Belated thanks

Between nurturing my family, travelling, the business, and home remodeling I have had no time to blog. So before December hits, I would like to take a few minutes to give thanks...for faith, family, and friends. In that order. I've tried about six times now to put into words how I am feeling, but everything seems to fall short or sound corny, but you know me!

Even in my worst moments, I am certain of the blessings in my life. And when doubt creeps in, I am reminded of all the things God has brought me through--both big and small. I have found that every single day there is something to be thankful for, something to smile about. And if you're reading this, I can almost guarantee that you are among those blessings.

Without making this entry a novel, I can merely say with all humility and sincerity that I am so absolutely thankful God has given me this life. It is a gift. The very best gift.

Talk about Experiencing God...

To quote David from the book of Psalms, "Give thanks to the Lord for He is good...His mercy endureth forever..." I am sitting in awe & gratitude of the Great Physician. My dr. called tonight around 9:15 to let me know that my echocardiogram and EKG from earlier today came back completely normal. No mitral valve prolapse, no crazy waves on the EKG, no anything. NOTHING. It is gone--praise the Lord! What an answer to prayer. Thank you, Jesus. I have been completely healed...and God gets all the glory. AMEN!!

Happy 2nd Birthday Baby Girl!!

A Kodak moment...

Our cowgirl at Brayden's party!

A favorite shot taken last week

Four-wheeling at the cabin--been lovin' it since she was a newborn!

Savannah & Mommy right after she entered the world!



Chowing down her 1st birthday cake...not a crumb was left!

Savannah's 2 yr. picture

Personal favorites: The thumb and the blanket

I sit here typing at 12:25am...thinking about how two years ago at this moment we were in active labor with Savannah-- whom we were certain was a boy (not b/c of finding out, but just because of our gut feelings)--who was born at 12:47am. All of our family & friends know all of the drama surrounding this birth (dr. attempting to force us into an "elective" c-section, the baby "having" hydronephrosis, blah, blah, blah) but let me briefly revisit it just to state yet again that God is awesome and works in amazing ways.

The entire event was orchastrated so that He can be glorifed...and rightly so! I chuckle even now thinking about how our moms were in near-states of diarrhea (and we were cool as cucumbers) when we informed them that we were dismissed from our OB/GYN mere days before our due date for not agreeing to an elective c-section! We arranged a new doc to see on Monday, whom was a direct God-send, and we were in labor Tuesday. And all the while we were basking in the amazingness of our Creator, never doubting that this is where He wanted us, and having such an overwhelming sense of peace throughout the entire process. Then to reach down and lift up our baby for the first time and discover that it was a girl! What an amazing moment. I yelled, "It's a girl!" and both Daryl and I were in a state of shock. I double checked her nither-regions to be certain I wasn't imagining things! I could not believe it then, and I still sit in awe about it now.

We had the name Savannah chosen before we were even married. We would even talk about how "she" looked in our minds. But I felt, for whatever reason, that I would have all boys. Go figure. And honestly, she is exactly as we thought and prayed she would be--curly hair, beautiful eyes, and full of spunk! I like to think that the Lord was giving me/us a preview! What a blessing our Baby Girl is to our family. Brayden truly adores her and has from the very first time he saw her. I love watching them together.

I love the fact that I have a daughter (actually two daughters now) whom I thought I would never have. I love watching her face light up and hearing her shrill as her Daddy walks through the door. I love the fact that she's a Daddy's girl through and through...that she will never have to doubt of our Father's love for her because of the example she has here on Earth. I love how sassy she can be. I love that she can already hold her own in a crowd. I love that she is sensitive. I love that she sucks her thumb and has a beloved blanket. I love that she loves to play in the dirt with trucks and cars while holding and caring for her babydoll. I LOVE her laugh. I love her curls. I love her eyes. I love her insaitable appetite...and that she never lets others go hungry, either! I love her love for reading and hearing her call, "Read book me!" as she comes down the hall with 4-5 books in her arms. I love that she loves brushing her little chicklet teeth. I love watching her love on her little sister. I love watching her imitate her older brother. I love hearing her sing (and singing with her). I love hearing her sing herself to sleep at night. I love that she can't fall asleep without us praying with her and everyone giving/getting a kiss. I love the mere fact that the love of a little 2-year-old girl enamores so many hearts and brings so much joy into so many lives without even being aware of it and without even trying. I love that she (along with her brother and sister) has taught--and continues to teach-- me more about God's love and about my being His child than anything else in my life. I love being her Momma.

And I can't imagine our lives without her.