Thanksgiving before Christmas

You know, since Christmas is less than a week away I thought it'd be appropriate to actually blog about Thanksgiving :).

 One of my favorite traditions that we started 4 or 5 years ago is our thankfulness tree.  Your heart can't help but be full when you begin to list all the blessings in your life.  Below is a leaf off our tree from each of my precious girls.

 One blessing was getting to spend Thanksgiving with this crew....my spunky and fun nephew and neice...oh yeah, and their mommy and daddy!

 One thing I consider such a gift is having family that are dear friends and dear friends who are like family.  Andy and Kelly are so fun to be around, are great parents, and even though I didn't choose them to be family...God did that...I am so thankful He did!

 As a belated birthday present, Andy took Jason to the TCU vs. UT football game Thanksgiving night.  Kelly and I held down the fort and yelled loudly at the TV!!  No worries, they still liked each other after the game.

 The greatest joys of my heart which bless my heart and make it so full of thankfulness each and everyday (even if they do create more laundry for me) are these people.  Ah, God has been so good to me!

 Very blessed indeed!

Happy "Whole Hand" Birthday

This precious girl stole my heart 5 years ago last month, and I just can't believe it.

She is every bit of sweet and spunky, silly and beautiful, loving, kind and smart as you can imagine.  She lights up any room and any heart she is in!

 More often than not, this how you will find her.

 She had decided a month ahead of time that a Build a Bear birthday party would be quite fun.  Yet, whenever anyone asked her what she was doing for her birthday she would always reply with "riding a horse or a pony."  If you don't remember, that is what she has requested for the past 3 years.  Thankfully, we were able to go to the square in downtown Bentonville for a pony ride a few days before her big day, and she was quite pleased.  This girl loves her horses...anyone want to buy her a pony?

 The official party did happen at Build a Bear, and she and her friends had a ball!  They really throw a fun party for the kids.

 The cutie-patootie and "Brownie."

 She truly is so loved by all of us, and we can't possibly begin to imagine our life or family without her.

Reese Ellery,  Happy 5th birthday, sweet girl!  You are a little miracle baby and we know the Lord has big plans for you.  Thank you for filling our home with more joy, laughter, hugs and cartwheels than we know what to do with.  We love how God's Word sticks in your head and heart, the way you continually pray for children without mommies and daddies, and even how you manage to sneak in bed with one of us most nights.  I wish I could keep you this size and age forever, Sweetpea, but can't wait to see what Jesus has in store for your future.  Love you "all the way to Texas and Oklahoma" !!!        Love, Mommy