The New Year Resolution Review...

It's finally here....

The New Year Resolution Review!!!

I really debated on what my New Year's Resolutions should be this year and I didn't want to have the same old lame resolutions that are impossible to keep...like losing weight, eating better, or excercising more (although I REALLY need to do those too).

So without further ado, here are my 2010 New Year's Resolutions...

Attend church every single Sunday. I truly believe I have found the perfect church, pastor, and church family at Southpoint Community Church. I love everything about the church, what it teaches, and how personable and friendly the entire congregation is. Although I think I am pretty good about attending church, I think I can make better choices and attend EVERY single Sunday.

Put my marriage BEFORE infertility. This past year (well actually the past four years) has been spent on calculating my ovulation, raising money for infertility procedures, stressing over and over each and every month, getting tests run, and filling out adoption home study papers. INSTEAD, I plan to spend 2010 enjoying time with my husband, laughing at his corny jokes, hanging outside with him in the backyard, going out on the pontoon boat with him, and taking bike rides with him at the beach.

Stay in touch with my friends. After the loss of one of my friends almost a month ago, I remembered how important friendships are. I connected with some girls that I haven't spoken to in years and I realized just how much I enjoyed all the fun times we had together. So this year, I will stay in touch with all my friends, whether by phone calls or emails, but nonetheless, I plan to stay in touch and stay connected with what is going on in their lives and families.

So what are your resolutions for the new year? Please post about your resolutions and link up to the MckLinky below.

I hope you have a blessed 2010!!!

I am thankful for Lianna because...

This year for Christmas my family wrote sweet messages to each other stating why we are thankful for each member of our family. We placed the messages in small Christmas decorated boxes and each of us opened them on Christmas morning.

I loved reading the words from each of my family members and I will cherish these sentiments forever.

My husband and I decided not to exchange Christmas gifts this year because we have spent so much money on trying to have a baby. So this exchange of "thankfulness" was our only gift to one another.

He wrote the sweetest message to me...

I am thankful for Lianna because "she is my beautiful wife. She makes all the hard times worth it. She understands me and we make a great team. I can't wait to have babies with you and grow old with you. I love you."

I couldn't have asked for a BETTER Christmas present.

Wordless Wednesday...

We boarded Kodi for the week while we are in Houston with my family. Since my mom just delivered some brand new puppies, and they haven't had their shots yet, we thought it would be best if we didn't bring Kodi on this trip.

I really miss him and couldn't help but share some pics of him before we left.

I laughed so hard when I saw him in this chair and I couldn't resist taking his pic. I think he must wait for us to come every day in this position.

I really love my baby :)

By the way...if you are interested in seeing the sweet puppies that my mom is selling, check out her site here, Jilly Bean's Shih Tzu Shoppe , and click on the nursery. They are adorable!!!

The New Year Resolution Review...

I am planning to host the New Year Resolution Review again this year!!!

Please join me on December 30th and share your New Year Resolution(s) for 2010.

<br /><center><a href="http://growingourowngarden.blogspot.com/2009/12/new-year-resolution-review.html"><img src="http://i491.photobucket.com/albums/rr278/liannap1/happy-new-years-2-7.jpg" /></a></center><br /><br />

Snag my button if you plan to attend the party!!!

I'm looking forward to seeing what great things await us in 2010.

Declaring by Faith...

I am declaring by faith that next year you'll see THREE stockings hung by the chimney with care...

The Land of Hope...

In 2007 we attempted our first round of IVF. We had good results from the medication, were able to retrieve 8 eggs, and had five fertilized embryos. We went back to the doctor and were overjoyed to transfer three great embryos.

We were over the moon and thrilled beyond belief about the miracle we would celebrate that Christmas. Little did we know that the Christmas of 2007 would be one of our worst holidays ever. On Christmas morning I took a pregnancy test and received a negative result. It took everything we had to put smiles on our faces and join our family in opening gifts that morning. But...we did have a glimmer of hope because I was scheduled to have my blood test the day after Christmas...and we knew that although the home pregnancy test came back negative, we could still be pregnant. Unfortunately, our blood test result was a negative and we were devastated.

Now fastforward two years...

We have spent the past two years seeing more doctors, taking new medications, trying different procedures....and why? Because we have hope. Hope that our suffering will result in the biggest reward we could ever imagine. And although it's Christmas 2009 and we will be celebrating the birth of Christ without our own miracle baby, we've pitched our tent in the Land of Hope (Acts 2:26).

In Weakness...

The closer we get to Christmas, the harder it is for me to come to the realization that we still do not have a baby to celebrate with this year. There is no doubt in my mind that our time will come...but it doesn't seem to stop the anxiety I am feeling. I am in a state of weakness...as hard as I try to stay strong, stay in hope, and cling to my faith...the weaker I feel.

I have shared, several times, the daily devotionals that I receive. Sometimes I feel like the devotionals were meant especially for me...and I know that's not a coincidence.

Here is one I received last week...

"We all go through seasons of difficulty that can sometimes feel overwhelming. But during these times, we have to remember that Almighty God is greater than the struggle we face! He'll take those challenges and use them to strengthen us, but we have to do our part and get into agreement with Him.

Think about the caterpillar before it becomes a butterfly. When it's wrapped in its cocoon in the dark on the backside of some tree, it doesn't look like it has many options. But after it becomes a butterfly, it doesn't just sit waiting for someone to come and drill a hole and let it out. No! That butterfly knows that it has to make a move if it's going to be set free to fly. In the same way, we have to do something to get out of the confining places we are in. We have to pray, we have to believe, and keep pressing through to victory.

Today, no matter what you may be facing, remember His grace is sufficient for you. His strength is made perfect in you. Keep believing, keep praying, keep hoping, and keep pressing through. Before long, you'll break free and rise to the new levels of victory God has prepared for you."

And I agree.... He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."~II Corinthians 12:9

Christmas Door Tour

Welcome to the Growing Our Own Garden's 2nd Annual Christmas Door Tour!!

I am so excited to finally share our Christmas decorated door this year. I try to have some type of theme each year...and this year, my theme is GOLD!

Our wreath...I look forward to visiting Kuhn's Florist each year to pick up one of their fresh wreaths. It's so simple and smells GREAT! This GOLD wreath holder came from Pier 1 a few years ago and I believe my wreath doesn't need any other accessory.

This bucket was silver, until I bought a can of metalic GOLD spray paint :)

See the before and after pictures HERE.

I won this stocking last year from Southern Living and it has a hint of GOLD on the toe, heel and at the top. I think it looks great stuffed full of fresh garland.

I LOVE poinsettias! There is just something about their pretty red or white leaves that seems to put me in the Christmas spirit! If you look close enough, you can see a little frost on these poinsettias. And of course, my handy dandy metallic GOLD spray paint helped turn these wicker baskets into perfect GOLDen homes for these poinsettias.

And if you put all these pieces together...you'll get our entire Christmas (GOLD inspired) decorated front door!

Now it's YOUR turn to share your door! Post about your Christmas decorated door and enter your link in the MckLinky below!

Merry Christmas!

Closer Than You Think...

I have started reading Joel Osteen's Book It's Your Time and I canNOT express how much it has helped me.

The very first chapter is about believing, not giving up on your dream, and reminding you that you are closer than you think.

The closer you are to God, the more you pray, the harder the devil tries to attack you. We have definitely experienced this lately...with our finances, with our countless negative pregnancy tests, with our jobs, with our marriage...the devil is trying his best to bring us down.

But Joel's book reminded me to, "Have faith in God. I tell you the truth. You can say to this mountain, 'Go, mountain, fall into the sea.' And if you have no doubts in your mind and believe that the thing you say will happen, then God will do it for you."~Mark 11:22-23

And I do believe.

I believe that we are closer than we think.

The Past...

We had a GREAT message today at church...Our past is OVER!

Pastor Russ shared that the past can not be reversed, revised, or revisted. So start moving forward.

He also gave us five steps on how to move forward...

1. Confess and repent.
2. Forgive those that have hurt you.
3. Don't glory in your shame but don't be ashamed by your glory.
4. Set boundaries around those that continue to hurt you.
5. Rejoice every day in the glory of God.

I jotted down a few verses that spoke straight to me...

1. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."~1 John 1:9
2. "See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many."~ Hebrews 12:15
3. "What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?
   You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor."~ Psalm 8:4-5

So I'm taking the Word and moving forward and looking forward to all the wonderful moments I have yet to experience!

If you want to see a podcast of the sermon, visit this link HERE.

Snow is Fascinating...

I love the warm weather...I do live in the Sunshine State. But there is just something about the beauty of snow that fascinates me.

The way that it covers everything, giving it a blanket of protection. The purity of its color gives me a peace and a quiet calmness. Snow is like God...He gives us protection, peace, and stillness.

Did you know that each and ever snowflake is unique? Snowflakes turn into complex shapes as they fall through different temperatures and humidities on their way to the ground. Snowflakes are a lot like people. We are all unique and we change too---as we grow older and experience life, our views change, our bodies change, and our lives change.

As the Christmas holidays approach, I am reminded of the sacrifice He made for us.

"Come now, let us reason together, says The Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool." ~Isaiah 1:18

He is our snow and we are his snowflakes. Do you understand why I think snow is so fascinating?

Old and New...

As I gear up for the Growing Our Own Garden's 2nd Annual Christmas Door Tour, I thought it would be neat to share a little project for our front door decorations.

Here is the OLD bucket...

It was silver, rusted, and hardly ever used.

But after a little metallic gold spray paint and poinsettias, this is the NEW bucket...

Stay tuned for more of my Christmas decorated door!! Snag the button below if you'd like to join in the fun!

<br /><center><a href="http://growingourowngarden.blogspot.com/2009/10/2nd-annual-christmas-door-tour.html"><img src="http://i491.photobucket.com/albums/rr278/liannap1/ChristmasDoorTour-3-1.jpg" /></a></center><br /><br />

My Steps...

A friend of mine shared this verse with me...

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps."~ Proverbs 16:9

And it speaks directly to me about our journey.

I never EVER dreamed that I would be taking this journey to parenthood.

I imagined the beautiful white wedding, the exotic honeymoon, the family of TWO vacations, puchasing a nice home, and then starting a family. I never thought that four years later, we would STILL be stuck on the very last step of that plan.

But you know what...God knows what He's doing. Although I may not like it and I might not agree with it, He knows what is best for me.

So until he determines my steps, I'll continue to follow His path.

Cause and Effect

Just a little lesson on Cause and Effect...

Infertility...sadness.

Infertility...awareness.

Infertility...financial burdens.

Infertility...hope.

Infertility...marriage stress.

Infertility...strength.

Infertility...emptiness.

Infertility...appreciation.

Infertility...lonely holidays.

Lesson learned.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory...

As I sat and watched Willie Wonka tonight, I couldn't help but see the similarities between Charlie and our infertility. I know...this sounds REALLY weird, but stay with me :)

The Golden Ticket.
A Baby.

There is absolutely nothing more in this world that Charlie desires more than to receive a golden ticket.
There is absolutely nothing more in this world that we desire more than to have a baby.

As little Charlie receives a Wonka Bar for his birthday, he slowly begins to open it. Hoping to find that beautiful golden ticket under the wrapper. He opens the candy bar ever so slowly and then finally rips the last piece of paper off of the candy to reveal...no golden ticket.
We anticipate the day each month when it is time to take a pregnancy test. To reveal...no pregnancy.

Charlie watches in anticipation as one by one, the golden tickets are being discovered.
We watch in anticipation as one by one, our friends and family receive their baby miracles.

Although Charlie and his family have absolutely no money, his grandfather gives him his last coin to purchase another Wonka Bar. The anxiety reaches an all time high as Charlie and his grandfather open the candy bar. Unfortunately, Charlie's excitement comes crumbling down as yet again, their is no golden ticket to be found.
We use all of our extra money on either fertility medications or for the adoption process. After each stressful attempt, our excitement comes crumbling down as yet again, we are still not parents.

Charlie was walking home from school and as fate would have it, he comes across a $10 bill in the snow. He ran immediately to a candy store and used the money to purchase another Wonka Bar. Against all the odds, Charlie stares in amazement at the shiney golden ticket he finds inside the candy bar.
We pray every day that God will grant us our miracle of a baby.

I told you...Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is VERY similar to infertility.

Christmas Traditions...

I am participating in Kelly's Show Us Your Life: Christmas Traditions Edition.

I have a few traditions that I'd like to start once we have children of our own, but we do have some traditions that we've kept up with since childhood and a few that we've started since we were married.

First, my sisters and I always get new Christmas pajamas to wear on Christmas Eve.

We even get the boys to participate too!

The DH with his golfing Santa PJ's.

Dad with his Christmas penguins PJ's.

Second, David and I always take pics of Kodi with either his Christmas collar or next to his stocking.

This was in 2006...can you believe how little Kodi was??? He has a little baby face :)

This was in 2007...I thought this pic turned out cool with his little Santa hat on!

This was last year.

Last but not least, we enjoy riding around town on Christmas Eve looking at Christmas lights. Sometimes we'll ride in my parents golfcart and other times we've just piled into the back of Dad's truck.

Overall, I think Christmas is a time to love, make memories, and enjoy being a family.

If you'd like to see more Christmas Traditions, go and visit all the posts on Kelly's Korner!

Christmas Door Sneak Preview...

I started working on our Christmas decorations today. I thought I'd give you a little sneak preview for the 2nd Annual Christmas Door Tour...

Please come back on December 10th to see more of my Christmas door and to share pics of YOUR door! If you plan on participating, snag the Christmas Door Tour button and post it on your blog!

<br /><center><a href="http://growingourowngarden.blogspot.com/2009/10/2nd-annual-christmas-door-tour.html"><img src="http://i491.photobucket.com/albums/rr278/liannap1/ChristmasDoorTour-3-1.jpg" /></a></center><br /><br />

Covetousness...

I was researching the story of Hannah this morning and although I have read her story many many times, I came across a site that really made me reflect on my desires to have a child.

This is a quote from the site...

"Our lives often seem incomplete. We want something very much, and we don't seem to be able to be content without it. Some times this lack of contentment is what the Bible calls covetousness--wanting something other than what God has ordained for us. Some times, however, God is giving us a desire for something in His will, and even though we have the desire, God has not yet given us what He wants to give us."

I was taken aback by the use of the word covet. I have always been taught that the word covet was negative. I mean, it is written in one of the 10 Commandments...Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife...so I thought I should read more into what to covet means.

The dictionary describes covetous as inordinately or wrongly desirous of wealth or possessions; greedy.

The Bible dictionary describes covetousness as a strong desire after the possession of worldly things.

I think the questions that really bother me most are...is the desire for what others have wrong because that leads to attempts to steal the possessions of others, or is it rather that such desire is wrong in and of itself? Is coveting a possession the same as coveting a child? Is it wrong to have the desire to become a parent?

Another site followed up with this strong conclusion...

"It is good to ask God to take care of the problem that is making us discontent, but to do so understanding that He may have a different plan in mind. Whether He says yes or no to our request, we need patience. God will act in His own time frame, not ours. When God says yes to our requests, He does so in order for us to be better servants for Him. That means that we should be ready to offer back to Him the gift He has given to us. He gave it to us to glorify Himself, not to satisfy our selfish desires."

Therefore, I think that Hannah was right on track when she begged God time and time again to make her a mother, but only after promising that she would give back her son to God. Although she coveted the image of herself as a mother, she understood that the image would only be granted if it was God's will.

Be Still...

We are in that transitional period where we are standing still.

Our home study is complete and waiting. Our fertility treatments are on hold until we can save more money. And although I know this is JUST a transitional period, it seems like an eternity.

I must admit that the holidays are the worst time for people suffering from infertility. But I'm trying to make sure that I spend the holidays being thankful, enjoying family and friends, and praising God for the wonderful blessings I do have...instead of sitting still and dwelling on what I don't have.


God said, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth" in Psalm 46:10.

So I'm choosing to be still...to quietly wait, to patiently listen, and to trust that this transitional period will soon me over.

Verses that Lift You Up...

I have a few verses that I always go back to for inspiration, meditation, and for the most part...just to lift me up!

Here are just a few of the verses I rely on...

Isaiah 58:11
And the Lord shall guide you continually and satisfy you in drought. And you shall be like a watered garden.

Joshua 1:9
I command you--be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Psalm 37:4
Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart's desires.

Psalm 119:35
Make me walk along the path of Your commands, for that is where my happiness is found.

Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will direct your paths.

Proverbs 4:25
Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you.

Isaiah 26:19
Yet we have this assurance: Those who belong to God will live; their bodies will rise again!

What verse or verses do you rely on to lift you up????

Moving Mountains...

I would say that I am an "outdoor" kind of girl. I enjoy swimming, going to the beach, camping, and working in my yard. But I don't really like hiking. Well, to be honest, I've never tried it. But from what I've seen of hiking...walking on unstable grounds, carrying a huge backpack on your back, and treking uphill...just doesn't seem appealing to me.

But, as I reflect on our journey to become parents, hiking is very similar to infertility.

Throughout this journey of infertility we have been walking on unstable grounds...every two weeks, we monitor my ovulation, we wait for two more weeks, we get our hopes up that we could be pregnant, just to discover that once again, we are not. Then the unstability starts all over again like a vicious cycle.

We carry this huge backpack on our backs...it's called infertility. We feel as if every single thing we do revolves around having children. What will next month hold for us? How will we pay for this treatment? Will a birthmother choose us? When will it be our turn?

We are treking uphill...over this mountain we call infertility. It is a long, hard path that seems to take forever. We are exhausted and the end seems no where in sight.

But, we have one constant throughout this journey...God. He CAN move mountains. He can move OUR mountain.

So although I may not LIKE hiking...I am a hiker. I am choosing to hike this mountain called infertility and trusting in Him to make my ground stable, to carry that weight on my back, and push me over that mountain.

"I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."~Matthew 17:20

Enhance Your Dreams....

Divine Caroline is hosting a contest where you can enhance your dreams and win $5000 in the process!!! Please click on the button below and make your proclamation TODAY!!!

All I Want for Christmas...

Dear Santa,

I have been a very good girl this year. The Christmas wish list I have prepared this year is VERY short, but worth more than anything I have EVER asked for before.

All I want for Christmas is...

...to decorate a nursery.

...to buy sweet little baby clothes.

...to share the news with our family and friends.

...to hang another stocking on our mantel.

So dear sweet Santa, will you please leave a BABY underneath my Christmas tree this year?

Thank you,

Starbucks Giveaway WINNER!!!

Congratulations to the winner of the Starbucks Giftbasket Giveaway...

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:4
Timestamp: 2009-11-17 21:55:11 UTC

Hannah at Life Happens!!!!

Hannah please email me at Liannap@aol.com with your mailing address and I'll get your basket shipped out to you this weekend!

Thanks to everyone that participated! I loved reading all the responses :)

Stay Warm...

My sister has started selling these AWESOME fleece blankets. I think they would make EXCELLENT Christmas gifts or a little something for yourself to help keep you warm.

Check out all the adorable patterns:

Zebra and Pink

Christmas Green and Red

My personal favorite, Black Plaid and Hot Pink

Cheetah and Chocolate

The cost of each blanket is $35 and the shipping is FREE!!! Please leave me a comment if you are interested in one of the blankets shown above or if you would like a custom-made blanket.

But more importantly, stay warm!!!

Becoming...

My dear friend Sarah, sent me the sweetest surprise this past week. Not only did the package include a sweet letter FULL of encouraging words, but it also contained two CD's. Sarah titled the CD's, Songs for the Journey. And after listening to a few of the songs, I can't think of a better title.

The first song on one of the CD's is "Becoming" by Naomi Carroll. As soon as I heard the first verse, I realized that God was speaking to me...and He always knows what I need. Here are the words to the first verse...

I am letting go of my ways,

finally letting go after all these years.

And as myself is dying,

Jesus is trying to come through.

God tell me why I'm hurting.

Does this mean that I'm healing?

This painful trip I'm taking, will it be over soon?

Will it be over soon?

I have become, comfortably numb.

But You said it's not what I was, but what I am becoming,

that's how You see me.

Not who I hope to be,

but who I am.

I was afraid to walk,

but now I'm running,

to who I am becoming.

I think I have listened to this song about 10 times already. It just speaks directly to my heart and who I am becoming because of this journey.

Lessons Learned...

Over the past four years I feel as if I have experienced MORE than the 36 years I have been alive...

PATIENCE

SADNESS

FAITH

DOUBT

COURAGE

FRUSTRATION

TRUST

FORGIVENESS

PAIN

STRENGTH

But the greatest lesson I have learned is LOVE.

"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him." ~1 John 4:16

Greeting Cards for Our Garden...

I have some of my Christmas Cards uploaded on my site, Greeting Cards for Our Garden. All of the cards are handmade and come in sets of four with matching envelopes and cost $10 a set. All the proceeds from our card sells go toward our Baby/Adoption Fund...so please stop by and take a look.

Here are a few of my favorites...

More Christmas Cards will be coming soon...so stop by Greeting Cards for Our Garden!

Help Us Win $5000!!!!!

Please visit the button on the right and help us win $5000 to put toward our Baby/Adoption Fund!

Make a Proclamation and be entered to win $5,000 to pursue your dream! Enter daily and bring friends to increase your chances of winning. There are weekly prizes too. No purchase necessary.

View >>

And PLEASE visit our Starbuck's Givaway by clicking this LINK!! A winner will be posted this weekend :)

Starbuck's Christmas GIVEAWAY!!

I have been so overwhelmed by all the encouragement, prayers, and sweet comments that all of my bloggy friends have given me through our journey to becoming parents. On days when I am at my lowest and feel that I just can't go on, I can always depend on YOU to lift me up. So in honor of all you wonderful bloggy friends...I'd like to do a giveaway!!!

What is the prize????

A Starbucks Winter Warm Up Gift Basket!!!

This package includes:

12 oz Travel Mug

6.5 oz Doubleshot Coffee Drink

9.5 oz Bottled Mocha Frappuccino

Box of Starbucks Select Key Lime Cookies

Package of Starbucks Selects White chocolate & Raspberry Cookies

2.5 oz House BlendCoffee

How can you be the lucky winner?

Leave me a comment letting me know WHO you'll be snuggling up with this Christmas when you drink this coffee

Click here to see the entire Giveaway Blog Hop List....

When Love Takes You In...

If you have five minutes, check out this song from Steven Curtis Chapman.

I'm pretty sure I found it for a reason...

Fall Decoration Flub...UPDATE!

I was holding out to show you guys the latest addition to our Fall Decorations. It finally came in yesterday and I could not WAIT to put it up!! Unfortunately, it didn't turn out as cute as I thought it was going to :(

Check it out...

It just isn't as BIG as I thought it was going to be and the rust color turned out to be more of a screaming "ORANGE."

I'm not giving up though. I think I'm going to add some fall leaves to the mantel and maybe put some of my large canisters on either side and see how it turns out...but as of today, this is my fall decoration flub :(

UPDATE!!!

So this mantel was drving me CRAZY!!! I even had nightmares about it last night...I AM a little OCD :) So I got up this morning and rearranged, searched in my craft closet, tried some different ideas, and this is how my mantel turned out now...

Not sure why the wording is blurry in these pics...maybe I need a new camera :(

Better...not perfect, but BETTER!!!

Show Us Your Life---Thanksgiving Traditions and Recipes...

I am participating in Kelly's Show Us Your Life--Thanksgiving Traditions and Recipes.

I must say that the biggest HIT at our Thanksgiving Dinner is not the turkey...it's the dessert, specifically, Watergate Salad.

Here is the recipe:

1 (3.5-ounce) package instant pistachio pudding mix

1 (8-ounce) can pineapple , drained

2/3 cup chopped pecans

1 1/3 cups miniature marshmallows

1 (8-ounce) container non-dairy whipped topping

Mix all together and pour into a decorative serving dish.
Chill well and serve cold.
Makes 6 to 8 servings.

One of our biggest traditions is an oldie, but still a goodie. My sister and I always pull apart the turkey wishbone. Who ever gets the largest piece has good luck for the entire year!!!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

God's Will...

I am telling you guys that God works in ways that is most of the time so hard for me to comprehend...but shouldn't it be?

Here was my daily devotional today from Joel and Victoria Osteen...

"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus"~Thessalonians 5:18

Are you giving thanks in every circumstance? This might seem like a stretch at first, especially when you are going through a season of difficulty. But notice today's verse doesn't say to give thanks "for" everything, it says give thanks "in" everything. In other words, no matter what's going on, find something to be thankful for. Don't just focus on what's wrong in your life; focus on what God will do in your life!

When you are thankful, it opens the door for God to move on your behalf. That's why it says "this is God's will for you." He wants you to be close to Him and receive His strength and power by giving thanks.

Today, have the attitude that says, "God, in spite of what's happened, I choose to be grateful. I may be sick, but Father, thank You for being my healer. Thank you for giving me great friends and family." Or, "I may be struggling in my marriage, but God, thank You for being my restorer. Thank You for giving me another sunrise." As you give thanks in everything, you will see God's hand move mightily on your behalf. Before long, you'll come out of that difficulty better, stronger, and wiser than before!

Talk about MEANT for me...AMEN to that!!

It's Amazing...

I have connected with a new blogger friend named "N" who has experienced the infertility journey and finally decided to adopt two years ago. She is in the process of adopting another baby now and has been a blessing to me as we are exploring this option. She is actually traveling to Jax this weekend and I am SO looking forward to meeting with her, seeing her little girl, and hearing her story.

Ever since "N" first contacted me, I have been inspired by her words, advice, and opinions. To know that there is someone out there that truly understands and gets it, gives me a peace that I have really been searching for.

It's amazing how God puts the right people in your path at just the right time...isn't it?

When Lord, when?

I am on an emotional rollercoaster and just can't seem to get off of the ride!!!

I re-read a post by my friend Amy from Chapters and it truly spoke about exactly how I am feeling lately.

This infertility journey has been WAY more than I ever thought it could be or would be. There has NEVER been a time in my life where I haven't succeeded. I can remember all the successes in my life...from becoming a cheerleader in 8th grade, to being awarded the highest ranking officer on my dance team my senior year, to obtaining my Masters Degree and landing as an assistant principal at an AWESOME school, to finding the love of my life and getting married. But the SINGLE most thing that I want the MOST is absolutely out of my control. I can't take gymnastics, enroll in more dance classes, study, apply for a job, or go out on a date...none of which will help me have a baby...there is nothing I can do to obtain the ONE success that is just within my reach.

I see women getting pregnant all around me and just wonder "When will it be our turn?". "When will the Lord give us a baby?"

I am SO happy for all the people I know that have been blessed with children or are pregnant right now. I know it sounds silly because most people would think that I am jealous or resentful that I am not pregnant. But I don't feel that way at all. I know how precious a baby is and when I see someone that I care for FINALLY receive that wonderful news, it just gives me the hope that it CAN happen for us.

But, no matter what I do or how I feel, I am still left with the same question...."When Lord, when?"

Decorating for Fall...

I was SO sad to see the Halloween decorations come down yesterday. I am starting to think that I enjoy Halloween almost as much as Christmas!!

Luckily, some of my Halloween decorations stay out through Thanksgiving though. Here are a few pics of our fall decorations...

I am LOVING this apothecary jar. I put a few fall leaves and pinecones inside for decorations. If you look in the background, you'll see a few of my Halloween pumpkins still lurking around.

I purchased this Thanksgiving sign last year from an Etsy Store and decided to hang it in our hallway this year. I am SO thankful for my friends and family.

I placed one of our little pumpkins on our birdbath and added some cornstalks to the flowerbed.


I think my little fall pilgrim is pretty cute...I wish my mums would bloom again :(

I rearranged our pumpkins and then put up a new pumpkin wall hanger.

I have one more awesome decoration that I'll share later when I get it hung up...it is ADORABLE so come back for the big reveal!!!

Oh, if you want to enter my SO Thankful Giveaway...click the button on my top right sidebar!