Merry Merry Christmas

What I'm Thankful For...Day 24

10 years ago today Grant proposed to me! Yes, on Santa's lap! It was awesome! I was in complete shock! What a man I have! I still remember that moment like it happened yesterday! He said to me when we first met "I will never date you." Then we started dating. Then he said "I will never marry you." Well, we all know how that turned out. Then it was "We will NEVER have kids." Now if only he would say "We will NEVER be rich!" I knew from the moment that we met that he would change my life...and he has. He has brought me so much joy, so much love, so much..EVERYTHING! I am so thankful that he is my husband. I am so proud of him. I love you baby! 4 more days!

What I'm Thankful For...Day 23

My in-laws! They totally rock! They are the hardest working couple I have ever known..and they are equally loving. I could not ask for better grandparents for Macen. I realized today that I don't have a picture of them together...so that's going to be one of my goals this coming year! Thank you Rick and Linda for EVERYTHING!

Rest in Peace

Elizabeth Edwards lived the hand she was dealt with unimaginable grace and humor. She did what was best for her and her family. In what may have been her final words, she said she had been sustained through difficult times by three saving graces"my family, my friends, and a faith in the power of resilience and hope." God Speed Mrs. Edwards...you will be remembered..

What I'm Thankful For...Day 22

December 7, 1941, "A Date which will live in Infamy"

Today, we remember the attack on Pearl Harbor.

I am thankful for the men and women who fought that day..and the days that followed.

I am thankful that our country pulled together. I am thankful that we didn't hide from the battle.

I am thankful that we still remember the events that took place on this date in 1941.

Most of all, I am thankful for the sailors, marines, soldiers, and airmen that continue to protect us.

On a private note..I dedicate this posting in memory of my Grandpa Johnson, a sailor in WWII.

What I'm Thankful For....Day 21

ICE CREAM!!! I love Ice Cream. I know it may sound silly to be thankful for this amazing frozen treat..but I am! Ice cream and Pie, Ice cream when I'm sad, Ice Cream when I'm happy...it's just a good treat! I love the winter flavors the most, with the exception of Chubby Hubby. I found out that some kids have never even tried ice cream, and that makes me sad...Does that mean they will never know the true taste of happiness? Something to ponder as I break open my carton of Peppermint twist....

What I'm Thankful For...Day 20

The Rice kids...What can I say about them that I haven't already said before? These kids are incredible!

Will..my man! He was so much fun to spoil when he was a baby..now he's just fun! I love to talk to him..he's so funny and handsome!

Kaylee..the superstar! WOW! She's got more talent in her pinky than I do in my entire body! You should hear her sing!

And Maddie....The BRAIN! I expect her to be the youngest Nobel winner! she amazes me! She should be in college...or the movies..either one would fit!

Rice kids..I love you!

What I'm Thankful For..Day 19

Ahhhh..The Cunningham Family. Oh, how these three have changed my life! I love them to bits. First, we have RJ. The kid who made me watch "ET" about a thousand times. The man who is about to baptize Macen. The kid who has the biggest heart of anyone I know! Just when I thought he couldn't improve anymore, he marries Kirstin. This girl ROCKS! She's beautiful, and tough! A lethal combination! I am so happy she chose to be a part of our family.

Courtney..my love. The girl who tries to save the world. No matter what she is going through..I know she will beat the odds. My prayers are with her!

What I'm Thankful For....Day 18

Over the next few days my "Thankful For" will be all about my amazing nieces and nephews..(and spouses) Today, it's about my oldest brother Bills kids. Rebecca (and her husband Justin) Rachael, and Matthew. I love love love these kids..I know they're not really kids, but I get to call them whatever I want..It's MY blog! They make me smile, they make me laugh, but most of all they make me proud. I still won't give up my facebook for them, but I hope they know how much I adore them!

What I'm Thankful For...Day 17

Gina (and Bill)

Rich (and Macen)

Alan (and Maddie)

Sara

These people are the crazies who voluntarily joined our family!

I am so thankful for my brother(s) and Sister(s) in-law.

They put up with so much being a part of this crazy Wadley Family!

Each one of them is so unique, and perfect for the person that they married!
Thank you for being a part of our lives! We love you!

What I'm Thankful For...Day 16

I love my dogs. They drive me INSANE!!! But I love them. I don't understand people who don't like animals. My dogs are as much a part of my family as my brothers and sisters. I do believe that our pets are in Heaven. I can't imagine Heaven without Jack, Widget, Oreo, or even my two ferrets. In fact, I imagine my little Katie playing with Widge..Oreo sitting next to her...with Jack chasing the breeze. That to me, is Heaven!

A man and his dog were walking along a road.The man was enjoying the scenery, when it suddenly occurred to him that he was dead.He remembered dying, and that the dog walking beside him had been dead for years.

He wondered where the road was leading them.

After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall along one side of the road.

It looked like fine marble..At the top of a long hill, it was broken by a tall arch that glowed in the sunlight.

When he was standing before it, he saw a magnificent gate in the arch that looked like mother-of-pearl, and the street that led to the gate looked like pure gold.

He and the dog walked toward the gate, and as he got closer, he saw a man at a desk to one side.
When he was close enough, he called out, 'Excuse me, where are we?'

'This is Heaven, sir,' the man answered.

'Wow! Would you happen to have some water?' the man asked.

'Of course, sir. Come right in, and I'll have some ice water brought right up.

'The man gestured, and the gate began to open.

'Can my friend,' gesturing toward his dog, 'come in, too?' the traveller asked.'I'm sorry, sir, but we don't accept pets.'

The man thought a moment and then turned back toward the road and continued the way he had been going with his dog.

After another long walk, and at the top of another long hill, he came to a dirt road leading through a farm gate that looked as if it had never been closed. There was no fence.As he approached the gate, he saw a man inside, leaning against a tree and reading a book....

'Excuse me!' he called to the man. 'Do you have any water?''Yeah, sure, there's a pump over there, come on in.'

'How about my friend here?' the traveller gestured to the dog.

'There should be a bowl by the pump,' said the man.

They went through the gate, and sure enough, there was an old-fashioned hand pump with a bowl beside it.

The traveller filled the water bowl and took a long drink himself,then he gave some to the dog.

When they were full, he and the dog walked back toward the man who was standing by the tree.

'What do you call this place?' the traveller asked.

'This is Heaven,' he answered.

'Well, that's confusing,' the traveller said.'The man down the road said that was Heaven, too.'

'Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and pearly gates? Nope. That's hell.'

'Doesn't it make you mad for them to use your name like that?'

'No, we're just happy that they screen out the folks who would leave their best friends behind.'

What I'm Thankful For...Day 15

Last night I had the honor of attending Donna Darlene's birthday party. I shouldn't say her age so I'll let you guess. If you guess 1 less than 71 or 1 higher than 69 you'd be right. She doesn't act it! She is an incredible woman, and I am grateful for her and for all my moms friends. The women at our "Bunco Party" are so awesome! Happy Birthday Ms. Donna. You have made my life better just by knowing you!

THE BIRTHDAY GIRL!!!!
WE LOVE YOU DONNA!!

What I'm Thankful For...Day 15 continued

What I'm Thankful For....Day 15

That's right..I AM THANKFUL FOR FACEBOOK! Where else can you connect with long lost friends, stay connected with new friends, play games, poke people without ever having to touch them, and tell everyone what you're thinking right when you're thinking it? I love Facebook. I don't care that people mock me for it. I don't care if they get sick of me. It's been a sanity saver with Grant being in Japan.
My friends on Facebook keep me happy. They make me think about other things other than myself. I can't feel sorry for myself when I'm on Facebook. I know some of the most awesome people, and I get to hear from them almost every day. So, Thank you thank you Thank you Facebook!

What I'm Thankful For...Day 14

Come Let Us Adore Him

Today I gave a talk about gratitude at church. I am so grateful for so many things, but none more than my Savior.
Most of you know, that I don't really like to talk religion. I find it to be very personal. I can tell you what I believe, but I don't preach it. I would rather live it. But, I can not do a "Thankful for" list without Jesus Christ. I owe him a huge debt of gratitude that I can only hope to repay.
As we start this festive holiday let us remember that he is, after all, the
"Reason For The Season"

What I'm Thankful For...Day 13

I am thankful for the start of the Christmas season..which in my house starts when Santa comes down the street at the end of the Macy's Day Parade. I love it. I wait for him..I feel like a kid all over again each year. Christmas is so much fun. I love the spirit of Christmas. I love the shopping, the songs, the food, the decorations. Mostly, I love the story of Christmas. The hope that once again there will be "Peace on Earth, and Good will towards Man." Merry Merry Christmas everybody! May this season bring all the joy you need!

What I'm Thankful For...Day 12

Okay, I LOVE pie. I mean, LOVE LOVE LOVE it. It is better than cake. I love Thanksgiving because it always comes with pie.
I am thankful for pie. I'm thankful that I can make ANY pie I want.
I am thankful for the fact that pie comes in so many different flavors....
I am thankful that my son and I got to eat pumpkin pie for breakfast today..and we LOVED it!
Let's give a shout out to PIE!
(and on a side note, baby...17 more days)

What I'm Thankful For ....Day 11 ( HAPPY THANKSGIVING)

Oh, Heavenly Father,
We thank Thee for food and remember the hungry.
We thank Thee for health and remember the sick.
We thank Thee for freedom and remember the enslaved.
May these remembrances stir us to service,
That Thy gifts to us may be used for others. Amen.

What I'm Thankful For...Day 10

"The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts. No Americans have been more impoverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving." ~H.U. Westermayer

Today, more than any other time of the year, I am thankful for the "pilgrims" who left the old world searching for a place that they could follow their own beliefs. They wanted to praise God in their own way. They took a ship through the rough waters of the Atlantic, facing sickness, death, and starvation along the way.When they arrived in that cold December, they realized that they had bitten off more than they could chew. That first year, they lost loved ones...but continued to build. They befriended the Natives, and with their help, learned to grow crops, and survive in the wild. The stories are amazing. These "Puritans" had more faith in God than I think most would. I honor them today, and thank God for their strength.