GRATITUDE 199 The Tropics

Thankful thankful for teachers who love their jobs.  For a safe place for my kiddos.  For how Jack goes bopping off to school each day and then racing home every afternoon.  For answered prayers for EG's anxiety about school.  For parents who love the school and create extra programs that encourage reading. For a school that makes things fun.  For fun.  Anyone who knows me, knows I love themes.  Today's theme was tropical day at school.  The class with the most kids dressed up wins a prize.  YAY for tropical day!

Thankful for all that is tropical.  For beaches and relaxing.  For the ocean and cool drinks.

I am so wanting to be somewhere tropical right now....

GRATITUDE 198 Jenn

Friend
Sister in Christ
Meatball maker
Bug collector
Co-laborer in the gospel
Kitchen Fairy (bless you, Jenn)
Tadpole giver
Jammer-we had your jam on toast last night, oh my!!!
Gift from God

GRATITUDE 197 Three

Love these three and the way they love each other.  (and the grace to handle the many many times they don't!)

GRATITUDE 196 My kitchen

Seriously.  American kitchens are almost a miracle.  Running water. Endless running water.  Contraptions that cooks things quickly. A coffee maker.  A box that washes my dishes for me.  A giant box that keeps my food cold...all my food...plenty of healthy food.  And always enough money to fill that box with food.

Thankful today for the many many gifts right in my kitchen.

GRATITUDE 195 The nations

So thankful for this job that God has called Andy and I to do!  It's just plain awesome.  This week we were busy busy welcoming new internationals to UCF.  WOW, we were busy.  But I am thankful and humbled that God allows us to be ambassadors for him to the nations.  Amazing.  Grateful.

GRATITUDE 194 Tender Words

There are times when I am reminded how tender the Lord really is with me.  Today and yesterday I had two sisters in Christ encourage me through tears in an area that's been tough for me lately.  Part of what was so meaningful about it was that it came unprompted by me and they didn't even know I was struggling in this area and in need of encouragement.  The Lord reminded me HE IS MY ENCOURAGER and he knows when I need a word to lift me up and help me keep going.

Thankful today for my sisters in Christ
For their kind, life giving words.  Man oh man,  encouragement rocks!!!!
Thankful for my tender Jesus.

GRATITUDE 193 A busy week

We had an great week...but a semi insane week.  Andy's team reported this week which meant TONS OF MEETINGS.  And our kiddos started school, which meant getting into a routine, signing LOTS of papers, packing lunches, etc.  So it was kind of a whirlwind around here.  Today I am so thankful for:

An amazing team of students and staff who want to reach the nations for Christ!
That I get to be a part of God's eternal work.  I fail so often, have some many weaknesses, but in his goodness he promises to use me!  Amazing!
That my kiddos both had great weeks at school.  Jack is seriously happy as a lark going to school.  That boy is so social.
Phone call from his teacher.  He's doing great and she loves him.

GRATITUDE 192 A great first day

GRATITUDE 191 2 years of JUDAH!!!

My how things have changed in a year.   This little man was losing weight, rather than gaining it, would only nurse and had many food allergy/reflux issues we were trying to work out.  And as parents, we weren't doing so hot either.  The lack of sleep for a FULL year really got to us.  I distinctly remember feeling like I would never get this child to eat or sleep.

And here we are a year later.   Judah boy isn't our best eater, but we're getting there!  At least he CAN eat which is much better than before.  And the sleeping through the night has been good for all of us!   And he's quite a bit happier as well!  This year his personality has really blossomed.  Judah is our social child who loves people and thinks he is five...that's what hanging out with Emma Grace and Jack has done for him!  He loves his hands and mouth to be clean and his favorite word right now is cinnamon.  It's adorable to hear him say it.  Judah is our best singer, loves Elmo, Curious George, and anything furry with four paws.  I so want to get that boy a dog!!

Judah, you are a blessing.  A gift.  And you rock my world.  God uses you to delight, to challenge, to stretch, to humble, and to humor me.  I love you dearly, little guy!  Happy second birthday!  I pray for another year full of growth and grace!

GRATITUDE 190 Happy Birthday Nathan

Thankful for six years of Nathan!!, Friends, Birthdays, the gift of FUN, Alligators, how kids are pleased with small pleasures in life, the pleasant summer evening weather

GRATITUDE 189 Baking Joys

Thankful today for:

Flour
Cinnamon
Friends
The joy of baking
Warm Cinnamon rolls with happy kids

GRATITUDE 188 Rest, Celebration, Connection

Enjoying amazingly beautiful St. Augustine by bike!!  Happy Anniversary Andy!  So thankful for God's faithfulness to our marriage.  He deserves all the glory for building our marriage into what it is today and for the ways he has grown and changed us.  He is faithful.  Time to celebrate!

GRATITUDE 187 Rainbows

 Every time Andy and I take a trip, we see a rainbow.  It's really not that special, there are rainbows almost everyday in Florida summers.  But we still like to take pictures and pretend it's special!!!!  Thankful for time away with this man and for rainbows and for our God who makes and keeps incredible promises to his people!

GRATITUDE 186 Time Away