The blessing of Friends

In this season of Thankfulness and while looking back on the pictures I hadn't yet posted (in an effort to somewhat get caught up before the holiday season is in full swing!) , I was reminded that one of our biggest blessings from above is the people God has used in our lives to pour love into us. 

Becky was so blessed with the most wonderful pre-school teacher for two years. She poured into Becky's heart and mind and my baby girl will reap the rewards from that for many years to come. Miss Linda came for lunch a few weeks ago - and we had a wonderful visit! 

Through Matt's relationship - Becky has also gained a new friend in Aleina - and I think she likes that she isn't the littlest in the family anymore! 

Katie has her own new BFF through this relationship. Laurel has embraced our family - and our kids with all their "stuff" with grace and love and enthusiasm. I love when God takes the people grafted into our family and makes them friends as well! 

We also have excellent friends at school - one of the greatest things about our school is that the kids are great friends - and so are the parents!

And our friends through the adoption journey - I can't even begin to describe the beauty of these friendships. Our kids have a special bond with these kids - they share a common history and as they get older, I suspect these friendships among kids will become a critical part of these story.

We got to have some surprise time with one of our very favorite families when they transited through LAX on the way to China to adopt their baby. Kids friendships and family friendships! 

But the very best gift of all through the adoption journey has been the momma friendships. Each year, we take a few days and gather together at a Women of Faith conference to be refreshed and reconnect and hug necks. In between those visits - these women are the best example of the body of Christ I have ever seen. Through prayer and support - they hold one another up in the hard times and rejoice in the joys of this journey. I love these women fiercely - and I know without question or exception - they have my back no matter what.

Blessed beyond measure.

A glimpse of thankful

For the first time in my 52 years, I shared this day with no one that I share blood with - yet I was surrounded by family - 

My child by adoption schooling my child by marriage

 My sister by marriage and my daughter in love

 A grafted in grand-daughter and a niece through marriage

 Adoption made them cousins - God made them friends! 

 the newbies 

 He's the reason I can do what I can do every single day no matter what & no matter how hard - 

 It was a "full to the brim with kids and people and food kind of day" - 

 Take my breath away baby…..

 10 of the 12 kids (yes - they are all girls….the other two are one baby and one teenage boy who was noticeable by his absence from the girl club most of the day!) 

 My penguin loving "born in my heart not under it baby" who is not a baby anymore….

I am so thankful that our God is bigger than blood ties in how He creates family. For the first time in 52 years, I didn't even talk to anyone I share DNA with. It was sort of sad for me, but God has so richly filled my life with people who are family - through adoption, marriage, and the body of Christ - that my home today was filled with reasons to be thankful.

I am thankful for provision - no matter how it comes.

I am thankful for good health - although I know the body I have has a finite life to it and that when that end comes, I get to go home. 

I am thankful for the answered prayers - even when the I don't like the answer. 

I am thankful for the Savior who came to die on the cross so that I may have those answered prayers and that eternal home.

But today - as I think about the day I had - I am most thankful for relationships that build my family. 

Baby Fever…..

A pre-Thanksgiving preview of one of the things I am most thankful for this year 

Katie Bug Turns 9!!

Katie had a birthday recently - and it sure was fun! 

First - we celebrated at school. Her teacher made a BIG deal of her birthday - 

 And her friends made a REALLY big deal about it! 

 We had a little party at home for her - 

 Her favorite present from Becky - a singing Rudolph! If you have ever been to our house at Christmas time - you understand the significance of this gift. 

 Cake! A regular cake! Since starting Katie on Essential oils, her sensitivity to gluten has great;y decreased and we are able to allow her little bits here and there with no adverse affects - it's wonderful! 

 No birthday is complete without a visit from the precious Tia Annie! 

 who just happened to bring the other favorite present….

 Our birthday girl!!