Smallest Blessings Thursday

Seems I stirred up some controversy with my Mrs. Southern Hubby post! All I can say is that I stand by my words. Having his name as mine makes me feel loved, taken care of and respected. However, I will say that I dropped my middle name and made my middle name my maiden name. I have three sisters and thus, my daddy's name will stop with us. And I just couldn't let it go. It was a part of me for 24 years and I just couldn't part with it. I didn't hyphenate because I wanted to be able to use Mrs. Southern Hubby but still keep my full name.

Anyways, enough of that! On to Smallest Blessing Thursdays.

I know I said we had just started our Dave Ramsey envelope system, however, the real reason we did our budget was to see if I was able to afford to make the monthly payments on an RV with my business profits. Turns out, I was! I've wanted an RV since forever and I'm sooo excited we are able to get one!

We're only looking at smaller travel trailers since it's just us two and the pups and we're first time RVers. Plus, my SUV can only tow a maximum of 5,500 lbs.

We spent last weekend traveling all over the place looking at RVs. We've worked out the kinks with insurance and our bank and are thinking of buying one this weekend. The one I'm looking at is Coachmen. We were looking for new and used but ended up finding a wonderful deal on a brand new one, so we'll probably get that one. It fits all our needs. If we like it when we see it in person and decide to purchase it, I'll be sure to share pictures.

So, for my smallest blessing, I'm so thankful for all the memories we will make out on the road. I'm thankful that my business is thriving and that I'm able to not even touch Southern Hubby's paycheck. I'm thankful that even in this economy, we are able to make purchases like this. We are truly blessed.

What are you thankful for?

Happy Smallest Blessings Thursday!

xoxo Y

PS- Why is Mr. Linky still acting up?! Hopefully this one will work.

Smallest Blessings Thursday

Thanks for joining me for the Smallest Blessings Thursday this week!

Where are you finding your small blessings? Are you looking for them or do they just pop up? This is the whole point of this meme- recognizing that we are given many blessings daily, big and small, and remember to give thanks and praise to the Lord for them. Even the small ones deserve our thanksgiving!

If you would like to participate this week, just hop on over here to the see the rules. They're super easy and we all know each one of us has at least one small blessing to share!

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This week, my blessing is, well- you're looking at her! Each and every one of you readers is a blessing to me. Whether I know you or not, and even those gals that don't leave me comments, I'm so blessed be surrounded by such a wonderful and diverse community.

I've got Republican readers, Democratic readers, breastfeeding mama readers, single women, stay home wife readers, work at home mama readers, working mama readers, Christian readers, apron wearing readers, retro housewife reader, southern preppy readers, college gal readers, Texas readers, readers from those other states ;), international readers, published author readers, rich readers, poor readers, and everything in between.

I've talked to so many of you through my blog and you've given me back some love through comments and the wonderful emails I get daily. I can't tell you how much some of them have touched me. It's amazing how I can write one thing and have it touch someone in a completely different way- to me, that is so God working. So, thank you to those readers that feel the need to tell me what specifically made them think, or brought them clarity, or comforted them. You have no idea how much those mean to me.

And to thank all my readers, I'm doing a super quick giveaway- to thank those that are daily readers and those that come to The Smallest Blessing Thursday every week. I'm giving away one Aniston Little charm in the font of your choice.

There's only one way to enter- link up to your Smallest Blessing Post. That's it. No follow me's, or posting on your blog for another entry. Just share with me what your smallest blessing has been this week. Your entry doesn't even have to have a picture- although it's always nice to see what the reader is talking about. (*go to the rules page here if you want to know how to play).

Contest ends tonight at 10pm central time. I will announce the winner tomorrow morning.

Happy Smallest Blessing Thursday!

xoxo Y

"From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another." -John 1:16

The Smallest Blessings Thursday 5.28.09

Thanks for joining me for the Smallest Blessings Thursday this week! Where are you finding your small blessings? Are you looking for them or do they just pop up? This is the whole point of this meme- recognizing that we are given many blessings daily, big and small, and remember to give thanks and praise to the Lord for them. Even the small ones deserve our thanksgiving!

If you would like to participate this week, just hop on over here to the see the rules. They're super easy and we all know each one of us has at least one small blessing to share!

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If you're a regular reader, I'm sure you remember this post about my discovery of our little patio friends. If not, go back and read it. My smallest blessing for this week is how their sweet story ended...

Now we knew those little love birds were up to something. They've been circling their nest, never leaving, and poor hubby got kicked out and had to sleep on the ledge a few times! And yesterday, I finally got a few glimpses at what that something was! Er, well, actually- what the somethings were!

How cute are those little baby birds!? As soon as I saw on of their little heads, I ran and got my camera, hopped on a chair and started clicking away. Unfortunately, the lighting conditions were horrible, I was way underneath them, so I could never get a good focus shot on the babies themselves, and the pictures came out blurry, BUT, I'm not letting that get in the way of the fact that not many people get the privy of seeing the tender moments that nature can have.

When I was done, I let them get back to their lunch. I stepped off my chair and was reminded of just how awesome and powerful God is. He has made so many mysteries and secrets of the world. He knows why he created these animals, what purpose they serve and how they live out their lives daily. There are some things us humans will never know. I went inside and thanked God for creating such a beautiful universe. And I thanked Him for letting me in on such wonderful secrets.

Happy Smallest Blessings Thursday!
xoxo Y

U For whatever reason, Mr. Linky is not working. So, leave your links in the comments section and I'll try to check periodically and post them in the message for easier reader access.

PS- I joined The Nesters Lampapalooza Party. Check it out here if you love all things lamp.

PPS- I've had several sweet inquiries about precious Matty and tomorrow I will be back with an update. Thank you SO much for thinking about him and praying for him. My dogs are my babies. I love them with my whole heart. And when one is hurting, I hurt, too. So your prayers mean just so much to me.

The Smallest Blessings Thursday

This week, my smallest blessing is my newest cousin -n-law, Sabiha. She married Southern Hubby's cousin, Julius, who is also his best friend. Living in a small town in Michigan, they spent their childhood and teen years joined at the hip.

It was quite the dilemma when sweet Sabiha, a Muslim, wanted to marry into our huge Catholic family. Thankfully, God opened up our family's hearts and everyone welcomed her with open arms.

She came into our lives at a tumultuous time in our country. I'm thankful and blessed that Sabiha has taught me not to judge someone by their religion or background. I'm thankful that I don't look at every Muslim and see 'terrorist.' This adorable Indian girl is as American as apple pie. Born and raised in Michigan, she's got the cutest northern accent. And she says, 'pop' instead of 'coke' like us Southerners do! lol.

Her and Julius are amazing and gentle dentists (she made my teeth whitening molds!) They work in a very nice office in MI and actually have a couple celebs as clients and one of those celebs asked them to be in his next movie! I don't know what the movie is called or when it's due to release, but all I know is they got to spend a whole day shooting with Minnie Driver! How cool is that?!

I love, love my sweet Sabiha. She is my blessing for the week. :)

What's yours?

Happy Smallest Blessings Thursday!
xoxo Y

Smallest Blessings Thursday

Thanks for joining me for the Smallest Blessings Thursday this week! Where are you finding your small blessings? Are you looking for them or do they just pop up? This is the whole point of this meme- recognizing that we are given many blessings daily, big and small, and remember to give thanks and praise to the Lord for them. Even the small ones deserve our thanksgiving!

If you would like to participate this week, just hop on over here to the see the rules. They're super easy and we all know each one of us has at least one small blessing to share!

This week, my smallest blessings, are these two love birds that have made a home for themselves on this tiny little ledge in our backyard. Yes, there is an abundance of bird poopy on my patio, but each morning I get to hear them coo at each other while I'm doing my Bible study. What a beautiful reminder of all of God's creations!

Happy Smallest Blessings Thursday!

xoxo Y

Smallest Blessings Thursday

Thanks for joining me for the Smallest Blessings Thursday this week! Where are you finding your small blessings? Are you looking for them or do they just pop up? This is the whole point of this meme- recognizing that we are given many blessings daily, big and small, and remember to give thanks and praise to the Lord for them. Even the small ones deserve our thanksgiving!

If you would like to participate this week, just hop on over here to the see the rules. They're super easy and we all know each one of us has at least one small blessing to share!

My HUGE blessing came last night when I received a call around 11pm telling me that my baby sister L and her boyfriend T had just been robbed/mugged at gunpoint but was safe.

Around 9pm, my sister drove T home. He usually comes over my parents house after school to do homework and spend time with my family. They were talking for a bit when a guy in sunglasses and a baseball cap came up to her car and demanded all her money and anything expensive she had. He forced his body in the car and started going through all her stuff. Luckily, all she had was her purse, her Amex and a few dollar bills. He grabbed that and asked, "What else do you got? I know you have more stuff." But she honestly didn't and it made him mad. Thankfully, by the GRACE of GOD, he just took off running. They both ran inside and called the police.

When I think of the things that could have happened, like him forcing her to take him to her ATM, or him forcing her to drive to an out of the way place and do God knows what, I get sick to my stomach. So, I'm breaking the rules of my own meme. My blessing is that for whatever reason, God spared her and T's life that night. He sent them some guardian angels that were watching over the whole situation to make sure it didn't get out of hand.

She's heading off to college in the fall and I know this is going to make it more difficult for my mama. This is her last child before they have an empty nest, and I'm sure her worry for them is doubled now. All she can do is leave her future and safety in God's powerful hands.

Thanks for letting me share. I'm pretty upset about all of this, so I don't know if I'll be around much this weekend. I plan on jamming in a whole lot of sister activities!

Happy Praising of the Lord and His divine love!

xoxo Y

The Smallest Blessings Thursday

Thanks for joining me for the Smallest Blessings Thursday this week! Where are you finding your small blessings? Are you looking for them or do they just pop up? This is the whole point of this meme- recognizing that we are given many blessings daily, big and small, and remember to give thanks and praise to the Lord for them. Even the small ones deserve our thanksgiving!

If you would like to participate this week, just hop on over here to the see the rules. They're super easy and we all know each one of us has at least one small blessing to share!

This week, my small blessings are each of the milestones our Mattie has made! He still gets very timid and scared at times, but there are other times that he just runs and hops all over the yard! Look at him go!

He is starting to know what treats are and that they taste very yummy. He knows the feeling of having the back of his ears scratched. He knows that the soft, warm bed he gets to sleep in each night is safe and secure. Less and less, he's waking up from what I can only assume are nightmares, as he wakes in a panic and in self defense mode. He's learning that he doesn't have to always look over his shoulder when he's eating- no one is there to steal his meal. He's learning that mommy and daddy do not know how to stop giving him kisses and squeezing on him! I think he is just really coming into what it means to be a dog- not some faceless/nameless worker that is holed up in a crate 24/7.

I praise God for these small little miracles. And I'm so thankful that I think he's finally understanding what it feels like to be loved and cherished.

Happy puppy love!

xoxo Y

What are your smallest blessings this week?

The Smallest Blessings Thursday

Thanks for joining me for the Smallest Blessings Thursday this week! Where are you finding your small blessings? Are you looking for them or do they just pop up? This is the whole point of this meme- recognizing that we are given blessings, big and small, every single day of our lives, and giving thanks and praise to the Lord for them.

If you want to participate this week, just hop on over here to the see the rules. They're super easy and we all know each one of us has at least one small blessing to share!

This week, my smallest blessing is found in my grandmother's backyard. It's a record of our family on my maternal side. Two names have been added to the clan now, but in 2000, this is what our we looked like.

I love that my grandmother thought to capture a moment in such a childlike fashion, with no regard to formality and no worries of messing up her patio. A permanent snapshot in cement, this symbolizes how strong we are as a family.

The Smallest Blessings Thursday

Thanks for joining me for the Smallest Blessings Thursday! Are you noticing how easy it is becoming to spot the small blessings now that you know they're out there and are looking for them? This is the whole point of this meme- recognizing that we are given blessings, big and small, every single day of our lives, and giving thanks and praise to the Lord for them.

If you want to participate this week, just hop on over here to the see the rules. They're super easy and we all know each one of us has at least one small blessing to share!

This week, my smallest blessing is the fact that my Southern Hubby comes home to me each night! He doesn't want to go to a bar after work to drown his sorrows; he doesn't want to go gambling, or another woman's house, or anywhere else. He wants to come home! Praise God that I have a wonderful husband who wants to take off his shoes at our house each night. I know there are some women out there who don't get this luxury. And for that, I'm so thankful.



Update: Try as I might, I did not want to post about the tea parties that have been happening around the country. I told myself that I would stay out of posting about politics after the election but I can't keep my big mouth shut about this one because it angers me so much and I feel the great need to defend our poor President Obama.

The new president is only cleaning up after the last 8 years of rotten leadership and spending we have been forced to go through. I don't even want to know how much this horrible and stupid war is costing us. We are trillions of dollars in debt because of Mr. Bush, and this with Clinton actually leaving us a surplus when he left! (http://tiny.cc/7swJe) I truly hope that Obama does not get persecuted because he cannot clean up the economy in 4 short years when it took Bush double that to get us into it!

Ok, got it out of my system. And whether you believe it or not, I do consider myself conservative on many issues, lol! Agree or disagree, we all have the right to freedom of speech, and I expect that my very conservative readers will exercise that right in the comments section today! ;) So, have at it gals!

The Smallest Blessings Thursday

Thanks for joining me for the second Smallest Blessings Thursday! Are you noticing how easy it is becoming to spot the small blessings now that you know they're out there and are looking for them? This is the whole point of this meme- recognizing that we are given blessings, big and small, every single day of our lives, and giving thanks and praise to the Lord for them.

If you want to participate this week, just hop on over here to the see the rules. They're super easy and we all know each one of us has at least one small blessing to share!

I love this look my sister L is giving to my niece. This look is my smallest blessing today. That look, while not always rare, only happens in the home, around family and friends. It's a look of security, confidence and pure joy.

It happened when I used to talk to my sissy in our 'secret language,' being absolute certain no adult understood us. It happened when I used sit and chat with my mama when she was cooking. It happened when my sissy S and I got in a huge baby powder fight one Saturday afternoon. It happened when my daddy would tell us a super corny joke and laugh at himself in pride.

And now that I'm grown and creating a family of my own, you can still find that look here. I spotted it when I caught this shot on my baby sister's 18th birthday. (Can I still call her my baby sister when she's 18 and will be a college freshman in the fall? And I saw it again later that night when we were playing games at the dining room table. Oh, and one more time when daddy told that same corny joke. Thank you Lord for daddy's corny jokes. ;)

Happy Small Blessing Thursdays, y'all!
xoxo Y

Final Week! : 21 Days to Becoming an Effective Wife

That was it girls! Your last week to make those habits and goals you planed for yourself stick!. How did every one do? Take this opportunity to write what you took away from this. What things did you learn? What stuck? Did you plan a goal that ended up not being the best idea?

I can't wait to read everyone's results!

My results:

I learned a lot in these past three weeks about how I handle the things that I'd like to get done. I learned that I like to procrastinate. I learned that putting things off isn't always the best idea. I learned that snuggling on the couch with your dog and hubby, even when you have a sink full of empty dishes is okay. I learned that getting up and spending time with Him in His word is the BEST way to start my day and make sure that I am productive. I learned that remembering the scripture verses I read each morning give me motivation to be a better wife.

The main thing I walked away with in this challenge is how important getting up early is. I had been slacking since our Mexico trip and am very happy to get back into the swing of things. Thanks so much for participating and I'll be hopping over to your page soon!

Happy Monday, folks!

xoxo Y

PS- I was soooo happy to see such enthusiasm for thursday's, The Smallest Blessings meme. I can't wait for next week's! Be on the look out for those small things you are thankful for each day and be sure to join us again this week!

Here we go.... the smallest blessings!

After work, Southern Hubby was outside doing some gardening and I spotted his hands- his strong, working hands that provide for me as his wife. I am so blessed by his simple hands. They don't have gaudy diamonds on them. They don't have intricate tattoos, or a gold ring on each finger. But they're mine and they're perfect as they are.

It is amazing and powerful what those hands accomplish. They hold mine tightly when I get scared taking off on plane rides. They bring me my nightly vitamins every day. They envelop my hands when we are praying in church. They tuck me in at night. They hold my face tenderly when he kisses me. And for this and more, I'm so blessed.

Happy gracious and praiseful wives!!! Thanks so much for participating in our first Smallest Blessings Meme! Yay!

xoxo Y

The Smallest Blessings

What a wonderful response I had for this meme! I'm so excited because, unlike Crafty Tuesdays, we can all participate on this one. Who doesn't have something to be thankful for? For those who were sad to see CT go, I'd LOVE to see what you did! Email me with a picture! I'm all about all things crafty so let me know what you're still up to. I will still be doing posts on crafts, it will just have to not be in meme form.

And let's try Thursdays and see what we get. I know there are some really good Thursday memes but as I went through the days of the week, something good is on every day! If this doesn't work out, we can talk about moving the date. On with the show...

The simple rules:

1. Post one picture that displays a small blessing in your life. It can be the bee that pollinates your garden to the swept up dirt pile on your floor (because that means you have floor to sweep!) Whatever you see as a small blessing, the rest of us might be able to relate.

I'm eager to see what people come up with, because heaven knows we all need the reminder that all blessings don't have to be big. Some are very simple but found in everyday life. It's easy to see the blessings in the big things, but how often does your husband get a raise, your daughter win a spelling be, or you win a free bag of groceries when you were already down to your last dime? When miracles like those happen, we are down on our knees with praise and gratitude to the Lord. But how often do we get down on our knees for sounds of your husband snoring at night, or fleece blanket that keeps your warm on the couch? The little, everyday things are worthy of praise and prayer, too.

2. Give a short (or long if you wish!) note on why your are thankful for this blessing. What does it mean to you and how does it apply to your life?

3. Link up here to Mr. Linky and make sure your link goes to your Smallest Blessing post, not your blog address. ( To do this, you must click on the timestamp of your post, after posting it. That will take you to another page with the full address- your blog + your blog post entry.)

4. Insert this banner into your post with a link back to my post hosting that day's Smallest Blessing. I've also included button you can put on your sidebars to spread the word around and let others know you are a participant.

I've given you two options for your button. One is a member button, and one is a regular button. Use whichever you'd like! :)

I'll be back tomorrow morning with my first Smallest Blessing post. I actually just took a picture of it. As soon as I saw it, I knew it would be perfect! See y'all tomorrow!

Happy blessings to you all!

xoxo Y