Thankful Thursday 6.27

Backstory to this post: I'm currently reading a book called "Worn Out Woman: When your life is full but your spirit is empty". I bought it a long time ago when I was feeling overwhelmed, and (surprise, surprise) was too busy to actually find the time to read it. Lately, I've been feeling pretty overwhelmed with crazy stress at work, side jobs I'm taking on (probably more than I should be - still learning to say no), duties at home, prioritizing time for husband, and making time for friends and family. So, I picked the book up again. (I must admit, I'm a bit embarrassed to be reading a book titled "Worn Out Woman" - makes me think of an old, haggard woman who looks similar to a wrinkly witch...but I feel worn out, so, here I am. Don't judge.) 

Last night, I read a chapter about gratitude, and found a reference to this poem...so I looked up the rest of it online today and loved it! It's a perspective changer. My additions/edits are worked in as well.

I AM THANKFUL FOR:

…the mess to clean up after a party because it means I have been surrounded by friends.

…the taxes I pay because it means that I’m employed.

…the clothes that fit a little too snug because it means I have enough to eat.

…my shadow who watches me work because it means I am out in the sunshine.

…the spot I find at the far end of the parking lot garage because it means I am capable of walking.

…all the complaining I hear about our government because it means we have freedom of speech.

…that lady behind me in church who sings off key because it means that I can hear.

…lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning and gutters that need fixing because it means I have a home.

…my huge heating air conditioning bill because it means that I am warm cool.

…weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day because it means that I have been productive.

…the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours because it means that I am alive.

By: Nancy J. Carmody

And a few more additions of my own:

...oversleeping this morning because it means I got a little extra-needed rest.

...the dwindling funds in our savings account, because it means we're making progress on my student loans.

...the snoring that keeps me up at night because it means my husband is next to me.

...the other snoring that keeps me up at night, because it means my pup is sleeping. (Yes, Charlie snores). :)

Happy Thursday! C&D

Thankful Thursday 5.30.13

Whew! I'll begin by saying I'm thankful it's almost June! :) Though I'm not sure June is bringing much of a reprieve in the busy-ness category...Going to have to work on that. We're supposed to slow down in the summer, right?

May has been a whirlwind...Seriously, how is it already the 30th? I've been off the blogging bandwagon pretty much all month (as per usual, I'm afraid to say. I just can't for the life of me find the time or think of something important enough to post more regularly) BUT that's also because we've had SO much going on in the real world lately! 

So, take this as our Month-of-May Update and List of thankfulness. :)

We're thankful for our dear friend, Devin, who graduated from USC this month! Been a long time comin'!

We're thankful for my awesome Momma, who celebrated another birthday this month! No, Momma, I won't tell them how old you are ;).

We're also thankful for my Momma's best buddy Beth, who also celebrated a birthday this month! We won't tell them how old you are, either :).

Momma & Beth with their beards at Beth's
Duck Dynasty birthday party! 

We're thankful for this beautiful weather lately! THIS is why we live in Charleston. 

We're thankful for our Health! Thankful for our Great Physician and Healer.

We're thankful for our Mothers - and that we got to spend time with BOTH of them on Mother's Day. 

We're thankful for being a part of our precious niece Lyla's first trip to the beach! Watching her take it all in was pure joy. 

Watching the wave coming!

Just LOOK at those little running legs! :)

We're thankful for the opportunity we had this year to lead our Student Band at LifePark. This past Sunday was "Student Sunday" and they got to lead worship for all three services! And, let me tell you, we felt like Proud Parents! Watching them grow in the Lord and grow in worship since last August was so rewarding - all to culminate in watching them lead our whole church body in worship (excellently, I might add!) was so rewarding. So we're SUPER thankful to have had that role in their life!

We're thankful for all the extra work we've been doing. (Eww, what?) No, we're not always thankful in the moment, but in the big scheme of things, we ARE thankful for all the side jobs both of us have been getting, to help us get ahead in our savings a little bit! And both of us love what we do, so it's not bad :)

We're thankful for all of our great veterans who fought and died to give us the freedom to live the way we do! We don't have to only appreciate and honor them on Memorial Day!

I'm personally thankful for quality time I've gotten to spend with special, Godly women this month! I got to spend a few hours with my Mother in Law one day, and a few hours this past Saturday with my best bud Jenny. I admire both of them so much and truly, truly enjoyed having "Girl talk" with both! So blessed to have these two as such important women in my life!!

David's thankful for: "My new job [still] - Working for a good company that has owners that care about their employees. And for my beautiful wife!" (awww...Can I add that I'm thankful that he responds to my "What are you thankful for" texts each time I make a TT post!?)

Peace & Blessings,

C + D

Thankful Thursday 3.28.13

This post is probably going to be LOADED, because 

A. I haven't blogged in a very long time, 

B. March is a big month for us, and 

C. A lot has happened in the past month-ish that I've been on this writing hiatus! ;)

That being said...it's time for....

This week, David's probably the most thankful. He's thankful for his NEW JOB!! That's right, he's no longer with Fogel Services, he now works for Carolina Chillers, Inc. It's a commercial HVAC company versus residential. Huge step up. Better hours, better pay, better benefits, better environment, and better bosses (who love Jesus!) He's LOVING it so far, and I know he will be great at it! He's very thankful already for the relief of having this new job. Therefore, I'm thankful for it too! I'm thankful I'll be able to see him more, he won't be working as much, and he'll just be all around happier. I'm so proud of him!

This month, we're thankful for the long break we had for our First Anniversary/Belated Honeymoon trip to Jamaica! It was absolutely perfect. (Minus the 3 hour delay on the way home, putting us in Charleston at 3 am!) The resort was awesome, the weather was gorgeous, and most of all, our quality time together was just so so good. Good for the soul. A week away from everything - completely removed from reality - is priceless these days. Especially when it's spent in paradise! We came home even more in love than before we left. I'm so thankful for a husband who I love SO much, and who loves me back just the same! (I'll do a whole post with pictures from our trip one of these days...be on the lookout.)

While on our Jamaica trip, we're thankful we celebrated our FIRST ANNIVERSARY this month. Can you believe it's been a whole year!? We can't! They say the first year is the hardest, but I don't buy that - because it felt like a piece of cake to us! We've enjoyed every minute of it. I'm not saying we're the perfect couple who never disagrees on anything, but seriously, I'd say we've passed with flying colors. I know life will throw us curve balls and we'll go through tough stuff - I'm not that naive, but all I'm saying is our first year was a breeze! Thankful to Jesus that he made us both for each other. We're the perfect match. 

Also this month, I'm thankful for David's life! His birthday was March 20, and it goes without explanation that I'm happy he was born. So thanks, Mrs. Cheri, for bringing that blonde headed baby boy into this world 28 years ago! Happy Birthday to the love of my life!

And this week, we're thankful for Jesus! (Well, every week we're thankful for Him...but this week especially). Thankful that he sacrificed everything, took our sin on His perfect shoulders, to be crucified...only to rise again and defeat the grave! Our prayer is that everyone will remember what it's really about. Not bunnies and eggs (although those are cute and fun) but about Christ and his ultimate gift of Grace. 

Happy Holy Week, Everyone!!

Also, if you're in the Charleston area and don't have anywhere to go Sunday, we'd LOVE to have you join us at LifePark! Let us know. 

Thankful Thursday 2.14.13

Valentine's Edition!

This week, I'm thankful for my handsome valentine! 

And, I'm thankful to be married to him - so he'll be my valentine every year!

Seriously, how cute is this face?!

We're thankful for the lack of rain today (not quite sunny skies, but we're getting there!) - after a few days of non-stop rain here in Charleston.

We're thankful for our puppies.

We're thankful for our home.

We're thankful for our cars.

We're thankful for our love.

We're thankful for our whole little newlywed life. It's been pretty great. 

We're thankful for our salvation. My sweet Daddy's valentine to me this morning said: Remember, "We love because He first loved us." 1 John 4:19. So, we're real thankful that HE loved us first. 

Happy Love Day, Y'all! I'm headed home to share it with my hubby! :)

xoxo

Court (& David)

Thankful Thursday 2.7.13

This week, I'm thankful for prayer.

As I mentioned in the post earlier this week, a lot of big things are on the horizon for us. And the doors keep opening. My gut reaction? Fear, apprehension. If these things work out, it could be life changing and awesome. If they don't? We'll still be A-okay. How do I know this? Prayer. Seems I've been in constant prayer this week. I'm learning that when I pray for "trust" or "faith", God's not going to magically give me those qualities. He's going to give me something to build my trust and faith. I'm learning. It seems David is much better at this part than I am, as he's ready to dive in head first. Me, I'm getting there. Exciting things are coming. 

(And no, it's not a baby for all of you inquiring minds, haha!)

This week, David's thankful that God seems to be opening doors to a better life. 

This ties in with the above. Not that our life is bad in any way, shape or form. We have a great life. He's just thankful that God seems to be pushing us toward an even better one!

This week, I'm thankful for my job. 

I got to travel to San Francisco last week for a conference. While it was a work trip, I still got plenty of time to be a tourist. I went in high school, but when I got back, lost all of my photos that I had put in an album. So, I'm thankful I got to go back and take replacements! It was a great trip. It's a great city. And the pacific ocean is still really cold on the toes :).

This week, we're thankful for each other.

We've been apart a lot for the last couple weeks, so we've really been enjoying our time together this week! Marriage is awesome. And it's almost been a year already - how crazy is that!?

Thankful Thursday 1.10.13

Been a while since I've posted one of these! 

I'm thankful for my flowers! Shameless Bragging: David had not one, but TWO bouquets of flowers waiting on me last night when I got home! Yellow and White Daisies in a vase, and pink daisies in a pot, to plant in the yard! He knows me so well. I LOVE getting flowers! So thankful to have a man who's still bringing me flowers (quite often) 4 years later! :)

I'm thankful for my spiritual family. I don't mean the whole body of believers, or even my church - I mean my inner circle - Husband, Dad, Mom, Sisters, etc. Had a great conversation with daddy last night about accountability and getting in the word. And I just realized, how AWESOME is it, (and, rare in this day and age) that I have an entire family who loves Jesus, and loves talking about Him? 

We're thankful that the Holidays are over. Not in a bah-humbug way, but just so that we can get back to a normal routine. Christmas and New Years are full of fun and parties and laughter and presents and busy-ness....but they're exhausting! :)

Speaking of New Years...I'm thankful that the Tigers WON the Bowl Game!!

(albeit by the skin of their teeth..but hey, a W's a W!)

David's thankful for his new grill - and, heck, I am too! We've eaten some delicious steaks, pork and bbq chicken. He loves to grill (what man doesn't?) and I love grilled food! On the menu tonight? Grilled fish, Corn & Asparagus. YUM!

XO,

C + D

Thankful Thursday

Almost forgot! It's....

We're both thankful for the cooler weather we've had this week! David's been getting off at reasonable times in the afternoons, and I got to wear a scarf and leggings on Tuesday! :) 

We also got to take the dogs on a walk around the neighborhood last night. It was SO nice!

David's thankful for "the ability to worship freely, and the ability and opportunity to lead others in worship. I'm thankful for my musical talent, the ability to sing and play the guitar. And the passion that Jesus has put in me to do it". (Can I get an amen!? Needless to say, I'm thankful for a husband with a passion for Jesus!) 

On the coattails of David's gratitude... We're both thankful for the quality time we've spent together in worship, in our home this week. How rare is it that God gives you a mate with the same spiritual gifts and passions? Beyond divine intervention - Perfect Divine Planning!

We're both thankful for having the means to travel! Clemson last weekend, Camping next month, and our honeymoon in March is paid for! Woo hoo! We have enough in our savings - now we just have to pick the place. Taking suggestions for somewhere tropical :)

We're both thankful for 7 months of wedded bliss - as of today!

Short list this week, but they're all really great things :)

c + d

Thankful Thursday, er, Friday

"Distracted by one wrong thing, I missed out on seeing many right things. I think this is a tactic the evil one uses against me. The devil loves to get us to focus on the little that's wrong so we miss the big picture of all that's right." -Lysa Terkeurst

True for me this week. I've been sick this week, so it's thrown my whole mood out of whack! I've been distracted by being sick, so I haven't had the patience to look for all the "right" things. Thus, I missed thankful thursday, so this week, we get a thankful Friday. Call me silly, but it really helps to vocalize all that we're thankful for...especially when we've been in a "funk". 

We're thankful for little Jonah Gochnauer! Thankful that the Lord has blessed our dear friends Adam & Jenny with a second beautiful boy, born on Wednesday afternoon. Thankful that he's healthy, and beautiful, and will undoubtedly bring infinite joy to the Gochnauer household! Congratulations Gochnauers, we love you! (And can't wait to meet little man!)

I'm thankful for this WEATHER! Still a little warm, but cool enough for me to enjoy my lunch hours in the park again! Been over to Brittlebank park twice this week, laid out my towel (still in the shade), and read my book. It's been heavenly! And, I get to enjoy this view of the Ashley River! So, I must say also, I'm thankful I live in Charleston!

I'm thankful for rest! I've not been sleeping well this week, and last night was the first night I slept through the night! 

I'm thankful for Pumpkin Spice Lattes. 'Nuff said :)

We're both thankful for our quality friendships. Though I believe it led to me being sick all week, We had a great sushi double date with the Berrys the other night! We always have such a great time when we're together. Excited for our flea market adventure with them tomorrow!

I'm thankful for my sisters, who are both far away from me right now! Caroline's away at college, and Kristen's in Guatemala on a mission trip. Love them both, and miss them both this week!

and saving the best for last...

We're thankful for Becca and Josh, our little sister and brother that both celebrated birthdays this week!! You two are definitely blessings to all those who surround you! Blessings in your new schools, Blessings to your friends, and definitely blessings to us! We're so proud of you BOTH!

Thankful Thursday

We're both thankful for the heavenly weather we've had in Charleston this week! 

(And perhaps a bit un-thankful we've been stuck at work instead of out enjoying it!) :)

I'm thankful for David's ol' faithful blue truck - My jeep has decided it doesn't like to idle, so it just cuts off. So I'm thankful David has a work van, so that I can drive his truck, until he has time to fix my car!

We're both thankful for 6 months of wedded bliss! That's right, this tuesday was our 6-month anniversary :) I know all of you that have been married for years think "that's nothin'!" but to us it's a milestone! If the rest of our lives go like these past 6 months have been, it's going to be a really great life!

I'm thankful for a new phone that was F R E E ! I was due for a new contract/upgrade, and accidentally left my little pink phone out in the rain...on that Isaac monsoon day we had...talk about an "Oops"! 

We're both thankful for getting to record our LifeSongs in a REAL studio (thanks to Joey Cox and Jeff Hodges at Charleston Sound)! So much fun, to feel like celebrities for a minute, all the while recording WORSHIP songs that mean so much to us! Something both of us checked off our bucket lists.. and we got to do it together! Will let you know when the recording comes out. Our friend Jenny is putting together an album for something, but is keeping the purpose of it all a surprise! 

I'm thankful it's FOOTBALL SEASON! In our house, it's a bit backwards. It's the wife in this relationship who's the football freak. David's coming around too - he puts up with my Clemson football obsession, and He even gets into the games now and has added lots of orange to his wardrobe! 

David's thankful for two families. I have to agree with him, it IS great having two families. And, we may be a little biased, but we both have super awesome, Godly families who love us and teach us a lot. I love that both of our families are "family people" - so often families only see each other on holidays or special occasions, but with our families, we love to all spend normal days together! We really do life together, and David and I are so thankful!

David's thankful for his new "Zombie and Angry Wife Protection" (his exact words). Aka, his new rifle. He went to the gun show this past weekend and got this new big scary looking thing. He's going up to a friend's property this weekend to shoot things. Boys and their toys. :)