Many of my friends on Facebook are posting something each day for which they are thankful this year. I caught on a bit too late to do one each day, but would like to put my two cents in with the wonderful upcoming holiday. To borrow the words of our wise pastor Chuck Swindoll (yes, we are so fortunate that he leads Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, TX...couldn't believe that such a grounded, world-renowned man started a church here!), "I've got a love affair going with Thanksgiving. It seems to blend together all we Americans hold precious and dear--without the sham and plastic mask of commercialism." I am so very thankful for so many people and things the Lord has provided for us that I don't even know where to begin... So I'll attempt to be short and sweet...and pick just a few :)
First of all (and definitely most importantly), I am so thankful for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. God didn't have to give up his only Son for us, but He did!! It compares with no other religion--we are saved by grace, alone, not by works!
Second, I am thankful for our little miracle who isn't staying so little anymore. It seems crazy that it took three years (and that's just of actual "trying"...think we were ready before that!) for him to be conceived. On a daily basis, I'll get, "So...is he two?" They are always shocked when we mention he's about to be 18 months "but he's pretty tall!" He's still only about 24 lbs, but is well past 32", as of his 15 month appointment. We totally need to measure him again, because I know he's definitely grown since then...
I am thankful for Holli, Reid's "new" sitter this year. She is so wonderful that I cannot say enough good things about her!! She treats him like one of her own kiddos (and her own two girls are fabulous, sweet, and beautiful :), has found things he will eat (which I am always, always looking for these days!), and brings out the best in Reid. I'm not sure who loves her more...Reid or me! I do not worry about him one single bit once I drop him off each morning...and that is the total opposite from last year. Holli is amazing!
I am thankful that our little guy is learning manners (thank you, Holli!) and new things each day. This one shocked me last week...but then he did it again a few days ago! I wiped his nose, set the tissue on the table for a second while I unpacked some of our stuff after school, and the next thing I know, he's taking the "tash" (trash) to the trashcan. I did it again so that I could get video:
And I am thankful for food. Yes, this one sounds a little bit random, but if you know me at all, you know that I LOVE food. Love it! Tonight I made Phat Thai (can't remember what makes it Phat, not Pad) and we ate until we were nearly sick. Soooo yummy that I had to take the pic below. But the fun part behind it is all the years of "odd" foods Jason and I have grown to love. I realized as we were eating that we probably never would've had Pad Thai had we not visited Uncle Pete and Aunt Tanya when they were in Frankfurt. Their maid was the cook on the chef's day off (and boy, was it a treat...who gets to have authentic Thai in Germany?!) and our taste buds were introduced to a whole new world, halfway across the world! Little did we know we'd actually visit Phuket, Thailand a few years later and fall in love with the food.
We are hoping that Reid follows in our footsteps of loving travel and trying the foods from those places. But until then, I am quite thankful that he is beginning to enjoy feeding himself. Not so crazy about him having fast food, but these days if I can get him to eat ANYthing, it's considered a plus. I have literally tried every fruit and veggie out there, but so far he really prefers meat, cheese, and bread. That's about it :( So here's his first Happy Meal...
