Thursday, January 10, 2008

Thankful Thursday

"All our goodness is a loan. God is the owner." ~Saint John of the Cross

In November, I was sad that I had not gotten any good pictures, I mean really good pictures, of our daughters together. I had dreamed, longed, pined for the day when multiple children would fill our rooms with noise and clamoring. In April of 2007, my pining ceased. Emily and Hannah, have by far, exceeded every expectation I could have ever had as a parent. There is a local photographer who I just love. Her name is Joanna, and she is the daughter-in-law of close friends of my parents. Today, as I framed several of the wonderful pictures she took at a photo shoot in November, it occurred to me how grateful I am for her talent. She captured what I could never capture, ever. Joanna is a young, hip, beautifully cool mom with two gorgeous daughters of her own. She is fun and talented beyond words. Joanna, thanks for sharing your gifts with our family. (I have posted others that Joanna took - I'm certain you could pick them out! And here are a few more of our favorites...)











I am thankful that Emily bounded out of school today just beaming. When I inquired about her mood, she fumbled all over herself opening her school bag to produce a book. It was an ordinary book, except that Emily is able to read the whole thing with no help - her teacher loaned each student a book to read to their parents at home. She took such tremendous joy in reading it to me and then to Hannah and then to Nan and then to Dad (as I type she is reading it again). Now, we read everyday, all the time, incessantly...but it took the joy of reading with her classmates to make this phenomenon real to her.

I am thankful for my husband, who went out of his way today, stopped at the pharmacy and picked up eczema cream for the girls, without being asked!

I am thankful for long, lovely chats with my Texas friend, whom I wish lived closer.

I am thankful that Ayla's parents' posted some really good test results, and though there is a lot of road ahead, some major concerns have been resolved. Just keep prayin'!

I am thankful for my father (both my heavenly father and the earthly one He blessed me with). Dad, you and my computer have become wayyy too close! Thank you for spending last evening fighting with my printer.

Even though I hate to see 2007 fade away (it was the year Hannah entered our lives), I am thankful for new beginnings and renewed strength in being better this year than we were last year.

Hope you have had a happy week...what are you thankful for?

23 comments:

mommy24treasures said...

beautiful post, Those are all gorgeous pics absolutely filled with love. You chose the most perfect dresses too!!!!

I am so thankful for bloggers like you that will gladly say a prayer when I ask for one, and leave me such lovely thoughtful comments. You are lovely Heather. I see Jesus in you.

Kelley said...

Those pictures are just beautiful! (I am praying for little Ayla too--thanks for the information about her.)

Ashley Winters said...

The photographer did a wonderful job capturing your two gorgeous daughters. What precious photos!

I am thankful for fellow bloggers that inspire me.

Much Ado said...

What a lovely post and these pictures are just precious!!! Thank you also for your lovely comments and for thinking of me. God Bless.

Sheri said...

The pictures our gorgeous! You are always going to treasure these. How exciting that Emily has found joy in reading! How sweet it must be to see her reading to you all. So many great things to be thankful for!

sheryl said...

Oh I love these pictures and your girls! Those dresses are beautiful, very vintage, very hip and cool.

I love that Emily has found such joy in reading. As a former early ed teacher, I can't tell you how happy it makes me to hear how proud and excited she was to read her first book. Truly something worth celebrating and cherishing.

I just visited Ayla's site and will hold her in my prayers. What a sweet and special little girl. Hope all is well with Sam as well. Have a wonderful, blessed weekend!

Hugs,
Sheryl

missy said...

The pictures of your girls are absolutely beautiful. The colors in the dresses are so charming. I love the way they compliment each of your sweet girls. You always post such thoughtful posts. I am thankful to find blogs that inspire me like yours does!

Don and Lisa Osborn said...

Just saw your family picture!!!

Beautiful...

xoxo,
L

Don and Lisa Osborn said...

This was a great post and always so thought provoking. I know it is such a joy for you watching your girls. Thanks for sharing pictures and glimpses of their little personalities with us.

Love,
Lisa

DiJo said...

Hi Heather!
Oh, I love the sister photos! I hope to get some great professional ones of the girls in 2008 too!!!! So special!!!!! What a beautiful, thankful post!
Blessings,
Diana

redmaryjanes said...

Wow, that song has so much meaning to me. I had to turn up my speakers when I heard it come on your blog.
The photos of your girls together are beautiful and sweet and the same time. You really have a lovely family. I like the things you are grateful for too.

Danielle Moss said...

Heather,

I love this post. It is one of my favorites. The photos of the girls are beautiful. I love them all.

Congratulations to Emily for reading a whole book by herself! She must be so proud of herself (and she should be).

And thank you again for the sweet note and the very sweet email. You always know how to brighten my day.

Love,

Danielle

Stefanie said...

Awesome pictures! It's such a blessing to have precious family memories, captured! I think my favorite is the family photo... LOVE it!! :)

Denna said...

Those are beautiful pictures. I love their dresses. That second picture is so precious.

Leslie said...

Ok, you know I love MJC and pictures! So you can imagine how much I love this post! Love your family photo as well, such a treasure!

3 Peanuts said...

First, those photos are absoltuely BEAUTIFUL!!! And I love the family photo too!

Next, how great that ROb pciked up the cream wothout being asked...sweet guy!

I am thankful for our great chat last week:)

I am praying for Ayla as well. I actaully met her family a few years ago when we were waiting of Kate. They traveled with a friend of mine for their older daughter, Olivia. Isn't it a small world?

I love your list and your thankful heart:)


Kim

Adele said...

Oh my, these pics are just gorgeous!!! I love your blog. Yes, of course you can add me to your blogroll. I want to do the same with you too! :)

Linette said...

Those pictures are beautiful! Can't wait until I have two girls to photograph. :)

I'm so thankful for your friendship. I always love coming here and your beautiful posts. You always share from your heart. And like Connie said...I see Jesus in you as well.

Christy said...

Love all the pics!! Your girls are beautiful!

Christy :)

Angie said...

OH Heather...these pictures are beautiful! Such precious girls.

I am thankful for you and all of your encouragement and support you are showing me through our adoption. You are an amazing friend even though you have never met me! Thank you so much for that and for all your sweet comments.

Jake and Taryn said...

I love this post and WOW!!I am just speechless about your new and wonderful photos of the girls!!! They are just AWESOME!!! I also LOVE LOVE their adorable outfits! I just love the pictures!! You will forever treasure them...and the girls will too one day.

It is also great that Emily is so excited about reading!! Congrats to her! :)

Jewels of My Heart said...

Oh, Heather, what a beautiful post. The pictures of your little beauties are just priceless. They are beautiful, just like their Mama.
God Bless You
Daleea

Lori said...

Heather,
Your pictures are just gorgeous, all of them!! I love that you have your beautiful family photo up too.

Music


 
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