Thinking Thankful Thoughts

It hard to believe that here we sit on the eve of the last day of November!
Where did 2011 go? Wasn't it just the start of another school year?
In the busyness of life, it is often hard to just stop and reflect. Over this last week there was time to think, but my thouhgts seemed so scattered. Last week, it was a joy to be able to travel to Lousiana to see our families for the Thanksgiving holiday. I really wanted to be able to share our thankful thoughts with you. While we had time to talk and think, my thoughts were so scattered. So instead of writing something, I wrote nothing.

However, there is one dear friend, Shannon, who was able to write so eloquently what I was thinking. Below you will read part of what she posted on her father's Caring Bridge site.

I am reminded this morning that each and every day we have something to be thankful for, whether it be a something that the Lord has given us or something that He has taken away from us. As humans, living in this fallen world, we often forget that we can be thankful even in challenging patches of life. Yes, it may be more difficult to find a heart of praise, but it is possible..and it's what we are called to do!

I can't even begin to write a full list of things (we are thankful for) because the most important thing on our list is God...
He tells us He will always provide.
He will give and take away.
He will be our strength in weakness.
He will love us through all circumstances.
He will guard our hearts.
He will shelter us.
He will comfort us.
He will test us.
In all of His promises He is simply providing us blessings time and time again.

So, does that mean the journey is smooth sailing? No!
Does that mean (we) are 100%? No!
But it does mean have a a reason to find hope and thankfulness in each new day!


Shannon, thank you for sharing your heart and your thoughts! Thank you for letting me share them with others! You are an amazing woman of God! I am thankful you are a part of our life!

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

www.caringbridge.org/visit/chuckhoye

Happy Birthday to Mark!

Today Mark turned 45!

He is strong and smart.

He is unselfish.

He is funny and athletic.

He is a hard worker.

He makes sure his girls (all of us) are safe and cared for.

He always puts our needs (and wants!) ahead of his own.

He always cheers us on.

He is a morning person. I'm not!

He brings me my first cup of coffee almost every morning.

Fixed just the way I like it!

He folds laundry when I desperately need the laundry fairy.

Ditto with the dishwasher fairy!

He can fix most anything.

He makes the best burgers in the world.

He has no problems helping the girls with their homework - especially math!

I could go on and on.

He is wonderful!

Counting today,I have celebrated the past 24 birthdays with Mark!

I can't imagine it any other way. Together, we have grown in so many ways.

As friends, as individuals, as parents, and as followers of Christ.

I can't imagine going through the trials in our life without Mark by my side.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARK!

I LOVE YOU!

"Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." 1 Cornithians 13:7

A Great Gift Idea

We recently purchased these platters for some people in our family.

We think they are a great gift idea and we wanted to share the idea with you!

We ordered them from a friend I went to high school with.

The website is:

www.missnolasmonogramery.com

Click on 'personalized melamine' to see the great trays, platters, plates and bowls. You can design your own in many,many different color combinations.

Happy Shopping!

Fall Fun

Fall is such a wonderful time of year!
Fall brings glorious colors, brilliant sunshine,
warm days, cool nights,
special traditions and college football!!
These are just a few of the joys that fall brings!
We count the beauty and joy of fall
as one of many blessings God has given us!

A few weeks ago, Liv made a fall fun list.
We make one for the summer, why not the fall?

So tonight, we compiled some of our fall fun list activities into a slideshow.
They are:
our fall trip to Tennessee to see family
raking leaves
our yearly corn maze and hayride trip with the Taylors
going to pick out pumpkins
and
Halloween

Still left to do on our fall fun list are:
make s'mores with friends in our backyard

Enjoy the pics!

In Him,
The Tates

"Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." Colossians 3:17

Personalize a free slideshow design