Christmas Blessings

Well, I missed Thankful Thursday but I still feel blessed so, here is my attempt to catch up...

I am thankful school is over for the semester! It was a lot of group projects and mathmatical work this semester and it was hard to coordinate all of that with our life!

I am thankful my father-in-law made it through his surgery and is recovering well.

I am thankful for my friend Randi, who had an emergency appendectomy two weeks ago and is recovering well. She still has pain, so we are praying for that to dissipate.

I am thankful for Jesus. Not only at Christmas, but everyday of the year. I am a worrier. Not proud of it, but I am. Jesus makes it bearable and helps me remember certain things are just out of my control.

I am thankful for time with Emily, though she was sick, I like the days we can spend together with Hannah.



I am thankful one very critical meeting for work is over. I am looking forward to finding solutions for one of the students I work with and for his parents to have peace about their son's future.

Now that the big chill is here, I am thankful we got our Christmas tree a few weeks ago, before the snow and ice:) Hannah was unimpressed with this family tradition and napped the entire time!








I am thankful for the wonder and enthusiasm of children...watching Emily and Hannah rejoice in all beauty of the season really makes it special.

Eight Month Musings

When our son, Noah was born to Heaven, we were overwhelmed with graciousness by those who love us. Though we had not shared our news of a coming baby, those who knew me well, recognized I had been way too quiet, way too long. It was evident in looking at me that I was not just overindulging on oreos, however, in kindness and respect, most allowed us our privacy. There was speculation, but no one pried. On the sad day when we arrived home from the hospital, friends dropped by with meals and gifts, cards came, calls came, all of which were appreciated. The news of what happened to our family traveled quickly to family and friends. It was comforting to be surrounded by such love. I prayed A LOT during that time and knew God would carry our burden. I prayed for a sign, any sign, something to guide my steps.

Then the box came.

It was an ordinary brown box, from P*ttery Barn, no less, and I knew it had some pumpkin placemats and a small doll for Emily inside. Yet, when I opened it, there on top of the packing peanuts was a neatly packaged crib sheet, a boy's crib sheet, with trains and cars and planes scattered about. I did not order this. Of course it set into motion a flurry of tears, but I took it to be a sign.

A few months later, we would make the decision to adopt and we completed our paperwork requesting to adopt a little girl from China. I purposely left the crib sheet out and referred to it often, wondering the message that it held. I obviously assumed it meant a little boy would join our lives, but as we completed the last of the seemingly endless paperchase, I decided to put the crib sheet away. As I dug through the linen closet last Christmas searching for a doile (a particular doile), I unearthed the crib sheet once again. In my sadness that our cherub was not here, I decided that it represented hope, even though our referral was not yet received and we'd celebrate one more holiday without our fourth family member, I had hope. I tinkered with the idea of placing the crib sheet in a missions bag, but I found I could not part with it. I gently tucked the sheet (still wrapped) back in the same spot.

At some point this year, the crib sheet would yet again cross my path and as I stood staring at it, it hit me. Planes, trains, automobiles - we'd have so far to travel to bring home our miracle. And there it was...looking back, it was a sign of things to come - a journey, one I would not trade, ever.





So, on this eight month anniversary of Hannah arriving home to us forever, I focus on the journey, getting to this place. Our shiny, happy Hannah blossoms more everyday. I love her fiesty side and yet, she challenges me daily. I love that she asks for kisses now and hugs us with all of herself. Her giggles are priceless. I loved her long before I ever knew what her face would look like. God knew her and He knew the plans He had for our family. His timing had to be perfect to complete a journey such as this...

"Thank God for this gift, His gift. No language can praise it enough."
~ 2 Corinthians 9:15

Twas a Month Before Christmas

Twas a month before Christmas,
And nothing was done.
No cookie dough, decorating or deal shopping fun.
The children were annoyed
by boxes filled with glee,
the angels and wreaths and stuff for the tree.
They hovered and begged and fingered each one
asking each time, can we open just one?
Then, what to my wondering eyes should appear
But the white postal truck, mailman in tow
He ran up the drive, so lively and quick
But I knew in my heart that he was not St. Nick
He smiled and fidgeted and rang our doorbell
This package is for you, hope all is well
We giggled, we opened, and saw with delight
A beautiful box filled with everything right
Gingerbread scents and a treat for our tree
All we can say is THANK YOU CONNIE!







We were blessed by a drawing held at Mommy24Treasures and we received the cutest box, filled with lovely things for our Christmas celebration. My favorite item is, of course, the darling ornament for the tree. Emily and Hannah really liked that too. I am grateful today for the miracle of community that adoption has extended into our home.

Sadly, the beginning of this rhyme is true - we have accomplished very little as far as the holidays are concerned and true to form, I am wondering however will it all get done. Fortunately, I am constantly reminded that there are certain Type A things that are not necessary and all the important things will get done. I have put one decoration out so far - the advent wreath. Emily knew immediately what it represents and asked when we would add the purple and pink candles. I suppose that is how I know all the important things will happen this Christmas.



On a prayerful note, I have proclaimed many times my love for Emily's teacher. This week her husband fell ill, and it was confirmed yesterday that he suffered a stroke - he will be fine, but has a road ahead of him and his lovely wife as well. Please pray for their family as they navigate this new and sudden territory. Their faith will sustain them, but it doesn't remove the painfulness of the process.

Wishing you all a happy month ahead filled with wonder and beauty.

Wuv Voooooo and Other Hannahisms

Hannah is such a mimic these days and she finds the humor in everything. This weekend, she decided to adopt one of Emily's backpacks. She puts it on (with help of course:)and goes to get a hat, and then fills a basket with toys and puts that over her arm, and proudly professes, "Skkkoooooool, buh bye!"

She is learning the art of sharing (insert laughter, lots of it)and has perfected the shrill sound of "MINE" while smothering said item against her itty bitty self. In all honesty though, she is getting better about sharing and will trade items; Emily has actually worked hard being a good role model and teacher. I think Emily sees it as a challenge and wants Hannah to learn from her.





We had Thanksgiving dinner with Daddy's family at Grammy's house. Both girls thoroughly enjoyed Thanksgiving and are extremely eager to decorate for Christmas. Mommy is too!

But my biggest joy came this morning. Now, Hannah is excellent at telling us when she needs to have her diaper changed, she definitely understands directions and she gives hugs and kisses much more freely now, so there is no doubt we have good communication. BUT this morning, as she settled down for a nap, I said, as I always do, "I love youuu." And for the first time, she smiled one of her killer smiles and sang out, "Wuuv vooooooooooooo, Mommy." Probably scared the poor kid out of eight years growth when I let out a whoop and ran back to squeeze her another few times. What a wonderful way to begin a day!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

"Enter God's gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations." Psalm 100:4-5




I cannot believe another Thursday is here. This one is special - our first Thanksgiving with Hannah Leigh. I feel as though I waited so long to have her here with us and sometimes, I need to pinch myself to believe she has really come home. It is a joy. It is great reason to be thankful.



I am thankful for my little Indian, Emily, who enjoyed her Kindergarten feast to it's fullest. She had a headache the evening before and knowing Emily, I was certain a sinus infection was the cause. On Friday, when we visited the doctor with both little ladybugs in tow, Emily marched in with her Indian headdress on and told everyone the story of Thanksgiving.



I am thankful both Hannah and Emily seem to be feeling better. The morning of the feast, Hannah was running a very high temperature. I was supposed to help in Emily's classroom and I was tentative about leaving Hannah. She did fine while I was gone, and a visit to the doctor would confirm a double ear infection and pink eye. This past weekend was a bit of a bust with two little sickies on our hands, but we are thankful for quiet time and for togetherness:)

I am thankful that I have the freedom to praise God and to worship as I choose. Especially at Thankgiving, it seems appropriate to be mindful of the Great Big God that gets me through the day.



I am thankful for an extraordinary meeting with Emily's teacher this week. Kindergarten can be daunting, fortunately Emily is in a wonderful classroom with a great teacher and she is thriving. She doesn't like school, she LOVES it.

I am thankful that Amanda, our little friend with CF, healed well and was able to join her friends for Thanksgiving feast on Friday. I am thankful for her mother and the incredible spirit and example she is to all mothers.



I am thankful for family. I am thankful I have a good husband and that we work together to nurture and enrich this beautiful life.

I am thankful for family. I am thankful my parents are nearby, and though we won't be able to be together on Thanksgiving, I am thankful for them every single day.

I am thankful for friends - all friends. Our life is filled with special and important people. This weekend we had the most wonderful visit from our friends Casey and Tiffany and their two gorgeous children. Living far apart, our opportunities are few and far between, but it is wonderful when we are together.

Wishing you and your family a love and laughter filled holiday with all the trimmings. Let us all be thankful for our blessings, today and always.

Thankful Thursday

Emily decided this weekend that it was high time we make a pumpkin pie. We wrote out our list, went to the grocery store, she found everything we would need and even some extras to make pumpkin muffins. Now understand, Emily has earned herself the name "Petunia Pickypants". Though never a big eater, Emily was a good eater. And then...well, no one is quite sure when the change occurred, but Petunia came to live with us. So, her request to make a pumpkin pie was paramount.





We really had a wonderful time baking. I was still feeling under the weather, so it was a perfect way to spend our day. Hannah would come in and check on us, but she was much more interested in a finished product than the baking process:) The pie turned out perfect in every way, as did the muffins. When the time came to cut our pie and eat dessert, Emily was first, and she was positively giddy with delight, tasting first the small dollup of cool whip and then biting wholeheartedly into her creation. Then there was the face (Moms, you know the face). Then, the ever so small choking noise, followed by more face and she declares, "MMmmm delicious, cough, cough." Meanwhile Hannah is yelling, "MO PIE!"(more pie, please) Our sweet Emily was not finished, she would try that slice of pie three more times before waving the white flag and sadly stating, "But Mommy, I wanted to like it so much - I really did want to like it." So, what am I thankful for? - I am thankful that Emily wants to try new things. Petunia Pickypants wants to broaden her horizons and venture outside her box, for this I am thankful!

I am thankful for hot showers, warm beds and snuggly coats that keep the cold away from our bodies. As the chill nips our noses, I am ultimately aware of so many that do not have the blessings of shelter or clothing.

I am thankful for the missions in our area, who seek to help people in any and every way they can.

I am thankful my pantry is full. I am thankful I have the opportunity to take things from our pantry that others may be fed. One of my all time favorite activities with the youth was the Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt - the kids were not permitted to return to the church until they had acquired every item necessary to make a Thanksgiving dinner. I recall the one year we collected over fifty turkeys in one night - we ran out of room and had to send them home with people to be brought back the next day.

I am thankful for all the distance covered since Hannah arrived home. When I think back to that little girl who could not move but to pivot in a small circle and now see her doing somersaults, it amazes me. Her once jelly legs and arms are now strong and developed. She rides her quad with joy and balance. She hops and skips and jumps...we are truly thankful.

This is Molly (she is our four pound poodle, who just turned 12)


This is Hannah, always calling for Molly



"MEEEEE MOLL" (Come Here Molly, accompanied by two slaps on her little thigh)



I'm thankful that we have blessings to count, that this year our family was made complete. I am thankful there is so much to be thankful for...

Thankful Thursday

Though I have skipped Thursdays in the past because time was not of the essence, today I am thankful that although, I am down for the count with a major infection in my ears and sinuses and a touch of bronchitis to boot, it gives me some quiet time to reflect and be thankful.

We are thankful that Emily's friend, Amanda is home from the hospital and doing well. We are thinking of their family as they deal with the daily occurances of cystic fibrosis. Their courage and faith are awe-inspiring and our family is blessed by their spirit and friendship. We are praying that the PIC line can be removed by 11/14, so that Amanda can return to school and her friends:)




I am thankful for a sense of humor, we'd never get through the day without it!



I am thankful for my niece and her recent confirmation. Whenever a child grows in their faith, my heart is extra happy!

I am thankful for my mother, always there, always listening, always steadfast, she is a rock and a friend, how blessed that makes us.

I am thankful for my husband, who thought about teamwork this week and surprised me by doing the little things that were never even asked of him, it makes a big difference, honey. (I do think my looking sick and pitiful helped:)

I am thankful to Karen and Kate and our Thursday chats - I look forward to our time together and am grateful for our friendship.



I am thankful to be a mother and wife. I attended a baby shower last weekend for my friend Gerri's daughter in law, Christy. Christy looked beautiful, and this baby is answered prayer in every way. I sat there taking in all the pretty gifts and all the advice being doled out and realized how fortunate I am to be on this side of motherhood. I am grateful to my friends who inspire me, as we raise our families and learn by each others' sides. I am thankful to blog moms whom I've not even had the priviledge of meeting, but somehow speak to my heart any number of times during the chaos that is our week. Even when sick and feeling certainly not my best, those smiles, that sound, "Mommy", it just makes it okay. I am thankful to be a mother...