Thankful

Wow.  6 months since my last post.
Busy.  Busy.  Busy.  Around here.

But, despite the busyness that this life holds for us, I wanted to take a moment just to share what's happening in the life of our family.  Here goes....  in the form of a "I'm thankful list"

I'm thankful......

that Mia enjoyed her 2nd birthday at home in January.  She remains our most serious and determined child.  So much of her personality shaped before she even knew us.  She turned 9.

that Will, our kid who enjoys every second of every day, turned double digits in January.
I'm grateful that his ATV accident this year left him with only a few faint scars.

that our precious, precious Pearl arrived home safe and sound on her 4th birthday in February.  I am so glad that my dad and I got to experience the trip to China together.  So grateful that the surgery to repair her heart and palate were successful.

that Lainie, who still exudes joy from every fiber of her being, turned 6 in February. It was the joy that she brought our family that left us wondering what would happen to the other orphans left behind.

that our beautiful Jillian, turned into a teenager in March.  She is such a good role model for all of her little sisters.

that Trey, had his 16th birthday in April.  I am thankful that he was able to go to Honduras in the summer for his first mission trip.  I believe the course of his life has been set by the things he experienced on this trip.  To say that he is a "good kid" would be the understatement of the century.

that Bobby and I will celebrate our 20th year of marriage in 2013.  Had we known on that sunny June day what the future held for us we would have been terrified.  I am so thankful that we have shared the same hope and dreams for our family.

that I lie awake at night quite often.  My mind filled with visions of children who still wait for families.  Children just like our Mia, Lainie and Pearl.  Hard to fathom they were once forgotten orphans.  Hurts to much to linger on that thought.

that I live a life that is often uncomfortable, yet so fulfilled.

that even though I would certainly love to be a stay at home mom, I do have a job that I love.

that I work with wonderful people who encourage me each day!

that my laundry sometimes consumes me.  It means we have played hard, and had fun another day.

that this year we watched 3 of our neighbors bring home children from China.  We now have a small Asian community at our doorstep :)  Who would have ever dreamed it?  Welcome home Tulah, Drew and Isabella.

that my college roommate leaves for China on Friday to bring home sweet Camille.

that on the days when we wonder where the $$$ will come from for the next medical bill, God shows up in tiny ways to remember he has it all under control.  Many thanks to the anonymous givers who have been such an encouragement to us.

that many of you still read this blog after so long.

that I fall in the bed exhausted every night as a result of a completely blessed life.  Some days are extremely difficult.  Some days are more than I think I can do.  Some days there just isn't enough of me to go around.  Some days I cry.  Some days I feel very inadequate.  Some days I wonder why - with all of the wonderful mothers in the world - did God choose me to be a mom to six.

that people stare at us when we got out.  Being an "abnormal" family sometimes brings us under scrutiny, but I am grateful that we chose to be abnormal.  It has brought us joy unspeakable.

I am thankful for this extraordinary life.  Made possible only by the grace, peace, hope and love that God displays in our lives every single day.

That is all I have time for now.  The list could go on and on.....

Many blessings to you and yours this Thanksgiving!