The Thinker on Being Thankful

Lately I have not found much to be thankful for in my life. It seems like someone in our house has been sick for the last month. My discontentment with living in Searcy remains. The search for a church home and being the "visitor" each week is on-going. And to top it off, making friends in a small town is hard! I've really had to dig deep to find joy and thankfulness in my life.

You know what I'm thankful for: Jim, Laura & Grant. I love my family. I love that Jim is very patient with me. I love how he loves our kids! I love that Laura is so smart and witty. I love that Grant smiles when he sees me and how he claps his hands when I say "yay!". I'm also thankful for my house that provides shelter and comfort, a secure job for Jim, a decent paying very part-time job for myself and cars that run. I am thankful for old friends. I am thankful because I know God has a purpose and a plan. And despite my "woes", I am thankful that I have a God who loves ME and I'm thankful for all the lessons I'm learning in this journey.

I am thankful and blessed beyond what I deserve. Your turn..what is one thing you are thankful for?

I'm throwing in some pictures for fun. Grant didn't enjoy the leaf pile all that much!

Eleven Things Learned in Eleven Days

1. Laura likes to use my nursing pads to make pretend sandwiches. She has also been nursing her favorite doll, Stella. That didn't take long!

2. There is in increase in laundry.

3. I will do whatever it takes for Grant to sleep at night even if it means sleeping on me! Although he is doing better to sleep in his bed the last couple of nights!!!

4. It is okay to use formula and not beat yourself up over using a bottle.

5. I enjoy the days when Laura is at school and I have time just with Grant without any distractions.

6. Grant loves his swing.

7. Jim is a great daddy. Of course I already knew that, but he has been a wonderful source of encouragement to me the last week and a great playmate to Laura when I am unable to entertain.

8. Laura has watched probably too much t.v. lately.

9. I didn't wait two weeks to start driving post c-section. If you know me, I like to get out when I can, so I resumed driving a little early.

10. Selling a house, an approaching move, having a husband finish a dissertation, and adding a newborn to the mix at the same time is an overwhelming thought at times.

11. I love my family of four. While at times, I long for a full-nights sleep and getting past the newborn demands, I love Jim, Laura and Grant more than anything.

My Ten Things

At 9 months pregnant, I am forgetting my blessings. So, thanks to Jenn for bringing this to my attention. It is important to remind ourselves to be thankful each day.

Today I am thankful for:

1. Laura being healthy again.
2. Clothes that don't fit and baby movements (although at times uncomfortable) because it tells me a baby is still growing and active.
3. The smell of Jim's cologne on the van steering wheel while driving to run an errand.
4. Quiet time this afternoon.
5. Snuggling in bed this morning with Jim and Laura.
6. A good cup of coffee.
7. Eating 5 Girl Scout cookies and thoroughly enjoying them.
8. A relatively clean house.
9. Watching Laura pick out the perfect snuggly for the baby.
10. The nap I am about to take. (if Laura will stay in her room!)

Update on Baby Miller #2

Yesterday proved to me that I need to have more patience with doctors' offices. Jim and I spent about three hours waiting to see the OB, and then waited again for our ultrasound. Of course, it was all worth it in the end to see a precious baby!

Baby Miller #2 is healthy; all organs are in place and functioning; spine is good; heart chambers are working, and we got a good report overall. He/she weighs one pound and is scheduled to enter our lives by c-section around March 14th. My only complaint is taking the awful iron pills, which I have to continue throughout the pregnancy.

Here are some of the latest photos:

Thankfulness

The Miller family in St. Louis hosted Thanksgiving this year. Eight adults, one teenager and a 2-year-old enjoyed a wonderful day of eating, visiting and laughing.

Our immediate family mentioned some things on this earth for which we are thankful. (See the list below.) We agreed that God's love topped all of our lists.

We hope you had a special day of reflecting on life's blessings.

Mom
Family
Job as church secretary
Our country
Church family

Dad
Cardinals World Championship win
Children home for Thanksgiving
My workshop
Traditional church hymns

Jeanne
Laura's Kisses
Warm weather

Tom
Jeanne
Cowboys win on Thanksgiving Day
Chocolate pecan pie
Red wine

Sara
A good night's sleep
Coffee and Diet Coke
A happy and healthy daughter
A good book

Jim
Blogs
A well-manicured lawn
Baseball
Macs

Laura
Barney, B.J. and Baby Bop
Toys
Friends (Mackenzie, Josiah, Abby, Will, Sam, Jack, Merideth and Haley)
Fresh diapers