Thankful

I've never been more thankful for anything in my life. 

I love you Lucy Pearl. 

When you love somebody...

Tis the month of Thanksgiving.  Although my heart wakes up full of thanks every morning.  To me there are really two different kinds of thankfulness.  There's the obvious.  Our loved ones, our health, our things.  And then there's what I consider a thankful heart.  It's more of an attitude.  It's there all the time, but yet can surge at surprising moments.  A sunrise, a smile, a cup of coffee. The best part about this kind of thankfulness is that it can be taught, improved, trained.  I was raised around this kind of attitude and I pray I radiate the same spirit around my child and my husband, a spirit of gratefulness.

But since we are leading up to Thanksgiving Day, I want to talk about one of my most favorite blessings to count.  Loved ones.  My family, near and far.  Which if you know me then you know how intricately they are a part of me.  My friends.  Friends I see weekly and friends I see sporadically.  Good friends in my new town and dear friends in my hometown.  Loved ones across the country and loved ones on the other side of the world right now.  I thank God for these people every day.  I pray for their safety and protection and happiness.  Because of them I'm surrounded by love and support and prayer.  I have people who lift me up and people who are patient and forgive.  They are people who are happy when I am happy and who remind me to be happy when I forget that I am.  I am so thankful for the people God selects to put in my life.

Last month my family all got together for a long weekend.  It was one of those times where I wish I could just bottle it up.  I'd love to take my family, my friends, and a cabin in the woods by a river and just roll it up and squeeze them in my arms forever.

So in the words of my favorite toast, here's to family I consider friends and friends I consider family...

8 Months

Little Bit, you are 8 months today. Amazing. You are amazing. You continue to amaze me every day. Absolutely amazing. Just last night your dad felt your third tooth. We thought your other bottom teeth were coming in next. We never saw or felt anything up top and then BAM. It was your top left tooth that just broke through.  Luckily your three teeth have not harmed our nursing relationship :) You make us laugh constantly and it's clear that you have so much that you want to say. You still don't crawl forward, but you're already starting to pull up on things. Maybe you think crawling on your hands and knees is for the dogs? You are curious about everything and some how are able to reach things that are 3 arm lengths away without even moving. You do NOT like winter squash. It's repulsive and you are shocked we would even attempt to feed it to you. You would rather stick to carrots and bananas.  That, and Mama's milk of course.  And girl do you love your daddy. You take it very personal when he leaves the room or walks away from you. But I don't think he minds. You are most at peace during our weekly hikes. You never get tired of being outside. I found a digested leaf in your diaper the other day. Fiber. I'm about to jump out of my skin I'm so excited about introducing you to the holidays. You are my heart.

Love,
Mama

We'll be in the woods...

Have I mentioned how much I LOVE this season? I find myself walking around with the hymn "For the Beauty of the Earth" stuck in my head. Thank you Lord.