Frugal Friday: More Inexpensive Thanksgiving Ideas

More great Thanksgiving ideas here... I don't know if all of the offers from last year are still available or not, but it appears so. Be sure to check out the "Scripture Adventures"!

A Season of Thanksgiving: Counting Your Blessings

One of the reasons why I love this time of year is that it reminds me to have a spirit of gratefulness. I saw this tool for writing down or journaling our gratitude. We've done something similar before. It can be used in various ways (some ideas are listed on the website) and I wanted to pass it along because I love the ideas and the artwork. I thought was so kind of them to make it available for free since it probably took some time to design (of course you will need to use your color ink to make them look nice). If you wanted to be really frugal, you could still use the ideas by handwriting on some index cards or maybe something else. Click here to download the printable "Gratitude Journal"

----Ephesians 5:19-20

"Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Memorial Day Summer Kick-Off Weekend

I'm just getting to posting this...

We were in Greenville over Memorial Day weekend visiting my family including Jason and Kerby before they left for Costa Rica on June 1. We enjoyed some outdoor yard games (fricket and cornhole), a fire in the fire pit, a trip to Quaker Steak and Lube for some wings, a trip to Grove City outlets, a cookout at Wilhelm winery and just hanging out with family. The weather was gorgeous. What a way to start the summer! Here are a few pictures...

(Mom & Dad had their eye on these fancy motorcycles at the winery.)

Unfortunately, Mike was planning on working that Monday so we didn't plan any Memorial Day celebrations. If we would have known all his clients for that day would have ended up cancelling, maybe we could have gone to Mercer for their big Memorial Day celebration. I love how they decorate in town around the courthouse. Maybe we can plan now for a patriotic celebration on the 4th since we missed celebrating Memorial Day...

And finally here is the latest purchase for our home... We got it at Home Depot that weekend and Mike had it up enjoying it within an hour of arriving home Sunday evening.

Biblical Womanhood

Earlier this month I had the privilege of spending some time with my sister Julie - just the 2 of us (and her family later in the day) while Mike was at a magic convention. We attended a women's seminar at her church Saturday morning. It was such a blessing and encouragement to me and I wanted to post this link so that maybe other women could be blessed as well... Thanks again for the time that we could spend together, Julie...as others said that day, you are an example of a woman following these principles of biblical womanhood...and I thank God for you!

Thaw Out

The snow is melting this weekend and we have what feels like Spring with temperatures in the mid 40s. We got the ice cleared off of the front walk and driveway from where it drips down off the roof (putting up gutters is on our home improvement list for the Spring). We got both cars washed inside and out. I cut Mike's hair. The sun is shining and brightening the inside of the house as well. I enjoy each of the four season but it has been a long snowy winter and I am very grateful for the blue skies and warmer temperatures this weekend - what felt like the icy snow-covered Narnia for so long feels like the melting that came at the end of the movie now - it sure has put me in a happy mood. Spring is just around the corner...I think...and, spring cleaning will be a good thing...

Punxsutawney Phil Was Right

Groundhog Day is equal to a government holiday around here. As you may know, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow last week which means 6 more weeks of winter. I guess he was right because we got a snowstorm Friday evening. We didn't get near as much snow accumulation as they did south of us (we only got about 6 inches), but it was beautiful. I took some pictures out our dining room door into our backyard. (The video's not too exciting but I thought anyone who hasn't been to our house yet would like to have a view of our backyard...)

Celebrations of Birth-days - Sweet Moments with Family

We are so thankful to have had a quick visit with my sister, her family, my mom and dad and our new nephew, Aaron, last week before this swine flu virus hit campus. We made a quick trip to my sister's house during our daytime off-time. We certainly enjoyed our visit and I was blessed my a homemade cookie cake, cupcakes and ice cream for my birthday made special by my mom and sister with special added touches from the kids'decorating. This was as we were leaving...they were making fun faces at us and we made them laugh with the rubber chicken in the car window (if you click on the picture you can see their faces better)... Then on their way home, mom and dad stopped in Hershey for the "grand tour" of campus - again just a short visit during our off-time.

Happy Valentine's Day

Here's a picture of the flowers that my wonderful husband had delivered to me at work on Thursday... ...a beautiful surprise!!!

Giving Thanks

I just love Thanksgiving. Whether my mom or Mike's grandma is doing the cooking (depending on where we are spending Thanksgiving Day), the meal is always sure to be delicious. (I think my favorite this year was the completely-from-scratch pumpkin pie my mom made using my $1 pie pumpkin that I had been using as part of my fall decorating.) But, even more than that I just enjoy the history and meaning of the Thanksgiving season. I recently ordered a book/CD resource from Family Life called "Thanksgiving: A Time to Remember" (which, by the way I would recommend). Barbara Rainey writes, ..."Thanksgiving remains the holiday of 'coming home.' It's a holiday of rest - in stark contrast to the frenzy of obligations and spending that threatens to destroy the essence of Christmas. Our national observance of Thanksgiving is unique. It is both distinctly Christian and exclusively American, a holiday for celebrating faith, family and freedom."

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If it has been awhile since you've heard the Pilgrims' story, I would encourage you to listen to it again. (You can hear the Thanksgiving story on the Family Life Today archived broadcast website here - look for 11/10 through 11/14.) Our current struggles pale in comparison to what these men and women went through. Being grateful is a choice. It's not a feeling dependant on circumstances, as we can see in the Pilgrims' lives. They believed in God's providence for all that was going on in their lives.

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For more thoughts on the Thanksgiving season...see also David's Jeremiah's audio message entitled "Growing in the Grace of Gratitude" and his "Thanksgiving" article on his website here. We have so much to be thankful for! I pray that you have "an attitude of gratitude" to the Lord as you spend time in reflection this Thanksgiving...

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name;

Make known His deeds among the peoples.

Sing to Him, sing praises to Him;

Speak of all His wonders.

Remember His wonders which He has done,

His marvels and the judgments uttered by His mouth.

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Psalm 105:1-2, 5

I've been tagged!

I've been tagged by my sister, Julie, to list 5 things I love about my husband. She did such a great job sharing 5 things that she loves about Keith that it will be hard to follow her, but here it is...

5 Things I Love About My Husband...

1. Mike has surrendered his life to the Lord Jesus Christ. He is continually growing in his faith. He has great knowledge of the Scriptures and is very insightful in his teachings and "Theological Thursday" blog posts. I love that I can turn to him to help me with my understanding of the Bible and have deep theological discussions with him. He is committed to leadership in the church and the Lord's will for his life. I am also humbled by his prayer life. I often will ask what he is doing if he is sitting quietly on the couch or while we are in the car traveling and he says he is praying. I am so grateful for the Lord's working in his life.

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2. Mike is committed to our marriage. He desires to have our marriage glorify God and for us to serve the Lord together. We do devotions, pray and read marriage books together to strengthen our marriage. He can be very romantic and thoughtful. I love it when he plans a little weekend getaway to a bed & breakfast or a date night as a special romantic treat. He does little things to make me feel special, like opening my car door, doing the dishes without me asking or starting the car for me to go to work on a chilly morning. He's not too "tough" to take a bubble bath, take a long walk on the beach with me holding his hand, cuddle or watch a "chick-flick" together. He often says that he misses me. He is very patient and rarely complains about anything (unlike me). He also gives me a different viewpoint on some things (such as evangelism, for example) because of his own experience and personality. Although that will sometimes cause friction between us, we "balance" each other. I have learned that being married to someone who is not exactly like me allows the Lord to challenge me and work on my attitude - that it would be truly Christ-like, not that I have a certain opinion/attitude just because of my own personal experience, and I have grown to appreciate that.

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3. Mike makes me laugh. There are times that I will be having a bad day or things will be rather unexciting and he will either say something or do something to make me smile or chuckle...like, just recently, singing karaoke before Jason & Kerby's reception or doing the "Yearbook" pictures of us on his blog. Not everyone gets to see this side of him because he appears to be quiet most of the time. But, whether it be saying a pun randomly, joking or telling a funny story from his childhood, or any of the other random creative funny things he does, I am thankful that I have him to keep life enjoyable even when things are serious or not going well.

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4. Mike is so talented. He is so intelligent and athletic. He has never had any formal computer training and he has somehow become the backup IT person at work. He is responsible about how we spend our money and is financially-wise. He was even considering a job recently with Edward Jones. He has been a little entrepreneur, buying and selling on eBay at times. When he is motivated he can get the job done in a lot less time than anyone else. The other evening he surprised me with a clean apartment - it took him less than 2 hours - it would have taken me all weekend. He is also very creative and a great problem-solver. And, he still amazes me with his magic tricks.

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5. Mike genuinely loves and cares about his family, including all of the "in-laws." He enjoys being at home with me, spending time with family whenever we have the chance, praying for them, playing golf with my dad and brother, doing fantasy football with my family, playing with nieces and nephews, sitting and talking to his Grandma and I could go on and on. I understand that he was his great grandmother's favorite and he loved spending time with her. She passed away very soon after Mike and I started dating, but I am glad to have had the chance to have met her. We visited her in the nursing home and I will always remember Mike gently caring for her and feeding her a banana and how her spirit changed knowing that Mike was there even though she couldn't open her eyes or speak.

I am so thankful that the Lord gave you to me to be my husband, honey, I love you!

And, now I tag Amy A., Jenny G., Maria D. and Dana J. to share 5 things you love about your husband either by leaving a comment on my blog or simply sharing with your hubby!

A Beach Wedding!

I'm back. Mike and I made it home Wednesday late afternoon, after an 8-day trip to beautiful Gulf Coast Florida for my brother, Jason and his fiancee, Kerby's wedding. (only about 3 1/2 of those days were actually spent in Florida, the rest of the time was spent travelling)...

Here are some (well, lots of) pictures & highlights...

• The beautiful wedding on Santa Rosa Beach, of course! It was an absolutely picture-perfect wedding...

The bride with flowergirls and ringbearer (Josiah & Katelyn on the left)

Bride & groom during wedding

Wedding Party (I think Jason is stretching his face muscles)

Bride & groom with Mom, Dad & Grandma

The kids having fun after the wedding - Caleb was covered in sand

Wedding cake

The reception at the Hatmaker rental home

• The gorgeous house that Mom & Dad rented for the special weekend complete with an infinity pool that "dropped off" into the ocean. Just sitting in the house with all of the French doors open to the deck and the ocean breeze coming in was wonderful. The pictures don't do the house justice - I mean, it could have easily made it into a Better Homes & Gardens magazine...


The view off our back deck



Mike in the "infinity" pool nearing sunset

• Being there with family to celebrate - Mom & Dad, my siblings, my niece and nephews, my grandma, great Aunt Wanda, aunt, uncle and cousin - some of whom we don't see very often - we are so glad all of you were there...


Sorry, Keith, you were so busy being a photographer that I only have this funny one



Can we say that Caleb loved the sand & the water? - so cute to see him "reaching out" to the waves

• The "extra" time Mike and I stayed on Sunday at Destin to enjoy the beach a little longer - we took about a 5-mile walk along the beach and then just relaxed trying to "soak in" as much of the beach as we could - ahhhh, priceless...

• And, the adventure of our 1st Amtrak trip. (A little fun thing was that Mike's aunt & uncle waved and held up a sign "Hi, Mike and Jen" as we went by in Maryland - unfortunately we passed them so quickly the video didn't turn out very well.) We did get to see some great fall leaves in Eastern and Central PA on our way home as well. We enjoyed it and would do it again, although if I had the choice between taking the train or spending an extra 2-3 days on the beach...I'd pick the beach...

The sunrise on the 1st day of our vacation driving on I-80 in PA

The beautiful fall colors back in PA returning home

Congratulations, Jason & Kerby! This was a precious time for you both, but it was also a special memory for all of us!!!