{Thanks}Living, February Edition

Today is the last day of the month...
Do you know what that means?
It means it's time for a Thanks-living post!
And I haven't done one since December November!

This month flew right by...
but I think I'm okay with that 
because that means Spring is coming! :)

This month I am extremely grateful for several things.

I am so thankful for the instagram friends that I've "met."
Most of them I haven't met in person, but they have prayed for me
and sent happy mail.

Stephanie aka "Honey" (how neat is that?) got my name for the Valentine's Day swap that I was participating in.

A swap is kinda like having a pen pal, only better.  You get someone's name and buy them a gift (this particular one was Valentine's Day themed).  You wrap it all pretty and send it to them in the mail.  And someone else gets your name!  This allows you to "meet" other ladies around the US/world. 

Anyway, I had just posted my entire heart on my blog
and she happened to read it.
She also happened to receive my name as her swap partner.
She sent me this beautiful gift.
It not only looks beautiful, but the thought behind it all is so touching.

I can't tell you what it meant to me.
She is such an encouragement...I'm grateful to have her as a Sister in Christ. 
If you haven't "met" her yet, ya better get yourself over to her blog and introduce yourself.
Seriously...she's a gem!


Another thing that I'm extremely grateful for is how much God has blessed us!
At the beginning of the month, we were able to purchase a new-to-us car!
This is our first "major" purchase together, and we Tyler is sure enjoying it.
Sure, I enjoy it, too, when I get to ride or even drive it! :)
Tyler is thankful to have a more reliable car that he doesn't have to dump a quart of oil in every 2 weeks {and so am I}. :)

I am so grateful for the ways that God is working in my life.
I want to be used by Him, to be His hands and feet.
How can you be a blessing to someone today?

Today, I'm linking up with Leslie.

If you haven't met her, either, you need to!  

Go on over and say hi to her! :)

{Thanks}Living and a Birthday List

It's Friday.

It's my brother's birthday.

It's my birthday.

My husband comes home from his business trip.
Today is going to be a great day!

It's also the end of the month.
That means I get to share with you what I've been thankful for this month.
However, I'm going to do it a bit differently.
On instagram, I shared each day in picture what I was thankful for.
Now you get to see it! :)

Starting at the top, from left to right:
1.  My goofy husband.  He's the absolute best!
2.  Food delivery.  I didn't get the chance to have food delivered growing up!
3.  To be able to have some down time to create.
4.  My 2nd amendment right...my husband taught me well. :)
5.  My husband's servant heart...coming home to clean dishes put away, dirty dishes put in the dishwasher, supper being made, and the laundry sorted...all without being asked!
6.  The hearts of people that gather in a home of our new friends.  I'm so thankful for our small group.
7.  My legs...and the ability to walk.
8.  #SheReadsTruth and the community of women who've participated.  I've met some incredible ladies through Bible reading together.
9.  My husband's job!
10.  A book that challenges me to become a follower of Christ rather than being a fan.
11.  My beautiful mother.  She's one of my best friends.  I'm so thankful for her example as a Godly woman, wife, and mother.
12.  That I have the financial resources to pay for gas, when many don't.  It's something I take for granted most days.
13.  A little pick-me-up when I need it.
14.  Prayer warriors.
15.  A creative outlet, and a tiny bit more income.
16.  My daddy.  He's the bestest one in the whole entire world.  Don't even try to compete with that!
17.  My "littlest" brother who's one of the most caring people in the world.
18.  My warm, comfy bed.
19.  The apartment we live in.  It continues to prove that this is where God wanted us.
20.  My job...God's plan is always best.
21.  A man who takes time first thing in the morning to read the Word of God.  This is what I would call the sexiest thing he does.  There's nothing that melts my heart more than seeing him spending time with his Father.
22.  Family time.
23.  Prayers being answered.  My dad was well enough to make the 4.5 hour trip up for Thanksgiving.  He doesn't have pain in his shoulder or collar bone anymore, and he made it through his surgery without any complications!  (This is what I'm most thankful for this month...God has been incredibly good to us.)  The Lord hears his children and answers their plea!
24.  Friends who send happy mail via the USPS {aka Snail Mail...yes, people!  It still exists}! 
25.  Beautiful artwork in the sky so I can be reminded who's the Author and Illustrator of life.
26.  Preparations for this special season...I'm happy to be spending it in our new home.
27.  Time to rest...especially when needed most!
28.  Receiving a "granddaughter" birthday card in the mail from my husband's grandparents.  It warms my heart to know I'm accepted as one of their grandkids! :)
29.  Preparing a box full of goodies to give to a family God has laid on my heart.
30.  My big, goofy, teddy bear brother.  He gives great hugs! Today's his birthday.  Did I mention that? :)

Finding things in each day that I'm thankful for has been a huge blessing to me this month.  It has made me reflect on the littlest things in my life and realize that they are all a gift from God.
What are you thankful for?


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I also get to share with you what I've been working on for over a month now.

My birthday list.

It's not just any list though.

It's my "25 Before 25 List."

That's right...

This is a list full of things I hope to accomplish in the next 365 days.

Here it is:

1. Itemize our tax deductions.
2. Send a handwritten note to 48 different people.
3. Go to the Muny to see a show.
4. Become better at apologizing.
5. Print a wedding canvas or a big picture.
6. Go to a St. Louis Blues game.
7. Have friends over to our home.
8. Make (or at least start) a quilt.
9. Be financially free from our parents.
10. Memorize 25 Bible verses and be able to recite all of them.
11. Make 25 crockpot meals that are yummy enough to put on our meal rotation.
12. Go camping with my husband.  In a tent.
13. Take a trip on the Amtrak.
14. Participate in Girls Trip 2013.
15. Sew something just for me.
16. Sell 100 items on etsy.
17. Participate in 25 random acts of kindness.
18. Start and finish a whole spool of floss.
19. Keep a running birthday/Christmas list all year 'round.
20. Start saving for a house...in an account.
21. Keep a journal (either written or photos) of what I'm thankful for, for the entire year.
22. Find a ministry at our church to serve in.
23. Enjoy one night a month with my husband and no gadgets.
24. Find some sort of "consistency" in my etsy business.
25. Fall even more in love with Jesus.

I'm a little nerdy, I know.

Some of these things are "hopefuls," and if they happen, then I will be totally excited (such as itemizing my deductions)...I do have an accounting degree.

Other things you may think are funny, but they are actual goals (such as finishing a whole spool of floss.  I always start a new one after I go to the dentist...and never finish the other one).  Have you finished one?

I hope to have a goal and a loose plan of what will be going in my shop.

Other things are just things that I want to do, something that will challenge me, or something that is a goal of the future.
And what a way to welcome the big 2-5 in with a list full of completed aspirations!
Oh, and don't let it fool you...today, I turn 24. :)

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22 years ago, I received the best birthday present ever.
A baby brother.
Growing up, we absolutely hated the fact that we had to share a birthday.
(Maybe he hated it more than me.)
But ask me now and I'll tell you, that baby brother has grown into a wonderful, Christ-like  person.
He's still ornery, but I know that he would do anything for me.
He'd be there for me.
And he'll always cheer me up with his witty remarks.
Happy birthday, Ben.
This is YOUR day, not just mine.
I love you!

{Thanks} Living, October Edition

Happy Halloween, y'all!

I'm not much a fan of this day, but it is the last day of the month

and I will celebrate it by being thankful.

I am thankful to have finally met some beautiful ladies that I met on Instagram.  Libby, Amber, Angie, and I met at a cupcake emporium and had dessert on a Saturday afternoon.  It was glorious!  Just earlier that week, I also met up with Sarah from IG.  It was so awesome to put a real face with pictures that I see daily.

The weekend after that, Tyler and I had an opportunity to serve in our community.  Our church, along with 14 other churches participated in St. Louis Serve Day.  Our Life Group decided to do it together, so we were assigned to help put up the "tent" for our Christmas production that they put on every year.  Tyler and I even ended up on the top of a ladder before the day was over!  I'm thankful for the opportunity to be involved with my church, alongside some pretty awesome people.

I'm thankful for the opportunity that Tyler and I had to go home to see my family.  We even had several meals altogether, which rarely happens.  It's a blessing when it does happen.  The boys were home on fall break, helping Dad in the field.

Oh, and that round thing in the picture?

That's the cookie that my mom bought us to celebrate the fact that Tyler and I are officially

DEBT FREE!

Have I told you that lately? Haha!!

I am SO thankful for that!!

I'm thankful for the opportunity to participate in The Snail Mail Diaries with some awesome IG ladies!  Yes, people, this is like old-school penpals.  Jealous?

You should be, because my awesome penpal, Donna, is so cool!!

I'm thankful for having the opportunity to meet other ladies around the US.

I'm thankful for my job.  Sometimes it's rough, but I'm just thankful that I have it.

I'm also thankful for some of the positive changes that we've had in the past month or so.

I'm thankful for our new series at church that we just started called, "Not a Fan."  I'm thankful for the challenge it's already given me, and I look forward to seeing how God will use me after it's over.

I am thankful for the new ideas and exciting opportunities for my shop.

Oh, and the ability to sew.

Speaking of my shop:

What are you thankful for this month?

Linking up with Leslie today!

{Thanks} Living, September Edition

I have so much to be thankful for this month.

I am so thankful that my best friend had a birthday at the beginning of September.

Her birthday package made it to her front doorstep on her actual birthday! :]

I am so thankful for her friendship, even when she lives halfway across the country.

I am thankful for my husband.

He's my best friend.

I'm thankful that we have a lot of fun together...

at Cardinals games!

I am also thankful that my husband knew just what I needed to cheer me up

after a dentist appointment.

I am thankful for the ability to memorize God's Word. 

I am thankful for the conviction to actually do it.

And I'm thankful for blog/IG friends to help keep me accountable.

I am thankful for more Cardinals baseball games.

I'm also thankful for beautiful weather and skies.

I am thankful for the cooler weather,

for not having to keep the AC running

for open windows {they've been open for 2 1/2 weeks now}.

I am thankful for small towns looking after the farmers!

I am thankful for gorgeous sunsets.

I am thankful that my Momma came up this past weekend to watch my husband play in the worship band at church.  

I am thankful that my husband was the one to invite her {and my dad...he just couldn't make it this time}.

I am thankful that my Daddy allowed her to come up and craft all weekend with me.

I am thankful for the many things my Momma has taught me this weekend.

Like crocheting this scarf.

...and making this ribbon trees for Christmas!

I am thankful that God has blessed me with the people that I need in my life right this instant.  He's given us a great small group to serve Him with. He's given me refreshing weekends so that I may be able to rest and serve Him in the new week.  He's blessed me abundantly.   I am so thankful.
What are you thankful for?

{Thanks}living and Insta-Friday

Last week's them was "Choose Joy."

This week's them has been, "I am redeemed."

You know that song on the radio right now?  

It's by Big Daddy Weave.

That's where I got the idea...

I am redeemed, You set me free
So I'll shake off these heavy chains
Wipe away every stain, 'cause I'm not who I used to be

Amen?

I'm incredibly thankful for a Savior who's saved me from myself.

I have a Savior who has forgiven my past.

I have a Savior who doesn't remember the sins I've committed.

What an overwhelming feeling.

Lately, Satan has just been telling me lies.

"You're not good enough, Beth."  

"You'd be better off getting a different job."

"You're not cut out for this job."

Ya know what?

Those are just what I said. Lies.

He has to tell me lies, so he can feel better about himself.

Well, NO MORE!

Each day on my way to work, I pray.

I've been praying for God to remind me who I am.

Know that song?

Tell me, once again who I am to You, who I am to You Tell me, lest I forget Who I am to You, that I belong to You

Can I get another amen?
I belong to my Savior.  
I am his, and He is mine. 
I'm not going to believe Satan's lies anymore!
Huzzah!  (That's for all of you Bunton boys. :])

This week I am very grateful.
I'm grateful that that my past can't define me.
I'm grateful for Jesus who made that possible.
Thank you, Lord!

I'll just show you what I'm thankful for this week:

I'm thankful for high school friends.  I'm so glad that we've kept in touch over the last 5 years, but I was really happy to see them last Saturday night.

I am thankful for new friends!  I got my #mugswap package on Tuesday night.  Look for that post coming September 10th!

 I bought my new friend Sally on Wednesday night.

She's my first sewing machine, and I'm incredibly excited

{and blessed to have the resources} about what creations we can come up with.

Notice, I also just had to buy a PINK sewing kit to go along with her.

That's right, I'll be sewing in style!!

 I got this amazing email yesterday morning.  Corporate office employees will be getting a short Friday {that's TODAY!} and we'll be leaving at 3:00 pm.  Woo-hoo!!!  My Monday is pretty much booked, so I'm thrilled to be getting off work early today!

 I am thankful for my memory.  I didn't forget how to sew.

I might have forgotten how to sew straight, but I didn't forget how.

I made my first napkin.

I picked the material out on this trip.

Yes, I've had it since June, okay?

I had every intention of sewing with my aunt's machine, but that didn't work out.

I'm thankful for my new one. :]

One other thing that I'm incredibly thankful for

(I didn't get a picture):

I'm thankful for new friends.

Tyler and I went to our first small group on Tuesday night.

It's exciting to meet new people...especially since we haven't met anyone in St. Louis yet.

**Disclaimer:  Cara and Rod, you can't get mad at this comment.  We already knew you.  We didn't have to meet you. :]**

Today I'm linking up for  {Thanks}living and Insta-Friday.