Tag Archives: thankfulness

Counting the Gifts in 2014 (Count with me?)

Posted on January 3, 2014 by Just Stephanie

Okay, diving into 2014:  Here is the beginning of my 2014 1000 Gift List: These are just off-the-top-of-my-head entries. I will slowly list my family, a little each day.  Their names give me a great start, as there are over … Continue reading →

Posted in A Thankful Heart, The Year Uncluttered (2014) | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Do You Have Eyelids?

Posted on September 19, 2013 by Just Stephanie

Recently, a friend directed me to Baby Adam’s Story, and I began following his adoptive parents’ blog.  Adam was born with severe deformities, and his biological parents abandoned him shortly after birth at the hospital where his adoptive parents worked. … Continue reading →

Posted in A Thankful Heart, Just Being Real, People Stories | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Deciding To

Posted on December 30, 2010 by Just Stephanie

Hunched and scowling, chin-in-hand and toes tapping, I glared out the passenger-side window, as the cotton fields of Texas rolled by.  On this October morning, the cotton was long gone, and something else was planted, but what did I care?  … Continue reading →

Posted in Facing the Monsters, Just Being Real | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Seeing Blind

Posted on October 13, 2010 by Just Stephanie

I see, and some can’t.  For me, it really is that simple.  I’m simply thankful. A chapter in one of my favorite books is called “The Myth of Complexity”.  That title has a lot of meaning for me now. Here … Continue reading →

Posted in Walk With Him Wednesday | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Missing the Cow Patty

Posted on September 6, 2010 by Just Stephanie

This is a true story. While my son took a piano lesson one day recently, I was walking rather briskly for exercise here: This is the driveway that leads up to the piano teacher’s house.  It winds through their pasture … Continue reading →

Posted in A Thankful Heart, Laughter | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

When Silence is Busy

Posted on August 30, 2010 by Just Stephanie

This past week we started our 21st year of homeschooling. It’s back to the books, the schedules, the alarm screaming too early in our ears, and better attention to our Motivated Moms list, thank goodness.  Once, there were five students … Continue reading →

Posted in A Thankful Heart, School Stories | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

On Monday After Paradise

Posted on July 26, 2010 by Just Stephanie

I just got back from a little slice of paradise.  The funny thing is, even when I go to paradise-on-earth, I am there. The snapshots were enchanting:  Palm trees.  Flame trees laden with blazing orange blossoms.  Bananas growing in bunches … Continue reading →

Posted in A Thankful Heart | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Off the Beaten Path

Posted on July 12, 2010 by Just Stephanie

“We’re going to Strawn,” I announced suddenly as I put on my blinker and veered off of the highway. “But…but…” my son sputtered and pointed, “Strawn is FOUR MILES that way!” “Exactly.  Four miles off the beaten path, and thanks … Continue reading →

Posted in A Thankful Heart | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

People Stories: Meet Nonnie

Posted on June 28, 2010 by Just Stephanie

This is Nonnie. His real name is David, and he’s also my dad.  My oldest son couldn’t say “grandfather,” so that explains the nickname.  My dad is an interesting person, and he’s also an opposite of Sherrie, my last People … Continue reading →

Posted in A Thankful Heart, People Stories | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

When Hard Things Heal

Posted on June 21, 2010 by Just Stephanie

My sister is desperately ill in the hospital.  She had an appendectomy and then complication after complication–3 surgeries in 2 weeks.  Days crawl, filled with suffering. She is my sister because our parents married each other.  In the beginning, there … Continue reading →

Posted in Sister Stories | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments