So much to be thankful for...

1. I am thankful for my God's decision to sacrifice His Son for my sin so that I may live eternally as a child of God..

2. for God choosing Bryan for ME... I feel blessed everyday that I have him as my husband!

3. I can not imagine my life without my Brody... He has brought such JOY into my life.. I read this on someone's status the other day, "God must have thought highly of me to bless me with my children".. I could not have said it better.. God must have thought SO highly of me to bless Bryan and I with Brody... his is so special and makes me a proud mommy everyday!

4. My baby girl Aubry. The moment of her birth the Dr. yelled "She is beautiful!", and she was and still is.. just the most precious, and a little sassy, girl I know. Mother daughter relationships are so special. I think about my relationship with my mom and pray that for Aubry and I. She is the light in her daddy's eyes and the joy in my heart. I am a special mommy to have her in our life.

5. My Dad.. As parents our job is to set the stage for what our children's relationship should be with our God. Dad's death 6 years ago made me realize who God had created me to be. God took my dad and gave me purpose! It's the hardest thing I have gone through in my life but I wouldn't change it. It gives me the opportunity to share with my children that you can love somebody not present! For this I am Thankful!

6. My Mother.. I wouldn't be the mother I am today if it hadn't been for the example I had as a child. My mom was all I ever wanted to be "when I grew up". She demonstrated faith, love, guidance, and patience all situations. I have never heard her give her testimony but I have lived it and it is one of great FAITH in times of turmoil. I feel so blessed to have the relationship that I do with my mom. I love you!

7. My siblings.. I have an older brother, Kyle, and a younger sister, Katie. We are only 2 years apart so you can imagine we were each others playmates growing up. I have so many memories of us "entertaining" one another. sometimes we fought, sometimes we laughed so hard stuff came out our nose, sometimes we got hurt (and we would laugh) but all in all they are the best bro & sis a girl could have!

8. I am thankful and blessed that Bryan and I are apart of the leadership at HWC. I can not imagine a better place to raise our children. They are surrounded by LOTS PKs that I know will be life long friends, not to mention the other pastors and pastors wives that have become dear friends to Bryan and I. God is doing some amazing things at HWC...

9. My marriage.. People get married everyday, but it takes more than vows to make a marriage. It takes God, strength, understanding, patience, communication, and selflessness, to name a few. Bryan and I don't have the "perfect" marriage because we are not perfect, but God gives us the strength and example to make it as perfect as we are able. I am so thankful for that!

10. God has given me amazing friends In each season of my life some of which have been there and known me since grade school, some helped me overcome extreme sadness and greif, some helped me in the most exciting season of life.. the birth of my babies, others helped me become aquainted to a new "home town" by showing love and understanding.. for all those people I am thankful!

11. I am Thankful for our Military! I well up with pride when they are honored. They have such an important job, one that sometimes goes unnoticed. So what a gift to have a whole day set aside to show our appreciation to them. So today I say THANK YOU to all of the soldiers and their families for all you sacrifice..

12. So thankful knowing that when I am faced with "life" I can turn to God for peace. I have a tendency to let anxiety and worry get the best of me. Life is not easy, there are always going to be situation arise that make me feel "anxious" or "worried" so knowing God is bigger than that gives me the PEACE and HOPE I need. His eye is on the sparrow and know He watches me!

13. When you get married you are getting the whole family. I am happy to say that my in-laws are among some of the BEST. They are just very caring christian people that I am proud to call my family. They raised Bryan with such tender care that I know that is why he is the way he is today. Not to mention Brody and Aubry are crazy about them too! They love their P-Paul and Na Na! So thankful for them..

14. I have been gone all day involved in an Art Show put on to benefit Starfish Orphan Ministries. Local artist were invited to come and sell their "craft" to raise funds for the ministry. So, I have to say that today I feel very thankful that I am able to use my gifts to benefit others and help my family as well.

15. Today Aubry and I are sick.. boo :( So I am home with she and Brody and miss being at HWC. It is so nice to be in a place of worship! I have to say that I feel very thankful today that I have the freedom of worship! I can not imagine living somewhere that denied me that right. Thank you God for that freedom.

16. I think it is amazing that a movie, 70 years old, has the ability to keep a child's attention! I am so thankful that I have the opportunity to make these memories with my children. Sometimes we just need to stop and enjoy the little things... Like "The Wizard of Oz"!

17. I am so Thankful that God gave Bryan and I the ability to for me to be a stay-at-home Mom! It is something we felt very called to do and I cherish each second of it. Now granted there are times that are stressful, I call them my "Calgon, take me away" moments :) but I would not change it for the world! We are so blessed!