Giving Thanks

Ok, I don't want to get tooooo mushy on you today but . . . I was reading in Psalms yesterday and just felt that I needed to take a day to give thanks! Here's one of the Psalms I read, Chapter 96 (you really should read the several surrounding it too!!):

O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth. Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people. For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens. Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. Give unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength. Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts. O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth. Say among the heathen that the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously. Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fullness thereof. Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.

Reading these passages caused me to remember that I have SO MUCH to be thankful to God for!! Sunday was my 7th wedding anniversary. Since we just got back from vacation and it was a Sunday we really didn't do anything special - actually we didn't even exchange cards yet. But, I am so thankful for the wonderful husband I have been blessed with! He puts up with a lot and even encourages my crazy obsessions. :) In those 7 years we have been blessed with 4 beautiful children, how amazing!! I get frustrated sometimes with the craziness of it all, but I don't know what I'd do without each individual one of them - they are so precious!!

I am thankful for all my family, my parents, my in-laws, my brother & his family, my husband's brothers and sister and my extended family. We had a family reunion last week for my dad's family. It was my dad's siblings and 1 of my cousins and it was so great to see them!! Some of my fondest memories are of Thanksgivings spent with these aunts, uncles and cousins. I don't see them very often anymore and this time spent with them was precious - I wish it could be more!!

I have been having so much fun lately with my new Design Team for Paper Pretties. Christie Ortman has been so encouraging and sweet and I know I've formed a friendship that is precious! Thank you Christie! The other ladies on the DT are equally wonderful - we've only just "met" online but I'm thoroughly enjoying them!

I could keep listing things like my home that I love, my church and the wonderful church family where I have so many friends, my friends far and near (including you wonderful bloggin buddies!), my health, my husband's job, etc., etc. I will leave it at that for now. And I will leave you with 3 beautiful RAKs I received recently - loving the happy mail!!!

From one of my fellow DT members, Kristine Reynolds, how cute is this Bella card!! Kristine is the Queen of RAKs - I love this card!! The bejeweled brads, cuttlebugging, doodling - so much work went into this card, she is so talented!!

And from another DT member Julie Campbell, this cute Rubber Soul card - I've fallen in love with these stick people!! Oh and Julie has some up for blog candy on her blog Stamped in His Image so go enter for a chance to win! This card has so many cute layers and paper piecing and ribbon - it's heavy! There were also some goodies tucked inside - thank you so much Julie!!

Last, but not least, this great card from Melissa Ferr (I don't remember if she has a blog - sorry!!). Isn't this Cruisabella so hip on her tie-died card?? I'd love to know how you did this Melissa!! Thank you so much for your note and for the cheery card!

Ok, sorry for the long post - but it all needed to be said! Have a great day everyone!