Thinking Thankful

With Thanksgiving rushing up on us I am feeling very thankful for the things I've been blessed with this year...not just this year but in my life as a whole. I live a very blessed and abundant life. I thought it would be appropriate to join the rest of the bloggers in making a thankful post.
I obviously have missed the first 20 or so days in November so I thought I would list my "thankfuls" all at once!

1. First and foremost I am thankful for a relationship with a Lord who forgives, saves and is sovereign in all things!
2. I am thankful for my wonderful husband who loves me NO MATTER what, who supports me in all things, big and small and who encourages me to be a better wife, daughter and child of God everyday! I love you Jacob!
3. My dad and mom who have been my #1 fans since day 1-they love me through thick and thin and they are the most amazing parents a girl and her hubby could ask for!!
4. I know this is silly-But I am thankful for my dogs! They make me so happy and they are my "children" for this season of my life and I love everything about them.
5. I am thankful for my job. I have never in my life had such a wonderful job that I enjoy so much. I LOVE waking up everyday to be with my kiddos at school and I couldn't be happier with my work. I know it's cliche but the saying is soooo true---"if you love what you do, then you never have to work a day in your life." This is true! THANKFUL for my job!!
6. Thankful for our beautiful house that we've made into our home, and the cars that we drive!
7. I am so thankful for our church and all it's locations. I love the people who serve in our church, I love the leaders of our church, I love the worship and I our church family! I am so blessed by our church!
8. My small group!! For years I lead a small group of younger girls, but this has been the first year that Jacob and I have been in our own small group with people sharing life with us. This group of people is amazing, they love us, pray with us and invest in our lives! I love our small group!!!
9. Health-Jacob and I are both blessed with good health and that is better than gold. Thank you Lord for continued health.
10. I am thankful for my friends. I have true, close, genuine friends who love me and hold me accountable in every aspect of my life!
11. Hot showers- I know it's simple, but I am so thankful for a warm shower and clean running water.
12. I am thankful for small luxuries like Texas Tea, WaterStill and chips and hot sauce! Love my guilty pleasures.
13. The ability to run, I am so thankful for two strong legs! I love to run outside with the dogs and Jacob and I am so thankful for ability to do so whenever I please!
14. The Texas Longhorns! Love Longhorn Football! Hook 'em!
15. I am thankful for praise and worship and the ability it gives me to connect with sweet Jesus no matter where I'm at in my week or in my day, I can sing to the Lord and for a moment all is well in my soul.
16. Coffee!
17. Warm blankets on a cold morning.
18. I am thankful that my husband still takes time to date me! Dinners together, sweet notes and small reminders that his affections are for me!
19. For the men and women who serve our country each day without complaining, they fearlessly sacrifice holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas and spend time away from their families so that we may be safe with ours. I am so thankful for these individuals.
20. Woodwick candles. Mmmmm!
21. I am thankful for my warm, comfy bed and our electric blanket!
22. For good conversation and sound advice that comes from my mom and dad.
23. I am SOOO thankful that my husband loves my parents and that my parent love my husband. There is true blessing this relationship.
24. Pinterest. I know, sad but true.
25. For all the teachers who spent time working with me and investing in my life. You are the reason I love what I do today!
26. I am thankful for Grace that gives me new hope for each day.
27. Extra Virgin Olive Oil---what would we do without it! I couldn't cook anything! :)
28. Family friends who love me like I am their own child (friend like Sherry, Beverly and Debbie!!) They love my mom and dad which is such a joy to see, but they also love Jacob and me and would be my second parents in a heartbeat!
29. Forgiveness
30. I am thankful for the wealth that I have in forms other then money. I have wealth in the things I've listed above and I am so thankful for that!

I hope each of you can make a list of things you are thankful for. I know 30 things doesn't even touch the things that I am thankful for, but it does the soul good to list out a few blessings.
Happy Thanksgiving week to you all!
God Bless!
-xoxox-

Under Qualified, but Overjoyed

Good morning- As I sit here at my office, I find myself feeling very under qualified for the role that the Lord has placed me in. He called me, a long time ago, to shepard HIS children, and for a long time I have filled that role working in a church around children, or working in a school as a substitute teacher or volunteering somewhere around kids....But my lifelong hope has been to be a teacher. I remember being a little girl telling my parents that when I grew up, I wanted to be a teacher! I wanted to change the life of child and impact and inspire children, the way MY teacher's impacted and inspired me. So I decided to do just that---several years ago, I started my college career off with a declared major of teaching. I remember thinking many times that I wasn't sure if I would finish school, or if it was really even worth it to finish school and work so hard.....just....to teach? I mean teachers don't make a ton of money, they aren't always treated as high class and it's a very humbling job with bloody noses in your classroom and tummy aches galore- However, I've pushed through because I know that the Lord has placed a calling on my life to be a teacher of HIS children. And I am so excited to finally be at my last phase of college, at my last fall semester as a student and on the downhill slide of my race! I will graduate in the spring with my teaching degree! I will be able to walk into a school and proudly declare that I am a teacher and I can't wait for that moment.


Somehow though,  I still find myself feeling very under qualified- Teaching someone's child the basic foundations of learning that they will use for the rest of their lives...I mean that is serious stuff!!! And I'm under qualified, but overjoyed to do that job. I can't picture a more rewarding role (besides parenting) than teaching children to learn and be confident in their knowledge. And I am not naive to think that every student I have will be changed forever because I taught them for a year, but I am naive enough to TRY to make sure every student remembers Mrs. Reinbold and maybe not the things they learned in my class, but the way they felt encouraged, and loved and the way they felt like their teacher really does care about them. I am under qualified but OVER JOYED!!!!!


This Monday, I will take my first step into the direction of teaching. I start a new job as a reading recovery tutor for an Elementary School here in town. I am very nervous and excited to walk into this new role. I am nervous because it's change, a lot of change, and a lot of uncertainty, but I am excited because this opportunity fell into my lap, and I know that the Lord placed it my life and I know he will bless this decision!


So friends, fellow bloggers and family---could you be praying for me through this next little "season" of my life as I transition jobs, finish school and hopefully get a teaching job?! It would be greatly appreciated! Hope your day is blessed and full of JOY!

XOXOX-

Random Update of Our Summer

This summer has been a crazy, fast paced summer. Full of fun, friends, sunshine and a few work related trips as well. Overall though, this summer was hot!!!  fun! :)

 I spent a lot of time with this girl ^^^^^^^^^ Amber! She is super fun and truly my best friend!! I am so thankful that God has placed her in my life for this season I am in! She is like a sister and so much more!

The few pictures shown below are from the last few weekends of the summer. We have spent lots of time at the pool and we followed pool time with Girls Night Out (GNO) I am so sad we didn't get a picture of the whole group but there were quite a few of us celebrating and we had a blast together! I am blessed with some wonderful people in my life!

 Beverly and Jamie!! Another precious mother and daughter duo!!! Love them!

 Amber, me and Jamie!

Over all it was a very successful night!

 Jake and I sitting on Bev's back porch! Love that guy!!

 

I know a picture of watermelon is about as random as this post...but I wanted to add it because it has been a big part of my summer! I am slightly addicted  obsessed!!!! I love watermelon and I will be so sad whenever the fall is in full swing and it goes out of season....Until then...I will continue to feed my love for the fruit! :)

 More fun at our house...Here are our babies enjoying the true "dog days of summer" I wish I could spend my days the way they do....

More girlie days spent by the pool!!!

My sweet friend Kayla is in the picture below- Jake and I have spent time with them this summer as well. Her and husband have a lot going on in their lives right now and I am so excited they've decided to share it with us! They are building a beautiful new home which is exciting and sad for us because they have been our neighbors for the past 2 years (a few streets over kind of neighbors) So we will miss them GREATLY but it's so exciting to see them move into their dream home! To make their lives even more exciting...Kayla just finished school and found out they were PREGNANT!!!!!!! I am so happy for them---We just went to the doctor with them on Monday to find out if they were having a boy or a girl. I've NEVER seen a sonogram in my whole life so it was super neat to see the baby moving inside her. She took us back to the room to find out the sex of the baby! I was so honored because that's such a special time for a husband and wife and it was neat to share that moment with them...and they are having a.....BOY!!! Carder Scott Maxwell....pretty cute!

 Thought I would share a few more fun summer pics!!

 

Also- I need to share a little bit of info about this wonderful iphone app!! It's called pintrest and I am LOVING this app!! It's so cute and filled with full sayings like the one below and it also has a category to pick from with all sorts of recipes and design ideas!! I love it!!! If you have an iphone you should check it out!

 

Well I guess this is the end of my long and random post, I hope each of you reading this had a great summer!!! I also hope that with school starting back up and things getting into more of a routine, I hope you find yourselves welcoming the fall!! I know I am ready for the cooler weather, my LAST fall semester of school EVER and the joys of a season with new beginnings coming our way!! Have a great day!!! xoxoxo

About me :)

I saw this little survey going around some of the blogs- I thought I would join in!

bed size :: A comfy queen

 

chore you hate :: Washing dishes

dogs :: a beautiful Maltese mix-Mollee Kae and big black lab-Luke McCoy

essential start to your day :: coffee and washing my face

favorite color :: Black…boring I know

gold or silver :: silver

height :: 5'3"

instruments you play :: the radio…seriously, no musical talent L

 

job title :: Family Ministry Assistant/Trips and Events Coordinator and Substitute Teacher

kids :: Just our puppies for right now ;)

live :: texas

maiden name :: Richie

nicknames :: Maci Lou and Babe

overnight hospital stays :: None (knock on wood!)

pet peeve :: smacking and arrogance

quote :: "The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you. He will quiet you with His love and he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

righty or lefty :: right

siblings :: sister

time you wake up :: varies daily

university attended :: west texas a&m

vegetables you dislike:: None! I love them!

what makes you run late :: everything- and I hate being late-I am learning to embrace it though

x-rays you’ve had :: at the dentist

yummy food :: i ♥ mexican food

zoo animal favorite :: I don’t know…I guess the monkeys

Now you play along!

Something To Ponder....

My Reward

I am really into this song lately!! I love the lyrics! You should look it up on YouTube and listen here is the link http://youtu.be/8Qf-9S42wkg 

My Reward by Kristian Stanfill


I give mу life again, еνеrу breath I һаνе
Fοr Yοu аrе mу reward
Jesus, take mу life, a sacrifice
AƖƖ I һаνе іѕ Yours, аƖƖ I һаνе іѕ Yours

Yου аrе mу reward, аƖƖ I’m living fοr
I surrender аƖƖ mу life tο Yου
AƖƖ consuming fire, Yου аrе mу desire
Nο one еƖѕе bυt Yου, I surrender аƖƖ mу life tο Yου
AƖƖ tο Yου, mу Jesus
Jesus, here I аm wіtһ open hands
Lifted high tο Yου
CουƖԁ mу heart contain аƖƖ Yουr Ɩονе fοr mе?
Yου′re аƖƖ I need tο know, Yου′re аƖƖ I need tο know
Yου аrе mу reward, аƖƖ I’m living fοr
I surrender аƖƖ mу life tο Yου
AƖƖ consuming fire, Yου аrе mу desire
Nο one еƖѕе bυt Yου, I surrender аƖƖ mу life tο Yου
AƖƖ tο Yου, mу Jesus
Nothing compares tο knowing Yου
Nothing compares tο loving Yου
I’m giving mу life tο follow Yου, mу King
Oh, nothing compares tο knowing Yου
Nothing compares tο loving Yου
I’m giving mу life tο follow Yου, mу King
Mу King
Oh, nothing compares tο knowing Yου
Nothing compares tο loving Yου
I’m giving mу life tο follow Yου, mу King
Yου аrе mу reward, аƖƖ I’m living fοr
I surrender аƖƖ mу life tο Yου
AƖƖ consuming fire, Yου аrе mу desire
Nο one еƖѕе bυt Yου, I surrender аƖƖ
‘Cause Yου аrе mу reward, аƖƖ I’m living fοr
I surrender аƖƖ mу life tο Yου
AƖƖ consuming fire, Yου аrе mу desire
Nο one еƖѕе bυt Yου, I surrender аƖƖ mу life tο Yου
AƖƖ tο Yου, mу Jesus, аƖƖ tο Yου, mу King
AƖƖ tο Yου

Where has the time gone....

I am getting to leave again---for my last time this summer, to go on one more trip for work. We are taking out 4th and 5th students to Denton, TX for camp KidJam. I am really excited about this trip because I think it's going to be great for our kids, but I am also sad to leave J and the dogs again!! It will be short and sweet though thank goodness....

Needless to say of the travel and crazy stuff going on we have been having a wonderful summer!! We've had several cookouts with friends, we've to the pool every weekend just about and we've spent some time at home!!!

I look forward to what the rest of the summer and the fall with hold for us!!! Hope you all are having a great summer!! Below are some pictures of our summer fun!!! (really my summer fun..I promise J was there for most of it...I just didn't get his pics!!)

Here we are at Kayla's parents surprise party out at Lake Tanglewood!! This was fun nice! Lots of dancing and great friends!!!

 These two pictures and the one below are from High School Church Camp. I went as staff and I was so excited because Amber got to come this year too!! Her husband is on staff with me and they are our very best friends so it was super fun to have them at camp with us!!!!

Also- Amber and I went to Dallas to spend some quality girl time there and have nice little girls WEEK!!! We went to market and to cash and carry!! We went to fancy restaurants and just spent time outside!! It was so much fun and so needed!!!

This little friend showed above spent time with us at high school camp as well.... The bears were awful this year- they were actually so bad that for elementary camp we had cancel and move them to Dallas. We didn't want to risk our little kiddos getting to see a bear so KidJam it is!! It should be fun!!

Last but not least- here is part of our Friday swim group!!! Every Friday this summer (and a few Saturdays) my mom and I have gone over the Beverly Carter's house to swim in her backyard....Sherry, Bev's sister and my moms sweet friend, Debbin Bonin--another friend, Amber (my bestie) and these sweet girls spend each Friday together---once evening hits--our sweet boys come over and we swim, play water volleyball and eat supper---It has been such a fun and blessed supper!!!
-xoxox-

Jacob's Job

Jacob has been really busy with work lately...I would never complain of this because of the line of work he is in, I am THANKFUL he is busy. However I thought I would share some of his handy work with you guys on the blog....

He just finished working on the house below a few weeks ago---It's in Tuscany Village (Greenways) and it was in the Parade of Homes. Jacob did all the wood work on the outside. He handbuilt the gate from scratch. He did the front door and he also hand built the shutters from scratch. I'm a proud wife!



Love these shutters! I want him to build us some for our next house!!

Isn't this door awesome!! I love the color!! He did a great job!

The gates are my favorite part!!

A far away picture of the gate.

More of his work to come!! But that's just a taste of my hubbies talents!!