What are you MOST thankful for this day?

I have read many lists of things people are thankful for....and if we really think about it, we can find MILLIONS of things for which to thank God. But today I was thinking of the one thing that tops them all this Thanksgiving. I do that every year. I am so thankful for so many many things that can';t even be listed.

But, what tops them this year? 2009 Thanksgiving.

My top thankful blessing this year is Tyler. Big surprise, right? Last Thanksgiving, we were thankful for him too, but we didnt know if that would be his only Thanksgiving with us. THIS is his first Thanksgiving with our forever-family. That tops them all this year! No one.....not ANYONE can take my son out of my arms. I am thankful for him and his adoption day in August. I am thankful to God for bringing this amazing blessing to our family. We are so undeserving. (This pic was from the summer....when we were all sun burned :)

What thing tops your list this year?

We may never travel again...

Oh, our son.....please please please sleep. Children NEED sleep. That means you. Just because you are in a pack n' play and not a crib is no reason to have a tantrum every time we put you there....and you did so well on the plane. *Sigh*

The last time we came to MD (in August), Tyler was getting sick....and thus was horrific at sleeping. He was one miserable little boy. This time he is not sick....and is one miserable little boy. He screams in terror when we put him down....and wakes up to even the slightest sounds. Last night I was up until 11 with him when he conked out. Then at midnight, Ellie and Greg got here (a day early....it was great!). When they came in he started screaming for another hour. Off and on throughout the night he screamed....and screamed.....and then screamed some more. We finally stopped going in there. He would scream for about 15 minutes, but then calm himself down.

Today my mom and daughter and I went to my FAVORITE mall.....I used to work there at Nordstroms Espresso Bar and it was the BEST job I have ever had. I loved it. I'll blog about it sometime.....but anyway, I was so excited. The whole time I was gone, Ty was screaming for his daddy. It was 3:00 when we got home....and he had not slept at all (and he takes a monring nap usually). I put him down and let him scream some more and finally he DID conk out......but man.

I love him....and I love my family.....but I am thinking they might have to come visit US from now on. I don't know if we can deal with this every time.....

Operation Christmas Child...

If you have not heard of this ministry, it is through Samaritan's Purse. This awesome ministry occurs every year at Christmas time. You take a shoebox, fill it up toys/clothes/hygiene and school items and them this awesome organization sends them overseas to countries where kids would not recieve any gifts at all. We have been doing this for a few years now, but I especially love it this year as Ellie really can understand. We were able to give online (it is $7 for the shipping). By doing that we'll be able to track our box and see which countries they go to! I am excited to study about that country with Ellie and really make it more real to her. We have talked a lot about kids who don't have anything....kids who's parents can't afford to buy them new clothes or toys. It is neat to go to the store with her and pick out presents for another little girl who is her age....and we don't buy anything for Ellie. We also did a gift for a 2-4 year old boy, but Tyler didn't really understand. He just wanted to play with the nerf football.....maybe next year :)

Our small group has kinda disbanded for a number of reasons. But, we were able to get together for a packing party....it was neat to pack out gifts together, while eating Christmas cookies and listening to Christmas music. The kids filled out their forms (they have cute little "get to know you" forms for the kids in case any of the kids who get the boxes are able to write back!).....and divied up the gifts.

What an awesome ministry. I would really reccomend it to families who want Christmas to be more than "gimme gimme gimme".

Here are some pics from the great packing party we had :)

Even little Miss Katie was into it :)

And here's our blessings who are getting ready to send gifts to other little blessings....around the world :)

Logan, Tyler (who makes me laugh hysterically here), Ellie, Sandra, Katie, Anna and baby Grant :)

We are praying now for these kids....who will recieve presents....but more than that will hear the good news about Jesus.....maybe for the only time in their lives. I hope through thes gifts they will know that Jesus loves them and someone across the world from them loves them too. I know it is something very little in the grand scheme of things....but something that could see eternal results. I am honored to be a part of it!

Happy times :)

My husband came home the other days with THESE....for no reason. Those are the best presents!

Today I am giving a shout out to my friend BECKY....whom I have never actually met in real life. But, she is someone I truly consider a friend. In my mailbox today was THIS! Does this girl know me or what??????? Talk about making my day!!!! THANK YOU, BECKY!!!!!

I am getting better at princess hair!

Ellie and I have been working on a project together. She picked out the material and was my official pinner :) Her new favorite thing is ironing )

3 days.....tears.....time.....love.....a couple phone calls to my mom......and much effort. Here it is :) This is my first-ever pattern. I have done tons of sewing, but it has all been out of my head, not following directions. I was thrilled and now feel I can tackle another one! That was my goal!

And the close-up of my beauty....who is growing up so much!

And sometimes when I have been at the end of my patience, I have to make ammends......all is forgiven :)

Reflections

This Friday night I was able to get together for a dear girlfriend for margeritas and then working on our babybooks at Barne's N Nobles until all hours of the night....that was good because my son is 14 months old and her daughter is 7 months, so we had better get going! A while ago I had found THIS book for Tyler and I just love it. It is a neat baby book with an adoption twist. I would reccomend it for other adoptive parents. The problem is, it is out of print. Online I only could find it for $50, so I was thrilled when it was returned to Barnes N Noble and I got it for the list price of $17!

In truth, my friend and I did more talking than writing, but we DID get some work done. It was neat to talk about how we told our husbands about our pregnancies (obviously meaning mine with Ellie) and to remember back to when I got the phone call about Tyler (who was then named something else). I remember a lot about his birth mom, whom I only met three times. Those 3 times, though were totally priceless.

I will never forget the love that she had for her son. What? I am sure you are thinking....wait, this woman abandoned her son. How could she love him? No. She did. As much as she knew how, she loved him and I truly believe that she made a loving decision in turning him over to me.....not in so many words, but through her actions. She knew her life would not be a good one for her son and she knew mine would be. In a sense, she gave him to me with her blessing.

The first day I met her, when Ty was only 4 days old, she gushed when meeting us. She was THRILLED to meet Ellie. She told us she was really nervous we wouldn't know how to take care of her son, but when she met our daugther, she said those fears were relieved. She kept saying how much she liked us and how she thought we were "really decent people" for doing this for her. She thanked us. We assured her that we were going to take care of him in the best way we could....for her!

The second time I met with her, Tyler was 6 days old. I was by myself. I had dressed him in a little blue outfit with a tiny ball cap that was WAY too big for his head. When she saw him, she chuckled. I told her that Greg made fun of me for putting the cap on him, but I couldn't help it because it was so cute. She said she agreed and thanked me for putting it on his head. She loved it. I knew she would.

The last time I met with her, Tyler was 8 days old. When I handed him off, I offered my diaper bag and formula and she pulled a diaper out of her pocket. She had bought a bottle and said she was all prepared. When she brought him back out to me, she wanted me to know how concerned she was about the dipaer rash that he had. I told her I was taking him to the doctor the next day for his well-baby check and would show him and she was very relieved. She asked me about if it would be OK if she came with me. I told her I would have to check with social workers, but as far as I was concerned, that would be fine (I had learned that birth moms sometimes did go to doctors appointments. They had to find their own transportation, but that was perfectly acceptable.) I told I would bring the info. the next time I saw her.

The next day she was admitted back into the hospital as she was having some bleeding issues related to the delivery. I wasn't allowed to visit her. The following few visits, I was stood up.

I never saw her again.

My heart still hurts for this woman who gave me her child. She really didn't know me from adam, but I do believe (and will someday tell Tyler) that she wanted me to raise him as my own. I can't imagine her pain.......but am thankful for her choice.