Thursday's Thanksgivings

I can't believe that it's Thursday again.  

The days and weeks and months are zooming!

We're over halfway through December, 

and I've hardly posted anything about this special Christmas season.

More to come on that . . . 

Almost daily I think about something that I'd like to post,

but by the end of the day, my physical and mental energy is spent!

Despite my tiredness and need to sleep tonight, 

I had to mention some reasons for giving thanks today.

1. My house is clean (most of it, at least.) And not just clean, but organized (well, most of it.)  I am so thankful for my Mom and Dad keeping the kids tonight so that I could accomplish this task!  David's been out of town, and this single parent thing can cause a few chores (like putting away the laundry or sorting through the clothes your kids have outgrown) to the wayside.  Oh the victory when items like these are checked off my list! 

2. Today, my cousin and her husband celebrated 4 years of marriage.  Happy Anniversary, Bethany and Alex!  We're so thankful for you and for your life as "one flesh" being lived for the glory of God.

Aren't they lovely?

3.  Bethany received a great report at the doctor today.  Bethany is pregnant with their second child - a baby girl, Ann Elizabeth - due in March.  In early November, there was an incident that caused alarm and concern.  (I literally used the "cut and paste" method to quote my Aunt Vicki's update on Facebook regarding the situation.)

"Bethany had quite a bit of bleeding in the middle of the night Nov. 6th ~ after several ultrasounds they discovered a nice size blood clot right under the baby sitting on her cervix. She was on bed rest for a while but after finding out that it was a blood clot for sure they took her off, but have been checking her every 2 weeks (having ultrasounds every other visit). Doctor said blood clot could get bigger, continue expelling (that's what the bleeding was), reabsorb (obviously the best results), or stay the same. She had an ultrasound this morning and they could not find the blood clot at all! The doctor was so surprised she made them do a second ultrasound where she went in and looked for herself ~ no blood clot!!!"

Thank you, Lord, for this great news!

4.  I was so thankful that my sis-in-law, Lynn, had her camera on hand!  My children are constantly doing things throughout the day that I wish I had my video camera out to document; however, it seems that if I were to run and get it, I'd miss the moment altogether!  Claire has been doing this a lot lately, and I was so glad that Lynn was able to capture it on video.

    

I'm grateful, dear Lord, 

for these reasons for thanksgiving - both big and small - today. 

We know that "Every good and perfect gift is from above, 

coming down from the Father of lights 

with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow."

 ~ James 1:17 ~