Be grateful for small things, big things, and EVERYTHING in between. Count your blessings, not your problems.

I’m going to get a little personal on this post today. I have a lot to be thankful for and I definitely have many blessings in my life. I have also had experiences where it would of been pretty easy to count my problems instead of my blessings. The story I am sharing can be found in more detail HERE {When Life gives You Lemons, make-Lemonade} About 5 years ago when construction,  the real estate market and the economy crashed, my husband and I lost our cabinet/construction business and many real estate investments. What were once assets for us became liabilities. We also lost our home and many personal assets that we had worked very hard for. We experienced some other losses and had some other life changes that made our lives more challenging. I was faced with an autoimmune disease and some health issues that also made life difficult. It would of been so easy to just give up, be negative and complain about the problems that were facing us. Instead we accepted it and tackled it head on. Although it wasn’t easy it was possible. We were going to be ok. We could still be happy. I credit that to so many blessings that we still had in our life. We had lost so many of our possessions but we still had so much. Family, friends, and most of all our faith and determination kept us going. There were so many times I felt my Heavenly Father’s arms around me allowing me to know and feel my blessings. Each day bringing new blessings into my life.

There is a Christian song I love that brings this into perspective for me:

Count your Many Blessings Lyrics

1. When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings; name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
(Chorus)
Count your blessings;
Name them one by one.
Count your blessings;
See what God hath done.
Count your blessings;
Name them one by one.
Count your many blessings;
See what God hath done.
2. Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings; ev’ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by.
3. When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you his wealth untold.
Count your many blessings; money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven nor your home on high.
4. So amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged; God is over all.
Count your many blessings; angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.
Text: Johnson Oatman, Jr., 1856-1922
Music: Edwin O. Excell, 1851-1921

How have we worked through this ?

With a lot of hard work, determination, positive thinking and gratitude we have worked through the tough times. Although very challenging at times and through much sacrifice, we have been able to reach goals we have set along the way. My home has always been a place of love and comfort for me. I have always tried to create a nice home that I could invite people in. I love to entertain in my home. I love to decorate my home! I love to create memories with my family and friends in my home. This last year after renting a nice home the three previous years, we chose to live in an apartment. A very tiny space that shared walls with strangers. We also chose to make extra sacrifices and save as much money as possible so we could get back into our own home again. I have spent the last year with great dreams of this happening. 

So why am I sharing this today?

*Very Exciting Announcement*

Count Your Blessings!

We just got the keys to our new home!! Thats why you have seen less of me lately. I have been busy house hunting and making this all come to pass. Yay! I can’t wait to share the journey in our new home on the blog. This last year it has been tough blogging with half my stuff in storage and a very small work space. Now I can share decorating tips and have a decent work space. 

To me the new home is beautiful with great interiors. The front yard on the other half is not so great in my eyes. That will be one of our first projects and I will show photos when we get to it. Here are a few other photos, a sneak peak of some spaces I have big plans for! See if you spy Jillene in any of these photos! 😉

{ Count your blessings }

{ Count your blessings }

{ Count your blessings }

{ Count your blessings }

{ Count your blessings }

{ Count your blessings }

{ Count your blessings }

So get ready for great things from inkhappi!

{ Count Your Blessings } 

Its a wonderful thing!

I really like this printable and think it deserves to be framed in my home. (This photo was taken with my phone amid packing in my thrifty apartment studio-hahah)

You can download this print——–>> HERE

Thank you to the readers who have made it through this post. I appreciate all of you who visit my site and leave me kind comments!