Gratefulness

This post is maybe a slight deviation from my normal post topics, but I thought I would share it anyway.

If I had to pick just one quality to become part of my character, I think it would be gratefulness. The reason I would choose gratefulness is that being grateful effects so many areas of life, and it is a character quality that becomes very evident to others. This summer, I remember talking to a woman at work. After that conversation of mainly small talk and such, I remember feeling very blessed and inspired by her. She hadn’t said anything particularly profound or meaningful; in fact, I don’t even remember what we talked about. What I do remember is that she expressed gratitude and contentment in everything she said.

Her positive attitude and grateful spirit made a definite impact on me, and it made me wonder what impact I leave on the people I talk to. I will confess that after thinking about my attitude and the things I say, I came to the conclusion that people probably aren’t always inspired after being with me. I wouldn’t say I am a negative and grumpy person, but I can err on being a bit pessimistic. I am striving to engrain gratefulness into my thoughts, words, and actions. Instead of spouting off whatever complaint or disgruntled thought that crosses my mind, I am trying to find something to be grateful for.

I know God has richly blessed my life, and He sufficiently meets every need I have. When I remember that my life is His and trust in His provision, I realize that I have no reason to complain. There is no reason for me not to be grateful. This is a very freeing and inspiring realization.

This week, we got some snow again, and it made for some stunning scenery! It was a wet snow that stuck to the trees and worked well to make snowmen. It was a good opportunity to observe the different perspectives of snow. Some people complain about the inconveniences that snow brings- poor roads for traveling, extra work with shoveling, wet boots and socks, and the list can go on. Instead of focusing on those unpleasantries, other choose to enjoy God’s beautiful handiwork and soak in the child-like thrill that snow and winter time can bring.

I loved watching Mia and Duchess in the snow. They definitely fall in the grateful category. In fact, they always fall in the grateful category. They are happy and content with whatever life brings them. Am I?

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Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. {1 Chronicles 16:34}

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And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. {Colossians 3:17}

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I will praise you, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. {Psalm 9:1}

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In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. {1 Thessalonians 5:18}

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Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! {2 Corinthians 9:15}

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Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. {Philippians 4:6}

The Blizzard of ’16

Well, folks, we survived the blizzard of 2016. 🙂 From Friday evening into Saturday evening, we got over two feet of snow; and, let me tell you, this family couldn’t be happier!

This was the second time that Duchess saw snow. (The first time was only a half inch, so that hardly counts.) With the amount of snow we got, it comes well over the dogs’ backs. Luckily for them, they are light enough that they don’t sink the whole way down with each step.

We spent some time out Friday evening and Saturday, shoveling the first foot of snow and letting the dogs romp in the wind-driven snow. I tried to take some pictures with my camera wrapped in saran wrap to keep it from getting wet with snowflakes. I didn’t get very many good pictures from Saturday during the peak of the blizzard, because of the blowing snow. However, you can still see Duchess and Mia thoroughly enjoying running through the fresh, powdery snow.

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There’s nothing like a good tussle in the snow!

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We made the unwise decision to drive a few miles to Zach’s parents’ house Saturday to use their snowmobiles. On the way there, it wasn’t windy, visibility was decent, and the roads only had a few inches of snow covering them. About an hour later, conditions had gotten much worse, and we weren’t sure we could make it the few miles back to our house. This is what driving home looked like. It had gotten windy, and snowfall had increased to roughly two inches per hour!

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We did, however, manage to make it home. Then it was back to shoveling and plowing.

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Sunday dawned clear, still, and beautiful!

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And then it was in by the wood stove to warm up and dry off.

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Another funny adventure of the day was digging out our mailbox! It was buried in this drift.

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I hope you all have a great start to your week!

 

 

Holiday Fun

Happy December! I hope you all enjoyed Thanksgiving. I know I did, but I am very much looking forward to December 25. The Christmas season is my favorite time of year! I love the music (that I have been listening to since before Thanksgiving), the food, the family time, and the general atmosphere of peace surrounding the season. I think the feelings of peace and love and hope that we feel during this time of  year comes from the fact that Christmas is the time that we celebrate God’s greatest gift to us- His Son. What other thought could bring us such hope?

Ahhh, even as I think about it now, I am content. I love December. If it were up to me, December would be twice as long so as to draw out this wonderful time of year as long as possible. I am currently picturing in my mind fuzzy socks, hot chocolate, colorful Christmas lights, snow, and evergreen trees. I really do love this time of year.

For those of you who are local, you will (probably) know that yesterday was the opening day of rifle in Pennsylvania. This means, I was alone for the weekend while my husband was at the cabin deer hunting with his uncles and cousins. As much as I love my husband, I do enjoy the time alone once in awhile. I had some time to do some crafts and such that I wouldn’t ordinarily take the time to do.

I have recently been Pinteresting some cute ideas for dog toys, decor, and accessories that I could learn to make for my pooches. I spent my weekend buying craft supplies and experimenting with a few holiday themed projects! Take a look!

Holiday Doggie Donut Toys:

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Mia approves of her new toys. 🙂 They are cute, but I don’t recommend for heavy chewers.

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Red and Silver Paracord Collar:

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I was impressed that I ended up with a functional collar and toys on my first try. 🙂 I have a few other crafts I want to try in the next few weeks as I enjoy my December.

Merry Christmas! Take the time to enjoy the season!

Playing Mama

This was too adorable not to share. 🙂 In April we got six little chicks, and Mia was totally enthralled with them. All she did was watch them and try to play with them. She tended to get a little rough, though, and we caught her carrying them around in her mouth a few times. They were never hurt, only wet and very frightened.

Unfortunately, two of the chicks fell prey to a stray cat. (R.I.P. Henny and Penny.) After losing two of our six chicks, we decided to get a few more; so this week I took Mia along to a local feed mill and picked up three new Rhode Island Red chicks. She whined the whole way home. I think the peeping of the chicks sounds a little bit like crying puppies, and it upsets her!

The next afternoon, we had the peeps out in the yard, and I was holding them on my lap. Mia was doing such a good job sitting quietly next to me just watching them. Then, one of the brave peeps, darted off my lap and ran under Mia’s legs. Mia looked at me guiltily, not knowing what to do. Soon the other two chicks joined the first one, and they were all scurrying around her legs.

After a few minutes of that, Mia laid down on her side, and the peeps huddled against her stomach and under her legs. It was a bit chilly that afternoon, and I think the warmth felt good to them! Mia was such a dear, lying there nicely and gently snuffling the chicks. She was playing Mama! When the chicks got too brave and began wandering away from her, she got worried until I pushed them back to her.

I was so impressed by her self-control and mothering instincts. I was also very glad I had my camera with me and could snap a few pictures!

Any good captions for this last picture? Leave a comment!

The Beginning.

“We are just going to look,” my husband told me.

I just smiled. Sure, we are.

It was just a couple weeks after our wedding, and we were on our way to a farm a few miles from our new home. We had been looking at puppies for months, discussing what breed we were going to purchase. A month or two before our wedding, we had settled on a Miniature Goldendoodle, and now we were finally going to look at puppies!

I was as bad as a child, already imagining cuddling my furry little pooch. I could hardly wait to go see them. I was probably even squirming with excitement in my seat! Zach knew his wife well. He knew that as soon as she saw those little wiggling balls of fur, her heart would be set. He did his best to appear firm.

“We’re not going to decide about buying a puppy while we are there. We will come home, talk about it, and then decide.”

I’ll give him credit. He almost pulled it off.

Fast forward about fifteen minutes, and there we were sitting in the grass cuddling a litter of eight week old Mini Goldendoodles. We had already picked out the one we liked the best, and I was sold. Because of “the talk,” though, I didn’t mention anything about buying her.

After all, we were just there to look.

She wiggled onto Zach’s lap, and he rubbed behind her floppy ears. Then he looked at me with a sheepish grin on his face. “Should I tell them we’ll take her?”

And that was that.

The next day we did our “puppy shopping.” We came home with all the necessities, along with a few extra maybe-not-so-necessary things as well. Then we brought her home.

Below is a picture of Mia on the first day at her new home.

She was such a dear (and still is)! I will admit, she wasn’t nearly as cute when she had accidents in the house, but thankfully she caught on to the house training routine fairly easily.

Now she has grown into a well adjusted and usually well behaved dog. (Everyone has their moments, right?) If you give her a pat on the head or play a round or two of fetch, you’ll be her friend for life.

Loving life!

Loving life!

She’s funny, endearing, entertaining, and adorable. She is Mia!