Looking Back

I did not get to write this early this week - so I am taking time to do it now- What am I thankful for?

- The Awesome God I Serve- He is so kind- merciful- loving - gracious- understanding-He gives us wisdom- He strengthens us

-Family and Friends- Their support and love through a tough year- but a growing year
- A job that keeps challenging me to improve and stretch

- For the caring and loving nurses and doctors and support staff at St. Josephs ER department
- For therapist, psychiatrists and teachers that help us each and every month
- For my health - my home-

I am thankful that God is a God of increase- what do I mean by that - for me- it was an increase in trusting in Him- relying more on Him- An increase of learning that it is okay to ask for help and be lifted up by friends when your faith is not as strong as you would hope it would be- An increase of being used by God to teach others -being stretched by God in the most astounding way that I would never seem imaginable. Realizing we are not alone in this world. Increase in joy even when you seem there is no joy to have- laughing through the hard times even when you really do not feel like it. An increase of wisdom- increase in patience (yes more of an increase)
An increase in love for my son- even when he is angry-realizing what a wonderful child God created- and that he just needs a little more guidance - more encouragement- more consistency- more love-
An increase in helping Marcus realize he is wondrfully made- that he is a Good person- even if he makes bad choices- helping him to see through God's eyes he was created in God's imagine.

An increase in helping others to reach their potential for God-

Some fun at the park in Venice

Took the kids to the park yesterday afternoon- Chip is with his mom this week- so it was just the little ones - although they are not so little anymore-

Ainsley lost her first tooth last night- well I pulled it out for her- little bit of pliers and we were good to go- I am just kidding relax- a paper towel and a good twist and out it came

Our almost finished tree

It is almost finished- when I get back I need to add some lights at the bottom but this is what it looks like

Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly....

I am home alone decking the halls- shh- Marcus will be surprised - putting up the tree-cleaning the house-organizing for the weekend -will be going to Venice tomorrow after work. Yes I have to work - animals tend not to take care of themselves
I will post a picture of the tree in a bit

Thank you God for allowing me to be a part of the BEST CHURCH

God has truly blessed me with a wonderful church family- it was great day at church yesterday- We ended it with our annual Thanksgiving Dinner- I sat with wonderful friends and we laughed- I held a baby- enjoyed my time immensely- Marcus was off with the kids - this was a first- the last couple of years he wanted to hang out with Mom- this was our first Thanksigiving meal was the first one we had after we became a forever family - so each year I look forward to it.

We also celebrated our Pastors- we have the best pastors in the world- real- loving- compassionate- full of encouragement- wants what is best for you in the Lord- sees something in yourself and helps you to see it as well- stretches you-helps you to grow into the person God created you to be- really no words could ever express how I feel about my pastors - I am just so thankful for them for all that they are to me and my family-

YEAH is what I heard....

when I told Marcus that PD was coming home from Africa he was so excited- I showed him via his globe how far away she was- of course the number of questions of how did she get there how long the flight was - how many miles away- etc

So he found out the from the US is ~ 4100 miles and then to Africa is ~ 4300. He was like wow- that is far away -

So PD get ready he missed you and can not wait to see you.

Today was another stellar day

What a great day!

Today has been a great day- Marcus had another stellar day from start to finishi with a few minor kid issues but hey thatis okay- work went well
Got grocery shopping done and now just chilling out- Looking forward to the weekend- It is going to be a good one-