THANKFUL!

"Each day I am thankful for nights that turned into mornings
Friends that turned into family. Dreams that turned into reality and likes that turned into LOVE!"
-Author Unknown

"The thankful heart opens our eyes to a multitude of blessings that continually surround us."
-James E. Faust

"The more you thank life, the more life 
gives you to be thankful for."
-Author Unknown

So many things about this makes me feel THANKFUL…
My new Thankful shirt I got as a gift for Christmas
 from my daughter and her family…
my hubby and my doggie on Christmas morning by our tree…
some photo books I made  to remind us of many
Christmas memories gone by…
and the fun I had at my daughter's house
this year at Christmas…
feeling THANKFUL!

Some photos of Brian,  Shuffle and me on Christmas Eve…
we are always so Thankful for our little doggie…
and she is Thankful for us… and she loves Christmas, too
she was like a little kid searching for gifts under the tree!!! 

I am forever thankful that Shuffle
has not only been a good doggie for us…
but such a fun one too… she loves to dress up and enjoys
celebrating whatever we are Celebrating!

I am thankful for these two dears…
my grand daughter, Mariah and my grandson, Beau!
Here they are at Christmas time enjoying the
festive spirits and gifts!

We shared a nice visit with my dear mother-in-law, Blanche
on Christmas day… I am thankful for her in our life…
I am so proud of the beautiful artistic photo my niece, Rowen,
 made of my dear father-in-law, Greg to give to Blanche as a gift.
she is so talented and artistic.
I was Thankful for a nice visit on Christmas day from my
brother Brian, too!

I was THANKFUL to be able to share Christmas
with our "CO-GRANDPARENTS"…
Mariah and Beau's Edmonton Grandparents.
We feel so blessed that we got to be such good friends,
and can share our grandkids with such caring and loving people.
We had fun with Nancy and Arvid while they were in town.

Mariah received this very cute book from her parents called "SHE"
… the captions in the book suit her spirit so well…
SHE really is a bright little light… and we are so
Thankful
to have her in our lives year round.

Beau got some binoculars for Christmas…
he is such an observant little guy… he was even opening the
Christmas crackers to check out all the prizes !!!
Oh he brings us so much fun, love and laughs…
We are Thankful
for our little Beau, too, year round.

I loved all our SANTA doggies at Christmas time…
our dog,  Shuffle…
Jana and Nels's dog, Jazz…
and Nancy and Arvid's dog, Jeter.
They had the festive spirit… and I loved it!

It made my heart smile to see Mariah sharing some extra special
times with her Grandma Nancy or Nana as she calls her.
Mariah learned how to make pies and dressing this Christmas
from Nancy… and she also had the table all set
in festive style, too…
So nice to see the kids get to bond
with the ones they love in their life…
for those times I am THANKFUL!

I was honoured and thankful for a very sweet visit
from our dear friends, Courtney, Francious…
and their adorable little girls,
Lily and Violet…
they came on Christmas Eve…
Courtney and Jana were such good friends growing up,
and she continues to come see us when ever she is in town.

Some more dear friends who came to see us at Christmas time…
Friend and special gal in our life, Robin popped by… and
we are also thankful for all the times we have shared with
friends, Bob and Jacquie…
We consider ourselves lucky to have them as friends.

We also had some nice visits from Brian's sisters Bev and Brenda…
but have no photos of those visits...
They also came with some yummy treats!

Ingrid, Nels's sister, stopped by for a visit, too…
we feel thankful for her visits when ever she is in town as well…
and I know she is a very loved Auntie of Mariah and Beau's, too.

Nels's other sister, Erica and family
 as well as his brother, Jens also shared some time with their family
 at Christmas, too...
Family times are always thankful times!

I stopped by my Auntie Mary's nursing home on Dec. 27th…
she was in "MERRY" spirits, too.
My cousin Bev was there as well when I went to visit.
I am thankful for their whole family… we share
many loving memories that go back to my childhood…
I am thankful that at the age of 95 years old,
she is still doing so well.

As I look back on memories from Christmases gone by…
I am reminded how THANKFUL I am for my wonderful
family.
From my parents to my two brothers…and my own kids
and grandkids and extended family and friends…
I feel THANKFUL and blessed for the memories and people
who make my life so special.



THANKS for stopping by to read my last blog post of 2015.
I am THANKFUL for my readers when ever 
they stop by to read about my little simple life!
This blog journey has been a good one for me… one that began 5 years ago. I have enjoyed sharing my positive memories here and it has helped me be thankful for all the good things I am blessed with in my life year round … 
year after year.


I hope everyone enjoyed a fun filled fabulous and Merry Christmas however you spent it. We were very fortunate to share times with family and friends near and far. Some people I did not share photos of here… but we enjoyed everyone we shared times with and thank everyone who took time to share greetings with us as well.


Our Christmas was special  this year… we shared it at my daughter's place… so thanks to her and my son in law, Nels,  
for hosting a fun filled family Christmas. Thanks to our 
co-grandparents, Nancy and Arvid for 
travelling to be there, too.
I know the Christmas meal had special love put into it and was sponsored by them. Nancy, Jana and Mariah did lots of work to make the meal tasty for everyone from the yummy turkey and all the fixings to the delicious pies for dessert.
No one ended up hungry I am pretty sure…
so we had a whole lot to be THANKFUL for .


I was spoiled by my hubby, Brian, as well as all others who shared gracious gifts. So for those I say THANKS, too.
 I feel super blessed with all of the love,
kindness and thoughtfulness.


We feel thankful as each year passes and we still have many of our dear ones still with us. 
But the ones who are no longer with us… we are always so thankful for the special memories…  
 they remain in our hearts forever more.


Thanks to Jana's store partner, Melissa, for dropping off a supper for us the other night… very thoughtful of her.
To all our friends and family, near and far, whether mentioned in this blog or not… just know I am thankful for everyone who has touched my life in one way or another.


We truly consider ourselves so lucky daily for all the many things and people we have in our lives
and consider each day as a blessing.


I want to wish two special relatives a Happy Birthday on December 31st… my Auntie Phyllis and my nephew, Luke…
both born on New Year's Eve…
I send them lots of love as they 
add another candle to their cakes. 

Sadly only weeks ago a cousin of mine passed away. 
I will remember my cousin Donald from my childhood as a guy with a great sense of humour who always 
had a bit of fun to share! Always hard to lose loved ones.


As I await the new year to come and 
evaluate the year we just celebrated… 
I have so much to feel THANKFUL for!
To each and every one,
I wish you all the best in the 2016,
continue to follow your heart…
it usually knows where it is going!


On that note…
here is my rhyme of the day!


I have a lot to be THANKFUL for…
My family, my friends and so much more.
At times like these , I have a THANKFUL heart,
I feel the love while together or apart.
I'm very THANKFUL for each and every gift,
And so many memories to give me a lift.
And truly it's the people who always care…
And those who have lots of love to share.
They make me feel special from the inside,
And help me feel THANKFUL with every stride.
I felt very THANKFUL to just Merry on…
And now oh so ready to just carry on,
As the new year approaches…
I'll follow my heart,
Get off on a great foot, right from the start.
To 2015… I give a big toast…
And feel ever THANKFUL
for WHAT MATTERS MOST!