Thankful Thursday

Wow, it's been a sort of challenging week to find things to be thankful for. I'm not sure why... no particular reason. I guess I've just been mired down in "real" life. So I was glad to take some time to be grateful. I've been enjoying some stress-free yoga sessions and morning quiet times. I think those have been my saving grace. I've watched how God has protected me, even cause joy, in the midst of some hard situations.

I'm also thankful for:

The hope of June/July and all its changes and adventures.

My friend Jenny who has helped me navigate the TriCare system.

New recipes.

Days at the beach.

Yoga workouts found on YouTube.

Mini Snickers bars from a co-worker.

My Coastie's voice when he calls me late a night.

Be thankful today! Spread the gratitude to others!

Thankful Thursday

It has certainly been a few weeks since I have written. I wish it was because my life has been full of scintillating adventures and tales worth repeating, but alas... my world has been blissfully normal and quiet.

I had a great visit with my best friend Elizabeth (check out her blog at Mama Liz) and her baby boy Connor. There is nothing, and I mean nothing, quite like 5 days of best friend time. I wish the Florida weather had been more cooperative, but that was just a good excuse to stay up late talking and eating junk food. We've been friends for 20 years (are you sure I'm old enough to say that??), but our friendship still feels as loving and deep as ever, despite the miles and the changes we've seen in the last year.

Anyways, enough mushy talk. This week, I am just grateful for the Lord's provision as He called us California. We'd been praying and praying that we would be called where He could use us. Honestly, we never even considered He would pick a Mayberry-sized town in middle-of-nowhere California. However, Team Preston will be joyfully packing up and heading west come this summer.

I'm also thankful for:

Fresh strawberries.

Matthew 6:25 and Psalm 119:116.

Phone calls from all the important women in my life.

Increasing self-discipline.

Proof that being polite can go a long way.

A trip to Tennessee soon.

Emails and short phone calls from across the seas.

His safety and health while away.

And mostly, Team Preston itself. I couldn't have chosen a better man to partner with on this journey. In his words, "No matter what hill comes our way on this path, I know Team Preston can climb over it and be better for it."

Aunt Hilary and baby Connor

Thankful Thursday

For those of you who understand our lifestyle, you can probably guess why I haven't posted very much in the last few weeks. But don't you worry, you one random person who is the only one who reads this besides me! I will be posting a lot more very, very soon.

Until then, I will still post a Thankful Thursday list. This week, I am thankful for:

Leviticus 19:32

A free lunch

Tri-care insurance

Maintenance workers who fix things around my house for me

Grapefruit

Honeynut Cheerios

Books that can enthrall me

Recipes from blogs that rock my socks off

My husband... every day and every minute

Be thankful today! Spread your positive gratitude to others!

Thankful Thursday

It's Thursday! Again?? Where has the time gone? Last week, I was so excited and busy for Christmas. This week, I am procrastinating on putting away Christmas decorations and feeling completely overwhelmed at work. However, I know I always have something to look forward to on Thursdays. I feel blessed that I have at least a few minutes to focus on all my many, many blessings (one of which is the sweet cat currently sitting in my lap).

As I think about all the amazing and hidden blessings in my life, I am reminded most of the Lord's presence in my life. Don't worry, I'm not going to sermonize. But, my social worker heart must also recognize and feel blessed for the family and friends who believe differently than I do and celebrate different reasons for this season. No matter what you believe, I am blessed to have you in my life - to love me, challenge me, and provoke deep thoughts. Thank you.

Okay, enough of the random deep thoughts. This week, I am thankful for:

New pearl earrings from my Coastie.

A successful Christmas dinner with lots of good food and friends.

A Christmas morning Skype date with my mom, sister, and brother-in-law.

A husband who can fix cars (and looks handsome while doing so!).

Walks at sunset.

Transforming leftovers into yummy meals.

Homemade fudge.

Books on cd for the long commute to work.

My new kitchen accessories.

A sweet first Christmas with my Coastie.

Cool mornings in Florida.

Leftovers.

Sweet, sweet friends who bless me in ways they could never imagine just by being alive.

A good night's rest.

I hope you can take a moment, count your blessings, and feel thankful for something or someone in your life today. Be blessed!

Thankful Thursday

This week has been a week full of reality - both the Coastie and I are hard at work at our jobs. However, we've been blessed to have similar schedules and be home at about the same time. We're also able to do some of our regular activities we enjoy - rock climbing for the Coastie, evening walks for me with a friend, and date nights.

So, this week has been peaceful and wonderful. I am so thankful for:

Apple Crisp

Our beautiful live Christmas tree

Cooler weather

Sweet co-workers

Cooking in the crock-pot

Prayers

Long afternoons with the Coastie

Productive days

Reliable vehicles

Candlesticks made by my great-grandfather

Sunday naps.

Be thankful today!!!

Thankful Thursday

This week has been another week of personal challenges, hard lessons to learn, and simple, small joys. We have a lot going on here at the Preston household, but we are grateful to have each other and this life.

This week, I am thankful for:

Quiet mornings of coffee and yoga.

Another Skype date with my husband.

A paycheck.

Getting to know more of my heart and mind throughout challenges.

Sweet words from residents.

Beautiful sunrises.

Seeing two rainbows.

Trying a new recipe and it actually being delicious.

Somehow always having the resources to do what I need to do.

The support of my husband.

Snuggles from Mr. McGee.

Veterans who sacrificed their own agenda to protect my safety, security, and freedom.

My husband who sacrifices his safety, sleep, hobbies, and time at home to make sure bad people and bad things don't make it into this country.

Be thankful today! Try to thank a veteran, too!

Thankful Thursday

I'm writing this so late in the day, but better late than never! A lot has happened in a week - some good, some not so good. But Team Preston has remained strong and united. It is always encouraging, too, to see how God answers prayers.

Here's what I am thankful this week:

Skype dates with my husband (he is so handsome!).

Friend time.

Pictures of friends celebrating Fall back home.

Quickly answered prayers.

Humbling, but huge, learning curves.

Homemade hummus.

A clean office.

A job.

Friendly customer service at our bank... even at midnight.

More family coming to visit.

Phone calls from my mom and sister.

My "Millie" (mother-in-law).

Power yoga in the mornings.

Cheesy tourist attractions (see below).

And only 3 more weeks until family time in Tennessee!!!

Thankful Thursday

Since I haven't blogged in a week, it is perfect that it is Thankful Thursday!! I've had quite a busy week - full of starting a new job, lots of company, and new adventures in my new local town. This post helps me focus and shift my attention back to what is truly important. I find it is so easy to become mired down in the day-to-day worries and concerns. Thursday is my day to acknowledge all the blessings I have.

So, this week, I am incredibly thankful for:

A visit with my mom.

A week of incredible sunsets.

Exploring the local area and seeing incredible art.

Meeting other military wives.

Hearing my husband's voice.

Sweet friends.

Chicken and veggie stir fry.

The hilarious and sweet residents at my new job.

Naps.

Decisions that bring me peace.

Quality conversations.

Afternoons at the beach.

Be thankful today and every day!

Thankful Thursday

I have SO many things to be thankful this week. The first and most important - I am officially employed!!! Not only am I employed, but I have a great title, my own office, and it's with a Christian company so I can share my faith. Plus, I've only been here 3 weeks! God is so good! We feel so blessed for this calling. I am completely at peace and so eager to start to work.

I'm also thankful for:

Chicken tetrazinni.

My cute pink glue gun.

My mom's upcoming visit.

Phone calls from back home.

Skype dates with my best friend.

New recipes.

A wonderful friend in another Coastie wife.

A free gym membership (that I actually taken advantage of!).

The friendly people at the Family Readiness Center who are so helpful.

The very cool Florida weather.

Encouraging words about this blog from others.

Sweet cards in the mail.

Be thankful today... and every day. Happy Thursday!

Thankful Thursday

It's that time again... the day of the week where I sit and make my list of all the things I am most grateful for that week. Thankful Thursday! This week has been packed full of blessings, sad moments, surprises, good conversations, and tightening the belt until payday. BUT, I am still thankful and grateful to the Lord for all these things and for all the other blessings I am sure I am not even aware of yet.

Here's this week's list:
My sister's visit.
The amazing Coastie wives who have checked in on me.
Leftovers.
Payday.
Learning my way around enough to not have to use the GPS.
A phone call about a job.
My husband loving the chicken pot pie I made for him.
Sweet friends back home.
A Navy wife who is a life-saver, good friend, excellent mom, and general cheerleader of life.
Home-made hummus.
Church shopping with my husband.
Waffles on Sundays.
A phone call from my cousin.
Sunscreen and days at the beach.
A free gym membership.

I am one blessed gal!

Be thankful today! I'm going to go enjoy the last hours I have with my sister during this visit. Have a great Thursday!

Thankful Thursday

Almost two years ago, I started a tradition for myself. I was the only one doing it. I belong to Facebook (like every other human being living in a second or first world country), but I had noticed something that was bothering me. It seemed as though every post by a friend, former acquaintance, or family member was negative, disparaging, or demeaning or degrading towards someone or something. I decided that I would strive to be different. I would strive to be different within myself, first. Then, I would show that to the world. One of those avenues would be Facebook. Now, don't get me wrong, I like to complain, vent, or run off at the mouth just like everyone else in this world. I think it is healthy and cathartic. However, there is a fine line between venting to your best friend (or my mother in my case) and airing all of my "dirty laundry" or unladylike or offensive thoughts, feelings, or opinions on the internet. So, long story short, I created "Thankful Thursday." Every Thursday, I sit and think about what I am grateful for that week. It could be a conversation, ripe fruit, a gift from a friend, a small act of kindness, or a sunrise. It could be anything! I take time to make my list and share it with God. Then, and only then, do I share it with my friends, family, and Facebook stalkers.

This has caught on... although that was never my intention. My intention was simply to become more positive in my own life and ways of thinking. I never dreamed it would inspire others. I am humbled that so many of my friends, family, and Facebook acquaintances have picked up on this positive habit. Thursdays are the highlight of my week! I get on Facebook simply to read the positive gratitude that others are sharing with the world. So many people have thanked me for this inspiration (in real life!) or have started posting their list on Facebook. I invite you to join me... even if your list is made quietly within yourself.

Be thankful today. Be thankful everyday. In my field of social work, we believe that every human being has a strength or good quality they can share with the world. I translate that to my everyday life - even a bad day or bad week has some "strength" or positive spin on it that I should be grateful and thankful to my God for providing. Even if you aren't a believer in a higher power, I still encourage you to pause, look around you, and be grateful for what and whom you see.

If I remember in my disorganized life, I will try to share with you my list each Thursday. Enjoy and feel free to share with me what you are thankful for in YOUR life!

This week, I am thankful for:

The hope of employment.
Seeing our wedding photos.
Having our first dinner guest to our house last night.
Phone calls from our families back home.
Our super nice neighbors.
Yellow mums.
Plans and a plane ticket to Tennessee for Thanksgiving.
The weird satisfaction that comes from a life lived without unnecessary luxuries.
Dinner with my husband even while he is on duty.
Surprises from my husband (because he is so darn sweet!).
My silly cat and his antics.
Snickerdoodles (homemade and yummy!).
A brand new washer and dryer (that is a necessity... not a luxury).

Be thankful today!!