Olive Tree

We had a rare evening last night … friends were in from out of town so several families got together for an evening to hang out and catch up (and, of course, eat yummy food). : ) We didn’t get home until 1 a.m.! I know … not your typical bedtime routine for three little ones, right? I figured we would head home and have the girls in bed a little later than usual, but they kept playing so well and behaving we lost track of the time for the most part. By 12:30 though, the oldest and youngest had fallen asleep in various spots, but Natalie (18 mos.) was still going strong. She had all the adult attention to herself and was being a charmer.

Because I’m an early-to-bed person myself, I’m thankful that nights like these are not the norm. But, it was well worth it for the chance to catch up with these wonderful friends that I miss so much. I am thankful for friendships that stand the test of miles, but can pick up right where they left off. And another bonus, I’m thankful that there was a little sleeping in around here this morning!

So, if you are looking for me today, at the moment we are curled up watching Sesame Street and will follow that with a morning nap and rest time for all. So thankful that we have no where to go today and can catch up from our fun and late night.

For more Thankful Thursday, visit Iris at Sting in My Heart.

I was sitting outside with N1 this morning while the babies were both sleeping and did some of the first journaling I’ve done in months. As I wrote, what came across my page was amazement at where my life is today. Truly, I say to you, I had no idea that this is where God had me headed. As a teen, I would have been the first to tell you that I didn’t think I would get married. Not because I didn’t want to, but because I was too (insert undesireable characteristic here) for anyone to want to marry me. And, while I dreamed of my very own babies, I figured I was set for a life as a perpetual babysitter. Very fun and fulfilling being the favorite babysitter with one minor drawback – you have to give the babies back. 🙂

However, God has surprised me in ways that I can hardly believe and that take my breath away when I think about it. He has walked beside me through a season so rough and painful that “I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD.” (Psalm 27:13) Amazing how when you are at the bottom lowest spiritually, emotionally, and even financially, you start to learn how to depend even more on God! 🙂 I’m so thankful for that lesson even though I have fears about ever having to relearn it.

All that said, I am so thankful this morning for the gifts of my family in my life:

• My husband, who provides for us so faithfully, disciplines and loves his daughters amazingly, and takes care of me so wonderfully. (And let me sleep until 8:30 this morning!) 🙂
• My N1 … all she wants is my attention and I am amazed at my selfishness in giving it to her. She is bubbly, inventive, and oh so BUSY!! I’m so thankful for her, and how much she loves her little sisters.
• My N2 … my cuddle-bug and our hugger and kiss extrordinaire. She has the best belly laughs.
• My E … our newest girl, with dark, dark hair, eyes like mine, and a button nose; with a love of being wrapped up tight and held close. We had a rocky start together, but she is finding her niche here in our family and is going to be so adored and spoiled by her sisters and Mama and Daddy. We can hardly stand how yummy she is.

So, so thankful.

For more thankfulness, visit Iris.

So much to be thankful for as always, so this week I’m going to participate in Thankful Thursday, hosted by Iris at Sting in my Heart. 🙂

• Nine days to go until we meet our baby!
• Rainy, cooler weather.
• A husband that keep me stocked in ice to much on … what I crave terribly here at the end of pregnancy.
• Eating oatmeal with honey in it with N2.
• Being silly with N1.
• Other babies that are on the way very imminently!
• Macaroni and cheese for lunch.