Ahhhh, Fall is finally here in Phoenix! Thank you Lord! It is beautiful outside, and I am coming around to the idea that Thanksgiving is in just a couple of weeks. Bring on the pie.
1. Marriage. I am so thankful for our marriage and the fruit it has produced (literally and figuratively) so far. These days, when the idea of commitment in marriage seems to be dwindling, I feel like we need extra protection for our marriages. Kevin is the man that God made just for me. I am so blessed to have him for a husband. He makes me laugh every day, he balances me out so well, and he’s just so handsome. :O) More than all of that, he is a strong leader of our home, he works extremely hard for his family, and he is kind and genuine to everyone. I couldn’t ask for a better husband, and I thank God for him every day!
2. My fellow mommy-friends! I don’t know what I’d do without these wonderful women in my life! Molly, Ali, Toni, Lanna, Donna, Amber, all my old co-workers from Horizon that I keep up with on Facebook, all the ladies from the Bridge Community Church that I don’t see often enough, and all the new friends I have made at Arizona Community Church: I am so grateful for you. To have women who are on a similar journey and who strive to honor the Lord in the way they parent is priceless in this stage of my life. I can count on encouraging words, honest and real demeanors, and a good laugh from any of these women!
3. Change. I am thankful for the changes we go through as a family, because that means we are growing, moving, and learning. This time our change is literally a move. We are so fortunate to be able to move in with my parents for a few months to pay off some debt, save up some money, and get us further on the road to financial freedom! My parents are welcoming us with open arms, which I am so grateful for. I just pray that the transition will be a smooth one for all of us, especially the kids.
4. Potty training! Earlier this year, I would never have guessed that I would be thankful for potty training. My experiences potty training Luke made me question ever wanting to birth more children, just so I wouldn’t have to potty train any more children. Dramatic, you say? You weren’t there. Ha ha! Well, in the last 5 days, Ella has pooped on the potty 4 times! She is only 17 months, but since she is showing these signs, we might just go for it! I’d like to get the hard part over with before we move in with my folks (to protect their carpet!). If it doesn’t look like she’s catching on in the next couple of weeks, we will probably wait until we are in our own place again.
5. The way Ella and Luke balance each other out. There have been times where I was frustrated with how different these two monkeys are, but now I am seeing the good in it. Ella’s adventurous side will bring Luke out his shell a bit and Luke’s cautious side will keep Ella from doing anything, for lack of a better word, stupid. At least that is how I am praying their strengths will help one another as they grow!
6. My family’s health. Last year was a bit rough on me, but as I learn about what my body handles or does not handle well diet-wise, I am feeling much better. I still have to wait until January to see the special-specialist about the pelvic/stomach pain, but even that has improved with moderate exercising. I have also been going to Holy Yoga, which has been a huge blessing to me and given me confidence in my strength and abilities. The rest of the family has been very healthy as well. As I pursue better health in my diet, it is fun to teach Luke about all the good things to eat to make his body healthy too. Let’s just pray we make it through cold and flu season unscathed!
7. Our families. Whether near or far, we are blessed with wonderful brothers, sisters, nieces (a brand new one last month!), nephews, and parents. We are so thankful that Laura has moved back to Phoenix for a while so we get to see her more!
8. The hail storm last month. Weird thing to be thankful for? Well, it happened to be a storm that changed our financial life dramatically. Kevin drove the PT Cruiser to work that day (which was unusual because he had been doing the park and ride bus for the past few months). On the way home, the car was totaled by the hail. We were thankful that Kevin was not hurt, because it hit while he was driving and the front windshield was smashed up pretty good. But, by being totaled, nearly $11,000 of debt was wiped out overnight. And we had planned on selling the other car anyway to help pay off other debt, so switching to one car was no big deal for us. So now we have no car payment and are saving up to buy another car, Dave Ramsey style! Huge blessing.
9. Luke. He is getting so big I can hardly take it. When he wears his Superman pajamas, my heart melts. When he is confident and happy when I drop him off with the other kids at church, my heart sings! When he picks flowers for me at the park, my heart grows. When he tells me he can read the words in a book, my heart fills with pride. When he smiles and I see that little bit of baby fat under his chin, I want to freeze time. When he catches a baseball in his glove and his eyes open big with surprise and delight, I nearly burst. I cannot say enough how much I love this boy.
10. Ella. We call her Ella-Bella-Booboo-Head. She is no longer a baby, which is fine by her because she never wanted to be one in the first place. This girl has an incredible zest for life. All fun, all the time please. And I’ll do it my way, thankyouverymuch. Oh, how I love her. I could write an entire post just about her eyes. They are big, they are filled with soul, they are beautiful. Ella loves the swings at the park. She loves to go really high and then lean her head back. She loves when I put the windows down in the car and feels the wind in her hair. She loves hot dogs, but not fruits or vegetables. She loves Elmo and calls him “Elmo-bur,” which we think means “Elmo bear” or “Elmo’s world.” She loves her daddy. She likes to play rough and wrestle with her brother, which nearly gives me a heart attack every time. She loves to tick-o (tickle). She loves purses and getting her fingernails painted. She is my girl. She is a gift.
Happy Thanksgiving!
“…give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18
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