Thankful for - Christmas Decorations Are Up

Our home needed some Christmas accessories to get us in the spirit since we were going to be celebrating both Thanksgiving and Christmas while my parents were in town. I have never been one for Christmas decorations up in November, but I am so glad they are done. It sure was nice to move right from Thanksgiving into preparations for Advent without much hassle.

The kids were of course fully in support of this decision!

Thankful for - Finished Projects

I am always thankful for time to craft knowing it doesn't come all that often these days. It brings me such joy to create things with my hands.

Nana and Poppy's Christmas gift.



Thankful for - Messes

In some twisted way I was thankful for this mess.

I was thankful that it wasn't the bright blue we used for our bedroom.
I was thankful that it wasn't a gallon can.
I was thankful that not too much of it got on the wall.
I was thankful that most of it cleaned up well.
I was thankful for the time that it took to clean to give me a chance to stop and think about what's important.
I was thankful for the reminder that my treasures are not here on earth.
I was thankful for the chance to actually see this paint color on the wall since I was thinking of painting it this color anyways...

Where thanks is possible, joy is always possible.

Thankful for - My Husband

Most mornings you will find Andy in this chair before any of the children wake up. Annabelle is often the first awake, so he will bring her up in this chair and let her play with his phone while he finishes up. She adores these quiet times together and I love watching it all unfold as Andy exemplifies Christ to this precious Lamb from the very first interaction he has with her each morning.

Few things in life are going to last for eternity, but this man is storing up treasures in heaven as he invests so deeply in me and in each of our children. I am so thankful for the leadership and gentle love of this man. I am in awe of God's goodness to me.


A daddy's girl through and through

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

Thankful for - How He Loves Us

My hope is increasing as my sadness to the adoption setback is decreasing. I am excited for what God is doing in our lives and eager to see how he's going to work this out for his glory. We are as certain as we can be that the call on our lives to adopt has not changed, but that we need to be willing to think more creatively than we have been.

During this season, I have made it a point to in my words and actions to force thankfulness out, even if my heart hasn't felt it one bit. And through that, praying that my heart would follow my actions.

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8

As you all can see above I did a little home project awhile ago to put up in our home with the words "in everything give thanks". It was once again another attempt at surrounding myself with reminders that though one area of life is not going as planned, it should in no way hinder our overall joy. Where thanks is possible, joy is always possible.

We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you. Psalm 33:20-22

Well, the irony of all of this is that with this banner I was making it's been anything but easy to make. I was missing one letter for it, finally found it, painted everything, only to realize the letters didn't show up enough against the background color. Painted it again and ran out of spray paint. I just left it as is and glued them on the board. I want to put it over a particular door in our home and we cannot seem to find a stud in the wall. We've tried all different things and aren't positive there are any. So, it's been done for weeks but it currently is leaning against the wall next to the back door as we plan our next course of action.

Well, I got this package from an amazing friend and was so shocked. I've order something from her before, but wasn't expecting anything in the mail. So, here's what I found:

Her packaging is so creative. She uses vintage pattern paper for her wrapping.

the letter inside

The necklace!!!

This is confirmation to me that if I was ever in doubt, God is in the midst of all of this. He is in the details. He is present and he is rejoicing in my efforts to seek joy through the pain. This is not confirmation that the sorrow is over and that the pain will only subside from here, but that he promises to be with us through it all. My prayer for you and myself is this verse below.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

Thankful for - List

Even though I've run out of new pictures to post, my thankful list is still quite long.


Joseph exactly 2 years ago.

~ skyping with the g-parents
~ the gorgeous fall weather
~ used book sales
~ the rapidly expanding vocabulary of our toddler
~ kids who are learning forgiveness
~ kids who wake up and ask to do school
~ surprise kisses
~ clean rooms
~ folded laundry
~ pinterest
~ dishwasher
~ dress up clothes
~ a husband that loves me more each day
~ anything pumpkin
~ friends that take you out for dessert
~ friends that come over for a surprise visit and fold your laundry
~ naptimes where all 3 kids actually sleep
~ homeschooling resources
~ knowing that my Mama is coming in single digit days!!!

Thankful for - This Outfit

This outfit was Andy's when he was a toddler. It was sent to us over 3 years ago by a friend of Andy's mom. She had it at her house after all these years because she borrowed it for her son after Andy grew out of it. When Joseph was born she sent it to us. Well, it got lost in the mail for over 2 years and was finally returned back to her. She mailed it to us a few months ago and hoped that Annabelle could now get some use out of it. Pretty crazy story. Well worth all the fuss to see this little angel wearing it. Now to find some pictures of Andy in this would be the icing on the cake for this Mama.

Thankful for - Veterans

Today is a very hard day for Andy. 7 years ago today he was in the midst of the battle of Fallujah in Iraq and lost the first of what would end up being four men from his platoon. Yesterday, I foolishly was talking about 11/11/11 and how neat that it is and jokingly asked him if he was looking forward to it. He somberly said, "no." My heart sunk. In the seven years since the battle, I have rarely forgotten the dates of the death of his men. But yesterday, I did. Ugg, did I feel horrible.

Thanking a veteran today seems so inadequate. As hard as I have tried to fully understand what he experienced overseas, I will never.

My heart aches for Christ's return where evil will be eternally punished and death will no longer have it's sting. Oh what a glorious day that will be.

Thankful for - Consignment Shops

As the temperatures are dropping, I am loving seeing our kids in their new (to us) winter clothes. I am thankful for ways our eco-friendly town has made it easy to buy great items, pay less and not contribute to overproduction.

Thankful for - Saturdays at Home

We often have something scheduled for Saturdays. But, when we don't, it's always such a blessing. We are so grateful for the time to be together and check some tasks off of our to-do list.

Daddy with his trusty side kick.

Wrestling time in the pit.

Thankful for - Their Bond

We try very hard to instill in these kids a love and respect of their siblings and to encourage unity among them. Hard work certainly has paid off! I didn't think it would bear so much fruit so quickly, but it has. They are obsessed with each other. It is such a delight to watch these relationships deepen. I am so thankful for their bond.

Poppy just sent them 34 POUNDS of drawing paper since they were low.
Drawing is everyone's favorite activity right now.

Very seriously waiting at the starting line for the Underwear Game to begin!

Thankful for - Chalk

Yes, I am thankful for chalk. Chalk is such a simple thing, but a crucial thing in the life of a mom with three small children. The hours of enjoyment our family gets out of chalk is monumental. It's cheap, doesn't make a (huge) mess, can be enjoyed indoors and out, and most importantly encourages them to use their imaginations. 







Knocking Sam over with her big Belle hugs!



Wants to be just like her big brothers!

Thankful For - A Day of Rest

After our very long and busy weeks, we try to do nothing but make Sunday a sabbath day where we rest, relax and dedicate the day to the Lord. We are never disappointed in the rejuvenation Sundays bring. God is so faithful to allow time for all of the things to get done the other 6 days of the week so we can set aside one day for just Him. I also love it when the kids get cleaned up for the day and look adorable in their church clothes.

 There always seems to be one kid who overdoes their smile. This season it's Annabelle!

 I am so thankful for a God who loves us enough to give us guidelines for living and does not leave us to our own devices to figure out what's best. He leads us gently and has a perfect way.

Thankful for - Sleeping Babies

Nothing is more precious than a sleeping child, especially when that child is buried within a pile of stuffed animals.

Thankful for - Date Night With Sam

Saturday night Samuel and I were able to get away for awhile just the two of us. Joseph went to the movies with Andy on a date earlier this year, but Samuel had never been. So, I was praying for a good kids movie to be out and there was! We went to see Dolphin Tale. It was fantastic. The perfect movie for us to see together. We then finished off the night with some ice cream from Ben and Jerry's.

Us with our 3D movie glasses!

With all that's been thrown our way lately Samuel and I just needed some time to process it all together away from home and just enjoy being with one another. It was such a blessing. This kid blows me away with his insight. There's a reason why we call him Sam the Prophet. I am so proud of the young man he is becoming. Watching him take on the role as oldest sibling and shepherd his young siblings has been beautiful. His tenderness is unmatched. I am so honored to be a part of Samuel's story and watch how God is transforming his heart for Kingdom work!