THANKFUL!

I have to say yesterday was a not so good day. Aaron went back to work, I had a Dr's appt so getting out the door for that was a challenge, everyone needed me at the same time, Millie was up all night and bottom line I was as tired as I think I have ever been with no relief in site. My Dr told me I had to get some rest immediately which further frustrated me because how is that supposed to happen. Just a bad day! I guess the excitement of the past week and very little sleep had caught up with me. Bless her sweet heart, Millie slept so much better last night. Tonight may be a different story but you take what you get! So after a few hours of sleep I was feeling much better. Nursing is quite a challenge with Millie still being sleepy a lot and Lizzie hanging on me wanting me to pick her up. But the middle of the night feedings despite my sleepiness are such a sweet time. It feels like no one else in the world but me and Millie even with A laying there right next to us sleeping. I think with having 3 other children you long for those one on one times because they don't come very often. It takes about an hour to get her fed because she wants to snooze in between. We are working on shortening that time but for now that is as good as it gets for me to get in her what she needs. So, we get some bonding time. All of this to say sometime during the night, I guess from 1-2 I had some time to look in that sweet face and reflect on all the things I have to be thankful for despite the bad day I had. I try my best to focus on the good when things seem so bad but in the busyness of life that is often difficult but early this morning as I looked at our latest little blessing God really used that time for me to dwell on what I have to be thankful for. I decided to write them down just to re-inforce my thoughts.

Aaron: How blessed I am with such a wonderful, Godly husband and father to our children. I so often wonder how I deserve a husband like him. There is nothing he won't do for his girls (me included), he is such a hard worker and yet he never stops giving his time to us. I am thankful every time to see him with those girls and love is just overflowing. THANK YOU!

Elleigh: What a sweet spirit. Not always a gentle spirit (HA!) but definately a sweet spirit and young girl who loves the Lord and her family. I don't know what I would do without Elleigh. She came to me so mature and she is very wise beyond her years but God uses her more and more everyday to help me with the struggles of life. She always has a wise perspective.

Sallie: WOW! I am no more thankful for her than any of my other children but she is so delicate and has taught us so much that she is the first thought when I think of what I have to be thankful for. LIFE! Something to be most thankful for. Where would we be without Sallie? We have learned more about God's grace and unconditional love through that little girl! Everyday she continues to remind me that life is good-no matter what. No matter what her obsticle life is always good is Sallie's eyes! Thank you God for giving her to us just the way she is.

Lizzie: My child who always keeps me hopping! Such a wonderful addition to our family. Lizzie gave me a whole new perspective on being a mother. I think because I had seen how quickly Elleigh and Sallie were growing I was able to realize that it goes by too fast and take it all in and I have done more of that with Lizzie. Thank you God for giving her to us and allowing us the opportunity to slow down and take her in!

Millie: When I looked in that precious face I felt overwhelmed with thankfulness for conception and God's timing (not ours) and the miracle of birth and life! I look at her and remember the days of not being able to function because I was so upset over our little surprise and I think how could you have ever been upset! Thank you God for sending her to us in your perfect timing! She completes our family!

Family: A family who loves us and was willing to come and be with us to share in this time and to leave their children behind in order to help take care of our children and their husbands who were willing to take care of their children for a week! For family who prays for us everyday and serves the Lord no matter the consequences!

Friends: Wonderful friends who love us even though we are miles away, wonderful friends here who have opened up their lives to include us and make us feel a part, a church family and seminary family who is so caring and their calls, and visits, and all the food that has been and continues to be brought to us.

WOW! All that to be thankful for and that is not even the beginning! Something to be thankful for!!!

This is how Lizzie feels about Millie!!!