So, it's been almost a month since our last post. It has been one of the busiest months of the year, so that would explain it. Matt had 2+ Forge-related trips, and I attempted a trip with my mom which, at the last minute, fell through so we have been gone a lot, and our times at home are playing catch up on housework, laundry, and Heidi-settling-back-in-at-home.
We've had 2 birthday parties, 1 Forge movie night, dinner at my parents' house in Fort Worth, a trip to Billy Bob's, 3 doctor's appointments and a little toddler who has been very much a 2-year old along the way! To her credit, we've dragged Heidi back and forth between FW, Plano and Tyler quite a bit... and it's not even the holidays yet!
Here are a few of the things that I'm thankful for, as we approach this season:
1. My fantastic husband - Matt. He has taken care of me during the tired, grumpy, morning-sickness-filled, lazy, wiped out, and too busy times. I'm always thankful for him, but he has really shown me how much he loves me by how he has cared for me, our daughter, our house and in providing for our needs.
2. A sweet little girl named Heidi, who keeps me smiling every day. Amidst the temper tantrums of 2-ness, the disobedience, and the messes, she has the cutest flirty smile, the prettiest blue eyes you'll ever see, and the cutest singing voice you ever hear. I'm so thankful that God has given her to us. The joy supersedes the trials!
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Hoping her ambitions reach a little higher than
McDonald's, but for now, it's cute! |
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| Playing at DeeDee's house |
3. A healthy Baby #2. It's been a trying 14+ weeks - I don't remember being this tired last time... but I didn't have a 2-year old last time I was pregnant! Children are a blessing from the Lord, and I'm trying to remember that daily even when I'm tired. Baby #2 is another sign of God's blessing to us, and we are so grateful.
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| Now the size of a lemon! |
4. For a wonderful family (and in-laws). I love my family. I have 3 brothers - we all get along, we all love to spend time together, and my parents make their house a wonderful place for us all to gather for the holidays. My folks are a great example of a faithful godly couple that is still married after almost 39 years. My in-laws are the best too! Not only can my mother-in-law make the best apple pies in the world (seriously), but they are overly generous... with their time and their money. They have taken care of Heidi during some fun and some hard times lately, and are always willing to accommodate Matt and I to make our lives easier with a little kid and one on the way. My sister-in-law, Jodie, is wonderful too. She helped teach our Forge students about leadership in the medical field, babysits Heidi for me, and is a great best friend too (just like my other sister-in-laws!)
5. My friends here at Pine Cove and in Tyler... couldn't ask for a better community: Jenn, Jenny, Hannah and Amanda next door, Jeff & Charis on the other side next door, Ginger, Steph, Amanda, Christina, Brooke, Lori, Emily, Lauren, "other" Jenny, Forge students, media team, freelance friend Linda... and I'm just getting started!
6. I am most of all grateful that I don't have to pay the penalty for my own sin. Couldn't do it even if I wanted to. And who would want to? But Christ.
Grateful. Happy Thanksgiving!
