The New Year Is Approaching!

For last year’s words belong to last year’s language and next year’s words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning.

~ T. S. Eliot ~

I read this somewhere this week, and thought it was so good for the upcoming New Year
I'm not making any new years resolutions.  I always think I'll start a new diet, excercise more, read my Bible more, paint more, and sew more.  I always get bogged down, and say I don't have time to get everything done.  This year I just want to be a better, kinder person and live one day at a time. If I get some of the things above done, that will be great.  If I don't that's okay too.    I want to be a listening ear for those who are hurting and help where I can.  We went through some medical and emotional issues this year, and others were so kind to listen to us and lift us up in prayer, and God does hear and answer. As this year ends it truly is to make a new beginning in 2011.  We all need a new beginning.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

AND

GOD BLESSYOU AND YOURS 

Those Who Make Us Great and Grand

I was so late getting my Christmas cards out this year.  I worked on this collage for a couple of days trying to get it right.  Then, because it was so late I hurried down to CVS.  I used their templates, and they printed them out while I stood there.  I was so pleased with them, and it was so easy.  I thought to myself...next year I'm going to start earlier.
These are our beautiful grandchildren, and our two great-grandchildren.

Thanksgiving

I haven't posted since Thanksgiving because I've been really sick, but I think I'm on the top side, and I'm mending.  Thanksgiving was great!  We had 12 adults at our table, plus 4 little ones under 2 years of age.  We were so excited to have our two great-granchildren present.  The only thing that went wrong was my turkey that was so fat inside the meat. It's the last time I will cook a 20 pounder.    Everyone contributed with their favorite recipes. It was a memory maker to have my oldest granddaughter Kaley in the kitchen all morning helping me make pies, and sweet potato casserole.    My sweet hubby washed the dishes that wouldn't go in the dishwasher.  Babies were watched and played with,  football games were being watched on  TV, and there were many couch umpires and coaches.  Desserts had to come later, because everyone was so full.  I'm so thankful for my family and others that the Lord sees fit to send our way.  I'm so thankful I have so many things to be thankful for.

  Our newest,and only great-granddaughter, Addison

 Oldest granddaughter Kaley and her son Kullen our oldest great-granchild

Grownup Cousins present at this Thanksgiving

A Special Blessing

We were blessed on November 15,2010, with our first great-granddaughter, Addison Lane Cotter.  She was 6 lbs, and 15 oz., and 19 inches long.  She is so beautiful, and such a good little girl.  Naturally we are very proud, and thankful.

Thank You

Expressing gratitude is more than just two little words we are taught as children. I taught my children three little words; thank you and please. These words begin for children, the lesson of social graces in our society. It’s important for them to say thank you, but it shouldn’t just stop with them saying these words. Gratitude goes much deeper, and as they get older we should teach them the deeper meaning of thank you. Teach them to be thankful for all that they’ve been given, and everything they enjoy in the world around them. In order to teach we must be examples, and show an attitude of gratitude for all that we have and enjoy.

This week we celebrated Veterans Day, and I’m thankful for the men and women who have served in our armed forces. Many of these have served in unfriendly places, away from their home and family. Numerous have given their lives for us that we might live in peace and enjoy our freedom. I’m thankful for our American flag that waves in recognition of our freedom.

I’m thankful for a faithful loving husband who not only served his country, but serves his God, and provides for his family. I’m thankful for my children and grandchildren, and the good times we enjoy with each other and the memories we make.

I’m thankful for my Bible, for it’s my roadmap as I navigate this life.

I’m thankful for the good health we enjoy, and the medical Drs., nurses, clinical researchers, and others who contribute to our health and welfare.

I’m thankful for a nice warm home and all it contents, I have a warm comfy bed to retire in at night. I’m thankful for the warm blankets I’m surrounded with.

I’m thankful for all the good friends I’v made over the years.

I’m thankful that after I got up this morning I went downstairs and looked in a full pantry and refrigerator and had choices I could make for breakfast.

I’m thankful for the car I have that takes me to the places I need to go.

I’m thankful for our law enforcement officers that keep some semblance of order in our everyday life. Without them and the office they represent our towns and country would be in chaos. We must have and teach our children respect for them and the authority they represent.

I could go on and on…………….but I think I will stop here and say: Let’s teach our children to love one another, to give to one another unselfishly. Teach them to respect authority and leadership. To love their God and their country. To me this is what the words “thank you” mean. I’m so thankful I have so much to be thankful for. We need to not only say thank you, but BE Thankful.

Blessings

Can you imagine you’re life without any blessings? I read this statement this week in a woman’s magazine and it made me stop in my tracks, so to speak.

NO I CAN’T!!

The wonderful blessings of life and its provisions are all around us. Because we’re here today we can give testimony of the blessings of life itself. Some might be battling health issues, but as we battle, we can usually see people around us with worse problems. We can at least say we’re still on the topside of the grass, and that’s a blessing.

I enjoy the blessings of family and friends. I could go on all day with this one. I appreciate their love and care. Some may not have this, but I do and I don’t take it for granted.

I have the blessings of daily provisions: food, clothing and shelter. God has said to cast all our care on Him, because He careth for us II Peter 5:7. He also tells us in James 1:17, that every good and perfect gift comes down from above.

I enjoy the blessings of living in a free country. I can enjoy traveling to wherever I please, worship as I please and enjoy the freedom of speech without being afraid. Our country isn’t perfect, but it’s freedoms are better than any I know.

Blessings according to Webster is a gift. Let’s enjoy these blessings, (gifts) and not take them for granted.

Wordless Wednesday