Thankful. It's a word. An eight letter word to be exact. It's more of a verb than an adjective to me. (Even though I really, really do know that it is an adjective.) It's a way of life.

Ever since I was a kid, I've been taught in so many ways to appreciate the simplest of things. We weren't rich, but we had family, and family made us feel richer than we were a lot of the time.

I've been taught over the years it is not about the stuff you accumulate in your house, the money you have in your pocket or your bank account, or the things you buy at the store that you find true treasures in.  True treasures are in family. They're in our relationship with the Lord. They are in our homes and in our lives and in the people we do life with.  I've been taught there are no second chances to live this life.  We are to live this life the best we can and appreciate every single thing that crosses our path.

This week of Thanksgiving, I'm remembering those lessons learned. And. I'm grateful for them. I'm grateful for being able to have such a full heart and a happy home. I'm grateful for parents who taught me how to appreciate the small things and to realize that even the small things can be greater than the big things.  And.  I'm grateful for my family and friends.  We smile, we laugh, we cry, and we share life together. I love these people I do life with!

And. Here is a video of our Thanksgiving.

On 11/22/2017: The pups bath time.

On 11/23/2017 Thanksgiving Day.

On 11/24/2017: A new phone and new lockscreen (got the new phone the day before when my old one decided to stop working).

My life, my salvation, my familly, our home, our friends. For these I'm thankful.

The ordinary moments. The extraordinary ones. Even laundry days. The piles and piles and piles of laundry. Because that means that our clothing needs are met.

On another note. Our Sam, if you remember, he escaped and we spent days looking for him.  We finally figured out how he is making his escape. He's climbing the fence. We thought he was getting through the fence somewhere, but he's climbing it! So, we are working on getting the fence finished up to where he can't climb it then we can unhook him from his chain. We are so not a fan of chaining animals.

Also. All of the images here are a mix of photos I've taken over the last week or so.

My everyday life. It's beautiful. It's awesome. It's blessed!

Our daughter had her Drama Team Super Regions Competition Saturday.  Their play Fighting Demons, wow, just wow. They didn't win a trophy at Super Regions, but they won in so many other ways. Whenever my husband and I heard ladies from another county standing out in the hall saying how they felt that an altar call should've been given after that play, well, I felt that Jesus was at work in this play, and it has impacted lives, and it was seeing right through to people's hearts. Something way more important than any trophy.

The Drama Team got their Director flowers and a card, and she is so appreciated for all she does!