Learning to Be Just Plain Thankful

I've been a bit bummed about the upcoming holidays. To be honest, I was hoping they'd go by unnoticed and that we could just forget that they even exist. Facing this holiday season with Bill in Afghanistan and the knowledge that the boys and I are "stuck" in Texas alone really seemed to suck all the spirit out of the entire season.

Then I got sick.

It was through the illness that I got the little kick that I needed to quit being so ingrateful and thankless.

God reminded me that He never gives us more than we can endure. I was so sick and barely able to make it to the bathroom and yet somehow I could muster the last ounce of energy I had to get the boys' basic needs taken care of without them suffering, too. He carried me through this 48 hour period. I survived to tell about it.

Just as I endured the illness, I will get through this holiday season. The boys and I will be just fine and way better off than most. We have a roof over our head, food to eat and the love of friends and family. We have so much to be thankful for and we have many reasons to celebrate. It might not be the way that we would have planned it had circumstances been different, but it can still be lovely.

Happy Thanksgiving!

A Very Blessed Easter

The boys got up to find that the Easter bunny had been very, very good to them. Ian loves his new Fisher Price FP3 player and his light sabers. He also loves his books and of course, the candy! Aaron seems to like his things, too. It looked more like Christmas than Easter here except there were eggs to hunt! Thank you Easter Bunny!

After the egg hunting, we all got ready for church. The boys just would NOT let me get a good shot of them in their Easter clothes. Here's an outtake for your viewing pleasure! Ha!


So I decided to try out the timer on the camera and try to get a family shot. First the boys and I tested it. LOL

Then it was time for the family shot. It wasn't too horrible.


So off to church we went and Ian and Aaron went to their respective classes and Bill and I enjoyed the worship service. Ian did cry when we dropped him off which is not typical of him. I think he is sensing the changes around here and things seem to get to him quicker than normal. He was fine when we went to pick him up. Aaron did well and was asleep in the crib when it was time to pick him up.

From the church we decided to go to Cheddar's for a little Sunday lunch. Aaron ate soooo much. I can't believe how much food that little guy can put away! He really doesn't like baby food so we try to feed him table food. He had tilapia, rice pilaf, broccoli cheddar casserole, croissants (which he devoured!), mashed potatoes and french fries. What a little piggie!