{30 Days of Thanksgiving...Day 9-15}

Yes, I realize I am a week behind. I've been procrastinating, hoping to find time to upload pictures to go along with my blog posts, but I've given up on that idea in an effort to just get caught up. So...here it goes.....

Day 9: I am thankful for friends.

I have to say, I am very blessed to have so many friends and even a few very dear and best friends. Some, I have knows for over 20 years, some just a few short months. I have friends that I can call anytime of day or night and I know they will be there in a heartbeat to help me...friends I can laugh my socks off with...friends that I can be honest with...friends I don't have to name here, because they know who they are. Love you friend!!

Day 10: I am thankful for freedom.

It's so easy to take for granted the freedoms that we enjoy each day, but having a husband who has fought in two wars for that freedom, I have a deeper appreciation and understanding of how precious that gift is. I am blessed to live in a free country called America.

Day 11: I am thankful for a new baby to love.

Aria Beth Henson made her debut today weighing in at 8 pounds and 4 ounces. She looks just like her daddy, my cousin, Colby. Colby & Laura are going to be extraordinary parents and I can't wait until my granddaughter, Olivia joins the fun in February.

Day 12: I am thankful for one-on-one time with my daughter.

Mallorye and I don't get much time just the two of us, but this weekend is different. We are going to Hot Springs to help with the Mrs. Arkansas America Pageant and just hang out...catch up on all the girly talk we sometimes miss in the busyness of our lives.

Day 13: I am thankful for my small group.

Sometimes they frustrate me, but I love each of them so much and want only good things for them. Many of them are young and newly married and I so much want to help them not to make the mistakes that Quentin and I have made along the way. Many of them are wise above their years and the discussions we have are so encouraging...and thought provoking. Love these guys!

Day 14: I am thankful for conversation over dessert.

Tonight, I had a little girl time with my cousins wife, Pam. We haven't seen each other in probably close to 2 years and it was nice to catch up over a decadent dessert at Longhorn Steakhouse....just us...no kids...no husbands. Life is too short and rekindling this relationship felt right. I'm excited to continue what promises to be a great friendship.

Day 15: I am thankful for rain.

I don't particularly like rainy days, but it's necessary for cleansing and growth. It has rained for over 24 hours in NE Arkansas and I would love to complain about that...but I won't. Instead, I will thank God for cooler temperatures brought by the rain, the ducks that will soon have sufficient habitat to migrate to the south, and for my van being washed without me having to do it. All in the perspective.

{11/11/11 11:11am}

What was I doing at 11:11am today, 11/11/11???

Waiting for my cousin to welcome his baby girl into the world!

Colby waiting to join Laura in the OR to welcome their baby girl into the world.

Aria Beth was born at 11:51am and you'll have to wait until my next post to see pictures of her.....see how I roll...leave ya hangin'!

{Thirty Days of Thanksgiving...Day 7 & 8}

Day 7: I am thankful for basketball season.

I love this time of year! Even though Blake is the one on the court, it is definitely a family sport. We all enjoy going to his games and cheering him on. Tonight was the Red/Blue game and Blake shined, scoring 4 points in a 6 minute quarter...which included sinking both free throws. Bring on the season.....Go Rams! Go #24!

Day 8: I am thankful for the generosity of others.

Today, my Nicaragua trip is officially PAID IN FULL!! Praise the Lord!!!!! I was just about to send out support letters, but someone saw the need before I was able to mail them and finished off the little dab that I owed. All I have left now is some clothing needs for the trip and my spending money. God's got this!

I am loving voicing my thanksgiving over the blog....have you stopped to thank God for the blessings in your life?? Today is a great day to start.

{Thirty Days of Thanksgiving...Day 4-6}

Day 4: I am thankful for a flexible, godly place to work.

In today's economic times, just having a job is reason enough to give thanks, but I also work in an environment where K-Love is always playing, everyone has their Bible close at hand, there's a spirit of love, and they're flexible with things that come up with my family.

Day 5: I am thankful for modern medicine.

I have been in pain most of the day, but thankfully, God has provided wisdom for doctors to know how to treat various ailments and I get the benefit of that. One hundred years ago, I would have just had to tough it out and pray I didn't die from the pain...lol.

Day 6: I am thankful for my church.

It's not perfect, which is a good thing, because neither am I! We have a team of pastors that love the Lord and love the people entrusted to them. We don't always see eye-to-eye on everything, but I know they preach and teach God's word and they aren't afraid to step on toes.

{30 Days of Thanksgiving....Days 1-3)

....because I'm sometimes a procrastinator, and

....because sometimes I just like to enjoy being lazy in the afternoons, and

.....because sometimes my life is crazy hectic

......you're getting my first three thanksgiving days all at once,

...because that's how I roll :)

I love the idea of being thankful and like to believe that I seek to be intentionally full of gratitude on a daily basis, but there's something about November and the winter holidays that make us pause and really think about our lives and the things we have to be truly grateful for. So...I'm going to try to share one thing each day that I'm thankful for (and hopefully, I'll get good enough to actually put pictures with my posts!).

Day 1: I am thankful for God's unending mercy!

I'm not sure where I would be without it....a mess I'm sure. He loves me no matter what I've done, or what I've become...He patiently beckons me back to His arms and lovingly embraces me. Sure, there is discipline and growing pains, but not without love & mercy in the mix.

Day 2: I am thankful for my hubby!

Tonight he cooked dinner, which he does way more than I do. He doesn't complain (too much) when I let the laundry pile up or the house come undone. He loves me unconditionally. He works hard at his civilian job and serves our country sacrificially when duty calls. He sits by me on the 3rd row at church, even though he much prefers the back. We've had plenty of bumps along the way and we still have plenty to learn and areas to grow, but one thing is for sure, our love for one another is rock solid.

Day 3: I am thankful for the opportunity to be a mom!

My children, Mallorye and Blake, and my son-in-law, Matt, are my absolute delight. I can't imagine my life without them. They have made me laugh, made me cry, made me want to bang my head against the wall....they definitely have made life more exciting to live. Never a dull moment. Never! There are so many women who never get to experience motherhood and the joys & struggles that each day brings, but God chose to entrust me (of all people) to care for two, now three, other human beings. I'm not sure anyone has ever trusted me so much!

Stay tuned! Tomorrow brings Day 4 of Thanksgiving.

What are you thankful for today?

{Ronnie}

This has been an incredibly hard week for our family. Just 2 weeks ago, Quentin's dad went in for a CT Scan to rule out a kidney stone and within a week, we were planning his funeral. I have never seen cancer claim a life so quickly!

We learned on Monday, September 12, that Ronnie had lung cancer that was in the advanced stages. His doctor made us an appointment with the oncologist for September 20th. On Wednesday evening, Ronnie was taken by ambulance to the hospital because he was in so much pain and having a difficult time breathing. They were able to get his pain under control with morphine, which made his breathing a little less labored. We were told that the CT we had the previous week showed that the cancer had spread to the liver and bone. I knew we were on borrowed time. We went home only to find ourselves back in ER the following afternoon. This time, they kept him. After finally finding a regimen of pain meds that worked, he settled in....ate an excellent dinner and had a good nights rest. Friday afternoon though...he took a hard turn for the worse. He was put on a ventilator temporarily while the family was called together to make some very difficult decisions. We decided that he would not want to suffer and be kept alive by machines, so we decided to take the vent off. The ICU staff and Dr. Hines were so wonderful...they allowed us all to stay in there with Ronnie...as did they...and at 6:42pm Ronnie slipped peacefully from this life to eternity, surrounded by his family whom he loved so much and who loved him.

Ronald Vance Bales, Sr. ---May 28, 1040 - September 16, 2011

I have learned so much about Ronnie over the past week while helping Frances sort through the many legalities that had to be tended to. He was so organized...loved his family so much...I have just been in awe at the man I was really just beginning to get to know.

He will be greatly missed.

{Impromptu Sabbatical}

This is where I've been......

Last week was rough....extremely rough. I was physically worn out, emotionally spent, and spiritually drained. God knew I needed a breather. And soon.

So....Lizabeth happened to have a timeshare condo already rented for the weekend...and not being used...so at 9am Friday...we decided to head to Fairfield Bay. No husbands. No children. No agendas. I took my Bible, a journal, a book, a couple pair of shorts and tees and some flip-flops. My soul desperately needed this time to refresh, relax, and renewal. And that's exactly what I did. I'll share more later....but suffice it to say, this was a very soul opening weekend.