A Month of Thanksgiving: Day 15

I am thankful for CHILLY MORNINGS.

Chilly mornings are great.  Sometimes I even set my alarm 10 minutes earlier if I know it will be chilly in the morning.  I wake up, get Caroline out of bed, and spend some time snuggling with my family before we start our day.  Those quiet moments are filled with soft breathing and hearts beating.  The love I feel for my family in those moments is so intense I’m sure my heart will burst.

A Month of Thanksgiving: Day 14

I am thankful for ABUNDANT AND QUALIFIED HEALTHCARE.

We are, by and large, a healthy bunch.  We had a few rounds of colds this year, but we chalked it up to not being quite acclimated to the new germs in Indy.  Before that, I think we had a total of 3 colds in 5 years.  That comes in handy when you don’t actually have health insurance, but I always knew that in a pinch there were a host of qualified medical personnel who could attend to our needs. 

This year I’ve been exposed to a host of new healthcare issues and information.  All summer I buried myself in research and online tutorials to better understand the healthcare provided to Brandi.   My trip to Uganda in October brought a startling contrast and I’ve been reflecting on it since my return.  There are certainly some qualified physicians and nurses in Uganda, but most people cannot seek treatment due to extreme poverty. 

I am so thankful to live where I can seek medical attention for myself, my husband, and most importantly my daughter, when we need it.   

My heart breaks when I think of the devoted mothers who sit in the dark with their children waiting for illness to pass and hoping the illness doesn’t overcome their child.  In some cases, they know they can cry out to Jesus Christ.  I believe he hears their cries and provides a way for treatment, a way for healing, and sometimes peace in a time of passing.  But many of the mothers haven’t heard the GOOD NEWS yet, and they’re all along with their fear for their child.  

My prayer right now is for increased medical care to those impoverished areas, and for the love of Jesus Christ to be shared with each and every one of these parents.

A Month of Thanksgiving: Day 13

I am thankful for CHURCH VOLUNTEERS and SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS.

This morning I volunteered to work a spot in the 4^th and 5^th grade Sunday School class.  It was a perfect opportunity to experience Sunday School again, and to see the love and prayer and preparation poured into the lessons at Common Ground.  I was already thankful for the strong and intentional children’s ministry,  but volunteering this morning gave me an opportunity to reflect on the individuals who carry out that mission on a weekly basis.  

I am thankful for my LITTLEST SISTER. 

Kayce D sprung onto the scene 13 years ago.  Other than a precious few 'off' days, that precious girl has brought love and light and laughter and kindness to all who surround her.  She is blessed and anointed, and I am in a constant state of excitement when I think of all she will do for God's Glory!

A Month of Thanksgiving: Day 12

I am thankful for FACEBOOK.

….but not in a creepy way.  I did a GREAT job staying off Facebook yesterday and enjoying my birthday with my precious family.  As a result, I had many MANY thoughtful, loving, and sometimes funny messages to read this morning.  It was a wonderful time of reflection.  When you’re wired on memories, like I am, the opportunity to reconnect with pivotal people from your past is truly a gift.  To see and read personal messages from those people really fed my heart!   

Facebook also facilitated two of my favorite birthday surprises! 

First, Chris scanned two of my favorite childhood photos and posted them to my page for all to see.  One was from an intricately planned surprise party for my 7^th birthday, and the second is my all-time favorite photo of my mother and I.  Both photos prompt my heart to skip a beat and fill with love for my amazing family, and I was thrilled that Chris posted them and that they were shared with others.

Second, Brandi had a BRILLIANT idea that tied into my original birthday plans.  I started thinking about my 11-11-11 birthday about a year ago.  I wanted to have a BIG party, and invite people to dress as themselves at age 11.  Kinda silly, but probably pretty easy.  The party plans didn’t materialize for a host of reasons, but she emailed all of our mutual friends in a private conversation and asked them to contribute stories about what they would have dressed up as if the party had gone on as planned.  She did it all week before my birthday, and then invited me to the conversation on my birthday.  The gesture was a total surprise and the stories made me laugh to the point of tears.  It was the perfect way to celebrate my idea.. with no after-party mess to clean up. =)  B is such a light!

A Month of Thanksgiving: Day 11

I am thankful for BIRTHDAYS.

I am thankful that we celebrate birthdays.  My thankfulness isn’t for the presents and hoopla, but for the kind words, sweet phone calls, and thoughtful gestures people make on a birthday.  This year’s was EXTRA special, at a time that I really needed the boost. 

My husband, daughter, parents, siblings, best friend, and coworkers contributed to a truly memorable day!

A Month of Thanksgiving: Day 10

I am thankful for 40% OFF THURSDAYS AT PAPA JOHNS.

Because sometimes you just really need some cheese sticks, and it’s usually at those exact times that you only have $3 in your wallet. 

A Month of Thanksgiving: Day 9

I am thankful for MY BACKYARD.


I love our backyard.  It's my favorite feature of our house.  It's big and spacious.  It has gloriously large trees.  It's shaped in a big trapezoid, so there are distinct spaces.  It's not that I need those spaces to be organized, but I honestly thing we use the yard more because it has distinct features.  There's a corner that's secluded with lots of pine trees.  There's  tree swing and a swingset under the big tree.  There's open space to play fetch.  There's  a pool.  There's a salsa garden.  And there's a patio for dining 7 months of the year.

I love waking up first on a Saturday or Sunday and taking my Bible and a cup of coffee to the backyard for some quiet time.  I love carrying our food and place settings out each evening during spring/summer/fall to eat dinner together outdoors.  I love pulling chairs up to the firepit on Friday nights and listening to Chris play guitar while Caroline and I chat or read.  I love walking barefoot on the soft buffalo grass without fear of stickers, burrs, or fire ants. I love watching Caro and her friends play on the swingset while I fold laundry by the big window.  I love playing fetch with Ruby and watching her play with Oliver and Clementine through the fence. 

We will not always live here.  We will not always have this backyard.  Our next place could have no yard, it could be acres of yard, or we could be in a hut somewhere.  The point is, I'm determined to enjoy my big green backyard as long as I have it!

"working remotely"  =)

A Month of Thanksgiving: Day 8

I am thankful for LuLu'S MAPLE FOREST COFFEE.

I love coffee.  

And I love Maple flavored goodness.  

And I especially love it when these two glorious flavors find their way to each other.  It’s all warm and toasty and sweet… for me, it’s beverage equivalent of lying in bed for an extra 20 minutes on a cold and rainy morning.