Thankful Thursday: the little things

This week I am especially thankful for the little things.
I am thankful for my dishwasher and I use it frequently.  I hate washing dishes- in the sink that is.  Don't get me wrong, I do it A LOT.  Between highchair trays, baby spoons, sippy cups, knives, pots and pans that don't go in the dishwasher,  I am washing dishes multiple times a day.  So being able to put the plates, cups, and silverware in the dishwasher is a huge relief.  I'm not sure how we generate so many dishes, but we do and I run my dishwasher a lot.  And I love it.
I am thankful for hot showers.  Not that I typically go without them, but I have found myself lingering in the shower recently loving the hot water on my back.  Not sure how the husband is going to feel about the hot water bill, but man it feels so good.
I am thankful for my Yankee candles and Scentsy Warmers.  I love it when my house smells good.  It makes it so much more inviting and it makes me happy.  I love walking up the stairs from the garage and having the scent of the month wafting down as I come in.  Currently we are burning our Yankee Balsam & Cedar and it smells like Christmas!  And although I love the Scentsy warmers, the best wax you can get is the Better Homes & Garden Brand at Walmart...if you were wondering.
I am thankful for my pillow and bed.  I love getting into it at night and hate getting out in the morning.

I know I've said this before and this is more than a "little thing," but I'm really thankful for all our RUF students.  They love us well.  Taylor, one of our girls, took some pictures for us a couple months ago for our Christmas cards.  These aren't the ones we choose, but here are a couple spoilers.

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for our country and the right to vote.  No, the election did not go as I had hoped, but I got a say and so did every other citizen.  We have chosen our next leader without violence or oppression and that is something to be thankful for.  Reading through several different commentaries and aftermath of Election Day 2012 I am reminded especially now of the importance of praying for President Obama and his family.  "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way." 1 Timothy 2:1-2.  He is our nation's leader for the next four years.  May the Lord grant the President and his advisers wisdom and turn their hearts and affections towards Himself.On multiple occasions over the past several weeks I have heard people threatening to move their family to Panama or Costa Rica and various countries if the election did not turn out according to their liking.  Depending on what area of the country you are from, you might have overheard similar statements.  I'm sorry, but I think that is silly.  I am thankful for the country I live in and have no plans of moving elsewhere.  So we will stay and we will continue to faithfully serve our nation and our President holding the future up in prayer.

Thankful Thursday

It is hard to believe it is November 1st already!  With Thanksgiving just 3 full weeks away, it is time to start recounting all of our many blessings and the many things we have to be thankful for.  Today I am thankful for my family and the wonderful get away we just had in Sea Island.I am thankful for: my wonderful husband who works hard to provide for our family, our healthy and adorable baby girl; I could not imagine life without her, our sweet baby surprise that is on the way, and my parents and in-laws who spoil us all greatly.

I am thankful for the many generous RUF supporters who make Chris' ministry at KSU possible, and especially for the family who offered us their Sea Island home to enjoy a family vacation last weekend. They took care of all the arrangement and details of getting us onto the Island as guests for the weekend.Here are some pictures of where we stayed-

Kitchen and breakfast table

Breakfast table, doors leading out to back patio, stairs up to the bedroom where we stayed and Phoebe's room

We enjoyed sitting out on the back patio for lunches

Family room

Our bedroom and bathroom upstairs

Sitting area in the bedroom.  Phoebe's room was through the door to Chris' left.  They had a crib and everything!

There was a whole other half of the house with multiple bedrooms, sitting rooms, dining room, and a beautiful living room that we really never touched.  We just stayed in our wing :)What are you thankful for today?