Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for:

• The ability to make goodies for Tom's office and neighbors
• Finally getting an appointment to get our car fixed
• Getting cards, photos and letters from old friends to catch up on their lives
• Wonderful neighbors who will bless our family by babysitting all of the kids tomorrow night so that Tom & I can go to his office Christmas party tomorrow night as a Christmas present - they won't take money - thank you, Flanegins!

Catherine's Birthday

Catherine turned 2 on 12 December 2008! It was a Friday and Daddy was on a trip on Doc Sue was working, so we decided to have the big celebration with presents and cake the next day when everyone could be here! Here's Catherine with her brothers on her actual birthday:

Catherine's birthday post wouldn't be complete without several adorable poses from her:
Now it's Saturday and Catherine wanted to wear a dress for her party. She had a pink balloon and posed again:

Here she is in her "birthday seat" to open all of her presents - she really enjoyed opening everything!

Here's Catherine opening her first baby from Mommy & Daddy - as soon as she saw what it was she exclaimed "Baby!"

She received many wonderful gifts that she enjoyed from all of her relatives! After the presents we had lunch and, of course, cake. Catherine chose to have a "cuccape" or cupcake. Here's the cake we decorated and put candles on - she said that she wanted a "choclate" cake - she says that word pretty clearly!

Here she is enjoying her cupcake:

All done! That was delicious!

Here's Catherine the day after the celebration wearing her new dress to church! What a pretty girl! It was a great birthday weekend!

Thankful Thursday

This Thursday I am thankful for:

• My sister, who helped immensely with the kids today with all of the various trips, concerts, dinner, and babysitting while I went to a meeting and helped make a speedy (not really) and inconspicuous (not really) exit from the concert when I had to leave - if anyone was at the AIES concert tonight, you surely saw all of us - we apologize if we were distracting!
• Jack, who did a wonderful job ringing hand bells at his school - he tried it for the first time this year and he did a wonderful job!
• Once again, the Covenant family - for the leadership and all of the people and relationships - I love that everyone is real and that all of them truly love on our family in good times and bad
• Laughter and great food with my Beth Moore group this morning
• Sweet Catherine, who joined our family 2 years ago tomorrow - Happy Birthday Sweetie!
• God helping us even when things are not looking so good and we're going through tough times - for His strength, provision, and love through members of the Body of Christ

"I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High." Psalm 9:1-2

Adam's Birthday

Adam turned 7 today, 7 Dec 2008! We had a very fun event-filled day! We let Adam open one present before going to church. At church, he got to pick out a present from the Birthday Box and he chose a small stuffed brown dog. After we returned from church and ate some lunch, Adam opened the rest of his presents - here he is with a couple of presents:

In the afternoon, we went to Mr. Biggs for the first time with a couple of Adam's friends from school and church. It's a HUGE place with Go Karts, Laser Tag, Bowling, Mini Golf, Bumper Cars, An Arcade with inflatable bouncy houses, a carousel, and a huge play area with climbing things, places to dress-up, a sandbox, a pirate ship with air cannons that shoot out balls - it was amazing! It was not very crowded when we went and the kids all had fun running from place to place trying out all of the amusements. Here's Adam with his friends (L to R): Justin, Jonathan, Jack, Adam, Aiden, & Andrew:

Here's the cake they provided for his party:

Our whole family was there, plus the friends and their moms or dads and Doc Sue. Adam said when we got home that night that this was "the best birthday"! We're glad that he had fun and it was wonderful celebrating with him. Hard to believe that 7 years ago we were in Okinawa at Camp Lester hospital where Adam was born! Children grow up so fast! People always say that, but when you have your own, you really understand that.

Ski Mask Fun

Catherine had some fun with Jonah & Adam playing in the basement with the boys' ski masks I bought last year. Two of them ripped, so there's just one big hole in the front. They were laughing and running around in the basement - I think Adam & Jonah were playing "robbers" and Catherine was just running and laughing. Here they are:

Thankful Thursday

This Thursday, I want to think about this scripture...

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
1 Thes 5:16-18

I am thankful for:

• Safety and health after a minor car accident
• Wonderful friends and family
• Catherine & I feeling better after getting some stomach bug
• My house and the Christmas decorations to remind me of this wonderful, amazing time of year

May you all think of your many blessings at this time of year!