Thankful

I had planned on doing a post each day about what I was thankful for but life happens.  I have had a wonderful week which started off with church Sunday.  My husband Chuck got the opportunity to preach Sunday night and did an amazing job.  After we had been married about a year he came to me and said he was dropping out of college which he had one year to go to be in the ministry.  I wasn't sure if that was a good idea and didn't see him being a youth pastor or pastor.  Well 12 yrs. later here we are and he is the Associate Pastor of our church and God has blessed him.  It is all God and without Him Chuck wouldn't be the preacher he is today.  I am proud to be his wife. I am thankful for a husband who loves the Lord first and then me and our children. 

Monday was my ending to a weekend of cakes.  I had the privilage of making a gender cake for my friend Whitnee.  I am thankful she trusted me with knowing the sex of her baby when she herself did not even know.  She has two little girls Ashlee and Anna.  Her husband and her wanted a boy very badly and God blessed her with Jett which she soon found out that evening.  I'm thankful God blessed her with a healthy baby boy.  I can't wait to meet baby Jett in April.

We have spent almost every night this week at one of my sister in-laws house.  I love hanging out with my sister in-laws and their family.  We have a good time playing games and laughing together.  They are unique in their own way and there is never a dull moment and for that I am thankful.  My sister in-law Trish and her family came up for Thanksgiving.  Ashley has grown so much in the last couple of months and is a beautiful healthy little girl.  God has blessed us with such a special little girl and continues to answer our prayers for her each day.  She is taking steps now and I am so thankful that we serve an awesome, powerful God.  

My Aunt Brenda came over Tuesday with my Grandpa and Brandi.  My Grandpa lives in South Padre so I only get to see him about once a year.  They came over and hung out for a while.  I am thankful for my Aunt Brenda she kinda keeps my dad's side of the family in order.  I would probably never see them if it weren't for her.  My children love her and she is a wonderful aunt to them and for that I am thankful.  I was happy to get to see Brandi she is married to my cousin.  They are expecting their first baby in February 19th but I am holding out for the 22nd.  I have found a new friend in Brandi and I am thankful for that.  I just wish she lived a little closer. 

                                 Jackson, Joshua, Katelyn, Great Grandpa Richard, Payton, and Isaac

 

Katelyn, Brandi, and Payton\

                                                    Aunt Brenda, Jackson, and Katelyn

I am thankful for friends who will get up and go shopping with me at 4am in the morning.  Friday morning was Black Friday and yes I took part in it.  I don't know if it's the thrill of the race to get to the store to get the best deal on the perfect Christmas gift or just the fact it's become tradition.  My sister in-laws invited me to go one year and I had so much fun so I have been doing it every year since.  The last couple of years I have gone with my mom and sister but they were in Texas this year.  I was sad I couldn't be with them for the holidays but I decided I was an adult and didn't need my mommy or sister.  I asked a couple of my friends to go with me and two of them took on the challenge.  My friends Leah and Heather both went shopping with me yesterday morning.  This was the first year for both of them so I got the privilage of breaking them in.  They loved it and we had a great time together.  We went to lunch at Olive Garden to end the day of shopping.  I say end the day of shopping cause when you start at 4am you feel like you have shopped all day by the time lunch rolls around.  I came home to my husband just finishing up getting the tree put together ready for me to decorate.  Last year I decided I wanted to have a snow tree this year so I sprayed the tree down with fake snow and got the lights on.  I stopped there due to the fact I was exhausted from shopping all morning.  I took a nap and then we went to my sister in-law Kathy's house for some more games.  I did not get my tree done but today is a new day and that is my goal.  I love Christmas it is my favorite holiday so I will post pictures once I get all my decorations up.

The thing I am most thankful for is my salvation.  I am thankful that I have a God who loves me and gave His son to die for me.  I am so not worthy of his love and mercy He shows me each day.   I am also thankful for my three children.  God has blessed me with the three best kids a mom could ever ask for.  They are each unique in their own way.  Joshua is most like his momma.  He loves to talk, be around people, he knows no stranger, and will always give you a hug.   Isaac can be the funniest kid in the world.  He makes me laugh and I love that about him.  He also can be very grumpy and you just let him be.  He wants to do whatever his big brother does.  Then there's Katelyn she is the princess of the family.  She has her daddy and brothers wrapped around her finger.  She is a happy girl and loves her baby dolls.  She is my little monkey.  She has no fear and climbs on everything.  I can't even count the many times she has fallen but she is a tough little girl.  I can't imagine my life without them.