Thankful Thursdays Top Ten [#20]

This snow picture [taken by iPhone] is for You Capture's Photo Challenge

Thankful This Week For:

[For All My Ohio Favorites]

[1] Elizabeth Kilby

I'm so thankful she invited us to her daughter's first birthday even though I was a stranger. She has befriended me each week since...playdates, meetups, and our date night babysitter. She's a wonderful wife & mother, but also has such a sweet heart towards all those around her. She especially pours herself into girls transitioning into womanhood. We could all learn a lot from her hospitality and genuine love.

[2] Attractions

The kids & I go to see and experience so many neat local places & events I can hardly believe it's all going to fit into one scrapbook. I'm thankful that even though I always said I'd never want to come "somewhere boring like Ohio", I came to realize that there are places in "those states" that actually have lots to see and do. I will always miss driving down the highway and seeing all the gorgeous barns and fields too.

[3] The Lofts @ Willow Creek

I didn't want to mention it before [for safety reasons], but our apartment complex has been the best one we've stayed in yet. It was safe, gorgeous, full of things to do [pool! pool! pool!] and all the residents were really kind. [Well, most of them.] I'm going to miss my playroom and extra 500 square feet most, but I suppose my fenced in backyard will make up for it. No, it won't, but I will tell myself that anyways.

[4] To-Go Food

It was nice to have wonderful [for convince, not so much for calories] food around-the-corner. We ate House of Thai & Don Pablos many a nights...because I don't make Thai & Mexican like they do. I'm not even going to go into how much money we probably spent at the Chick-fil-a in Beavercreek. At least it's a Christian company, ha.

[5] Cincinnati [the mall & downtown]

It was the prettiest mall we visited in Ohio and our anniversary in downtown Cincinnati was magical. A must see fountain [at night].

[6] The Greene 

It's where my kids played in the water one month and where we froze our tushes off looking up at the snow covered Christmas tree another month. Caribou coffee gave me my first coffee drink I actually liked. And many much needed date nights. Oh, and let's not forget Noodles...best-mac-and-cheese-ever.

[7] Chicago

Okay, so technically this isn't in Ohio, but I'm thankful it was close because I've fallen in love with this city. I was already planning a trip back before we left. Perfect food, perfect attractions, perfect art, perfect entertainment, perfect architecture, perfect.

[8] Dayton Daily News

I'm so very thankful that after a very slow and unusual finance year we've been able to not only be provided work over the last 5 months, but provide work for many people as well.

[9] Parks

I feel as though this one should receive more than just one thankful mention because these parks in Dayton have been a saving grace for my boys and will definitely be the hardest thing I will have to leave behind. We have amazing parks in Atlanta, but I'm not sure I've ever been to anything as practical and gorgeous as this park. I will miss thee, for all occupying my kids while I cleaned out the car.

[10] A Reason To Blog

I'm thankful that this season in my life provided me the opportunity to start a blog. It started off as a way to keep up with everyone back in GA while here in OH, but has turned into a real outlet for me and [I hope] ministry...to those who read it. 

Be it...

a ministry of humor

a ministry of comradery

a ministry of advice

a ministry of love

I've enjoyed sharing what I believe God has given me and enjoyed receiving from all of you as well. I've fallen even more in love with God's creation of women. We are a special, precious, beautiful thing He has made. I think so many of you are fantastic and hope to continue to have the opportunity to watch God change us from glory to glory...one dish and sock at a time.

After leaving Ohio this weekend, we'll still be on the road [and living out of suitcases] for the next 4 weeks, but will return from our many adventures on [one month from today]...January 16th.

Look forward to my stories of: a week in GA for Christmas, a week in Houston, a week at my dad's ranch, and our cruise to the Caribbean.

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Every week I invite my friends in blogworld to join me in being thankful. 

[1] write a blog post with 10 things you're thankful for this week

[2] mention this blog post [hyperlink my blog and/or grab my button]

[3] use McLinky below by clicking on "Click here to enter"

You don't have to do it on Thursdays. You can do it any day of the week. Call it whatever you want. Be creative...use words, pictures, poems, etc. Come back throughout the week and read other's lists and make new friends.
Ask others to join too. 

Thanks for participating and being patient as "we" grow.

Linking up at The Tarr Pit

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Because you're thankful for me right? [ha!]