Day #20 and #21 of Thanks

#20 - Today I am thankful for a wonderful work family who helped me remember this season as we decorated BB's house for Christmas and for my sweet family that we get to visit with this weekend as we celebrate Thanksgiving Alabama style!

#21 - So grateful for simple weekends taking it easy that consist of bird watching, coloring, playing whiffleball, going on a walk, and playing hopscotch. The type of day only a 5 year old could produce to remind you of good, simple fun!

Day #19 of Thanks

#19 I am thankful for those who adopt. Because of you, I have wonderful examples of obedience to the Lord. And I also have confirmation that what my heart longs to do is possible, and when the day comes that we can start our journey I will have many wonderful people to talk to along the way.

In you the orphan finds mercy.

Hosea 14:3

Never take advantage of any widow or orphan. If you do and they cry out to me, you can be sure that I will hear their cry.

Exodus 22:22-23

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father."

Romans 8:14-16

Day #18 of Thanks

#18 Today I am thankful for firsts. I am so grateful that I have gotten to experience so much in my life. First airplane ride, first cruise, first job; there are so many things that I have been blessed to do so far. What amazing opportunities I have had! I couldn't help but think about this as I watched Cora Beth at her first "live performance" (Veggie Tales Live!) tonight. I am also excited about being a part of Ellie Grace's first trip to the beach next week, too!

Day of Thanks #16 & #17

#16 I am thankful for an example of giving. There are so many people in my life who have shown this to me over the years. First of all, I am glad my mom taught us the importance of tithing, giving a little here and there to others, and even her dedication to specific non-profits. She may have only given $20 a month - but she always told us that "God would provide" - which HE did. And trust me, it was tight for us. I am grateful Chris is right on board with me to give not only to church but to special causes and organizations when we feel led. I am also extremely thankful to those who gave to us in many different ways growing up. Knowing that I have been on the receiving end of such wonderful blessings only makes me want to give more and more as I get older and God blesses me with the ability to share with those in need.

#17 I learn something new every day - and for that I am thankful. Whether it is some fact about Chris, his family, my family, or (more often than not) something at work, I look forward to seeing what I will learn each day. And let me tell ya - I am in charge of the database and website conversion at work. If I am not learning at LEAST one new thing each day I must be doing something wrong! How fortunate am I to have the opportunity to grow more and more each day in my personal and professional life?! Pretty dang fortunate I tell ya~

You learn something every day if you pay attention.

~Ray LeBlond

You can teach a student a lesson for a day;

but if you can teach him to learn by creating curiosity,

he will continue the learning process as long as he lives.

~Clay P. Bedford

Get over the idea that only children should spend their time in study.

Be a student so long as you still have something to learn,

and this will mean all your life.

~Henry L. Doherty

Day #15 of Thanks

#15 - I am without a doubt thankful for my job. The wonderful people I work with and the folks that volunteer with us are simply amazing. I am so grateful to feel like I am doing something to help my community when I come to work each day.

Day of thanks - #13 and #14

#13 - I am thankful for wonderful friends. And boy do we have lots of them! As I spent the day with Stephanie getting ready for J's 30th surprise party I couldn't help but think how grateful I am to have such a wonderful support group. I have known my wonderful "girlfriends" Lauren, Stephanie, and Mary for over 14 years now. We have gone through so much - the good, the bad, the ugly, the celebrations, the devastations - you name it. Yet, we get stronger, we support each other, and now - we have husbands(and future husbands) who are friends, too. God has truly given us to each other as extra sisters. So thankful for these friendships and the many others that Chris and I have. These friends are proof that God wants the very best for us - and for that we couldn't be more grateful!

#14 - I am thankful for a husband who puts God first and our marriage second. As I listened to Jim Wideman speak at Ellie Grace's baby dedication tonight I couldn't help but think about how amazing it will be to have Chris be a father to our children one day. I am SO THANKFUL for the time God has allowed Chris and I to grow together as a couple over the 9 years we've been together and as husband and wife the past 4 years. I know this time is preparing us for one day having children of our own and I know that will come with his wonderful timing. How blessed I am to have a man sitting next to me tonight who I know will be a fabulous husband AND father one day - who reminds me often that we make a good team and can accomplish so much together. God has so much to show us still, and for that I am very excited. We've come a long way already, and I am ready to just keep going to see all that He has waiting for us.

It's better to have a partner than go it alone.

Share the work, share the wealth.

And if one falls down, the other helps,

But if there's no one to help - tough!

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Day #12

Today I am thankful for our sweet Ellie.

That dog brings so much joy to all who enter our home. She is always up for a cuddle with a few kisses to spare just for you :)

CB's BIG Photo Shoot Today!

CB was the model for Books from Birth today(see, all that time with her paparazzi family has paid off!). Rachel’s comments are below on how the “photo shoot” went today.

"Cora Beth was soooo good. Very shy, which I expected, but just so good. Sherry asked her what her favorite book was and she said, " My bible. I have 2 of them." I was choking up!"

We always say that Cora Beth is like a small version of our Nana. Nana was always reading her bible and wrote notes all over it, sometimes that had to do with what she was reading and others that were more like journal entries. When she passed we had a little book made of all her random notes in her bible. She would be so proud of her sweet little great granddaughter!

The picture above was taken one night when we met up at McAlister's. She was reading to us about God from a bible she had found in mom's car on their way to dinner. She wanted to bring it in so she could read during dinner!

Day #11 of Thanksgiving

Today I am thankful for a Godly heritage.

A heritage where you forgive quickly and sincerely, pray often, and love much.

Day #10 of Thanksgiving

#10 - Today, I am very thankful for two healthy nieces. And of course - they are pretty dang cute, too :)

Catching Up

OK, so I missed a few days. But just of blogging - I thought each day of what I am thankful for :) My mama even nicely reminded me Saturday by asking me what it was I was thankful for that day. Of course, I didn't tell her - she has to read this now to find out(sneaky, sneaky...)

#6 - I am thankful for a trustworthy car. Mine got me to Huntsville - backroads - at night - by myself. How scary would that backroads trip have been if I didn't know my car would make it? Oh, how I have been there with past cars before - hoping I could even make it a few miles to school, let alone 2 hours away!

#7 - I am thankful for my mom's "new" life. None of us wanted her to move(her included!), but we knew it was for the best. Her and Scotty have found a church home and live in a nice little neighborhood kinda in the country. She is so blessed to have gotten us all out of the house and start her life all over with a new husband and all kinds of life changes!

#8 - Thankful for an understanding husband who "gets it" that sometimes I just need some time by myself. It's nice to have that time driving the backroads - Elam rd in general - and singing to your ipod, just being present. Gotta have it from time to time :)

#9 - I am thankful for friends who I can also call my co-workers. They are the ones who know you well enough to see when you are overwhelmed and want to help you - and will call you out on it if you don't let them!

Day #5

Today I am thankful for a love of reading. One of my favorite things, especially when you are in bed, under a blanket, comfy clothes on, husband next to you, and the dog in the middle asleep. True bliss :)

I finished Undomestic Goddess last night after finishing Mini Shopaholic in the past week. I only have "Twenties Girl" left to read by Sophie Kinsella and I would have read all of her books. Then I will have to move on to her other pen name Madeline Wickham!

Next, I will take a break from my light summer reading and read "The Help"(yes I know I am a few light years behind on this book, but I had so many others to read first!).

Day #4

Today I am thankful for a wonderful mother in law. Last night she made us homemade chicken soup which means we didn't even have to think about dinner - HUGE! I am so grateful to have her in my life and our sweet relationship.

I Corinthians 1:4

I always thank my God for you...

Thanksgiving

Hallelujah! Thank God! Pray to Him by name! Tell everyone you meet what He has done! Psalm 105:1

I am a little behind on my usual "give thanks for something every day in November" tradition. Last year I did it each day as a facebook status, but this year I am going to try to remember to get on here every day and right something I am thankful for.

So, since today is the 3rd I will catch up with my 3 things so far this month:

1. Rob, Jaime, and Cora Beth's new house - words can not begin to express how much they deserve this blessing from God! Her Grandmother would be so proud to see the love they have put into it already and the memories that will be made there.

2. Our wonderful kiddos that we teach in Children's Church. What a gift to get to teach them as they truly teach Chris and I both SO much!

3. Our neighborhood - where we feel safe & can walk at night as a family.

Christmas starts...now

In my family, we decided a while back that November 1 marks the beginning of Christmas music. So, it's only natural to bust out the old school Amy Grant to start off the Holiday season!

I can't think of a better way to lead into Thanksgiving then singing songs that celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. I am so thankful for all the HE has done for us this year and the wonderful plans that HE has for us in the year to come.

So go ahead and get out your Christmas music. You have my permission to start celebrating!

p.s. Every time I hear one of these songs it takes me back to sharing a bed with Rachel back at our old house. I can remember Mom letting us listen to the tape as we went to bed and whoever was closest to the tape player had to flip it to the other side when it was time :)