Many Blessings!

I am thankful for...

~ Cardboard boxes
~ A Christmas tree gifted to us
~ Owen saying "baaaa"
~ Super glue to fix something broken
~ Eggs, bacon and hash browns for breakfast
~ Clean kitchen counters
~ A meal prepared for our family
~ A text from a friend
~ An email from my mom
~ Play time with cousins
~ A box of books
~ A warm hat for Owen to wear
~ A sunny day after many days of rain
~ A new friend
~ A handmade wreath
~ A 25 lb. box of meat given to us
~ Cousins hugging
~ Eating Cinnabon with a friend
~ Parents that live close
~ Christmas memories

... And so much more!

Full Body Smiles!

Today I am thankful for...
- Full body smiles
- Scream-talking
- A two-tooth grin
- Fun contained in a basket
- Toys for Owen to play with
- Kissable cheeks
- Giggles
- Serious concentration on a toy
- The look of chewing vigorously on Sophie the giraffe's ear
- Warm baby hands and feet
- Baby grunts
- Baby hands pounding

Happy Birthday Esmael Berhanu!

Esmael Berhanu

Today I am thankful for Esmael Berhanu.  Isn't he just adorable?  Today is his birthday.  Esmael is a little boy from Ethiopia who we sponsor through Compassion International.  I am thankful that Tommy and I are able to sponsor him monthly even though our budget is tight.  Just two days ago we received a letter from him where we learned that he enjoys playing soccer.  It is so fun to learn more about who he is and what he likes.  I pray for him often that he will know and love Jesus with all his heart.

Tommy and I have been sponsoring Esmael only a few months now.  Previous to that, we had been able to sponsor a little boy from India for 10 years through Compassion International.  He is now no longer in the program.  We both wanted to continue sponsoring a child through Compassion International so we went on the website and desired to find a child who had been waiting for a sponsor for over 6 months.  When we saw Esmael's picture both of our heart melted.  (To be honest there were a lot of other little faces my heart fell in love with.)  I look forward to someday being able to sponsor more children.  If you are looking to sponsor a child, Compassion International is a great ministry to do it through.

Yummy Granola

I am thankful for my mom who cooks so many yummy and healthy meals. Growing up I always preferred my mom's cooking over anyone else's cooking. I still remember a time when I was so disappointed we were going out to eat because I just wanted my mom's home cooked food. I still enjoy going home for my mom's good cooking and I hope to one day be as good of a cook as my mom. I am thankful that I have many of her yummy and healthy recipes to make here in my home.

This week I made my mom's homemade Almond Vanilla Granola recipe. I eat it on top of my yogurt, just plain as cereal and by the handful. It is so easy to make and my favorite granola!

Here are the ingredients you will need for the Almond Vanilla Granola:

5 cups oatmeal (not instant)

1 cup sliced almonds

1/4 cup chopped walnuts

1/4 cup vegetable oil

3/4 cup pure maple syrup

1 tsp. vanilla

Heat oven to 275 degrees.  Mix first 3 ingredients listed in a large roasting pan or baking sheet with 2" sides.  Combine liquid ingredients and pour over oatmeal mixture.  Stir to coat thoroughly.  Other ingredients of your choice, such as coconut, raisins, pecans, etc., can be added.

Cook for 1 hour, thoroughly stirring every 20 minutes.  Watch the last 20 minutes so it does not burn.  Cool thoroughly and store in air tight container.

Here is a recipe card for you to download!  Enjoy!

Thankful journal

A few months ago I started a thankful journal. My goal is to get to 1000 by the end of the year. Below are a few things from today.

I am thankful for...
- the creativity of others
- warm woolen mittens and socks to wear for my walk today
- a nice compliment from a friend
- used clothes passed on to Owen
- music playing in the house
- tea with my mom
- a delicious apple to eat
- a good book that challenges me in my walk with the Lord
- the sun coming through the kitchen window
- God providing for us
- quiet time in the Word
- the smile that I had on my face when I pulled out a toy elephant from my pocket!

Vacation at Home

I am thankful for the time I have with Tommy this week at home. I am so thankful that he is able to take some vacation time after the past few busy weeks.

Thankful for my dad!

I am thankful that my dad has been able to help us with some projects around our house.

Jesus loves me, warts and all!

I am so thankful that I do not have to be perfect for Jesus to love me. Jesus wants me to come to Him just as I am, warts and all. Jesus is the only one who can cleanse us from the sins in our life. Thank you Jesus for taking me, an imperfect person, in your arms and cleansing me from my sin.

"But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. THIS IS A TRUSTWORTHY SAYING."   ~Titus 3:4-8

Wrinkled Toes!

I am thankful for wrinkled toes and messy hair after Owen's bath time! He sure enjoys splashing in the bath!

I just love baby feet!

A visit from Paula!

Today I am thankful that my sister Paula was able to visit us for the last couple of days. It was so good to spend time together catching up, eating food, baking, shopping and sipping tea.  Owen also enjoyed his time with aunt Paula this week!

A Boy!

One year ago from today we found out that we were going to have a boy! It was such an exciting day for us to find out the gender of our baby. On our ride home from the ultrasound I said over and over "A boy! We are having a boy!"

We are so thankful for the little boy that God gave to us and we pray that he will be a boy who loves God with all of his heart.