Thankful:: Day 14

Today I am thankful for modern day medicine! I know it is an odd thing to be thankful for, but I truely am. I am not one to grab the pills for every little ache or pain, I would much rather try every natural and odd wives tale remedy before popping a pill. Today I had a migraine, and a 1 year old who is teething (1 bottom front and 2 top molars, plus yesterday I had a well visit where she received 2 shots). Needless to say we were both miserable, and despite my remedies nothing was even taking the edge off today. I am thankful that God has given men wisdom, who through a lot of research, to develop medicine to help us when they are needed! 

(Please, understand I do what I think is best for my child and myself) 

Thankful: Day 13

Today I am thankful I am able to be a stay at home mommy! I know not all women get this privilege. Thank you God for this incredible blessing!

Thankful: Day12

Today I am thankful for longtime friends! I have a few friends in my life that have been my friend for many years. I am thankful for each one.

I am on the far left and the beautiful bride in the middle is my friend Christine.

We "met" when I was 7 weeks old and she was 6 weeks old. Our parents put us in the same daycare, and we became friends for life. We attended the same daycare and preschool. I was put in a different kindergarden and elementary, but we were always having sleepovers, and of course birthdays, and holidays we spent together. My family moved away the summer between our 5th and sixth grades. We still kept in touch. We both spent time visiting each other, and like my dad always promised she joined my family on a cruise for our 16th birthday, after her mom took us to Disney World! As high school went on we drifted apart for a few years, but reconnected our freshman year of college. I was a bridesmaid in her wedding December of 2005, and she in mine January of 2007. We now communicate via Facebook and Instagram. We are on each other's Christmas card list, and are enjoying watching our children grow up!

This is Elisabeth and myself (and our photot bomber) on Rush Night in college.

She and I became friends when she was in 6th grade and I was in 8th grade at the same Christian school. Later we started attending the same youth group, and then we went to the same college. She is now living about 11 hours away, but we still keep in touch off and on. I am thankful that she is another friend that I can pick up the phone anytime and we can pick up where we left off! 

Thank you God for these 2 sweet ladies that I am privileged to call my friends!

Thankful: Day 11

I am thankful for my youngest! I wanted to wait until today to write about her because it is her 1st birthday. It is so hard to believe that one year ago the stress of Alabama losing to Texas A&M would send me into labor (funny, but true, and there were 6 before me!). She has been a pure joy in our lives. Her siblings welcomed her with open arms and are now enjoying playing with her. We are o thankful she is part of our family. We are enjoying watching her grow, our beautiful, smart, funny, red headed girl. She is growing so quickly, and we are trying to savor every moment! Thank you God for Cathy Belle!

Birthday girl (wearing the same thing her sister wore for her 1st birthday)

Sunflower cake

Yummy

Presents

She loves her babies!

Thankful: Day 10

I am thankful I was born in America! I know there are many people who are proud of their country and I am very proud of mine. I am proud to be an American despite many things that are currently wrong with our country. I am especially proud of my father who served in the Navy, my father-in-law who just retired after 40 years of service, and my friend Teddy who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Thank you God that I was born in America, and I pray we will turn back to You!

Tomb of the unknown soldier, my father-in-law (bottom left), my dad (bottom center) and Teddy (bottom left)

Thankful: Day 9

I am thankful for football! Yes, I said it! I am from the south. I enjoy watching football. I grew up watching my mom's favorite team, the Dolphins (NFL), play every Sunday. As I have grown I began to like the Tampa Bay Bucs, after I met my husband I grew to enjoy watching college football more, there is more passion in college. I know it may be a strange thing, but I enjoy the game and the family time. We would always go to my in-laws every Saturday to watch football. Everyone would bring food, we would get nap time and jammies for the kids and spend the day enjoying football and togetherness. Now that my mother-in-law is no longer with us we do not go over, so I try to make our time at home just as special. We enjoy sitting around and watching the game. Even tonight my oldest daughter watched with her princess dress on. I am thankful for entertainment and family time!

Tonight's game

Emma (2 months) and Ray-J (19 months)

My little football player at "Papaw's base" (that is what he called the base where my father-in-law worked)

Emma (13 months)

Cathy Belle (10 months)

Cathy Belle (9 months)

And ROLL TIDE!!!!!

Thankful: Day 8

I am thankful for my mother-in-law! Today would have been her 56th birthday. She is celebrating on streets of gold today, so I know she is much happier than those of us left behind. She was an amazing woman! She touched the lives of so many, as a teacher, co-worker, wife, sister, mother, grandmother, and friend. She was not only my mother-in-law, but a friend. We talked almost every day either face to face or on the phone. She had a great testimony, and she would make sure anyone who met her also knew about God's love and saving grace. I met her just 8 short years ago, and although it was such a short time I still grew to love her. She was the first person I told when I found out I was pregnant with Ray-J. She was so excited to hear she was going to be a grandmother, a Nana. She so enjoyed spoiling her grandbabies. Her strength was amazing to watch as she battled cancer, then Cushing's syndrome, and cancer again. Her faith never faultered. She taught me so much, and I am so thankful for my time with her. Thank you God for allowing me to be a part of her life!