Give Thanks

This is our beautiful little church: Chalkhill Community Church
I love how we even have a bell tower.

This was our Turkey from our Thanksgiving celebration today. Not only was it beautiful, it was very good!

This is from a Christmas party last year.

Today I am thankful for Chalkhill Community Church. I remember when Ryne and I first moved to Longview, one of the things I was most nervous about was finding a church home. Ryne and I just had so much on our plates it was very important to us to find a church home. Not to mention I felt a sense of urgency because we wanted to find a church home before Riley was born. The task seemed great seeing as Ryne and I had different opinions on likes and dislikes for churches, and also the fact that there are BILLIONS (ok not quite but that is how it seemed) of churches to choose from. Chalkhill seemed to be the story book answer to our search. It was the very first church that we visited and somehow it is the church that we continued to compare others too. It was such a God thing...

We LOVE the music at our church. Music is an important part of how I worship, so this was very important to me. Our friend Corey Ross does the music and he is AMAZING! I love how we have a good mix of contemporary hymns as well as some more modern praise and worship. I love how we often have readings of Psalm's before worship and how I get to hear the bell ringing right before church starts. I am thankful that we are at a place that truly cares about Ryne and I and our family. I am thankful that I am surrounded by people from all lots in life and that we all can learn things from each other. I am thankful that we can laugh at funny things in church, and that we can pray for each others needs and concerns. I am thankful that despite ups and downs with the church, that faith has never been lacking. I was very upset when The Wilcoxson and Ellis family left our church, but I am thankful that God has continued to allow growth despite a hard loss for our church body. I am thankful that we can experience the beauty of God's creation every time that we drive out to our little church. I am thankful that they have a home cooked meal for all the college students every week after church. I am thankful that my parents, Ryne's parents, and Greg and Dara, have all been able to visit atleast once and worship with us there. (They all mean so much to us)

I am thankful that when we were at a time in our lives where we needed love, support, and encouragment so badly, we found Chalkhill. I consider it a priveledge to worship with them.

What are you thankful for today?

Give Thanks

Today I am thankful for my Mom! Today is her birthday and I was SO excited because she was able to be here with me for a few hours. I am so thankful for her, I do not even know where to begin... but I will try.
It is funny to me because growing up anyone would have told you that I was my dad made over. That is still very true. It drives my mother crazy how my dad and I put anything on some sort of bread and call it a meal. We both seem to have the same thought patterns, the same optimistic outlook on life, and even favor each other. However, it has become very evident that the older my mom gets, the more she is just like me! haha
I have found where I may have thought I was all my dad, that is DEF not true because I am very much, just like my Mom.
That sure does make me feel good seeing that she is the strongest person I know. My mother hardly ever complains, she desires to me a woman after God's own heart, and she radiates beauty from the inside all the way out. I am so thankful that she continuously was teaching me that God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason. I am thankful that she instilled that open and honest communication is ALWAYS the best way to go. (thanks to dad for that too) I am thankful that she always tells me that she loves me. I am thankful that she would leave notes and little surprises for me on my bed, in a suitcase, or in my lunch. I am thankful that she taught me to say yes mam, no sir, etc. I am thankful that I had to learn to clean the kitchen, take out the trash, and to do my own laundry. (even though I vowed as a child that I would NEVER make my kids do laundry) I am thankful that she would never let me quit and that she always believed in me. I am thankful for this new stage in our relationship. I am thankful that we can talk about marriage and about raising kids. I am thankful that even though I am a lot of my daddy, I am more and more like my mom each day.
Mom, I could never write enough things that I am thankful for but this is a start. Thank you for comming to see me these past couple of nights. They seemed to come at just the right time for me. Thank you for all of our late night chats and for washing my dishes :)

What are you thankful for today?

Give Thanks

Today I am thankful for GG and GGP. AKA Grandma and Grandpa at the lake (however, they now do not live at the lake but will forever have the name) Today is my Grandmothers __th birthday! She and GGP have been on my mind all day. I am so thankful for them both. There are so many memories that I have and it is so neat to watch my kids create some of the same memories with them. It was funny because when Riley was about Sam's age we went to visit them and Riley pulled out some of the same toys that I remember playing with! So many stories started because of them. A favorite around here is why we always eat watermelon naked! Yes, that is all because of a trip to Grandma and Grandpa at the Lakes house. I remember hunting Easter eggs with them and of course my road trip with them while singing Southern Gospel music.
Sometimes I don't realize how fortunate I am until others tell me their stories. There are many people that I know that never had grandma's and grandpa's growing up. I am so thankful that I have such loving, and Godly grandparents. (oh another reason why I loved going to their house growing up was because GG would alway buy a HUGE box of sour gummy worms and they always had cinnaburst gum in the pantry)
I am thankful that my Grandpa encouraged me to sing and helped mold my love for not only music, but using music and song to praise the lord. I am thankful that my Grandma has helped create a love for cooking and baking in me. I love how sometimes something hot from the oven can warm a heart like nothing else. Thank you both for your continuous love and support. I love you SO much and I am very thankful for you.
Happy Birthday GG!

What are you thankful for today?

Give Thanks

These are a little out of order but that's ok...

Today I am thankful for my Riley. Today she is 23 months old! It is hard to believe that in one month she will be two years old! Riley has brought more joy to me than I could have ever imagined. It is impressive to me how much I have learned from her already in these past 23 months. I am continually (sp?) reminded of how God is so amazing even to the point of how he created us to bear children! I love how her sweet smile reminds me of the love from my heavenly father. I am thankful for the heart that she has. I am thankful for the way she loves her brother and how she loves others. I am thankful that she was a great baby! I am thankful that she is a good sleeper and a healthy, active, 23 month old. I am thankful that God saw fit for Ryne and I to have her. I am thankful that she has so many people that love her, and that pray for her. I am thankful that I never have had to worry about providing for her. I am thankful that even though she is normally not a snuggler, that she still gives me a kiss every single night before bed. I am thankful that I already see a servants heart in her and I hope and pray that I will continue to nurture that in the best way possible.

There are so many reasons why I am thankful for Riley it is emotionally overwhelming to think about. In so many ways Riley changed our lives. I look forward to seeing how she continues to do that everywhere.

What are you thankful for today?

Give Thanks

I am thankful for my freedom. Today is Veteran's day. As most of you know, Ryne and I are in the application process for the Marines. As a result of that, I have taken a great interest in military life and what that holds, the good and the bad. I personally have decided that the good far out weighs that bad. I am thankful that we live in a place where we can talk about the military and make a decision. We are free even in that to explore different branches of service. This past week I have been thinking a great deal about service in general, whether that is military or just one person serving another. I personally have been feeling convicted to become someone who serves because it is part of who they are and not just a feeling of obligation or duty. It makes me feel good to think that individuals in the military would look at serving the same way. To serve because it is a part of who they are and for that I am so grateful. To those who have served, are serving, and even those who will serve, Thank You.

What are you thankful for today?

Give Thanks

Today I am thankful for the train! I kept working on "what sound does a train make" with Riley today. Everytime I would say "choo-choo" she would just laugh at me. Even though we never quite got it down, we both went to the train station at about 7:15 to pick up HONEY!! Riley and Sam were a little sad and confused because Honey only stopped by the house to take a quick potty break and give quick hugs and kisses before it was back to the car. My emotions were getting the best of me today, but no matter what curve balls my day took, I was SUPER excited because I knew the train would be bringing me my mom tonight. I actually had to take her to GG and GGP's house tonight but she will be back on Thursday night!
I had such a great experience the only time that I have ridden a train. It is such a great place to start conversations with people and to even minister to them. I remember looking around and there were a few people who were traveling all alone. I had some great conversations with those people and hopefully they enjoyed it too. Today my Mom met a sweet woman who had some incredible testimony's to share. Isn't it amazing how a long train ride with strangers can lead to such a blessing!
I am glad that the train was able to bring her here so that she can attend a funeral for her cousin Pam tomorrow. I am thankful that we live in a place that offers so many different transportation options.

What are you Thankful for today?

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Today has been an extremely long day. There were multiple things going on and I was just down right in a blah mood. I hate when I am tired and snappy because the first place I see it is in my lack of patience with my kids. I knew I had to figure out something to destress me because napping was not an option. So today I am thankful for Hershey's Cookies-n-creme. It is one of the very few candy bars that I actually like because I do not like chocolate, but I love white chocolate! I know it may be silly to be thankful for a candy bar but I think we all have days where we just need something to make it better. Today, for me, it was a candy bar.

What are you thankful for today?

Give Thanks

Tonight I am thankful for the Bergren's. That is Ryne's wonderful family. Today both of Ryne's parents and Hannah (WE MISSED YOU CAIT) got to come and see us for the day. I have been missing them all SO much! I can't wait til Thanksgiving when we can all be together. I am so thankful for them because of the special relationship I have with them all. I love Caitlin and Hannah SO much and truly gained two sisters when I married Ryne. His parents are the best and they even tell me I am there FAVORITE daughter in law! My parents have been praying for my future spouse since I was a little girl, and that is part of why I am so thankful for Joan and Lee, because they have done the same thing. They have prayed for me since Ryne was little. (even though they didn't put a name to the girl for a few years down the road :) I have the best in-laws a girl could ask for. The love and support that we get from them is priceless.

I love you all so much and am thankful for you everyday, but today especially you are all on my mind. Thanks for coming. We missed you Cait. And we will see you all again soon!

What are you thankful for today?

The Soles Family

I was so excited because I got to meet Levi Soles today! Zach and Faith are some friends of our in married housing and they welcomed their ADORABLE little boy last night. He was 7 lbs. .04 oz and was born at 7:04 p.m. Congratulations Soles family. I have a feeling Sam, Riley and Levi will be great friends!

Give Thanks

Yesterday was SO busy I didn't have anytime to blog what I was Thankful for so tonight I am doubling up. After a day like yesterday I was very thankful for my bed. There are days that are so full and so busy that I look forward to crawling into my bed and just crashing. I especially love when the weather changes and I get to put flanel sheets on my bed. I love having an extremely cold room with heavy, warm blankets to snuggle up in. Those are just a few reasons why I am thankful for my bed.



Tonight Ryne was here to help put the kids to bed. I am thankful for the nights that Ryne can be here to do that. He works so hard and is so busy, he doesn't always get to be here to read books and give a kiss goodnight. That is why the nights that he can be here are even more special. These are just a few pictures of bedtime tonight. Of course there was some wrestling mixed in with the books. The kids sure do love it though! (except for the one picture where we told Riley it was time to go to bed) I know Ryne won't be able to help me put the kids to sleep all the time so I really cherish these nights.

What are you thankful for today?