Thanks Given

Today I woke up before the sun and snuggled in for some time in the Word and with my current read, A Thousand Gifts.  (Literally had to snuggle, as our heat is out!) The book is all about the life-giving-joy-producing practice of giving thanks for all things.  So I put it into practice this morning, first in my journal, listing out some of the sweetest blessings of the year and by faith, giving thanks for some of the really difficult providences of the past year.  Then, after my kids ate oatmeal wearing tobagans and mittens, we continued the thanksgiving on cold glass...the back glass door is currently full of purple and red marker, where we've listed many things we are thankful for as a family.  We're trying to scribble out a hundred today.

I decided I should record a few here for us as well.  When I look back on this year, I want to remember God's grace in the small things and in the big as well.  So here is Thanks Given from the Huffmans, 2013:

1.  Topping our list is Katie's health and God's hand on her this past week.  Oh we're so grateful for the timing/events surrounding her post-accident spleen rupture and internal bleeding.  Thankful for a team of ER workers and the surgeons who saved her life.  Thankful that my sister will be OK and has more of life ahead of her.  Thankful, to tears, for this gift.

2.  A sweet little elementary school for my Grapey Girl.  She's learning so much.  Did you know that the letters q and u are married?  I just learned that today.

3.   Hearing Jack jumping on his bed before 7....thankful for this wild boy's energy and the joy he brings me.

4.  A freckled Emma Grace nose...we say God sprinkled her with cinnamon.

5.  Cinnamon. We wrote that on our glass list as well, because cinnamon just makes all things fall better

6.  My bestest buddy Sheryl's new and newest gifts, Lucy and Hudson.

7.  Judah's little eating noises.  So cute.

8.  The colors of my house.  Color gives me life and I am so grateful to enjoy so many of them in my own home.

9.  My friend Brooke.  Talking with her is like coming home.  Her friendship is just comfortable.  And this year she and I have grieved together over dreams left unfulfilled.  Nothing like a friend who knows your pain because she is going through it as well.  What a gift to have her in my life and just a few miles down the road.

10.  Andy.  God has used Andy this year to show me how, in the face of  my brokenness and sin,  Christ doesn't move away from me, as if put off by what he sees, but rather he leans in with all that he is.  Andy's complete acceptance of me in the face of some major brokenness coming to the surface this year has been a light to me on a really dark spot in my life.  Andy, so thankful for the way you keep taking steps toward me and keep loving me with all that you are, living out Christ's love for me in such a tangible way.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!  

15 months

Though our Judah boy can't officially toddle anywhere just yet, he's certainly well on his way to being a toddler.  He's into EVERYTHING and he's super interactive.  He can get his point across though he doesn't have many words.  He's very affectionate these days.  And his messy strawberry blonde hair makes me smile!  

ART GALLERY-for real!

Last time I posted about an art gallery, it was when Emma Grace and Jack created one upstairs after a summer full of art projects.  This time I'm not talking about a pretend art gallery in our home...nope,this time Emma Grace's artwork made it into a bonafide art gallery!  Yep, our girlie's art was chosen for the county-wide art gallery.  Way to go, Grapey!  It looks like we're not the only ones who think you're a great artist!  

How he rolls

Andy is quite the dad.  Actually he's quite the mom too.  I joke with him that he's better at my job than I am!  Seriously, when Andy's in charge of the kids, he manages to play with them and also accomplish a lot!  

 He started Judah on the bike much earlier than this...much earlier than I would prefer.  His helmet finally fits him so I am feeling (a little) better about him being on the bike!

 Yep, this is how Andy mows the lawn most Saturday mornings.  I'm pretty sure our neighbors think we're wacky.  Don't they know that much of the world totes their babe on the back while working??

Andy also straps Judah on his back while cleaning the kitchen.  It's definitely teamwork around here and I couldn't keep up with things without Andy's help.  

Welcome to our infirmary

Life just keeps happening.  I think in this picture I had just finished taking Emma Grace's temperature.  She (along with her brothers) had a two day virus that kept us out of school.  Either that or I was checking out her possibly bruised/broken rib?  Both happened this past week and I can't remember which I was checking for in this picture.  Yep, we've been a sick house this past semester.  We've had a broken/bruised rib, a broken wrist, a black eye, and multiple viruses (I think we're going on number 4 or 5). I'm praying for us to turn a  healthy corner soon!!  Either that or I'm gonna ask Andy to hire a nurse for me!  

Halloween 2013

Pumpkins

The Sunshine state

Florida certainly has a lot of sunshine.  But it also has a lot of rain. Which equals a TON of rainbows.  We love that about this place. Andy and I had a two night get-away recently and snapped this picture of a double rainbow.  Thankful  for a fleet of friends who made it possible for us to get away.  And for our realtor, Carol who let us stay in her condo again!  And for time with Andy...much needed.  

Daddy Date

Go Knights!