got to celebrate a dear friend's birthday with her. I feel like sometimes we start to take birthday's for granted...it turns more into cards and presents. Sometimes maybe we lose the real meaning of birthdays - taking time to reflect on how thankful we are for an individuals birth, celebrating the last year of their life and wishing them well in the year ahead.

Nothing has made me realize that more than celebrating Angie's birthday with her today. As we embraced this morning with tears in our eyes the words, "I'm so happy to celebrate with you today" have never meant more. Angie fought breast cancer this past year. She still has a road ahead of her, but she kicked cancer's booty and is getting strong.

So today I'm thankful for my sweet, generous, gracious, beautiful friend. I'm thankful she was born; I'm thankful her Mother's spirit shines brightly in her. I'm thankful that God brought this amazing woman into my life. I'm thankful she is a fighter and we were able to celebrate with her another year of life.

I wish you all the love and joy that the possibilities of the future bring. I know you will be a blessing to many people as you help them through their journey. Thank you for blessing me with your friendship!

So Happy Birthday Angela Marie Frakes - I love you dearly!

(Ang rockin' the pink hair as only she could!)

Day 7 - My health

Day 7. I was avoiding writing this tonight because I have a pretty bad headache and am feeling nauseous.I had a couple meals this weekend that I wasn't totally sure of the ingredients. BUT...it does make me think how grateful I am for how much improved my health is from a year ago.

So that is what I have tonight! I'm not feeling so great right now but it helps to know that tomorrow will be a better day! Last year at this point it could get pretty depressing because I felt bad most of the time. So I'm thankful for the health God has blessed me with and that I was able to find something that helps me feel worlds better...and is helping my family too.

Day 6 - Saturday with the Mr.

Day 6. Another short one today. We are about to head out to a Halloween party.

I just wanted to say today I am grateful for a nice relaxing day with my husband. We don't get the weekend off together too often these days so I'm really thankful when we do. We slept in this morning (I slept in a little too much which is unusual for me). Then we enjoyed an awesome brunch in front of the cozy fire place. We had paleo pumpkin waffles topped with coconut ice cream and blackberries, eggs and bacon; I'm still a little full!

It is kind of easy to stay positive when you don't have a whole lot going on and aren't being pulled in a lot of different directions and get to spend the day with the person that you love. It was a nice day to recharge, get some things done around the house and get ready for the week ahead. I would say I wish it would never end, but I'm looking forward to a day of worship and celebration with family tomorrow.