Thanksgiving Update

We are so THANKFUL this year. We have seen God's hand in our lives in so many ways. God kept Sadie and I safe through a fall during my pregnancy. He was able to stop Sadie twice from coming into the world when it wasn't her time yet. Most importantly He gave us an excellent group of medical staff to keep Sadie and I both safe during a traumatic delivery. He also kept our whole family and our car safe during a minor accident. Mili and I were able to make a trip home in the summer for my parents surprise anniversary party (the looks on their faces were priceless and forever engraved in my memory bank). My mom and sisters were able to come for a visit after Sadie was born. Oh, and it gets better, My mom came back a month later with my dad and in-laws for Brian's deacon ordination. What a great blessing. My parents will probably never forget the look on my face when I found out they were coming for the ordination (I already knew Brian's parents were coming). Brian's ordination service was so sweet and humbling.

God has changed my direction of service to Him this year. I will not be working with the middle schoolers any more (some of you would consider that a blessing in itself, not me that is where I love to be). God has given Brian and I a desire to see couples LOVE being married. We will be co-teaching (more Brian, than me) a class about marriage. God has given me great peace after a huge struggle with where I should be serving Him. It is difficult for me to step out of the youth because I am very comfortable there. God doesn't call us to be comfortable, He calls us to be obedient. It feels good to be in His will.



We are always thankful for our family, and friends and great church family (they have become our family here). We are also thankful for our health and provisions that God makes for us everyday (as some of you know, it cost a lot of money to live in this area and God has provided the entire two years we have been here).



We have a new facility at church that will allow so many more opportunities to reach out to our community and share Jesus with them. It is an exciting year for our church. We are so glad we are a tiny part of it.



THURSDAY
We were suppose to have dinner with our friends from church (our life group leader and Brian's accountability partner). They were so sweet to invite us over but we have had a cold traveling through the whole family so we decided not to go and share it with their family of 20 or so. We ended up eating here with a menu of Ham (yum,yum my favorite), mashed potatoes (Mili's favorite), and green beans. Let us not forget the pumpkin pie. We had a nice day together as a family. Our prayer time at the table was very emotional and it felt great to have that time with God.



FRIDAY
My day started at 3:30 am when the alarm went off for me to go out with the other stupid people to try and get a good deal. I ended up not being able to get either thing I went for so I just did some other Christmas shopping, not expecting to finish all my shopping but I did. During all the hustle and bustle I managed to pick up two pairs of cute pj's for me (since I stay in them all day anyway, got to look cute in the process). I did all my shopping and was back at home by 8:00 am not to miss any quality time with my family.



We also put up the Christmas Tree. Mili did a great job as you will be able to see in the pictures that follow. You can look at the last picture and see that I am all finished with our Christmas shopping. Feels SOOOO good to be done with all that (and I did get some great deals too).


Enjoy! We did!




After Daddy puts up the tree and the lights he is done, the rest is Mommy and Mili's job. He did get out his train set but then decided to put it away after finding out it is a little too big for this apartment and there would be no room for presents. Mili enjoyed the train set for a while anyway. She also played with the Christmas tea set I found in all of my Christmas stuff. Since then she has broken the tea pot and Brian has super glued it back together (almost gluing his fingers).


Sadie during most of the Christmas Tree process. Not bothered by anything happening around her.



Mili is very precise in putting the balls where they go.

Still deciding on the "right" place to put it.

Our wonderful tree after Mili placed all the balls. How do you like our bare top Christmas Tree?

My favorite Christmas ornament. For those of you that don't know, before I had children I was an interpreter for the deaf and one of my bestest friends (Marsha) gave me this for Christmas one year. I love it so much and I think of her every time I get it out at Christmas time.

PS. One of my phone friends (never met her) also sent me the same Christmas ball one year for Christmas. Barbara, I also hang your ball on the tree each year so I have two of them (I don't think I could have too many of them).

The REAL reason to be thankful!!! This picture is really worth 1,000 words or one (LOVE).

Mili has taken a liken to the nativity scene again this year. She loves playing with it and I love letting her. If it gets broken we will just get another one. I can't help but let her have full reign over it. She is so cute talking to Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus and don't think she doesn't tell the Shepherds and Wise Men where to stand and the animals always have the best seats in the house (or stable).

Oh, and don't forget a little snowman in the action. This has some ice skaters that dance around on it. Mili likes it as well.

Still sleeping!

Mili decided that her stocking would be nice to wear and Sadie's would be nice as a mitten since it won't fit on her big foot.

Then she thought she would have a matching pair if she used Mommy and Daddy's stockings as socks. She is admiring them in this picture. She is proud of herself for getting them both on.

Finished product. Not bad for one days work. I decided I would torture Mili with the presents under the tree. She asks everyday if she can open them several times a day. We will be having Christmas early in our house since we will be going home to Arkansas for two weeks during the Christmas season. I want Mili to be able to have some time to play with her new toys before we sweep her away to the grandparents houses.

By the way, I have never, ever, ever had the Christmas Tree up and presents wrapped and under it on the day after Thanksgiving but it sure does feel nice (looks nice too).

We love you all and trust that you all had a fantastic Thanksgiving holiday!!!

Throwing Hugs and Kisses your way!!!