Thankful Thursday...

Things I'm thankful for this Thursday:

#24 It's looking a little cloudy... I love grey days. There's something so peaceful and calming about grey, possibly rainy days. Call me Eeyore, I guess. :)
#25 The school year is starting off smoothly. No morning fuss so far!
#26 As always, my morning cup of coffee. (This morning, in my beautiful mug from the Holley Gerth collection at DaySpring.)
#27 Friendship. I've had a rough week, mentally and physically. It's nice to know that just when you need it most, God places words on the heart of a friend, and that friends places them in your path. Thankful for Brandi's post on Facebook last night... scripture I truly needed to read, right then.
#28 This blog. I may only have 13 followers, and they may not even be reading these words, but if there is even a remote possibility that something I say here might lift someone's spirits or speak to their hearts, then I am happy and thankful for that.

What are you thankful for today?

Happy Thursday! :)

Grati-Tuesday!

What am I thankful for this Tuesday, you ask? Well, I'm here to tell you!

#16. The kids had a great first morning of the school year! All smiles and happy faces!
#17. I discovered eleventhgorgeous. (Hey, this girl loves girly things. And so do these girls. Perfect match.)
#18. Turquoise and Pink Mani. (inspired by eleventhgorgeous) I did it myself, and it made me feel pretty and happy. Happy girls are the prettiest, right? :)
#19. The box of back-to-school goodies we received from DaySpring this week. The kids can't wait to use them, and I can't wait to share them with you.
#20. My always muddy when he's spent the day outside puppy dog, Marley. I can't be mad at him for tracking dirt and grime into the house when he looks at me with those big, brown puppy dog eyes. I'm in love with that little guy.
#21. Peace and quiet, the three cups of coffee I had this morning, and good (free) music on Spotify.
#22. Instagram.
#23. Just life. So thankful for each new day the Lord gives us. : )


A few of the things I'm thankful for, and proof of my Instagram addiction:

Oh... and I almost forgot! These went out this week, so I'm thankful for that, too! :) 

What are you thankful for today? Please comment below! Have a great Tuesday! 

Be still...

"Do you spend too much time running around and not enough time at home? You cannot grow spiritually, train your children properly or enjoy caring for your home if you are always on the run. Things do not have time to sink in if you are always on the go. Busyness makes us feel rattled, stressed and tired. Maybe it is time to cut back on the play dates, the extra curricular activities or the oodles of trips to the store." - an excerpt from this blog post at GMG. (Emphasis mine, not the author's.)

... wow. As I read these words, I wondered, when was the last time I posted on my blog? Didn't I say, in the last post I made, that I was going to update my list of gratitude everyday? Have I updated it since then? Ummm.... no. (shamefully hanging my head, here, friends.) I think maybe the Lord was speaking right to me this morning, through Jen's words, and telling me to slow down. To be still. In the past week, we have had Kindergarten graduation festivities, a school carnival, chaos at home... all busyness that has definitely made me feel rattled, stressed, tired, and completely unfocused. All the going, going, going and worrying over the small things made me forget for a moment to just. be. still. I need to be still to draw closer to God. As much as I see him in the beauty of His creation, all around me, everyday, I can't truly grow spiritually if "stuff" is always in the way. Putting all the "stuff" aside for a moment to thank him for everything he's blessed me with this week... 

#11. My sweet girl's graduation day - full of parties, friends, family, fun, and smiles... and okay, a few joyful tears, too. 
#12. beautiful, sunny weather for the kids to enjoy the carnival on Tuesday. 
#13. a hot cup of tea in the morning.
#14. GMG and the Proverbs 31 woman, for giving us something to aspire to this summer as we read the word together. 
#15. My sweet Brandi, for being a beautiful Christian woman, for having a giving heart and a sweet spirit. Thank you for going on this journey with me.