Thursday, April 10, 2008

Thankful Thursday

"The Lord is good and His love is eternal; His faithfulness endures through all generations." ~ Psalm 100:5

Today the sun was shining and for the first time in a long time, the temperatures soared high enough to play on the porch and pick buttercups in the yard. I am thankful for the first breath of spring and the joy it brings. Everyone smiles just a bit more when the world looks so lovely.

I am thankful today for Hannah. I have found myself saying "how far she has come" in this past year, but truthfully, I was pretty impressed with the little person she was from the get-go. I am proud of her achievements and courage. Obviously, she has grown in every way imaginable this year, especially emotionally, and for this we are most grateful. I love it when she looks out the window and talks to the birdies or better yet, when she runs full force down the driveway certain she can catch one. I love that she wants to be just like her big sister. I love her laugh. I used to say how serious she is and some days, she still is. Overall, though, she is very funny and incredibly curious! I celebrate her. Her eyes, her nose, the crazy way she dances and the way she hugs my neck, holds my hand and kisses my face, all the while crooning "Awwwww, Mommy!"







Today, I am thankful for the home where I live, the food that I eat, the family I have been blessed with and the prayer that sustains me daily. I don't often get the chance to watch television, but last evening, while ironing, I watched American Idol Gives Back and followed that with Diane Sawyer's interview with Randy Pausch. AI Gives Back was mindboggling to me. The state of the world is a scary one and I pray my children will grow to have servant's hearts and that they will serve their neighbors. Billy Ray and Miley Cyrus went back to Billy Ray's hometown, which just happens to be the very first county I was priviledged to serve in. As I wiped away my tears, they panned pictures of a broken, needy community that looked very similar to how it looked fifteen years ago when I was there. I vowed I would never forget what I witnessed and how I felt during those years of missionwork - that reminder last evening was necessary.

Every couple should see, read, know about Randy Pausch...battling pancreatic cancer, he has chosen to make a difference before he leaves this earth. Click here to read more and find links to his new book. He does not desire to be an icon or an idol, just an ordinary family man, faced with extraordinary circumstances and sharing his families' experiences so others may be better for it. It makes me stop and think about how I might handle his situation, were it mine.


Finally, Emily, thank you for the lovely flowers you picked for me today. I love them. We have pretty vases, but the flowers were very tiny, so she bolted upstairs, grabbed a dixie cup and cut the top off to make it "short enough" for her pint size bouquet. Just beautiful...



What are you thankful for today?

17 comments:

3 Peanuts said...

Those flowers are so cute!

Love your list...love the last lecture..such great life lessons.

Hannah looks darling in these photos and I loved reading about her personality.

You have such a giving heart. thank you for always hsaring it so genuinely.


See you in 2 days! I'll probably be exhausted from my late night with Denise but it'll be so worth it! I'll need Starbucks Saturday!

Kim

Don and Lisa Osborn said...

Heather~

Again, you've outdone yourself. I am touched by everything you've posted. Ironically, I almost posted about the Last Lecture, too...

The collages of Hannah are incredible!!!

Sending you much love and thanks for making me think.

xoxo,
Lisa

Jodee said...

Love your Thankful Thursday list and adorable collages!

mommy24treasures said...

I love your list too. These pics are SO wonderful! My hubby walked by and said let me see that one again! He loved the black and white. They are all beautiful and seem to radiate her beauty inside and out. You chose perfect pics for your post on being thankful for Hannah.
Love the bible verse as well. Perfect.
Love
C

Christy said...

First off, love the new look on your blog-- very cute!!

Hannah is getting so old-- she is just precuous. YOur thankful list is wonderful. I always enjoy reading your list as it makes me reflect on my own life.

Have a great weekend!!

Christy :)

Kate said...

Heather,

I have been so touched by Randy Pausch also. He is just unbeleiveable and so wise and yet somehow simple and direct...so gifted and such a gift.

Your post and your picutres are beautiful. You are blessed with such a lovely family and your giving spirit is a gift to all those who are lucky enough to be touched by you.

Happy Weekend....how wonderful to be reunited with your travel group. That is very special!!

Kate

Lori said...

I'm thankful for reading this beautiful post! The photos of Hannah are so sweet, what great shots you got of her charming personality. I just love the flowers and also love imagining Hannah singing to the birds! :D
Enjoy your time at the reunion!

LaLa said...

What a wonderful post of thankfulness. I love your beautiful flowers. That pic of Hannah with the towel on her head is my fav : )

Gwen Oatsvall said...

so much to be thankful for ... love love love the pictures ... AI touched me in many ways also ... I saw the man you are talking of on Oprah ... it was so interesting the legacy he is leaving behind ...

prechrswife said...

Love your "Thankful" posts. They are always so thoughtful...

Denise C said...

Oh what a precious bouquet of flowers from your sweet girl! This pictures of her are simply breathtaking!!! She is stunningly beautiful!!! I just love this post!!!
Sweet Blessings my friend!!!

DiJo said...

Hi
How was the reunion?? Can't wait to see photos!

I am going to check out the link to the book you included in your list. Thanks for that! It may be something I can pass on to Michelle! The photos of Hannah are PRECIOUS! And I adore the Dixie Cup Bouquet!

Blessings,
Diana

redmaryjanes said...

Wonderful list.
I have heard the last lecture and I cried through most of it. He is an amazing man.
As always, the photos are beautiful.

Nikki said...

We are all truly blessed, and it is so good to give thanks.

Your girls are so lovely and sweet. The flowers from Emily are beautiful and I love how much Hannah is growing and changing - it is great to watch a little miracle unfolding before your own eyes, isn't it!?

Hope you are having a wonderful week.

Karen said...

What a great post! Your girls are just beautiful! Congratulations on one year with Hannah. I have seen Randy's Last Lecture....unbelievably touching. It something I think everyone should see.
PS: The flowers are so pretty.

Karen

Denise C said...

H Heather...I just stopped by to see if you had a post up about your reunion this past weekend! I just visited Kimberley and saw how much fun you all had together! Oh what special times with treasured friends!
Sweet Blessings!
Denise

The Byrd's Nest said...

What wonderful, wonderful things to be thankful for. I love all of the pictures!

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