from a Thankful heart

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving! Today I am thinking about all of the things I am thankful for; here are a few of them:

1. That a perfect, holy God looked upon me in all my sin and shame and saw not what I was, but who He created me to be; and that He choose to send His Son that day so long ago, so that I could know Him today.
2. For my wonderful husband, Nathan! Who is my very best friend. He is my biggest encourager, gentlist restorer, and strongest support. He is a GREAT father!  A caring son-in-law. A much adored uncle. Still his momma's baby boy. His dad's golf partner. He loves our kids (the big ones at church too). Is passionate about our God. Loves animals and nature. And is a pursuer of knowledge. He sees the very best in people. And is loved far more and by more than he will ever know.
3. For Isaac, my oldest-by one whole minute! His name means laughter and he certainly brings much of it into our home. He is loving and kind. Loves to sing and dance. Loves people--all people! He is helpful and smart. Loves his little sister and is his brother's best friend! He gives the very best "smack-a-roos."
4. For Aaron, who is one of a kind! We call him quirky and our selves blessed. He reminds us all to say "dear God" before each meal. He loves his family, but is not so keen on strangers, which makes this mommy feel loved. Is-quite possibly-the greatest snuggler in the world. Gives the tightest "squeezes." Is his brother's best friend and his sister's first pal.
5. For Taylor Grace, whom we should have named Joy! For the smile that lights up her face, and her laughter that fills up our hearts. She is mommy's little shadow...until daddy gets home! She looks at those brothers as if they hung the stars in the sky. We call her our little lady and, at 13 months old, she still takes her milk warm. She LOVES to give mommy kisses and play with daddy's beard.
6. For Samuel Ethan, who is not here yet! But, whom we cannot wait to meet! He is loved already. He is probally going to look just like his daddy, because they all do.
7. For my family, the ones I've always had and the ones who became family almost 5 years ago. Each of you are special to me and I cannot imagine my world without you. I am especially fond of all those little people I call neices and nephews!
8. For the nurses at Palmetto Richland Hospital in Columbia, SC. They will never know how much their care and kindness meant to me and Nathan during our month stay before the boys were born and in the weeks after when Aaron was in the NICU. I am convinced some of them were angels! They kept us grounded in a time when our world was upside down.
9. For our church family at Common Ground. Some of the greatest people in the world gather in a small reality building in a tiny little town in South Carolina. There they worship God together, learn from His word together, love each other, bear each others burdens, and share their hearts. I love them all and am so happy God placed my family there amoung them. To us they are family and that place is home!
10. For all the small things that make life just a little sweeter. For flowers, chocolate, butterflies, laughter, good books, and sewing machines.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving! See some of you tomorrow in a home filled to the brim with children, yummy food, and lots of love!!