Thankful Challenge//Giveaway

I started reading this amazing book "One Thousand Gifts" By: Ann Voskamp. My sweet sister gave it to me for my birthday and it was one of the very best presents to be given. In it the author speaks about writing down 1,000 reasons you are thankful. Since reading it I've been sounding off things I'm thankful for...from the moment I wake up until the time my head touches the pillow at night. And my friends, it has CHANGED MY LIFE! It makes waking up much more easier, too. :) One of the secrets to living a happy life isn't just living a thankful life it's living a thank FULL life and taking note of each thing. To actually fixate on each particular reason I'm grateful every single day is deeply humbling and satisfying. Simple things that I hadn't given a second thought have given my life more meaning with this new habit. Allowing God's perfect plan to unfold by being more aware of His gifts is making me grow stronger. We have been given countless beautiful gifts from God. Everywhere we look there is something. Just looking out the window and seeing the beautiful texture of the trees each being completely different. And looking up at the gorgeous blues of the sky with big white fluffy clouds that vary in size and shape. Looking into the eyes of your child so pure and loving. Listening to the laughter of your friend. Tasting the sweetness of fruit. So many gifts to see, feel, hear and taste. As well as so many moments to treasure.

Here are just a few of the things I have become more grateful for:

30.For the sun that allows natural light to shine while I'm reading outside

 31.For cold water in my kid's kiddi pool that feels so refreshing on my hot feet

32.For the calming sounds of the birds high in the sky

33.For a cool breeze that brushes by me in the heat of the day

34.When my child grabs my hand to show me something special to them

 35.For the sweet taste of refreshing watermelon

36.The joy that a baby turtle brings

37.Beautiful wildflowers that bloom in the field with no special attention

38. The smile of a stranger at the grocery store

39. My Mom's kind and beautiful eyes that brighten as she sees her grand kids together

40. Being able to read The Bible any time of the day and anywhere

41. The quietness of the house at night while all are sleeping

42. Pretty butterflies that Troy can always spot and run after to catch

::::The MORE thankful we are the MORE fully happy we become::::

I encourage you to take the "Thankful Challenge" with me!! Each day write down in a journal 5 (or more) things you are grateful for and do this for 200 days to meet our goal of 1,000 things we are thankful for. And it doesn't even have to end there :). I have a new journal I've dedicated to this. I've been waiting to use it, almost as if saving it especially for this. And how fun it will be to look back on in years to come. Writing down the gifts we are grateful for is key. I love this book so much that I'm going to send one person her book. Just comment below or "like" my post and I will randomly select one person to receive her book. I can't wait for you to be blessed with her Godly wisdom! The drawing will end this Friday at 11:59 pm. I will then contact the winner. 

Have a great day, Jamie :)

Cragun's Resort Summer '15

Such a fun trip we had 4th of July weekend. I told my hubby "Now this is our kind of a vacation." Cragun's resort had so much to offer for our kids. We were able to stay there and just walk down the path to eat and enjoy activities all day long. I highly recommend it to those with or without kids.  I'll recap some of our favorites from the trip!

We arrived around 6:00pm. The boys sure were happy to see that sign! I didn't get any pics of the outside of the resort but it was beautiful. Click HERE if you want to check it out. Think brown/white with turquoise accents and lots of beautiful bright pink flowing flowers. Gorgeous sight!

Here is one of the paths to follow.

Here's part of Gull lake and to the right is where we kept our boat on the dock.

Such a cozy feeling it had all around.  

The first evening there we got some food and hung out on the deck. Here are 2 of my handsome men :).

Here was one of the hungry birds ready for some fries. Troy had the BEST time feeding them and giggling like crazy because they chowed down a whole fry. Haha! It was fun entertainment!!

We got a bag of duck food for a quarter and had some fun feeding the ducks after. I love watching them so happy doing something so simple :)!

The next morning we had a delicious breakfast buffet. It was scrumptious!! And we got ready to do some boating and fishing. Gull lake is HUGE with so many areas to fish. The kids sure enjoyed the boat ride. Troy loves going fast! 

Austin was ready to get those fish! He had tons of bites in the beginning. We finally realized that his line was messed up. Once it was fixed, he was reeling in the sunnies and a nice bass. 

Happy fisherman!

This kid caught 2 bass right in a row and reeled them in all by his big self. Big brother was proud of him!

Bass #1

Bass #2

And Daddy caught a nice one, too! Great fishing on Gull lake.

Mama caught a little one! After my husband took the picture, he was like "You always do that face and hold the fish like that!" And now that I see "the face" he is 100% correct. It is just how I roll :) He tried to get me to hold the fish inside his lips but I just can't do it. Not, yet anyways.

We played on the beach for awhile. Frisbee was a favorite. The kids swam and swam some more. We even met some sweet friends.

This cutie pie fell asleep. 

Time for some walking and supper. 

And playing pool. The boys were taught how to play by Dad. And Austin really enjoyed himself. The indoor pool was also in this giant room. 

After supper we went to the rec room. And it was huge! The upstairs "deck" had a running area. Troy and I ran around twice and were tired out afterwards. I was thinking that so many "firsts" were on the trip. Austin's first time playing pool, tennis and volleyball by the beach. 

The next day, July 4th, the big boys did some golfing in the morning. The resort package included a 9 hole course for each of us. But since the rest of us weren't interested, Billy and Austin did the 9 hole twice and had a total blast together. They even rented a golf cart. 

We went to the beach which also had a playground in the sand. And I had the most beautiful view :). 

Then we went to the outdoor pool when they opened. There was a kiddie pool that was just right for little kids. 

That afternoon we signed up for the horse-trolley ride. The "driver" was so sweet to talk to and has been giving these rides for many many years. He said he has a farm and loves his horses. He even gave out suckers to the kids on the ride. Such a nice man. 

We had reservations for supper at the Hungry Gull Restaurant. We told Austin he could  order anything that he wanted. He chose.....the Walleye. Most expensive thing on the menu :). And he was a champ because he ate the entire thing. I didn't even get a try. The food was amazing and the service was spot on. 

It was the street dance in the evening. Austin and I noticed the sumo wrestling suits! He wanted to do it bad. So, like a good Mother, I did it with him. :) It was so much more difficult to get into the suits than I imagined. But with some extra help we were ready. 

They went down the inflatable slide over and over. 

And loved every second of it. 

After we played beach volleyball Austin put the suit on again with someone his size. Troy was laughing because Austin fell down. And he might have also jumped on his big brother, again. And afterwards Austin said "It didn't count" because he was in the suit. :) Brothers.

The fireworks that night were gorgeous and so close! We sat in a big field and were handed out a TON of glow sticks. It was a beautiful night. 

The next morning we had a yummy breakfast and headed home. 

Such fun memories together! :)

Jamie

Some of my favorites!

This is a little lengthy but I've had so many favorites lately! :) It is hard to believe that we're into the second week of July. My-oh-my where has the time gone. It sure has been a blast so far!

 Hope you've had a great week and are ready for an awesome weekend!!

I'm linking up with Erika for...

1.) Up first is this super special photo. The other morning my oldest said he didn't think I could lift him anymore. I use to carry that big boy all over the place when he was younger. I told him I could and I'd prove it...with Troy as well. #yesmom 

So this picture right here will forever be a favorite of mine because it possibly will be the last time I can carry them both. Such happy smiles they have!

2.) I just ordered this shake mix from Juice Plus. It is THE most delicious shake I've ever tasted! If you'd like to find out more info about it you can comment below and I'll get back to you. I also got the vanilla flavor. For a yummy smoothie I mix 1 cup skim milk, 1 scoop of the shake mix, 1 ice cube, 1/2 banana and a small handful of spinach. And a delicious n' healthy shake is born! :) You can't even taste the spinach at all. 

3.) This past weekend we were at a beautiful resort. I'm working on a recap of our vacay to post soon :). I snapped this photo around 9:30 am while my husband and oldest were golfing for the morning. These 2 had the most fun playing on the beach. I just loved watching them! 

4.) I made this scrumptious little snack/dessert the other day and it was extremely simple. I just cut up 2 bananas in small slices, drizzled melted peanut butter and chocolate syrup on top and completed it with sprinkled granola on top. That all goes on wax paper and then into the freezer for a couple hours. 

Yummy! And by the way this particular granola is also amazing in Greek yogurt. It's the Caramel Apple flavor. It even has chunks of carmel :). Such a good lil treat!

5.) We got the chance to have my pretty niece overnight one day last week. She is such a sweetheart!! And definitely a blessing to be around. Our first stop was Walmart to get some treats and pick out a fun movie at the Redbox. The next day we went on a bike ride, painted, did a craft and the kids went swimming. Such a fun time!!

6.) This picture might not look like anything particularly special but it is an image I forever want to remember. My oldest son practicing his bow earlier this morning as he does sometimes. He is passionate in so much and I am very proud of him. The other part of the photo is his sweet audience watching encouraging him. They were so happy to just watch him get a bull's eye. I thank God for simple reminders like this that life is so precious and sweet. 

7.) We also got the chance to have 2 of my nephews overnight one day. Those boys had such a blast at the beach, playing football, frisbee, tag at the park and swimming. It makes me so very grateful to have cousins for my kiddos to play with and be close with.

8.) These girls here are some of the sweetest friends!! It sure is nice to be able to catch up, have some laughs and make memories together. We went to a delicious Mexican restaurant for supper. The chicken chimi's were heavenly! 

Happy Friday to you!!

Jamie