Thursday, January 17, 2008

Thankful Thursday

"Relax and rest. God has showered you with blessings." ~ Psalm 116:7

Is it me? Or do Thursdays come around quicker these days than they used to? It is certainly not a complaint, just makes me nostalgic for how quickly time passes and how much we have to be grateful for.




I am thankful to Linette, who posted this great devotional on her blog. I mentioned to my mother the name of this devotional and voila, my mom ordered it and picked it up for me.

So, I am also thankful to my mother. She does things like that, always has. She has a way of making life simpler, easier, flow better. As a child, I recall my mom never got a helping hand. My dad travelled for business, my grandparents never offered to help out in any way, she and my aunt were on their own and they did a great job. They hosted countless family dinners and events - they both still do these. They have always helped with babysitting and have been trusted companions in the lives of their children and grandchildren. My mother is a "no frills" kind of lady - she just gets it done. For all those behind the scenes gestures and offerings, Mom, you should know, you have taught me well and now teach my children also.



I am thankful for educational, fun, children's literature. Emily receives Highlights and Big Backyard and Hannah receives Babybug - oh, how we love Babybug. She will gather them up, get comfy in her chair and "read" away. Emily loves the puzzles and challenges in hers, and I am grateful for resources like this, that help me spend that kind of special time with them.





I am thankful for prayerful children. Hannah began with a really awful rash last week, in several locations and we suspect they are all due to different reasons. So we are treating her for three separate issues. As we try to ascertain what allergy could be maintaining the one rash, we are frustrated. We pray every morning, and doesn't that Emily get right to it interceding for her sister. From the daily chronicles of Mom-dom, you have got to be grateful for that!

I am thankful for the snow we are seeing today - it is not quite cold enough for it to lay on the ground, but it is pretty and the kids just love it:)

I am thankful to be part of a network of adoptive parents. I never imagined the friendships that would form, the bonds that would feel unbreakable because of our unique connection. I will always be eternally grateful for the people I have been blessed to know and for the incredibly important message we carry with us, each and every day. I was working in one of the schools this week, when a mother overheard someone ask me about our younger child and it began this whole delicate discussion about adoption. It is a blessing I would never have known if God did not lead us to this place.

Ooooh Mommy's computer...


Just grab here...


PUUULLLLLLL...

I am standing on the chair! Mom, don't panic...


Just want to check the blogs:)


I am thankful for the spunk and spontenaity of Hannah. Our little Evil Kenevil just loves to climb these days, she is downright nosy! She also likes to dress herself, which is hilarious and actually quite fun. I love her spiciness and relish in her joyful nature.

I am thankful for my friends. Some new, some old, all of them. I cleaned out my hope chest last week and reminisced about so many really amazing life events. The recurrent theme was the people who have been in my life all along. We may speak every three days, three months or three years, but the relationship doesn't change. I think that is special.

Finally, I am thankful for a tender moment I got to share with Emily this afternoon. Today was "Mom's Day In" at dance class. I spent the better part of my life in a dance studio, so it makes sense I dreamed of a daughter who would dance. Truth be told, I really don't care now or moving forward if she ever decides she does not want to dance. But, as I sat watching her...I am amazed by her. At the end they asked us to dance with our child. It was one of the finest hours of my entire life - I was completely moved and I am thankful that I didn't weep and embarrass my sweet child.

Hope you have had a wonderful week. What are you thankful for?

16 comments:

3 Peanuts said...

Oh how special that dance sounds!!!

Kim

MacMui Mom said...

Thanks for being such a big inspiration to me and being so supportive when we got our referral! I will be forever grateful for your kindness and love.

Danielle Moss said...

You have always told me such amazing things about your mom. She sounds wonderful (just like you). I don't know where to begin so I'll just name a few things I love about this post.

I love how Emily has such strong faith. I love how sweet your girls are, and how you are able to have such special moments with them.

And I love that you danced with Emily.

Lori said...

Oh Heather, I love the pictures of the girls praying. :)
Thanks for sharing all that you are thankful for, I love seeing it all through your spiritual and grateful eyes.

Don and Lisa Osborn said...

Why is it whenever I read something you've written, I have to choke back tears???

Your amazing mom helped shape you into an amazing mom and I know you're modeling that for E & H.

Love you lots,
Lis

DiJo said...

Oh Heather!
I Love this post, but especially the last part at the dance studio. LeeAnn Womack started playing in my mind immediately! I love those precious moments that mean more than anything!!! I also love the pics of the girls praying. I have one of Ruby that looks just like Hannah. What a blessing that our children love such a gracious God too!
I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
-Diana

Adele said...

I just love everything about this post. I love how you speak about your mom. I can tell she is a special lady. I love that you danced with your daughter. I, too, spent most of my years in a dance studio and now that Mallory takes dance, it blesses my heart. The picture of your daughter praying is priceless. I love to hear the prayers of my daughter. Thanks for warming my heart with this post.

Linette said...

What a beautiful post Heather! I feel like I say that all the time but I really mean it. Your heart is just so amazing. You are going to love the devotional book! So many days, it's exactly what I need to hear! I'm so thankful for your friendship and blessing you are in my life. :)

Jake and Taryn said...

What a great post and many great things to be thankful for! I love that your Mom got you that book! How sweet! I just might have to get that book myself!

Sheri said...

What a special post! It shows how God is being faithful through the generations of women in your family. Your mother sounds like an incredibly loving, godly woman. You are so very blessed to have her as your mom. It shows that you are just like her when I see the sweet pictures of your girls praying. Teaching them to love the Lord is what it's all about! I also love that you were able to share that special dance with Emily. Your description of it brought tears to my eyes.

sheryl said...

Heather,

I just love this post. Everything. Sweet Emily, precious Hannah, your wonderful mom and of course, the dance studio moment is the kind of moment that lasts in your heart forever. Thank you for sharing all the beauty in your life. You truly are an inspiration to me. You remind me everytime I visit to stop and smell the roses in our often hectic and chaotic lives.

Hugs,
Sheryl

PS. Thanks to you, Linette, Adele and a few others, I am on my way out tomorrow to get Jesus Calling. I know it is exactly what I need to hear right now. :)

Leslie said...

I just love visiting your blog, your words are always chosen so perfectly. You have a very calming way about you. So thankful that our paths have crossed! I love that you danced with Emily, I am sure she was proud!

Jan said...

I am thankful for my husband and daughter! P.S... I appreciate your blog! I will have to check out Babybug and the devotional you suggest. Blessings!

Dawn said...

What sweet pictures. I love reading your Thankful Thursdays.

The Byrd's Nest said...

This is my first time to post on your blog. What beautiful daughters you have and what a beautiful post on what you are thankful for.

I absolutely love your daughter's beautiful red hair and the precious picture of her praying. I love to watch my little ones pray.

Jewels of My Heart said...

sooooooo precious.

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