Finishing it out

For today, I am thankful for my sweet friend, Erin. I have known this wonderful gal for 10 years! When I first met her it was at our freshman week at HPU and her brother, Clee, introduced us...I thought she was like 14. But she wasn't. She too was a freshman! We soon became quick friends and later roomed together for our sophomore through senior year. We have been in each others weddings, seen our kiddos be born, and just have had fun having life together. When I lived in Charlotte she even flew out to ride home with me that Christmas so I didn't have to drive alone. We even made t-shirts :).
Erin, Jens and Katelyn I am so thankful for you!

Now for tomorrow since I won't be on the computer, I am thankful mostly above all else for my salvation. God is so kind and so gracious to us through his loving kindness of sending his son, God in flesh, to come live a perfect life and to die as an atonement for our sins. He made a way for us when he didn't have too. For that, I am most thankful on Thanksgiving and every day.

So in recap: (Not in order of importance but of listing!)
1. Nate
2. Holly, Clee and Payton
3. HAFBC Student Ministry
4. Blake and Owen
5. Our friends, the Bates' and the Avra's
6. Mom
7. Veterans
8. Dad
9. Pete, Whitney, Tracey and Matt
10. Texas Children's Hospital
11. Peggy
12. Friends from out of state
13. Good health
14. Time with family
15. Jean and Tom
16. Erin!

I really could keep going...there are so many things I am thankful for. But for your sake...I won't!
Happy Thanksgiving!

thought for the day

before I sign out...here is a good thought...by tozer
God dwells in eternity but time dwells in God. He has already lived all our tomorrows as He has lived all our yesterdays.

Memories...

I can't help but remember that this time last year we were snuggled up in a wintry mix of weather surrounded by loved ones at Hotel Freeman in Dover, Ohio.

We were fortunate enough to go and visit Jean and Tom, or more commonly know as Auntie and Uncle T! We had such a great time. But it wasn't just because it was Thanksgiving, or that we got to sit by the fire and watch the snow fall, or that we had help with the boys...but it was because we were with two of our favorite people ever!

So today I am thankful for Jean and Tom. They have not just been an Aunt and Uncle, but dear friends to us. They are two of the most giving people I know. They are unselfish, kind and an amazing example of how to have a godly marriage. Jean and Tom we are so thankful for you and the examples you are to us. Thanks for loving us, and spoiling all of us!!

Above are outfits Jean sent to the boys...they say, "I'm sweet on my Auntie!"

Sheesh Louise!

I missed the weekend! I was so thankful to have time with my sweet family...I didn't blog. So that is what I am thankful for - time with my cute husband and adorable boys. We spent Saturday in our PJ's for the most part. It was cold and rainy, so we stayed bundled with the exception of a run for me (Turkey Trot is Thursday!) and running to Target. We came home and decorated the tree. Sunday was church, huge nap, breakfast for dinner and then Nate went to small groups and I made cookie cakes for his work.

See why I have so much to be thankful for?

On another note here are pictures from the big O's surgery...

Umbilical hernia

I got my 'Raffe and I am ready to go! Feeling good the day after - no pain meds...just tylenol
'

Raffe even got a hospital tag!

Now there's an "innie!" And still some sticky from the bandage...I HAVE bathed him...just can't keep him pinned down to work on the sticky!

Glad to be together again

Just to make you smile...Blake and Dada

Cookie Cakes!

I couldn't wait.

I am so excited about Christmas and I am not at all trying to bypass Thanksgiving...but...I just couldn't wait to decorate SOMETHING! Hopefully this weekend the house will start it's transformation!!! We will see if I can convince the hubster of that.
Today, I am thankful for good health. While being at the hospital yesterday I was reminded of how blessed the 4 of us really are. I saw so many sick, sick, kiddos. Owen has had to have surgery twice, but for some of these kids this was the 4th, 5th, or even into the double digits. I am so grateful that we have had as much good health as we have. I am so thankful for that.
The surgery went great. He was pretty subdued last night and really snugly! He slept great and has only had Tylenol this morning. He is already back to stealing Blake's toys :).
Speaking of Blake...he had a great day yesterday. He went over the the Bates' house and had Mrs. Ann and sweet Molly girl to play with all day. Apparently he had so much fun that when Daddy went to pick him up...he screamed and clung to Ann, then to Molly, not wanting to leave. He then came home FULL, and I mean FULL, of energy...he was making laps in the house!
I will post a picture of Owen's belly pre-op soon...many of you have asked what/why we were operating on it...so you can see for yourself!
Thanks for the thoughts and prayers!

Yeah God!

So today gets another "thankful!"
Yeah God the Caskey boys made it the first 24 hours! They are doing great and are planning on flying back to SC tomorrow!
Please keep praying for these little guys...the road is not over...

A circle is round

it has no end...that's how long you're going to be my friend...

Thank you girl scouts!

Today will be a some what long post. I am sitting at my desk and thinking of how blessed I am to have so many wonderful friends all over the place! I am so fortunate that those friends stay in touch with me through calls, emails, facebook, texts, visits...I am overwhelmed at their ability to love me even though miles are great.

So today girls that live in other states...this is for you...

I am thankful for:

Abbey, Todd and Allen (North Carolina)

Bianca, Matt, Caelyn and Urijiah (North Carolina)

Lindsay, Hal and Drew (Florida)

Kirsi, Brent, and Taryn (Minnesota)

Robin and Chris (Colorado)

Melodee, Jeff, Josie and Baby Crank (California)

And of course our friends that are too numerous to even begin to mention in Mississippi!

There are so many other friends we have in so many other states. These girls, minus Lindsay, were some of the bridesmaids in my wedding. We met the Ramsey's here in Houston and they moved to Florida about a year and a half ago.

The best thing about this is that miles really don't seem to matter. Time really doesn't either. We can pick up a phone after months and it feels the same as if we were together yesterday. I have numerous great memories of these girls and I love to reflect on them but our friendships don't live in the past, but the present.

I would also like to mention that every single one of them has come to visit me at some point.

I am also so blessed that each of these girls have an amazing relationship with the Lord, love their husbands and children (or dogs, Robin!) and are each women I respect greatly. Their giftings are so different that each one plays such a special role in my life. But above all I know if I ever needed anything I know they would be here.

Girls, thanks for being there...at least in heart!

Love you all!

Side bar:

Check out these cute shirts I made! I totally stole the idea from some one's blog! But COME ON! I am not crafty and look at this!

My little turkeys! And look how similar they look here!