I'm so thankful!!

Today is the last day of November. Thanksgiving seems to always bring about a time when everyone stops thinking about what is going wrong or what they don't have and focuses on what we're thankful for. A time for gathering with our loved ones and thanking God for his blessings. I was reflecting on this the other day as my facebook feed was covered in thankfulness posts. What if everyone continued their attitude of thankfulness instead of complaining?

I know for me personally it is something that I could work on. It's also something that I'm trying to talk more about with my children. (mainly Addison at this point) Learning about what the orphanages are like in foreign countries has been incredibly heavy on my heart! I started paying more attention to the little moments that I interact with my kids and how I'm teaching them without meaning to. Just like changing Weston's diaper and I tickle him, point out animals in his room, make him laugh, talk to him, ask him where his nose is, communicate what I'm doing by talking about the pants & diaper, etc. These are the simple things in every day life and hearing about the babies that go hours without a diaper change and their workers who don't even talk to them. Bottles are propped up with different things because there is simply too children many to actually feed them. When I nurse Weston we rock together, cuddle, stare into each other's eyes, I pray over him, and more. It breaks my heart to hear stories but they're preparing us so we know how to handle these children who may be extremely behind developmentally because there wasn't anyone in their lives to love on them or teach them even the very basic of things. Some of these children have spent their entire life in a tiny orphanage with a tiny back yard and never leave. It is neat to think about how each outing will be a new and exciting (sometimes scary) adventure for a while.

Anyways... in learning about this I've been trying to help Addison to see how blessed she is. Instead of crying if her long sleeve pajamas are not washed because some children do not have pajamas at all, we need to be thankful. Trying to teach her to try a little more variety of food and not whine when it's offered because some children don't have food and would gladly take what they were given.

For me there are lots of times when I need to remind myself how BLESSED I am!! So extremely blessed!! So I want to take a moment to document some things I am currently blessed with...

*My relationship with Jesus. For a long time I put him on a shelf and kind of did my own thing. All the while knowing there was a God and believing, but living for myself and not him. I'm so thankful that God has been setting a new fire in me of desire to be the woman of God that he has called me to be! I'm thankful that I'm growing in the Spirit.

*I'm thankful for my best friend; my husband. Nathan is a gift to me. When he asked me to marry him he asked if he could spend the rest of his life trying to make my dreams come true. He may not be as romantic as he used to be and forget to buy cards on even the basic holidays, but this man does what he can to make my dreams come true. It started with an engagement ring I never imagined I'd have, beautiful wedding, amazing honeymoon, building us a house, providing a way for me to stay at home with our kids, the Great Dane I always wanted, the car I wanted, and so on! But more importantly, it's the other dreams he makes comes true. He encourages me, he pushes me to be a better person, he makes me feel safe, he loves me, and he makes me laugh. Nathan is a wonderful father to our kids! I'm thankful that he is wise, mature, and ambitious! Growing up I dreamed of marrying a man who didn't yell, who was family oriented, who I knew would never cheat on me or leave me, and who truly loved me. Nathan is that man. At times he makes me want to pull my hair out but when all is said and done...my heart still beats faster when my phone rings because I'm hoping it's him. I still get butterflies getting ready to go out on a date with him. I love him more and more each day.

*I'm thankful for Addison. Our Peanut. This little girl is me reborn. I understand her sensitive heart and I love it. She is girly and says words like fabulous. She is sweet and thoughtful. When she tells me, "Mommy you're the best mommy I've ever seen" or says, "I'm so thankful for you, and daddy, and my brothers (brothers!)" it melts my heart! I'm thankful that she is very smart, mature, fun, happy, loving, and healthy. I'm thankful that God gave me a little girl that was everything I would've hoped for and all the wonderful memories we get to make together.

*I'm thankful for Weston...my little William. This little guy is the happiest baby I've ever known. I'm so thankful he nurses!! I prayed and prayed that he would and at 14 months he has no end in site. I'm also thankful that he is healthy! I'm thankful that he has adorable blue eyes. I love that he is louder than his sister and tough. I'm thankful that he is so cuddly. I love that he's taken a pacifier and carries a snuggle bear because it's adorable. I'm thankful he is fun, energetic, adventurous, and funny. I'm thankful that God also gave me a son to raise.

*I'm thankful that after years of praying and hoping, we ARE adopting and we have started the adoption process. I'm in awe that what once was a tender spot in my heart for Latin American people was the seed being planted to adopt a Latin American child! I can't wait to meet our little guy!

*I'm thankful for our extended family. For my family and all that they've taught me and loved me. I'm also thankful for my in laws. They welcomed me into their family from the moment we met and I've never felt like an outsider. I'm thankful we've always gotten along.

*I'm thankful for my husband's job. There wasn't even an opening at GreenSouth with Nathan applied, but one of the founding men was so impressed with the phone conversation he had with Nathan that he said they would make a spot. God has poured his blessings on Nathan in this area. Through Nathan's hard work and God's grace, he has moved up very quickly in the company. I'm thankful that Nathan works for great Christian men! They are supportive of our adoption and believe family time is most important. I'm thankful this job has allowed me to fulfill my dream of staying home while my children were young.

*My Tahoe. Yes it's a possession, but I love it! I love the way it drives and was blessed that God brought us a newer, better Tahoe with no money down and smaller payments!! (And a bench in the middle like Addison prayed.)

*I'm thankful for my friends. It took me a little while to make friends after moving here but recently my friendships have grown and I've been meeting more people and deepening the relationships I already had. I'm so thankful for good friendships!

*I'm thankful for Addison's school. She loves it there! Her teachers love her and praise her behavior and abilities on a regular basis! I'm looking forward to Weston going there next year.

*I'm thankful for the new dreams and inspirations the Lord has been revealing to me! Things I may do after the kids are in school or just areas where he will use me.

*I'm thankful for modern luxuries like the Iphone & Kindle and for not as new luxuries like hot water, electricity, and garages. I never had a garage growing up and on rainy days it is so nice to park in the garage and be able to get the groceries and kids inside without getting wet! I really can't imagine not having hot water or power but millions of people don't have these things so I'm so thankful!

When we really sit down to reflect, I bet we can find that our list of what we should be focusing on gets longer and longer. I have so much to be thankful for in my life!!!