Thankful:11/25

I am thankful for my sweet daughter, Hannah, who is celebrating her 12th birthday today. She has so many wonderful qualities about her, and I admire her greatly. She continues to grow into a beautiful lady inside and out. I am amazed at the level of maturity and wisdom that continues to be displayed by her and her desire to serve and love other people. I love spending time with her and discovering what is on her mind. She is truly fascinating. I always knew I would love being a mom, but the girl I get to be a mom to inspires me in so many ways.

I am so thankful today that Father blessed me with such a precious gift, the gift of a daughter.

Thankful: 11/24

I can't help but be reminded of where I was 12 years ago today. Miserable. 38 weeks pregnant, not sleeping through the night, and anxious to have a baby. Rob was recalling the story today, talking about how I had spent the day shopping with Misty (Milam) Thompson walking and walking the malls, then gone to a late movie with Krista and Phil after they arrived in town from Kansas for Thanksgiving. About 2am Rob got up for a midnight snack of cookie dough and my water broke. About 15 minutes after we left the house for the hospital, my mom drove in from TN. I can't tell you how thankful I was for her to walk in that hospital not long after my arrival. And today....I am still so thankful for my mom!! 12 years ago today I was yet to be a mom, but I knew what a good mom looked like and what she was supposed to do for her kids. I knew how a mom was supposed to love her children and support and encourage them. There has never been a day in my life where I have doubted my mom's love for me, and I knew I wanted to be that kind of mom to my kids.

Today, the day before Thanksgiving and my oldest daughter's birthday, I am so thankful for the role model my mom has been to me throughout my life. I am thankful for the unconditional love she has always shown me and never fails to give me.

I am thankful for my mom, she is the best friend this girl could ever have!

Thankful:11/23

Today I am thankful for the wonderful heritage I have. I have 2 wonderful, amazing grandmothers who I love very much!! I am so blessed to have grandmothers who have always loved the Father and pointed each one of their children and grandchildren to Him! I am truly thankful for my Grandma Veta and Grandmother Mary Lee!! I am so happy to spend Thanksgiving with you next year!

Thankful:11/22

How can I not be thankful today for seeing my dad and Kerry Ann for the first time in almost 3 years!?!?! And what a fun day we had!!

Thankful: 11/21

I am thankful that last night, when Hudson was asked what he was thankful for, he said, "my sister".

(I am also thankful that the airport I am flying into tomorrow has a Starbucks in it....holiday flavors will be enjoyed by me!!)

Thankful:11/20

I only have a few days left to write what I am thankful for and I am running out of room and time. Maybe I should continue writing every day.....it sure helps me to choose joy every day to express my thankfulness for all Father has given me. Hmmmm....good idea.

I can't go on any further without saying how thankful I am for my husband, Rob. There is no one in this world who could have been a better match for me than him. He is so good to me, even when I am not deserving of it.....and he is such a servant to me and to our children. I am so thankful for my helpmate, partner for life, and my very best friend! The last 3 years of our lives have been so different from anything we could have imagined, and it has been wonderful to have someone to laugh with, cry with, and celebrate with through all of our Asian adventures together.

I am so thankful for a man who searches the heart of Father for our family and is willing to obey Him above all else! I love you, Rob!!

Thankful:11/19

Today I am thankful for good friends! We are blessed to have many, but specifically I would like to pause and express my thankfulness to 2 who are so very dear to our hearts. I am reminded again today how having people in your lives who love you through your good times and your bad ones is a precious gift! These two have definitely been a gift to both Rob and I over the last 10 years. We couldn't count our blessings without including you!
We love you Mike and Lisa!! And......Happy Birthday Mike! (yesterday)

Thankful: 11/18

Today I would like to tell you how thankful I am for my wonderful, super, fantastic mother-in-law, Donna!! There are so many things I am thankful for, but mostly it is her constant love and prayers for us. She is so faithful to lay each of her children before the Lord, and it is truly evident in her life. Donna is always kind and thoughtful not only to my children, but also to me. I am also thankful for the wonderful things she has instilled in her son, such as his love and study of Scripture. I am truly blessed to have the most wonderful mother-in-law in the world!!

Happy Birthday Donna!! I love you!!

Thankful: 11/17

Today I am thankful for the knock on the door. Twice today we have been blessed by it.

The first time was with a package from home......reminders of being loved and thought of, and that someone in our family is about to have a birthday!!

The second time was a bunch of little boys, asking Hudson to come to a birthday party. He has been playing with some of the boys in our new apartment complex and tonight the main friend he plays with was having a birthday. 8:00pm was the cake cutting, so Hudson, with Rob in tow, hurried off to the party. Rob sat with the dads and Hudson artfully avoided eating the cake (which can be quite interesting, but never sweet). After a while they came back, goody bag in hand. This second knock on the door reminded me that our Father hears our requests and answers them, and for this I am truly THANKFUL!

Thankful: 11/16

I am so thankful today for the opportunity to live where I do, and experience all of the things that are probably "out of the ordinary" to many people. I am truly blessed to be living this life with my family....and I am thankful we have a lot of fun doing this together!!

I don't think you can see it, but it says "This Way to the Market"....in English. I am thankful for her smile!I am thankful for his funny.

Thankful: 11/15

I am again thankful for the beauty that is around me today and truly the gift of health that my family has been blessed with. Today we all climbed to the top of Moon Hill, the one with the hole going through it. I am so glad that I did!! It was an amazing view with breathtaking beauty. I think my son said it best as he climbed the final rock to the top, "WOW! There is no way this could have all been done by anyone but God!" Agreed!

I am also thankful for these two....as always.

And....I am soooo thankful for this guy, who climbed the pole at the top of the mountain, well, just because.

Thankful:11/14

Today I am so thankful for.....being out of town for the weekend.

Be back in a few days!!

Thankful:11/13

I am so thankful today for this guy!!!

He brings us so much joy and laughter! I don't think there is anyone who can make me just laugh out loud as much as he does. He has such a tender heart and I love watching him grow into a young man who follow's after his Creator.

I also love listening to conversations he has with Rob. Just yesterday they were doing some "fixing" of things around the house. He LOVES to tag along and help/watch/learn everything he can. Mostly he just likes to ask questions.....nonstop. Rob is so patient with him and allows him to question and just talk. It made me so thankful for a son who loves his dad so much and wants to learn everything he can from him, spending every moment possible with him.

I am so thankful today for my son and what a wonderful gift Father has given me!

Thankful: 11/12

I am thankful for song today. I love to sing, it is such a wonderful gift of expression. I have been so blessed to have a family that loves to sing together. The Wagoner and Olmstead families all have quite a bit of musical background....so fun.

Today was full of song in our house. Hannah sang a solo tonight at the local high school for an English party. She practiced all day and then did a wonderful job tonight!! I was so proud of her! And then Rob, Ryan, and I sang an oldie, but goodie from youth ensemble days...."I Feel Good". We practiced in the car on the 5 min. drive to the school, since we are usually asked to sing and are never prepared. We decided which verses to sing where, split up the harmony, and called it good. It was a very fun evening. Capped off with all the high schoolers singing and cheering to Richard Marx's "Right Here Waiting", a classic from my high school days.....still popular here 20 years later.

Make a Joyful Noise to the Lord!!

Thankful:11/11

I can't help but be thankful today for all the wonderful veterans that have faithfully served our country. I am especially reminded today of both of my grandfathers who served in the military as well as many other family members.

I am also reminded of so many friends who have served more recently, leaving families and loved ones behind, not knowing what the future would hold. And I am also mindful of those families, like our dear friends the Roberts, who have made the ultimate sacrifice. I am extremely grateful to each and every one of you who have served. Thank you!!

11/10: Thankful

Today I am thankful for SISTERS!!

I have 2 brothers, so never had the privilege of growing up with other girls, besides MOM, in the house. Now I have 3 wonderful sisters! 2 of them grew up with my husband and 1 is helping my brother grow up. :) Just kidding!

Rikki, Krista, and Heather are truly a blessing in my life for so many reasons, but the greatest is that they have accepted me, loved me, and allowed me to be part of their lives. I miss these three ladies very much and can't wait to spend some extended time with each of them.

I love each one of you girls very much! Thanks for loving me too!!

PS....sorry the pictures are all very old! :)

Thankful: 11/9

Today I am so thankful for my daughter's companionship. There are so many reasons why I am thankful for her, but the day dedicated to her is still a few weeks away....

So, todayI chose her companionship. This morning she got up at 6am with me to run, which she does faithfully 3 mornings a week. It is so wonderful to have a someone to encourage me and help me do what I need to do, even though we would both rather be snuggled in bed a little longer. And....it is good for her. :)

Tonight, while Rob and Hudson went to play basketball, Hannah and I walked to the store in the middle of town talking and observing as we went along. It was a beautiful evening to enjoy being outside so we decided to also walk back home. I am truly thankful for her companionship and friendship!!

11/8: Thankful....Kinda

OK, I will be real here today saying that I am thankful for US Bank. Why you may ask? Because they are constantly looking out for my best interests. In fact, today, when I was trying to book hotel and flights for my Dad's upcoming trip, they were so concerned about my saftey that after I booked the hotel, they shut off my credit card....concerned about fraud. So, a few minutes after booking my flight, I got several emails and calls saying my credit card wouldn't work.

The airline people told me I needed to call US Bank and see what the problem was. So, I did. However, wouldn't you know, my name isn't on the card, Rob's is. And wouldn't you know he was not home. So, I kindly explained to the man that we really live in another country, and I really was using the card......sorry, can't help you. I told him the exact amounts of my purchases and where I purchased them.....no bueno. He listened to me and said he could tell me nothing. I told him I knew all the personal information about Rob and could verify that it was him.....no dice. I finally told him Rob would call him back in a few hours, but could he at least tell me if this was the problem?......nope.

A choice came to mind....be frustrated at the man, or be thankful that US Bank was looking out for my security. I appreciate what they do to keep others from stealing our money. :) So, I chose to be thankful. And I truly am.

Thankful: 11/7

I am so thankful for my dad!! It is his birthday today, so if you see him, be sure and wish him a happy day!! I am thankful for a dad who has loved me and supported me all of my life!! I am also so very thankful that I get to see him for the first time in over 2 1/2 years.....in just 14 days!!!! (and that hs is willing to come all this way to see me!!)

Thankful:11/6

SSSSOOOOOO THANKFUL........for friends who invite your children to spend the night at their house so you can have a date night and day with your husband!! WooHoo.....Gotta Go.....

Thankful:11/5

I am so thankful for all my nieces and my nephew. I am very thankful for these sweet babies that I miss very much and would really like to spend a lot of time with , so they can know what a GREAT and WONDERFUL AUNT they have!!! I can't wait to meet you all in less than a year!!

I am also thankful for these 2 nieces who continue to literally grow up in front of our eyes. Girls, we are so ready to hang out with you again for weeks and weeks playing outside, watching movies, and just being together!I am also very thankful for our overseas cousins who are our "substitute" cousins for the last few years. We love you two very much and are thankful you let us be apart of your lives!

Thankful: 11/4

I am so thankful today for Emily. It is her 22nd birthday today and we were blessed to celebrate with her this year!! She has been such a sweet friend to Hannah these last 4 months, and we are so so sad to know she is leaving us in only 2 months. Emiy has been such a sweet addition to our little town and to our lives!

Thankful:11/3

Today I am reminded how thankful I am for laughter!! Aren't you? What would we do if we couldn't just throw our heads back and laugh every once in a while?

Thankful: 11/2

I have been reminded throughout the day how thankful I am for the gift of language! The ability to have real conversations with people who don't speak the same language as you, is truly something to be thankful for! I still have a long way to go, but at the same time, realize how far I have come!!

2010....flying by

Can it really already be November?? Because my time is short I will leave you with a few favorite pictures from the last few weeks. All of these are blog-worthy, but alas, I will never have time to blog about them all.

Here is Hannah and our favorite girl hangin' out at a school.

Hannah and her latest shipment of stuffed animals!!

My boy enjoying a rare treat these days.....McDonalds!! My own personal nail tech....who did a lovely job.

Black fingers and blue toes.... thank you Miss G! This might just be my favorite picture of the year. Reagan and Ryan, riding Ryan's motorcycle. I was driving beside them. I think it was probably funnier in person, poor Ryan trying to balance the bike with Reagan on the back. Reminds of the days they would both ride on the rocking horse as toddlers. They sure have come a long way!

Thankful :11/1

I have decided to join in the "thankful" blogging. I remember a few friends last year blogged about something they were thankful for every day of November. So, this year, I have decided to participate! So, if you don't mind, I would like to share something every day until Thanksgiving that I am truly thankful for.

I am truly thankful today for the beauty of Creation. Every morning I have the privilege to look out and see the mountains outside all my windows, and most mornings, the sun rising over the mountains. I love sitting, reading the Word, and spending time talking with the One who created the beauty right outside my window.