Thankful Thursday

A new year!  What are you thankful for as we begin a new year?  

Here is my thankful list for this week...

~  having a husband that will drive me around! 

~ our oldest taking his little brother hunting and their memories together.  I love their smiles in the pictures he sent me when Titus got a deer.  

~ the care our DIL has for Titus.  

~ stay home days with our youngest.  It's so nice being able to relax and not have a plan or to have to get up by a certain time. 

~ getting to see my Dad for his birthday.

~ the start of a new year and having a new journal and prayer journal to begin the year.  

~ seeing my husband's side of the family last weekend for our Christmas together.  

Have a day of blessings! 

 Bethany

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Did you make resolutions or set goals for the year we're waving goodbye? How did that work out for you? Will you set any goals for this new year, new season, or new month? Share one or two if you'd like to share. 

I typically set goals for the year.  I don't know what they were for the past year!  I used to write them down in my journal and/or blog, but I haven't done that in recent years.  

I love the beginning of a new year and the feeling of starting fresh. I have some goals in mind for the coming year.  One is to get back into my habit of my walking/movement 5 days a week.  I was very consistent with this and got off in the past 2-3 months.  I already started this week...didn't wait for the 1st!

2. When did you have the most fun this year? 
The marriage retreat with my husband is always a highlight and the time at the river with the family 

3. What's a song or song lyric you'll associate with 2025? Tell us why. 
I heard this song at the end of 2024 when we were deciding to buy this new house or not.  It's what our dream is for this house....to be able to have our family and church family over like the previous owners did when we were college students.

4. Best (or a favorite) bite of something delicious you tasted this year? 
A memory from this year is that Braum's opened in our area.  They have burgers and an ice cream shop along with a small grocery store.  We go get ice cream there often.  It used to be something we only did while traveling so we were excited to get one in our area.  

5. What do you want to do more of in the new year? Less of? 

More: reading books before bed.  I listen to a lot of audio books while driving but want to spend more time reading.

Less: buying "stuff"  

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

This has definitely been an interesting year for us with the sale of our home of 15 years and finding our new home with about 5 acres.  Then there was the government shutdown this fall.  

I look forward to 2026!

Have a day of blessings! Bethany

Thankful Thursday

Merry Christmas Thankful Thursday!

Typing this in advance to post on Thursday (Christmas)!

This week I am thankful for....

~ my husband taking us to put out a tree at my Peepaw's grave on the anniversary of the day he died.  We had a wonderful day together.

~ when our oldest sends us a message to ask if we are alright when he's working and sees a call for a bad wreck near our house.  

~ that our DIL had a safe trip to see her sister with her family.

~ stay home day with our youngest out of school.  

~ fun Christmas activities around town with my husband and Titus.  Lights and festive music!  And pretty weather!

~  getting to help with the Christmas party at school last Friday before the early out.

~ Christmas cards/pictures in the mail and Titus helping me find a spot to hang them  in the new house which I love!

Have a day of blessings!

 Bethany

Thankful Thursday

It's almost Christmas!  What are you thankful for this week?

I'm thankful for.....

~ hearing my husband reading Christmas books to our boy before bed during this month.  There are so many good Christmas children's books!

~ when I randomly see our oldest when I'm in Walmart.

~ recipe ideas from our DIL for a dessert to make.  

~ that our youngest has been feeling better this week and more normal.  He was excited to take gifts to the teachers at school today.  

~ to be able to buy Christmas gifts for teachers and family members.

~ getting our Christmas cards in the mail and also the ones we've already received.  Also some fun surprises we got from my aunt.  

~ marking things off my list that need to get done.

Have a day of blessings! 

 Bethany

Saddleback Leather

I love purses and bags!  I was excited to have the opportunity to review something from Saddleback Leather.  

As I took the bag out of the box, it smelled so wonderful.  I love the smell of leather! 

This is a very nice bag and looks to be well made.  It is a great size that is big enough to hold your important items but not overly bulky.  It's even a good size to carry a book along with you while you are waiting at appointments.  

Also it has a nice pouch on the inside plus notice there is one outside as well.  This bag has an adjustable strap too.  You can choose the color you want.  

Saddleback Leather has products for both men and women.  My husband was looking at the briefcases.  

Visit the website and find a nice gift for yourself or someone you love.  There is a range of prices for your budget.  They have backpacks, briefcases, totes, purses, travel accessories, notebooks, and more.  The sheepskin slippers look so soft and comfortable! 

About Saddleback: 

Saddleback Leather is not simply a brand. It is the realization of one man’s vision to build leather goods so durable and purposeful that they become part of your story. Founded in Texas, the company has made its mark by committing to full-grain leather, rugged construction, and no breakable parts. Their promise is bold: “They’ll fight over it when you’re dead.” That reflects the confidence in what they make and the legacy each piece is meant to carry. 

From backpacks and briefcases to wallets, belts, boots and accessories, every Saddleback Leather item is built to age beautifully and perform reliably. The brand stands behind its craftsmanship with a 100-year warranty, a rare guarantee that speaks to the quality of design and materials. 

Beyond material excellence, Saddleback Leather holds a deeper purpose. They integrate faith, service, and community into the business model, connecting each purchase with living out values that matter. Their Love 41 initiative partners with people caring for the vulnerable and marginalized.

Go here to purchase.  

#ChristmasGift #SaddlebackLeather #LeatherBag

Have a day of blessings! 

 Bethany

Thankful Thursday

This week I am thankful for...

~ my husband checking on insurance prices for us and handling that.

~ when I see pictures of our oldest from FB memories and send them to him! How fast time goes!

~ when our DIL sends me pictures of the cats or dogs. One of the cats was in the (empty) dog water bowl resting in the sunshine.  

~ that our youngest got better after 4 days of sickness.  I'm thankful I could take care of him as well.  

~ being able to volunteer at school when the teachers had their Christmas party.

~ being able to buy presents for a couple senior citizens through a local program.

~ working on our Christmas letter/picture to get in the mail and finding Christmas stamps.

Enjoy the holiday season!

Have a day of blessings! 

 Bethany

Thankful Thursday

December is here!  We have a cold day.  I've been keeping my robe on and enjoyed some hot cocoa. 

Today I am thankful for...

~ my husband putting out and checking the mouse traps (and emptying them as needed)....getting rid of them and making sure all the outside holes are sealed up.  

~ that our oldest got to go hunting as he loves to do after Thanksgiving.

~ another yummy bowl of soup for me from our DIL.

~ grin and excitement on the face of our youngest when he was decorating for Christmas.  

~ having things I've made to hang and use during the holidays as decorations.  I guess each year I add a little more.  

~ fun surprise in the mail from a friend who sent me things she makes....crochet and painting.

~ getting to order Christmas presents online and having the boxes start arriving! 

Have a day of blessings!

 Bethany