Thankful Thursday...

Thankful Thursday on Wednesday...

This morning I am thankful for the countless hours of car seat and mini-van research I have done over the years. We've always purchased those with the highest safety ratings at the time and last night they proved their worthiness.

A woman decided to run the red light of a busy intersection and sailed into an unsuspecting Momma and her three babies. I had just started moving when my arrow turned green so I was not going very fast. I stood on the brakes when I saw her coming but there was no stopping for her. The damage is minimal and mostly cosmetic. Her van took the biggest hit thanks to our super duper reinforced Toyota Sienna bumper. Had I hit the gas two seconds earlier she would have t-boned us on the drivers side. It is so true when people say "it happened so fast I didn't see it coming". We are all OK. Wild Man and I were pretty shaken up at the time but the girls were blissfully unaware of exactly what was going on. I'm a little sore this morning but more than anything I am thankful.

Thankful we are all safe. Thankful for my delay in pressing the gas pedal because I was turning up the Christmas music. Thankful we spent extra money on car seats and a super safe mini-van when we could have spent it on other things. Thankful for all of the people behind the lights and sirens who come to your rescue when you need them. Thankful for a husband who is always brave (even when I'm not). Thankful I woke up this morning to a relatively typical day as a wife and Mommy of three.

Today could have been much different and for that "what if" I am grateful. You know...your entire world can change in an instant because of the carelessness of someone else. With the exception of a few small inconveniences (van repairs and researching new car seats), our world has not changed. Could there be a better Christmas gift than that? I think not. Thank you Lord for protecting our family.

Thankful Thursday...

When I was a little girl, this is the view I imagined in my rear view mirror. Not bright city lights or fancy cars or prestigious neighborhoods. I dreamed of precious babies sleeping sounding without a care in the world. I wish I could bottle this. You know, the feeling you get when the chaos of motherhood turns to silence and you are reminded that you are incredibly, amazingly, abundantly, profoundly blessed beyond your wildest dreams. There's an empty seat or two back there beside Wild Man (he's asleep behind Little Miss). Maybe we'll fill them some day. Maybe we won't. Who knows. All I know today is I am thankful for the opportunity to be their Mommy.

Thankful Thursday: 9 years and counting...

9 years? 9 YEARS! May 8, 1999 was a beautiful day for a wedding but not just any wedding--it was our wedding. It was simple yet beautiful filled with memories that are forever etched on my heart. It was the best day of my life. Today, on Thankful Thursday, I am thankful...

9. I sat behind a "city boy" in Mrs. Tucker's Algebra II class in 1993
8. the "city boy" befriended me even though I was a "Liberty girl"
7. we didn't date until after high school (the week after graduation)
6. my friend Andrea imposed the "3 date rule" before I bailed (first date=no sparks...third date=sparks...look what I would have missed if I had bailed on #1)
5. I said "yes" and we didn't let the "you're too young" opinions stand in our way
4. from day one, we have always put each other and our marriage FIRST
3. for the two precious children God has blessed us
2. my husband strives to be a strong example of a husband and Father for his family
1. he chose me 12 years ago and never looked back

I love our life, our marriage and our commitment to each other. I love our children and the blessing I have been given to be with them each and every day. I love how we have grown so much over the past 9 years. I love how God continually shows us that we can get through anything with Him walking by our side. Here's to 9 wonderful years and many more to come.

Thankful Thursday...

I wanted to do this last week but it was a little too fresh on my heart...
Today I am thankful for my sweet friend Kara. Last Friday, Kara, her husband and her two children loaded the final boxes into their moving van and headed back to Massachusetts. They are moving back to be near their family. It is wonderful for them but sad for those of us that remain here without our E. Main St. amigos. It is unlikely they will reside here again which made our goodbye last Wednesday even more bittersweet.

Not only was "Ms. Kara" J's teacher for a time she was/is also a wonderful friend to me. I'm really not sure how we became friends. I'm pretty sure it was God filling in the blanks for both of us. What do I love about Kara? She's funny. She's smart. She can be silly with the kids one second and serious with the Mommy people the next. She is certainly the most adventurous girl I know and I admire her so much for that. I don't know anyone brave enough to willingly pack up her kids, head out in an RV, indefinitely, without her husband, while homeschooling her children, all in the name of showing her kids the world. Isn't that awesome? I'm just not that brave.

I'm cutting this off here because it is at this point I need to discuss what "Ms. Kara" did for our son. I don't have the words to really explain that in one measly post and I'm not even going to try. Kara, you know what you did for him. We know what you did for him. I want you to remember that you were not just another teacher for J. During that time, you were THE teacher for J. We will never EVER forget that and I hope you don't either.

We are going to miss you and your sweet family. J is going to miss his pals B and L. He has told me every day that he misses them already. We know this move is a great one for you guys and we wish you the very best. I'm thankful I have had the opportunity to get to know you over the past three and a half years. I cherish our friendship and everything you have done for our little man. We can't wait to see you all again "in first grade". This was J's prayer last Wednesday night...

Dear Lord,
Thank you for this beautiful world. Thank you for Mommy and Daddy and MG and Ms. Kara and B and L. Please let me be in first grade so I can see my friends again. -Amen

J has penciled you in for first grade so we have to make that happen (and at least one girls weekend in between). Can't wait...

Thankful Thursday...

Before I begin Thankful Thursday I have a prayer request I would like to share. I did not ask permission to do this so I will not use names. My sweet friend K and her husband R, along with his family, received some very tragic news last Wednesday. R's Mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. It has metastasized to both her liver and stomach and her prognosis is very grim. K, R and their children immediately traveled home to help care for her during this heartbreaking time. R will be traveling back home this weekend as he has to return to work next week. K and the children are staying to help as needed. Would you please remember this family in your prayers today and in the coming weeks? I realize that praying for a K or an R is not very personal but please remember that God knows which K and R you are praying for. Thank you.

• I am thankful for a Super Bowl Sunday spent with great friends and football (for the boys--I did not actually watch the game)
• I am thankful for the Bible Study I began this week and the accountability it places on me to spend time in His word.
• I am thankful my friend Karen is sick as a dog (Translation: Monday she began an experimental trial for treatment of non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Post infusion she has been very sick which means she is probably receiving the actual treatment and NOT the placebo...hooray!)
  
• I am thankful J did well at his first kindergarten screening (or at least he said he did).
• I am thankful my friend Amy received her Letter of Intent yesterday. If all goes as planned, she will be traveling to China to bring home her precious Mina next month.
• I am thankful that TODAY I get to chop off this ridiculously long, thin, nappy, stick straight hair. More importantly, I am thankful I get to give it to someone who needs it much more than I do.
• I am thankful that I think I have finally found a reputable Homestudy Agency for our adoption. Translation...we can FINALLY get this show on the road!

Thankful Thursday...

I am thankful the Womble 4 are germ-free this week (knock on wood)
I am thankful that my Mom turned 29+20 last week, she is healthy and she is MY Mom
I am thankful it is STINKIN' COLD outside and we have a warm place to snuggle together
I am thankful for the privilege of watching my children discover new things every single day
I am thankful for a fun playdate with friends this morning
I am thankful there was an empty childcare slot for MG so I can participate in a Ladies Bible Study at our church in Feb/Mar
I am thankful for sweet friends who participated in my challenge this week (and I'm still thankful for those who did not :-)