Thankful Thursday ✽ Super Moon

This week I have been thankful for.... 
-Cinnamon muffins and warm coffee :).
-Getting to be a part of my little siblings lives. It’s so fun to get to know each of their unique gifts, talents, quirks and personalities!
-The great deal mama got on a crockpot. It’s larger than our old one, which is a point highly in it’s favor! We’ve tried several new crockpot meals lately, but we definitely need to be able to make more to do it often, haha :). We're making salsa chicken in it now, mmmmm!
-For national pizza day (Tori "made" us celebrate ;)…).
-Food… haha ;).
-All the little knickknacks, jewelry, and pictures that I have been given that remind me of the love and friendship of so many sweet people the Lord has put in my life :).
-Getting to watch my little siblings experience a new movie. When a four year old gets concerned for the outcome, it’s almost more fun to watch their face then the movie, hahaha!
-Sleeping baby snuggles <3.
-How good Bethi is at keeping Noah happy. I love to snuggle him, but sometimes when Mama is busy, she is the only one he will quiet for, and it's nice that the poor baby doesn't have to cry until Mama is done, haha :).
-Going outside with Tori to enjoy the Super moon. 

At about 9:30ish at night, she called me from my bed were I was watching Noah, "Bri! Come outside with me! Mama said she'll take Noah." So I gave Noah to Mama and we put shoes on and went out.
Tori steps out the door. "I don't see it."
Me: *sees a glimmer through the trees* "It's right there. You can't really see it."
Tori: "It looks the same as always."
Me: *backs up* *backs up again* *backs up further* *sees that I'm standing on the edge of the deck* *grabs Tori and backs up further into the yard until we can actually see the whole thing* "See, there it is!!!!"
Tori: "It still doesn't look that much bigger, but it does seems clearer, so maybe that's what is supposed to be special." 
*ooing and awwing at being able to see the valleys*
Tori: *Makes some hideous yelp, or jumps, or points at something like she's scared, I can't even remember because it scared me so bad*
Me: *jumps onto the deck from where I am standing in about two hops and keeps running even though Tori says that she was joking*

And then I got inside shivering, and I asked her, "Ohhhh, remember the time we got up and snuck around the house in the middle of the night because the moon was supposed to be cool, but we couldn't find it and then we found out that it wasn't even GOING to look cool where we were?"
Tori: "...Yes."
Me: "We didn't even see it, but it's one of my favorite things we've done together...." Haha! I love making memories with her :).

Mama filing some pictures Daddy took the other day: "What was the moon called?"
"Super moon?"
"Yeah."
Daddy: "Why?"
"So I can save these pictures."
"Oh. Well, technically it wasn't the super moon, but the night before."
"Well, okay." *names the files "supermoonish"*

-That through Christ’s suffering we were given eternal, everlasting life and love.
-That one day every knee will bow and every tongue give God His deserved title as Lord.
-That no matter what is going on in the world around us, we can be confidant that God will have the glory and victory described in Revelation.
-That God’s promises are sure and none will fail because He is a truthful, all-powerful King.
-That God not only made earth life-sustaining, but also beautiful. “What made God take so much care, to make creation glow? He could have made it black and white, and we’d have never known.” And also that one day he will return it to it’s original perfect state and we will live with Him forever!
-For colored pencils. To draw, make cards, mark my bible to help in studying, they are useful and pretty :)!
-That I made a sale in my shop :)! That’s always exciting!
-How Noah (seven months) can always make Josiah (2) happy, even when he’s just woken up and crying. Just looking at Noah makes him smile, and I love it so much!!!!
-Doing dishes with my younger siblings and how many hands make light work, and what cheerful helpers they were while Mom took Tori to her dentist appointment the other day :)!
-For a fun outing with Mama yesterday :). We had yummy food, great conversation, I got some yarn for a project and new fuzzy socks and some new pencils to use in my bible studying (and I get too excited about pencils, haha) and it was a day that I am so thankful for <3.
-Psalm 22 and the way it points to Christ's suffering on our behalf, and reminds us of how much he loved us to go through so much for the cleansing of OUR sins!
-Answer keys to math. I'm so glad that when helping check my younger siblings work, I don't have to do each problem to see if they are right ;).
-Coffeeeeeeeeee!!!! (I had caffeinated yesterday, which I usually try to stay away from, but it was a treat day, and it's so much better when it's not decaf… lol…)
-Noah's little bitty tooth that popped through Tuesday night! His baby grin is gone (seriously, it's so far out for having just broken the surface!), but his smile is just as sweet, and I know it makes him happy!
Blessings in our Lord and Savior,
Bri <3

"Give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good, for His mercy endureth forever!" <3

Thankful Thursday ✽ 11/10/16

Typical Joey :).

I'm thankful for...
-A little note from Emmi (and the laugh we were able to share that she accidentally addressed it to Abbi ;)). So sweet!
-That the Lord’s thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways are not our ways, and we can trust Him to work all out for His glory and our growth.
-That the Lord is our fortress and protection, a present help in time of trouble <3.
-Mama and Daddy's patient teaching of my siblings and I, even when we need correction or explanation over and over and over again, and how it displays the nature of God to us.
-Listening to music with my little siblings. Jojo asks often, "Can we listen to this?" as he brings the MP3player he stole from Tori's table, hahaha ;).
-Christmas music… haha :). 'Siah and I broke down a couple nights ago.... ;).
-That we have the Bible in our own language and can learn it and know it by heart.
-A church that is solid in their doctrine, has strong, biblical preaching, and that the people there have welcomed us warmly.
-The time change this week.. I love fall time, and an extra hour of sleep is always nice, haha ;).
-Cozy sweaters and cool weather to wear them in.
-Laughing and playing and loving on my little siblings while I help them get ready for bed. Memories can be made at any time, and I'm thankful for the Lord's reminders to make it count, because if He didn't prompt me to do so, I wouldn't do it even as often as I do (which I know is not enough -so glad He is patient with us!)!
-Peter coming into my room frequently and crawling into my bed after he wakes up for some snuggles <3.
-PicMonkey and how I can use it for my canvases :).

 (Some of the items up in Under the Tapestry right now :) )

-Books, the ability to read through my Mama's teaching when I was younger, and plenty of good books at my disposal :).
-That though my heart is prone to wander, Christ has "sealed it for his courts above".
-That the Lord has given us a life full of times of productivity and other times of relaxation. Both make the other more enjoyable!
-Soap and water and the ability to have cleanliness! I very much appreciate this, lol :).
-The ability to cook and bake :).
-That I have been grafted into the vine of Jesus and can live through Him <3.
-Chocolate.
"Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and all that is within me bless His Holy Name!"

Ten years ✽ Thankful Thurday

Ten years ago today I was sitting at Mama's desk typing up the first blog post (that took my unpracticed fingers F.O.R.E.V.E.R.) to go on the brand new blog Mama had helped me set up. I've moved my blog, and then opened a new one, and I haven't always been consistent, but blogging, and writing in general, is something I really, really enjoy, and I've enjoyed sharing with you all through my blogging for these ten years... It's weird to think it's been that long, and yet it's such a part of my life, I'm almost surprised it's not longer :). Funny story: Daddy was on my blog recently and because of how he was laughing, I thought he was reading "The Babylon Bee". Then he mentioned that he eats chocolate ice cream like I do, and I found out it was my blog. That was a major plot twist. What it says about my blogging style, I don't know, but at least you all stick around for it... ;).

The GiveThanksx7 challenge is currently up and running, and already it's bringing blessings with it; making me sit down and praise the Lord, bringing me reminders to praise Him for things I'm still taking for granted through the lists that other girls are sharing, and gleaning from the wisdom and encouragement of other believers :). I thought I would share a few of my praises here each Thursday through the month of November :). I am thankful for...

-The salvation and adoption that God has given through the precious sacrifice of His Son, and His Spirit that has entered my life and revealed His steadfast love.
-The mercies of the Lord that are new every morning.
-That He is my stronghold and His joy is my strength.
-That His promises fail not.
-That He hems me in behind and before, and nothing can happen to me outside of His will.
-That we have a gracious and patient God who corrects us in our faults, and a comforter who hears our broken cries.
-That He did not wait for me to love and serve Him before He redeemed and bought me, but drew me to Himself knowing this was the only way I could know Him.

 Noah's first time sitting at the table with the family :)!

We had waffles, and Josiah was delighted with the Olaf

shaped waffles (made from the iron my Gramma gifted

us with) that he didn't remember having before :). 

Last summer when we went blueberry picking,

Emmi wanted to know if we could make a blueberry

pie, so a few weeks ago she got to help make one!

She was thrilled :).

-God’s word being available to us, and the freedom we have to use and display it. As I have been making word art canvases for my online shop the past couple days, I have been thinking about the fact that we are blessed to be able to decorate our homes with God’s word, while so many must hide their faith or die in so many places.
-For godly men and women who did stand against persecution for their faith so that we could have the freedom to worship that we have.
-JoJo asking me, "Can you play with me?!" He melts my heart, y'all...

 These are a couple of my new canvases for sale in my shop!

 I love this one. So much. Lol.

 I was taking pictures of him in a couple of the hats that I have

listed, and he looked very much like a cabbage patch baby?!?!?

Love him!

Ohhhhhhhh yeah, this. This isn't another one, but the corrected

picture of the last one. Once Daddy fixed it, I had to let you see it

again, because aren't those little baby spiders fascinating? ::shudder::

-“The Valley of Vision”. This book of a collection of puritan prayers has been such a beautiful addition to my day over the past few weeks. It is full of such reminders as
“My Savior wept that all tears might be wiped from my eyes,
groaned that I might have endless song,
endured all pain that I might have unfading health,
bore a thorny crown that I might have a glory-diadem,
bowed his head that I might uplift mine,
experienced reproach that I might receive welcome,
closed his eyes in death that I might gaze on unclouded brightness,
expired that I might forever live.
O Father, who spared not thine only Son that thou mightest spare me,
All this transfer thy love designed and accomplished;
Help me to adore thee by lips and life.
Oh that my every breath might be ecstatic praise,
my every step buoyant with delight, as I see
my enemies crushed,
Satan baffled, defeated, destroyed,
sin buried in the ocean of reconciling blood,
hell’s gates closed,
heaven’s portal open.
Go forth, O conquering God, and show me the cross,
mighty to subdue, comfort, and save.”
All this he did for me when I was yet a sinner!!! How marvelous his wonderful grace!
-And for our Father’s giving us the privilege to come before his throne, for the Son’s mediation on our behalf, and the Spirit’s work in our hearts to align our will with Christ’s. That we can hold any part in the Lord’s workings through our simple, faltering prayers, what a gift!
-Daddy's willingness to teach me and put up with my... driving. I'm not going to add "terrible" there, but neither am I going to put "wonderful" . We'll discuss what kind of driving it is in a few months. (I've scared him a few times, y'all, and that's hard to do). I'm not sure I would do it if I were him, haha!!!
-The Cubs winning last night, if only because it made my Grandpa and Abbi so happy :). It was cute how hard she was rooting for something she'd never thought of until the past couple weeks, haha :).
-A clean yard, and watching my siblings enjoying themselves outside :).

Abbi found a snail!

 It was really big, and cute, although I wouldn't touch it, haha.

By the way, she tried to pick a lizard up by the tail the other day.

She has no qualms about ANYTHING!!! I explained how delicate

they are, so she doesn't plan on doing it again... but ewwww.

 He is ALWAYS sweeping. Or working. Or

supervising other people's work. Or asking

to be babied like a newborn. There is no 

inbetween.

 Peter and his miniature finds! This one is a

mushroom, he was just as proud of it as the 

apple he found at the orchard!

 LOVE. LOVE. LOVE. Like you have no idea.

I did a photo shoot like this with Abbi and Emmi when they were babies,

so when Josiah got in, I had to do one with him and Noah. And I almost

ruined Noah's clothes because I didn't think of the rust in the wheel

barrel getting on them... but they're okay, and the pictures are cute, 

so we're good :). Haha :). 

Abbi in an "Abbi" shirt, haha :). Little sparkle!

-For my blog readers and your encouragement in my writing <3!
Rejoicing in hope,
Bri :)