A Thankful Heart

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I am reflecting on all the things I have to be thankful for and since Thanksgiving is on the 24th, I am going to do it like Letterman and ladies and gentleman here are the top 24 list of things I am thankful for...

1.  That I have a Savior that died on the cross for me.  While He was on the cross, I was on His mind.
2.  That I have been married to my best friend for 11 years and he loves me through the good and the bad.
3.  A sweet baby girl that is the light of my life.  She is so loving and makes me laugh.
4.  A precious baby boy whose personality I hope never changes.  Your smile lights up a room!
5.  My Mama & my daddy--it take a village and she is the best.  I hope I am 1/2 the mother to my children she has been to me. For my daddy who I got to spend 18 years with--thanks for teaching me life is fun and a little mischief never hurt anyone.  
6.  Larry--If you would have asked me 13 years ago, if I would be thankful for Larry, I would have laughed and said no, but thank you Jesus for putting such a wonderful father figure back in my life.
7.  Joyce--I have loved you from day one.  Thanks for being the mother-in-law everyone wishes they had!
8.  Shelia & Rachel--My big sis rocks!! She is a wonderful person and I don't know what I would do without her.  To say Ellie looks like her is an understatement and I hope she has the grace and poise my sister has too!  Rachel--what a sweet sister in law--I can't believe I have gotten to watch you grow into the spiritual young lady you are.  You are truly an inspiration to me!
9.  My grandparents--to still have three grandparents alive is such a blessing.  I love each of you dearly.
10.  My friends--I have some of the best friends a girl can ask for.  I have had the same best school friend for gulp, 24 years.  She has seen me at my bet and worst and still loves me.  For all the new friends I have gained, that listen to me, give me advice and make me laugh, I am thankful for each of you.  For all my work friends--ya'll are the best.
11.  I am thankful for the health of my loved ones.  There are so many people hurting because of health issues it just breaks my heart.
12.  That my children have the clothes they need, food to eat and a place to call home.
13.  For the jobs my husband and I have.  There are many people who are searching for jobs, so I am very thankful for our employer.
14.  Coca Cola--anyone that knows me knows that would be on my list somewhere.
15.  I am thankful I am not the person I was 10 years ago or even last year.  I am thankful I can look back and see where I have been and where I want to go.
16.  I am thankful that I can  do things on my own, but have gained the sense to ask for help when I need it--most times :)
17.  For toys in my floor and laundry in the laundry room.  That means I have babies and clothes.
18.  I am thankful for the ocean and the waves and the calm I feel at the beach--not really thankful for the sand, but it comes with the territory.
19.  My church
20.  I am thankful my mama taught me how to cook and my daddy taught me to drive a standard.  Both things will get you far in life!
21.  That Ellie & Rhodes have 11 kids surrounding them each day and that playmates are few and far between.
22.  I am thankful for the mistakes I have made and learned from.
23.  I am thankful for my new van.  Yes, it is vain, but I am thankful for it.
And the 24th thing I am thankful for is.......That I have 23 other things to be thankful for...

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Howdy Partner

The Kindergarten class at PDS has been very busy.  They are learning to read and to write letters correctly.  They have been learning bible verses and catechisms.  They also performed a production worthy of Broadway at Friday Family Lunch.  Imagine my surprise when out walks Ellie and (insert the gasp) she has pigtails in her hair.  This is the child who I promise hasn't worn pig tails since she was 2.  Miss Lynn is my new hero.  She also had freckles and was too cute.

Ellie also received the Character Award for the Kindergarten class.  The Character award is based on 9 "Character" traits.  They are

C-Christlike Attitude
H-Helper
A-Attentive
R-Respectful
A-Ambitious
C-Cooperative
T-Trustworthy
E-Encouraging
R-Responsible

Yes mam', that sums up my baby girl!

Thrilled with her freckles and pig tails that showed up in the picture for the paper:)

Happy Birthday Baby Boy

Happy first birthday sweet Rhodes.  Your smile lights up a room.  You are such a happy baby and you are very social.  You make people stop all the time and talk to you.  You are quite the social butterfly.  We celebrated your actual birthday at home.  Ellie made sure you had a present before school and she also made sure that daycare knew it was your birthday.  That night we ate and Nana and Ellie had bought you a RED iced cupcake for the celebration.... You loved it as you do all food.  You haven't met a food yet, that you don't like.

May you have the same gusto about life as you do this cupcake

And I am done

We also had a birthday party for you at the golf course.  You had your neighborhood friends and family and you're sweet friend Hill Hawkins come to your party.  Your present was a rocking horse. 

You mean this whole party is for me?

Always look in front of you when riding a horse--there might be a tree :)

Your sweet friend Hill

At one:

You weigh 22 lbs.
You are 31 inches long
You wear a size three diaper
You are having a hard time giving up your morning bottle
You love your paci and blanket at naps and at night
You sleep 12 hrs. a night
You love table food and have pretty much given up on baby food
You love your sister and think she is very funny, but you will also fuss and talk to her when she does something you don't like
You are a joy and such a blessing!!

Happy Birthday Baby Girl

Six years ago, I would have never imagined the joy you would bring into my world.  You are the sweetest, funniest, smartest girl I know.  I pray that you would always love Jesus and your family, I pray that you would get to experience great things in your life, I pray for that one friend you can always count on, I pray that all these Awana verses we are learning are embedded in your heart and mind, I pray that you know nothing you do will EVER make me stop loving you.

You're actual sixth birthday, I spent most of the morning having my gallbladder removed- bad timing on my part, but it had to be done!  Nana made sure your day was great and you snuggled with me and watch Spooky Buddies.  You were an excellent nurse!  We had youre party the Friday after your birthday at the Golf Course in Kosciusko. You invited just girls and we made bracelets, ate pizza and had a good time!  You got a new bike for your birthday.  You also got out your "Wishing Star" from Disney World and wished on it for a Justin Beiber doll.  If it was important enough for the wishing star, then by George you were going to get it.  After the party, I gave you the doll, you go in the living room to get Daddy to open it and this is what I hear from you, "He has on gray underwear and he has a tattoo. Mercy me, maybe some wishes shouldn't come true... I also put a disclaimer that I bought the doll before the whole baby daddy scandal!

Precious

A six candle makes a lovely light

Thank you for being you!!